Patent Grant
10925445
This invention is in the field of portable toilets, camping toilets, composting toilets, and waste management.
Toilets, defined as devices to collect human solid and liquid excrement, are ancient devices that have been in use for thousands of years. These include simple chamber pots, bucket toilets, outhouses, latrines, commodes, and the like, as well as the more complex water-based flush toilets in popular use.
Modern flush toilets typically operate with various types of standard toilet seats, which can be screwed onto the flush toilet on a semi-permanent basis. These standard toilet seats are well designed for comfort, and as a result, users tend to expect that a good toilet will be compatible with such toilet seats.
In addition to the flush toilets, there is also commercial demand for various types of camping toilets and composting toilets, and many types of camping toilets and composting toilets are presently on the market. Camping toilets can be very inexpensive. By contrast, composting toilets are often considerably more expensive and elaborate. To help implement the composting functionality, it may be useful to separate out the urine components from the solid components, thus providing a urine diversion toilet.
The present invention was inspired, in part, by the insight that inexpensive camping toilets and composting toilets generally tend to be incompatible with standard toilet seats. This can create a sub-optimal user experience. Improved designs that can accommodate standard toilet seats are thus desirable.
The present invention was also inspired, in part, by the insight that a fair number of inexpensive camping toilets and composting toilet designs, particularly those designed to be stored in a compact configuration, and then extended for use, also fail to adequately stabilize the user while using the toilet. Improved designs that can both disassemble and then assemble into a configuration that can adequately stabilize the user (e.g. an adult human, often with a weight between 100 to 300+ pounds) would also be desirable.
As will be discussed, the present disclosure teaches a toilet seat support device that can be used as the basic chassis to construct a portable toilet, such as a composting toilet for camping use. The device is configured with suitable fixtures for other components, such as a standard toilet seat, a waste collection bucket, detachable legs, and other devices to be rapidly mounted onto the chassis, or disassembled for transport or storage.
In some embodiments, the invention may be a toilet seat support device (102) for a portable composting toilet (100). This toilet seat support device will typically comprise a substantially planar toilet seat support device (102) comprising a front side (104), a backside (106), a left side (108), a right side (110), a top layer (or top side 112), and a bottom layer (or bottom side 114).
In a preferred embodiment, this toilet seat support device (102) will have an axis of symmetry (116) passing between a middle of the front side (118) and a middle of the backside (120) so that the device's left side (108) is symmetric with respect to the device's right side (110).
The toilet seat support device will typically further comprise a first central oval opening (122) in the device's top layer (112). This is superimposed over a slightly larger second central oval opening (124) in the device's bottom layer (114). The second central opening will often have a diameter between ½ inch and 2 inches larger than the first central opening. This configuration thus produces a stepped central oval opening (126) passing completely through the device's top layer (112) and the device's bottom layer (114). The step, often about ¼ inch to 1 inch wide, can be seen in
The bottom layer of the device's backside will typically be configured with both right (128) and left (130) leg attachment fixtures, each positioned on opposite sides of the device's axis of symmetry (116).
On the backside of the device (106), the device's top layer (112) and the device's bottom layer (114) are configured with right (132) and left (134) toilet seat fixture openings, each positioned on opposite sides of the axis of symmetry (116). These toilet seat fixture openings are positioned and configured so that when a standard toilet seat (136) may be mounted on the device's top layer (112) by way of nuts or bolts (208, 210) which protrude through these right (132) and left (134) toilet seat fixture openings. These are held in place by corresponding nuts or screw mounts (138, 140). The standard toilet seat opening (142) will be positioned above the device's stepped central opening (126) in the device's top layer (112).
The device's stepped central oval opening (126) is typically configured with at least an upper central opening (122) and a lower central opening (124) so that this lower central opening (124) can pass over the rim (150) of a substantially cylindrical waste receptacle (152) (such as a bucket), while the device's upper central opening (124) and step (125) is in contact with the rim (150) of this substantially cylindrical waste receptacle (152).
