CA1137953A - Portable armrest - Google Patents
Portable armrestInfo
- Publication number
- CA1137953A CA1137953A CA000355889A CA355889A CA1137953A CA 1137953 A CA1137953 A CA 1137953A CA 000355889 A CA000355889 A CA 000355889A CA 355889 A CA355889 A CA 355889A CA 1137953 A CA1137953 A CA 1137953A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- base
- end portion
- armrest
- generally
- length
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C16/00—Stand-alone rests or supports for feet, legs, arms, back or head
Landscapes
- Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Portable armrest means is disclosed of the type of a portable railing capable of self supported upright standing on a flat surface such as a floor. The invention is particularly intended for use by a convalescent or elderly person while using toilet facilities but it can also be used as a supplement to an existing chair which does not have armrests, to render such chair more convenient for an elderly, convalescent or the like person. In the latter use, the armrest means is a pair of the railing-like members. The device can be stored away when not in use. The invention provides simple means which substantially improves the convenience in comfortable accommodation of convalescent or elderly persons, particularly when such persons are occasional vistors, for instance visiting relatives, patrons of a restaurant or the like.
Portable armrest means is disclosed of the type of a portable railing capable of self supported upright standing on a flat surface such as a floor. The invention is particularly intended for use by a convalescent or elderly person while using toilet facilities but it can also be used as a supplement to an existing chair which does not have armrests, to render such chair more convenient for an elderly, convalescent or the like person. In the latter use, the armrest means is a pair of the railing-like members. The device can be stored away when not in use. The invention provides simple means which substantially improves the convenience in comfortable accommodation of convalescent or elderly persons, particularly when such persons are occasional vistors, for instance visiting relatives, patrons of a restaurant or the like.
Description
3~ 3 AR~LRES~ ~ANS
The present invention relates to armrest means particularly intended for use by convalescents or elderly persons as a supplement to an existing seating member such as a toilet bowl or an ordinary chair not having an armrest.
Many convalescents or invalids can sufer from discomort while seated, particularly i there is no facility to rest their forearms. An example of this problem is the use of a toilet seat. It is known to provide certain toilets with railings fixedly secured to the floor of the room, for instance in public toilets at airports or the like, to facilitate the movement of convalescents or invalids around.
On the other hand, it has not been proposed thus far to provide similar facilities by way of a portable railing designed especially for the above purpose and allowing storage away when not in use.
It is known, for instance from Canadian patent 602,199 to provide a walking aid for invalids. However, the aid described in this reference is not suitable for use as an armrest particularly due to the shape of its handles which are designed especially for being grasped by a human hand rather than for use as a supporting rest capable of simultaneously supporting the forearm and the elbow. Similar difficulties in the context of the present invention are encountered in further prior art devices which are represented, for instance, by U.S. patents 3,716,067, 4,06Z,372 and 3,350,09S.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a '" ' ,.
7~
relatively inexpensive supplementary armrest device which can be conveniently used both in connection with seating furniture such as ordinary armless chairs and in connection with facilities such as toilets or the like. It is another ob~ect of the present invention to provide a device of the above type which is light weight and can thus be used,in a limited way,in lieu of canes or other walking aids used by invalids or elderly persons.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, armrest means is provided for use as a portable addition to existing seating facilities, of the type co~prising a ~air of generally identical railing-like members, each member having a base, a normally generally horizontal top rest portion, and a normally generally vertical leg portion securing said top rest Portion to said base at a spacing from each other, said base being of the type having a predetermined length and a predetermined width sufficient to support the respective member in a generally upright position when placed on a flat, horizontal surface such as a floor; said top rest portion being an elongated plate like member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length and including a front edge portion, two side portions and a rear end portion; said leg portion being secured to said rest portion at an area spaced from said ~ront edge portion generally the same distance; the length of said base being less than the length of said rest portion, the base having a front portion and a rear portion, each generally equidistantly spaced from the respective front and rear edge portion of the respective top rest portion.
Preferably, the top rest portion is a generally rectangular plate-like member whose length and width is slightly in excess of the length and width of an average human forearm. According to another feature of the present invention~
the length of the plate-like member is about 50 cm. and the width is about 15 cm. ~he top rest portion is preferably upholstered to provide a resilient cushioning thereon. In a .
. ~
.
: . :
3~3 particularly preferred embodiment, the top surace of said top rest portion is slightl~ convex to slope from a central ` portion thereof downwardly and toward t~e respective end portions.
T~e invention as referred to a~ove~ in its broader concept also ~ncludes mereIy a single armrest means generally of the type as referred to above.
The inVentIon can also be def~ned, in its basic scope, as a portable armrest means for use as an addition to existing seating means, comprising in combination, (a) a normally generally horizontal top rest portion of the type of an elongated panel member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length and including a front end portion, two side portions and a rear end portion; (b) a leg portion having upper end thereof secured to said rest portion and adapted to support at a predetermined spacing from the ground.
