US20040003457A1

US20040003457A1 - Handheld, freestanding and portable urinal

Info

Publication number: US20040003457A1
Application number: US10/436,174
Authority: US
Inventors: Jamie Renda
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-09
Filing date: 2003-05-09
Publication date: 2004-01-08

Abstract

The present invention is a portable urinal that may be handheld, freestanding or affixed to a toilet or a vertical member such as a wall. An embodiment of a handheld urinal may include a funnel top configured for attachment to a urinal base. The funnel top may include a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery of the funnel top and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end and a mount fitting. An embodiment of the portable urinal includes a wall mountable urinal for receiving a mount fitting from an assembled funnel top and urinal base according to the present invention. Another embodiment of the portable urinal includes a urinal base for adjustably receiving an assembled funnel top and urinal base. The funnel top may be configured to receive a handle or attached to a wall mount, toilet mount or freestanding base.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This utility patent application claims priority to, and benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/379,213, with the same title, filed, May 9, 2002.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to urinals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a urinal that may be handheld, freestanding or portable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While a conventional toilet may be used by males to eliminate urine, there are a number of drawbacks, including the splashing of urine from the toilet receptacle onto areas surrounding the toilet, noise from the stream of urine as it comes into contact with water in the toilet receptacle and the large volume of water required for each flushing of the toilet.

Urinals are well known in the art. However, the most common urinals, i.e., those found in public buildings and elsewhere are generally expensive, not portable, not adjustable for the user and require plumbing. Another problem with conventional urinals is the difficulty in use for a male toddler who cannot reach the urinal receptacle without using a stool, unless it has been appropriately placed on the wall.

The parents of male toddlers are quite familiar with the difficulty of training their child to urinate in a conventional toilet. For male toddlers transitioning from diapers to using a potty for urinating, the difficulty tends not to be urinating without a diaper. The primary problem with male toddlers urinating is their inability to aim the stream of urine at its intended target. Traveling with male toddlers can be inconvenient because of their small bladders, especially if untrained to eliminate prior to traveling. Portable urinals have been developed in an attempt to address some of the above problems.

A portable urinal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,795 to Johnson. The Johnson urinal includes an inlet tube for use with a container that prevents discharge of the contents of the container to prevent spillage and is removable for emptying and washing. However, the Johnson urinal does not appear to disclose a freestanding urinal.

A stand-up training potty for male toddlers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,248 to Kelly. The Kelly potty includes a waste-receiving receptacle and an open seat with a detachably fastenable urinal accessory. The urinal accessory includes a conduit for receiving urine and communicating it into the receptacle. The cylindrical members may be comprised of slidably extendable and retractable members to accommodate height variations in the user. However, the Kelly potty is not handheld and must be freestanding.

A portable male urinal and stabilizer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,858 to Heller. The Heller urinal includes a handle and a hollow urinal body with an inlet in communication with a reservoir. The urinal body has a flat stabilizer on the bottom of the reservoir structured to underlie the legs of a male patient lying on his back. However, the Heller urinal does not appear to disclose a freestanding urinal or be spill-proof with the use of the stabilizer.

A portable male urinal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,892 to Abbato. The Abbato urinal includes a conventional portable male urinal having and handle and a spout with a valve assembly for permitting flow of urine into the reservoir, while resisting undesired flow of urine out of the reservoir. However, the Abbato urinal does not appear to disclose a freestanding urinal.

An adjustable urinal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,057 to Mette. The Mette urinal may be used by person of either sex and includes a receptacle member and a tube. The receptacle member is pivotally mounted and movable between a variable first position and a second position. Waste liquids may be voided when the receptacle member is in the first position. A tube is located within the receptacle member and is adapted for connection to a supply of water. Additionally, the receptacle member is connected to a drain for disposal of the waste liquids and water. However, the Mette urinal is not portable and requires plumbing.

