Safety pole for handicapped persons

Abstract

This user support pole has a rotating platform for the feet of the user. Thus, the user can (e.g., from a wheel chair) place his or her feet on this platform and, using the pole, rise from the sitting position. After this, the user (while standing on the platform) can be rotated around the pole as necessary for alignment with the new seat, whether chair, bed, or toilet, and allowed to lower himself or herself into position. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of handles that rotate with the platform are also provided. These give the user something to hold onto in pulling upright as well as something to hold onto during the process of being rotated.

1 . A handicap assistance pole, comprising: 
 a) a vertical support pole, said pole having a base end for location adjacent a floor; and    b) a rotating foot platform located proximate the base end of said pole, said platform being capable of rotating around said pole.    
   
   
       2 . A handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a sheath connected to and rotating with said rotating base and enclosing a portion of said pole.  
   
   
       3 . A handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 1 , further comprising handles located above said rotating platform, said handles one of: rotating with said platform, and not rotating with said platform but being fixed to said pole.  
   
   
       4 . A handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 2 , further comprising handles located above said rotating platform, said handles one of: rotating with said platform, and not rotating with said platform but being fixed to said pole.  
   
   
       5 . A handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 4 , wherein handles rotating with said platform are connected to said platform via said sheath.  
   
   
       6 . A handicap assistance pole, comprising: 
 a) a vertical support pole, said pole having a base end for location adjacent a floor;    b) a rotating foot platform located proximate the base end of said pole, said platform being capable of rotating around said pole;    c) wherein said pole has a support base at its base end adapted for placement adjacent a floor, which support base supports the rotating platform; and    d) a sheath connected to and rotating with said rotating base and enclosing a portion of said pole; and    e) handles located above and rotating with said rotating platform.    
   
   
       7 . A method for using the handicap assistance pole described in  claim 1 , comprising placement of a user's feet on the rotating platform; and rotating the user supported by said platform around said pole.  
   
   
       8 . A method for using the handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 2 , comprising placement of a user's feet on the rotating platform; placement of the user's hands on said sheath; and rotating the user supported by said platform around said pole.  
   
   
       9 . A method for using the handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 5 , comprising placement of a user's feet on the rotating platform; placement of the user's hands on said handles; and rotating the user supported by said platform around said pole.  
   
   
       10 . A method for using the handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 8 , further comprising said user using said sheath to at least one of: rise to a standing position supported by said platform and sink to a seated position at an adjacent location.  
   
   
       11 . A method for using the handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 9 , further comprising said user using said handles to at least one of: rise to a standing position supported by said platform and sink to a seated position at an adjacent location.  
   
   
       12 . A method for using the handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 3 , wherein one of: a user rotates himself around said pole and the user is rotated around said pole by another.  
   
   
       13 . A method for using the handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 6 , wherein one of: a user rotates himself around said pole and the user is rotated around said pole by another.  
   
   
       14 . A method for using a handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 12 , wherein said rotation is accomplished using handles one of: attached to said pole, and rotating with said platform.  
   
   
       15 . A method for using a handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 12 , wherein said rotation is accomplished using handles one of: attached to said pole, and rotating with said platform.  
   
   
       16 . A handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 3 , wherein said handles are placed at a distance from the rotating platform that enables them to be reached by a seated user, so that said seated user can use said handles for pulling up.  
   
   
       17 . A handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 6 , wherein said handles are placed at a distance from the rotating platform that enables them to be reached by a seated user, so that said seated user can use said handles for pulling up.  
   
   
       18 . A method for using a handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 7 , wherein said handles are placed at a distance from the rotating platform that enables them to be reached by a seated user, so that said seated user can use said handles for pulling up.  
   
   
       19 . A method for using a handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 9 , wherein said handles are placed at a distance from the rotating platform that enables them to be reached by a seated user, so that said seated user can use said handles for pulling up.  
   
   
       20 . A handicap assistance pole as described in  claim 12 , wherein said handles are placed at a distance from the rotating platform that enables them to be reached by a seated user, so that said seated user can use said handles for pulling up.