Tool for lifting, supporting and transporting a toilet

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet. A frame includes a pair of side members, a bracing mechanism engageable with each of such side members for maintaining distance between inner surfaces thereof, and wheels. A supporting mechanism is disposed within such side members for supporting and receiving a removable platform. The platform slides forward under a toilet, slides backward, and can be removed for allowing such frame member to be placed closely to a toilet. A rotatable lifting arm is connected to an upper end of the side members. A harness is removably and operably connected to such arm. When such toilet is within the frame such harness is capable of being securably connected to such toilet such that the rotatable lifting arm may be implemented to lift such toilet and lower such toilet onto at least one of the platform and a floor.

1 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet comprising;
 a. a frame member, said frame member including,
 (i) a pair of side members, each of said pair of side members having a generally horizontally disposed portion and a generally vertically disposed portion, 
 (ii) a bracing means engageable with each of said side members for maintaining a predetermined distance between inner surfaces thereof, and 
 (iii) wheel members disposed on a bottom surface of said pair of side members closely adjacent each end thereof; 
   b. a supporting means is disposed within said horizontally disposed portion of said side members for at least one of supporting and receiving a removable platform such that said platform is capable of sliding forward a predetermined distance for placement under a toilet, sliding backward a predetermined distance and being completely removed, allowing said frame member to be placed in close proximity to a toilet such that said toilet is at least partially within said frame member;   c. a rotatable lifting arm operably connected to an upper end of said vertically disposed portion of said side members; and   d. a harness member manufactured from a first predetermined material removably and operably connected to said rotatable lifting arm such that when such toilet is within said frame member said harness member is capable of being securably connected to such toilet such that said rotatable lifting arm may be implemented such that such toilet is lifted above floor level and can be lowered onto at least one of said platform and a floor by a user.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said wheel members include a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and said front wheels are capable of rotating 180 degrees. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said frame member is manufactured from aluminum. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said rotatable lifting arm includes a handled ratcheting lever system. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said first predetermined material is nylon. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein a drain pan is securably attached to said platform such that when said platform is positioned beneath such toilet such that water dripping from such toilet will be collected in said drain pan. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said apparatus can be disassembled for storage and transportation. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 7  wherein said apparatus further includes a carrying case for storing and transporting said apparatus when apparatus is disassembled. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said supporting means is at least one bracket disposed on an inner surface of each of said horizontally disposed portions of said side members. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said supporting means disposed within said horizontally disposed portion of said side members for at least one of supporting and receiving said platform is a pair of grooves within which said platform fits. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for lifting, supporting, and transporting a toilet according to  claim 1  wherein said wheel members include a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and said front wheels and said rear wheels are capable of rotating 180 degrees.