None of the above-described conventional urinals appear to be configured for handheld, portable, and freestanding use. Additionally, there do not appear to be urinals that disclose decorative designs that encourage a male toddler to correctly aim his stream of urine when using the urinal. Thus, there remains a need in the art for a portable urinal that may be: handheld, freestanding or affixed to a toilet or wall and that assists in the potty training of male toddlers. Additionally, it is desirable for a urinal that may be used by adults and children of both sexes in environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, patients in wheel chairs, in the outdoors (e.g., camping) and in vehicles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a portable urinal that may be handheld, freestanding or affixed to a toilet or a vertical member such as a wall. An embodiment of a handheld urinal may include a funnel top configured for attachment to a urinal base. The funnel top may include a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery of the funnel top and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end and a mount fitting. An embodiment of the portable urinal includes a wall mountable urinal for receiving a mount fitting from an assembled funnel top and urinal base according to the present invention. Another embodiment of the portable urinal includes a urinal base for adjustably receiving an assembled funnel top and urinal base. The funnel top may be configured to receive a handle or attached to a wall mount, toilet mount or freestanding base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate various views and embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments: [0013]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views, respectively, of a urinal base in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0014]
FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembled urinal with a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0015]
FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembled urinal with a handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0016]
FIGS. [0017] 4-6 are top, side and back views, respectively, of a cover for a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7A, 8 and [0018] 9 are top, back and side views, respectively, of a funnel top with a splashguard in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7B is a top view of a funnel top with a splashguard illustrating a spiral design on the funnel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0019]
FIG. 10 is a front view of a left-handed handle for a handheld urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0020]
FIG. 11 is a side view of a handle for a handheld urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0021]
FIG. 12 is a front view of a right-handed handle for a handheld urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0022]
FIG. 13 is a side view of assembled urinal illustrating the funnel top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0023]
FIG. 14 is a side view of a funnel top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0024]
FIG. 15 is a side view of urinal base in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0025]
FIG. 16 is an illustration of a male toddler using a handheld urinal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0026]
FIG. 17 is a front view of a toilet-mounting bracket for use with the urinal of an embodiment of the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 18 is a side view of the toilet-mounting bracket of FIG. 17 with exemplary dimensions. [0028]
FIG. 19 is a side view of a urinal with the toilet-mounting bracket of FIG. 17 attached to a toilet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0029]
FIG. 20 is a front view of wall mount including a urine catch for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of-the present invention. [0030]
FIG. 21 is a side view of the wall mount of FIG. 20. [0031]
FIG. 22 is a front view of a freestanding base for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0032]
FIG. 23 is a side view of a freestanding base as shown in FIG. 22. [0033]
FIG. 24 is a front view of a freestanding base with oval-shaped splashguard for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0034]
FIG. 25 is a front view of the freestanding base of FIG. 24 with train illustrations on it. [0035]
FIG. 26 is a front view of the freestanding base of FIG. 25 with a urinal attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0036]
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a portable urinal with handle attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0037]
FIG. 28 is an illustration of a male toddler using a handheld urinal in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0038]
FIG. 29 is an illustration of a male toddler using a toilet-mounted portable urinal in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0039]
FIG. 30 is an illustration of a male toddler using a urinal with freestanding base and oval-shaped splashguard in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0040]
FIG. 31 is an illustration of a male toddler using a urinal with freestanding base in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0041]
FIG. 32 is a detailed top view of the urinal of FIG. 7B illustrating a decorative design in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.[0042]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. [0043]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views, respectively, of a [0044] urinal base 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Urinal base 100 may be generally cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, urinal base 100 may have an hourglass shape as shown in FIG. 1A for easy gripping by a male toddler. Funnel top 202 may be configured for screwing on to urinal base 100. Alternatively, urinal base 100 and funnel top may be press or snap fitted together.
FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembled [0045] urinal 200 with a cover 204 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Urinal 200 may include a urinal base 100, a funnel top 202 and a mount fitting 206. Funnel top 202 may include a splashguard 208. Funnel top 202 may be conically shaped with a narrow opening 210 at the bottom as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, funnel top 202 may be bowl shaped or concave when viewed from above. In yet another embodiment, funnel top 202 may be convex when viewed from above. Narrow opening 210 may be centered in funnel top 202 (as shown in FIG. 7A and further described below). Alternatively, narrow opening 210 may be offset from center.
FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembled [0046] urinal 300 including a handle 302 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Handle 302 may be configured to mate with mount fitting 206. Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize other equivalent means for securing handle 302 to funnel top 202. Such other equivalent means, e.g., screws, snaps, tongue and groove slide, are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
FIGS. [0047] 4-6 are a top, side and back views, respectively, of a cover 204 for a urinal 200, 300 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Cover 204 may have an extension 502 for extending over a corresponding lip 702 (see FIGS. 7A, 7B and 9 and related discussion below).
