US20090315436A1

US20090315436A1 - Movable multipurpose toilet cabinet

Info

Publication number: US20090315436A1
Application number: US12/381,600
Authority: US
Inventors: Angela Mae Robinson; Glenn Tirado
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-23
Filing date: 2009-03-13
Publication date: 2009-12-24

Abstract

This application relates a multipurpose moveable toilet cabinet article of furniture that can be used for hiding toilets and beautifying the bathroom, and also can be used independently of the toilet for other furniture functions, such as a stool, chair, table, hamper, storage bin, or supplemental chest of drawers. In some embodiments, the toilet cabinet may be provided in kit or “ready to assemble” form to facilitate shipping.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of provisional patent application 61/132,874, “Removable, usable toilet chair-cabinet”, filed Jun. 23, 2008. The contents of 61/132,874 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This application discloses a multipurpose moveable article of furniture or “toilet cabinet” that can be used for hiding toilets and beautifying the bathroom, and can also be used independently of the toilet for other furniture functions as well.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many people find the toilet in the modern bathroom to be unsightly due to the toilet's proximity to the bathtub, shower or sink. Recent bathroom trends have attempted to take the bathroom beyond mere utilitarian functions into the realm of the living space. For example, faucets, sinks, toilets, and vanities have all been made increasingly ornate. Many people now use the bathtub—bathroom as a place of relaxation, and try to think of it as a personal spa. Unfortunately the visual proximity of the exposed toilet bowl detracts from this spa effect.
In other cases, family needs require that the bathroom be used by multiple individuals who are not using the toilet. For example, young parents may need to bathe young children, or caregivers may need to bathe the elderly and infirm. Here the toilet occupies valuable bathroom “real estate” that could be better used for alternate purposes, such as for a temporary table, chair, or storage space.
In other situations, such as smaller homes and apartments, floor space as a whole may be limited. Families also have other needs, such as need for a hamper to store dirty clothes, temporary need for a table, or occasional need for an extra stool, and have a need to meet these needs in a space efficient manner.
Prior art efforts have attempted to address the problem of toilet unsightliness by making large, semi-permanently attached, enclosures for the toilet. These prior art approaches required that the user use the toilet while the enclosure was attached, which resulted in many cleaning issues, and the semi-permanent attachment made it difficult to clean under the chair. These approaches have not met with much commercial success.
Examples of this prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 2,089,775 to Wexelberg, U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,968 to Suser, U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,872 to Zieman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,551 to Cummings, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,341 to Zwezdaryk, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,578 to Mitchell.
Suser in U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,968 describes an overall cover for water closets and flush bowls. His design has the drawback, however, that it is not self supporting. Further, his design is not easily removable.
Zieman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,872 describes a toilet cover chair that fits over the common toilet including the water box. The chair includes arms and a back, and the seating portion of the chair has a closable opening.
More recently, Mitchell in U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,578 disclosed toilet covers with multiple drawers for storing toiletries. This cover is again affixed to the bathroom floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Given the need to occasionally cover toilets, occasionally convert the toilet into a temporary table or shelf, occasional need for additional storage space for dirty clothing and other items, and occasional need for extra stools or end-tables, there is an unmet need for an easily moved multiple-function article of furniture that can perform these various functions.
In one aspect, the invention is a “toilet cabinet” or “toilet furniture” that at least temporarily disguises the toilet to look like a different piece of furniture, thereby making the bathroom to look more a place of relaxation, and less like a place for waste elimination.
In another aspect, the invention may be used either on or away from the toilet as a chair or stool, hamper or other storage unit, shelf, or side-table.
In other aspects, the invention may be used to help the infirmed to get on and off the toilet. The invention may also be used as a ‘child safety latch’ or ‘soft-closing hinge’ to make the toilet safer for toddlers.
Unlike prior art dedicated toilet-chair inventions, the “toilet cabinet” or “toilet furniture” invention is designed for convenient and rapid mounting and dismounting from the toilet, and the invention is also designed with additional functionality designed to enhance its multipurpose utility for other, off-toilet applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a side perspective drawing of one embodiment of the toilet furniture invention.

