Lift for raising and lowering the user of a toilet
A lift for facilitating the raising and lowering of a user of a toilet, the lift includes a motor connected to a frame. The motor drives a screw or worm drive which raises and lowers support members connected to a seat. Handles can also be connected to the support members and seat for a user's convenience and safety. Typically the lift is positioned about and over a typical toilet, however a removable bowl could be attached under the seat to facilitate a portable lift to be used away from a toilet.
The present invention relates to devices for assisting physically disabled persons, more specifically but not by way of limitation to a lift system for assisting physically disabled persons to sit upon and be removed from a toilet.
BACKGROUNDIndividuals hampered by a physical handicap or disability often suffer from the inconvenience of needing help to do what many take for granted, including the most natural acts. For example the simple act of going to the bathroom for these individuals can be a very difficult and frustrating process. Although some may be able to get to the toilet without hindrance, many have great difficulty in sitting upon and getting up from the toilet. In many sitting upon and getting up the toilet is not possible without assistance.
Therefore there is a need for an assist device that facilitates easy access to a toilet, and in particular facilitates the sitting upon and getting up from the toilet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURESA more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular
In operation, toilet seat lift 100 is placed over the opening of toilet 110 such that toilet seat 120 is in alignment there with. Cover 130 provides not only esthetic functionality but helps protect the user of toilet seat lift 100 from the inner workings (see for example
Conversely, when activated, toilet seat lift 100 would then be slowly lifted back to the up position. This raising of toilet seat lift 100 facilitates the user to be able to easily remove themselves from the toilet seat 120.
Referring now to
Shaft 277 of horizontal support 275 is pivotally interconnected between supports 245 and 250. Bracket 280 is interconnected between seat support 235 and handles 225 and bracket 285 is interconnected between seat support 240 and handles 225. Brackets 280 and 285 include multiple holes, such as hole 290, which allow for brackets 280 and 285 to be adjustable such that the height of handles 225 can be varied to a user preference. Handles 225 could also include pads 300 for a users comfort in gripping handles 255 during the user of toilet seat lift 200. A user adjustable limit switch 310 would interface with toilet seat lift 200 so that a user can preconfigure how high toilet seat lift 200 will move.
Although toilet seat lift 200 is illustrated with a single motor 230 and drive screw 247, it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention that an additional motor and drive screw assembly could be similarly utilized on the right side of toilet seat lift 200. This would facilitate increasing the lifting power of toilet seat lift 200. Motor 230 could be virtually any standard type of motor, including but not limited to and 110V AC motor with a ground fault breaker, or a 12V DC motor.
Referring now to
To raise toilet seat lift 200, motor 230 is activated and drives screw 247 in a first direction driving upper raising arms 255 and 260 and lower raising arms 265 and 270 to lift seat supports 235 and 240. Similarly, to lower toilet seat lift 200, motor is activated and drives screw 247 in a second direction driving upper raising arms 255 and 260 and lower raising arms 265 and 270 to lower seat supports 235 and 240. One advantage of using screw 247, among other things, is to facilitate a smooth and quite operation. Additionally the speed at which screw 247 can be driven, and therefore ultimately the speed which toilet seat lift 200 can be raised and lowered, can be easily adjusted to a users preference.
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In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device for facilitating the use of a toilet, said device comprising;
- a base, said base including a first support;
- a motor connected to said base, said motor operable in a first direction and a second direction;
- a first seat support;
- a seat connected to said seat support;
- a first lift arm pivotally connected between first support of said base and said first seat support; and
- a screw connected between said motor and said first seat support, said screw providing a lifting and lower force to said first seat support in response to said motor operating in said first direction and operating in said second direction.
2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said seat is adjustably connected to said seat support such that the height of said seat is adjustable.
3. The device as recited in claim 1, and further including a bowl, said bowl removably connected under said seat.
4. The device as recited in claim 1, and further including a funnel, said funnel removably connected under said seat.
5. The device as recited in claim 1, and further including at least one wheel connected to said base, said wheel for facilitating the moving of said device.
6. The device recited in claim 1, and further including a handle connected to said seat support.
7. The device as recited in claim 6, and further including a pad positioned on said handle.
8. A toilet seat lift comprising:
- a base, said base including a first support and a second support;
- at least one motor connected to said base, said motor operable in a first direction and a second direction;
- a first seat support and a second seat support;
- a seat connected to said first seat support and said second seat support;
- a first lift arm pivotally connected between first support of said base and said first seat support and a second lift arm pivotally connected between said second support of said base and said second seat support; and
- a screw connected between said motor and said first seat support, said screw providing a lifting and lower force to said first seat support in response to said motor operating in said first direction and operating in said second direction.
9. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, wherein said seat is adjustably connected to said first seat support and said second seat support such that the height of said seat is adjustable.
10. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including a bowl, said bowl removably connected under said seat.
11. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including a funnel, said funnel removably connected under said seat.
12. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including at least one wheel connected to said base, said wheel for facilitating the moving of toilet seat lift.
13. The toilet seat lift recited in claim 8, and further including a handle connected to said first seat support and said second seat support.
14. The toilet seat lift recited in claim 8, and further including a limit switch connected to said motor device.
15. A toilet seat lift comprising:
- a base, said base including a first support and a second support;
- at least one motor connected to said base, said motor operable in a first direction and a second direction;
- a limit switch connected to said motor, said limit switch for limiting the operation of said motor;
- a first seat support and a second seat support;
- a seat connected to said first seat support and said second seat support;
- a first lift arm pivotally connected between first support of said base and said first seat support and a second lift arm pivotally connected between said second support of said base and said second seat support; and
- a screw connected between said motor and said first seat support, said screw providing a lifting and lower force to said first seat support in response to said motor operating in said first direction and operating in said second direction.
16. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 15, wherein said seat is adjustably connected to said first seat support and said second seat support such that the height of said seat is adjustable.
17. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 16, and further including a bowl, said bowl removably connected under said seat.
18. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 8, and further including a funnel, said funnel removable connected under said seat.
19. The toilet seat lift as recited in claim 18, and further including at least one wheel connected to said base, said wheel for facilitating the moving of toilet seat lift.
20. The toilet seat lift recited in claim 19, and further including a handle connected to said first seat support and said second seat support.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 18, 2005
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2007
Inventor: Dennis Waldal (Battle Ground, WA)
Application Number: 11/207,361
International Classification: A47K 13/10 (20060101);