Patent Publication Number: US-8990975-B1

Title: User assistance apparatus and methods

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to apparatus that assist those with limited mobility and related methods. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The infirm, the elderly, the handicapped may have limited mobility, and may need assistance in standing and walking. Such individuals may wish to be independent, as least as much as their particular conditions may allow. Independence including the ability to feed oneself, bathe, utilize a toilet, wash ones own clothes, and so forth may be important for quality of life and may enhance longevity as well as the individual&#39;s dignity. The individual&#39;s ability to care for oneself may reduce burden on other caregivers such as family members. 
     While various apparatus have been developed to assist those with limited mobility, there remains a need for improved apparatus as well as related methods that may allow for self-care by a person with limited mobility. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other needs and disadvantages of the related art may be overcome by the apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein. Additional improvements and advantages may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of the present disclosure. 
     A user assistance apparatus and system is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the apparatus and system may include a base, and a platform rotatably positionable about the base. A chair may be disposed upon the platform, and, in various aspects, the chair may be configured as a lift assist chair, recliner chair, or other chair. Handrails may be attached to the platform such that the handrails rotate with the platform. The handrails extend forth from the platform to define an entry, and the handrails are configured to assist a user as the user passes between the entry and the chair, in various aspects. Fixtures are disposed in a generally curved arrangement to cooperate with the entry as the platform is rotatably positioned about the base, in various aspects. 
     Methods of use of the systems and apparatus are disclosed herein. In various aspects, the methods may include the steps of rotating a platform with a chair positioned thereupon, the platform being rotatably mounted upon a base, traversing by a user between the chair and a perimeter, the user grasping parallel handrails mounted upon the platform and extending generally between the chair and the perimeter, positioning the user between a standing position and a sitting position using the chair with the chair being configured as a lift chair, orienting an entry defined by the handrails with a fixture selected from a plurality of fixtures disposed in a generally semicircular arrangement about the perimeter, and accessing the fixture by the user with the entry so oriented, the user passing between the handrails from the chair to the entry. 
     This summary is presented to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein as a prelude to the detailed description that follows below. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates by perspective view an exemplary implementation of portions of a user assistance apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates by plan view portions of the exemplary implementation of the user assistance apparatus; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates by elevation view portions of the exemplary implementation of the user assistance apparatus; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates by elevation view portions of the exemplary implementation of the user assistance apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates by elevation view portions of the exemplary implementation of the user assistance apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates by elevation view portions of the exemplary implementation of the user assistance including lift assist chair in a lifting position; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates by process flow chart an exemplary method of use of the exemplary user assistance apparatus; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates by perspective view portions of an exemplary implementation of a user assistance apparatus including a trolley rail. 
     
    
    
     The Figures are exemplary only, and the implementations illustrated therein are selected to facilitate explanation. The number, position, relationship and dimensions of the elements shown in the Figures to form the various implementations described herein, as well as dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, flow and similar requirements are explained herein or are understandable to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. Where used in the various Figures, the same numerals designate the same or similar elements. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “forward,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “inside,” “outside,” and similar terms are used, the terms should be understood in reference to the orientation of the implementations shown in the drawings and are utilized to facilitate description thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatus including systems for the assistance of a user having limited mobility are disclosed herein. In various aspects, the apparatus includes a platform rotatably secured to a base. Handrails are attached to the platform, and a chair with front oriented toward the handrails is positioned upon the platform. The handrails extend forth from the platform and are adapted to assist a user as the user passes between the entry formed by handrails and the chair. The chair, the pathway formed between the handrails, and the entry to the pathway between the handrails may be oriented by rotation of the platform about the base. Various fixtures may be disposed about a periphery defined by the entry as the platform is rotated about the base. The fixtures may be organized in a generally curved arrangement to align with the entry as the platform is rotatably positioned about the base, and the user may rotate the platform to orient the entry with a particular fixture that the user desires to access. 
