US20040051365A1

US20040051365A1 - Transfer bench

Info

Publication number: US20040051365A1
Application number: US10/448,404
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel Darst; Alfred Van Landingham; Phillip Crim
Original assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
Current assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
Priority date: 2002-05-31
Filing date: 2003-05-30
Publication date: 2004-03-18

Abstract

A bench can be used with at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The bench includes a seating surface, a support for supporting the seating surface, and a restraining member configured to restrain a shower curtain when the bench is disposed at least partly within a bathtub. The restraining member can include a drain configured to direct liquid into the bathtub while the restraining member restrains the shower curtain. The bench may also include a handle adjacent the seating surface and a soap dish disposed substantially under the handle. The bench may also have a pad including foam that can be positioned on the seating surface to provide a second seating surface, and connectors that maintain the pad in position on the seating surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bath safety products and, more particularly, to a bench that is adapted to be used in and around bathtubs and/or showers.

2. Description of Related Art

To maintain good bodily hygiene, frequent showers and baths are necessary. A number of people find it necessary to sit while showering because, for example, they cannot stand, they are unable to stand for an extended period of time, or they have difficulty standing on a slick surface. In such instances, a shower aid can help a person transfer in and out of the bathtub. For example, elderly people will often sit on a shower seat while taking a shower. This lessens the chances that the person taking the shower will slip and injure himself or herself during showering or getting in and out of the bathtub.

There are problems with conventional shower seats. For example, conventional seats do not adequately inhibit water from flowing outside the tub.

Another problem is that conventional seats do not permit the case of transport of soap and other body cleaning items to and from the seat. Further, conventional seats locate these items in inconvenient locations.

Another problem is that conventional shower seats have load ratings which are below the maximum expected load that a seat can experience during its lifetime. Further, conventional shower seats experience short fatigue life, as well as short appearance life, as they are made from material that is both difficult to clean and is subject to fading and/or corrosion.

Another problem is that conventional shower seats place too much reliance on the end-user for assembly and place too much reliance on the end-user to ensure that the seat is configured safely.

Another problem is that conventional seats have a number of components that are not ergonomically attached to the seat, thus promoting injury to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention relates to a bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The bench can include a seating surface, a support for supporting the seating surface, and a restraining member configured to restrain a shower curtain when the bench is disposed at least partly within a bathtub. The restraining member includes a drain configured to direct liquid into the bathtub while the restraining member restrains the shower curtain.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The bench can include a seating surface, a support for supporting the seating surface, a handle adjacent the seating surface, and a soap dish disposed substantially under the handle.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The bench can include a first seating surface, a support for supporting the first seating surface, a pad including foam that can be positioned on the first seating surface to provide a second seating surface, and connectors that maintain the pad in position on the first seating surface. The connectors can be connected, disconnected, and reconnected such that the pad can be positioned on the first seating surface, removed from the first seating surface, and reconnected to the first seating surface, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention. [0013]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bench according to the present invention. [0014]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bench of FIG. 1, conceptually showing the components that make up the bench. [0015]
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the bench of FIG. 1.[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. [0017]
FIGS. [0018] 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of a bench 10 for use with a bathtub and/or shower according to the present invention. The bench 10 can be a universal transfer bench. In this embodiment, the bench 10 includes a first seating surface 20 (see FIG. 2) and a support 40 for supporting the first seating surface 20.
The [0019] first seating surface 20 is intended to provide an area upon which a person can sit. The first seating surface 20 can include a platform 21 that is generally rectangular in shape, with curved, rounded edges. In the preferred embodiment, the platform 21 has bulbous portions 22 and 23 ergonomically positioned. The platform 21 preferably is made from molded plastic, such as high modulus polypropylene, and is the component of the bench to which other components are attached. In the preferred embodiment, the platform 21 has a hollow underside with molded ribbing 24 (see FIG. 3) to provide support, although the invention can be practiced without ribbing 24, with just a portion of the underside being hollow, or with a solid platform 21.
The [0020] support 40 supports the first seating surface 20. The support 40 can include, for example, four legs 41, although more or less legs could be used. These legs 41 can be molded plastic tubes, such as high modulus polypropylene, of hollow construction. Solid legs can be used as well. The legs 41 preferably are of a sufficient length to allow the end-user to comfortably sit on the bench and comfortably mount the bench. The legs 41 also are of sufficient length to provide clearance over the lip of a bathtub if the bench 10 is placed with one or more legs inside the bathtub.
As shown in FIG. 2, the [0021] legs 41 can incorporate adjusters 42, which allow the lengths of the legs 41 to be individually adjusted for stabilization and to adjust the height of the bench 10. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes adjusters 42 which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,068, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention can be practiced with another type of adjuster or even without adjusters.
The [0022] legs 41 have rounded bottoms 43, which are made from soft rubber, such as Vyram. Other bottoms that can interface with bathtub floors, bathroom floors, and shower floors also can be used.
The [0023] legs 41 preferably are attached to the platform 21. A leg attachment fitting 30 (also referred to as a molded in leg attachment socket) preferably is molded into each corner of the platform 21. In the preferred embodiment, the fittings 30 are located at the perimeter of the first seating surface 20 of the platform 21. However, the invention can be practiced with the fittings 30 inside or outside the perimeter of the first seating surface 20 of the platform 21. The leg attachment fittings 30 of the preferred embodiment are female connectors with a circular cross-sectional shape, although male connectors and different cross-sectional shapes could be used. Each leg attachment fitting 30 has a hole 31 on the side. The leg attachment fittings 30 each also can have an alignment structure, such as a groove (not shown) formed on the internal side wall of the leg attachment fitting 30. In the preferred embodiment, the groove is aligned axially inside the fitting 30. The groove can be slightly tapered to form a funnel shape.
The [0024] legs 41 have structure that mates with the holes 31 and grooves of the leg attachment fittings 30. In particular, each leg 41 has a snap button 42 that mates with a corresponding hole 31 in a corresponding leg attachment fitting 30. By accepting the snap button 42, the leg 41 is captured within the attachment fitting 30. The button 42 can be hollow or solid. During assembly of the bench 10, the snap button 42 is depressed, either by hand or mechanically via a ramp (not shown in the figures) on the inside of the attachment fitting 30, where it remains depressed until it is aligned with the hole 31 of the fitting 30. Once aligned with the hole 31, the button 42 reassumes its normal position and fits into the hole 31, thus capturing the leg 41. To remove the leg 41 from the fitting 30, the button 42 is depressed, and the leg 42 is pulled out of the fitting 30. The button 42 of the preferred embodiment is moveable because the plastic used to form the legs 41 has a memory that drives the plastic back to its original shape. In the preferred embodiment, an elongated “U” shaped section of the leg wall is cut out, with the button 42 being on the bottom portion of the “U.” Thus, a cantilever type lever is formed that allows the button great freedom of movement about an axis formed at the top of the “U.” However, other means of providing a moveable button are envisioned.
