Patent Publication Number: US-2013232686-A1

Title: Power assisted toilet seat

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/414,903 filed on Nov. 18 th , 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to power assisted toilet seats that enable the elderly and the disabled to ease the use of toilets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power assisted toilet seat including a lifting and tilting structure that facilitates movement of the toilet seat in a path with a close approximation to the movement of the hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and lower legs, occurring when a person, being supported by the toilet seat, moves between a standing position and a sitting position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART 
     It is well known that individuals having certain handicaps, especially the elderly, have trouble using the toilet, since it is difficult to move between a standing and sitting position in relation to a conventional toilet seat, and often, such a person needs to obtain assistance when moving between sitting and standing positions. 
     Prior art toilet seats lifting devices suffer from a variety of setbacks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,447, given to Blair W. Lindsay, discloses a device for raising and lowering a toilet seat, in which the front end of the seat is pivotely affixed at the front end side of the seat and thereby, an elderly seating on the seat may slide forward before reaching a stable standing position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,917, given to Delbert R. Rhoades, discloses a complex system which provides no forward movement of the seat and thereby does not facilitates movement of the toilet seat in a path closely approximating the movement of the hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and lower legs which occurs when a person, being supported by the toilet seat, moves between a standing position and a sitting position. 
     There is a need, and it would be advantageous to have a power assisted toilet seat providing a toilet seat lifting and tilting structure that facilitates movement of the toilet seat in a path that closely approximates the movement of the hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and lower legs, occurring when a person, being supported by the toilet seat, moves between a standing position and a sitting position. It would be further advantageous for the power assisted toilet seat to provide a mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat in the seats upper most position, to fit the seat&#39;s height to the height of the person using the power assisted toilet seat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By way of introduction, the principal intentions of the present invention include proving a power-assisted toilet seat that facilitates movement of the toilet seat in a path that closely approximates the movement of the hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and lower legs, occurring when a person moves between a standing position and a sitting position. 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat in the seats upper most position, to fit to the height of the person using the power-assisted toilet seat. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide the power-assisted toilet seat with a device for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly, thereby bringing the person proximal to a squat position. 
     According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a power-assisted toilet seat, including a seat-support-assembly having a U-shaped seat-support-panel, wherein the hands of the U-shaped seat-support-panel are pointing towards the front of the toilet seat bowl, side-walls, and two motion conveying arms: a lower-conveying-arm and an upper-conveying-arm. The U-shaped seat-support-panel is facilitated to securely carry a conventional toilet seat. 
     The power-assisted toilet seat further includes a stationary frame-assembly, facilitated to securely attach to the top of the toilet seat bowl through the common bores conventionally used to attach a conventional toilet seat. The frame-assembly includes a U-shaped bowl-top sub-frame disposed substantially parallel to the top rim of the toilet seat bowl, wherein the hands of the U-shaped bowl-top sub-frame are pointing towards the front of the toilet seat bowl; two frontal arms disposed in a general vertical orientation, one on each side of the toilet seat bowl; and a leg holder disposed at the front of the toilet seat bowl proximal and substantially parallel to the floor. 
     The power-assisted toilet seat further includes a lifting-mechanism for lifting and lowering the seat-support-assembly. The lifting-mechanism includes a pair of generally vertical compound jackscrews, wherein a bottom end of each of the jackscrews is pivotally attached to the bottom section of the frontal arm, respectively, at a preconfigured location; and wherein a top end of each of the jackscrews is pivotally attached to the U-shaped seat-support-panel, at preconfigured locations. The lifting-mechanism further includes a motor, rotatably connected to the compound jackscrews. Preferably the lifting-mechanism includes a pair of motors, each operatively coupled with one of the compound jackscrews. The motors may be AC or DC electric motors. 
     The power-assisted toilet seat further includes power switch, being in operational communication with the motor. The power switch facilitates a user to activate the compound jackscrews to thereby move a user seating on the U-shaped seat-support-panel between the standing position and the sitting position. 
     The top section of each of the frontal arms is securely attached to the bowl-top sub-frame proximal to the front end of the hands of the U-shaped bowl-top sub-frame. 
     The bottom section of each the frontal arms is securely attached to a respective end of the leg holder. 
     A rear end of each of the lower-conveying-arm is pivotally attached to the bottom section of the side wall, respectively, at a preconfigured location, wherein a front end of each of the lower-conveying-arm is pivotally attached to the top section of the frontal arm, respectively, at a preconfigured location. A rear end of each of the upper-conveying-arm is pivotally attached to the bottom section of the side wall, respectively, at a preconfigured location; and wherein a front end of each of the upper-conveying-arm is pivotally attached to the top section of the frontal arm, respectively, at a preconfigured location. 
     Preferably, the power-assisted toilet seat further includes least one arm-rest-assembly, preferably two. Preferably, a power switch is disposed at preconfigured location on each of the arm-rest-assemblies. Preferably the preconfigured location is conveniently accessible to the user. 
     Rotating the motor in a first direction, lifts the U-shaped seat-support-panel from the sitting position to the standing position, and wherein rotating the motor in a second direction, lowers the U-shaped seat-support-panel from the standing position to the sitting position. 
     Optionally, the power-assisted toilet seat as in claim further includes a height adjustment mechanism, having a rigid element and a flexible contact arm, wherein the rigid element is operatively connected to the U-shaped seat-support-panel, wherein the flexible contact arm is in operational communication with the motor, and wherein when the U-shaped seat-support-panel reaches a preconfigured height, the rigid element activates the flexible contact arm to thereby deactivate the motor. 
     Optionally, the power-assisted toilet seat further includes a feet-lifting-device for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly. The feet-lifting-device includes a lifting-tray, a tray-lifting mechanism, and an activating-switch. The tray-lifting mechanism is in operational communication with the lifting-tray; and wherein the activating-switch is in operational communication with the tray-lifting mechanism. 
     The tray-lifting mechanism includes a motion conveying bar, a second-jackscrew, and a motor. Activating the activating-switch activates the motor to rotatably activate the second jackscrew to thereby move the lifting-tray in a generally vertical direction. Rotating the motor in a first direction, lifts the U-shaped seat-support-panel from the sitting position to the standing position, and wherein rotating the motor in a second direction, lowers the U-shaped seat-support-panel from the standing position to the sitting position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat for disabled persons, according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein the power-assisted toilet seat is shown in the lower most position; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a front view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the power-assisted toilet seat is shown in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a front view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the power-assisted toilet seat is shown in the upper most position; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a front view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustration of the seat and seat support structure, and the pair of arm-rest-assemblies; 
         FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view illustration of the frame-assembly; 
         FIG. 8   b  is a perspective exploded view illustration of the frame-assembly; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the geometrical relationship to a user and the toilet seat; 
         FIG. 9   b  is a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 3 , illustrating the geometrical relationship to a user and the toilet seat; 
         FIG. 9   c  is a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating the geometrical relationship to a user and the toilet seat; 
         FIG. 10   a  a is side view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 , having a height-adjusting-mechanism, according to variations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10   b  is a side view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 5 , having a height-adjusting-mechanism according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11   a  is a perspective view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 , having a feet lifting device being in a down position, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11   b  is a perspective view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 5 , having a feet lifting device being in an upper position, according to variations of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12   a  is a side view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 11   a , wherein the device for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly is in a down position; 
         FIG. 12   b  is a side view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 11   b , wherein the device for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly is in an upper position; 
         FIG. 12   c  is a side view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 12   b , wherein the device for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly is in an upper position, thereby bringing the person using the power-assisted toilet seat proximal to a squat position; 
         FIG. 13   a  is a bottom view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 11   a , wherein the leg holder is removed for illustration purposes only; 
         FIG. 13   b  is a bottom view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 11   b , wherein the leg holder is removed for illustration purposes only. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the host description or illustrated in the drawings. 
     An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment. 
     Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only. 
     Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. The present invention can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat  100  for disabled persons, according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein power-assisted toilet seat  100  is shown in the lower most position.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustration of a power-assisted toilet seat  100 , wherein power-assisted toilet seat  100  is shown in an intermediate position, and in  FIG. 5 , power-assisted toilet seat  100  is shown in an upper most position. 