     The fixtures, in various aspects, may include a bed, equipment for cooking such as a cook top, microwave oven, and refrigerator, equipment for cleaning such a sink, clothes washer, and clothes dryer, equipment for communication such as a television, radio, computer, and telephone, and equipment for personal hygiene such as a toilet and a bathing facility. With the user seated upon the chair, the user may access the fixture by rotating the platform such that the entry is oriented with the fixture that the user desires to access. In various aspects, the chair may be configured as a lift assist chair that may assist the user in rising from a sitting position into a standing position. The user may then pass between the chair and the fixture through the pathway assisted by the handrails to access the desired fixture, and may do so by walking. In various aspects, the handrails may be outwardly extensible with respect to the platform, so that the user may adjust the length of the handrail to access various fixtures, as necessary. In various aspects, a trolley rail may pass overhead generally parallel to the handrails, and the user may be secured to the trolley rail by a harness movably connected thereto such that the user is supported, at least in part, by the trolley rail via the harness connected thereto. Related methods of use of the apparatus for the assistance of a user having limited mobility are also disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates portions of an implementation of user assistance apparatus  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , user assistance apparatus  10  includes platform  30 , which is rotatably connected to base  40 . Base  40 , as illustrated, rests upon floor  410 , and chair  20  rests upon platform  30 . Floor  410  may be a floor, deck, or other surface. Chair  20  may be formed as a lift assist chair  21  adapted to assist a user to rise from a seated position into a standing position as chair  20  is positioned from seated chair position  22  to lifted chair position  24  (see  FIG. 4 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , chair  20  is positioned in seated chair position  22 , and the user may be seated in the seated position in chair  20  when chair  20  is in the seated chair position  22 . Chair  20 , as illustrated, is oriented such that the user faces pathway  107  when seated in chair  20 . 
     Wheel  160  is rotatably secured to mount  165  via axle  164 , and mount  165 , in turn, is secured to platform  30 . Wheel  160  is engaged with base  40  such that rotation of wheel  160  causes rotation of platform  30  about base  40 , although wheel  160  may be engaged with floor  410  in other implementations. Wheel  160  includes rail  162  that can be gripped by the user to allow the user to rotate wheel  160  in order to rotate platform  30  including chair  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , handrails  50 ,  60  extend forth from platform  30  with portions of handrails  50 ,  60  positioned such that the user may grasp handrails  50 ,  60  one on each side as the user traverses pathway  107  (see  FIG. 2 ) between chair  20  and entry  110  by walking. Handrail sections  59 ,  69  are slidably engaged internally with handrail sections  54 ,  64  of handrails  50 ,  60 , respectively, so that handrail sections  59 ,  69  may be positioned at desired positions and then locked into engagement with handrail sections  54 ,  64  at the desired positions. For example, handrail sections  59 ,  69  may be extended forth from handrail sections  54 ,  64  and locked in position to extend handrails  50 ,  60 , or handrail sections  59 ,  69  may be retracted into handrail sections  54 ,  64  and then locked in this retracted position in order to minimize the length of handrails  50 ,  60 . Accordingly, the length of pathway  107  may be adjusted by extension or retraction of handrail sections  59 ,  69  and then locking handrail sections  59 ,  69  at the desired positions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  are placed about user assistance apparatus  10  to control rotation of platform  30  about base  40 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  are positioned about portions of handrails  50 ,  60 , respectively, but brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  may be positioned in other locations about base  40  or platform  30 , and more or fewer brake mechanisms, such as brake mechanisms  70 ,  80 , may be provided, in other implementations. Brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  may be operable between a released condition  72 ,  82  and an engaged condition  74 ,  84 , respectively (see  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B ). With braking mechanisms  70 ,  80  in released condition  72 ,  82 , platform  30  may rotate about base  40 . Handles  71 ,  81  of brake mechanism  70 ,  80  in released condition  72 ,  82 , respectively, are oriented to block pathway  107  to prevent the user from passing between chair  20  on platform  30  and pathway  107  between handrails  50 ,  60  (see  FIG. 2 ) when the platform might rotate. Foot ends  79 ,  89  of foot members  75 ,  85 , of brake mechanisms  70 ,  80 , respectively, are set apart from engagement with floor  410  when brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  are in released condition  72 ,  82 . 
