WO2010013058A1

WO2010013058A1 - Connecting apparatus for a toilet seat riser

Info

Publication number: WO2010013058A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/050951
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Lawrence Barker
Original assignee: Keith Lawrence Barker
Priority date: 2008-08-01
Filing date: 2009-07-31
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Also published as: GB0814106D0; GB0816112D0

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a toilet seat riser to a toilet is disclosed. The apparatus has a pair of legs with slots in for attaching the apparatus to a toilet at a first attaching position, where the toilet seat is clamped to the toilet bowl. There is also a hook for attaching the apparatus to the riser at a second attaching position. A connector stud pivotally joins the legs and hook. A combination of the pivot between the legs and slots cut in the legs, for clamping between the seat and bowl, allow the distance between the first and second attaching positions to be varied.

Description

Connecting Apparatus for a Toilet Seat Riser

The present invention relates to a connecting apparatus for a toilet seat riser.

A toilet seat riser is a device commonly used by people having reduced mobility to increase the height of a standard toilet seat. A standard toilet seat is typically around 16 inches (40 cm) above floor level. As a result, people having reduced mobility can have significant difficulty raising and lowering themselves into a sitting position at that height. A toilet seat riser is an annular support, shaped approximately the same as a standard toilet seat, that is attached to a toilet in place of the toilet seat. Because it is significantly thicker than the toilet seat a person then sitting on the riser is able to get on and off the toilet without need for as much strength or mobility in their legs as would be necessary if the riser were not present.

The typical fixing device, used to attach such a riser to a toilet bowl, is a pair of clamps which are fixed to the riser and attach to the sides of the toilet bowl (see figures 5 and 6). The clamps are generally formed from plastic with metal threaded members that apply force to the side of the bowl. However, these clamps can become fatigued over time weakening their fixing ability. It can also be a problem that the clamps may not be properly attached to the toilet when the riser is removed for cleaning or if it is regularly removed to allow others to use the toilet. As a result, there is a danger that the riser may slip from the toilet which could result in injury to the user (shown in phantom in figure 5).

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantages with the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for connecting a toilet seat riser to a toilet, the apparatus comprising:- first attaching means for attaching the apparatus to a toilet at a first attaching position on the first attaching means;

second attaching means for attaching the apparatus to a toilet seat riser at a second attaching position on the second attaching means;

connecting means, connecting the first and second attaching means; and

length varying means for varying the distance between the first and second attaching positions.

By providing an apparatus with first and second attaching means for respectively attaching portions of the apparatus to a toilet and a toilet seat riser, a connecting means joining the two attaching means and a length varying means for adjusting the length between the points for attachment, the advantage is provided that this apparatus significantly stabilises the toilet seat riser. By stabilising the riser, injury to a user is less likely to occur, even if the existing side clamps have not been correctly fitted or have become fatigued through use. Furthermore, by stabilising the apparatus, the forces applied to the clamps of the riser, and the portions of the toilet bowl that they attach to, are reduced thereby increasing the life of the riser and decreasing the possibility of damage to the toilet bowl. Because the apparatus is adjustable, it can be fitted to the vast majority of toilets and can operate with different heights of riser.

In a preferred embodiment the first attaching means attaches to said toilet by being clamped between a bowl of the toilet and an attaching portion of a seat of said toilet.

By attaching the apparatus to the toilet where the seat is clamped to the toilet bowl, provides the advantage that the apparatus is discretely attached to the riser without interfering with a person sitting on the riser. It is also hygienically located reducing the risk of becoming dirty and, although remaining attached to the toilet when the riser has been removed, it does not interfere with normal operation of the toilet.

In another preferred embodiment the first attaching means comprises at least one portion of sheet material having at least one aperture adapted to have attaching bolts of a seat of said toilet extending therethrough.

By forming the first attaching means from a sheet material, the advantage is provided that the attaching means is easily and unobtrusively attached to the toilet utilising an existing clamping mechanism. As a result, the apparatus can be very securely fixed to the toilet ensuring safe operation of the apparatus. Furthermore, this is achieved without the need for any additional clamping means to be provided as part of the apparatus and the clamping forces applied by the toilet seat attachment are normal forces that the toilet is designed to receive. The apparatus of the present invention is therefore extremely unlikely to cause any damage to the toilet. Such sheet materials can typically be easily cut so as to remove excess material if necessary.

The length varying means may comprise at least one aperture and at least one aperture may be a slot.

By using an aperture, and in particular a slot, the advantage is provided that the distance between the point at which the first attaching means attaches to the toilet and the second attaching means attaches to the riser can be easily varied when the apparatus of the present invention is installed. Furthermore, this variability of the length is achieved without the need for additional parts for the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment the second attaching means comprises at least one hook. -A-

In another preferred embodiment the connecting means comprises a first connecting portion directly connected to said first attaching means and a second connecting portion directly connected to said second attaching means and said length varying means comprises a second slot cut in one of said first and second connecting portions and a retainer in the other of said first and second connecting portions extending through said second slot and thereby retaining the first and second connecting portions in slidable engagement with each other.

