Invalid lifting seat

Claim 1

An invalid lifting seat comprising, a pair of spaced side members having interconnecting means at the rear thereof, a seat having a hinge connection to said interconnecting means to swing upwardly and rearwardly, said seat normally resting on said side members, said seat having a downwardly curved front portion which forms a substantially horizontal platform in the raised position of said seat, drive means coupled to said seat to raise and lower said seat at a controlled rate, said side members are hollow and said drive means is primarily enclosed in said side members, said drive means includes substantially arcuate quadrants fixed below said seat radial to the axis of said hinge and extending inside said side members, flexible strap means attached to and extending around said quadrants, and means for retracting and extending said strap means, said means for retracting and extending said strap means includes a motor having a drive shaft with ends extending into said side members, said strap means being secured to and rolled around said drive shaft ends, said drive shaft is at the upper rear of the side members to pass above a toilet over which said seat is positioned, and support rollers mounted in the upper portions of said side members forward of said quadrants, said strap means passing over said support rollers to said drive shaft, and guide rollers mounted in the lower portion of said side members guiding said strap means clear of said quadrants.