U.S. patent application number 11/139198 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for three-in-one commode and waste diverting seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tubular Fabricators Industry. Invention is credited to Battistion, Joseph, Battiston, David.
Application Number | 20050217015 11/139198 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34425609 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050217015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Battistion, Joseph ; et
al. |
October 6, 2005 |
Three-in-one commode and waste diverting seat
Abstract
A three-in-one commode with waste diverting capability is
disclosed for use by elderly or infirm people wherein the commode
can interface with both a standard and an elongated toilet, yet
provides the comfort and ease of use of an elongated size toilet
seat for the users.
Inventors: |
Battistion, Joseph;
(Sutherland, VA) ; Battiston, David; (Richmond,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLAUBER & JACKSON
411 HACKENSACK AVENUE
HACKENSACK
NJ
07601
|
Assignee: |
Tubular Fabricators
Industry
|
Family ID: |
34425609 |
Appl. No.: |
11/139198 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11139198 |
May 27, 2005 |
|
|
|
10278137 |
Oct 22, 2002 |
|
|
|
60337574 |
Oct 22, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/483 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 4/05 20130101; A47K
11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/483 |
International
Class: |
A47K 011/04 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. A commode comprising: an elongated toilet seat; a base having
left and right upper side portions and an upper central portion and
lower portion, and a cut-out in said upper central portion that is
adapted to receive said elongated toilet seat thereon, and said
lower portion of said base being adapted for placement over at
least a standard size toilet bowl; a pan having a lower portion and
a bottom opening for discharge at said lower portion, said pan
further having a back, a front, and an elongated upper portion,
such that said elongated portion is arranged substantially
coincident underneath the elongated toilet seat, said pan further
having a splash guard, said pan being tapered downward and to said
back according to a generally arcuate surface at said front portion
and from said elongated upper portion so as to fit over at least a
standard sized toilet bowl, and so as to divert waste downward and
back towards said bottom opening for discharge.
27. (canceled)
28. The commode according to claim 26, wherein the pan attaches to
the elongated toilet seat by snaps.
29. The commode according to claim 26, wherein the pan attaches to
the elongated toilet seat by clips.
30. The commode according to claim 26, wherein the pan attaches to
the elongated toilet seat by fasteners.
31. The pan according to claim 26, wherein the pan attaches to the
elongated toilet seat by a velcro.RTM.-type fastener.
32. The pan according to claim 26, wherein the pan is integrally
formed with the elongated toilet seat.
33. The pan according to claim 26, wherein the splashguard has a
series of channel grooves on an inner portion to direct fluid
toward the back of the elongated toilet seat.
34. The waste diverting seat according to claim 26, wherein the
toilet seat has a series of predetermined thicknesses to adapt a
toilet bowl for use at a series of predetermined heights.
35. The waste diverting seat according to claim 34, wherein the
predetermined thickness of the toilet seat is between two to eight
inches thick.
36. The waste diverting seat according to claim 26, wherein the
toilet seat has rails to facilitate attachment of the
splashguard.
37. (canceled)
38. (canceled)
39. A splashguard for a toilet seat comprising: a front and a back;
an upper portion adapted for attachment with said a toilet seat;
and a lower portion which is tapered downward and toward the back,
so that the splashguard is adapted to fit within a standard sized
toilet.
40. The splashguard according to claim 39, wherein the upper
portion is adapted for attachment to an elongated toilet seat.
41. The splashguard according to claim 39, wherein the upper
portion is adapted for attachment to a pediatric toilet seat.
42. The splashguard according to claim 39, further comprising a
series of channel grooves arranged to guide fluid downward.
43. The splashguard according to claim 39, further comprising a
series of channel grooves at a front portion that are positioned to
direct fluid toward the back of a toilet seat.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application 60/337,574, filed Oct. 22, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to commodes and toilets for
ill and/or elderly people.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the field of toilets, there are two types of seats,
standard and elongated. While the exact dimensions can sometimes
vary, a standard toilet, is a toilet having a generally round (or
egg shaped) opening toilet, and which is installed in most homes
and offices, etc. A standard toilet (sometimes referred to as a
regular toilet), or also referred to as a household toilet (which
is not the most accurate description as standard toilets are
available in offices, commercial buildings, etc.)
[0006] Standard toilet bowls are adapted to use standard toilet
seats. The standard toilet seat has an opening commensurate with
the opening of a standard toilet bowl.
[0007] On the other hand, an elongated toilet is generally defined
as any toilet other than a standard toilet (except for a pediatric
size) which has a larger opening than the standard toilet.
Elongated toilet seats are adapted to fit on elongated toilets,
which are generally more oblong, elliptical, and/or rectangular in
shape (generally with rounded edges), and has a larger open area
than the more circular standard toilet.
[0008] Elongated toilets (and elongated toilet seats) are desirable
for excessively obese patients, as well as people with certain
medical conditions (swelling) where the standard toilet seat is too
small.
[0009] Commodes are often used in hospitals, hospices, and are used
in the homes by ill and elderly people because they provide support
that is not available from a stationary toilet. Specifically, a
commode generally comprises at least a front cross bar, a rear
cross bar, and two side cross bars. A toilet seat usually is
arranged so that at least two sides rest on either the front and
rear crossbar, or the two side cross bars, to stabilize the
seat.
[0010] A commode has a pan having an upper portion and a lower
portion, the pan being arranged underneath the toilet seat. While
the pan could have a solid bottom, most commodes have an opening in
the bottom of the pan. The entire commode itself is arranged to be
placed over a toilet, so that waste will be discharged from the
opening in the bottom of the pan directly into the toilet. This
permits a more hygienic design than a closed pan, which would have
to be removed and discharged.
[0011] The upper portion of the pan has a generally arcuate surface
extending downwardly from the upper portion of the pan to a
generally circular bottom. Although the generally circular bottom
is preferred, other shapes, (square, substantially triangular,
rectangular, etc.) could be used. However, the prior art is lacking
in providing a commode adapted to specifically accommodate the
larger and ill patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Three-in-One Commode
[0013] The present invention provides a three-in-one commode, the
three features being a commode which has drop arms, an elongated
toilet seat and a pan having an integrally formed or attached a
splash guard adapted so that the commode can be positioned over a
standard toilet, yet provide a user with the comfort of an
elongated toilet. The pan, which communicates with the elongated
toilet seat at an upper portion, is tapered downwardly to fit over
or in a standard toilet bowl. The commode comprises a front cross
bar assembly, a rear cross bar assembly, and two drop arms which
are pivotally connected, slidably connected, or
attachable/detachable from at least one of the front or rear cross
bars so as to provide adjustable arm rests and provide support
while getting on or off the commode, an elongated toilet seat
arranged on top at least two opposing crossbars, and a pan arranged
below the elongated toilet seat, said pan having an elongated upper
portion which is tapered downwardly to a lower portion having an
opening on the bottom, so that the lower portion fits over a
standard toilet bowl, yet the commode provides the user with the
comfort of an elongated toilet.
[0014] The arms rails provide an additional source of stability for
a user to hold on while getting on or off the commode. There are
often patients with mobility and balance problems, such as stroke
patients, patients taking medications that can cause drowsiness,
patients in wheelchairs and/or have multiple sclerosis and their
need to use their arms to pull themselves onto or off of the
commode because of weakness in their legs, just to name a few.
[0015] The three-in-one commode may optionally include side cross
bars, the side cross bars are attached to portions of the front and
rear cross bars by any of clamping, welding, bolting, riveting,
bonding, spring loaded pins, etc.
[0016] Optionally, in an embodiment, the front cross bar assembly
and the rear cross bar assembly have lower stabilizer bars which
are formed so that a least a center portion of each lower
stabilizer bar is in contact with the center portion of the other
stabilizer bar, and can be clamped, welded, bolted, nailed,
screwed, snapped, riveted, glued, or even sintered together. For
purposes of illustration and not limitation, the rear stabilizer
bar can be generally U-shaped, C-shaped, V-shaped, or L-shaped, and
the front stabilizer can be shaped the same way, except that its
orientation is changed so that the stabilizer bars will contact
each other for at least a portion of their length. Generally, the
rear stabilizer bar is formed so that the commode could be pushed
from the front of a stationary toilet so that it fits over the
stationary toilet, wherein the portion where the stabilizer bars
contact each other serve an alignment function.
[0017] Optionally, the three-in-one commode could have a closed
pan, or come with a bucket that either attaches to the pan, or
positioned directly under the pan.
[0018] Optionally, in another aspect of the invention, a backrest
may be attached to, extend from, or form part of the rear cross bar
assembly.
[0019] The three-in-one commode permits heavy-duty support for ill
and/or elderly people having problems with balance, walking, etc.,
by supporting the user via the drop arms arranged on the sides. In
one embodiment, the three-in-one commode can support as much as 600
pounds in weight. In another embodiment, the three-in-one commode
can support more than 1000 pounds of weight.
[0020] Optionally, a lower portion of the elongated toilet seat may
have side rails by which the pan is slidably installed and/or
removed from underneath the elongated toilet seat.
[0021] Optionally, the rim of the pan may be arranged over at least
upper portions of the front and rear cross bars.
[0022] The elongated toilet seat can be attached by a hinge
mechanism so as to be pivotally moved in a first position directly
over the pan, and in a second position perpendicular to the upper
surface of the pan, permitting removal for cleaning, etc.
[0023] Optionally, while the three-in-one commode provides the
advantage of providing the comfort of an elongated toilet with the
practicality of being adapted for use over a standard toilet seat,
in an embodiment, the commode could be adapted to be positioned
over an elongated and/or non-standard toilet bowl.
[0024] Optionally, the height of the commode can be adjustable by
having an upper portion of the front cross bar and rear cross bar
being arranged so as to be telescopically arranged in tubular lower
portions, and a pin or key can be used to adjust the height defined
by a series of holes in both the upper portion and lower portions
of the cross bars, the holes which need to be aligned so that the
pins or keys can penetrate the aligned holes.
[0025] Optionally, the height of the arm rests can be adjustable by
having the upper portions of the side cross bars being
telescopically arranged in tubular lower portions of the side cross
bars, and a pin or key can be used to adjust the height defined by
a series of holes in both the upper portion and lower portion, the
holes which need to be aligned so that the pins or keys can
penetrate the aligned holes.
[0026] Optionally, a toilet paper roll can be attached anywhere on
frame of the three-in-one commode, meaning anywhere on any of the
front, rear and/or side cross bars.
[0027] Optionally, the three-in-one commode can have non-skid feet
attached at the bottom, to decrease the possibility that a person
with mobility problems is not injured by the commode sliding while
a person is mounting or dismounting same.
[0028] The downward tapering of the pan is optionally tapered
downward and toward the back, allowing for a an improved splash
guard function as the liquid flowing into the pan will tend to
contact the upper portion of the pan in the front and roll downward
toward the opening. This design prevents the ricochet of fluids off
the sidewalls of the pan, keeping the user dry and providing a more
hygienic commode than heretofore known in the prior art.
[0029] For purposes of illustration and not limitation, preferably
the angle in the front is approximately 45 degrees, as a lower
angle tends to make the front portion too flat, which will increase
the possibility of ricochet, and a higher angle than 45 degrees may
also contribute to increased splatter. However, this 45 degree
angle is intended only for one particular aspect of the invention,
and a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that
the presently claimed invention is not limited to a 45 degree angle
in the front of the pan, and can be any angle as a predetermined,
so long as there is a downward tapering so that the elongated
opening fits into a standard toilet.
[0030] Optionally, in another aspect of the present invention,
there can be two pan support bars connecting the front cross bar to
the rear cross bar along the top of each cross bar, the pan support
bars being spaced apart sufficiently so that the pan can be placed
therebetween, and a rim along the edge of the pan can rest stably
on the pan support bars.
[0031] Waste Diverting Toilet Seat
[0032] The present invention includes a waste diverting toilet
seat, wherein the seat and splashguard comprise a single unit. The
waste diverting seat can be integrally formed from a single mold,
or the seat and splashguard can be joined by any known method, such
as adhesive, sintering, fasteners, bolts, screws, pins, nails, or
even temporary connections such as Velcro. In addition, the
splashguard make snap into the toilet seat, which is adapted to
receive the splashguard. Alternatively, the splashguard or toilet
could have flanged surfaces adapted for slidable installation and
removal along rails formed in a portion of the toilet seat. For
example the thickness of the seat could be reduced at a front
portion so the flanged front of the splashguard fits in rails
formed on a lower portion of the seat.
[0033] The portion of the splashguard that fits into the toilet
seat may optimally have a thickness so as to fill in the reduced
thickness of the front portion of the seat so that the thickness of
the seat that rests upon the upper surface of a toilet bowl is
approximately equal.
[0034] Alternatively, the waste diverting seat may have the front
portion of the toilet seat (that receives or is attached to the
splashguard) oriented at a slight incline to add in the diversion
of the waste down the splashguard and toward the back of the lower
portion of a toilet bowl, where the opening to the sewage pipe is
situated.
[0035] The waste diverting seat may also have a splashguard with a
spiral inner configuration to aid in centrifugal action of the
waste as it is diverted down into the toilet bowl.
[0036] The waste diverting toilet seat can have a standard opening,
or elongated opening, these sizes being known by persons of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0037] The waste diverting toilet seat may also have a provide an
elongated opening for a toilet bowl having a standard opening (The
terms for elongated and standard being known to persons of ordinary
skill in the art). This particular embodiment would extended beyond
the front portion of a standard toilet bowl, and the splashguard
formed in the waste diverting toilet seat would be tapered back
toward the standard toilet opening because it would be arranged in
a channel, groove, or void in the lower portion of the toilet seat,
preferably toward the front. The thickness of the seat should be
chosen to provide the clearance necessary for a person to sit on an
elongated seat, and if they were sitting toward the front of the
seat, not physically contact the front of the toilet seat. This
could be a approximately several inches thick, optionally but in no
way limited to at least three inches. Of course, an approximate two
inch thick seat, or any number (such as four inches, six inches
eight inches, etc.) would be within the spirit and scope of the
invention. The thicker toilet seat would assist ill/elderly people
because they would not have to sit as low as they would on a
standard toilet seat, yet have the comfort of an elongated opening
with a splashguard so that the waster diverting seat can be
arranged on a standard size opening toilet bowl.
[0038] The waste diverting seat could be used in homes, hospitals,
hospices, doctors offices, offices, public restrooms, anywhere that
accomodates a toilet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment the
three-in-one commode according to the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 2. is bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
showing the arrangement of the pan, which slides along rails
underneath a stationary seat.
[0041] FIG. 3 a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2,
rotated by 90 degrees to illustrate the arrangement of the rear
cross bar and the rear stabilizer bar.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first embodiment, illustrating
the view of the tapered pan, which includes a splashguard
integrally formed therein.
[0044] FIG. 6 is the plan view of FIG. 5 rotated by 90 degrees.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating how an elongated opening
in the toilet seat is adapted for use over a standard toilet by
tapering the pan downward from the front of the elongated opening
toward the back, so that the opening of the pan fits in or over a
standard toilet opening.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment where the opening is more central
arranged relative to the elongated opening in the toilet seat than
the illustration shown in FIG. 7.
[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the commode has a standard weight capacity (a
person or ordinary skill in the art knows and understands what the
term standard weight capacity means with regard to commodes). The
toilet seat is hinged in the back so as to be flipped substantially
perpendicular to the upper opening of the pan, or parallel to the
upper opening of the pan when in use.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9,
showing how the elongated opening of the pan matches the opening of
the toilet seat, then tapers downward and back so as to provide a
splash guard function while permitting the comfort of an elongated
toilet seat in use with homes having a standard toilet bowl.
[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates how the elongated toilet seat of the
three-in-one commode of the present invention can be pivoted by
hinges, and wherein in lieu of a pan, the seat is attached to a
splash guard without an actual pan, because the splash guard is
adapted to be positioned over a standard toilet bowl.
[0050] FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment depicted
in FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein the pan support bars can be seen
providing support to the rim of the pan, which extends over
portions of the support bars.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a three-in-one commode
according to the present invention. While this embodiment is a
heavy-duty commode, which permits weight capacities up to 600 lbs,
the invention is not limited to this weight. For example, the same
basic structure can be used to permit capacities of 1000 lbs. or
more, or it could also be made to support a standard weight.
[0052] Normally, for reasons of safety, it is preferred that the
commode be able to provide a minimum of 300 lbs. of support,
because of the possibility that it can be used in care facilities
as well as home use, and there is a possibility that even the
intended user weighs far less than 300 lbs., another person who is
considerably heavier but in the high end of the normal range of
weight could use the commode without risk of injury.
[0053] FIG. 1 shows a frame comprising a front cross bar assembly
100, a rear cross bar assembly 110, drop arms 120, a stationary
seat 130 (this seat could be removable, pivotable or slidably
detachable from the frame) and a pan 140.
