CHILD PLAY AND TOILET ENCLOSURE

Abstract

A child toilet enclosure has a support structure that is covered by a skin providing privacy. The device is shaped in an embodiment as a pyramidal frustum having a top and bottom portion connected together using PVC tubing at triple nodal points. A front doorway is included as well as an upper airway.

Claims

1. An enclosure comprising: a support structure having: a top portion attached to a bottom portion through a plurality of top joints connected to a plurality of interconnecting support members, such that the interconnecting support members attach to the bottom portion using a plurality of bottom joints; wherein the bottom portion comprises a plurality of bottom support members attached to the bottom joints and further wherein the front bottom support member is safety concern removed; a skin attached to the support structure; an entryway on a portion of the skin.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising: a handle attached to one of the interconnecting support members.

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10. An enclosure comprising: an external privacy skin having a plurality of side panels integrally attached together and attached to a top material; wherein the external privacy skin is supported by: a skeleton frame having: a top portion above which sits the top material, and a bottom portion connected together with the top portion by using top joints and bottom joints, and side support members that are surrounded by the plurality of side panels; wherein a front side panel which is one of the plurality of side panels has an opening covered by a piece of material attached at one end thereof to the front side panel thereby covering the opening in the front side panel so that the piece of material forms a flap.

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20. A child toilet privacy device comprising: an external privacy skin having a plurality of side panels integrally attached together and attached to a top material; wherein the top material has an opening therein and wherein the external privacy skin is supported by a skeleton frame having: a top portion above which sits the top material, and a bottom portion connected together with the top portion by using top joints and bottom joints, and side support members that are surrounded by the plurality of side panels.

21. The child toilet privacy device of claim 20, wherein the top material further comprises: a strip of material attached to a side panel top edge.

22. The child toilet privacy device of claim 20, wherein the top material further comprises: a mesh with opening therein.

23. The child toilet privacy device of claim 22, wherein the top material further comprises: an integrally associated strip of material between the edge of the mesh attached to side panels' top edges.

24. The child toilet privacy device of claim 20, wherein the top material further comprises: a strip of material attached to the side panels' top edges.

25. The child toilet privacy device of claim 20, wherein the top material further comprises: a flap attached at one end to the top material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 presents an isometric itemized view of the skeleton structure of a Child Play And Toilet Enclosure in an embodiment herein described.

[0049] FIG. 2 presents an isometric view of the Child Play And Toilet Enclosure in an embodiment herein described.

[0050] FIG. 3A presents an interior view of a velcro locking material attaching the skeleton structure to the skin (privacy screen) in an embodiment of the Child Play And Toilet Enclosure.

[0051] FIG. 3B presents a handle on a skeleton support of a Child Play And Toilet Enclosure in an embodiment herein described.

[0052] FIG. 3C presents a U shaped handle having two triangle headed attachment mechanisms with narrow necks integral with the handle in an embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 3D presents a closeup view of the top airway having a flap attached at a portion of the skin (privacy screen).

[0054] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure.

[0056] Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0057] FIG. 1 presents an isometric itemized view of the skeleton structure of a Child Play And Toilet Enclosure in an embodiment herein described. A skeleton or support structure 1 forms the basis for the Child Play And Toilet Enclosure to support a skin, privacy screen formed of a piece of material providing a privacy and play enclosure. This support structure or skeleton 1 is made in a pyramidal frustum shape having various horizontal, angled, and or vertical support members 2a-2d, 4a-4d, 6a-6d (formed as circular PVC tubes) connected to triple joints 3a-3d, 5a-5d. As it is a square pyramidal (regular or irregular) frustum, there is a top square, a bottom square and horizontal, angled and or vertical support members connecting the two squares together. Additionally, the nodes where the various support members meet at endpoints of the pyramidal frustum are triple joints that have circular connection ports for the respective horizontal, vertical and or angled support members.

[0058] Thus, a top square of the skeleton or support structure 1 is made from four PVC identical support members 2a-2d attached to the four triple joints 3a-3d as discussed below. The triple joint is a slip fitting having three integral pipe or tubular ends disposed at different angles from a central point thereof; these are connected to the support members as follows. Starting from a single PVC support member 2a having one end thereof inserted in a horizontal port of a first (in this series) triple joint 3a; and its (2a) other end inserted within a corresponding horizontal port of a next triple joint 3b. Next, an end of the second PVC support member 2b is attached to the second horizontal port of the the second (in this series) triple joint 3b; and then its (2b) other end is attached to a third (in this series) triple joint 3c horizontal port. This third (in this series) triple joint 3c has its other horizontal port filled by an end of the third (in this series) PVC support member 2c which in turn has its other end inserted in a fourth (in this series) triple joint 3d horizontal port. This final triple joint 3d has its other horizontal port filled by a fourth (in this series) PVC support member 2d that has its other end inserted in the remaining horizontal port of the first (in this series) triple joint 3a.

[0059] The bottom larger square of the support structure or skeleton 1 is similarly constructed. Thus, a bottom square of the support structure or skeleton 1 is made from four PVC identical support members 6a-6d attached to the four triple joints 5a-5d as follows. Starting from a single PVC support member 6a having one end thereof inserted in a horizontal port of a first (in this series) triple joint 5a; and its (6a) other end inserted within a corresponding horizontal port of a second (in this series) triple joint 5b. Next, an end of the second (in this series) PVC support member 6b is attached to the second horizontal port of the the second (in this series) triple joint 5b (in this series), and then its (6b) other end is attached to a third (in this series) triple joint 5c horizontal port. This third (in this series) triple joint 5c has its other horizontal port filled by an end of the third (in this series) PVC support member 6c which in turn has its other end inserted in a fourth (in this series) triple joint 5d horizontal port. This final triple joint 5d has its other horizontal port filled by a fourth (in this series) PVC support member 6d that has its other end inserted in the remaining horizontal port of the first (in this series) triple joint 5a. Optionally, support member 6a can be removed so as to prevent accidental tripping of a child thereon.