     Power-assisted toilet seat  100  includes a seat-support-assembly  110 , a pair of arm-rest-assemblies  120 , a pair of lifting-mechanisms  130 , a stationary frame-assembly  160  and a pair of sets of motion conveying arms  140  and  150 . Reference is also made to  FIG. 2   a , a front view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 ; and to  FIG. 2   b , a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 1 ; to  FIG. 4   a , a front view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 3 ; to  FIG. 4   b , a side view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 3 ; to  FIG. 6   a , a front view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 5 ; and to  FIG. 6   b , a side perspective view illustration of the power-assisted toilet seat, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Reference is also made to  FIG. 7 , which is a perspective view illustration of seat  20  and seat-support-assembly  110  and the pair of arm-rest-assemblies  120 . Seat-support-assembly  110  includes a seat-support-panel  112 , wherein a toilet seat, typically a conventional toilet seat  20 , is disposed on top of seat-support-panel  112 . Seat-support-panel  112  supports toilet seat  20  to enable the seat and lid to be operatively pivoted downwardly and backwardly, when moving from an upper most position of power-assisted toilet seat  100 , down to a sitting position, supported by the upper edge of toilet bowl  10 . Seat-support-assembly  110  further includes a pair of vertically oriented side-walls  114 , wherein seat-support-panel  112  is securely disposed onto the top edge of the respective side-walls  114 R and  114 L. Typically, seat-support-assembly  110  further includes a flashing water tank  30 . 
     Arm-rest-assemblies  120 R and  120 L are securely disposed onto the top of surface seat-support-panel  112  on both sides of seat  20 , at a convenient distance from seat  20 . Each arm-rest-assembly  120  includes an arm rest  124  and a handle  122 . 
     Reference is also made to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , which are perspective view illustrations of frame-assembly  160 . Frame-assembly  160  includes a bowl-top sub-frame  168 , securely attached to the upper edge of toilet bowl  10 . Bowl-top sub-frame  168  is typically U-shaped, wherein the opening is formed at the front side of the upper edge of toilet bowl  10 . Typically, the rear side of bowl-top sub-frame  168  is securely attached to the upper edge of toilet bowl  10  through the common bores conventionally used to attach a conventional toilet seat  20 . Frame-assembly  160  further includes vertically oriented frontal arms  162 R and  162 L, each securely attached to the external side of the respective frontal ends  169  of the U-shaped bowl-top sub-frame  168 . Frame-assembly  160  further includes a lateral and generally horizontal bottom front leg holder  166  securely interconnected to the frontal side of the respective frontal ends  169  of the U-shaped bowl-top sub-frame  168  by vertically oriented connecting support arms  164 R and  1641 L. 
     Lifting-mechanisms  130 R and  130 L include a pair of generally vertical compound jackscrews that are pivotally interconnect with the respective support arms  164 R and  164 L, therebelow. Each lifting-mechanism  130  further includes an electric motor  138  powering each respective jackscrew  134  that are optionally controlled by a computerized feedback type circuitry for manually selectable or preprogrammed motion of the toilet seat structure. Each jackscrew  134  is protected by a housing  132 . Each of the electric motor,  138 R or  138 L, is rotatably connected to a respective jackscrew  134 . Electric motor  138  is preferably a low voltage DC or AC motor, thereby facilitating easy switch from rotating jackscrew  134  forward to rotating backward. It should be noted that the jackscrew mechanism is provided by way of example only, and other power lifting-mechanisms, such as pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms, may be used. 
     Each set of motion conveying arms includes a lower-conveying-arm  140  and an upper-conveying-arm  150 . Motion conveying arms  140  and  150  are shaped and disposed such as to provide toilet seat  20  an operative motion path that closely approximates the movement of the hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and lower legs which occurs when a person, being supported by toilet seat  20 , moves between a standing position and a sitting position. 
     At a first end, lower-conveying-arm  140  is pivotely connected proximal to the lower and generally frontal (when in sitting position) end of the respective movable side-wall  114 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  142 . At the second end, lower-conveying-arm  140  is pivotely connected proximal to the upper end of the respective static frontal arm  162 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  144 . 
     At a first end, upper-conveying-arm  150  is pivotely connected proximal to the lower and generally rear (when in sitting position) end of the respective movable side-wall  114 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  152 . At the second end, upper-conveying-arm  150  is pivotely connected proximal to the upper end of the respective static frontal arm  162 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  154  and wherein axis  154  is disposed proximally above axis  144 . It should be noted that axis  154  is disposed at or proximal to the external side of the respective frontal ends  169  of the U-shaped bowl-top sub-frame  168 , where the respective static frontal arm  162  is securely attached to the respective frontal ends  169  of bowl-top sub-frame  168 . Axis  144  disposed slightly below axis  154  to facilitate free motion of motion conveying arms  140  and  150 . 
