Wall-Mounted Toilet Support with Adjustable Telescoping Leg
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wall-mounted toilets typically have a weight limit of 300 to 350 pounds, which is insufficient for individuals exceeding this weight, leading to potential breakage and associated injuries, discomfort, and legal liabilities in public facilities.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable leg support system attached to a bumper that increases the weight capacity to approximately 1,000 pounds, featuring a three-sided curved bumper design with a concave upper surface and a telescoping leg mechanism for easy installation and retraction, allowing full cleaning access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wall mounted toilet is supported only by a carrier installed inside the wall, then the installation is simple and the floor cleaning access is good, but the weight limit is only 300 to 350 pounds which is insufficient for heavier users
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into two independent parts: the wall-mounted carrier and the floor-mounted adjustable leg. The carrier handles installation and wall mounting, while the adjustable leg provides additional weight support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a two-dimensional wall-mounted system to a three-dimensional system by adding the vertical floor-mounted adjustable leg. This adds a new dimension of support (floor-to-toilet vertical axis) that significantly increases the weight-bearing capacity while maintaining the wall-mounted configuration.
2Strength
If an adjustable support leg is added to increase weight capacity, then the weight limit increases to 1,000 pounds, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable leg incorporates a telescoping mechanism with adjustable length, allowing it to be customized for different floor-to-toilet distances. This dynamic adjustability simplifies installation by accommodating various installation scenarios without requiring custom-length legs, thereby easing manufacturing and installation while maintaining high weight capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable leg features a self-adjusting telescoping mechanism that can be easily configured by the installer without specialized tools or complex procedures. The leg automatically stabilizes when extended to the appropriate length, making the installation process straightforward and reducing the need for professional installation services.
3Strength
If a fixed support leg is used to increase weight capacity, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the cleaning access to the floor is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable leg is designed to be retractable, allowing it to be extended when needed for support and retracted when not in use to allow floor cleaning access. This dynamic configuration enables the system to switch between two states: a deployed state for weight bearing and a retracted state for floor access, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for supporting a wall mounted toilet with a toilet bumper in contact with the underside of the wall mounted toilet. The toilet bumper includes an adjustable support leg having an upper end mounted to the toilet bumper and a support foot mounted to a lower end of the adjustable support leg to rest against a floor.