Device and toilet

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a toilet. The device serves to support at least one foot of a user during use of a toilet, wherein the device has at least one footrest surface, at least one adjustment means, and a frame directly or indirectly connected to the footrest surface. A fastening device is arranged on the frame, by means of which the device can be permanently or temporarily arranged on the toilet in a defined manner. The device is configured, by means of the at least one adjustment means, to hold the footrest surface in a use position at an adjustable position relative to a seat surface of the toilet.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a toilet.

[0002] Toilets, also called WCs, are known in the art, particularly those made of ceramic and / or plastic. Toilets are usually mounted on a wall. Toilets designed as stand-alone WCs are also known.

[0003] A toilet generally comprises a collecting chamber for excrement, a toilet seat and a cistern with actuating devices for triggering a flushing process in order to convey the contents of the collecting chamber to a sewer system.

[0004] To use a toilet, particularly to defecate and urinate, a user sits on the toilet seat and defecates into the container below. A user's feet are naturally positioned in front of the toilet. Depending on the user's height, their feet are positioned on a surface in front of the toilet or, particularly in the case of a short user, they are suspended in the air. For a short person whose feet cannot reach the floor, sitting on a toilet can be uncomfortable, partly because the blood flow to the legs is cut off.

[0005] In addition, it is known that sitting squatting on the toilet has a positive effect on bowel movements, as the sphincter muscle is relaxed for anatomical reasons when the leg is squatted, making it easier to pass stool.

[0006] Stools are known in the art which are placed in front of a toilet and on which feet can be placed when using the toilet in order to achieve a natural squatting position and / or to prevent the blood supply to the legs from being cut off.

[0007] Furthermore, extendable footrests are known which, in a non-functional position, are arranged in close proximity to the toilet seat and can be arranged in a functional position in front of the toilet for use. The user can rest their feet on a footrest arranged in the functional position. The known footrest has exactly one functional position, which often prevents optimal positioning in accordance with the user's anatomical characteristics. Furthermore, the known footrest has exactly one non-functional position, which means that a user who uses a toilet equipped with a corresponding footrest without using the footrest is disturbed by the footrest.

[0008] The known solutions therefore do not offer sufficient adjustability to accommodate the user's physical anatomy. Furthermore, the known solutions do not offer a non-use position that would not impair a user who does not wish to use the device.

[0009] The object of the invention is to improve the state of the art.

[0010] The object is achieved by a device for supporting at least one foot of a user during use of a toilet, wherein the device has at least one footrest surface, at least one adjusting means and a frame directly or indirectly connected to the footrest surface, wherein a fastening device is arranged on the frame, by means of which the device can be arranged permanently or temporarily on the toilet in a defined manner, wherein the device is designed by means of the at least one adjusting means to hold the footrest surface in a use position at an adjustable position in relation to a seat surface of the toilet.

[0011] By means of the device according to the invention, a user-optimized usage position of the device can advantageously be set.

[0012] Further advantageously, the device can be arranged below the toilet in a non-use position, so that a user who uses the toilet but not the device is not affected by the device.

[0013] An essential idea of ​​the invention is that a foot support system is provided which does not impair the user in a non-use position and which realizes a positioning optimized for the user in a use position.

[0014] The following terminology is explained:

[0015] A "toilet," also called a closet, zero-zero, or WC, is a sanitary device for collecting bodily excretions, particularly feces and urine. A toilet is usually made of ceramic and / or plastic, which advantageously allows for easy cleaning. In addition to a receiving space for bodily excretions, the toilet has, in particular, a fluid guidance system with a fluid reservoir and an actuating device, and is fluidly connected to a wastewater system. To close the receiving space, a toilet usually has a rotatably mounted toilet lid. To improve seating comfort, a toilet can be equipped with a toilet seat.

[0016] The device according to the invention comprises a footrest surface, also called a footrest or footrest, which is directly or indirectly connected to a frame, as well as an adjustment means and a fastening device arranged on the frame. Using the fastening device, the device can be arranged, in particular, temporarily on a toilet. Alternatively, the device can be permanently arranged on the toilet using the fastening device.

[0017] Advantageously, an existing toilet can be retrofitted with the device in this way. The fastening device can be clamped, screwed, and / or clipped on. A fastening element of the toilet seat and / or lid can be used as the fastening point on the toilet. Additionally or alternatively, the toilet seat and / or lid can be used as the fastening point. Finally, the fastening element can be arranged on the toilet and / or in a spatial proximity to the toilet, such as a wall or a floor surface.

[0018] The fastening device is advantageously designed such that the device can be arranged in a predefined position. This further advantageously realizes a predefined functionality of the device.

[0019] An "adjustable position" is understood in particular to mean a selectable position, where a first selectable position differs from a second selectable position. The transition between selectable positions can be continuous. Additionally or supplementarily, selectable positions can be predefined. Advantageously, the selectable position enables the device's footrest to be positioned according to the user's anatomical characteristics and / or preferences.

[0020] The adjustable position may include a first height of the footrest relative to a height of the toilet seat. Additionally or supplementarily, the adjustable position may include a first distance of the footrest from a front edge of the toilet seat. Finally, the adjustable position may include an angle of the footrest relative to the angle of the toilet seat. The adjustable position may include a respective defined setting for exactly one, two, or all three of the aforementioned parameters.

[0021] To achieve the adjustable position, an adjustment means is used, in particular. The adjustment means advantageously implements a height of the footrest relative to the toilet seat, a distance of the footrest from the toilet seat, and / or an inclination of the footrest relative to the inclination of the toilet seat. Additionally or supplementarily, a first adjustment means and a second adjustment means can cooperate to achieve the adjustable position.

[0022] The adjustment means or means can be manually operated. Additionally or alternatively, the adjustment means or means can be electrically operated. Advantageously, an adjustable position can be stored in memory and, in particular, selected by a user using a selection device and automatically established using at least one electrically controlled adjustment means.

[0023] “Holding” is understood to mean, in particular, maintaining the position during use of the device, in particular the footrest.

[0024] A “use position” is distinguished from a “non-use position” in particular by the fact that a user uses or wishes to use the device.

[0025] A "frame" of a device according to the invention can be designed on one side between the footrest surface and the fastening element and / or on both sides of the footrest surface. The frame can be made of metal and / or plastic, which advantageously ensures easy cleaning of the frame. In one embodiment, the frame can be designed as a hollow profile.

[0026] A "footrest" is designed, in particular, to accommodate at least one user's foot. The footrest can have a transverse extension of 3 cm to 15 cm, in particular 8 cm, and a longitudinal extension of 15 cm to 30 cm, in particular 22 cm. The footrest can, in particular, be arranged on one side of the frame. Additionally or alternatively, the footrest can be arranged on both sides of the frame.

[0027] The footrest is advantageously mounted so that it can be rotated to allow for an adjustable angle. In one embodiment, a rotatable mounting can be achieved by means of a joint.

[0028] In order to ensure that the footrest is non-slip, it is advantageous to have a surface coating on it.

[0029] In one embodiment, the adjustment means is implemented as a rotatable catch arranged directly or indirectly on the fastening device. In particular, the angle of the frame relative to the seat surface can be adjusted by means of the rotatable catch. The angle of the frame advantageously establishes a height of the footrest surface arranged directly or indirectly on the frame relative to a height of the toilet seat surface.

[0030] In one embodiment, the at least one adjustment means is a first telescopic element encompassed by the frame and / or arranged on the frame. The first telescopic element can be used, in particular, to adjust the distance between the footrest surface and a front edge of the toilet seat.

[0031] The first telescopic element can be designed by means of a first frame element and a second frame element, wherein the first frame element can have an opening at a first end leading to a cavity arranged in the first frame element, into which cavity the second frame element can be at least partially inserted. The insertion depth of the second frame element into the first frame element can be realized by means of a locking device, in particular by means of at least one spring-loaded pin on the first frame element, which can be snapped into a first recess or a second recess on the second frame element. In this way, the adjustment means can advantageously be easily manufactured.

[0032] Additionally or additionally, the first telescopic element can be designed by means of a first frame element and a second frame element, wherein the first frame element is in particular engaged with an external thread of an internal thread arranged on the second frame element and advantageously a simple adjustability of the adjusting means is realized by rotating the first frame element relative to the second frame element.

[0033] Finally, the telescopic element can be implemented by means of a telescopic cylinder. A threaded adjustment means and / or a cylinder adjustment means can be manually, hydraulically, magnetically, and / or electrically adjustable. Automatic adjustment is advantageously implemented by means of hydraulic, magnetic, and / or electrical adjustment.

[0034] In one embodiment, a second telescopic element is arranged on the footrest surface. The second telescopic element can adjust the height of the footrest surface relative to the height of the toilet seat. The second telescopic element is arranged on the footrest surface, in particular, in a downward direction. The second telescopic element can have the same features as the first telescopic element. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0035] In one embodiment, the adjustment means is configured to hold the device, in particular the footrest surface, in a non-use position in a storage position, which is arranged in particular outside the back of the knee of the toilet user. In other words, the adjustment means advantageously realizes both a position of the device that is advantageous for a user in a use position and a position that does not impair the user in a non-use position.

[0036] The position of the footrest in the non-use position can be in a spatial area below the toilet. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the footrest in the non-use position can be in a spatial area above the toilet, particularly near a wall. Finally, the position of the footrest in the non-use position can be in a spatial area next to the toilet.

[0037] In one embodiment, the device has a shelf. The shelf can be integrated into the frame of the device. A shelf on the device advantageously increases user comfort.

[0038] In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises a control unit which is connected to an operating element for data exchange and which has a data input, an evaluation unit, and a data output which is connected to the at least one adjustment means for data exchange. The control unit is particularly configured to select a desired footrest position of a user, received by means of the operating element, which corresponds to a defined adjustable position, from a plurality of predefined adjustable positions of the footrest surface and to send a control signal, which corresponds to an implementation of the desired footrest position, to the at least one adjustment means. The use of predefined adjustable positions advantageously implements a one-time definition of a preferred adjustable position and reduces the user's adjustment effort.

