Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet system according to the preamble of the
independent claim.
Background of the invention
[0002] Special requirements are needed for toilets in order to assist disabled, elderly
and infirm persons. The toilet aid must inter alia have a stable construction, be
easy to use and also to install.
[0003] Many different examples of toilet aids are known from the prior art, and in the following
we list some of them.
[0004] US-2,774,975 relates to a toilet armrest that will assist physically handicapped persons. The
arm portions may either rest at the bowl or at the floor.
[0005] US-4,715,069 relates to a toilet aid that comprises a rear fixing bracket for mounting on a WC
pan using the normal seat attachment bolt holes of the WC pan.
[0006] US-3,969,778 relates to a toilet aid designed for use with a WC to assist disabled, elderly and
infirm persons using the WC. The aid is constructed for attachment to the WC pan using
the normal seat-attachment bolt holes provided in the pan. An arm structure has side
support arms which extend forwardly on either side of a user when seated on the toilet
seat.
[0007] DE-199,13,356 relates to a bidet and also to a water closet in particular for disabled persons.
The bidet is movably arranged in the WC-room such that it may be moved along a vertical
line and also being rotatable in a horizontal plane.
[0008] Document
US-4,951,328 discloses a toilet system with the features of the preamble of claim 1.
[0009] These known toilet aids are often a separate part from the toilet, delivered from
a separate supplier, and then mounted on a standard toilet. This is sometimes considered
a drawback in that they sometimes might be difficult to mount and use.
[0010] Furthermore, the toilet room adapted for e.g. disabled persons must have such a size
that a wheel-chair can be placed at either side of the toilet to permit the person
to move to the toilet from the side most suitable for him/her.
[0011] The inventors have identified a number of drawbacks of the presently known toilet
aids and the object of the present invention is therefore to achieve a more user-friendly
and structurally stable toilet and in particular a toilet for use in rooms having
a limited available floor area.
Summary of the invention
[0012] The above-mentioned object is achieved by the present invention according to the
independent claim.
[0013] Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.
[0014] Thus, a great advantage of the present invention is that the user support member,
in the support position, makes it easier, compared to known toilet aids, for the user
to move from a wheel chair to the toilet in that the arm forces of the user may be
used more optimally, and he/she may then easily slide over the user support member
to the toilet seat. Another advantage is naturally that the user may rotate the toilet
seat in order to position it in an optimal postion.
[0015] The toilet system according to the present invention may be used as a water closet
toilet system having necessary tube connections installed required for water supply
for the flushing function, as well as tube connections for receiving waste water.
[0016] However, the toilet system is not limited for use as a water closet toilet system,
it is naturally also possible, within the scope of the claims, to apply the toilet
system according to the invention in other toilet techniques, inter alia, toilet systems
using cooling techniques, earth closets, etc.
Short description of the appended drawings
[0017]
Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the present invention.
Figures 2a and 2b are top views schematically illustrating the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of the user support member according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the toilet system according to the
present invention.
Figures 5 and 6, shows a schematic illustration of the user support member according
to alternative embodiments.
Figures 7 and 8 show perspective views of the toilet system according to the present
invention, where the user support member being in the support and tilted positions,
respectively.
Figure 9 shows a side view of the toilet system according to the present invention.
Figure 10 shows a view from above of the toilet system according to the present invention.
Figures 11 and 12 show perspective views of two embodiments of the toilet system according
to the present invention.
Figure 13 shows a side view and a top view of another embodiment of the present invention
in different positions.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
[0018] With references to the appended drawings the present invention will now be described
in detail.
[0019] Referring initially to figure 1 the toilet system comprising a toilet seat horizontally
arranged at a toilet pedestal, the toilet pedestal comprising a lower section, an
intermediate section and an upper section where the toilet seat is arranged. The toilet
seat is rotatable around a vertical axis X in relation to the toilet pedestal. The
toilet system further comprises a user support member arranged to be in a support
position where the user support member essentially being in the same plane as the
toilet seat, wherein the user support member is attached to the toilet seat such that
they are commonly rotatable in relation to the upper section of the toilet pedestal,
indicated by the double arrow.
[0020] Figures 2a and 2b schematically illustrates the use of the present invention. In
figure 2a the user would like to enter the toilet seat from the left, indicated by
the arrow. If a user instead would like to enter the toilet seat from the right he/she
just rotates the toilet set 90 degrees to the position indicated in figure 2b, positions
the wheel chair besides the toilet and by use of the support member moves himself/herself
to the toilet seat.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment the user support member is movable between two
positions, the support position and a tilted position where the user support arrangement
is in a tilted plane in relation to the plane of the toilet seat. This is illustrated
in figures 7 and 8, whereas in figure 7 the user support member is in the support
position, and in figure 8 in the tilted position.
