BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to assistive urination devices and more particularly to a portable urination collection apparatus for people who have frequent urination or nocturia issues.
2. Description of the Related Art
Frequent trips to the bathroom during the night, or nocturia, is a very common condition among adults, both male and female. Studies and surveys conducted in multiple nations have found that 69% of men and 76% of women over age 40 report getting up to go to the bathroom at least once per night. And as people get older, nocturia becomes more prevalent. For the age groups of 70s and 80s, close to two-thirds need to make two or more nightly bathroom trips. (Jeffrey P. Weiss, M D, Nocturia: Focus on Etiology and Consequences, Review in Urology, Vol 14(3-4), 2012, pp 48-55.) Large amount of urine production throughout day and night is most often tied to excessive fluid intake, diabetes, poor kidney function, and certain medications and substances. On the other hand, elevated amounts of urine production at night may be related to excessive fluid intake at night. It may also be caused by edema or swelling of lower limbs, which is common among older adults, mostly due to chronic venous insufficiency: Extracellular fluid accumulates as edema in the legs during the day; The extracellular fluid relocates after a person moves into a lying position, resulting in nocturia. (Kazumasa Torimoto et al, The Relationship between Nocturnal Polyuria and the Distribution of Body Fluid: Assessment by Bioelectric Impedance Analysis, National Library of Medicine/National Center for Biotechnology Information, January 2009 [retrieved on 2023 Mar. 23]. Retrieved from the internet: <URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19013595/>.)
The direct effect of nocturia is sleep disruption and the risk of falls when arising to go to the bathroom. To improve sleep quality, depending on the cause, some people may choose to take medication to reduce the frequency of urination, and some may make changes to their lifestyles, for example, reducing the amount of fluid intake at night. However, a simple portable urination device may minimize sleep disruption and significantly reduce fall risk for all. Many types of urinals and urination devices are available for men and women. U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,919 by Steven Patrick Pascale discloses a portable male urination container with a funnel opening and a collection chamber. The device, like many others on the market, facilitates a male to urinate in bed or sitting position. Without the need of physically walking a distance to the bathroom, disruption to sleep may be reduced and the patient may be able to go back to sleep more easily.
The significant benefit of a bedside urination device is reducing the risk of falls. A common health issue for older adults is weak lower limbs and lack of stability control. This may limit their ability to walk and even to stand. Those with weakness or paralysis in one side of the body due to special health conditions such as stroke and neurological disorders may pose worse safety concerns: These conditions can cause dangerous falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that about 36 million falls are reported among older adults in USA each year, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. And, one out of every five falls causes an injury, such as broken bones or head injury. (CDC, Keep on Your Feet—Preventing Older Adult Falls [retrieved on 2023 Mar. 24]. Retrieved from the internet: <URL: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html>.) Yet, Stephen W. Leslie et al summarized from literature review that older adults with nocturia who make multiple nocturnal trips to the bathroom are at substantially increased risk of potentially serious falls. A quarter of all the falls that occur in older individuals happen overnight. Of these, a quarter are directly related to nocturia. Those who make at least 2 or more nocturnal bathroom visits a night have more than twice the risk of fractures and fall related traumas. (Stephen W. Leslie et al, Nocturia, StatPearls [Internet] [Retrieved on 2023 Mar. 24]. Retrieved from the internet: <URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518987/>.)
As a male adult gets older, his prostate gland has a high probability to get enlarged, causing uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. Therefore, he prefers the standing position to urinate for the bladder to more easily release the sphincter and let more urine out. To use the device disclosed by Steven Patrick Pascale of U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,919 in a standing position, he will need to stand up and hold the container at least with one hand during urination. If the patient has weak feet and legs or has problem with stability control, there is a danger that he may fall. Therefore, it's advantageous if he can hold on to something, preferably provided by the urination device being used, for stability control and even to partially support his body weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,650,669 by James Kolter provides a portable urinal similar to the device of Steven Patrick Pascale, but with an additional flexible corrugated tube and a male receptacle to allow a male user to stand up urinating while the urinal is placed on the floor. The reduced weight to be held in hand helps the patient's standing safety. The device also provides a female receptable for a female user to urinate at a standing and sitting position. Nevertheless, the same with the device of Steven Patrick Pascal, at the standing position it does not provide support for the user's body weight and stability. At the sitting position for female, a special chair is not provided to allow the female receptacle's access to the genital area.
