Salat Buddy Prayer Aid

Abstract

A compact, portable prayer aid is provided for assisting worshippers with performing the mandatory Islamic prayers. The aid relieves pressure from the knees, legs, and ankles, by shifting weight away from the lower body and onto the lower back and buttocks. The aid includes a seat, a base, and at least one support structure. Said support structures are designed to form a built-in storage area for storing items during prayer. An alternate embodiment includes collapsible legs for easy transport. A second alternate embodiment includes shock absorbers, a compass for geographic directional support, and a sensor and a screen for counting and displaying the number of units performed. A third alternate embodiment includes foldable legs. A fourth alternate embodiment provides adjustable legs to accommodate for different heights and reduced knee flexion capabilities. A fifth alternate embodiment includes detachable, adjustable legs comprised of smaller sectional pieces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compact, portable stool for aiding and supporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer comprising:
 a seat portion;   a bottom base; and   at least one support structure connecting said top and bottom base;   wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on said worshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating and kneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees, legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromised knee flexion capability.   
     
     
         2 . The stool of  claim 1 , wherein said seat is cushioned and molded into a split seat to provide comfort for said worshipper and to alleviate any pressure placed on said worshipper's lower back while resting on said stool. 
     
     
         3 . The stool of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one support structure comprises a first support structure and a second support structure. 
     
     
         4 . The stool of  claim 3 , wherein said first and second support structures are designed to form a built-in storage area for storing prayer and personal items during performance of said prayer rituals. 
     
     
         5 . The stool of  claim 4 , further comprising at least two shock absorbers placed between said seat portion and said first and second support structures for said worshipper's additional lower back and prostrate support. 
     
     
         6 . The stool of  claim 5 , further comprising a compass for detecting the proper directional orientation of said worshipper according to the mandates of the Islamic faith. 
     
     
         7 . The stool of  claim 6 , further comprising a sensor for counting the number of prayer units performed and a screen coupled to said sensor for displaying said directional orientation and said number of prayer units performed. 
     
     
         8 . A collapsible stool for aiding and supporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer, comprising:
 a seat portion;   a bottom base; and   at least two support structures connected to said seat portion  2  and bottom base via   a set of screws;   wherein said stool can be collapsed into a flattened position by folding said support structures along said screws for easy storage and transport; and   wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on said worshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating and kneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees, legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromised knee flexion capability.   
     
     
         9 . The stool of  claim 8 , wherein said seat is cushioned and molded into a split seat to provide comfort for said worshipper and to alleviate any pressure placed on said worshipper's lower back while resting on said stool. 
     
     
         10 . The stool of  claim 9 , wherein said support structures are designed to form a built-in storage area for storing prayer and personal items during performance of said prayer rituals. 
     
     
         11 . A compact, traveling stool for aiding and supporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer, comprising:
 a seat portion;   a first u-shaped support structures; and   a second u-shaped support structure;   wherein said first and second support structures are pivotally connected to the underside of said seat portion and can be positioned in an open position or folded position; and   wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on said worshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating and kneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees, legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromised knee flexion capability.   
     
     
         12 . The stool of  claim 11 , wherein said seat portion is cushioned and molded into a split seat to provide comfort for said worshipper and to alleviate any pressure placed on said worshipper's lower back while resting on said stool. 
     
     
         13 . The stool of  claim 12 , further comprising a netting or mesh-like material connected to the bottom ends of said first and second support structures, said netting or mesh-like material expanding to form a storage area when said first and second support structures are positioned in an open position, and collapsing when said u-shaped structures are positioned in a folding position. 
     
     
         14 . A compact, portable, adjustable stool for aiding and supporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer comprising:
 a seat portion;   a bottom base;   at least two support structures each comprising outer and inner tubular housings, wherein said inner tubular housings each include a set of retractable pins and said outer tubular housings each include a set of apertures for receiving said retractable pins; and   at least two adjustment levers for controlling retraction of said retractable pins;   wherein said adjustment levers can be depressed to retract said pins to allow for vertical adjustment of said support structures and released to insert said pins into said apertures to lock said support structures into a desired position; and   wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on said worshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating and kneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees, legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromised knee flexion capability.   
     
     
         15 . A compact, portable, adjustable stool for aiding and supporting a worshipper during the prostrating and kneeling rituals of the Islamic prayer comprising:
 a seat portion;   a bottom base; and   at least two detachable legs comprised of multiple sectional pieces, wherein each sectional piece contains a peg-like protrusion and a peg-shaped aperture, and wherein said sectional pieces can be added or removed to adjust the length of said detachable legs according to a worshipper's preference;   wherein said stool relieves pressure placed on said worshipper's knees, legs, and ankles during said prostrating and kneeling rituals by shifting said worshipper's weight from the knees, legs, and ankles, to said seat portion and accommodating for compromised knee flexion capability.   
     
     
         16 . The stool of  claim 15  wherein said seat portion includes at least two peg-shaped apertures and said bottom base includes at least two peg-like protrusions, and wherein said apertures on said seat portion and protrusions on said bottom base can be connected to store said stool while disassembled.