IL294711A - A toilet apparatus - Google Patents

Description

A TOILET APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toilet accessory, and more particularly, a device for elder persons that often suffer from constipation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Elder persons, particularly those with underlying health problems, commonly experience constipation, which is a distressing symptom that can adversely affect quality of life. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that will help manage chronic constipation in older people.

Numerous innovations for constipation-relieving apparatuses have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

Such issues are addressed for example in US10588471, US20130067649, US4175294, US6631524 and US11,033,161.

US10588471 discloses a stool that provides a raised heel squat position to a user that engages the stool. The raised heel squatting position promotes a healthy and productive experience on a toilet. The stool may be collapsible for easier storage and transportation. The stool may be adjustable to provide custom fittings to different size users. Additionally, the stool may be intelligent and may provide a customized immersive experience to a person on a toilet.

US20130067649 describes an apparatus for assisting a person in assumption of a beneficial position for evacuations when using a toilet, the apparatus including a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, the platform having at least one height adjustment means associated therewith and an opening therein to receive a portion of the toilet or bowl at least partially.

US4175294 provides toilet construction uses a bulbous upwardly rounded portion at the forward end of a toilet seat to raise the user's thighs angularly upward from a horizontal position and an angled foot engaging means at the lower forward portion of the toilet bowl to raise the user's feet angularly upwardly from a horizontal disposition. The combination of the upwardly rounded portion and the foot engaging means causes the user's feet to be disposed at an angle between about ° and about 60° with respect to the floor and causes the user's legs to assume a position where the angle between the user's calf and thigh is between about 40° and about 50°.

US6631524 discloses a height-adjustable footrest for toilets for preferably using while a user is seated upon a toilet stool. The height-adjustable footrest for toilets includes a base being adapted to rest upon a floor; and also includes upright adjustable support assemblies being mounted upon the base and including tubular base members each having an open top end and a bore extending therein, and also including shaft members being movably disposed inwardly and outwardly of the tubular base members; and further includes elongate cross members being mounted upon the shaft members with each of the cross members interconnecting a pair of the shaft members; and also includes elongate footrest support member being pivotally disposed between and interconnecting the elongate cross members; and further includes footrest members being mounted to the elongate footrest support member; and also includes an assembly of raising and lowering the footrest members.

US11,033,161 discloses ergonomic toilet equipment including a backrest, a pedal and a balloon pillow. The backrest is disposed on the inner side of the toilet cover, with airbags inflation or suction according to the physiological bending of the user back, providing a healthy and comfortable support. The pedal raises the lower limb according to the user's demand and realizes the physiological structure of bowel movement. The balloon pillow assists the user in creating extra compression in the abdomen to promote bowel movements.

One object of the present invention is to help older people who often suffer from constipation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to help older people that sit on a toilet to change their sitting position to semi-squatting position automatically and almost with no effort.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that will help manage chronic constipation in older people.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that will help older people to lift there fit effortlessly to squatting or semi-squatting position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toilet accessory, and more particularly, a device for elder persons that often suffer from constipation.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a toilet apparatus including a foot lifting means, a platform means integrated on top of said lifting means on which user feet is resting. The toilet apparatus further includes a means for controlling the lifting means. The apparatus further includes a means for actuating said lifting means. When the user seats on a toilet seat his feet is resting upon the platform means. The means for controlling the lifting means is operated to control the actuating lifting means to actuate the lifting means upwards. Whereby, the user feet are raised to a user posture of squatting position during defecation. When the user finishes with his defecation the means for controlling the lifting means is operated to control the actuating lifting means to actuate the lifting means downwards until reaching to a floor level. whereby, the user feet are lowered to a posture of natural toilet seating position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective schematic view of a toilet apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present where a user is sitting on the toilet seat where his feet are resting upon an inflatable air bag; Fig. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a wheeled platform in accordance with one embodiment of the present where user's feet are resting upon the platform; Fig. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a second embodiment of the present invention where a user sitting on the toilet seat and his biceps femoris area are resting upon inflatable air bags; Fig. 4 is a perspective schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention without the user sitting on the toilet seat and when the inflatable air bags are not inflated with air; Fig. 5 is a perspective schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention without the user sitting on the toilet seat and when the inflatable air bags are inflated; Fig. 6 is a sectional schematic side view of the second embodiment of the present invention where the inflatable bags are not inflated; Fig. 7 is a sectional schematic side view of the second embodiment of the present invention where the inflatable bags are inflated; Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective schematic view of an accessory in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and Fig. 11 is a block diagram of some embodiments of the present invention.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION There is provided a means for constipation-relieving especially for older and/or handicapped people that suffer from constipation and do not have the flexibility to lift their legs to a squatting or semi-squatting position when sitting on a conventional toilet seat. The toilet arrangement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enabling a user to take a natural, squatting sitting posture in which the angle between the thighs and the torso is between 20 to 50 degrees during defecation.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a user 20 sitting on a toilet seat where his feet 24 are resting upon an inflatable air bag member 26 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The air bag member 26 includes an inflatable airbag 28 an air compressor 30 to compress air to the inflatable air bag 28 and inflating the airbag 28. The air compressor 30 can be powered by a battery or by connecting to a power plug in a house. The air compressor 30 can be activated or deactivated by a switch or can be wirelessly controlled through a controller device or through a dedicated application on a mobile device such as but not limited to a smart phone or tablet. The compressor outlet is connected in one end to an air tube 32. The other end of the air tube is connected to the inflatable airbag 28. The airbag apparatus 26 further includes two-way air valve 34 that regulates the airflow into or out the inflatable airbag 28. The air bag apparatus 26 further includes a connector bushing 36 that connects the air tube 32 to the inflatable airbag 28. One or more no-slip pads, not shown can be attached on the top surface of airbag 28 to prevent slippage of the feet of the user. The airbag 28 can be made of fabric or plastic that can be inflated to provide cushioning and deflated when the airbag is not in use. The air pressure inside the airbag 28 is greater than the atmosphere pressure, providing strong compressive strength and flexibility.

Operation: When the user 20 suffers from a constipation, and he is going to the toilet and seats on the toilet seat 22. In this stage, the airbag 28 is uninflated and the user can easily put his feet 24 on the airbag 28 even if he is an older person and he is not flexible enough and have weak muscles. After the user 20 puts his feet on the airbag 28 the user activates the air compressor 30. Then, the air compressor compresses air to the airbag 28 through the two-way valve 34 and the air tube 32.

The airbag 28 is thereby inflated to a height of about 20-50 centimeters which causes the user foots 24 lifted automatically without any user's body muscle effort, lifted from the ground level to a position where the user is in a squatting/semi- squatting position as shown schematically for example in Fig. 3. This posture gives relief to the user during the movement of the bowels with the possibility of a rehabilitation. Squatting instead of sitting improves the alignment of the user bowels by relaxing the puborectalis muscle. In a sitting position this muscle can be tight around the colon, creating a kink and keeping the body from proper elimination. By lifting the feet to a squatting position, this muscle relaxes and create a more direct path for elimination. By relaxing this muscle, gravity does most of the work, helping to prevent straining that can lead to hemorrhoids and pelvic wall problems. When the user finishes with the toilet the air that was trapped inside the inflated airbag 28 is released from the airbag 28 and the airbag 28 returns to its uninflated position. Afterwards, the user can stand up and leave the toilet seat.

Referring to Fig. 2 there is shown a wheeled platform 40 including a platform 42 and rollers 44 connected to the bottom portion of the platform. When the user rests his feet on the platform, he can move the platform to the sides designated by arrow 46. In some embodiments of the present invention the wheeled platform may include motors connected to the rollers and a controller to control the motors actuations, where the user can actuate the motors clockwise or counterclockwise for moving the platform automatically to the sides. Yet in another embodiment of the present invention the inflatable air bag 28 that is shown in Fig. 1 is attached to the platform 42 of the wheeled platform 40 and the user's feet is resting on the inflatable air bag 28, not shown in figure.

