Abstract:
A lift is provided for placement over a conventional toilet. The lift includes a raising and lower mechanism which assists users in sitting and standing, a washing mechanism which is used to wash the lower extremities after toilet use, and a drying mechanism which is used to dry the lower extremities after use of the washing mechanism. The lift can be placed inside a housing which is useful for concealing the lift. Advantageously, the washing mechanism is adapted to be stored in a position which is unlikely to be soiled by waste entering the toilet basin and shiftable to a position wherein the lower body parts of a toilet user can be washed. Additionally, the shiftability of the washing mechanism provides a more thorough wash due to its ability to direct a water stream in any direction.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/323,611, filed on Jun. 1, 1999, now abandoned, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, and claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/087,511 filed on Jun. 1, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is concerned with convenience devices for people who have physical conditions which make using conventional toilet facilities difficult. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with apparatuses which assist a patient in standing after using a toilet. Still more particularly, the present invention is concerned with apparatuses which wash the lower parts of the body after use of a toilet. Finally, and most particularly, the present invention is concerned with apparatuses which wash and dry the lower parts of the body after toilet use and thereafter raise the user to a partially standing position. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many devices have been developed to aid the infirm, elderly, or physically handicapped in using restroom facilities. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,583 to White, et al. discloses a powered lift toilet seat which can be used to assist a person in being raised and lowered relative to a toilet bowl. However, raising and lowering a person relative to a toilet bowl addresses only one problem that many users of such a device possess. Often, these people are also unable to properly clean the genital areas after using a toilet. Toilets including a spray device operable for providing a cleansing wash to the genital area after toilet use are stationary in nature, and therefore are susceptible to soiling by the person using the toilet due to their location within the toilet bowl. Thus, these devices often spray a person with water containing waste prior to performing any cleansing duties. Accordingly, if these devices are not used for a long enough period of time, waste may remain on the user despite use of the spraying device. Another commonly encountered problem is that of the water remaining on a person after using such a spray device. This water can then be absorbed by clothing surrounding the area, thereby providing a potentially embarrassing situation. This remaining water also provides a moist environment conducive to bacterial and fungal growth. This problem has been dealt with by employing a blower which serves to dry the areas of the body which have been washed by the spray nozzle. However, no prior art device has incorporated a lifting apparatus along with a washing and drying device. 
     Accordingly, what is needed in the art is toilet seat which can be raised and lowered to accommodate individuals who have trouble sitting or standing. What is further needed is such a device wherein a person may be washed and dried after using the toilet. What is still further needed is such a device wherein the apparatuses which perform the washing and drying functions are located such that they are not soilable by the human waste of the person using the toilet. Finally what is needed is such a device wherein the washing mechanism is shiftable between a stored position which is away from waste being expelled and can thereafter be moved to a functional position wherein the washing mechanism is positioned to provide an optimal wash. Such devices will also be enhanced by the shiftability of the nozzle providing the wash whereby the nozzle can be moved laterally to provide a more thorough wash laterally and can be moved in a forward and backward motion to provide a more thorough wash anteriorly and posteriorly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art and provides a distinct advance in the state of the art. The lift of the present invention therefore provides an apparatus which performs raising and lowering functions, cleansing functions, and drying functions. Advantageously, the raising and lowering functions is accomplished such that the seat is gently raised and tilted forward and the washing functions provided by the present invention provide a more thorough wash to body parts than was heretofore afforded by the prior art. 
     The invention preferably comprises a tubular frame which includes a U-shaped bracket forming each side of the lift and an interconnecting brace spanning between the two U-shaped brackets. The tubular frame is preferably metal but can be constructed using wood or polymeric materials. The two U-shaped brackets provide a total of four legs, one at each corner of the lift and each leg preferably includes an adjustable foot extending therefrom. The feet are capable of height adjustment and leveling in a conventional manner such as is used on ordinary household appliances (e.g., washing machines). The frame is adapted to overlie a conventional toilet basin and preferably includes a box-like housing surrounding the frame. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hosing includes three stationary sides and a seat platform which raises and lowers with the seat. In another embodiment, the lifting assemblies raise the entire housing when the lift is activated. This housing is adapted to permit decoration by painting or the like and is formed of a resin-like material or wood. 
     Connected to the frame is an electric motor coupled with an actuator having a push rod which is extendible therefrom. The motor is electrically connected to a control box located on the frame itself, or the housing when one is provided. Preferably the control box is located on the seat platform in an ergonomically correct position. The control box includes at least one lift switch which serves to activate the motor. In one preferred embodiment, the lift is provided with two switches which serve to operate the lifting assemblies and must both be activated for the lift to operate. To help prevent shock, a transformer is used to change the 120V current to 24V direct current. 
     The push rod is connected to a yoke at the extending end. This yoke is further attached to a pair of depending plates or drive bars at their proximal ends. This attachment is through a pin which permits rotational movement between the yoke and the drive bars. Preferably, this rotational movement is permitted through the use of bushings which are preferably brass in construction. Secured, preferably by welding, to the distal end of the drive bar pair is crossbar having a pair of opposed ends with the drive bar pair located proximal to the first end thereof. This crossbar is provided with rotational movement when the actuator is activated and the push rod is extended or retracted due to its secure attachment to the drive bar pair. The crossbar further attaches to a plate at each end where it is free to rotate within a complementarily configured bore. Each plate is attached to a corresponding front leg of the frame and further includes a support tube connected thereto through a pair of pins. Each end of the crossbar is also attached to a support brace for a lift assembly. 
     The lift is provided with a pair of lift assemblies, with each U-shaped frame member being attached to one lift assembly. The lift assemblies include a trio of support braces or arms and a pair of vertically oriented support braces or arms which operate in unison to raise and lower the lift. The trio of support braces includes a lower, middle, and upper arm and the pair of vertically oriented support braces includes a seat brace and a lift brace. The lower support brace is attached at its anterior end to the crossbar and to the plate. The posterior end of the lower support brace is attached to the bottom end of the lift brace. All attachments permit rotational movement therebetween, preferably through the use of brass bushings or the like. The middle support brace is attached at its anterior end to the support tube and at its posterior end to the lift brace at its lower end. The upper support brace is also attached to the support tube at its anterior end and to approximately the midpoint of the seat brace at its posterior end. Again, all attachments permit rotational movement therebetween. Operation of the lift assemblies permits raising and lowering of the lift through cooperative movement of the respective braces and bars which are activated when the crossbar is rotated by the extension of the push rod and rotation of the drive bars. This arrangement permits the lift to gently raise and tilt forward, thereby providing an improvement over the prior art which merely tilts forward. 
     The distal end of the drive bar pair further straddles a supporting brace having an anterior end and a posterior end. The anterior end of the supporting brace and the drive bar pair are not attached per se but are provided with a spacing therebetween which permits rotational movement. The posterior end of the supporting brace is attached to the motor and provides the motor with support. 
     The seat braces of the lift assemblies are attached to seat shelves which are adapted to overlie the frame and to support the seat. The seat braces include an anterior portion which overlies the U-shaped frame member, a middle portion upon which the seat sits, and a posterior portion which is supported by the rear brace. The seat is preferably round in configuration and has an open portion in the middle thereof. Attached to the inner portion of the seat and depending therefrom is a shield, preferably made of ⅛th inch plastic. This shield is adapted to fit inside the circumference of a toilet basin when the lift is in a lowered position. The shield is also provided with a passageway through which a washing assembly can be extended. This passageway is preferably in the form of a longitudinal slot which is pre-cut into the shield. 
     Attachment of the shield to the seat can be done in any conventional fashion including gluing, molding, melting, and fastening. 
