Vehicle Mounted Toilet Seat Patent
Finally, something I can use on my trailer hitch. For years I’ve felt like my trailer hitch was being neglected and wasn’t being used to its fullest potential. Then I found this patent: U.S. Patent No. 6,125,480 for a “Vehicle Mounted Toilet Seat.”
The patent uses an extension member to attach a toilet seat with supporting frame to a trailer hitch. (Please watch my video above where I share some thoughts on this patent.) Figure 5 from the patent is shown below. In Figure 5, element 40 is the toilet seat and element 22 is an extension member that fits within a female trailer hitch.
It might be difficult to envision this invention relative to the rest of the vehicle. As a result, and for your viewing pleasure, we’ve had this professional illustration put together, below, that shows an exemplary vehicle with the invention attached.
Hopefully no one tries to use this invention on a bumpy road. Of course, if someone was constipated, a really bumpy road might help. I’d probably recommend using some kind of seat belt to make sure you’re secure.
This invention was to help provide some comforts in the great outdoors. The patent recites, “[i]n the past, when one has found themselves with the need to use the bathroom while participating in outdoor activities, [they were] limited to the use of self-standing and self-supporting portable toilets, or the nearest available bush. The drawbacks of such choices is … the unsanitary conditions which are often present, and the uncomfortable, awkward and sometimes messy method of going to the bathroom without the benefit of a portable toilet.” If that doesn’t make you miss scout camp, nothing will.
For Patent Attorneys Only
For any patent attorneys/agents who are curious to know what the patent’s independent claims looks like, here they are:
1. A frame for supporting a toilet seat, comprising a horizontal extension member having a first end and a second end,
a horizontal back rail connected to the extension member second end, the back rail having a first and second end, the back rail connected to the extension member at a point between the back rail’s first and second end,
the back rail having mounting apertures,
said mounting apertures being approximately five and one half inches part,
a left arm extending from the back rail first end,
a right arm extending from the back rail second end,
the extension member is a 2 inch square tube,
the back rail is a 1.5 inch square tube,
the extension member second end having a 1.5 inch notch, and
the back rail seated in the notch.
5. A vehicle mounted toilet seat, comprising:
an extension member for attachment to a vehicle mounted trailer hitch, said extension member having a top surface,
a seating frame comprises a back rail attached to the extension member, said seating frame having a top surface, said extension member top surface being substantially coplanar with said seating frame top surface,
a toilet seat mounted to the seating frame’s top surface,
the extension member is a 2 inch square tube,
the back rail is a 1.5 inch square tube,
the extension member second end having a 1.5 inch notch, and
the back rail seated in the notch.