Step stool for a toilet

Abstract

A step stool for a toilet includes a base having a rear wall, a front wall, and an upper surface; and a platform having a rear border, a front border, and a top surface. The rear border of the platform is hingedly coupled to the base. In a deployed position, the platform is rotated downward onto the upper surface of the base, and the front border of the platform overhangs the front wall of the base. In a stored position, the platform is rotated upward from the upper surface of the base.

Description

STEP STOOL FOR A TOILETRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 557,892, filed on February 26, 2024, and entitled “Step Stool”; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in full.BACKGROUND

[0002] Step stools and footrests are commonly employed when a person is using the toilet. For example, toddlers and young children may need a step stool to be able to reach the toilet seat and stabilize their bodies while using the bathroom. Adults may use a step stool or footrest to change the angle of their legs to facilitate the defecation process. These step stools and footrests provide safety, accessibility, and comfort during restroom usage, and can enable improved health for the user.SUMMARY

[0003] A step stool for a toilet may include a base having a rear wall, a front wall, and an upper surface; and a platform having a rear border, a front border, and a top surface. The rear border of the platform may be hingedly coupled to the base. In a deployed position, the platform may be rotated downward onto the upper surface of the base, and the front border of the platform may overhang the front wall of the base. In a stored position, the platform may be rotated upward from the upper surface of the base.

[0004] A step stool for a toilet may include a base having a rear wall, a front wall, and an upper surface. A platform may be hingedly coupled to the rear wall of the base and have a center point that is offset from a central axis of the base. The platform may have a top surface with an area that is larger than the upper surface of the base. A floor mount may be inside the base, the base being coupled to the floor mount. In a deployed position, the platform may be supported by the upper surface of the base. In a stored position, the platform may be rotated upward from the rear wall of the base.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a step stool in use, in accordance with some aspects.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the step stool, in accordance with some aspects.

[0007] FIGS. 3A-3C are side views of various stages of deployment of the step stool, and FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the step stool in a stored state, in accordance with some aspects.

[0008] FIGS. 4A-4B are side views of the step stool in a stored state and a deployed state, in accordance with some aspects.

[0009] FIGS. 5A-5D show various views of a platform of the step stool, in accordance with some aspects.

[0010] FIGS. 6A-6D show various views of an assembled step stool, in accordance with some aspects.

[0011] FIGS. 7A-7D show various views of a floor mount for the step stool, in accordance with some aspects.

[0012] FIGS. 8A-8D show various views of a base of the step stool, in accordance with some aspects.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The length of toddlers’ and young children’s legs are too short to touch the floor when sitting on a standard size toilet. This can lead to incomplete restroom activities and stress when using the bathroom, particularly in public restrooms where accessories such as step stools are not available. Public restrooms can be any location outside a person’s home, such as schools, restaurants, airports, medical offices, playgrounds and parks. Most children (e.g., under eight years old) are also not tall enough to stand and urinate at the average public toilet. Additionally, not being at the appropriate height requires a child to touch or grip the toilet seat to hoist themselves up or to stabilize themselves, which is a sanitary issue. The present disclosure describes a step stool that addresses all these issues, making it easier and safer for young children to use the toilet. The step stool can also assist older children and adults by serving as a footrest to change the user’s leg position and angle during toilet usage.

[0014] The present step stool (which may also be referred to as a footrest or a step) has a retractable platform with a base that is securely mounted to the floor. The step stool may be installed in public restrooms at the front of a toilet and converted into a stowed position when not in use so that the toilet can be utilized in a normal manner by others who do not need the step stool. In the stowed position, the platform is out of the way such that it does not impede conventional use of the toilet (i.e., sitting on the toilet without using a footrest or step stool). When a child (or adult) needs to use the step stool, they can use their foot to lower the platform and step onto it to use the toilet. Children can step up to the toilet and be in the appropriate position to use the toilet (sitting or standing). The platform is large enough to accommodate a child’s feet and can hold the weight of an adult. In some aspects, when the user is finished in the bathroom, the user can push the platform back up out of the way using their foot, avoiding any contact of the step stool with their hands. In some aspects, the step stool may have a spring between the platform and the base which causes the platform to automatically lift up after the user steps off the platform. This automatic retraction may further improve the ease of use and safety of the step stool

