CA2196491A1 - Bathtub entry seat - Google Patents
Bathtub entry seatInfo
- Publication number
- CA2196491A1 CA2196491A1 CA002196491A CA2196491A CA2196491A1 CA 2196491 A1 CA2196491 A1 CA 2196491A1 CA 002196491 A CA002196491 A CA 002196491A CA 2196491 A CA2196491 A CA 2196491A CA 2196491 A1 CA2196491 A1 CA 2196491A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- lever
- framework
- bath tub
- locking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Special Chairs (AREA)
Abstract
A bath tub entry seat for use in combination with a bath tub having side walls comprises a seat and a framework installable to extend transversely over the bath tub. The seat is mounted to a seat support that is movable on the framework. There is also a locking system for locking the seat support in a pre-determined position on the framework.
The locking system comprises a lever movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position. The locking system is designed such that the lever automatically moves to the lockable position whenever a user is seated on the seat so that the seat will automatically lock into place on the frame when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position. Accordingly, the user does not need to concern themselves with operation of the lever and can concentrate on steadying themselves on the seat.
The locking system comprises a lever movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position. The locking system is designed such that the lever automatically moves to the lockable position whenever a user is seated on the seat so that the seat will automatically lock into place on the frame when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position. Accordingly, the user does not need to concern themselves with operation of the lever and can concentrate on steadying themselves on the seat.
Description
_ BATHTUB ENTRY SEAT
This invention relates to seat for assisting in entry into a bathtub.
In order to assist infirm of physically disabled persons to enter and exit a bathtub safely, various structures have been developed that include supporting chairs or seats that are slidable on a framework across the bath tub to deliver a person to or from the centre of the tub while seated. Such an arrangement minimizes or eliminates the need for an attendant and the need for the person entering the bath tub to support their own weight under the wet and often slippery conditions of a bathtub.
When using such a structure, it is important that the slidable seat can be securely and efficiently locked into place on the framework to provide a stable platform for comfortable seating for showering or for a person to lower themselves into or pull themselves out of the bath tub.
In many prior art designs, the locking systems are manually operated requiring that the user balance on the seat as it moves on the framework to the centre of the bath tub and manipulate the locking system to lock the seat into place. Obviously, this is not desirable as having to attend to any matter other than safe and stable positioning on the seat as it moves across the tub invites the possibility of a fall.
Examples of prior art manually operable locking mechanisms for bathtub entry systems are shown in the following patents:
United Kingdom Patent 1,586,660 to Allen discloses a locking mechanism comprising a rail having a plurality of openings into which a manually operable plunger is ~- 21 964~1 received.
United States Patent 2,648,849 to Webb et al. uses a rubber shoe engagable against a rail on which the seat slides to prevent movement of the seat. The shoe must be manually engaged by the user.
United States Patent 3,090,969 to Maling discloses a brake arrangement including a manually operated lever which engages a brake shoe against a rotatable wheel.
Other examples of manually operated locking devices for bath tub entry systems are disclosed in the following patents:
United States Patent 5,412,817 to Smith;
United States Patent 5,068,930 to Ruggiero;
United States Patent 4,941,218 to McCartney;
United States Patent 4,359,791 to Thomas;
United States Patent 4,168,549 to Davies;
United States Patent 4,150,445 to Bailey;
United States Patent 4,091,479 to Hancock; and Canadian Patent Appl. 2,056,610 to Kennedy et al.
Applicant has developed a bath tub entry seat that avoids the manually operable locking systems of the prior art and provides a locking device that is activated automatically when a user sits in the movable seat.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a bath tub entry seat for use in combination with a bath tub having side walls comprising:
a seat;
a framework installable to extend transversely over the bath tub;
a seat support movable on the framework, the seat being mounted to the seat support; and ' a locking system for locking the seat support in a pre-determined position on the framework comprising a lever movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position, and actuating means to automatically move the lever to the lockable position whenever a user is seated on the seat so that the seat support will automatically lock into place on the frame when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position.
With the apparatus of the present invention, the user can simply sit on the seat and allow the seat to slide to the pre-determined bathing position whereupon the locking lever automatically engages with the framework to lock the seat support into place. No action on the part of the user is necessary to lock the seat into a safe and stable position.
Preferably, the lever is pivotally mounted to the seat support and engaged by a friction surface such that the user can lift the lever into a disengaged position and, provided there is no weight on the seat, the lever will remain in its disengaged position.
