RETRACTABLE FOOT PEDESTAL FOR TOILET

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments describe a toilet that incorporates a retractable pedestal designed to position a user's feet in a location more conducive to emptying the user's bowels. Various embodiments are described including embodiments in which the pedestal moves between retracted and extended positions with the assistance of a motor and also manually.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to built-in or add-on devices for a toilet. In particular, a retractable pedestal for the toilet is described.

BACKGROUND

Research has shown that humans are most easily able to empty their bowels in a squatting position. While toilets were originally designed to make moving bowels easier by putting humans in a squatting position, that squat actually turned into a position that was closer to a sitting one. Unfortunately, what toilet manufacturers didn't realize is that sitting only loosens the muscle partially, actually making it harder to move your bowels. For this reason, innovations allowing toilet manufacturers to improve the design of their toilets are desirable.

The subject matter claimed in the present disclosure is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described in the present disclosure may be practiced.

SUMMARY

This paper describes various embodiments that relate to a retractable pedestal for a toilet or lavatory.

A toilet is described that can include the following: a bowl configured to hold a predetermined amount of water; a pedestal coupled to the bowl; and a motor configured to move the pedestal between a retracted position and an extended position.

Disclosed is a toilet including a bowl configured to hold a predetermined amount of water; and a retractable pedestal coupled to an exterior surface of the toilet bowl and; and a motor configured to move the retractable pedestal between a retracted position and an extended position.

Also disclosed is a method of operating a pedestal of a toilet, the method including moving the pedestal from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the bowl of the toilet, the pedestal attached to the bowl; and moving the pedestal from the extended position to the retracted position.

Other aspects and advantages of the described embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B show perspective views of an exemplary toilet with a retractable pedestal in retracted and extended position;

FIGS. 2A-2B show side views of another exemplary toilet;

FIG. 3 shows a retractable pedestal detached from a toilet;

FIGS. 4A-4B show perspective views of yet another exemplary toilet with a height adjustable pedestal; and

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram depicting operation of an electronic device or system 500, suitable for operating any of the toilets and/or retractable pedestals described in FIGS. 1-4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The described embodiments relate to a retractable pedestal configured to position a user's feet so that the user is in a natural squatting position, fully disengaging the muscle called the puborectalis, allowing for a natural, smooth release of one's bowels.

FIGS. 1A-1B show perspective views of a toilet with a retractable pedestal in retracted and extended positions. FIG. 1A shows a toilet 100 with a pedestal 102 in a retracted position. Toilet 100 also includes a bowl 104, a tank 106 disposed atop bowl 104 and a seat 108 rotatably coupled to a portion of bowl 104 defining an opening for receiving human excrement. Pedestal 102 is shown including a foot actuated button or lever 110. Button 110 can be configured to allow a user to conveniently request movement of pedestal 102 between the extended and retracted positions without the need for another device such as a remote control or application needed to move pedestal 102. In some embodiments, pedestal 102 can also include a manual release lever 112 allowing a user to manually reposition pedestal 102 from the retracted position shown in FIG. 1A to the extended position shown in FIG. 1B.

In some embodiments, when the user lifts manual release lever 112, an operating state of a motor configured to move pedestal 102 between the retracted and extended positions is changed such that manual movement of pedestal 102 is not prevented by the coupling between the motor and the portion of pedestal 102 moving between extended and retracted positions. This configuration can be helpful in the event the motor responsible for normal operation of pedestal 102 runs low on batteries or in the event of a power outage in configurations where the motor relies on power from a residence's power outlet.

In some embodiments, pedestal 102 can operate without the benefit of electricity. For example, manual release lever 112 can be the primary mechanism of moving pedestal 102 between retracted and extended positions. In some embodiments, pedestal 102 can include one or more springs configured to return pedestal 102 to the retracted position. While this can increase the amount of force needed to move pedestal 102 from the retracted to the extended position, making retraction of pedestal 102 easier reduces the likelihood of pedestal 102 being left in a retracted position and cuts the amount of times a user needs to reach down to move the pedestal in half.

