Abstract:
A padded seat is provided, similar to a toilet seat, that is attached or clipped to a conventional bedpan. Friction fit snaps are provided for attaching the padded cushion to a bedpan. The snap on/snap off design extends the versatility of existing bedpans while remaining easy to empty and clean. The padded nature is not only more physically comfortable for the user, it also provides a psychological advantage for those who find it difficult to use a bedpan as well.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Registration 503,654 filed on Jan. 11, 2002 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to bedpans and, more particularly, to a cushioned, grip engaging arcuate member for use with existing bedpans. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Patients who are ill and confined to bed as a result of an illness, disability or accident are faced with obstacles on a daily basis that most of us take for granted. Just the simple act of going to the bathroom can be a major undertaking for them as well as their care providers. While such items as a bed pan may make the task easier by not requiring the user to physically travel to a bathroom facility, they still require the patient to precariously position themselves to perform bathroom duties. Such situations are not only physically uncomfortable, they are also a psychological burden which may actually affect the patient&#39;s ability to relieve themselves. These situations put additional worry and stress not only on the patient, but the care giver as well. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,804 issued in the name of Stevens, describes a pillow-like protector and body support device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,366 issued in the name of Stevens, describes a pillow-like protector and body support device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,788 issued in the name of Raupp, describes a bedpan which provides ease of use through its low lying configuration. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,399 issued in the name of Young, describes a inflatable bedpan apparatus and method. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,540 issued in the name of Stokes, describes a disposable combination bedpan cushion and waste bag assembly 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,502 issued in the name of Miller, describes a disposable comfort pad for bedpans. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,793, issued in the name of West, describes a multi-cushioned bedpan seat. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,770 issued in the name of Smith, describes a washable bedpan with a flexible, yielding cushion seat of horseshoe shape. 
   Consequently, there exists a need for a means by which the functionality of a conventional bed pan can be increased to address the shortcomings as listed above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bedpan. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide a cushioned, grip engaging arcuate member for use with existing bedpans. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a padded seat, similar to a toilet seat, that is attached or clipped to a conventional bedpan is provided. Upon initial observation, the invention looks like a conventional toilet seat with foam padding and a plastic vinyl cover. However, after closer inspection, it can be seen that friction fit snaps are provided for attaching the padded cushion to a bedpan. The snap on/snap off design extends the versatility of existing bedpans while remaining easy to empty and clean. The padded nature is not only more physically comfortable for the user, it also provides a psychological advantage for those who find it difficult to use a bedpan as well. 
   The use of the bed pan cushion, provides bedridden patients a means to increase their comfort and dignity at a time they need it the most. 
   Further, the present invention functions like a padded toilet seat by snapping onto existing bed pans to provide for greater patient comfort. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective of a cushioned bed pan seat cover. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective of a C-shaped cushioned bed pan seat cover, an alternative embodiment to the apparatus shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating the bed pan seat cover attached to a standard bed pan. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3  taken through line  4 — 4  and enlarged to illustrate the detail of the side snap. 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a second alternate embodiment of a cushioned bed pan incorporating the combination as an integral structure. 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  5 . 
       FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , FIG.  2  and  FIG. 3 , a cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  is shown, in accordance with the present invention, and includes an arcuate outer surface  12  integral with a planar bottom surface  14  which form a curvilinear opening  16  and house plurality of snaps  18 .  FIG. 2  reflects an alternative embodiment of a cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  in which the front portion is open and articulates a C-shaped cushioned bed pan seat cover  10 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  fastened to a standard bed pan  54  by way of a snap  18 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  includes an arcuate outer surface  12  integral with a planar bottom surface  14  forming a padding space  22  which is filled with a suitable padding material  24 , such as foam, cellulose fibers or other similar materials. The arcuate outer surface  12  is manufactured from an expandable, yet durable, material, such as vinyl or another similar substance. The planar bottom surface  14  is preferably manufactured from a slightly more rigid material than the expandable arcuate outer surface  12 , so as to provide a weight bearing structural support for the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  and to prevent the ridges or edges of the bed pan  54  from puncturing or otherwise compromising the integrity of the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10 . The planar bottom surface  14  includes a gripping strip  26 , manufactured from rubber or a similar material, to provide resistance against reciprocating movement, which includes lateral side-to-side movement and longitudinal front-to-back movement. The gripping strip  26  is affixed to the planar bottom surface  14  by way of an appropriate adhesive  28 . 
   A plurality of snaps  30  are affixed along the outside of the planar bottom surface  14  by way of an appropriate adhesive,  32 . A snap  30  includes a winged member  34  integral with a clasping arm  36 . A snap  30  pivots about an internal spring  38  so that when sufficient force F is applied in the direction toward the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10 , the winged member  34  is moved along the angle AB and the clasping arm  36  is moved along the angle CD. When the force F is removed, the winged member  34  returns to a position corresponding to point A and the clasping arm  36  returns to a position corresponding to point C. A snap gripping strip  40 , manufactured from rubber or another similar substance, is affixed to the inner surface of the clasping arm  36  by way of an appropriate adhesive  42 . The snap gripping strip  40 , much like the gripping strip  26 , supplies sufficient force to the side wall of the bed pan  54  and acts to securely hold the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  in place and prevent movement that may cause waste spills or accidents. 
   F is removed, the winged member  34  returns to a position corresponding to point A and the clasping arm  36  returns to a position corresponding to point C. A snap gripping strip  40 , much like the gripping strip  26 , supplies sufficient force to the side wall of the bed pan  54  and acts to securely hold the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  in place and prevent movement that may cause waste spills or accidents. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5-8 , a second alternate embodiment is shown in which a cushioned bed pan seat cover  60  is shown and includes a padded upper outer surface  62  integral with rigid lower bedpan  64  as a one-piece, integral, non-removable structure. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   A user will position the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  over a bed pan  50 , aligning the front, back and side with one another. The user will apply sufficient force F to move the snap  30  along the angles of AB and CD, allowing the user to place the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  directly on top of the bed pan  50 . The gripping strip  26  rests against the top planar portions of the bed pan  50  and resists reciprocating movements. The user then removes the force F from the snap  30 , allowing the snap  30  to return to positions A and C, with the clasping arm  36  and the corresponding snap gripping strip  40  resting against the side wall of the bed pan  50 . Like the gripping strip  26 , the snap gripping strip  40  acts to resist reciprocating movements. 
   To remove the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  from the bed pan  50 , a user will apply sufficient force F to move the snap  30  along the angles AB and CD, thereby releasing the resistant force applied by the snap  30  against the side wall of the bed pan  50 . Once the resistant force of the snap  30  is released, the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  may be removed from the bed pan  50 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, in which clips  44  are used in place of snaps  18 , the user will position the cushioned bed pan seat cover  10  so that the lip  56  of the bed pan  54  may slide into the space  52  formed within the clip(s)  44 . To remove, the user simply slides the lip  56  away from the space  52  and the clip(s)  44 . 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.