Field of the invention

This invention relates generally to the field of toilets, and more particularly to a toilet accessory.

Background of the invention

Since time immemorial man has used the squatting position to perform his bodily functions. Infants of every culture instinctively adopt this posture as the most comfortable and effective way to relieve themselves. The modern seat-like toilet, on the other hand, is a relatively recent innovation. It was invented in Western Europe a few centuries ago, as a way of distinguishing "civilized man" from the "primitive peoples" who inhabit the rest of the world. This deviation from the human body's natural mode of functioning is considered by many health practitioners to be a factor in a number of disorders that affect the people of westernized countries. Complaints such as constipation, hernias (from straining on the toilet), hemorrhoids (from pressure on the rectum in the sifting position) and twisted colon syndrome (from misalignment of the intestines) are some of the ailments linked to the use of the seat-like toilet. In addition, experts in colon cleansing have asserted that the areas of the colon most susceptible to malignant tumors are the same areas which are not fully evacuated in the sitting posture. Reports of the beneficial effects of switching from the sitting to the squatting position include greater speed and comfort in elimination and relief from hemorrhoids. Persuasive clinical data on the use of-this method to treat hemorrhoids appears in US 4819277.

Prior Art

CN 2070012151 U describes a leg support device which is attached to the toilet seat itself. The device includes a telescopic rod so that the height of the leg supports can be adjusted. The leg supports are in the form of plates hanging from the telescopic rod, these are foldable. This device is not meant to be mounted and demounted in order to be carried around.

US 2012227169 A1 describes a leg support device which is attached to a toilet bowl. The device is foldable and can be easily carried. The device has a floor support and it does not have a telescopic rod. It is intended for children toilet training.

DE 20108528 U describes a knee support hanging from a toilet bowl. The height of the knee support is adjustable with a telescopic rod, it is supported by being placed on the floor. This invention is designed to help a person to kneel next to the toilet in order to urinate.

US 4198716 A describes a leg support that can be attached to a toilet bowl. The leg rest hangs down from the toilet bowl. This is designed in one piece and neither the height nor the leg rests are adjustable.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet accessory portable, easy to install, foldable (easy to store), and tunable. This combination of properties is important because in social situations the device might prove an embarrassment or an inconvenience on guests and other members of the household, so it needs to not require considerable time, effort and skill to install and remove, and needs to be able to be stored in a small space. In addition, squatting is not a natural position any longer for most westerners, so people need help to find a proper and stable squatting position to defecate properly. Having a stable while tunable leg rest is therefore essential.

The present invention is a leg support device which can be attached to a toilet bowl. The device comprises a fastener with an extendable element which hangs down from the fastener. Leg support plates hang from the extendable element. The leg plates can be adjusted both in height and they can be separated so that there is a distance between the plates. The purpose is to achieve a better physiological position during defecation. The device is foldable and can be easily carried.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet accessory that collapses to a relatively flat configuration for storage or shipping. This trait is very important for hospital industry and for hotel industry, as there is a need to adapt the bathroom facilities to each guest or patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet accessory that includes an angled leg rest that makes it easier for a person to sit in a squatting position. These objects are achieved in a toilet accessory as defined in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

Fig 1 is a first perspective view of the toilet accessory.

Fig 2 is a second perspective view of the toilet accessory with the support means Fig 3 is a top view the toilet accessory.

Fig 4 is a side view of the toilet accessory. Fig 5 is a side view of the toilet accessory extended.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The toilet accessory device 1 comprises but is not limited to the following parts:

- an attachment element 2, for attaching the toilet accessory to a toilet, particularly a toilet bowl; - an extendable element 3, attached on one side to the attachment element 2, and on the other side to a coupling element 4, to regulate the distance between the attachment element 2 and the coupling element 4;

- the coupling element 4 is connecting the extendable element 3 to two support means 5, wherein the connection is rotatable (hinged) and allows the spacing between the support means to be adjusted at will;

- the two support means 5 are adapted to support the feet of a person using the toilet. The attachment element 2 allows the toilet accessory to be attached to the toilet, especially a toilet bowl. It can be a single element to allow attachment at front of the toilet bowl, for example a hook, or composed of multiple elements to allow attachment to different parts of the toilets. The attachment handle can be modified to be attached to high chairs and stools.

As shown on fig 4 & 5, the extendable element 3 allows to adjust the height of the toilet accessory, from a contracted disposition to an extended disposition, and ideally allows for in-between positions. The extendable element 3 allows the length of the toilet accessory to cover a range of sizes up to the full height of the toilet. The extendable element 3 can for example be a telescopic pole or tube, a hinged or a folded pole, etc, preferably a telescopic pole or tube. Its cross section can be a rectangular, oval, circle, square, octagonal, etc.

As shown on fig 1, 2 & 3, the two support means 5 (footrests/plates) can move up and down and side to side thanks to the coupling element 4. The coupling element 4 also allows to lock the position of the support means at different angles and width. The footplates can be merged into a larger area with no spaces in between by sliding them together. They can also be pushed apart to achieve the desired feet width. The coupling element 4 allows for a width between the support means 5 from 0 cm to 20cm, preferably from 0 cm to 30cm, more preferably from 0 cm to 40cm, most preferably from 0 cm to 50cm.

Each support means 5, for example a plate, allows for a foot of average length (up to about 44cm) to get proper support. Depending on the type of support means 5, said support means 5 can be adjusted in length or width.

The coupling element 4 regulates the position of the footrests. The regulation of the positioning of each footplate can be independent from the other footplate.