Aspects of the present invention are illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the bath seat according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a detail view of the locking mechanism of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a view showing the manner in which the apparatus is attached to a bathtub.
Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the apparatus -2 of the present invention comprising a framework 10, a seat support 12, and a seat 14 secured to the seat support.
Frame 10 includes first and second end portions 16 and 18 joined by first and second rail portions 20 and 22. The 5 framework is installable to extend transversely between the side walls 15 of a bath tub 17 as best shown in Figure 3.
First and second end portions 16 and 18 are provided with a clamping system comprising a pair of generally L-shaped members 23 that are extendable parallel to rail portions 20 and 22 in opposite directions from a central securing location 25 to straddle and grip a side wall of the bath tab. Each securing location 25 is provided on an inwardly extending flange 31 formed at first and second end portions 16 and 18. The securing location is an upwardly extending 15 threaded fastener to define a pivot point that accepts a wing nut 33. Each L-shaped member 23 is formed with a central slot 35 that receives the threaded fastener to permit slidable adjustment of the L-shaped member to accommodate bath side walls 15 of different widths. Once 20 positioning of the L-shaped members is achieved for a secure grip of each bath tub side wall, each wing nut 33 is tightened against members 23 to secure the framework to the tub. A slot 35 is formed in end portions 16 and 18 to permit one of the L-shaped member to extend outwardly of 25 the framework 10.
In some cases, bath tubs are installed in a recessed alcove having a vertical wall adjacent one of the side walls of the bath tub and it is impossible for a clamp member 23 to straddle the bath side wall. To install the 30 apparatus of the present invention in such a location, one end of framework 10 is abutted against the vertical wall and simply rests on the exposed bath tub side wall. At the other side of the bath tub, clamping members 23 are used in the standard manner to grip the bath tub side wall and 35 brace the apparatus in place against the vertical wall.
Within frame 10, seat support 12 is movable on first and second rail portions 20 and 22 between end portions 16 and 18. In the embodiment of Figure 1, seat support 12 comprises a main body having a central planar portion 30 to which seat 14 is mounted with four depending legs 32 at each corner of the body. Preferably, seat 14 comprises a bowed generally arcuate body having a central depression for seating of a user and hand grips 41 to allow a user to steady themselves with both hands. Seat 14 is formed from moulded plastic and is formed with drainage holes 43 so that water does not accumulate in the central depression.
It is preferable that seat 14 is mounted to seat support 12 by for rotatable movement about a generally vertical axis indicated by arrow 46 in Figure 1 to allow the user to adjust their orientation.
Seat support 12 is designed as a wheeled platform.
Axles 34 extend between legs 32 on opposite sides of the seat support 12 between rail portions 20 and 22. Each rail portion comprises a generally U-shaped channel member having upper and lower flanges 24 and 26, respectively, that receive and guide freely rotatable wheels 36 mounted to the ends of axles 34 on the outside of each depending leg 32. In this manner, seat support 12 and attached seat 14 is movable from one end of framework 10 to the other on rail portions 22 and 24 in the direction of arrow 48 to transport a user sitting on seat 14 to the centre of the bath tub.
A locking system is provided in order to automatically lock seat support 12 into a pre-determined position on framework 10. Preferably, the pre-determined locked position of the seat support is at the centre of the tub to allow the user a stable platform from which to enter or leave the tub. The locking system includes a lever 38 movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position. Actuating means are provided to cause lever 38 to move to its lockable position whenever a user is seated on seat 14 so that seat support 12 will automatically lock into place on framework 10 when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position.
As best illustrated in Figure 1, lever 38 is pivotally mounted to seat support 12 at a pivot point 33 defined by axle 34. Lever 38 is mounted to axle 34 to move independently of the axle and the lever extends to a distal end portion 40 above rail 20. End portion 40 is formed with a tab 42 for manual pivoting of the lever and a locking tab 44. Locking tab 44 is adapted to engage in notch or slot 28 formed in the upper flange portion 24 of rail member 20. Therefore, notch 28 defines the pre-determined locking position on framework 10 and the disengaged position of lever 38 is when the lever is pivoted upwardly so that locking tab 44 is raised above flange portion 24. Accordingly, the lockable position of lever 38 is when the lever is pivoted downwardly so that the locking tab is in contact with flange portion 24.
Actuating means to control movement of the lever between the lockable position and the disengaged position comprises a deflectable surface 58 engageable against lever 38 to prevent pivoting of the lever and to maintain the lever in a given position by friction. Whenever a user is seated on seat 14, deflectable surface 58 is urged out of frictional engagement with lever 38 to permit rotation of the lever to the lockable position. In order to understand the functioning of deflectable surface 58, it is necessary to examine the axle and wheel structure adjacent locking lever 38 as best shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. Wheel 36 is mounted to the end 50 of axle 34.
The wheel has a bushing 52 which extends axially to receive the axle. A first washer 54 is secured between leg portion ' 32 of seat support 12 and bushing 52. Lever 38 is pivotally mounted on axle 34 adjacent leg portion 32 and a second washer 56 is rigidly affixed to axle 34 to prevent inward axial movement of the lever 38 on axle 34. Leg portion 32 is formed with deflectable surface 58 in the form of a lower flange through which axle 34 extends.
Surface 58 is free to move axially on axle 34. Leg portion 32 also includes an upper angled portion 60 which extends downwardly from central planar portion 30. By default, when a user is not seated on seat 14, deflectable surface 58 is positioned on axle 34 such that lever 38 is squeezed between surface 58 and washer 56. The result is that friction between lever 38 and flange 58 is sufficient to hold lever 38 in position to prevent rotation about axle 34. However, when a user sits on seat 14, their weight causes central planar portion 30 of seat support 12 to be deflected downwardly thereby deflecting upper angled portion 60 and deflectable surface 58 outwardly along axle 34 toward wheel 36 as shown by dashed lines 64 and arrow 65. Deflectable surface 58 therefore moves away from washer 56 to relieve the clamping force on lever 38 to allow the lever to pivot under gravity downwardly such that locking tab 44 contacts and rides on upper flange portion 24. Thus, as the user slides the seat support 12 on rails 20 and 22, tab 44 is dragged along surface 24 until tab 44 engages in notch 28 to lock the seat support with respect to the frame 10. Once the seat support is locked, the user is free to lower themselves into or raise themselves from the bath tub from a stable platform defined by the locked seat.
The illustrated embodiment uses a single locking lever 38, however, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that two locking levers, one associated with each rail portion can be employed.
Furthermore, while the lever 38 of the illustrated ~ 21 96491 embodiment is moved from the disengaged to the lockable position by force of gravity, it is within the scope of the invention to use a spring or other suitable arrangement to bias the lever to the lockable position when the friction force of the deflectable surface is removed by the presence of a user.
In operation, seat support 12 is positioned adjacent end portion 16 at an accessible side of the bath tub. Seat 14 is rotated to extend between rails 20 and 22 to permit a user to sit easily on seat 14 (see Figure 3). To ensure that the seat support does not move as the user is seating themselves, lever 38 can be pivoted downwardly in the direction of arrow 64 using tab 42 such that locking tab 44 is engaged with the edge of first portion 16 as shown by dashed lines in Figure 1.
After sitting comfortably on seat 14, the user lifts tab 42 to disengage lever 38 from portion 16 thereby freeing the seat support for movement in direction 48 relative to frame 10 across the bath tub to transport the user. As previously explained, when the user is sitting on seat 14, the locking system is activated to automatically drops lever 38 onto upper surface 24 of rail 20. Thus, as the seat support slides on the frame, locking tab 44 of lever 38 is dragged along surface 24 until the tab engages in notch 28 at which point, movement of the seat support is stopped. The user can then rotate seat 14 to swing their legs into the tub and orient the seat parallel to the rails.
Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practised within the scope of the appended claims.
This invention relates to seat for assisting in entry into a bathtub.
In order to assist infirm of physically disabled persons to enter and exit a bathtub safely, various structures have been developed that include supporting chairs or seats that are slidable on a framework across the bath tub to deliver a person to or from the centre of the tub while seated. Such an arrangement minimizes or eliminates the need for an attendant and the need for the person entering the bath tub to support their own weight under the wet and often slippery conditions of a bathtub.
When using such a structure, it is important that the slidable seat can be securely and efficiently locked into place on the framework to provide a stable platform for comfortable seating for showering or for a person to lower themselves into or pull themselves out of the bath tub.
In many prior art designs, the locking systems are manually operated requiring that the user balance on the seat as it moves on the framework to the centre of the bath tub and manipulate the locking system to lock the seat into place. Obviously, this is not desirable as having to attend to any matter other than safe and stable positioning on the seat as it moves across the tub invites the possibility of a fall.
Examples of prior art manually operable locking mechanisms for bathtub entry systems are shown in the following patents:
United Kingdom Patent 1,586,660 to Allen discloses a locking mechanism comprising a rail having a plurality of openings into which a manually operable plunger is ~- 21 964~1 received.
