US5082327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lift apparatus for use with a chair
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-10-19
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Granted: 1992-01-21
•
Expires: 2010-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A portable lift apparatus for use with chairs, seats and the like comprises a bottom portion that is to be placed atop the seat bottom of the chair and a top portion pivotally mounted to the bottom portion. Support brackets are fixed to the top and bottom portions for mounting the top portion for pivotal movement between a lowered position, a raised position and a neutral position intermediate its raised and lowered positions. Springs are provided for urging the top portion toward its raised position. Latches are provided for releasably securing the top portion in the lowered and neutral positions and comprises means for preventing the top portion from becoming unlatched while in the neutral position. The latches further comprise hook-shaped members attached to the top and bottom portions adapted to partially overlie one another to define a latch opening. A latch pin is movably mounted within the latch opening for movement between an unlocking position and an locking position.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D. Crisp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G5/00; A61G5/10; A61G5/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A lift apparatus for use with chairs, seats, benches and the like having a seating portion comprising: a bottom portion, a top portion mounted to said bottom portion for pivotal movement between a lowered position, a raised position and a neutral position intermediate said raised and lowered positions, spring means for urging said top portion toward said raised position, and latch means for releasably securing said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions comprising: a first latching member extending from one of said top and bottom portions, a securing member movably mounted to the other of said top and bottom portions for movement between a locking position for engaging and securing said latching member and an unlocking position spaced from said locking position for releasing said latching member, bias means for urging said securing member toward said locking position, cam means for urging said securing member toward said unlocking position as said top portion is moved from said raised position toward said lowered position, means for preventing said securing member from moving from said locking position to said unlocking position while said top portion is in said neutral position, and means for releasably securing said securing member in said unlocking position and means responsive to the movement of said top portion toward said raised position for dislodging said securing member from said unlocking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A lift apparatus for use with chairs, seats, benches and the like having a seating portion comprising: a bottom portion, a top portion mounted to said bottom portion for pivotal movement between a lowered position, a raised position and a neutral position intermediate said raised and lowered positions, spring means for urging said top portion toward said raised position, and latch means for releasably securing said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions comprising: a first latching member extending from one of said top and bottom portions, a securing member movably mounted to the other of said top and bottom portions for movement between a locking position for engaging and securing said latching member and an unlocking position spaced from said locking position for releasing said latching member, bias means for urging said securing member toward said locking position, cam means for urging said securing member toward said unlocking position as said top portion is moved from said raised position toward said lowered position, means for preventing said securing member from moving from said locking position to said unlocking position while said top portion is in said neutral position, and means for releasably securing said securing member in said unlocking position and means responsive to the movement of said top portion toward said raised position for dislodging said securing member from said unlocking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim further comprising a second latch member extending from said other of said top and bottom portions and adapted to cooperate with said first latch member to define a latch opening with said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions, and wherein said means for preventing said securing member from moving from said locking position to said unlocking position comprises means for constricting said latch opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first latch member comprises a hook-shaped member extending from said top portion and wherein said securing member is movably mounted to said bottom portion, the apparatus further comprising a second hook-shaped member extending from said bottom portion and adapted to partially overlie said hook-shaped member extending from said top portion to define a latch opening between said hook-shaped members with said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions, said securing member comprising an elongated pin and wherein said locking and unlocking positions are located within said latch opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for dislodging said securing member comprises cam means mounted to said one of said top and bottom portions for engaging said securing member as said top portion moves from said lowered position toward a slightly raised position intermediate said lowered and raised positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for dislodging said securing member comprises elongated flexible member means having ends mounted to each of said top and bottom portions and at least partly looped about said securing member for urging said securing member toward said locking position as said top portion is moved toward said raised position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
199 words
A lift apparatus for use with chairs, seats, benches and the like having a seating portion comprising: a bottom portion, a top portion, support means affixed to said bottom portion and to said top portion for mounting said top portion to said bottom portion for pivotal movement between a lowered position, a raised position and a neutral position intermediate said raised and lowered positions, said support means including spring means for urging said top portion toward said raised position, and latch means for releasably securing said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions comprising a hook-shaped member extending from one of said top and bottom portions and a securing member movably mounted to the other of said top and bottom portions for movement between a locking position for engaging and securing said hook-shaped member and an unlocking position spaced from said locking position for releasing said hook-shaped member, said latch means further comprising bias means for urging said securing member toward said locking position, means for releasably securing said securing member in said unlocking position and means responsive to the movement of said top portion toward said raised position for dislodging said securing member from said unlocking position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
199 words
