GB2490135A - Squat toilet with integral footrests - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dual style toilet which is comfortable, esthetically pleasing and easy to use. The toilet comprises a raised toilet bowl 2 with a horizontal base 3 and a bowl rim 6 which provides an area for a seat 5 inclined from the horizontal and flanked by integrally formed footrests which allows the user to assume a squatting position when using the toilet. The footrests may be non-slip and suspended or cantilevered at least in part from the toilet bowl..

Description

A TOILET

Field_of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toilet, more particularly a multicultural toilet.

Background

Increasing focus on good bowel movements has lead to a consideration of defecation. In particular haemorrhoids are an uncomfortable and avoidable problem for many, where they are sometimes painful, and often accompanied by swelling and irritation. A squatting position when performing a bowel movement may be beneficial in avoiding this problem.

Eastern or Asiatic countries in particular are accustomed to squatting on toilets when voiding their bowels.

As a result of global population movement and increasing cosmopolitanism a larger number of cultures, backgrounds and nationalities cohabit in many of the same countries.

For example many former inhabitants of Asiatic or Arabic countiles may call European or Northern countries home, as they choose to live there for social and economic reasons.

This can create trouble for both newcomers and well established communities due to different cultural customs. One area that can flare up is bathroom habits.

In many European countries, with some exceptions, this style of toilet is not available or known however squat toilets are still used by the majority of the world's population.

Prior Art

Accordingly previous attempts at resolving this problem have included the following patent applications: International patent application WO 2010 30 242 (CHERN) discloses a water closet comprising: a substantially elongated toilet bowl, the toilet bowl comprising a pan section disposed at a first end and a siphoning section disposed at the opposing end for siphoning waste out of the toilet bowl; and a pressurised cistern for storing flush water for releasing into the siphoning section; wherein the pressurised cistern is disposed in a space substantially below the pan section and adjacent to the siphoning section.

International patent application WO 2009 070 846 (RANE) discloses an apparatus for assisting a person in assumption of a squat position for evacuations when using a toilet, the apparatus including a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, the platform having at least one height adjustment means associated therewith, ground engaging members not fixed to or into the ground surface and an opening therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl.

Japanese patent appiication JP 2006 289 035 (SEKI) provides a toilet bowl which solves a problem of a western style toilet bowl that it is difficult to use for Japanese accustomed to a Japanese style toilet bowl and a problem of a Japanese style toilet bowl that the legs get tired by using a Japanese style toilet bowl for a long time.

SOLUTION: A step is attached in front of a toilet seat of a conventional western style toilet bowl to put legs on like a Japanese style toilet bowl. A user puts the buttocks on the toilet seat like a conventional western style toilet bowl and the legs on the step for having a body position for a Japanese style toilet bowl. By this, drawbacks of both a Japanese style toilet bawl and a western style toilet bowl can be overcome.

International patent application WO 2005 040 512 (LOUTRIOTIS) discloses a new lavatory pan which is composed by the toilet seat's body and the folding ring (lid), is characterised by the following: the seat's body, which is of low height, is uniform and includes at the upper part of it an edge (rim), that is formed according to European type toilet seats. This edge enlarges upon two isometric pads at the front of the seat.

This enlargement is at the same level with the edge. The new lavatory pan also includes a siphon inside the toilet seat and a folding ring (lid), which is supported at the upper rear part of the seat. The ring is isometrically level and applies in a uniform way all over the seat's edge (rim), even at the point where the edge (rim) enlarges creating the two anti-skid pads. Identical pads to those of the seat's edge are impressed at the lower surface of the lid (reverse pads) so that the lid applies exactly on the edge's pads. Lid's upper surface, where the user sits, is level and smooth. The height of the lid ranges from 2 to 15 cm.

Granted United States patent US 6 256 800 (lSBlT) discloses a toilet accessory for allowing a user to squat over an existing toilet having a toilet bowl, the accessory comprising: a rigid platform for supporting the user in a squat position over the toilet bowl, the platform having a plurality of corners and a hole therethrough for allowing waste from the user to be deposited into the toilet bowl; anda collapsible frame supporting the rigid platform in a position inclined from front to back, the frame being sized to fit around the existing toilet bowl, the frame having four U-shaped members forming eight legs, the legs of one U-shaped member being hinged to the legs of adjacent U-shaped members such that, when the frame is unfolded from a collapsed storage position to a use position around the toilet bowl, each corner of the rigid platform is underlain and supported by two hinged legs.