     The lift of the present invention is also provided with a washing assembly which can be projected into the confines of the shield and used to cleanse the lower extremities after use of the toilet facilities. The washing assembly comprises a flexible tube connected at one end to a plumbed water source and at an opposed end to a pipe elbow. The pipe elbow connects the flexible tube to a water pipe which is further connected to a second pipe elbow which is thereafter connected to a spray nozzle. Water flow is controlled by a conventional faucet handle which restricts the flow of water from the plumbed water source through the washing assembly. In order to provide a defined pathway for the flexible tube, a rigid conduit is provided which directs the flexible tube through the longitudinal slot of the shield. Advantageously, this combination of a flexible tube connected to a water pipe connected to a nozzle permits the water assembly to be removed from the confines of the shield when the toilet is in use, thereby avoiding soiling by the waste entering the toilet basin. When a user is done using the toilet, the faucet handle is gripped to move the washing assembly through the longitudinal slot of the shield and into the toilet basin area. When this is done, the flexible tube freely slides within the conduit, thereby moving the water pipe and attendant nozzle into a functional position. The washing assembly can then be activated by rotating the faucet handle and allowing water to pass from the plumbed water source through the flexible tube and water pipe and out the nozzle, thereby providing a cleansing wash to the body parts located above the open portion of the seat. Preferably, the washing assembly is connected to a water source which has the temperature controlled in order to prevent water which is too cold or too hot from contacting the skin of a user. In addition to permitting lateral movement of the washing assembly before, during, and after washing, the slidability of the flexible tube through the rigid conduit permits rotation of the flexible tube back and forth from the front of the lift toward the back of the lift, thereby providing water flow and cleansing in all four directions. This provides a more thorough wash than was heretofore possible using the prior art. Once washing is completed, the washing assembly can be moved away from the toilet by sliding the flexible tube away from the toilet basin and exiting through the longitudinal slot in the shield. This permits storage of the washing assembly in a stored position, away from waste entering the toilet. 
     A switch on the control box, located atop the seat platform, can then activated to operate an air blower. The air blower is attached to one of the frame members and includes a motor and a blower. By activating the blower, air is directed into the basin area of the toilet where it helps to dry the previously washed body parts. Once drying is completed, the control box switch is deactivated, thereby halting blower operation. 
     The lift can then be activated using a switch located on the control box which activates the motor, thereby extending the push rod of the actuator and shifting the lifting assemblies from a lowered position to a raised position. Once the lift has raised the seat to an acceptable level, the switch is deactivated and the person using the lift can disembark from the seat in a standing position. 
     By providing a lift with a shiftable washing assembly, the prior art problems of soiling the washing assembly during toilet use are avoided due to the storage of the washing assembly behind the shield and out of the basin area of the toilet. Additionally, a more thorough wash is provided due to the forward, backward, and lateral movement afforded by the present invention. Prior art problems of residual moisture on washed body parts is also avoided by the drying action of the blower. Finally, the lift can be activated to assist a person to sit down before using the toilet and to assist a person in standing after using the toilet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating placement of the invention around a toilet (shown in phantom); 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a shield (shown in phantom); 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lift in a partially raised position; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating an alternative placement of the washer assembly; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lift in a partially raised position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description sets forth preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that this description is provided for illustration only and nothing therein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the invention. 
     The present invention is depicted in FIG. 1 which illustrates a lift  10  in accordance with the present invention. Lift  10  is designed to be placed over a toilet  12 , shown best in phantom in FIG.  2 . Lift  10  further comprises lift housing  14  adapted to overlie lift frame  16  which includes a U-shaped side frame member  18  on the left side of the frame  16  and a matching U-shaped side frame member  20  on the opposed right side of frame  16 . As shown in FIGS. 2-5, each side frame member  18 ,  20  includes a pair of legs with side frame  18  including left front leg  22  and left back leg  24  and side frame including right front leg  26  and right back leg  28 . Legs  22  and  24  are connected via a spanning member  23  while legs  26  and  28  are connected via spanning member  25 . Side frame members  18 ,  20  are connected by rear brace  30  which spans between legs  24  and  28 . Each leg,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  has an adjustable foot  32  extending therefrom which permits leveling in a conventional manner. 
     Depending from rear brace  30  is electrical motor  34  (illustrated in FIGS. 3-5) operable for activating actuator  36  and extending push rod  38  therefrom. Push rod  38  is rigidly fixed to yoke  40  which in turn is pivotally attached to the proximal ends  48  of a pair of depending drive bars  42 ,  44  by pin  46  which extends through each respective drive bar  42 ,  44  and yoke  40 . Distal ends  49  of drive bars  42 ,  44  are rigidly attached to cross bar  50 , preferably by welding. Drive bars  42 ,  44  further straddle side brace  52  at its anterior end  54 . Side brace  52  is anchored at its posterior end  56  by motor  34 . 
     Cross bar  50  presents a first end  58  which extends through drive bars  42 ,  44 , side brace  52 , and bottom support brace  60  and rotatably attaches to plate  62  welded to leg  22 . Plate  62  presents attached support tube  64  which is anchored in place on plate  62  by pins  66 ,  68 . Cross bar  50  further presents a second opposed end  70  extending through bottom support brace  72  and is fixedly attached to plate  74  attached to leg  26 . Plate  72  is a mirror image of plate  62  and therefore presents support tube  76  attached by pins  78 ,  80 . 
     Bottom support braces  60 ,  72  are part of the lift assemblies  82 ,  84  which are located on both sides of lift  10  and are responsible for the raising and lowering of a user of the present invention. Lift assemblies  82 ,  84  are mirror images of one another and therefore have corresponding parts. Thus, lift assemblies  82 , 84  include bottom support braces  60 ,  72 , middle arms  86 ,  88  which are rotatably connected to support tubes  64 ,  76  respectively at their anterior ends  87 ,  89  by pins  68 ,  80 . The posterior ends  93 ,  95  of arms  86 ,  88  are rotatably connected to the lower ends of seat braces  94 ,  96  by pins  90 ,  92 . Lift assemblies  82 ,  84  further include upper arms  102 ,  104  which are also rotatably attached at their anterior ends to support tubes  64 ,  76  by pins  66 ,  78 , respectively. The posterior ends of arms  102 ,  104  are rotatably attached to the middle portion of seat braces  94 ,  96  through pins  110 ,  112 . Lift braces  114 ,  116  depend from approximately the midpoint of upper arms  102 ,  104  to the posterior ends of support braces  60 ,  72 . Attachment of lift braces  114 ,  116  to upper arms  102 ,  104  is by way of pins  118 ,  120  which permit rotation therebetween. Similarly, attachment of lift braces  114 ,  116  to support braces  60 ,  72  is also done by way of pins  122 ,  124  which also permit rotation therebetween. 
     Seat shelves  126 ,  128  present anterior portions  130 ,  132  adapted to overlie U-shaped side frames  18 ,  20 , mid-portions  134 ,  136  which are adapted to contact seat  138  and provide support therefore, and posterior portions  140 ,  142  which are adapted to overlie rear brace  30 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, seat  138  preferably includes a downwardly depending shield  144  which is attached near the open portion  146  of seat  138 . Shield  144  includes longitudinal slot  148  which is adapted to receive washer assembly  150  therethrough. Washer assembly  150  includes nozzle  152  attached to pipe  154  having lower elbow  156  and upper elbow  158 . Flexible pipe  155  is connected to upper elbow  158  and extends through stationary conduit  160 . Flexible pipe  155  is movable through conduit  160  by sliding pipe  155  laterally toward and away seat  138 . Conduit  160  extends through U-shaped side frame  18 . Pipe  154  further presents a first end  162  which is attached to nozzle  152  and a second end  164  which is attached to upper elbow  158 . Faucet handle  166  is located between pipe  155  and a plumbed water source at one end and at upper elbow  158  at its opposed end. Faucet handle  166  is operable for controlling the flow of water from the water source through pipe  155 , around elbows  158 ,  156 , through pipe  154  and out nozzle  152 . Faucet handle  166  is also operable for providing the lateral movement of pipe  154  by having flexible pipe  155  connected to the plumbed water source thereby permitting lateral movement. Additionally, the flexible pipe  155  permits a degree of rotational movement which gently rocks nozzle  152  anteriorly and posteriorly and thereby providing a movable water stream upon a user&#39;s lower body parts. Conduit  160  further provides a rigid passageway which permits lateral movement of flexible pipe  155  along a defined pathway. 
     Lift  10  further includes a dryer assembly  168  attached to the lift frame  16  by pins  170 ,  172 . Dryer assembly  168  includes dryer motor  174  and dryer blower  176 . Blower  176  directs an air current toward the basin of the toilet  12 , thereby hastening water evaporation from a user&#39;s skin. 
