FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for facilitating toilet or pottytraining tasks and more specifically to alterable supporting surfaces and lid assemblies for toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transitioning from diapers to learning to successfully use an adult toilet is an important stage of development for every toddler. However, the learning process can present several difficulties for younger individuals. Teaching a toddler to use an adult toilet requires that the toddler feels secure and comfortable during the toilet training process.

Toddlers more successfully accomplish toilet training if they feel more secure about using the toilet and are able to maneuver themselves on and off the toilet easily, in addition to stabilizing themselves with their feet to push when they have a bowel movement. However, a toddler's size in comparison to an adult toilet may hinder the toddler's progress in using the toilet. The age and size of a toddler when an adult caregiver may begin the toilet training process may vary and depend upon many factors. For instance, while sitting on the adult toilet, the toddler may experience discomfort or insecurity due to the toddler's short legs which tend not to reach the floor and dangle unsupported. Thus, the toddler's legs are not stabilized and cannot aid the toddler with pushing to facilitate the toddler's bowel movement.

Toddlers would be more successful in accomplishing toilet training if they also felt more secure about using the toilet stabilizing themselves on the toilet seat. The toilet seat of the toilet bowl in the bathroom of each household is made for use only by adults, so when a child sees the toilet, there are inconveniences such as getting help from an adult or finding a toilet bowl for a child.

While sitting on the adult toilet, the toddler may experience discomfort or insecurity due to the toddler's buttocks which tend to be smaller and unsupported on an adult toilet seat. Thus, the toddler's body is not stabilized or comfortable. This would then require a smaller toilet seat with a back support so that the toddler would feel more secure, comfortable, and not slip into the toilet bowl.

The present invention is an adjustable potty -training system transforms a standard toilet for use by a child by correcting for the height of the toilet off the floor and the size of the toilet seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front isometric view of the present invention arranged in a closed position with a toilet in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top front isometric view of the present invention arranged in an open position with a toilet in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the present invention arranged in a closed position with a toilet in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top front isometric view of the stool of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the stool of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the stool of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the stool of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the stool of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG 9 is an exploded top front isometric view of the stool of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exploded front elevation view of the stool of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top front isometric view of the lid of the present invention in an open position in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the lid of the present invention in an open position in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top front isometric view of the lid of the present invention in a closed position in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the lid of the present invention in a closed position in accordance with at least one embodiment.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a potty-training system comprising a stool 1 and a lid 2. The stool 1 of the present invention is configured to sit on the floor against the pedestal of a toilet while the lid 2 is configured to sit atop a seat of the toilet. In combination, the stool 1 and the lid 2 adapt a standard toilet into a toilet usable for a child for pottytraining.

The stool 1 of the present invention comprises a platform 10 and a plurality of risers 11. The platform 10 of the present invention is a substantially rectangular component comprising a top platform surface 100, a bottom platform surface 101, a left side 104, a right side 105, a front end 102, and a rear end 103. The top platform surface 100 and the bottom platform surface 101 are oppositely from one another about the platform 10 and are preferably parallel to one another. The left side 104 and the right side 105 are oppositely positioned from one another about the platform 10 and the front end 102 and the rear end 103 are oppositely positioned from one another about the platform 10. The rear end 103 of the platform 10 may comprise a curved cutout in order for the platform 10 to nest against and partially extend around a standard toilet pedestal. The top platform surface 100 may comprise a non-slip surface 115. The non-slip surface 115 may include a plurality of raised ribs, a plurality of recessed ribs, or other similar structures to prevent a user’s feet from sliding on the top platform surface 100. The non-slip surface 115 is preferably rubber or silicone but may be any other material that resists slippage.

The plurality of risers 11 may be attached to the bottom platform surface 101 in order to raise the platform 10 to a desired height for use. Each of the plurality of risers 11 comprises a top riser surface 110 and a bottom riser surface 111 oppositely positioned from one another about the riser. The top riser surface 110 may be engaged with the bottom platform surface 101. The platform 10 and the plurality of risers 11 may comprise a first interlocking structure 13 and a second interlocking structure 14, wherein the first interlocking structure 13 is configured to engage with the second interlocking structure 14. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom platform 10 surface and the bottom riser surface 111 each comprise the first interlocking structure 13 and the top riser surface 110 comprises the second interlocking structure 14, allowing for the plurality of risers 11 to engage with the platform 10 and to engage with one another in a stacking manner.

