HOSPITAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS PEDESTAL TOILET

Abstract

An apparatus for raising and lowering one or more pedestals of a toilet. The toilet can comprise of an encasing positioned at the base of the toilet, operable to retain the one or more pedestals when not in use. The toilet can comprise of one or more armrests positioned at the sides of the toilet. The one or more armrests can comprise of one or more buttons configured to raise or lower the one or more pedestals based on user selection to a predetermined height; and one or more buttons configured to activate one or more of a seat warmer, a bidet jet spray, a hydro-flush, a sound system or an air freshener. The toilet can comprise of an actuator for raising and lowing the pedestals in response to one or more buttons being pressed. The toilet can comprise of a controller for controlling the actuator, wherein the controller sends a signal to the actuator to raise or lower the toilet based on the combination of one or more buttons being pressed. The controller can receive a signal from one or more buttons pressed to indicate a predetermined selection, wherein the selection can be one or more of the activations of a seat warmer, a bidet jet spray, a hydro-flush, a sound system or an air freshener.

Claims

1. An apparatus for raising and lowering one or more pedestals of a toilet, said apparatus comprising: an encasing positioned at the base of the toilet, operable to retain the one or more pedestals when not in use, and release the pedestals when in use; one or more armrests positioned at the sides of the toilet comprising: one or more buttons configured to raise or lower the one or more pedestals based on user selection to a predetermined height; and one or more buttons configured to activate one or more of a seat warmer, a bidet jet spray, a hydro-flush, a sound system or an air freshener an actuator for raising and lowing the pedestals in response to one or more buttons being pressed; a controller configured to: control the actuator, wherein the controller sends a signal to the actuator to raise or lower the toilet based on the combination of one or more buttons being pressed; or receive a signal from one or more buttons pressed to indicate a predetermined selection, wherein the selection can be one or more of the activations of a seat warmer, a bidet jet spray, a hydro-flush, a sound system or an air freshener.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first button of the one or more buttons is configured to raise the pedestals to a predetermined height.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second button of the one or more buttons is configured to lower the pedestals to a predetermined height.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a combination of two or more buttons is configured to raise or lower the pedestals to a predetermined height or return the pedestals to a previous height.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first button of the one or more buttons is configured to activate two or more of a seat warmer, bidet jet spray, hydro-flush, sound system or air freshener.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more pedestals are encased in separate compartments in the base of the toilet.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the separate compartments can release the one or more pedestals as a result of a button being pressed.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pedestals are powered by a power source selected from one or more of a battery, an electrical outlet, a generator, or solar power.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts a frontal view of the pedestal toilet, in accordance with an example;

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a side perspective view of the pedestal toilet, in accordance with an example;

[0024] FIG. 3 depicts a top perspective view of the pedestal toilet, in accordance with an example;

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts a complete perspective view of the pedestal toilet, in accordance with an example.

[0026] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0029] Reference throughout this document to one embodiment, certain embodiments, and an embodiment or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

[0030] It is commonly known in the art that many people in the world don't have a safe way to use bathroom facilities around the world. As such, there has been a long felt need for the development of a universal and dynamic toilet system for allowing individuals to adjust the toilet height, on demand, in accordance to their comfort levels, or health related needs. Medical doctors, naturopaths, and assorted holistic health professionals have pointed out the hazards of the conventional toilets and their shortcomings. There is empirical evidence that conventional western toilet systems do not promote proper hygiene for the user. The present invention will allow the user to significantly increase the efficacy of a toilet by equipping and including automatic, elevating pedestals in the base of the toilet as standard equipment, thereby rendering obsolete the need to add any additional devices to the toilet to achieve the squatting position.

[0031] In any building, residential or commercial, the bathroom is certainly one of the most used and vital places in the property. Essential to human life is the efficient cleansing of the bowels to promote maximum health. The squatting position has been shown to be the most efficient position a human being can assume when defecating to thoroughly cleanse the bowels. The present invention, with automatic, elevating pedestals, solves a need which heretofore has not been addressed by any toilet system found anywhere in the world. No toilet system found commercially on the market and no patents issued for any toilet system include and involve the technology which is being introduced by this new category of toiletspedestal toiletsand specifically this automatic model in the series.

[0032] In any building or home structure the bathrooms certainly are the place of greatest need and desirability. People are very much concerned with their bathroom area and the toilet system is at the center of it all. In addition to good fixtures, no leakages and durable parts and fittingsthe requirement of luxury and convenience is added.

[0033] An embodiment of the present invention is that this invention introduces a new category of toiletspedestal toiletswhich are toilets designed with pedestals contained in a compartment in the base of the stool. Additionally, the pedestals are operated from the accessing and activation of one or more buttons located on the armrest 140 which has been provide fore ease of sitting on the toilet. These one or more buttons provide for features such as a seat warmer, a bidet jet spray, a sound system, a hydro-flush, or an air freshener. Additionally, the armrest 140 can include a button that will activate a feature such as an automatic flush mechanism activated by a button. In accordance with the applicant's invention, the manually operated handle on the toilet is replaced with an automatic means such as an electric device, which provides a hydro-flush system when the user has completed the defecation process. This automatic hydro-flush feature is a powerful system which removes all of the stoppages, impurities and blockages to clean the toilet area effectively.

