Tool for lifting, supporting and transporting a toilet

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet. A frame includes a pair of side members, a bracing mechanism engageable with each of such side members for maintaining distance between inner surfaces thereof, and wheels. A supporting mechanism is disposed within such side members for supporting and receiving a removable platform. The platform slides forward under a toilet, slides backward, and can be removed for allowing such frame member to be placed closely to a toilet. A rotatable lifting arm is connected to an upper end of the side members. A harness is removably and operably connected to such arm. When such toilet is within the frame such harness is capable of being securably connected to such toilet such that the rotatable lifting arm may be implemented to lift such toilet and lower such toilet onto at least one of the platform and a floor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/859,069 filed Nov. 15, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to tools and, more particularly, this invention relates to tools to aid in lifting toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, tools as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to attempt to make moving toilets easier. Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Merrill, U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,192 discloses a toilet lifting and transport device. The device has forward legs and rear legs, with the forward legs being deployable in an open configuration for lifting and transporting use, and a closed configuration for storage. A screw lift is positioned on at least one horizontal support that is positioned between the rear legs. The lifting device is coupled to a toilet fixture via a tank strap and bridge straps. Lifting of the toilet fixture is then accomplished utilizing the screw lift. Transport of the lifting device with the toilet fixture thereon is accomplished by rolling the lifting device on wheels located on the bottoms of the rear and forward legs.

Gwynn, U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,170 discloses a collapsible apparatus for lifting and transporting objects, such as toilets and similar plumbing fixtures. The toilet lifter has a support structure and a strap system attached thereto. The support structure has three vertical legs with wheels on the bottoms and horizontal support structures connecting the legs at the tops. The strap system is supported by the support structure above the toilet in use and passes across a pivot point on the support structure to raise and lower the toilet.

Decky, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,593 discloses a hand cart for lifting, transporting and installing toilets, including a wheeled base and frame designed to straddle a toilet. The lifting member includes a hand operated screw jack and ball engaging grapples and a rim clamp to securely hold the toilet on the cart during the lifting and transporting process.

Chitwood, U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,511 discloses a lifting and transporting device for toilets including a wheeled frame to which a pair of moveable lifting bars are attached. Moveable support collars and adjustable lifting rods are attached to the lifting bars, and the collars and rods are selectively positionable about a toilet to perform a holding and supporting function. The lifting bars are selectively vertically moveable by a hand actuated threaded rod. After a toilet has been lifted from the floor, it can be transported by the invention to a desired location and then lowered into position by a reverse operation of the threaded lifter.

Wall, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,379 discloses a toilet dolly. A “U”-shaped frame slides around either side of the toilet bowl. The frame comprises two arms that are adjustable to fit any size bowl or any difficult installation and are connected to a cross-arm. Padded lifting arms are provided to lock in place around the bowl. The two toilet mounting nuts are removed and a series of three jack screws are raised in an alternating fashion to allow the bowl assembly to clear the floor-mounted fastening bolts. Once clear, the bowl can be rolled out of the bathroom. The bowl can be reinstalled by a similar but reverse process. The actually raising of the jack screw can be accomplished with an electrical drill, including cordless drills, and/or a ratchet.

Irwin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,466 discloses an article transport cart which is specially designed for lifting and transporting both toilets and urinals. The transport cart includes strategically located, adjustable lifting arms which can be used to engage and conveniently lift either a toilet or a urinal. The lifting arms and a tow plate can be adjusted relative to the cart frame so that they can be conveniently moved from an outwardly extending, operating configuration into a stowed position to enable the cart to be conveniently stored and transported. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the foldable toe plate in an operating position to stabilize the device when it is used to lift and transport wall-mounted urinals. The cart also includes a foldable toilet stabilizing means for restrainably engaging and stabilizing the toilet during lifting and transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet. A frame member includes a pair of side members, each of such pair of side members having a generally horizontally disposed portion and a generally vertically disposed portion. Such frame member further includes a bracing means engageable with each of such side members for maintaining a predetermined distance between inner surfaces thereof. Wheel members are disposed on a bottom surface of such pair of side members closely adjacent each end thereof. A supporting mechanism is disposed within such horizontally disposed portion of such side members for at least one of supporting and receiving a removable platform such that the platform is capable of sliding forward a predetermined distance for placement under a toilet and sliding backward a predetermined distance and being completely removed for allowing such frame member to be placed in close proximity to a toilet such that such toilet is at least partially within such frame member. A rotatable lifting arm is operably connected to an upper end of such vertically disposed portion of such side members. A harness member, manufactured from a first predetermined material, is removably and operably connected to such rotatable lifting arm such that when such toilet is within such frame member the harness member is capable of being securably connected to such toilet such that the rotatable lifting arm may be implemented such that such toilet is lifted above floor level and can be lowered onto at least one of such platform and a floor by a user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a tool to ease a user's installation or removal of a toilet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool which permits a user to install or remove or reset a toilet while minimizing the strain placed on a user's back during such processes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool which enables a user to move a toilet from one location to another with ease.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient tool upon which a toilet can be supported while a user prepares for installation of such toilet or prepares to transport such toilet to a new location.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of an apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view of an apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a disassembled apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet within a carrying case for storing and transporting such apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-5 Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 10, for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet 12.

