Abstract:
A support apparatus for use with an appliance, the apparatus having a substantially rigid support member adapted to be engaged by a human being for access to the appliance; an assembly mounting the support member on the appliance for movement through a range of positions between a primary position and a secondary position elevated from the primary position; and a mechanism for moving the support member between the primary position and the secondary position to move the human being engaged therewith between the primary position and the secondary position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a support apparatus and, more particularly, to a support apparatus which is adapted for use with respect to a work object, such as a human being, to assist in moving the work object relative to a fixture. 
         [0005]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Access to a particular location, or area, for a given purpose is frequently difficult, or impossible, due to the conditions which exist. It may be, for example, difficult for a human being to achieve access to a fixture, or appliance, under certain conditions. In the case of a human beings, this may be a circumstance in which is compromised in one or more respects. Injury or another physical condition, whether temporary or permanent, can interfere with access to the fixture. The elderly frequently have limitations of a wide variety of types which are representative of this situation. 
         [0007]    This circumstance is characteristic, for example, of gaining access to a fixture such as a toilet in hospitals, other health care facilities, areas which are accessible to the public, in the home and in a myriad of other environments. Heretofore, such access has been assisted only by methods which in most instances, are entirely inadequate. Typical prior art devices are primarily applicable only to people confined to wheelchairs. Characteristically, provision for assistance is limited to such accommodations as wide ramps and paths of travel, enlarged stalls, grasping rails and the like. In such facilities, people not bound to wheelchairs but of otherwise limited mobility have little or no use for such aids. 
         [0008]    This is particularly the case where the invalid, or disabled person, is able to walk, albeit with difficulty, but is unable, or incapacitated to the extent, that moving from an erect, standing attitude to a seated attitude is difficult or impossible. This is usually also the case in moving from a seated attitude to a standing attitude, or any attitude therebetween. People confined to wheelchairs are also frequently presented with these same difficulties; that is, for example, moving back and forth between the wheelchair and the toilet. As disabled people have otherwise become more mobile, such as in public locations, due to consideration being given to their limitations, the need for improved assistance in restrooms has become increasingly important. 
         [0009]    Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have a device which provides assistance to people of limited capability in assuming physical attitudes necessary in their daily lives on their own or with only limited assistance; which is particularly well suited to providing access to fixtures such as toilets and the like; which can be employed to advantage in a virtually unlimited number of environments; which can be operated with ease and dependability with little or no assistance by people with limited physical abilities; which can be deployed in a receiving attitude for initial use, in a resultant attitude for use of the fixture and returned to the receiving attitude after such use; and which is otherwise entirely successful in achieving its operational objectives. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved support apparatus having particular utility in providing access to an apparatus, device, or fixture which otherwise would not be accessible, or accessible only with great effort. 
         [0011]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which is particularly sell suited to use by people in ill health or an otherwise compromised physical condition. 
         [0012]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which is adapted for use on fixtures of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. 
         [0013]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which is adapted to be employed to provide assistance to a person to gain access to a fixture such as a toilet. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which is operable to assist in moving a person from an erect, or standing, attitude to a seated attitude for use of the fixture and to assist in moving a person from a seated attitude to an erect or standing attitude. 
         [0015]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which can be employed in hospitals and other health care facilities, in public places, in the home and virtually any other environment. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which can be operated through a range of positions under the control of the person using the apparatus substantially without the assistance of other people. 
         [0017]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which is adapted readily to be attached to and removed from existing fixtures so as render the support apparatus capable of both temporary and permanent usage. 
         [0018]    Another object is to provide such a support apparatus which is entirely dependable and safe in use. 
