US20040133971A1

US20040133971A1 - Modular potty training system

Info

Publication number: US20040133971A1
Application number: US10/342,962
Authority: US
Inventors: Glinda Davis; Scott Tiano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-15
Filing date: 2003-01-15
Publication date: 2004-07-15

Abstract

A modular toilet training aid comprises a main seat portion having a seat shaped as a toilet seat to allow a child to sit in the toilet seat. A removable receptacle housed within the seat portion is capable of receiving waste from a user sitting in the toilet seat. A plurality of removable ancillary components is atachably secured to the main seat portion by reatachable means. The ancillary components are replaceable by replacement ancillary components to allow a user to change the thematic display of the modular toilet training aid.

Description

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Decorative toilet training devices have been known and used for some time to potty train children. Davis in Pat. No. D453,040 discloses a Decorative Potty Chair that allows a child the benefit of interacting with a decorative feline character while undergoing the hardship of potty training. Other toilet training devices offer a reward for the toilet user. Roberts in U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,749 shows a toilet training device having an infrared sensor that automatically generates an electrical signal and generates a visual or sound signal for rewarding the user of the toilet training device.

Kessler in Pat. No. D343,891 discloses a bear like character that serves as a friend for a toddler learning to use the toilet for the first time. The inventor in Pat. No. D276,361 shows a toilet training chair having a bear like character. Harris issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,021 shows a combined toilet training toy car, with a means for activating the light and horn of the toy car when waste product is deposited within the pan.

Crossley in design Pat. No. D345,202 shows a toilet training unit having a removable pan which mimics a design for a conventional toilet. Nichols in U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,339 shows an assembly that fits over a conventional seat to train a child to use a conventional seat. Clarke in U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,711 shows a potty chair resembling a miniature seat and a storage cubby to store prizes such as candy, stickers, and toys to encourage the child to use the device and accelerate the completion of potty training. Clarke further discloses the use of a simulated flushing sound.

While potty training aids have decorative patterns, they do not adapt to the needs and personal tastes of a particular child.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure one is a front view of the device [0005]
Figure two is a side view of the device [0006]
Figure three is the perspective view of the device[0007]

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention offers a modular system for a customized and personalized potty training aid. [0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A modular toilet training aid comprises a main seat portion having a seat shaped as a toilet seat to allow a child to sit in the toilet seat. A removable receptacle housed within the seat portion is capable of receiving waste from a user sitting in the toilet seat. A plurality of removable ancillary components is reatachably secured to the main seat portion by reatachable means. The ancillary components are replaceable by replacement ancillary components to allow a user to change the thematic display of the modular toilet training aid. [0009]
Detachable modular elements include a [0010] main section 110 capable of receiving a receptacle 125 that can be removed easily for cleaning. The main section 110 has connection means such as friction fitted side appendages capable of receiving side modular elements 112 that can resemble arms of a cartoon character or an upper modular element 115 that can resemble a head and face of a cartoon character or a flower or firetruck or other inanimate object.
The rear modular element can be fashioned to include a [0011] compartment 320 for storage of small articles such as play toys. In combination, a side modular element can be formed to allow a cavity 310 for the purpose of holding planar elements such as books. Plastic hollow parts injection molded would allow ease in construction of the modular system.
The connection means is preferably a friction fit to allow a child a cognitive association with play brick systems. The friction fitted connection means is shown in figure one connecting the main section to the ancillary section. The friction fitted connection means is commonly known in the industry. [0012]
The rear compartment is modularly attached to the rear of the main section. The user may use a plurality of rear compartment sections to allow a child various options. A child may begin with a small rear compartment and later be rewarded with a larger rear compartment module. The replacability of the detachable components and design elements allows a child to feel a sense of progression with continuing upgrades of his or her potty trainer. Similarly, the side elements or the upper elements may be removed and upgraded to reward a child with a sense of progression in training. [0013]
A child may be started on a character training set of ancillary elements. The ancillary elements may make the appearance of the character predominant. Parents may also remove elements to gradually allow a child to transition to a standard household toilet. [0014]
Although various ways of using the modularity of the system are described, the preferred embodiment is not limited to the uses described. Furthermore, the uses may be objectionable to a child psychologist or potty training expert. Nevertheless, the uses described are helpful to determine the customized and wide variety of uses that a particular parent may use. [0015]
The housing holds a receptacle. The receptacle optionally rests upon a lower planar member shaped to hold a seat. The lower planar member supports the receptacle and can be removed for modular replacement with the toilet seat. This allows the toilet seat to be replaced by an ordinary seat to allow conversion of the device into and ordinary chair. [0016]
The foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the invention and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. [0017]

Claims

1. A modular toilet training aid comprising:

a main seat portion, said main seat portion having a seat shaped as a toilet seat to allow a child to sit on the toilet seat,

a removable receptacle housed within said seat portion capable of receiving waste from a user sitting in the toilet seat,

a plurality of removable ancillary components, said ancillary components reatachably secured to the main seat portion by reatachable means, said ancillary components replaceable by hand to allow a user to change the thematic display of the modular toilet training aid by using replacement ancillary components.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a total of two ancillary components are side mounted on the left and right sides of the main seat portion.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a lower planar member supporting the receptacle that can be removed for modular replacement of the toilet seat, whereby a chair is formed for a child's use.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein ancillary components consist of a total of three reattachable components: one upper component, one left component and one right component.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the upper component resembles the face of a character, the left and right components resemble the arms of a character.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein side ancillary components are decorative.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein a total of two ancillary components are side mounted on the left and right sides of the main seat portion.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein ancillary components consist of a total of three reattachable components: one upper component, one left component and one right component.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the upper component resembles the face of a character, the left and right components resemble the arms of a character.

10. A modular toilet training aid comprising:

a main portion, said main portion having a toilet seat to allow a child to sit in the toilet seat,

a plurality of ancillary components, said ancillary components secured to the main seat portion, said ancillary components removable using tools to allow a user to change the thematic display of the modular toilet training aid.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein a total of two ancillary components are side mounted on the left and right sides of the main seat portion.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein ancillary components consist of a total of three reattachable components: one upper component, one left component and one right component.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the upper component resembles the face of a character, the left and right components resemble the arms of a character.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein side ancillary components are decorative.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein a total of two ancillary components are side mounted on the left and right sides of the main seat portion.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein ancillary components consist of a total of three reattachable components: one upper component, one left component and one right component.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the upper component resembles the face of a character, the left and right components resemble the arms of a character.