SEAT RISER APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention provides a riser apparatus which is configured to rise the height of a seat, such as a toilet seat. The present invention also provides a kit comprising a riser apparatus of the invention and a seat arrangement and provides for the use of the riser apparatus and kit in order to assist a mobility impaired subject to use a seat.

Claims

1. A seat riser apparatus for coupling to a seat arrangement, comprising a riser member rotatably coupled to a seat component and, at an opposing end, the riser member comprising a coupling arrangement for rotatably coupling the riser member to a support component.

2. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support component rotatably coupled to the riser member.

3. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, configured for use with a toilet.

4. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riser member is provided by a hinged rod.

5. The seat riser apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus comprises two riser members.

6. The seat riser apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support component comprises one or more engagement portions configured to engage a portion of the seat component.

7. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riser member comprises one or more engagement portions configured to engage a portion of the seat component.

8. The seat riser apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more engagement portions comprise one or more grooves, protrusions, and/or pins.

9. The seat riser apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more engagement portions comprise one or more rods rotatably coupled to the seat component at one end and comprising a coupling arrangement for rotatably coupling the engagement portion to the support component at the opposing end.

10. The seat riser apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more engagement portions are configured to prevent over-rotation of the seat component relative to the support component.

11. The seat riser apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more engagement portions prevent an edge of the seat component from being displaced by more than a maximum distance from the support component.

12. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riser member coupling to the seat component is positioned away from the edge of the seat component configured to engage the one or more engagement portions.

13. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat riser apparatus comprises a second seat component, wherein the second seat component is coupled to the support component and/or first seat component by a single hinge mechanism configured to enable rotational movement of the second seat relative to the support component and/or first seat component without simultaneous linear movement.

14. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first seat component comprises one or more movable support elements.

15. The seat riser apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support component is configured to be capable of housing the first seat component.

16. The seat riser apparatus of claim 2, wherein the seat riser apparatus comprising a further coupling means for releasably coupling a portion of the first seat component to the support component to enable simultaneous rotation of the support component and seat component without linear movement.

17. The seat riser apparatus of claim 15, wherein the further coupling means comprises one or more magnets.

18. The seat riser apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises an externally mounted release mechanism configured to release the further coupling to automatically deploy the seat component, wherein the release mechanism comprises a push button.

19. The seat riser apparatus of claim 2, wherein rotation of the first seat component relative to the support component, results in a linear movement of the seat component relative to the lid of 5-30 cm.

20. The seat riser apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first seat component comprises a graspable element configured to enable a user to move the first seat component relative to the support component.

21. The seat riser apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support component comprises a back support element.

22. The seat riser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first seat component comprise at least one portion formed of a resiliently deformable material.

23. A kit, comprising a seat arrangement and the seat riser apparatus of claim 1.

24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the seat arrangement comprises a toilet.

25. A seat arrangement, comprising the seat riser apparatus of claim 1.

26. The seat arrangement of claim 25, wherein the seat arrangement comprises a toilet.

27. A toilet of claim 26, wherein the seat riser apparatus is configured to be rotatable between a first position substantially parallel with a rim of the toilet and a second generally upright position, transverse to the rim of the toilet.

28. A method of using the seat riser apparatus of claim 1.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

[0068] One or more embodiments in accordance with the present disclosures will now be described, by way of reference only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0069] FIG. 1: depicts an illustration of a seat riser apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure configured for use with a toilet, in which the support component and first seat component have been simultaneously rotated away from the second seat component.

[0070] FIG. 2: depicts an illustration the seat riser apparatus of FIG. 1 in which the first seat component has been rotated away from the support component towards the second seat component.

[0071] FIG. 3: depicts an illustration of the seat riser apparatus of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration.

[0072] FIG. 4: depicts an illustration of the seat riser apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned in an arrangement for fixing to a conventional toilet.

