Patent Application
20240423424
The present invention relates generally to the field of tree stand urinal devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a urinal system for tree stands capable of draining urine while outdoors. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in tree stand urinal devices. Generally, hunters who sit in tree stands for long periods of time may inevitably need to go to the bathroom. However, moving in and out of the tree stand can scare away deer and other animals. Human urine can leave a scent that drives away animals. Further, constantly climbing in and out of a tree stand can lead to accidental slips and falls.
Tree stands are commonly used in hunting, photography and various other nature activities. For example, deer hunters often hunt from tree stands. Hunters and other persons may remain on the stand for considerable periods of time. It may become necessary for the person to urinate while on the tree stand. Although portable urinals can be used, such prior art urinals have deficiencies and are not well-suited for use in a tree stand or other elevated platforms.
However, while in a tree stand, it is important to remain undetected. Animals should not see, hear or smell the person in the tree stand. Unfortunately, carrying a bottle or container into the tree stand for urination, which is to be carried away and disposed of later is not practical. Problems include dropping the urinal or cap of the urinal while in the tree stand, spilling the contents, filling the urinal before the tree stand-sitter is ready to leave the stand, and simply forgetting to take the urinal from the tree stand when finished. Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved portable urinal that minimizes noise, controls odor of the urine, and reduces the amount of movement required during urination.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved tree stand urinal device that provides a urinal for tree stands that is capable of draining urine while outdoors. More particularly, there is a demand for a tree stand urinal device that allows hunters to go to the bathroom without having to get in and out of the tree stand.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that provides hunters with a urinal device for tree stands capable of draining urine while outdoors. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that features a canister system and a 30-foot hose that work in conjunction to funnel urine from the tree stand to ground level in a clean, sanitary manner. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that allows hunters to go to the bathroom without having to get in and out of their tree stand. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that reduces the chance of injury while hunting, ensuring the hunter climbs in and out of the tree stand once. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that utilizes camouflage-style colors to blend in with the environment and not scare away animals. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that drains urine directly into the ground to prevent odors.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a tree stand urinal device. The device is a portable urinal system for hunters. The tree stand urinal device comprises a body component that is configured in an elongated cylindrical shaped canister which is open at the top end and tapers at the bottom end to a small opening. The small opening is attached to approximately 30 feet of hose that travels toward ground level. The open end of the tube can be buried into the ground. The open top end is secured via a screw-on or twist-on cap. Further, there is an attachment mechanism on the lid to hang the device from a tree stand. Users can urinate into the canister and have it drain through the tube and into the ground to prevent human scent from being detected by potential game and scaring it away. The device may be molded in various colors including black, gray, brown or green to help aid in the concealment of the hunter.
In this manner, the tree stand urinal device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that allows hunters to go to the bathroom without having to get in and out of their tree stand. The device is a portable urinal with a hose leading into the ground. The device can be camouflaged.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a tree stand urinal device. The device is a portable urinal system for hunters. The tree stand urinal device comprises a body component that is open at the top end and tapers at the bottom end to a discharge opening. The discharge opening is attached to a flexible hose that travels toward ground level. The open end of the hose can be buried into the ground. The open top end is secured via a lid. Further, there is an attachment mechanism to hang the device from a tree stand or tree. Users can urinate into the device and have it drain through the hose and into the ground to prevent human scent from being detected by potential game and scaring it away.
In one embodiment, the tree stand urinal device of the present invention is for use by a hunter in a tree stand and allows hunters to go to the bathroom without having to get in and out of their tree stand. Specifically, the tree stand urinal device is supported on a tree stand that is itself secured to the trunk of a tree for allowing the hunter to use the urinal device for urination while remaining on the tree stand relatively still and quiet. Tree stands come in many designs and configurations. The tree stand urinal device of the present invention obviates the problem and inconvenience of the hunter having to climb down the tree stand to urinate, and then climb back up all the while moving, making noise, rustling branches and leaving a urine odor easily detectable by the keen sense of smell of game animals and thus spooking the game animals.
In one embodiment, the tree strand urinal device comprises a body component with a top end, a bottom end, and a curved sidewall. The body component is a generally elongated cylindrical shaped canister which is open at the top end and tapers at the bottom end to a small opening. In one embodiment, the body component comprises a handle disposed near the top end. The handle is sized and shaped to fit a user's hand comfortably. The body component is a hollow canister with an opening at both its top end and bottom end.
In one embodiment, the open top end of the body component is secured via a screw-on or twist-on cap/lid and can also comprise a strap or other means to secure the lid to the body component during use. In another embodiment, the lid hinges about a pin. The lid pivots between a closed position and an open position. The lid is biased toward the closed position by means of a torsion spring. In one embodiment, the lid includes a lever having a locking mechanism slidably mounted thereon. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the locking mechanism disclosed is but one of several possible locking mechanisms. However, the disclosed locking mechanism is preferred because it allows the hunter to both hold the tree stand urinal device and open and close the lid with one hand.
In one embodiment, a flexible gasket, such as one made of polyurethane or neoprene, is disposed at the top end of the body component between the body component and the lid. The flexible gasket provides a tight seal to contain odors in the device, and also muffles any sound made by the lid closing on the container body component.
In one embodiment, the bottom end of the body component includes a discharge opening. The discharge opening is adapted to receive the upper end of a flexible, fluid hose to carry urine or other fluids out of the body component. The fluid hose is typically ½ inch or one-inch flexible plastic, such as PVC, nylon, etc. The fluid hose is approximately thirty feet in length, specifically, ten to fifteen feet in length, but can be any suitable length as is known in the art, depending on the height of the tree stand and/or the needs and wants of a user. The opposite end (i.e., lower end) of the fluid hose is preferably buried underground to contain the odor of the urine. Specifically, the bottommost section of the fluid hose is driven, placed or inserted into the ground and includes a plurality of drain holes adjacent its lower end. Urine is thus discharged from this ground-inserted section for discharge and permeation into the ground. This feature of the invention not only prevents problems associated with urine odor, but the fluid hose also helps to muffle sounds associated with the urinary function. Although the conventional wisdom is that deer can distinguish human urine from animal urine, some hunters believe that it is desirable for human urine to be disposed on top of the ground near the tree stand. Of course, the fluid hose of the present invention can be easily adapted to simply allow the urine to fall on top of the ground, as desired.
In one embodiment, an attachment mechanism may also be used with the tree stand urinal device. The attachment mechanism comprises a hook or a loop, or any other suitable securing means which allows the device to secure to a tree stand or tree, as desired. For example, a screw or nail can be inserted or screwed into the trunk of a tree or similar object, or tree stand. The loop or hook of the body component can then be secured to the tree/tree stand via the nail or screw.
In operation, the tree stand urinal device of the present invention is easy to use, does not require unnecessary movement, and effectively controls the odors associated with the disposal of urine. To use the tree stand urinal device, the hunter or other user first raises the lid to the open position. Next, with the lid now in the open position, the user is free to urinate without worry that the lid will close. Further, with the lid hingeably mounted (or secured via a strap) on the body component, there is no risk that the lid will fall or separate from the body component. Once the user has finished urinating, the user then reattaches the lid to a closed position and hangs the device back on the tree stand or tree. Thus, at no point is the odor of urine allowed or able to escape to the external environment warning and spooking game animals within the vicinity of the hunter.
In one embodiment, the body component and lid of the tree stand urinal device are preferably made from a rigid plastic, such as polycarbonate, PVC, acrylic, etc. It is also preferred that the outside surface of both the lid and the body component be texturized similar to tree bark for gripping purposes and also to blend into the environment. The tree stand urinal device can also be manufactured in various colors, such as black, gray, brown, or green, etc., or camouflaged to help further blend the device with the environment.
In yet another embodiment, the tree stand urinal device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of expelling urine without having to get in and out of the tree stand is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a tree stand urinal device comprising a body component with an open top end secured with a lid and a tapered bottom end that is secured to a hose that reaches the ground. The method also comprises twisting-off the lid for use. Further, the method comprises urinating in the open top end, as needed. The method also comprises expelling urine through the hose and into the ground. Finally, the method comprises replacing the lid and securing the device to a tree stand when not in use.
In yet another embodiment, the tree stand urinal device can be used for ground blinds or elevated shooting boxes.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that provides hunters with a urinal device for tree stands capable of draining urine while outdoors. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that features a canister system and a 30-foot hose that work in conjunction to funnel urine from the tree stand to ground level in a clean, sanitary manner. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that allows hunters to go to the bathroom without having to get in and out of their tree stand. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that reduces the chance of injury while hunting, ensuring the hunter climbs in and out of the tree stand once. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that utilizes camouflage-style colors to blend in with the environment and not scare away animals. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a tree stand urinal device that drains urine directly into the ground to prevent odors.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel tree stand urinal device. The tree stand urinal device comprises a body component that is configured in an elongated cylindrical shaped canister which is open at the top end and tapers at the bottom end to a small opening. The small opening is attached to approximately 30 feet of hose that travels toward ground level. The open end of the tube can be buried into the ground. The open top end is secured via a screw-on or twist-on cap. Further, there is an attachment mechanism on the lid to hang the device from a tree stand. Users can urinate into the canister and have it drain through the tube and into the ground to prevent human scent from being detected by potential game and scaring it away. The present invention also includes a novel method of expelling urine without having to get in and out of the tree stand. The method includes the steps of providing a tree stand urinal device comprising a body component with an open top end secured with a lid and a tapered bottom end that is secured to a hose that reaches the ground. The method also comprises twisting-off the lid for use. Further, the method comprises urinating in the open top end, as needed. The method also comprises expelling urine through the hose and into the ground. Finally, the method comprises replacing the lid and securing the device to a tree stand when not in use.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Generally, the tree stand urinal device 100 of the present invention is for use by a hunter in a tree stand 110 and allows hunters to go to the bathroom without having to get in and out of their tree stand 110. Specifically, the tree stand urinal device 100 is supported on a tree stand 110 that is itself secured to the trunk of a tree 112 for allowing the hunter to use the urinal device 100 for urination while remaining on the tree stand 110 relatively still and quiet. Tree stands 110 come in many designs and configurations. The tree stand urinal device 100 of the present invention obviates the problem and inconvenience of the hunter having to climb down the tree stand 110 to urinate, and then climb back up all the while moving, making noise, rustling branches and leaving a urine odor easily detectable by the keen sense of smell of game animals and thus spooking the game animals.
Further, an attachment mechanism 108 may also be used with the tree stand urinal device 100. The attachment mechanism 108 comprises a hook or a loop, or any other suitable securing means which allows the device 100 to secure to a tree stand 110 or tree 112, as desired. For example, a screw or nail can be inserted or screwed into the trunk of a tree 112 or similar object, or tree stand 110. The loop or hook of the body component 102 can then be secured to the tree 112/tree stand 110 via the nail or screw.
As shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, a flexible gasket 310, such as one made of polyurethane or neoprene, is disposed at the top end 200 of the body component 102 between the body component 102 and the lid 300. The flexible gasket 310 provides a tight seal to contain odors in the device 100, and also muffles any sound made by the lid 300 closing on the container body component 102.
In yet another embodiment, the tree stand urinal device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 312. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 312 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 312 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be tree stand, urinal, or brand related.
Further, the body component 102 and lid 300 of the tree stand urinal device 100 are preferably made from a rigid plastic, such as polycarbonate, PVC, acrylic, etc. It is also preferred that the outside surface 314 of both the lid 300 and the body component 102 be texturized similar to tree bark for gripping purposes and also to blend into the environment. The tree stand urinal device 100 can also be manufactured in various colors, such as black, gray, brown, or green, etc., or camouflaged to help further blend the device 100 with the environment.
As shown in
In operation, the tree stand urinal device 100 of the present invention is easy to use, does not require unnecessary movement, and effectively controls the odors associated with the disposal of urine. To use the tree stand urinal device 100, the hunter or other user first raises the lid 300 to the open position. Next, with the lid 300 now in the open position, the user is free to urinate without worry that the lid 300 will close. Further, with the lid 300 hingeably mounted (or secured via a strap 302) on the body component 102, there is no risk that the lid 300 will fall or separate from the body component 102. Once the user has finished urinating, the user then reattaches the lid 300 to a closed position and hangs the device 100 back on the tree stand 110 or tree 112. Thus, at no point is the odor of urine allowed or able to escape to the external environment warning and spooking game animals within the vicinity of the hunter.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “tree stand urinal device”, “tree stand device”, “urinal device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the tree stand urinal device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the tree stand urinal device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the tree stand urinal device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/509,575, which was filed on Jun. 22, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63509575 | Jun 2023 | US |