FIG. 1B shows pedestal 102 in an extended position. In the extended position, an upward facing surface 114 of pedestal 102 is revealed. Upward facing surface 114 is sized to allow a user to comfortably rest both feet while using toilet 100. In some embodiments, pedestal 110 can also assist shorter individuals and/or children with using toilet 100. FIG. 1B also reveals portions of attachment mechanisms 116 that accommodate smooth movement of pedestal 102 between retracted and extended positions. In some embodiments, attachment mechanisms 116 can take the form of recessed channels on the pedestal 102 that accommodate the movement of bearings carried by pedestal 102 to slide in and out. In some embodiments, attachment mechanisms 116 can take the form of rails that are attached to the porcelain, plastic, or other material making up bowl 104, and in some embodiments, the rails on the bowl 104 can engage the recessed channels on the pedestal 102. In some embodiments, fasteners such as bolts can extend through fastener openings in attachment mechanisms 116 and into openings in bowl 104 to attach the rails to the bowl 104. In other embodiments, the rails can be attached to the bowl 104 with any other desired attachment, such as adhesives, welds, or by forming the rails monolithically (i.e. formed as a singular component that constitutes a single material without joints or seams) with the bowl 104, for example and without limitation.

FIGS. 2A-2B shows side views of a toilet 200. In this embodiment, toilet 200 includes seat 202 with bidet features. Seat 200 can include one or more electronic devices for operating various features such as release of water, lighting, and/or heating features. Seat 202 includes one or more cables 204 for delivering water and/or electricity for operation of seat 202. In some embodiments, operation of seat 202 can be synchronized in one or more ways with operation of pedestal 206. As with toilet 100, pedestal 206 can be coupled to a bowl 208 of toilet 200. While toilet 200 also includes tank 210, in this embodiment, tank 210 can be monolithically formed with bowl 208 such that toilet 200 is formed from a single piece of porcelain. FIG. 2A also shows how an exterior surface of pedestal 206 is flush with an exterior surface of bowl 208. In some embodiments, a seal can be positioned at an interface between pedestal 206 and bowl 208 to prevent ingress of fluids that could affect electronics within or associated with pedestal 206.

FIG. 2B shows pedestal 206 in an extended position relative to base 208 of toilet 200. In particular, FIG. 2B shows how an extending portion of pedestal 206 is attached to a stationary portion 206-1 of pedestal 206 by four attachment mechanisms 212 on the side of toilet 200 depicted in FIG. 2B. Generally, the extended portion of pedestal 206 would be attached to the other side of the stationary portion of pedestal 206 by the same number of attachment mechanisms 212. The stationary portion of pedestal 206 can in turn be attached by fasteners 214, which can in some embodiments extend through openings in stationary portion 206-1 and corresponding openings defined by bowl 208, while in other embodiments can be attached by other methods, as previously described. While the stationary portion of pedestal 206 is shown attached to bowl 208 by way of fasteners 214, stationary portion 206-1 of pedestal 206 can be attached to bowl 208 in other ways. For example, a strap could extend around the rear of bowl 208 to hold stationary portion 206-1 against bowl 208 or the stationary portion of pedestal 206 could be affixed to bowl 208 by one or more pieces of adhesive well suited for bonding the stationary portion 206-1 to bowl 208.

FIG. 2B also shows flush lever 216. In some embodiments, automatic retraction of pedestal 206 can be initiated by actuation of flush lever 216. This type of behavior can be customized by a user in embodiments where pedestal 206 is controlled by a configurable application running on an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet device. For example, actuation of pedestal 206 can also be triggered by an ambient light sensor such that the pedestal 206 extends when a user turns on the lights and/or retracts when the lights are turned off.

FIG. 3 shows a retractable pedestal 300 detached from a toilet. Retractable pedestal 300 includes extending portion 302 and attachment mechanisms 304 that in this embodiment form at least a portion of a stationary portion of retractable pedestal 300. In the view provided by FIG. 3, extending portion 302 includes a recess 306 configured to accommodate a lower portion of a bowl of a toilet when retractable pedestal 300 is in a retracted position. In some embodiments, recess 306 can also be configured to accommodate a motor configured to exert a force on extending portion 302 of pedestal 300 between its retracted and extended positions, although the motor can be positioned in other portions of the pedestal 300 as desired, such as housed within the pedestal 300. FIG. 3 also shows how extending portion 302 includes multiple wheels 308 that can assist with accommodating movement of extending portion 302 between the extended and retracted positions. In some embodiments, wheels 308 can be attached to extending portion 302 by a suspension (e.g. spring bearing) that allows wheels 308 to move vertically when flooring in front of a toilet has bumps, grouting ridges, or other irregularities with the potential to prevent smooth movement of extending portion 302. In embodiments where wheels 308 include a suspension, the pedestal 300 can include a feature that locks a position of wheels 308 with respect to extending portion 302 after extending portion 302 reach its extended position. Locking the wheels in this way prevents movement or instability in pedestal 300 when a user puts weight on pedestal 300.

FIGS. 4A-4B show perspective views of a toilet 400. Toilet 400 includes an adjustable height retractable pedestal 402 that includes an upper extending portion 404 and a lower extending portion 406. In some embodiments, upper extending portion 404 and lower extending portion 406 can be independently retracted and/or extended by independent motors. In some embodiments, upper extending portion 404 can include a locking member that mechanically couples upper extending portion 404 to lower extending portion 406. In this way, the upper and lower portions of pedestal 402 can be moved together by a single motor as shown in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4B also shows how upper extending portion 404 includes a discrete

attachment mechanism 408 that attaches upper extending portion 404 directly to bowl 410 or to bowl 410 by way of a stationary portion of pedestal 402. In some embodiments, lower extending portion 406 provides a pedestal height of between six and eight inches and when upper extending portion 404 is added to lower extending portion 406 a height of between eight and ten inches can be achieved, although other desired dimensions may be present in other embodiments. It should be noted that while only two extending portions are depicted that three or four extending portions of pedestal 402 are also possible to allow for a larger number of height variations.

While FIGS. 4A-4B show one implementation of a pedestal with multiple height options, a retractable pedestal can be configured with multiple different types of height adjustments. For example, a second motor can be configured to elevate a portion of the pedestal up and down by pushing the surface configured to support a user's feet vertically up and down following the pedestal being fully extended.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram depicting operation of an electronic device or system 500, suitable for operating any of the toilets and/or retractable pedestals described in FIGS. 1-4B. Electronic device 500 includes processor 502. Processor 502 as depicted can be in communication with a motor 504, a height adjustment mechanism 506, a wireless transceiver 508 and sensors 510. Motor 504 can be attached and configured to reposition extending portions of a retractable pedestal 512 in many different ways. For example, motor 504 can include one or more geared shafts extending from a housing of motor 504 to engage gearing on an extending portion of pedestal 512. The gearing can take many forms including, e.g., a pinion and rack configuration or a helical gear and rack configuration. Alternatively, motor 504 can drive an actuator that pushes and pulls directly on an interior surface of the extending portion to move the extending portion between extended and retracted positions.

Height adjustment mechanism 506 can take the form of a secondary motor configured to directly alter the height of the pedestal or a locking mechanism that mechanically couples an upper extending portion to a lower extending portion of a pedestal resulting in a taller overall pedestal.

Wireless transceiver 508 can be configured to receive wireless requests from other electronic devices to initiate operation of electronic device 500. In particular, an electronic device 550 can take the form of a smartphone and include an application suited for generating requests receivable by wireless transceiver 508. Requests for changes in operation can be transmitted to processor 502, where the requests can be processed. Processor 502 can then be configured to send control signals to height adjustment mechanism 506 and/or motor 504 when needed to change an operating state of electronic device 500. In some embodiments, wireless transceiver 508 can be configured to communicate with a dedicated remote control 552. Remote control 552 can have multiple buttons configured to take user input to control operation of electronic device 500. In some embodiments, remove control 552 can be electrically hard wired to electronic device 500 in which case communications can be carried directly to processor 502. In other embodiments, remote control 552 can be configured to communicate directly with wireless transceiver 508 using one or more of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and/or infrared communication protocols.

