US20160045087A1

US20160045087A1 - Secured potty seat for a toddler

Info

Publication number: US20160045087A1
Application number: US14/825,818
Authority: US
Inventors: Christine Pratcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-13
Filing date: 2015-08-13
Publication date: 2016-02-18

Abstract

A secured potty seat for a toddler aids in the transition from a potty chair to a full-size toilet, may be used on the toilet or standing alone, and is comprised of a cover and a basin. The potty seat may be secured to the toilet seat with a pair of two-way clamps which also secure the cover to the basin. Both the cover and the basin contain ballast, which makes lifting these components virtually impossible for a toddler, while remaining easy to lift for an adult. A seat belt is also provided to secure the toddler to the seat during use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/036893, filed Aug. 13, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to toilet training devices for toddlers and in particular to a secured potty seat for a toddler. During toilet training, making the transition from a potty chair to a full-size toilet often causes fear and apprehension for a toddler. The toilet is taller and may cause a fear of falling. The toddler may attempt to climb down to the floor, which is not productive. Also, the seat is too large and various inserts have been developed in a toddler's size, but none has been entirely satisfactory. Frequently these are light and easily removed from the toilet by the toddler, leading not only to a risk of drowning in the toilet bowl, but far more frequently a source of mischief. A secured potty seat for a toddler, providing a seat belt for peace of mind and to prevent the toddler from climbing down too early, as well as ballast to prevent the child from removing the potty seat from the toilet, would resolve these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a secured potty seat for a toddler. The potty seat is intended to aid in the transition from a potty chair to a full-size toilet, may be used on the toilet or standing alone, and is comprised of a cover and a basin. The potty seat may be secured to the toilet seat with a pair of two-way clamps which also secure the cover to the basin. Both the cover and the basin contain ballast, which makes lifting these components virtually impossible for a toddler, while remaining easy to lift for an adult. A seat belt is also provided to secure the toddler to the seat during use.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment secured to the basin, displaying the potty seat 10, the cover 11, the back 11A, the saddle horn 11B, the basin 12, the clamps 13, the seat belt 14, the female clip 15, and the male clip 16.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment secured to the basin, displaying the potty seat 10, the cover 11, the saddle horn 11B, the basin 12, a clamp 13, the seat belt 14, and the female clip 15.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment secured to a toilet, displaying the potty seat 10, the cover 11, the clamps 13, the seat belt 14, the toilet 20, and the toilet seat 20A.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cover of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the potty seat 10, the cover 11, the back 11A, the saddle horn 11B, the clamps 13, and the seat belt 14, the female clip 15, the male clip 16, and the ballast 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a secured potty seat 10 for a toddler.
It is to be understood that while the invention is intended for use with a toddler, this is not intended as a limitation. With suitable modifications, the invention may be used with an elderly or disabled adult.
The first exemplary embodiment is intended to aid in the transition from a potty chair to a full-size toilet 20, may be used on the toilet 20 or standing alone, and is comprised of a cover 11 and a basin 12. The cover 11 is conventional for such devices, providing a contoured, raised back 11A and saddle horn 11B to make the toddler more comfortable, and guide the toddler into the correct seating posture.
The potty seat 10 may be secured to the toilet seat 20A with a pair of two-way clamps 13, which also secure the cover 11 to the basin 12. Both the cover 11 and the basin 12 contain a ballast 17, which makes lifting these components virtually impossible for a toddler, while remaining easy to lift for an adult. The weight of each component is preferably twenty pounds. The ballast may be in the form of water or sand in reservoirs, which the adult user may fill during assembly, or in the form of solid weights which are factory installed, and are preferably manufactured from a rigid, dense material such as lead or concrete. A seat belt 14 is also provided to secure the toddler to the seat 11 during use, and is easily removed for cleaning. Optionally, as an additional step to ease the toddler's transition, the seat 11 may be attached to the toilet seat 20A without the basin 12. The clamps 13 accommodate this option.
To use the first exemplary embodiment, the adult user places the cover 11 on the basin 12. The adult user then secures the cover 11 on the basin 12 using the clamps 13 which are provided. The adult user will preferably place the clamps 13 at the three-o'clock and nine-o'clock positions. The adult user may then place the child user on the seat 11, and secure the child user with the seat belt 14. The seat belt 14 is secured using a clip 18. The clip has a male end 16 and a female end 15.
Alternatively, the user may place the cover 11, without the basin 12, on a full sized toilet 20. The cover 11 is secured to the toilet seat 20A using the clamps 13 which are provided. The adult user will preferably place the clamps 13 at the three-o'clock and none-o'clock positions. The adult user may then place the child user on the seat 11, and secure the child user with the seat belt 14. The seat belt 14 is secured using a clip 18. The clip has a male end 16 and a female end 15.
The seat 11, the basin 12, and the clamps 13 are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials which are shatterproof, corrosion resistant, and easily cleaned, such as high-impact plastic. The seat belt 14 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable fabric which is machine-washable, such as cotton or nylon webbing, providing a buckle which is preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material which is shatterproof, corrosion resistant, and easily cleaned, such as high-impact plastic.
Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A secured potty seat, comprising:

(a) a cover;

(b) said cover having a raised back and a saddle horn;

(c) a plurality of clamps;

(d) a seat belt;

(e) said seatbelt having a clip;