     The lower end of the housing  132  of each of the lifting-mechanisms  130  is pivotally connected to the respective support arm  164 R or  164 L, proximal to the lower end of the respective support arm  164 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  136 . The upper end of the jackscrew  132  of each of the lifting-mechanisms  130  is pivotally connected to the respective upper-conveying-arm  150 R or  150 L, proximal to the middle (proximal to the middle distance between axis  152  and axis  154 ) of the respective conveying arm  150 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  135 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 9   a , which is a side view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the geometrical relationship to a user  50  and power-assisted toilet seat  100  of the present invention; to  FIG. 9   b , which is a side view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , illustrating the geometrical relationship to a user  50  and power-assisted toilet seat  100  of the present invention; and to  FIG. 9   c , which is a side view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  100 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating the geometrical relationship to a user  50  and power-assisted toilet seat  100  of the present invention. 
     To operate power-assisted toilet seat  100 , a user  50  can press a button/switch  126  disposed, for example on one or both handles  122  of a respective arm-rest-assembly  120 . For example, a single switch  126  may have an OFF, UP and DOWN positions, while by using two switches  126 R and  126 L, one is used to operatively move seat-support-assembly  110  upwardly and the other switch is used to operatively move seat-support-assembly  110  downwardly. For description convenience only, with no limitation, the operation of power-assisted toilet seat  100  will be described in terms of using a single switch  126 . 
     In  FIG. 9   a , user  50  is shown in a sitting position, whereas power-assisted toilet seat  100  is in the lower most position. In  FIG. 9   c , user  50  is shown in a standing position, whereas power-assisted toilet seat  100  is in the upper most position and wherein the physical effort required from user  50  to reach the standing position is minimalistic. In  FIG. 9   b , user  50  is shown in an intermediate state, in which state user  50  is moving between the sitting position and the standing position. 
     To move power-assisted toilet seat  100  from the sitting position to the standing position, user  50  activates switch  126  to lift (UP switch position) seat-support-assembly  110  upwardly. Thereby, electric motors  138 R and  138 L are activated to rotate jackscrew  134 , for example forward, to operatively lift seat-support-assembly  110  upwardly. Preferably, as long as user  50  activates switch  126 , seat-support-assembly  110  keeps moving upwardly, until reaching the end position, where seat-support-assembly  110  reaches a near standing position and electric motors  138 R and  138 L are deactivated. While seat-support-assembly  110  is being lifted, each jackscrew  134  moves slowly upwardly, thereby pushing upper-conveying-arm  150  upwardly. Each upper-conveying-arm  150 , being rotatably attached to the lower and generally rear end of a respective movable side-wall  114 , pivotely pushes seat-support-assembly  110  upwardly, while lower-conveying-arm  140  keeps seat  20  in an inclination angle that approximates the inclination angle of the rear side of the thighs of user  50 , as user  50  moves from sitting position to standing position. 
     As seat-support-assembly  110  moves upwardly, the feet  52  of user  50  remain steady on the floor (or any other hard surface). The center of rotation of seat-support-assembly  110  is approximated to be the knees 54 of user  50 . The operative motion path of toilet seat  20  is designed to closely approximate the pivotal motion of the thighs  56 , pivoting about the knees 54, as toilet seat  20  moves from a sitting position to a standing position while supporting the buttocks of user  50 . 
     Similarly, to move power-assisted toilet seat  100  from a standing position to a sitting position, user  50  activates switch  126  to lower (DOWN switch position) seat-support-assembly  110  downwardly. Thereby, electric motors  138 R and  138 L are activated to rotate jackscrew  134 , for example backward, to facilitate the lowering of seat-support-assembly  110  downwardly. The geometry and the physics of the lowering power-assisted toilet seat  100  from a standing position to a sitting position, is the reverse motion of the lifting operation described hereabove. It should be noted that when moving power-assisted toilet seat  100  from a standing position to a sitting position, as jackscrew  134  rotate backwards the seat may move down by the weight of the seating person  50  and/or the gravity force applied to power-assisted toilet seat  100 . 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the power-assisted toilet seat includes a height adjustment mechanism. Reference is made to  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , which are side view illustrations of a power-assisted toilet seat  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , respectively, but also having a height-adjusting-mechanism  170 . Height-adjusting-mechanism  170  includes an electric limit switch facilitated to operatively turn ON/OFF the activation power to electric motors  138 . Height-adjusting-mechanism  170  is preset such that when power-assisted toilet seat  102  is moving from sitting position to standing position, a height-adjusting-mechanism  170  deactivates the power to electric motors  138  at a predesigned spatial location, thereby stopping seat-support-assembly  110  at the predesigned height, which height is typically fitted to the height of a user  50 . 