[0054] The arms 120 are shown where the left arm is in an upright
locked positioned, but the right arm is in an unlocked positioned.
There can be instances where locking and using only one side is
preferable, for example, when a person suffering from paralysis on
one side needs the assistance of a care-taker to get on and off the
seat. By keeping one rail down, this could assist the caretaker in
holding on and providing support to the patient's weak side during
the seating and dismount from the commode.
[0055] The arms, also referred to as "drop arms" could be
pivotable, slidable, and snappable, include fasteners, which can be
fastened and or unfastened by the user. The arms may have a series
of holes therein whereby a pin and or bolt is arranged, which may
or may not be spring loaded, can be used to adjust and or lock the
arm into position. In the depicted embodiment in FIG. 1, clamps 150
are used. The clamps could be tensioned to remain closed but have a
space in a center portion just slightly smaller than the width of
each of the arms, so that the arm is pushed into the clamp and
remains held in place by the bias in the closed position.
Alternatively, there could be spring-loaded clips, pins, etc, which
are pushed into the clamps after the arm is positioned in place.
The arms could pivot from a lower position horizontally,
vertically, or a combination of the two, depending on the
particular shape of the arms, the type of clamp or fastener.
[0056] The backrest 160, may telescopically extend out of the rear
cross bar, or it could be attached by any known method. The
backrest is not required, and could either be adjustable, or
permanently welded into position, if present. The backrest in the
depicted embodiment has a U-shape, but the artisan understand that
any shape (e.g. V-Shape, C-shaped, L-shaped, A-shaped, tapered,
round, oval, triangular, polygonal) could be used.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat 130 has two side rails 210
which are spaced apart at a predetermined length to permit the pan
220, having a rim 230, slide in and out of the rails for cleaning
and/or storage.
[0058] The pan 220 has an opening on the bottom to permit the
commode to be arranged over a standard toilet. Alternatively, the
commode could be positioned over a bucket, or a bucket could be
attached to the pan but providing, for example, a flanged rim on
the bottom of the pan, so that a bucket could be slide thereon.
[0059] FIG. 2 also shows the front stabilizer bar 240 and the rear
stabilizer bar 250. As shown in the figure, the front stabilizer
bar attaches to the front cross bar, and the rear stabilizer bar
attaches to the rear cross bar. Both stabilizer bars are formed so
that at least a portion of the stabilizer bars is in contact with
each other to provide the additional stability. FIGS. 3 and 4 also
show different views of the stabilizer bars.
[0060] In the depicted embodiment, the stabilizer bars are welded.
However, they could be epoxied, sintered clamped, riveted, bolted,
clipped together by retaining pins, etc. Also, there does not have
to be literal contact between the stabilizer bars, although this is
the preferred embodiment. In other words there could a clamp which
has center portion that is wedged between the stabilizer bars and
the when the clamp is closed, the stabilizer bars are not in
literal contact with each other but are in contact with the clamp
(or other fastener).
[0061] It is to be understood that the particular bending of the
stabilizer bars is not the only way by which they can be formed so
as to be joined, clamped, clipped, glued or welded together. While
the bars can be joined according to predetermined needs for
stability, the particular arrangement shown in FIG. 2 illustrates
that the front stabilizer bar 240 does not have as pronounced of a
bend as the rear stabilizer bar.
[0062] This forming of the stabilizer bars can be made so as to
position the opening of the pan directly over a standard towel
bowl, where the rear bar is has a more pronounced bend so that the
rear stabilizer bar fits around the base of a standard toilet bowl,
at such a positioned that when the stabilizer bar is close to
contact with the standard toilet, the opening of the pan is
centered over the opening of the standard toilet bowl, preferably
over the portion where having the water remains when a toilet is
ready for flushing.
[0063] The pan itself has an elongated upper portion comprising a
splashguard that tapers down to the bottom opening. This permits
the commode to have an elongated toilet seat with an elongated
opening, but allows for easy usability with a standard toilet bowl.
Of course, the commode could also be positioned over an elongated
toilet bowl, but the advantage lies in that many homes, hospitals,
hospices, health care facilities and offices have standard size
toilet bowls.
[0064] The splashguard portion 510 of the pan 250 is shown in an
overhead view in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In addition, FIG. 7, which is a
plan view of the pan shown in FIG. 2, shows how the splash guard is
formed so that fluids would flow back and down toward the opening
of the pan. The splash guard provides a much more hygienic commode
than previously known, and allows for the use of an elongated
toilet seat having an elongated opening, which via the structure of
the splash guard, is formed for use with a standard toilet
bowl.
[0065] Optionally, the interior of the splashguard and the pan
could be spirally formed to cause the fluid to centrifugually
travel a spiral path downward prior to exiting the pan. This
improvement could reduce the splashing upward if the angle of exit
is something other than substantially perpendicular to the water in
the toilet bowl. Also, the spirals could be designed for
counter-clockwise and clockwise flow, to facilitate flushing in
both areas above and below the equator, because in these
geographical areas the orientation of the rotation of drainage is
different.
[0066] FIG. 2 also shows that the commode has feet 260, which are
optional. Preferably, the feet are made of a non-skid material to
reduce the possibility of the commode sliding while a user is
getting on or off.
[0067] FIG. 7 shows a much more pronounced difference between the
elongated opening of the toilet seat and the opening of the pan at
the bottom where fluid is discharged. Alternatively, the pan can be
adjusted to fit at several positions below the seat to allow for
custom centering of the pan over a standard toilet, elongated
toilet, bucket, etc.
[0068] FIG. 8 shows a different position of the pan with regard to
the seat than shown in FIG. 7.
[0069] FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment, where heavy-duty use is
not required. In this three-in-one commode, an elongated toilet
seat 910 is arranged to fit over the opening of the pan 920. The
pan itself has flanged edges that are used to position same on pan
support bars 930. In this embodiment, the pan support bars are
arranged from front to back, but they could be arranged from side
to side. This pan also has a splash guard portion 940 which permits
more hygienic use and serves to guide the fluid to an opening
suitable for positioning over the opening of a standard toilet
bowl, while allowing the advantages and comfort of an elongated
toilet seat and elongated opening.
[0070] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. It
should be noted that an artisan understands that the toilet seat
can be hinged to the rear cross bar, backrest, and could even be
pivotally attached to side bars or side rails.
[0071] FIG. 11 depicts how a toilet seat and splashguard can be
pivotally attached to the commode. It should be understood that the
splashguard is not required to be integrally formed with the pan,
although such construction is preferred. For example, the splash
guards could attached to the toilet seat (the toilet seat could be
any of elongated, standard or pediatric) and provide direction of
the fluid to a separate pan.
[0072] Finally, FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 9, showing the pan support bars, in this embodiment, being
attached to a horizontal support. It is by the artisan that the pan
support bars can be connected to other portions of the frame
(sides) etc., that would not depart from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
[0073] Invention not Limited to Depicted Embodiments
[0074] It is understood by an artisan that many modifications may
be made from the embodiments depicted and/or described which does
not part from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0075] It is to be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the
art that the present invention shown in the drawings and described
herein are for purposes of illustration, not limitation. An artisan
understands and it is well within the spirit and scope of the
claimed invention that minor changes might be made to the depicted
embodiments that do not depart from the invention. For example, the
shapes of the crossbars do not have to be U-shaped, as they could
be A-shaped, V-shaped, C-Shaped, L-shaped, square, square with
rounded edges, square with chamfered edges, round, partially oval,
oblong, have acute angles of intersection, have obtuse or right
angles of intersection, can be a single piece, can made from
multiple pieces joined together which can be pivotable, slidable,
snap at least partially within one another, telescopically extended
from a least a portion of each other.
[0076] Furthermore, the siderails can have polygonal shapes whereby
only a handle portion extends up from two ends which are adjoined
at lower ends to clamps, cross bars, side bars, legs, support bars,
stabilizer bars, etc. The adjustable height can be lockable by any
known method known to an artisan, including but not limited to
cotter pins, flat pins, bolts, wing nuts, through-shafts, rivets,
nails, bolts, etc.
[0077] It should also be understood that while the preferred
material for the commode frame is metal, any substance having
sufficient durability, such as plastic or wood, could be used for
portions of, or all of the structure of the commode frame provided
that the material can withstand the weight capacity. Further, care
should be exercised so that a material is not chosen that is either
too brittle that the structure could crack when under stress, or
too deformable so as to bend or become misaligned, which could also
be a source of injury, as persons using these type of structure are
often in poor health and/or just had major surgery, and often have
problems with balance and walking.
* * * * *