FIG. 1B shows the toilet furniture of FIG. 1A in place over a toilet bowl. The lid of the toilet furniture is down, and the toilet tank is in the back.

FIG. 1C shows the toilet furniture of FIG. 1A in place over a toilet bowl. The lid of the toilet furniture is up, and the toilet tank is behind the lid.

FIG. 1D shows the toilet furniture of FIG. 1A from the back. The lid of the toilet furniture is down. The toilet bowl fits into the cavity of the toilet furniture, and the toilet tank stays outside of this cavity.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention. Here the back of the toilet furniture also has an opening to receive the toilet tank as well.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention that also has an internal storage compartment.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention. This embodiment has a top without a lid. It is intended to cover the toilet, but not allow toilet use while the invention is in-place over the toilet.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention, in which the invention has multiple storage compartments.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the toilet furniture invention, in which the invention has multiple drawers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the multipurpose toilet furniture or “toilet cabinet” will alternately be described as either “the device” or “the invention”, and it will frequently also be referred to as a “toilet cabinet”.
The invention is designed to accomplish multiple purpose. One function is to hide the toilet bowl, which is often considered unsightly. Another function is to cover the toilet bowl, and thus improve sanitation by blocking unwanted, bacteria-containing, aerosols associated with toilet use. Another function includes child safety functions, and here the device can function as a child safety lock, preventing access to the toilet bowl as desired.
As previously discussed, other functions include use for seating, for storage, and as a table, either on or off the toilet.
Unlike other prior art “toilet chairs”, the toilet cabinet invention is designed for rapid portability, and is supported by the floor, and by various wheels, glides, or rollers on the base of the invention rather than the toilet structure itself. The invention is designed to be easily rolled into position over the toilet bowl, and then out away from the toilet bowl. This facilitates rapid removal for easy cleaning.
In order to facilitate a temporary but secure fit with a toilet, some embodiment of the invention may have a number of internal structure and custom adjustment features designed to expedite rapid but snug attachment and detachment from standard or custom toilet bowls.
Most standard toilets have a characteristic pedestal shape, in which a wide upper bowl/basing, usually with a toilet seat, usually about 14-16 inches wide, and about 18-26 inches away from a back wall or toilet tank, is supported about 16 inches above the bathroom floor by a narrower toilet pedestal base, usually about 6-12 inches wide.
Some embodiment of the invention will achieve a relatively precise fit between various fixed position internal structures in the toilet cabinet (e.g. boards or shelves with fixed position cutouts that fit around the toilet pedestal and/or bowl). In other embodiments, the internal structures in the toilet cabinet may be adjustable to various widths by means of moving slots, screw threads, pegs, levers, knobs and the like.
This will allow these internal structures to fit multiple different brands and sizes of toilet.
These adjustable internal openings or structures may, for example be spring-mounted, may be of a deformable material such as a pneumatic tire like material or a foam-like material, or may be manually adjustable (for example after purchase) by means of screws, pegs, knobs and other means to allow the invention to be rapidly customized to fit snugly, but non-permanently into the characteristic toilet pedestal space or basin space. As another example, multiple inserts customized to various standard toilet bowls may be provided, and the user can pick the insert best suited to their particular toilet design.
In order to facilitate very rapid insertion and removal into the toilet bowl space, the invention may be mounted on wheels, coasters, glides, or the like. These wheels, coasters, and glides may be of fixed height, but often will be variable height in order to accommodate different toilet designs. Depending upon application, these wheels or coasters may be designed with an optional locking mechanism that will allow the user to easily prevent rolling once the invention has been rolled onto the toilet bowl. In this situation, it will be useful to also allow the user to unlock the wheels once removal from the toilet bowl is desired. This optional locking and unlocking mechanism may either be designed for immediate and ready access (for example in adult households), or alternatively be designed with more difficult to access “child proof” mechanism to prevent accidental unlocking by young children, elderly, or disabled users.
