Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Potty training device for boys
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to toilet devices but more
particularly to a device to train boys on how to use a toilet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] There are many techniques that have been devised over the years to
motivate young boys to pee without spraying all over the place but they
don't offer much advantages over not giving any specific training. Public
urinals in Singapore that have pictures of flies painted in them have
been found to reduce cleaning by 80% simply because it gives
something to aim at.
15SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
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[0041 To provide for a device that trains boys by making it a game of skills.
[005] To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a target
member connected to an end portion of a bent rod member,the bent rod
member connected to a rotating device. The rotating device being
connected to a clamping member which is adapted to be removably
attached to the bowl portion of the common toilet; the rotating device
including a button member adapted to be depressed by an annular seat
member of the toilet, such that when the annular seat member
depresses the button member the rotating device is forced to rotate
thereby rotating the bent rod and target with respect to the clamping
member.
[006] In a preferred embodiment, the rotating device includes a cam member
that is mechanically interconnected with the bent rod member, and a
biasing spring member; and the button member includes a plunger
portion, such that when the button member is depressed by the annular
seat member, it contacts and rotates the cam member and the bent rod
member, and the plunger portion compresses the biasing spring
member. When the annular seat member is lifted and the button
member is released, the biasing spring member pushes up the plunger
portion, the cam member, and the button, and thereby rotates the bent
rod member back to its original position.
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[007] The bent rod member has two bends that are bent in opposite
directions, thereby forming a shape resembling the letter S.
[008] The clamping member includes a threaded member and a threaded
fastener, such that the clamping member is adapted to securely grip
onto a rim portion of the bowl portion of the common toilet.
[009] The biasing spring member is formed as a coil spring.
[0010] The plunger portion is formed integrally with the button member.
[0011] The target member can be formed in the shape of an insect chosen from
a list of insects that includes a fly.
10[0012] A combination of a toilet member and a potty training device for
removable attachment to a bowl portion of the toilet member; the
combination comprising a toilet member including a bowl portion having
a rim, and an annular seat member; and the potty training device
comprising a target member connected to an end portion of a bent rod
member;. The bent rod member connected to a rotating device; the
rotating device being connected to a clamping member which is
removably attached to a rim portion of the bowl portion of the toilet
member, such that the target member is positioned in the center of the
bowl portion; the rotating device including a button member adapted to
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be depressed by the annular seat member of the toilet, such that when
the annular seat member depresses the button member the rotating
device is forced to rotate thereby rotating the bent rod and target with
respect to the clamping member and thereby moving the target member
out from the center of the bowl member and closer to a side wall of the
bowl member.
[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
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[0015] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
5 the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0016] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Figs. I a-b Front view of the invention in context and detail,
respectively, of the invention.
[0018] Figs. 2a-b Front and top views, respectively, of the invention.
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[0019] Figs. 3a-b Top views of the device in function and out of function,
respectively.
[0020] Figs. 4a-c Top, see-through and cutaway views, respectively, of the
invention when the button is released.
5[0021] Figs. 5a-c Top, see-through and cutaway views, respectively, of the
invention when the button is depressed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] A potty training device (10) is installed within a bowl (12) of a
toilet (14).
The potty training device (10) consists of a target (16) releasably
attached to a bent rod (18) which is pivotally attached to a clamping
means (20). The clamping means (20) clamps onto a rim (22) of the
bowl (12). When an annular seat (26) is lowered, it depresses a button
(24) which forms part of a rotating device (25) and which pivots the bent
rod (18) from the center of the bowl (12) (as seen in fig. 3a) towards its
side (as seen in fig. 3b). When the annular seat (26) is raised, the button
(24) is released and the bent rod (18) rotates so as to bring the target
(16) towards the center of the bowl (12) (as seen in fig. 3a).
[0023] In order to pivot the bent rod (18) between the two positions, the
button
(24) is either depressed or released. When depressed, the button (24)
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itself pushes downwardly against a cam member (28). The cam member
(28) has the bent rod (18) extending perpendicularly thereof. The
sloping shape of the cam member (28) in cooperation with the button
(24) induces the rotation when the button (24) is pushed downwardly. A
plunger (27) extends integrally from the button (24) and presses against
a biasing means (30), preferably in the shape of an coil spring. The
biasing means (30) pushes the button (24) upwardly when no pressure
is applied, such as when the annular seat (26) is raised.
[0024] [0017] The target (16) can be of any shape, although it seems that
flies
seem to be a popular shape. The material is of course suited for its
intended use which includes elastomers or resins.
[0025] [0018] The clamping means (20) is similar to clamping means as known
in the art and need not be further discussed except that it is preferably
variable in nature by way of a threaded means. The surfaces making
contact with the rim (22) can optionally be made of peel off adhesives to
increase adherence.
[0026] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
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[0027] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious
to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0028] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.