Transfer platform for a lavatory seat

Abstract

A platform (2) for use as an aid for a handicapped person to move from the seat (32) of a wheel chair (30) to a lavatory seat (4) is secured or securable to the periphery of the seat (4) at a suitable position to allow access of the chair (30). A notch (20) is formed in the platform (2) to receive in registration a wheel (36) of the chair (30). The platform in its functional position extending substantially horizontally from the lavatory seat (4) provides a contiguous and continuous supporting surface for the person to slide across onto the lavatory seat and back, the registration of the wheel in the notch coupled with the overlying of the platform on the wheel chair seat (32) providing stability.

Description

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 ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

Therefore, difficulties are presented for an unaccompanied person to achieve transfer.

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.

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