Each [0025] leg 41 also has a ridge 43 that is aligned axially and molded on the exterior surface on the top portion of the leg 41. The ridge 43 is received in a corresponding groove of a corresponding leg attachment fitting 30, which assures that the bench 10 will be assembled in the correct manner. The funnel-shaped groove can grip the ridge 43 on the leg 41 as the leg is slid into the fitting 30 during assembly. As ridge 43 moves into the narrower portions of the funnel-shaped groove, an interference fit is created, which reduces the axial movement of the legs 41. Alternatively, the ridge 43 can have a wedge shape and the groove could have substantially parallel walls, thus the wedge forms an interference fit with the groove as the leg 41 is slid into the fitting 30. Alternatively, a key can be used in place of ridge 43.
In the preferred embodiment, the [0026] legs 41 have another ridge 44 that extends over the circumference of the leg 41. Other embodiments could use a ridge that extends over only a portion of the circumference, or alternatively, a plurality of lugs that are evenly or unevenly spaced, or a single lug. When the legs 41 are inserted into the attachment fittings 30, the ridges 44 abut lower rims 33 of the fittings 30, thus allowing most of the weight placed on the bench to be applied to the ridge 43 of the legs 41.
The [0027] bench 10 can include a restraining member 60 configured to restrain a shower curtain (not shown) when the bench 10 is disposed at least partly within a bathtub or shower. Preferably the restraining member 60 is disposed adjacent the first seating surface 20 and extends below it. The restraining member 60 can include, for example, a trough 61 molded in the platform 21 on the upper portion. While taking a shower, a user can form a shower curtain around the bench and stuff at least a portion of the curtain into the trough 61 to maintain the curtain in position.
The restraining member [0028] 60 also can includes a drain 62 configured to direct liquid into the bathtub or shower while the restraining member 60 restrains the shower curtain. Preferably, the trough 61 is angled to allow water to flow toward the center and/or away from the outside of the tub. In the preferred embodiment, water from the trough 61 flows down water directing surfaces 63, such as side walls of the trough 61, and exits through two drain holes 64 at the bottoms of the trough 61.
The [0029] first seating surface 20 of this preferred embodiment also includes an ergonomic concave area 25 to accommodate the lower portions of the user. A series of strategically placed holes 26 (not all labeled) are located in the concave area 25 for drainage. The holes 26 can also be used for perineal cleaning. By holding a hand held shower wand under the bench 10, spraying water up through the holes 26 can aid in the bathing process.
The [0030] bench 10 also may include a handle 65 and a soap dish 70. The handle 65 can be molded as an integral part of the platform 21 and disposed adjacent the first seating surface 20. The handle 65 comprises a horizontal, substantially cylindrical portion or gripping surface 66 supported above the platform 21 by vertical portions or handle supports 67 and 68. The ends of the handle supports 67 and 68 are molded with the platform 21, and the gripping surface 66 is molded with the handle supports 67 and 68. This arrangement provides a gap between the gripping surface 66 and the first seating surface 20.
The [0031] soap dish 70 can be disposed substantially under the handle 65. The gap between the gripping surface 66 and the first seating surface 20 permits a user to access the soap dish 70 and the contents of the soap dish 70 while sitting on the bench 10. Preferably the soap dish 70 extends below the first seating surface 20 and, more preferably, is disposed entirely below the first seating surface 20. The soap dish 70 can be removable, permitting ease of cleaning. It can be made from molded plastic, such as high modulus polypropylene. The soap dish 70 fits into a receptacle or opening 27 (see FIG. 2) formed in the platform 21. The soap dish 70 has a soap dish rim 71 that engages a rim of the opening 27 when the soap dish 70 is received in the opening 27. In the preferred embodiment, the soap dish 60 is held in the opening 27 by gravity, although it can be held in place via a positive retention means. For example, raised surfaces can be provided on either the soap dish 70 or the platform 21, or both, to provide an interference fit when the soap dish 70 is attached to the platform 21.
Another handle [0032] 73 (see FIG. 3) can be provided on the platform 21. Preferably it is molded integrally with the platform 21. The handle 73 can be positioned on the underside of platform 21 and is not a protrusion type handle like handle 65, although other embodiments can utilize a protrusion type handle.
In the preferred embodiment, ridges or knurling or dimpling (both concave and/or convex) is molded into some or all of the hand grips. It is noted that the ridges can be substantially elongated, although the ridges can be of a smaller or larger configuration. The [0033] platform 21 can have hollow portions (not shown) in the vicinity of the handles to provide additional clearance for the user's hand. By providing two handles, the end user can use the bench more securely.
The [0034] bench 10 also may include a pad 80 that can be positioned on the first seating surface 20 to provide a second seating surface 81. The pad 80 is preferably made from a soft material that is compatible with the material of the platform 21. For example, the pad 80 can be made of foam, and is preferably made from a polyethylene compound by molding.
The [0035] pad 80 can have drainage holes and/or slots 83 which extend through the pad 80. The drainage holes 83 permit water to flow through the pad 80 and into the concave area 25 and/or trough 61 and through the drainage holes 26 in the platform 21 and/or through holes 64 in the trough 61. Further, the pad 80 of the preferred embodiment has cut-outs 84 which allow the pad to be placed around all or a portion of the support struts 94, although other embodiments can utilize a pad without cutouts (e.g. the pad does not extend all the way to the support struts). Additionally, the pad 80 can be symmetrical in design, thus allowing the pad to be reversed when the back support 90 is reversed.
