Travel stool for children

Abstract

A collapsible stool for use by children for at least one of reaching a urinal, a toilet bowl, a sink and as a seat comprising a pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members for standing and setting on. Each generally rectangular and substantially flat member having a predetermined length and width and are formed from a predetermined light material capable of supporting a child's weight of at least about 75 pounds. At least one hinge mechanism engages each one of the generally rectangular and substantially flat members adjacent abutting edges thereof for enabling them to be folded when not in use and unfolded during use. There are a pair of inwardly folding leg members disposed closely adjacent an outer corner of each of the generally rectangular and substantially flat members. Each leg member has a second predetermined length and a predetermined shape.

1 . A collapsible stool for use by children for at least one of reaching a urinal, a toilet bowl, a sink and as a seat, said collapsible stool comprising:
 (a) a pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members for at least one of standing and setting on, each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members having each of a first predetermined length and a predetermined width, each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members being formed from a predetermined light weight material capable of supporting a child's weight of at least about 75 pounds;   (b) at least one hinge means engaging each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members adjacent abutting edges thereof for enabling said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members to be folded when not in use and unfolded during use;   (c) a pair of inwardly folding leg members disposed closely adjacent an outer corner of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members, each of said leg members having a second predetermined length and a predetermined shape.   
   
   
       2 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said travel stool further includes an elastomeric sleeve member disposed on a bottom of each of said inwardly folding leg members to substantially minimize said travel stool from slipping on at least one of a wet and sloping surface. 
   
   
       3 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 2 , wherein said elastomeric sleeve member is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       4 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 3 , wherein each said pair of inwardly folding leg members includes a reinforcing member disposed there between to assist in stabilizing said travel stool during such use. 
   
   
       5 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members include side wall members depending downwardly therefrom when said travel stool is being used. 
   
   
       6 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined length of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members is between about 7.0 inches to about 9.0 inches. 
   
   
       7 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 6 , wherein said predetermined width of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members is between about 9.0 inches and about 12.0 inches. 
   
   
       8 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined length and said predetermined width of each of said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members are substantially identical. 
   
   
       9 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined light weight material said pair of generally rectangular and substantially flat members are formed from is a mesh type material. 
   
   
       10 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 9 , wherein said mesh type material is selected from the group consisting of plastic and metal. 
   
   
       11 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible stool member includes a plurality of hinge means. 
   
   
       12 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said hinge means is a continuous hinge type hinge. 
   
   
       13 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined shape of said leg members is selected from the group consisting of generally round and generally square. 
   
   
       14 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible travel stool for children further includes a travel bag for carrying said travel stool therein. 
   
   
       15 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 14 , wherein said travel bag includes at least on handle attached thereto. 
   
   
       16 . A collapsible travel stool for children, according to  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible travel stool further includes a cover member when said travel stool is to be used as a seat.