[0034] The toilet system described by the various examples and embodiments can be a huge help to people suffering from health problems, and individuals who are a part of the growing elderly population. Not only does these embodiments make it easier for challenged individuals and seniors to sit on the toilet and utilize the toilet more effectively and comfortably, it also makes a tremendous amount of sense in how we should make a more health conscious toilet system. This innovative, health-giving toilet stool is easy to use and highly effective in positioning the colon for effortless bowel movements. This toilet can be automatically adjusted as per the user requirement to achieve the natural squatting position which humans have used since the beginning of time. Simply touch a button and the pedestals will automatically adjust to his/her desired position.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a toilet 110 is shown including the traditional toilet components of a toilet bowl, a toilet seat, a toilet bowl lib, and a toilet tank having a toilet lib. The toilet seats and the toilet bowl are connected to the toilet bowl in a known manner such that the seat and the lib can articulate relative to the toilet bowl between a raised and lowered position, as well understood by one's skilled in the art. Additionally, the operation and structural aspects of the toilet 110 can be of any manner known, and thus representative of one or more variations of design as can be ascertained by ones skilled in the art.

[0036] This specific invention is an automatic model in the series of pedestal toilets. This automatic pedestal toilet comes equipped with pedestals 120 which are encased in separate compartments 130 in the base of the toilet. When defecation is in order, the user presses a button which activates the pedestals 120 which are released alongside of the bowl so that the user can elevate the pedestals 120 to different height adjustments based upon the most efficient and comfortable placement for the user. The different levels will allow the user to place the pedestals 120 at the precise point so that the spine is in the most efficient position to cleanse the bowels. Historically this has been referred to as the squatting position. Heretofore, there has never been a toilet system designed with pedestals 120 contained in the base of the toilet itself. Moreover, inherent in the design of this automatic model is the fact that the pedestals 120 are part of the toilet itself and no additional device is required to be added by the user to achieve the squatting position. The buttons 150 for the different levels are conveniently located directly on the base of the stool. This particular invention offers the ability to automatically adjust the pedestals 120 to the desired level at the touch of a button. This will allow the user to achieve the squatting position which is perfect to align their spine for their needs and body type.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the toilet 110 includes one or more pedestals 120 for the feet of a person to place their feet upon the pedestals 120 when they need to defecate. The one or more pedestals 120 are configured to be attached to the base of the toilet. Upon one or more of the buttons 150 being pressed, the toilet can raise or lower in order to reach a desired height or comfort position for a person intending to utilize the toilet. In addition, the toilet can be configured with an actuator for raising and lowering the pedestals, as a result of the one or more buttons 150 being pressed. The actuator can be an electric motor or any suitable electronic component capable of rotating, raising, or lowering, mechanisms in order to raise or lower the pedestals. The toilet can further comprise a controller for controlling the actuator, wherein the controller sends a signal to the actuator to raise or lower the pedestals 120 based on pressing one or more buttons 150. When a predetermined combination of buttons 150 are pressed, a signal is sent to the controller in order to indicate which predetermined height a user selected and the controller will signal the actuator to lower or raise the pedestals based off of the user selection.

[0038] In one embodiment, the toilet system can also include spa features. The toilet system can comprise of one or more of a seat warmer, bidet jet spray, hydro-flush, sound system and air freshener. Each of these features can be activated or deactivated by the press of a button or a combination of buttons 150 as selected by the user per their preference. Each of the five features can be activated by the user by pressing buttons 150 which are conveniently located on the base of the toilet. More specifically, the toilet can be configured with a controller for receiving the signal from one or more buttons 150 being pressed by the user. Wherein, each of the buttons 150 of a combination thereof signal to the controller a user preference or choice, that is predetermined. Upon receiving the signal, the controller activates one or more of the features selected from a seat warmer, bidet jet spray, hydro-flush, sound system and air freshener. In addition, an electric motor, power by a power source can be implemented to ensure the operability of one or more of the aforementioned features.

[0039] In another embodiment, a bidet jet spray system can be activated at the touch of a button. The conventional method when using the toilet is to use some type of paper tissue to clean the user after using the toilet. However, after many studies it has been proven that the use of tissues doesn't cleanse the area properly and optimum sanitary conditions are not achieved. The bidet jet spray system is carefully designed and keeps the water pressure to a level which satisfies the needs of its user and completes the hygienic requirement successfully.

[0040] In another embodiment, the toilet system can comprise of a controller configured to control the actuator, wherein the controller sends a signal to the actuator to raise or lower the toilet based on the combination of one or more buttons 150 being pressed.

[0041] In another embodiment, the toilet system can comprise of a controller configured to receive a signal from one or more buttons 150 pressed to indicate a predetermined selection, wherein the selection can be one or more of the activations of a seat warmer, a bidet jet spray, a hydro-flush, a sound system or an air freshener.

[0042] In another embodiment, the controller can receive a signal from one or more buttons 150 wherein a combination of two or more buttons 150 is configured to raise or lower the pedestals to a predetermined height or return the pedestals to a previous height.

[0043] In another embodiment, the controller can receive a signal from a first button of the one or more buttons 150 is configured to activate two or more of a seat warmer, bidet jet spray, hydro-flush, sound system or air freshener.

[0044] In another embodiment, a combination of the one or more buttons 150 is configured to activate one or more of a seat warmer, bidet jet spray, hydro-flush, sound system or air freshener, or deactivate one or more of a seat warmer, bidet jet spray, hydro-flush, sound system or air freshener. In a preferred embodiment, a set of buttons 150 can positioned on at least one of the arm rests, where each of the buttons are configured to activate one or more of the previously described features.

[0045] In addition, the paws or pedestals 120 can be configured to be controlled by a hand mechanism or crank 160 that is configured with a handle, that is operable to rotate in one direction to extend the paws 120 from the base 130, or retract the paws 120 back into the base 130. The crank 160 can be further controlled via a lever that is affixed to the crank and conveniently located directly on the base of the stool. As such, this feature offers the ability to manually extend and retract the pedestals 120 to the extension position by rotating the crank 160 in one direction in order to extend the pedestals 120 from the casing or base 130, and rotating in the opposite direction in order to retract the pedestals 120 back into the base 130. This will allow the user to achieve the squatting position which is perfect to align their spine for their needs and body type.

[0046] In some embodiments, the base 130, can be configured with a cover, to provide for additional protection. The adjuster, can be affixed in a variety of ways that would allow for save electrical conductivity or affixed to the base 130 of the toilet 110 by a set of fasteners.

[0047] In one embodiment, the toilet 110 can be configured with a sleeve cover, that is configured to wrap around the sitting area of the toilet 110. The sleeve cover can provide anti-slippage protection for the user to prevent them from slipping off of the toilet, in the instance that the toilet is mobile or stationary.

[0048] In one embodiment, the toilet 110, is further configured with a tank sleeve 120, that is wrapped around the upper tank of the toilet 110, and configured to provide additional protection for the user to grip, brace, or lean to gain their balance, and prepare for the toilet 110 movement in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction.

[0049] In another embodiment, the toilet system can comprise of an automatic air freshener which releases a beautiful scent to remove unpleasant vapors from the area.

[0050] In another embodiment, the toilet system can comprise of an automatic sound system to soothe and entertain the user while completing the natural process.

[0051] In another embodiment, the toilet system can comprise of an automatic seat warmer.

[0052] In one embodiment, the toilet system creates a new category in toilet design and function whereby the toilet comes equipped with pedestals 120 to raise the feet of the user during defecation and the pedestals 120 are attached to the base as one unit.

[0053] In one embodiment, the toilet system has automatic pedestals 120 designed into the base of the stool and are released at the touch of a button.

[0054] In one embodiment, the toilet system has elevating pedestals 120 which offer five different levels for the user to achieve the squatting position.

[0055] In one embodiment, this invention offers pedestals 120 which are built into the base and retract into the base when not needed by the user. This feature was designed into the present invention to make it easier for the user to access the toilet and offer a more streamlined and efficient toilet experience.

[0056] In one embodiment, the pedestals 120 are automatic and raise to different levels to adjust to the perfect height for a person so that they can achieve the squatting position. For example, it has been shown by various medical studies that a maximization of the angle for the spine, can completely cleanse the bowels.

[0057] In one embodiment the one or more pedestals 120 are encased in separate compartments 130 in the base of the toilet. Additionally, the separate compartments can release the one or more pedestals 120 as a result of a button being pressed.

[0058] In one embodiment, the person pressed a button which activates the pedestals 120 to be released from their case 130.

[0059] In one embodiment, the user simply presses a button which activates the release of the pedestals 120 alongside the base of the stool to raise the feet of the user.

[0060] In one embodiment, the toilet can be configured with different levels which can be achieved by the user by simply pressing a button for the desired level to achieve the perfect squatting position for maximum efficiency and comfort for the user.

[0061] In one embodiment, a first button of the one or more buttons 150 is configured to raise the pedestals to a predetermined height.

[0062] In one embodiment, a second button of the one or more buttons 150 is configured to lower the pedestals to a predetermined height.

[0063] In one embodiment, a combination of two or more buttons 150 is configured to raise or lower the pedestals to a predetermined height or return the pedestals to a previous height.

[0064] In one embodiment, the pedestals are powered by a power source selected from one or more of a battery, an electrical outlet, a generator, or solar power.

[0065] It is noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0066] This invention has other applications, potentially, and one skilled in the art could discover these. The explication of the features of this invention does not limit the claims of this application; other applications developed by those skilled in the art will be included in this invention.

[0067] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.