[0022] According to an embodiment the user support member is essentially in the form of
a circular ring, which is illustrated e.g. in figure 3. The user support member has
an inner diameter being larger than the largest extension of the toilet seat in the
horizontal plan. The user support member is preferably made from stainless steel and
has an essentially circular cross-section having a diameter in the range of 35-40
mm.
[0023] The user support member is preferably provided with two fastening members attached
to a circular fastening ring adapted to be horizontally arranged around the upper
section. The fastening members are arranged at respective sides of the toilet pedestal
defining a movement axis Y for said user support member. The Y-axis is preferably
along the diameter of the fastening ring, but may also be in other positions, e.g.
more to the front of the fastening ring.
[0024] Preferably, the centre of the circular user support member is offset the centre of
the fastening ring.
[0025] The reason is that the when the user support member is in the tilted position the
user of the toilet may be able to lean against the back part (above in figure 3) of
the user support member, and by having the centre of the circles offset the back part
of the user support member is higher up, i.e. in a better position to be leaned against,
when in the tilted position. A part of, or the entire, member may be provided with
a soft, dampening support, which is illustrated e.g. in figures 7 and 8.
[0026] In figure 3, A represents the smallest distance between the fastening ring and the
user support member. A is in the range of 20-70 mm, preferably 50 mm.
Distance B is the largest distance between the fastening ring and the user support
member. B is in the range of 130-170 mm, preferably 150 mm.
The diameter of the fastening ring is approximately 300-500 mm, preferably 400 mm.
The inner diameter of the user support member is approximately 550-650 mm, preferably
600 mm.
[0027] The user support member is provided with fixating means (not shown in the figures)
adapted to lock the user support member in a desired angled position in relation to
the toilet pedestal. In the tilted position the angle between the toilet seat and
the user support member preferably is in the range of 30-60 degrees, preferably around
45 degrees.
The fixating means may be a fixating knob arranged at each of the fastening members.
According to one embodiment the fastening members is an inner rod welded to the fastening
ring and an outer tube welded to the user support member, whereas the rod is arranged
within the tube. The fixating knob may e.g. extend through the tube and cooperate
with holes in the rod, e.g. made at regular angles, in order to fixate the user support
member in a desired position.
[0028] Thus, the toilet seat and the user support member is commonly rotatable in relation
to the upper section of the toilet pedestal. To achieve a required stability and user
friendliness of the toilet system there must be a certain minimal friction between
the seat and the pedestal such that the toilet seat remains in a set position and
not too easily rotates. On the other hand, it must not require too much effort to
rotate the seat.
[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a detail of the toilet system, being a cross-sectional view
of the toilet seat and the upper section of the pedestal. The horizontal surfaces
facing each other is preferably covered by a layer, e.g. any kind of plastic material,
providing the required friction between the surfaces. The surfaces are preferably
provided with mating recesses and extensions (not shown) in order to keep the toilet
seat in a proper position in relation to the upper section.
[0030] Generally the user support member is provided with at least one fastening member
attached to the circular fastening ring horizontally arranged around said upper section.
[0031] According to a preferred embodiment all sections have essentially circular horizontal
cross-sectional shapes. This is e.g. illustrated in figures 7-10.
[0032] The toilet seat has an essentially circular outer shape in the horizontal plane approximately
coinciding with the outer shape of the upper section of the toilet pedestal.
It is also possible that the toilet seat has another outer shape in the horizontal
plane, e.g. an elongated, oval or elliptical shape. In that case the side facing the
upper section is provided with a circular track or recess mating with the upper surface
of the upper section enabling rotation of the toilet seat.
[0033] Figures 11 and 12 shows perspective view of alternative embodiments of the toilet
system according to the invention.
In the embodiment shown in figure 11 the lower section of the toilet system has an
elongate cross-section such that a tube connection from the floor close to a wall
of the toilet room may be used and at the same time having the toilet seat available
at a longer distance from the wall which is necessary in order to easily enter the
toilet seat from a wheel chair. This is achieved by a proper slope of the tubing within
the lower section.
[0034] Figure 12 shows a lower section that is arranged such that the toilet system may
be mounted on a wall.
[0035] As discussed above the user support member may be in a tilted position where the
user may use the support member as a support for the back, e.g. to lean against. In
addition to that the user support member has two main purposes, one is to be a firm
support for the user when entering the toilet seat, and the other is to be a handle
used when rotating the toilet seat.