U.S. Patent Application Publication US2011025877 by Jorge Enrique Velasco Morande discloses a portable urinal intended for use by male adults on farms and construction sites. It provides a urinal in front and a hand washing basin on top, and with wheels for mobility. For home use, and especially at bedside or chairside, however, the size of the device makes it cumbersome. Especially, it does not provide means for stability and safety control.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a simple bedside or chairside urine collection apparatus to users to avoid trips to the bathroom during the night. Preferably, the device includes features for the user's safety, including at least partial body weight support and stability control. A urination device with such improvements will not only help adults with nocturia at night, but also help the older, the weak and the disabled during the day as a chairside device to avoid fall risk for walking to the bathroom.
These problems are clearly felt in the art and are solved by this invention in the manner described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a portable collection apparatus to facilitate the bedside or chairside collection of urine from a user having one or two forearms.
A preferred embodiment of such a collection apparatus comprises a base including one or more components adapted for disposition on and in contact with a horizontal surface such that the contact between the base and the surface defines an enclosed area on the horizontal surface, a main support coupled to the base, and a urine collecting device coupled to the main support in a disposition within the enclosed area suitable for collecting urine passed from the user.
An alternative embodiment of such a collection apparatus comprises a base having a first side component and a second side component adapted for disposition on and in contact with a horizontal surface such that the contact between the base and the surface defines an enclosed area on the horizontal surface, a main support having a first post and a second post affixed to the base, and a urine collecting device adapted for coupling to the main support in a disposition within the enclosed area suitable for collecting urine passed from the user.
In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises at least one upper body support slidably coupled to the main support and disposed at an adjustable height above the enclosed area by a height adjustment means, to support at least part of the user's body weight and the user's stability. Further, the at least one upper body support may be disposed according to the ergonomics of the user.
In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus may further comprise a urine container removably disposed on the base and fluidically connected to the urine collecting device.
The foregoing, together with other objects, features and advantages of this invention, can be better appreciated with reference to the following specification, claims and the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which like reference designations represent like features throughout the several views and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a portable urine collection apparatus consisting a main support including two side posts attached to and supported by a base, a urine collecting device attached to the main support, an upper body support with a first substantially horizontal handle and a second substantially horizontal handle, and a urine container removably placed on a tray that is attached to the base;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the urine collection apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a left view of the urine collection apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the urine collection apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 depicts a user in use of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with his hands pressing on the horizontal handles for body weight support and stability control;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the portable urine collection apparatus of FIG. 1, consisting a main support including two side posts attached to and supported by a base, a urine collecting device attached to the main support, an upper body support including a first armrest with a first upper handle and a second armrest with a second upper handle, and a urine container removably placed on a tray that is attached to the base;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the urine collection apparatus of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a left view of the urine collection apparatus of FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the urine collection apparatus of FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 depicts a user in use of the apparatus of FIG. 6, with his forearms placed on the armrests and his hands gripping the upper handles for body weight support and stability control;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the portable urine collection apparatus of FIG. 1, consisting a one post main support attached to and supported by a base, a urine collecting device attached to the main support, and an upper body support including a handle; and
FIG. 12 is a partial front view of the apparatus of FIG. 11, more clearly depicting an illumination light attached to the urine collecting device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1-4 shows a preferred embodiment of a portable urine collection apparatus 100 standing on a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 101, e.g., a floor in a house, ready to receive urine from a user. In contact with horizontal surface 101 is a base 110, which includes a first component 112, a second component 113, and a lower bridge 116 to interconnect first component 112 and second component 113. Lower bridge 116 includes 2 beams spaced at a distance. And, the distance together with the attachments to first component 112 and second component 113 has the advantage of giving rigidity to base 110. A tray 118 is attached to lower bridge 116 to support a urine container 190 which will be described subsequently. The elongated components, including first component 112, second component 113 and lower bridge 116, may be made of extruded material, such as aluminum, steel or plastic, formed material, or composite material such as carbon-fiber composite material.
According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, as base 110 makes contact with horizontal surface 101, a rectangular enclosed area 104 immediately surrounding the base is defined as designated by the broken lines. And, as indicated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, an arrow 102 points in the direction from back to front of apparatus 100.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a main support 130 consists a first post 132 coupled to first component 112 of base 110, a second post 133 coupled to second component 113, and a middle bridge 134 to interconnect first post 132 and second post 133. Main support 130, including first post 132 and second post 133, is substantially perpendicular to enclosed area 104 of horizontal surface 101. Both first post 132 and second post 133 have tubular structure in order to support an upper body support 170. As with base 110, the elongated components of main support 130, including first post 132, second post 133 and middle bridge 134, may be made of extruded material, such as aluminum, steel or plastic, formed material, or composite material. Main support 130 may also take a different form. For example, it may be made of formed thin plate or sheet material in one piece. It is preferred that the coupling between main support 130 and base 110 be permanent, such as welding or riveting, for rigidity of base 110 and main support 130 together and stability of the whole apparatus.
As shown FIGS. 1-4, a urine collecting device 150 with a bowl 152 facing substantially upward to receive urine is coupled to main support 130. As more clearly depicted in FIG. 4, urine collecting device 150 falls within enclosed area 104. This ensures that the weight center is close to the geometric center of the apparatus which makes apparatus 100 stand stable. The attachment of urine collecting device 150 to main support 130 in the embodiment is by screws 158-159 respectively to components 138-139 which are extended from middle bridge 134. But the attachment can be made by riveting, adhesion, or other means. Or, urine collecting device 150 may be removably attached to main support 130, so that the device may be easily removed for cleaning. In the current embodiment, urine collecting device 150 is a urinal for male users with bowl 152 facing substantially upward to receive urine and with a substantially vertical concave back portion to minimize splashing during urination. But it may be a urinal for female (not shown) that is characterized by a long and narrow trough shaped bowl 152 to better fit women. Further, it may be built to combine the features for male and female so that it will serve both men and women. And, device 150 may also be a toilet (not shown) for female and male. Urine collecting device 150 may be made of ejection molded or vacuum formed plastic, formed metal, or composite, ceramic, porcelain, clay, wood materials.
With base 110, main support 130 and urine collecting device 150 structured and assembled as shown in FIGS. 1-4, apparatus 100 has the basic functions for urine collection and may be made with light in weight materials so that it can be easily moved and placed at bedside or chairside for a user's easy access. However, for user's stability and safety concern, it is preferred that apparatus 100 further consists upper body support 170, as shown in FIGS. 1-4.
Upper body support 170 includes a first substantially vertical height tube 172 disposed in first post 132 and a second substantially vertical height tube 173 in second post 133. In this way, first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 are slidably coupled to first post 132 and second post 133 respectively. A first substantially horizontal handle 176 and a second substantially horizontal handle 177 are coupled respectively to a first substantially horizontal tube 178 extended from first height tube 172 and a second substantially horizontal tube 179 extended from second height tube 173. Alternatively, first substantially horizontal tube 178 and second substantially horizontal tube 179 may be separate tubes coupled with first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 respectively. Between first height tube 172 and first post 132 is a sleeve-bushing installed on first post 132 to minimize the gap between the tubes, limit side-way movement and improve stability of first handle 176. And so is second handle 177 as related to second height tube 173 and second post 133. The height of first substantially horizontal handle 176 and second substantially horizontal handle 177 can be adjusted by sliding first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 up-and-down in first post 132 and second post 133 respectively, and locked in place by inserting a first pin 136 and a second pin 137 into matching height positioning holes on height tubes 172 and 173 respectively. Since first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 are connected by an upper bridge 175, the heights of substantially horizontal handles 176-177 are kept the same. The height adjustment range for handles 176-177, as determined by the pin holes on height tubes 172-173, may be 20-45 inches from horizontal surface 101. Preferably, this height range is 26-38 inches from horizontal surface 101 for male adults of height from 5 feet to 6 feet 3 inches.
As with base 110 and main support 130, the elongated components of upper body support 170, including first height tube 172 and the connected first substantially horizontal tube 178, second height tube 173 and the connected second substantially horizontal tube 179, and upper bridge 175, may be made of extruded material, such as aluminum, steel or plastic, formed material, or composite material.
In FIG. 5, a patient 400 depicted with his torso and limbs is making use of apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. Before using, the apparatus is moved and placed next to where the patient is resting, either a bed or a chair. Then the height of the handles of the apparatus is adjusted to fit the patient's height. When using the apparatus, patient 400 of FIG. 5 grips first substantially horizontal handle 176 with his left hand 412 and second substantially horizontal handle 177 with his right hand 414, manages to stand up and steps his feet into enclosed area 104. Then, he may use one hand to hold on a respective handle to support at least part of his body weight and control stability while using the other hand to do preparation. During the process of urination, he may use both hands to hold on to both handles for better weight and stability support, as shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the top view of apparatus 100, both first handle 176 and second handle 177 fall within the perimeter of enclosed area 104. When both handles are used for partial body weight support, the combined weight center of apparatus 100 together with the force the user exerts on the apparatus through the handles, assumed mostly his body weight, is well within enclosed area 104. Therefore, tipping over sideways, forward, or backward won't happen, and apparatus 100 stands stable with the user. On the other hand, when one hand is used gripping a respective handle to support part of the user's body weight during the preparation stage and the urination stage, the combined force center is between the force from the user which is at the handle gripped by the user and the weight center of apparatus 100. Since the handles are within enclosed area 104 shown in FIG. 4, and assuming that the force acted on the handle is mostly his body weight vertically downward to enclosed area 104, apparatus 100 is stable even when one handle is used. If the combined force center falls outside of enclosed area 104 because a strong enough sideway force is applied to the handle by the user, however, the device has a chance to tip over.
If urine collecting device 150 is a urinal for female, the patient will use first handle 176 and second handle 177 to help her squash down to the urinal trough and urinate. And, if the urine collecting device is a toilet, on the other hand, the patient will use handles 176-177 to help him/her turn around and sit down by supporting part of his/her body weight. In this way, his/her safety is protected and fall is prevented.
Cleanliness and hygiene are important for the old and the weak who need urination help. If urine is kept in urine collecting device 150, it may emit fouling smell and cause germs to grow. According to FIGS. 1-4, apparatus 100 consists a urine container 190 capable of holding urine in a closed tank 192. Urine container 190 has an opening 193 coupled to a lid 196 to receive urine from urine collecting device 150 through a flexible tube 198 that is fluidically connected to lid 196 at one end and to an outlet 156 formed on the bottom of urine collecting device 150 at the other end. During urination, urine collected in bowl 152 flows down a drain 154 at the bottom of the bowl and to outlet 156, through flexible tube 198, lid 196, and finally enters tank 192 through opening 193.
Lid 196 is preferred threaded onto opening 193 to form a solid connection. And a small hole formed on lid 196 helps vent air when urine enters urine container 190. The coupling of flexible tube 198 to lid 196 is constructed in such a way that the tube and the lid can turn freely against each other without being disconnected. Container 190 is made of translucent or clear material, e.g., plastic or glass, so that the urine level in tank 192 is readily observable. When tank 192 is about full or for routine cleaning, lid 196 is disconnected from opening 193. Since lid 196 and flexible tube 198 can turn freely against each other, lid 196 is turned to unscrew without adding stress to tube 198. After that, a helper may grip handle 194 on urine container 190 and remove the container from apparatus 100 in order to empty the contained urine and clean the container. If lid 196 is a straight pressed-on type of cap without thread, lid 196 to flexible tube 198 may be constructed that they don't turn freely about each other. Also, a quick-disconnected valve, shut-off valve, or tubing clamp may be added to flexible tube 198 to stop dripping when container 190 is removed for cleaning.
Moving to FIGS. 6-9, an alternative embodiment of urine collection apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-5 is shown as urine collection apparatus 200. This alternative apparatus is similar to apparatus 100. And the difference mainly lies in upper body support 270, which further includes armrests, e.g., armrests 276-277, to support user's body weight.
The same with apparatus 100, urine collection apparatus 200 consists a base 210, which includes a first component 212, a second component 213, and a lower bridge 216 to interconnect first component 212 and second component 213. With these components contacting a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 201, base 210 defines a rectangular enclosed area 204 on the surface, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. Lower bridge 216 includes 2 beams spaced at a distance for the benefit of giving rigidity to base 210. A tray 218 is attached to lower bridge 216 to support a urine container 290. As depicted in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, arrow 202 points in the direction from back to front of apparatus 200.
