A modular raised toilet seat

Abstract

A kit 10 for assembly of a modular raised toilet seat for a toilet, the kit comprising, a toilet seat 100 having a lower seat profile. A first seat spacer 200 for increasing the height of the raised t

Description

The present invention relates to a kit for assembly of a modular raised toilet seat for a toilet. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION People with mobility issues, such as the elderly, can struggle to stand up from a seated position easily. This is particularly an issue with toilets in which the user is required to squat to sit down to the toilet seat to use the toilet and then support their own weight in the process of standing themselves back up. Several solutions exist to make toilets more accessible to users with mobility issues. Handles or support arms may be fitted on bathroom walls or onto the toilet itself. Handles or support arms can be difficult or fiddly to install, requiring fasteners and tools. Additionally, the arms and handles can be bulky and occupy valuable space in a bathroom, and a user may need to seek permission - from a landlord for example -if drilling into a wall to install a handle or support arm. An alternative solution is to provide a raised toilet seat on a toilet. A raised toilet seat sits at a raised height relative to the toilet bowl, compared to a conventional toilet seat. The simplest form of raised toilet seat is referred to as the “bubble” type. They are essentially an extension to the toilet seat which is merely placed over the toilet bowl. They are straightforward to install but tend to be less secure and the height cannot be adjusted for the needs of the user. To address the issue of securing the raised toilet seat to the toilet bowl, raised toilet seats may come with locks or adjustment knobs. These allow a user to secure the raised toilet seat to the toilet bowl but are more complicated to install compared to bubble type raised toilet seats, typically requiring turning of the adjustment knob which may be difficult for those with mobility issues. They also tend to be more expensive than bubble type raised toilet seats. Raised toilet seats may come with height adjustment means such as clamps. However, similar to the locks and adjustment knobs described above, these tend to be comparatively complicated to install and adjust, especially for those with mobility issues and are relatively expensive. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for assembling a modular raised toilet seat for a toilet, the kit comprising, a toilet seat having a lower seat profile; and a first seat spacer of fixed height for positioning above the toilet and below the toilet seat to raise the toilet seat from the toilet, the first seat spacer having a lower spacer profile and an upper spacer profile; in which the lower seat profile is configured to engage the toilet for installing a raised toilet seat at a first height on the toilet without the first seat spacer; and in which the lower spacer profile is configured to engage the toilet and the lower seat profile is also configured to engage the upper spacer profile for installing the modular raised toilet seat at a second height on the toilet. The kit can be used to assemble a modular raised toilet seat. The seat spacer may be used to raise the height of the toilet seat relative to a toilet. Each of the lower seat profile and lower spacer profile can engage a second seat spacer or the toilet itself, where a second seat spacer is required to further raise the height of the toilet seat above the toilet bowl. The user can use the kit to assemble a raised toilet seat using a suitable number of seat spacers as required to raise the toilet seat to the desired height for a particular user. The kit provides a cost-effective solution for customising the height of a raised toilet seat, without the need for an expensive height adjustment mechanism. Using a seat spacer of fixed height allows a user to increase the total height of the raised toilet seat by a fixed increment, such as around 5cm. The seat spacer may be considered as a discrete unit which is releasably engageable with or connectable to the underside of the toilet seat. Where a second seat spacer is provided, each seat spacer may be considered as a discrete unit which can engage the underside of the toilet seat and can engage the underside of the other seat spacer. The or each seat spacer can engage the toilet (particularly the toilet bowl), and so can the toilet seat. That is, irrespective of whether the modular toilet seat is installed with or without a spacer or spacers, each of those parts is configured or configurable for suitably engaging the toilet. The toilet seat may have a height of at least 4 cm. The height of the raised toilet seat may be interpreted to mean the vertical height from the toilet bowl to the toilet seat. The term raised toilet seat is intended to mean a toilet seat at a raised height from the toilet. The term raised toilet seat is not intended to mean a toilet seat pivoted through 90 degrees to a vertical position against a cistern. The fixed height of the first seat spacer may be substantially the same as a height of the toilet seat. The kit may comprise a second seat spacer. In a third arrangement the lower spacer profile may be configured to engage the toilet and the upper spacer profile and lower seat profile may be respectively configured for engagement with lower and upper profiles of a second seat spacer for installing the modular raised toilet seat at a third height on the toilet. The first seat spacer and second seat spacer may have substantially the same height from a top of the toilet (that is, the top of the toilet bowl or pan). This is advantageous during assembly where the seat spacers and toilet seat each have equal