Flippable Toilet Footrest With Dual Heights for User Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toilet footrests fail to accommodate users of varying sizes and medical needs, as they are not easily adjustable to different heights, which can lead to discomfort and difficulty in defecation due to inadequate anorectal angles.

Innovation Solution

A flippable toilet footrest with two platforms of different heights that can be adjusted by rotating one platform to the other, allowing users to customize the height without tools, accommodating various user sizes and medical conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-height footrest is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate users of varying sizes and medical needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying user sizes and medical needsVSAvoidfootrest structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The footrest is divided into two distinct platforms of different heights (first platform and second platform), each serving a specific height requirement. This segmentation allows the footrest to accommodate multiple user types without requiring a completely different device for each user size or medical condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two footrest platforms of different heights are merged into a single integrated device that can function in either configuration. The first and second platforms are combined with connecting structures to form one cohesive footrest unit, eliminating the need for separate footrests for different users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If an adjustable footrest is provided for different heights, then user comfort is improved, but the device becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfort and accessibilityVSAvoidfootrest manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The footrest incorporates movable connecting structures that allow the platform positions to be adjusted or reversed. This dynamic capability enables the footrest to transition between different height configurations, improving user comfort while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easier to manufacture than fully adjustable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-height adjustable footrest is created, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidfootrest mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of designing a complex mechanism that actively adjusts between multiple heights, the invention inverts the approach by providing two fixed platforms at different heights and allowing the user to select between them. This inversion simplifies the device complexity while maintaining the versatility to accommodate different user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11779173B2Flippable toilet footrest

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 SQUATTY POTTY LLC

AI summary

A flippable toilet footrest has a first foot platform on a first side, the first foot platform having a toilet contour; a second foot platform on a second side, the second foot platform having a toilet contour; wherein in a first position, the first foot platform has a first height, and in a second position, the second foot platform has a second height. Therefore, a user may adjust the height of the footrest by flipping the footrest from one foot platform to the other.