United States Patent 2,648,849 to Webb et al. uses a rubber shoe engagable against a rail on which the seat slides to prevent movement of the seat. The shoe must be manually engaged by the user.
United States Patent 3,090,969 to Maling discloses a brake arrangement including a manually operated lever which engages a brake shoe against a rotatable wheel.
Other examples of manually operated locking devices for bath tub entry systems are disclosed in the following patents:
United States Patent 5,412,817 to Smith;
United States Patent 5,068,930 to Ruggiero;
United States Patent 4,941,218 to McCartney;
United States Patent 4,359,791 to Thomas;
United States Patent 4,168,549 to Davies;
United States Patent 4,150,445 to Bailey;
United States Patent 4,091,479 to Hancock; and Canadian Patent Appl. 2,056,610 to Kennedy et al.
Applicant has developed a bath tub entry seat that avoids the manually operable locking systems of the prior art and provides a locking device that is activated automatically when a user sits in the movable seat.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a bath tub entry seat for use in combination with a bath tub having side walls comprising:
a seat;
a framework installable to extend transversely over the bath tub;
a seat support movable on the framework, the seat being mounted to the seat support; and ' a locking system for locking the seat support in a pre-determined position on the framework comprising a lever movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position, and actuating means to automatically move the lever to the lockable position whenever a user is seated on the seat so that the seat support will automatically lock into place on the frame when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position.
With the apparatus of the present invention, the user can simply sit on the seat and allow the seat to slide to the pre-determined bathing position whereupon the locking lever automatically engages with the framework to lock the seat support into place. No action on the part of the user is necessary to lock the seat into a safe and stable position.
Preferably, the lever is pivotally mounted to the seat support and engaged by a friction surface such that the user can lift the lever into a disengaged position and, provided there is no weight on the seat, the lever will remain in its disengaged position.
Aspects of the present invention are illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the bath seat according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a detail view of the locking mechanism of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a view showing the manner in which the apparatus is attached to a bathtub.
Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the apparatus -2 of the present invention comprising a framework 10, a seat support 12, and a seat 14 secured to the seat support.
Frame 10 includes first and second end portions 16 and 18 joined by first and second rail portions 20 and 22. The 5 framework is installable to extend transversely between the side walls 15 of a bath tub 17 as best shown in Figure 3.
First and second end portions 16 and 18 are provided with a clamping system comprising a pair of generally L-shaped members 23 that are extendable parallel to rail portions 20 and 22 in opposite directions from a central securing location 25 to straddle and grip a side wall of the bath tab. Each securing location 25 is provided on an inwardly extending flange 31 formed at first and second end portions 16 and 18. The securing location is an upwardly extending 15 threaded fastener to define a pivot point that accepts a wing nut 33. Each L-shaped member 23 is formed with a central slot 35 that receives the threaded fastener to permit slidable adjustment of the L-shaped member to accommodate bath side walls 15 of different widths. Once 20 positioning of the L-shaped members is achieved for a secure grip of each bath tub side wall, each wing nut 33 is tightened against members 23 to secure the framework to the tub. A slot 35 is formed in end portions 16 and 18 to permit one of the L-shaped member to extend outwardly of 25 the framework 10.
In some cases, bath tubs are installed in a recessed alcove having a vertical wall adjacent one of the side walls of the bath tub and it is impossible for a clamp member 23 to straddle the bath side wall. To install the 30 apparatus of the present invention in such a location, one end of framework 10 is abutted against the vertical wall and simply rests on the exposed bath tub side wall. At the other side of the bath tub, clamping members 23 are used in the standard manner to grip the bath tub side wall and 35 brace the apparatus in place against the vertical wall.
Within frame 10, seat support 12 is movable on first and second rail portions 20 and 22 between end portions 16 and 18. In the embodiment of Figure 1, seat support 12 comprises a main body having a central planar portion 30 to which seat 14 is mounted with four depending legs 32 at each corner of the body. Preferably, seat 14 comprises a bowed generally arcuate body having a central depression for seating of a user and hand grips 41 to allow a user to steady themselves with both hands. Seat 14 is formed from moulded plastic and is formed with drainage holes 43 so that water does not accumulate in the central depression.
It is preferable that seat 14 is mounted to seat support 12 by for rotatable movement about a generally vertical axis indicated by arrow 46 in Figure 1 to allow the user to adjust their orientation.
Seat support 12 is designed as a wheeled platform.
Axles 34 extend between legs 32 on opposite sides of the seat support 12 between rail portions 20 and 22. Each rail portion comprises a generally U-shaped channel member having upper and lower flanges 24 and 26, respectively, that receive and guide freely rotatable wheels 36 mounted to the ends of axles 34 on the outside of each depending leg 32. In this manner, seat support 12 and attached seat 14 is movable from one end of framework 10 to the other on rail portions 22 and 24 in the direction of arrow 48 to transport a user sitting on seat 14 to the centre of the bath tub.
A locking system is provided in order to automatically lock seat support 12 into a pre-determined position on framework 10. Preferably, the pre-determined locked position of the seat support is at the centre of the tub to allow the user a stable platform from which to enter or leave the tub. The locking system includes a lever 38 movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position. Actuating means are provided to cause lever 38 to move to its lockable position whenever a user is seated on seat 14 so that seat support 12 will automatically lock into place on framework 10 when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position.
As best illustrated in Figure 1, lever 38 is pivotally mounted to seat support 12 at a pivot point 33 defined by axle 34. Lever 38 is mounted to axle 34 to move independently of the axle and the lever extends to a distal end portion 40 above rail 20. End portion 40 is formed with a tab 42 for manual pivoting of the lever and a locking tab 44. Locking tab 44 is adapted to engage in notch or slot 28 formed in the upper flange portion 24 of rail member 20. Therefore, notch 28 defines the pre-determined locking position on framework 10 and the disengaged position of lever 38 is when the lever is pivoted upwardly so that locking tab 44 is raised above flange portion 24. Accordingly, the lockable position of lever 38 is when the lever is pivoted downwardly so that the locking tab is in contact with flange portion 24.
Actuating means to control movement of the lever between the lockable position and the disengaged position comprises a deflectable surface 58 engageable against lever 38 to prevent pivoting of the lever and to maintain the lever in a given position by friction. Whenever a user is seated on seat 14, deflectable surface 58 is urged out of frictional engagement with lever 38 to permit rotation of the lever to the lockable position. In order to understand the functioning of deflectable surface 58, it is necessary to examine the axle and wheel structure adjacent locking lever 38 as best shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. Wheel 36 is mounted to the end 50 of axle 34.
The wheel has a bushing 52 which extends axially to receive the axle. A first washer 54 is secured between leg portion ' 32 of seat support 12 and bushing 52. Lever 38 is pivotally mounted on axle 34 adjacent leg portion 32 and a second washer 56 is rigidly affixed to axle 34 to prevent inward axial movement of the lever 38 on axle 34. Leg portion 32 is formed with deflectable surface 58 in the form of a lower flange through which axle 34 extends.
Surface 58 is free to move axially on axle 34. Leg portion 32 also includes an upper angled portion 60 which extends downwardly from central planar portion 30. By default, when a user is not seated on seat 14, deflectable surface 58 is positioned on axle 34 such that lever 38 is squeezed between surface 58 and washer 56. The result is that friction between lever 38 and flange 58 is sufficient to hold lever 38 in position to prevent rotation about axle 34. However, when a user sits on seat 14, their weight causes central planar portion 30 of seat support 12 to be deflected downwardly thereby deflecting upper angled portion 60 and deflectable surface 58 outwardly along axle 34 toward wheel 36 as shown by dashed lines 64 and arrow 65. Deflectable surface 58 therefore moves away from washer 56 to relieve the clamping force on lever 38 to allow the lever to pivot under gravity downwardly such that locking tab 44 contacts and rides on upper flange portion 24. Thus, as the user slides the seat support 12 on rails 20 and 22, tab 44 is dragged along surface 24 until tab 44 engages in notch 28 to lock the seat support with respect to the frame 10. Once the seat support is locked, the user is free to lower themselves into or raise themselves from the bath tub from a stable platform defined by the locked seat.
The illustrated embodiment uses a single locking lever 38, however, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that two locking levers, one associated with each rail portion can be employed.
Furthermore, while the lever 38 of the illustrated ~ 21 96491 embodiment is moved from the disengaged to the lockable position by force of gravity, it is within the scope of the invention to use a spring or other suitable arrangement to bias the lever to the lockable position when the friction force of the deflectable surface is removed by the presence of a user.