     With brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  in engaged conditions  74 ,  84 , respectively, platform  30  is fixed so that platform  30  cannot rotate about base  40 . Handles  71 ,  81  of brake mechanism  70 ,  80 , respectively, are positioned generally to allow the user passage between chair  20  on platform  30  and pathway  107  between handrails  50 ,  60 . Accordingly, handles  71 ,  81  function as safety devices that prevent the user from passing between chair  20  and pathway  107  when platform  30  may rotate, while allowing the user to pass between chair  20  and pathway  107  when platform  30  is held fixed by brake mechanisms  70 ,  80 . This may prevent injury to the user caused by the inadvertent rotation of platform  30 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates portions of user assistance apparatus  10  including base  40 , platform  30 , and handrails  50 ,  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , platform  30  is rotatably secured to base  40  about axle  44 . In this illustration, chair  20  is placed above axle  44 , which is indicated by the +. With base  40  resting upon floor  410 , platform  30  may rotate about axle  44  to rotate about base  40 . Portions of handrail sections  52 ,  62  of handrails  50 ,  60  proximate ends  53 ,  63 , respectively, are secured to platform  30  so that handrails  50 ,  60  rotate about base  40  in conjunction with the rotation of platform  30 . Handrail sections  54 ,  64  of handrails  50 ,  60  are elevated with respect to platform  30  as are handrail sections  59 ,  69  that may be extended forth from handrail sections  54 ,  64 , respectively, to allow the user to grip handrails  50 ,  60  as the user traverses pathway  107  generally between platform  30  including chair  20  resting thereupon and entry  110 . The user may traverse pathway  107  by walking with assistance from handrails  50 ,  60 . 
     Handrail  50  doubles back upon itself generally proximate end  51  to form U-shaped section  55  which defines a U-shape generally in the horizontal plane, and handrail  60  doubles back upon itself generally proximate end  61  to form U-shaped section  65  which defines a U-shape generally in the horizontal plane. U-shaped sections  55 ,  65  may provide additional portions of handrails  50 ,  60 , respectively, generally proximate entry  110  for the user to grip when entering or exiting entry  110  of pathway  107 . The curved portions of U-shaped sections  55 ,  65  may guide the user through entry  110 . U-shaped sections  55 ,  65  are presented to the user and ends  51 ,  61  of rails  50 ,  60  are turned away from the user as the user enters or exits entry  110 , which may prevent trauma to the user as could be caused by the user bumping against squared edges, corners, ends, and so forth. Instead, rounded surfaces of U-shaped sections  55 ,  65  are presented to the user that the user may bump against, in this implementation. Sections  55 ,  65  could have other rounded, blunt, knobbed, or similar shapes to protect the user, in various other implementations. 
     Base  40  may be positioned proximate curved counter  180  such that handrails  50 ,  60  extend forth to engage curved counter  180  to provide access between curved counter  180  and chair  20  via pathway  107 . Counter  180  may be generally curved to conform to an arc through which entry  110  formed by handrails  50 ,  60  passes as platform  30  is rotated about base  40 . Fixtures  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185  including utilities may be located in a curved arrangement about counter  180 . Fixtures  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185  may include, for example, a sink, refrigerator, microwave oven, cook top, oven, dishwasher, laundry facilities, or other appliances and utilities that may allow for the user&#39;s self-care. Various numbers and types of fixtures may be provided about counter  180  according to the needs and desires of the user. Additional fixtures that, for example, rest upon floor  410 , are suspended from a ceiling, attached to walls, or placed about other tables, may be disposed generally in a curved arrangement about base  40 , in various implementations. 
