GB2542571A

GB2542571A - Support device for positioning a user in relation to a toilet

Info

Publication number: GB2542571A
Application number: GB1516777.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Campbell Stephen; Campbell Lee; Vandyke David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-22
Filing date: 2015-09-22
Publication date: 2017-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-22
Also published as: GB2542571B; GB201516777D0

Abstract

A support device 1 for positioning a user in relation to a toilet, the device comprises a base 2, a seat 4, and a first upright stanchion 3 which extends from base 2. A first downwardly depending strut 5 extends from an underside of said seat. A first lifting arm 7 is pivotally connected at an inner end 8 thereof to first stanchion 3 and at an outer end 9 thereof to said first strut 5. A lifting device 10 moves seat 4 in relation to said first stanchion 3 between a first position in which said seat is substantially horizontal, and a second position (Fig. 5) in which seat 4 is raised. The base comprises a substantially horizontal section 13 with top surface 14. The lower end 11 of lifting device 10 is mounted to top surface 14. The longitudinal axis of said lifting device is substantially vertical when said seat is in said first position.

Description

Support Device For Positioning a User In Relation to a Toilet

The present invention relates to a support device for positioning a user in relation to a toilet, for use particularly, but not exclusively in assisting the physically disabled, elderly or infirm in assuming a seated position on a toilet.

Toilets are designed to support a user in a seated position, which is often a fairly low seated position. For various reasons some people are unable to lower themselves into a suitable position, or to lift themselves back up again. In order to assist in this situation it is known to provide lifting toilet seats which are raised and rotated forward automatically to a position suitable to receive a standing user, and which then lower automatically back down into position, supporting the user as they do so. Such seats can also lift the user back up into a standing position once again. These lifting toilet seats comprise a frame designed to be situated around an existing toilet, and which supports a seat which is positioned over the top of the toilet bowl when in the lowered position. The frame also supports a powered lifting mechanism which is provided to lift and lower the seat, and which is strong enough to take the weight of a user. US2008/003817 to HENSHAW et al discloses such a lifting toilet seat comprising a base, a vertical support extending therefrom and supporting a plurality of moving arms, a seat mounted to outer ends of the arms, and a lifting ram to move the arms up and down. However, the mechanism shown in US2008/003817 suffers from a number of drawbacks.

Firstly, the lifting ram is a fairly large unit and as such it is mounted between the base and one of the lifting arms at an inclined angle. This produces what is described as a desirable movement characteristic of the seat, in particular the amount of forward rotation achieved, however the height the seat can reach is restricted because the longitudinal axis of the lifting ram is inclined. Another issue with this is that the weight of the user is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lifting ram as the seat is lowered down into its lowest position. This creates undue lateral strain on the lifting ram. This problem increases as the seat is lowered down into its lowest position because the amount of weight applied by the user increases with the angular displacement of the lifting ram.

Another issue with this configuration is that the lifting ram extends rearwardly to such an extent that the device cannot be used with some toilet designs, because it may foul parts of the toilet or the supporting plumbing. In particular, it has been found that the device shown in US2008/003817 cannot be used with some modern toilets which have their cistern and plumbing mounted in the wall behind them. In these designs the toilet bowl itself does not extend from the wall far enough to reach the location of the lifting seat part. To partially address this issue the lifting ram in US 2008/00317 is mounted to the outside of the base, but this increases the width of the whole device.

Yet another problem with the mechanism shown in US2008/003817 is that the top of the lifting ram is mounted to a central point on one of the lifting arms. This is done to provide a particular relationship of lifting to rotation of the seat. However this configuration places an undue strain on the section of the lifting arm between the central point and the outer end which supports the seat.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above problems

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention a support device for positioning a user in relation to a toilet comprises a base, a first upright stanchion extending from said base, a seat, a first downwardly depending strut extending from an underside of said seat, a first lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to said first stanchion and at an outer end thereof to said first strut, and a lifting device which extends and contracts along a longitudinal axis thereof and which is pivotally mounted at a lower end thereof to said base and at an upper end thereof to said underside of said seat, in which said lifting device moves said seat in relation to said first stanchion between a first position in which said seat is substantially horizontal, and a second position in which said seat is elevated from said first position and rotated from horizontal, in which said base comprises a substantially horizontal section comprising a top surface, in which said lower end of said lifting device is mounted to said top surface, and in which said longitudinal axis of said lifting device is substantially vertical when said seat is in said first position.

Thus, the present invention provides a lifting toilet seat which resolves the configuration issues identified with the prior art because the lifting device is arranged substantially vertically, thereby reducing the length of the whole support device, and on top of the base, which reduces the width of the whole support device. This allows the support device of the invention to be used with a greater number of toilet designs, and in particular with those which have their cistern and plumbing mounted in the wall behind them.

In addition, this novel configuration also results in a lifting toilet seat which can be raised to a greater height than in the prior art example, improving its usability. Further, in the present invention the weight of the user comes into alignment with the longitudinal axis of the lifting device as the seat is lowered down into its lowest position. As such, there is no undue lateral strain on the lifting device in use, as in the prior art.

Another advantage is that the upper end of the lifting device is mounted directly to the underside of the seat, rather than to a central point on the first lifting arm. As such, there is no undue strain placed on one side of the lifting arm in use, as in the prior art.

In a preferred construction the support device can further comprise a second lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to the first stanchion and at an outer end thereof to the first strut. This second lifting arm can be mounted below the first lifting arm, such that the first stanchion, first strut and first and second lifting arms can combine to form a first quadrilateral hinge which determines the elevation and rotation of the seat in use. This is an expedient arrangement for controlling and supporting the lifting and forward rotational movement of the seat.

The second lifting arm can be longer in length than the first lifting arm, so its outer end follows a larger planetary path about the first stanchion than the outer end of the first lifting arm. As the first lifting arm is above the second, the higher point where its outer end meets the first strut is brought closer to the first stanchion than the outer end of the second lifting arm as the lifting device extends, thereby rotating the seat.

The first quadrilateral hinge can also be configured so the rate at which the seat rotates on its own axis is not proportional to the rate of elevation change. In particular, the second lifting arm can be arranged such that when the seat is in the first position the outer end thereof is below the inner end, while the first lifting arm can be arranged such that when the seat is in the first position the outer end thereof is below the inner end to a lesser extent. As such, when the lifting device begins to extend and the seat begins to move from the first position towards the second position, the points of the first strut to which the outer end of the first lifting arm and the outer end of the second lifting arm are connected move along different planetary paths about the respective inner ends of the first lifting arm and the second lifting arm. At first they both move rearwardly away from the first stanchion, but along different paths, the lower more pronounced that that above. Then the point of the first strut to which the outer end of the first lifting arm is connected begins to move forward towards the first stanchion, while the point of the first strut to which the outer end of the second lifting arm is connected still moves rewardly away therefrom. As such, the rate of rotation increases through that region of elevation. Eventually, the point of the first strut to which the outer end of the second lifting arm is attached goes over centre, and it too begins to move forward towards the first stanchion. As such, the rate of rotation is less through that region of elevation. It has been found that this arrangement is beneficial because it matches the approximate rotational position of the plane of the backside of the user at particular positions of squatting.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement so far described is suitable for use on one side of a support device. Therefore, preferably the base can comprise a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal sections, the first stanchion can extend from a first of these longitudinal sections, and a second upright stanchion can extend from a second of these longitudinal sections. Further, the seat can comprise a first side and a second side, the first strut can extend from a location on the underside adjacent to the first side, and a second downwardly depending strut can extend from a location on the underside adjacent to the second side. The support device can then further comprise a third lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to the second stanchion and at an outer end thereof to the second strut, and a fourth lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to the second stanchion and at an outer end thereof to the second strut. The fourth lifting arm can be mounted below the third lifting arm, and the second stanchion, second strut and third and fourth lifting arms can combine to form a second quadrilateral hinge which determines the elevation and rotation of the seat in use. It will be appreciated that this arrangement is the same as on the opposite side of the support device, and the two quadrilateral hinges work synchronously in the manner described above.

In one embodiment the pair of longitudinal sections can each comprise a pair of height adjustable feet at opposite ends thereof. This allows the support device to be used safely and effectively on uneven surfaces.

The seat of the invention can comprise a panel provided with a central aperture, a seating platform arranged around the central aperture and a handle on each side of the seating platform. The seating platform can be substantially the same shape as a conventional toilet seat.

Preferably the handles can each be removably mounted in a socket provided on the panel. This allows the handles to be removed if necessary or more convenient.

