An inclining toilet-seat lift is an apparatus that aids and supports a user while transitioning from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa, in order to relieve himself or herself. The apparatus includes a U-shaped base, a plurality of supporting legs, a platform, a posterior-bracing plate, an excrement-receiving hole, and a lifting mechanism. The U-shaped base upholds the plurality of supporting legs and the lifting mechanism. The plurality of supporting legs upholds the platform and the posterior-bracing plate. The platform supports and mounts the posterior-bracing plate, which rotates about a first edge of the platform and supports a user as the user sits down and stands up. The excrement-receiving hole allows a toilet or a bucket to collect excrement without the excrement coming into contact with the platform and the posterior-bracing plate. The lifting mechanism lowers and raises the posterior-bracing plate onto and from the platform.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to seat lifts. More specifically, the present invention is an inclining toilet-seat lift.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Everyday tasks can be extremely challenging and sometimes fatal as a person ages. Such tasks included walking, taking the stairs, getting into and out of cars, and so on. One everyday task that can be extremely dangerous due to the number of surfaces of which an elderly person may hit his or her head on is using the restroom. More specifically, using a toilet can be extremely difficult and dangerous as an elderly person has to switch from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa. This transition affects the balance of the elderly person and strains the legs and knees of the elderly person. If an elderly person falls while attempting to sit on or get up from a toilet, the elderly person may easily hit his or her head against the toilet, a nearby sink, and so on.

The present invention supports and guides a user as the user attempts to relieve himself or herself. The present invention is compatible with existing toilets and is able to effectively collect the excrement of the user. The user is preferably an elderly person who may need aid while attempting to use a toilet. However, the present invention may assist anyone who is having difficulty switching from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa. The present invention provides a reliable stable surface that supports the user while transitioning between positions. The present invention may be used with a toilet or standalone with a bucket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an inclining toilet-seat lift that supports and aids a user while transitioning from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa. More specifically, the present invention supports and aids the user while using a toilet. The present invention is both compatible with an existing toilet and able to contain the urine and excrement of the user without an existing toilet. In order for the present invention to support and aid the user, as the user sits on the apparatus to urinate and defecate, the present invention comprises a U-shaped base1, a plurality of supporting legs2, a platform5, a posterior-bracing plate8, an excrement-receiving hole9, and a lifting mechanism10, as illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 9. The U-shaped base1upholds both the plurality of supporting legs2and the lifting mechanism10, and consequently, upholds the platform5and the posterior-bracing plate8. The U-shaped base1receives an existing toilet such that the existing toilet is aligned with and positioned beneath the excrement-receiving hole9. The plurality of supporting legs2upholds the platform5and the posterior-bracing plate8above the ground. The plurality of supporting legs2preferably comprise a height that exceeds past the height of an existing toilet. The platform5supports and mounts the posterior-bracing plate8. The posterior-bracing plate8supports the user backside of the user. More specifically, the posterior-bracing plate8raises and lowers the user from and onto the platform5, respectively. The excrement-receiving hole9allows any excrement from the user to fall through the platform5and the posterior-bracing plate8without coming into contact with the present invention. The lifting mechanism10raises and lowers the posterior-bracing plate8from the platform5so that the user is supported as the user transitions from a standing position to a sitting position while on the posterior-bracing plate8, and vice versa. The platform5comprises a first edge6and a second edge7such that the first edge6mounts the posterior-bracing plate8and allows the posterior-bracing plate8to rotate, and the second edge7supports the posterior-bracing plate8in a fully retracted configuration. In the fully retracted configuration, the posterior-bracing plate8is pressed against the platform5.

The overall configuration of the aforementioned components aids a user before and after relieving himself or herself. As seen inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the first edge6and the second edge7are positioned opposite to each other across the platform5in order for the posterior-bracing plate8to be structurally supported while in the fully retracted configuration. The present invention is compatible with an existing toilet as the second edge7is positioned adjacent to an opening25of the U-shaped base1, seen inFIG. 10. Moreover, as the second edge7is positioned adjacent to the opening25, the user may press against the posterior-bracing plate8and sit on the posterior-bracing plate8. This arrangement aligns the user with the existing toilet as if the user was sitting directly on the existing toilet.

In order to effectively support the platform5, and consequently the posterior-bracing plate8, the platform5is terminally connected to the plurality of supporting legs2, seen inFIG. 7,FIG. 9, andFIG. 10, and the plurality of supporting legs2is peripherally positioned around the platform5. The U-shaped base1is terminally connected to the plurality of supporting legs2, opposite the platform5, thereby distancing the platform5from the U-shaped base1. This arrangement positions the platform5, and consequently the posterior-bracing plate8, above the existing toilet, allowing the toilet to collect the excrement that falls through the excrement-receiving hole9.

As seen inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the posterior-bracing plate8is positioned adjacent to the platform5, opposite the plurality of supporting legs2and is hingedly connected along the first edge6. This arrangement allows the transition of the user from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa, while pressed against the posterior-bracing plate8to be continuous and correctly aligns the user with the existing toilet. More specifically, the excrement-receiving hole9traverses through the posterior-bracing plate8and the platform5such that the excrement from the user falls directly into the existing toilet. The posterior-bracing plate8is able to rotate and support the user while transitioning from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa, as the lifting mechanism10is operatively coupled between the posterior-bracing plate8and the U-shaped base1, wherein the lifting mechanism10is used to raise and lower the posterior-bracing plate8.

In order to contain any toiletries, the present invention further comprises a bin14and a cover15, clearly seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 9, andFIG. 10. The bin14houses any toiletries and the cover15conceals the toiletries. The bin14is mounted onto the U-shaped base1, and the cover15is detachably attached across an opening26of the bin14, as shown inFIG. 3. The allows the bin14to remain accessible while the user is sitting on the present invention and the present invention is positioned around an existing toilet.

The present invention accommodates users and existing toilets of varying heights as each of the plurality of supporting legs2comprises a series of telescopic rods3and a locking mechanism4, seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 7. The series of telescopic rods3allows the height of each of the plurality of supporting legs2to adjust accordingly. The locking mechanism4fixes the position the series of telescopic rods3with respect to each other, thereby securing the desired height of each of the plurality of supporting legs2. In order for the position of the series of telescopic rods3to be adjustable with respect to each other, the series of telescopic rods3is slidably engaged amongst each other. The locking mechanism4is operatively integrated into the series of telescopic rods3, wherein the locking mechanism4is used to adjust and fix a total length for the series of telescopic rods3. The locking mechanism4preferably comprises a plurality of holes and a bolt. The plurality of holes laterally traverses into each of the series of telescopic rods3and is distributed across each of the series of telescopic rods3. The bolt traverses into an arbitrary hole of an arbitrary telescopic rod that is aligned with a corresponding hole of an adjacent telescopic rod. The arbitrary telescopic rod is preferably, the outermost telescopic rod of the series of telescopic rods3.

The user may further stabilize himself or herself onto the present invention as the present invention comprises a first handlebar16and a second handlebar17. The first handlebar16and the second handlebar17both allow a user to effectively grasp onto the present invention. As seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 9, andFIG. 10, the first handlebar16is mounted adjacent to the platform5, and the second handlebar17is mounted adjacent to the platform5, opposite the first handlebar16. This arrangement allows the first handlebar16and the second handlebar17to be accessible to the user, regardless of the position of the user. More specifically, the first handlebar16and the second handlebar17are positioned in between the first edge6and the second edge7such that the path of the posterior-bracing plate8about the first edge6is uninhibited.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a toilet seat18, shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 6. The toilet seat18positions the user onto the posterior-bracing plate8and provides comfort to the user as the user presses against the posterior-bracing plate8. The toilet seat18is mounted onto the posterior-bracing plate8, opposite the platform5in order for the user to be able to come into contact with the toilet seat18as the posterior-bracing plate8rotates about the first edge6. The toilet seat18effectively positions the user onto the present invention as the toilet seat18is perimetrically positioned around the excrement-receiving hole9. An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a seat cover19. The seat cover19prevents the user or any object from accidentally falling through the excrement-receiving hole9and conceals the exposure of both the excrement-receiving hole9and excrement beneath the platform5. In order to cover the excrement-receiving hole9, the seat cover19is coextensive with the toilet seat18. The seat cover19is hingedly connected to the posterior-bracing plate8, allowing the user to access and cover15the excrement-receiving hole9. More specifically, the hinged connection between the seat cover19and the posterior-bracing plate8is positioned adjacent to the toilet seat18.

In order for the posterior-bracing plate8to rotate about the first edge6, the lifting mechanism10comprises at least one linear actuator11, as seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 9, andFIG. 10. The at least one linear actuator11automatically lifts and lowers posterior-bracing plate8, as well as supports the weight of the user while pressing against the posterior-bracing plate8. The at least one linear actuator11comprises a pushing end12and a fixed end13, as seen inFIG. 7. The pushing end12applies force against the posterior bracing plate, and the fixed end13connects the lifting mechanism10to the U-shaped base1. More specifically, the fixed end13is pivotably connected to the U-shaped base1, and the pushing end12is pivotably connected to the posterior-bracing plate8. This pivotal connection accommodates the rotary motion of the posterior-bracing plate8, seen inFIG. 4andFIG. 5. The pushing end12is positioned offset from the hinged connection between the posterior-bracing plate8and the platform5so that the at least one linear actuator11is able to rotate the posterior-bracing plate8about the first edge6.

In order to activate and deactivate the lifting mechanism10, the present invention further comprises a control unit20and a power source21, as illustrated inFIG. 3. The control unit20allows a user to engage the lifting mechanism10without having to manually lift and lower the posterior-bracing plate8. The power source21provides the necessary power to the lifting mechanism10. The control unit20is connected adjacent to the platform5. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is mounted on either the first handlebar16or the second handlebar17. More specifically, the control unit20is positioned in between the plurality of supporting legs2and the posterior-bracing plate8so that the user may easily access the control unit20. The control unit20is electronically connected to the lifting mechanism10so that the lifting mechanism automatically raises and lowers upon input from the user with the control unit20. In order for the power source21to remain connected to the electronic components of the present invention while the present invention is moved, the power source21is mounted onto the U-shaped base1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power source21is contained within the bin14and concealed by the cover15. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the power source21is electrically connected to the control unit20and the lifting mechanism10in order for the control unit20and the lifting mechanism10to receive power from the power source21. The power source21is preferably a replaceable battery. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the power source21may be positioned external to the U-shaped base1and be electrically connected to the control unit20and the lifting mechanism10via a cable.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of wheel assemblies22, seen inFIG. 1andFIG. 9, so that the present invention is easily transported and maneuverable. The plurality of wheel assemblies22is mounted adjacent to the U-shaped base1, opposite to the plurality of supporting legs2in order for the plurality of wheel assemblies22to come into contact with the ground and reduce the friction between the present invention and the ground. Furthermore, the plurality of wheel assemblies22is distributed around the U-shaped base1, as illustrated inFIG. 8, thereby structurally supporting and balancing the U-shaped base1above the ground.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises a bucket23and a rim24, illustrated inFIG. 10. The bucket23allows the present invention to be used without an existing toilet. The bucket23retains any excrement that falls through the excrement-receiving hole9. As seen inFIG. 9, the rim24suspends the bucket23from the posterior-bracing plate8, as the rim24is laterally connected around an opening27of the bucket23, as seen inFIG. 10. The bucket23is positioned into the excrement-receiving opening9, preventing the excrement from escaping the bucket23. The rim24is positioned in between the posterior-bracing plate8and the platform5and is pressed against the platform5by the posterior-bracing plate8. This arrangement secures the position of the bucket23within the excrement-receiving hole9.