The invention will now be disclosed in greater detail with reference to two of many possible embodiments.
In the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away of an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the device, indicating the arrangement of the base of the device relative to its upper armrest portion.
~s Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing a modification of the previously shown embodiment; and Figure 4 is a bottom view of the structure of Fig. 1.
Inasmuch as many part of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 are virtually identical with those of the modification of Figs. 3 and 4, such identical parts are referred to with the same reference numerals.
Reference numeral 1 designates a base which, in the embodiment shown is of a semi-circular shape including a central semi-circular depression 2, a semi-circular outer edge 3, and a straight side edge 4 extending to both ends of the depression .
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, - , . . .
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.
The present invention relates to armrest means particularly intended for use by convalescents or elderly persons as a supplement to an existing seating member such as a toilet bowl or an ordinary chair not having an armrest.
Many convalescents or invalids can sufer from discomort while seated, particularly i there is no facility to rest their forearms. An example of this problem is the use of a toilet seat. It is known to provide certain toilets with railings fixedly secured to the floor of the room, for instance in public toilets at airports or the like, to facilitate the movement of convalescents or invalids around.
On the other hand, it has not been proposed thus far to provide similar facilities by way of a portable railing designed especially for the above purpose and allowing storage away when not in use.
It is known, for instance from Canadian patent 602,199 to provide a walking aid for invalids. However, the aid described in this reference is not suitable for use as an armrest particularly due to the shape of its handles which are designed especially for being grasped by a human hand rather than for use as a supporting rest capable of simultaneously supporting the forearm and the elbow. Similar difficulties in the context of the present invention are encountered in further prior art devices which are represented, for instance, by U.S. patents 3,716,067, 4,06Z,372 and 3,350,09S.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a '" ' ,.
7~
relatively inexpensive supplementary armrest device which can be conveniently used both in connection with seating furniture such as ordinary armless chairs and in connection with facilities such as toilets or the like. It is another ob~ect of the present invention to provide a device of the above type which is light weight and can thus be used,in a limited way,in lieu of canes or other walking aids used by invalids or elderly persons.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, armrest means is provided for use as a portable addition to existing seating facilities, of the type co~prising a ~air of generally identical railing-like members, each member having a base, a normally generally horizontal top rest portion, and a normally generally vertical leg portion securing said top rest Portion to said base at a spacing from each other, said base being of the type having a predetermined length and a predetermined width sufficient to support the respective member in a generally upright position when placed on a flat, horizontal surface such as a floor; said top rest portion being an elongated plate like member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length and including a front edge portion, two side portions and a rear end portion; said leg portion being secured to said rest portion at an area spaced from said ~ront edge portion generally the same distance; the length of said base being less than the length of said rest portion, the base having a front portion and a rear portion, each generally equidistantly spaced from the respective front and rear edge portion of the respective top rest portion.
Preferably, the top rest portion is a generally rectangular plate-like member whose length and width is slightly in excess of the length and width of an average human forearm. According to another feature of the present invention~
the length of the plate-like member is about 50 cm. and the width is about 15 cm. ~he top rest portion is preferably upholstered to provide a resilient cushioning thereon. In a .
. ~
.
: . :
3~3 particularly preferred embodiment, the top surace of said top rest portion is slightl~ convex to slope from a central ` portion thereof downwardly and toward t~e respective end portions.
T~e invention as referred to a~ove~ in its broader concept also ~ncludes mereIy a single armrest means generally of the type as referred to above.
The inVentIon can also be def~ned, in its basic scope, as a portable armrest means for use as an addition to existing seating means, comprising in combination, (a) a normally generally horizontal top rest portion of the type of an elongated panel member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length and including a front end portion, two side portions and a rear end portion; (b) a leg portion having upper end thereof secured to said rest portion and adapted to support at a predetermined spacing from the ground.
The invention will now be disclosed in greater detail with reference to two of many possible embodiments.
In the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away of an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the device, indicating the arrangement of the base of the device relative to its upper armrest portion.
~s Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 but showing a modification of the previously shown embodiment; and Figure 4 is a bottom view of the structure of Fig. 1.
Inasmuch as many part of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 are virtually identical with those of the modification of Figs. 3 and 4, such identical parts are referred to with the same reference numerals.
Reference numeral 1 designates a base which, in the embodiment shown is of a semi-circular shape including a central semi-circular depression 2, a semi-circular outer edge 3, and a straight side edge 4 extending to both ends of the depression .
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.
2. Reference numeral 5 designates the forward end of the base, reference numeral 6 designates the rear end of the base. In the embodiment shown, the base is made of hard wood. Glued to the base 1, either during the manufactuxe of the device or by the customer himself, is a series of upright legs 7, 8, 9 whose upper portions are similarly secured to a plate-like member 10 also made of wood and forming the base of an armrest Portion 11. The top surface of the plate-like member 10 supports a resilient, rubber-foam-like layer 12 T~hich is upholstered by a suitable surface layer 13, preferably of the kind of an ornamental polyvinyl chloride sheet or the like, to provide attractive appearance of the entire product.
The armrest portion 11 is thus of a generally rectangular shape having two sides 14, 15 and two end portions or end edges 16, 17, o~ which edge 16 is referred to as front edge and edge 17 as a rear edge, for convenience. It is indicated in Figure 1 that the top surface of the armrest portion 11 is slightly convex and slopes downwardly for~7ardly and downwardly backwardly from the central portion thereof.
It will be observed that the front edge 16 and the rear edge 17 are generally e~uidistantly spaced from the respective legs 7, 9 of the leg portion 7, 8, 9. The lowermost ends of legs7,9, in turn, are equidistantly spaced from the respective ends 5, 6 of the base plate 1. The spacing of legs 7 and 9 from ends 5 and 6 is less than that of the corresponding upper portions of legs 7 and 9 from edges 16 and 17. Such arrange-ment was found to be of advantage not only as it saves on over-all weight of the device but also facilitates the use of the device when the user attempts to utilize the armrest as a support for standing up or the like. At the same time, the overall length and width of the base is sufficient to maintain the device in an upright standing position when placed on the floor. The edges 16 and 17 protruding forwardly and rearwards from the part of armrest portion 11 secured to the leg portions 7, 8, 9 facilitates the grasping of the respective edges by the user to enable a limited use of the device in lieu of a cane or the like.
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~L~ 7~3 The size of the armrest portlon is such as to enable the user to conveniently rest on the top surface of the armrest 11 the entire forearm and elbow. On average, a rectangular size of approximately 50 cm. by 15 cm. is satisfactorv.
The embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 is improved in that at one side 15 it is provided with a U-shaped handle 18 which facilitates the handling of the member, particularly if a patient has to reach for the member to bring same to a closer location for use. At the same time, the handle 18 can be utilized for suspending the member on a storage hook or the like when not in use. Additionally, handle depressions 19 are provided at the downwardly turned surface o~ the plate 10 near the other side 14 and, preferably, also near the ends 16, 17 and the side 15, to facilitate the grasping of same by a patient when minor shifting of the position of the member is desired.
lS The depressions l9 at the ends 16, 17 also assist in providing a better hold when using the member as a temporary support while standing up or the like.
The invention thus provides a relatively inexpensive means which considerably facilitate the independence of movement of elderly persons around the house. Since the armrest means can be produced of all kinds of material, it can be matched with the existing furniture or can be produced from metallic material to match the surroundings of a washroom or the like.
Those skilled in the art will readily conceive a great number of modifications departing to a greater or lesser degree from the shown embodiment. A few examples that readily come to mind would include a rectangular base plate 1 instead of the moon shaped embodiment, an oval shape of the armrest portion ll, an arrangement whereby the legs 7, 8 and 9 of the
The armrest portion 11 is thus of a generally rectangular shape having two sides 14, 15 and two end portions or end edges 16, 17, o~ which edge 16 is referred to as front edge and edge 17 as a rear edge, for convenience. It is indicated in Figure 1 that the top surface of the armrest portion 11 is slightly convex and slopes downwardly for~7ardly and downwardly backwardly from the central portion thereof.
It will be observed that the front edge 16 and the rear edge 17 are generally e~uidistantly spaced from the respective legs 7, 9 of the leg portion 7, 8, 9. The lowermost ends of legs7,9, in turn, are equidistantly spaced from the respective ends 5, 6 of the base plate 1. The spacing of legs 7 and 9 from ends 5 and 6 is less than that of the corresponding upper portions of legs 7 and 9 from edges 16 and 17. Such arrange-ment was found to be of advantage not only as it saves on over-all weight of the device but also facilitates the use of the device when the user attempts to utilize the armrest as a support for standing up or the like. At the same time, the overall length and width of the base is sufficient to maintain the device in an upright standing position when placed on the floor. The edges 16 and 17 protruding forwardly and rearwards from the part of armrest portion 11 secured to the leg portions 7, 8, 9 facilitates the grasping of the respective edges by the user to enable a limited use of the device in lieu of a cane or the like.
.,p .
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~L~ 7~3 The size of the armrest portlon is such as to enable the user to conveniently rest on the top surface of the armrest 11 the entire forearm and elbow. On average, a rectangular size of approximately 50 cm. by 15 cm. is satisfactorv.
The embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 is improved in that at one side 15 it is provided with a U-shaped handle 18 which facilitates the handling of the member, particularly if a patient has to reach for the member to bring same to a closer location for use. At the same time, the handle 18 can be utilized for suspending the member on a storage hook or the like when not in use. Additionally, handle depressions 19 are provided at the downwardly turned surface o~ the plate 10 near the other side 14 and, preferably, also near the ends 16, 17 and the side 15, to facilitate the grasping of same by a patient when minor shifting of the position of the member is desired.
lS The depressions l9 at the ends 16, 17 also assist in providing a better hold when using the member as a temporary support while standing up or the like.
The invention thus provides a relatively inexpensive means which considerably facilitate the independence of movement of elderly persons around the house. Since the armrest means can be produced of all kinds of material, it can be matched with the existing furniture or can be produced from metallic material to match the surroundings of a washroom or the like.
Those skilled in the art will readily conceive a great number of modifications departing to a greater or lesser degree from the shown embodiment. A few examples that readily come to mind would include a rectangular base plate 1 instead of the moon shaped embodiment, an oval shape of the armrest portion ll, an arrangement whereby the legs 7, 8 and 9 of the
3~ le~ portion would be arranged in a tripod fashion, whereby the base plate l would be omitted.
The device of the prèsent invention is visualized to comprise,in most cases, a pair of the railing-like members as shown in the drawings, one to be placed to each side of an armless chair or the like. The virtually symmetrical arrange-ment of the top plate facilitates the positioning of the armrest : "
~3~
as each armrest can be placed to any side of the chair. The side with the U-shaped handle is preferably the side remote from the user, regardless whether a single member is used in a position transversely in front of a patient, or a pair thereof disposed on sides.
mhese and many other modlfications of the device, howevert do not depart from the scope of the present invention as recited in the accompanying claims.
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The device of the prèsent invention is visualized to comprise,in most cases, a pair of the railing-like members as shown in the drawings, one to be placed to each side of an armless chair or the like. The virtually symmetrical arrange-ment of the top plate facilitates the positioning of the armrest : "
~3~
as each armrest can be placed to any side of the chair. The side with the U-shaped handle is preferably the side remote from the user, regardless whether a single member is used in a position transversely in front of a patient, or a pair thereof disposed on sides.
mhese and many other modlfications of the device, howevert do not depart from the scope of the present invention as recited in the accompanying claims.
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Claims (3)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Armrest means for use as a portable addition to existing seating means, said armest means comprising a pair of generally identical members, each member comprising a top rest portion, and a normally generally upright leg portion securing the top rest portion to a base, wherein:
(a) said base is of the type having a predetermined length and a predetermined width sufficient to support the respective member in a generally upright position when placed on a flat, horizontal surface such as a floor;
(b) said top rest portion is an elongated rectangular panel member having a front end portion, two side portions and a rear end portion, the width of the panel being approximately 15 cm and the length thereof being about 50 cm, whereby the length and the width is slightly in excess of measurements of an average human forearm, the top rest portion being slightly convex to slope from a central portion thereof downwardly and toward each end thereof;
(c) said leg portion being secured to said top rest portion at an area generally equidistantly spaced from said front end portion and from said rear end portion;
(d) the length of said base being less than the length of said rest portion, the base having a front portion and a rear end portion, each generally equidistantly spaced from the front and rear end portion of the top rest portion, respectively.
(a) said base is of the type having a predetermined length and a predetermined width sufficient to support the respective member in a generally upright position when placed on a flat, horizontal surface such as a floor;
(b) said top rest portion is an elongated rectangular panel member having a front end portion, two side portions and a rear end portion, the width of the panel being approximately 15 cm and the length thereof being about 50 cm, whereby the length and the width is slightly in excess of measurements of an average human forearm, the top rest portion being slightly convex to slope from a central portion thereof downwardly and toward each end thereof;
(c) said leg portion being secured to said top rest portion at an area generally equidistantly spaced from said front end portion and from said rear end portion;
(d) the length of said base being less than the length of said rest portion, the base having a front portion and a rear end portion, each generally equidistantly spaced from the front and rear end portion of the top rest portion, respectively.
2. Armrest means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panel member includes elongate depressions in its surface facing said base, said depressions being disposed one near and along each of said side portions and generally centrally thereof, to facilitate the manipulation of the position of the armrest means.
3. Armrest means as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said panel member includes elongate depressions in its surface facing said base, said depressions being disposed one near and along each of said front end portion and said rear end portion and generally centrally thereof, to facilitate the manipulation of the positon of the armrest means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000355889A CA1137953A (en) | 1980-07-10 | 1980-07-10 | Portable armrest |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000355889A CA1137953A (en) | 1980-07-10 | 1980-07-10 | Portable armrest |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1137953A true CA1137953A (en) | 1982-12-21 |
Family
ID=4117390
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000355889A Expired CA1137953A (en) | 1980-07-10 | 1980-07-10 | Portable armrest |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1137953A (en) |
-
1980
- 1980-07-10 CA CA000355889A patent/CA1137953A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |