Upper body support apparatus for toilets

Abstract

An upper body support apparatus for toilets is disclosed. The upper body support apparatus includes a support board ( 11 ), which supports the arms of the user thereon. The support board is rotated downwards or upwards between a wall and the front of the upper body of the user. Therefore, the present invention enables a user to place his/her arms on the support board ( 11 ). Furthermore, free movement of the user is ensured, and the upper body support apparatus is prevented from impeding the opening or closing of a door of the lavatory. In addition, when washing the lavatory, the upper body support apparatus is prevented from impeding the washing operation. As well, the present invention has a function of providing heat to maintain the body temperature of the user in the winter and a vibration function to stimulate the abdomen of the user to promote bowel evacuation.

1 . An upper body support apparatus for toilets provided at a predetermined position adjacent to a toilet in a lavatory to support an upper body of a user who sits on the toilet, the upper body support apparatus comprising:
 a support board to support arms of the user thereon, the support board being rotated around a first end thereof downwards or upwards between a wall and a front of the upper body of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support board comprises:
 a receptacle provided in a medial portion of an upper surface of the support board, the receptacle being provided with a cover, which is closed so as to be openable using a hinge;   a far infrared lamp provided in each of transparent windows, provided in the support board on opposite sides of the receptacle, the far infrared lamp being operated using power transmitted from an outside and being controlled by a control unit for providing an operating signal;   a cushion member adhered to the upper surface of the support board;   a support block provided under a lower surface of the support board, which faces downwards when the support board is rotated downwards and extracted, so that, when the support board is extracted from the wall, the support block is brought into contact with the wall to support a load applied to the support hoard; and   a hinge unit provided on opposite sides of the first end of the support board, the hinge unit being coupled to opposite sidewalls of a lower end of a main apparatus body recessed in the wall.   
     
     
         3 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge unit includes hinge shafts provided on the respective opposite sides of the first end of the support board, and an elastic member fitted over each of the hinge shafts to elastically support the hinge shaft using a spring. 
     
     
         4 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein one end of the hinge shafts is coupled to an output shaft of a motor so that the support board is automatically opened or closed depending on manipulation of the control unit. 
     
     
         5 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises:
 a control pad; and   a control circuit to conduct an operation corresponding to a command selected by manipulating key buttons of the control pad using power transmitted from the outside.   
     
     
         6 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the control unit has a block shape and is provided on the wall at a position spaced apart from the support board. 
     
     
         7 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the control unit is integrally provided with the main apparatus body. 
     
     
         8 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the control unit is connected to the far infrared lamps, provided in the support board, the motor, a vibration unit and a light through power wires and control signal supply wires, thus supplying driving power and control signals to the far infrared lamps, the motor, the vibration unit and the light. 
     
     
         9 . The upper-body support apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the main apparatus body comprises:
 a receiving space for receiving the support board;   insert holes formed at lower positions in the respective opposite sidewalls of the receiving space, so that the hinge unit of the support board is inserted into the insert holes;   a stopper provided at an upper position in the receiving space to prevent the support board, which is received in the receiving space, from being rotated downwards and extracted from the receiving space by a weight of the support board; and   a light provided at an upper position on a front surface in the receiving space to radiate light onto the extracted support board and onto an area around the support board.   
     
     
         10 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the main apparatus body is embedded in the wall. 
     
     
         11 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the main apparatus body is fastened to the wall by a screw coupling method. 
     
     
         12 . The upper body support apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a vibration unit provided under the lower surface of the support board at a position adjacent to the user.