Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention was not federally sponsored. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to the field of transport apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable apparatus used to lift and transport toilets in a safe, convenient, and efficient manner, with special emphasis placed on ease of movement and lack of damage to the toilet and the underlying floor. The invention also provides a removably attached storage portion of the invention which allows a user to store one toilet as he/she transports another. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Removing and installing a toilet can be a difficult and laborious task because of the heavy lifting involved. In many instances, toilet removal and installation requires two persons to complete because of the weight and large, cumbersome shape of the toilet, which can result in decreased productivity, increased installation cost, and potential damage to the toilet and the underlying floors of both the bathroom where the toilet is located and the floor over which the toilet is left while work is done in the bathroom. If one or more people have to physically carry the toilet with their arms, there is an increased chance of damage to the toilet and injury to the workers carrying the toilet. If only one person is present however, the toilet may have to be disassembled into its different components, with each component then being transported to the installation location for reassembly. While this helps to avoid weight and shape issues, it increases the time and effort needed to complete the installation process and further increases the chance that water will be spilled on the underlying floor. 
     Although several apparatus for transporting heavy objects are well known in the art, few are well-suited to transport irregularly shaped objects such as toilets, particularly considering the advantages that a transport device that can lift and transport a toilet, maintaining it in a level configuration, such that any water in the toilet does not splash up over the sides, can provide. As such, the use of these traditional transport apparatus, such as a standard dolly, can often lead to the toilet falling off and being damaged or the floor being damaged by the falling toilet. In addition, the person operating the transport apparatus can be injured by the falling toilet, and a toilet being transported with a jerky motion, or being transported with the toilet tank and bowl in a non-level configuration whereupon the danger of water splashing over the sides of the toilet at best inconveniences the workers installing the toilet and at worst damages the underlying floor. Several inventions have attempted to eliminate the above difficulties by designing an apparatus solely for transporting toilets. Although these inventions have been successful to help alleviate some difficulties, the inventions have also been deficient in certain respects. 
     For example, some prior inventions, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,716,183 to Gibson, et. al, and 6,135,466 to Irwin, have required a user to secure the toilet to cross-members located on the transport device and then tilt the transport device at an angle towards the user so that the device can be rolled to a different location. These devices, while easy to use, still present the risk of the toilet falling off the transport device and being damaged. Also, because of the angular positioning of the device during transport, there is an increased risk that the toilet and device may fall onto the user during transport, causing substantial injury and that water may splash out of the toilet bowl or storage tank. The fact that using these “toilet dollies” requires the user to tilt the toilet back before moving it also creates other problems, such as increasing the chance that water may splash out of the tank or toilet bowl during transportation and making it harder to align the holes in the base portion of the toilet with the receptacle screws embedded in the floor. A further disadvantage of the toilet dollies is that they require a greater working space to swing around corners while transporting the toilets, as opposed to the current invention which, because of its design, can maneuver a toilet in relatively tight quarters. Other prior inventions attempting to eliminate difficulties in toilet transport are often bulky, cumbersome, and contain many components making them difficult and complicated to use by professionals and lay persons alike. U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,379 to Wall and U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,511 to Chitwood are examples of inventions which provide a mechanism by which toilets can be lifted, but do so in extremely complex and time-consuming manners. 
     Therefore, there is a current need for a portable toilet apparatus that is easy to use, does not involve heavy lifting by the user, and allows for the secure transport of a toilet while minimizing the risks of damage to the toilet and injury to the user. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of this invention to provide a portable apparatus that can be used to lift and transport toilets. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a portable apparatus for lifting and transporting toilets that is easy to use. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable apparatus for transporting toilets that does not require the user to tilt the toilet during transport. 
     It is a yet a further object of this invention to provide a portable apparatus for transporting toilets that reduces the risk of the toilet falling off the transport apparatus. 
     It is still yet a further object of this invention to provide a portable apparatus for transporting toilets that does not require a substantial amount of effort by the user to lift the toilet. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a portable apparatus for transporting toilets that can be operated by one person. 
