Device to aid persons rising from a seated position

Abstract

This invention relates to devices that assist people as they rise up from, or sit down into, a seated position, and, more particularly, to a reversible aid for such use which can be placed on either side of a seat. In particular, the device preferably includes a flat base that is positioned under the legs of a seat, locking means to lock the base to the seat legs, a pivotable hollow sleeve extending upwards from the base, an adjustable arm partially fitted within said sleeve which arm can be adjusted in height to be positioned above the level of the seat, and a moveable arm that can be moved from a storage position, out of the way of the user, to an active position wherein it extends at least partially in front of the user. A device is provided that is safer, less obtrusive, and more efficient than prior art devices.

1 . A device to aid persons rising from, or sitting down into, a seated position in a seat, comprising: 
 an elongated, generally horizontal, support base which base is adapted to be positioned under the legs of said seat;    an upwardly extending sleeve attached at one end to said base, and having an opening at an opposite end for receiving an elongated vertically orientated support arm;    an elongated support arm extending upwardly from said sleeve and having a first end adapted to fit within said opening in said sleeve and a second end extending, in use, to a position above said seat; and    a movable handle extending from said second end of said support arm, wherein said movable handle is moveable from a storage position to an active position so that when said moveable handle is in said active position, said handle extends at least partially across the front of said seat.    
   
   
       2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said base is essentially flat and horizontal and is adapted to fit under at least one leg of said seat.  
   
   
       3 . A device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said base is adapted to fit under at least 2 legs of a seat.  
   
   
       4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising leg locking devices to affix said base to at least one leg of said seat.  
   
   
       5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4  comprising two or more leg locking device, at least one of which is moveable.  
   
   
       6 . A device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said leg locking devices have a V-shaped notch to fit around a seat leg.  
   
   
       7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is releaseably attached to said base using attachment plates.  
   
   
       8 . A device as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said attachment plates are L-shaped.  
   
   
       9 . A device as claimed in  claim 8  having an exterior L-shaped attachment plate for attachment of said sleeve to said base, which exterior L-shaped attachment plate extends outwardly from said base.  
   
   
       10 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is attached to said base at an sleeve angle through attachment plates, and said sleeve angle is adjustable.  
   
   
       11 . A device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said sleeve is pivotably attached to said attachment plates, and is pivotable to a position essentially parallel to said base.  
   
   
       12 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is a hollow tube adapted to receive a first end of said support arm.  
   
   
       13 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said support arm comprises at least one support arm attachment means for connection of said support arm to said sleeve.  
   
   
       14 . A device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said support arm attachment means is a C-clip.  
   
   
       15 . A device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said support arm height is adjustable.  
   
   
       16 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said handle is moveable from said active position to said storage position by rotation about a axis of rotation located on said support arm.  
   
   
       17 . A device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said handle rotates from 90 to 270 degrees in moving from said storage position to said active position.  
   
   
       18 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said handle has a length of between 10 and 30 cm and comprises a rubberized or foam grip section.  
   
   
       19 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve is reversibly attached to said base so that said device is reversible and can be used on either side of a seat.  
   
   
       20 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising a non-slip or protective device on a bottom surface of said base or a non-slip mat on the upper surface of the base, in the areas where the legs of said seat would rest.