Expandable toilet seat
The present invention relates to an expandable toilet seat. One embodiment of the toilet seat includes a seat platform that is movably coupled to a support member via two seat guides. The support member is coupled to a basin in a manner to allow traditional rotation of the seat platform with respect to the basin. The movable coupling between the seat platform and the support member allows the seat platform to expand in response to weight being displaced onto the top of the seat platform. This expansion of the seat platform automatically spreads the left and right buttocks of a user and comfortably accommodates the dimensions of a user's buttocks.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an expandable toilet seat. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a toilet seat that is configured to expand outward in response to a downward force.
2. Background
Toilets have long been used for facilitating the disposal of human bodily waste. A toilet generally includes a basin that is coupled to a sewage system and some form of flushing mechanism that is coupled to a water intake and to the basin to provide a method of flushing human waste with water. The basin may be positioned above the ground, as is common in western countries, or integrated into the ground. Likewise, the flushing mechanism may be coupled directly to the basin or may be positioned elsewhere. If the flushing mechanism uses gravity to perform the flushing function, it must generally be located above the basin. However, if the flushing mechanism uses another means for generating the water pressure, it may be located above or below the basin.
Toilets generally further include a toilet seat and a lid. The toilet seat is rotatably coupled to the basin such that it is disposed on top of the basin but can be rotated up out of the way. Likewise, the lid is rotatably coupled to the basin such that it is disposed on top of the seat but can be rotated up and out of the way. Various basin, seat and lid configurations are known in the art.
One of the major problems with conventional toilet seats is their inability to comfortably accommodate a variety of different users. Different groups of people require special considerations, including, large, small, elderly, or disabled people. For example, unusually large people may not be able to comfortably sit on a toilet seat that is shaped to accommodate one body size/shape.
Another limitation of conventional toilet seats involves the general need to perform a spreading adjustment of one or both buttocks after sitting on the toilet seat. It is generally preferable to spread the buttocks in order to minimize obstructions during the process of waste disposal. Likewise, the spreading of the buttocks also minimizes fecal contact with the skin. Unfortunately, the process of spreading one or both buttocks is uncomfortable and further exposes the individual to potentially unsanitary areas.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a toilet seat that comfortably accommodates a wide variety of individuals and prevents or minimizes the need to spread the buttocks during the process of waste disposal.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates to an expandable toilet seat. One embodiment of the toilet seat includes a seat platform that is movably coupled to a support member via two seat guides. The support member is coupled to a basin in a manner to allow traditional rotation of the seat platform with respect to the basin. The movable coupling between the seat platform and the support member allows the seat platform to expand in response to weight being displaced onto the top of the seat platform. This expansion of the seat platform automatically spreads the left and right buttocks of a user and comfortably accommodates the dimensions of a user's buttocks.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates to an expandable toilet seat. One embodiment of the toilet seat includes a seat platform that is movably coupled to a support member via two seat guides. The support member is coupled to a basin in a manner to allow traditional rotation of the seat platform with respect to the basin. The movable coupling between the seat platform and the support member allows the seat platform to expand in response to weight being displaced onto the top of the seat platform. This expansion of the seat platform automatically spreads the left and right buttocks of a user and comfortably accommodates the dimensions of a user's buttocks. While embodiments of the present invention are directed towards an expandable toilet seat, the teachings of the present invention are also applicable to other areas. For example, the teachings of the present invention may be applied to an expandable toilet seat cover that could be placed on top of any existing toilet seat.
The term “expansion” is defined broadly to include both rotation and translation. For example, two objects can expand by rotating away from one another about a particular pivot point. Likewise, the two objects can expand by translating away from one another in opposite directions.
Reference is initially made to
The two seat guides 130, 135 are coupled at a fixed location to a rear portion of the seat platform 105 in the illustrated embodiment. The illustrated seat guides 130, 135 protrude out from the rear portion of the seat platform 105. Alternatively, the seat guides 130, 135 could be incorporated into the seat platform in an effort to hide their appearance and minimize the need for cleaning. The seat guides 130, 135 are designed to provide a movable coupling between the seat platform 105 and the support members 120, 125. As discussed in more detail with reference to
The two support members 120, 125 are elongated members designed to assist in supporting the weight of the seat platform 105 as it expands. The illustrated support members 130, 135 each include a square shaped section and a round shaped section. The square shaped sections of the support members 120, 125 are movably coupled to the seat guides 130, 135. The movable coupling between the seat guides 130, 135 and the support members 120, 125 will be discussed in more detail with reference to
The basin couplers 110, 115 are configured for fixably coupling to a basin. The illustrated basin couplers 110, 115 include a wedge section configured to couple to a basin and a cylinder section configured to provide a rotatable coupling with the round section of the support members 120, 125. The round section of the support members 120, 125 is diposed within the cylinder section of the basin couplers 110, 115 to allow rotation between the support members 120, 125 with respect to the basin couplers 110, 115. Various alternative configurations may be utilized that allow fixable coupling to the basin yet provide rotational freedom. The basin couplers 110, 115 may also be considered to be integrated within the support members 120, 125.
