Apparatus to assist squatting on toilets

Abstract

An apparatus for assisting a person in assumption of a beneficial position for evacuations when using a toilet, the apparatus including a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, the platform having at least one height adjustment means associated therewith and an opening therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl.

1 . An apparatus for assisting a person in assumption of a squat position for evacuations when using a toilet, the apparatus including a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, the platform having at least one height adjustment means associated therewith, ground engaging members not fixed to or into the ground surface and an opening therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein an upper surface of the platform is provided with marking indicia to indicate that the “correct” position of a user's feet during use. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein at least two sets of different indicia are provided, for use of the platform by a child and an adult. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the marking indicia include foot-shaped markings. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of height adjustment means is provided, one at or adjacent to each corner of the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment means are fixable or lockable to at least temporarily fix the height of the platform. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment means allows the platform to be fixed at a number of predetermined heights to position a user in a semi-squat, near full squat or full squat position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the maximum height at which the platform can be located is at or slightly beneath the upper edge of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment means includes telescoping legs. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment means includes at least one scissor action mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment means is associated with a movement prevention/safety device adapted to prevent the platform being raised or lowered if bearing a weight above a threshold limit. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further including a substantially planar foot portion of a shape substantially similar to the platform and to which the height adjustment means are attached. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the height adjustment means are located between the foot portion and the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the platform and foot portion contain the height adjustment means when the platform is fully lowered. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment means includes one or more length adjustable means biased into the extended condition. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the one or more length adjustable means are collapsible upon aplication of sufficient load. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein a locking means is provided on at least one of the length adjustable means to at least temporarily lock extension or retraction of the at least one length adjustable means. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height of the platform is adjustable to position a user in a semi-squat, near full squat or full squat position. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for assisting a person in assumption of a squat position for evacuations when using a toilet, the method including the steps of providing a platform adapted to raise a user's feet from the ground surface, the platform having at least one height adjustment means and an opening therein to at least partially receive a portion of the toilet or bowl, and positioning the platform at least partially about a toilet pedestal or bowl and adjusting the height of the platform such that a user assumes at least a partial squat position.