U.S. patent application number 09/916166 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-30 for uplift apparatus.
Invention is credited to Johnston, Gary Lawrence.
Application Number | 20020063458 09/916166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27568964 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020063458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnston, Gary Lawrence |
May 30, 2002 |
Uplift apparatus
Abstract
A manual uplift apparatus comprising a structural frame unit, a
mechanical uplift assembly unit, and a power translating mechanism
connecting the two units to allow the user to more easily obtain a
standing position from a previously seated position. A second use
for the apparatus may be as an exercise product for exercising
upper body muscle groups. The structural frame unit is used to
support and guide the mechanical uplift assembly unit. The
mechanical uplift assembly unit has two sections that can
independently move vertically with respect to the structural frame
unit. One section has a seat, the other has rails or hand
engagement handles. When downward force is applied to the hand
engagement handles, the section having the handles move vertically
downward and produces an upward force in the section having the
seat through the power translating mechanism. This interface allows
the user to more easily uplift themselves from a seated position
and is especially useful for older and/or medically disabled
persons. Having the downward movement of the seat produce upward
movement of the hand engagement handles allows the device to be
utilized as an exercise product.
Inventors: |
Johnston, Gary Lawrence;
(Cowarts, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gary Johnston
P.O. Box 183
Cowarts
AL
36321
US
|
Family ID: |
27568964 |
Appl. No.: |
09/916166 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09916166 |
Jul 26, 2001 |
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09174835 |
Oct 19, 1998 |
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09174835 |
Oct 19, 1998 |
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08941557 |
Sep 30, 1997 |
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08941557 |
Sep 30, 1997 |
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08659509 |
Jun 6, 1996 |
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08941557 |
Sep 30, 1997 |
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08739184 |
Oct 30, 1996 |
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08739184 |
Oct 30, 1996 |
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08659509 |
Jun 6, 1996 |
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08739184 |
Oct 30, 1996 |
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08456176 |
May 31, 1995 |
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08456176 |
May 31, 1995 |
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08226353 |
Apr 12, 1994 |
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08456176 |
May 31, 1995 |
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08144034 |
Nov 1, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/313 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/313 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A manual uplift apparatus comprising; a frame having a right and
left side; a seat having a right and left seat mechanism engagement
means associated therewith, said seat mechanism engagement means
being moveable in an upward and downward direction with respect to
said frame; a right and left hand engagement handle having a right
and left handle mechanism engagement means respecfully associateded
therewith for receiving a downward force from a user, said handle
mechanism engagement means being moveable independently of said
seat mechanism engagement means in the upward and downward
directions with respect to said frame; a right power transfer
mechanism operatively connecting said right seat mechanism
engagement means, said right handle mechanism engagement means, and
said right side of said frame, a left power transfer mechanism
operatively connecting said left seat mechanism engagement means,
said left handle mechanism engagement means, and said leftt side of
said frame, said power translating mechanisms used for translating
the downward forces applied by the user upon said hand engagement
handles into an upward force on the seat, whereby downward movement
of said hand engagement handles produce upward movment of said
seat.
2. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 1, said seat
being mounted to a right and left first members and said right and
left seat mechanism engagement means being mounted to said
respective first members, said first members being used to
incorporate said seat mechanism engagement means with said seat;
and said right and left hand engagement handle being mounted to a
right and left second member and said right and left handle
mechanism engagement means being mounted to said respective second
members, said second members being used to incorporate said handle
mechanism engagement means with said hand engagement handle.
3. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said
first member further comprises; at least one substantially vertical
support element connected to and extending downward from said
seat.
4. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said
second member further comprises; at least one substantially
vertical support element connected to and extending downward from
said hand engagement handle.
5. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 3, said frame
further comprising at least one guide member adapted to receive
said first member and guide said first member in the upward and
downward directions with respect to said frame, said guide member
being used to couple said seat to said frame.
6. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 5, said guide
member including a grooved roller turnably mounted on said frame,
said grooved roller sized to contain and guide said first member as
it moves along a portion of its groove.
7. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 4, said frame
further comprising at least one guide member adapted to receive
said second member and guide said second member in the upward and
downward directions with respect to said frame, said guide member
being used to couple said hand engagement handle to said frame.
8. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 7, said guide
member including a grooved roller turnably mounted on said frame,
said grooved roller sized to contain and guide said second member
as it moves along a portion of its groove.
9. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
right power transfer mechanism is a tether, said right seat
mechanism engagement means and said right handle mechanism
engagement means engaging said tether, said right side of said
frame having a right frame mechanism engagement means also engaging
said tether, such that said tether operatively connects said right
side of seat, said right hand engagement handle, and said right
side of said frame, said left power transfer mechanism also being a
tether, said left seat mechanism engagement means and said left
handle mechanism engagement means engaging said tether, said left
side of said frame having a leftt frame mechanism engagement means
also engaging said tether, such that said tether operatively
connects said left side of seat, said left hand engagement handle,
and said left side of said frame.
10. The manual uplift apparatus according to claim 1, said
apparatus further comprising a weight means selectively attachable
between said seat and said hand engagement handle, such that the
amount of force applied by the user upon said hand engagement
handle which is required to move said seat in the upward direction
may be selectively varied.
11. The manual uplift apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a cross connection means for connecting said right and
left seat mechanism engagement means.
12. The manual uplift apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a cross connection means for connecting said right and
left handle mechanism engagement means.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/174,835, filed Oct. 19, 1998, which is
itself a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/941,557, filed Sep. 30, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,095. This
patent is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 08/659,509, filed Jun. 6, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,315,
and a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/739,184, filed Oct. 30, 1996, now abandoned. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/739,184 is itself a Continuation-In-Part of
U.S. patent application Number Ser. No. 08/659,509, filed Jun. 6,
1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,315, and a Continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/456,176, filed May 31, 1995, and now
abandoned. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/659,509 is itself a
Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/456,176, filed May 31, 1995.
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/456,176 is a
Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/226,353, filed
Apr. 12, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,049, and a Continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/144,034, filed Nov. 1, 1993,
now U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,431, which are Continuations-In-Part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/759,233, filed Sep. 13, 1991,
now U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,982.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a manual uplift apparatus.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a sitting
device from which the user may uplift themselves from a seated
position to a point where a standing position may be more easily
obtained. The device may also be used as an exercise device for
upper body workouts.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Sitting devices designed to assist the user in obtaining a
standing position from a previous seated position are known in the
art. Conventionally, these sitting devices are relatively
expensive, bulky, and weighty, making them difficult to move from
place to place. Further, many of these devices use electrical power
to uplift the user, therefore requiring proximity to electrical
outlets, or the extra weight of batteries.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 459,282 to Gollon discloses an exercise
apparatus which has a frame unit, uplift assembly, vertical support
members, structural pulleys, guide elements, a seat member, rail
members, a cable member, and a back support. The arrangement and
interaction of these elements and the resultant device is unrelated
to the present invention.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,788.527 to Steven discloses a bathtub which
can be electrically raised and lowered between two walls using
rollers and attached mercerized canvas.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2.850,075 to Wilson discloses an invalid chair
including a vertically adjustable carriage assembly. This carriage
assembly is raised and lowered between supports through the use of
a sling, which can be lengthened or shortened using power means and
a crank.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,426 to Hardwick et al. discloses a
mechanical bathtub lift chair apparatus wherein the user rocks the
chair to elevate the seat through a ratchet system.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,833 to Garcia et al. discloses a cart
for positioning a body on a toilet, having hydraulic means for
lifting and lowering a seating means.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,303 to Baird discloses an orthopedic
chair with a spring-loaded pivoting seat.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,022 to Geraci discloses a chair, with a
spring-loaded pivoting seat, having a lifting means comprised of
handle bars and a foot operated lever member.
[0014] U.K. Patent GB 1,435,559 discloses a chair including a
motorized seat, which can be raised and lowered without tilting
relative to the base.
[0015] Published U.K. patent application GB 2,183,150 A discloses a
chair including a seat which tilts forward when actuated by the
user through pivotally attached tilting means.
[0016] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed.