FIG. 5 also shows electronic device 500 including one or more sensors 510. The sensors 510 can be configured to detect a condition, and the electronic device 500 can be configured to move the pedestal from the retracted position to the extended position or from the extended position to the retracted position when the condition is detected by the sensor 510. For example and without limitation, sensors 510 can include an ambient light sensor to help with detecting whether or not electronic device 500 will be in use. In some embodiments, sensors 510 can include a sensor for sensing flushing of a toilet. A toilet flushing sensor can include a microphone configured to detect audio corresponding to the flushing or a sensor at a flush lever. In some embodiments, sensors 510 can include a motion detection sensor to detect the presence of a user in front of the toilet or a light sensor to detect light in the bathroom or restroom turning on or off. Sensors 510 can also include one or more user controls, such as button 110 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, that allow a user to directly operate certain functions of electronic device 500.

In some embodiments, electronic device 500 can also be configured to share power and sensors with another electronic device associated with a toilet. For example, sensors on an electronic seat (e.g. seat 202) could also be placed in communication with processor 502 to help with operation of electronic device 500. Sharing power between various toilet accessories can also help to ease installation difficulty for a user.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

In accordance with common practice, the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. The illustrations presented in the present disclosure are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus (e.g., device, system, etc.) or method, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or all operations of a particular method.

Terms used herein and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).

Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is

intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, it is understood that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc. For example, the use of the term “and/or” is intended to be construed in this manner.

Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are not necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number of elements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers. Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number of elements. For example, a first widget may be described as having a first side and a second widget may be described as having a second side. The use of the term “second side” with respect to the second widget may be to distinguish such side of the second widget from the “first side” of the first widget and not to connote that the second widget has two sides.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A toilet comprising: a bowl configured to hold a predetermined amount of water; anda retractable pedestal coupled to an exterior surface of the bowl and configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position.

2. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the retractable pedestal comprises: a stationary portion; andan extending portion.

3. The toilet of claim 2, wherein the stationary portion is coupled directly to a lower portion of the bowl by a plurality of fasteners extending into openings defined by the bowl.

4. The toilet of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the retractable pedestal is flush with an exterior surface of the bowl positioned immediately above the retractable pedestal when the pedestal is in the retracted position.

5. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the retractable pedestal comprises one or more seals that engage proximate portions of the bowl to inhibit water ingress when the retractable pedestal is in the retracted position.

6. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the retractable pedestal comprises a rail.

7. The toilet of claim 6, wherein the rail is attached to the bowl.

8. The toilet of claim 7, wherein the pedestal further defines a channel configured to engage the rail.

9. The toilet of claim 7, wherein the rail is attached to the bowl with a fastener.

10. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the pedestal comprises a wheel configured to engage a floor below the pedestal.

11. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the pedestal defines an upward facing surface when the pedestal is in the extended position.

12. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the pedestal comprises an upper extending portion and a lower extending portion, and wherein the lower extending portion is configured to move between the retracted position and the extended position independently of the upper extending portion.

13. The toilet of claim 1, further comprising a motor configured to move the retractable pedestal between the retracted position and the extended position.

14. The toilet of claim 13, further comprising an electronic device configured to operate the motor to move the pedestal between the retracted position and the extended position.

15. The toilet of claim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises a wireless transceiver configured to receive wireless requests to operate the motor.

16. The toilet of claim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises a sensor configured to detect a condition, and wherein the electronic device is further configured to move the pedestal from the retracted position to the extended position or from the extended position to the retracted position when the condition is detected by the sensor.

17. A method of operating a pedestal of a toilet, the method comprising: moving the pedestal from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the bowl of the toilet, the pedestal attached to the bowl; andmoving the pedestal from the extended position to the retracted position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the pedestal from the retracted position to the extended position comprises operating a motor of the toilet.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the pedestal comprises an extending portion and a stationary portion, the stationary portion attached to the bowl of the toilet, and wherein moving the pedestal from the retracted position to the extended position comprises moving the extending portion away from the stationary portion.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the pedestal comprises an upper extending portion and a lower extending portion, and wherein moving the pedestal from the retracted position to the extended position comprises moving the lower extending portion away from the upper extending portion, the method further comprising moving the upper extending portion towards the lower extending portion when the lower extending portion is in the extended position.