ROTATABLE TOILET PAPER SUPPORT SYSTEM

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/730,380 filed Dec. 10, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to a toilet paper support system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rotatable toilet paper support system for a portable bedside commode comprising a tee connector sleeve for receiving a leg of the portable bedside commode when the rotatable toilet paper support system is installed upwardly along the leg of the portable bedside commode, and which tee connector sleeve has an upwardly extending arm assembly with a freely rotatable roller on its end for receiving a roll of toilet paper, and which roller is caused to rotate when a person is unrolling or using the toilet paper.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

It is sometimes necessary or convenient to use a portable commode next to the bed of an infirmed patient. For instance, elderly persons and patients recovering from an illness or surgery sometimes lack the physical strength needed to walk unassisted from their bed to a conventional bathroom facility in order to use the toilet or commode. It also may be more convenient for patients to use a bedside commode if they have medical equipment connected to their bodies, such as an IV tube or a respiratory device; or if they are physically impaired due to a cast or another obstruction which makes it difficult to walk to a restroom. It is, therefore, not uncommon to find the use of bedside commodes in hospitals, nursing homes, and even in private residences of the elderly or of recovering patients.

Despite their widespread and longstanding use, bedside commodes presently available have not been known to include means for conveniently and effectively holding a roll of toilet paper in a manner that is most convenient for a user. Any person who has had the unfortunate need to use a bedside commode, as well as any caregiver who has assisted an infirmed patient, knows all too well that the toilet paper is almost always out of reach and, many times, out of sight when needed. Oftentimes, patients must suffer the indignity of having to call for someone to bring them a roll of toilet paper while seated on the portable commode.

Moreover, current toilet paper holding devices meant to remedy the aforementioned shortcomings are not configured in such a way that they do not interfere with the use of the bedside commode. For instance, current toilet paper holding devices used with bedside commodes are configured to be attached to an arm rest of the bedside commode, whereby the device suspends the toilet paper roll underneath the arm rest and immediately adjacent to the seat and waste receptacle. Though well within reach, the proximity of the toilet paper roll to the waste receptacle is uncomfortable. Furthermore, since currently available toilet paper holding devices are attached to the arm rest of the commode, they obstruct the arm rest of the commode while in use and also interfere with the usage of the commode, in general.

There is, therefore, a need in the art relating to the healthcare field, and particularly relating to the use of bedside commodes, to provide an inexpensive toilet paper holder for a portable commode chair which is particularly adapted for a convenient and quick attachment to all brands and styles of bedside commodes in order to operably support a roll of toilet paper which is conveniently within reach of a person seated on the portable commode and which toilet paper roll holder is rotatable such that it can be positioned in front of or alongside the chair of the commode such that the toilet paper holder does not obstruct the arm rest of the commode nor does it interfere with the use of the portable bedside commode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toilet paper holding devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a rotatable toilet paper support system for a bedside commode which provides convenience to the user of a bedside commode.

The invention provides a rotatable toilet paper support system for a portable bedside commode chair which is supported on one of the legs of the commode chair and which rotatable toilet paper support system can be rotatably moved by the user relative to the portable bedside commode chair and when the user is on the seat of the portable bedside commode chair.

The rotatable toilet paper support system is installed upwardly along the leg of the portable bedside commode, and comprises a tee connector sleeve and an upwardly extending arm assembly attached to the tee connector sleeve, and a freely rotatable roller the end of the upwardly extending arm assembly for receiving a roll of toilet paper, and which roller is caused to rotate when a person is unrolling or using the toilet paper.

More particularly, the present invention provides a rotatable toilet paper support system for a portable bedside commode having a plurality of support legs, a toilet seat supported by the support legs, and a waste collect unit fixed to the toilet seat. The rotatable toilet paper support system, comprises: a tee connector sleeve having a first cylindrical section having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, the tee connector sleeve being rotatably mounted on a leg of the commode to rotate toward and away from the toilet seat, the tee connector sleeve further including a second cylindrical section having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end and being oriented with the longitudinal axis of the second cylindrical section oriented at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said tee connector first section and to extend toward the toilet seat; a reducer fixed to the tee connector sleeve; a first connector element fixed to the reducer; a right-angle elbow having a first end fixed to the first connector element and a second end; a second connector element having a first end connected to the second end of the right-angle elbow, the second connector element having a second end; a third connector element having a first end connected to the second end of the second connector element to be connected to the right-angle elbow via the second connector element and having a second end; a fourth connector element having a first end connected to the second end of the third connector element and a second end; a coupling element connected to the fourth connector element; a cap element connected to said coupling element; a first rubber O-ring located on the support leg adjacent to the first end of the tee connector sleeve; a second rubber O-ring located on the support leg adjacent to the second end of the tee connector sleeve; a rubber first gasket assembly on the support leg adjacent to the first O-ring, and a second rubber gasket assembly on the support leg adjacent to the second O-ring.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when the following description is read in light of the accompany drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a rotatable toilet paper support system for a portable bedside commode according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective side view of the rotatable toilet paper support system of FIG. 1 in an assembled form.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the rotatable toilet paper support system of the invention in reduced form and mounted on a leg of a portable bedside commode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 for a portable bedside commode 5 of the present invention. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention is attached to commode 5, one leg of which is indicated by reference number 30, and which support legs are oriented to be essentially upright with respect to a horizontal surface, such as a floor, on which the portable bedside commode 5 is supported. A toilet seat 6 is supported by the support legs 30 in a manner to be oriented essentially horizontally with respect to the floor. A waste collector unit 9 is affixed to the toilet seat 6, thereby allowing the commode 5 to function in a well-known manner.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3 and as taught in the preceding paragraph, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention is rotatably mounted on one of the support legs 30 of commode 5 adjacent to the toilet seat 6 for easy access by one using commode 5. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 1, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 comprises a tee connector sleeve 66 having a longitudinal axis indicated by reference number 68, and a first end 69 and a second end 70 opposite the first end 69. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 2 and. 3, tee connector sleeve 66 is rotatably mounted one of the chair legs 30 and is structured to rotate in a horizontal plane as indicated by a double-headed arrow R1 toward and away from toilet seat 6, more about which is discussed further herein below.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, tee connector sleeve 66 further comprises a cylindrical end section 71. Cylindrical end section 71 has a longitudinal axis indicated at reference number 72, a first end 73, and a second end 74. As particularly shown in FIG. 1, tee connector sleeve 66 is oriented with the longitudinal axis 72 of cylindrical end section 71 oriented at a 90-degree angle relative to the longitudinal axis 68 of tee connector sleeve 66, and extends toward toilet seat 6 when the rotatable toilet paper holder assembly 10 is secured to leg 30 of commode 5, and depending on the positioning of rotatable toilet paper holder assembly 10 relative to toilet seat 6 of commode 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention further comprises a reducer 64, which is received in the cylindrical end section 71 of tee connector sleeve 66. Reducer 64 comprises two sections, an enlarged circular section 64a and a reduced circular section 64b. As particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reduced circular section 64b of reducer 64 is received in the cylindrical end section 71 of the tee connector sleeve 66 with the enlarged circular section 64a of reducer 64 abutting against the first end 73 of cylindrical end section 71 of tee connector sleeve 66.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention further comprises a first connector element 62 which is received in the enlarged circular section 64a of reducer 64 for connection thereto. Additionally, a right-angle elbow 60 has a first end 75 and a second end 76. The first end 75 of the right-angle elbow 60 is connected to the first connector element 62. More particularly, the diameter of the first connector element 62 is less than that of reducer 64 and less than that of right-angle elbow 60 so that first connector element 62 fits tightly into both the reducer 64 and the right-angle elbow 60.

As particularly shown in FIG. 1, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention further comprises a second connector element 77. Second connector element 77 has a first end 78 which is received in the second end 76 of the right-angle elbow 60, with the second connector element 77 having a second end 79.

Still referring particularly to FIG. 1, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention further comprises a third connector element 110 having a first end 111 and a second end 112 opposite to the first end 111. Third connector element 110 has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of second connector element 77 such that the second connector element 77 fits both into the right-angle elbow 60 and into the third connector element 110.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a fourth connector element 120 has a diameter less than that of third connector element 110 and has a first end 121 and a second end 122. Fourth connector element 120 fits into the second end 112 of the third connector element 110. A two-tier cap coupling element 100 is connected to the fourth connector element 120 and onto the third connector element 110. Referring particularly to FIG. 2 a cap assembly 130 fits onto the two-tier cap coupling element 100.

It is to be appreciated that all the components discussed herein above for the rotatable toilet paper roll assembly 10 of the invention are connected together through a fiction fit. Further, it is to be appreciated that most if not all of the components of the rotatable toilet paper holder assembly 10 of the invention are essentially comprised of PVC material.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a first rubber O-ring 80 is located on the support leg 30 adjacent to the tee connector 66, and a second rubber O-ring 81 is located on the support leg adjacent to the tee connector 66. Additionally, a rubber gasket assembly 90 is located on the support leg adjacent to the first O-ring 80, and a rubber gasket assembly 91 is located on the support leg adjacent to the second O-ring 81. The O-rings 80 and 81 and the rubber gasket assemblies 90 and 91 aid in maintaining the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention in place on and to rotate around leg 30 of the portable bedside commode 5. Additionally, the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention can be held in place on leg 30 via a clamp C particularly shown in FIG. 2. It is to be appreciated that a second clamp can be provided below the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention being supported by leg 30.

As stated herein above, all the above-described components of the rotatable toilet paper holder assembly 10 of the invention are essentially comprised of PVC and are easily assembled, disassembled and cleaned. The O-rings 80 and 81 and the gasket assemblies 90 and 91 ensure secure mounting of the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 on the support leg 30 of commode chair 5 of FIG. 3.

From the above teachings of the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention and from FIGS. 2 and 3, it can easily be seen that the rotatable toilet paper assembly 10 of the invention easily receives and supports a roll of toilet paper 22 and that this roll of toilet paper 22 is easily accessible to the user of commode chair 5. The rotatable toilet paper support system 10 comprises a freely rotatable toilet paper holder 20 and the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 is rotatably mounted on leg 30 of the bedside commode 5 which can be moved between a used position in front of the commode 5 or in a stored position beside the commode 5 for selective use.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the upwardly extending arm assembly 10a is connected to tee connector sleeve 66 and that both rotate about the leg 30 of the commode 5 in a vertical plane toward and away from toilet seat 6 according to the selective use of the user.

It is to be appreciated that the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention is for a portable bedside commode and that support system 10 comprises a tee connector sleeve 66 having a channel or opening for receiving a leg 30 of the portable bedside commode 5 when the rotatable toilet paper support system 30 is installed upwardly along the leg of the portable bedside commode, and which tee connector sleeve 66 has an upwardly extending arm assembly 10a with a freely rotatable roller 20 on its end for receiving a roll of toilet paper 22, and which roller 20 is caused to rotate when a person is unrolling or using the toilet paper. Particularly reference is made to FIG. 2 wherein the double-headed arrow R2 indicates the rotation of the freely rotatable roller 20. From the above, it is appreciated that the upwardly extending arm assembly 10a is comprised of the reducer 64, the first connector element 62, elbow 60, the second connector element 77, the third connector element 110, the fourth connector element 120, the two-tier cap coupling element 100, the cap assembly 102 which snaps onto the two-tier cap coupling element 100, and the freely rotatable roller 20 which receives the roll of toilet paper 22. It is to be appreciated that roller 20 freely rotates on the third connector element 110 and receives a roll of toilet paper 22 which also freely rotates around the arm assembly 10a of the rotatable toilet paper support system 10 of the invention.

It can be appreciated from the description of the invention that the first connector element 62, the second connector element 77 and the fourth connector element 120 essentially function to aid in connecting the remaining components, i.e. the reducer 64, the elbow 60, the third connector element 110 and the two tier cap coupling element 100 together in a frictional relationship such that the several components of the upper extending arm assembly 10a do not need to be additionally connected through hardware, such as bolts and/or screws. That is, the several components of the upper extending arm assembly 10a snap together as a unit, and in turn, are easily snapped together as a unit into the tee connector sleeve 66 via the reducer 64 which is inserted into the cylindrical end section 71 of the tee connector sleeve 66. Lastly, but not least, cap assembly 102, shown in FIG. 2, easily snaps onto the two-tier cap coupling element 100.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the invention.