Toilet training stool

Abstract

The toilet training stool has an elevated platform and a pair of sidewalls. The platform is elevated from the ground and curves from one end to other that may define a U-shaped recess that is dimensioned for abutting the base of any toilet. The platform acts as both a step that allows the user to reach the toilet and a resting place for the user's feet as they sit upon the toilet, preventing the user from having to dangle his or her feet in the air. Each sidewall is connected to one of the ends of the platform and is positioned substantially normal to the platform, providing an enclose-type structure for the user while sitting on the toilet. At the upper end of each sidewall, a handle-type structure is dimensioned to provide added safety and support for the user.

1 . A toilet training stool, comprising: 
 an elevated platform having a first end and a second end, the platform curving from the first end to the second end defining a U-shaped recess dimensioned for abutting a base of the toilet;    a first sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the first sidewall being connected to the first end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the first sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform; and    a second sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the second sidewall being connected to the second end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the second sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform.    
   
   
       2 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support bar, the support bar extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and abutting a bottom side of the elevated platform along the entire length of the support bar.  
   
   
       3 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevated platform is hinged along its entire width at a point halfway between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       4 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper ends of both the first sidewall and the second sidewall are dimensioned as handles.  
   
   
       5 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the height of the elevated platform is in the range of four (4) to fourteen (14) inches.  
   
   
       6 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the width of the elevated platform is in the range of four (4) to thirty (30) inches.  
   
   
       7 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the height of the first sidewall is in the range of twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) inches.  
   
   
       8 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the height of the second sidewall is in the range of twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) inches.  
   
   
       9 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first sidewall and the second sidewall is in the range of ten (10) to thirty-six (36) inches.  
   
   
       10 . A toilet training stool, comprising: 
 an elevated platform having a first end and a second end, the platform curving from the first end to the second end defining a U-shaped recess dimensioned for abutting a base of the toilet;    a first sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the first sidewall being connected to the first end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the first sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform;    a second sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the second sidewall being connected to the second end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the second sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform; and    a support bar, the support bar extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and abutting a bottom side of the elevated platform along the entire length of the support bar.    
   
   
       11 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 5 , wherein the elevated platform is hinged along its entire width at a point halfway between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       12 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 5 , wherein the upper ends of both the first sidewall and the second sidewall are dimensioned as handles.  
   
   
       13 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 10 , wherein the height of the elevated platform is in the range of four (4) to fourteen (14) inches.  
   
   
       14 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 10 , wherein the width of the elevated platform is in the range of four (4) to thirty (30) inches.  
   
   
       15 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 10 , wherein the height of the first sidewall is in the range of twelve (12) to thirty-six (66) inches.  
   
   
       16 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 10 , wherein the height of the second sidewall is in the range of twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) inches.  
   
   
       17 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 10 , wherein the distance between the first sidewall and the second sidewall is in the range of ten (10) to thirty-six (36) inches.  
   
   
       18 . A toilet training stool, comprising: 
 an elevated platform having a first end and a second end, the platform curving from the first end to the second end defining a U-shaped recess dimensioned for abutting a base of the toilet, the elevated platform being hinged along its entire width at a point halfway between the first end and the second end;    a first sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the first sidewall being connected to the first end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the first sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform, the upper end of the first sidewall being dimensioned as a handle;    a second sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the second sidewall being connected to the second end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the second sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform, the upper end of the second sidewall being dimensioned as a handle; and    a support bar, the support bar extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and abutting a bottom side of the elevated platform along the entire length of the support bar.    
   
   
       19 . The toilet training stool according to  claim 18 , wherein the height of each of the sidewalls is in the range of eighteen (18) to twenty-six (26) inches.  
   
   
       20 . A method for permitting use of a conventional adult toilet by children, comprising: 
 providing a toilet training stool having: 
 (i) an elevated platform having a first end and a second end, the platform curving from the first end to the second end defining a U-shaped recess dimensioned for abutting a base of the toilet, the elevated platform being hinged along its entire width at a point halfway between the first end and the second end;  
 (ii) a first sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the first sidewall being connected to the first end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the first sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform, the upper end of the first sidewall being dimensioned as a handle;  
 (iii) a second sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, the second sidewall being connected to the second end of the elevated platform at a point substantially near the lower end of the second sidewall and positioned normal to the elevated platform, the upper end of the second sidewall being dimensioned as a handle; and  
 (iv) a support bar, the support bar extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and abutting a bottom side of the elevated platform along the entire length of the support bar; and  
   positioning the toilet training stool next to conventional adult toilet such that the U-shaped recess of the elevated platform abuts the base of the conventional adult toilet.