This allows the hook portion of the apparatus to be retractable so that, in the case of very large risers, when the riser has been removed the apparatus does not extend into the bowl of the toilet too far and therefore will not interfere with normal operation of the toilet.

In a further preferred embodiment the connecting means comprises a pair of connecting members pivotally connected to each other.

By using a pair of pivotally joined connecting members, and in particular if the connecting members have axially extending slots at the end furthest away from the pivot, the advantage is provided that the apparatus should be usable for any toilet and any height of riser. It would therefore not matter how far apart the toilet seat clamps are located or how far back they are from the start of the toilet bowl.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for connecting a toilet seat riser to a toilet, the apparatus comprising:-

first attaching means for attaching the apparatus to a toilet at a first attaching position on the first attaching means by being clamped between a bowl of the toilet and an attaching portion of a seat of said toilet;

second attaching means for attaching the apparatus to a toilet seat riser at a second attaching position on the second attaching means; and connecting means, connecting the first and second attaching means.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 is an end view of an apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the components forming the apparatus of figure

1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of an apparatus of the present invention in use;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus of figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of a toilet and seat riser together with an apparatus of the present invention in use;

Figure 6 is an end view of the apparatus of figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan and side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a plan and side view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective, side and end view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are plan, side and perspective views of further alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 15, 16 and 17 are plan and side views of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 19 is a rear view of a toilet seat riser for use with the invention shown in Figure 18.

Referring to figures 1 to 4, the present invention is an apparatus 10 for connecting a toilet seat riser 12 to a toilet 14. The apparatus includes a first attaching means in the form of a first portion 16 of leg 18 for attaching the apparatus to a toilet 14 at a first attaching position 20. The apparatus 10 also includes a second attaching means in the form of a hook portion 22 that attaches the apparatus to the toilet seat riser 12 at a second attaching position 24. The apparatus is further supplied with connecting means in the form of a connecting portion 28 of leg 18 and a stud 30 and locking cap 32 (in figures 1 and 2) or bolt 34 and nut 36 (in figures 3 and 4). The apparatus 10 further includes length varying means for varying the distance between the first and second attaching positions 16 and 24. In the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 4 the length varying means is in the form of a slot 38 that extends along the length of first attaching portion 16 of leg 18.

Referring to figures 1 to 6, in use, the apparatus 10 is attached to toilet 14 by clamping the first attaching portion 16 of leg 18 between the toilet seat 40 and the upper surface 42 of bowl 44 of toilet 14. The sheet material that forms leg 18 is clamped between the hinge portion 46 and surface 42 of bowl 44 and is retained in place by the clamping force applied by threaded bolt 48 and nut 50. The threaded bolt 48 extends from hinge 46 through slot 38 and through an aperture in bowl 44 to the underside of the toilet where bolt 50 is threaded on thereby clamping the seat and the apparatus 10 into position.

Before the nuts 50 are tightened, the hook portion 22 is attached to riser 12 which has been attached to the toilet 14 in the usual manner (see figures 5 and 6). Once the hook portion 22 is correctly engaged with riser 12, the nuts 50 can be tightened since the bolts 48 are correctly positioned within slots 38 (see figure 4) to maintain the apparatus 10 at the correct height H of riser 12 and the location of the bolts 48. If excess material in the legs is present extending beyond the back of the bolts 48 and/or toilet seat 40, this can be trimmed away using scissors or a knife. This location can vary in two dimensions these being the distance Di that the bolts 48 are spaced apart and the distance D₂ that the bolts are relative to the rear face of the riser 12. It is therefore a combination of the angle θ between the legs 18 and the distance that the bolt extends into the slot 38 that can be varied to locate the apparatus 10 in the correct position for the riser 12 that is being used. As a result, the same apparatus 10 can be used for different toilets, in which the dimensions Di and D₂ may vary and for different heights of riser.

Before the apparatus is attached to the riser 12 the clamps 52 of riser 12 are locked into position and the front retainer 54 is engaged with the front surface of toilet bowl 44.

In figure 5, the toilet seat riser 12 is shown in phantom in a position where it can become detached from the toilet in the event that the apparatus 10 is not being used and the clamps 52 are not correctly attached to the sides of toilet bowl

44 or have become fatigued through use. This demonstrates the problem solved by the present invention. Referring to figures 7 and 8, in which an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and in which parts in common with figures 1 to 6 are shown with like reference numerals increased by 100. The apparatus 110 is formed from a single piece of material in which the hook portion 122 is integrally formed with the legs 118 and the first attaching portions 116. The height variation is provided by three slots 138, on each leg which provide three different leg lengths dependent upon the combined distance D₂ and height of riser H. In figure 8 the hook portion 122 and the end of the leg 118 closest to the hook portion are shown with a reinforcement 156 that increases the rigidity of the hook. This allows a rigid hook to be formed whilst maintaining the same flexibility with the remainder of the leg 118 and first attaching portion 116.

Referring to figure 9, in which parts in common with the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 5 are indicated with like reference numerals increased by 200, this apparatus 210 is typically formed from a more rigid material, such as a metal, than the plastic material typically used to form the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 8 (although hook portion 22 in figures 1 to 4 may be formed from metal to increase its rigidity). The apparatus 210 is designed to work with a single predetermined height of riser and for toilets with a standard distance Di between the bolts 34. The slots 238 however allow the apparatus 210 to be used irrespective of the distance D₂ between the bolts 48 and the back of the riser 12.

Referring to figures 10 and 11 , in which part in common with figures 1 and 7 have been identified with like reference numerals increased by 300, these drawings show embodiments of the present invention that are very similar to those shown in figures 1 and 7. The main difference is that in each case the slots (38 and 138) have been replaced by single holes (338 and 438). In a further variation to these alternatives the legs 318 and 418 could be supplied without holes in. The hole would then be added during installation at the correct position. Such holes could be formed using a hole punch or by simply forcing a tool, such as a bradawl, through the plastic material. Referring to figures 12 to 14, in which parts in common with those shown in figures 1 to 4 are identified with like reference numerals increased by 500, the connecting means 528 is divided into two parts a first connecting portion 558 and a second connecting portion 560 that are joined by a stud 562 that is either formed as part of the second connecting portion or fixedly attached to it. The stud 562 extends through a slot 563 in first connecting portion 558. This allows the first and second connection portions to slide relative to one another whilst the stud 562 limits this sliding movement to the length of the slot 563. The second connecting portion 560 is held behind a cover 564 which is formed from two strips of material 566 and a sheet 568 extending between them. The cover 564, and in particular the strips 566, ensure linear movement of the second connecting portion 560. A cutaway portion 570 is provided to allow deformation of parts of the apparatus allowing the stud to be pushed through the slot 563 during assembly. Raised sections 572 lift first connecting portion 558 away from contact with the toilet bowl to allow the second connection portion to move freely.

The linear sliding movement of the second connecting portion means that the hook 533 can be moved out of the way when the riser has been removed from the toilet (shown in phantom in figure 13). When the apparatus 510 is retaining a riser in position, the second connecting portion 560 is at its full extent, shown in figure 13, with the stud 562 in engagement with one end of the slot.

Referring to Figures 15, 16 and 17, in which parts in common with those shown in Figures 1 to 4 identified with like referenced numerals increased by 600, the connecting portions 628 are divided into separate portions 674 and 675 that are pivotally connected to each other by studs 676 and 677 and by a further connecting stud 678 to which the hook 622 is connected. These pivotal connections allow the apparatus 610 to move from an extended and in use position, shown in solid lines, to a retracted position, shown in phantom. Dotted line 680 indicates the position of the edge of a typical bowl and it can therefore be seen that the apparatus 610 does not extend into the toilet bowl when in the retracted position. Referring to Figures 18 and 19, in which parts in common with those shown in Figures 1 to 4 are identified with like referenced numerals increased by 700, the hook portion 722 is formed integrally with the seat riser 12 and is connected to the remainder of the apparatus 710 by a stud or boit connection 778.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. For example, the first attaching means could be formed as a loop that extends around the back of the toilet bowl and being retained by one of the pipes extending from the toilet. The second attaching means could be formed integrally with the toilet set riser. This could be as part of a two part fastening such as a press-stud fastener or using Velcro®. Alternatively it could be moulded as part of the riser making the whole apparatus formed as part of the riser. The apparatus can be made from moulded plastic components or some of the materials may be cut from sheet. Some components, for example the hook, may be made from other materials such as metals.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting a toilet seat riser to a toilet, the apparatus comprising:-

first attaching means for attaching the apparatus to a toilet at a first attaching position on the first attaching means;

connecting means, connecting the first and second attaching means; and

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first attaching means attaches to said toilet by being clamped between a bowl of the toilet and an attaching portion of a seat of said toilet.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first attaching means comprises at least one portion of sheet material having at least one aperture adapted to have attaching bolts of a seat of said toilet extending therethrough.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said length varying means comprises at least one said aperture.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one said aperture comprises at least one first slot.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting means comprises a first connecting portion directly connected to said first attaching means and a second connecting portion directly connected to said second attaching means and said length varying means comprises a second slot cut in one of said first and second connecting portions and a retainer in the other of said first and second connecting portions extending through said second slot and thereby retaining the first and second connecting portions in slidable engagement with each other.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second attaching means comprises at least one hook.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of connecting members pivotally connected to each other.

9. An apparatus for connecting a toilet seat riser to a toilet, the apparatus comprising:-

second attaching means for attaching the apparatus to a toilet seat riser at a second attaching position on the second attaching means; and

connecting means, connecting the first and second attaching means.

10. An apparatus for connecting a toilet seat riser to a toilet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.