[0017] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention comprises a manualal uplift apparatus
which includes a sitting device from which the user is uplifted
from a seated position by pushing downward upon a set of rails or
hand engagement handles, producing downward motion of said rails or
hand engagement handles. This downward motion creates upward motion
in a seat support member, to achieve a raised position. This raised
seat position allows the user to more easily achieve an upright
standing position. Also, the design of the apparatus may be such
that the downward movement of the seat produces upward movement in
the hand engagement handles.
[0019] Accordingly it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a mechanical user-powered seat uplift apparatus that may be
easily operated by persons who normally have difficulty in standing
from seated position. It is another object of the invention to
provide an upper body workout routine, such that the device may be
used as an exercise product.
[0020] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1A is a side view of the manual uplift apparatus.
[0022] FIG. 1B is a front view of the manual uplift apparatus.
[0023] FIG. 1C is a top view of the manual uplift apparatus.
[0024] FIG. 2A is a side view of the hand engagement handle of the
mechanical uplift assembly unit.
[0025] FIG. 2B is a front view of the hand engagement handle of the
mechanical uplift assembly unit.
[0026] FIG. 2C is a top view of the hand engagement handle of the
mechnical uplift assembly unit.
[0027] FIG. 3A is a side view of the seat member of the mechanical
uplift assembly unit.
[0028] FIG. 3B is a front view of the seat member of the mechanical
uplift assembly unit.
[0029] FIG. 3C is a top view of the seat member of the mechanical
uplift assembly unit.
[0030] FIG. 4A is a side view of the structural frame unit of the
manual uplift apparatus.
[0031] FIG. 4B is a front view of the structural frame unit of the
manual uplift apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 4C is a top view of the structural frame unit of the
mechanical uplift apparatus.
[0033] FIG. 5A is a side view of the mechanical uplift apparatus,
before being engaged by the user.
[0034] FIG. 5B is a side view of the mechanical uplift apparatus,
after being engaged by the user.
[0035] FIG. 6A is a side view of the the attachment structure of
the weight assembly which may be used when the apparatus is used as
an exercise device.
[0036] FIG. 6B is a front view of the the attachment structure of
the weight assembly which is used when the apparatus is used as an
exercise device.
[0037] FIG. 6C is a top view of the the attachment structure of the
weight assembly which is used when the apparatus is used as an
exercise device.
[0038] FIG. 7A is a side view of the the assembly structure of the
weight assembly which is used when the apparatus is used as an
exercise device.
[0039] FIG. 7B is a front view of the the assembly structure of the
weight assembly which is used when the apparatus is used as an
exercise device.
[0040] FIG. 7C is a top view of the the assembly structure of the
weight assembly which is used when the apparatus is used as an
exercise device.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a top, side, and front view of a weight member
which may be utilzed when the device is used as an exercise product
.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a front view of the interface between the assembly
structure, the attachment structure, and the seat or handle
mechanism engagement means.
[0043] FIG. 10A is a side view of the seat member of the mechanical
uplift assembly unit having a cross support means.
[0044] FIG. 10B is a front view of the seat member of the
mechanical uplift assembly unit having a cross support means.
[0045] FIG. 10C is a top view of the seat member of the mechanical
uplift assembly unit, having a cross support means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in
particular FIGS. 1A-4C, the manual uplift apparatus that forms the
basis of the present invention is designated generally by the
reference numeral 10, and comprises a structural frame unit, a
mechanical uplift assembly unit, and a power translating
mechanism.
[0047] The structural frame unit includes a frame 11, composed of
vertical support members 13 and horizontal support members 14;
mechanism engagement means 15 for engaging the power translating
mechanism, and optionally guide elements 16.
[0048] The mechanical uplift assembly unit comprises a seat member
18 mounted to a first member 22, which supports the user while the
user is trying to move from a substantially horizontal seated
position to a raised position, and rails or hand engagement handles
19 disposed on each side of the seat mounted to a second member 23,
wherein each member has a mechanism engagement means 24 and 25,
respectively, for engaging the power translating mechanism 20, and
is moveable in the substantially vertical direction independent of
the other member, with respect to the structural frame unit. The
mechanical uplift apparatus may optionally further comprise guide
elements 16. Since each hand engagement handle 19 operates
independent of each other, the user could utilize only one hand
engagement handle to uplift themselves, but it will probably prove
best to utilize two.
