GB2272633A

GB2272633A - "Lift seat"

Info

Publication number: GB2272633A
Application number: GB9223956A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bernard Paxon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-15
Filing date: 1992-11-16
Publication date: 1994-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-16
Also published as: GB2272633B; GB9223956D0; GB9221597D0

Abstract

A Rising Seat that can be fixed permanently to seating or toilets, or with releasable fixings (e.g. straps 6) comprises a top rising section 3 pivoted on to a bottom section 4 against the variable resilience of at least one torsion spring. if a number of springs are utilised one or more springs can be selected to alter the ease at which the top section can be lowered on to the bottom section to suit the weight of user, and which can be moved within the confines of the rising seat cushion to a neutral or non-operable position to enable the top section to be freely lowered to enable the rising seat to be easily carried. <IMAGE>

Description

RISING SEAT CUSHION FOR CHAIRS SETTEES AND OTHER SEATING INCLUDING TOILET SEATS BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a rising seat cushion for chairs and settees and which can be readily adapted for use on toilets for handicapped people. Most rising seats or lift seats by which name they are widely known, are fitted to a frame on a chair and are operated by a spring or gas mechanism the angle and bulk of which is easily fitted into an existing chair where ample spece permits bulky and at times heavy mechanisms to be used and they are usually assembled during the manufacture of the furniture for which they are designed.For example; T.Wear Smith U.K. 2193886 that teaches a torsion spring the end of which is colied around and fixed to two torsion bars one being moveable by threading a bolt into the bar to move the bar and force spring upwards to increase its tension. Renray 1578395 that teaches a number of springs one leg of each having fixed to it an adjustment means, the selected springs being made inoperable by inserting a screw into adjustment means and forcing spring le # s away from pivoted seat, thereby adjusting the resilience required for a pre-determined load.A portable lift seat 1,475,561, invented by a certain LANDSTINGENS INKOPSCENTRAL LIC EKONOMISK FORENSING a Swedish Corporate that teaches an 'auxilliary seat' comprising a 'U' shaped & resilient spring locking wire pivotly mounted at its inner end portions for pivoting in a plane essentially parallel with the base board so that outward swing of the one or the other limb causing bending of the spring locking wire theeby tending to displace its middle portion from a locking position to a free position etc etc etc.

There is reference to the fact that the base board may be covered by a sheet of rubber or other means to prevent slipping, but this would not prevent instability of seat. No method is explained how tilting or instability of the rising 'auxilliary' seat could be prevented, emphasis being placed on the method by which top rising section may be released and then locked in a downwards position, & how springs can be removed or added by the user. It would appear to be very useful for a sitter who wishes to change his mind about rising from the seat and decides instead to remain seated.

The advantages of a portable lift seat; providing it is fairly simple in its construction and which can be adjusted easily by the user to suit his weight without the need to have a supply of additional springs or other parts to fix to the riser seat, and which can be kept stable on a chair seat for example, include: the practical and economic aspects of using an existing chair without having to purchase a more expensive chair with built-in lift-seat mechanism and, being portable and easily adjustable preferably, mt can be used in most chairs in the users house, and can even be carried on a journey for use in seating provided by other people. The current invention is easily adjustable without the use of a tool whether permanently or releaseably fixed to a chair or settee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a rising seat cushion and one that raises the sitter easily from a sitting position and which lowers him gently into a sitting position from a standing position and which can be so located on an existing seat in a manner to endure its stability when in use and one that can be easily adapted for placing in any other seat, and one that can be readily adapted to suit the weight of most users, without removal or replacement of working parts.

According to the invention there is provided a rising seat cushion comprising; 1. A top rising pivoted section on which the user sits.

2. A bottom section on to which the top rising section is pivotly hinged, there being a torsion bar and at least one torsion spring, the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section being governed by the positioning of the legs of the springs such positioning being made when any pressure on the spring legs is released, said springs being retained on the torsion bar during their positioning, the said rising seat cushion incorporatipg a means of keeping it stable on the seating or toilet during its use.The degree of ease at which the top section is lowered may be governed by moving the torsion bar on which the spring/8 is/are fixed, and the mechanism can be applied to a Sift seat permanently fixed to searing or toilet.It may incorporate a means of lowering the top section on to the bottom section free of resilience, for carrying if portable, or to give the seat the appearance of a standard seat.