         [0019]    Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0020]    These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a support apparatus for use with an appliance, or fixture, the apparatus having a substantially rigid support member adapted to be engaged by a work object; an assembly mounting the support member on the appliance for movement through a range of positions between a primary position and a secondary position elevated from the primary position; and a mechanism for moving the support member between the primary position and the secondary position to move a work object engaged therewith between the primary position and the secondary position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fixture with the support apparatus of the present invention mounted thereon. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the support apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the fixture on which the support apparatus is mounted disposed in a partially elevated attitude and with a portion of the support apparatus disposed in a lowered attitude. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the support apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a portion thereof disposed in an elevated attitude. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the support apparatus with a portion thereof disposed in a partially elevated attitude. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the support apparatus disposed in the lowered attitude and a portion of the fixture on which the support apparatus is mounted disposed in a partially lowered attitude relative thereto. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the support apparatus without the fixture. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the support apparatus and fixture. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the bottom side of a portion of the support apparatus. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the bottom side of a second portion of the support apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, the support apparatus of the present invention in generally indicated by the numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . A substantially flat floor surface is generally indicated by the numeral  15 . 
         [0031]    As will hereinafter become more clearly apparent, the support apparatus  10  can be mounted on any of a variety of different devices, apparatuses and fixtures. In the preferred embodiment, the support apparatus is mounted on a toilet or fixture  20 . The fixture has, generally, a base portion  21 , a bowl portion  22 , a tank portion  23  and a lid portion  24 . 
         [0032]    The base portion  21  of the fixture  20  has a base plate  30  having a lower surface  31  and an opposite upper surface  32 . The lower surface is, in the illustrative embodiment, mounted on the floor surface  15  in facing engagement therewith. The base plate has a lateral surface  33  extending thereabout. The base plate has a vertical member  34  mounted on and extending upwardly from the upper surface of the base plate. The vertical member has a lower portion  35  and an opposite upper portion  36 . The vertical member has a forward portion  37  and a rearward portion  38 . The vertical member has opposite side surfaces  39 . The rear portion and side surfaces have a predetermined configuration, as will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail. 
         [0033]    The base plate  30  has mounting holes  40  extending therethrough for purposes of mounting the fixture  20  on the floor surface using mounting members  44  individually extending through the mounting holes  40 . 
         [0034]    The base portion  21  of the fixture  20  has a main housing  42  which is mounted on the upper surface  32  of the base plate  30  and on the forward portion  37  of the vertical member  34 . The main housing has an upper portion  43 . As will become more clearly apparent, the main housing contains the main conduit or plumbing, not shown, of the fixture. 
         [0035]    The base portion  21  of the fixture  20  has a horizontal member  50  mounted on the upper portion  36  of the vertical member  34  and extending substantially horizontally thereacross. The horizontal member has a semicircular front portion  51  and an opposite rear portion  52 . The horizontal member has an upper surface  53 , an opposite lower surface  54  and a lateral surface  55  extending thereabout. A substantially cylindrical passage or opening  56  of predetermined diameter extends through the front portion  51  substantially concentric to the lateral surface  55  of the front portion  51  of the horizontal member. Two (2) shaft passages  57  extend through the rear portion of the horizontal member in predetermined positions, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0036]    The bowl portion  22  of the fixture  20  has a bowl housing  70  which is mounted on and integral with the upper portion  43  of the lower housing  42 , the forward portion  37  of the vertical member  34  and the lower surface  54  of the horizontal member  50 . The bowl housing has a convex substantially hemispherical outer surface  71  and a concave substantially hemispherical inner surface  72 . The bowl housing has a circular upper end portion  73  which bounds a circular opening  74  which directly communicates with the cylindrical opening  56  of the horizontal member  50 . The inner surface of the bowl housing bounds and thereby defines an interior chamber  75 . It will be understood that suitable plumbing, not shown, extends from the interior chamber, through the lower housing  42  and is connected to plumbing therebelow. 
         [0037]    The tank portion  23  of the fixture  20  has a tank housing  85  having a front wall  86 , a rear wall  87  and two (2) side walls  88  which interconnect the front wall and rear wall in spaced relation to each other. The tank housing has a bottom wall  89  which is mounted on the upper surface  53  of the horizontal member  50  on the rear portion  52  thereof. 
         [0038]    The tank portion  23  includes a tank lid  95  which is removably received on the tank housing  85  in spaced relation to the bottom wall  89 . The tank lid has an upper wall  96  and a peripheral wall  97  which bounds a downwardly facing lower recess  98 . The tank lid is rested on the tank housing with the tank housing received in the lower recess, it will be understood that the interior of the tank housing contains a operating assembly, not shown, which is operated by a flush handle  99  mounted on the front wall  86 . 
         [0039]    The lid portion  24  of the fixture  20  includes a lid  110  having an upper surface  111  and an opposite lower surface  112 . The lid has a peripheral edge  113 . Two (2) stops  114  are mounted in predetermined, spaced relation on the lower surface of the lid. The lid is mounted on the upper surface  53  of the rear portion  52  of the horizontal member  50  by a hinge assembly  115 . The hinge assembly has two (2) mounts  116  individually having screw threaded shafts  117  extending downwardly. The screw threaded shafts are individually extended through the shaft passages  57  of the horizontal member  50 . Two (2) nuts  118  are individually, screw threadably received on the shafts and tightened into engagement with the lower surface  54  of the rear portion  52  of the horizontal member  50 . 
         [0040]    The hinge assembly  115  includes a hinge shaft  119  which is mounted on that interconnects the mounts  116 . Two (2) pivot arms  120  are mounted in spaced relation of the lower surface  112  of the lid  110  and are pivotally mounted on the hinge shaft  119  for pivotal movement thereabout, as best shown in  FIG. 7 . The lid is thereby mounted for pivotal movement between a closed position  121  shown in  FIG. 1  and an opened position  122  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0041]    The support apparatus  10  of the subject invention is mounted on the fixture  20 , as shown in the several views of the drawings. The support apparatus has a yoke or base member generally indicated by the numeral  130 , as best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The base member is preferably, although not necessarily, constructed of metal. The base member has a main plate  131  having a substantially flat upper surface  132  and an opposite lower surface  133 . The main plate has a front portion  134  and an opposite rear portion  135 . The main plate has two (2) arm portions  136  extending laterally therefrom in opposite lateral directions. The front portion  134  and arm portions have a front edge  137  and an opposite rear edge  138 . The rear edge  138  has an arcuate portion  139 . 
         [0042]    An engagement base  150  is mounted on and extends downwardly from the lower surface  133  of the main plate  131  to a substantially flat engagement surface  151 . The engagement base extends along the entire length of the rear edge  138 . The engagement base is mounted on and extends beneath the arm portions  136  of the main plate to form feet members  152 . The main plate has a passage or slot which extends from the front edge  137  to the engagement base to form a terminal end  154  of the slot. The slot is of a predetermined width and depth. The slot is formed by two (2) lip portions  155  of the plate which are spaced from each other to define the slot therebetween and from the engagement surface  151  of the engagement base to define a chamber  156 . The chamber is bounded laterally by the engagement base and vertically by the lip portions. The lip portions have rounded entrance portions  157  and an entrance end  158  of the slot. A bolt hole  159  extends through each of the lip portions in corresponding predetermined positions on opposite sides of the slot. A hydraulic cylinder mount  160  is mounted on each of the arm portions  136  of the main plate  131 . 
         [0043]    The support apparatus  10  has a central housing  170 , best shown in  FIG. 7 . The central housing has a substantially flat upper wall  171  which, in turn, has an upper surface  172  and a lower surface  173 . The central housing has a front portion  174  and an opposite rear portion  175 . A peripheral wall  176  is mounted on and extends downwardly from the upper wall in a configuration allowing substantially fitted engagement of the central housing with the horizontal member  50  of the fixture  20 , as best shown in  FIG. 7 . Two (2) shaft passages  177  extend through the upper wall at the rear portion  175  thereof. The shaft passages  177  are in positions corresponding to the shaft passages  57  of the horizontal member  50 . 
         [0044]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 8 , which shows the central housing  170  in inverted relation, a substantially cylindrical wall  185  is mounted on the lower surface  173  of the upper wall. The cylindrical wall has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical opening  56  of the horizontal member  50  of the fixture  20 . The cylindrical wall  185  is spaced from the peripheral wall  176  to define a space or passage  186  dimensioned to be fitted about the front portion  51  of the horizontal member  50 , as best shown in  FIG. 8 . The cylindrical wall bounds an opening  187  which, in the assembled form, directly communicates with the circular opening  74  of the horizontal member and thus the interior chamber  75 . This is best visualized upon reference to  FIG. 7 . A hinge assembly  188  is mounted on the front portion  174  of the upper surface  172  of the central housing. 
         [0045]    A seat or support member  200  is mounted on the central housing  170  for substantially pivotal movement between the raised position, shown in  FIG. 3 , and the lowered position, shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  6 . For purposes of illustrative convenience, the raise position shown in  FIG. 3  is identified by the numeral  201 ; the lowered position shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  6  is identified by the numeral  202 ; and an intermediate position shown is  FIG. 4  is identified by the numeral  203 . 
         [0046]    The support member  200  has, generally, an upper surface  210  and an opposite lower surface  211 . The support member is bounded by a peripheral edge  212  and has an interior edge  213  and a rear edge  214 . The interior edge bounds a substantially circular opening  215 . Two (2) lateral arms  216  extend in opposite directions along the rear edge  214  of the support member. A circular margin  217  extends about the upper surface of the support member substantially concentric to the interior edge  213 . The circular margin and the interior edge define a downwardly and inwardly sloped surface  218  extending toward the circular opening. 
         [0047]    As shown best in  FIG. 9 , two (2) hydraulic cylinder mounts  230  are individually mounted on the lower surface  211  of each of the lateral arms  216  adjacent to the rear edge  214 . Two (2) resilient stops  231  are individually mounted on the lower surface  211  adjacent to the hydraulic cylinder mounts. A hinge mount  232  is mounted on the lower surface of the support member  200  adjacent to the portion of the peripheral edge  212  most remote from the rear edge  214 . The hinge mount  232  is mounted on the hinge assembly  188  of the central housing  170  for pivotal movement of the support member  200  between the raised position  201 , shown in  FIG. 3 , and the lowered position  202 , shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0048]    A hydraulic system  233  operably interconnects the main plate  131  and the support member  200 . More specifically, the hydraulic system  233  has two (2) hydraulic cylinder assemblies  234  each having a cylinder portion  235  and a shaft portion  236 . The hydraulic cylinder assemblies can be of any suitable type connected to a hydraulic operation system, not shown. The proximal end of each cylinder portion mounts a lower link  237 . The lower link is operably connected to its respective hydraulic cylinder mount  160  by a pin  238 . The distal end of each shaft portion  236  mounts an upper link  239 . The upper link is operably connected to its respective hydraulic cylinder mount  230  by a pin  240 . The hydraulic system  233 , through the expansion of contraction of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies, is operable to move the support member  200  to the raised position  201 , shown in  FIG. 3 , and, conversely, to the lowered position  202 , shown in  FIG. 2 , and to any position therebetween including the intermediate position  203 , shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       Operation 
       [0049]    The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. 
         [0050]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, the support apparatus  10  of the present invention can be mounted on virtually any type of fixture  20 , whether specifically designed for the purpose, or an existing fixture. This can perhaps best be visualized upon reference to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . The main plate  131  is simply positioned with the rearward portion  38  of the vertical member  34  of the fixture received in the slot  153  of the main plate. The slot is dimensioned to be fitted about the corresponding portion of virtually any existing fixture. The engagement surface  151  of the engagement base  150  of the fixture is rested on the floor surface  15 . The mounting members  44  individually extend through the mounting holes  40  of the fixture. The mounting members are secured in the mounting means, not shown, provided in the floor  15  for this purpose. 
