Potty training device

• US 6,038,711 A
• Filed: 04/07/1999
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William A. Clarke
• Original Assignee: William A. Clarke
• Inventors: Clarke, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/287,778
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 4/449, 4/479, 4/483, 4/902
• US Class Current: 4/449
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 11/04 Room closets; Chairs with toilet conveniences or specially adapted for use with toilets, e.g. night chairs ; Closets for children, also with signalling means, e.g. with a music box, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0076 Body hygiene; Dressing; Knot tying
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 4/902 Toilet training

Abstract

A potty chair resembling a miniature toilet uses features of appearance and a handle for producing a simulated flushing sound, to attract a toddler, familiarize her/him with the device and remove barriers to its usage. A dual phase reward system including a displayable trophy and a storage cubby hole for prizes such as candy, stickers, and toys, encourage the child to use the device and accelerate the completion of potty training.

Claims

1. A device for assisting in potty training a toddler comprising:

a) a self-standing stool having a seat portion, a collection receptacle, and an openable and closeable lid for covering said receptacle;

b) a generally rectangular back member attached to said stool said generally rectangular back member resembling a toilet tank, said back member having significant depth and being at least partially hollow for allowing items which encourage usage to be positioned therein, said stool and back member being designed to resemble a miniature full-sized toilet;

c) means for attracting the toddler to said device to increase familiarity and develop the toddler'"'"'s desire to use said device and thereby become potty trained.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for attracting the toddler comprises a sound unit actuated by a pivotable handle which produces a simulated sound of a flushing toilet.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for attracting the toddler comprises a reward system for acknowledging the toddler'"'"'s achievement of successfully using said device.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said reward system comprises a compartment for storing rewards the toddler will receive to acknowledge her/his achievement said compartment being formed in said at least partially hollow back member.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said compartment comprises at least one wall made of clear plastic to enable the toddler to see said rewards.

6. The device of claim 4 further comprising a door which may be latched on said compartment to enable said rewards to be dispensed at a proper time.

7. The device of claim 4 further comprising a door which may be locked on said compartment to enable said rewards to be dispensed at a proper time.

8. The device of claim 3 wherein said reward system comprises a displayable trophy, a first attachment means secured to a non-visible portion of said device to permit said trophy to be stored, a second attachment means for permitting said trophy to be displayed on a highly visible portion of said device.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said highly visible portion of said device comprises a top surface of said back member.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for attracting the toddler comprises a child-friendly appearance including eye-catching display devices.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said eye-catching display devices comprise decals affixed to portions of said device.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said decals comprise at least one such decal affixed beneath said closeable and openable lid inducing the toddler to open said lid to further familiarize the toddler with said device and reduce/eliminate any fear about what lies within said self-standing stool.

13. The device of claim 11 further comprising said generally rectangular back member being made of see-through plastic, said eye-catching display devices comprising items suspending within said back member.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said collection receptacle comprises a removable collector portion which can be easily emptied and washed.

15. A device for assisting in potty training a toddler comprising:

a) a self-standing stool having a seat portion, a collection receptacle, and an openable and closeable lid for covering said receptacle;

b) a generally rectangular back member attached to said stool, said stool and back portion generally resembling a miniature full-sized toilet;

c) means for attracting the toddler to said device to increase familiarity and develop the toddler'"'"'s desire to use said device and thereby become potty trained, said means for attracting the toddler comprising a sound unit actuated by a pivotable handle which produces a simulated sound of a flushing toilet.

16. A device for assisting in potty training a toddler comprising:

a) a self-standing stool having a seat portion, a collection receptacle, and an openable and closeable lid for covering said receptacle;

b) a generally rectangular back member attached to said stool, said stool and back portion generally resembling a miniature full-sized toilet;

c) means for attracting the toddler to said device to increase familiarity and develop the toddler'"'"'s desire to use said device and thereby become potty trained, said means comprising a reward system for acknowledging the toddler'"'"'s achievement of successfully using said device including a displayable trophy, a first attachment means secured to a non-visible portion of said device to permit said trophy to be stored, a second attachment means for permitting said trophy to be displayed on a highly visible portion of said device.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said means for attracting the toddler comprises a sound unit actuated by a pivotable handle which produces a simulated sound of a flushing toilet.

18. A device for assisting in potty training a toddler comprising:

a) a self-standing stool having a seat portion, a collection receptacle, and an openable and closeable lid for covering said receptacle;

b) a generally rectangular back member attached to said stool, said back member having significant depth and being at least partially hollow for allowing items which encourage usage to be positioned therein and wherein said back member is configured so as to resemble a toilet tank, said stool and back portion resembling a miniature full-sized toilet;

c) means for attracting the toddler to said device to increase familiarity and develop the toddler'"'"'s desire to use said device and thereby become potty trained, said means for attracting the toddler comprising at least one decal affixed beneath said closeable and openable lid inducing the toddler to open said lid to further familiarize the toddler with said device and reduce/eliminate any fear about what lies within said self-standing stool.

19. A device for assisting in potty training a toddler comprising:

a) a self-standing stool having a seat portion, a collection receptacle, and an openable and closeable lid for covering said receptacle;

b) a generally rectangular back member attached to said stool, said stool and back portion generally resembling a miniature full-sized toilet;

c) means for attracting the toddler to said device to increase familiarity and develop the toddler'"'"'s desire to use said device and thereby become potty trained comprising said generally rectangular back member being made of see-through plastic with eye-catching display devices suspended within said back member.