A lift apparatus for use with chairs, seats, benches and the like having a seating portion comprising: a bottom portion, a top portion, support means affixed to said bottom portion and to said top portion for mounting said top portion to said bottom portion for pivotal movement between a lowered position, a raised position and a neutral position intermediate said raised and lowered positions, said support means including spring means for urging said top portion toward said raised position, and latch means for releasably securing said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions comprising a hook-shaped member extending from one of said top and bottom portions and a securing member movably mounted to the other of said top and bottom portions for movement between a locking position for engaging and securing said hook-shaped member and an unlocking position spaced from said locking position for releasing said hook-shaped member, said latch means further comprising bias means for urging said securing member toward said locking position, means for releasably securing said securing member in said unlocking position and means responsive to the movement of said top portion toward said raised position for dislodging said securing member from said unlocking position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said latch means comprises means for preventing said securing member from moving from said locking position to said unlocking position while said top portion is in said neutral position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a member extending from said other of said top and bottom portions and adapted to cooperate with said hook-shaped member to define a latch opening with said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions, and wherein said means for preventing said securing member from moving from said locking position to said unlocking position comprises means for constricting said latch opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for constricting said latch opening comprises a first projection formed on said hook-shaped member and a second projection formed on said member extending from said other of said top and bottom portions, wherein said first and second projections are positioned intermediate said locking position and said unlocking position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said hook-shaped member extends from said top portion and wherein said securing member is movably mounted to said bottom portion, the apparatus further comprising a second hook-shaped member extending from said bottom portion and adapted to partially overlie said hook-shaped member extending from said top portion to define a latch opening between said hook-shaped members with said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions, said securing member comprising an elongated pin and wherein said locking and unlocking positions are located within said latch opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said hook-shaped member comprises cam means for urging said securing member toward said unlocking position as said top portion is moved from said raised position toward said lowered position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said latch means further comprises a latch member mounted to said other of said top and bottom portions, said latch member at least partly defining a latch opening within which said securing member is movably mounted, said means for releasably securing said securing member comprising a detent portion of said latch opening for receiving said securing member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for dislodging said securing member comprises cam means mounted to said one of said top and bottom portions for engaging said securing member as said top portion moves from said lowered position toward a slightly raised position intermediate said lowered and raised positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for dislodging said securing member comprises elongated flexible member means having ends mounted to each of said top and bottom portions and at least partly looped about said securing member for urging said securing member toward said locking position as said top portion is moved toward said raised position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said bottom portion is adapted to be removably placed atop a seat bottom of the chair and wherein a cushion means is mounted to said top portion, the apparatus further comprising cover means substantially enclosing said bottom portion and said support means for protecting the seating portion of the chair from damage from contact with said bottom portion and said support means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said bottom portion comprises a bottom panel and wherein said top portion comprises a top panel, said support means further comprising a first frame member mounted to said bottom panel, a second frame member mounted to said top panel, and hinge means pivotally connecting said second frame member to said first frame member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a third frame member mounted to said bottom panel, a fourth frame member mounted to said top panel and second hinge means pivotally connecting said third and fourth frame members to each other, and wherein first, second, third and fourth frame members are all of substantially identical construction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
229 words
A portable lift apparatus for use with chairs, seats, benches and the like devices having a seat bottom, comprising: a bottom portion including a bottom panel and adapted to be removably placed atop the seat bottom of the chair, a top portion including a top panel and cushion means mounted to said top panel for supporting a person seated thereon, support means affixed to said bottom panel and to said top panel for mounting said top portion to said bottom portion for pivotal movement between a lowered position, a raised position an a neutral position intermediate said raised and lowered positions, said support means comprising a first frame member mounted to said bottom panel, a second frame member mounted to said top panel, hinge means pivotally connecting said second frame member to said first frame member, and spring means for urging said top portion toward said raised position, said support means further comprising latch means for releasably securing said top in said lowered and neutral positions, said latch means comprising means for latching said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions and means for preventing said top portion from becoming unlatched while in said neutral position, and cover means substantially enclosing said bottom portion and said support means for protecting the seat bottom of the chair from damage from contact with said bottom portion and said support means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
229 words
A portable lift apparatus for use with chairs, seats, benches and the like devices having a seat bottom, comprising: a bottom portion including a bottom panel and adapted to be removably placed atop the seat bottom of the chair, a top portion including a top panel and cushion means mounted to said top panel for supporting a person seated thereon, support means affixed to said bottom panel and to said top panel for mounting said top portion to said bottom portion for pivotal movement between a lowered position, a raised position an a neutral position intermediate said raised and lowered positions, said support means comprising a first frame member mounted to said bottom panel, a second frame member mounted to said top panel, hinge means pivotally connecting said second frame member to said first frame member, and spring means for urging said top portion toward said raised position, said support means further comprising latch means for releasably securing said top in said lowered and neutral positions, said latch means comprising means for latching said top portion in said lowered and neutral positions and means for preventing said top portion from becoming unlatched while in said neutral position, and cover means substantially enclosing said bottom portion and said support means for protecting the seat bottom of the chair from damage from contact with said bottom portion and said support means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said latch means comprises a first generally hook-shaped member extending from said top panel toward said bottom panel, a second generally hook-shaped member extending from said bottom panel toward said top panel, said first and second hook-shaped members being adapted to partially overlie one another to define a latch opening between said hook-shaped members with said top portion in said lowered position, said latch means further comprising an elongated latch pin mounted for movement between a locked position in said latch opening and an unlocked position spaced from said locked position in said latch opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
A lift apparatus as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a third frame member mounted to said bottom panel, a fourth frame member mounted to said top panel and hinge means pivotally connecting said third and fourth frame members to each other, and wherein said first, second, third and fourth frame members are all of substantially identical construction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |