US20110219529A1

US20110219529A1 - Commode Chair

Info

Publication number: US20110219529A1
Application number: US12/722,657
Authority: US
Inventors: Harvey Diamond
Original assignee: Medical Depot Inc
Current assignee: Medical Depot Inc
Priority date: 2010-03-12
Filing date: 2010-03-12
Publication date: 2011-09-15

Abstract

A commode chair is provided that includes a seat having a central hole and a frame on which the seat is mountable. The frame includes at least three leg connectors. The commode chair also includes at least three legs in which each of the legs is configured to be removably connected to a respective one of the leg connectors. The commode chair further includes at least three leg extenders in which each of the leg extenders is configured to be slideably connected to a respective one of the legs. In an embodiment, the frame and leg assemblies can be simply and easily assembled and disassembled. The components can be stacked with, and/or attached to, each other to reduce the space occupied by the disassembled commode chair, thereby lowering storage and transportation costs.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to commode chairs, and in particular relates to an easily assembled commode chair having removable legs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commode chairs provide a system for going to the bathroom that may be arranged anywhere the user requires. In particular, commode chairs may be arranged near a bedside to assist anyone who requires easy access to a bathroom, whether by reason of a disability or lack of bladder or bowel control. Commode chairs provide a seat and a pail, thereby enabling a person to sit and go to the bathroom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A commode chair is provided that includes a seat having a central hole and a frame on which the seat is mountable. The frame includes at least three leg connectors. The commode chair also includes at least three legs in which each of the legs is configured to be removably connected to a respective one of the leg connectors. The commode chair further includes at least three leg extenders in which each of the leg extenders is configured to be slideably connected to a respective one of the legs.
In an embodiment, the frame and leg assemblies can be simply and easily assembled and disassembled. The components can be stacked with, and/or attached to, each other to reduce the space occupied by the disassembled commode chair, thereby lowering storage and transportation costs.
A commode chair is provided that includes a frame selectively arrangeable between an operative orientation and a stored orientation. The frame includes two armrest components and a cross bar component, and the two armrest components substantially define a longitudinal dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation. The cross bar component substantially defines a transverse dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation. The commode chair also includes four leg assemblies arrangeable relative to the frame between the operative and stored orientations. Each leg assembly is removably connectable to a lower portion of one of the armrest components of the frame and includes a leg extender. Each of the armrest components and one or more corresponding leg assemblies substantially define a vertical or height dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation. A maximum dimension of the commode chair in the stored orientation substantially corresponds to the transverse dimension defined by the cross bar component.
These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled commode chair according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a portion of a leg and a leg connector according to an embodiment in a detached state;

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the portion of the leg and the leg connector shown in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment in a partially attached state;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an armrest component, part of a leg assembly, and part of a cross-frame component according to an embodiment in a detached state;

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a T connector of an armrest component and a partial view of a back cross bar in an attached state;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a partially assembled commode chair according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a partially assembled commode chair according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of a leg assembly illustrating a leg extender, an anti-slip arrangement, and a threaded collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The commode chair according to an exemplary embodiment may have four leg connectors and four leg assemblies, and the frame may be substantially rectangular. Each leg connector may be arranged in a corner region of the substantially rectangular frame. Each of the leg connectors may include a threaded member, and a top of each leg assembly may include a threaded collar configured to engage the respective threaded member.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of commode chair 100. Commode chair 100 includes seat arrangement 110. Seat arrangement 110 includes pail 112, seat 114 having a central hole, and cover 116. Commode chair 100 also includes two armrest components 120, 130 and four leg assemblies 140, 150, 160, and 170. Each armrest component is attached to two leg assemblies. In particular, armrest component 120 is attached to leg assemblies 140 and 170, and armrest component 130 is attached to leg assemblies 150 and 160. Front cross bar 190 attaches to a front end of each of armrest components 120 and 130, and back cross bar 195 attaches to a back end of each of armrest components 120 and 130. Back rest 180 attaches to a back end of armrest components 120 and 130. Armrest components 120 and 130, front cross bar 190 and back cross bar 195 provide a frame for commode chair 100.
Seat 114 may include a seat cushion arranged around the central hole. The seat may be adapted to snap on to a back edge of the frame and to pivot around the back edge. Cover 116 may be adapted to snap on to a back edge of the frame and to pivot around the back edge. Backrest 180 may be alternatively configured to attach to back cross bar 195. The backrest may extend upward from the frame when attached.
FIG. 1 further illustrates the orientation of assembled commode chair 100. FIG. 1 illustrates three-dimensional axis 102 including transverse axis 104, longitudinal axis 108, and vertical axis 106. Assembled commode chair 100 has a transverse distance defined substantially by front cross bar 190, and a longitudinal distance defined substantially by armrest components 120 and/or 130. Assembled commode chair 100 has a vertical distance defined substantially by any one or more of armrest component 120 and leg assembly 140 and/or leg assembly 170, and armrest component 130 and leg assembly 150 and/or leg assembly 160, excluding backrest 180 and with seat cover 116 lowered. Due to the detachability of armrest component 120 and leg assembly 140, and all of the other leg assemblies, a disassembled commode chair 100 has a maximum dimension defined by front cross bar 190.
Commode chair 100 is selectively arrangeable between an operative orientation and a stored orientation. The frame includes two armrest components and a cross bar component, and the two armrest components substantially define a longitudinal dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation. The cross bar component substantially defines a transverse dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation. The commode chair also includes four leg assemblies arrangeable relative to the frame between the operative and stored orientations. Each leg assembly is removably connectable to a lower portion of one of the armrest components of the frame and includes a leg extender. Each of the armrest components and one or more corresponding leg assemblies substantially define a vertical or height dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation. A maximum dimension of the commode chair in the stored orientation substantially corresponds to the transverse dimension defined by the cross bar component.
Commode chair 100 may be disassembled, with the leg assemblies detached from the arm rest components, the front and rear cross bar components detached from the arm rest components, a pail support arrangement collapsed, and a seat arrangement detached from the pail support arrangement. In the disassembled or stored orientation, the parts of commode chair may be packaged in a compact manner. The longest dimension of the all of the parts of the commode chair in the stored orientation is defined by the length of the front and rear cross bars. The stored orientation of the commode chair may have a compact configuration of substantially reduced vertical and longitudinal dimensions, causing the transverse dimension defined by the cross bars to be the maximum dimension of the commode chair in the stored orientation.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary attachment system 200 for attaching leg assembly 140 to armrest component 120. Leg assembly 140 includes a leg and a leg extender. The leg of leg assembly 140 includes exterior shaft 230 and threaded collar 210. In particular, attachment system 200 includes threaded collar 210 arranged on a leg of leg assembly 140. Threaded collar 210 is adapted to cooperatively interact with threaded member 220 arranged on armrest component 120. Alternatively, the threaded member and the threaded collar may be arranged on the opposite elements in order to create an alternative attachment system. Attachment system 200 also includes interior shaft 240 arranged on armrest component 120, which is adapted to be inserted into exterior shaft 230 of a leg portion of leg assembly 140. Interior shaft 240 includes indentation 242 on an external side. Exterior shaft 230 includes flange 232 which creates a protrusion towards the center of exterior shaft 230. Flange 232 is adapted to cooperate with indentation 242 when leg assembly 140 is connected to armrest component 120 in order to properly orient leg assembly 140 with respect to armrest component 120. Leg assembly 140 may be connected to armrest component 120 by elastic cord 250, which may connect to an interior portion of armrest component 120 and another interior portion of leg assembly 140. Alternatively, elastic cord 250 may be a cable or another tensioning arrangement, or alternatively may be eliminated from attachment system 200.
A tensioning arrangement, such as an elastic cord or spring, and/or a flexible connector, such as a cable or cord, may be provided for each of the leg assemblies, in addition to or instead of elastic cord 250. A first end of each of the elastic cords attached to a respective leg assembly may extend out of a hollow end of the top of the respective leg assembly, and a second end of each of the elastic cords attached to a respective one of the leg connectors may extend out of a hollow end of the respective leg connector. An additional tensioning arrangement may be arranged in at least one of the hollow end of the top of the respective leg assembly and the hollow end of the respective leg connector. The tensioning arrangement may be another elastic member, a spring member, a coil, or any other appropriate arrangement for introducing tension into the elastic system. The tensioning arrangements may ensure that the leg assemblies of the commode chair are not separated from the other components during storage. Additionally, the tensioning arrangements may assist a user in assembling the commode chair.
Each of the leg connectors may include an interior shaft, and each of the legs may include an exterior shaft. The exterior shaft of each of the leg assemblies may be adapted to receive the interior shaft of a respective leg connector in a friction fit, and each of the exterior shafts may include a flange extending to an interior side. Each of the interior shafts may include an indentation on an exterior side, and each of the flanges may be adapted to slideably cooperate with a corresponding indentation when the exterior shaft of each of the legs receives the interior shaft of a respective leg connector.
FIG. 3 illustrates attachment system 200 in a partially attached state. Leg assembly 140 is pressed towards armrest component 120 and threaded collar 210 is fitted to threaded member 220 by turning threaded collar 210 in direction 300. In this manner, threads on an interior of threaded collar 210 cooperatively interact with threaded member 220 to connect leg assembly 140 to armrest component 120.
Alternatively, each of the leg connectors may include a threaded collar, and a top of each of the legs may include a threaded member configured to be engaged by the respective threaded collar.
FIG. 4 illustrates armrest component 120 and back cross bar 195 in a partially exploded view. Armrest component 120 includes armrest 400 for an arm of a user of a commode 100. Armrest component 120 also includes T connector 420 at a backside of armrest component 120. Armrest component 120 also includes a front crossbar receiver 410 adapted to receive front cross bar 190. T connector 420 connects on a bottom side to leg assembly 170 and includes a lateral receiving element adapted to receive back cross bar 195. Back cross bar 195 includes a pail support arrangement 440 in a middle area. Pail support arrangement 440 is adapted to support pail 112.
FIG. 5 illustrates T connector 420. T connector receives back cross bar 195 into an interior portion. Back cross bar 195 includes push pin 510 which locks back cross bar 195 to T connector 420 when pushpin 510 is arranged to cooperate with a hole in T connector 420. Lock knob 500 is arranged on T connector 420 to secure back cross bar 195 to T connector 420. Lock knob 500 is tightened to secure the connection, and is loosened in order to disassemble commode 100.
FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a partially assembled commode chair 100 according to an embodiment including two armrest components 120, 130, parts of three leg assemblies 140, 160 and 170, and front cross bar 190. Armrest component 120 and armrest component 130 are shown connected by back cross bar 195. Leg assembly 140 is attached to a front end of armrest component 120 and leg assembly 170 is attached to a back end of armrest component 120. Leg assembly 160 is attached to a back end of armrest component 120. Leg assembly 160 is attached to a back end of armrest component 130. Back cross bar 195 includes pail support arrangement 440 in a middle section of back cross bar 195. Pail support arrangement 440 is also attached to front cross bar 190.
The frame may include a cross-bar component including a front cross bar, a back cross bar, and a pail holding arrangement between the front cross bar and the back cross bar. The front cross bar and the back cross bar may include push pins at each end. The frame may include two armrest components, with each armrest component including two leg connectors, at least one backrest receiver, a front cross bar receiver and a back cross bar receiver. Each front cross bar receiver may be adapted to receive an end of the front cross bar into an interior portion and to receive the respective push pin into a hole to lock the front cross bar to the respective armrest component. Each back cross bar receiver may be adapted to receive an end of the back cross bar into an interior portion and to receive the respective push pin into a hole to lock the back cross bar to the respective armrest component. At least one of the front cross bar receivers and the back cross bar receivers of each cross bar component may include a lock knob adapted to secure the one of the front cross bar and the back cross bar to the corresponding armrest component.
FIG. 7 illustrates a partially assembled commode chair 100. In FIG. 7, armrest component 120 is attached to leg assemblies 140 and 170 and armrest component 130 is attached to leg assemblies 150 and 160. Back cross bar 195 is attached to a back end of armrest component 120 and a back end of armrest component 130. Front cross bar 190 is attached to a front end of armrest component 120 and a front end of armrest component 130. Pail support arrangement 440 extends from back cross bar 195 to front cross bar 190 in a central region of commode chair 100. Back support 180 extends from a back end of armrest component 120 to a back end of armrest component 130.
The easily assembled commode chair may include a backrest configured to attach to the seat on at least one edge of the seat. The backrest may extend upward from a top surface of the seat when attached.
FIG. 8 illustrates leg assembly 140 including leg extender 810 and exterior shaft 230 of the leg. Leg extender 810 is arranged on a bottom side of leg assembly 140 and includes rubber stopper arrangement 820 on a bottom end. Alternatively, rubber stopper arrangement 820 may be a wheel. Leg extender 810 includes holes 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, and 835 adapted to cooperate with a push pin arrangement on an exterior of exterior shaft 320 of the leg. More or fewer holes are possible on leg extender 810. Exterior shaft 230 extends into an interior portion of leg extender 810 forming a telescopic relationship enabling the height adjustment. By arranging a push pin of leg assembly 140 in different holes 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, and 835 on leg extender 810, different height arrangements for commode chair 100 may be provided. Leg assembly 140 includes threaded collar 210 and elastic cord 250 extending out of an interior of exterior shaft 230. Leg assembly 140 attaches to an armrest by elastic cord 250.
Each of the leg assemblies may include a height adjustment mechanism, a leg and a leg extender. The leg and leg extender may include at least two leg parts telescopically engaging each other. The height adjustment mechanism may enable the at least two leg parts to extend, retract and lock in position. Parts of the height adjustment mechanism may be arranged on both the leg and leg extender, and in particular, holes may be arranged on the leg extender and a push pin may be arranged on the leg. The push pin may be adapted to cooperatively interact with the holes to adjust the height. Each of the leg extenders may include an anti-slip arrangement on a bottom of the leg extender. Each of the leg extenders may be capped by a rubber or plastic cap. Each of the leg extenders may include a wheel on a bottom of the leg extender, enabling commode chair 100 to be wheeled around.
The easily assembled commode chair may include a holder attached to one or more components of the frame or seat configured to hold each of the legs when the legs are not connected to the respective leg connectors. The holders may be plastic clips, magnets, or any other appropriate arrangement for introducing holding a leg. In such a situation, if the legs are equipped with elastic cords or other retaining arrangements, each of the elastic cords has a length sufficient to allow the legs to be held in the holder. The components of the commode chair may include steel, aluminum or plastic.
The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present invention and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A commode chair comprising:

a seat having a central hole;

a frame on which the seat is mountable, the frame including at least three leg connectors;

at least three legs, each of the legs configured to be removably connected to a respective one of the leg connectors; and

at least three leg extenders, each of the leg extenders configured to be slideably connected to a respective one of the legs.

2. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein:

the at least three leg connectors are four leg connectors;

the at least three legs are four legs;

the at least three leg extenders are four leg extenders;

the frame is substantially rectangular from a plan view; and

each leg connector is arranged in a corner region of the substantially rectangular frame.

3. The commode chair of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises:

a cross-bar component including a front cross bar, a back cross bar, and a pail holding arrangement between the front cross bar and the back cross bar, the front cross bar and the back cross bar including push pins at each end; and

two armrest components, each armrest component including two leg connectors, at least one backrest receiver, a front cross bar receiver and a back cross bar receiver, each front cross bar receiver adapted to receive an end of the front cross bar into an interior portion and to receive the respective push pin into a hole to lock the front cross bar to the respective armrest component, and each back cross bar receiver adapted to receive an end of the back cross bar into an interior portion and to receive the respective push pin into a hole to lock the back cross bar to the respective armrest component;

wherein at least one of the front cross bar receivers and the back cross bar receivers of each cross bar component include a lock knob adapted to secure the one of the front cross bar and the back cross bar to the corresponding armrest component.

4. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein:

each of the leg connectors includes a threaded collar; and

a top of each of the legs includes a threaded member configured to be engaged by the respective threaded collar.

5. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein:

each of the leg connectors includes an interior shaft; and

each of the legs comprises an exterior shaft, the exterior shaft of each of the legs adapted to receive the interior shaft of a respective leg connector in a friction fit, each of the exterior shafts including a flange extending to an interior side, each of the interior shafts including an indentation on an exterior side, each of the flanges adapted to slideably cooperate with a corresponding indentation when the exterior shaft of each of the legs receives the interior shaft of a respective leg connector.

6. The commode chair of claim 1, further comprising at least three flexible connectors, each flexible connector attached at a first end to a first interior portion of a corresponding leg, and each flexible connector attached at a second end to a second interior portion of the respective one of the leg connectors.

7. The commode chair of claim 1, further comprising a backrest configured to attach to the frame on a back edge, the backrest extending upward from the frame when attached.

8. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein each of the leg extenders includes a height adjustment mechanism adapted to cooperatively interact with the corresponding leg, each of the leg extenders and the corresponding legs telescopically engaging each other, the height adjustment mechanism enabling each of the leg extenders and the corresponding legs to extend, retract and lock in position.

9. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein each of the leg extenders includes an anti-slip arrangement on a bottom of the leg extender.

10. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein each of the leg extenders includes a wheel on a bottom of the leg extender.

11. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein the seat includes two seat handles, each handle arranged on a side of the seat.

12. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein the seat includes a seat cushion arranged around the central hole.

13. The commode chair of claim 1, wherein the seat is adapted to snap on to a back edge of the frame and to pivot around the back edge.

14. The commode chair of claim 1, further comprising a seat cover adapted to snap on to a back edge of the frame and to pivot around the back edge.

15. A commode chair comprising:

a frame selectively arrangeable between an operative orientation and a stored orientation, the frame including two armrest components and a cross bar component, the two armrest components substantially defining a longitudinal dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation, and the cross bar component substantially defining a transverse dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation; and

four leg assemblies arrangeable relative to the frame between the operative orientation and the stored orientation, each leg assembly removably connectable to a lower portion of one of the armrest components of the frame and including a leg extender, each of the armrest components and one or more corresponding leg assemblies substantially defining a vertical dimension of the commode chair in the operative orientation;

wherein a maximum dimension of the commode chair in the stored orientation substantially corresponds to the transverse dimension defined by the cross bar component.

16. The commode chair of claim 15, wherein the stored orientation has a compact configuration of substantially reduced vertical and longitudinal dimensions.