Such apparatus 10 includes a frame member 14. It is presently preferred that such frame member is manufactured from aluminum.

Such frame member 14 includes a pair of side members 16, each of such pair of side members 16 each having a generally horizontally disposed portion 18 and a generally vertically disposed portion 20. A bracing member 22 is engageable with each of such side members 16 for maintaining a predetermined distance between inner surfaces 24 thereof. Wheel members 40 and 42 are disposed on a bottom surface 28 of such pair of side members 16 closely adjacent each end horizontally disposed portion 18.

A supporting means 30 is disposed within such horizontally disposed portion 18 of such side members 16 for at least one of supporting and receiving a removable platform 32 such that such platform 32 is capable of sliding forward a predetermined distance for placement under a toilet 12, sliding backward a predetermined distance and being completely removed. This movement or removal allows such frame member 14 to be placed in close proximity to a toilet 12 such that such toilet 12 is at least partially within such frame member 14.

A rotatable lifting arm 34 is operably connected to an upper end 36 of such vertically disposed portion 20 of such side members 16.

A harness member 38, manufactured from a first predetermined material, is removably and operably connected to such rotatable lifting arm 34 such that when such toilet 12 is within such frame member 14 the harness member 38 is capable of being securably connected to such toilet 12 such that such rotatable lifting arm 34 may be implemented such that such toilet 12 is lifted above floor level and can be lowered onto at least one of the platform 32 and a floor by a user (not shown). It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is nylon.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such wheel members include a pair of front wheels 40 and a pair of rear wheels 42 and such front wheels 40 are capable of rotating 180 degrees about a vertical axis. It is most preferred that such front wheels and such rear wheels are all capable of rotating 180 degrees about a vertical axis.

It is further presently preferred that such rotatable lifting arm 34 includes a handled ratcheting lever system 44.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a drain pan 46 is securably attached to such platform 32 such that when such platform 32 is positioned beneath such toilet 12 water dripping from such toilet 12 will be collected in the drain pan 46.

It is presently preferred that such apparatus can be disassembled for storage and transportation as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. It is further presently preferred that such apparatus includes a carrying case 50 for storing and transporting such apparatus when such apparatus is disassembled. The apparatus may be easily disassembled by disengaging such bracing means 22 from such side members 16 and disengaging such rotatable lifting arm 34 from such upper end of such side members 16.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such supporting means 30 is at least one bracket 54 disposed on each of the inner surfaces of such horizontally disposed portions 18 of such side members 16. Such platform 32 sits on such brackets 54.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, such supporting means 30 is a pair of grooves 56 within such horizontal portion 18 of each side member 16. Such grooves having a predetermined size and shape capable of receiving platform 32.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet comprising;

a. a frame member, said frame member including, (i) a pair of side members, each of said pair of side members having a generally horizontally disposed portion and a generally vertically disposed portion, (ii) a bracing means engageable with each of said side members for maintaining a predetermined distance between inner surfaces thereof, and (iii) wheel members disposed on a bottom surface of said pair of side members closely adjacent each end thereof;

b. a supporting means is disposed within said horizontally disposed portion of said side members for at least one of supporting and receiving a removable platform such that said platform is capable of sliding forward a predetermined distance for placement under a toilet, sliding backward a predetermined distance and being completely removed, allowing said frame member to be placed in close proximity to a toilet such that said toilet is at least partially within said frame member;

c. a rotatable lifting arm operably connected to an upper end of said vertically disposed portion of said side members; and

d. a harness member manufactured from a first predetermined material removably and operably connected to said rotatable lifting arm such that when such toilet is within said frame member said harness member is capable of being securably connected to such toilet such that said rotatable lifting arm may be implemented such that such toilet is lifted above floor level and can be lowered onto at least one of said platform and a floor by a user.

2. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said wheel members include a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and said front wheels are capable of rotating 180 degrees.

3. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said frame member is manufactured from aluminum.

4. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable lifting arm includes a handled ratcheting lever system.

5. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is nylon.

6. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein a drain pan is securably attached to said platform such that when said platform is positioned beneath such toilet such that water dripping from such toilet will be collected in said drain pan.

7. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus can be disassembled for storage and transportation.

8. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 7 wherein said apparatus further includes a carrying case for storing and transporting said apparatus when apparatus is disassembled.

9. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means is at least one bracket disposed on an inner surface of each of said horizontally disposed portions of said side members.

10. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means disposed within said horizontally disposed portion of said side members for at least one of supporting and receiving said platform is a pair of grooves within which said platform fits.

11. An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to claim 1 wherein said wheel members include a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and said front wheels and said rear wheels are capable of rotating 180 degrees.