[0049] The power translating mechanism 20 operatively connects said
first member, said second member, and said frame through their
respective mechanism engagement means such that the downward force
on said rails or hand engagement handles translates to upward force
on said seat member.
[0050] The frame of the structural frame unit comprises vertical
support members 13 and horizontal support members 14. The frame may
optionally further comprise side plates 17. Said vertical support
members and said horizontal support members together form a rigid
structure. This may be accomplished by any appropriate arrangement
such as a unitary construction, jointed construction between said
horizontal support members and said vertical support members, or
braced construction between said horizontal support members and
said vertical support members.
[0051] The mechanism engagement means 15 of the structural frame
unit may be grooves, sleeves, brackets, pins, or hooks therein.
Alternatively, the mechanism engagement means is attached to the
frame and may further incorporate separately moveable parts, such
as pulleys, wheels, gears, glides, grips, and rollers. Preferred
mechanism engagement means of the structural frame unit include
pins, sleeves, pulleys, or holes. For example, in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
the structural frame unit comprises vertical support members 13
attached to two horizontal support members 14 of the frame 11.
Therein the mechanism engagement means 15 are rollers mounted to
vertical support members 13.
[0052] The optional guide elements 16 of the structural frame unit
may also be a structural feature of said frame 11 or,
alternatively, are attached to said frame and may optionally
further comprise rollers or a low friction coating. These guide
elements receive vertical support elements of the mechanical uplift
unit. Preferred guide elements are grooved rollers. For example, in
FIGS. 5A and 5B, the vertical support elements are round tubing
which move within the circular grooves of the rollers. The rollers
guide the vertical support elements in the substantially horizontal
direction, most of the time rolling simultaneously with the
movement of the vertical support elements.
[0053] Said seat member 18 is mounted to a first member 22, which
comprises at least one substantially vertical support element of
substantially constant horizontal dimension, and means for
supporting said seat member. Said means for supporting said seat
member are any appropriate means which fixedly attach seat member
18 to said first member 22, including adhesive, brackets and
screws, or the like. Preferably said first member comprises two or
more vertical support elements. The vertical support elements and
the means for supporting said seat support member are arranged by
any appropriate manner, such as unitary construction, jointed
construction, or the like, such that the first member is
substantially rigid. The first member comprises a mechanism
engagement means 24, which may be of the same type used in the
structural frame unit, may be a structural feature of said first
member, or may be separately attached.
[0054] Rails or hand engagement handles 19 are disclosed on each
side of said seat which are mounted to a second member 23, wherein
said second member comprises at least one substantially vertical
support element of substantially constant horizontal dimension. The
second member comprises a mechanism engagement means 25, which may
be of the same type used in the structural frame unit, may be a
structural feature of said second member, or may be separately
attached.
[0055] The power translating mechanism 20 operatively connects said
first member, said second member, and said frame through their
respective mechanism engagement means such that the downward force
on said rails or hand engagement handles 19 translates to upward
force on said seat member 18. This may be accomplished through
various power transfer schemes. Preferably, the power transfer
mechanism comprises a linkage system utilizing a belt or tether. As
shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, said belt or tether 20 operatively connects:
the first member 22 through mechanism engagement means 24, the
second member 23 through mechanism engagement means 25, and the
frame 11 through rollers or pulleys 15. Different configurations
may be used to produce different ratios of first member travel and
second member travel, in the vertical direction. The invention has
the advantage of utilizing other embodiments of power transfer
mechanisms and mechanism engagement means that are available in the
art, so long as the transfer of downward motion in the second
member is translated to the upward motion of the first member.
[0056] It is desirable that the seat member 18, which is attached
to said first member 22, maintains a substantially horizontal
position throughout said upward motion of said first member. This
may be accomplished by having the frame and first member sized so
that movement of said first member is restricted to the vertical
direction, being confined by the frame.
[0057] With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 5A and 5B demonstrate
the operation of the apparatus. As seen, the first member 22 and
the second member 23 are guided in a substantially vertical
direction by guide elements 16. Guide elements 16 are grooved
rollers, which roll when in contact with any part of the first and
second member, although some sliding will also occurr. These not
only guide the first and second member, but also make movement much
smoother.