In order to facilitate multipurpose operation, the invention may also be equipped with one or more attachments. These attachments may include 1) a toilet paper holder, 2) a magazine or book holder, 3) a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, 4) side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, 5), a detachable basket or box to allow for extra internal storage, such as for a hamper (see FIG. 3), 6) an internal permanently installed (or detachable net) that will allow the invention to be used for storage, or for attachment to a toilet bowl, without need for any basket or box removal, 7) a child safety lock, 8) a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, 9) a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.
FIG. 1A is a side perspective drawing of one embodiment of the invention. The toilet bowl compartment (2) is made up of three vertical planes; a front and two sides, and two horizontal planes, the top and bottom. In this embodiment, the top plane consists of a moveable lid (1) connected to rear brace (6) by hinge (5). The bottom plane consists of bottom support (3).
The toilet bowl compartment (2) sits over the toilet bowl, (not shown). The top plane is attached to and supported by a front and two sides which make the vertical planes. The bottom plane is the support brace or frame (3) which keeps the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and, also makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). Additionally, this support brace or frame (3) will often have a cutout (200) designed to accommodate the toilet bowl pedestal, preferably with a fairly precise fit between the cutout and the pedestal to help prevent lateral movement of the toilet cabinet once the cabinet is in place. Alternatively, adjustment mechanisms (e.g. the previously described adjustable screws, levers, pegs, etc.) may be attached to frame (3) and used to adjust the width of cutout (200) to better fit a variety of different sized toilet pedestals.
The rear of toilet bowl compartment (2) is open. In order to accommodate the base pedestal of the toilet bowl, there may be more than one bottom brace (3), positioned at various levels heights inside the compartment 2, each with its own large slot-shaped opening, each of which may be adjustable by means of the previously discussed width or height adjustment mechanisms. The top surface of the toilet cabinet will often also have a cutout (202) designed to fit around the upper portion of the toilet, and in some embodiments, this cutout may also be made adjustable by various screws, levers, slides or other adjustment mechanisms.
As previously discussed, in order to facilitate use with a wide variety of different toilet designs, it often will be advantageous to make the height of the wheels or glides (4) adjustable by a mechanism (203), such as an adjustable screw mechanism, rod with detents, pneumatic adjust, or other mechanism to raise or lower the height of the toilet cabinet from between a fraction of an inch to up to two or more inches in order to allow the cabinet to fit over toilet bowls positioned at various heights above the bathroom floor.
In some embodiments, there may also be a detent or handle (8) on the front of the lid (1).
In operation, the toilet cabinet invention or device of FIG. 1 is placed over or around the toilet bowl by sliding or rolling the device so that the toilet bowl, (not pictured), ‘enters’ the device through the open rear of the toilet bowl compartment (2), through the wide slot in bottom brace (3), until the front of the toilet ends up adjacent to the backside of the front wall of the toilet compartment (2). In this position, the toilet bowl is inside of the device, and the toilet can be accessed and used by lifting the front of lid (1) which in some embodiments may be hinged (5) at the rear with the aid of the handle/detent (8).
In this configuration, when the lid (1) is in the open position, the toilet can be accessed and used. When the lid (1) is in the closed position, (as shown in FIG. 1), this device can be used as a seat, or as a temporary table (for example to set towels on while using the bathtub). Note that when the device is placed over the toilet in the closed position, the lid (1) provides another layer of protection against the previously discussed “aerosol effect”.
The device is moved easily across the floor into or out of position over the toilet by means of wheels or glides (4). With this device placed over the toilet in the closed position, the toilet bowl is hidden from view and therefore hides the most objectionable part of the bathroom.
FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1A in place over a toilet bowl, with lid (1) in a down position. Here the toilet bowl (100) (normally hidden from view) is shown in dotted lines, and in a somewhat distorted perspective. In this drawing, for easier viewing, toilet bowl (100) is shown overly small and short. In practice, in this embodiment, the surface of the toilet bowl will be closer to the surface of lid (1). The toilet tank (102) is shown behind the device's main compartment (2)
FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1A in place over a toilet bowl (100), with lid (1) now in an up position. As can be seen, in this embodiment, the height of the toilet cabinet is set so that toilet bowl (100) is at the proper height, relative to the cabinet, to allow the toilet to be easily used when lid (1) is up.
FIG. 1D shows the invention from the backside. Here the invention can be moved (106) by way of wheels or glides (4) to fit over toilet bowl (100). In this embodiment, the toilet tank (102) protrudes above the top of the invention. In this drawing, lid (1) is down. Note that this perspective shows the bottom support brace (3) and the opening in this brace (200) is designed to conform to the lower pedestal base of toilet bowl (100). In an optional embodiment, the fit between bottom support brace (3) and the lower pedestal base of toilet bowl (100) can be made more precise by way of one or more additional mechanisms (104) affixed to brace (3). As previously discussed, these optional additional mechanisms can be screw adjusts, pneumatic elements, foam adjusts, peg adjusts or any other mechanism designed to adjust the clearance between brace (3) and the toilet pedestal bottom (100).
FIG. 2 is a side perspective drawing of another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the invention covers the entire toilet including both the lower toilet bowl (100) and the upper toilet tank (102). Here the toilet bowl and toilet tank are not shown, but the overall toilet bowl and tank configuration is similar to that shown in FIG. 1B.
The toilet bowl compartment (2) and the toilet tank compartment (10) are two sections of the whole device. As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and also makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). The lid (1) can be lifted up with the aid of a detent or handle (8) located on the front of the lid (1) and pivoting on the hinge (5) at the rear of the lid (1) to give access to use the toilet.
The rear support or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) and at the bottom of the tank compartment (10) keep the sides of the compartment parallel and square and serve as an attachment point for the hinge (5). In this embodiment, a cutout (here symbolized by the crescent moon shape) (7) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10) provides access to a toilet flush handle (not shown), which is normally mounted on the toilet tank of most standard toilets.
In this embodiment, the toilet tank compartment (10) is joined to the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) (as described above), and the whole device is thus composed of both of these sections. The rear support or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) is the bottom of the tank compartment (10). The sides and front of the tank compartment make up vertical planes of tank compartment and the rear brace (6) and the top are the horizontal planes. The front of the tank compartment is attached to the sides laterally, and attached to the top at its front edge, and attached to rear brace (6) at the bottom; this is also the point at which the tank compartment (10) is joined to the bowl compartment (2). There is cutout (7) (not intended to be limited to the shape of a crescent moon, any shape that allows access to the handle will work) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10).
In operation, the for the device shown in FIG. 2, the lower components listed as (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (8), all operate as discussed previously. The addition of the tank compartment (10) hides the toilet tank so that the entire toilet is camouflaged, but does not detract from any of the other functions previously mentioned.
As previously discussed, the function of the cutout (7) is to provide access to the toilet flush lever. Here this feature is not considered to be limiting, but rather is mentioned or drawn to symbolize any general purpose method or mechanism that allows the user to flush the toilet without removing the entire device from around the toilet.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective drawing of another embodiment of this invention. Here, the invention may also have provision for one or more internal storage compartments (12). Thus, for example, the toilet bowl compartment (2), the toilet tank compartment (10), and the storage compartment (12) can be three sections of the whole device.
As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). The rear support or brace (6) at the top of the toilet bowl compartment (2) and at the bottom of the tank compartment (10) also keep the sides of the compartment parallel and square, and support brace (6) may also incorporate mechanisms (previously discussed) to adjust the gap between the edge of brace (6) and the toilet tank (102—not shown).
Note that in this embodiment, the floor (9) of the storage compartment (12) keeps this area separate from the toilet bowl compartment. Often the device of FIG. 3 will thus be taller than the device shown in FIG. 1 to accommodate both the toilet bowl and storage space.
