| Transfer platform for a lavatory seat -> Monitor Keywords |
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Transfer platform for a lavatory seatRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Closet Head, Foot, And Body RestsTransfer platform for a lavatory seat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060179558, Transfer platform for a lavatory seat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a transfer platform for a lavatory seat to facilitate the transfer of a handicapped person to and from the lavatory seat, be it a lavatory seat on a fixed toilet or one on a commode. It is to be understood that the expression `handicapped person` includes one who is permanently disabled or incapacitated, for example by injury or age, or one who is temporarily incapacitated for example by illness. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is well known in the art to use a board or plank to facilitate the transfer of a handicapped person to and from a lavatory seat. The existing art suffers from drawbacks terms of either suitability for use by an unaccompanied handicapped person in a wheel chair or disposition in a bathroom. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,328 issued to Potvin on Aug. 28, 1990 presents a seat that can swivel. FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 1,428,627 issued to Grabfelder on Sep. 12, 1922, U.S. Pat. No. 2,752,610 issued to Mabrey on Jul. 3, 1956, U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,276 issued to Agnew et al. on Feb. 4, 1975, U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,431 issued to Garreft on Nov. 18, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,966 issued to Costonde on Apr. 20, 2004 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,760,929 issued to Dippel on Jul. 13, 2004 disclose various types of transfer bench, board or seat assembly for which the shape is not specifically designed to accommodate the access of a wheel of a wheel chair, and accordingly impede the wheel from assuming the most efficacious position. Therefore, difficulties are presented for an unaccompanied person to achieve transfer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,401 issued to Peterson et al. on Jan. 13, 2004 shows in FIG. 5 a seat with sides extending at an angle to improve the ability of the user to position an article such as a wheel chair in proximity to a commode seat. That invention however does not have the design to allow in desirably close access of the wheel of a wheel chair between the sanitary seat and the transfer seat in such a way that the wheel chair is easily maneuverable into position, and that the transfer seat can be inserted almost fully in-between the patient or user and the wheel chair seat. [0004] The limited space available in a bathroom in standard homes should also be considered in the design of such devices. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will understand that apart from the limited spacing, there is often only one direction for access to the lavatory seat, the direction understandably varying from one bathroom to another. U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,966 mentioned earlier can be transferable around the rim of a toilet seat but similarly does not offer a shape specifically designed to ease access and indeed somewhat blocks the placement of the wheel of a wheel chair in the most desirable location. [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved means for transfer onto a lavatory seat with a simple configuration. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat. [0007] An advantage of the present invention is that the platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat is provided with a notch to help access of a wheel of a wheel chair thereby enabling the wheel chair to be in close proximity to and positively and restrainably to register adjacent the lavatory seat. [0008] Another advantage of the present invention is that the platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat provides for a notch adjacent the lavatory seat. [0009] A further advantage of the present invention is that the platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat enables an unaccompanied person to move himself or herself from a wheel chair onto a lavatory seat. [0010] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat provides a design that can easily slide in-between a person and the seat of a wheel chair. [0011] Another advantage of the present invention is that the platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat is easy to manufacture in conjunction with a lavatory seat and is economically sound. The platform may be of any suitable material, for example a plastics material or wood. [0012] In one embodiment the platform is integral with the lavatory seat, the platform thereby providing a contiguous and continuous planar surface with the seat and facilitating movement into and out of position on the seat with the aid of the platform. [0013] A still further advantage of the present invention is that in one embodiment the platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat provides, in conjunction with a specifically designed lavatory seat, a platform capable of variable positioning around the lavatory seat. [0014] Another advantage of the present invention is that in a further alternative embodiment the platform for transfer onto a lavatory seat provides in conjunction with a specifically designed lavatory seat a foldable board adjacent the base of the toilet seat. [0015] Accordingly one aspect of the invention provides a platform for the transfer of a person onto a lavatory seat from a wheeled mobile device seat, the platform being associated with the rim of the lavatory seat in such manner as to provide a supporting traversal surface substantially aligned with the upper surface of the lavatory seat, and a registration means adapted in use to engage a wheel of the mobile device, the platform in use lying across and supported by the mobile device seat thereby providing a contiguous and continuous traversal surface for passage of the person from the mobile device onto the lavatory seat within a reduced distance of travel. [0016] The platform may be integral with the lavatory seat or may be fixedly connected thereto by suitable securing means. In a further expression of the present invention, the platform may be hinged to the lavatory seat at a convenient and preselected site thereon, the platform being provided with locking means for locking it in a transfer position co-planar with the top surface of the lavatory seat or in a parked position orthogonal thereto and depending downward therefrom. In a variant form of the hinged version of the platform, the platform may be stowable behind the normal lid associated with a lavatory unit. In this instance suitable means for moving the platform into such position are provided to enable ease of usage by the handicapped person. In a further modification of this expression, the platform may assume one of a number of different positions circumferentially of the lavatory seat and a guideway may be provided to facilitate movement into a desired position. [0017] The registration means is conveniently in the form of at least one notch matching the wheel width thus providing a positive reception for the wheel to stabilize and restrain the mobile device in a position closely adjacent the lavatory seat. With the platform overlying the mobile device seat, the invention provides confidence to the user that transfer onto the lavatory seat through the agency of the platform will be secure. Furthermore with the platform in this overlying position the traversal distance is correspondingly reduced, thus facilitating transfer from the mobile device, for example a wheel chair, to the lavatory seat. [0018] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following Figures, in which similar references used in different Figures denote similar components, wherein: [0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing a platform in notional use in association with a lavatory seat and a wheel chair located adjacent thereto; Continue reading about Transfer platform for a lavatory seat... Full patent description for Transfer platform for a lavatory seat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Transfer platform for a lavatory seat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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