Reference is next made to
As illustrated in
The degree of expansion may be proportional to the force applied to the seat platform 105. For example, a lighter individual may exert a lower downward force upon sitting on the seat platform 105 than a heavier individual. The resistance member in the seat platform 105 may be sufficiently strong to only expand the seat platform 105 by an amount proportional to the force exerted upon it. Alternatively, the seat platform 105 may simply expand completely whenever a force greater than a particular amount is exerted upon the seat platform 105. The square sections of the support members 120, 125 may also include caps or stops that prevent the seat guides 130, 135 from expanding beyond the support members 120, 125.
Reference is next made to
Reference is next made to
Reference is next made to
The coupling system 300 includes two basin couplers 310, 315, a support member 320, and two seat guides 330, 335. The basin couplers 310,315 are fixably coupled to a basin using the lower posts that extend down. The basin couplers also include lateral posts that would facilitate the rotatable coupling of a lid. The support member 320 is rotatably coupled to the basin couplers 310, 315. The support member 320 is substantially round and thereby allowed to rotate within a socket provided by both basin couplers 310, 315. As discussed above, the basin couplers 310, 315 may be considered part of the support member 320 thereby creating a rotational coupling with respect to the basin. The seat guides 330, 335 are movably coupled to the support member 320 in the manner shown. In this embodiment, the seat guides 130, 135 are free to rotate and translate with respect to the support member 320. The seat guides 130, 135 are coupled to the seat platform (not shown) at a fixed location.
Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention embrace an expandable toilet seat. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a toilet seat that is configured to expand outward in response to a downward force. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A toilet system comprising:
- a basin coupled to a septic system;
- an expandable toilet seat further including: a seat platform rotatably coupled to the basin such that the seat platform is able to rotate with respect to the basin; a support member coupled to the basin; and at least one seat guide coupled to the seat platform and movably coupled to the support member thereby allowing the expansion of the seat platform with respect to the basin.
2. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the basin includes an ovally shaped conical hole coupled to the septic system.
3. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the basin is a western style above ground basin.
4. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the basin is an eastern style integrated basin.
5. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform includes a separation point, and wherein the at least one seat guide includes two seat guides, and wherein the two seat guides are disposed on either side of the separation point on the seat platform.
6. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform is substantially U-shaped with a gap disposed on a front portion of the seat platform.
7. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform includes an expansion resistance member.
8. The toilet system of claim 7, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed at a front portion of the seat platform.
9. The toilet system of claim 7, wherein the expansion resistance member is a portion of the seat platform configured to provide expansion resistance.
10. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform includes two substantially C-shape seat platform halves coupled on one end with an expansion resistance member.
11. The toilet system of claim 10, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed at a rear portion of the seat platform.
12. The toilet system of claim 10, wherein the expansion resistance member is a spring.
13. The toilet system of claim 10, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed on approximately the same side of the seat platform as the at least one seat guide.
14. The toilet system of claim 10, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed on approximately the opposite side of the seat platform as the at least one seat guide.
15. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform includes a particular inward curvature.
16. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the support member is disposed on approximately the same side of the seat platform as the at least one seat guide.
17. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the support member includes a right support member and a left support member and wherein the right and left support members are independently coupled to the basin.
18. The toilet system of claim 17, wherein the right and left support members are angled down, when the seat platform is in a down configuration, to facilitate a smooth expansion motion of the seat platform.
19. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the support member includes outer ends that are capped to prevent the at least one seat guide and the seat platform from over expanding and releasing from the support member.
20. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the support member includes outer ends that are angled down, when the seat platform is in a down configuration, to facilitate a smooth expansion motion.
21. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the support member includes a substantially square shaped section to minimize unwanted movement during expansion.
22. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the support member includes a basin coupler that is fixably coupled to the basin, and wherein the remainder of the support member is rotatable with respect to the basin coupler.
23. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat guide is configured to pivot with respect to the seat platform to facilitate a smooth expansion of the seat platform.
24. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat guide includes channels shaped to conform to the shape of the support member.
25. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform is expandable in a manner such that either side of the seat platform rotates out about a pivot point disposed adjacent to the front of the toilet system.
26. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform is expandable in a manner such that either side of the seat platform rotates out about a pivot point disposed adjacent to the back of the toilet system.
27. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the seat platform is expandable in a manner such that either side of the seat platform translates out.
28. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the rotatable coupling between the seat platform and the basin is adjacent to the movable coupling between the at least one seat guide and the support member.
29. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the at least one seat guide is rotatable with respect to the seat platform.
30. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the toilet system further includes a lid that is rotatably coupled to the basin and disposed to be above the expandable toilet seat when both the expandable toilet seat and the lid are in a closed position.
31. An expandable toilet seat comprising:
- a seat platform configured to rotatably couple to a basin;
- a support member configured for coupling to a basin; and
- at least one seat guide coupled to the seat platform and movably coupled to the support member thereby allowing the expansion of the seat platform with respect to the support member.
32. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform includes a separation point, and wherein the at least one seat guide includes two seat guides, and wherein the two seat guides are disposed on either side of the separation point on the seat platform.
33. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform is substantially U-shaped with a gap disposed on a front portion of the seat platform.
34. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform includes an expansion resistance member.
35. The expandable toilet seat of claim 34, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed at a front portion of the seat platform.
36. The expandable toilet seat of claim 34, wherein the expansion resistance member is a portion of the seat platform configured to provide expansion resistance.
37. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform includes two substantially C-shape seat platform halves coupled on one end with an expansion resistance member.
38. The expandable toilet seat of claim 37, wherein the expansion resistance member is a spring.
39. The expandable toilet seat of claim 37, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed at a rear portion of the seat platform.
40. The expandable toilet seat of claim 37, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed on approximately the same side of the seat platform as the at least one seat guide.
41. The expandable toilet seat of claim 37, wherein the expansion resistance member is disposed on approximately the opposite side of the seat platform as the at least one seat guide.
42. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform includes a particular inward curvature.
43. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the support member is disposed on approximately the same side of the seat platform as the at least one seat guide.
44. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the support member includes a right support member and a left support member and wherein the right and left support members are independently configured for coupling to a basin.
45. The expandable toilet seat of claim 44, wherein the right and left support members are angled down, when the seat platform is in a down configuration, to facilitate a smooth expansion motion of the seat platform.
46. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the support member includes outer ends that are capped to prevent the at least one seat guide and the seat platform from over expanding and releasing from the support member.
47. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the support member includes outer ends that are angled down, when the seat platform is in a down configuration, to facilitate a smooth expansion motion.
48. The toilet system of claim 31, wherein the support member includes a substantially square shaped section to minimize unwanted movement during expansion.
49. The toilet system of claim 31, wherein the support member includes a basin coupler that is configured to fixably couple to a basin, and wherein the remainder of the support member is rotatable with respect to the basin coupler.
50. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the at least one seat guide is configured to pivot with respect to the seat platform to facilitate a smooth expansion of the seat platform.
51. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the at least one seat guide includes channels shaped to conform to the shape of the support member.
52. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform is expandable in a manner such that either side of the seat platform rotates out about a pivot point disposed adjacent to a front portion of the expandable toilet seat.
53. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform is expandable in a manner such that either side of the seat platform rotates out about a pivot point disposed adjacent to the back of the toilet system.
54. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the seat platform is expandable in a manner such that either side of the seat platform translates out.
55. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the rotatable coupling capability between the seat platform and a basin is adjacent to the movable coupling between the at least one seat guide and the support member.
56. The expandable toilet seat of claim 31, wherein the at least one seat guide is rotatable with respect to the seat platform.
57. A method of using a toilet seat comprising the acts of:
- providing an expandable toilet seat including a seat platform that is expandable;
- lowering the buttocks onto the seat platform, thereby distributing weight onto the seat platform; and
- expanding the seat platform automatically in response to the weight, wherein the expansion of the seat platform simultaneously causes the right and left buttocks to expand away from one another.
58. The method of claim 57, wherein the seat platform includes a left side and a right side and wherein the left and right buttocks are lowered onto the corresponding left and right sides of the seat platform, and wherein the left and right sides of the seat platform are configured to expand in a manner that includes expansion away from one another.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein the expansion of the left and right sides of the seat platform include rotation away from one another about a pivot point.
60. The method of claim 59, wherein the pivot point is located substantially adjacent to a front portion of the toilet seat.
61. The method of claim 59, wherein the pivot point is located substantially adjacent to a rear portion of the toilet seat.
62. The method of claim 57, wherein the expansion of the seat platform causes the right and left buttocks to expand away from one another due to the friction between the buttocks and the seat platform.
63. The method of claim 57, wherein the expansion of the seat platform further causes the seat platform to comfortably accommodate the dimensions of the buttocks.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 21, 2004
Publication Date: Apr 27, 2006
Inventors: Peter Coles (Salt Lake City, UT), Jim Engle (Sandy, UT)
Application Number: 10/970,600
International Classification: A47K 13/00 (20060101); A47K 11/04 (20060101);