Abstract:
This is a device to easily and safely transport a toilet, which can be broken down and folded for easy storage and transport. It has very few mechanical parts and uses the existing toilet set holes to safely lift a toilet.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
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   REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
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   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Field of the Invention 
   This relates to the safe transportation of a toilet. Specifically, the device will assist an individual to move a toilet safely from a truck inside a home or business so that the toilet may be installed. The device may also be used to lift a toilet to change the wax ring, which is part of every toilet. 
   B. Prior Art 
   There are many other devices, which can transport toilets. Respresentive examples of these devices are Geuvara, U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,137 and Gwynn U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,170. 
   One of the potential drawbacks of the Gwynn device is that the toilet may actually drop because it is suspended by ropes and hoists. The Geuvara patent uses a strap mechanism, which is controlled by a crank and pulley system and is substantially different than the current mechanism. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In order to safely transport a toilet, which can be quite heavy and cumbersome, from the truck to the home or business it should be done in a safe and deliberate fashion. One of the goals in transporting a toilet is to minimize the risk of injury to the worker or installer and prevent damage to the toilet. 
   This particular device uses a frame, which allows the toilet to be elevated slightly off the ground-approximately three to four inches. A set of wheels, which are secured to the frame allow for the device to traverse all types of terrains while maintaining the position of the toilet off the ground. 
   The device can be folded and easily stored if it is not being used. Additionally the device does not use any outside machines to elevate the toilet to a safe distance above the ground. 
   The device uses a lifting member, which is joined to the toilet using the existing holes in the toilet, which are used for the toilet seat. A rod lifts the lifting member and this in turn lifts the toilet off the ground no more than three to four inches. 
   It is anticipated that the device will be made from aluminum or steel. The type of construction material would be durable yet not difficult to transport. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the device. 
       FIG. 3  is a view of the frame in the folded position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   In order to safely transport a toilet from, for instance, a truck to the bathroom it should be done safely and done without risk of injury to the worker or the toilet. Toilets usually weight at least fifty pounds and can sometimes weigh as much as one hundred pounds. 
   This device, which can be easily folded such as depicted in  FIG. 3 , consists of two sets of frame members: a lower frame member  10  and an upper frame member  32 . The lower frame member  10  and upper frame member  32  are separate pieces. When the device is stored the lower frame member  10  and the upper frame member  32  are roughly parallel to each other and are formed into the shape of a U when the item is to be stored or transported.  FIG. 3  Wheels  12  are attached to the underside of the lower frame member  10  to allow easy transport of the toilet after it has been elevated off the ground. The specific type of wheel  12  may vary depending on the terrain to be traversed. Although three wheels are shown, it may be necessary to use four wheels, which would be placed on the respective corners of the lower frame member  10 . 
   The device does not employ any outside machinery or ropes, pulleys or hoists to achieve the intended result. Instead, the device uses the existing set of holes on every toilet, which are used to install the toilet seat. Every toilet is equipped with toilet seat holes and the holes are located behind the toilet and in front of the tank  5  that holds the water.  FIG. 11   n  any standard toilet there are two toilet seat holes. 
   The two toilet seat bolts  20  are inserted through corresponding holes in a lifting member  25  and inserted through the toilet seat holes on the toilet. FIG.  1 , 2 , 3  Each toilet seat bolt  20  has a first end and a second end. Each of the toilet seat bolts  20  is inserted through a hole in the lifting member  25  provided for that purpose. There are two through holes on the lifting member  25  on opposite ends of the lifting member  25  for that purpose. FIG.  1 , 3   
   The toilet seat bolt  20  will be secured to the lifting  1  member  25  and the respective toilet seat hole. An example of a means to secure the toilet seat bolt is a wing nut  18  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Other means to secure the toilet seat bolt may include a cotter pin assembly, snap hook assembly or similar device. The means to secure the toilet seat bolts  20  will be used to secure the toilet in place when this device is used. The wing nut  18  is placed on one end of the toilet seat bolts  20  on the underside of the toilet seat hole and secured to the toilet seat bolt  20 . 
