APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING TOILETING

Abstract

An apparatus for assisting a person in assumption of a squat position for evacuations when using a toilet, the apparatus including a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, and at least one foot member, each having an opening therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl, and at least one height adjustment assembly to adjust the height of the platform above the at least one foot member, the height adjustment assembly including an upper leg mounted to the platform, a lower leg mounted to the at least one foot member for slidable movement relative thereto, a resilient separator to bias the platform and the at least one foot apart, and a locking mechanism to at least temporarily lock the upper leg relative to the lower leg to fix the height of the platform.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assisting a person in assumption of a squat position for evacuations when using a toilet, the apparatus including a. a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, and b. at least one foot member, each having an opening therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl, and c. at least one height adjustment assembly to adjust the height of the platform above the at least one foot member, the height adjustment assembly including i. an upper leg mounted to the platform, ii. a lower leg mounted to the at least one foot member for slidable movement relative thereto, iii. a resilient separator to bias the platform and the at least one foot apart, and iv. a locking mechanism to at least temporarily lock the upper leg relative to the lower leg to fix the height of the platform, wherein the locking mechanism includes an elongate lever, an upper end of which extends through an opening provided in the platform in order to allow manual actuation of the lever by a user.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the platform is provided with marking indicia to indicate that the correct position of a user's feet during use.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a single height adjustment assembly is provided approximately centrally, between the upper platform and the at least one foot member.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the height adjustment assembly includes at least one upper leg and at least one lower leg, telescopically located relative to one another.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein a number of openings are provided at least into one of the at least one lower legs with the number of openings effectively setting the number of different heights at which the platform can be fixed.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the openings will normally be provided in a series which is vertically spaced over at least a portion of the lower leg end openings being evenly spaced from one another.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the openings are slot openings extending circumferentially.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the slot openings are dimensioned to match the dimension of an engagement finger which is received into one of the slot openings.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one of the lower legs include an inner, radially extending rim in order to prevent the at least one upper leg from separation or removal from the at least one lower leg in that direction.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one upper leg is provided with a lower rim extending radially outwardly to abut the inner rim on the at least one lower leg to define an absolute height of the height adjustment assembly.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein a the resilient separator is located about the upper and lower legs between the platform and the at least one foot portion, acting to bias the platform away from the at least one foot member.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the resilient separator is an internally, concentrically mounted spring within the at least one upper and/or at least one lower legs between the platform and the at least one foot portion, for biasing the platform away from the at least one foot member.

13. (canceled)

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein an engagement finger is associated with a lower end of the elongate lever.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the lever is mounted about a pivot point allowing the lever to reciprocate to move the engagement finger between an engaged condition to lock the height of the height adjustment assembly and a disengaged condition allowing movement of the height adjustment assembly.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the engagement finger is shaped having a rounded end.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein an engagement assembly is provided on the engagement finger in order to hold the engagement finger in the opening against accidental but not determined dislodgement.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate lever is provided at least partially within a portion of an outer tubular leg member and adapted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate lever is provided at least partially within a portion of an outer tubular leg member and adapted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a latch or other mechanism is provided to minimize accidental dislodgement of locking mechanism whilst the device is in use.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the latch requires the use of both hands of the user in order to disengage the latch to allow operation of the locking mechanism.

22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0045] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a device according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 along line A-A.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 from the underside.

[0049] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a device according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a sectional isometric view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5 along line B-B.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a sectional isometric view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5 along line C-C.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0055] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus 10 for assisting a person in assumption of a squat position for evacuations when using a toilet, is provided.

[0056] The preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 illustrated in the Figures includes an upper platform 11 adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, and a foot member 12, each having an opening 13 therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl, and a height adjustment assembly 14 to adjust the height of the platform 11 above the foot member 12. The height adjustment assembly 14 includes an upper leg 15 mounted to the platform 11, a lower leg 16 mounted to the foot member for slidable movement relative to the upper leg 15, a resilient separator 17 to bias the platform 11 and the foot member 12 apart, and a locking mechanism to at least temporarily lock the upper leg 15 relative to the lower leg 16 to fix the height of the platform 11.

[0057] In use, the apparatus of the invention is placed adjacent to a toilet and the platform 11 is raised to a height which, when a user places their feet on the platform 11, the user will by default, assume an at least partially squatting position in order to achieve the advantages of this position. The height of the apparatus may be adjusted to assume a more shallow or more deeply squatting position.