[0073] FIG. 5: depicts an illustration of the seat riser apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 in the closed position affixed to a conventional toilet.

[0074] FIG. 6: depicts an illustration of the seat riser apparatus of FIG. 5 in which the support component and first seat component have been simultaneously rotated to open the toilet.

[0075] FIG. 7 depicts an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the seat riser apparatus which utilises a rod-based actuator configured for use with a toilet, in which seat component is positioned in a raised state.

[0076] FIGS. 8A-E depict a series of side on illustrations of the seat riser apparatus of FIG. 7 moving from a closed position to an open position with the seat component simultaneously undergoing a linear raising motion upon rotation of the support member to the open position. It shall be understood that viewing these figures in the reverse order may provide an illustration of stowing the same apparatus after use.

[0077] FIG. 9 depicts an illustration of the seat riser apparatus of FIG. 7 in which the first seat component is mounted within the housing of the support component which has been rotated to an open position to expose the second seat component.

[0078] FIG. 10 depicts an illustration of an embodiment of the seat riser apparatus which utilises a rod-based actuator and which additionally includes an actuator cover.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0079] FIG. 1 is an illustrative depiction of a seat riser apparatus 1 according to the present invention, configured for use with a toilet. The seat riser apparatus 1 comprises a support component (lid) 2, first seat component 3, and second seat component 4. However, it shall be understood that alternative embodiments may be envisaged in which the second seat component 4 is omitted.

[0080] The first seat component 3 comprises a graspable tab 5 which is configured to be gripped by the user in order to pull the first seat component 3 away from the lid 2. The first seat component 3 also comprises two support elements 6. However, it shall be envisaged that alternative embodiments may have any number of support elements. Support elements 6 are integrally formed with or connected to the graspable tab.

[0081] In use the user may grasp the graspable tab 5 to pull the first seat component 3 from the interior of the lid 2. This causes the first seat component 3 to be rotated relative to the lid 2, to place the first seat component in a position for sitting on by a user, as depicted in FIG. 2. During rotation, a simultaneous linear movement of the seat component 3 relative to the lid 2 occurs, with the seat component 3 rising upwards (based on the orientation depicted) when the lid 2 and seat component 3 are rotated apart, and moving downwards as the lid 2 and seat component are rotate towards each other.

[0082] FIG. 2 depicts a riser member 7 which forms a double hinge mechanism enabling the seat component 3 to simultaneously move linearly with respect to the lid when rotating away from it. The riser member 7 comprises a first rotatable coupling arrangement 8 connected to a portion of the lid 2 and a second rotatable coupling arrangement 9 connected to a portion of the seat component 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second rotatable coupling arrangements are displaced relative to each other, with the rotatable coupling arrangement 8 being mounted distance further removed from the edge 10 of the lid about which the lid is configured to rotate when the toilet seat is affixed to the toilet, than the second rotatable coupling arrangement 9. The second rotatable coupling arrangement 9 is connected to the seat component 3 at a distance displaced from the edge 11 of the seat component about which the seat is configured to rotate when affixed to the toilet. This edge is housed within the lid 2 when the seat component 3 is rotated relative to the lid, but is depicted in the un-rotated view shown in FIG. 1.

[0083] To move the seat riser apparatus from the first conformation depicted in FIG. 1 to the second conformation depicted in FIG. 2, the user may grasp the graspable tab 5, pulling in an outward and downward direction. This causes the riser member 7 to start to rotate, with edge 11 being drawn upwards as the tab 5 is drawn downwards. Engagement portions (not shown) may be present to prevent the edge 11 from being pulled away from the lid to and/or to prevent edge 11 from travelling more than a desired amount. Support elements 6 may also prevent the edge 11 from travelling more than a desired amount by inhibiting further rotation of the seat component 3 once the seat component is in the desired position. As depicted in FIG. 2, in the desired position, the seat component 3 is substantially parallel with the second seat component 4, and is positioned directly atop thereof but vertically removed therefrom.

[0084] To rehouse the seat component within the lid, the user may simply push the seat component 3 back up towards the lid. Alternatively, the lid may be rotated downwards towards the seat component 3. In doing so, the rotation results in a simultaneous downwards linear motion of the seat component 3, enabling it to be once more housed within the lid, as depicted in FIG. 3. Optionally, the lid and/or seat component may include a further coupling means (not shown), such as a magnet, such that when the lid is rotated away from the second seat component 4, the first seat component 3 is simultaneously rotated away from the second seat component 4 with the lid 2. This may provide an easy way of enabling the user to re-house the first seat component 3 within the lid 2 without having to touch the first seat component 3, which may be unhygienic.

[0085] The provision of such a seat riser apparatus 1, wherein the riser member 7 comprises two rotatable couplings 8 and 9 (i.e. a double hinge), enables the seat component to be elevated from the rim of the toilet when in use, but to rotate downwards, relative to the lid 2 of the toilet as the lid is rotated towards the seat component. As such the seat component 3 is capable of being housed within the lid 2 without protruding therefrom, and without requiring the lid 2 to be oversized relative to the geometry of the seat component 3, as would be required were the seat component 3 to be mounted to the lid 2 using a convention mounting, such as a single hinge, as a suitable position on the lid to provide an elevated seating position.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, the seat riser apparatus of the present invention is fixed to a toilet using standard connections 13. However, it shall be envisaged that alternative connection means may also be utilised.

[0087] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a toilet seat of the present invention affixed to a toilet 14. As shown in FIG. 5, when mounted on a toilet 14 and in the closed position, the first seat component 3 may be un-observable to a user. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, when deployed, the first seat component may be vertically atop but displaced therefrom the rim 12 of the toilet, with the displacement between the second seat component 4 and the first seat component 3 being around 8-15 cm.

[0088] Accordingly, a seat riser apparatus 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention therefore, and/or a kit or seat arrangement according to the second and/or third aspect of the present invention may provide a device which may be utilised by an injured, elderly, infirm, and/or otherwise mobility or health challenged person to aid them in being able to sit down and/or rise from a seated position, optionally without the use of assistance and/or other supportive aids, wherein the device may be discretely hidden away when not in use. Advantageously, the seat arrangement may also be able to be utilised by other users without utilising the raised seat component without necessitating the removal of the device from the seat arrangement.

[0089] In particular, where the seat riser apparatus is configured to be affixed to a toilet, the toilet may be easily used either with or without an elevated seat position. This may be of particular benefit to multi-person households where different users may wish to use the same toilet with and without a support aid. It may also be of particular benefit where a toilet may be used by guests who do not require the use of a support aid, and who might be prompted to ask potentially awkward and/or embarrassing questions of the household user when seeing an obvious medical or disability support device, which may result in an infringement of the user's privacy. Furthermore, the seat raiser apparatus according to aspects of the invention provides a support device which may be unobtrusively mounted on a toilet such that the toilet may be conventionally used without having to first remove or reposition the device, drawing adverse attention to its presence, as depicted in FIG. 5

[0090] It will be appreciated that any of the optional features of any of the embodiments described herein could also be provided with one or more of any of the other embodiments described herein.

[0091] In embodiments according to FIGS. 1-6 the user may be presented with the seat riser apparatus mounted on a toilet in a collapsed position as depicted in FIG. 5. In use the user may lift lid 2 in a conventional manner, with rotation about a rearward edge 11. When lifted, seat component 3 may be retained in connection with the lid and thus simultaneously be rotated away from the toilet and second seat component 4. This serves to expose the second seat component to the user for conventional use of the toilet.

[0092] To deploy the seat riser apparatus, the user grasps the graspable tab 5 to pull the first seat component 3 from the interior of the lid 2. As the seat component is pulled away from the lid 2, the seat component pivots about its rearward edge 11. By locating the rotatable coupling arrangement 9 at a location displaced from the rearward edge of the seat component 3, movement of the rearward edge of the seat component 3 necessarily includes a liner component wherein the rearward edge shifts along a portion of the lid 2 thereby raising the seat component away from the second seat component 4. Thus, in use, rotational movement of seat component 3 relative to the lid 2 results in an element of simultaneous linear movement of the seat component 3 compared to second seat component 4.

[0093] Graspable tab 5 is integrally formed with support elements 6. Thus, in use, when graspable tab 5 is pulled away from the seat component 3, the support elements 6 are moved from a first position against and/or at least partially recessed in or on the underside of the seat component 3 to a second position configured to contact the second seat component 4 and support the first seat component 3 in a raised position as shown in FIG. 2. In use, the support members may prevent the raised seat component 3 from being brought closer to the second seat component 4 without simultaneous rotational movement of the lid 2 towards the first seat component 3, thereby preventing an undesired collapsing of the seat component.

[0094] FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of the seat riser apparatus 1 in which the riser member is a rod 27 which forms a double hinge mechanism. The riser member 27 comprises a first rotatable coupling arrangement 28 connected to a portion of the lid 22 which acts as the support component and a second rotatable coupling arrangement 29 connected to a portion of the seat component 23.

[0095] The embodiment shown comprises two units of the seat riser apparatus, one mounted on each side of the seat around the central void. However, it shall be appreciated that a single apparatus may be sufficient.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 8A-8E, the lid 22 houses the seat component 23 when the seat component is in the collapsed state with the lid 22 closed. As lid 22 is raised, rotation of the riser member 27 enables the seat component 23 to simultaneously move along a linear axis away from the second seat component 24 while moving rotationally away from the lid 22. Further, a portion 35 of the riser member 27 extends through seat component 23 and is rotatably connected to a movable support element 26. This connection enables the movable support elements to be deployed simultaneously with the deployment of the seat component into its raised position. Thus, the seat riser apparatus of FIG. 7 may be deployed from the first conformation depicted in FIG. 8A to the second conformation depicted in FIG. 7 by the raising of lid 22.

[0097] As depicted in FIG. 8E, the lid 22 may be rotated away from the second seat component 24 by an angle greater than 90° to “lock” the engagement portion and prevent premature collapsing of the seat and/or further rotation. However, it shall be appreciated that the maximum angle of rotation may be varied depending on the geometries of the raiser member 27, engagement portion 32 and/or moveable seat components 26, with alternative maximum angles envisaged.

[0098] In some embodiments, a further coupling (not shown) means may be present to releasably retain the seat component 23 within or in connection with the lid 22. The further coupling means may be a push button or the like and may be accessible on an exterior surface of the lid 22. When actuated, the further coupling mechanism may release the second seat component 23 from the lid 22 to enable its deployment. In such embodiments, failure to actuate the push button or the like may enable the lid 22 to be opened without deployment of the seat component 23, in order that the second seat component 24 may instead be accessible to a user.

[0099] To rehouse the seat component 23 within the lid 22, the user may simply push the seat component 23 back up towards the lid. Alternatively, the lid may be rotated downward towards the seat component 23. In doing so, movable support elements 26 start to collapse and seat component 23 is lowered until it is once more housed within the lid 22, as depicted in FIG. 8A. This may provide an easy way of enabling the user to re-house the first seat component 23 within or in connection to the lid 22 without having to touch the first seat component 23, which may be unhygienic.

[0100] Where a further coupling is present to releasably maintain the seat component 23 within or in correction with the lid 22, this may be automatically re-engaged upon the housing of the seat component 23 within or in connection with the lid 22.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 8A-E, the seat riser apparatus comprises an engagement portion 32. The engagement portion 32 is a double hinged rod rotatably coupled to the seat component 23 at one end 33 and rotatably coupled to the lid 22 at the opposing end 34, This prevents movement of the rear edge 31 of the seat component 23 away from the lid component 22 by any distance greater than that the distance between the two rotational coupling points, and ensures the optimal positioning of the seat component 23 when in a deployed state ready for use. In addition, the engagement portion 32 may prevent over rotation of the riser member by inhibiting further rotation as depicted in FIG. 8E.

[0102] In addition, engagement portion 32 maintains seat component 23 at an optimal distance from the lid 22 to enable the seat component 23 to be lowered when lid 22 is rotated towards the second seat component so as to re-stow seat component 23 inside lid 22.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 9, the support members 26 are configured to collapse when the seat component 23 is not deployed. To accommodate the collapsed supports, the underside of seat 23 is provided with channels configured to house the collapsed supports. As shown, when housed the support members 26 form a flat surface level with the remainder of the underside of the seat component 23. This may aid in enabling efficient and effective cleaning of the apparatus for hygiene purposes. In addition, this may improve the aesthetics of the apparatus by making the supports and/or the seat component 23 less noticeable when the second seat component 24 is in use, along with making the second seat component more accessible and comfortable. It shall, however, be envisaged that the support members 26, or parts thereof may be other than flush with the underside of the seat component 23. For example, the support members or parts thereof may be recessed compared to the underside of seat 23 and/or protrude therefrom.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 10, a cover portion 33 is used to cover the riser elements 27 when the first seat component is in use. In addition to improving the aesthetics of the device, the provision of such, may aid in maintaining a hygienic toilet by providing a smooth surface for cleaning. In other embodiments, (not shown) the cover may extend over a width other than that shown. For example, two small covers may be provided, each extending over a single riser element.

[0105] In use according to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7-10, the user may be presented initially with the seat riser apparatus mounted on a toilet in a collapsed position with the lid (support) 22 in a closed position so as to block access to the toilet. The user may then elect to lift the lid 22 in a conventional manner to expose the second seat 24.

[0106] Alternatively, the user may simultaneously deploy the first seat component when opening lid 22. This may be achieved by the pressing of a push release button (not shown) on an external portion of the lid 22. When pressed, seat member 23 is free to rotate independently from lid 22. In use, as the lid 22 is rotated away from a released seat component 23, the rearward edge of seat component 23 traverses a geometric path relative to a portion of the lid 22 defined by the engagement portion 32, thereby raising and supporting the rearward edge of the seat component, while preventing the seat component from moving in an undesired path.

[0107] Simultaneously, in use, when lid 2 is lifted in a conventional manner with rotational movement about the single hinge 36, the double hinge mechanism of the riser member 27 simultaneously deploys the hingedly connected support elements 26, supporting seat component 23 in its deployed state. Thus, in use, the support members may prevent the raised seat component 23 from being brought closer to the second seat component 24 without simultaneous rotational movement of the lid 22 towards the first seat component 23, thereby preventing an undesired collapsing of the seat component. Further, by over rotating the seat member 23 beyond a 90 degree angle to the support (lid) 22 as shown in FIG. 8E, the seat may become “locked” in use, whereby the exertion of a downward force on the seat component 23 by a user biases the lid away from the seat component 23.

[0108] In use, when the opened lid 22 (as depicted in FIGS. 8D and 8E) is rotated back toward the seat component 23, riser member 27 is drawn towards the lid 22 reducing the angle at the rotatable coupling 28 until the seat component 23 is flush to the lid 22 as depicted in FIG. 8A. At the same time, rotation of the engagement portion 32 moves the rearward edge of seat component 23 along a set geometric pathway which draws the rearward edge of seat component 23 closer to the single hinge 36, while the rotation at coupling 29 causes the support elements 26 to be collapsed.

[0109] As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. In addition, it shall be understood that features described in relation to one embodiment may optionally be utilized with alternative embodiments or features thereof.

[0110] As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0111] In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0112] In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, although an embodiment has been described with reference to a toilet one or more embodiments may be used with a chair or as part of a multiple seating arrangement such as a sofa.

[0113] The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.