   A lifting member  25  is provided to lift the toilet off the ground. The lifting member  25  has a lifting bolt  16  inserted through the middle of it and the two toilet seat bolts  20  are inserted through holes on opposite ends of the lifting member  25 . A hole in the upper frame member  32  allows the lifting member  25  to be secured to the device. The lifting bolt  16  has a first end and a second end. On the first end is a means to turn  19  the lifting bolt; the lifting bolt is allowed to rotate once it is installed. On the second end is a means to secure the lifting bolt  16  to the lifting member  25 ; this means to secure may be a lock nut  22  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Other means to secure may include a wing nut or cotter pin. 
   Additionally the lifting bolt is threaded so that a means can be provided to secure the lifting bolt  16  in place once the device is installed; this means to secure the lifting bolt  16  is provided so that when the lifting bolt  16  is turned it will lift the lifting member  25  and prevent the lifting bolt  16  from merely rotating in place. Because the lifting bolt is threaded, the placement of a bolt in a predetermined part of the lifting bolt on the top side of the upper frame member  32  would accomplish that purpose.  FIG. 1   
   A lock nut  22  is provided on one end of the lifting bolt  16  to secure the lifting bolt  16  to the lifting member  25 . FIG.  1 , 2 , 3  When the lifting bolt  16  is turned in a certain direction it raises the lifting member  25 , which in turn will lift the toilet off the ground by the toilet seat bolts  20 . When the lifting bolt  16  is rotated in the opposite direction, the toilet is lowered. It is anticipated that the means to turn the lifting bolt  16  could be accomplished with a power drill and a socket. An alternative means to turn the lifting bolt  16  may also include a handle. 
   The frame  10  consists of two sets of tubular members, which form the general shape of a U on the bottom when stored. The upper frame member  32  is connected to the lower frame member  10  by an attachment bracket  27 . The attachment bracket  27  connects the lower frame member  10  to the upper frame member  32 . The upper frame member  32  can be rotated so that it is roughly perpendicular to the lower frame member  10  prior to use. It is secured by inserting a means to secure  14  the upper frame member  32  by a through hole  24  in the approximate middle of the attachment bracket  27 . The attachment bracket  27  is secured to both the upper and lower frame members. FIG.  1 , 2 , 3  Examples of the means to secure  14  the upper frame member  32  include a nut and bolt or bolt with wing nut as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
   When the toilet is lifted it is inserted in the space, which is formed when the top frame member  32  is secured in a roughly perpendicular position relative to the lower frame member  10 . It is anticipated that the device will be constructed from aluminum or steel in order to safely lift a toilet that may weigh as much as one hundred pounds but yet be light enough to be transported easily. 
   Wheels  12  are provided on the underside of the bottom frame member  10  to allow for easy transport across all terrains. Although three wheels are shown, four wheels may also be used. The specific type of wheel to be used may depend on the terrain. 
   In operation the upper frame member  32  is placed roughly perpendicular to the lower frame member  10  and secured with the attachment bracket  27  and the means to secure  14 . The toilet seat bolts  20  are then inserted through the appropriate holes in the lifting member  25  and through the toilet seat holes, which are provided on every toilet, and secured to the toilet using the means to secure the toilet seat bolts  18 . The lifting bolt  16  is placed through the upper frame member  25  and secured to the lifting member  22 . In normal operation there is no reason to remove the lifting bolt  16 , lifting member  25  and toilet seat bolts  20  from the device. An electric drill or cordless drill with the appropriate socket is placed over the means to turn  19  the lifting bolt  16 . As the drill rotates the first end of the lifting bolt  16 , the toilet will move in a generally vertical fashion. The toilet is lowered or raised by simply reversing the direction of the drill.