     The user may access a fixture selected from fixtures  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185  by rotating chair  20  in combination with platform  30  such that entry  110  aligns with the selected fixture. The user may then traverse pathway  107  generally between chair  20  and the selected fixture in order to access the selected fixture. Fixture  187 , which may include a bed as well as bathing facilities, washing facilities, or toilet facilities, is positioned within the ambit of handrails  50 ,  60  and entry  110 , as platform  30  is rotated about base  40 . The user may rotate chair  20  on platform  30  about base  40  to align entry  110  with fixture  187 . With entry  110  aligned with fixture  187 , the user may pass from fixture  187  to chair  20  via pathway  107 . The length of pathway  107  and the position of entry  110  may be adjusted by extension of handrail sections  59 ,  69  that may be extended forth from handrail sections  54 ,  64  of handrails  50 ,  60 , respectively. Handrail sections  59 ,  69  may be extended forth from handrail sections  54 ,  64  or withdrawn into handrail sections  54 ,  64 , respectively, as required, to adjust the length of handrails  50 ,  60  in order to allow the user access to various portions of counter  180  including fixtures  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185 , to access fixture  187 , or to access other fixtures disposed about base  40  with assistance from handrails  50 ,  60 . 
     Table  150 , as illustrated, is secured about platform  30 , to provide the user with a surface for eating and so forth as the user is seated in chair  20 . Table  150  may rotate in front of the user to provide a tabular surface in front of the user. Table  150  may also rotate over a user positioned on a bed located adjacent chair  20  for eating, writing, and the like. Table  150  may be adjustable vertically to allow the user to position table  150  at a desirable height. Table  140  is also provided about platform  30 , and one or more electrical outlets (not shown) are provided about platform  30  so that various electrically powered devices, such as cooking devices, radios, televisions, and computers, may be utilized by the user. Both tables  140 ,  150  rotate with platform  30  and chair  20  placed thereupon. 
     Electrical pathways  201  that pass to chair  20 , table  140 , or table  150  to provide electrical power thereto may be configured so as not to become twisted or entangled as platform  30  is rotated about base  40 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , electrical pathway  201  passes from receptacle  425  on ceiling  420  through mast  202  to chair  20 , table  140 ,  150 , and so forth to flow mains electrical power from the receptacle  425  to various motors, electrical outlets, and other electrical devices disposed about the chair  20 , table  140 ,  150 , or otherwise disposed about user assistance apparatus  10 . Electrical pathway  201  may be any of various electrical wires, cords, or other electrically transmissive pathways. Mast  202 , in this implementation, is a rigid hollow member that contains portions of electrical pathway  201  therein to prevent the user from being entangled with electrical pathway  201 . Electrical power may be flowed via electrical pathways having other configurations such as through the base  40 , platform  30 , or both base  40  and platform  30 , in other implementations. 
     In some implementations, a brace (not shown) may extend from table  140  to end  53  of handrail  50  to support table  140 . A small table (not shown) may be pivotally secured to the brace such that the user may pivot said small table into such position as the user may find desirable. Said small table may tilt in some implementations. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates portions of user assistance apparatus  10  including platform  30  rotatably secured to base  40  with handrail  50  extending forth from platform  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , platform  30  is rotatably secured to base  40  via axle  44  about which platform  30  rotates. Rollers  47 ,  49 , in this implementation, are placed between surface  33  of platform  30  and surface  41  of base  40  to support platform  30  as platform  30  rotates about axle  44 . In various implementations, various numbers and types of rollers, including balls, bearings, and so forth, may be positioned between platform  30  and base  40  to facilitate the rotation of platform  30  about base  40 . Surface  43  of base lies against floor  410 , as illustrated. 