In some embodiments, the device's backside (106) further comprises at least one toilet lid support attachment fixture (200). A toilet lid support (202) is attached to this toilet lid support attachment fixture (200). A standard toilet seat (136) (typically comprising a standard toilet seat lid (204) and hinge (206) structure and toilet seat opening 142) is mounted on the device top layer (112) (usually by way of any of bolts or screws (208, 210) protruding through the right (132) and left (134) toilet seat fixture openings).
The toilet lid (202) support functions to prevent the standard toilet seat lid (204) from swinging around its hinge structure (206) to an angle greater than 135 degrees. (Here “shut” is 0 degrees, “open at a right angle” is 90 degrees, and “open and swinging around to hit the floor” would be 270 degrees.)
The legs (160, 162) can be attached to the toilet seat support device by various mechanisms. In some embodiments, the right (128) and left (130) leg attachment fixtures can be configured with any of screw threads, snap-fit fasteners, openings to accommodate snap-fit fasteners, slip-neck fasteners, or other reversible attachment mechanism as appropriate to attach to the legs.
In some embodiments, such as when the first (122) and second (124) openings are circular (one type of oval), the diameter of the smaller first central opening (122) can, for example, have a diameter of 11 inches (5.5 inch radius) and the diameter of the larger second opening can be 11½ inches (e.g. 5.75 inch radius) or larger. The step surface (125) will often be a recessed annulus, often with a width of about ½ inch. It will often be useful to configure these openings so as to be compatible with either standard waste receptacle sizes (e.g. standard bucket sizes), or alternatively to at least be compatible with a specific bucket size that can be sold with the device or at least be recommended by the device instructions for use.
In some embodiments, the distance between the front side (104) and the backside (106) of the unit can be between 16 to 20 inches (such as about 18 inches). The width of the backside (106) can be between 9 and 12 inches (such as 10⅜ inches). The depth of the toilet seat support device will often be between 1 and 2 inches, such as 1½ inch. Here for example, if the toilet seat support device is composed of two layers, the top layer of the toilet seat support device may be ¾ inches deep, and the bottom layer of the toilet seat support device may also be ¾ inches deep.
In some embodiments, the substantially planar toilet seat support device (102) can comprise a plurality of different layers (such as the two layers shown in the figures) of material that are affixed or laminated together. In these examples, the top layer comprises a top layer of material (such as a layer of wood, plywood, or plastic or other material), and the bottom layer will comprise a bottom layer of the same or different material (which again may be wood, plywood, plastic or other material).
Alternatively, in some embodiments, the substantially planar toilet seat support device (102) can comprise a single material. This can be molded or machined plastic or wood, but other materials, including ceramics or metals, are not disclaimed. Here the top layer (or top portion 112) will comprise a top portion of this single material, and the bottom layer (or bottom portion 114) will comprise a bottom portion of this single material, and there will not actually be any separation between the layers.
In some embodiments, the right and left leg attachment fixtures (128, 130) can be pressure fit fixtures that are pressure fit into at least the bottom layer (114) of the toilet seat support device (102). In the embodiment shown in the figures, however, the right and left leg attachment fixtures have been pressure fit through both the top (112) and the bottom (114) layers.
Typically, the toilet seat support device will further comprise right and left legs (160, 162) configured to reversibly attach (e.g. attach, and detach) to the right and left leg attachment fixtures (128, 130). These legs may attach by various mechanisms, including complementary screw threads, complementary snap-fit fasteners, openings to accommodate the snap-fit fasteners, slip-neck fasteners, screws, nuts, bolts, and the like.
Typically, both the right and left legs (160, 162) and the substantially cylindrical waste receptacle (152) will comprise rigid, load-bearing materials, often rigid plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polyethylene, and the like. Other materials, such as wood or metal, may also be used. The legs and waste receptacle are configured so that when the right and left legs (160, 162) are attached to the right and left leg attachment fixtures (128, 130), and the upper central opening step (125) is in contact with the rim or lid (150) of the substantially cylindrical waste receptacle (152), and a standard toilet seat (136) is affixed to the seat support device (102), the standard toilet seat will be supported at the height of a standard adult toilet. This will often be between 15 to 19 inches high off the ground or floor, but more broadly can be between 10-12 inches to 20 inches.
The device will typically be configured to support the weight of at least an average adult (e.g. 100 to 300+ pounds). Some heavy-duty models may be configured to support still higher weights, such as 500 pounds and higher. Note that in addition to bearing the user's weight, the load-bearing materials must also absorb the transient forces generated when the user sits down. Thus, structural safety margins such as 2x the rated maximum weight may be preferred.
In some embodiments, either the device bottom layer (114) or the waste receptacle (e.g. bucket 152) can further comprise at least one attachment mechanism (such as a hook or clamp 154) configured to attach the rim (150) of the substantially cylindrical waste receptacles to the underside (114) of the toilet seat support device (102).
In some embodiments, the device will further comprise a child seat attachment (300). This child seat attachment will typically comprise a child's seat top portion (302) and a child's seat bottom portion (304). The child seat attachment will typically further comprise a child's seat central opening (306) that passes completely through both the child's seat top portion and the child's seat bottom portion so that waste can be deposited into the waste receptacle (152). The child's seat bottom portion (304) is typically configured to fit inside the device's first central oval opening (122). The child's seat top portion is typically configured with a diameter that is typically larger than the device's first central oval opening (122), but slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening of a standard toilet seat (142). This is so that the child's seat top portion (302) will fill most of the space between the opening of the standard toilet seat (142), and the child's seat central opening (306) so that the child will be supported at the level of the standard toilet seat, and not fall further into the standard toilet seat opening (142).
In some embodiments, the optional child's seat attachment may have, on the top portion of the child's seat attachment, an outer diameter (310) that is equal to or only a fraction of an inch smaller than, the diameter of the standard toilet seat opening (142) (such as around 11½ inches). The child's seat attachment will typically have its own opening diameter (306). This is smaller than the standard toilet seat opening such as between about 5-6 inches in diameter (e.g. 5/¾ inches in diameter).
The lower portion of the child's seat attachment may have an outer diameter (312) that is equal to, or only a fraction of an inch smaller than, the diameter of the first central oval opening (122).
Thus if, for example, the first central oval opening (122) has a diameter of 11½ inches, the lower portion of the optional child's seat attachment may have a diameter equal to, or a fraction of an inch less than, 11½ inches.
The height of the optional child's seat unit may often be around 1½ inch. Here the lower portion of the child's seat unit, such as the lower ¾ inch of the optional child's seat unit, will be configured to fit into the first central oval opening (122). By contrast, the upper portion of the child's seat attachment, such as the upper ¾ inch of the optional child's seat unit, will be raised a certain amount, such as about ¾ inches above the top layer (112) of the toilet seat support. This configuration thus raises the top portion of the optional child's seat to about the same height as the surrounding standard toilet seat (136). Indeed, the depth of the upper portion of the optional child's seat support unit can be chosen to exactly match the corresponding height of a given standard toilet seat (136) when mounted onto the toilet seat support device (102), and the instructions for use can recommend certain matches between the child's seat support unit and various standard toilet seats. This can position the top of the child's seat so that it is substantially flush with the standard toilet seat (136), as is shown in
In some embodiments, the optional child's seat support will further have various locating notches (320) or pins disposed along the upper circumference of the child's seat support to facilitate placement and accommodate any corresponding bumpers (322) that may be present on the standard toilet seat.
In some embodiments, the toilet seat support device may further comprise a urine collection attachment fixture (350) for a urine collection device.
More specifically, in some embodiments, the urine collection device may comprise a funnel (350) and a separate urine storage container. This urine collection device may be held in place by a urine collection device fixture such as a hook or other attachment mechanism. As previously discussed, the urine collection device (350) may be further configured to store urine separately from other waste stored in the substantially cylindrical waste receptacle (152).
In some embodiments, the toilet seat device (102) may be sold separately as the basic chassis for a portable toilet, along with instructions for use. In other embodiments, the toilet seat device (102) may be sold as a kit containing other components, such as the legs, waste receptacle, urine collection devices and so on. Often the device will be sold or stored in a disassembled state, assembled when a portable toilet is desired, and then disassembled again.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140157505 | Cheung | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| 20170215660 | Noy | Aug 2017 | A1 |