     The electric limit switch described herein, is described by way of example only, and can be implemented in many variations, known in the art. In the examples shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , height-adjusting-mechanism  170  includes a body  172  securely attached, for example to housing  132  of lifting-mechanisms  130 . Height-adjusting-mechanism  170  further includes rigid arm  174  extending from body  172  and a flexibly contact arm  176 , wherein when flexibly contact arm  176  is pushed towards rigid arm  174  and a contact is made between flexibly contact arm  176  contact arm  176  an electric circuit is closed, thereby operatively deactivating electric motors  138 . It should be noted that in variations of the present invention flexibly contact arm  176  is pushed away from rigid arm  174  and thereby an electric circuit is opened to thereby operatively deactivate electric motors  138 . 
     The example mechanism for pushing flexibly contact arm  176  towards or away from rigid arm  174  includes a semi rigid wire  180  securely attached at a first end to seat-support-assembly  110 , generally above adjusting mechanism  170 . Proximal to the second end of semi rigid wire  180 , a rigid element  182  is securely attached to semi rigid wire  180 , extending generally perpendicular to semi rigid wire  180 . As seat-support-assembly  110  moves operatively upwardly, semi rigid wire  180  moves upwardly too, proximal to flexibly contact arm  176  but without actively touching flexibly contact arm  176 . At a certain predesigned length of semi rigid wire  180 , rigid element  182  reaches flexibly contact arm  176 , and pushes flexibly contact arm  176  immediately thereafter, to thereby operatively deactivate electric motors  138 . 
     In variations of the present invention, the power-assisted toilet seat includes a device for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person  50  upwardly, thereby bringing person  50  proximal to a squat position. Reference is made to  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , which are perspective view illustrations of a power-assisted toilet seat  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , respectively, but also having a feet-lifting-device  200 , according to variations of the present invention. Feet lifting device  200  includes a lifting tray  220 , having a standing plate support  210 . 
     Reference is also made to  FIG. 12   a , which is a side view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  104 , as shown in  FIG. 11   a , wherein feet lifting device  200 , for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly, is in a down position; to  FIG. 12   b , which is a side view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  104 , as shown in  FIG. 11   b , wherein feet lifting device  200 , for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly, is in an upper position; to  FIG. 12   b , which is a side view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  104 , as shown in  FIG. 11   b , wherein feet lifting device  200 , for moving the legs and knees of a sitting person upwardly, is in an upper position and thereby bringing person  50  proximal to a squat position; to  FIG. 13   a , which is a bottom view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  104 , as shown in  FIG. 11   a , wherein the leg holder is removed for illustration purposes only; and to  FIG. 13   b , which is a bottom view illustration of power-assisted toilet seat  104 , as shown in  FIG. 11   b , wherein the leg holder is removed for illustration purposes only. 
     The feet lifting-mechanism, for moving the legs and knees of a person  50  sitting of on toilet seat  20  of power-assisted toilet seat  104 , upwardly, will now be described by way of example only, and can be implemented in many variations, known in the art. 
     In the examples shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 13   b , feet lifting device  200  further includes one or two motors  238 , a pair of sets of motion conveying arms  240  and  250 , and a motion conveying bar  260 . When a user  50  wants to use power-assisted toilet seat  104 , lifting tray  220  is in a down position (see  FIG. 11   a ), typically supported by the floor below. 
     While user  50  is sitting on toilet seat  20  in a normal manner, user  50  may lift lifting tray  220  to thereby move the feet and knees of a sitting person upwardly, thereby bringing person  50  proximal to a squat position, thereby assisting a person  50  suffering, for example, from constipation (see  FIG. 12   c ). 
