MOTIVATIONAL URINAL FOR TOILET TRAINING OF YOUNG MALES

• US 20100005582A1
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pasquale Rao
• Original Assignee: Pasquale Rao
• Inventors: Rao, Pasquale
• Application Number:
  US12/170,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20100005582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/301
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/00 Urinals without flushing devices A47K11/00 ; Means for connecting the urinal to the flushing pipe and the wastepipe; Splashing shields for urinals
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/005 Accessories specially adapted for urinals

Abstract

A urinal is disclosed for motivating and facilitating urination toilet training of young males. The urinal includes a urine sensor and a motivational device that is activated by the sensor so as to produce visible and/or audible stimuli enjoyable to a young male. Preferred embodiments also include target objects toward which urine can be directed. In some of these embodiments the target objects change color and/or enjoyable stimuli are generated when target objects are struck by urine. Target objects can have recognizable images and/or shapes, and corresponding stimuli can be produced when targets are struck. For example, mooing sounds can be produced when a target with a cow image is struck. Embodiments can be connectable to plumbing or self-contained. Urinals can be sized and shaped optimally for use by young males, and can be powered by an electrical outlet or by batteries so as to provide powerful stimuli.

Claims

1. An apparatus for facilitating toilet training of young males, the apparatus comprising:

a urinal;

a sensor fixed within the urinal and able to detect contact with urine; and

a motivational device that can be activated by the sensor and, when activated by the sensor, can produce an enjoyable stimulus that tends to reward a young male for using the urinal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the size and shape of the urinal is adapted for use by a young male.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the urinal is connectable to conventional plumbing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the urinal can be used without being connected to plumbing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is able to detect contact with urine by detecting at least one of:

temperature;

pressure;

vibration;

electrical conductivity; and

sound.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enjoyable stimulus is:

a light that remains constant;

a blinking light;

a light that changes color;

a visual image that changes appearance;

an object that at least partly changes color;

an object that moves;

a sound that remains constant;

an intermittent sound;

a sound that varies in its characteristics;

a sound that at least resembles human speech;

a sound suggestive of an object that is likely to be recognized by a young male; and

a sound suggestive of an environment that is likely to be recognized by a young male.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a target object toward which a young male can direct a stream of urine.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor is physically conjunct with the target object, such that the motivational device is activated when the target object is contacted by urine.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the enjoyable stimulus emanates from the target object.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the target object is brightly colored.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the target object changes color when contacted by urine.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the target object has an appearance that is likely to be recognized by a young male.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the appearance of the target object resembles one of:

a geometric shape;

an animal;

a person;

a vehicle; and

a celestial object.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the motivation device, when activated, produces a sound that is related to the appearance of the target object.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of sensors fixed within the urinal and able to detect contact with urine.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of motivational devices that, when activated, can produce enjoyable stimuli that tend to reward a young male for using the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of target objects toward which a young male can direct a stream of urine.

18. An apparatus for facilitating toilet training of young males, the apparatus comprising:

a urinal;

a plurality of motivational devices coordinate with the urinal, each motivation device, when activated, being able to produce an enjoyable stimulus that tends to reward a young male for using the urinal; and

a plurality of target devices fixed within the urinal, each target device including a sensor that is able to detect contact with urine, each target device being configured so as to activate at least one motivational device when contact with urine is detected.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of the target devices at least partly changes color when the at least one target device makes contact with urine.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of the target devices has a recognizable appearance, and wherein a motivational device emits a sound that is related to the recognizable appearance when the at least one target device makes contact with urine.