     Portions of handrail section  52  proximate end  53  of handrail  50  are secured to platform  30  for example, by welding, various mechanical connections such as bolts, brackets, or combinations thereof, in various implementations. Handrail section  56  is aligned vertically, as shown, and connects handrail section  52 , which is generally aligned horizontally with base  40 , to handrail section  54 , which is also generally aligned horizontally. Handrail sections  54 ,  59  including U-shaped section  55  are elevated with respect to surface  31  of platform  30  at a height where handrail sections  54 ,  59  may be grasped by the user. Handrail section  59  may be extended from handrail section  54  to provide additional length of handrail  50  for the user to grasp. Handrail  60  may be formed in manner similar to that of handrail  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
     The user may stand in pathway  107  and push against either handrail  50  or handrail  60  to rotate the platform  30 . An adjustable brake (not shown), in some implementations, may cooperate with wheel  160  to allow the user to adjust the rotational resistance of wheel  160 . In other implementations (not shown), the adjustable brake may be formed as an adjustable spring-loaded brake lining pressing from platform  30  against base  40  to control the resistance of the rotation of platform  30  about base  40 . 
     The user may exercise by rotating the platform with the rotational resistance of the platform  30  adjusted by adjustment of the adjustable brake as the user desires. The user may adjust the adjustable brake to adjust the rotational resistance of wheel  160  or the pressure of the spring-loaded brake lining against the base  40  to the desired amount such that platform  30  rotates about base  40  with resistance as chosen by the user. The user may rotate platform  30  by pushing upon handrail  50 ,  60 ,  210 ,  220  to reposition platform  30  along with handrails  50 ,  60 ,  210 ,  220  attached thereto, and may set the adjustable brake to provide essentially no rotational resistance when so rotating platform  30 . The user may set the adjustable brake to provide a chosen amount of rotational resistance, and the user may then exercise by pushing upon handrail  50 ,  60 ,  210 ,  220  to rotate platform  30  about base  40  while working against the chosen resistance of the adjustable brake. 
     Brake mechanism  70 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3C , is attached to handrail  50 , and brake mechanism  70  may be attached to handrail  50  where handle  71  of brake mechanism  70  may be accessed by the user while the user is occupying chair  20 . In this implementation, handle  71  mechanically cooperates with foot member  75  through link  73 . The user may operate brake mechanism  70  between released condition  72  and engaged condition  74 , respectively, by motioning of handle  71 , which lifts foot end  79  of foot member  75  from engagement with floor  410  or forces foot end  79  of foot member  75  into engagement against floor  410 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , brake mechanism  70  is in engaged condition  74  wherein foot end  79  of foot member  75  is engaged with floor  410 , which holds platform  30  fixed with respect to floor  410  and thus in fixed position about base  40 . With brake mechanism  70  in engaged condition  74 , handle  71  is generally oriented vertically in alignment with handrail section  56  of handrail  50  to be out of the way of the user as the user passes between chair  20  and pathway  107 , as illustrated. 