In Figs. 3 to 7, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention including a compressor 30 preferably, positioned behind the toilet bowel 50, two inflatable airbags 28 attached to the cover seat 22 by any suitable means known in the art. Two-way directional air valve 34 and air tubes 32 connected in one side to the air compressor 30 and in the other end to the inflatable airbags 28. In some embodiments of the present invention the airbags are detachable for example but not limited to by magnets where the air bags can be removed from the toilet seat when they are not in use or if there is a need to clean the airbags.

Operation: Before the user seats on the toilet cover seat 22 the airbags 28 are not inflated with air as shown for example in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The user seats on the uninflated air bags 28 where his biceps femoris 44 is positioned upon the uninflated air bags 28. When the user activates the compressor 30 wired or wirelessly, the air bags start to inflate with air such that the airbags 28 are inflated to a height that causes his legs to bend without any effort to a squatting or semi-squatting position as shown schematically for example in Fig. 3. When the user finishes with the toilet, the captured air in the airbags 28 is released from the air bags 28 and they return to uninflated position. Afterwards, the user can easily stand up from the toilet seat 22 wash his hands flush the toilet and leave the toilet room. The embodiments that are shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 7 can be used also for users that one or more of their legs are amputated.

Referring to Fig. 8 shows another embodiment 70 of the present invention which includes a scissor mechanism legs 72 having a foot platform 74 and a base 78. In some embodiment of the present invention at the floor 70 can be a recess 76, such that when the platform 74 is in its lowest position the platform 74 is in the same plane of the floor 70. A scissors mechanism uses linked, folding Extension is achieved by applying pressure to the outside of a set of supports located at one end of the mechanism, elongating the crossing pattern. This can be achieved through hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical or simply muscular means.

It may require no power to return to its original position, but simply a release of the original pressure.

Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the present invention. The toilet apparatus 60 includes a platform 62 on which the user's feet 64 is rested. On the bottom portion of the platform 62 attached a telescopic lifter 66 that can be controlled by a handle 68 to lift upward or downward the platform 62 which can be operated like but not limited to scissor-type jack. In some embodiment of the present invention at the floor 70 can be a recess, not shown, such that when the platform is in its lowest position the platform 62 is in the same plane of the floor 70. For lifting the platform 62, an electric motor, hydraulic or pneumatic means known in the art can be provided. In some embodiments of the present invention also possible to move the platform upwards or downwards manually. In other embodiments of the present invention the user can control the telescopic lifter wirelessly and automatically without using the handle by any suitable means known in the art.

Operation: Before the user 20 seats on the toilet cover seat 22 the platform 62 is lowered to its lower position. When the user 20 sits on the cover seat 22, he also puts his feet 64 on the platform 62. When the user lifts the platform, for example by operating the handle as shown schematically in Fig. 8, the platform 62 is lifted to a height that causes the user to be in a squatting or semi-squatting posture or position. When the user finishes, the user may press a button or any other triggering means, for example on the handle to release pressure from the telescopic lifter and thereby the platform is lowered slowly to its lowest position. In this stage the user can stand up and leave the toilet after cleaning his hands with soap.

Referring to Fig. 10, there is shown schematically a toilet apparatus 80 for lifting user feet to squatting or semi-squatting position in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The toilet apparatus includes a platform connected to motorized hinge 84. When the motorized hinge 84 is actuated and rotated for example counterclockwise, the platform is rotated to a predetermine angle controlled by the user, the angle is designated by arrow suitable angle in which the user gets into squatting or semi-squatting position. To lower the platform to a floor level 90 in a recess 92 constructed in the floor, the motorized hinge 84 is actuated and rotated for example clockwise.

Referring to Fig. 11 a block diagram of some embodiments of the present invention. the toilet apparatus that described above in various embodiments may include a controller 100, a wireless module 104, air bags 28, motor driver 96, motor such as but not limited to 84 , activation/deactivation trigger 102, a power such as but not limited to a battery, and a mobile device such as but not limited to a smartphone or tablet or any other smart device that have a dedicated application that can control the motor 84 and the inflation/suction pump or compressor 30. The motor 84 is operated for example for lifting/rotating the feet rest platforms for example but not limited to platform 82 that is shown in Fig. 10. The activation/deactivation trigger 102 which could be for example a button, or a switch is operated for example to instruct the controller 100 for example to activate or the activate the inflation/suction pump or compressor 30 according to a specific algorithm, to regulate opening and closing of the valve 34 that is shown for example in Fig. 3. The wireless module 104 such as but not limited to blue-tooth or WIFI is operated to wirelessly connected to the dedicate application that is stored in the mobile device 106.

It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above-described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS 1. A toilet apparatus comprising: a foot lifting means; a platform means integrated on top of said lifting means on which user feet are resting a means for controlling said lifting means a means for actuating said lifting means wherein when the user seat on a toilet seat his feet are resting upon said platform means; said means for controlling said lifting means is operated to control said actuating lifting means to actuate said lifting means upwards, whereby, said user feet are raised to a user posture of squatting position during defecation; when said user finishes with his defecation said means for controlling said lifting means is operated to control said actuating lifting means to actuate said lifting means downwards until reaching to a floor level. whereby, said user feet are lowered to a posture of natural toilet seating position.
2. 2. A toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said foot lifting means comprising, a two-way valve, inflatable airbag connected to a compressor by an air tube; said airbag can be inflated or deflated by said compressor and said two- way valve; said platform means integrated on top of said lifting means on which user feet are resting is the upper portion of the outer surface of said airbag. wherein when said user suffers from a constipation, and he is going to the toilet and seats on a toilet seat; in this stage, said inflatable airbag is uninflated and the user can easily put his feet on said airbag ; after the user puts his feet on said airbag said user activates said air compressor; then, said air compressor compresses air to said airbag through said two-way valve and said air tube; The airbag is thereby inflated to a predetermine height which causes said user feet lifted automatically from a ground level to a position where the user is in a squatting position. 3. A toilet apparatus according to claim 2, wherein on top of said airbag disposed at least one no-slip pads that is attached on the top surface of said airbag to prevent slippage of the feet of the user.
3. 3. A toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toilet apparatus further comprising a wheeled platform having rollers touching the floor at the bottom of said wheeled platform wherein the user moves with his feet the platform to the sides.
4. 4. A toilet apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wheeled platform further comprising at least one motor connected to said roller and a controller to automatically control the rotation of said rollers.
5. 5. A toilet apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wheeled platform is attached at the bottom portion of said airbag.
6. 6. A toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said foot lifting means comprising of two inflatable airbags attached to the upper portion of a toilet cover seat; before a user seats on the toilet cover seat said airbags are not inflated with air when the user seats on the uninflated air bags where his biceps femoris is positioned upon said uninflated air bags, said user activates a compressor, said air bags start to inflate with air such that said airbags are inflated to a height that causes the user's legs to bend without any effort to a squatting position; when said user finishes with the toilet, the captured air in said airbags are released from said air bags and they return to uninflated position.
7. 7. A toilet apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said inflatable airbags are detachable.
8. 8. A toilet apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said inflatable airbags are detachable by magnets.
9. 9. A toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said foot lifting means comprising of a scissor mechanism legs standing on a floor attached in one side to a base and the other side to said platform means comprising of a foot platform.
10. 10. A toilet apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at said floor there is a recess such that when said platform means is in its lowest position said platform means is in the same plane of said floor.
11. 11. A toilet apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at said lifting means can be operated hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically, by muscular means or any combination thereof.
12. 12. A toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at said lifting means comprising of a telescopic lifter.
13. 13. A toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein platform means is connected to said lifter means comprising of a motorized hinge; wherein, when said motorized hinge is actuated by said actuation means said motorized hinge is rotated counterclockwise, thereby said platform is rotated to a predetermine angle according to said means for controlling said lifting means; said angle causes said user to get into squatting position; to lower said platform to a said motorized hinge is actuated and rotated for clockwise until reaches to the floor.
14. 14. A toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toilet apparatus can be controlled wirelessly by a mobile device. 14. A toilet apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said apparatus is used for users which at least one of their legs is amputated.