height, and so it is straightforward to combine the seat and spacers to produce a raised toilet seat with the approximately desired height. It is also straightforward to adjust the height of the raised toilet seat by a fixed increment (increase or decrease in height) by readily adding / removing a spacer. The first seat spacer and second seat spacer may be substantially the same. The second seat spacer may include any feature or combination of features of the first seat spacer. Each seat spacer may be substantially planar. Each seat spacer may be substantially in the shape of a ring, which may be O-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped or D-shaped in profile for example. The height of the first seat spacer may be between about 30 to about 60 mm from a top of the toilet. The or each lower spacer profile may be configured to engage each of a toilet bowl and a pre-existing toilet seat of the toilet. Providing the option to connect the lower spacer profile to the toilet bowl or pre-existing toilet seat allows the user to adjust the total height of the raised seat by including or removing the pre-existing toilet seat. In other words, the user can fine-tune the final height of the raised seat using the preexisting toilet seat. Connection means may be provided for connecting the first seat spacer and / or toilet seat to the toilet. The kit may comprise the connection means as one or more discrete elements which can be used to connect any of the first seat spacer, second seat spacer and toilet seat to the toilet. The connection means may provide a secure connection to prevent movement of the seat spacer and / or the toilet seat relative to the toilet. The connection means may provide a tool free means to connect and / or disconnect the first seat spacer and toilet seat to the toilet. The connection means may be provided as part of any of the toilet seat, first seat spacer and second seat spacer. For example, the connection means may be provided as part of the lower spacer profile. The connection means may be provided as part of the lower seat profile. The connection means may include a plurality of suction cups or suction pads. The suction cups may include thermoplastic and / or rubber suckers. Suction cups provide a tool free means to connect and / or disconnect the first seat spacer and toilet seat to the toilet. The connection provided by the suction cups is secure but allows for relatively quick and easy disengagement of the first seat spacer and toilet seat from the toilet. A series of suction cups / pads may be provided on a first suction element. A plurality of suction elements may be provided for releasably attaching the toilet seat or seat spacer to the toilet at various points. The connection means may be received in a recess or recesses in the first seat spacer. The recess may be configured to receive at least part of the second seat spacer. Protrusions of any one, some or all of the connection profiles of any of the toilet seat, first seat spacer and second seat spacer may be substantially similar in shape or outer perimeter to the suction element(s). This can facilitate engagement between the various modules of the kit when the connection means or suction elements are only provided in the lowermost module of the stack. The protrusions and recesses can facilitate location of each element relative to the other, as well as mitigating against the parts slipping laterally with respect to each other. In other words, the recess may have a dual purpose, where the first seat spacer is required to be connected to the toilet, the recess can receive the connection means. Where the first seat spacer is used between the toilet seat and a second seat spacer, the recess can instead receive the second seat spacer below it. This facilitates the modularity of the kit because the same spacer can be used in either position. The toilet seat itself may include a recess or recesses for receiving the connection means as described above. The connection means may be provided in an arcuate arrangement on the lower spacer profile for substantially corresponding to the shape of the toilet bowl and / or pre-existing toilet seat. The arrangement may ensure a secure connection between the lower space profile and the toilet substantially along the entire shape of the seat spacer or toilet seat. The toilet seat and first seat spacer may be made of substantially the same material. The toilet seat may be made of a hard plastic. The spacer(s) may be made of a hard plastic. Either or both of the toilet seat and the spacer may not be made of a soft or pliable material. The kit may include a lid which is releasably connectable to the toilet seat. The lid may be releasably connected to the raised toilet seat by a snap-fit or push-fit connection. The snap-fit connection provides a tool free means to connect the lid to the raised toilet seat. The connection provided by the snap-fit connection is secure but allows for easy disengagement of the first seat spacer and toilet seat from the toilet. The toilet seat includes an internal wall or rim for extending into the bowl of the toilet. The internal rim may be configured to extend through one or more seat spacers and into the toilet bowel. The internal rim may provide a cover for the seat spacers to facilitate cleaning. The toilet seat and first seat spacer may be made of rigid plastic. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat spacer for positioning between a toilet and a toilet seat, the seat spacer having a lower spacer profile and an upper spacer profile; in which the lower spacer profile is configured to engage each of the toilet and a second seat spacer and the upper spacer profile is configured to engage each of the toilet seat and the second seat spacer. The advantages are as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention. In particular, the seat spacer may have an arrangement of protrusions (or recesses) as part of one of its upper profile or lower profile, and an arrangement of recesses (or protrusions) as part of the other of its profiles. The fixed height of the spacer may be about 5cm. The seat spacer may be stackable on either side (top or bottom) of an identical seat spacer. The seat spacer may have any feature or combination of features of the seat spacer of the first aspect of the present invention. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a raised toilet seat on a toilet, the method comprising the steps of: providing a kit of the first aspect of the present invention; engaging one of the first seat spacer and toilet seat with the toilet. According a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a raised toilet seat assembled from a kit of the first aspect of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a kit for assembling a raised toilet seat according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a kit for assembling a raised toilet seat according to the present invention; Figure 3a shows a perspective view of a toilet seat of Figure 1; Figure 3b shows a plan view of a wireframe of the toilet seat of Figure 1; Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a seat spacer of Figure 1; Figure 4b shows a bottom view of the seat spacer of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a connection means of Figure 1; and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a lid of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to Figure 1 a kit for assembling a modular raised toilet seat is generally indicated at 10. The modular raised toilet seat is for installation on top of a toilet bowl or pan, typically in front of a cistern (where the cistern is not provided separately). This is typically a toilet in a home or domestic care setting, but may include another toilet such as a toilet in a public venue (e.g. hospital, restaurant, shop, public restroom) or on a vehicle (e.g. bus, train, aeroplane, boat). The kit 10 comprises a toilet seat 100, a seat spacer 200, a connection means 300, and a lid 400. During assembly, the seat spacer 200 can be positioned between the toilet seat 100 and a toilet to increase the height of the toilet seat 100 relative to the toilet. The connection means is used to secure the seat spacer 200 to the toilet. In situations where the seat spacer 200 is not in use, the connection means 300 can be used to connect the toilet seat 100 to the toilet directly. Referring to Figure 2, one or more additional seat spacers 200’ can be used to further increase the height of the raised toilet seat. The further seat spacers 200’ can be positioned between the toilet seat 100 and the first seat spacer 200, or between the first seat spacer 200 and the toilet. In other words, the kit 10 can be assembled into multiple configurations. The kit 10 may be assembled into a first configuration, in which the toilet seat 100 is connected to the toilet using the connection means 300. The kit 10 can be assembled into a second configuration, in which the toilet seat 100 is connected to the first seat spacer 200, and the first seat spacer 200 is connected to the toilet using the connection means 300. The kit 10 can be assembled into a third configuration, in which the toilet seat 100 is connected to the first seat spacer 200, the first seat spacer 200 is connected to a second seat spacer 200’, and the second seat spacer 200’ is connected to the toilet using the connection means 300. In other embodiments, one or more additional seat spacers 200, 200’ can be provided to further increase the height of the raised toilet seat. Each part of the kit 10 is described in more detail below. Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the toilet seat 100 is shown in more detail. The toilet seat 100 has a fixed height. In this case the fixed height is about 5 cm. The toilet seat has an upper surface 102 for receiving the user during use. In this embodiment, the toilet seat 100 is substantially D-shaped. In other embodiments, the toilet seat 100 can be oval-shaped or square shaped. The toilet seat has a lower seat profile 104. The lower seat profile 104 can engage an upper spacer profile (202, see Figure 4a) of the seat spacers 200, 200’ as described below. The lower seat profile 104 can engage the toilet. The lower seat profile 104 includes seat recesses 108a, 108b. The seat recesses 108a, 108b are provided along an arcuate path around the lower seat profile 104. The recesses 108a, 108b can receive the connection means 300. The seat recesses 108a, 108b can receive spacer protrusions (206, see Figure 4a) of the upper spacer profile 202. Advantageously, the dual functionality of the seat recesses 108a, 108b allows the toilet seat 100 to be connected directly to the toilet using the connection means 300 where a seat spacer 200 is not required or to a seat spacer 200, 200’ where the seat spacer 200, 200’ is required. The seat recesses include rear seat recesses 108a and front seat recesses 108b. The rear seat recesses 108a are disposed at a rear of the toilet seat 100. The rear seat recesses 108a are larger than the front seat recesses 108b. The front seat recesses 108b are disposed at a front of the toilet seat 100. The front seat recesses 108b are smaller than the rear seat recesses 108a. The toilet seat includes an internal rim or wall 110. The rim / wall defines a central aperture extending downwards through the middle of the seat. The internal rim 110 extends inwards and away from the upper surface 102. In other words, the internal rim 110 extends into the toilet during use. The internal rim 110 could be considered to form a channel. The channel may act as a cover to protect the seat spacers 