Patent Publication Number: US-10307025-B1

Title: Toilet structure for male urination comprising user support

Description:
FIELD 
     The present subject matter relates to a toilet structure providing for positioning of a male to facilitate interaction of a urine stream with the toilet structure to reduce forces which direct urine outside of the toilet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During micturition, more commonly referred to as the act of emptying the bladder, a male standing over a conventional toilet bowl with the seat up projects a urine stream exiting from his penis through an opening called the urethral meatus. If properly aimed, the urine follows a trajectory into a reservoir of water in the toilet bowl. When the toilet is flushed, the reservoir flows into a drain pipe taking the urine with it. 
     However, it is extremely common for some urine to fall outside the toilet bowl or splash from the toilet bowl to a surrounding area. It may land on the toilet bowl rim, on a floor or rug near the toilet bowl, on walls or in any of a number of other places. There are many additional mechanisms which produce urine deposits on walls, floors, or rugs. The reaction of women to men&#39;s urine deposits is an iconic part of American culture. Having to address this problem with a man is a source of great angst for virtually all women. As further explained below, in Europe urinating while standing is a significant social problem. 
     Primary modes of urine deposit outside the toilet bowl include dripping from the urethral meatus and splashing from the toilet reservoir. Likelihood of splashing is a function of the level of water in the toilet bowl reservoir. The normal level is determined by the height of the weir in a toilet trap way through which water exits. If there is an obstruction in the exit path of the water, the height of water in the reservoir will rise. Toilet flushing tends to clear minor obstructions. When users do not flush or when an automatic toilet fails to flush repeatedly, build ups of obstructions can result, raising the water level of the reservoir. There are many other causes of urine deposits. One is simple inattention by a male. Another cause is meatal stenosis, a pathological narrowing of the urethral opening which can have a number of medical causes. Deflection of a urine stream can also be a function of the amount of urine to be voided. A stream with low pressure behind it is more likely to deflect than a stream at high pressure. The urine stream can be related to many medical conditions and is often used for diagnosis. 
     A Victory for the Right to Pee Standing Up, The Atlantic, January 2015, accessed at https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/01/a-victory-for-the-right-to-pee-standing-up/384754/, chronicled a civil suit in Duesseldorf, Germany for refund of a security deposit to a tenant who stood over his toilet bowl during his lease. It is significant that the judge referred to urinating while standing up as a fading social phenomenon. There is a societal debate as to whether men should sit down when urinating. Stehpinklers, men who stand up to urinate, are pitted against Sitzpinklers, men who sit down. Sitzpinkler is used by some as a synonym for “wimp,” A device on the market in Germany includes a detector which detects lifting of a toilet seat by a Stehpinkler. The detector triggers an audio device that scolds the Stehpinkler for lifting the toilet seat. Millions of such devices have been sold in German supermarkets. 
     Stehpinklers may be discouraged from sitting while urinating since this is an activity performed by females. It would be highly desirable to provide an alternative by which Stehpinklers may cease standing while urinating and yet not engage in an activity that is also performed by females. 
     Strategies may be used to reduce creation of urine deposits. A study by a team of physicists at Brigham Young University studying the physics properties of urine splash-back in a urinal-like environment is reported at https://phys.org/news/2013-11-university-physicists-urine-splash-back-tactics.html. The study discerned the fluid dynamics involved in male micturition with the objective of determining an approach for minimizing splash-back. A water tank and nozzles were set up to simulate the natural flow of human urine as it exits the urethral meatus. Both standing and sitting positions were simulated. 
     The Brigham Young researchers found that one cause of urine deposits is that a falling stream of fluid breaks up into smaller packets. The researchers determined that this breakup is due to the Plateau-Rayleigh instability. The driving force of the Plateau-Rayleigh instability is that liquids, by virtue of their surface tensions, tend to minimize their surface area. In 1873, Joseph Plateau found experimentally that a vertically falling stream of water will break up into drops if its wavelength is greater than about 3.13 to 3.18 times its diameter Later, Lord Rayleigh showed theoretically that a vertically falling column of non-viscous liquid with a circular cross section should break up into drops if its wavelength exceeded its circumference. Each drop may cause splash-back. One result of this research is the determination that less splash-back and exit of drops from a toilet bowl may be achieved by directing the urine stream to hit the back of a toilet surface at a downward angle. 
     The prior art includes many schemes to address urine deposits. 
     Japanese published patent application JP2017080041A discloses a device to reduce the amount of urine landing on a floor when a man urinates in a standing position. Flaps fold out from a toilet bowl to cover areas immediately adjacent a toilet bowl. The protected area is limited. The flaps must be washed after use. Dribbling is not prevented. An alternative to standing is not provided. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,454 discloses a toilet training device having a target sensor placed in a toilet bowl in a position to intercept a desired trajectory of a urine stream. When the sensor detects the impact of urine, a switch is closed to actuate a music box for providing feedback as to the position of the urine stream. This device causes a male to pay attention and also helps a male child to learn where to aim. However, causes other than inattention are not addressed. 
     Japanese published patent application JP2009131612A discloses a base placed at a toilet bowl for allowing a man to put his knees on the upper end surface and to urinate in a kneeling posture. This device interferes with other uses of the toilet bowl and must be moved to allow normal usage. The device does not provide for the utmost stability of the user&#39;s position. The urethral meatus is positioned at a side of the toilet bowl and cannot be placed over the reservoir. This arrangement is still subject to effects of dribbling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,298 discloses a stand that is separate from a toilet bowl and has a pad on which a single knee may be supported. Since only a single knee is supported, the user cannot be supported in a stable condition. The device must be moved to a side of the toilet bowl and must be repositioned with each use. Because the device must be repositioned for each use, the position of the user is not repeatable. Therefore, the user cannot develop a muscle memory to achieve the same result with each use. This arrangement is still subject to effects of dribbling. 
     SUMMARY 
     Briefly stated, in accordance with the present subject matter, a structure is provided in which a kneeling aid interacts with a toilet bowl to allow a male to place the urethral meatus beyond an edge of the toilet bowl and over the reservoir and to support his legs in a stable, repeatable position. Support arms extend radially outwardly from opposite sides of the toilet bowl. The support arms each provide a rest for a knee and adjacent portion of a shin. In one form angular displacement of the support arm is adjustable. The support arms may be tilted to better conform to the angular displacement of a shin while a user is kneeling. This construction minimizes dripping of urine outside of the toilet bowl and minimizes urine deposits due to splash back. 
     The support arms may be unitary with the toilet bowl. Alternatively, the support arms may be releasably secured to the toilet bowl. In a further alternative, the support arms are releasably secured or permanently secured to a toilet seat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present subject matter may be further understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view at an angle and vertically above an apparatus according to the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view from a position 90° displaced from that in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view from a front and vertically above an apparatus and according to the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view from a rear and vertically above an apparatus and according to the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side elevation of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation of a user interacting with a prior art toilet bowl; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation of a user interacting with a toilet bowl according to the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a urine stream originating from a standing male entering a reservoir in the toilet bowl; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of a urine stream hitting a vertical surface; 
         FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12  are each a view of support arms in alternate embodiments; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an exemplary support arm; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation of the support arm; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of the support arm; 
         FIG. 16  is a view of the conventional toilet fixture having a removable support assembly interacting with the toilet bowl; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective detailed view of the removable support assembly; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional, partial detailed view of one form of the removable bracket assembly; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the removable support bracket assembly; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the toilet fixture of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4  are each a perspective view of a toilet bowl according to the present subject matter.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view at an angle and vertically above the apparatus.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view from a position displaced 90° from the position in  FIG. 1  toward a rear end of the apparatus.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view from a front end vertically above the apparatus.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view from a rear and vertically above the apparatus.  FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus.  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5  are taken together. 
     The apparatus comprises a toilet fixture  1 . Another common term for the toilet fixture  1  is, commode. The toilet fixture  1  rests on a floor  2 . The toilet fixture  1  comprises a base  10  mounted to a bathroom floor  2 . The base  10  supports a bowl  12 . At a top of the bowl  12 , a rim  14  surrounds an interior of the bowl  12 . A perimeter  18  of an upper surface  20  of the toilet fixture  1  defines an opening through which liquids or solids enter the bowl  12 . X, Y, and Z axes ( FIG. 1 ) are illustrated with respect to an origin O coplanar with the upper surface  20 . For purposes of the present description, the toilet fixture  1  is viewed as having an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis. The X axis defines a width of the toilet fixture  1 . The X axis, or X width axis, is generally substantially parallel to a wall at which the toilet fixture  1  is mounted. A Y axis, or Y length axis, is viewed as a degree of freedom including a length of the toilet fixture  1 . The Z axis, Z vertical axis, is normal to both the X axis and the Y axis, and comprises a height. Length, width, forward, and rear are not physical specifications. They define directions and relative locations. The X axis and the Y axis intersect at the origin O and define an X-Y plane. The Z vertical axis intersects the X-Y plane at the origin O and is vertical. Items including the origin O, the X axis, Y axis and Z axis, and the planes defined by the axes are not elements of the present subject matter. They are devices used to describe spatial relationships. 
     The bowl  12  comprises a back wall  22 . The angular displacement of the back wall  22  from the vertical direction may vary from one toilet fixture  1  to another toilet fixture  1 . Curvature in the X-Z plane may also vary. However, in terms of interaction with streams of urine, the back wall  22  may be regarded as substantially or approximately vertical. 
     When the toilet fixture  1  is flushed, water enters an inlet  32  ( FIG. 5 ) and proceeds along an internal channel  30  within the rim  14 . Water exits through a plurality of rim holes  16 . One rim hole  16  is seen in  FIG. 5 . Other rim holes  16  are spaced around the rim  14 . Water exits over a weir  24  via a trap way  26 . The bowl  12  has a reservoir  34 . The reservoir has a water surface  36 . The height of the water surface  36  is equal to the height of the weir  24 . During micturition, a user  60  ( FIG. 6 ) stands adjacent the toilet fixture  1  and aims the urine stream  70  ( FIG. 6 ) to fall within the perimeter  18 . 
     In order to better enable men to implement the strategies for minimizing urine deposits, the toilet fixture  1  is constructed with a first support arm  40  and a second support arm  42  ( FIG. 1 ) extending outwardly from opposite sides of the bowl  12 . Forward surfaces of the first support arm  40  and the second support arm  42  each form a first continuous curve with a forward portion of the bowl  12  and the rim  14 . Rear surfaces of the first support arm  40  and the second support are  42  each form a second continuous curve with a rear portion of the bowl  12  and the rim  14 . 
     The user  60  ( FIG. 6 ) may lean shins  66  against the first and second support arms  40  and  42  ( FIGS. 1-4 ). Each of the support arms  40  and  42  has a reference position  44  and  46  respectively at an intersection of the respective arm with the upper surface  20 . The reference position  44  is displaced by an angle +θ from the X axis toward the front of the bowl  12 . The reference position  46  is displaced by an angle −φ from the X axis toward the front of the bowl  12 . The angle θ is selected to allow the user  60  to project his torso along the Y axis toward origin O. In many preferred embodiments θ=φ. However, this is not essential. 
     In this manner, the urethral meatus is positioned so that drips will tend to fall within the perimeter  18 . Additionally, the user  60  will be enabled to better aim to minimize splash-back. The mechanism for minimizing splash-back is described below with respect to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The support arms  40  and  42  are preferably each curved in the X-Y plane and in the X-Z plane. The degree of curvature in the X-Y plane is selected to provide a comfortable support for the shins  66  of a wide range of users  60 . One nominal curvature for the support arms  40  and  42  may be defined as a radius of 85 cm and an arc of 80°. The degree of tilt in the X-Z plane will determine a degree to which a user  60 &#39;s shins will rest on each support arm  40  or  42 . The values of θ and φ determine the degree to which the user  60 &#39;s torso will be projected along the Y-axis. 
     In order to obtain the most benefit from the present subject matter, a user&#39;s body dimensions must be such that the spatial relationship of the cited parts of the users anatomy will be positioned in relationship to the toilet fixture as described above. Commercially available toilet fixtures are primarily proportioned to the body of the “average” user. Other toilet fixtures may be proportioned to very large or very small users. In order to provide the relative positions of the user&#39;s anatomy and the toilet fixture described above, the recited structure is proportioned to users having body dimensions within a preselected range. 
     A centerline  50  ( FIG. 1 ) of the support arm  40  is selected as a reference position. The centerline  50  is displaced by an angle ψ from the X-Y plane. The angle ψ is selected to have a nominal value that will be roughly parallel to a shin  66  ( FIG. 6 ) of the user  60 . 
     A vertical center  22  of each support arm  40  and  42  is located at a height h above the bottom of the base  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the height h is selected so that a top of each support arm  40  and  42  is located at the upper surface  20 . This arrangement allows for consistency in design. A height of the upper surface  20  is standard in the industry. Consequently, angles and other dimensions of the support arms  40  and  42  may be calculated with respect to the centerline  50 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation of the user  60  interacting with a prior art toilet bowl  1 . The user  60  is positioned with feet  62  displaced from the base  10 . It is necessary for the feet  62  to be displaced from the base  10 . To get closer to the prior art base  10 , a user  60  could have to rub his trousers  64  against the rim  14 . This is highly undesirable since the chances of getting urine onto trousers  64  are increased. Also, placing shins  66  against the rim  14  may be extremely uncomfortable and could contribute to instability in the user  60 &#39;s standing position. The values of θ and φ are chosen to be in a range to position a user&#39;s shins  66  a preselected distance from each other. This will determine displacement of a user adjacent a front of said bowl such that a user&#39;s urethral meatus will be located above and within the interior perimeter  18 . The values selected will provide the desired position for a user having body dimensions within a preselected range. 
     A urine stream  70  is directed into the bowl  12 . Drops  72  may fall from the urethral meatus apart from the urine stream  70 . Since the user  60 &#39;s feet  62  are displaced from the base  10 , there is room for drops  72  to fall vertically and land on the floor  2 . Additionally, splash-back drops  74  are produced. Splash-back results from the impact of the urine stream  70  with the water surface  36  in the bowl  12 . Splash-back is further explained with respect to  FIG. 8 . Some splash-back drops  74  will fall back into the bowl  12 . However, other drops will fall on the floor  2 . As explained further below with respect to  FIG. 8 , production of splash-back drops  74  may be reduced by directing the urine stream  70  at the back wall  22  of the bowl  12 . Since the user  60  is displaced from the base  10 , a higher trajectory of the urine stream  70  would be required in order for the urine stream  70  to be directed at the back wall  22  of the bowl  12 . This higher trajectory would facilitate greater dispersion of urine from the urine stream  70 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation of the user  60  interacting with a toilet bowl  1  according to the present subject matter. Shins  66  of the user  60  each bear against one of the support arms  40  and  42 . Consequently, the user  60  is moved forward, i.e. toward the back wall  22 , and enabled to place the urethral meatus over the bowl  12  with in the perimeter  18 . Consequently, drops  72  which disperse from the urine stream  70  will fall primarily into the bowl  12  and not onto the floor  2 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of a urine stream  70  originating from a male  60  in a standing position as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The urine stream  70  is resolved into the appearance of successive stream droplets  76  in a trajectory through the use of high-speed photography. The urine stream  70  enters the reservoir  34  through the upper surface of the water  36  at an angle α with respect to the horizontal. The repeated impact of the droplets  76  opens up a large cavity  80  with multiple ridges. Each droplet  76  forms a small cavity  78  wherein the next droplet can pass through and form an additional cavity  82  creating a chain of small cavity structures  78 . Splash-back is formed both from the initial impact as well as the collapse of this large cavity  80 . 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of a urine stream  70  recorded with high-speed photography hitting the back surface  22  of the bowl  12  ( FIG. 7 ). The urine stream strikes the back surface  22  at an angle β with respect to the horizontal. Urine  84  drips down the back surface  22 . In the above cited study at Brigham Young University, the researchers show that reduced splash-back can be achieved by aiming at the vertical surface, moving closer to the urinal and by decreasing the impact angle β with respect to the angle α. The present apparatus enables the user to direct a urine stream  70  at an angle β. 
     This structure permits the use of a strategy by the user  60  of aiming for the back wall  22 . Angle β is smaller than angle α. Therefore, the size of the target, namely the back wall  22  is increased. This is an advantage of aiming for the back wall  22  rather than the reservoir surface  36 . 
     The present apparatus allows the user  60  to implement a strategy for minimizing urine deposits. Use of the present apparatus is still highly effective even if a user elects to ignore the use of this strategy. Since the urethral meatus is placed over the bowl  12 , dripping will substantially completely reach the bowl  12 . If the user  60  elects to direct the urine stream  70  directly into the reservoir  34 , splash-back will occur, but splash-back will remain in the bowl  12  to a greater degree. However, since the user  60  must push his penis down, the angle  3  will be closer to vertical. Therefore, splash-back will tend to have a more vertical direction than splash-back in the illustration of  FIG. 6 . Therefore, the splash-back will tend to stay within the bowl  12 . If as stated above, the user  60  aims for the back wall  22 , there will be substantially no splash-back. 
     The present subject matter may be constructed with fixed support arms  40  and  42  that are unitary with the bowl  12 , removable support arms  40  and  42  which are releasably secured to the bowl  12 , or support arms  40  and  42  which may be adjustably positioned with respect to the bowl  12 . A benefit of present subject matter is allowing the user  60  to kneel on a secure support to direct urine flow in order to minimize splash-back, dripping, and other forms of urine deposit. These support arms  40  and  42  provide a strong, stable base. The user  60  can feel comfortable in leaning on and utilizing the support arms  40  and  42 . The user can be assured that the support arms  40  and  42  will not move. The angular positioning of the support arms  40  and  42  with respect to the origin O provides a practical disposition for the user  60 &#39;s body. Fixed positioning of the support arms  40  and  42  allows the user  60  to develop muscle memory and use the toilet fixture  1  in a consistent manner to develop the skill of minimizing urine deposits. 
       FIG. 10  through  FIG. 12  are presented to illustrate three separate forms of the present subject matter. These forms are exemplary and not limiting. These figures demonstrate views of support arms in alternate embodiments.  FIG. 10  is illustrative of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 .  FIG. 10  represents embodiments in which the support arms  40  and  42  are integral with the bowl  12 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment in which support arms are releasably secured to the toilet bowl. Support arms  240  and  242  are respectively secured to mounting support arm brackets  254  and  256 . The mounting support arm brackets  254  and  256  are each releasably secured to the bowl  212  as further described below in  FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 . The support arms  240  and  242  may be removed and be taken to other locations. Such locations may include someone else&#39;s residence or a hotel. Reference numerals  218  and  222  are an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter of an upper bowl surface  220 , are further described with respect to  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment in which support arms  540  and  542  are releasably secured to a bowl  512  having a rim  514 . The support arms  540  and  542  are mounted to mounting rods  554  and  556  ( FIG. 20 ) extending in a horizontal degree of freedom. In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , the mounting rods  554  and  556  extend from the bowl  512 . In the embodiment of FIG.  20 , the mounting rods  554  and  556  extend from a toilet seat  520 . The mounting rods  554  and  556  are integral, though not necessarily unitary with a bowl  512  of the toilet fixture  501 . In one preferred embodiment, the mounting rods  554  and  556  are welded on steel plates  584  and  586  respectively. Each steel plate  584  and  586  may be embedded in the rim  514 . 
     Alternatively, as seen in  FIG. 20 , the mounting rods  554  and  556  are integral, though not necessarily unitary with a toilet seat  520  supported on the toilet fixture  501 . Various mechanisms described with respect to  FIG. 20  may be used to adjust the spatial disposition of the support arms  540  and  542 . 
       FIG. 13 - FIG. 15  illustrate a support arm  140  which may correspond to support arm  40  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 . The support arm  140  is but which secured by releasable securing means an is removable.  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the support arm  140 .  FIG. 14  is a side elevation of the support arm  140 .  FIG. 15  is a plan view of the support arm  140 .  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15  are taken together. 
       FIGS. 13-15  illustrate further details of support arms and provide instruction to those skilled in the art to make and use support arms. The support arms provide stable and reliable support for the user  60 . The structure facilitates the positioning of the urethral meatus of the user  60  for minimizing urine deposits. Use of the support arms for kneeling and positioning facilitates securely and comfortably aiming the urine stream  70  on a consistent basis. 
     The support arm  140  has a support surface  144 . The support surface  144  may be padded or may be solid. An optimization may be made between comfort for a user and durability of the support arm  140 . The angles θ, φ, and ψ ( FIG. 1 ) may be selected to maximize comfort for a user  60 . This is particularly important in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  since the support arm  40  is a solid ceramic piece. An upper end  150  is provided with a curvature that may be defined by a radius and an arc. However, the curvature need not be uniform. A lower end  154  is also provided with a curvature. The curvature need not be identical to that of the upper end  150 . 
       FIG. 16 - FIG. 19  are views of a removable support arm embodiment. This is an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, a conventional toilet bowl  201  interacts with support arm assemblies to comprise a new system. 
       FIG. 16  uses the conventional toilet fixture  201  having a base  210  and a bowl  212 . The bowl  212  is supported on the base  210 . At a top of the bowl  212 , a rim  214  surrounds an interior of the bowl  212  and defines an inner perimeter  216  of an upper surface  220  of the toilet fixture  201 . The rim  214  has an outer perimeter  218 . A support bracket assembly  248  supports the support arm  240 . A support bracket assembly  250  supports the support arm  242 . The bowl  212  comprises a back wall  222 .  FIG. 16  illustrates that the support bracket assemblies  248  and  250  comprise releasable securing means and are releasably secured to the bowl  212  and more particularly to the rim  214 . The support bracket assembly  250  comprises a vertical, inner support wall  278 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective detailed view of the support bracket assembly  248 . The support arm  240  is fixed to a bracket arm  254 . The support arm  240  comprises a surface  244 . In one preferred form, the bracket  254  is formed to conform to a contour of the rim  214 , for example as seen in  FIG. 18  below. The support arm  242  ( FIG. 16 ) is fixed to a bracket arm  256 . Each support bracket assembly  248  and  250  reliably supports a respective support arm  240  and  242  and is releasably secured to the rim  214  of the bowl  212 . The bracket arm  254  provides horizontal support. The bracket arm  254  itself need not necessarily be disposed horizontally. “Horizontal” refers to the bracket arm  254 &#39;s extension in a horizontal direction over the rim  214  from an inner perimeter  216  to an outer perimeter  218 . An inner end  264  of the bracket arm  254  is adjacent the inner perimeter  216 . An outer end  266  of the bracket arm  254  is adjacent the outer perimeter  218 . 
     An outer support wall  272  extends downwardly from the outer end  266 . The outer support wall  272  supports the bracket arm  254  against the bowl  212  ( FIG. 16 ). The support arm  240  is secured to the outside support wall  272 . An inner support wall  276  extends downwardly from the inner end  264 . The inner support wall  276  bears against a vertical portion of the rim  214 . A flange  280  extends from a lower end of the inner support wall  276  and under the rim  214 . The flange  280  engages a lower surface of the rim  214 . 
     The bracket arm  258  may have a number of shapes. In the present illustration, the bracket arm  258  has a V-shape. The inside support wall  276  does not have to be unitary. In the present illustration, the inside support wall  276  comprises an extension of each portion of the bracket arm  258 . In one preferred form, the inner support wall  276  and the outer support wall  272  are each planar and parallel. This can simplify construction. However, the outer support wall  272  may be curved to match a contour of the outside of the bowl  212 . The inner support wall  276  may be contoured to match a contour of the inside of the rim  214 . 
       FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  each disclose an alternative embodiment of the bracket assembly  250  ( FIG. 16 ). Inner and outer in this description denote a spatial relationship with respect to the inner perimeter  216 .  FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of a support arm bracket  300  positioned over the rim  214 . The support arm bracket  300  comprises an outer support wall  320  extending in a vertical degree of freedom connected to a horizontal arm  324 . The horizontal arm  325  comprises releasable securing means. An inner support wall  334  is connected to an opposite end of the horizontal arm  324 . A U-shaped clamp  340  has a horizontal leg  342  extending below the rim  214  for projecting into a cavity  344  under the rim  214  and an inner wall leg  346  to complete a U-shape that will hook under the rim  214 . The U-shaped clamp  340  has an aperture  350  formed in the inner support wall  334 . A screw  360  is provided with a wide head having a greater diameter than the aperture  350 . A threaded projection  366  goes through the apertures  350  and receives a fastener such as a nut  364  which is tightened to maintain the support arm bracket  300  mounted to the inner support wall  334  securely. The support arm bracket  300  is readily removable when desired. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a support arm bracket assembly  400  and a support arm bracket assembly  498 . The support arm bracket assembly  400  has a horizontal bracket arm  424 . An outer support wall  440  extends from the horizontal bracket arm  424  downwardly. The horizontal bracket arm  424  supports a radial support pad bracket  430  which receives a support pad  444 . Apertures  446  and  448  receive fasteners  452  and  454  respectively. The fasteners  452  and  454  fasten the support pad  444  to the support pad bracket  430 . A fastener  460  secures the support pad bracket  430  to the outer support wall  440 . Adjuster screws  464  and  466  extend horizontally through a fastener holder  468  at a lower end of the outer support wall  440 . The adjuster screws  464  and  466  are rotated to determine inward displacement of an end of each screw  464  or  466  in order to adjust tension between the outer wall  440  and the bowl  412 . First and second elongated bolts  470  and  472  depend from the horizontal bracket arm  424  and function as an inner support wall. The first and second elongated bolts  470  and  472  may extend through apertures  476  and  478  at an inner end of the horizontal bracket arm  424 . A flange arm  480  may be retained to the bolts  470  and  472  by nuts  484  and  486 . Tightening of the nuts  484  and  486  tightens the flange arm  480  against the lower surface of the rim  214  ( FIG. 18 ). A support arm bracket assembly  498  is provided for mounting on an opposite side of a toilet bowl. The support arm bracket assembly  498  is constructed symmetrically with respect to the support arm bracket assembly  400 . 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the toilet fixture  501  of  FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, the support arms  540  and  542  are supported to the toilet seat  520 . First and second mounting rods  554  and  556  are respectively supported to a first support bracket assembly  560  and a second support bracket assembly  562 . In one embodiment, a first bracket arm  574  and a second bracket arm  576  are respectively included in the first support bracket assembly  560  and the second support bracket assembly  562 . The support bracket assemblies  560  and  562  and the bracket arms  574  and  576  may be molded into the toilet seat  520 . When installed the first and second bracket arms  574  and  576  are integral with the toilet seat  520 . A first outer wall  580  and a second outer wall  582  are supported to, and may be unitary with, said first bracket arm  574  and said second bracket arm  576  respectively. The mounting rods  554  and  556  project from the outer walls  580  and  582  respectively in a direction outwardly from the bowl  512 . Selection and definition of the respective positions of the mounting rods  554  and  556  may be done in the same manner as for the support arms  40  and  42  of  FIG. 1 . The mounting rods  554  and  556  should be substantially rigidly connected to the toilet seat  520 . Other mounting means may be used to achieve this objective. Other techniques which are not in common use or which do not yet exist may be used. One technique not in common use for toilet seats is three-dimensional printing. 
     The support arms  540  and  542  are releasably secured to the mounting rods  554  and  556  respectively. The radially extending outer surfaces of the mounting rods  554  and  556  preferably comprise a polygon. They are received in recesses  568  and  570  of the support arms  540  and  542  respectively. The recesses  568  and  570  may each include a matching polygonal shape. In the present illustration, the polygon is a hexagon. In a first position, one set of radial polygon surfaces in the recess  568  mates with one set of radial polygon surfaces of the mounting rod  556 . By removing the support arm  540 , for example, and rotating it so that a different set of polygon surfaces will mate, a different value of the angle ψ ( FIG. 1 ) may be selected. Angular position of the support arms  540  and  542  may be selected for increasing user comfort or facilitating the capacity of the user  60  to aim properly. 
     In the foregoing detailed description, including what is described in the abstract, the apparatus of the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. The present specification and figures are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The description and abstract are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed.