Stepped stool for seniors and others

Abstract

A stepped stool to be used in performing one of the most common activities of daily living—putting on and taking off one's shoes and socks. It is specifically designed for senior citizens and others who because of the normal aging process or because of injuries to their backs and/or knees or even feet have limited motion ability. It consists of a seat and footrest of the correct heights and widths to make this task much easier and more comfortable. It is designed to look like a normal piece of furniture and is light and portable. It can also be made so that the seat and footrest can be adjusted in a vertical manner to accommodate persons of above average height.

1 . An article of furniture, a stepped stool, with seat and footrest specifically designed to assist persons in the act of putting on and taking off their shoes and socks.  
   
   
       2 . The said stepped stool as set forth in  claim 1  consisting of a pair of side frames, both a right hand one and a left hand one, supporting said seat and said footrest and having the necessary crosses braces to ensure said stepped stool its strength and stability.  
   
   
       3 . The said stepped stool as set forth in  claim 1  where said seat and said footrest are positioned on said side frames such that their vertical dimensions from the base of said side frames shall be such to emulate the dimensions of the vertical rise of two steps of a normal staircase as defined in the residential building codes.  
   
   
       4 . The said stepped stool as set forth in  claim 1  where width of said footrest is to emulate that of a normal stair tread and said seat is to emulate the width of two said stair threads as defined in said residential building codes.  
   
   
       5 . The said stepped stool as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said footrest and said seat may have rounded edges or may be padded for comfort using typical upholstery materials and techniques.  
   
   
       6 . The said stepped stool as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said side frames, said seat, said footrest and said braces may be made of wood, both hard or soft, plastic or any metal or any other substance which would provide the necessary strength and stability to support any person of above average weight.  
   
   
       7 . The said stepped stool as set forth in  claim 1  whereas it may be manufactured using screws, bolts, Tee nuts and Cross bolts in such a manner to allow said stepped stool to be supplied to the consumer in an unassembled condition for ease of packing and shipping.  
   
   
       8 . The said side frames as set forth in  claim 2  where the said side frames may be constructed in such a manner to allow said footrest and said seat to be adjusted in a vertical manner to exceed the normal vertical riser spacing of said normal staircase as defined in said residential building codes.  
   
   
       9 . The said side frames as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the said side frames are manufactured to include arm rests which are attached to said side frames and extend to a comfortable height above said seat and provide a stable holding surface which the occupant of said stepped stool may use to assist them in sitting and rising from said stepped stool.  
   
   
       10 . An adjustable stepped stool specifically designed to assist persons in the act of putting on and taking off their shoes and socks which is constructed using telescoping legs attached to a footrest and to a seat.  
   
   
       11 . The said adjustable stepped stool as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said telescoping legs are made of metal and adjusted and supported using a plurality of holes in each leg and internal locking pins.  
   
   
       12 . The said adjustable stepped stool as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said footrest and said seat are constructed of wood, plastic or metal and may be padded for comfort.