Packable Modular Camp Toilet

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/644,179, titled “A Camp Toilet with Interchangeable Modular Components that Disassembles for Packing”, filed May 8, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is directed to camping equipment and in particular a camp toilet.

Participants of backcountry outdoor activities (e.g., hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and so on) have a “Leave No Trace (LNT)” camping ethos. Increasingly, recreation area managers are requiring the LNT to include human solid waste (HSW). This is clearly for good reasons, including: river campsites are small and regularly get flooded, popular areas such as hot springs are over-crowded, and desert southwest backcountry regions are crowded and HSW does not breakdown in the desert soil.

Rules and regulations vary for different areas. A typical river running requirement states: “a washable, leak-proof, reusable toilet system or an engineered bag waste containment system containing enzymes and polymers to treat human solid waste that allows for the carry-out and disposal of solid human body waste in a responsible and lawful manner. The system must be adequate for the size of the group and length of the trip. All solid human waste, including bags, must be contained in a leak-proof, animal-proof, hard-sided container with a screw-on or ratchet-locking lid. Leaving solid human waste on public land or dumping it into vault toilets at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) facilities is prohibited.” Backcountry Use Requirements for Arches National Park, Moab, stipulates “You must have a landfill safe commercial toilet bag system, such as Wag Bag™ or Restop II. All solid human waste must be packed out of the backcountry. Do not dispose of these bags in park toilets; use specific disposal locations in Moab.” Conundrum Hot Springs regulations state: “There are no toilets in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Now's the time to make a bathroom plan. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended but not required. WAG bags must be packed out. Learn more about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug six to eight inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp, and trails.”

Existing products that facilitate use of human waste bags (HWBs) are bulky and do not provide a suitable solution for all backcountry activities, particularly small craft river running, packrafting, and backpacking.

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization that when small craft river running, packrafting, and backpacking, everything must be carried and therefore only essential items are packed. Anything that is heavy or bulky and non-essential is not packed. Accordingly, existing camp toilet solutions are bulky, even when collapsable, and given the space and weight limitation of a backpack, are left out leaving a backpacker to experience potential discomfort and unsanitary conditions when attempting to use a human waste bag (HWBs) without the convenience of a seat. The present embodiments solve this problem by providing a lightweight, packable, modular camp toilet that facilitates use of HWBs.

A modular camp toilet is formed of a collection of components that may be stored dissembled, and then assembled and dissembled in the backcountry or wilderness. Once assembled, an HWB may be draped over a seat of the modular camp toilet and an adult human may sit on the assembled device. When it is time to move camp, the modular camp toilet is dissembled and stowed for transport.

In certain embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to a packable modular camp toilet, including: at least three legs each having a bracket with at least two threaded apertures for receiving at least two fasteners, each fastener positioned in a different one of the at least two threaded apertures; and a seat having a flat surface and forming (a) an internal aperture and (b) evenly positioned around the flat surface for each of the at least three legs, at least two open-ended slots each sized and shaped to receive the at least two fasteners; wherein the fasteners secure the leg to the seat when positioned within the at least two slots and tightened.

In certain embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to a modular camp toilet, including: at least three legs each having a bracket with at least four threaded apertures for receiving at least four fasteners, each positioned in a different one of the at least four threaded apertures; and a seat formed of at least three separate seat portions of similar size, each end of each seat portion including two open-ended slots sized and shaped to receive two of the at least four fasteners on one side of one leg; wherein the two fasteners secure the leg to the seat portion when positioned within the at least two slots and tightened.

In certain embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to a set of modular components for building a packable camp toilet, including: a first seat having a flat surface and forming (a) a first internal aperture and (b) evenly positioned around the flat surface, groups of at least two first open-ended slots; a second seat formed of at least three separate seat portions of similar size, each end of each seat portion including two second open-ended slots, wherein the at least three separate seat portions collectively form a flat surface with a second internal aperture; a first leg formed from a bar of material with a bracket at one end and forming a first aperture group of first threaded apertures and a second aperture group of second threaded apertures, wherein the first leg and two fasteners positioned in different ones of the first threaded apertures couples with the first seat when the fasteners are positioned in the at least two first open-ended slots and tightened, and wherein the first leg and four fasteners positioned in different ones of the second threaded apertures couples with two different ones of the three separate seat portions when the fasteners are positioned in the two second open-ended slots of each seat portion and tightened; and a second leg having a main body formed from a bar of material and a bracket movably attached to a U-section formed at one end of the main body by a pivot, the bracket forming a first aperture group of first threaded apertures and a second aperture group of second threaded apertures, wherein the second leg and two fasteners positioned in different ones of the first threaded apertures couples with the first seat when the fasteners are positioned in the at least two first open-ended slots and tightened, and wherein the second leg, fitted with four fasteners positioned in different ones of the second threaded apertures, couples with two different ones of the three separate seat portions when the fasteners are positioned in the two second open-ended slots of each seat portion and tightened.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one implementation” or “an implementation” or “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “one implementation” or “an implementation” or “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation or embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations or one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The following examples use an annulus shaped seat; however, the seat may have other shapes without departing from the scope hereof. For example, the seat may be elliptical with a circular or elliptical shaped central aperture. Further, for any shaped seat (circular, hexagonal, elliptical, etc.) the central aperture of the seat may be offset from the center,