[0058] Use of the device of the present invention will preferably position the user's pelvis in the optimum position for evacuation. The optimum position is anteversion or near squat (knees above the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS) with a full squat more preferred but fewer user's particularly Western users will be physically able to assume this position. The position assume will therefore typically be anteverted and as close as possible to a full squat.

[0059] As illustrated, the platform 11 includes a substantially planar upper surface. The platform 11 will also preferably be suitably sturdy in order to maintain its shape and position under the weight of a person, even if the entire weight of the person is placed on to the platform. According to a particularly preferred invention, the platform is typically rated to 150 kg. This load bearing sturdiness and relatively lightweight is preferably achieved though the manufacture of the platform and the foot member using a frame and cover as illustrated in FIG. 4. The frame members 18 provide the required strength and the cover 19 on each of the platform 11 and the foot member 12 allows a reduction in weight.

[0060] The upper surface of the platform 11 is adapted to have a user's feet placed thereon during use. The upper surface of the platform may therefore be provided with marking indicia to indicate that the correct position of the feet during use. There may be different indicia provided for use of the platform on by a child in contrast to use by an adult.

[0061] The platform 11 is normally provided with arcuate edges in order to minimise the chance of injury to a user when using the apparatus. The platform 11 has a pair of side edges, a front edge and upper and lower surfaces. The front corners of the platform will generally be rounded when viewed in plan.

[0062] The platform 11 includes an opening 13 to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl. The opening 13 is in a rear portion of the platform 11. The opening 13 will preferably have an at least partially arcuate portion given that most toilet bowls have a rounded appearance. The opening 13 will normally be shaped and sized to fit a majority of toilets. A portion of the periphery of the opening 13 may in use, abut the toilet or bowl when the platform is raised in order to stabilise the platform. As illustrated, the platform has a pair of side portions 20, one to either lateral side of the opening 13. It is generally these portions 20 upon which a user will place their feet during use of the apparatus.

[0063] It is particularly preferred that the height adjustable assembly 14 is fixable or lockable to at least temporarily fix the height of the platform 11. As illustrated, a single height adjustment assembly 14 is provided approximately centrally located between the upper platform 11 and the foot member 12.

[0064] The lower leg 16 of the illustrated height adjustable assembly 14 is substantially tubular and hollow and receives at least a portion of the upper leg 15 thereinto. The upper leg 15 is also tubular and hollow. Normally, both the upper 15 and lower legs 16 are substantially cylindrical but any shape can be used.

[0065] As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a number of openings 21 are typically provided through the lower leg 16. The openings 21 are provided in a series which is evenly and vertically spaced over at least a portion of the lower leg 16.

[0066] The openings 21 are slot openings extending circumferentially. The height of the slot openings 21 is chosen particularly to match an engagement finger 22 which is received into one of the slot openings 21 but the shape of the openings 21 which extend circumferentially allows some tolerance for orientation of the platform 11.

[0067] The openings 21 are forwardly facing, that is in a forward side of the lower leg 16 away from the toilet when the device is in use.

[0068] The lower leg 16 also includes an inner, radially extending rim 23 at an upper end in order to prevent the upper leg 15 from separation or removal from the lower leg 16 in that direction. The lower leg 16 will normally be manufactured of a suitable material such as metal.

[0069] The upper leg 15 will also be manufactured of a suitable material such as metal. The upper leg is also hollow and is provided with a lower rim 24 extending radially outwardly in order to abut the inner rim 23 on the lower leg 16 to define the absolute height of the height adjustment assembly. The upper leg 15 is dimensioned to be closely received within the lower leg 16.

[0070] Normally, the height adjustable assembly 14 allows the platform to be fixed at a number of predetermined heights, such as at approximately 80 mm, approximately 150 mm, approximately 230 mm and approximately 400 mm. Normally, the maximum height at which the platform can be located will be at or slightly beneath the upper edge of the toilet bowl. Most countries have a reasonably standard height of toilet bowl and the apparatus of the invention is preferably adaptable to suit.

[0071] A resilient separator 17 is provided in the height adjustable assembly 14. The resilient separator 17 is located with the height adjustment assembly and is biased into the extended condition which means that the platform 11 is typically fully raised above the foot member 12. The simplest resilient separator that can be used is an externally, concentrically mounted spring as illustrated in the Figures, which is located about the upper 15 and lower legs 16 between the platform 11 and the foot member 12, acting to bias the platform 11 away from the foot member 12.

[0072] A locking mechanism is provided for the height adjustable assembly in order to lock the platform 11 at a particular height above the foot member 12 (and the ground surface) against the resilient force of the separator 17 such that if the lock is disengaged, the platform 11 will rise due to the force applied by the resilient separator 17.

[0073] According to the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism includes an elongate lever 25. Preferably, an upper end 26 of the lever 25 that extends through an opening 27 provided in the platform 11 in order to allow manual actuation of the lever 25 by a user. The lever 25 is mounted within the upper leg 15 about a pivot pin 28 allowing the lever 25 to reciprocate to move the engagement finger 22 between an engaged condition to lock the height of the assembly and a disengaged condition allowing movement of the height adjustment assembly.

[0074] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the pivot pin 28 extends from an inner side wall of the upper leg 15 and is located substantially perpendicularly to the openings 21 in the lower leg 16 to allow rotation of the lever 25 about a pivot axis 29. The pivot pin 28 extends inwardly into the upper leg 15 in order to position the lever 25 and particularly the lower end of the lever, substantially centrally. The lower end of the lever 25 is located adjacent a series of openings 21 in the lower leg 16.

[0075] The lever 25 is elongate. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lever 25 extends from above of an upper surface of the platform 11 to below the lower end of the upper leg 16 in order to allow engagement of the engagement finger 22 with the openings 21 in the lower leg 16. The lever 25 can have any shape but is typically substantially cylindrical.

[0076] The engagement finger 22 is pivotally mounted to the lever 25 about a pivot pin 30. The engagement finger 22 is to be received at least partially within an opening 21 in the series of openings 21 in the lower leg 16. Movement of the lever 25 preferably disengages the engagement finger 22 from the opening 21.

[0077] Preferably, the engagement finger 22 is shaped to allow insertion into the opening 21 into which it is located. The engagement finger 22 will preferably have a rounded end. The engagement finger 22 is preferably dimensioned to be closely received in an opening 21 vertically. This may assist with the security of the engagement and also minimise rattling which may be offputting to users.

[0078] The apparatus of the invention preferably further includes a substantially planar foot member 12. The foot 12 preferably corresponds in size and shape to the platform 11. Normally, the height adjustment assembly 14 is located between the foot 12 and the platform 11, that is, preferably extend between an upper portion of the foot 12 and a lower portion of the platform 11.

[0079] When fully lowered, the platform and foot portion will normally form an apparatus of approximately 80-100 mm in height. The platform and/or the foot portion may be provided with opening(s) therein in order to receive the collapsed height adjustment means.

[0080] It is also preferred that the apparatus of the present invention may be adapted to support the user's weight such that the user does not contact the toilet bowl or opening during use of the device.

[0081] The foot portion also has an opening 13 to at least partially receive the toilet or bowl. The opening 13 in the foot 12 is shaped similarly to the opening in the platform 11 although the openings 13 may not necessarily have the same shape. In particular, the opening in the foot portion is preferably shaped to abut the toilet in order to assist with the correct positioning of the apparatus relative to the toilet for use.

[0082] According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10, the elongate lever 50 is provided within or at least partially within a portion of an outer tubular leg 51 and is adapted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis but fixed from moving longitudinally. An engagement finger 53 is provided adjacent to a lower end of the elongate lever 50 of this embodiment. Rotation of the elongate lever 50 in a first direction moves the engagement finger 53 into a position to engage with an inner leg member 52 and rotation of the elongate lever 50 in a second, opposite direction moves the engagement finger 53 out of engagement with the inner leg member.

[0083] According to this alternative embodiment, the inner leg member 52 has a series of openings 54 into or through the inner leg member 52 into which the engagement finger 53 can be moved as required by the user. According to this embodiment, the resilient separator 17 is located within the inner leg 5 which is also preferably tubular. The user will apply force as necessary to the upper platform 11 when the engagement finger 53 is disengaged from the openings 54, allowing movement of the upper platform 11 to a desired height where the height can be fixed by rotation of the elongate lever 50 to engage the engagement finger 53 in the appropriate opening 54.

[0084] This embodiment also includes an indicator 55 on the lever to indicate whether the lever is in the engaged (red colour) or disengaged condition (green colour).

[0085] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0086] Reference throughout this specification to 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 embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment 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 combinations.

[0087] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.