[0058] The user will push downward upon hand engagement handle 19,
causing the hand engagement handle 19, along with the second member
23, to move downward. A power translating mechanism 20, which is
simply a belt or tether, operatively connects the mechanism
engagement means of the frame, first member, and second member.
Gravity will also play a part in moving the seat upward. As the
user pushes down upon the handles, and the body of the user is
moved upward, the body weight of the user will also exert a
downward force upon the handles.
[0059] The belt is secured at one end to the second member by
mechanism engagement means 25. The belt then extends upward and
over one of the rollers or pulleys, which are part of the mechanism
engagement means 15 for the frame. The belt then extends downward
and is secured to mechanism engagement means 24 for the first
member 22. Preferably, there are two belts or tethers, and rollers
and pulleys, per each side of the apparatus, so that the apparatus
would not be disabled if one of the belts or tethers were to break.
Therefore, the configuration of the belt is such that downward
motion in the hand engagement handle 19 will produce upward motion
in seat member 18, and vice versa.
[0060] As previously stated, the apparatus may also take on the
form of an exercise product. A user lifting themselves upward and
downward by pushing upon a set of handles simulates an upper body
workout routine commonly known as "dips". This exercise routine is
very beneficial for any active person, but should also prove
extremely beneficial for elderly and/or disabled persons. The
exercise routine is performed while in a seated position, and those
muscle groups exercises are those which a person uses to exit a
chair.
[0061] An optional item which allows better use of the apparatus as
an exercise product is a weight assembly. The weight assembly may
selectively be attached to either the seat or the hand engagement
handle, so that the net weight of the seat, as felt by the user,
may be increased or decreased. Attaching the weight asembly to the
seat increases the net weight of the seat, while attaching the
weight assembly to the hand engagement handle decreases the net
weight of the seat.
[0062] The weight assembly 30 may be seen in FIGS. 6A-7C and FIG.
9. It is composed of an assembly structure 31 having upwardly
extending post members 32, and attachment structure 33 having an
upwardly extending post member 34. Multiple attachment members 33
are secured to the seat mechanism engagement means 24 and the
handle mechanism engagement means 25, through some common means
such as a bolt or weld. Assembly structure 31 has openings at each
side, through which attachment post member 34 of attachment
structure 33 may fit. This secures the assembly structure 31 to the
attachment structure 33. The assembly structure 31 and attachment
structure 33 may also be secured together through aanother type of
securing means, such as a nut and bolt. The assembly structure may
thus be attached to either the seat or the hand engagement
handle.
[0063] FIGS. 8 and 9 demonstrate how a commonly known type of
weight member 36 may be mounted on the assembly structure 31 to add
weight to either the seat or the hand engagement handle. Weight
member 36 has a center opening 37, through which assembly post
member 32 of assembly structure 31 may fit. Assembly post member 32
thus secures weight member 36 to assembly structure 31.
[0064] FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C demonstrate the seat member 18
having at least one first member 22 mounted to the left of the seat
member, and at least one first member 22 mounted to its right, and
a cross connection means 44 connecting the right and left first
members. As shown in the figures, it is preferable to have two
first members 22 on each side of the seat, with a seat mechanism
engagement means 24 connecting the same side first members 22. It
is also preferable to have the cross connection means 44 connect
the mechanism engagement means 24 on the right side to the
mechanism engagement means 24 on the left side. This provides for a
more sturdy structure, which makes movement of the seat member 18
in the upward and downward directions much easier.
[0065] Similarly, it is preferable that the device have a right and
left hand engagement handle, each with two associated second
members, with the right second members being connected by a right
handle mechanism engagement means, and the left second members
being connected by a left handle mechanism engagement means. This
is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C. Also, it is possible to have a cross
connection means connect the right and left handle mechanism
engagement means. This makes the hand engagement handles a more
sturdy, single structure, instead of two individual components.
This would provide for a more evenly distribution of forces by the
handles upon the right and left sides of the seat. However, the
device will also perform its intended function very well with two
separate hand engagment handles.
[0066] In the cases of both the seat member 18 and hand engagement
handles 19, the respective cross connection means 44 may be
connected to the respective mechanism engagement means in many
different ways. These include bolts, screws, clamps, and welds.
[0067] It is understood that the present invention is not limited
to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *