CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICAITONS

[001 ] This application claims priority from provisional patent application US 62/645,524, entitled“Toilet seat with footrest and buttocks support”, filed on March 20, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [002] The present invention relates to toilets, in particular, a toilet seat that is configurable to facilitate toilet use in a squatting position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] The health advantages to the squatting position during bowel movements are well documented and various designs for squatting toilet seat devices have been disclosed.

[004] Regardless, such disclosed devices tend to have at least one of the following exemplary drawbacks: they are not aesthetic and/or they take up space in the bathroom and/or they do not have a height adjustment option and/or they require the user to properly locate them on the floor before using and/or they do not provide an option for a transitional sitting position.

[005] It is believed that the relevant technology is represented by the following publications: US 4,584,725 (Oliver, 1986-04-29); US 5,809,583 (Pucciani, 1998-09-22); US 6,148,448 (Urso, 2000-1 1 -21 ); US 6,256,800 (Isbet, 2001 -07-10); US 6,631 ,524 (Dixon, 2003-10-14); US 7,962,973 (Sikirov, 201 1 -06- 21 ); KR 20100124191 (Vig Inc., 2010-1 1 -26); and CN 203924288U (Xu Wei, et al„ 2014-1 1 -05). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] The present invention relates to a toilet seat, typically for a sitting style (so-called "western") toilet, that is configured to facilitate use the toilet in a squatting position.

[007] In accordance with embodiments of one aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet seat attachable to a sitting style toilet. The toilet seat includes: at least one footrest element; at least one footrest element housing recess configured to house the at least one footrest element; and a footrest deployment mechanism for allowing deployment of the at least one footrest element from a non-deployed to a deployed position, wherein the at least one footrest element is substantially disposed within the recess of the toilet seat when in a non-deployed position and extractable to a deployed position, whereby the sitting style toilet is operable to facilitate use of the sitting style toilet in a squatting position.

[008] In some embodiments, the at least one footrest element includes a footrest height adjustment mechanism to allow the height of the at least one footrest to be adjusted. In some embodiments, the footrest element includes a pair of footrests. In some embodiments, the footrest element is a shelf-like footrest.

[009] In some embodiments, the footrest deployment mechanism includes a pivot to allow pivoting deployment of the at least one footrest element. In some embodiments, the footrest deployment mechanism includes a sliding footrest deployment mechanism. In some embodiments, the sliding footrest deployment mechanism includes a footrest deployment limiting mechanism. In some embodiments, the footrest deployment limiting mechanism includes a rib of the toilet seat for each at least one footrest element.

[010] In some embodiments, the toilet seat further includes a footrest fixing mechanism for reversibly fixing the at least one footrest element in a locked position during use. In some embodiments, the footrest fixing mechanism includes a snap fit arrangement. [01 1 ] In some embodiments, the toilet seat further includes a buttocks support portion for supporting the user’s buttocks during use. In some embodiments, the buttocks support portion is configured to be removably attachable to the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the buttocks support portion is constituted by a buttocks support member configured to be adjustably attachable to a front portion of the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the buttocks support portion has front legs and rear legs. In some embodiments, the front legs are pivotably attached to said front portion of the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the rear legs include a height or angle adjustment mechanism. In some embodiments, the buttocks support portion includes a base configured to rest on, or otherwise interface with, the sitting style toilet. In some embodiments, the rear legs are configured to interface with the sitting style toilet.

[012] In some embodiments, the toilet seat further includes a rail or channel configured to allow the forward and backward movement of footrests within the seat. In some embodiments, the toilet seat further includes hand rails.

[013] In accordance with embodiments of another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a toilet seat that configured for converting a sitting type toilet into a squatting type toilet. The method includes: deploying one or more footrests disposed in a position substantially within the toilet seat to a position substantially outside and forward of the toilet seat; and placing one’s feet on said one or more footrests.

[014] In some embodiments, the step of deploying includes pivoting the one of more footrests into position. In some embodiments, the step of deploying includes sliding the one of more footrests into position. In some embodiments, the step of deploying includes adjusting the height of the one of more footrests into position.