200, 200’ from excreta during use, which would otherwise make the raised toilet seat more difficult to clean. The toilet seat 100 includes a lid attachment means 120 for attaching the lid 400. The lid attachment means 120 is disposed to the rear of the toilet seat 100. The lid attachment means 120 is a hook that facilitates a snap-fit connection between the lid 400 and the toilet seat 100. The lid 400 is described in more detail below with respect to Figure 6. The first seat spacer 200 is shown in more detail in Figures 4a and 4b. The first seat spacer 200 has a fixed height. The fixed height is substantially the same as the fixed height of the toilet seat 100. The first seat spacer 200 and toilet seat 100 are made from the same material. In this embodiment, the second seat spacer 200’ is substantially identical to the first seat spacer 200. For example, the second seat spacer 200’ has the same size, shape and is made from the same material. For brevity, the features of the seat spacers 200, 200’ will be described with respect to the first seat spacer 200 only. The first seat spacer 200 includes a lower spacer profile 204. The lower spacer profile 204 can engage an upper spacer profile 202 of the second seat spacer 200’. The lower spacer profile 204 can engage the toilet. The lower spacer profile 204 includes spacer recesses 208a, 208b. The spacer recesses are substantially similar to the seat recesses 108a, 108b in size, shape and arrangement. The first seat spacer includes an upper spacer profile 202. The upper spacer profile 202 can engage the lower seat profile 104 of the toilet seat 100. The upper spacer profile 202 can engage the lower spacer profile 204 of the second seat spacer 200’. This allows multiple seat spacers 200, 200’ to be used interchangeably to increase the height of the raised toilet seat. The upper spacer profile 202 includes spacer protrusions 206a, 206b. The spacer protrusions 206a, 206b are provided along an arcuate path around the upper spacer profile 104. The arrangement of the spacer protrusions 206a, 206b along the upper spacer profile 202 is substantially similar to the arrangement of the spacer recesses 208a, 208b along the lower spacer profile 104. The protrusions 206a, 206b can be received in the seat recesses 108a, 108b of the toilet seat 100 and the spacer recesses 208a, 208b as described above. The protrusions 206a, 206b include rear spacer protrusions 206a, and front spacer protrusions 206b. The rear spacer protrusions 206a are disposed at a rear of the seat spacer 200. The rear spacer protrusions 206a are larger than the front spacer protrusions 206b to correspond to the rear seat recesses 108a and rear spacer recesses 208a. The front spacer protrusions 206b are disposed at a front of the seat spacer 200. The front spacer protrusions 206b are smaller than the rear spacer protrusions 206a to substantially correspond to the front seat recesses 108b and front spacer recesses 208b. Referring now to Figure 5, the connection means 300 are shown more clearly. In this embodiment, the connection means 300 includes a plurality of rubber suckers (which may be suction cups / pads). The connection means 300 includes rear connection means 300a, and front connection means 300b. The rear connection means 300a, and front connection means 300b are insertable inside the rear seat recesses 108a, and from seat recesses 108b, respectively. The rear connection means 300a, and front connection means 300b are insertable inside the rear spacer recesses 208a, and front spacer recesses 208b, respectively. In this embodiment, the rubber suckers are thermoplastic rubber suckers. Each rubber sucker includes a plurality of suction cups 302 for engagement with the toilet. Each rubber sucker includes an insert portion 304 for inserting into the seat recesses 108a, 108b or spacer recesses 208a, 208b. Each insert portion 304 is secured into its respective recess by a friction fit. The connection means 300 allows the toilet seat 100 or seat spacer 200 to be securely but releasably connected to the toilet without tools. For example, the connection means 300 can be releasably connected to a toilet bowl or a pre-existing toilet seat of the toilet. Connecting the raised toilet seat to a pre-existing toilet seat allows the user to fine-tune the total height of the raised toilet seat. A perspective view of the lid 400 is shown in Figure 6. The lid 400 is releasably attachable to the lid attachment means 120 of the toilet seat 100. The lid is attached by a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection allows the lid to be releasably connected without tools. In any embodiment, the connection means 300 can be any suitable means of connecting the toilet seat 100 and seat spacers 200, 200’ to the toilet. The connection means does not necessarily have to include any suction pads. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A kit for assembling a modular raised toilet seat for a toilet, the kit comprising,a toilet seat having a lower seat profile, the toilet seat having a height of at least 4 cm; anda first seat spacer of fixed height for positioning above the toilet and below the toilet seat to raise the toilet seat from the toilet, the first seat spacer having a lower spacer profile and an upper spacer profile;in which the lower seat profile is configured to engage the toilet for installing a raised toilet seat at a first height on the toilet without the first seat spacer; andin which the lower spacer profile is configured to engage the toilet and the lower seat profile is also configured to engage the upper spacer profile for installing the modular raised toilet seat at a second height on the toilet2. A kit as claimed in claim 1, in which the fixed height of the first seat spacer is substantially the same as a height of the toilet seat.

3. A kit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the kit comprises a second seat spacer.

4. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lower spacer profile is configured to engage the toilet and the upper spacer profile and lower seat profile are respectively configured for engagement with lower and upper profiles of the second seat spacer for installing the modular raised toilet seat at a third height on the toilet.

5. A kit as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the first seat spacer and second seat spacer have substantially the same height6. A kit as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which the first seat spacer and second seat spacer are substantially the same.

7. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper spacer profile and the lower seat profile are complementary profiles.

8. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which either or both of the upper spacer profile and the lower spacer profile comprise any of protrusions,recesses and / or locating elements for facilitating engagement of the first seat spacer to the toilet seat and / or another seat spacer.

9. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fixed height of the first seat spacer is between 30 to 60 mm.

10. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lower spacer profile and the lower seat profile are configured to engage each of a toilet bowl and a preexisting toilet seat of the toilet.

11. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising connection means for connecting the first seat spacer and / or the toilet seat to the toilet.

12. A kit as claimed in claim 11, in which the connection means includes a plurality of suction cups or suction pads.

13. A kit as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the connection means is received in a recess or plurality of recesses in the first seat spacer.

14. A kit as claimed in claim 13, in which the recess or recesses are configured to receive at least part of the second seat spacer.

15. A kit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, in which the connection means is provided spaced apart or in an arcuate arrangement on the lower spacer profile for substantially corresponding to the shape of the toilet bowl and / or a preexisting toilet seat.

16. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the toilet seat and the first seat spacer are made of substantially the same material.

17. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the kit comprises a lid which is releasably connectable to the raised toilet seat.

18. A kit as claimed in claim 17, in which the lid is releasably connected to the raised toilet seat by a snap-fit or push-fit connection.

19. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the toilet seat includes an internal wall or rim for extending into the bowl of the toilet.

20. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the toilet seat and first seat spacer are both made of rigid plastic.

21. A method of installing a raised toilet seat on a toilet, the method comprising the steps of:providing a kit as claimed in any preceding claim;engaging one of the first seat spacer and the toilet seat with the toilet, and 5 where the first seat spacer is engaged with the toilet subsequently engagingthe toilet seat with the first seat spacer.

22. A raised toilet seat assembled from a kit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20.

Images