     As shown by FIG. 2, lift housing  14  includes seat platform  178  which is attached to seat  138  so that it moves in unison with seat  138  when push rod  38  operates lift assemblies  82 ,  84 . Grab bars  180 ,  182  are provided in order to lend extra support to users of the present invention. Finally, seat platform  178  includes control box  184  which is electrically connected to motor  34  and is operable for activating and deactivating actuator  36 . Control box  184  contains switch  186  operable for activating motor  34  and switch  188  operable for activating dryer motor  174 . 
     An alternative embodiment of the lift  10  is shown in FIG.  6 . In this embodiment, the lift housing  14  raises and lowers as a unit as the lift assemblies  82 ,  84  are raised and lowered. The housing therefore includes seat platform  178  and three sides. Side  190  is perpendicular to seat platform  178  and has an opposing side (not shown) on the other side of seat platform  178 . Side  192  is oriented at right angles to the other sides  178 ,  190 . 
     To use the present invention, lift  10  is activated using switch  186  on control box  184  to bring seat platform  178  to a raised position. This raised seat position is illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and 5. This permits a user to place their weight upon seat platform  178  prior to activating motor  34  through control box  184 , thereby retracting push rod  38  and lowering lift assemblies  82 ,  84  and seat platform  178 . Once push rod  38  is retracted and lift assemblies  82 ,  84  are lowered, open portion  146  of seat  138  is positioned directly above the basin of toilet  12 , thereby permitting use of the toilet  12 . This lowered position is shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3. Once a person is done using toilet  12 , faucet handle  166  is moved laterally toward toilet  12  in order to move nozzle through longitudinal slot  148  in shield  144  and position nozzle  152  below a user&#39;s lower extremities. Faucet handle  166  is then rotated in a conventional manner to provide water through pipe  155 , around upper elbow  158  and lower elbow  156 , through pipe  154 , and out nozzle  152 , thereby providing a cleansing wash to the lower extremities positioned above open portion  146 . Advantageously, while water is being expelled through nozzle  152 , a user may move washer assembly  150  laterally by gripping faucet handle  166  and moving it in a back and forth motion toward and away toilet  12 , thereby providing a more thorough wash over a greater surface area. Additionally, nozzle  152  can be rotated to provide a water stream which is perpendicular to the lateral motion provided by lateral movement of washer assembly  150 . This is done by gripping faucet handle  166  and moving it in anterior and posterior directions. Once washing is completed, faucet handle  166  can be rotated to stop water flow through pipe  154  and out nozzle  152  and washer assembly  150  can be moved laterally through longitudinal slot  148  in shield  144  and away from toilet  12 . In this manner, washer assembly is located in a stored position outside of the basin of toilet  12 . Thereafter, a switch  188  on control box  184  is activated to start dryer motor  174  which directs an air flow into the basin of toilet  12 , thereby drying the previously washed body parts. Once drying has proceeded to a satisfactory stage, switch  188  is deactivated, thereby turning off dryer motor  174 . Switch  186  can then be activated to raise seat platform  178 , thereby assisting a user to a standing position. 
     Lifting action of the lift assemblies  82 ,  84  is provided by motor  34  activated by switch  186  on control box  184 . When push rod  38  is in a retracted position, seat platform  178  is in a lowered position such that open portion  146  of seat  138  is directly above the basin of toilet  12  and seat shelf anterior portions  130 ,  132  are overlying U-shaped side frame members  18 ,  20 , seat shelf mid-portions  134 ,  136  are supporting seat  138 , and seat shelf posterior portions  140 ,  142  are overlying rear brace  30 . This positioning of the seat shelves in the lowered position is illustrated best in FIG.  3 . By activating switch  186  on control box  184 , push rod  38  extends thereby rotating drive bars  42 ,  44  and cross bar  50 . When cross bar  50  rotates, bottom support braces  60 ,  72  also rotate. This rotational motion of bottom support braces  60 ,  72  moves lift braces  114 ,  116  in an upward manner thereby moving connected upper arms  102 ,  104  in an upward manner. This cooperative movement also results in seat braces  94 ,  96  rotating middle arms  86 ,  88  in an upward fashion, and thereby forcing seat shelves  126 ,  128  to raise seat  138 .