Height adjustable toilet platform

{
  "publication_number": "US10119262B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Height adjustable toilet platform",
  "abstract": "A platform for supporting a toilet bowl, and more preferably a height adjustable platform for supporting a toilet bowl is disclosed. The platform comprises principally of a planar base member for engaging a ground surface, a planar top member for attachment to a toilet bowl, and a plurality of support members extending between the base member and the top member, the support member being configured to support the top member at a distance from the base member and adapted to facilitate adjustment of the distance between the base member and the top member.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A platform for supporting a toilet bowl, said toilet bowl having a bottom surface, the platform comprising: a base member for engaging a ground surface; a top member, configured for attachment to said bottom surface of the toilet bowl by attachment means; and a support member, comprising an elongate rod, extending between the base member and the top member, the support member being configured to support the top member at a distance from said base member and adapted to facilitate adjustment of said distance between the top member and the base member.",
    "2. The platform of claim 1, in which said top member is movable relative to said base member.",
    "3. The platform of claim 1, in which said top member is movable relative to said base member between a first position and a second position.",
    "4. The platform of claim 3, in which said support member is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration to support said top member in said first and second positions respectively.",
    "5. The platform of claim 1, in which said base member and said top member are axially aligned, and said top member is movable relative to said base member along said axis.",
    "6. The platform of claim 1, in which said support member extends orthogonally between said base member and said top member.",
    "7. The platform of claim 1, in which said elongate rod defines externally a helical thread extending along a portion of said rod.",
    "8. The platform of claim 7, in which said base member further comprises a threaded nut configured to receive said elongate rod.",
    "9. The platform of claim 1, in which said top member defines a substantially planar plate.",
    "10. The platform of claim 1, in which said base member defines a substantially planar plate.",
    "11. The platform of claim 1, in which said base member and said top member are arranged along parallel planes.",
    "12. The platform of claim 1, comprising a plurality of said support members extending between said base member and said top member.",
    "13. The platform of claim 12, further comprising a motor apparatus operable to adjust the configuration of said support members in a way as to move said top member relative to said base member to vary the distance therebetween.",
    "14. The platform of claim 13, in which said motor apparatus comprises an electric motor.",
    "15. The platform of claim 14, in which said motor apparatus further comprises a helically threaded rod operable to transmit a torque from said electric motor to said support members to adjust the configuration of said support member in a way as to move the top member relative to the base member to vary the distance therebetween.",
    "16. The platform of claim 12, in which said plurality of support members form at least one pair of pivotally coupled support members, the pair of support members being pivotally coupled about a pivot point located between respective ends of each support member.",
    "17. The platform of claim 16, in which each of said support members of said at least one pair is hingedly connected at a first end to either of said base member or said top member, and slidably connected at a second end to either of said base member or said top member.",
    "18. The platform of claim 16, in which said a first support member of said at least one pair is hingedly connected at a first end said base member and slidably connected at a second end to said top member, and a second support member of said pair is hingedly connected at a first end to said top member, and slidably connected at a second end to said base member.",
    "19. A kit of parts for assembling a platform for supporting a toilet bowl, said toilet bowl having a bottom surface, the kit comprising: a base member for engaging a ground surface; a top member configured for attachment to said bottom surface of the toilet bowl by attachment means; and a support member, comprising an elongate rod, configured to extend between the base member and the top member, further configured to support the top member a distance from said base member and adapted to facilitate adjustment of said distance between the top member and the base member.",
    "20. The kit of parts of claim 19, in which said top member is configured to be movable relative to said base member.",
    "21. The kit of parts of claim 19, in which said top member is configured to be movable relative to said base member between a first position and a second position.",
    "22. The kit of parts of claim 21, in which said support member is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration to support said top member in said first and second positions respectively.",
    "23. A toilet, comprising a toilet bowl with a bottom surface and having a platform for supporting said toilet bowl, the toilet comprising: a base member for engaging a ground surface; a top member attached to said bottom surface of the toilet bowl by attachment means; and a support member, comprising an elongate rod, extending between the base member and the top member, the support member being configured to support the top member at a distance from said base member and adapted to facilitate adjustment of said distance between the top member and the base member.",
    "24. The toilet of claim 23, in which said top member is movable relative to said base member.",
    "25. The toilet of claim 23, in which said top member is movable relative to said base member between a first position and a second position.",
    "26. The toilet of claim 25, in which said support member is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration to support said top member in said first and second positions respectively.",
    "27. The platform of claim 1, in which said top member comprises a plurality of apertures, adapted to receive said attachment means, for attachment to the bottom surface of said toilet bowl.",
    "28. The platform of claim 27, in which said plurality of apertures define a plurality of substantially parallel elongate slots, facilitating alignment of said toilet bowl along the length of said top member.",
    "29. The platform of claim 1, in which said attachment means comprise threaded bolts.",
    "30. The kit of parts of claim 19, in which said top member is adapted to comprise a plurality of apertures, adapted to receive said attachment means, for attachment to the bottom surface of said toilet bowl.",
    "31. The kit of parts of claim 30, in which said plurality of apertures define substantially parallel elongate slots, adapted to facilitate alignment of said toilet bowl along the length of said top member.",
    "32. The toilet of claim 23, in which said top member comprises a plurality of apertures, adapted to receive said attachment means, and is attached to the bottom surface of said toilet bowl.",
    "33. The toilet of claim 32, in which said apertures define substantially parallel elongate slots, facilitating alignment of said toilet bowl along the length of said top member."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates to a platform, and in particular, a height adjustable platform suitable for supporting a toilet bowl.\n\n2. Description of the Related Art\n\nConventionally flushing toilets include a toilet bowl having an upper rim onto which is affixed a hinged top forming a seat base for a user, and a water cistern containing a reservoir of water for flushing purposes forming a seat back. The toilet bowl is typically secured to a floor surface at its base end, with its rear abutted against a wall. A soil pipe exits the rear of the toilet, which is usually routed downwardly through the wall of a building to join a mains sewer.\n\nToilet bowls tend to be universal in height, with the seat typically being in the region of fifteen inches from floor level. This standard height of the toilet bowl is selected as being the optimal height for use by a majority of users. However, this height can cause problems for certain groups of users, for example, those with physical disabilities, or elderly users with limited mobility, for whom manoeuvring from the standing to the seated position, and vice versa, can be difficult. For such users a relatively taller toilet bowl is desirable to reduce the distance by which they must lower themselves to the seated position, so that they may descend and rise from the sitting position more easily.",
  "cpc": [
    "E03D 11/125",
    "B66F 7/0608",
    "B66F 7/065",
    "E03D 11/13",
    "E03D 11/135",
    "E03D 11/143",
    "E03D 11/16"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E03D 11/00",
    "E03D 11/12",
    "E03D 11/16"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Dignity Lc Services Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Darren Michael Prior"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-11-06",
  "publication_date": "2018-11-06",
  "grant_date": "2018-11-06",
  "priority_date": "2015-11-06",
  "application_number": "US-201615344559-A",
  "family_id": "55132402",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US4091473A",
    "US4726079A",
    "JPH0372126A",
    "US5031251A",
    "US5199113A",
    "JPH06185103A",
    "US5694864A",
    "US5432957A",
    "US20070151012A1",
    "US8336130B1",
    "US20110240409A1",
    "US8196233B1",
    "US20130193392A1",
    "JP2014070431A",
    "US20150366729A1"
  ]
}