[0015] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an example step stool 100 in use, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Step stool 100 is secured to the floor 10 in front of toilet 20. A child is shown standing on the step stool 100, raising the child to the height where they can easily sit on the toilet or stand while urinating.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the step stool 100, which includes a base 110 and a platform 120 coupled to the top of the base 110. The platform 120 is shown in the deployed position where the platform 120 is approximately horizontal to the ground so that a user may stand on it. The platform 120 is offset from the base such that a front border 124 of the platform (i.e., area or region near a front edge of the platform) overhangs (is located beyond, extends beyond, extends past) a front side of the base 110 in the step stool’s deployed state.

[0017] FIGS. 3A-3C show side views of a sequence of positions of the platform 120 during various stages of use. In FIG. 3A, the step stool 100 is in a deployed position, where the platform 120 is rotated until it contacts (i.e., tilted downward onto) the upper surface of the base to be ready for a user to step on. As illustrated, the platform 120 is horizontal, resting on the base 110. A front portion of the platform 120 extends beyond the base 110 as indicated by distance D. In FIG. 3B, the step stool 100 is in transition between the deployed position of FIG. 3 A and thestowed position of FIG. 3C. As shown in FIG. 3B, a rear border 122 of the platform 120 (area or region near a rear edge of the platform) is coupled to a rear wall 112 of the base 110. Arrow 30 indicates that the platform 120 can be rotated upward or downward by being coupled by hinges to the base 110. FIG. 3C shows the platform 120 in its stored position, rotated upward toward the toilet 20 and with its front border 124 away from (tilted upward from) the base 110. The platform 120 is rotatable between its deployed position of approximately 90° (relative to vertical) and its nondeployed position of FIG. 3C.

[0018] In the example of FIG. 3C, the platform 120 is approximately vertical in its stored state. In other examples, such as shown in the side view of FIG. 4A, the platform 120 may be non-vertical in its stored (i.e., stowed, undeployed, resting, retracted, non-use, or open) position, such as an angle of zero to 40°, or 3° to 30°, or 5° to 20° from vertical. For example, the angle of the platform 120 in its stored position may depend on its installed location with respect to the toilet (i.e., how far in front of or underneath the toilet bowl) or may depend on the shape of the toilet, which in either case may prevent the platform 120 from being stored in a fully vertical position. In some cases, the stored state (i.e., stored position) may need to be angled to accommodate the range of movement of the hinge mechanism being used.

[0019] FIG. 3D shows the step stool 100 in its stored position, with legs 30 of a user illustrated during conventional use (without using the step stool 100 even though the step stool may be present). The legs 30 can represent a user sitting on toilet 20 or standing and facing the toilet 20 to urinate. As can be seen, both the base 110 and platform 120 do not intrude into the space occupied by the user’s legs 30 during conventional usage.

[0020] In the illustration of FIG. 4A, the platform 120 in its stored position is at an angle 0 of approximately 15° from vertical. Other angles for the stored position are possible, as described above. FIG. 4B shows the step stool 100 in its deployed (i.e., unstored, or stepping) position, with the platform 120 folded down to be supported by the base 110.

[0021] The step stool 100 is uniquely designed to have platform 120 offset with respect to the base 110. That is, a center point 125 (FIG. 4B and FIG. 5C) of the platform 120 is positioned off-center from (i.e., not aligned with in a front-to-back direction) a central axis 115 (vertical axis) of the base 110. Put another way, adistance DI that the platform 120 extends beyond a front wall 114 of the base 110 is greater than a distance D2 that the platform extends beyond a rear wall 112 of the base 110, where D2 may be zero or non-zero. The base 110 and platform 120 are offset from each other to allow the platform 120 to rest against or toward the toilet when not in use, as shown in FIG. 4 A, without the base 110 encroaching into floor space in front of the toilet where a user’s feet will be located. The offset design also enables the base to be installed on the floor closer to a toilet (e.g., more under the toilet bowl) than a centered design (i.e., if center point 125 of the platform 120 were aligned with the central axis 115 of the base 110). That is, for a desired position of the platform 120 in front of a toilet during use, the offset base 110 of the present disclosure can be closer to the toilet than a centered base would be, thereby being unobtrusive when the step stool is not being used. In some cases, the offset design with the hinge near the rear border of the platform may also provide a greater lever arm for a user (particularly for a child) to push the platform 120 upward, compared to the platform 120 being centered on the base 110. Also, compared to being centered on the base, the offset design creates a larger space on the underside of the platform for a user to push the platform up, and allows for a more natural open / close motion due to the hinge being located at the rear region of the platform 120.

[0022] The top surface of the platform 120 has an area that is larger than an upper surface 116 of the base 110, which enables sufficient standing area when in use, but minimizes space occupied by the base when the platform 120 is retracted. The platform 120 is large enough for a child’s feet, yet is out of the way when stored. The base 110 and platform 120 are sized to be small enough to be unobtrusive when a person uses the toilet 20 without the step stool 100. For instance, with an adult sitting on the toilet, the platform in its resting (stowed) position will not bump against the person’s legs from the front or sides. This arrangement of offset positioning of the platform 120, and the sizing of the base 110 and platform 120, enables the step stool 100 to advantageously be permanently installed in restrooms (e.g., public restrooms) to allow the toilet to be compatible both for standard use (with the platform 120 not in use) and for children (with the platform 120 down in the deployed position).

[0023] In one example, the platform 120 may have a width 121a with dimensions (FIG. 5C, from side edge to side edge) and a depth 121b with dimensions (from front edge to back edge) of 350 mm by 170 mm (13.8 inches by 6.6 inches). In one example, the total height of the step stool 100 with the platform in its deployedstate (folded down) may be 130 mm (5.1 inches), and the total height of the step stool 100 with the platform vertically upward may be 250 mm (9.8 in). In some examples, the platform may have a width 121a of approximately 25 to 38 cm (10 to 15 inches), and a depth 121b of approximately 12 to 20 cm (5 to 8 inches). In some examples, the base may have dimensions approximately 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) wide (side to side) and approximately 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches) deep (front to back). In a specific example, the base may be 13.2 cm wide by 6.6 cm deep (5.2 inches wide by 2.6 inches deep), such as to be used with a platform 35.1 cm wide and 16.8 cm deep (13.8 inches wide and 6.6 inches deep).

[0024] Existing folding step stools are designed to be portable, typically with supporting legs that fold up under the platform. For use in public places, publicly supplied portable step stools are likely to be stolen or lost, and it is inconvenient for people to bring a portable step stool with them. A user would also need to use their hands to touch the portable step stool to move it, which is unsanitary. Other existing footrests or stepstools are incorporated as part of the toilet itself, with mechanisms that are built into a specialized toilet. For instance, some conventional designs involve footrests that retract along the sides of a toilet (e.g., by sliding on a track or along telescoping arms), or that pivot from the toilet seat or from underneath the toilet. For public facilities, these specialized toilets would require replacing or modifying existing standard toilets, which is costly and time-consuming. Further conventional step stools are non-foldable, which is not practical for use in public restrooms.

[0025] In contrast to conventional step stools for toilets, the present design is a stand-alone product that can be utilized with any standard toilet. The present step stool can be permanently installed to make a toilet easily usable with or without the step stool deployed, without sacrificing ease of use for adults or children. The design is unobtrusive when not in use, sturdy, and easy to clean as shall be described below. The design may also be foot-operated, avoiding contact with the user’s hands.

[0026] FIGS. 5A-5D show a front view, a side view, a bottom view, and a top view, respectively, of a platform 120, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The platform 120 can be made of materials capable of holding a specified weight, such as up to 200 pounds (90.7 kg) or more. Example materials for platform 120 may be, for example, aluminum, steel, high-strength plastics, or composite materials (e.g., fiber-reinforced polymers). The platform material may also befinished or treated for easy cleaning, such as with non-corrosive coatings or coatings that can withstand cleaning solutions. Platform 120 has a top surface 128 for a user to place their feet on when stepping, standing, or resting their feet on the step stool 100. The top surface 128 may include a non-slip surface 129 (FIG. 5D). In some aspects, the non-slip surface 129 is attached (e.g., adhered) to the top surface 128. The attached non-slip surface 129 may be non-slipping due to the material used, such as rubber or a polymer coating, where the material may optionally include surfacing or texturing such as matte finishes, grooves, ridges, bumps, grid lines, a particulate additive, or other features. Alternatively, top surface 128 itself of the platform 120 may be formed with the non-slip surface 129. For example, the top surface 128 may be machined or molded to include texturing or other surfacing (e.g., matte finish, grooves, ridges, bumps, grid lines) to prevent a user’s feet from sliding.

[0027] FIGS. 6A-6D show a plan view, a side view, a front view, and a bottom view, respectively, of step stool 100 in its stowed position (platform 120 folded upward away from the base 110), in accordance with aspects. In the side view of FIG. 6B, base 110 is shown with a rear wall 112 (wall that will face the toilet when the step stool is installed), a front wall 114 opposite the rear wall 112, and an upper surface 116. Upper surface 116 of base 110 is a surface that will support the platform in its deployed state. A hinge 126, at or near a rear border 122 of platform 120, may be a housing that encloses a hinge or may be a hinge itself for attaching the platform 120 to the base 110. As can be seen, hinge 126 of the platform 120 is coupled to the rear wall 112 of the base.

[0028] In these aspects of FIGS. 6A-6C, the upper surface 116 includes a protrusion 118 which is a raised feature extending from the upper surface, on which the platform 120 may rest in its deployed position. The protrusion 118 is illustrated in this example as a raised straight line, near the front wall 114. In other aspects, the protrusion 118 may take the form of other geometries, such as one or more lines (curved or straight), dots (e.g., points, bumps), circles, polygons, or other shapes or designs. The protrusion 118 (or plurality of the protrusions) may be positioned in various locations such as in the center of the upper surface 116, near the side edges of the upper surface, near the front wall 114 of the base, and / or near the rear wall 112 of the base. In other aspects, the protrusion 118 may be omitted such that the platform 120 rests directly on the upper surface 116 (i.e., contacts the upper surface) when the step stool 100 is in use.

[0029] The bottom view of FIG. 6D shows holes 132 for securing the base 110 to the ground. Four holes 132 are shown in this example, although fewer (e.g., one, two or three) or more (e.g., five or more) holes may be included. The holes 132 are configured to accommodate fasteners such as screws, bolts, brackets, and the like.

[0030] In some aspects, the base 110 is secured directly to the ground. For this type of configuration, a foundation 130 in FIG. 6D is a bottom surface of the base 110 itself, and the holes 132 are in the base 110. In other aspects, the base 110 is hollow and slid onto a separate piece that serves to anchor the step stool to the ground (via screws or other fasteners as described above). In such a design, foundation 130 in FIG. 6D is a bottom surface of a floor mount 200 that is inside base 110 (see FIGS. 7A-7D), and the holes 132 are in the floor mount 200.

[0031] FIGS. 7A-7D show top, side, front, and bottom views, respectively of a floor mount 200, in accordance with aspects. In the bottom view of FIG. 7D, the foundation 130 of the floor mount 200 includes the holes 132 for securing the step stool 100 to the floor (i.e., ground). The floor mount 200 is made of a sturdy material such as stainless steel that provides structural support for the weight of a user when they stand on the offset platform 120. The floor mount 200 is sized to fit inside the base 110, serving as a core to which the base 110 is coupled.

[0032] In this illustration, a coupling feature 234, shown in the side view of FIG. 7B, is a hole for attaching the base 110 to the floor mount 200 using, for example, a screw, bolt, pin, or other fastener. There may be multiple coupling features 234 in the floor mount 200 for attaching the base 110 to the floor mount, such as on one or both lateral sides, and / or on the front, or the back of the floor mount 200. One or more coupling features 234 may be included on each wall of the floor mount 200. In other aspects, the coupling feature 234 may be configured in other manners, such as a groove or slot for a clamp, bracket or mating feature on the base 110 to be seated. The top view of FIG. 7 A shows holes 236 in the top of the floor mount 200, which can be used for accessing the holes 132 in the foundation 130 of the floor mount 200 (see FIG. 7C). The floor mount 200 may have a height Hl that enables a tool (e.g., screwdriver) to extend through the height of the floor mount 200 to secure screws at the foundation 130 to the ground. Once the step stool 100 is installed in the facility (e.g., a public restroom), it is available for any person who utilizes the toilet. The step stool 100 may also be removed by unscrewing the screws (or other fastener) if the facility decides that the step stool 100 is no longer needed.

[0033] FIGS. 8A-8D show top, side, front, and bottom views, respectively, of the base 110 in an example where the floor mount 200 is utilized. Base 110 in this example includes the protrusion 118 as described in FIGS. 6A and 6C. The side view of FIG. 8B shows a hole 111 corresponding to coupling feature 234, to attach base 110 to the floor mount 200. In the top view of FIG. 8 A, and bottom view of FIG. 8D, a hinge region 117 can represent a hinge itself or an area where a hinge will be mounted. Hinge region 117 is near or adjacent to the rear wall 112 to enable the platform 120 to be coupled to the base 110 in an offset manner.

[0034] FIG. 8D also illustrates that the base 110 is hollow, in which the front wall 114, rear wall 112, and remainder of the walls (i.e., perimeter) of the base 110 form a shell that fits around floor mount 200. The interior 113 of the base is open, for receiving the floor mount 200. To install the step stool 100 at a facility with this coreshell configuration, the floor mount 200 is first attached to the ground via fasteners inserted into holes 132. The base 110 is then slid over the floor mount 200 and secured to the floor mount 200 by attaching the components together with screws (or other fasteners) in hole 111 of the base 110 and coupling feature 234 of the floor mount 200. The fasteners (e.g., screws, locking pins) may be removable to enable the base 110 to be taken off the floor mount 200 for cleaning (e.g., wiping off, rinsing, and / or sanitizing). That is, the base 110 may be detachably coupled to the floor mount 200, in which the fasteners may be undone, and the base 110 is lifted off from (slid off) the floor mount 200. By having the base 110 be removable from floor mount 200, the base 110 and platform 120 may be cleaned in a sink or other location rather than requiring a maintenance worker to perform the work on the ground at the toilet.

[0035] The height H2 of base 110 may be equal to or greater than height Hl of the floor mount 200. Thus, the floor mount 200 may provide support along the entire height of the base 110 (if Hl equals H2) or along a partial height of the base 110 (when Hl is less than H2). Accordingly, base 110 may be made of a sturdy material that supports the weight of a user when standing on the offset platform 120. Example materials for base 110 include, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, high- strength plastics, or composite materials (e.g., fiber-reinforced polymers).

[0036] The type of hinge 126 (or similar coupling element in hinge region 117 that is configured to provide pivoting or rotating motion) for coupling the platform 120 to the base 110 can be selected for safety and ease of use. In some aspects, thehinge can be a push-release hinge such that the user provides a gentle push with their foot on the platform 120 to initiate movement of the platform from its stored position to its deployed position. In some aspects, the hinge can include a soft close so that it moves gently toward its resting position on the base 110. In some aspects, the hinge that hingedly couples the platform to the base is a push open and soft close hinge. In some aspects, the hinge can be a friction hinge that resists motion such that the platform 120 stays upward in its stored position and is moved downward to its deployed position in a controlled way.

[0037] In some aspects, the hinge can comprise a spring that is biased to automatically lift or rotate the platform upward when there is no force pushing down on the platform. In other words, the spring may be configured to maintain the platform in its stored position (upward, stowed). The spring may be, for example, a torsion spring or a compression spring, which may be custom designed to achieve the range of motion of the platform deployment and to accommodate the range forces to be encountered by the step stool (weights of people using the step stool). Having a hinge and / or spring that self-opens may add functionality by not requiring the user to lift (i.e., retract or stow) the platform after use, which provides a sanitary experience for the user.

[0038] In general, the platform 120 can be moved by the user in a hands-free manner, being easy to pull down or tilt upward with their feet. In some cases, the user only needs to provide a triggering movement or force (e.g., a push release) to cause the platform to move upward or downward, which can provide ease of use for small children. In some cases, no action is needed by the user to cause the platform to move upward, and the user need only to step on the platform to deploy it.

[0039] In some aspects, a step stool for a toilet comprises a base having a rear wall, a front wall, and an upper surface; and a platform having a rear border, a front border, and a top surface. The rear border of the platform is hingedly coupled to the base. In a deployed position, the platform is rotated downward onto the upper surface of the base, and the front border of the platform overhangs the front wall of the base. In a stored position, the platform is rotated upward from the upper surface of the base.

[0040] In some aspects, a step stool for a toilet comprises a base having a rear wall, a front wall, and an upper surface. A platform is hingedly coupled to the rear wall of the base and has a center point that is offset from a central axis of the base. The platform has a top surface with an area that is larger than the upper surface of thebase. A a floor mount is inside the base, the base being coupled to the floor mount. In a deployed position, the platform is supported by the upper surface of the base. In a stored position, the platform is rotated upward from the rear wall of the base.

[0041] In some aspects, the rear border of the platform is hingedly coupled to the rear wall of the base. In some aspects, the top surface of the platform has an area that is larger than the upper surface of the base. In some aspects, in the deployed position, a front portion of the platform extends beyond the front wall of the base. In some aspects, the step stool comprises a hinge that hingedly couples the platform to the base, wherein the hinge is a push open, soft close hinge.

[0042] In some aspects, the step stool further comprises a floor mount sized to fit inside the base, the floor mount configured to be secured to a floor and to attach the base to the floor mount. In some aspects, the base is detachably coupled to the floor mount.

[0043] In some aspects, the step stool further comprises a non-slip material coupled to the top surface of the platform. In some aspects, the upper surface of the base comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the upper surface, wherein the platform is in contact with the protrusion in the deployed position.

[0044] Reference has been made in detail to aspects of the disclosed invention, one or more examples of which have been illustrated in the accompanying figures. Each example has been provided by way of explanation of the present technology, not as a limitation of the present technology. In fact, while the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific aspects of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one aspect may be used with another aspect to yield a still further aspect. Thus, it is intended that the present subject matter covers all such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A step stool for a toilet comprising: a base having a rear wall, a front wall, and an upper surface; and a platform having a rear border, a front border, and a top surface, the rear border of the platform being hingedly coupled to the base; wherein in a deployed position, the platform is rotated downward onto the upper surface of the base, and the front border of the platform overhangs the front wall of the base; and wherein in a stored position, the platform is rotated upward from the upper surface of the base.

2. The step stool of claim 1, wherein the rear border of the platform is hingedly coupled to the rear wall of the base.

3. The step stool of claim 1, further comprising a floor mount is sized to fit inside the base, the floor mount configured to be secured to a floor and to attach the base to the floor mount.

4. The step stool of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the platform has an area that is larger than the upper surface of the base.

5. The step stool of claim 1, further comprising a hinge that hingedly couples the platform to the base, wherein the hinge is a push open, soft close hinge.

6. The step stool of claim 1, further comprising a hinge that hingedly couples the platform to the base, wherein the hinge comprises a spring element that is configured to maintain the platform in the stored position.

7. The step stool of claim 1, further comprising a non-slip material coupled to the top surface of the platform.

8. The step stool of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the base comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the upper surface, wherein the platform is in contact with the protrusion in the deployed position.

9. A step stool for a toilet comprising: a base having a rear wall, a front wall, and an upper surface; a platform hingedly coupled to the rear wall of the base and having a center point that is offset from a central axis of the base, the platform having a top surface with an area that is larger than the upper surface of the base; and a floor mount inside the base, the base being coupled to the floor mount;wherein in a deployed position, the platform is supported by the upper surface of the base; and wherein in a stored position, the platform is rotated upward from the rear wall of the base.

10. The step stool of claim 9, wherein the base is detachably coupled to the floor mount.

11. The step stool of claim 9, wherein a rear border of the platform is hingedly coupled to the rear wall of the base.

12. The step stool of claim 9, wherein in the deployed position, a front portion of the platform extends beyond the front wall of the base.

13. The step stool of claim 9, further comprising a hinge that hingedly couples the platform to the base, wherein the hinge is a push open, soft close hinge.

14. The step stool of claim 9, further comprising a hinge that hingedly couples the platform to the base, wherein the hinge comprises a spring element that is configured to maintain the platform in the stored position.

15. The step stool of claim 9, wherein the top surface of the platform comprises a non-slip material.

16. The step stool of claim 9, wherein the upper surface of the base comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the upper surface, wherein the platform is in contact with the protrusion in the deployed position.

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