US20090313753A1

US20090313753A1 - Toilet assist for the disabled

Info

Publication number: US20090313753A1
Application number: US12/487,848
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl Russell Campbell; John A. Riley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-20
Filing date: 2009-06-19
Publication date: 2009-12-24

Abstract

A hydraulically or pneumatically powered toilet assist lift device for use by disabled persons is described that includes a frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode, the frame having a lower frame portion for attachment to the floor surface that supports the commode and an upper frame portion hingedly attached to the lower frame portion at the forward end thereof, a toilet seat attached to the upper frame portion, and a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders interconnecting the upper frame portion with the lower frame portion at the rearward end thereof whereby operation the cylinders rotates the upper frame portion between a lowered position and a raised position.

Description

CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/074,180, filed Jun. 20, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fixtures, devices, or other products configured to assist elderly or disabled persons in performing activities of daily living, and more particularly to a hydraulically or pneumatically powered toilet seat lift for assisting disabled persons in sitting on and rising from a toilet seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Elderly persons with physical disabilities or other disabled persons often encounter difficulties in performing some ordinary but necessary every day tasks in daily living. One such task that a disabled person may have difficulty in performing is the use of a toilet. Without help, the person may not be able to sit on or rise from an ordinary toilet. The disabled person must therefore engage the assistance of another person such as a health care provider or family member in order to access the toilet unless the toilet is equipped with a device for assisting the person in sitting on and rising from the toilet seat. The need for such a device is particularly acute in facilities for the care of the elderly or disabled, such as hospitals, rest homes, or the like. Having a device for assisting the disabled person to access the toilet may even allow the person a degree of independence so as to remain in his or her private home without the need to relocate to such a facility that provides care for the disabled. A need therefore exists for a device for use by persons with physical disabilities to access a toilet in sitting down on and rising from the toilet without the assistance of another person.
Devices in the prior art include those such as described in Patent Numbers U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,728 to Gyllenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,174 to Cool, U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,576 to Epstein, U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,552 to Austin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,446 to Robertson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,617 to Ward et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,709 to McGuire, U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,872 to Phillipa, U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,780 to Okita et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,447 to Lindsay, U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,769 to Luckenbill, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,585 to Lundstrom, U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,382 to Karash, U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,220 to Shea et al, DE 4215448 to Rommel, FR 2519861 to Fralch, DE 1554583 to Hellstrom, and Pub. No. US 2006/0207020 by Huff.
There remains, however, a need in assisting a disabled person to access a toilet for a device that is simple in structure, easy to operate, and can be conveniently applied to and around an existing toilet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the need as just described for a hydraulically or pneumatically operated device for assisting a disabled person in accessing a toilet. The invention includes a frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode, the frame having a lower frame portion for attachment to the floor surface that supports the commode and an upper frame portion hingedly attached to the lower frame portion at the forward end thereof, a toilet seat attached to the upper frame portion, and a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders interconnecting the upper frame portion with the lower frame portion at the rearward end thereof whereby operation of the cylinders rotates the upper frame portion between a lowered position and a raised position.
The invention therefore relates to a toilet seat lift assist device, comprising:
a frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said frame having a lower frame portion and means for attachment of said lower frame portion to said floor surface, said frame further having an upper frame portion for supporting a toilet seat;
hinge means interconnecting said upper frame portion to said lower frame portion at said forward end thereof whereby said upper frame portion is rotatable between a lowered position and a raised position;
a toilet seat attached to said upper frame portion; and
first and second hydraulic cylinders or first and second pneumatic cylinders interconnecting said upper frame portion with said lower frame portion at the rearward end thereof whereby operation of said cylinders rotates said upper frame portion between said lowered position and said raised position.
The invention also relates to a toilet seat lift assist device, comprising:
a tubular frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said tubular frame having a lower portion for attachment to said floor surface, said tubular frame further having an upper portion for supporting a toilet seat;
said lower portion including first and second substantially vertically disposed lower front leg segments at said forward end and first and second inclined lower rear leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor surface and upwardly inclined toward said forward end, each of said lower front leg segments and said lower rear inclined leg segments having an upper end and a lower end and including means at each of said lower ends for attachment to said floor surface;
said upper portion having a raised position and a lowered position, said upper portion including first and second substantially vertically disposed upper leg segments abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower front leg segments in said lowered position, said upper portion further including first and second inclined upper leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor surface and inclined downwardly toward said rearward end and abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower inclined leg segments at said upper ends thereof in said lowered position, said upper portion further including first and second spaced apart arm rest segments interconnecting said first and second upper leg segments with respective said first and second inclined upper leg segments;
first and second hydraulic cylinders or first and second pneumatic cylinders respectively interconnecting said first inclined upper leg segment with said first lower inclined leg segment and interconnecting said second inclined upper leg segment with said second lower inclined leg segment;
hinge means interconnecting said first upper leg segment with said first lower leg segment and interconnecting said second upper leg segment with said second lower leg segment whereby said upper portion is upwardly and forwardly rotatable with respect to said lower portion between said lowered position and said raised position; and
a toilet seat attached to said upper portion between said spaced apart arm rest segments.
The invention further relates to a toilet seat lift assist device, comprising:
a tubular frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said tubular frame having a lower portion for attachment to said floor surface, said tubular frame further having an upper portion for supporting a toilet seat;
said lower portion including first and second substantially vertically disposed lower front leg segments at said forward end and first and second inclined lower rear leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor surface and upwardly inclined toward said forward end, each of said lower front leg segments and said lower rear inclined leg segments having an upper end and a lower end and including means at each of said lower ends for attachment to said floor surface;
said upper portion having a raised position and a lowered position, said upper portion including first and second substantially vertically disposed upper leg segments abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower front leg segments in said lowered position, said upper portion further including first and second inclined upper leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor surface and inclined downwardly toward said rearward end and abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower inclined leg segments at said upper ends thereof in said lowered position, said upper portion further including first and second spaced apart arm rest segments interconnecting said first and second upper leg segments with respective said first and second inclined upper leg segments;
hinge means interconnecting said first upper leg segment with said first lower leg segment and interconnecting said second upper leg segment with said second lower leg segment whereby said upper portion is upwardly and forwardly rotatable with respect to said lower portion between said lowered position and said raised position; and
a toilet seat attached to said upper portion between said spaced apart arm rest segments.
Beneficial aspects of the invention include a toilet seat lift device that can be easily applied to and around an existing conventional toilet, that provides safe, convenient and easy accessibility to the toilet by a disabled person without assistance from another person, that is simple in structure and easy to operate with a conveniently accessible control panel, that comprises either hydraulic or pneumatic operation, and that can be installed around an existing toilet without physical attachment to the toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an aspect of a toilet assist device of the invention as installed around a conventional toilet commode.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of an aspect of the toilet assist device of the invention as applied to a conventional toilet commode.

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the FIG. 2 aspect of the invention with the toilet seat in the raised position according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an aspect of the toilet assist device of the invention as disposed around a conventional toilet commode.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the aspect of the toilet assist device of the invention shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a hydraulic or pneumatic flow circuit that may be used in the structure and operation of the toilet assist device of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an electrical circuit that may be used in the structure and operation of the toilet assist device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one aspect of a toilet assist device 10 of the invention as installed around a conventional toilet commode. In general, device 10 includes a tubular frame 11 having a left side frame portion 12 and right side frame portion 13. A toilet seat 15 that can be of conventional configuration is supported between frame portion 12 and frame portion 13 as described in more detail below in relation to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. An optional back support member 16 may be supported between portions 12 and 13 near a rear end portion 17 of frame 11 as suggested in FIG. 1 in order to provide support to the lower back region of a user of the toilet assist device 10. Frame 11 includes a lower frame portion 11 a and an upper frame portion 11 b hingedly attached as described hereinbelow. Referring now additionally to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it is seen that the lower frame portion 11 a includes substantially vertically disposed front left leg 19 and front right leg 20 and inclined rear left leg 23 and inclined rear right leg 24 providing support for device 10 surrounding a conventional residential or commercial toilet commode 27 on a floor surface 28. Each leg 19, 20, 23 and 24 includes respective attached flanges 31-34 for securing frame 11 to the floor surface 28 using means such as bolts, screws, or other conventional attachment means 35. Floor surface 28 may also support commode 27 and may include an opening (not shown) through which plumbing may be attached to commode 27 for conducting away waste.
It may be noted at the outset that frame 11 may comprise structural members other than tubular members, such as rod, bar or angle stock, although it is considered that the tubular structure may provide aesthetic and functional advantages. Further, frame 11 may comprise substantially any material of construction, such as aluminum, steel or other metal or alloy, or structural plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conventionally used as tubing material, in a size (such as about 1 to 3 inch diameter) as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention guided by these teachings, the selected material or size not considered limiting of the invention or of the appended claims. Also, the cross-sectional shape of the tubing that may comprise frame 11 may be round, rectangular, oval or other shape other than the round configuration shown in the drawings, the same also not considered limiting of the invention or of the appended claims.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 showing a left side elevation view of frame 11 as applied to commode 27. It is seen that left side frame portion 12 may comprise front left leg 19 securable to floor surface 28 as at flange 31, inclined rear left leg 23 securable to floor surface 28 as at flange 33, and arm rest upper tubular portion 37. Arm rest portion 37 is formed of a frontal generally upright tubular front leg segment 38, a generally inclined rear tubular leg segment 39 and arm rest segment 40 connecting front segment 38 with inclined rear segment 39. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2 wherein toilet seat 15 is in a down generally horizontal position on or near commode 27, inclined rear segment 39 is generally coaxial with and abuts inclined rear left leg 23 as at abutting joint 41 that may include abutting flange pair 42, and arm rest segment 40 is generally horizontal (in the down position shown in FIG. 2) for the convenience of a user of device 10.
Reference is now made additionally to FIG. 4 that shows a front elevation view of frame 11 as applied to commode 27. It is seen that right side frame portion 13 of frame 11 comprises elements that correspond to those just described for left side frame portion 12, including front right leg 20 securable to floor surface 28 as at flange 32, inclined rear right leg 24 securable to floor surface as at flange 34 (shown hidden in FIG. 4), and arm rest upper portion 47. Arm rest portion 47 is, similarly to arm rest portion 37, formed of a frontal generally upright segment 48, a generally inclined rear leg segment 49 (hidden in FIG. 4) and arm rest segment 50 connecting frontal leg segment 48 with inclined rear leg segment 49. Similarly to left side tubular portion 12, for the toilet seat 15 in the down position, inclined rear segment 49 is generally collinear with and abuts inclined rear right leg 24 at abutting joint 51 that may include abutting flanges 52 and 53, and arm rest segment 50 is generally horizontal (in the down position) and generally parallel to arm rest segment 40 for the convenience of a user of device 10. Arm rest upper portions 37 and 47 together with structural stiffening members described below comprise the aforementioned upper frame portion 11 b of frame 11.
The structure of frame 11 may include one or more stiffening members 55 and 56 on either side of frame 11. Members 55 may connect frontal segments 38 and 48 with the respective inclined rear segments 39 and 49 of armrest portions 37 and 47. Members 56 interconnect frontal leg segments 19 and 20 with respective inclined rear segments 23 and 24 of the lower frame portion 11 a of frame 11. Toilet seat 15 may be attached front and rear to segments 38 and 39 on the left side of frame 11 (shown in FIG. 2) and to front and rear segments 48 and 49 on the right side. Alternatively, toilet seat 15 can be attached on each side thereof to stiffening members 55 using any suitable conventional attaching means such as bolts 57 and 58.
With further reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4, and to FIG. 5 showing a top view of frame 11 as applied to commode 27, it is seen that arm rest segments 37 and 47 are hingedly attached at respective frontal segments 38 and 48 to respective upright front leg segments 19 and 20 at respective hinges 61 and 62. In one embodiment of the invention hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 65 and 66 are disposed within respective inclined rear inclined leg segments 23 and 24. Cylinders useful in the practice of the invention may include any of the commercially available hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders sized according to the selected length and diameter of the tubular structure comprising frame 11. One end of each cylinder 65 and 66 is hingedly connected near floor 28 and near respective flanges 33 and 34, and the other end of each cylinder, such as at the distal ends of respective plungers 67 and 68 are operatively connected to respective inclined rear tubular segments 39 and 49 at respective flange pairs 42 and 52. In order to help maintain stability of the device 10 during operation in raising and lowering frame portion 11 b as hereinafter described, it may be functionally desirable to house cylinders 65 and 66 within the tubular interior of rear left and right leg segments 23 and 24 (as shown in dotted lines and partial cutaway in FIG. 2). In an embodiment of the invention, however, cylinders 65 and 66 may be exposed and interconnect respecting segments 39 and 49 with flanges 33 and 34. The operation of cylinders 65 and 66 is discussed in more detail below in relation to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. It is seen, however, that operation of the cylinders so as to telescopically extend (expand) or retract the plungers 67 and 68 of each cylinder 65 and 66 provides the force that results in the upward and forward rotation of upper frame portion 11 b including arm rest segments 37 and 47 along with toilet seat 15 attached thereto to the position as shown in the raised position for upper frame portion 11 b in FIG. 3. This movement assists a person seated on toilet seat 15 to stand following use of toilet commode 27. Conversely, retraction of plungers 67 and 68 results in downward rotation of toilet seat 15 to the position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 in assisting a person to sit down on toilet seat 15. In order to efficiently move upper frame portion 11 b in raising or lowering toilet seat 15, inclined rear right and left leg segments 23 and 24 may be inclined with respect to floor surface 28 at an angle of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees. In one aspect of the invention segments 23 and 24 (and the abutting inclined segments 39 and 49 of upper frame portion 11 b) are inclined with respect to floor surface 28 at an angle of about 45 degrees.
Power control box 70 contains the various electrical and hydraulic or pneumatic control elements for the operation of device 10. For convenience, box 70 may be located near floor surface 28 to the rear of and below toilet commode 27 and near a source of household electrical current, such as suggested in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Reference is now made to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 shows a representative hydraulic or pneumatic flow circuit 71 that may be used in the structure and operation of the toilet assist device 10 of the invention. FIG. 7 shows a representative electrical circuit 81 that may be used in the structure and operation of the invention. In FIG. 6, it is seen that motor 72 operatively connected to a source of electrical power 73 operates pump 74 (a hydraulic pump in one embodiment of the invention and a pneumatic pump in another embodiment) in order to generate pressure within pressure reservoir 75. Pressure is then routed to a pair of three-way control valves 76. Upon receipt of the appropriate electrical command, the three-way control valve 76 routes pressure to the first cylinder 65 and the second cylinder 66 through a series of hoses 77. The hoses 77 are routed into the lower frame section 11 a of frame 11 (as shown in FIG. 2) and terminate within the power control box 70. The other components such as pump 74, motor 72, pressure reservoir 75, and the three-way control valve 76 may be disposed inside power control box 70. The hydraulic or pneumatic operation of the invention provides smooth operation with built in and integral limit switches on cylinders 65 and 66, without the sporadic operation that might characterize the operation of a purely mechanical unit.
Referring now to FIG. 7, shown therein is a representative electrical circuit 81 useful in the operation of assist device 10 of the invention. Electrical power from conventional household current may be supplied through line 82 to a DC power supply 83. Power supply 83 may provide current to motor 72 (FIG. 5) and to the three-way control valve 76. Electrical power also is routed through suitable wiring to a control panel 86 disposed in one of the arm rest segments 40 or 50 in frame 11. Control panel 86 may include an “Up” push button switch 87 for raising upper frame portion 11 b and a “Down” push button switch 88 for lowering upper frame portion 11 b, all as described above in relation to FIG. 2.
It is understood that the foregoing described hydraulic or pneumatic flow control circuit 71 and the electrical control circuit 81 are representative only of the control means that may be used in the operation of the toilet assist device 10 described and claimed herein. Other alternative control arrangements could be envisioned by one with skill in the applicable art as means for performing the functions herein described for circuits 71 and 81 and are considered to be within the scope of these teachings and the appended claims.
The invention therefore provides a hydraulically or pneumatically powered toilet seat lift for assisting disabled persons in sitting on and rising from a toilet seat. It is understood that modifications, adaptations and alternatives to the invention as described may be made as might be envisioned by one with skill in the applicable art, within the scope of the appended claims. All embodiments contemplated hereunder that achieve the objects of the invention have therefore not been show in complete detail. Other embodiments may be developed without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toilet seat lift assist device, comprising:

(a) a tubular frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said tubular frame having a lower portion for attachment to said floor surface, said tubular frame further having an upper portion for supporting a toilet scat;

(b) said lower portion including first and second substantially vertically disposed lower front leg segments at said forward end and first and second inclined lower rear leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor surface and upwardly inclined toward said forward end, each of said lower front leg segments and said lower rear inclined leg segments having an upper end and a lower end and including means at each of said lower ends for attachment to said floor surface;

(c) said upper portion having a raised position and a lowered position, said upper portion including first and second substantially vertically disposed upper leg segments abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower front leg segments in said lowered position, said upper portion further including first and second inclined upper leg segments disposed at an angle to said floor surface and inclined downwardly toward said rearward end and abutting and substantially coaxial with respective said first and second lower inclined leg segments at said upper ends thereof in said lowered position, said upper portion further including first and second spaced apart arm rest segments interconnecting said first and second upper leg segments with respective said first and second inclined upper leg segments;

(d) hinge means interconnecting said first upper leg segment with said first lower leg segment and interconnecting said second upper leg segment with said second lower leg segment whereby said upper portion is upwardly and forwardly rotatable with respect to said lower portion between said lowered position and said raised position; and

(e) a toilet seat attached to said upper portion between said spaced apart arm rest segments.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) first and second hydraulically operated cylinders respectively interconnecting said first inclined upper leg segment with said first lower inclined leg segment and interconnecting said second inclined upper leg segment with said second lower inclined leg segment; and

(b) means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between a retracted position and an extended position whereby said upper portion is rotated between said lowered position and said raised position.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders and instructing said upper portion to raise in response to an up command and to lower in response to a down command, said means further comprising a motor and source of power connected thereto, a hydraulic pump driven by said motor, a hydraulic reservoir connected to said pump, and three way control valves operatively connected to said first and second cylinders.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) first and second pneumatically operated cylinders respectively interconnecting said first inclined upper leg segment with said first lower inclined leg segment and interconnecting said second inclined upper leg segment with said second lower inclined leg segment; and

(b) means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between retracted and extended position for said cylinders whereby said upper portion is rotated between said raised position and said lowered position.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders and instructing said upper portion to raise in response to an up command and to lower in response to a down command, said means further comprising a motor and source of power connected thereto, a pneumatic pump driven by said motor, a pneumatic reservoir connected to said pump, and three way control valves operatively connected to said first and second cylinders.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said lower rear leg segments are disposed at an angle of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees to said floor surface.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said lower rear leg segments are disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to said floor surface.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said tubular frame comprises one of a metal and a structural plastic.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said tubular frame has a cross-section having a shape that is round, oval or rectangular.

10. A toilet seat lift assist device, comprising:

(a) a tubular frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said tubular frame having a lower portion for attachment to said floor surface, said tubular frame further having an upper portion for supporting a toilet seat;

(d) first and second hydraulic cylinders or first and second pneumatic cylinders respectively interconnecting said first inclined upper leg segment with said first lower inclined leg segment and interconnecting said second inclined upper leg segment with said second lower inclined leg segment;

(e) hinge means interconnecting said first upper leg segment with said first lower leg segment and interconnecting said second upper leg segment with said second lower leg segment whereby said upper portion is upwardly and forwardly rotatable with respect to said lower portion between said lowered position and said raised position; and

(f) a toilet seat attached to said upper portion between said spaced apart arm rest segments.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between a retracted position and an extended position whereby said upper portion is rotated between said lowered position and said raised position.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for simultaneously operating said cylinders and instructing said upper portion to raise in response to an up command and to lower in response to a down command, said means further comprising a motor and source of power connected thereto, one of a hydraulic pump or pneumatic pump driven by said motor, and three way control valves operatively connected to said cylinders.

13 The device of claim 10 wherein said lower rear leg segments are disposed at an angle of from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees to said floor surface.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said lower rear leg segments are disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to said floor surface.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein said tubular frame comprises one of a metal and a structural plastic.

16. The device of claim 10 wherein said tubular frame has a cross-section having a shape that is round, oval or rectangular.

17. A toilet seat lift assist device, comprising:

(a) a frame having a forward end and a rearward end for placement around a toilet commode supported on a floor surface, said frame having a lower frame portion and means for attachment of said lower frame portion to said floor surface, said frame further having an upper frame portion for supporting a toilet seat;

(b) hinge means interconnecting said upper frame portion to said lower frame portion at said forward end thereof whereby said upper frame portion is rotatable between a lowered position and a raised position;

(c) a toilet seat attached to said upper frame portion; and

(d) first and second hydraulic cylinders or first and second pneumatic cylinders interconnecting said upper frame portion with said lower frame portion at the rearward end thereof whereby operation of said cylinders rotates said upper frame portion between said lowered position and said raised position.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders between a retracted position and an extended position whereby said upper portion is rotated between said lowered position and said raised position.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said means for simultaneously operating said first and second cylinders includes a control panel disposed in one of said arm rest segments, said panel including an up switch and a down switch operatively connected to said means for simultaneously operating said cylinders and instructing said upper portion to raise in response to an up command and to lower in response to a down command, said means further comprising a motor and source of power connected thereto, one of a hydraulic pump or pneumatic pump driven by said motor, and three way control valves operatively connected to said cylinders.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein said frame comprises one of a metal and a structural plastic, said frame further having a cross-section having a shape that is round, oval or rectangular.