Apparatus 200 also consists a main support 230, including a first substantially vertical post 232 coupled to first component 212, a second substantially vertical post 233 coupled to second component 213, and a middle bridge 234 to interconnect first post 232 and second post 233. Further, main support 230 includes a first lower handle 242 coupled to a first lower substantially horizontal tube 244 and a second lower handle 243 coupled to a second lower substantially horizontal tube 245. And, it is preferred that the coupling between main support 230 and base 210 be permanent, such as welding or riveting, for rigidity and stability. First post 232 and second post 233 have near-oval-shaped tubular structure.
As with apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-5, collection apparatus 200 consists a urine collecting device 250 coupled to main support 230, as depicted in FIGS. 6-9, with a bowl 252 facing substantially upward to receive urine. Urine collecting device 250 is a urinal for male users with bowl 252 facing substantially upward to receive urine and with a substantially vertical concave back portion to minimize splashing during urination, and falls within enclosed area 204, as shown in FIG. 9. But it may be a urinal for female (not shown) that has a long and narrow trough shaped bowl 252 to better fit female. Further, it may be built to combine the features for male and female so that it will serve both men and women. And it may be a toilet (not shown) for female and male. Urine collecting device 250 may be made of ejection molded or vacuum formed plastic, formed metal, or composite, ceramic, porcelain, clay, wood materials.
According to FIGS. 6-9, urine container 290 including a tank 292 is removably disposed on tray 218 of base 210. Urine container 290 has an opening 293 coupled to a lid 296 to receive urine from urine collecting device 250 through a flexible tube 298 that is fluidically connected to lid 296 at one end and to an outlet 256 formed on the bottom of urine collecting device 250 on the other end. During the urination process, urine collected in bowl 252 flows down a drain 254 at the bottom of the bowl and to outlet 256, through flexible tube 298, lid 296, and finally enters tank 292 through opening 293. A small hole formed on lid 296 helps vent air when urine enters urine container 290.
As with apparatus 100, it is preferred that lid 296 is threaded onto opening 293 to form a solid connection. In this case, the coupling of flexible tube 298 to lid 296 is constructed in such a way that the tube and the lid can turn freely against each other. The lid-to-opening coupling may be the pressed-on type without thread, and may be so constructed that the lid and the tube does not turn freely about each other. Container 290 is made of translucent or clear material, e.g., plastic or glass. As such the urine level in tank 292 is readily observed. As explained with apparatus 100, urine tank 290 may be removed from apparatus 200, after disconnecting lid 296 from opening 293, to dump the contained urine and get cleaned.
Apparatus 200 further consists an upper body support 270, which includes a first substantially vertical height tube 272, a second substantially vertical height tube 273, a first upper substantially horizontal tube 278 that is coupled to a first armrest 276 and a first upper handle 282, and a second upper substantially horizontal tube 279 that is coupled to a second armrest 277 and a second upper handle 283. First upper substantially horizontal tube 278 is connected to first height tube 272, and so is second upper substantially horizontal tube 279 to second height tube 273. First height tube 272 and second height tube 273 are slidably coupled to first post 232 and second post 233 of main support 230 respectively through a tube-in-tube coupling manner, with gap narrowing sleeve-bushings installed on first post 232 and second post 233. Since both the outer tube, i.e., first post 232 or second post 233, and the inner tube, i.e., first height tube 272 or second height tube 273, are matching near-oval-shaped and the gap between the outer tube and the inner tube is minimized by the sleeve-bushing, first height tube 272 and second height tube 273 have minimized side way turning movement. Therefore, apparatus 200 does not have an upper bridge like the one present in apparatus 100. In this way, the height of first armrest 276 and that of second armrest 277 may be adjusted independently. The heights of armrests 276-277 are locked respectively with pins 236-237, which are integral with the inter-tube sleeve-bushings attached to the height tubes, into matching holes on height tubes 272-273 respectively. The height adjustment range for first armrest 276 and second armrest 277, as determined by the pin holes on first height tube 272 and second height tube 273, may be 30-55 inches from horizontal surface 201. Preferably, this height range is 36-48 inches from horizontal surface 201 for male adults of height 5 feet to 6 feet 3 inches.
Now moving to FIG. 10, apparatus 200 of FIGS. 6-9 is used by a user 400 with torso and limbs shown. The user first grips first lower handle 242 with his left hand 412 and second lower handle 243 with his right hand 414, and manages to stand up. Then he moves his forearms 416-418 one by one onto armrests 276-277 respectively. His hands 412-414 reach to and hold on upper handles 282-283 respectively. Meanwhile, his feet step in enclosed area 204 on horizontal surface 201. In this way, his body weight is partially put on first armrest 276 through his left forearm 416 and first upper handle 282 through his left hand 412 on the left side. And so is his body weight spread to second armrest 277 and second upper handle 283 through his right forearm 418 and right hand 414 respectively on the right side. He may use a forearm and hand on one side to support part of his body weight while using the other hand to do urination preparation. During the process of urination, he may use both forearms 416-418 and hands 412-414 for body weight support and stability control. As compared to first substantially horizontal handle 176 and second substantially horizontal handle 177 of apparatus 100 of FIGS. 14, first and second armrests 276-277 together with first and second upper handles 282-283 of apparatus 200 have the advantage of better supporting the user's body weight.
As can be seen in FIGS. 7-9, upper body support 270 of urine collection apparatus is constructed in a way to better satisfy human ergonomics. The natural posture of human arms and hands are normally not straight back-to-front or straight up-and-down. It is not comfortable for one to hold or operate in an unnatural posture. FIG. 8 reveals that first upper substantially horizontal tube 278 is tilting upward in the direction from front to back of apparatus 200 or against arrow 202. Though blocked by the front components in FIG. 8, second upper substantially horizontal tube 279 slopes upward the same way. In general, more people prefer to hold forearms in a slightly upward posture in front of the body. It is preferred that tilting angle A in FIG. 8 be 0-20 degree from the horizontal plane. Some people, however, prefer downward tilting because this allows the hands to carry more body weight as compared with the tiling upward posture. As shown in FIG. 8 again, first upper handle 282 is further tilting upward from the angled first upper substantially horizontal tube 278, since this reflects the natural relationship between the forearm and the hand. Again, the second upper handle has the same arrangement. Angle B between each upper handle and the vertical axis is 0-60 degree, and is preferred 15-45 degree, as shown in FIG. 8.
According to FIG. 9, the top view of apparatus 200, first upper substantially horizontal tube 278 and second upper substantially horizontal tube 279 are not parallel to each other, but forming an angle. In the direction from front to back of apparatus 200 or against arrow 202, the two upper substantially horizontal tubes get closer to each other. This reflects the natural posture of human's left and right forearms when positioned about horizontally in front of the body. The angle between each upper substantially horizontal tube and the horizontal line along direction 202, denoted as angle C in FIG. 9, may be 0-30 degree, and is preferred to be 10-20 degree. This means that the preferred angle between first upper substantially horizontal tube 278 and the second substantially horizontal tube 279 on the horizontal plane is preferred 20-40 degree.
Back to FIG. 7, front view of apparatus 200, both first upper handle 282 and second upper handle 283 are angularly positioned inward from the vertical axis. As with the discussions above, this arrangement reflects the natural and comfortable posture of the hands when holding the upper handles. Angle D in FIG. 7, the angle between each upper handle and the vertical axis, may be 0-90 degree, and is preferred to be 20-40 degree. First upper handle 282 and second upper handle 283 may be connected to form a single continuous handle from the first side to the second side for both hands.
Considering stability of apparatus 200, looking at FIG. 9, both first upper handle 282 and second upper handle 283 fall within the perimeter of enclosed area 204, but part of both first armrest 276 and second armrest 277 are outside of enclosed area 204. When a user places his forearm in an armrest and grips the upper handle on the same side, forces are exerted on the armrest and the upper handle. Therefore, the center of the exerted force, assumed mostly body weight, is somewhere between the center of the armrest and the center of the handle. When both left and right forearms and hands of the user are on the armrests and the upper handles, the combined force center the user exerts on the apparatus is between the left and the right sides, and is most likely well within enclosed area 204 on horizontal surface 201. In this case tipping over sideways, forward, or backward shouldn't happen, and the apparatus stands stable. On the other hand, when forearm and hand of one side of the user is engaged pressing on an armrest and gripping an upper handle at the respective side of the apparatus to support part of the user's weight, observation of FIG. 9 tells that the force center exerted on the apparatus is somewhat between the armrest and the handle. And the combined force center of the exerted force and the apparatus weight have a good chance to fall in enclosed area 204. However, if by any means the user exerts an outward sideway force on the armrest or handle at one side of the apparatus, there is also a chance that the combined force may fall outside of enclosed area 204, and apparatus 200 may flip over. Therefore, it is preferred that both first armrest 276 and second armrest 277 be located within enclosed area 204. At least, the geometric centers of both armrests should be located within enclosed area 204.
Similar to apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-5, if urine collecting device 250 of apparatus 200 is a toilet, he or she will use first lower handle 242 and second lower handle 243 to help turn around and sit down by support part of his/her weight. In this way, his/her safety is protected and fall is prevented.
Again, as with apparatus 100, the elongated components in base 210, main support 230 and upper body support 270 of apparatus 200 may be made of extruded material, such as aluminum, steel or plastic, formed material, or composite material.
Another alternative embodiment of collection apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-5 is shown in FIG. 11 as apparatus 300. The apparatus comprises a star shaped base 310 that defines an enclosed area 304 when making contact with a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 301, and a substantially vertical one post main support 330 that is attached to base 310, and a urine collecting device 350 that is removably coupled to main support 330 so the urine collecting device may be removed for urine dumping and cleaning. Apparatus 300 may also comprise an upper body support 370 that includes a substantially vertical height tube 372, a handle 376 that is coupled to a substantially horizontal tube 378. Substantially horizontal tube 378 may be an extension of height tube 372, or it may be a separate tube attached to height tube 372. Height tube 372 is slidably coupled to main support 330 through a tube-in-tube engagement, and the height of handle 376 is adjustable by moving height tube 272 up and down within main support 330. Since height tube 372 and the one post main support 330 are both round tubes, handle 376 can have angular swinging movement as well.
Before apparatus 300 is used, handle 376 is moved to a desired height and turned to a desired angular position, and is locked in position by a locking means (not shown). When handle 372 is disposed within enclosed area 304, the weight center including the body weight exerted on handle 372 is within enclosed area 304. So, apparatus 300 is stable and won't fall over during urination.
In FIG. 11 is also shown a light 362 that is mounted through a short tube 358 formed on the top rim of urine collecting device 350. The light is depicted more clearly in FIG. 12, a partial front view of apparatus 300 of FIG. 11. Light 362 has a push button 364 located on top to turn on and off a light beam 366, which illuminates on the bottom of bowl 352 of collecting device 350 with a focused lightened area. Light 362 may also be attached to the lower backside or the bottom side of collecting device 350, with the requirement that the material for collecting device 350 is translucent or transparent to allow light to at least partially transmit through the device wall. This arrangement is more hygiene since there is no chance for the splashed urine to land on the light. Standing in front of apparatus 300, user 400 sees the lightened area (not shown) illuminated from light 362 on the bottom of bowl 352 and aims the released urine stream toward the lightened area. As such, mis-aiming or urine splashing is reduced. A red color light beam is more vibrant and helps make the user more alert, while a blue or green color light beam brings calm and confidence to older adults. And, white color is also a good choice. Preferably, a sensor, such as a touch sensor located next to the handle for easy access, an infrared sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor, may be used to activate a switch to turn on or off light beam 366. A circuit including a relay may be applied to keep the light beam on for a predetermined period of time, e.g., 3-5 minutes, once the light is turned on. Further, such a circuit may include a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery, to power light 362. So, in this preferred embodiment, when a user stands up and holds the handle, his finger touches a touch sensor, or his body movement trips a motion sensor. Consequently, a switch is activated to turn on the light. And the circuit keeps the light on for a period of time before automatically turned off
Urine collection apparatus, such as the 3 embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5, FIGS. 6-10, and FIG. 11, may also consist wheels attached to the base. In the case of apparatus 100 and apparatus 200, four wheels may be attached to the ends of the first and the second components. And in the case of apparatus 300, 5 wheels may be attached to the ends of the star shaped base. With wheels attached, the urine collection apparatus is easy to move around. The downside is reduced stability when the apparatus is used. Locking mechanism on some or all of the wheels will help stability. Rubber feet may be attached instead of wheels, effectively eliminating the leveling mismatch between the horizontal surface and the base due to distortion and tolerances, and without the stability issue of the wheels.
Clearly, other embodiments and modifications of this invention may occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the following claims, which include all such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawing.
Patent Application
20230337873
