Devices and Methods for Body Elevation
AssigneeLiftseat Corporation
InventorsGraham Robert Byrne Henshaw, Daniel A. Peterson, John David Hartman, David Chesley, Jeffrey Cogan Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods are presented for elevating seat devices. The device allows a vertical and forward motion of a seat from a first position to a second position. Such motion more resembles a natural body motion during the standing motion. A similar but converse motion is also possible with movement from a standing position to a sitting position.
Claims20
A device for seat elevation, the device comprising:
- a horizontal base portion fixedly connected to a substantially vertical support portion;
- a lift generator that extends and contracts along a longitudinal axis, the lift generator pivotally connected to the horizontal base portion;
- a plurality of members pivotally connected to the vertical support portion, the plurality of members including a first member pivotally connected to the lift generator on a first side of the horizontal base portion;
- a drive shaft coupled to the first member connecting the first member to a second member on a second side of the horizontal base portion, the drive shaft transferring rotational force delivered by the lift generator from the first member to the second member;
- and
- a seat portion attached to a plurality of vertical seat supports positioned substantially perpendicular to the planar seat portion, the plurality of vertical seat supports pivotally connected to the plurality of members;
- wherein as the lift generator extends, the plurality of members guide the motion of the seat portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lift generator from a first position, in which the seat portion is substantially horizontal and substantially centered over the base portion, to a second position, in which the seat portion is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lift generator and centered closer to the vertical support portion.
A device for seat elevation, the device comprising:
- a base portion adapted to be placed around a front of a toilet, the base portion including a vertical support attached near the front of the toilet;
- a lift generator pivotally connected to the base portion;
- a plurality of members pivotally connected to the vertical support portion, the plurality of members including a first member pivotally connected to the lift generator on a first side of the horizontal base portion;
- a drive shaft coupled to the first member connecting the first member to a second member on a second side of the horizontal base portion, the drive shaft transferring rotational force delivered by the lift generator from the first member to the second member;
- and
- a seat portion pivotally connected to the plurality of members;
- wherein as the lift generator extends, the plurality of members guide the motion of the seat portion in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lift generator from a first position, in which the seat portion is substantially horizontal and substantially centered over the base portion, to a second position, in which the seat portion is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lift generator and centered closer to the vertical support portion.
A method for elevation of a seat connected to an assembly, the assembly including a horizontal base portion fixedly connected to a substantially vertical support portion, a lift generator pivotally connected to the horizontal base portion, a plurality of members pivotally connected to the vertical support portion, the plurality of members including a first member pivotally connected to the lift generator on a first side of the horizontal base portion, a drive shaft coupled to the first member connecting the first member to a second member on a second side of the horizontal base portion, the drive shaft transferring rotational force delivered by the lift generator from the first member to the second member, and a seat portion attached to a plurality of vertical seat supports positioned substantially perpendicular to the planar seat portion, the plurality of vertical seat supports pivotally connected to the plurality of members, the method comprising:
- extending the lift generator along a longitudinal axis;
- wherein as the lift generator extends, the plurality of members guide the motion of the seat portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lift generator from a first position, in which the seat portion is substantially horizontal and substantially centered over the base portion, to a second position, in which the seat portion is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lift generator and centered closer to the vertical support portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.