The handles can be any suitable handle shape, however in a preferred construction each of the handles can comprise a first portion substantially normal to the panel and a second portion substantially normal to the first portion, and each first portion can be removably mountable in at least two rotational positions in its respective socket. This configuration allows the handles to be arranged in a standard position for a user of a particular size, and in a flared position for a user of a larger size. The means by which the first portions can be removably mountable in their respective sockets can be any known mechanism, but a spring loaded lateral pin provided on the first portion, which can slot into one of two rotationally displaced lateral holes formed in the socket, would be suitable.

Despite the ability of the handles to be flared as described above, in some instances a standard seat size is still insufficient in size. A product intended for bariatric care may need to be somewhat larger. Therefore, in one version of the invention the panel can be removably mounted to the first strut and the second strut. As such, it can be removed and replaced with a larger one.

As mentioned above, the upper end of the lifting device is mounted to the underside of the seat. In order to facilitate this the upper end of the first strut can comprise a first rearwardly extending portion, and the upper end of said lifting device can be pivotally mounted to the first rearwardly extending portion.

The lifting device can be any known mechanism with a longitudinal axial expansion characteristic, however in a preferred construction the lifting device can be a powered hydraulic lifting ram.

In order to balance the way the support device works, it can further comprise a counterbalancing device which can extend and contract along a longitudinal axis thereof and which can be pivotally mounted at a lower end thereof to a second of the longitudinal sections and at an upper end thereof to the underside of the seat. Preferably an upper end of the second strut can comprise a second rearwardly extending portion, and the upper end of the counterbalancing device can be pivotally mounted to the second rearwardly extending portion. As such, the counterbalancing device is arranged in the same way as the lifting device. The counterbalancing device can be any known mechanism with a longitudinal axial damping characteristic, however in a preferred construction it can be a gas strut.

In versions of the invention which are intended for bariatric care, a second lifting device can be provided on the second of the longitudinal sections instead of a counterbalancing device, in order to provide the support device with more power and the ability to support greater weights of user.

As referred to above, in one version of the invention the seat panel can be removable to allow for a larger one to be fitted. Therefore, in a second aspect of the present invention a kit of parts comprises a support device as claimed in claim 8 below, and at least one further panel of a different size to the panel, which further panel is removably mountable to the first strut and the second strut.

The invention can be performed in various way, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support device according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the support device as shown in Figure 1 in a first position;

Figure 3 is a top view of the support device as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front view of the support device as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a side view of the support device as shown in Figure 1 in a second position.

As shown in Figure 1, a support device 1 for positioning a user in relation to a toilet (not visible) comprises a base 2, a first upright stanchion 3 extending from the base 2, a seat 4, a first downwardly depending strut 5 extending from an underside 6 of the seat 4, a first lifting arm 7 pivotally connected at an inner end 8 thereof to the first stanchion 3 and at an outer end 9 thereof to the first strut 5, and a lifting device, in the form of powered hydraulic lifting ram 10, which extends and contracts along a longitudinal axis thereof and which is pivotally mounted at a lower end 11 thereof to the base 2 and at an upper end 12 thereof to the underside 6 of the seat 4. As explained in more detail below, the lifting ram 10 moves the seat 4 in relation to the first stanchion 3 between a first position, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, in which the seat 4 is substantially horizontal, and a second position, as shown in Figure 5, in which the seat 4 is elevated from the first position and rotated from horizontal. Further, the base 2 comprises a substantially horizontal section, in the form of first longitudinal section 13, comprising a top surface 14, and the lower end 11 of the lifting ram 10 is mounted to the top surface 14. Finally, as best shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal axis of the lifting ram 10 is substantially vertical when the seat 4 is in the first position.

The support device 1 further comprises a second lifting arm 15 pivotally connected at an inner end 16 thereof to the first stanchion 3 and at an outer end 17 thereof to the first strut 5. As is clear from the Figures, the second lifting arm 15 is mounted below the first lifting arm 7, such that the first stanchion 3, first strut 5 and first and second lifting arms 7 and 15 combine to form a first quadrilateral hinge, indicated by hashed box 18, which determines the elevation and rotation of the seat 4 in use.

The same arrangement is provided on the opposite side of the support device 1. The base 2 comprises first longitudinal section 13, and parallel second longitudinal section 19. A second upright stanchion 20 extends from the second longitudinal section 19. Further, the seat 4 comprises a first side 21 and a second side 22; the first strut 5 extending from a location on the underside 6 adjacent to the first side 21, and a second downwardly depending strut 23 extending from a location on the underside 6 adjacent to the second side 22. A third lifting arm 24 is pivotally connected at an inner end 25 thereof to the second stanchion 20 and at an outer end 26 thereof to the second strut 23, and a fourth lifting arm 27 is pivotally connected at an inner end 28 thereof to the second stanchion 20 and at an outer end 29 thereof to the second strut 23. Again, as is clear from the Figures the fourth lifting arm 27 is mounted below the third lifting arm 24, and the second stanchion 20, second strut 23 and third and fourth lifting arms 24 and 27 combine to form a second quadrilateral hinge, indicated by hashed box 30, which is identical to the first quadrilateral hinge 18, and works synchronously with it to determine the elevation and rotation of the seat 4 in use.

In order to balance the way the support device 1 works, a counterbalancing device, in the form of gas strut 31, is pivotally mounted at a lower end 32 thereof to the second longitudinal section 19 and at an upper end 33 thereof to the underside 6 of the seat 4, adjacent the second side 22 thereof. The gas strut 31 provides a counterbalancing resistance to the second side 22 of the seat 4 in use.

As mentioned above, the upper end 12 of the lifting ram 10 is mounted to the underside 6 of the seat 4. In order to facilitate this an upper end 34 of the first strut 5 comprises a first rearwardly extending portion 35, and the upper end 12 of the lifting ram 10 is pivotally mounted to the first rearwardly extending portion 35. A similar arrangement is provided on the opposite side of the support device 1. Namely, as best shown in Figure 5, an upper end 36 of the second strut 23 comprises a second rearwardly extending portion 37, and the upper end 33 of the gas strut 31 is pivotally mounted to the second rearwardly extending portion 37. As such, the gas strut 31 is arranged in the same way as the lifting ram 10.

Referring back to Figure 1, the seat 4 comprises a panel 38 provided with a central aperture 39. A seating platform 40 is arranged around the central aperture 39, which is substantially the same shape as a conventional toilet seat. A first removable handle 41 is provided on the first side 21 of the seat 4, and a second removable handle 42 is provided on the second side 22 of the seat 4. The first handle 41 is removably mounted in a first socket 43, and the second handle is removably mounted in a second socket 44.

The first handle 41 comprises a first portion 45 substantially normal to the panel 38 and a second portion 46 substantially normal to the first portion 45.

Likewise the second handle 42 comprises a first portion 47 substantially normal to the panel 38 and a second portion 48 substantially normal to the first portion 47.

Each of the first and second handles 41 and 42 is removably mountable in two rotational positions in their respective first and second sockets 43 and 44.

Referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that the first socket 43 comprises a first lateral hole 49 which is substantially forward facing, and a second lateral hole 50 which is rotationally displaced from the first 49. The same arrangement is provided on the second socket 44, but only the second lateral hole 51 is visible in the Figures. Both the second portion 46 of the first handle 41 and the second portion 48 of the second handle 42 comprise a spring loaded lateral pin (not visible) which slots into one of the corresponding lateral holes 49, 50 or 51 to lock the handle in a rotational position in relation to the panel 38. To move the first handle 41 or the second handle 42 from one rotational position to the other, the pin (not visible) is manually depressed out of the lateral hole 49, 50 or 51 it occupies, and the respective handle is manually rotated until the pin is aligned with the other hole, and it is biased therein by its spring loading in order to lock the respective handle in place. It will be appreciated that to remove the first handle 41 or the second handle 42 from their respective sockets 43 and 44 the respective pin is manually depressed out of the lateral hole 49, 50 or 51 it occupies, and the respective handle is manually lifted free from the socket in question.

Referring back to Figure 1 it can be seen that each of the first longitudinal section 13 and the second longitudinal section 19 comprise a pair of height adjustable feet 52 and 53, and 54 and 55 respectively, at opposite ends thereof.

The base 2 further comprises a lower bracing member 56 which connects the first longitudinal section 13 and the second longitudinal section 19 together, and an upper bracing member 57, which holds the first stanchion 3 and the second stanchion 20 together, between the respective points 16 and 28 where the second lifting arm 15 is connected to the first stanchion 3 and the fourth lifting arm 27 is connected to the second stanchion 20.

The lifting ram 10 is of a known design and comprises a mechanism housing 58 which is ergonomically arranged in line with the rearmost part of the first longitudinal section 13.

Referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that the upper end 34 of the first strut 5 comprises a flange 58, to which the first side 21 of the panel 38 is secured with a number of bolts, one of which 59 is visible. Likewise the upper end 36 of the second strut 23 comprises a flange 60, to which the second side 22 of the panel 38 is secured with a number of bolts, one of which 61 is visible. Therefore, the panel 38 can be removed from the support device 1 by releasing the bolts 59, 61. This allows for a larger panel (not shown) to replace the panel 38 if required for a larger user.

As will be appreciated from the Figures, the second lifting arm 15 is longer in length than the first lifting arm 7, so its outer end 17 follows a larger planetary path about the first stanchion 3 than the outer end 9 of the first lifting arm 7, as the seat 4 is moved from the first position as shown in Figures 1 to 4, to the second position as shown in Figure 5, as explained in further detail below. As the first lifting arm 7 is above the second lifting arm 15, the higher point where its outer end 9 meets the first strut 5 is brought closer to the first stanchion 3 than the outer end 17 of the second lifting arm 15 as the lifting ram 10 extends, thereby rotating the seat 4.

As will also be appreciated from the Figures, the first quadrilateral hinge 18 is configured so the rate at which the seat 4 rotates on its own axis as it moves from the first position to the second position is not proportional to the rate of elevation change. In particular, as can be seen from the Figures, when the seat 4 is in the first position the outer end 17 of the second lifting arm 15 is below the inner end 16 thereof to a greater extent than the outer end 9 of the first lifting arm 7 is below the inner end 8 thereof. This means that when the seat 4 is first moved from the first position towards the second position both the outer ends 17 and 9 of the second lifting arm 15 and the first lifting arm 7 move rearwardly away from the first stanchion 3, but the rearward movement of the outer end 17 is more pronounced that that of the outer end 9. This causes a degree of seat rotation 4. Then, as it began at a less pronounced angle, the outer end 9 of the first lifting arm 7 goes over centre and begins to move forwards towards the first stanchion 3, while the outer end 17 of the second lifting arm 15 is still moving rearwardly away from the first stanchion 3. As such, the rate of rotation of the seat 4 increases through this region of elevation change. Eventually, the outer end 17 of the second lifting arm 15 goes over centre and begins to move forwards towards the first stanchion 3. As such, the rate of rotation of the seat 4 is less through this region of elevation change. This arrangement is beneficial because it matches the approximate rotational position of the plane of the backside of the user at particular positions of squatting.

The second quadrilateral hinge 30 is the same shape and configuration as the first quadrilateral hinge 18, so it provides the same movement characteristics in use.

Therefore, the support device 1 is used as follows. The support device 1 is first placed around a toilet (not shown) with which it is to be used. The first longitudinal section 13 is arranged adjacent to the toilet’s left side, and the second longitudinal section 19 is arranged adjacent to the toilet’s right side. The central aperture 39 is positioned over the opening of the toilet. If the surface upon which the support device 1 is placed is uneven, one of more of the height adjustable feet 52 to 55 are height adjusted in the known way, so the support device 1 is level and steady.

It will be appreciated that as the lifting ram 10 and the gas strut 31 are vertical when the seat 4 is in the first position, the distance between the back 62 of the support device 1 and the aperture 39 is very short, as is best seen from Figure 3. This allows the support device 1 to be used with virtually any existing toilet design, and in particular those which have their cistern and plumbing concealed in a wall behind them.

Furthermore, the mounting of the lifting ram 10 on top of the first longitudinal section 13 means the support device 1 is narrow, as best seen in Figure 4, which reduces the likelihood of it coming into contact with any structure surrounding the toilet with which it is used. A user of the support device 1 can adjust the positions of the first handle 41 and the second handle 42 to suit their size if necessary. They manually depress the pin out of the lateral hole 49, 50 or 51 it occupies and manually rotate the respective handle until the pin is aligned with the other hole and it is driven therein. The user can also remove the first handle 41 and/or the second handle 42 if they would prefer. The respective pin is manually depressed out of the lateral hole 49, 50 or 51 it occupies, and the respective handle is manually lifted free from the respective socket

When a user needs to use the support device 1 to positioned themselves on the toilet, they use a control device (not shown) to operate the lifting ram 10. It extends along its axis to move the seat 4 from the first position shown in Figures 1 to 4, to the second position shown in Figure 5. The lifting ram 10 is of the kind which can be extended partially, so it is not necessary for the seat 4 to be raised and rotated fully into the second position. Rather the seat 4 can be raised up to a point which it convenient for the user, if desired.

As the lifting ram 10 extends it drives the first quadrilateral hinge 18 and the second quadrilateral hinge 30 against the static first stanchion 3 and second stanchion 20 respectively. As explained above, the shape and configuration of the first quadrilateral hinge 18 and the second quadrilateral hinge 30 is such that the seat 4 rotates forwards as it is driven upwards. The rate of rotation changes through the range of elevation from a first phase when the outer ends 9 and 17 both travel rearwardly away from the first stanchion 3, to a middle phase when the outer end 9 travels forwards towards the first stanchion 3 while the outer end 17 continues to travel rearwardly away from it, to a final phase when both the outer ends 9 and 17 travel forwards towards the first stanchion 3. The same occurs with the outer ends 26 and 29 in the second quadrilateral hinge 30 on the opposite side of the support device 1.

As the lifting ram 10 extends it itself rotates. As shown in Figure 2, in the first position the axis of the lifting ram 10 is vertical, and perpendicular to the panel 38. However, as it extends and the seat 4 is raised and rotated in relation to the first stanchion 3 and the second stanchion 20 by the first quadrilateral hinge 18 and the second quadrilateral hinge 30 respectively, the point where the upper end 12 of the lifting ram 10 is connected to the first rearwardly extending portion 35 of the first strut 5 rises and travels forwards. As such the lifting ram 10 rotates about its lower end 11. It continues to do so until the seat 4 reaches the second position as shown in Figure 5. This forward rotation of the lifting ram 10 is echoed by the gas strut 31 which moves in the same way on the opposite side of the support device 1. The gas strut 31 is forced to extend by the extension of the lifting ram 10, and while it generates a degree of resistance to this extension, it is insufficient to unbalance the support device 1.

Once the user has raised the seat 4 to the desired height and rotation, they rest their backside against the seating platform 40, and use the control device to operate the lifting ram 10 to retract along its axis. As the lifting ram 10 retracts the seat 4 moves back down to the first position in the opposite movement to that described above. The gas strut 31 provides a resistance against this movement, and it and the lifting ram 10 therefore combine to support the weight of the user as the seat 4 moves back down. The provision of the gas strut 31 in particular ensures that adequate support is provided to maintain the seat 4 in a level position so undue torque is not transmitted to the components of the first quadrilateral hinge 18 and the second quadrilateral hinge 30.

It will be appreciated that as the seat 4 is lowered down the lifting ram 10 rotates back towards its vertical position. As it does this it remains substantially aligned with the compression force applied to it by the weight of the user acting on the seat 4. As such, the lifting ram 10 is subjected to an axially aligned loading which reduces any lateral strain thereon. The same is true of the gas strut 31, which is also axially aligned with the loaded to which it is subjected on the opposite side of the support device 1. Further, as the lifting ram 10 and the gas strut 31 are connected to the underside of the panel 38, the weight of the user is applied directly axially threreto, and not via any lateral component, as in the prior art example. This also reduces the presence of undue lateral loadings.

Once the user wants to be lifted back up again they use the control device to operate the lifting ram 10 to raise the seat 4 back up again. The lifting ram 10 extends and drives the first quadrilateral hinge 18 and the second quadrilateral hinge 30 against the static first stanchion 3 and second stanchion 20 respectively, in order to raise and rotate the seat 4 to the second position shown in Figure 5, or to a position lower than this if sufficient.

As referred to above, it is possible to remove the seat 4 and replace it with a larger one if necessary. If so, the bolts 59 and 61 are released and the panel 38 lifted from the first strut 5 and the second strut 23. The replacement larger panel (not shown) is then placed on the first strut 5 and the second strut 23 and secured with the bolts 59 and 61. The larger panel can be wider to support a larger person, and it can also comprise sockets which are further apart than first socket 43 and second socket 44 in panel 38, so the first handle 41 and the second handle 42 can be further apart. As the first handle 41 and the second handle 42 are removable from the panel 38, they can be removed therefrom and mounted to the replacement panel in the same way.

The second aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts comprising a support device like support device 1 described above, and at least one further panel of a different size to the panel, which further panel is removably mountable to the first strut and the second strut. The above description provides support for such a kit of parts as it can be understood how support device 1 can be provided with at least one larger replacement panel.

The above described embodiment can be altered without departing from the scope of claim 1. For example, in one construction (not shown), a lifting ram is provided on both sides of the support device. Such a construction is preferred for a version of the support device intended for bariatric care. Having two lifting rams provides additional lifting power to raise the seat, and support it when it is lowered.

Thus, the present invention provides a lifting toilet seat which resolves the configuration issues identified with the prior art, because the lifting device is arranged substantially vertically, thereby reducing the length of the whole support device, and on top of the base, which reduces the width of the whole support device. This allows the support device of the invention to be used with a greater number of toilet designs, and in particular with those which have their cistern and plumbing mounted in the wall behind them.

In addition, this configuration also results in a lifting toilet seat which can be raised to a greater height than in the prior art example, improving its usability.

Further, in the present invention the weight of the user is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lifting device as the seat is lowered down into its lowest position, so no undue lateral strain is placed on the lifting device in use, as in the prior art.

Claims

1. A support device for positioning a user in relation to a toilet comprising a base, a first upright stanchion extending from said base, a seat, a first downwardly depending strut extending from an underside of said seat, a first lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to said first stanchion and at an outer end thereof to said first strut, and a lifting device which extends and contracts along a longitudinal axis thereof and which is pivotally mounted at a lower end thereof to said base and at an upper end thereof to said underside of said seat, in which said lifting device moves said seat in relation to said first stanchion between a first position in which said seat is substantially horizontal, and a second position in which said seat is elevated from said first position and rotated from horizontal, in which said base comprises a substantially horizontal section comprising a top surface, in which said lower end of said lifting device is mounted to said top surface, and in which said longitudinal axis of said lifting device is substantially vertical when said seat is in said first position.

2. A support device as claimed in claim 1 in which said support device further comprises a second lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to said first stanchion and at an outer end thereof to said first strut, in which said second lifting arm is mounted below said first lifting arm, and in which said first stanchion, first strut and first and second lifting arms combine to form a first quadrilateral hinge which determines the elevation and rotation of said seat in use.

3. A support device as claimed in claim 2 in which said base comprises a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal sections, in which said first stanchion extends from a first of said longitudinal sections, in which a second upright stanchion extends from a second of said longitudinal sections, in which said seat comprises a first side and a second side, in which said first strut extends from a location on said underside adjacent to said first side, in which a second downwardly depending strut extends from a location on said underside adjacent to said second side, in which said support device further comprises a third lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to said second stanchion and at an outer end thereof to said second strut, in which said support device further comprises a fourth lifting arm pivotally connected at an inner end thereof to said second stanchion and at an outer end thereof to said second strut, in which said fourth lifting arm is mounted below said third lifting arm, and in which said second stanchion, second strut and third and fourth lifting arms combine to form a second quadrilateral hinge which determines the elevation and rotation of said seat in use.

4. A support device as claimed in claim 3 in which each of said pair of longitudinal sections comprises a pair of height adjustable feet at opposite ends thereof.

5. A support device as claimed in claim 4 in which said seat comprises a panel provided with a central aperture, a seating platform arranged around said central aperture and a handle on each side of said seating platform.

6. A support device as claimed in claim 5 in which each of said handles is removably mounted in a socket provided on said panel.

7. A support device as claimed in claim 6 in which each of said handles comprises a first portion substantially normal to said panel and a second portion substantially normal to said first portion, in which each first portion is removably mountable in at least two rotational positions in its respective socket.

8. A support device as claimed in claim 5 in which said panel is removably mounted to said first strut and said second strut.

9. A support device as claimed in claim 1 in which an upper end of said first strut comprises a first rearwardly extending portion, in which said upper end of said lifting device is pivotally mounted to said first rearwardly extending portion.

10. A support device as claimed in claim 1 in which said lifting device is a powered hydraulic lifting ram.

11. A support device as claimed in claim 3 in which said support device further comprises a counterbalancing device which extends and contracts along a longitudinal axis thereof and which is pivotally mounted at a lower end thereof to a second of said longitudinal sections and at an upper end thereof to said underside of said seat.

12. A support device as claimed in claim 11 in which an upper end of said second strut comprises a second rearwardly extending portion, in which said upper end of said counterbalancing device is pivotally mounted to said second rearwardly extending portion, and in which said counterbalancing device is a gas strut.

13. A support device substantially as described herein, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A kit of parts comprising a support device as claimed in claim 8 and at least one further panel of a different size to said panel, which further panel is removably mountable to said first strut and said second strut.