The optional back wall (11) of the storage compartment can keep this area separate from the toilet tank compartment. The lid (1) can be lifted up with the aid of an optional detent or handle (8) located on the front of the lid (1) and pivoting on the hinge (5) at the rear of the lid (1) to give access to the storage area (12).
In an alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the floor (9) and/or the optional back wall (11) can be composed of flexible netting, fabric, plastic, or other flexible material, and indeed may be one continuous piece of this material. If this is done, then the flexible material will automatically deform over the surface of the toilet bowl (100—not shown) when the invention is rolled into place over a toilet. In this case the user may use the invention as a hamper or other storage device when the device is away from the toilet, and use it as a toilet cover as desired. In this embodiment, the device may either be substantially taller than the device shown in FIGS. 1A-D, or alternatively may be about the same height as the device shown in FIGS. 1A-D.
In some embodiments of the invention, there may not be a moveable top lid (1). Rather the solid top will be permanently fixed in a down position. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment is similar to FIG. 1, but without a moveable top lid (1) or hinge (5). As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). As before, the frame (3) (and the detent in the top surface as well) may contain adjustment mechanisms (previously discussed) to allow the gap between the device and the toilet bowl and/or toilet tank to be adjusted to achieve a snug fit, if desired.
FIG. 5 is a side perspective drawing of an embodiment that has been made much wider. This embodiment is wide enough to also accommodate storage compartments (12) on the sides of the toilet bowl area (2) and toilet tank area (10). As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square, and makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). In this embodiment, the frame (3) is extended to encompass the floors (9) of the lower lateral storage compartments (12).
As before, the lid (1) can be lifted up with the aid of a detent or handle (8) located on the front of the lid (1). This will often pivot on one or more hinges (5) located at the rear of the lid (1) and attached to the bottom of the front of tank compartment (10).
As before, the cutout (7) on the front of the toilet tank compartment (10) provides access to the toilet tank handle. The top surface (15) of the two lower storage areas (12) lateral to the toilet bowl area (2) extends to become the upper storage area (12) floors (9). All storage areas are made accessible though the doors (13) by use of optional handles or detents (8).
Another embodiment of the invention, with one or more storage drawers, is shown in FIG. 6. This shows a side perspective drawing with one or more storage drawers (13) above the toilet bowl compartment (2) and in front of the toilet tank area (10). As before, the bottom support brace or frame (3) helps to keep the toilet bowl compartment (2) square and makes an attachment point for the wheels or glides (4). The drawers (13) can be opened using the optional handles or detents (8). A false drawer front (14) can optionally be attached to face of the toilet bowl compartment (2) for consistency of appearance.
The uses and benefits of the FIG. 6 embodiment are generally the same as those described in the embodiment previously described in FIG. 3, with the possible exception that here, storage is configured to be utilized by drawers (13) rather than from access by a top lid (which may be more suited for use as a hamper. The drawers (13) and optional handles (8) in embodiment shown in FIG. 6 make this embodiment well suited for use with smaller items, such as medicines, cosmetics, and the like. This feature would be highly useful in a bathroom with limited medicine cabinet or vanity space. As previously discussed, the optional false drawer front (14) helps improve the illusion that the device is a full cabinet, rather than a removable toilet cover.
Further discussion:
In the embodiment previously discussed in FIGS. 1A-D, the toilet may still be accessed and used by lifting the lid (1). With lid (1) closed, this device may be used as a seat or a surface to set towel or clothing on to facilitate dressing or undressing. This feature is highly desirable, as many people view the toilet surface itself as being unsanitary, and thus do not like using it as a table-like surface. An additional advantage is that while many toilet seat lids are not designed to hold a person's weight for very long, the invention can be made to be quite sturdy.
As previously discussed, the device can also be used independently of the toilet by easily rolling or sliding the device away from the toilet on its wheels or glides (4). Although some versions of the invention may omit these wheels or glides (4), many versions will have at least two wheels or glides (4), and it will also be common to use four wheels or glides, six wheels or glides, or more as desired.
The basic frame of the device may be made out of almost any light-weight and strong material such as, but not limited to wood, metal or plastic.