International patent application WO 9 904 679 (CASTILLO) discloses a perfected, applicable support of feet in toilets, of the destined one to being used like nexuses of support of the feet of a user, so that their legs when seated remaining on the small board of a toilet, is flexible and simultaneously this flection generates a pressure on the heavy intestine of the user, facilitating the evacuation, wherein the support of feet perfected, is constituted from the fixation on the positioned surface of the ground and adjacent to the lateral ones of a toilet, two guides and, on who they slide towards the previous and later zone of the toilet, two pieces and, that can adopt any configuration that is considered opportune, presenting/displaying in the zone superior of the same and by means of pertinent the hinged one which it facilitates his mobilization, two pieces, whose surface superior this equipped with a non-skid configuration, as it can be knurled or similar.

Granted European patent ER 0 864 288 (SAMPER) discloses a lavatory having an incorporated platform for placing a person's feet with height adjustment and blocking, of those constituted like a conventional lavatory, presenting longitudinal slots at the vertical lower portion thereof, characterized in that, on the longitudinal slots, or in their internal zone, guides have been provided, preferably made of steel, and adopting a "U" shape, these steel guides presenting, at an extremity a support sliding inside -the guides, and having a platform or bowl at the other extremity.

European patent application EP 0 750 875 (PUCCIANI) discloses a toilet arrangement comprising: a toilet bowl means having an essentially oval upper opening with a longitudinal axis, a seat means located in the region of said oval upper opening, said seat means having a front end portion and an opposite rear end portion, two elongate footrest areas each having an upper surface, arranged in a spaced apart relationship and extending essentially from the front of said bowl means; said upper surfaces of said elongate footrest areas being positionable not more than 20 cm below the front edge of said toilet seat means; the longitudinal axis of each of said footrest areas enclosing an angle of between 10 (degree) and 35 (degree) with said longitudinal axis of said oval upper opening; and said toilet seat means being continually inclined from said rear end portion to said front end portion such as to slope downwards from the rear to the front of said oval opening of said toilet bowl; said toilet arrangement thereby enabling a user to take a natural, squatting sitting posture in which the angle between the thighs and the torso is between 20 (degree) and 50 (degree) during defecation.

European patent application EP 0 413 063 (FLOWERS) discloses a toilet bowl having an upper rim and foot rest means for supporting a person's feet above floor level, the upper rim being such that it slopes rearwardly from a front portion of the rim at a downward angle of from 60-89 DEG. to the vertical, the rim being such that it includes a support portion for providing a lower lumber support for persons sifting on the toilet bowl, and the toilet bowl being such that the upper rim and the foot rest means combine in use of the toilet bowl to enable persons to sit on the toilet bowl and be supported in a full squat position United Kingdom patent application GB 829 981 (MENGHI) discloses a structure adapted to be associated with conventional W.C. pans for enabling the human body to assume, while remaining seated, a position close to the natural position in the function of evacuating the bowels, characterised by at least one pair of interconnected footrests located in an antero-lateral position with respect to the pan and at a height intermediate between the upper part of the pan and the subjacent floor.

In contrast the present invention provides a dual style toilet which is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing and conventional, being easy to use for persons habituated to either style of toilet. Furthermore it requires no addition, no moving parts, and no special manufacture process. It is likely to be more socially acceptable and can be easily fitted into all existing bathrooms.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a toilet having a raised toilet bowl in use having a base that defines a horizontal plane whose rim provides an area for a seat inclined from the horizontal plane, flanked by integrally formed wings.

Ideally these wings flank the toilet bowl and protrude beyond the bowl's front to its sides, such that the wings define a central open space in front of the bowl from where a male user may comfortably urinate.

Preferably the wings are also inclined from the horizontal plane.

Preferably these wings form steps for a user to squat on.

Preferably these wings are provided with grip or non-slip portions, such that a seated user's feet will not slip when the user leans their weight upon the wings. These portions may be 10mm round studs, rising 3mm high from the step or wing.

These non grip portions are typically texture or studding, such as formed in the body material of the toilet. In the alternative or in addition coatings or stick-on parts may be included such as rubber matting.

