Patent Description:
The invention further relates to a sanitary appliance which includes the device, as well as a method for utilizing the device.

Some common sanitary appliances, among which toilets and bidets, are provided with surfaces intended for the direct contact with the intimate parts of the people who are going to use them.

In the case of toilets, the same surfaces are exposed to contamination due to the biological waste evacuated by people.

These surfaces are thus subject to becoming breedingground for dirt and bacteria, which can even cause infections, in the most severe cases.

Therefore, people generally feel the need to utilize the sanitary appliances without entering in direct contact with them.

This can occur, for example, by assuming positions which are greatly uncomfortable, straining or even dangerous for human articulations.

Some people can also possibly utilize stools or various known supports, but the convenience of use of such devices is anyway unsatisfactory.

For example, <CIT> discloses a support with a footboard and passive springs that support the footboard.

Therefore, the need is felt to help people utilize sanitary appliances comfortably and without entering into direct contact with them.

In the case of disabled people, the need is even more felt since it is practically impossible to assume certain positions, as well as use the known devices autonomously.

An object of the invention is to satisfy at least one of the above-described needs, preferably in a simple and cost-effective manner.

According to the invention, a movable support device for people is provided, as defined by claim <NUM>.

Furthermore, a sanitary appliance is provided, as defined by claim <NUM>.

The dependent claims set forth particular embodiments of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:.

In <FIG>, reference numeral <NUM> indicates a support device for people. In <FIG>, the device <NUM> is placed inside a bathroom, for example, of a health-care structure such as, for example, a nursing home or of a commercial activity or of a waiting room for public services or of an infrastructure for the transportation of people such as a railway station, an airport, and the like, without loss of generality. In fact, the device <NUM> is movable or displaceable, i.e. is not fixed to the walls or to the floor of the bathroom in which it is illustrated. The device <NUM> is illustrated in a system of Cartesian axes having axes X, Y, Z orthogonal to each other, of which the axis Z is vertical and the axes X, Y are horizontal and lying on the plane of the floor.

The bathroom of <FIG> is provided with a sanitary appliance, which in this case comprises a toilet <NUM>, which in turn comprises a toilet bowl <NUM>, in particular carried by the floor. More in particular, the toilet <NUM> also comprises a tank <NUM> for containing the water for the flushing. The toilet <NUM> merely constitutes an example, but it could be replaced by a bidet or another appliance provided with a toilet bowl or basin.

For example, the device <NUM> can be part of the sanitary appliance.

The device <NUM> comprises a base or base plate <NUM> arranged on the floor in a movable or repositionable manner. In particular, the plate <NUM> rests on the floor.

The plate <NUM> has a thickness along the axis Z, for example uniform. In this specific case, the plate <NUM> is flat.

The plate <NUM> comprises a portion or base portion <NUM>, in particular arranged facing the toilet bowl <NUM>, more precisely facing or in front of the base of the toilet bowl <NUM> in contact with the floor. The portion <NUM> is delimited along the axis X by two opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The dimension of the portion <NUM> along the axis X has a width dimension. Similarly, the portion <NUM> is delimited along the axis Y by another two opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The dimension of the portion <NUM> along the axis Y is a depth dimension.

In the example of <FIG>, the portion <NUM> has a rectangular shape; however, the portion <NUM> could also have different shapes, for example trapezoidal or circular, or possibly irregular shapes.

The plate <NUM> defines an empty volume or seat <NUM> for accommodating the toilet bowl <NUM>, more precisely its base, or for accommodating the sanitary appliance. The seat <NUM> is behind or adjacent to the end <NUM>, along the axis Y. More specifically, optionally, the plate <NUM> comprises two arm-like portions or arms <NUM> which extend parallel to the axis Y from the end <NUM>. Preferably, the arms <NUM> are made in one piece with the portion <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is placed between the two arms <NUM>; in particular, the arms <NUM> define the seat <NUM> together with the end <NUM>.