[015] In some embodiments, the method further includes deploying a buttocks support member at a rear portion of the seat. In some embodiments, deploying the buttocks support member includes raising one or more buttocks support member legs. In some embodiments, deploying the buttocks support member further includes adjusting the height and/or angle of the buttocks support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [001 ] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[002] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a toilet seat of the present invention; [003] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

[004] Fig. 3 is a top view of the toilet seat of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, in a deployed position, ready for use;

[005] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present toilet seat;

[006] Fig. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the instant toilet seat;

[007] Fig. 6 is a top view of a buttocks support accessory in accordance with an exemplary variation of the embodiment of Fig. 5;

[008] Fig. 7 is a schematic and partial side view of yet another embodiment of the present toilet seat;

[009] Fig. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the footrests of the present toilet seat;

[010] Fig. 9 is a side view illustrating another modification of the footrests of the present toilet seat; [01 1 ] Fig. 10 is a side view illustrating yet another modification of the footrests of the present toilet seat;

[012] Figs. 11-16 are perspective views of additional embodiments of the toilet seat illustrating a buttocks support mechanism of the seat; [013] Figs. 17-19 are perspective views of a further embodiment of the toilet seat illustrating a particular footrest mechanism at various stages of deployment; and

[014] Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing details of the embodiment of

Figs. 17-19. [015] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[016] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described.

[017] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a toilet seat 10 of the present invention including a pair of recesses 12; and at least one footrest element, typically a pair of footrests 14 (only one visible), pivotably connected to the toilet seat via a footrest deployment mechanism such as pivot mechanism 16, including for example a bolt-like arrangement 17. In the non-deployed position, footrests 14 are housed mainly or completely within recesses 12 of toilet seat 10. In some embodiments, toilet seat 10 includes a footrest fixing or locking mechanism, for example a lockable and unlockable snap fit arrangement (not visible), for fixing footrests 14 in place prior to use, to prevent undesired or unsafe movement during use.

[018] It is a particular feature of the present invention that footrests 14 are substantially disposed within toilet seat 10 when in the non-deployed position, in other words at least mostly within the toilet seat so as to pose little if any aesthetic issue (i.e. not or barely noticeable), and also so as not to pose any, or at least any significant, mechanical interference or take up any significant additional space in the bathroom.

[019] According to some embodiments, footrests are fixable by a footrest fixing mechanism, for example a snap-fit arrangement (not shown) for reversibly fixing the at least one footrest element (e.g. footrests 14) in a locked position during use.

[020] In some embodiments, recesses 12 can be considered“open” in that there is no portion of seat 10 directly below footrests 14 when in the non- deployed position, as in Fig. 1 . In other embodiments, recesses 12 have a cave like configuration (a slot-like profile) wherein there is a portion of toilet seat 10 below footrests 14 when in the non-deployed position (e.g. as in Fig. 2).

[021 ] When the user wishes to use the toilet in a squatting fashion, footrests 14 can be pivoted out from a completely or partially hidden position (e.g. as in Fig. 1 , inter alia) to their deployed position (Fig. 3), extended out substantially outward from the toilet seat’s front 18. The user can then place his/her feet on footrests 14 and squat over the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the toilet seat includes a urinal pan and/or urinal splash prevention unit, as is known in the art, e.g. as described in US 7,962,973 (Sikirov).

[022] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the instant toilet seat wherein the toilet seat includes a sliding footrest deployment mechanism wherein recess 12 is shaped in a cave-like or hollowed-out form; or in the form of an upside-down pan and having a footrest deployment opening 20 substantially directed to seat front 18. It can be understood that with modern manufacturing and materials, that toilet seat 10 may yet be of completely standard dimensions; however, in some embodiments the toilet seat may have a larger thickness dimension and/or width dimension. In this light, toilet seat 10 is illustrated in Fig. 3 as slightly wider at its front 18, even though that dimensional deviation(s) from a completely standard seat may not be required.

[023] The sliding footrest deployment mechanism may include any known appropriate sliding mechanism. For example, in Fig. 4 the sliding footrest deployment mechanism is shown having a footrest deployment limiting mechanism illustrated by a pair of extension limiters, illustrated by ribs 22a and 22b. One of the ribs 22a is integrally or otherwise attached to each footrest 14 (typically at or near a distal end of the footrest); and one of the ribs 22b is integrally or otherwise attached at each recess 1 2 (typically at or near a proximal end of the recess, i.e. at or near opening 20). When footrests 14 are extended for use, ribs 22a move outward with their respective footrests and prevent complete removal of the footrests for convenience and safety, as ribs 22a are prevented from passing ribs 22b. To help the user in extending footrests 14, in some embodiments the footrests includes a finger grasp indentation 24, and/or the toilet seat is designed so the footrests slightly protrude from seat 10 even in a fully inserted position.

[024] As further illustrated in Fig. 4 and also in Fig. 5, in some embodiments, the instant toilet seat includes an optional higher (thicker) rear area or buttocks support portion 26 which may be advantageous to provide support to the user’s buttocks while the user gets used to using the instant toilet seat. Buttocks support portion 26 is shown as a dotted area for ease of visualization. In some embodiments, this rear buttocks support portion 26 can be designed to be raise-able, as can be designed by a person in the art. Alternatively and optionally, in some embodiments, the seat includes a removably engagable or attachable buttocks support accessory 28 (Fig. 6) configured to fit over the rear portion of seat 10. As such, the buttocks support accessory can be thought of as a removable buttocks support member, such as buttocks support portion 26. In some embodiments, buttocks support accessory 28 is configured to correspond to the remainder of toilet seat 10 whereby the support member can simply be rested on the remainder of the toilet seat. In some embodiments, buttocks support accessory 28 is configured to be attachable to the remainder of toilet seat 10 by a fastener, for example, one or more resilient arcuate fasteners 30.

[025] In accordance with some embodiments, footrests 14 are constituted by one wide footrest, i.e. a shelf-like footrest.

[026] Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the heights of the footrests are adjustable for convenient use by users of various flexibilities and heights. As such, according to some embodiments, footrests 14 include a height adjustable mechanism, having, for example, a telescoping portion member 32. According to some embodiments, telescoping portion member 32 can be used in conjunction with two-part footrests (further examples described below), a first footrest part being an anchoring portion 15a attached (by any appropriate means) to seat 10 in recess 12; and a second footrest part being a user foot support portion 15b. Footrests14 can be deployed by pivoting user foot support portion 15b outward, at a pivot, such as a pivot 36 (an example shown in Fig. 8) and then extending telescoping portion member 32.

[027] Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the toilet set wherein its footrests 14 include two (or more) footrest portions, for example footrest portions 14a and 14b attached to each other by pivot 36 (Fig. 8) or by a hinge 38. As such, footrests 14 can be arranged to take up less area within seat 10. Such embodiment can be used in at least some and potentially all of the disclosed embodiments, mutatis mutandis.

[028] In some embodiments, footrests 14 are substantially or completely constituted by a single footrest, mutatis mutandis.

[029] Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of footrest 14 further including a floor-based footrest support mechanism 47, including a rod 49. Rod 49 can have some manner of telescoping design or a length-adjustment feature such as via an inward/outward screwing mechanism between one or more sections of the rod, as known per se. Footrest support mechanism 47 may include a rubber cap 51 at its bottom to help provide friction and/or increased surface area in contact with the floor. Rod 49 and footrest 14 can be designed to reversibly interface (e.g. constituted by a corresponding projection and recess) or to connect via a fastener (not visible), as known perse.

[030] Figs. 1 1 -16 show additional embodiments of buttocks support accessory 28 having a more sophisticated design. Buttocks support accessory 28 includes a buttock support member 40, which is generally U-shaped. Buttock support member 40 is connected to a toilet seat front portion 42 of toilet seat 10 by front buttock support member legs 44; and also includes rear buttock support member legs 46. In some embodiments, front legs 44 and rear legs 46 are configured so that buttock support member 40 can lie flat, i.e. flush with front portion 42. For such purpose, in some embodiments, front legs 44 are pivotably connected at their respective "lower" ends to the back (free) ends of front portion 42. At their "upper" ends, front legs 44 are pivotably connected to the front (free) ends of buttock support member 40. [031 ] As seen in Fig. 1 1 , front legs 44 can be disposed (at least partially) within the aforementioned free ends of buttock support member 40 and toilet seat front portion 42 and furthermore so as to form a flat sitting surface for a user when buttocks support accessory 28 is in a flattened, non-use position. Regardless, in some embodiments, front legs 44 and rear legs 46 are always in a "deployed" state, but preferably can be raised and lowered, as discussed below.

[032] Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a height or angle adjustment mechanism 48 of buttocks support accessory 28, the adjustment mechanism configured to allow adjustment of the height and/or angle of buttock support member 40. Flere, adjustment mechanism 48 includes one or more pins 50 and corresponding pin apertures 52, which are illustrated in rear legs 46, although this or another such adjustment mechanism also/alternatively can be incorporated in front legs 44. Thus, the length of front legs 44, and/or rear legs 46, is extendable and shortenable to allow control of the height and/or the angle of buttock support member 40. [033] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 13, rear legs 46 include an inner leg 54 configured to fit within a hollow upper leg 56. Pins 50 are associated with inner leg 54 and configured to fit within apertures 52 of hollow upper legs 56. Pins 50 may be adapted to reversibly protrude from inner legs 54, for example, via a biasing means as known per se. Inner legs 54 may extend upward and hollow upper legs 56 extend downward, or vice versa.

[034] Figs. 12 and 13 also show an embodiment of buttocks support accessory 28 wherein the accessory includes a buttocks support accessory base 58. In such an embodiment, front legs 44 and rear legs 46 extend or are extendable from accessory base 58 (e.g. folding upward from a recess in base 58). In the case where rear legs 46 include inner legs 54 and hollow upper legs 56, then inner legs 54 extend upward from base 58 (or vice versa, as described above). The corresponding configuration option relates to front legs 44 as well.

[035] Alternatively, angle adjustment mechanism 48 can be configured to include a telescoping mechanism or a screw and threaded sleeve mechanism or the like (neither shown).

[036] Fig. 14 shows a user squatting on the toilet. In this illustration of use, buttock support member 40 is in a raised position (i.e. not flush with toilet seat front portion 42) at a moderate angle and the user's feet are resting on the front portion. The user's feet could alternatively be placed on footrests 14, with or without buttock support member 40 in a raised position. In other words, there is a combination of options/permutations for using the present toilet seat.

[037] In this regard, it should be understood that the present toilet seat can be designed using only embodiments relating to footrests 14; embodiments relating only to buttocks support accessory 28; or integrally, i.e. a combination of those embodiments.

[038] Fig. 15 shows another embodiment, wherein the toilet seat further has associated therewith an armrest device 60 including at least one armrest 62 (two illustrated). In some embodiments, the toilet seat includes a mechanism to allow height adjustment of the footrests 14, for example, including an extension post 64, which can be lowered and raised by any known mechanism, for example a folding arrangement, telescoping arrangement, combination thereof or the like.

[039] In some embodiments, mutatis mutandis, buttock support accessory 28 can include a mechanical actuator (not shown) to raise and lower buttock support member 40, such as a pumping device, for example as used in office chairs or automobile driver seats with mechanical adjustment means. In some embodiments, mutatis mutandis, buttock support accessory 28 can include an electrical actuator and motor (not shown) to raise and lower buttock support member 40, such as known from automobile driver seats with electrical/motorized adjustment means.

[040] In some embodiments, buttocks support accessory 28 does not include base 58, and rear legs 46 have, at their lower end, a foot 62 (Fig. 16) configured to stably interface with the upper edge of the toilet bowl, for example constituted by rubberized downwardly U-shaped feet or a clamping-type mechanism.

[041 ] Reverting to Fig. 1 , in some embodiments, the toilet seat is designed to allow footrests 14 to be positioned along the sides of the seat. For such purpose, in some exemplary embodiments, the toilet seat includes therein a rail or channel 70 (illustrated in dashed lines) configured to allow bolt-like arrangement 17 to slide therein; and a cut-out 72 allowing forward and backward movement of footrests 14. This embodiment is particularly useful for allowing people of different sizes and flexibility to use the toilet seat.

[042] Figs. 17-19 illustrate a further embodiment of the toilet seat illustrating a particular footrest deployment mechanism, where footrests 14 are at various stages of deployment: at an initial stage of deployment, a midway stage of deployment; and a completely deployed stage, respectively. The footrest deployment mechanism includes a pair of footrest arms 80 mostly or completely housable within corresponding recesses 12, which are in the form of correspondingly elongated grooves. Footrest arms 80 are pivotally connected to the toilet seat 10 via pivot mechanism 16, which in this embodiment may include a short pivot support rod 82. Footrest arms 80 are connected to pivot mechanism 16 at a proximal end 84 of the footrest arms. As in the embodiments described above, footrests 14 are also mainly of completely housable within recesses 12 of toilet seat 10. [043] Each footrest 14 further includes a footrest holding ring 86 attached at a heel portion 88 of the footrests. Footrest holding rings 86 are also mainly or completely housable within recesses 12 of toilet seat 10. As visible in Fig. 19, footrest arms 80 may include a pair of hooks 90 at their distal ends 92 to facilitate hanging the footrest arms from pivot support rods 82 and allow easy adjustment of the footrest arms.

[044] As visible in Fig. 20, footrest arms 80 may include a plurality of footrest-ring receiving notches 92 from which the rings and thus the footrets may be hung, and at various heights to suit the size and/or flexibility of the user.

[045] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above- described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.