Ideally these wings are integrally moulded or cast at toilet manufacture, such as when the vitreous china is formed into shape before firing. This ensures and allows a design-led, seamless, easy to clean and attractive whole that will easily sit in any bathroom without looking out of place or drawing attention.

Furthermore the unitary character of the toilet means there is diminished likelihood of safety concerns, such as for heavier users.

Further embodiments may include parts that are foldable or displaceable such as for instance being hinged.

Typically the toilet provides a means to fix a seat, wherein said seat will surround the rim, such that a user may be seated on the seat, or a male user may displace the seat. Accordingly the seat is a universal fit, to allow for many varieties of seats to be attached. Further embodiments may have electrically replacing disposable seat areas.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figures 2 show a front and rear view of the preferred embodiment; And Figures 3 show views of the embodiment from above and below.

Detailed Description of Figures

The invention as pictured provides a conventional Western toilet with an integrated squatting capability whereby said squatting capability allows a user to place their feet on wings forming steps 1, thereby lifting their knees above their waist height.

Both the toilet pan 2 and the steps 1 are angled forwards to enhance the user's squat position and ensure a comfortable toilet experience. The toilet pan's wings extend from the base 3 to provide the steps 1 and between them provide an indent 4 which allows the user to get close to the toilet whilst sifting and use as a conventional toilet.

Typically the seat 5 incline angle should be in the range of 5° to 15°. This angle will enhance the squat position but will not interfere with or discourage those who wish to use the toilet in the conventional manner.

Typically the step 1 incline angle should be in the range of 5° to 10°. This will ensure that the user's ankles or tendons are comfortable whilst in the squat position. The height difference of the step 1 with reference to the seat area 5 or rim 6 is envisaged to be approximately 15cm, so as to prevent a typical user needing to touch the rim 6 when using the toilet for squatting if the seat is up, or in order that the buttocks may rest comfortably on the seat if it is down.

In use the male user will lift the toilet seat 5 to reveal the rim 6 and toilet pan 2, so that males can urinate whilst standing as with regular toilets.

In order to permit this in a completely natural way the male's feet should be placed below the steps 1 and accordingly here is a cut-out 4 in the toilet's body 3 to allow the user to get naturally close enough to the toilet to prevent spillage and discomfort.

Furthermore there the wings 1 (and/or base 3) are inclined, indented or stepped to provide a cut-out or indentation 8 which inclines away from the user, such that the steps 1 are suspended and the user's feet may comfortably fit below the bowl 2 and the user can get closer to the pan 2.

Both males and females can use the toilet in the conventional sitting position.

The squat position is formed by the user first sitting on the seat 5 and then lifting their legs, placing their feet on the corresponding steps 1. This lifts the height of their knees above their waistline allowing for a more comfortable experience.

A u-section or arcuate section 4 in the front of the toilet pan 2 allows feet to be kept close together due to the curved front.

In some embodiments it may be envisaged that the pan may be longer and/or wider than pictured, in order that the user may spread their legs comfortably when using the toilet in a sitting position. In such embodiments the steps 1 may ideally project no further than the front of the pan 2 by 100mm Alternatively or in addition the toilet pan shape is that of a lozenge, being indented to allow comfortable squatting with the user's feet on steps placed more to the toilet pan sides, leaving the zone in front of the pan free for a sitting user's feet and legs.

The pictured embodiment has an integral cistern 7 and is fixed to the floor in use.

Further embodiments may include concealed cisterns and wall-hung pans. All embodiments are envisaged to fit to existing pipework.

Claims (6)

1. Claims 1. A toilet having a raised toilet bowl in use having a base that defines a horizontal plane, whose rim provides an area for a seat inclined from the horizontal plane, flanked by integrally formed wings.
2. 2. A toilet according to claim 1 with a seat inclined between 5° and 15° from horizontal.
3. 3. A toilet according to claims I or 2 wherein the wings provide non-slip steps.
4. 4. A toilet according to claim 3 wherein the steps are inclined between 5° to 10° from horizontal.
5. 5. A toilet according to any of claims 3 or 4 wherein the steps are 50 to 80 per cent from the floor of the height of the seat from the floor when in use.
6. 6. A toilet according to any preceding claim wherein the wings are suspended or cantilevered at least in part.