Commode device for invalid patients
This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 017,834 filed on Feb. 24, 1987, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION. 
     Commode devices for invalid patients have long been available. They normally comprise a supporting chair-like frame upon which a conventional toilet seat or the like is secured. A commode receptacle is conventionally detachably mounted below the toilet seat. 
     The difficulty presented by existing commode devices for invalid patients is that the patient must be lifted from or removed from the device for cleaning purposes, because this function cannot be accomplished while the patient is sitting on the device. 
     It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a commode device for invalid patients wherein the patient can be cleaned without either removing the patient from the device or without removing the commode device from the unit. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a commode device for invalid patients that can be easily operated by even an unskilled person to effect the patient cleaning operation. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION. 
     The device of this invention is directed to a commode unit for invalid patients. The unit is comprised of a frame member having a plurality of legs with a toilet seat portion horizontally supported on the frame. A commode receptacle having a bottom, sidewalls, and an open top is detachably mounted on the frame directly below the toilet seat portion. An access port is provided in the sidewall of the commode receptacle to permit manual access into the interior of the receptacle to permit cleaning of a patient seated above the open top thereof. A closure means is provided on the access port to permit selective opening and closing thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. 
     FIG. is a perspective view of the device of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rearward elevational view thereof shown at an enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale perspective view of the commode receptable of this invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view thereof taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT. 
     The manual 10 designates the commode device of this invention. Frame 12 includes a plurality of legs 14 with the upper ends of opposite pairs of legs terminating in horizontal arms 16. U-shaped braces 18 extend between forward and rearward pairs of legs and are secured thereto by any suitable means. A horizontally disposed back brace 20 interconnects the rearward end of arms 16. A pair of spaced-apart rods 21 are secured by their opposite ends to the opposed braces 18. As will be described hereafter, rods 21 serve to detachably support the commode receptacle. 
     A toilet seat 22 comprising a seat portion 24 and a lid 26 is secured to and supported on opposed braces 18 in any conventional manner. 
     A commode receptacle 28 is comprised of a bottom 30, cylindrical sidewall 32, and upper rim 34, and an open top 36. 
     An access port 38 is located in sidewall 32. A frame 40 is secured to sidewall 32 around port 38 and is shaped so as to provide an open space 42 which slidably receives closure 44. Closure 44 has a length greater than that of port 38 to permit it to completely span and close, and to permit it to be slidably moved in a horizontal direction to permit port 38 to be completely accessible. As seen in FIG. 3, the left-hand end of frame 40 is open which will permit the removal of closure 44 from the frame 40 for cleaning purposes. 
     In operation, the commode receptacle 28 can be placed in supporting condition on rods 21 wherein the rods extend under the rim 34. Any other conventional means can be used to support the commode receptacle to the frame 12. 
     While the patient is still sitting on the seat portion 24, the attendant can grasp the knob 46 of closed closure 44 (FIG. 2) and slide the closure to the left as viewed in that figure to open the access port 38. The attendant can then clean the patient through the access port 38 without having to lift or remove the patient from the unit. 
     The port 38 greatly facilitates the care of invalid patients. It adds to the comfort of the patient, the convenience of the attendant, and considerable time is saved. 
     Accordingly, this invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.