Patent Application
20200359860
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a plumbing system, specifically a toilet system which creates a new category of toilets—the pedestal toilet. The Pedestool is the base model in the series which employs the new and unique aspect of a design which has inherent in its design the unique feature of equipping a toilet with pedestals built directly into the base of the stool. The base model, The Pedestool, is designed to have a lever which automatically releases the pedestals for the user when they desire to defecate. This invention allows the user to achieve the “squatting” position and is an improvement to the art because a user no longer needs to access another device to achieve the “squatting” position which has been shown to be the most efficient position for humans throughout time. In addition, this model needs absolutely no electric or battery power to have the pedestals released. This innovation has been added to help the entire world. The pedestals elevate the feet of the user to achieve the desired position. This model only has one level to raise the feet of the user because the pedestals are activated without the need for power. There have never been toilets designed with pedestals built into the base anywhere in the world until this design.
The modern day toilet most commonly used in the western world consists of multiple features to facilitate the user. There are multiple inventions that are already patented and are available in the market which either facilitate the user with an automatic flush system or an automatic fragrance system, etc.
There have been a large number of proposed toilet flushing systems for use in various commercial and industrial establishments. As an example, automatic toilet flushing systems, which cause the automatic flushing operation of a toilet after the user leaves the immediate proximity of the toilet is frequently found in hotels, airports, train stations and like use public facilities.
The commercially available automatic toilet flushing systems generally operate on the principle of using a beam of radiation which can be interrupted to initiate a circuit operation and when the interruption, such as the person using the toilet system removes themselves from the interrupting position, a control circuit causes a flushing operation. A battery-operated automatic toilet flushing system has also been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,118, dated Dec. 8, 1992, entitled “Solenoid-Operated Battery Powered Flush Valve”. In this particular system, the valve itself is actually powered by a battery and also uses infrared sensors connected to the battery along with a solenoid operable valve mechanism. However, the system taught in the '118 patent is again designed for commercial or industrial-type toilet or urinal use.
Various types of toilet assemblies having an odor mitigation system are known in the art. An efficient way for odor removal from a water closet is by drawing odorous air from the toilet bowl through the flush rim. Ventilation systems utilizing this air passage have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,703,010, 4,165,544, 4,583,250, 4,989,276, 5,321,856, and 5,617,590. The system described in the '010 patent includes a suction means in air communication with the airspace between the water within the water tank and the lid of the tank. The suction device is capable of withdrawing the odorous air that moves from the toilet rim through an overflow pipe into the airspace, and subsequently disposing it away from the water closet through an exhaust pipe. Withdrawing the air from the airspace in a tightly closed water tank may create suction pressure especially when the toilet is flushed. Thus, the '010 system requires a regulating valve to reduce suction in the water tank.
Similarly, the flush toilet exhaust systems disclosed in the '856 and '590 patents are also designed to withdraw the odorous air from the airspace above the water level inside the water tank. These systems include a sealing means {'856 patent} or a flexible strip {'590} patent that can be installed at the upper edge of the water tank. The sealing means of the '856 patent is a hollow strip being in air communication with a hose connector and a blower. The sealing means defines holes facing the interior of the water tank for receiving the odorous air from the airspace. After the odorous air enters the sealing means, it is pulled into the hose connector for remote exhaust. The flexible strip of the '590 patent seals the lid of the tank to create an airtight space from which the odorous air is withdrawn. Both systems require a vent device to reduce the problem of undesirable suction when the toilet is flushed.
Unlike the patents described earlier, the '544 patent describes a system that is designed to withdraw the odorous air from the upper end of the overflow pipe. This system includes a hollow, open bottom, vertical sleeve that is positioned over the upper end of the overflow pipe. The lower end of the sleeve terminates below the water level in the water tank so that a water seal is achieved to provide closed communication between the overflow passageway and the sleeve. The system also includes a means for creating low air pressure connected to the sleeve so that odorous air is drawn from the sleeve for remote exhaust. The inefficiency in withdrawing the odorous air from the sleeve into the exhaust pipe can be a drawback with this system, because only low air pressure can be applied so that the water within the sleeve is not also withdrawn. Yet another system disclosed in the '276 patent shows a toilet system that includes vent channels formed along the base and the back inside of the water tank. The system also includes a vent adapter mounted inside of the passage that directs the flow of ventilating air along the vent channels to an exhaust fan to the outside atmosphere. One drawback of this system is the requirement of a specially designed toilet bowl and water tank.
Similar to the ventilated toilet systems, several patents have disclosed different types of toilet systems that include automatic flushing mechanisms. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,831,670 and 5,369,816 disclose toilet systems having a weight-activated flushing mechanism. This type of mechanism includes an electric motor that is activated by the weight of the user sitting on and then leaving the seat. When the motor is activated, the tripping mechanism trips the flush valve to open to allow the water to flush. A major drawback for the weight activating flushing mechanism is that it does not operate when the user does not sit down on the seat. Therefore, when people who normally do not sit down on the seat for a urinal purpose use the toilet, the toilet will need to be flushed manually.
