The present application generally relates to a floor mounted retractable step. More specifically, the present application relates to a self-retractable step for assisting a user in elevating him or herself above a floor, particularly to access a sink.
Handwashing greatly contributes to public health. However, sinks are inaccessible to low height persons in virtually all public washrooms as very few of them are equipped with elevating devices or low sinks. Low height persons are little people and small children. If parents want their children to wash their hands in public restrooms, they have to lift and squeeze them between themselves and the countertop in order to raise the child to the right height. This uncomfortable arrangement is strenuous both to the child who is being held in a strained position and to the parent who has to lift the child. More often than not, little people are not accompanied by a taller person who can lift them, so there is no way for them to use sinks in public restrooms. Few prior-art references addressing the foregoing issues are discussed as follows.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,691 of John Scott Hunter et al. discloses an in-cabinet step stool. The in-cabinet step stool for use with a cabinet defines an interior area, the in-cabinet step stool includes a framework having a pair of upstanding side walls, each side wall having a rear section and a front section extending forwardly and downwardly from the rear section. An upper step spans between upper edges of respective rear sections. A lower step spans between upper edges of respective lower sections. Each includes a rear foot having a rounded configuration such that the framework is pivotally movable thereon between a deployed configuration in which the rear foot rests upon the bottom wall of the cabinet and the front section extends forwardly through the opening of the cabinet and a stored configuration in which the rear foot rests upon the bottom wall of the cabinet and the front section is inside the cabinet interior area. The in-cabinet step stool is necessarily designed to be installed in a cabinet under a sink, where a bottom wall of the cabinet is higher than the floor in front of the sink. As shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,691, this configuration adds to the required height of the step stool because the front feet must reach the floor while the rear feet are disposed on the bottom cabinet wall. This makes the step stool bulky. Further, the step stool is pulled out of the cabinet and returned to the cabinet using a hand-operated mechanism. This forces a user to touch a surface in a bathroom which may not be hygienic.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,040 of Hartridge Virginia Masden discloses a disappearing and slidable step-chair for kitchen cabinets and the like. A recessible combination step ladder and chair has been provided, which is adapted to he slid along the front of a kitchen counter on a guide track for access to any one of a plurality of upper cabinets and which is also adapted to be pivoted about said track for being recessed within one of the counter cabinets for storage. Even though, the prior art references provide functionality to assist the user in elevating him or herself above the floor, they lack to provide optimal functionality to the user and also the used needs to move the device to storage position manually. Further, they are installed in the cabinet.
Henceforth, there is a need to provide a self-retractable step comprising an economical design for assisting a user in elevating him or herself above a floor.
The present application discloses a self-retractable step for assisting a person in elevating him or herself above a floor, particularly to access a sink.
According to the present application, the self-retractable step comprises a self-retractable foot member and a cylindrical assembly coupled with the self-retractable foot member. The foot member is configured to move from one position to another position. In one embodiment, the foot member is configured to move between a vertical position or rest position and a horizontal position or deployed position. The cylindrical assembly comprises a rotary member, one or more spring members and a protuberance member. The rotary member is configured to move the foot member to a predetermined position. In one embodiment, the rotary member is configured to move the foot member to the horizontal position.
Further, the spring members coupled to the rotary member is configured to self-retract the foot member from the predetermined position. In one embodiment, the spring members is configured to self-retract the foot member from the horizontal position to the vertical position. The protuberance member disposed at the cylindrical assembly is configured to act as a stopper to hold the foot member in a predetermined position on retraction by the spring members. In one embodiment, the protuberance member is configured to act as a stopper to hold the foot member in the vertical position on retraction by the spring members. The self-retractable step further comprises a load bearing member at a base of the foot member. In one embodiment, the load bearing member is configured to hold the foot member above ground level on horizontal position. In one embodiment, the foot member is a stair member comprising at least two steps.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a self-retractable step which may include a foot member and a cylindrical assembly. The foot member may include at least two steps and a load bearing member disposed on a base of the foot member. The cylindrical assembly may be coupled to the foot member and mountable on a floor, and may include a rotary member configured to move the foot member between a horizontal position and a vertical position.