     Lifting-mechanisms  230  includes a compound jackscrew that is securely attached to frame-assembly  160  of power-assisted toilet seat  104 . Electric motor  238  powers jackscrew  234  that is optionally controlled by a computerized feedback type circuitry for manually selectable or preprogrammed motion of the toilet seat structure. The electric motor  238  is rotatably connected to jackscrew  234 . Jackscrew  234  is protected by a housing  232 . Typically, an electric motor,  238  is a DC motor, thereby facilitating easy switch from rotating jackscrew  234  forward to rotating backward. It should be noted that the jackscrew mechanism is provided by way of example only, and other power lifting-mechanisms, such as pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms, may be used. 
     Each set of motion conveying arms includes a lower-conveying-arm  240  and an upper-conveying-arm  250  disposed substantially parallel to each other. At a first end, lower-conveying-arm  240  is pivotely connected to static frontal arm  162  at a predetermined location, wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  242 . At the second end, lower-conveying-arm  240  is pivotely connected proximal to the lower end of the back side of lifting tray  220 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  254 . At a first end, upper-conveying-arm  250  is pivotely connected to static frontal arm  162  at a predetermined location, wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  252 . At the second end, lower-conveying-arm  250  is pivotely connected proximal to the upper end of the back side of lifting tray  220 , wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about a respective axis  254 . 
     Motion conveying bar  260  is pivotely disposed, in a lateral orientation, between a predesigned pair either lower-conveying-arms  240 R and  240 L or upper-conveying-arms  250 R and  250 L. In the example shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 13   b , motion conveying bar  260  is pivotely disposed between upper-conveying-arms  250 R and  250 L, wherein the pivoting motion is facilitated about respective axes  262 R and  262 L. The upper end of jackscrew  232  of lifting-mechanism  230  is securely connected to motion conveying bar  260 , at a predesigned angel. Thereby, when jackscrew  232  pivotally pushes motion conveying bar  260 , in a forward and upward direction motion conveying bar  260  pivots about axes  262 . 
     To move lifting tray  220  upwardly, user  50  activates motor  230 , for example by activating an electric switch (not shown). Thereby, electric motor  238 R is activated to rotate jackscrew  234 , for example forward, to operatively lift lifting tray  220  upwardly. Preferably, as long as user  50  activates the switch, lifting tray  220  keeps moving upwardly, until reaching the upper position, when electric motor  238  is deactivated. While lifting tray  220  is being lifted, jackscrew  234  moves slowly forwardly and upwardly, thereby pushing upper-conveying-arm  250  upwardly. Each upper-conveying-arm  250 , being rotatably attached to static frontal arm  162 , pivotely pushes lifting tray  220  upwardly, while lower-conveying-arms keep standing plate support  210  generally horizontal, as the feet and knees of user  50  move upwardly, thereby bringing him/her proximal to a squat position. 
     The geometry and the physics of the lowering lifting tray  220  from the upper position to the lower position, is the reverse motion of the lifting operation described hereabove. 
     It should be noted that side-walls  114  of power-assisted toilet seats  100 ,  102  and  104  prevent a “scissors” which may, in some prior art power-assisted toilet seats cut or damage fingers of a user of the power-assisted toilet seat, or any other elongated items caught between moving arms. 
     It should be noted that the weight of users of power-assisted toilet seats  100 ,  102  and  104  is limited only by the power of electric motors  138 . 
     It should be noted that the shapes of all parts of all elements of power-assisted toilet seats  100 ,  102  and  104  may vary, but remain within the scope of the present invention. 
     In variations of the present invention, power-assisted toilet seats  100 ,  102  and  104  includes toilet seat accessories such as a bidet, seat heater etc. 
     In variations of the present invention, the power lifting-mechanism is used for power-assisted toilet seat  100  is use for moving a person between sitting and standing positions in chairs, armchairs, recliners, sofas, etc. 
     In variations of the present invention, one or more of the electric limit switches of power-assisted toilet seats  100 ,  102  and  104  are magnetic activated limit switches. 
     It should be noted that power-assisted toilet seats  100 ,  102  and  104  can be mounted on any toilet replacing the toilet seat and using the mounting holes of the toilet seat. 
     In variations of the present invention, power-assisted toilet seat  100  is made of modular components, to thereby provide a do-it-yourself power-assisted toilet seat kit. 
     The invention being thus described in terms of embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.