The [0036] pad 80 can be secured to the platform 21 via connectors 85 that maintain the pad 80 in position on the first seating surface 20. The connectors 85 can be connected, disconnected, and reconnected such that the pad 80 can be positioned on the first seating surface 20, removed from the first seating surface 20, and reconnected to the first seating surface 20. The connectors 85 can be, for example, foam plugs made from the same or similar material as the pad 80, and that also are made by modling. The connectors 85 fit through holes 86 in the foam pad 80, as well as holes 28 molded into the platform 21. In the preferred embodiment, the connectors 85 each have a tapered surface 87 (an inverted frustum-shaped portion), which allows the connectors 85 to collapse while being pulled through the holes 86 in the pad 80 and the holes 28 in the platform 21. Once the connector 85 is pulled through a hole it springs back to its original profile to secure the pad 80 in place. To remove the pad 80, the connector 85 is squeezed at its tapered surface 87 and pushed back through the hole. The connectors 85 can resemble bolts for wooden garage doors, having a rounded end with an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the shank portion of the connector 85. The rounded end of the connector 85 is shaped so as to not interfere with the user if the end-user sits on the bench directly above on of the plugs. While the preferred embodiment utilizes four connectors, more or fewer connectors can be used to practice the invention.
The [0037] bench 10 may also include two recess areas 88 molded into the side of the platform 21. The recesses 88 allow a shower wand to be connected to the bench 10. While recesses 88 are utilized to practice the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other means can be utilized.
The [0038] bench 10 can include a back support 90. The back support 90 of the bench is configured to be comfortable and to support the back of the user. In the preferred embodiment, the back support 90 comprises a back support body 91 that can be made from molded plastic, such as high modulus polypropylene. In the preferred embodiment, the back support body 91 has a hollow backside with molded ribbing (not shown) to provide support, although the invention can be practiced without ribbing, with just a portion of the backside being hollow, or with a solid back support body 91. The back support body 91 of the preferred embodiment is contoured to interface with the back of the user. The back support body 91 has handles 92 and 93 near its upper ends. These handles 92 and 93 can be molded into the back support 90, and, in the preferred embodiment, do not protrude from the basic shape of the back support body 91. The handles 92 and 93 are ergonomically designed to allow the end-user to comfortably grasp the bench 10.
The [0039] back support 90 also includes the support struts 94 for supporting the back support body 91. In the preferred embodiment, the support struts 94 are molded integrally with the back support body 91. The invention can be practiced with support struts that are mechanically attached to the body. Each support strut 94 has an adapter 95 that is configured to fit into receptacles 29 (described below) on the platform 21. The adapters 95 have a greater cross sectional area than the upper portion of the support strut 94, although the invention can be practiced with an adapter having the same cross sectional area as the support strut, or the invention can be practiced with support struts that do not have adapters. The adapters 95 have a lip 96 around the upper portion of the adapters 95. This lip 96 prevents the adapter 95 from sliding completely through the receptacle 29 if the receptacle 29 extends completely through the platform 21. Also, the lip 96 allows the height of the back support 90 to be precisely controlled.
The [0040] adapters 95 have snap clips 97 molded into the adapters 95. The snap clips 97 can be either hollow or solid. During assembly of the bench 10, the snap clip 97 is depressed, either by hand or mechanically via a ramp on the inside of the receptacle 29 (not shown in the figures), where it remains depressed until it is aligned with a hole on the inside of the receptacle (not shown). Once aligned with the hole, the clip 97 reassumes its normal position and fits into the hole, thus capturing the back support 90. To remove the back support 90 from the platform 21, the clip 97 is depressed by hand completely outside or substantially outside the hole in the receptacle 29, and the back support 90 is pulled out of the receptacle 29. The clip 97 of the preferred embodiment is moveable because the plastic used to form the adapters 95 has a memory that drives the plastic back to its original shape. In the preferred embodiment, an elongated squared “U” shaped section of the adapter wall is cut out, with the clip being on the “U”. Thus, a cantilever type lever is formed that allows the clip great freedom of movement about an axis formed at the top of the “U.” The principle of operation is much the same as that of the buttons 42 on the legs 41. However, other means of providing a moveable clip are envisioned. Further, other means of securing the back support 90 to the platform are envisioned.
[0041] Receptacles 29 for receiving the back support 90 can be molded into the upper portion of the platform 21. The receptacles 29 of the preferred embodiment are configured to receive the adapters 95 on the support struts 94 of the back support 90. Preferably, as is seen in FIG. 2, the receptacles 29 take the form of slots along or near the periphery of the seating surface of the platform 21. The receptacles 29 are positioned on either side of the platform 21, thus allowing the bench to be usable in a bath or shower with the entrance to the bath or shower on the left or right side, because the back support 90 can be mounted on either side of the platform 21.
In the preferred embodiment, the [0042] bench 10 can be placed in the bathtub with handle 50 and soap dish 60 against the inside wall of the tub. To reverse the seating direction depending on the water faucet location, the back support is simply moved.
Further, in the preferred embodiment, [0043] fillers 99 can be provided which are placed in the receptacles 29 that are not being used. However, it is envisioned that the invention can be practiced without the fillers 99. Fillers 99 of the preferred embodiment are made from the same material or substantially the same material as the platform 21. They cover all of the open portion of the empty receptacles 29, and when installed, provide a flush or semi-flush top surface of platform 21. The fillers 99 are held in place by extended clips 100, which positively fasten the fillers inside the receptacles 29, although other retention means are envisioned.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only. [0044]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower, the bench comprising:

a seating surface;

a support for supporting the seating surface; and

a restraining member configured to restrain a shower curtain when the bench is disposed at least partly within at least one of a bathtub and a shower, wherein the restraining member includes a drain configured to direct liquid into at least one of the bathtub and the shower while the restraining member restrains the shower curtain.

2. The bench of claim 1, wherein the drain includes a water directing surface and an opening in the water directing surface that allows liquid to pass to the bathtub.

3. The bench of claim 2, wherein the opening is positioned below the water directing surface.

4. The bench of claim 1, wherein the restraining member is adjacent the seating surface and extends below the seating surface.

5. The bench of claim 1, wherein the restraining member includes a trough having an opening that allows liquid to pass to the bathtub.

6. The bench of claim 5, wherein the trough is adjacent the seating surface and extends below the seating surface.

7. The bench of claim 1, wherein the support includes a plurality of legs extending downward from the seating surface.

8. A bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower, the bench comprising:

a seating surface;

a support for supporting the seating surface;

a handle adjacent the seating surface; and

a soap dish disposed substantially under the handle.

9. The bench of claim 8, further comprising an opening in the seating surface, wherein the opening is configured to receive the soap dish.

10. The bench of claim 9, wherein the opening has an opening rim, the soap dish has a soap-dish rim, and the soap-dish rim engages the opening rim when the soap dish is received in the opening.

11. The bench of claim 9, wherein the soap dish is constructed to be insertable into and removable from the opening.

12. The bench of claim 8, wherein the soap dish extends below the seating surface.

13. The bench of claim 12, wherein the soap dish is disposed entirely below the seating surface.

14. The bench of claim 8, wherein the soap dish has a length in a horizontal direction, a width in the horizontal direction, a depth in a vertical direction, and the depth is greater than at least one of the length and the width.

15. The bench of claim 8, wherein the handle includes a gripping surface and a handle support that facilitates supporting the gripping surface above the seating surface so as to provide a gap between the gripping surface and the seating surface that permits access to the soap dish.

16. The bench of claim 8, wherein the support includes a plurality of legs extending downward from the seating surface.

17. A bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower, the bench comprising:

a first seating surface;

a support for supporting the first seating surface;

a pad including foam that can be positioned on the first seating surface to provide a second seating surface; and

connectors that maintain the pad in position on the first seating surface, wherein the connectors can be connected, disconnected, and reconnected such that the pad can be positioned on the first seating surface, removed from the first seating surface, and reconnected to the first seating surface, respectively.

18. The bench of claim 17, wherein the connectors include a foam material.

19. The bench of claim 18, wherein the connectors are formed entirely of a foam material.

20. The bench of claim 18, wherein the connectors extend from the pad into openings in the first seating surface.

21. The bench of claim 17, wherein the support includes a plurality of legs extending downward from the seating surface.