Patent Abstract:
The toilet and support bars for the disabled has a toilet bowl and toilet seat configured to face the toilet tank, thereby enabling disabled and physically debilitated persons to move forward to sit on the toilet seat. The toilet has a pedestal on which the tank is mounted, and an inverted U-shaped support bar having legs supported by the building structure, to provide stability for the disabled person to use the toilet. The support bar includes a crossbar handle above the level of the tank that a disabled person may grasp for assistance in moving forward onto the toilet seat and rearward off the toilet seat. The handle may have a resilient grip. The support bar may also include stabilizers for maintaining the support bar in a rigid and fixed position so that the user is assured to find the necessary support.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/609,189, filed Sep. 10, 2012, now pending, which is a continuation-in-part of my prior U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/586,951, filed Sep. 30, 2009, now abandoned, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to plumbing fixtures, and particularly to a toilet and support bars for the disabled that are specifically designed for handicapped persons, as well as anyone having difficulty using a conventional toilet fixture. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventional toilets are all arranged with the broader part of the seat (the part on which the user sits/places their buttocks) positioned at the rear, meaning nearest to the cistern/flushing tank, and the seat narrows towards the front. This is true for all toilets, whether close-coupled or not, and whether for the able-bodied or for the physically or mentally disabled. In toilets designed for the disabled, a handlebar may be provided to assist them in moving to and from the toilet, but this is normally positioned extending in a plane parallel to the front-rear axis of the toilet, either at the right- and/or left-hand side of the toilet. 
         [0006]    For those with physical or mental disabilities, such as Muscular Dystrophy, Alzheimer&#39;s, spinal injuries or amputees, they generally have no choice but to use these conventional toilets, since there are no options available to them. They are, however, far from ideal for the disabled. A major problem with conventional toilet design is that when a wheelchair-bound disabled person wants to use the toilet, it is difficult for him/her to get off the wheelchair to make the transfer onto the toilet. The wheelchair user must turn 180° and maneuver onto the toilet seat. 
         [0007]    Even for those who provide care for wheelchair users, it is hard for the caregiver to get the wheelchair user off of the wheelchair, carry them to the toilet, turn them around, and put them on the toilet seat. It is a cumbersome process, and a back-breaking job for the caregiver. 
         [0008]    Thus, a toilet for the disabled solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The toilet and support bars for the disabled includes a toilet bowl, a toilet seat, and a toilet bowl lid having a design configuration for reversed western toilet seating. In this manner, a user can access the toilet seat easily from a wheelchair by shifting forward from the wheelchair onto the toilet, and can easily move from the toilet to the wheelchair. A toilet tank or cistern coupled to the toilet bowl maintains a reservoir of water. Typically, a flush handle is disposed on either side of the tank or cistern, allowing the user to reach the flush handle with little effort. The tank or cistern sits atop a pedestal, which is anchored to the floor or other supporting structure. The toilet bowl communicates with the tank via the pedestal so that the flush water travels from the tank through the pedestal to the bowl, and finally through a drain to dispose of waste after use. 
         [0010]    The toilet and support bars also have a support handlebar attached to the adjacent building structure (i.e., floor, walls). The support handlebar has a substantially inverted U-shaped member made from a rigid material. The legs of the inverted U-shaped member are attached to anchors, and extend vertically between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl. The top of the support handlebar provides a handle that extends horizontally between the legs across the width of the toilet. The handle may be covered with a resilient material for comfort. In use, the handle allows the user to maintain stability, balance, and coordination while using the toilet. The resilient material is formed of a substance resistant to microbes, bacteria, and other microorganisms, thus reducing the risk of spreading disease and infections to different users. In addition, the handle bar in accompanied with additional stabilizer bars, symmetrically disposed about the support handlebar for maintaining the handlebar in a fixed and rigid position. 