In operation, seat support 12 is positioned adjacent end portion 16 at an accessible side of the bath tub. Seat 14 is rotated to extend between rails 20 and 22 to permit a user to sit easily on seat 14 (see Figure 3). To ensure that the seat support does not move as the user is seating themselves, lever 38 can be pivoted downwardly in the direction of arrow 64 using tab 42 such that locking tab 44 is engaged with the edge of first portion 16 as shown by dashed lines in Figure 1.
After sitting comfortably on seat 14, the user lifts tab 42 to disengage lever 38 from portion 16 thereby freeing the seat support for movement in direction 48 relative to frame 10 across the bath tub to transport the user. As previously explained, when the user is sitting on seat 14, the locking system is activated to automatically drops lever 38 onto upper surface 24 of rail 20. Thus, as the seat support slides on the frame, locking tab 44 of lever 38 is dragged along surface 24 until the tab engages in notch 28 at which point, movement of the seat support is stopped. The user can then rotate seat 14 to swing their legs into the tub and orient the seat parallel to the rails.
Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practised within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (11)
1. A bath tub entry seat for use in combination with a bath tub having side walls comprising:
a seat;
a framework installable to extend transversely over the bath tub;
a seat support movable on the framework, the seat being mounted to the seat support; and a locking system for locking the seat support in a pre-determined position on the framework comprising a lever movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position, and actuating means to automatically move the lever to the lockable position whenever a user is seated on the seat so that the seat support will automatically lock into place on the frame when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position.
a seat;
a framework installable to extend transversely over the bath tub;
a seat support movable on the framework, the seat being mounted to the seat support; and a locking system for locking the seat support in a pre-determined position on the framework comprising a lever movable between a lockable position with the framework and a disengaged position, and actuating means to automatically move the lever to the lockable position whenever a user is seated on the seat so that the seat support will automatically lock into place on the frame when the seat support reaches the pre-determined position.
2. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 1 in which the lever is pivotally mounted to the seat support at a pivot point, and the actuating means comprises a deflectable surface engageable against the lever to prevent pivoting and to maintain the lever in a particular position by friction, the deflectable surface being urged out of frictional engagement with the lever whenever a user is seated on the seat to permit rotation of the lever to the lockable position.
3. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 2 in which the lever moves to the lockable position due to gravity.
4. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 2 in which the deflectable surface comprises a portion of the seat support that flexes under the weight of a user on the seat.
5. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 4 in which the framework is formed with channels and the seat support is mounted on wheels that run in the channels.
6. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 5 in which seat support comprises a main body having a central portion to support the seat and depending legs that rotatable support the wheels on axles.
7. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 6 in which the pivot point of the locking lever is the axle of one of the wheels and the deflectable surface comprises the depending leg of the main body associated with said axle.
8. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 7 in which the locking lever is formed with a locking tab and the framework is formed with at least one opening to receive the tab to define the pre-determined locking position whereby movement of the lever to the lockable position involves movement of the lever against the framework to permit engagement of the locking tab in the at least one opening to prevent movement of the seat support with respect to the framework.
9. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 1 in which the lever is formed with a locking tab and the framework is formed with at least one opening to receive the tab to define the pre-determined locking position whereby movement of the lever to the lockable position involves movement of the lever against the framework to permit engagement of the locking tab in the at least one opening to prevent movement of the seat support with respect to the framework.
10. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 1 including pivot means extending from the seat support to rotatably support the seat on the framework.
11. A bath tub entry seat as claimed in claim 1 including a clamp for securing at least one end of the framework to a side wall of the bath tub.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US72861696A | 1996-10-10 | 1996-10-10 | |
| US08/728,616 | 1996-10-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2196491A1 true CA2196491A1 (en) | 1998-04-11 |
Family
ID=24927575
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002196491A Abandoned CA2196491A1 (en) | 1996-10-10 | 1997-01-31 | Bathtub entry seat |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2196491A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012122652A1 (en) * | 2011-03-17 | 2012-09-20 | Evolution Technologies Inc. | Bath chair |
| US9763545B2 (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2017-09-19 | Evolution Technologies Inc. | Bath chair |
-
1997
- 1997-01-31 CA CA002196491A patent/CA2196491A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012122652A1 (en) * | 2011-03-17 | 2012-09-20 | Evolution Technologies Inc. | Bath chair |
| US9149160B2 (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2015-10-06 | Evolution Technologies Inc. | Bath chair |
| US9307868B2 (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2016-04-12 | Evolution Technolgies Inc. | Bath chair |
| US9763545B2 (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2017-09-19 | Evolution Technologies Inc. | Bath chair |
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