U.S. patent application number 12/487848 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-24 for toilet assist for the disabled.
Invention is credited to Carl Russell Campbell, John A. Riley.
Application Number | 20090313753 12/487848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41429732 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090313753 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell; Carl Russell ; et
al. |
December 24, 2009 |
TOILET ASSIST FOR THE DISABLED
Abstract
A hydraulically or pneumatically powered toilet assist lift
device for use by disabled persons is described that includes a
frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around
a toilet commode, the frame having a lower frame portion for
attachment to the floor surface that supports the commode and an
upper frame portion hingedly attached to the lower frame portion at
the forward end thereof, a toilet seat attached to the upper frame
portion, and a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders
interconnecting the upper frame portion with the lower frame
portion at the rearward end thereof whereby operation the cylinders
rotates the upper frame portion between a lowered position and a
raised position.
Inventors: |
Campbell; Carl Russell;
(Trenton, OH) ; Riley; John A.; (Franklin,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hasse & Nesbitt LLC
8837 Chapel Square Drive, Suite C
CINCINNATI
OH
45249
US
|
Family ID: |
41429732 |
Appl. No.: |
12/487848 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61074180 |
Jun 20, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/667 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/1007 20130101;
A61G 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/667 |
International
Class: |
A47K 13/10 20060101
A47K013/10 |
Claims
1. A toilet seat lift assist device, comprising: (a) a tubular
frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around
a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said tubular frame
having a lower portion for attachment to said floor surface, said
tubular frame further having an upper portion for supporting a
toilet scat; (b) said lower portion including first and second
substantially vertically disposed lower front leg segments at said
forward end and first and second inclined lower rear leg segments
disposed at an angle to said floor surface and upwardly inclined
toward said forward end, each of said lower front leg segments and
said lower rear inclined leg segments having an upper end and a
lower end and including means at each of said lower ends for
attachment to said floor surface; (c) said upper portion having a
raised position and a lowered position, said upper portion
including first and second substantially vertically disposed upper
leg segments abutting and substantially coaxial with respective
said first and second lower front leg segments in said lowered
position, said upper portion further including first and second
inclined upper leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor
surface and inclined downwardly toward said rearward end and
abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and
second lower inclined leg segments at said upper ends thereof in
said lowered position, said upper portion further including first
and second spaced apart arm rest segments interconnecting said
first and second upper leg segments with respective said first and
second inclined upper leg segments; (d) hinge means interconnecting
said first upper leg segment with said first lower leg segment and
interconnecting said second upper leg segment with said second
lower leg segment whereby said upper portion is upwardly and
forwardly rotatable with respect to said lower portion between said
lowered position and said raised position; and (e) a toilet seat
attached to said upper portion between said spaced apart arm rest
segments.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising: (a) first and second
hydraulically operated cylinders respectively interconnecting said
first inclined upper leg segment with said first lower inclined leg
segment and interconnecting said second inclined upper leg segment
with said second lower inclined leg segment; and (b) means for
simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between a
retracted position and an extended position whereby said upper
portion is rotated between said lowered position and said raised
position.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said means for simultaneously
operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel
disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an
up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for
simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders and
instructing said upper portion to raise in response to an up
command and to lower in response to a down command, said means
further comprising a motor and source of power connected thereto, a
hydraulic pump driven by said motor, a hydraulic reservoir
connected to said pump, and three way control valves operatively
connected to said first and second cylinders.
4. The device of claim 1 further comprising: (a) first and second
pneumatically operated cylinders respectively interconnecting said
first inclined upper leg segment with said first lower inclined leg
segment and interconnecting said second inclined upper leg segment
with said second lower inclined leg segment; and (b) means for
simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between
retracted and extended position for said cylinders whereby said
upper portion is rotated between said raised position and said
lowered position.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for simultaneously
operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel
disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an
up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for
simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders and
instructing said upper portion to raise in response to an up
command and to lower in response to a down command, said means
further comprising a motor and source of power connected thereto, a
pneumatic pump driven by said motor, a pneumatic reservoir
connected to said pump, and three way control valves operatively
connected to said first and second cylinders.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein said lower rear leg segments are
disposed at an angle of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees
to said floor surface.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said lower rear leg segments are
disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to said floor surface.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said tubular frame comprises one
of a metal and a structural plastic.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said tubular frame has a
cross-section having a shape that is round, oval or
rectangular.
10. A toilet seat lift assist device, comprising: (a) a tubular
frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around
a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said tubular frame
having a lower portion for attachment to said floor surface, said
tubular frame further having an upper portion for supporting a
toilet seat; (b) said lower portion including first and second
substantially vertically disposed lower front leg segments at said
forward end and first and second inclined lower rear leg segments
disposed at an angle to said floor surface and upwardly inclined
toward said forward end, each of said lower front leg segments and
said lower rear inclined leg segments having an upper end and a
lower end and including means at each of said lower ends for
attachment to said floor surface; (c) said upper portion having a
raised position and a lowered position, said upper portion
including first and second substantially vertically disposed upper
leg segments abutting and substantially coaxial with respective
said first and second lower front leg segments in said lowered
position, said upper portion further including first and second
inclined upper leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor
surface and inclined downwardly toward said rearward end and
abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and
second lower inclined leg segments at said upper ends thereof in
said lowered position, said upper portion further including first
and second spaced apart arm rest segments interconnecting said
first and second upper leg segments with respective said first and
second inclined upper leg segments; (d) first and second hydraulic
cylinders or first and second pneumatic cylinders respectively
interconnecting said first inclined upper leg segment with said
first lower inclined leg segment and interconnecting said second
inclined upper leg segment with said second lower inclined leg
segment; (e) hinge means interconnecting said first upper leg
segment with said first lower leg segment and interconnecting said
second upper leg segment with said second lower leg segment whereby
said upper portion is upwardly and forwardly rotatable with respect
to said lower portion between said lowered position and said raised
position; and (f) a toilet seat attached to said upper portion
between said spaced apart arm rest segments.
11. The device of claim 10 further comprising means for
simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between a
retracted position and an extended position whereby said upper
portion is rotated between said lowered position and said raised
position.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein said means for simultaneously
operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel
disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an
up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for
simultaneously operating said cylinders and instructing said upper
portion to raise in response to an up command and to lower in
response to a down command, said means further comprising a motor
and source of power connected thereto, one of a hydraulic pump or
pneumatic pump driven by said motor, and three way control valves
operatively connected to said cylinders.
13 The device of claim 10 wherein said lower rear leg segments are
disposed at an angle of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees
to said floor surface.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein said lower rear leg segments are
disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to said floor surface.
15. The device of claim 10 wherein said tubular frame comprises one
of a metal and a structural plastic.
16. The device of claim 10 wherein said tubular frame has a
cross-section having a shape that is round, oval or
rectangular.
17. A toilet seat lift assist device, comprising: (a) a frame
having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a
toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said frame having a
lower frame portion and means for attachment of said lower frame
portion to said floor surface, said frame further having an upper
frame portion for supporting a toilet seat; (b) hinge means
interconnecting said upper frame portion to said lower frame
portion at said forward end thereof whereby said upper frame
portion is rotatable between a lowered position and a raised
position; (c) a toilet seat attached to said upper frame portion;
and (d) first and second hydraulic cylinders or first and second
pneumatic cylinders interconnecting said upper frame portion with
said lower frame portion at the rearward end thereof whereby
operation of said cylinders rotates said upper frame portion
between said lowered position and said raised position.
18. The device of claim 17 further comprising means for
simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between a
retracted position and an extended position whereby said upper
portion is rotated between said lowered position and said raised
position.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein said means for simultaneously
operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel
disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an
up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for
simultaneously operating said cylinders and instructing said upper
portion to raise in response to an up command and to lower in
response to a down command, said means further comprising a motor
and source of power connected thereto, one of a hydraulic pump or
pneumatic pump driven by said motor, and three way control valves
operatively connected to said cylinders.
20. The device of claim 17 wherein said frame comprises one of a
metal and a structural plastic, said frame further having a
cross-section having a shape that is round, oval or rectangular.
Description
CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/074,180, filed Jun. 20, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to fixtures,
devices, or other products configured to assist elderly or disabled
persons in performing activities of daily living, and more
particularly to a hydraulically or pneumatically powered toilet
seat lift for assisting disabled persons in sitting on and rising
from a toilet seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Elderly persons with physical disabilities or other disabled
persons often encounter difficulties in performing some ordinary
but necessary every day tasks in daily living. One such task that a
disabled person may have difficulty in performing is the use of a
toilet. Without help, the person may not be able to sit on or rise
from an ordinary toilet. The disabled person must therefore engage
the assistance of another person such as a health care provider or
family member in order to access the toilet unless the toilet is
equipped with a device for assisting the person in sitting on and
rising from the toilet seat. The need for such a device is
particularly acute in facilities for the care of the elderly or
disabled, such as hospitals, rest homes, or the like. Having a
device for assisting the disabled person to access the toilet may
even allow the person a degree of independence so as to remain in
his or her private home without the need to relocate to such a
facility that provides care for the disabled. A need therefore
exists for a device for use by persons with physical disabilities
to access a toilet in sitting down on and rising from the toilet
without the assistance of another person.
[0004] Devices in the prior art include those such as described in
Patent Numbers U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,728 to Gyllenberg, U.S. Pat. No.
3,473,174 to Cool, U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,576 to Epstein, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,168,552 to Austin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,446 to Robertson, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,063,617 to Ward et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,709 to
McGuire, U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,872 to Phillipa, U.S. Pat. No.
5,737,780 to Okita et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,447 to Lindsay, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,438,769 to Luckenbill, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,585 to
Lundstrom, U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,382 to Karash, U.S. Pat. No.
6,811,220 to Shea et al, DE 4215448 to Rommel, FR 2519861 to
Fralch, DE 1554583 to Hellstrom, and Pub. No. US 2006/0207020 by
Huff.
[0005] There remains, however, a need in assisting a disabled
person to access a toilet for a device that is simple in structure,
easy to operate, and can be conveniently applied to and around an
existing toilet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention meets the need as just described for a
hydraulically or pneumatically operated device for assisting a
disabled person in accessing a toilet. The invention includes a
frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around
a toilet commode, the frame having a lower frame portion for
attachment to the floor surface that supports the commode and an
upper frame portion hingedly attached to the lower frame portion at
the forward end thereof, a toilet seat attached to the upper frame
portion, and a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders
interconnecting the upper frame portion with the lower frame
portion at the rearward end thereof whereby operation of the
cylinders rotates the upper frame portion between a lowered
position and a raised position.
[0007] The invention therefore relates to a toilet seat lift assist
device, comprising:
[0008] a frame having a forward end and a rearward end for
placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface,
said frame having a lower frame portion and means for attachment of
said lower frame portion to said floor surface, said frame further
having an upper frame portion for supporting a toilet seat;
[0009] hinge means interconnecting said upper frame portion to said
lower frame portion at said forward end thereof whereby said upper
frame portion is rotatable between a lowered position and a raised
position;
[0010] a toilet seat attached to said upper frame portion; and
[0011] first and second hydraulic cylinders or first and second
pneumatic cylinders interconnecting said upper frame portion with
said lower frame portion at the rearward end thereof whereby
operation of said cylinders rotates said upper frame portion
between said lowered position and said raised position.
[0012] The invention also relates to a toilet seat lift assist
device, comprising:
[0013] a tubular frame having a forward end and a rearward end for
placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface,
said tubular frame having a lower portion for attachment to said
floor surface, said tubular frame further having an upper portion
for supporting a toilet seat;
[0014] said lower portion including first and second substantially
vertically disposed lower front leg segments at said forward end
and first and second inclined lower rear leg segments disposed at
an angle to said floor surface and upwardly inclined toward said
forward end, each of said lower front leg segments and said lower
rear inclined leg segments having an upper end and a lower end and
including means at each of said lower ends for attachment to said
floor surface;
[0015] said upper portion having a raised position and a lowered
position, said upper portion including first and second
substantially vertically disposed upper leg segments abutting and
substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower
front leg segments in said lowered position, said upper portion
further including first and second inclined upper leg segments
disposed at an angle to said floor surface and inclined downwardly
toward said rearward end and abutting and substantially coaxial
with respective said first and second lower inclined leg segments
at said upper ends thereof in said lowered position, said upper
portion further including first and second spaced apart arm rest
segments interconnecting said first and second upper leg segments
with respective said first and second inclined upper leg
segments;
[0016] first and second hydraulic cylinders or first and second
pneumatic cylinders respectively interconnecting said first
inclined upper leg segment with said first lower inclined leg
segment and interconnecting said second inclined upper leg segment
with said second lower inclined leg segment;
[0017] hinge means interconnecting said first upper leg segment
with said first lower leg segment and interconnecting said second
upper leg segment with said second lower leg segment whereby said
upper portion is upwardly and forwardly rotatable with respect to
said lower portion between said lowered position and said raised
position; and
[0018] a toilet seat attached to said upper portion between said
spaced apart arm rest segments.