     It is still yet a further object of this invention to provide a new apparatus in the field of transport apparatus. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to lift and transport toilets which keeps the toilet in a level configuration such that any water in the toilet bowl and toilet tank is less likely to splash out during lifting and transportation. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for lifting and transporting a toilet which has protective portions of the apparatus designed to protect the toilet from being scratched by the lifting portions of the invention during its lifting and transportation and prevent the toilet from slipping off the lifting portions of the invention. 
     Further objects of the invention include providing an apparatus for lifting and transporting a toilet which allows a user to lift the toilet a set amount above a floor and retain the toilet at that elevation while performing work on wax rings or aligning flange bolts. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide a means by which the toilet can be temporarily stored in an upright position via a self-contained storage seat which removably slides into the invention and is easily installed and removed for times when it is desired to support one toilet off the floor while transporting and/or installing another toilet. 
     A final object of the invention is to provide means by which a person wishing to lift and move a toilet can secure the toilet to the apparatus such that the toilet does not fall during the lifting or transportation. 
     These objects and further objects and features of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present invention as set forth herein. 
     This invention involves an apparatus for lifting and transporting toilets. The apparatus includes a base portion with at least two stabilizing members, at least two toilet lifting members, a toilet securing member, and a lifting mechanism. The toilet lifting members are configured for positioning underneath the bowl portion of a toilet. The toilet securing member extends upward from the base and contains a u-shaped upper portion that is designed to fit over the rim of the toilet bowl and secure the inner portion of the toilet bowl. The lifting mechanism preferably comprises a handle attached to a piston, which can be hydraulic, rack and pinion, or some other piston known in the art. The base portion includes wheels for transport. The toilet lifting members and the toilet securing member may contain a padded region for contacting the toilet to prevent damage to the toilet and to prevent slippage of the toilet. The toilet securing member is height adjustable to accommodate various sized toilets. An extension portion is provided for attachment to the u-shaped portion to secure larger toilets. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the toilet lift and transport apparatus having a toilet secured thereto. 
         FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the upper portion of the toilet securing member and an extension member for connection thereto. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the toilet lift and transport apparatus, illustrating the rotational and adjustment capabilities of the toilet securing member. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the toilet lift and transport apparatus with the lifting members and the toilet securing member in the storage position. 
         FIG. 5  shows a top view of the stabilizing members in an alternate configuration. 
         FIG. 6  shows two embodiments, both in cross sectional view, of the storage seat that is used to temporarily store a toilet in a manner which does not allow the toilet to damage the underlying floor and decreases the chance of water leaking out of the toilet onto the floor. 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of another iteration of the storage seat in which there is a hollow center into which a wax ring/flange receptacle can hang without touching the floor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals,  FIG. 1  shows perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the toilet lift and transport apparatus  10  having a toilet  50  secured thereto. Apparatus  10  includes a toilet securing member  12  having a u-shaped portion  14 , inner tubular member  16 , and outer tubular member  20  having holes  18  therein. U-shaped portion  14  is designed to hook over the rim  52  of the toilet bowl  54 , providing a secure attachment to toilet  50 . U-shaped member  14  is preferably padded with foam or other protective material to minimize damage to toilet  50 . Inner tubular member  16  is designed to be slidably disposed within outer tubular member  20 , and locked into place by a spring-loaded pin  19  that can pass through one of holes  18 , such that inner tubular member can be adjusted up or down to accommodate toilets  50  having various sized bowls  54 . Toilet securing member  12  is attached to a base  28  via a connecting bolt  34 , allowing toilet securing member  12  to be rotated about connecting bolt  34  to allow for u-shaped portion  14  to engage or disengage with toilet  50 . 
