PORTABLE LIFT CHAIR DEVICE

Abstract

An adjustable lift chair having a frame supporting a seat that can be moved from a horizontal position to an upright angular position. The lift chair providing those with physical limitations the ability to move from a seated position to a standing position. The lift chair having a particular use in a bathroom wherein the chair can be used in a shower, bath, or for use as a toilet overlay. A piston device coupled to a battery provides portability, the piston device is operated by a remote controller.

Claims

1. An adjustable lift chair comprising: a frame defined by an upper frame section and a lower frame section; an arm member having a first and second spaced apart ends, each end pivotally coupled to a side of said frame, said arm member having a centrally disposed bracket; a seat having a front end rotatably coupled to said frame and a rear end coupled to said bracket; a lift device having a first end attached to said centrally disposed lift bracket seat and a second end attach to said upper frame member, said lift device is constructed and arranged to lift the rear end of said seat from a lowered horizontal position to a raised angular position; a controller coupled to said lift device; and a cushioned back assembly secured to said upper frame member.

2. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 1 wherein said lower frame section comprises a front cross member and a rear cross member, each said cross member having a left and right upper leg extension tube, each upper leg extension tube includes a spring loaded internal pin positioned along a distal end of each extension tube, each said upper leg extension tube constructed and arranged to couple with lower leg extension tubes inserted over a portion of the upper leg extension tubes and adjusted to a height by selection of a plurality of holes for engagement by said internal pins.

3. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 1 wherein said seat is U-shaped with a void in the center.

4. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 1 wherein said cushioned back assembly is fastened to said upper frame member.

5. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 1 wherein said lift device is an electric linear actuator.

6. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 1 wherein said linear actuator is powered by a rechargeable battery having a 24V DC output at 1.2 amps and a capacity for numerous piston extension and retraction, said battery recharged by a 120V AC transformer.

7. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 1 wherein said electric linear actuator is fastened to said cushioned back assembly.

8. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 1 wherein said controller is secured to said arm member.

9. The adjustable lift chair according to claim 2 wherein said lower frame is constructed and arranged for placement over a conventional toilet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the adjustable lift chair assembly with the seat in a lowered position;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view thereof;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the seat in a raised position;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view with the seat in a raised position; and

[0024] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view with the seat in a raised position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0026] Referring to the Figures in general, disclosed is a portable, adjustable lift chair 10. The chair 10 has a lower frame section 12, consisting of front and rear cross members 14 and 16, each cross member having a left and right upper leg extension tube 18, 20, 22 and 24. Each of the four upper leg extension tubes 18, 20, 22 and 24 has a spring loaded internal pin 26, 28, 30 and 32 located at the distal end of each extension tube. Four lower leg extension tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40, are vertically inserted over the slightly smaller diameter upper leg extension tubes 18, 20, 22 and 24, and adjusted at the appropriate height using a plurality of equidistant holes by insertion of the internal pins 26, 38, 30 and 32, which protrude axially from the upper leg extension tubes 18, 20, 22 and 24. After insertion of the leg sections, the four legs are now height adjustable using the four equidistant holes located on the lower leg extension tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40, and the internal pins 26, 28, 30 and 32 located on the upper leg extension tubes 18, 20, 22 and 24.

[0027] Each of the four lower leg extension tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40 are fitted with an internal fastener having plastic knobs 42, 44, 46, 48, for tightening the fastener inserted at the upper end of the lower leg extension tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40. The fasteners can be tightened for extra stability once the appropriate height adjustment has been obtained and securing the lower extension tubes to the upper extension tubes.

[0028] The chair frame 12 is fitted with an arm member 50, having a first distal end 51 pivotally attached to the forward left side of an upper extension tube, and a second distal end 53 pivotally attached to the forward right side of an upper extension tube providing a spaced apart position for use as arm rests. The arm member having a bracket 52 adjoining the first and second distal ends adjoined around the rear of the bottom 55 of an upper frame member 62 attached to the lower frame member 12. The upper frame member 62 including a vertical disposed back assembly 45.

[0029] A vertical piston device 54 having an extendable end 55 located at the rear center of the back assembly 45 and attached thereto by a screw and bolt assembly 56. The vertical piston device 54 is constructed and arranged to rotate the arm member 50 from a first position providing an arm rest portion in a horizontal position shown in FIGS. 1-3, to a second position providing a hand grip portion in a raised position shown in FIGS. 4-6.

[0030] The piston device 54 is an electric linear actuator, namely a battery producing 24V DC at 1.2 amp with sufficient capacity to permit numerous linear actuator piston extensions and retractions on a single battery charge. The linear actuator converting the rotary motion of a motor into the linear displacement of a piston along an axis. In the preferred embodiment the battery is recharged by a 100-240 VAC wall socket attached transformer, not shown. In a preferred embodiment a transformer is used to charge the battery 53 having a discharge output of 24V DC. The battery 53 providing further portability allowing operation without being tethered to an AC power source.

[0031] The top of the piston device 54 includes a bracket 60 which attaches to the center of the upper frame member 62 of the lift chair 10. The piston device 54 is further anchored to the back cushion 45 to prevent rotation of the piston device while coupled to the bracket 60. The motor 58 which operates the piston device 54 is connected to the battery 53 through use of a conventional power cord 61. The lifting operation of the chair 10 is achieved through use of a cable 66 attached to remote control device 68 preferably attached to the right front of the arm member 50. Alternatively the controller can be wireless.

[0032] The lift chair has a cushioned seat 70 attached at the bottom front by hinges 72 and 74 to left and right brace members 76 and 78. The chair seat 70 is attached to the rear of the arm member 50 by use of rotatable circular brackets 82 and 84 for pivoting rotation when the seat is in the lifted position. The chair seat 70 is in a typical U-shaped toilet seat configuration, having a void 72 in the center. The cushioned upper back section 45 is conformed in a generally vertical rectangular shape. The lower frame is constructed and arranged for placement over a conventional toilet.

[0033] The term coupled is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The use of the term or in the claims is used to mean and/or unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternative are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and and/or.

[0034] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

[0035] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.