DEVICE FOR FACILITATING TOILET VISITS

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for facilitating toilet visits essentially for an adult person with impaired mobility. A support part (1) is so arranged as to be installed on a toilet pan (4), in conjunction with which its regular toilet seat must be removed. A frame part (2) supports a seat ring (5) and is pivotally attached in at least two points (6, 7) with the support part (1). A straight line (8), which passes through the aforementioned points (6, 7), represents an imaginary axis of rotation which forms a line perpendicular to a plane of symmetry through the toilet pan (4) and lies ahead of its front edge (4b). A device (3) acts between the support part (1) and the frame part (2) causing the frame part (2) to rotate relative to the support part (1) between an inclined position in which the person in question can support himself with his back against the seat ring and a seated position in which the person can attend to his needs. The aforementioned device (3) acting between the support part (1) and the frame part (2) lies in the aforementioned plane and is in engagement with the support part (1) and the frame part (2) at points (1b, 2b) situated in front of the front edge (4b) of the toilet pan (4), but, at least as far as the point of engagement (2b) with the frame part (2) is concerned, behind the aforementioned imaginary axis of rotation (8). The axis of rotation (8) is positioned in such a way that it will lie in the immediate vicinity of the knees of the person using the device.

Description: Device for facilitating toilet visits The present invention relates to an arrangement for facilitating toilet visits essentially for an adult person with impaired mobility, comprising a support part so arranged as to be installed on a toilet pan, in conjunction with which its regular toilet seat must be removed, and a frame part supporting a seat ring and pivotally attached in at least two points with the support part, whereby a straight line, which passes through the aforementioned points, represents an imaginary axis of rotation which forms a line perpendicular to a plane of symmetry through the toilet pan and lies ahead of its front edge, with a device acting between the support part and the frame part for causing the frame part to rotate relative to the support part between an inclined position in which the person in question can support himself with his back against the seat ring and a seated position in which the person can attend to his needs. An arrangement of this kind, which already exists on the market, makes use of two piston and cylinder units positioned on respective sides of the arrangement. The construction obtained in this way is certainly stable, although also expensive, and steps must be taken to ensure that both piston-cylinder units operate entirely synchronously in order for the frame part not to become warped. Also, the imaginary axis of rotation is in a comparatively low position; it lies approximately in the area around the calf of the person using the arrangement. What this means is that, when the person in question is to be helped from a sitting position into a standing position, the seat ring is tipped forwards without the front edge of the seat ring being raised to a sufficient extent at the same time, which means that the seat ring forms a comparatively strongly inclined plane like a slide and can impart a sensation of insecurity to the person in question. The object of the present invention is to make available an arrangement of the kind referred to by way of introduction which does not suffer from the aforementioned disadvantages and which at the same time is of simple construction and can therefore be marketed at a competitive price. This object is met in that the aforementioned device acting between the support part and the frame part lies in the aforementioned plane and is in engagement with the support part and the frame part at points situated in front of the front edge of the toilet pan, but, at least as far as the point of engagement with the frame part is concerned, behind the aforementioned imaginary axis of rotation, which is positioned in such a way that it will lie in the immediate vicinity of the knees of the person using the device. The comparatively high position of the axis of rotation means that the front edge of the seat ring is raised at the same time as the inclination of the seat ring increases, and vice versa. The last-mentioned, characteristic feature of the invention thus causes the seat ring to be raised with a movement which follows the movement of the support as one sits down or gets up. Already certainly disclosed through US-A-4690 457 and DE- A-2 625 046 are a chair and a wheelchair with a seat cushion which, by means of a single centrally positioned cylinder-piston arrangement, is capable of being tipped forwards relative to a frame part, although the position of the aforementioned unit and its points of engagement with the seat cushion and the frame part make the use of these previously disclosed constructions impossible in conjunction with visits to the toilet. In accordance with one particular characteristic of the invention, the support part is so arranged exclusively as to rest against and as to be supported by the rim of the toilet bowl, with the result that the arrangement does not obstruct the floor around the toilet pan, which facilitates cleaning. A person's impaired mobility may have any number of causes, such as a cerebral haemorrhage with its associated paralysis, an amputation or a recently performed operation which cause pain in conjunction with movement, plaster casts, disc degeneration and other back injuries which call for as little movement as possible in order to heal, and high body weight, often in combination with weakened muscles, which makes it difficult for the person concerned to take care of his toileting arrangements for himself. • Between 2 and 3 persons are often required on these occasions in order to help the person to sit on the toilet pan and to raise himself from it. The difficulty in coordinating the lifting work in conjunction with the restricted space available in toilets, which does not provide room for more than one person in addition to the person with impaired mobility, means that the nursing staff run the risk of occupational injury. The arrangement in accordance with the invention, if necessary with the assistance of one other person, possibly a relative, now enables the person with impaired mobility to manage his visits to the toilet. The arrangement in accordance with the invention makes it possible for the person with impaired mobility to be cared for in the home, which increases his sense of security and quality of life. The arrangement in accordance with the invention can also be used, with the person with impaired mobility in the half-seated position, to administer enemas or rectal medication. Further advantages and details of the invention will be appreciated from the following description of an illustrative embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figures la, lb and lc illustrate schematically an embodiment of an arrangement in accordance with the invention with the seat ring of the arrangement respectively in the folded-up position and in the sitting position and with the arrangement collapsed for transport. Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show a person using the arrangement in accordance with the invention in a standing position, in a half-standing position and in a seated position. The arrangement in accordance with the invention comprises a support part 1 and a frame part 2 and a device 3 pivotally connected thereto acting between the support part 1 and the frame part 2 for the purpose of causing it to rotate relative to the support part. The support part 1 is so arranged as to be installed on a toilet pan 4, in conjunction with which the regular seat ring with its associated cover must be removed. The transcurrent holes provided for the installation of the regular seat ring and corresponding transcurrent holes la in the support part 1 are used for this purpose. The support part is so arranged as to rest against and as to be supported by the rim 4a of the toilet bowl. The result is that the floor around the toilet pan is not obstructed by the arrangement in accordance with the invention and is thus readily accessible for cleaning. The frame part 2 carries arm rests 2a and a seat ring 5 and is pivotally connected at two points 6, 7 with the support part 1. A straight line 8, which passes through the points 6,7, forms an imaginary axis of rotation for the pivoting movement of the frame part and, at the same time, a line perpendicular to a plane of symmetry through the toilet pan 4. The line 8 in this case lies ahead of the front edge 4b of the toilet pan 4. In accordance with the invention the aforementioned device ' 3, the purpose of which is to cause the frame part 2 to 5 pivot relative to the support part l between an inclined position (Fig. 2a) , in which a person 9 who is to use the toilet 4 is able to support himself with his back against the seat ring 5, and a seated position in which the person can attend to his needs, lies in the plane of symmetry 10 passing through the toilet pan 4. Unlike previously disclosed arrangements of the present invention, which have two pivoting devices arranged on the sides, the arrangement in accordance with the invention has only one such device 3. This consists in the embodiment shown in the drawing of 15 an hydraulically acting cylinder-piston unit 3a fed by a manually actuated pump 3b, which is operated by means of a lever 3bl, as described in greater detail below. The piston-cylinder unit 3 is in engagement with the 20 support part 1 at a point lb and with the frame part 2 at a point 2b. In accordance with the invention these point lb, 2b are situated ahead of the front edge 4b of the toilet pan 4, and, at least as regards the point of engagement 2b, this lies behind the imaginary axis of 25 rotation. This in turn in positioned in such a way that it will lie in the immediate vicinity of the knee 9a of the person 9 when he uses the arrangement in accordance with the invention. 30 An explanation of the use of the arrangement in accordance with the invention is given below with reference to Figures f 2a-2c. In Fig. 2a the person 9 is supported with his back against 35 the seat ring 5, which has a slightly inclined position as can be appreciated more clearly from Fig. la. Moving the lever 3bl back to a front end position causes the pressure built up in the cylinder-piston unit 3a during previous use of the arrangement to be equalized. In conjunction with this the frame part 2 and thus also the seat ring 5 are rotated in the direction of the support part l, and the person sits down slowly (Fig. 2b) in order finally to arrive in a siting position (Fig. 2c) . In order to get up again, the person now need only execute a reciprocating pumping movement with the lever 3bl, in conjunction with which the frame part 2 and the seat ring 5 gently move in the opposite direction to before until the person has finally adopted a standing position once more. Since the centre of the pivoting movement of the frame part 2 relative to the support part 1 in accordance with the invention is located in the immediate vicinity of the knee 9a of the person 9, the movement from a standing position to a sitting position, and vice versa, is executed in a manner which is perceived as very natural by the person concerned. The function of the arm rest 2a, which is obvious, may be supplemented with a safety belt (not shown here) which prevents the person from falling forwards during the raising movement. If the person concerned has too little arm strength to operate the lever 3bl, this must naturally be done by a helper or a carer, who may also require to be present for other reasons. It is obvious that the arrangement described above and shown in the drawing can be modified in many ways within the scope of the idea of invention. Thus, for example, the aforementioned device for causing the frame part to rotate relative to the support part may consist as an alternative of a ball-and-nut screw powered by an electric motor, or the pump 3b may be powered by an electric motor, in which case, for the purpose of controlling the electric motor, push-buttons are provided on one of the arm rests for causing the frame part 2 and thus the seat ring 5 to move up and down. It can be appreciated from Fig. lc that the arrangement in accordance with the invention is collapsible, which means that it is easily transported, for example in the luggage space of a motor car.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. Arrangement for facilitating toilet visits essentially for an adult person with impaired mobility, comprising a support part (1) so arranged as to be installed on a toilet pan (4), in conjunction with which its regular toilet seat must be removed, and a frame part (2) supporting a seat ring (5) and pivotally attached in at least two points (6, 7) with the support part (1), whereby a straight line (8) , which passes through the aforementioned points (6, 7) , represents an imaginary axis of rotation which forms a line perpendicular to a plane of symmetry through the toilet pan (4) and lies ahead of its front edge (4b), with a device (3) acting between the support part (1) and the frame part (2) for causing the frame part (2) to rotate relative to the support part (1) between an inclined position in which the person in question can support himself with his back against the seat ring and a seated position in which the person can attend to his needs, characterized in that, the aforementioned device (3) acting between the support part (1) and the frame part (2) lies in the aforementioned plane and is in engagement with the support part (1) and the frame part (2) at points (lb, 2b) situated in front of the front edge (4b) of the toilet pan (4), but, at least as far as the point of engagement (2b) with the frame part (2) is concerned, behind the aforementioned imaginary axis of rotation (8) , which is positioned in such a way that it will lie in the immediate vicinity of the knees of the person using the device. 2. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 1, clι__ra<__.eri_re_. in that the support part (1) is so arranged exclusively as to rest against and as to be supported by the rim (4a) of the toilet pan. 3. Arrangement in accordance with any of the preceding Patent Claims, characterized in that the aforementioned device ( 3 ) acting between the support part (1 ) and the frame part (2) comprises an hydraulically or pneumatically operated piston- cylinder unit (3a) which interacts with an electrically or manually operated pump (3b). - 4. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforementioned device (3) acting between the support part (1) and the frame part (2) consists of a so-called ball-and-nut screw.

Inventors: MAARTENSSON MONA, MAARTENSSON, MONA
Applicants: MAARTENSSON MONA, MAARTENSSON, MONA
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A47K13
IPC codes: A61G7