[0036] Figures 5 and 6 schematically illustrates two alternative embodiments of the user
support member.
In figure 5 the user support member comprises two support handles adapted to be arranged,
e.g. at opposite sides of said toilet seat. Naturally more than two support handles
may be used. In figure 6 the user support member comprises three support handles arranged
around said toilet seat. These support handles have the shape of rounded loops.
[0037] Figure 13 shows a side view (to the left) and a top view (to the right) of another
embodiment of the present invention in different positions. According to this embodiment
the user support member is essentially U-shaped such that it is open to the front
which is favourable, e.g. with regard to hygienic aspects. The U-shaped user support
member may be tilted in order to function as a back rest - see illustrations in the
mid. Furthermore, the user support member may also be tilted such that the front parts
being on a higher level which in some situation may be advantageous.
[0038] The toilet system may be made from a variety of materials. Preferably the upper and
intermediate sections are made from porcelain and the lower section is made from stainless
steel, or aluminium, as illustrated e.g. in figure 9 where the lower section has the
form of a cylinder. As an alternative the whole toilet pedestal is made from porcelain.
The toilet seat is preferably made from plastic but other materials, e.g. wood, may
also be used. The user support member is preferably made from stainless steel, aluminium,
or another metal or alloy.
[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments.
Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above
embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined
by the appending claims.
1. Toilet system comprising a toilet seat horizontally arranged at a toilet pedestal,
the toilet pedestal comprising a lower section, an intermediate section and an upper
section where the toilet seat is arranged, whereby
the toilet seat is rotatable around a vertical axis in relation to the toilet pedestal
and the toilet system further comprises a user support member arranged to be in a
support position where the user support member essentially being in the same plane
as the toilet seat, wherein the user support member is attached to the toilet seat
such that they are commonly rotatable in relation to the upper section of the toilet
pedestal, characterized in that the user support member is provided with at least one fastening member attached to
a circular fastening ring horizontally arranged around said upper section.
2. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the user support member is movable between
two positions, said support position and a tilted position where the user support
arrangement is in a tilted plane in relation to the plane of the toilet seat.
3. Toilet system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user support member is essentially
in the form of a circular ring.
4. Toilet system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user support member has an essentially
U-shaped form.
5. Toilet system according to claim 3, wherein the user support member has an inner diameter
being larger than the largest extension of the toilet seat in the horizontal plan.
6. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the user support member has an essentially
circular cross-section.
7. Toilet system according to any preceding claim, wherein the user support member is
provided with two fastening members attached to said circular fastening ring horizontally
arranged around said upper section, said fastening members are arranged at respective
sides of said toilet pedestal defining a movement axis for said user support member.
8. Toilet system according to claim 2, wherein the user support member is provided with
fixating means adapted to lock the user support member in a desired angled position
in relation to the toilet pedestal.
9. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein all sections have essentially circular
horizontal cross-sectional shapes.
10. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein said toilet seat has an essentially circular
outer shape in the horizontal plane.
11. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein said lower section is arranged such that
the toilet system is to be mounted on a floor.
12. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein said lower section is arranged such that
the toilet system is to be mounted on a wall.
13. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein said user support member comprises two
support handles arranged at opposite sides of said toilet seat.
14. Toilet system according to claim 1, wherein said user support member comprises at
least three support handles arranged around said toilet seat.
1. Toilettensystem, umfassend einen Toilettensitz, der horizontal auf einer Toilettenschüssel
angeordnet ist, wobei die Toilettenschüssel einen unteren Teilabschnitt, einen zwischenliegenden
Teilabschnitt und einen oberen Teilabschnitt umfasst, wo der Toilettensitz angeordnet
ist, wobei der Toilettensitz bezüglich der Toilettenschüssel um eine vertikale Achse
drehbar ist und das Toilettensystem ferner ein Benutzerstützglied umfasst, das in
einer Stützposition angeordnet sein soll, in der sich das Benutzerstützglied im Wesentlichen
in derselben Ebene wie der Toilettensitz befindet, wobei das Benutzerstützglied derart
am Toilettensitz angebracht ist, dass sie bezüglich des oberen Teilabschnitts der
Toilettenschüssel gemeinsam drehbar sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Benutzerstützglied mit zumindest einem Befestigungsglied versehen ist, das an
einem kreisförmigen Befestigungsring angeordnet ist, welcher horizontal um den oberen
Teilabschnitt herum angeordnet ist.
2. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Benutzerstützglied zwischen zwei Positionen
beweglich ist, der Stützposition und einer gekippten Position, in der sich die Benutzerstützanordnung
bezüglich der Ebene des Toilettensitzes in einer geneigten Ebene befindet.
3. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Benutzerstützglied im Wesentlichen
in der Form eines Kreisrings ist.
4. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Benutzerstützglied eine im Wesentlichen
U-förmige Form aufweist.
5. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Benutzerstützglied einen Innendurchmesser
aufweist, der größer als die größte Erstreckung des Toilettensitzes in der horizontalen
Ebene ist.
6. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Benutzerstützglied einen im Wesentlichen
kreisförmigen Querschnitt aufweist.
7. Toilettensystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Benutzerstützglied
mit zwei Befestigungsgliedern versehen ist, die an dem kreisförmigen Befestigungsring
angebracht sind, welcher horizontal um den oberen Teilabschnitt herum angeordnet ist,
wobei die Befestigungsglieder auf jeweiligen Seiten der Toilettenschüssel angeordnet
sind und eine Bewegungsachse für das Benutzerstützglied definieren.
8. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Benutzerstützglied mit Fixiermitteln versehen
ist, die zum Sperren des Benutzerstützglieds in einer gewünschten Winkelposition bezüglich
der Toilettenschüssel geeignet sind.
9. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei alle Teilabschnitte im Wesentlichen kreisförmige
horizontale Querschnittsformen aufweisen.
10. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Toilettensitz eine im Wesentlichen kreisförmige
Außenform in der horizontalen Ebene aufweist.
11. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei der untere Teilabschnitt derart angeordnet
ist, dass das Toilettensystem auf einem Boden montierbar ist.
12. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei der untere Teilabschnitt derart angeordnet
ist, dass das Toilettensystem an einer Wand montierbar ist.
13. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Benutzerstützglied zwei Haltegriffe umfasst,
die auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Toilettensitzes angeordnet sind.
14. Toilettensystem nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Benutzerstützglied zumindest drei Haltegriffe
umfasst, die um den Toilettensitz herum angeordnet sind.
1. Système de toilettes comprenant une lunette agencée horizontalement sur une cuvette
de toilettes, la cuvette de toilettes comprenant une section inférieure, une section
intermédiaire et une section supérieure où la lunette est agencée, moyennant quoi
:
la lunette peut tourner autour d'un axe vertical par rapport à la cuvette de toilettes
et le système toilettes comprend en outre un élément de support d'utilisateur agencé
pour être dans une position de support dans laquelle l'élément de support d'utilisateur
est essentiellement dans le même plan que la lunette, dans lequel l'élément de support
d'utilisateur est fixé à la lunette de sorte qu'ils peuvent communément tourner par
rapport à la section supérieure de la cuvette de toilettes, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de support d'utilisateur est prévu avec au moins un élément de fixation
fixé à un anneau de fixation circulaire, agencé horizontalement autour de ladite section
supérieure.
2. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de support d'utilisateur
est mobile entre deux positions, ladite position de support et une position inclinée
dans laquelle l'agencement de support d'utilisateur est dans un plan incliné par rapport
au plan de la lunette.
3. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel l'élément de support
d'utilisateur se présente essentiellement sous la forme d'un anneau circulaire.
4. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel l'élément de support
d'utilisateur a une forme essentiellement en U.
5. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'élément de support d'utilisateur
A un diamètre interne supérieur à la plus grande extension de la lunette dans le plan
horizontal.
6. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de support d'utilisateur
a une section transversale essentiellement circulaire.
7. Système de toilettes selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
l'élément de support d'utilisateur est prévu avec deux éléments de fixation fixés
sur ledit anneau de fixation circulaire agencé horizontalement autour de ladite section
supérieure, lesdits éléments de fixation sont agencés sur les côtés respectifs de
ladite cuvette de toilettes définissant un axe de déplacement pour ledit élément de
support d'utilisateur.
8. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'élément de support d'utilisateur
est prévu avec des moyens de fixation adaptés pour bloquer l'élément de support d'utilisateur
dans une position orientée de manière souhaitée par rapport à la cuvette de toilettes.
9. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel toutes les sections ont
des formes transversales horizontales essentiellement circulaires.
10. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite lunette a une forme
externe essentiellement circulaire dans le plan horizontal.
11. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite section inférieure
est agencée de sorte que le système de toilettes doit être monté sur un sol.
12. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite section inférieure
est agencée de sorte que le système de toilettes doit être monté sur un mur.
13. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit élément de support
d'utilisateur comprend deux poignées de support agencées sur les côtés opposés de
ladite lunette.
14. Système de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit élément de support
d'utilisateur comprend au moins trois poignées de support agencées autour de ladite
lunette.