In many embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of risers 11 comprises three or more risers. Specifically, the plurality may comprise a first riser 112, a last riser 114, and at least one middle riser 113. In such an embodiment, the plurality of risers 11 are arranged with the at least one middle riser 113 stacked between the first riser 112 and the last riser 114. Each of the first riser 112, a last riser 114, and at least one middle riser 113 may comprise the first interlocking structure 13 on the bottom riser surface 111 and a second interlocking structure 14 on the top riser surface 110, allowing the plurality of risers 11 to stack on top of one another. In the preferred embodiment, the top riser surface 110 of the first riser 112 is connected to the bottom platform 10 surface, the top riser surface 110 of the at least one middle riser 113 is connected to the bottom riser surface 111 of the first riser 112, and the top riser surface 110 of the last riser 114 is connected to the bottom riser surface 111 of the at least one middle riser 113 Additionally, in many embodiments, the plurality of risers 1 1 may be split into a plurality of left risers 16 and a plurality of right risers 17. In this embodiment, the plurality of left risers 16 and the plurality of right risers 17 operate in the same manner as discussed above for the plurality of risers 11, with the plurality of right risers 17 mirroring the plurality of left risers 16. Specifically, the top riser surface 110 of the first riser 112 of the plurality of left risers 16 is engaged with the bottom platform surface 101 on the left side 104 of the platform 10 and the top riser surface 110 of the first riser 112 of the plurality of right risers 17 is engaged with the bottom platform surface 101 on the right side 105 of the platform 10. In sum, the plurality of risers 11 may be stacked with one another to reach a desired height under the platform 10, raising the platform 10 the height required for the user to rest their feet while using the toilet.

The stool 1 may further comprise at least one handle system 15 configured to be held by the user while getting onto the toilet and/or using the toilet. The at least one handle system 15 comprises a handle 150, a base 151, and a telescoping pole. The base 151 and the handle 150 are connected to one another by the at least one telescoping pole 152, allowing the handle 150 to move away from and toward the base 151 by way of the telescoping pole being configured to extend and contract between the base 151 and the handle 150. The base 151 of the at least one handle system 15 is preferably connected to the plurality of risers 11 with the at least one telescoping pole 152 and the handle 150 extending away from the base 151 in the direction of the platform 10. In the preferred embodiment, a button on the top of the handle 150 is pushed to retract a pin mechanism and release the at least one telescoping pole 152, allowing the handle 150 to be raised or lowered. When the button is released, the pins will push out through holes in the at least one telescoping pole 152, stopping the handle 150 at that height. When fully extended, the handle 150 rises past the platform 10, providing a place at or above the height of the toilet for the user to grab. In the preferred embodiment, the at least one handle system 15 comprises a first handle system and a second handle system. The first handle system is positioned adjacent to the left side 104 of the platform 10 and the right handle system is positioned adjacent to the right side 105 of the platform 10. Further, the platform 10 may comprise hooks or clips on the left side 104 and the right side 105 to connect to the at least one telescoping pole 152, securing and stabilizing the at least one handle system 15. The stool 1 may also comprise a plurality of non-slip feet 18. The plurality of non-slip feet 18 is connected to the bottom riser surface 111, creating a gripping barrier between the plurality of risers 11 and the floor. In some embodiments, the plurality of non-slip feet 18 may be configured to engage with the first interlocking structure 13.

The lid 2 of the present invention comprises a rear portion 20, a front portion 21, and a pivoting connector 22. The lid 2 is configured to sit atop a toilet seat of a toilet, allowing a different portion of the toilet seat to be opened depending on the user. In the present invention, the rear portion 20 and the front portion 21 of the lid 2 are pivotably connected to one another by the pivoting connector 22, allowing the front portion 21 to rotate relative to the rear portion 20. The rear portion 20 may further comprise an attachment mechanism 200 configured to connect the lid 2 to a toilet seat. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 200 may allow the lid 2 to be pivotably attached to the seat, such that the entire lid 2 can flip up relative to the seat. The front portion 21 may further comprise a seat extension 210. The seat extension 210 preferably extends perpendicularly to the front portion 21 and has a rounded shape. When the front portion 21 is rotated perpendicular to the rear portion 20, the seat extension 210 is raised into place parallel with the rear portion 20, creating a rounded seat for the user of the smaller lid 2 opening.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.