         [0051]    The support apparatus  10  can be disposed in the fully closed attitude shown in  FIG. 1 . In this attitude, the hydraulic cylinder assemblies  234  are in their respective fully contracted conditions, the support member  200  is in the lowered position  202  shown best in  FIG. 2  and the lid  110  is in the closed position  121  shown in  FIG. 1 . In this fully closed attitude, the fixture  20  closely resembles a conventional toilet or fixture. If desired, the fixture can be left in this condition when the fixture is not in use. 
         [0052]    In order to use the fixture  20  which, for illustrative convenience, is disposed in the closed attitude shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  110  is raised by hand to the fully open position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . This may be considered a conventional open position with the upper surface  111  of the lid rested against tank lid  95 . The hydraulic system  233  is then operated to expand the hydraulic cylinder assemblies  234  to raise the lateral arms  216 , and thereby the support member  200 , to the raised position  201 , shown in  FIG. 3 . Such movement of the support member is in pivotal movement about the hinge assembly  188  at the forward edge of the central housing  170 . Accordingly, the support member is pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the hinge assembly to the raised position  201 . 
         [0053]    In the raised position  201 , shown in  FIG. 3 , the support member  200  is disposed at a preferred angle for use such as, for example, a forty-five degree (45°) angle with respect to horizontal. However, if desired, the support member can be disposed at an angle greater or smaller than the forty-five degree (45°) angle, the intermediate position  203 , or any other angle, by operation of the hydraulic system  233 . 
         [0054]    With the support member  200  in, for example, the raised position  201  shown in  FIG. 3 , the user faces away from the fixture  20  with the user&#39;s back to the raised support member. The user then leans back against the support member with the user&#39;s posterior, or buttocks, aligned with and received within the circular opening  215  and rested against the sloped surface  218  of the support member  200 . 
         [0055]    The user subsequently operates the hydraulic system  233  to contract the hydraulic cylinder assemblies  234  thereby to lower the support member  200  from the raised position  201 , shown in  FIG. 3 , along a path of travel pivotable about the hinge assembly  188  downwardly through the intermediate position  203 , shown in  FIG. 4 , to the lowered position  202 , shown best in  FIG. 3 . This movement by the support member moves the user from an erect, standing attitude leaning backwardly on the support member to a seated position on or over the fixture. The fixture  20  is then used by the user in the normal manner concluding with operation of the flush handle  99 . 
         [0056]    Upon completion of the use of the fixture  20 , the hydraulic system  233  is then again operated to expand the hydraulic cylinder assemblies thereby moving the support member from the lowered position  202  to the raised position  201 . This operation raises the user from a seated attitude for use of the fixture, to an erect or standing attitude. From the standing attitude the user can walk or otherwise move from the fixture. Where desired, the support apparatus  10  can be left in this position shown in  FIG. 3  for the next use of the fixture  20 . Alternatively, the hydraulic system  233  can be operated to contract the hydraulic cylinder assemblies  234  to return the support member to the lowered position  202 . The lid  110  can then be moved, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , to the closed position, shown in  FIG. 1 . This may be considered to have a better aesthetic appearance than as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0057]    Where it is again desired to use the fixture  20 , the support apparatus  10  it is operated as heretofore described. With reference to people whose mobility is not compromised, the fixture, it is only necessary to move the lid  110  from the lowered position shown in  FIG. 1  to the raised position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0058]    Therefore, the support apparatus of the present invention provides assistance to people of limited capability in assuming physical attitudes necessary in their daily lives on their own or with only limited assistance; is particularly well suited to providing access to fixtures, such as toilets and the like; can be employed to advantage in a virtually unlimited number of environments; can be operated with an ease and dependability with little or no assistance by people with limited physical abilities; can be deployed in a receiving attitude for initial use, in a resultant attitude for use of the fixture and returned to the receiving attitude after such use; and is otherwise entirely successful in achieving its operational objectives. 
         [0059]    Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.