Patent Description:
Healthcare facilities, including nursing homes and hospitals, are increasingly aware of fall risks and the patients and residents who are more likely to fall while residing at a healthcare facility. One situation in which falls occur is when a person exits a toilet.

A person using a toilet in a healthcare facility or nursing home, and who is a fall risk, is given privacy while using the toilet. The person is instructed to request assistance before attempting to exit the toilet. However, people are frequently embarrassed to ask for assistance, and attempt to exit the toilet without assistance. Such persons may be at risk of falling due to age, medical condition, or medications, as they transition from a seated to a standing position.

There is a need for a device that will inhibit a person who is at risk of falling from attempting to stand or attempting to exit a toilet without assistance.

The present invention is a toilet that inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Sensors positioned on the toilet detect the application of pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of the occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet. A toilet using sensors to detect that a user is trying to leave the toilet is known from <CIT>, where the toilet seat is raised at its rear end to assist a user to stand up from the toilet.

The present invention is a toilet comprising one or more sensors that sense movements of an occupant that are indicative of a person attempting to exit a toilet. The sensors emit a signal that changes an angle of the seat of the toilet.

Upon actuation of one or more of the sensors, an angle of the seat of the toilet changes from generally horizontal to an angle that is not horizontal. In one embodiment, a top surface of the toilet changes from generally horizontal to an angle that is preferably not more than thirty degrees and more preferably not more than twenty two and a half (<NUM>½°) degrees from horizontal, with the front of the toilet seat, or portion of the toilet seat closer to the front of the toilet seat, elevated relative to the rear of the toilet seat. The change in angle increases the effort required to exit the toilet, and inhibits a user from exiting from the toilet, particularly where the user is of advanced age, or has limited strength or mobility, due to medical conditions or medications.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a toilet similar to a portable toilet used in medical facilities and nursing homes is depicted. The toilet <NUM> has a seat <NUM>, with an opening <NUM> in the seat that communicates with a receptacle <NUM> for waste material. The seat is elevated to an appropriate height by a plurality of legs <NUM>, such as four legs. Arms <NUM> are spaced apart and are present on opposite sides of the toilet seat. The arms may extend upwardly from the toilet seat, providing an opening between the arms for access to the seat.

The arms may be connected to a back <NUM> that extends upwardly from a rear portion of the toilet. One or more sensors <NUM> are used that sense movement by an occupant that is consistent with a person attempting to exit the toilet. Such movements typically involve moving from a seated position to a standing position. For example, a person's back moving away from the back <NUM> of the toilet is an indication that the person may be attempting to stand. Typically, this movement also includes a person applying pressure to one or both of the arms <NUM> of the toilet, so as to push themselves from a seated position to a standing position.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, the toilet seat has sensors <NUM> in the back <NUM> of the seat that emit a radio frequency signal from a sending and receiving unit that measures movement away from the back and senses the distance of the user's back from the back <NUM> of the toilet. Other sensor types that measure distance, such as distance measuring devices that use lasers, may be used as sensors <NUM>. In one embodiment, when the user's back moves to a pre-determined distance from a sensor or sensors <NUM>, the back of the toilet seat moves downwardly relative to the front of the toilet seat to inhibit the person's attempt to exit or stand up. A signal may be emitted to an attendant as describe herein anytime that the toilet seat moves downwardly due to actuation by a sensor.

In another embodiment, one or more of the sensors <NUM> sense motion. The motion sensors are calibrated to actuate the actuator due to more movement by the user that is more than normal shifting about while seated.

In an embodiment, one or more pressure sensors <NUM> are located in the arms of the device. A plurality of spaced apart pressure sensors may be used, since different users will apply pressure to the arms in different places while attempting to stand up or exit the toilet. The pressure sensors are calibrated so that when pressure that is significant enough to indicate a user's attempt to stand or exit the toilet, the toilet seat moves to an inclined position as described herein to inhibit such movement.

Another change in pressure on the toilet that is indicative of a person attempting to stand is applying a force in a direction that is toward the rear of the toilet. In another embodiment, one or more pressure sensors <NUM>, which may be load cells, are located in the arms of the device sense rearward pressure on the arms <NUM>, as demonstrated by the arrow on the arm in <FIG>. The pressure sensors <NUM> measure such rearward pressure and actuate the lowering of the rear of the toilet seat in response to the pressure. The pressure sensors are calibrated so that when pressure that is significant enough to indicate a user's attempt to stand or exit the toilet, the toilet seat inclines to inhibit such movement. The pressure sensors <NUM> are preferred to be used with pressure sensors <NUM>, but may be used independently of each other.

The dotted line and vertical arrow in <FIG> demonstrate exemplary movement of the toilet seat <NUM>. A change of the angle of the toilet seat <NUM> from substantially horizontal to an incline, with the rear of the toilet seat lower than the front of the toilet seat, or a portion of the toilet seat that is closer to the front, may be accomplished by hinging a portion of the toilet seat so that it pivots. The actuator <NUM> may be an air or hydraulic cylinder that may be used to pull the rear of the toilet seat down in response to movement of the user, and/or pressure applied to the arms of the toilet as described above. The actuator's normal position holds the seat and occupant in a generally horizontal position.

In another embodiment, the actuator <NUM> may be an electrically powered actuator. An electric motor with rack and pinion gear may be used as an actuator to lower the seat. The electric motor may be powered by a battery, particularly where portability of the toilet is desired.