[0019] The invention further relates to a toilet seat lift assist
device, comprising:
[0020] a tubular frame having a forward end and a rearward end for
placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface,
said tubular frame having a lower portion for attachment to said
floor surface, said tubular frame further having an upper portion
for supporting a toilet seat;
[0021] said lower portion including first and second substantially
vertically disposed lower front leg segments at said forward end
and first and second inclined lower rear leg segments disposed at
an angle to said floor surface and upwardly inclined toward said
forward end, each of said lower front leg segments and said lower
rear inclined leg segments having an upper end and a lower end and
including means at each of said lower ends for attachment to said
floor surface;
[0022] said upper portion having a raised position and a lowered
position, said upper portion including first and second
substantially vertically disposed upper leg segments abutting and
substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower
front leg segments in said lowered position, said upper portion
further including first and second inclined upper leg segments
disposed at an angle to said floor surface and inclined downwardly
toward said rearward end and abutting and substantially coaxial
with respective said first and second lower inclined leg segments
at said upper ends thereof in said lowered position, said upper
portion further including first and second spaced apart arm rest
segments interconnecting said first and second upper leg segments
with respective said first and second inclined upper leg
segments;
[0023] hinge means interconnecting said first upper leg segment
with said first lower leg segment and interconnecting said second
upper leg segment with said second lower leg segment whereby said
upper portion is upwardly and forwardly rotatable with respect to
said lower portion between said lowered position and said raised
position; and
[0024] a toilet seat attached to said upper portion between said
spaced apart arm rest segments.
[0025] Beneficial aspects of the invention include a toilet seat
lift device that can be easily applied to and around an existing
conventional toilet, that provides safe, convenient and easy
accessibility to the toilet by a disabled person without assistance
from another person, that is simple in structure and easy to
operate with a conveniently accessible control panel, that
comprises either hydraulic or pneumatic operation, and that can be
installed around an existing toilet without physical attachment to
the toilet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an aspect of a
toilet assist device of the invention as installed around a
conventional toilet commode.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of an aspect of the
toilet assist device of the invention as applied to a conventional
toilet commode.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the FIG. 2 aspect of
the invention with the toilet seat in the raised position according
to the invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an aspect of the toilet
assist device of the invention as disposed around a conventional
toilet commode.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a top view of the aspect of the toilet assist
device of the invention shown in FIG. 3.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a hydraulic or pneumatic flow circuit
that may be used in the structure and operation of the toilet
assist device of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an electrical circuit that may be
used in the structure and operation of the toilet assist device of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one aspect of a toilet
assist device 10 of the invention as installed around a
conventional toilet commode. In general, device 10 includes a
tubular frame 11 having a left side frame portion 12 and right side
frame portion 13. A toilet seat 15 that can be of conventional
configuration is supported between frame portion 12 and frame
portion 13 as described in more detail below in relation to FIG. 2,
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. An optional back support member 16 may be
supported between portions 12 and 13 near a rear end portion 17 of
frame 11 as suggested in FIG. 1 in order to provide support to the
lower back region of a user of the toilet assist device 10. Frame
11 includes a lower frame portion 11a and an upper frame portion
11b hingedly attached as described hereinbelow. Referring now
additionally to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it is seen that the
lower frame portion 11a includes substantially vertically disposed
front left leg 19 and front right leg 20 and inclined rear left leg
23 and inclined rear right leg 24 providing support for device 10
surrounding a conventional residential or commercial toilet commode
27 on a floor surface 28. Each leg 19, 20, 23 and 24 includes
respective attached flanges 31-34 for securing frame 11 to the
floor surface 28 using means such as bolts, screws, or other
conventional attachment means 35. Floor surface 28 may also support
commode 27 and may include an opening (not shown) through which
plumbing may be attached to commode 27 for conducting away
waste.