The rising seat cushion may have attached to its surface a suitable carrying handle. It may have a method of locking it down against the resilience of the spring and a method of adjustment to enable it to remain stable and effective irrespective of the width and depth of the seat in which it is placed. The invention shall now be described by way of example only by the following drawings in which t- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG 1 shows side view in perspective a rising seat cushion resting on a seat of a chair and kept stable by straps.

FIG 2 Side View in perspective A rising seat cushion on a chair with retaining blocks under the chair and attached to the base of the rising seat cushion.

FIG 3 Side View in perspective A rising Seat cushion an extension to which is wedged into the back of a chair.

FIG 4 Front View of a rising seat cushion in perspective showing shaped extensions on either side wedged into the side of an arm chair.

FIG 5 Front View in perspective of a rising seat cushion with spikes attached thereto that penetrate the chairs upholstery to stabilise the rising seat cushion in position on the chair.

FIG 6 Perspective View from top of base or bottom section of the rising seat cushion with adjustable bottom section that facilitates tight fit into chair.

FIG 7 Perspective top view- shows rising seat cushion w*ed into chair sides by adjustments knobs.

FIG 8. Side view of rising seat cushion in a low position when not in use.

FIG 9 Bottom underside view of top section of a rising seat cushion showing method of adjustment to a neutral position that enables top section to be lowered without resilience from the springs FIG 10. Underside View - shows the method of increasing or decreasing the strength of a torsion spring.

EIG 11 Underside view with top section opened out to expose both sections shows method of substituting a weaker spring mechanism for example for a stronger one FIG 12 Shows an open plan view in which a spring leg travels into a cavity over which it has been positioned when pressure is away from the spring leg, the cavity being in the top section, said cavity being covered, FIG 13 Underside view when top section is opened out level with the top side of the rising seat cushion.

Neutraling the torsion spring is shown by moving the torsion bar on which the springes is/are located FIG 14 Side vier open plan of torsion bar fixed away from edge of bottom section.

FIG 15 shows top cut-out view to create open plan of the top section, the underside of a slideable board over the spindle drive and the top view of the slideable board under the spindle drive .

FIG 16 Front open plan showing the width adjustment mechanism.

FIG 17. Top view of method of determining the ease at which top section can be lowered. using sliding base.

FIG 18 Side view of hollowed out top section hinged on bottom section, or directly on to toilet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG 1 a rising seat cushion 1 is positioned on a chair 2 the top section of the cushion 3 in a raised position being pivoted at its front end on to the front edge of the bottom section 4 by a hinge pin 5 comprising a round bar lying at least part way across the width of the two sections that preferably comprise two boards of rigid material padded with foam or other suitable filling material and kept in place by a piece of material stretched over the filling material and tacked down with staples. The bottom section of the rising seat cushion 4 is maintained in a staple position on a seat, a chair or toilet for exaample, by straps.6 Alternatively steel or other strong spring clips 6 could be used to clip on to the frame or over the rim of the toilet bowl.If straps are used these could be placed over the bottom section which in the case of a toilet would be a frame and could be elasticated to facilitate firing and could have fixed thereto hook and loop material 6cr fixing to other straps or to the chair or toilet ln which hook and loop material is fixed. In FIG 2 retaining blocks 7 are fixed to the straps and wedged under the front edge of a chair 2 to keep the rising seat cushion stable, such instability -most likely to occur when the user is either lowering himself or attempting to rise from the seat of the furniture or toilet on which the rising seat cushion is located.In FIG 3 the rising seat cushion 1 is kept firmly fixed to a, chair 2 by a tongueshaped extension 8 attached to or being part of the bottom section 4 of the rising seat cushion, the extension being wedged between the seat of the chair and the vertical back of the chair 9. The same type of wedge also shown as 8 in FIG 4 can be used to protrude over the chair seat and and under the arm/s such room generally being found for that purpose in most lounge-type seating and also in many types of lighter seating and chairs in which the arms ar filled in to the seat of the chair, the wedges ideally being placed under such arm where the arm joins the chair seat, and the said wedges being fixed one on each side of the rising seat cushion.These wedges can be used either instead of or in conjunction with the straps 6 shown in FIGS 1 and 2. Alternatively short spikes 10 may be used that are fixed in the rising seat cushion for inserting into the upholstery of a comfortable chair for example such spikes preferably being made from rigid plastic as shown in FIG 5 or hook 'and loop material may be used fixed to any surface/s of the rising seat cushion and the chair seat. Ideally the hook and loop material 11 is fixed to a strap 12 fixed to q chair where it can be tucked out of sight. To make the rising seat cuahion stable it may be fixed to the chair or setteee in place of a standard fixed seat. In FIG 6 the bottom section of the rising seat cushion can be made adjustable by having an adjustable frame 13 for example that can be moved outwards into the sides and / or back of the chair 2 in which it is resting.This adjustment facility that could be effectively utilised in a chair that might be otherwise too wide for the rising seat cushion can be in the form of knobs 14 screwed into or out of the frame of the bottom section so that they can be wedged between the arms of a chair such knobs being attached to threaded bolts that can be screwed into bosses or lugs 15 placed onto or being part of the bottom section of the rising seat cushion as shown in FIG 7. When screwed into a frame, inserts 16 may be inserted into the wood. FIG 8 shows cushion 1 folded for carrying.

The top section 3 of the rising seat cushion 1 may be lowered or folded or hinged down on to the bottom 4 section after neutralising the resilient action of a torsion spring, that in its 'active' or positive mode is used to enable the user to lower himself gently on to the chair the top section of the cushion pivoting against the resilience of the said spring that also enables the sitter to raise himself from a sitting to a standing- position. Pressure may be released from the spring by moving a part of the top -and bottom sections away from the spring/s One method of neutralising the resilience of the spring is shown in Figs 9 and 13. The hinge pin 5 also acts as a torsion bar that is circular and rests across the ends of either section of the riser seat cushion.Any selected number of torsion springs 17 are placed over the bar that is to say the main body of the spring so colied to leave ample room for contraction as weight is applied to the ends of the spring, one leg of each spring coming into contact at least indirectly with the inner face of the top section and the other leg coming into contact at least indirectly with the bottom section 4 as weight is applied and the top section 3 is pivoted downwards towards the bottom section. The angle of the torsion spring 17 is such that when the top section is opened outwards to form the configuration similar to that of an open book the spring/s can be moved along the torsion bar unhindered by the pressure of either board or section.In at least one of the boards from which the top section would preferably be made and ftom which the bottom section may be made and towards the surface of which one leg or two legs of the torsion spring is pointing is a cavity 18 of a shape that will allow the legs or leg of the spring to fall as the top section of the rising seat cushion is lowered. When the spring leg drops into the cavity the spring then has no surface against which it can be pressed to give the spring and the top board resilience when the top section is lowered so that the top section can thus be freely lowered to rest on the bottom section enabling it to be easily carried or to be placed in a chair without the top section being raised.

The cavity 18 may be covered on the opposite surface of the rising seat cushion as shown in FIG 12 so that the leg of the spring does not dig into the face of the rising seat cushion. The spring leg can be covered by a dome-shaped cover 19 that can be placed either over the area where the spring leg would otherwise protrude or the whole of the top surface of the rising seat cushion can be covered and then upholstered over the hard surface of a larger dome-shaped cover.The method of neutralising the effect of the spring can also be used for adjusting the resilience of the top section of the rising seat cushion either by having blind hole cavities of different depths that will decrease the tension of a spring by lengthening the distance between the end of the leg or point of contact of a spring in relation to the top section or by neutralising totally the resilience of a selected number of springs of varying strengths and positioning only that spring or springs of a predetermined strength so that they become resilient only if their legs are positioned away from the cavities and onto a firm surface of the board around the said cavities.

For example, ideally two springs would be used to raise the top section of the rising seat cushion, such springs being joined together by a connecting wire or handle so that springs can be moved in one action by lifting the connecting wire and moving the springs connected by the connecting wire, or handle as in FIG 11. If there are three sets of springs for example comprising two springs per set, each set can be a different thickness and strength.Two sets 21 and 22 can be located with their legs over holes 23 and 24 so that they cannot be under resilience when the top section 3 of the rising seat cushion is pressed down by the weight of the user, leaving the selected spring set 25 only to be compressed onto the inner surface of one of- the boards as the board is lowered; the pressure of the board activating the resilience of the spring set 25 selected for the resilience needed to suit the weight of the user; the selection of the spring/s can either be numerical or by the thickness of the spring/s that could be calibrated to suit a variance in body weights.The springs can instead be fixed to the torsion bar 5 so that when the torsion bar or hinge pin, if aleo used as a hinge pin on which the top section pivots on the bottom section, is moved, one way or the other, it carries with it at least one spring that can, with the two boards opened out and free of the pressure on the spring legs in that opened out position, be located over a cavity, so that when the top section

is lowered on to the bottom section no resilience is felt from that spring or set of springs in the cavities.

Movement of the springs for adjustment or neutralising the tension can be assisted by small rollers 20 on the spring legs as shown in FIGS 10 & 11 if springs are near to boards. FIG 13: An alternative method of creating a neutral position that enables the top section to be lowered without resilience from the spring or springs is to move a separate torsion bar 26 on which the springs 17 would be located towards the centre of the board; in which the torsion bar can be fitted in a guide 27 fitted to one of the boards As the torsion bar 26 is moved, preferably in slots 27 to stabilise its movement, so one of the ends or legs of at least one spring, depending on the number of springs placed on the torsion bar, is drawn away from one of the boards thereby neutralising the effectiveness of the spring when the top section 3 is lowered on to the bottom section of the rising seat cushion, both spring legs of each spring resting over one board only. To enable such movement of a torsion bar on which the springs are fitted it is necessary to use the existing hinge 5 only for pivoting the two sections or some other form of hinge in addition to a torsion bar on which the springs are located. If positive mode is required; Return of torsion bar is assisted if spring is bent upwards.The strengthening of individual torsion springs can be made by raising the spring 17 by locating at least one leg of the spring either directly or perhaps indirectly on a wedgeshaped base 28 that is moveable on the board by a screw mechanism 29 that holds the wedge in position under the spring when adjustment has been made as shown in FIG 10 With reference to FIG 13: To enable the top board to be lowered onto the bottom board cavities 18 are made in the board opposite to the board on which the torsion spring/s are fitted to enable the two legs of each spring to travel through the said cavities in the said board as the board is lowered.

The spring leg can be placed in a groove 33 as seen in FIGS 10, 11 and 13 to prevent slippage.

The top section 3 may be placed on a hinge 5 FIG 14 hinge being positioned two to four inches approximately away from the edge of the bottom section, that is to say the front edge, so that when the spring leg 17 travels through the cavity 18 the spring leg if in line or forming a large angle with its opposite leg will rest on the end of the bottom section when the top section is lowered freely without resilience from the spring, and will not jut out 4om the front of the risng seat cushion. An alternative method of adjusting the rising seat cushion and a means of keeping it stable in a chair irrespective of the chairs width, FIG 15, A mass 34 & 35 on either side preferably of the rising seat cushion located in grooves 36 or holes, grooves being preferable and made in a frame 3j fixed to the bottom section 4.A spindle 3B may be inserted through a hole 39 in the frame and a knob 40 attached to the spindle.

As the spindle is turned it drives a board/s 34 & 35 along the grooves 36. Ideally two grooves would be made in the frame, the spindle being positioned between them.

Attached to the spindle is hook and 'loop material 41 that adhers to hook and loop material 42 on each board, on the top of one board and under the board positioned over the spindle. As the spindle is turned the top board moves to the right when the spindle is turned clockwise and the bottom board moves to the left, each board or an attachment thereto butting up against the inside face of the chair over the seating area thereby wedging the rising seat cushion in position making it more stable on the chair. A gear in the form of rack and pinion may be used instead of hook and loop material. If a spring 44 is incorporated or eladtic belting the board carrying the protrusions would be moved inwards against its resilience see FIG 16 . Chair is shown as 2. On the release of the knob the protrusion would thrust outwards into the side of the chair and help to keep it stable on the chair. Padding shown as 45 can be placed over the end of each board to ensure even pressure on each side of the chair and to protect the fabric cover and at the same height to compensate for the fact that one board will be higher than the other board if two boards are used, and a shaped moulding for example may be fixed to or be part of the board in place of the padding, or spikes could be incorporated.