The seat <NUM> is suitably shaped for housing the toilet bowl <NUM> or the sanitary appliance. The plate <NUM> can be translated along the axis Y so as to insert the toilet bowl <NUM> in the seat, in particular with the arms <NUM> on the opposite sides of the toilet bowl <NUM> relative to the axis X.

The device <NUM> further comprises a footboard <NUM> carried by the portion <NUM> in a movable, more precisely translating manner, along the axis Z.

The footboard <NUM> is supported by the portion <NUM> by means of actuator means, i.e. in particular one or more actuators <NUM> (<FIG>), in this specific case arranged between the footboard <NUM> and the portion <NUM>. In other words, the actuators <NUM> couple the footboard <NUM> to the portion <NUM>. The footboard <NUM> is supported in a movable manner by means of the actuators <NUM>, in particular according to a direction substantially parallel to the axis Z or parallel to the axis Z.

In other words, the actuators <NUM> are configured or controllable to displace the footboard <NUM> relative to the portion <NUM>, in particular according to a direction substantially parallel to the axis Z.

More in general, the actuators <NUM> could be configured or controllable to modify an orientation of the footboard <NUM>. In other words, given a fixed Cartesian reference system relative to the footboard <NUM>, the actuators <NUM> can orient the latter reference system relative to the one defined by the axes X, Y, Z, in particular according to a number of degrees of freedom which ranges from one to three angular degrees of freedom. Practically, the actuators <NUM>, the footboard <NUM>, and the portion <NUM> could define a parallel kinematic robot.

Furthermore, the device <NUM> comprises a control unit ECU (schematically illustrated) configured to control the actuators <NUM>.

For example, the control unit ECU could control the actuators <NUM> on the basis of one or more commands given by the user of the device <NUM>, in particular provided by means of one or more specially provided control members, such as levers, push buttons, knobs, and similar members not illustrated of the device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> comprises a transducer T1 configured to detect a quantity indicative of a weight applied on the footboard <NUM> and to generate a signal associated with or relative to the detected quantity.

The transducer T1 is coupled to the control unit ECU, hence the control unit ECU is configured to receive the signal generated by the transducer T1 and to extract from the signal an item of information indicative of the weight applied on the footboard <NUM>.

Furthermore, the control unit ECU is configured to control the actuators <NUM> for arranging the footboard <NUM>, in particular along the axis Z, relative to the portion <NUM> as a function of the extracted item of information.

For example, the control unit ECU is configured to control the actuators <NUM> as a function of the item of information when it receives an authorization from the user of the device <NUM>, for example by means of an authorization command (e.g. a push button, a lever, and the like) of the device <NUM>.

In particular, the control unit ECU controls a lowering of the footboard <NUM> by means of the actuators <NUM> in a manner increasing with the weight applied on the footboard <NUM>. More in particular, the lowering is proportional to the applied weight.

Then, the actuators <NUM> react actively to the weight of a person who arranges his/her feet on the footboard <NUM> displacing the footboard <NUM>.

In this manner, the footboard <NUM> lowers as a function of the weight. In other words, the height of the footboard <NUM> self-adjusts by means of the control unit ECU, the transducer T1, and the actuators <NUM> in response to the weight exerted on the footboard <NUM> along the axis Z. The actuators <NUM> can be of various known types. For example, the actuators <NUM> can be actuated hydraulically, pneumatically or more preferably electrically. Preferably, the actuators <NUM> are of linear type and extend parallel to the axis Z.

The transducer T1 could be any transducer of known type sensitive to the weight, such as for example a piezoelectric or resistive transducer.

Optionally, the device <NUM> could additionally comprise springs and/or dampers to damp the relative movement of the footboard <NUM> relative to the portion <NUM> parallel to the axis Z.

The footboard <NUM> has a surface <NUM> for enabling the person to bring his/her feet on it. The surface <NUM> faces upwards. In this manner, the surface <NUM> can receive and possibly support the feet of the person. Conveniently, the footboard <NUM> comprises an anti-slip mat, for example made of rubber, which defines the surface <NUM>.