         [0011]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of the toilet and support bar of a first embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the toilet and support bar of a second embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an environmental perspective view of a third embodiment of a toilet and support bar for the disabled according to the present invention, showing a user in phantom demonstrating the manner of use. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support bar and stabilizer of a toilet for the disabled according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a partially exploded perspective view of a first stabilizer of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is a partially exploded perspective view of a second stabilizer of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5C  is another perspective view of the stabilizer of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the toilet of the toilet and support bar includes a tank  12  having a lid. The tank  12  is a reservoir of water to be used for flushing or evacuating waste from the toilet. The tank  12  supports at least one flush handle  14 . The figures illustrate a preferred arrangement of two flush handles  14  (seen most clearly in  FIG. 1 ) positioned on opposite sides of the tank  12 . The two flush handles  14  provide access for a user  2  having limited or restricted arm mobility. For example, in case the user  2  is lacking a left arm, a conventional toilet typically has a single handle positioned on the left side of the tank  12 , creating difficulty for the user  2  to flush with the usable right arm. Therefore, providing a flush handle  14  on each side of the tank  12  provides greater accessibility for the disabled person, providing the option of using either flush handle  14 . Alternatively, the flush handle may be a centrally mounted flush handle  14 ′ (shown in phantom), or the toilet  10  may have an automatic flushing system in lieu of the oppositely disposed flush handles  14 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the toilet for the disabled, designated generally as  10  in the drawings, is illustrated. The tank  12  sits atop a pedestal  16 . Pedestal  16  provides a stable base and anchor for the toilet  10 . The pedestal  16  is secured to the supporting structure, such as a floor, in a conventional manner. The pedestal  16  includes the necessary conduits to allow water to flow from the tank  12  into the toilet bowl  20 , and to refill the tank  12 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the user  2  is able to slide forward from a wheelchair  4  onto the toilet seat  22  of the toilet bowl  20 . The body of the user  2  is not rotated, nor does the user  2  have to push the wheelchair  4  away in order to have room to the exercise the functions of the body. Also, the user  2  simply slides backward from the toilet seat  22  into the wheelchair once completed. Thus, the toilet for the disabled  10  gives freedom of mobility and easier access to accomplish toilet functions. 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the toilet and support bar for the disabled is shown. A support bar  30 , which the user  2  grasps to assist in moving to and from the wheelchair, and the maintain stability while using the toilet  10 . The support bar  30  has a generally inverted U-shape configuration. As seen in  FIG. 1 , positioned on the floor, one opposite sides of the pedestal  16 , a pair of anchors  36  having receiving orifices or sockets  38 . The anchors  36  are secured to the floor in any suitable and conventional manner in order to remain in a fixed and rigid position. The ends of the inverted U-shape of the support bar  30  have angled ends  32  that matingly engage with the receiving orifices or sockets  38  of the anchors  36 . The support bar  30  is preferably formed of a rigid material that provides a strong and stable handle for the user  2  to hold onto while sliding to and from the wheelchair  4 . The top crossbar of the inverted U-shape support bar  30  may be provided with a resilient material or padding  34  to provide a comfortable area for the user  2  to grasp. Although the use of the resilient material or padding  34  is preferable, the use of such material or padding  34  is optional. 
         [0023]    As long as the surface is dimensioned and configured to be graspable, the support bar  30 , when the angled ends  32  are inserted into the receiving orifices or sockets  38  of the anchors  36 , becomes a safety structure to assist those that are disabled to independently use the toilet  10 . The legs of the support bar  30  raise the crossbar to a height that is above the tank  12  and provides sufficient clearance to raise and lower the toilet lid  24 , while being at a height convenient for a wheelchair-bound user to grasp for assistance in in pulling, pushing, or steadying maneuvers that may be required to move on or off the toilet seat  22 . In addition, the width of the support bar  30  is greater than that of the tank  12 , so that access to the flush handles  14  (or push-to-flush button  14 ′) is easily achieved. 
         [0024]    The toilet bowl  20  has the toilet seat  22 , and a toilet lid  24 . Both the toilet seat  22  and the toilet lid  24  are each independently pivotally attached to the toilet bowl  20  by hinges. The toilet bowl  20 , the toilet seat  22 , and the toilet lid  24  are designed and configured in a reverse fashion from the standard western type toilets. This means that the wider portion of the toilet bowl  20  and the toilet seat  22  are forward and the narrower portions of the toilet bowl  20  and the toilet seat are closest to the pedestal  16  and tank  12 , which funnels waste matter towards a forward drain. The toilet bowl floor drain and S-trap or P-trap are also forward and reversed from their conventional configuration, rather than rearward, as in a conventional toilet bowl. In other words, the toilet bowl and its internal drain plumbing are reversed 180° from a conventional toilet bowl. This allows the user  2  to access the toilet for the disabled  10  without having to maneuver about a 180° turn from a wheelchair  4 . 
         [0025]    It is noted that the resilient material or padding  34  is preferably formed from a bacterial and microbial resistant substance to reduce the possibility of contact with infectious or contagious disease carriers. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of a toilet and support bar for the disabled is illustrated. In this embodiment, the user  2  likewise will be able to slide from the wheelchair  4  onto the toilet seat  22 . The components of the toilet  10  are substantially identical in the two embodiments. The support bar  40  of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  also has a generally inverted U-shape, although having straight legs, the top crossbar being covered with a resilient material or padding  44 . The resilient material or padding  44  provides a comfortable area for the user  2  to grasp onto the support bar  40 . Although the use of the resilient material or padding  44  is preferable, the material or padding  44  is optional. The surface is dimensioned and configured to be grasped by a user. It is noted that the resilient material or padding  44  is preferably formed from a bacterial and microbial resistant substance to reduce the possibility of contact with infectious or contagious disease carriers. 