Similarly, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2 will generally have all the uses, and be used, in the same way as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-D, but with the added coverage of the toilet tank to further disguise the toilet. Here the cutout (7) on the tank compartment (10) gives access to flush the toilet while the device is in place over the toilet.
In some embodiments, the toilet cabinet device shown in FIG. 3 will be significantly taller than the toilet bowl itself, (e.g. a 30-36″ standard bathroom counter height, while the toilet bowl itself may only be 16½″ high), and will therefore not be allow direct access to the toilet bowl for elimination functions. In other embodiments, for example when a flexible and partially or totally detachable net is used for (9), the toilet cabinet device may be shorter and may still allow access to the toilet for elimination functions.
In either case, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, gives all the benefits of hiding and covering the toilet mentioned in FIG. 1's description, and also has the added benefit of providing storage (12), accessed through the top (1), for use as, but not limited to, a hamper or other storage container. As with the other variations, this device can be used independently of the toilet for this variation's secondary purpose which is as hamper storage. Though not pictured here, this variation is conducive to a basket that can fit into the storage space (12) as a receptacle for laundry and be removed to transport the laundry easily to the laundry room.
By contrast, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 does not allow access to the toilet bowl for elimination functions. However this embodiment has the all benefits of hiding the toilet bowl, and serving as a seat over the toilet (previously discussed). Also as previously discussed, this device can be used independently as a seat 2 by easily moving it out from around the toilet by means of wheels (4).
Some embodiments of this invention are designed to also be useful when not in position over a toilet bowl. However in this situation, when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet bowl, the large back opening of the unit (210) will be exposed, which may be cosmetically undesirable.
To hide this undesirable back opening (210), in some embodiments of the invention, this large opening may be closed by means of a roll down blind, flexible cloth, plastic, leather or fabric closing, or by a more rigid plastic, wood, or metal closing that can be easily affixed in place when the invention is not attached to the toilet (not shown).
The main difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the other embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, is that in FIG. 5, the optional storage compartments are set laterally (12) and accessed by conventional cabinet doors (13) with the aid of optional handles or detents (8). Not pictured in this figure (5), but which may also be incorporated in this or other embodiments, are configurations with the storage to one side only, or drawers instead of doors.
In another embodiment, the various portions of the toilet cabinet may be provided in a kit form, ready to assemble for easier shipping. Often this kit will provide instructions for assembly, and optional additional assembly tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, or glue.
Thus to summarize, in one embodiment, the invention is a toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising: a rigid hollow cabinet with wheels, glides or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom; said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom; said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels glides or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
In another embodiment, the invention is a toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising: a rigid hollow cabinet with at least four wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom; said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom; said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin; in which the open slot and/or the partially open back additionally contain one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allow the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin; said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl; said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said top containing a lid mounted to the top by a hinge; said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.
Any of these embodiments may also be equipped with one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.
Additionally, any of these embodiments may have a mechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinet when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet. Further, any of these embodiments may also have embodiments in which toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank of the toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains a flush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet contains an opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.

Claims

1. A toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising:

a rigid hollow cabinet with wheels, glides or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom;

said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels, glides, or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom;

said open slot being configured to be wide enough to admit said narrower toilet pedestal, but narrow enough not to admit said toilet basin, thus acting to at least partially constrain the movement of the toilet cabinet while it is over the toilet basin;

said cabinet having a front, right side, and left side made of a rigid material that substantially covers the toilet bowl;

said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material,

said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels, glides, or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.

2. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the open slot and/or the partially open back additionally comprise one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allows the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin.

3. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet shape confirming mechanisms comprise one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of springs, screws, pegs, knobs, pneumatic tire like materials, or deformable foam-like materials.

4. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the cabinet wheels, glides or rollers are height adjustable.

5. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the cabinet has wheels or rollers attached to the bottom, and in which the cabinet has least one additional locking mechanism that allows the user to keep these wheels or rollers from freely turning.

6. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention.

7. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the top contains a lid mounted on a hinge, configured to allow a user, when the cabinet is over the toilet bowl and the lid is open, to gain access to the toilet bowl.

8. The toilet cabinet of claim 7, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.

9. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet cabinet has a mechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinet when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet.

10. The toilet cabinet of claim 1, in which the toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank of the toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains a flush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet contains an opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.

11. The toilet cabinet in claim 1 in a kit form, in which at least some of the sides of the cabinet are provided in a precut but detached form along with optional instructions for assembly.

12. A toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising:

a rigid hollow cabinet with at least four wheels or rollers attached to the bottom of the cabinet; said cabinet having at least a partially open back and a partially open bottom;

said bottom having an open slot with an opening extending to the back of the cabinet, said open back and slot configured to allow the cabinet, while resting on its wheels glides or rollers to be pushed over a bathroom toilet bowl while said toilet bowl is affixed to said floor of the bathroom;

said cabinet additionally having a top made of a rigid material, said top containing a lid mounted to the top by a hinge;

said cabinet top, front side, right side, left side, front, bottom, back and wheels glides or rollers being configured to allow the cabinet, in at least one configuration, to be freely moved on said wheels or rollers between a first position where the cabinet covers the toilet bowl, and a second position where the cabinet is no longer associated with the toilet bowl.

13. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the open slot and/or the partially open back are designed with one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allows the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin;

and in which the toilet shape conforming mechanisms comprise one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of springs, screws, pegs, knobs, pneumatic tire like materials, or deformable foam-like materials.

14. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the cabinet has wheels or rollers attached to the bottom, and in which the cabinet has least one additional locking mechanism that allows the user to keep these wheels or rollers from freely turning.

15. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.

16. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the toilet cabinet has a mechanism to cover the open back of the toilet cabinet when the toilet cabinet is not in position over the toilet.

17. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the toilet cabinet additionally covers the tank of the toilet with a rigid material, the tank of the toilet contains a flush mechanism to operate the toilet, and the toilet cabinet contains an opening or mechanism by which to operate the toilet flush mechanism.

18. The toilet cabinet of claim 12, in which the front of the toilet cabinet contains openings for at least one drawer, and in which the height of the toilet cabinet is high enough to allow said at least one drawer to be inserted in said toilet cabinet when said toilet cabinet is mounted over the toilet bowl.

19. A toilet cabinet for covering at least a bathroom toilet bowl mounted on the floor of a bathroom, said toilet bowl having a wide toilet basin mounted atop a narrower toilet pedestal, said toilet cabinet comprising:

in which the open slot and/or the partially open back additionally contain one or more toilet shape conforming mechanisms that allow the user to adjust the dimensions of the open slot and/or the partially open back openings to precisely fit the dimensions of the toilet pedestal and/or the toilet basin;

20. The toilet cabinet of claim 19, in which the toilet cabinet additionally comprises one or more additional mechanisms selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper holder, a magazine or book holder, a side mounted desktop or hinged leaf that can be raised to extend the useful area of the top, or a side mounted hand-supports to aid in mounting or dismounting of the invention, a detachable basket or box to allow internal storage, an internal permanently installed or detachable net that will allow the invention to be used for storage when not attached to the toilet bowl, a child safety lock on the lid, a magnetic catch or link between the lid of the device and the existing toilet seat lid so both lids can be opened or closed simultaneously, and a soft-closing hinge or attachment for the lid.