[0039] The desired footrest position and / or the predefined adjustable positions can be stored in memory. A memory can advantageously store a large number of adjustable positions.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can be configured to receive a direct control command from a user input via the control element and to send a signal representing the control command to the at least one adjustment means. This advantageously enables a simple electrical adjustment of the device by a user.

[0041] A predefined position of the footrest can be selected additionally or alternatively based on a user's biometric information, such as voice-based, weight-induced, and / or fingerprint-based. The device can incorporate appropriate technical features to enable the selection of a predefined position of the footrest based on a user's biometric data.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, the device may be configured to provide instructions and / or information to a user by means of a visual display and / or an acoustic system.

[0043] In a further aspect, the object is achieved by a toilet with a device according to the invention.

[0044] The features and advantages of the second aspect correspond to those of the first aspect.

[0045] Further embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0046] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a toilet with a footrest in a position of use, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a toilet with a footrest in a non-use position, Fig. 3 a stand-alone toilet with a footrest according to the invention, and Fig. 4 a schematic side view of a toilet with a footrest in use position.

[0047] A footrest 109 is rotatably mounted on a length adjustment 113. The length adjustment is mounted on a frame 115. The length adjustment 113 can be inserted into the frame 115 and has spring-loaded pins that can be inserted into predefined recesses in the frame 115, thus locking a position of the footrest 109.

[0048] Also arranged on the frame 115 is a height adjustment mechanism 111, which is designed as a rotatable catch and allows the frame to be rotated about the rotatable catch. The catch locks the angle of the frame 115. The adjustable footrest 101 comprises the frame 115, the footrest 109, the length adjustment mechanism 113, the rotatable catch 111, and a connecting means (not shown) for temporarily locking the adjustable footrest 101 to the toilet 107.

[0049] Using the rotatable catch 111 and the length adjustment 113, the footrest 109 can be moved into a non-use position below the toilet 107. The footrest 109 is held in the non-use position by means of the locking devices.

[0050] During use of the toilet 107, to which an adjustable footrest 101 is temporarily locked, a user 103 sits on the toilet 107 and, in particular, touches a seat 117 of the toilet 107. The adjustable footrest 101 is in a use position such that the user 103 can place his feet 105 on the footrest 109 in a desired position. The desired position results, in particular, from a height of the footrest hF relative to a height of the seat hS and a distance a between the footrest 109 and the seat 119. List of reference symbols 101 adjustable footrest 103 users 105 feet 107 toilets 109 Footrest 111 rotating catch 113 Length adjustment 115 frames 119 Seat 121 Stand-alone toilets hS Height of the seat hF Height of the footrest a Distance between the footrest and the seat

Claims

[1] Device (101) for supporting at least one foot (105) of a user (103) during use of a toilet (107), wherein the device (101) has at least one footrest surface (109), at least one adjusting means (111, 113) and a frame (115) connected directly or indirectly to the footrest surface (109), wherein a fastening device is arranged on the frame (115), by means of which the device (101) can be permanently or temporarily arranged on the toilet (107) in a defined manner, characterized by that the device (101) is designed by means of the at least one adjusting means (111, 113) to hold the footrest surface (109) in a use position at an adjustable position in relation to a seat surface (119) of the toilet (107). [2] Device (101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one adjusting means (111, 113) is a rotatable catch arranged directly or indirectly on the fastening device (109), by means of which an angle of the frame (115) in relation to the seat surface (119) can be adjusted, wherein the angle realizes a height (hF) of the footrest surface (109) connected directly or indirectly to the frame (115) in relation to a height (hS) of the seat surface (119) of the toilet (107). [3] Device (101) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjusting means (111, 113) is a first telescopic element (113) encompassed by the frame (115) or arranged on the frame (115), by means of which a distance (a) of the footrest surface (109) to a front edge of the seat surface (119) of the toilet (107) can be adjusted. [4] Device (101) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjusting means (111, 113) is a second telescopic element arranged on the footrest surface (109), by means of which a height (hF) of the footrest surface (109) can be adjusted in relation to a height (hS) of the seat surface (119) of the toilet (107). [5] Device (101) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjusting means (111, 113) is a joint arranged on the footrest surface (109), by means of which an angle of the footrest surface (109) can be adjusted with respect to an angle of the seat surface (119) of the toilet (107). [6] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is configured by means of the at least one adjusting means (111, 113) to hold the footrest surface (109) in a non-use position in a storage position which is arranged outside a back of the knee region of the user (103) of the toilet (107). [7] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) further comprises a shelf. [8] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit, comprising a data input connected to an operating element for data exchange, an evaluation unit and a data output connected to the at least one adjusting means (111, 113) for data exchange, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a desired footrest position of the user (103) by means of the operating element, to determine a control signal corresponding to a realization of the desired footrest position by means of the evaluation unit and to send the determined control signal to the at least one adjusting means (111, 113). [9] Device (101) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a memory in which at least one user profile selectable by means of the operating element is stored, to which a predefined position of the footrest surface (109) is assigned. [10] Toilet (107) comprising a device (101) according to any one of claims 1-9.

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