[0034] It may be noted at the outset that frame 11 may comprise
structural members other than tubular members, such as rod, bar or
angle stock, although it is considered that the tubular structure
may provide aesthetic and functional advantages. Further, frame 11
may comprise substantially any material of construction, such as
aluminum, steel or other metal or alloy, or structural plastics
such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conventionally used as tubing
material, in a size (such as about 1 to 3 inch diameter) as would
occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention guided by
these teachings, the selected material or size not considered
limiting of the invention or of the appended claims. Also, the
cross-sectional shape of the tubing that may comprise frame 11 may
be round, rectangular, oval or other shape other than the round
configuration shown in the drawings, the same also not considered
limiting of the invention or of the appended claims.
[0035] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 showing a left
side elevation view of frame 11 as applied to commode 27. It is
seen that left side frame portion 12 may comprise front left leg 19
securable to floor surface 28 as at flange 31, inclined rear left
leg 23 securable to floor surface 28 as at flange 33, and arm rest
upper tubular portion 37. Arm rest portion 37 is formed of a
frontal generally upright tubular front leg segment 38, a generally
inclined rear tubular leg segment 39 and arm rest segment 40
connecting front segment 38 with inclined rear segment 39. In the
configuration shown in FIG. 2 wherein toilet seat 15 is in a down
generally horizontal position on or near commode 27, inclined rear
segment 39 is generally coaxial with and abuts inclined rear left
leg 23 as at abutting joint 41 that may include abutting flange
pair 42, and arm rest segment 40 is generally horizontal (in the
down position shown in FIG. 2) for the convenience of a user of
device 10.
[0036] Reference is now made additionally to FIG. 4 that shows a
front elevation view of frame 11 as applied to commode 27. It is
seen that right side frame portion 13 of frame 11 comprises
elements that correspond to those just described for left side
frame portion 12, including front right leg 20 securable to floor
surface 28 as at flange 32, inclined rear right leg 24 securable to
floor surface as at flange 34 (shown hidden in FIG. 4), and arm
rest upper portion 47. Arm rest portion 47 is, similarly to arm
rest portion 37, formed of a frontal generally upright segment 48,
a generally inclined rear leg segment 49 (hidden in FIG. 4) and arm
rest segment 50 connecting frontal leg segment 48 with inclined
rear leg segment 49. Similarly to left side tubular portion 12, for
the toilet seat 15 in the down position, inclined rear segment 49
is generally collinear with and abuts inclined rear right leg 24 at
abutting joint 51 that may include abutting flanges 52 and 53, and
arm rest segment 50 is generally horizontal (in the down position)
and generally parallel to arm rest segment 40 for the convenience
of a user of device 10. Arm rest upper portions 37 and 47 together
with structural stiffening members described below comprise the
aforementioned upper frame portion 11b of frame 11.
[0037] The structure of frame 11 may include one or more stiffening
members 55 and 56 on either side of frame 11. Members 55 may
connect frontal segments 38 and 48 with the respective inclined
rear segments 39 and 49 of armrest portions 37 and 47. Members 56
interconnect frontal leg segments 19 and 20 with respective
inclined rear segments 23 and 24 of the lower frame portion 11a of
frame 11. Toilet seat 15 may be attached front and rear to segments
38 and 39 on the left side of frame 11 (shown in FIG. 2) and to
front and rear segments 48 and 49 on the right side. Alternatively,
toilet seat 15 can be attached on each side thereof to stiffening
members 55 using any suitable conventional attaching means such as
bolts 57 and 58.
[0038] With further reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4, and to FIG.
5 showing a top view of frame 11 as applied to commode 27, it is
seen that arm rest segments 37 and 47 are hingedly attached at
respective frontal segments 38 and 48 to respective upright front
leg segments 19 and 20 at respective hinges 61 and 62. In one
embodiment of the invention hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 65 and
66 are disposed within respective inclined rear inclined leg
segments 23 and 24. Cylinders useful in the practice of the
invention may include any of the commercially available hydraulic
or pneumatic cylinders sized according to the selected length and
diameter of the tubular structure comprising frame 11. One end of
each cylinder 65 and 66 is hingedly connected near floor 28 and
near respective flanges 33 and 34, and the other end of each
cylinder, such as at the distal ends of respective plungers 67 and
68 are operatively connected to respective inclined rear tubular
segments 39 and 49 at respective flange pairs 42 and 52. In order
to help maintain stability of the device 10 during operation in
raising and lowering frame portion 11b as hereinafter described, it
may be functionally desirable to house cylinders 65 and 66 within
the tubular interior of rear left and right leg segments 23 and 24
(as shown in dotted lines and partial cutaway in FIG. 2). In an
embodiment of the invention, however, cylinders 65 and 66 may be
exposed and interconnect respecting segments 39 and 49 with flanges
33 and 34. The operation of cylinders 65 and 66 is discussed in
more detail below in relation to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. It is seen,
however, that operation of the cylinders so as to telescopically
extend (expand) or retract the plungers 67 and 68 of each cylinder
65 and 66 provides the force that results in the upward and forward
rotation of upper frame portion 11b including arm rest segments 37
and 47 along with toilet seat 15 attached thereto to the position
as shown in the raised position for upper frame portion 11b in FIG.
3. This movement assists a person seated on toilet seat 15 to stand
following use of toilet commode 27. Conversely, retraction of
plungers 67 and 68 results in downward rotation of toilet seat 15
to the position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 in assisting a person to
sit down on toilet seat 15. In order to efficiently move upper
frame portion 11b in raising or lowering toilet seat 15, inclined
rear right and left leg segments 23 and 24 may be inclined with
respect to floor surface 28 at an angle of from about 35 degrees to
about 55 degrees. In one aspect of the invention segments 23 and 24
(and the abutting inclined segments 39 and 49 of upper frame
portion 11b) are inclined with respect to floor surface 28 at an
angle of about 45 degrees.
[0039] Power control box 70 contains the various electrical and
hydraulic or pneumatic control elements for the operation of device
10. For convenience, box 70 may be located near floor surface 28 to
the rear of and below toilet commode 27 and near a source of
household electrical current, such as suggested in FIG. 2 and FIG.
3. Reference is now made to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 shows a
representative hydraulic or pneumatic flow circuit 71 that may be
used in the structure and operation of the toilet assist device 10
of the invention. FIG. 7 shows a representative electrical circuit
81 that may be used in the structure and operation of the
invention. In FIG. 6, it is seen that motor 72 operatively
connected to a source of electrical power 73 operates pump 74 (a
hydraulic pump in one embodiment of the invention and a pneumatic
pump in another embodiment) in order to generate pressure within
pressure reservoir 75. Pressure is then routed to a pair of
three-way control valves 76. Upon receipt of the appropriate
electrical command, the three-way control valve 76 routes pressure
to the first cylinder 65 and the second cylinder 66 through a
series of hoses 77. The hoses 77 are routed into the lower frame
section 11a of frame 11 (as shown in FIG. 2) and terminate within
the power control box 70. The other components such as pump 74,
motor 72, pressure reservoir 75, and the three-way control valve 76
may be disposed inside power control box 70. The hydraulic or
pneumatic operation of the invention provides smooth operation with
built in and integral limit switches on cylinders 65 and 66,
without the sporadic operation that might characterize the
operation of a purely mechanical unit.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 7, shown therein is a representative
electrical circuit 81 useful in the operation of assist device 10
of the invention. Electrical power from conventional household
current may be supplied through line 82 to a DC power supply 83.
Power supply 83 may provide current to motor 72 (FIG. 5) and to the
three-way control valve 76. Electrical power also is routed through
suitable wiring to a control panel 86 disposed in one of the arm
rest segments 40 or 50 in frame 11. Control panel 86 may include an
"Up" push button switch 87 for raising upper frame portion 11b and
a "Down" push button switch 88 for lowering upper frame portion
11b, all as described above in relation to FIG. 2.
[0041] It is understood that the foregoing described hydraulic or
pneumatic flow control circuit 71 and the electrical control
circuit 81 are representative only of the control means that may be
used in the operation of the toilet assist device 10 described and
claimed herein. Other alternative control arrangements could be
envisioned by one with skill in the applicable art as means for
performing the functions herein described for circuits 71 and 81
and are considered to be within the scope of these teachings and
the appended claims.
[0042] The invention therefore provides a hydraulically or
pneumatically powered toilet seat lift for assisting disabled
persons in sitting on and rising from a toilet seat. It is
understood that modifications, adaptations and alternatives to the
invention as described may be made as might be envisioned by one
with skill in the applicable art, within the scope of the appended
claims. All embodiments contemplated hereunder that achieve the
objects of the invention have therefore not been show in complete
detail. Other embodiments may be developed without departing from
the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended
claims.
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