         [0027]    In order to attach the support bar  40  to the anchors  46 , the receiving orifices or sockets  48 , angled feet  42  are removably attached to the support bar  40 . However, if the support bar  44  is retrofitted to an existing toilet, then this second embodiment provides a solution. The support bar  44  is shown to terminate in straight ends. Each one of the straight ends of the support bar  44  engages an angled foot coupler  42 . The angled foot couplers  42  securely engage the orifices or sockets  48 , respectively, thereby anchoring the support bar  44  to the anchors  46 . The legs of the support bar  40  raise the crossbar  44  to a height that is above the tank  12  and provides sufficient clearance to raise and lower the toilet lid  24 , while being at a height convenient for a wheelchair-bound user to grasp for assistance in in pulling, pushing, or steadying maneuvers that may be required to move on or off the toilet seat  22 . In addition, the width of the support bar  40  is greater than that of the tank  12 , so that access to the flush handles  14  (or push-to-flush button  14 ′) is easily achieved. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the support bar  50 , as like support bar  30  of  FIG. 1 , and support bar  40  of  FIG. 2 , has a generally inverted U-shape configuration. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the ends of the inverted U-shape of the support bar  50  have straight end legs  52  that matingly engage with the receiving orifices or sockets  58  of the anchors  56 . The top crossbar of the inverted U-shape support bar  50  may be provided with a resilient material or padding  54  to provide a comfortable area for the user  2  to grasp. Although the use of the resilient material or padding  54  is preferable, the use of such material or padding  54  is optional. 
         [0029]    As long as the surface is dimensioned and configured to be graspable, the support bar  50 , when the ends of straight legs  52  are inserted into the receiving orifices or sockets  58  of the anchors  56 , becomes a safety structure to assist those that are disabled to independently use the toilet  10 . The legs of the support bar  50  raise the crossbar to a height that is above the tank  12  and provides sufficient clearance to raise and lower the toilet lid  24 , while being at a height convenient for a wheelchair-bound user to grasp for assistance in in pulling, pushing, or steadying maneuvers that may be required to move on or off the toilet seat  22 . In addition, the width of the support bar  50  is greater than that of the tank  12 , so that access to the flush handles  14  (or push-to-flush button  14 ′) is easily achieved. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates an optional accessory for the safety of the user  2  while using the toilet  10 . A plurality of stabilizers  60  are provided to maintain the rigidity of the support bar  50  (and likewise,  30  and  40  as well). Preferably, stabilizers  60  are used in pairs, and are symmetrically disposed about the support bar  50 . The stabilizers  60  have a substantially rigid bar  62  having two ends. The first end, like the ends of legs  52  of the support  50 , is received into orifices or sockets  68  of anchors  66 . The anchors  66  are substantially identical to anchors  56 ; however anchors  66  are mounted to a wall structure in any suitable or conventional manner in order to provide a fixed and rigid position. The second end of bar  62  has a clamp  64  thereon. Clamp  64  is designed and configured to receive a portion of the support bar  50  therein, and holds the support bar  50  in rigid fashion, so as to increase the stability of the support bar  50  about the toilet  10 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate two variations of the stabilizer  60 . In  FIG. 5A , the stabilizer  60  is formed with a rigid bar  62  of a predetermined length. In  FIG. 5B , the stabilizer  60  is formed with a telescoping feature, useable to capture any anomalies in a room structure. The telescoping feature has an inner rod  72 , and an outer sleeve  74 . The inner rod and outer sleeve function cooperatively to establish a predetermined length for maintaining the support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50  in a rigid and stable manner. The outer sleeve  74  is secured to the inner rod  72  when the predetermined length is established and thereby locked in place. Optionally, a biasing member  76 , shown as a spring, is located within the outer sleeve  74 . The biasing member  76  allows the stabilizer  60  to conform to a predetermined length, and yet give leeway or tolerance variations in stabilizing the support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50 . 
         [0032]    The clamp  64  is also further illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , clamp  64  is fixed to the end of rigid bar  62  or outer sleeve  74  via attachment  88 . Clamp  64  has a clamp end  80  coupled to attachment  88 . Clamp end  80  has a groove  84 , shown having a semi-circular form but it is understood that the groove  84  is semi-circumferential, so as to conform to the circumferential shape of support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50  whether round or parallelepiped. In addition, clamp end  84  has outwardly extending edges supporting a plurality of holes  86 . The clamp  64  also has an end cover  82  that is a mirror image of clamp end  80 . In that end cover  82  has a semi-circumferential groove  84 ′ and outwardly extending edges also supporting a plurality of holes  86 . When clamp end  80  and end cover  82  are coupled together around a portion of support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50 , a plurality of fasteners secured the clamp  64  via the aligned plurality of holes  86 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5C  illustrates an alternate arrangement for the stabilizers  60  when used with the support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50 . The stabilizers  60  can also be attached so as to circumferentially capture a portion of the support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50  and the padding  34 ,  44 ,  54 , respectively. In this fashion, the support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50  and respective padding  34 ,  44 ,  54  are held so that the support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50  is stabilized to support the user  2 , as well as maintaining the padding  34 ,  44 ,  54  in a fixed position on the crossbar of support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50 . Thus preventing any slippage of the padding  34 ,  44 ,  54  about, along, or around the support bar  30 ,  40 ,  50 . 
         [0034]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0