Privacy enclosure

Abstract

A privacy enclosure for use on a boat. The privacy enclosure includes an enclosure structure that automatically lifts by operation of a motor to a generally upright position, and extends in a lateral direction from the upright position to provide sufficient space for use as a changing room. The privacy enclosure includes a compartment within which a toilet may be located. The toilet can be slide out from the compartment into the interior of the enclosure for use.

1 . A privacy enclosure, comprising: 
 an enclosure structure having a stowed configuration and an expanded configuration; and    an electric motor;    wherein the enclosure structure is configured to: 
 automatically lift from the stowed configuration to provide expansion in a first vertical direction by operation of the electric motor; and  
 extend laterally to provide expansion in a second lateral direction, the expanded configuration of the enclosure structure being defined by expansion of the rigid enclosure structure in the first vertical direction and the second lateral direction.  
   
   
   
       2 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure structure includes a pivoting wall structure having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to automatically pivot upward relative to the second end to provide expansion in the first vertical direction.  
   
   
       3 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 1 , further including a control panel that controls operation of the electric motor.  
   
   
       4 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 3 , wherein the control panel includes a switch that controls operation of the electric motor.  
   
   
       5 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the control panel is located on a base of the enclosure structure.  
   
   
       6 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 1 , further including an extension arm powered by the electric motor, the extension being arranged to lift the enclosure structure to provide expansion in the first vertical direction.  
   
   
       7 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 6 , further including a non-powered cylinder, the non-powered cylinder being arranged to stabilize the enclosure structure during expansion in the first vertical direction.  
   
   
       8 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure structure includes a first wall section and a second wall section, at least one of the first and second wall sections being configured to slide relative to the other to provide expansion in the second lateral direction.  
   
   
       9 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second wall sections include a slide arrangement to provide expansion in the second lateral direction.  
   
   
       10 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 9 , wherein the slide arrangement includes a pair of rails arranged to side relative to one another, one of the rails being secured to the first wall section, the other of the rails being secured to the second wall section.  
   
   
       11 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure structure is further configured to automatically lower from a vertical position to the stowed configuration by operation of the electric motor.  
   
   
       12 . The privacy enclosure of  claim 11 , further including an extension arm powered by the electric motor, the extension being arranged to lower the enclosure structure to the stowed configuration.  
   
   
       13 . A method of expanding a privacy enclosure, the method comprising: 
 providing an enclosure structure;    raising the enclosure structure from a reduced height configuration to a raised height configuration by operating a motor, the raised height configuration permitting an average-sized adult to stand within the enclosure structure; and    laterally expanding the enclosure structure from a first length to a second increased length.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of raising the enclosure structure includes pivoting a first wall of the enclosure structure to a generally vertical orientation.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of laterally expanding the enclosure structure includes pulling a second wall laterally outward from the first wall.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of pulling the second wall includes sliding a first rail of a slide arrangement relative to a second rail of the slide arrangement, the slide arrangement being disposed on at least one sidewall of the enclosure structure.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of operating the motor includes activating a switch on a control panel.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of raising the enclosure structure includes powering an extension arm by operation of the motor, the extension arm being arranged to lift the enclosure structure to the raised height configuration.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , further including lowering the enclosure structure from the raised height configuration to the reduced height configuration by operating the motor.