Abstract:
A brace for a wall-mounted toilet, particularly useful for wall-mounted porcelain toilets in hospitals and other health care facilities. The brace includes a weight receiving structure supported by cantilevered struts that attach the brace to the wall, preferably using the same bolts that attach the toilet to the wall. The weight receiving structure may be a seat portion that overlies the rim of the toilet bowl, so that the weight of the user is transmitted from the toilet seat to the seat structure and then to the walls through the struts. Alternately, the weight receiving structure may include an under-bowl support that extends underneath the toilet bowl so that the user&#39;s weight is transmitted from the bowl to the wall through the struts. Thus, the cantilevered brace increases the weight-bearing capacity of the wall-mounted toilet. A plastic shroud may be included for enclosing the brace and toilet bowl.

Description:
This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/354,150, entitled “Cantilevered Brace Assembly For Wall-Mounted Toilet,” filed Jan. 15, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to wall-mounted toilets generally and, in particular but without limitation, to wall-mounted porcelain toilets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wall-mounted porcelain toilets are commonly used in hospitals and other health care settings. Porcelain is preferred because it is relatively inexpensive and unreactive to most cleaning compounds. The off-the-floor mounting allows easy cleaning of the floor around and under the toilet. However, these toilets are not well-suited to very heavy and obese patients; the wall-mount configuration is weaker and porcelain is more likely to break under excess weight than stainless steel. 
     Thus, there is a need for a support structure for wall-mounted porcelain toilets that will allow such toilets to support heavier patients. There is also a need for a support frame that does not interfere with cleaning the floor under the toilet. Still further, there is a need for a support frame that can be retro-fitted easily on to existing toilets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a toilet equipped with a cantilevered support in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the support assembly includes a shroud that underlies the toilet seat. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a toilet equipped with a cantilevered support in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, in which the shroud is flush with the toilet seat. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the support assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the support assembly of  FIG. 1  with the shroud removed showing how the top of the frame overlies the edge of the toilet bowl under the toilet seat. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the frame of the assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of the support assembly in which the frame comprises a cross bar under the forward end of the toilet bowl. 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the support assembly of  FIG. 6  with the shroud removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the frame of the assembly of  FIG. 6  apart from the toilet. 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the support assembly comprising a frame that includes a flexible, adjustable cross strap underneath the toilet bowl in addition to the under-bowl cross bar. 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13A  shows a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention wherein the frame includes a second flexible, adjustable cross strap at the front end of the toilet bowl instead of the rigid cross bar. 
         FIG. 13B  shows a top perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 13A  apart from the toilet. 
         FIG. 14A  shows a front elevational view of the toilet and frame of  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 14B  shows a front elevational view of the frame of  FIG. 13A  apart from the toilet. 
         FIG. 15A  shows a side elevational view of the toilet and frame of  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 15B  shows a side elevational view of the frame of  FIG. 13A  apart from the toilet. 
         FIG. 16A  shows a plan view of the toilet and frame of  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 16B  shows a plan view of the frame of  FIG. 13A  apart from the toilet. 
         FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of a strap connector or “tie down” assembly. 
         FIG. 18  shows an exploded perspective view of the strap connector assembly of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings in general and to  FIG. 1  in particular, there is shown therein a wall-mounted toilet equipped with a cantilevered brace assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention forming a toilet assembly designated generally by the reference numeral  10 . The toilet  12  shown in the drawings is a conventional wall-mounted porcelain toilet that is commonly used in hospitals and other medical facilities. 
     Typically, the toilet  12  comprises a bowl  14  defining an access opening  16  surrounded by a rim  18  ( FIG. 4 ). A pivotally-mounted seat  20  is usually attached by bolts (not shown) that are attached to the rear of the bowl  14  using the holes  22  ( FIG. 4 ). In a common configuration, the back of the bowl  14  is provided with mounting flanges  28  and  30  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 6 ) on each of its first and second sides  32  and  34 , and the mounting flanges include bolt holes (not shown) by which the toilet  12  is mounted to the wall (not shown) by a plurality of bolts designated collectively at  36  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the brace assembly  10  comprises a brace  40  and a shroud  42 . Preferably, the shroud  42  is integrally formed, such as by molding, of plastic or some other suitable composition. The shroud  42  is shaped to enclose the top portion of the toilet bowl  14  and the brace  40  installed on it. Of course, the shroud  42  has an opening  44  at least coextensive with the access opening  16  of the bowl  14 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the shroud  42  has an upper surface  48 , and the opening  44  is in this upper surface. The shroud  42  is dimensioned so that the portion of the upper surface  48  immediately surrounding the opening  44  underlies the toilet seat  20  when the brace  40  is installed on the toilet  12  as shown. 
       FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment of the brace assembly designated at  10 A. In this embodiment, the brace  40  is the same as in the first embodiment, but the shroud  42 A is modified. Specifically, the shroud  42 A is dimensioned so that the opening  44 A in the upper surface  48 A immediately surrounds the toilet seat  20  so that the upper surface is about flush with the toilet seat. 
     Now it will be appreciated that, in addition to the aesthetic purpose of hiding the brace, the shroud  42  and  42 A also serves to widen the effective seating area of the toilet  12 . This provides enhanced comfort to the larger or obese user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the first preferred embodiment of the brace  40  will be described in more detail. The brace  40  comprises first and second wall-mounting plates  50  and  52 . The first wall-mounting plate  50  is adapted to be mounted to the wall adjacent the first side  32  of the toilet bowl  14 . Similarly, the second wall-mounting plate  52  is adapted to be mounted to the wall adjacent the second side  34  of the toilet bowl  14 . Most preferably, the plates  50  and  52  are provided with bolt holes designated collectively at  56  ( FIG. 5 ) positioned to be aligned with the bolt holes in the mounting flanges  28  and  30  of the toilet  12 . In this way, the brace  40  can be attached to the wall by aligning the holes  56  in the plates  50  and  52  with the holes in the mounting flanges  28  and  30  of the toilet  12  and using the toilet bolts  36  to mount the aligned plates and flanges to the wall. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 3-5 , the brace  40  further comprises first and second cantilevered struts  60  and  62 . The strut  60  has first and second ends  64  and  66 , and the strut  62  has first and second ends  68  and  70 . The first ends  64  and  68  extend from the wall-mounting plates  50  and  52 , respectively. In the embodiment, the struts  60  and  62  are irregularly-shaped, parallel, spaced-apart trapezoidal panels, but the configuration of these panels may vary. 
     The second ends  66  and  70  of the struts  60  and  62  are adapted to receive weight from a user seated on the toilet  12  and to transmit this weight through the struts into the wall. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 , the brace  40  comprises a seat structure  76  supported on the struts  60  and  62 . The preferred shape of the seat structure  76  is generally U-shaped having a center portion  78  and a pair of opposing arms  80  and  82 . See  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 . The seat structure  76  is dimensioned so that center portion  78  extends across the top rear of the toilet bowl  14  and so that the arms  80  and  82  extend forwardly from the center portion over and around the rim  18  of the bowl  14 , as best seen in  FIG. 4 . As shown herein, the arms  80  and  82  have free ends that are spaced apart and positioned at the center front of the bowl  14 . It will be understood that the arms could be shorter or longer and could join in the front to form a complete circle or oval. 
     When the brace  40  is installed on the toilet  12 , the seat structure  76  is positioned slightly above the rim of the bowl  14  and the toilet seat  20  rests on top of the seat structure. Thus, the user&#39;s weight will be transferred from the seat  20  to the seat structure  76  of the brace  40 , through the struts  60  and  62  and to the wall (not shown). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 6-8 , another embodiment of the brace will be described. The brace  40 A comprises similar wall-mounting plates  50  and  52  with bolt holes  56 , as described above relating to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 . 
     The first and second cantilevered struts  60 A and  62 A are elongate bars. The strut  60 A has first and second ends  64 A and  66 A, and the strut  62 A has first and second ends  68 A and  70 A. The first ends  64 A and  68 A extend from the wall-mounting plates  50  and  52 , respectively. 
     In place of the seat structure  76  in the preceding embodiment, the brace  40 A includes an under-bowl support structure designated generally at  90 . The under-bowl support structure  90  in this embodiment comprises a flat, rigid cross bar  92 . The brace  40 A is configured so that, when the brace is installed on the toilet  12 , the cross bar  92  extends between the struts  60 A and  62 A underneath the toilet bowl  14  and most preferably the forward end of the toilet bowl. Thus, the user&#39;s weight will be transferred from the seat  20  to the bowl  14  of the toilet  12 , and then to the bowl support structure  90  of the brace  40 A, through the struts  60 A and  62 A and to the wall. 
     Either embodiment of the brace—the brace  40  with the seat structure  76  or the brace  40 A with the under-bowl support structure  90 —preferably is formed out of some sturdy and economical material, such as steel. Stainless steel may be used, but is not necessary. In most instances, the brace will be integrally formed of sheet steel, stainless steel, aluminum, reinforced plastic, fiberglass, and virtually any material providing the desired structural strength. 
     Although in one of the preferred embodiments, the brace is unitary, that is, formed of a single piece of metal or other material, other possible constructions will be immediately apparent. For example, the brace with a seat structure could comprise two separate side structures, each having a wall mounting plate, a strut and a partial seat structure. Still further, the seat structure and struts could be one unitary member that attach to two separate wall mounting plates. Similarly, the brace with the under-bowl support could be made as one unitary member comprising the two struts and the bowl support member attachable to separate wall mounting plates. 