The self-retractable assembly of the present disclosure may include any of the following features independently or in any combination. The cylindrical assembly may include one or more spring members configured to retract the foot member and the one or more spring members may be attached to the rotary member. One or more wheels may be provided between the spring members and the cylindrical assembly and each of the wheels may have one or more holes, wherein the wheels are configured to vary the strength of the spring members. The spring members may be configured to retract the foot member from the horizontal position to the vertical position. The cylindrical assembly may include a protuberance member configured to act as a stopper to hold the foot member in a predetermined position. The self-retractable step may be configured such that deployment of the foot member is performed by placing the foot and pressing downward on at least one step. The at least two steps of the foot member may include an upper step and a lower step, and wherein a depth of the lower step is less than a depth of the upper step. The load bearing member may be recessed from a front edge of the foot member.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a self-retractable step which may include a foot member and a rotation assembly. The foot member may include at least a first step and a second step, and a load bearing member disposed on a base of the foot member. The rotation assembly may be coupled to the foot member and configured to be mounted on a fixed horizontal surface. The rotation assembly may include a rotary member configured to allow the foot member to rotate from a use position to a rest position relative to the fixed surface.
The self-retractable assembly of the present disclosure may include any of the following features independently or in any combination. The rotation assembly may include a retraction mechanism configured to retract the foot member from the use position to the rest position. The retraction mechanism may include one or more biasing members and/or a motor. The rotation assembly may include one or more dampeners attached to the biasing members. The cylindrical assembly may be configured to support a load applied via the foot member. The first step may have a height of ten inches and a depth of six inches and the second step may have a height of five inches and a depth of four inches. The rotation assembly may include a stopper to hold the foot member in the rest position. The rotation assembly may have a curved upper surface and the foot member may have a curved surface which mates with the curved upper surface of the rotation assembly. A depth of the first step may be between 50% and 80% of a depth of the second step. The load bearing member may be disposed at a distance from a front edge of the foot member and at a distance from two side edges of the foot member. The foot member may include an angled front edge, angled such that a user can read instructions displayed on the angled front edge when the foot member is in a rest position.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system comprising a floor, a sink, and a self-retractable step moon the floor, such that a foot member of the self-retractable step is entirely disposed at least three inches behind a front edge of the sink in a rest position. The self-retractable step may have any of the features described above.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.
A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
Referring to
In another embodiment, the foot member 102 is configured to move between a vertical position and a horizontal position. In one embodiment, the foot member 102 is configured to move to the horizontal position via the rotary member of the cylindrical assembly 104. Further, the foot member 102 is configured to retract to the vertical position or rest position automatically via the spring members 112 of the cylindrical assembly 104.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
During operation of the present invention, deployment of the foot member 102 is done by placing the foot and pressing downward on at least one step 106. The rotary member moves the foot member 102 from the rest position to the horizontal position due to the force applied by the foot of the user. Further, on removing the foot from the steps 106, the spring members 112 of the cylindrical assembly 104 is adapted to automatically retract the foot member 102 to the rest position.
Advantageously, the present invention assists the user in elevating him or herself above the floor to access the sink. Further, the stair member comprising at least two steps 106 facilitates easy access to the user, such as children or little people, of self-retractable step 100. According to the present invention, the self-retractable functionality allows automatic transition to storage position or vertical position of the self-retractable step 100.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.
Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed above are described below with reference to
As discussed above, the foot member 102 may include two or more steps 106a, 106b and a load bearing member 108. The stepping surfaces of steps 106a, 106b may be covered by a slip-proof material or may be textured during a manufacturing process so that they have slip proof surfaces. The foot member 102 may have a sloped rear surface 118, which may allow the second step 106b to be in a forward position relative to a point at which the foot member 102 connects to the rotation assembly 104.