     Handrail sections  210 ,  220 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , are rotatably connected to handrail sections  56 ,  66 , of handrails  50 ,  60 , respectively, to rotate generally in the horizontal plane between positions  213 ,  225  and between  223 ,  215 . Handrails sections  210 ,  220  may be rotated into positions  213 ,  223 , respectively and locked in positions  213 ,  223 . With handrail sections  210 ,  220  locked in positions  213 ,  223 , the user may pass through pathway  107  unimpeded by handrail sections  210 ,  220 . Handrail sections  210 ,  220  may provide additional surfaces for the user to grasp to aid the user while the user is within pathway  107 . The user may push against handrail sections  54 ,  64  and  210 ,  220  to rotate platform  30  about base  40 . Handrail sections  210 ,  220  may be rotated into positions  225 ,  215  (illustrated in phantom), and handrail sections  210 ,  220  may be locked in positions  225 ,  215 , respectively. Handrail sections  210 ,  220  when locked in positions  225 ,  215  form a barrier across pathway  107 , for example, to prevent the user from falling off of chair  20  into pathway  107 , or to prevent the user from attempting to pass through pathway  107  when platform  30  is free to rotate about base  40  such as when brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  are in released condition  72 ,  82 , respectively. Handrail sections  210 ,  220  prevent a user from inadvertently tripping over brake mechanisms  70 ,  80  while exercising in pathway  107 . Handrail sections  210 ,  220  also provide greater stability for a user exercising in pathway  107  because the user can push on handrail sections  54  and  210  (in position  225 ) or handrail sections  64  and  220  (in position  215 ) at the same time. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates brake mechanism  70  in detail. Brake mechanism  70  includes handle  71 , link  73 , and foot member  75  that cooperate mechanically with one another as brake mechanism  70  is operated between released condition  72  and engaged condition  74 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3C , handle  71  of brake mechanism  70  include grip  111  at end  113  that provides a handhold for the user to grasp handle  71  in order to manipulate handle  71 . End  115  of handle  71  pivots about pin  117 . Link  73  is pivotally connected to handle  71  and to foot member  75  by connector pins  119 ,  121 , respectively. Foot member  75  is slidably engaged with bracket  78 . Link  73  transmits the position of handle  71  into a corresponding position of foot member  75 . As illustrated, motioning of handle  71  about pin  117  causes movement and rotation about connector pins  119 ,  121  of link  73  thereby transmitting the motions of handle  71  to foot member  75 , which slides in bracket  78  in correspondence to the motioning of handle  71 . Accordingly, brake mechanism  70  may be operated between released condition  72  in which foot end  79  of foot member  75  is positioned above floor  410  and engaged condition in which foot end  79  of foot member  75  is biased against floor  410  by positioning of handle  71 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3C , brake mechanism  70  is in released condition  72 , and handle  71  is generally perpendicular to handrail section  56  of handrail  50  to extend outward into pathway  107  thereby impeding the passage of the user between chair  20  and pathway  107 . With handle  71  pivoted downward from the position illustrated in  FIG. 3A  such that handle  71  is generally perpendicular to handrail section  56 , foot member  75  is moved upward through bracket  78  and foot member end  79  of foot member  75  is disengaged from contact with floor  410  thereby placing brake mechanism  70  in released condition  72 . Thus handle  71  is positioned to either impede passage of the user between chair  20  and pathway  107  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 3C ) or permit passage of the user between chair  20  and pathway  107  ( FIG. 3A ) as brake mechanism  70  is operated between released condition  72  and engaged condition  74 , respectively. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3B , handle  81 , link  83 , and foot member  85  of brake mechanism  80  (see  FIG. 1 ) may cooperate with one another as brake mechanism  80  is operated between released condition  82  (see  FIG. 1 ) and engaged condition  84  in a manner similar to that of handle  71 , link  73 , and foot member  75  of brake mechanism  70 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , brake mechanism  80  is in engaged condition  84 , wherein foot end  89  of foot member  85  is biased against floor  410 , which prevents rotation of platform  30  about base  40 . Foot member  85  slides in bracket  88 , as illustrated. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates chair  20  configured as lift assist chair  21  positioned in lifted chair position  24 . With chair  20  positioned in lifted chair position  24 , the user may be at least partially standing. Chair  20  in lifted chair position  24  is elevated above platform  30  in comparison to chair  20  in seated chair position  22 , and chair  20  in lifted chair position  24  is tilted. The user may be seated in chair  20  with the chair in seated chair position  22  (see  FIG. 1 ). As chair  20  is positioned from seated chair position  22  to lifted chair position  24 , the user may be lifted, at least in part, from the sitting position into a standing position. Accordingly, chair  20  assists the user to move from the sitting position into the standing position as the chair is positioned from seated chair position  22  to lifted chair position  24 . Similarly, the user in the standing position may access chair  20  in lifted chair position  24 , and chair  20  may assist the user to move from the standing position into the sitting position as the chair is positioned from lifted chair position  24  into seated chair position  22 . Various motors, controls, and so forth may be disposed about chair  20  and adapted to allow the user to position chair  20  between seated chair position  22  and lifted chair position  24 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates portions of an implementation of user assistance apparatus  300 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , user assistance apparatus includes platform  330  rotatably mounted upon base  340 . A chair, such as chair  20 , may be placed upon platform  330 , and handrails, such as handrails  50 ,  60 ,  210 ,  220  may extend forth from platform  330 . A trolley rail  350  is secured at end  352  to platform  330 , as illustrated, and trolley rail  350  is configured such that portions of trolley rail  350  extend above a chair resting upon platform  330 . Portions of trolley rail  350  may extend generally above a pathway, such as pathway  107 , formed by handrails attached to platform  330 . Trolley rail  350  rotates with platform  330 , in this implementation. Trolley rail  350  may be secured to platform  330  by, for example, welds or mechanical connectors, in various implementations. Various structural supports (not shown) may be provided to support trolley rail  350  such that trolley rail  350  is structurally sufficient to support the user, as would be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. The user may be connected to trolley rail  350  by a harness (not shown) configured to movingly engage trolley rail  350  such that the user is supported, at least in part, by connection of the harness to the trolley rail  350 . The harness is adapted to removably fit about the user in various ways such that the user is secured to trolley rail  350  via the harness. The harness may traverse along trolley rail  350  as the user moves about, such that the trolley rail  350  supports the user via the harness when the user is so moving about. The trolley rail  350  may support the user via the harness as the user moves along the pathway. The user may wear the harness while seated in the chair such that the harness in combination with trolley rail  350  supports the user, for example, to prevent the user from tumbling out of the chair or to assist the user as the user enters or exits the chair. 
     Additional trolley rails, such as trolley rail  360 , may be provided in various implementations, and the additional trolley rails may be located overhead about platform  330  and base  340 . Trolley rail  360  may be secured, for example, to the ceiling to support the user via harness therefrom and to allow the user to traverse along trolley rail  360  under the support of the harness moveably attached to trolley rail  360 . In some implementations, the user may rotate platform  330  such that end  354  of trolley rail  350  aligns with end  362  of trolley rail  360 . With trolley rail  350  so aligned with trolley rail  360 , the harness may be traversed between trolley rail  350  and trolley rail  360 . Trolley rail  360  may then lead to various locations about a residence including other facility. Accordingly, the user may pass along trolley rail  350  and along trolley rail  360  while being supported by the harness, the harness being able to pass along trolley rail  350 , along trolley rail  360 , and between trolley rail  350  and trolley rail  360 . The user may access various locations by engaging trolley rail  350  with a trolley rail, such as trolley rail  360 , that leads to the location the user desires to access. 
     In operation, the user may be seated in a chair, such as chair  20 , positioned on a platform, such as platform  30 ,  330  of a user assistance apparatus, such as user assistance apparatus  10 ,  300 . The chair may be configured as a lift assist chair  21 , and the chair may be in seated chair position  22  with the user seated therein. While seated in the chair, the user may access various devices positioned about a table, such as table  140 ,  150 , secured about the platform, and the table may rotate with the platform. The user may use a grab-stick or other such reaching device (not shown) to access the table, or to access a fixture, such as fixtures  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185 ,  187 , while seated in the chair. 
     With brake mechanism(s), such as brake mechanisms  70 ,  80 , in a released condition, such as released condition  72 ,  82 , the user may rotate the chair by rotation of the platform about a base, such as base  40 . The user may rotate the platform about the base by rotating a wheel, such as wheel  160 , coupled to the platform. The user may rotate the wheel by hand using a wheel rail, such as wheel rail  162 . The wheel  160  may be positioned on either side of chair  20 , in various implementations. Some implementations may include wheels, such as wheel  160 , on platform  30  on both sides of chair  20 . Alternatively, an electric motor (not shown) could be provided to rotate platform  30  about base  40 . 
