Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet seat assist to raise user
Patent
1993-04-22
1997-02-18
Phillips, Charles E.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet seat assist to raise user
4254, 4444, A47K 1310
Patent
active
056031300
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a sanitary seat unit for providing a sitting place while washing the lower part of the human body comprising positioning means for installing the sanitary seat unit at a place of use and a seat determining an opening.
Such a sanitary seat unit is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,618. The sanitary seat unit shown therein is specifically deigned for use by individuals suffering from haemorrhoids, fissures or other ailments of the peri-anal area.
The present invention relates in particular to such a sanitary seat, on which the disabled, in particular patients with rheumatism and Parkinson's Disease, paraplegics and the like or elderly people, can sit to be able to wash--or have washed--the lower part of their body.
Disabled people generally have great difficulties in washing parts of their lower body, such as the anus, genitalia, perinaeum, buttocks, thighs, etc. During washing it is necessary for the disabled person to be seated, in order to ensure greater control of the washing actions, which he can often perform with only one hand. If a stool is being used to sit on, the presence of the seat unit constitutes a restriction in the accessibility of the parts of the body to be washed. This also applies when a bidet e.g. as shown in the abovementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,618 or something similar is being used.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved sanitary seat unit which offers greater convenience for the disabled, in particular through increasing the accessibility of the parts to be washed.
For this purpose, the sanitary seat according to the invention is characterized in that the seat comprises at least first and second seat parts, the first seat part determing the opening for accommodation therein of the second seat part and in that he seat unit comprises controllable movement means for moving at least one of the seat parts in substantially the vertical direction relative to the other seat part from a position below to a position above the other seat part and vice versa.
Splitting the seat into two parts means that by moving a seat part the disabled person can cause a part of his body which is normally supported to be exposed for washing, while the other remaining part of his body takes over the supporting function. The fact that a seat part is movable means that disabled users are offered the possibility of setting the seat part in question as desired, with the result that the movements which the disabled user had to make hitherto can be reduced.
The fact that at least one seat part of the seat is movable is also very advantageous because in this way help can be provided during sitting down and getting up again, which was hitherto often a problem for the user with incomplete control of his body.
It is particularly advantageous that the second seat part is movable between a position below and a position above the first seat part. When the second seat part is raised above the first seat part, large parts of the buttocks and thighs of the user can be raised clear of the first seat part for washing, and the supporting function is simply taken over by other parts of the lower body of the user.
When the second part is sunk below the first seat part the first seat part takes over the supporting function and the peri-anal area can be washed.
According to a further development of the seat unit according to the invention, the movement means are designed for moving the second seat part between at least one position below the first seat part and a position essentially at the same height as it. In the position with the second seat part at the same height as the first seat part the user is offered a seat surface which is very comfortable (comfort seat). When the second seat part is moved below the first seat part, perinaeum, anus and genitalia become easily accessible for water, which can be applied by hand or mechanically. In this embodiment it is also advantageous if the first seat part forms part of a bowl-shaped part suitable for holding water, and the second seat part in the p
REFERENCES:
patent: 467017 (1892-01-01), Olsen
patent: 963538 (1910-07-01), Ford
patent: 4112524 (1978-09-01), Johansson
patent: 4287618 (1981-09-01), Silver
patent: 5027446 (1991-07-01), Robertson
De Jong Adrianus P.
de Jong Willem G. L.
Hoenderdos Alphonsus M. L. D.
Snijders Christiaan J.
B.V. Optische Industrie "De Oude Delft"
Marn Louis E.
Phillips Charles E.
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