A different flushing mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,384. This mechanism comprises a motion-sensing device positioned in the water tank and aligned with a window in the toilet cover when the cover is in a raised position. The motion-sensing device is operatively connected to a motor that drives an L-shaped lever that is connected to a flapper valve. The flushing system operates when the motion-sensing device is activated when the user actually uses the toilet and then moves away from the toilet. The motion-sensing device charges electric current to the motor which drives the lever upward such that the flapper is lifted to open the valve for the water to flush.
A similar flushing system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,091. This system comprises three functional blocks: an input sensor or switch, a logic control circuit and an Electro-mechanically operated liquid dispenser or flusher. The whole assembly, which is attached to the inner side of the water tank, is hermetically sealed in order to protect the actuator against moisture and possible corrosion. The movable end of the plunger is with a chain or wire connected to the flush handle and drain valve. In the flushing system of '384 and '091 patents, most of the components have to be fitted inside the water tank. Possible concerns of these systems are the limitation of fitting all the parts into an existing toilet system and the need to modify the water tank and the toilet lid for positioning the motion-sensing device.
Heretofore, there has not been any plumbing system, and more specifically any toilet system, which has inherent in its basic design the inclusion of pedestals for the feet of users of the toilet which are encased in the base of the toilet and are fully enclosed until they are automatically released by the user by pressing a lever when defecation is necessary. When defecation is not needed by the user the pedestals remain recessed in their compartments in the base of the stool.
Heretofore, there has not been any toilet system designed with pedestals encased in the actual base of the toilet and this invention and the other “pedestal” toilet designs create a new category in toilet design.
Heretofore, there has not been any toilet system designed which is equipped with pedestals built directly into the base and is automatic, yet requires no electric or battery power to activate the pedestals.
This invention is the base model in the series of “pedestal” toilets and offers only one level to elevate the feet of the user when defecation is necessary because the inventor wanted to have a model which did not require the use of power. The reason is that there are parts of the world where power is not always available.
It is to be noted that as per Applicant's knowledge, none of these prior art methods have been found to be suitable to addressing the need to make it more efficient, comfortable, and desirable for human beings to defecate by including in the design of a toilet system a design which encases pedestals for the feet of users which are contained in the base of the toilet precluding the use of an external device to achieve the “squatting” position. Further, Applicant asserts that a thorough review of all preceding patents as well as a thorough market study of all products available in the world market will reveal no toilet system which has inherent in its design the distinctive feature of pedestals which are built into the base of the stool.
In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, the following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
According to a first embodiment the invention is a toilet system which has as its main design innovation and feature the element of equipping the toilet with pedestals which are built and encased directly into the base of the toilet.
Another object of the invention is to enable a user of the toilet to press a lever when they need to defecate thereby activating a system to release the pedestals which are encased in the base of the toilet.
Another object of the invention is to allow the user to achieve the natural, “squatting” position by placing their feet on the pedestals which are automatically released by pressing a lever.
Another object of the invention is to only offer one (1) level for the pedestals and they remain at one stationary level because the invention requires no power from either electric or battery power.
Another object of the invention is to make it affordable for the world mass market because it can be produced at a lower cost because the parts needed to run the toilet system and release the pedestals do not require any power source.
Another object of the invention is to create a healthier world as defecation is a vital part of the health of every human being. This invention will help all human beings the world over achieve better health.
Therefore, it can be seen that the prior art has never produced a toilet system which has inherent in its design the inclusion of pedestals built directly into the base which are released automatically at the touch of a lever when defecation is needed by the user. Further, the granting of this patent for this invention will create a new category in toilet system design which no prior art has existed. Hence, the applicant believes this new category will set the standard in modern toilet system design.
This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
A first embodiment of the description is that the present invention is a toilet system which comes equipped with pedestals to elevate the feet of human beings when they defecate to recreate the natural “squatting” position.
Another embodiment of this invention is that the pedestals are encased in separate compartments contained in the base of the stool.
Another embodiment of this invention is that the pedestals are automatically released for use if defecation is required, by pressing a lever.
Another embodiment of this invention is that there is no power needed to activate the pedestals and that there is no need for either electric or battery power. The purpose of this embodiment is to help the entire world—even places where people have no reliable electric and power sources.
Another embodiment of this invention is to have the pedestals release to a single, stationary, level because no outside power source is required to be furnished or replenished.
Another embodiment of this invention is to raise the feet of the user while in the act of defecation, to enable the spine to be in the most efficient position to completely empty the bowels by achieving the natural, “squatting” position.
Another embodiment of this invention is to provide a control device, a lever, that a person depresses at the top of the container and the pedestals shoots straight out—what is crucial in the design is that there is no power required by battery or electric to make the pedestals work. When not required, the pedestals remain in their compartment in the base of the toilet.
Everyone is painfully aware that defecation is vital to the health of every human being. The applicant believes that this product will help all humans—even those who do not possess adequate power around the world—please help the applicant provide a means to the masses to help them be healthier and happier.