     The user may rotate the platform until the platform is oriented such that an entry, such as entry  110 , to a pathway, such as pathway  107 , is oriented toward a fixture, such as fixture  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185 ,  187 , that the user wishes to access. The fixtures, such as fixture  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185 ,  187 , may be positioned in a generally curved configuration, for example, to coincide generally with orientations of the entry as the platform is rotated about the base. With the platform so oriented, the user may place the brake mechanism(s) in an engaged position, such as engaged position  74 ,  84 , to lock the platform in the orientation with the selected fixture. The user may place handrail sections, such as handrail sections  210 ,  220  into a position, such as positions  213 ,  223  to allow access to the pathway. The user may then place the chair from seated chair position  22  into lifted chair position  24 , which may assist the user in rising from the sitting position in the chair into the standing position. The user may position the chair from a chair position, such as lifted chair position  24 , into a chair position, such as seated chair position  22 , which may assist the user in sitting from a standing position. The user in the standing position may then traverse between the chair and the fixture that the user wishes to access. The user in the standing position may pass between the chair and the entry and may use handrails, such as handrails  50 ,  60 , for assistance while passing along the pathway between the chair and the entry. The user may use the handrails for assistance in standing, walking, or both standing and walking. The user may use the handrails for assistance while interacting with the fixture. The user may enter or exit the user assistance apparatus generally through the entry. The user may extend or contract the length of the handrails by extending or contracting handrails sections, such as handrail sections  59 ,  69 , from other handrail sections, such as handrail sections  54 ,  64 , and may do so as required to access a fixture. 
     While standing in the pathway, the user may place the brake mechanisms in the released condition, and then the user may push upon the handrail to rotate the platform about the base in order to position the platform. The user may adjust a resistance of an adjustable brake mechanically cooperating with the platform such that the resistance of the adjustable brake is generally negligible when thus positioning the platform. Alternately, the user may exercise by increasing the resistance of the adjustable brake to a desired resistance and then push upon the handrail to rotate the platform about the base. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates method  500  for accessing a fixture by a user, for example, using user assistance apparatus  10 . Method  500  is accessed at step  501 . At step  505 , with the user seated in the lift assist chair on the platform, the user rotates the platform such that a pathway formed by handrails extending from the platform is oriented toward the fixture the user is desirous of accessing. The entry to the pathway may be oriented with the selected fixture, and the user may select the selected fixture from a number of fixtures. 
     At step  510  the user operates a brake mechanism from the released condition to the engaged condition to secure the platform in orientation with the selected fixture. 
     At step  515 , the user is positioned from the seated position into the standing position using the lift assist chair. 
     At step  520 , the user passes from the chair along the pathway to access the selected fixture. Method  500  terminates at step  521 . 
     In various implementations, methods of use of the user assistance apparatus may, for example, include the steps of rotating a platform with a chair positioned thereupon, the platform being rotatably mounted upon a base, orienting an entry defined by the handrails with a fixture selected from a plurality of fixtures disposed in a generally semicircular arrangement about the perimeter, operating a brake mechanism between a released condition and an engaged condition, the brake mechanism mechanically cooperating with the platform such that the platform is freely rotatable about the base when the brake mechanism is in the released condition and the platform is fixed with respect to the base when the brake mechanism is in the engaged condition, positioning the user between a standing position and a sitting position using the chair, the chair being configured as a lift chair, traversing by a user between the chair and a perimeter, the user grasping parallel handrails mounted upon the platform and extending generally between the chair and the perimeter, and accessing the fixture by the user with the entry so oriented, the user passing between the handrails from the chair to the entry. 
     The foregoing discussion along with the Figures discloses and describes various exemplary implementations. These implementations are not meant to limit the scope of coverage, but, instead, to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and in the claims. Upon study of this disclosure and the exemplary implementations herein, one of ordinary skill in the art may readily recognize that various changes, modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.