The actuator <NUM> may be extended to support the toilet seat <NUM> in a generally horizontal position under normal use, but upon receiving a signal from a motion sensor, pressure sensor or other sensor, or a combination, the actuator retracts so as to pull the rear of the hinged toilet seat downwardly. The toilet seat is repositioned at an angle, which is preferred to not to exceed thirty degrees from horizontal and is more preferred to not exceed twenty two and a half (<NUM><NUM>/<NUM>°) degrees from horizontal. The incline of the toilet seat will inhibit, although not necessarily prevent, a user from standing or exiting the toilet.

In another embodiment, lowering of the rear of toilet seat <NUM> may be terminated if the sensor or sensors that have initiated actuation of the actuator <NUM> sense that movement by the user is terminated. For example, if pressure on the arms is terminated, or movement away from the seat back is terminated and the user moves his or her back against the seat back, movement of the rear of the seat may be terminated at less than full downward movement.

In another embodiment, upon sensing that movement is terminated, the seat returns to its original position, or alternatively, only if the user's back is positioned against the seat back as sensed by sensors <NUM> does the seat return to its original position. In these embodiments, the device is preferred to again lower the rear of the seat if movement is sensed.

in a preferred embodiment, actuation of one or more of the sensors also actuates an alert provided to an attendant so that help is summoned to the toilet and to the user of the toilet. Such alert may be an audible or visual signal <NUM> provided at a central location, such as a nurse's station, or a signal that is provided to a mobile telephone or other receiving device. A call button <NUM> may be positioned on the device so that the user may intentionally press the button to seek assistance. Wireless communications may be used to alert an assistant.

In another, not claimed, embodiment, the actuator for the seat is actuated by a mechanical switch. For example, a barrier, such as crossbar <NUM>, is positioned between the arms at the front of the toilet. The barrier may be pivotally mounted <NUM> at one end of the barrier. In yet another embodiment, two barriers or crossbars are used, with one barrier pivotally mounted to each of the arms. If the user attempts to exit the toilet by pushing the barrier away from the opening, a crossbar sensor senses movement of the barrier. The crossbar sensor <NUM> may be a switch that initiates actuation of the actuator <NUM>. Actuating the crossbar sensor by pushing against it could lock the crossbar from further movement, preventing the occupant from exiting the toilet. However, it is not deemed to be desirable to have a locking bar which would inhibit a person from exiting the toilet. A bar that locks or has significant resistance could result in the user feeling imprisoned.

In another not claimed embodiment, the actuator may be mounted to push or lift the back of the seat above the front of the seat in order to assist exiting the toilet. In this embodiment, the maximum angle of the seat is limited to a maximum of about <NUM>° from horizontal, and is more preferably limited to about <NUM><NUM>/<NUM>°, from horizontal, Lifting the rear of the toilet seat <NUM> relative to the front is preferred to be actuated by a switch or other actuation device to which the user of the toilet does not have access while occupying the toilet. Actuation of this feature is preferred to be available only when an assistant is present. Actuation may be provided by a switch that communicates with the actuator <NUM>, such as a mechanical switch or a wireless remote communications device.

<FIG> and <FIG> demonstrate the interrelationship of the electromechanical features of the invention according to an embodiment of the invention. The motion or distance sensors <NUM>, load cells <NUM>, and crossbar sensor <NUM> communicate with a wireless transmitter that may include a signal amplifier. Communications may be via a local area wireless computer networking technology (Wi-Fi) connective devices, or devices that provide short range wireless communications, including but not limited to those communications devices operating at frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>, or <NUM> and <NUM>, such as Bluetooth® devices. The wireless transmitter <NUM> may be connected to a microcomputer <NUM> that actuates the actuator <NUM>. The wireless transmitter may also actuate an audible or visual signal, which is demonstrated by the call bell <NUM> in <FIG>. The wireless transmitter may also communicate conditions of the sensors and the toilet to a wireless mobile device <NUM> such as a smartphone.

As shown in an embodiment of <FIG>, exceeding force levels or movement sensed by the sensors actuates signaling (audio and/or visual) and/or operation of the actuator <NUM>. The use of one or more programmable logic controllers (PLC) allows the force on the sensors such as the load cells to be programmed as required. Some users, due to size or physical condition, will require more or less sensitivity on the sensors, which may be varied by the use of the programmable logic controllers.

Load cells may be used as sensor for sensing pressure as stated herein. A load cell is a transducer that creates an electrical signal whose magnitude is positively related to the magnitude of force applied. Some load cells measure deformation due to load and produce the electrical signal, such as strain gauge and piezo-electric load cells. The load cells <NUM> produce an electrical signal that actuates the movement of the seat when the force exceeds a preset level. Normal arm pressure from the user's movement while sitting on the toilet does not result in actuation of the sensors or the actuator, but pushing down on the arms, or pushing the arms toward the rear, as the occupant attempts to exit the toilet increases the magnitude of the signal generated by the load cell to a threshold that causes movement of the toilet seat as described herein. The threshold may be variable as required for the application of the toilet.

Claim 1:
A toilet (<NUM>) for inhibiting an occupant from exiting the toilet, the toilet comprising:
a seat (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) therein;
a pair of spaced apart arms (<NUM>) positioned above the seat and connected to a seat back (<NUM>); the back extending upwardly from a rear portion of the toilet;
an actuator (<NUM>) that lowers a rear portion of the seat relative to a front portion of the seat upon the actuator receiving a signal;
a first pressure sensor (<NUM>) positioned in a first arm of the pair of spaced apart arms; and a second pressure sensor (<NUM>) positioned in a second arm of the pair of spaced apart arms; wherein, in use, pressure applied to the first pressure sensor or the second pressure sensor transmits a signal to the actuator (<NUM>), whereupon the actuator lowers a rear portion of the seat relative to a front portion of the seat.