User Shapeable Toilet Base Spacer

Abstract

A substantially rigid toilet base spacer is disclosed. The toilet base spacer has a minimum of four ounces per square inch load bearing capacity. The initial size of the toilet base spacer is larger than a base of a commode, and the toilet base spacer can be trimmed to fit exactly under any commode.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to toilets in general, and in particular to a usable shapeable toilet base spacer.

2. Description of Related Art

A toilet may be subjected to excessive lateral forces during mounting and dismounting of ambulatory challenged users. These lateral forces can be strong enough to move the toilet from its secured position, and the movement may be large enough to cause a safety issue for a user. The movement may also be large enough to break the toilet's seal with its mounting closet flange, and allows the releasing of undesirable sewage gases from a toilet's sewer line into a bathroom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a toilet base spacer is made of foamed material having a minimum of four ounces per square inch load bearing capacity. The initial size of the toilet base spacer tend to be larger than a base of a commode, and the toilet base spacer can be trimmed to fit exactly under any commode.

All features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a toilet base in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applicable;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a user shapeable toilet base spacer, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the user shapeable toilet base spacer from FIG. 2 being applied to a toilet, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is depicted a bottom view of a toilet base in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applicable. As shown, a toilet base 10 includes a rim 12. Rim 12 is approximately one half inch wide, which serves as a load-bearing surface. Commode base 10 also includes multiple auxiliary projections 15 and a horn 11. Auxiliary projections 15 may or may not be load-bearing, but horn 11 is typically not load-bearing.

With reference now to FIG. 2, there is depicted an isometric view of a user shapeable toilet base spacer, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a user shapeable toilet base spacer 20 includes an opening 28. Toilet base spacer 20 may be of any thickness, ranging from 1/16 inch to ¾ inch, and preferably 5/16 inch. The diameter of opening 28 ranges from 6 inches to 8 inches, and preferably 7 inches.

Toilet base spacer 20 can be made of a closed or open cell foam plastic material having an approximately four ounces per square inch load-bearing capacity. Toilet base spacer 20 can be made of, for example, polystyrene foam, but it can also be made of other types of plastic foams.

There are many variations in the shape or “footprint” of toilet bottoms made by different manufacturers. Toilet base spacer 20 can be trimmed to the exact shape of a toilet bottom. The user shapeable capability of toilet base spacer 20 allows for a “one size fits all” solution to manufacturing this product because of its ability to be customized to a wide variety of toilet bottoms. Toilet base spacer 20 can prevent lateral movements of a toilet and serves to further anchor the toilet to its original mounting position. Also, floors upon which toilets can be mounted may have elevation variations or deformations over the length and breadth of a toilet's base causing the toilet to “rock” when mounted. Toilet base spacer 20 provides a simple way of compensating for these variations and deformations to prevent a toilet from “rocking.”

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of toilet base spacer 20 being applied to a toilet, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a toilet base 39 is rested on top of toilet base spacer 20. Toilet base 39 and toilet base spacer 20 are bolted down to a floor 22 via bolts 33.

Toilet base spacer 20 also allows the “keying” of the underside mounting surfaces into the material. This “keying” along with the additional surface friction between the material of toilet base spacer 20 and the floor creates additional resistance for preventing a toilet from moving by lateral forces. Toilet base spacer 20 may be affixed or glued to floor 22 allowing for a more secure mounting situation to eliminate toilet movement due to excessive lateral forces. The gap between the rim of toilet base 39 and floor 22 may be filled with caulk, grout, silicone, or other material for a finished look, as shown in 38. Alternatively, a strip 37 can be placed along the rim of toilet base 39 to cover toilet base spacer 20.

As has been described, the present invention provides a user shapable toilet base spacer plastic that would have the capacity to bear a distributed load in order to conform to point loads of a toilet. The user shapable toilet base spacer may be custom fit during installation by having excess material removed via a knife such that the user shapable toilet base spacer can accommodate any toilet bottom.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in material, form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A spacer comprising:

a substantially rigid foamed base having a thickness greater than 1/16 inch and a size to be larger than a base of a commode, wherein said foamed base has a minimum of four ounces per square inch load bearing capacity, wherein said foamed base includes an opening for receiving said commode, wherein said foamed base is user trimmable to fit exactly under said commode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thickness of said spacer ranges from 1/16 inch to ¾ inch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thickness of said spacer is approximately 5/16 inch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said foamed base is made of polystyrene foam.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said opening ranges from 6 inches to 8 inches.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said opening is approximately 7 inches.