In FIG 17 & 18; When determining the degree of ease at which the top section 3 can be lowered on to the bottom section 4 of the rising seat cushion the spring 17 may be fixed on the torsion bar transversely, and spaced- protrusions or blocks 46 on a sliding section 47 located under spring legs selected by the user or they may be so moved away from the spring legs altogether so that the spring legs are positioned over gaps between the blocks so that when the top section is lowered on to the bottom section there is no resilience from the springs and it may be so folded down into a neutral position to facilitate its carr:ying Gaps are shown as 48.Alternatively the blocks & BR< gaps may be incorporated on a fixed section and the spring legs placed on to the blocks or over the gaps between the blocks as required by either sliding the springs along the torsion bar or by fixing the springs to - the torsion bar - and moving the bar until the spring legs are aligned with the blocks or gaps between the blocks as required thereby determining the degree of ease at which the top section 3 can be lowered on to the bottom section 4. The gaps may be formed from cut-outs in a solid block that may be fixed to the inside face of one of the sections that is to say the top or bottom section or may be located to slide on one of the sections for positioning spring legs in the latter construction that would preferably be fixed transversely along the torsion bar. When used as a toilet seat 49 there shall be at least one spring leg under the seat rim its oposite leg resting on tbe toilet edge or attachment thereto. FIG 18 . In any application the rising seat cushion may have attached at least one steadying handle for the user to hold. to steady him.

Claims

1. 4 Rising Seat Cushion for seating and toilets comprising; a top rising board-like section on which section the user sits and which is pivotly hinged to a bottom section, there being a torsion bar and at least one torsion spring, the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section being goverened by the positioning of the legs of the spring/s such positioning being made when any pressure on the spring legs is released said springs being retained on the torsion bar during their positioning, the said rising seat cushion incorporating a means of keeping it stable on the seating or toilet during its use.

2.A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the the torsion spring is characterised by being located on a hinge pin that acts also as a torsion bar.

3*A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the torsion spring is characterised by being located on a torsion bar separate from the hinge.

4.A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the release of pressure from the legs of the spring/s to enable at least one selected spring to be moved in order to govern the ease at which the top section can be lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by opening the top section outwards and away from the bottom section to form the configuration of an open book.

5.A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the the release of pressure from the legs of the spring/s to enable at least one selected spring to be moved in order to govern the ease at which the top section can be lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving an area of the section/s on which the springs are resting away from the spring legs, said area/s being a moving part/s of the said sections.

6. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1, 2 and 3 in which the torsion spring is characterised by being fixed to a torsion bar that when moved across the rising seat cushion carries the spring/s attached thereto to the required position.

7. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which the torsion spring/s are characterised by being a slide fit along a fixed torsion. bar.

8. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by cavities in at least the bottom section inte which davit7/ cavities all the spring legs travel as the top section is lowered thereby rendering all the springs inoperable, thus enabling the top section to be lowered on to the bottom section free from pressure by the top section on to the spring/s thereby neutralising the resilience of the so-positioned springes

9.A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims 1 and 8 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top srction is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving a selected number of spring legs on to the firm inside surface of at least the bottom section so that when the top section is lowered resilience of the selected springs is achieved and transferred to the top section that will require weight/pressure to lower it the remaining springs not required to give additional resilience for a particular weight of user being positioned over the cavities thereby rendering the latter such springs inoperable.

10. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 3 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving the the torsion bar on which the springs is/are located away from the edge of the bottom board and eut of reach from the edge of the top board also thereby ensuring that no resilience ig created by the springs during the initial lowering of the top section, and resilience being prevented as the board is lowered still further towards the bottom section by holes st least in the top section through which holes the legs of the spring/s travel thereby rendering them inoperable

11.A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1, 8 and 9 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving the spring/ springs along the torion bar to the required position.

12. A Bising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the torsion springs are characterised by joining at least two springs to facilitate the movement of the springs with one movement to a position that will govern the ease at which the top section will be lowered on to the bottom section when pressure against the legs has been released to make such adjustment possible.

13. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the inside face of at least the bottom section has grooves therein into which grooves the leg/s of the spring/s is /are located to prevent slippage of the said spring leg/s as the top section is lowered on to the bottom section.

14. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 8 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by cavities into which the spring legs travel being covered by a cap to prevent the spring legs penetrating the filling. in a seat.

15. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the positioning of the spring leg/s to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by a wedge on which the spring leg is resting such wedge being driven further under and or drawn away from the said spring leg thereby raising or lowering the spring let in relation to the coil of the spring and increasing or decreasing the resilience of the said spring against the top section.

16. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means of keeping the rising seat cushion stable on seating or toilet is characterised ty permanently fixing the bottom section to the frame of the seating / toilet in place of a standard seat.

17. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means of keeping the rising seat cushion stable on seating or toilet is eharacterised by fixing the rising seat cushion on top of the seating area in place of the standard . seating by a releasable fixing mechanism.

18. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means of keeping the rising seat cushion stable on a chair or settee is characterised by locating the rising seat cushion on top of an existing cushion on the chair or settee by a releasable fixing mechanism.

19. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim ì and Claims 17 and 18 in which the method of stabilising the rising seat cushion on a seat or toilet is character ised by strap/s fixed at their one end to the rising seat cushion and at its other end to the seat or toilet or at least indirectly to the floor.

20. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims 1, 17, & 18 in which the method of stabilising the rising saet cushion on a chair or settee is characterised by retaining blocks under the chair/settee such retaining blocks being attached to a belt/s fixed at its/their end to the rising seat cushion.

21. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims, 1, 17 & 18 in which the method of stabilising the rising seat cushion on a chair/settee is characterised by a tongue-shaped extension fixed to the rising seat cushion and wedged into the back or sides of a chair/settee in an area where the back or sides of the chair/settee meet the seat of the chair/settee.

22. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims 1, 17 & 18 in which the method of stabilising the rising seat cushion in a chair/settee is characterised by spikes fixed to the rising seat cushion that are pushed into the upholstery of the chair/settee.

23. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims 1, 17 and 18 in which the method of stabilising the rising seat cushion in the chair/settee or on the toilet is characterised by an adjustable frame from which the bottom section is made said frame being extendable to a size to enable it to be wedged between the arms of a chair or within the rim of a toilet bowl.

24. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim1 1, 17 & 18 in which the method of stabilising the rising seat cushion in a chair/settee or on a toilet is characterised by knobs attached to bolts screwed into the sides of the bottom section of the rising seat cushion said positioning of bolts causing the knobs to be wedged between the arms of a chair or within the rim of a toilet bowl.

25. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims 1, 17 and 18 in which the rising seat cushion is characterised by attachsssg thereto a carrying handle.

26. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claims 1, in which the top section is kept in position on top of and in a downwards position on the bottom section against the resilience Of the spring is characterised by placing a rod through appertures in each section said appertures being near to the front Of the rising sest cushion.

27. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the top section is kept in position on top of and in a downwards position on the bottom section against the resilience of the spring is characterised by placing a rod over a protrusion in the top section and under a protrusion in the bottom section near to the front of the rising seat cushion.

28. 1 Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the top section is pivotly hinged to the bottom section said hingeing being characterised by being located on the bottom section away from the edge of the bottom section.

29. A Rising Seat Cushion aE claimed in Claim 1 in which the springs are characterised by being localised in a fixed transverse position on the torsion bar

30. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means of keeping it stable on a chair is characterised by moveable protrusions located on the rising seat cushion and which are forced against the inside surface of the chair by turning a gear that drives in an outwards and inwards direction at least one rack fixed at least indirectly to the said protrusion/s

31. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means Of keeping it stable on a chair or toilet characterised by spring-loaded protrusions on at least one side Of the rising seat cushion that press against the inside surface of the chair or toilet

32.A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means of keeping it stable on a chair is characterised by moveable protrusions forced against the inside race of the chair by turning B spindle on which Is fixed hook and loop maternal that adhere to hook and loop material fixed at least indirectly on to the protrusion butted up against the spindle moving the protrusion towards or aw from the inside surface of the chair as the spindle is turned one way or the other.

33. A flising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is louvered on to the bottom section is characterised by protrusions fixed to a sliding base said protrusions being positioned under the legs of those springs selected by the user.

34. A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is loitered on to the bottom section is characterised by protrusions fixed to at least one inside face of the rising seat cushion over which protrusions the selected springs are positioned.

35 A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by a gap between protrusions in to which the leg of each spring selected by the user falls as the top section is lowered, thereby rendering the selected springs inoperable.

36. A Rising S & t as claimed in Claim 1 in which the top section is characterised by being hollowed out to form a seat for a toilet the afores rising seat being fixed by its bottom section to the toilet on to which at least indirectly rests one end of the torsion springs its other end resting at least indirectly under sides of top section that is hinged at front of toilet.

Amended Claims 37 A fix ins Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the said rising seat is characterised by fixing a handle thereto to enable the user to steady himself by holding the handle whilst he is lowering himself from or rising from the seat/toilet.

38 A Rising Seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

36. A Rising Seat Cushion a9 claimed - in Claim t I in which the top section is 'characterised by being hollowed out to form a seat for a toilet said rising saet cushion being fixed by its bottom section to the toilet on to which at least indirectly rests one end of the torsion springs its other end resting at least indirectly under sides of top section that is hinged at front of toilet.

37 A Rising Seat Cushion as claimed in Claim 1 in which the riisng seat cushion is characterised by fixing a handle thereto to enable the user to steady himself by holding the handle whilst he is lowering himself from or rising from the seat/toilet.

38 A Rising Seat Cushion substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A Rising seat for seating and toilets comprising; A top rising section on which section the user sits and which is pivotly hinged to a bottom section, there being a torsion bar and at least one torsion spring, the degree of ease at which the tcp section is lowered on to the bottom section being governed by the positionibg of the free end of the legs o the spring/s after the prssure on the spring legs has been released said sprin/s being retained on the torsion bar during' their mesiticrnn.

2. A Aising Saat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the torsion spring is characterised by being located on a hinge pin that acts also as a torsion. bar.

3. A Rising Seat. as claimed in Claim 1 in which the torsion spring is characterised by being located on a torsion bar separate from the hinge.

4. r. Rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the release of pressure from the legs of the spring/s to enable at least one selected spring to be moved in order to govern the ease at which the top section can be lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by opening the top section outwards and away from the bottom section to for the config aticn of an open book.

5. A Rising Seat as claimed in Clai 1 in which te release of pressure from the legs cf the spring/s to enable at least one selected spring to be moved in order to govern the ease at which the top section can be lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving an area of the section/s of which the springs are resting away fro t string legs, said areas being a moving parts of the said sections.

6. A Rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1, 2 and 3 in which the torsion spring is characterised by being fixed to a torsion bar that when moved across the rising seat carries the sprint spring/s attached thereto to the required pOtttDfle 7. A Rising t as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which the torsion spring/s are characterised by being a slide fit along a fixed torsion. bar.

8. s Rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by cavities in at least the bottom section into which cavity/ cavities all the spring legs travel as the top section is lowered thereby rendering all the springs inoperable, thus enabling the top section to be lowered on to the bottom section free from pressure by the top section on to the spring/s thereby neutralising the resilience of the so-positioned springs 9.A- Rising Seat as claimed in Claims 1 and 8 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top srction is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving a selected number of spring legs on to the firm inside surface of at least the bottom section so that when the top section is lowered resilience of the selected springs is achieved and transferred to the top section that will require weight/pressure to lower it, the remaining springs not required to give additional resilience for a particular weight of user being positioned over the cavities thereby rendering the latter such springs inoperable.

10. A Rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 3 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving the the torsion bar on which the spring/s is/are located away from the edge of the bottom section nd Qu.t of reach from the edge of the top section also thereby ensuring that no resilience is created by the springs during the initial lowering of the top section, and resilience being prevented as the taF section is lowered further towards the bottom section by holes at least in the top section through which holes the legs of the spring/s travel thereby rendering them inoperable 11. A Rising seat as claimed in Claim 1, 8 and 9 in which the positioning of the spring legs to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by moving the spring/ springs along the torion bar to the required position.

12. A Rising 5tst as claimed in Claim 1 in which the torsion springs are characterised by joining at least two springs to facilitate the movement of the springs with one movement to a position that will govern - the ease at which the top section will be lowered on to the bottom section when pressure against the legs has been released to make such adjustment possible.

13. A RFLìng Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the inside face of at least the bottom section has grooves therein into which grooves the leg/s of the spring/s is /are located to prevent slippage of the said spring leg/s as the top section is lowered on to the bottom section.

14. A Xtsing Seat Seat as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 8 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by cavities into which the spring legs travel being covered by a cap to prevent the spring legs penetrating the filling in a seat.

15. - A Risking Set as claimed in Claim 1 in which the positioning of the spring leg/s to govern the ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by a wedge on which the spring leg is resting such wedge being driven further under and or drawn away from the said spring leg thereby raising or lowering the spring let in relation to the coil of the spring and increasing or decreasing the resilience of the said spring against the top section.

16. A rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the bottom section is characterised by incorp orating thereon a means of keeping it stable on the seating or toilet during its use.

17. A Rising Seat as claimed in Claims 1 and 16 in which the means of keeping the rising seat stable on seating or a toilet is characterised by fixing the rising seat on top of the seating area in place of standard seating by a releaseable fixing mechani"m,.

18. Rising Seat as claimed in Claims 1 & 16 zP which the means of keeping the rising seat stable a chair or settee is characterised by locating the rising seat On top of an existing cushion or seat of t chair or settee by a releasable fixing mechanism.

19. A Rising seat as claimed in Claim 1 and t6 & Claim 11 in which the method of stabilising the sold ristRs seat on a seat or toilet is character ised by strap/s fixed at their one end to the rising seat cushion and at its other end to the seat or toilet or at least indirectly to the floor.

20. A S$sieg Seat as claimed in Claims 1, 16 & 17 in which the method of stabilising the said rising seat on a chair or settee is characterised by retaining blocks under the chair/settee such retaining blocks being attached to a belt/s fixed at its/their end to the rising seat.

21. A Rising Sent as claimed in Claims, 1, & 16 in which the method of stabilising the said rising seat on a chair/settee is characterised by a tongue-shaped extension fixed to the said rising seat and wedged into the back or sides of a chair/settee in an area where the back or sides of the chair/settee meet the seat of the chair/settee.

22. A Rising fit as claimed in Claims 1,16 & 18 in which the method of stabilising the saQ rising Seat in a chair/settee is characterised by spikes fixed to the said rising seat that are pushed into the upholstery of the chair/settee.

23. A Rising fit as claimed in Claims 1, & Claim 16 in which the method of stabilising the aforesaid rising in in the chair/settee or on the toilet is character- ised by an adjustable frame from which the bottom section is made said frame being extendable to a size to enable it to be wedged between the arms of a chair or within the rim of a toilet bowl.

24. A its seat -as claimed in Claim1 1,16 ' & 1"'' in which the method of stabilising the afabresaid rjsiag in a chair/settee or on a toilet is characterised by knobs attached to bolts screwed into the sides of the bottom section of the said rising Seat said positioning of bolts causing the knobs to be wedged between the arms of a chair or within the rim of a toilet bowl.

25. A Rising Sent as claimed in Claims 1, 16 & 17 in which the said rising seat is characterised by attacheng thereto a carrying handle.

26. ii Rising~ Seat as claimed in Claims 1, in which the top section is kept in position on top of and in a downwards position on the bottom section against the resilience of the spring is characterised by placing a rod through appertures in each section said appertures being near to the front of the rising xt.

27. A Risins Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the top section is kept in position on top of and in a downwards position on the bottom section against the resilience of the spring is characterised by placing a rod over a protrusion in the top section and under a protrusion in the bottom section near to the front of the rising seat.

28. A Rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the top section is pivotly hinged to the bottom section said hingeing being characterised by being located on the bottom section away from the edge of the bottom section.

29. A Rising Seat aE claimed in Claim 1 in which the springs are characterised by being localised in a fixed transveree position on the torsion bar 30. A Rising Seat as claimed in Claims 1 & 16 in which the means of keeping it stable on a chair is characterised by moveable protrusions located on the botton section and which are forced against the inside surface of the chair by turning a gear that drives in an outwards and inwards direction at loast one rao fixed at least indirectly to the said protrusion/s 31.A Rising Seat as claimed i Claims 1 & 16 in which the means of keeping it stable on a chair or toilet characterised by spring-loaded protrusions on at least one side of the said rising seat that press against the inside surface of the chair or toilet 32. A Rising atas as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means of keeping it stable on a chair is characterised by moveable protrusions forced against the inside face of the chair by turning a spindle on which is fixed hook and loop material that adhere to hook and loop material fixed at least indirectly on to the protrusion butted up against the spindle moving the protrusion towards or awag from the inside surface of the chair as the spindle is turned one way or the other.

33. A 'Rising spa as claimed in Claim 1 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by protrusions fixed to a sliding base said protrusions being positioned under the legs of those springs selected by the user.

34. A Rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by protrusions fixed to at least one inside face of the said rising seat over which protrusions the selected springs are positioned.

35 - A Rising Seat as claimed in Claim 1 in which the degree of ease at which the top section is lowered on to the bottom section is characterised by a gap between protrusions in to which the leg of each spring selected by the user falls as the top section is lowered, thereby rendering the selected spring/s inoperable.