[0060] Once these two squares are constructed they can be connected using four identical angled and or vertical support members 4a-4d. Thus, angled support member 4a connects the angled ports in triple joints 3a, 5a. Next, angled support member 4b connects the angled ports in triple joints 3b, 5b. Next, angled support member 4c connects the angled ports in triple joints 3c, 5c. Next, angled support member 4d connects the angled ports in triple joints 3d, 5d. This thereby completes the skeleton or support structure 1.

[0061] FIG. 2 presents an isometric view 7 of the Child Play And Toilet Enclosure in an embodiment herein described. As can be seen from the drawings there are four trapezoidal side panels 8a-8d of flexible material connected together and to a top piece of flexible material 9a-9b; these (8a-8d, 9a-9b) form the skin or privacy screen of the Child Play And Toilet Enclosure. Thus, once connected together and placed on the support structure, each of the side panels 8a-8d are angled as they follow the general shape of the pyramidal frustum support structure or skeleton 1; as a consequence, each of side panels 8a-8d thereby has a top edge, a bottom edge and a first and second angled side edges disposed opposite one another.

[0062] Thus, these side panels 8a-8d are connected at an angled side edge thereof to a next angled side edge of the succeeding side panel round robin about the device. Thus, an angled side edge of 8a is attached (using attached velcro hooks on the first material of the side panel and attached corresponding loops on the other material of the next panel, or sewing or glue or similar attachment mechanism) to an angled side edge of the next panel 8b. The other angled side edge of panel 8b is similarly attached to a and angled side edge of panel 8c that in turn has its other angled side edge attached similarly to an angled side edge of panel 8d. Finally, the other angled side edge of panel 8d is attached to the other angled side edge of panel 8a thereby completing the circuit.

[0063] Finally the top piece of flexible material 9a is attached at its four edges (using attached velcro hooks on the first material of 9a and attached corresponding loops on the other materials 8a-8d or sewing or glue or similar attachment mechanism) each to one of the top edges 9c of the side panels 8a-8d forming a completed frustum skin or privacy screen. It should be understood that this structure has ventilation therein to permit emission of noxious fumes and entry of fresh air from the outside in an open mesh 9b formed from the material 9a having many small perforations or holes therein. Thus, a small strip of material between the edge of the mesh 9B and the side panels' top edges 9c is free from perforations thereof.

[0064] A front panel 8a has an opening 10a for entry therein and egress therefrom. The opening 10a extends from the bottom of material panel 8a up to a portion of the way up the front panel 8a. A rectangular flap 10 is attached at an end thereof (by sewing, hooks and loops velcro, glue or similar mechanism) to the panel 8a.

[0065] FIG. 3A presents an interior view of a velcro locking material attaching the skeleton structure to the skin in an embodiment of the Child Play And Toilet Enclosure. As a further support to the internal structure of the device a small piece of material 11 is attached (sewn, velcro, glue, similar mechanism) at one end thereof to the inside of one panel 8a-8d and removably attached to another panel using velcro hooks 12a integrally formed (glue, heat treatment, sewing) on this piece of material 11 and corresponding loops 12b of (attached using glue, heat treatment, sewing) on the inside of an adjacent panel. Thus, a user can attach 12a to 12b providing further support for the overall structure in adverse conditions. This is important when the panels are not specifically attached together via sewing along side edges of the panels.

[0066] FIG. 3B presents a handle device on a skeleton support of a Child Play And Toilet Enclosure in an embodiment herein described. An angled support member is shown having a handle 13 attached to two attachment points 13a-b. These attachment points 13a-b are optionally either glue/heat points whereby the handle 13 is glued or heat treated to make it integral with the angled support member, holes for insertion of an attachment mechanism built into the handle, or integral attachment points whereby the handle is integrally formed with the support member at manufacturing time. This second option, that is holes for insertion of an attachment mechanism built into the handle is shown in FIG. 3C.

[0067] FIG. 3C presents a U shaped handle having two triangle headed attachment mechanisms 13d-d with narrow necks integral with the handle in an embodiment. These are inserted into holes 13a-13b for them to provide a convenient support mechanism for the user.

[0068] FIG. 3D presents a closeup view of the top airway having a flap attached at a portion of the skin (privacy screen). Optionally a covering flap 9d at the top in the size and shape of top material 9a is made from impermeable material for protection from inclement weather when used outside. It can be attached permanently (glue, sewing, heat treatment) along an edge thereof to the top material 9a near a small strip of material close to mesh 9b and the side panels' top edges 9c that is free from perforations; alternatively, it can be attached removably using corresponding velcro pieces along various portions of the flap 9d and the small strip of the top material 9a.

[0069] Whilst described as a pyramidal frustum any shape of the device can be utilized with more or less skeleton support and support members redefined about this new shape accordingly.

[0070] Thus, a child can utilize this device to create fascinating illusions of playing within a castle, treehouse or similar play area; alternatively, he or she can have the simple privacy that the device permits whilst using the toilet.

[0071] The words skin and privacy screen have been used in this disclosure interchangeably to signify that external material that provides seclusion for the child. The words triple joint or nodes have been used in this disclosure interchangeably to signify the connections between the various support members of the skeleton or support structure.

[0072] The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.