FIGS. 7A, 8 and [0048] 9 are top, back and side views, respectively, of a funnel top 202 with a splashguard 208 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a top view of a funnel top 202 with a splashguard 208 illustrating an exemplary decorative design 802 on the funnel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The inside surface 800 of funnel top 202 may be formed of a heat-sensitive material that is opaque or clear at room temperature, but reveals decorative design 802 at temperatures consistent with warm urine or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, the inside surface 800 of funnel top 202 may be formed of a moisture-sensitive material that is opaque or clear when dry, but, reveals a decorative design 802 when exposed to a water-based liquid, e.g., urine. In this way, a male toddler will be encouraged to use urinal 200, 300 because of the decorative design 802 that will appear. The decorative design 802 shown in FIG. 7B (a spiral train pattern) is merely exemplary and any suitable decorative design 802 may be placed on the inside surface 800. FIG. 32 is detailed top view of the funnel top 202 and splashguard 208 of FIG. 7B illustrating a decorative design 802 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Decorative design 802 may be temperature-induced or moisture-induced according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of an exemplary left-[0049] handed handle 1000 for a handheld urinal 200, 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Left-handed handle 1000 may include an interlock 1002, a riser 1004 and a grip 1006. Interlock 1002 may be configured to mate with mount fitting 206. Alternatively, interlock 1002 may include other means known to one of skill in the art for attaching left-handed handle 1000 to funnel top 202. FIG. 12 is a front view of a right-handed handle 1200 for a handheld urinal 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a side view of either handle 1000 or 1200 for a handheld urinal 200, 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Riser 1004 may be configured or shaped to give a male toddler an appropriate angle or elevation for using handheld urinal 200, 300.
FIG. 13 is a side view of an assembled [0050] urinal 1300 illustrating the funnel top 202 and splashguard 208 illustrating urinal base 100 dimensions for width, W, and height, H, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Dimensions of W=4 inches and H=5.25 inches for urinal base 100 are consistent with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. However other suitable dimensions for width, W, and height, H, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side view of a funnel top 202 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is another side view of urinal base 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an illustration of a male toddler 1600 using a handheld urinal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a front view of a toilet-mounting [0051] bracket 1700 for use with the urinal 200, 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Toilet-mounting bracket 1700 may have appropriately spaced holes 1702 to receive mount fitting 206. Toilet-mounting bracket 1700 may be dimensioned to fit over a toilet seat or the rim of a toilet bowl. For example, dimensions of H₁=5 inches, W₁=2.5 inches, H₂=2 inches and W₂=0.75 inches for toilet-mounting bracket 1700 are in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. Other suitable dimensions for toilet-mounting bracket 1700 to allow for use with a conventional toilet 1900 (see FIG. 19) will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are considered within the scope of embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a side view of the toilet-mounting bracket 1700 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a side view of a urinal 200, 300 with the toilet-mounting bracket 1700 shown in FIG. 17 attached to a conventional toilet 1900 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a front view of [0052] wall mount 2000 including a urine catch 2002 for use with a urinal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wall mount 2000 may include one or more wall mounting holes 2004 and appropriately spaced holes 2006 for receiving mount fitting 206. Wall mounting holes 2004 may be used with screws or other fasteners (not shown) to affix the wall mount 2000 to a wall. Alternatively, wall mount 2000 may be affixed to a vertical surface using glue, double-sided tape or hook-and-loop cloth. Other means of affixing wall mount 2000 to a vertical surface will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and, thus, will not be further elaborated on herein. FIG. 21 is a side view of the wall mount of FIG. 20. Dimensions of W=12 inches and H=18 inches for wall mount 2000 are consistent with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. However other suitable dimensions for width, W, and height, H, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a front view of a [0053] freestanding base 2200 for use with a urinal 200, 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Freestanding base 2200 may include base 2202 and an adjustment arm 2204. Base 2202 may be appropriately weighted with sand, water, stone, metal or other mass for stability. Adjustment arm 2204 may include appropriately spaced holes 2206 for receiving mount fitting 206 on a urinal 200, 300 and allowing for adjustability in the vertical displacement of urinal 200, 300. Any suitable dimensions for an adjustment arm 2204 may be used consistent with the intended purpose of the invention. For example, dimensions of H₁=16 inches, W=4 inches, H₂=4 inches and T=1 inch for adjustment arm 2204 are in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a side view of a freestanding base 2200 as shown in FIG. 22 for use with a urinal 200, 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a front view of a [0054] freestanding base 2400 with half-bowl-shaped urine catch 2002 for use with a urinal 200, 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a front view of a freestanding base 2500 similar to freestanding base 2400 of FIG. 24 with decorative train illustrations 2502 on it in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a front view of the freestanding base 2500 of FIG. 25 with a urinal 200, 300 attached in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a [0055] portable urinal 2700 with right-handed handle 1200 attached in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. Portable urinal 2700 may be urinal 200 or 300 with illustrations on it, or in it, as described above.
FIG. 28 is an illustration of a [0056] male toddler 1600 using a handheld urinal 200, 300, 2700 in a bathroom 2800 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29 is an illustration of a male toddler 1600 using a toilet-mounted portable urinal 2900 in a bathroom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Toilet-mounted portable urinal 2900 may include a portable urinal 200, 300, 2700 and toilet-mounting bracket 1700 as shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 30 is an illustration of a [0057] male toddler 1600 using a urinal 200, 300, 2700 with freestanding base and oval-shaped splashguard 2400 in a bathroom 2800 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 31 is an illustration of a male toddler 1600 using a urinal 200, 300, 2700 with freestanding base 2200 in a bathroom 2800 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] Portable urinals 200, 300, 2700 and all of the other embodiments described herein may be used to assist young male toddlers in their “potty training.” Portable urinals 200, 300, 2700 may also be used by adults and children of both sexes, handicapped persons and geriatrics in environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, on a wheel chair, in the outdoors (e.g., camping) and in vehicles. Features include portability, ease of cleaning and adjustability.
Although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the invention is not limited to these described embodiments. The invention is limited only by the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods that operate according to the principles of the invention as described herein. [0059]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A handheld urinal, comprising:

a urinal base for receiving and containing urine; and

a funnel top configured to attach to the urinal base and having a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end.

2. The handheld urinal according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mount fitting attached to the funnel top; and

a handle configured for attachment to the mount fitting.

3. The handheld urinal according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mount fitting attached to the urinal base; and

a handle configured for attachment to the mount fitting.

4. The handheld urinal according to claim 1, wherein the generally conical lower portion comprises heat-sensitive plastic configured to reveal a hidden pattern when exposed to temperatures above about 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. The handheld urinal according to claim 1, wherein the generally conical lower portion comprises moisture-sensitive material configured to reveal a hidden pattern when exposed to water-based solutions.

6. A toilet-mountable portable urinal, comprising:

a urinal base for receiving and containing urine;

a funnel top configured to attach to the urinal base having a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end; and

a toilet-mounting bracket configured for connecting to the funnel top or the urinal base and configured for mounting on a toilet.

7. The toilet-mountable portable urinal according to claim 6, wherein the generally conical lower portion comprises heat-sensitive plastic configured to reveal a hidden pattern when exposed to temperatures above about 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

8. The toilet-mountable portable urinal according to claim 6, wherein the generally conical lower portion comprises moisture-sensitive material configured to reveal a hidden pattern when exposed to water-based solutions.

9. A wall-mountable urinal, comprising:

a urinal base for receiving and containing urine;

a funnel top configured for attachment to the urinal base including a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery of the funnel top and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end; and

a wall mount configured for configured for connecting to a vertical surface and configured for receiving an assembled urinal including the funnel top and the urinal base.

10. The wall-mounted urinal according to claim 9, wherein the wall mount further comprises:

wall mounting holes configured for fastening the wall mount to a vertical surface;

a plurality of holes configured for receiving a mount fitting on the funnel top or urinal base; and

a urine catch configured for collecting misguided urine.

11. A freestanding portable urinal, comprising:

a urinal base for receiving and containing urine;

a funnel top configured for attachment to the urinal base having a splashguard along a portion of an upper periphery of the funnel top and a generally conical lower portion with a narrow orifice at a bottom end and a mount fitting; and

a freestanding base configured for adjustably mating with the mount fitting.

12. The freestanding portable urinal according to claim 11, wherein the freestanding base further comprises:

an adjustment arm;

a base configured for connection to the adjustment arm and providing stability; and

a wall mount configured for configured for connecting to the adjustment arm and configured for receiving an assembled urinal including the funnel top and the urinal base.

13. The freestanding portable urinal according to claim 11, wherein the generally conical lower portion comprises heat-sensitive plastic configured to reveal a hidden pattern when exposed to temperatures above about 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

14. The freestanding portable urinal according to claim 11, wherein the generally conical lower portion comprises moisture-sensitive material configured to reveal a hidden pattern when exposed to water-based solutions.