Kneeling and standing assist device

Abstract

A kneeling and standing assist device including a knee and lower leg supporting platform which is pivotally movable between spaced handles from a raised inclined position to a lower generally horizontal position against a base with controlled resistance to lowering and assistance to elevating being provided by at least one energy storage extension element mounted between the platform and the base.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A kneeling and standing assist device which includes a base having front and rear portions, said base being adapted to rest against a support surface, a knee and lower leg supporting platform, connector means for pivotally connecting said platform to said base, said platform being movable between a raised and inclined position to a lower position wherein said platform is generally horizontal, at least one energy storage extension means connected between said platform and said base, said at least one extension means being in a first extended position when said platform is in said raised position and being compressible to store energy when said platform is moved to said lower position such that said at least one extension member provides a resistence to movement of said platform from said raised position toward said lower position and provides lift assistance to urge said platform from said lower position toward said raised position, and at least one handle extending upwardly from said base and above said platform when said platform is in said raised position.  
     
     
         2 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 1  including means for connecting said at least one handle to said base so that said at least one handle may be moved from an elevated position to a collapsed storage position generally adjacent to said base.  
     
     
         3 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 2  in which said at least one handle is removably connected to said base.  
     
     
         4 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 1  including a pair of spaced handles, and means for selectively extending said handles to adjust the length thereof, and each said handles having an upper handgrip portion.  
     
     
         5 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 1  wherein at least an upper portion of said platform is formed of a pliable plastic material allowing the upper portion to be curved by said first connector means when said platform is in said raised position.  
     
     
         6 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 1  including a reinforcing plate secured to a rear surface of said lower portion of said platform, and a connector mounted to said reinforcing element, and one end of said at least one energy storage extension means being adjustably connected to said connector.  
     
     
         7 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 1  in which an upper portion of said platform includes concave areas adapted for engagement by a knee of an individual.  
     
     
         8 . A kneeling and standing assist device which includes a base having front and rear portions, a knee and lower leg supporting platform having a lower portion pivotally connected adjacent to said front portion of said base and an upper portion, first connector means for pivotally connecting said upper portion of said platform to said base in spaced relationship from said lower portion of said platform, said platform being movable between a raised and inclined position wherein said first connector means retains said upper portion of said platform so as to be oriented generally rearwardly of said front portion of said base so as to be non-planar with respect to said lower portion of said platform to a lower position wherein said upper and lower portions of said platform are generally horizontal and coplanar, at least one energy storage extension means connected between said lower portion of said platform and said rear portion of said base, said at least one extension means being in a first extended position when said platform is in said raised position and being compressible to store energy when said platform is moved to said lower position such that such extension member provides a resistence to movement of said platform from said raised position toward said lower position and provides lift assistance to urge said platform from said lower position toward said raised position, and at least one handle extending upwardly from said base and above said platform when said platform is in said raised position.  
     
     
         9 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 8  including a pair of spaced handles and means for connecting said handles to said base so that said handles may be moved from an elevated position to a collapsed storage position generally adjacent to said base.  
     
     
         10 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 9  in which said handles are removably connected to said base.  
     
     
         11 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 8  including a pair of spaced handles, and means for selectively extending said handles to adjust the length thereof, and each said handle as having an upper handgrip portion.  
     
     
         12 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 8  including a reinforcing plate secured to a rear surface of said lower portion of said platform, and a connector mounted to said reinforcing element, and one end of said at least one energy storage extension means being adjustably connected to said connector.  
     
     
         13 . The kneeling and standing assist device of  claim 8  in which an upper portion of said platform includes concave areas adapted for engagement by a knee of an individual.