Preferably, the portion <NUM> defines a seat <NUM> (<FIG>) for housing the footboard <NUM> and possibly, i.e. optionally, guiding the movement thereof along the axis Z. The footboard <NUM> translates inside the seat <NUM> parallel to itself. The translation occurs in response to the weight of the person thanks to the actuators <NUM> and the control unit ECU.

The footboard <NUM> and the actuators <NUM> are preferably arranged inside the seat <NUM>. In this specific case, the surface <NUM> is arranged flush with a surface of the portion <NUM> when the weight exerted on the footboard <NUM> is null.

The device <NUM> further comprises a structural support assembly <NUM> for supporting the upper limbs of the person in evacuation position. In other words, the person can support himself/herself with his/her upper limbs by means of the assembly <NUM> in evacuation position and with his/her feet resting on the surface <NUM> without bringing other parts of the body in contact with the toilet bowl <NUM> or more in general with the toilet <NUM>. Practically, the upper part of the body remains suspended above the seat <NUM> and simultaneously supported by the assembly <NUM> by means of the upper limbs.

The assembly <NUM> comprises two structures <NUM>, for example identical, arranged on the opposite sides of the plate <NUM> relative to the axis X. The structures <NUM> are respectively fixed to the ends <NUM>, <NUM>. Therefore, with the toilet bowl <NUM> in the seat <NUM>, the structures <NUM> are arranged on the opposite sides of the toilet bowl <NUM> relative to the axis X.

The structures <NUM> extend parallel to the axis Y beyond the end <NUM>. In this manner, the seat <NUM> is arranged between the structures <NUM>. The structures <NUM> are made of a rigid material, for example steel or other metallic material suitable for bearing the weight of the person.

In this case, the structures <NUM> extend along respective planes orthogonal to the axis X.

In particular, each of the structures <NUM> comprises a corresponding reticular truss, more in particular tubular. The truss is preferably plane and lies on one of the aforementioned planes orthogonal to the axis X.

With reference to <FIG>, the truss comprises two uprights <NUM> substantially extending parallel to the axis Z and fixed to the plate <NUM>, more precisely to the portion <NUM> and to one of the arms <NUM>, respectively. Furthermore, the truss comprises a beam <NUM> arranged at the end of the truss according to the axis Z and carried in fixed position by the uprights <NUM>. In particular, the beam <NUM> connects in a bridgelike manner the uprights <NUM>. Furthermore, the beam <NUM> comprises a horizontal portion <NUM>, i.e. parallel to the axis Y. Optionally, the truss comprises a beam <NUM> fixed to the uprights <NUM> and extending between them, in particular parallel to the axis Y.

Additionally, preferably, each of the structures <NUM> comprises a pipe <NUM>, for example extending parallel to the axis Z. The pipe <NUM> has an open end (upper end) and a closed end (lower end). In the illustrated example, the pipe <NUM> passes through the beam <NUM> with its open end and ends at the beam <NUM> with its closed end. In particular, the open end projects along the axis Z relative to the beam <NUM>, but it could alternatively also end with an opening obtained directly on the beam <NUM>.

Advantageously, the assembly <NUM> further comprises a pair of underarm supports <NUM>. The underarm supports <NUM> are supported by the structures <NUM>, respectively, by means of springs and/or more preferably actuators <NUM> (<FIG>). In other words, the actuators <NUM> couple the underarm supports <NUM> to the structures <NUM> in a movable manner along a direction parallel to the axis Z or parallel to the axis Z, similarly to what occurs for the footboard <NUM>.

For this reason, the device <NUM> could also be devoid of the actuators <NUM>, coupling the footboard <NUM> to the base portion <NUM> in a movable manner, in this specific case parallel to the axis Z. Therefore, the actuators <NUM> could be optional.

