Public Restroom

Abstract

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a self-standing public restroom facility requiring only sewer and water at the installation site. The facility is a functional, low-cost, easy-to-maintain, low-power-consumer, safe, accessible public restroom facility available to all citizens of a modern society, whether such citizens be tourists, business-persons, transients, home-less, able-bodied or physically challenged. The facility comprises a plurality of wall panels that bolt to a slab and to each other to enable rapid, low cost, off-site, modular construction and easy assembly on-site.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]The present application claims benefit under 35 USC Section 119(e) of U.S. regular Patent Application No. 61 / 147,541 filed on 27 Jan. 2009: The present application is based on and claims priority from this application, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention relates to public restroom facilities and more specifically to handicapped accessible public toilet facilities.[0003]Known public restroom designs may be generally classified into three broad categories: stand-alone, semi-permanent units that require some services such as electricity and sewer services, self-contained (i.e. portable) units not connected to any power or sewer grid, or traditional facilities incorporated in buildings. Each of these aforementioned categories of public facilities can be further enhanced with automated, self-cleaning apparatus, handicap accessible, and the like. Further, some public facilities include aesth...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In one preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a self-contained public restroom facility particularly adapted for use in urban settings or other settings were a water supply and sewer connection is provided. The so-called Portland Loo brand (a trademark of the City of Portland, Oreg., USA) public facility is the brainchild of Commissioner Randy Leonard, who saw a growing global problem and devised a novel, local solution. Recognizing that all humans are entitled to a little dignity when taking car of such private business, there is an ever increasing demand for functional, low-cost, easy-to-maintain, low-power-consuming, safe, and accessible public restroom facilities available to all citizens of a modern society, whether such citizens be tourists, business-persons, transients, home-less, able-bodied or physically challenged.

[0013]Safe and Open. Louvers at the top and bottom of the wall create an interior environment that offers complete user privacy, while remaining as connected with the outside as possible. The lower louvers are angled to provide law enforcement the opportunity to observe the number of simultaneous users within the unit without compromising user privacy. The unit's hand-washing station is mounted on the exterior to promote shorter use times and to serve the general pedestrian population, including providing a means for pet owners to obtain potable water for their pets.

[0015]Advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention include: an affordable design that is cost-effective to build, install and maintain; an industrial design that deters illicit activity; durable materials that resist vandalism attempts; an overall assembly design that makes repair, maintenance and replacement of components fast, easy, and affordable; requires only water and sewer hook-up and does not require electrical hook-up (but can be modified to hook-up to grid, if desired); ADA accessible; no attendant required; designed for 24-hour use, 365-days a year; sustainable materials and power source (solar powered).

[0016]Other features of the present invention include: replaceable stainless steel wall panels, a button-activated exterior hand wash fixture and exterior drain; angled lower louvers for privacy and for external monitoring of activity within restroom; integrated solar panels and storage batteries; low-power consuming, LED light fixtures that adapt between in-use and available; translucent skylight.

Problems solved by technology

Such disadvantages include a number of motorized components including the folding toilet, the height-adjustment for the toilet, curved door, and the automated cleaning apparatus, for example.

The motors require providing power to the structure from external power lines and are expensive and difficult to maintain and repair and added unnecessary complexity and cost.

Another disadvantage includes a difficulty to install the structure flush with the existing grade, as the curved door requires an in-ground mounted track to guide itself from the open to the closed position.

Another problem is the inability of law-enforcement to monitor illicit activity when the facility is in use.

Also, the door may easily become blocked, thus preventing closure from the open position and rending the structure inoperable for its intended use.

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