The load bearing member 108 is shown clearly in
The rotation assembly 104 may be attached to a fixed surface such as a floor and may allow the foot member 102 to rotate relative to the fixed surface. The rotation assembly 104 may allow the foot member 102 to move between a use position and a rest position. In some embodiments, the use position may be substantially horizontal, such that the load bearing member 108 of the foot member 102 rests on the floor. In some embodiments, the rest position may be substantially vertical, such that the foot member 102 extends upwards from the rotation assembly. For example,
The rotation assembly 104 may be automatically retract the foot member 102 from the use position to the rest position when the step 100 is not in use; when the step 100 is not in use, the foot member 102 may be maintained in the rest position. A user may move the foot assembly 102 into the use position by using their foot to pull down on the first step 106a. A user may then maintain the foot assembly 102 in the use position by standing on the foot assembly 102. When the user steps off of the foot assembly 102, the rotation assembly may retract the foot assembly 102 to the rest position. In this case, a “user” may encompass more than one person. For example, an adult may move the foot member 102 into the use position and a child may then use the step 100. The mechanism described above may improve the hygiene of the step 100 by prevent a user's hands from coming in contact with the step 100. It may also improve convenience and safety by automatically moving the step 100 to an unobtrusive rest position when it is not in use.
As discussed above, the rotation assembly 104 may include a rotary member 120. The rotary member 120 may be configured to allow the foot member 102 to rotate relative to fixed surface to which the rotation assembly 104 is attached. In some embodiments, as shown in
The rotation assembly 104 may also include a housing. The housing may comprise a plate 122, an upper surface 124, and one or more end plates 132. The plate 122 may be configured to be attached to a fixed surface such as a floor. As shown in
The upper surface 124 may comprise a generally curved or cylindrical surface. The upper surface 124 may mate with a curved extension (not shown) disposed on a back side of the step member. As shown in
The upper surface 124 may be connected to and/or formed in one piece with the end plates 132. As shown in
W1 may be chosen such that the foot member 102 is stable for a child to stand on and W2 may be chosen such that the rotation assembly 104 provides necessary support to the foot member 102. In some embodiments, W1 may be between 9 inches (22.86 cm) and 20 inches (50.8 cm), between 10 (25.4 cm) inches and 18 inches (45.72 cm), or between 12 inches (30.48 cm) and 14 inches (35.56 cm). In some embodiments, W2 may be about two inches (5.08 cm) to six inches (15.24 cm) greater than W1 or about three inches (7.62 cm) to five inches (12.7 cm) greater than W1.
H1 and H2 may be chosen such that the foot member 102 may be readily used by a child to reach a sink; in other words, H1 and H2 are low enough that a child may readily climb them and high enough that a child may use them to reach a sink. H3 may be chosen such that the foot member 102 is high enough off of the ground to not pinch a user's foot underneath. In some embodiments, H2 may be between 6 inches (15.24 cm) and 15 inches (38.1 cm), between 9 inches (22.86 cm) and 12 inches (50.8 cm), or approximately 10 inches (25.4 cm). In some embodiments, H1 may be between 25% and 75% of H2, between 40% and 60% of H2, or approximately 50% of H2. In some embodiments, H1 may be approximately five inches (12.7 cm). In some embodiments, H3 may be between zero and four inches (10.16 cm) or approximately two inches (5.08 cm).
D2 may be chosen such that a child may stably stand on the second step 106b of the foot member 102. D1 may be chosen such that a child may readily step from the first step 106a to the second step 106b, and may or may not be able to stand stably on the first step 106a. In other words, the D1 may be small enough that a small child may use the first step 106a as a step, but may not stand on it. A child whose feet are too large to use the first step 106a as a step may be tall enough to step directly onto the second step 106b. In some embodiments, D2 may be between four inches (10.16 cm) and fifteen inches (38.1 cm), between six inches (15.24 cm) and twelve inches (50.8 cm), or approximately eight inches (20.32 cm). In some embodiments, D1 may be between 25% and 100% of D2, between 50% and 80% of D2, or approximately 65% of D2. In some embodiments, D1 may be approximately two inches (5.08 cm). By making D1 smaller than D2, the force of the biasing mechanism needed to lift the step 100 can be reduced and the position of the load bearing member 108 can likewise be positioned closer to the axis of rotation.
D1 and D2 contribute to the overall length L/upright height H of the step 100. With reference to
With reference to
The step 100 may be installed using any means known in the art. As discussed above, it may be installed in a bathroom, especially a public bathroom, proximate a sink. Exemplary methods of installing the step are described below with reference to
The foot member may include a curved face 144 and a rotational extension 150 at a rear position. The curved face 144 may be configured to mate with complementarily curved portions of the rotation assembly 104 which will be described in detail below. The rotational extension 150 may be generally cylindrical as shown in
The foot member 102 may be manufactured through any means known in the art. Such means may include blow molding, injection molding, rotational molding, three-dimensional printing, and traditional machining. In some embodiments, the foot member 102 may be substantially hollow. The foot member 102 may comprise an outer wall and may have internal walls, such that internal cavities are formed within the foot member. In some embodiments, the outer wall of the foot member 102 may be approximately 1/16 inch thick. The structure and material of the foot member 102 may allow it to be lightweight.
The rotation assembly 104 may include a housing which contains internal components. The housing of the rotational assembly 104 may comprise a plate 146 and two end pieces 148. These components are shown in more detail in
The internal components may include one or more biasing members 112 and one or more rotary members 120. The biasing members 112 may comprise torsion springs as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
The end pieces 148 may include surfaces 156a, 156b configured to mate with the plate 146 (surface 156a), the rotational extension 150 of the foot member 102 (surface 156b), the bearing 154 (surface 156c). The surface 156a which mates with the plate 146 may comprise a recess, such that an external surface of the plate is flush with an external surface of the end piece 148. The surface 156a may include one or more mating structures, such as bolt holes, so that the plate 148 may be rigidly attached to the end piece 148. The end pieces 148 may also comprise internal notches 158 configured to engage the biasing members 112. The biasing members 112 may be torsion springs and the internal notches 158 may hold the ends of the biasing members 112.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the shape of the end pieces 148 is determined based on other components of the self-retractable step 100. Accordingly, if other components are changed from what is shown in
The end pieces 148 and the rotational extension 150 may be configured to prevent rotation of the foot member 102 beyond a certain point. As shown in
The rotational assembly 104 may be manufactured through any means known in the art. In some embodiments, the plate 146 may comprise machined sheet metal and the end pieces 148 may comprise plastic. The end pieces 148 may be formed through rotational molding, injection molding, or any other means known in the art. Some portions of the end pieces 148 may be reinforced using metal or another material. The rotational assembly 104 may generally be manufactured to be both sturdy and lightweight. For example, the end pieces 148 may be substantially hollow as shown in
The step 100 may be installed using any means known in the art. As discussed above, it may be installed in a bathroom, especially a public bathroom, proximate a sink. Exemplary methods of installing the step are described below with reference to
Advantages of the self-retracting step disclosed herein have been described throughout the disclosure. They are summarized here for convenience. The step may improve convenience in a bathroom by allowing a child to access a regular sink. It may also improve safety and hygiene by allowing the step to be positioned in a use position using only the foot of a user and by automatically retracting the step when it is not in use. It may have a relatively small footprint and be easy to clean and maintain. The step may also be configured such that feet and clothing cannot become caught in or under it.
The present application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/CA2019/051516 filed 25 Oct. 2019 designating the United States, that claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/750,858 filed 26 Oct. 2018, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20210108464 A1 | Apr 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62750858 | Oct 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CA2019/051516 | Oct 2019 | US |
Child | 17122337 | US |