Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Convenience accessories
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-05-08
Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Convenience accessories
C004S560100, C092S029000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226809
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to hydraulic lift cylinder assemblies.
Hydraulic lift cylinder assemblies are used in various applications, such as in bath seat lifts where the seat can be raised from a position outside the bath, swung over the bath and lowered into the bath. One cylinder that can be used in such an application is described in GB2274323. It is important that cylinders used in such applications cannot be lowered in the incorrect position because this could increase the risk of a part of the user's body being trapped, such as between the seat and the rim of the bath.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an hydraulic lift cylinder assembly.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an hydraulic lift cylinder assembly including an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder arranged telescopically with one another such that the two cylinders can be extended and retracted by supplying hydraulic fluid between the cylinders, the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the outer surface of the inner cylinder being provided with a longitudinally-extending track and a cooperating engaging member such that rotation between the two cylinders is prevented along at least a part of the extension of the two cylinders.
The track is preferably on the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the cooperating engaging member is preferably on the outer surface of the inner cylinder. The track may be a groove and the engaging member a projecting pin. The track preferably opens towards the end of extension of the two cylinders so as to permit relative rotation between the two cylinders when extended. The assembly may include two tracks at different orientations so that the two cylinders can be extended and retracted along different tracks. The inner cylinder may be fixed at one end and the assembly extended by displacing the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder may have a sliding seal at its lower end that slides along and seals with the outer surface of the inner cylinder. The assembly preferably includes a sliding bearing towards the upper end of the assembly engaging the outer surface of the outer cylinder, the sliding bearing may be supported towards the upper end of an outer sleeve extending around the outer cylinder and fixed at its lower end.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bath seat lift including an assembly according to the above one aspect of the invention and a seat supported by the assembly, the assembly being operable to lit the seat from a position outside a bath, to enable the seat to be swung over the bath, and to lower the seat into the bath.
A bath seat lift including a cylinder assembly according to the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2725093 (1955-11-01), Saelen
patent: 3078473 (1963-02-01), Daniels
patent: 3381317 (1968-05-01), Daniels et al.
patent: 3815163 (1974-06-01), Sullivan
patent: 4075719 (1978-02-01), Sullivan
patent: 5465433 (1995-11-01), Nolan
patent: 744 155 (1956-02-01), None
patent: 2 243 873 (1991-11-01), None
patent: 2 283 283 (1995-05-01), None
Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz
Fetsuga Robert M.
Smith Industries Public Limited Company
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