     Apparatus  10  also includes toilet lifting members  24  and  26  to help lift and support toilet  50  during transport. Lifting members  24  and  26  preferably engage toilet  50  underneath bowl  54 . Apparatus  10  preferably includes two lifting members, but can include either one lifting member having a u-shape, or more than two lifting members to provide additional stability. It is also envisioned that the lifting members can extend, preferably, from the same portion of the invention from which the toilet securing member  12  extends, but that the lifting members can also be attached at other locations along the stabilizing arms. Lifting members  24  and  26  are preferably connected to base  28  via connecting bolt  34 , allowing lifting members  24  and  26  to be rotated about connecting bolt  34  to allow for the lifting of toilet  50  off the ground and to allow lifting members  24  and  26  to be lowered towards base  28  for storage purposes. Lifting members  24  and  26  preferably contain padded regions  25  (only one shown) to help prevent damage to toilet bowl  54  during lifting and transport, and to prevent the toilet from slipping off lifting members  24  and  26  during lifting and transport. Lifting members  24  and  26  also contain an angular bend  27  that allows a user to securely transport toilet  50  without having to raise toilet  50  a large distance off of the ground. 
     Base  28  also includes a handle  36  to allow a user to raise and lower toilet  50 . Handle  36  contains a padded region  38  at the top thereof to provide a comfortable grip for a user. Handle  36  contains a plurality of holes  37  for engaging a spring loaded pin  39  located on an inner handle portion (not shown), to allow a user to adjust handle  36  to a comfortable operating length. Handle  36  is attached to a handle connection portion  41  that is secured to base  28  via a handle connector bolt  43 . Handle connection portion  41  is attached to a shaft  45  that drives a piston  40 , preferably a hydraulic piston but rack and pinion and other types of driving devices are envisioned, that drives lifting members  24  and  26  to lift toilet  50 . 
     Base  28  preferably includes a toilet receiving region formed in the area between two stabilizer members  21  and  23 . It is envisioned that stabilizer members can be made preferably in a length whereby they allow the toilet, after lifting, to be balanced in the center of gravity between the various wheels contained in the invention. Stabilizer members  21  and  23  are used to help support toilet  50  while it is being lifted and transported. Base  28  also includes two swivel wheels  32  attached on one end  29  of the bottom thereof. Swiveling wheels  32  help a user to steer apparatus  10  during transport of apparatus  10 . It is also envisioned that a variety of wheel types could be used, including iterations where the front wheels swivel and the back wheels are stationary, where the front wheels are stationary and the back wheels swivel, and where all wheels swivel. Also, base  28  includes two fixed wheels  30  (one shown), one attached to the bottom of each of stabilizer members  21  and  23 , that help apparatus  10  roll along a surface during transport. It is envisioned that the wheels can be made from a variety of substances in a variety of configurations, including inflatable and solid wheels made from rubber, plastic, metal, and, preferably, a PCV material that flexes slightly when compressed, thereby allowing a user of the invention to wheel a toilet across of floor and not leave any dents or creases in the floor. Base  28  can further include a storage compartment  42  for holding various nuts and bolts. 