is a perspective view illustrating one example modular camp toilet, assembled for use, in embodiments.is a perspective view illustrating assembly/disassembly of modular camp toiletof, in embodiments.is a perspective view illustrating a portion of seatofillustrating coupling of legwith seatin further example detail, in embodiments.is a top view of seatofin further example detail, in embodiments.is a side view of seatofin further example detail, in embodiments.is a side view of legofin further example detail, in embodiments.is a front view of legofin further example detail, in embodiments.are best viewed together with the following description.

Modular camp toiletincludes a seat, formed in one piece, and three legs, where each legremovably attaches to seatby two fasteners. Seatmay be a flat annulus with an external diameter, an internal diameter, and thickness. Internal diameterdefines an inner aperture. When legsare assembled with seat, modular camp toiletmay resemble a three-legged stool as shown in. Legs()-() are substantially identical and interchangeable. In certain embodiments, external diameteris 11.8 inches, internal diameteris 7.8 inches, and thicknessis 0.13 inches. However, external diametermay have a range between 11.8 inches and 14 inches, internal diametermay have a range between 7.8 inches and 10 inches, and thicknessmay have a range between 0.1 inches and 0.25 inches. Internal diameteris at least 60% of external diameter.

Each legis a substantially flat bar with a footformed at one end and a bracketformed at the opposite end and that couples with seat. Brackethas a lengthand may be formed substantially at a right angle(e.g., perpendicular) to a main bodyof leg, where main bodyhas a thicknessand a length. Legis formed on one or more of metal, plastic, or composite material, and is of sufficient length to position seatabove the ground at a height to support a human in a squatting position. Legsare of sufficient thickness and strength to support the weight of an adult human. Although shown as flat, legmay be shaped to increase strength and reduce flexibility. Foothas a lengthand is formed by a lower bend in legbetween footand main bodyat an anglethat may be less than ninety-degrees. Where angleis less than 90 degrees (e.g., 80 degrees), footacts like a spring and may be compressed by weight on an adult human using modular camp toilet. This compression may increase stability of modular camp toileton uneven ground.

Bracketis formed at an opposite end of legfrom footby a bend opposite in direction to the bend of footto form right angle. Bracketforms an aperture groupof four apertures and an aperture groupof two apertures. Aperture groupis fitted with two captive fasteners, and aperture groupremain unused in this embodiment. For each leg, seatforms two parallel open slotsfor receiving fasteners of leg. Slotsmay have a width of 0.23 inches and a length of 0.92 inches. Advantageously, open-ended slotsallow legto be attached to seatwithout the need to completely remove fastenersfrom leg. Althoughshow slotsas having an open end toward the internal aperture of seat, their orientation may be reversed so the open end is on the external circumference of seat. Fastenersmay be tightened, when fastenersare positioned within slots(e.g., positioned at closed ends of slots), fastenersmay be tightened to secure legto seat. Conversely, fastenersmay be loosened, but not necessarily fully removed, and slid out of slotsto remove legfrom seat.

Fastenersare preferably captive such that they are retained with legeven when loosened. That is, legand/or fastenersare formed such that fasteners are not easily lost when modular camp toiletis disassembled. At least one legmay form additional apertures for storing spare fastenersthat may be removed and used with any legshould one or more fastenersbecome lost.

Modular camp toiletmay also include a toolfor manual operation of fasteners, where toolmay be stored on one leg() by at least one tool retainer. For example, where fastenerseach includes a hexagonal socket, toolis an appropriately sized hex key, as shown. However, toolmay have other forms without departing from the scope hereof. For example, where fastenersare formed with cross-head sockets, toolmay be a cross-head driver. Advantageously, toolmay be retained with leg() by retainer(e.g., a magnetic clip, a spring clip, and so on) such that toolis readily available for use to assemble and disassemble modular camp toilet.

Seatmay also form three curved slotsthat facilitate handling of seatand allow seatto be strapped to a backpack (e.g., see). Each curved slotmay be formed to have an internal dimension of one third, or less, a difference between external diameterand internal diameter, where each curved slothas an internal radius of between 4.65 inches and 5.65 inches.

Although shown as an annulus, seatmay have other shapes without departing from the scope hereof. As noted above, seatcould be formed as a different shape, such as flat elliptical shape with a central elliptical or circular cutout. In another example, seatis a hexagonal shape with a central hexagonal, round or elliptical cutout. Seatis formed of one or more of metal, plastic, composite, and wood and is of sufficient size and thickness for supporting a seated adult human and to have an HWB draped over it.

Advantageously, modular camp toiletis easily disassembled for packing into a backpack or a small compartment on an inflatable river craft, for example. For example, loosening fastenersallows legsto detach from seatsuch that modular camp toiletmay be easily packed. Accordingly, weight and size of modular camp toiletare not inhibiting factors, allowing modular camp toiletto be easily carried. Further, modular camp toiletis sturdy and able to handle the weight of an adult human, thereby providing for comfortable, pleasant, and sanitary defecation in the wilderness as compared to not using a camp toilet.

Seatand legare modular in design and may be used to form other modular camp toilets, as described below. For example, as shown in, bracketmay form additional aperturesfor receiving fastenerswhen attaching legto an alternative seat design. Similarly, seatmay be used with other leg designs.

is a perspective view illustrating modular camp toiletdisassembled such that its seatand three legsmay be stored in a firepan, in embodiments. Firepanis another requirement within the backcountry, particularly on rivers. One example firepan requirement states “a durable metal fire pan at leastinches in diameter with at least a two-inch lip around its outer edge and sufficient to contain fire and remains. Fire pans must be carried on all trips even if stoves are being used for cooking. All fires must be contained in the fire pan. Fire blankets under fire pans are recommended to facilitate total ash removal.”Advantageously, modular camp toiletis sized to fit within firepanand thereby does not occupy additional space. For example, where firepanis typically stored in a bag or sack, modular camp toilet, when stored within firepan, fits within the same bag or sack.

is a perspective view illustrating seatattached to a backpackby passing one or more strapsthrough slots. Advantageously, through use of slots, seatis easily carried external to backpack.is a perspective view showing modular camp toiletofbeing used with firepanof(inverted) to form a table.is a perspective view illustrating modular camp toiletoffitted with an HWB. Advantageously, HWBis held in position by the human when modular camp toiletis in use.

are perspective views illustrating one example foldable camp toiletwith three folding legs, in embodiments.shows foldable camp toiletinverted from an operational orientation to illustrate differences in legsas compared to legsof modular camp toiletof, andshows foldable camp toiletin an operational orientation.is a perspective view showing an upper portion of one foldable legofin further detail, in embodiments.is a perspective view showing foldable camp toiletofwith legsfolded, in embodiments.

Foldable camp toiletincludes modular seatof, which is fitted with three foldable legs. Foldable legs()-() are substantially identical, modular, and interchangeable with one another and with legsof modular camp toilet. A lower portion of legis similar to legand may form a footthat is similar to foot.

Legincludes a U-shaped bracket, formed separately from a main bodyof leg, that attaches to seatwith fastenerssimilar to attachment of legto seat. For example, a flat surfaceof bracketforms an aperture groupof four apertures and an aperture groupof two apertures. Aperture groupis fitted with two captive fasteners, and aperture groupis unused in this embodiment. Similar to modular camp toilet, fastenersfitted to aperture groupslide into slotsof seatand are tightened to secure bracketto seat. In certain embodiments, similarly to leg, one or more of legsmay also include apertures for receiving spare fastenersand/or at least one tool retainer.

Bracketprovides a pivotthat moveably couples with a U-sectionof legformed (e.g., by folding) at an end of main bodyopposite to foot. Pivotis formed, for example, by a screw secured through an aperture of bracketto pass movably through an aperture of U-section. Similarly, apertures and screw are formed at an opposite side of legto form pivot. Alternatively, a single longer screw may pass through the apertures from one side of bracketto the other side, thereby acting as a pivot pin.

Legalso includes a locking buttonthat is mounted to an end of a springthat is fixedly positioned within U-sectionby a clamp bracketsuch that locking buttonprotrudes through an aperture (not visible) of U-sectionand a first locking apertureof bracketwhen legis fully deployed, locking legin the deployed (e.g., extended) position. Pressing of locking buttoninto first locking apertureallows legto fold. Bracketforms a second locking aperturethat is positioned to receive locking buttonwhen legis folded, locking legin the folded position.

Similarly to leg() of modular camp toilet, any one of legsmay also include additional fasteners and may be fitted with one or more fastenersfor securing tool.

illustrates foldable camp toiletofwith legslocked in a folded position.shows the folded foldable camp toiletofstored within firepan. Advantageously, foldable camp toiletis easily stored and transported with firepan, such as within a carry sack for example.

is a perspective view illustrating one example modular camp toiletwith a seatformed as three separate seat portions, in embodiments.is a perspective view of one portion of legofillustrating aperture groupfitted with four fastenersand aperture groupis unused.shows assembly of modular camp toiletof.shows two seat portionsofbeing attached to one legof.are best viewed together with the following description.

Modular camp toiletis similar to modular camp toiletof, and includes three modular legs, similar to modular camp toilet. However, unlike seatof modular camp toilet, seatis formed of three separate seat portionsthat each connect to two legs, whereby legsjoin seat portionstogether to form seat. Each seat portionforms a curved slotthat facilitates handling of seat portionand allow seat portionsto be individually or collectively strapped to a backpack.

Each end of seat portionforms two open-ended slots()-() and() and(). As shown in, each legis fitted with four fasteners, where by two fasteners on one side of letcouple at slotswith one end of one seat portionand fastenerson the opposite side of legcouple with one end of a second seat portion. Each legjoins two seat portionstogether, when fastenersare tightened, such that when three legsare secured, three seat portionsform seat.

is a perspective viewillustrating modular camp toiletofdisassembled and grouped for packing, in embodiments.is a perspective viewillustrating modular camp toiletofdisassembled, grouped, and strapped together by a strap, in embodiments. One advantage of modular camp toiletover modular camp toiletand foldable camp toilet, is that the seat portion may pack into a smaller volume. As shown, three seat portionsmay be stacked on top of each other to and three legsmay be nested together and positioned with the stacked seat portionsto form a small volume. Fasteners(not shown) are captive and may remain with legs. As shown in, at least one leg may be fitted with tool, attached by at least one tool retainer, and spare fasteners. As shown in, strappasses through curved slotsof seat portionsand around legto secure all needed components of modular camp toilettogether for transport.

As noted above, legsandare modular and may be used interchangeably with seatand seat portionsto build a camp toilet.is a perspective view illustrating one example modular camp toiletformed with seatofand legsof, in embodiments. As shown, legscouple with seat portionssuch that legsmay be folded for temporary storage when the modular camp toilet is not in use, and further disassembled for packing into a smaller space. Thus, modular camp toiletis easily packable for transport.

The modular components (e.g., seat, legs, legs, and seat portions) may be fabricated from sheet metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.) using standard sheet metal fabrication methods, including one or more of machining, laser cutting, water jet cutting, drilling, tapping, stamping, punching, and bending. In certain embodiments, one or more of seat, legs, legs, and seat portionsare coated with a material such as plastic, paint, and so on. In certain embodiments, one or more of seat, legs, legs, and seat portionsare fabricated from plastic using injection molding methods. Threaded holes (e.g., apertures of aperture group, aperture group, and additional apertures) may be made with standard machine taps or may use threaded inserts. The threaded holes may be configured to retain the fastenersto prevent loss when loose. The modular leg lower bend to form foot/is optional, and may be omitted. Similarly tool retainer(s)are optional and may be omitted. Spare fastenersare also optional, as are the apertures for receiving them.

Without departing from the scope hereof, modular legsmay be configured to attach above seatand, respectively, whereby seatandis supported beneath bracketand fastenersare inserted from an underside of bracket. Slotsare shown with opening on an inside edge of seat, but could also be positioned to have their openings on an outside edge of seat, without departing from the scope hereof.

are perspective views illustrating one example adjustable legwith an adjustable mechanism, in embodiments. Adjustable legis formed of an upper portionand a lower portionthat are joined by adjustable mechanism. Upper portionforms a bracketthat is similar to bracketand lower portionforms a footthat is similar to foot. Adjustable mechanismincludes two parallel slots() and() formed in lower portion. A first two fastenerspass through slot() and screw into a first two threaded apertures formed by upper portion, and a second two fastenerspass through slot() and screw into a second two threaded apertures formed by upper portion. Loosening these fastenersallows upper portionand lower portionto slide and adjust a lengthof adjustable leg. When positioned at the desired length, these fastenersare tightened to prevent lengthfrom changing. Other adjustable mechanisms may be used for adjustable legwithout departing from the scope hereof.

is a perspective view illustrating one example modular camp toiletformed with seatofand legsof, in embodiments. In this example, adjustable mechanism() is set such that adjustable leg() is shorter in length than adjustable legs() and(), such as for use on uneven ground.

In certain embodiments, upper portionis formed similarly to an upper portion of legof, and includes bracket, pivot, u-section, and locking buttonthat allow adjustable legto hinge.

Modular camp toiletmay also be formed using seatof. Further, not all legs need be adjustable. For example, one example modular camp toiletmay be form with two legand one adjustable leg, or with two adjustable legsand one leg, without departing from the scope hereof.

Further to the illustrated tableof, modular camp toilets,,,, and, of, respectively, may be used for other purposes, including a stool (e.g., without firepanor with firepansimilar to table, and a camera support.

Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.