GB2289070A - Toilet seat supporting frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A toilet seat supporting frame (1) has a base (5) which provides support for a cantilevered seat mounting (9), the base (5) and mounting (9) being fixedly connectable at a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions, such that the moment provided by the weight of the mounting (9) ensures a positive connection. <IMAGE>

Description

Toilet Seat Frame The present invention relates to a height-adjustable toilet seat frame particularly, although not exclusively, for use with conventional pedestal toilets.

Conventionally, where an occupant has had difficulty in using a pedestal toilet, notably someone who might be physically handicapped, disabled, infirm, frail and elderly or having an injury or conditions which make sitting and rising difficult, the normal seat and any associated lid has been replaced by a purpose-made seat having a raised seat portion. Disadvantageously, such seats must be made in a range of thicknesses for use by occupant of differing needs, and once fitted are both unsightly and cause difficulties for other people particularly children or those of small stature. Furthermore attaching such seats to an earthenware pedestal is difficult and the clamping means commonly resorted to is not secure.It is frequently difficult for an occupant falling in the above categories to secure the clamping means, and because of the loads placed on the seat the clamping means frequently have to be replaced because of breakage and/or distortion problems.

In an attempt to provide for different categories of occupant a height-adjustable toilet seat frame has been proposed which comprises four independently adjustable telescopic legs supporting such a specialised toilet seat which is positioned above the bowl of the pedestal toilet.

Such a frame is mechanically quite complicated. The complicated nature of the frame means that to alter the height of the seat all four legs must be adjusted by hand.

To do this, knobs, screws, clamps or other fittings must be released or removed, and re-positioned for each leg at a position below seat level. It is both a time consuming and difficult task that is inconvenient and may be impractical for an occupant who finds sitting problematical.

Furthermore, as each leg is individually adjustable, an incorrectly adjusted leg would render the frame unstable and hence make it unsafe in use. Disadvantageously, such a frame cannot be lowered sufficiently to provide a normal seat height.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved height-adjustable toilet seat frame which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, which is both straightforward and safe to use and provides a means of using a conventional seat and lid so providing all the benefits of function, appearance, and familiarity..

According to the present invention there is provided a seat supporting frame for use with a pedestal toilet, comprising a base providing support for a cantilevered seat mounting and means for fixedly connecting the base and mounting at a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions, the arrangement being such that the mounting is movable between said positions at which the moment provided by the weight of the mounting ensures a positive connection.

Preferably, the base may be arranged to be received around the pedestal of the toilet to provide support for the cantilevered seat mounting at the rear of the bowl thereby facilitating side access which is particularly useful for wheelchair users.

Desirably, the seat mounting may support a variety of seat and lid arrangements including those meeting British Standard 1254/type 1 or other such specifications.

Furthermore, the seat mounting might carry a splash guard, or a bowl to provide bidet facilities, or other accessories such as, for instance a toilet roll holder.

Still more preferably, the means for fixed connection between the base and mounting is provided by a pin and complementary slots arrangement.

To aid the user the seat mounting can advantageously be provided with grips useful during transfer, raising or steading actions. Additional aid can be usefully provided by the addition of arm and/or a back rests to the frame.

Such arm and back rests may advantageously be attached to the seat mounting so that they may be raised or lowered with the seat. Alternatively, the arm rests may be independently adjustable relative to the seat height to suit certain categories of disabled occupant.

Conveniently, the armrests might not only be adjustable, but also removable and or retractable, to give side access particularly from a wheel chair.

Advantageously, the base may wheeled and conveniently provided with braking means. Such a frame may then easily be moved from one location to another, for example from a bedside to a toilet.

In order to aid in understanding the invention a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat frame according to the invention, shown without a seat or lid fitted and secured around a pedestal toilet; Figure 2 is a side view of the frame of Figure 1 with the seat attached thereto; Figure 3 is a scrap perspective view of the locking arrangement of the frame of figure 1; Figure 4 is a similar view of the frame of Figure 1 in a height adjustment orientation showing a splash guard in place; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the splash guard of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bidet bowl resting on an upper part of the frame of Figure 1;; Figure 7 is side view of a variant of the frame of Figure 1 with fixed side arms attached to the frame; Figure 8 is a similar view of a further variant of the frame of Figure 1 with adjustable side arms; Figure 9 is side view of a free standing variant of the frame of Figure 7 with a back rest fitted; and Figure 10 is a similar view of a free standing further variant of the frame of Figure 8 with a back rest fitted.

The toilet seat frame 1 shown in Figures 1 to 6, is placed around typical toilet pedestal 3 which has had its seat, lid and associated fittings removed. The frame 1 is in two parts: a robust base 5 which, in use, is securely attached to the floor 7; and, attached to the base 5, a cantilevered seat mounting 9 which is free to move between a number of positively-connected vertical positions. The base 5, is formed from a length of tubular steel or similar material bent up to form at each free end 11 a pair of vertical risers 13 interconnected by a ground contact portion 15 having fixing holes 17. The ground contact portion 15 is curved to follow approximately the perimeter of the pedestal 3 so that the risers 13 are located towards the rear of the pedestal 3.In order to provide for connection to the cantilevered seat mounting 9, a pair of strong metal plates 19 with apertures 21, are each welded to the opposing face of each riser 13 at the same vertical position.

The cantilevered seat mounting 9 has a pair of approximately L-shaped tubes 22 whose vertically depending portions 25 are each provided, firstly with a loop 27 for sliding engagement and pivotal movement on each riser 13; and, secondly, closer to the lower end of each portion 25, a finger 29 for selectable engagement with the apertures in the corresponding plate 19.

The horizontal portions 31 of the L-shaped tubes 22 are welded to a C-shaped seat support tube 33 to which is attached a conventional toilet seat 35 fitted with a lid 36.

Support for the seat 35 in its lowered position is provided by support rods 41 which extend inwardly of the perimeter defined by the seat support tube 33 to additionally define the inner boundary hand grip region 34.

A splash guard 37 rests on the support rods 41.

Optionally, the splash guard 37 may be replaced by a bidet bowl 39 as shown in Figure 6 which rests on to the support rods 41.

In use, the cantilevered seat mounting 9 can be adjusted to a suitable height, by raising its free end in the direction of the arrow marked LIFT on Figure 4, so that the loops 27 act as pivots allowing the depending portions 25 to move away from the risers 13 and causing the fingers 29 to move out of engagement with the apertures 21 in the plates 19. The entire cantilevered seat mounting 9 can then be raised or lowered to the desired height, which includes a height suitable for normal use, at which point releasing the mounting 9 allows the fingers 29 to fall into engagement with the appropriate apertures 21. Because the centre of gravity of the cantilevered seat mounting 9 is located well forward of the pivot point of the loops 27, a moment exists which ensures that the fingers 29 will, unless restrained, automatically engage with the plates 19.

Similarly, the weight of an occupant (not shown) acting downwardly on the cantilevered mounting 9 ensures positive engagement at the selected height and, when applicable, additionally positively locates a splash guard 37 or bidet bowl 39 on the support rods Figures 7 and 8 show two variants of the embodiment in which arm rests 143,243 are provided to assist the occupant by steadying him. They may also be used ta facilitate height adjustment of the mounting 9. The rests 143,243 may be secured to the mounting 109 as in Figure 7, or, removably and movably secured to the base 215 as in Figure 8. The former arrangement in which there is a fixed relative distance between the mounting and the rests 143 is beneficial to most occupants whilst the latter arrangement is particularly advantageous to others.Additionally, the latter arrangement facilitates side access to the frame which is especially useful for wheel chair users.

A further variant of the embodiment is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 which show free-standing frames 301,401 having a back rest 345,445, in which extensions of the ground contact portion 315,415 enhance the stability of the frame 301. Fixed 343 or adjustable/removable 434 armrests are provided. A bowl 339,439 suitable for use as a commode or bidet is shown resting on the support rods (not shown).

In a further non-illustrated variant of the embodiment the base is provided with castor wheels for easy movement of the frame between different locations in, for instance, a hospital or care home.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the fingers and apertures may be replaced by any suitable arrangement, such as, for instance, engaging racks, a rack and pinion or a system of a lead screw and captive nuts or other suitable means.

Additional further safety features may also be provided to prevent inadvertent lifting of the seat mounting, such as spring-loaded catches or drop rings acting over the base and support tubes. Furthermore, the conventional seat may be replaced with proprietary seats of specialist design to suit a particular occupant.

Claims (12)

Claims:

1. A seat supporting frame comprising a base providing support for a cantilevered seat mounting and means for fixedly connecting the base and mounting at a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions, the arrangement being such that the mounting is movable between said positions at which the moment provided by the weight of the mounting ensures a positive connection.

2. A frame as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means for fixed connection between the base and mounting is provided at a set of discrete vertical positions.

3. A frame as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the fixed connection is provided by a pin and complementary slots arrangement.

4. A frame as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the base is arranged to be received around the pedestal of a toilet to provide support for the cantilevered seat mounting at the rear of the toilet bowl.

5. A frame as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the seat mounting is provided with grips for use during transfer, raising or steading actions.

6. A frame as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the frame further includes arm and/or a back rests.

7. A frame as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said arm and/or back rests are attached to the seat mounting so that they may be raised or lowered with the seat.

8. A frame as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the arm rests are independently adjustable relative to the seat height to suit certain categories of disabled occupant.

9. A frame as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the arm rests are removable and/or retractable, to give side access particularly from a wheel chair.

10. A frame as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the base is wheeled.

11. A frame as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the frame is provided with braking means.

12. A seat supporting frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or any one of Figures 7 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.