     To operate apparatus  10 , a user positions stabilizer members  21  and  23  around toilet  50  and elevate lifting members  24  and  26  so that they contact the lower portion of bowl  54 . The user can then unscrew flange bolts  56  located at the base of toilet  50  to allow toilet  50  to be lifted off the ground. Next, toilet securing member  12  can be adjusted upward and swiveled around the rim  52  of bowl  54 , then adjusted downward and securely around rim  52  to provide a secure attachment during lifting. A user can then adjust handle  36  to a comfortable length and move handle  36  up and down to cause shaft  45  to drive piston  40  to cause lifting members  24  and  26  to lift toilet  50 . After toilet  50  is lifted off the ground, the user can then roll toilet  50  to a desired location and reverse the process to lower the toilet and remove it from apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the upper portion of toilet securing member  12  and an extension member  22  for connection thereto. Extension member  22  can be designed to either fit over or fit within u-shaped member  14 , by moving extension member  22  upwards towards and onto u-shaped member  14  as illustrated by arrow  13 . Extension member  22  is used to help toilet securing member  12  secure toilets having large bowls to apparatus  10 . Extension member  22  can be curved in shape to mimic the grooves of various toilet bowls and provide a more secure attachment. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of apparatus  10  with no toilet attached. This figure illustrates the rotational and adjustment capabilities of toilet securing member  12 . As shown by arrow  15 , u-shaped member  14  can be swiveled 360 degrees about inner tubular member  16  to allow unshaped member  14  to be attached to or disengaged from a toilet bowl rim. Also, u-shaped member  14  can be adjusted up or down, as shown by arrow  17 , to allow u-shaped member  14  to be positioned over toilets having various sized bowls. With toilet securing member  12  and lifting members  24  and  26  in the position as illustrated in this figure, a user can roll apparatus  10  up to a toilet, adjust and swivel u-shaped member  14  to secure it to the toilet bowl, and use handle  36  to lift the toilet. The preferred embodiment has handle  36  lifting the toilet through and up and down pumping action, but it is also conceivable that the lifting action could be accomplished through having the handle have a wheel or bar attached to its outer end such that a user of the invention could turn a wheel or bar and the twisting motion could be translated, through gears, in the lifting motion required to elevate the toilet for transportation. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of apparatus  10  with lifting members  24  and  26  and toilet securing member  12  in the storage position. In this position, lifting members  24  and  26  and toilet securing member  12  are lowered towards and rest upon base  28  for convenient transport and storage. In this handle  36  has not yet been removed from its sleeve for storage, but this action can be accomplished easily through depressing the spring loaded pin  39  and pulling upward on handle  36 , after the invention has been pulled to its storage location. 
       FIG. 5  shows a top view of the stabilizing members  28  in an alternate configuration. Rather than the “car jack” look of  FIGS. 1-4 , this iteration relies upon curved stabilizing members  28  which wrap around the toilet bowl an aesthetically pleasing, roughly semicircular shape which more closely approximates the shape of an average toilet bowl. 
       FIG. 6  shows two embodiments, both in cross sectional view, of the storage seat that is used to temporarily store a toilet in a manner which does not allow the toilet to damage the underlying floor and decreases the chance of water leaking out of the toilet onto the floor.  FIG. 6A  shows the stabilizing members  21  attached to the wheels  30 , with a groove  100  in the side of stabilizing members  21 , into which a protrusion  101  from a toilet storage seat  102  rests. Protrusion  101  extends from one end of the toilet storage seat to the other. The toilet storage seat  102  may, optionally, have legs  103  which elevate storage seat  102  off the ground. The storage seat  102  is conveniently stored within groove  100  and can be easily removed when necessary, by merely pulling it out, whereupon it becomes a suitable seat or base upon which a toilet can be stored. For example, if a worker is replacing an old toilet with a new one, he/she would benefit from resting the old toilet on the toilet storage seat rather than risking damage to the floor by resting it on the floor while using the invention to carry and install the new toilet seat.  FIG. 6B  is another iteration of the toilet storage seat  110 , this time with an overhanging lip  112 , that extends outward beyond the outer edge of stabilizing member  21  and curves downward, thereby locking itself over stabilizing member  21  until needed.  FIG. 6B  also illustrates a toilet storage seat with a flat bottom  111 , rather than a bottom with legs.  FIG. 6C  is a side view of a toilet  123 , resting on a toilet storage seat  120 , which has a depression  121  into which the base  122  of the toilet  123  fits snugly. It is envisioned that toilet storage seat can be made in both universal models, which are generally designed to fit a wide variety of toilet bases, and model-specific versions which are specifically designed to fit one brand and/or model of toilet. 
       FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of another iteration of the toilet storage seat  130  in which there is a hollow center  131  into which a wax ring  136 /flange receptacle  134  can hang without touching the floor. This iteration also illustrates an optional bottom  137  which can catch any drips from toilet  133  or catch wax ring  136  if it falls off flange receptacle  134 . 
     With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     The above description, together with the advantages of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Technology Category: b