In other words, the footboard <NUM> could be fixed relative to the portion <NUM>.

In particular, the footboard <NUM> could form a single piece with the portion <NUM>, i.e. could be part of the portion <NUM>.

Possibly, the entire base plate <NUM> could even be absent. In this case, the assembly <NUM> would anyway be restable movably on the floor; furthermore, the structures <NUM> would be fixed to each other and arranged so as to define the seat <NUM> between them, in particular according to the axis X, i.e. in particular a seat or empty volume suitable for housing the sanitary appliance.

As it is with the actuators <NUM>, the control unit ECU is configured to control the actuators <NUM> for adjusting the position of the underarm supports <NUM>, possibly in a manner independent of each other. For example, the control unit ECU is configured to control the actuators <NUM> on the basis of commands given by the user of the device <NUM>, in particular provided by means of specially provided control members not illustrated, similarly to what occurs for the actuators <NUM>.

More preferably, the device <NUM> comprises a transducer T2 configured to detect a quantity indicative of a weight applied on the underarm supports <NUM> and to generate a signal associated with or relative to the detected quantity.

The transducer T2 is coupled to the control unit ECU, hence the control unit ECU is configured to receive the signal generated by the transducer T2 and to extract from the signal an item of information indicative of the weight applied on the underarm supports <NUM>.

Furthermore, the control unit ECU is configured to control the actuators <NUM> for arranging the underarm supports <NUM>, in particular along the axis Z, as a function of the item of information extracted from the signal generated by the transducer T2 or possibly also or only by the transducer T1.

In particular, the control unit ECU controls a lowering of the underarm supports <NUM> by means of the actuators <NUM> in a manner increasing with the weight applied on the underarm supports <NUM> and/or on the footboard <NUM>. More in particular, the lowering is proportional to the applied weight.

More specifically, each of the underarm supports <NUM> comprises an insertion body or element <NUM> inserted inside the corresponding pipe <NUM> in a movable manner parallel to the axis Z. The insertion element <NUM> is slidable along the relative pipe <NUM>, hence the latter guides the insertion element <NUM>.

Each of the actuators <NUM> is housed in particular in the corresponding pipe <NUM> between the closed end and the insertion element <NUM>. The element <NUM> is supported by one of the actuators <NUM> and is thus moved by it inside the pipe <NUM>.

In this manner, the underarm supports <NUM> lower as a function of the weight. In other words, the height of the underarm supports <NUM> is adjusted by means of the actuators <NUM> as a response to the weight exerted on the underarm supports <NUM> along the axis Z.

Alternatively, the actuators <NUM> could also displace the underarm supports <NUM> along axes inclined relative to the axis Z. Clearly, in this case, the pipe <NUM> would also be inclined, if present.

Optionally, the device <NUM> could additionally comprise springs and/or dampers to damp the relative movement of the underarm supports <NUM> relative to the structures <NUM>.

Conveniently, the underarm supports <NUM> comprise respective end bodies <NUM>. In other words, the underarm supports <NUM> end on the opposite side of the structures <NUM> with the bodies <NUM>. In particular, the bodies <NUM> are padded bodies, more in particular saddle-shaped.

The material of the bodies <NUM> is preferably softer than that of the structures <NUM> and for example comprises rubber, in this specific case chloroprene in polymeric form.

Preferably, the underarm supports <NUM> are rotatable around axes parallel to the axis Z; more precisely, each underarm support <NUM> is rotatable around the axis of the relative pipe <NUM>, in which the element <NUM> is inserted. The element <NUM> can have a portion <NUM> which extends radially relative to the axis of the pipe <NUM>.

Advantageously, the device <NUM> comprises a backrest <NUM> fixed to the assembly <NUM>, in this specific case to the structures <NUM>. In particular, the backrest <NUM> is fixed cantilevered to the assembly <NUM> according to the axis Y, more precisely in a manner behind and/or projecting from the structures <NUM>.

The seat <NUM> is arranged according to the axis Y between the portion <NUM> and the backrest <NUM>.

Preferably, the backrest <NUM> comprises a pad <NUM> made of a softer material than that of the structures <NUM>, for example comprising rubber and more precisely chloroprene in polymeric form.

The backrest <NUM> is arranged above the toilet bowl <NUM> and, if applicable, facing the tank <NUM>. More precisely, the backrest <NUM> projects (forwards, i.e. towards the portion <NUM>) relative to the tank <NUM> according to the axis Y.

In the following, the use of the device <NUM> will be described, according to the invention.

The person who intends to make use of the toilet <NUM> arranges the device <NUM> so that the toilet bowl <NUM> is housed in the seat <NUM>. This, for example, occurs making the plate <NUM> slide relative to the floor. Likewise, the plate <NUM> could be movable on the floor by means of wheels.

At this point, the person arranges his/her feet on the surface <NUM>, in particular in a standing position. Therefore, in this manner, the person exerts his/her weight on the footboard <NUM> causing a displacement thereof by means of the actuators <NUM> and the control unit ECU.

Then, the person assumes an evacuation position supporting the upper limbs by means of the assembly <NUM> while the feet are still arranged on the surface <NUM>. This occurs without entering into contact with the toilet <NUM>.

In particular, the person rests his/her armpits on the underarm supports <NUM>. The height of the latter adjusts thanks to the actuators <NUM> and to the control unit ECU, as a function of the weight of the person.

In this manner, the person comfortably reaches the evacuation position and completes the use of the device <NUM>.

In the meantime, the person can rest his/her back on the backrest <NUM>.

Based on the foregoing, the advantages of the device <NUM> according to the invention are evident.

The person can serenely utilize the toilet <NUM> without entering into contact with it assuming a relatively comfortable position and without excessive effort. Possibly, the device <NUM> can also be utilized by disabled people.

The position of the footboard <NUM> and possibly of the underarm supports <NUM> self-adjusts allowing assuming a comfortable, stable and relaxed position, as a function of the height of the person. In fact, the height is normally related to the weight.

The device <NUM> is movable and adaptable to any sanitary appliance. The device <NUM> is relatively light and handy. Furthermore, it does not pollute and is simple to wash.

Based on the foregoing, it is further evident that modifications and variations can be made to the above-described device <NUM>, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the claims.

Claim 1:
A movable support device (<NUM>) for a person, in particular a disabled person, comprising
- a base plate (<NUM>) adapted to be arranged movably on a floor, the plate (<NUM>) having a thickness along a first axis (Z) and at least a base portion (<NUM>) delimited by first opposite ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) along a second axis (X) orthogonal to the first axis (Z) and by second opposite ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) along a third axis (Y) orthogonal to the first and to the second axes (Z, X);
- a structural support assembly (<NUM>) for supporting the upper limbs of the person in an evacuation position, the assembly comprising a first structure and a second structure (<NUM>) respectively fixed to the first ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) and extending along the third axis (Y) beyond one of the second ends (<NUM>);
- a footboard (<NUM>) comprising at least a support surface (<NUM>) for supporting the feet of the person;
- first actuator means (<NUM>) that support the footboard (<NUM>) relative to the base portion (<NUM>) and are controllable to displace the footboard (<NUM>) relative to the base portion (<NUM>);
wherein the base plate (<NUM>) defines an empty volume (<NUM>) adjacent to the base portion (<NUM>) along the third axis (Y) between the first and the second structures (<NUM>),
characterized by further comprising a control unit (ECU) and a transducer (T1) configured to detect a quantity indicative of a weight applied on the footboard (<NUM>) and to generate a relative signal, the control unit (ECU) being configured to receive the signal from the transducer (T1), extract from the signal an item of information indicative of the weight applied, and control the first actuator means (<NUM>) to arrange the footboard (<NUM>) as a function of the extracted item of information.