     Yet another embodiment of the brace is shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , to which attention now is directed. In this embodiment, the brace  40 B comprises similar wall-mounting plates  50  and  52  with bolt holes  56  ( FIG. 10 ), as described above relating to the embodiment of  FIGS. 6-8 . The first and second cantilevered struts  60 B and  62 B are elongate bars. 
     In addition to the cross bar  92 , the under-bowl support structure  90  further comprises a flexible, adjustable cross-strap  94  extending transversely between the struts  60 B and  62 B positioned rearward of the cross bar  92  and between the cross bar and mounting plates  50  and  52 . For example, it may be positioned to support the toilet  12  near the rear of the bowl  14  or under the toilet between the wall and the rear of the bowl, as best seen in  FIG. 11 . 
     Preferably, the cross strap  94  is made of sturdy, woven, non-absorbent, synthetic material that is resistant to water and chemical damage and that is also flexible enough to conform to the bottom contour of the toilet bowl  14 , which may vary depending on the brand, size and style of the toilet. This provides additional under-bowl support for the toilet and allows less movement between the toilet and the frame, especially under extreme weights. 
     In yet another embodiment of the brace shown in  FIGS. 13A to 16B  and designated as  40 C, the under-bowl support structure  90  comprises a second cross strap  96  in place of the cross bar  92  and in addition to the first cross strap  94 . Like the strap  94 , the strap  96  is flexible and adjustable so that it can be tensioned to conform to the shape of the underside of the toilet bowl  14 . A strut support bar  98  may be included near the forward (second) ends  66 C and  70 C of the struts  60 C and  62 C to maintain the proper position of the struts during weight bearing. 
     Adjustability of the straps  94  and  96  may be provided in any suitable way, only one preferred way being illustrated and described herein. In the braces  40 B and  40 C, the straps  94  and  96  are slidably attached to the struts  60 B,  60 C and  62 B,  62 C, by running the straps through pairs of slots in the struts, the slot pairs being designated collectively as  100  in  FIGS. 9-16B . Each of the straps  94  and  96  is formed into an endless ring—one end connected to the other—by means of a strap connector, such as the connector  104  shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . 
     The connector  104  may be fixed by welding or the like to the inside of one of the struts  60 C and  62 C, as shown best in  FIGS. 13B and 16B . The connector  104  may take many forms. In one suitable embodiment, the connector  104  comprises a bolt  106  with a head  108  and a threaded end  110 . A nut  112  is receivable on the threaded end  110 . The bolt  106  includes an elongate shaft  116  with a longitudinal slot  118  sized to receive the ends of the straps  96  and  98 . 
     The connector  104  further comprises a bolt receiver  120  that may be U-shaped having ends  122  and  124  extending from a back  126 . Bolt support holes  128  and  130  in the ends  122  and  124  of the receiver  120  rotatably support the bolt  106  so that the head  108  is on one side of the receiver  120  and the nut  112  is on the other. 
     With the ends (not shown) of the straps  94  and  96  in the slot  118 , the slack in the strap is gradually taken up by slowly rotating the bolt head  108  until the strap has the desired tension. Once the desired tension is achieved in the straps  94  and  96 , the bolt  106  is locked into position. 
     In the preferred structure, the lock is formed by making the head  108  polygonal, such as hexagonal, and providing a countersunk recess  132  around one of the bolt support holes  128  shaped to non-rotatingly receive the bolt head. Thus, once the desired tension is achieved by rotating the bolt  106 , the bolt head  108  is pushed sideways into the recess  132 , and the nut  112  is tightened to secure the position of the bolt  106  in the receiver  120 . 
     Now it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple and economical solution to the weight limitations of conventional wall-mounted porcelain toilets. The brace is simply constructed of steel or other suitable material and can be bolted to the wall using the same bolts as are used to mount standard toilets. The brace may include flexible, adjustable under-bowl straps that are conformable to any bowl contour, regardless of brand, size or style of the toilet, and will prevent undue movement between the frame and the toilet bowl. The shroud encloses the braced toilet bowl making the assembly more pleasing in appearance. Additionally, the upper surface of the shroud provides more comfortable seating. 
     The embodiments shown and described above are exemplary. Many details are often found in the art and, therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described herein. It is not claimed that all of the details, parts, elements, or steps described and shown were invented herein. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present inventions have been described in the drawings and accompanying text, the description is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the inventions to the full extent indicated by the broad meaning of the terms of the attached claims. The description and drawings of the specific embodiments herein do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be, but rather provide an example of how to use and make the invention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims.