EP3544476A1

EP3544476A1 - Modular roll-in shower system

Info

Publication number: EP3544476A1
Application number: EP17874477.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal MALASSIGNÉ; Mark Cors; Kevin Alexander
Original assignee: US Department of Veterans Affairs
Current assignee: US Department of Veterans Affairs
Priority date: 2016-11-23
Filing date: 2017-11-21
Publication date: 2019-10-02
Also published as: CA3043970A1; WO2018098193A1; JP2020500094A; US20190298112A1

Abstract

A modular roll-in shower system includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of side walls extending upward from the upper surface and a door attached to a first of the plurality of side walls. The side walls, the door and the base are connected together to form a substantially water tight bathing chamber having an opening above the base. The door is attached to a side wall or a door jamb. The door may be attached at an angle biased to swing the door into the closed position or the door may be attached with spring loaded hinges that swing the door into the closed position. The door may also be electronically controlled to open and close. The system also includes an access ramp that is substantially flush with a floor surface on a first side and substantially flush with the upper surface of the base on a second side to allow a wheel chair to roll from the floor surface onto the upper surface of the base.

Description

MODULAR ROLL-IN SHOWER SYSTEM

RELATED APPLICATION

[01] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application no. 62/425,819 filed 23 Nov. 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

[02] The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Grant No. F0627-R awarded by The Department of Veterans Affairs.

BACKGROUND

[03] Field of the Invention

[04] The present disclosure generally relates to bathing devices and more particular relates to a roll-in shower apparatus.

[05] Related Art

[06] Lavatory devices that assist in bathing or showering are common among the elderly and disabled patient population. The National Center for Health Statistics has reported that about 10 percent of all people over the age of 65 have difficulty bathing, and about 6 percent receive help. In an assessment of home aids, adaptations and personal assistance received after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in a population of 2.5 million inhabitants in Denmark, the most common aids or adaptations reported were related to the bathtub or shower (69%). Despite the increased awareness for bathroom assistance, no room at home poses more threats to safety than the bathroom. The National Safety Council reports that 7.8% of all injury episodes in the bathroom involved persons of age 65 or older. This is because the greatest danger in the bathroom is slipping and falling when entering and exiting the bathtub or shower.

[07] To meet the needs of the aging population, the home health care services industry has grown from 40.8 million dollars in 2005 to 57.2 million dollars in 2009. Similar growth is predicted into the future based on the growing number of aging individuals entering retirement and desiring to stay within their homes. During this same period, the accessible bathtub and shower industry grew from 1 19.1 million dollars in 2005 to 148.5 million dollars in 2010. A similar growth rate was seen in the bath and pool lift industry that grew from 36.6 million dollars in 2005 to 45.6 million dollars in 2010. This growth rate of 4.5% per year is projected to continue as the boomers retire.

[08] Individuals with spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCID) confront equivalent or even more significant challenges in the bathroom. The fixtures being developed by the design team will also serve this estimated population of 262,000 persons with SCID (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center). There are approximately 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury each year. Of these injuries, 51 .9% are tetraplegia and 45.2% are paraplegia (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center). This level of injury leads to diminished abilities and, in some cases, individuals will require caregiver assistance for bathing and other activities of daily life. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center (NSCISC) in Birmingham, Alabama, tracks over 91 % of this population as living in private residences. The need to remain in the home is as compelling for a spinal cord injured patient as it is for the aging, prolonging independence, reducing health care costs and maintaining a high quality of life.

[09] Additionally, it is estimated that approximately 90% of nursing home residents have trouble bathing and bathing disability is a strong predictor of long- term nursing home admission. Assistive technology is used to increase independence and decrease burden of care; however, an equitable system for providing assistive devices among the elderly and patients with SCID is lacking. With the advent of new technologies that promote greater independence while maintaining high safety standards, patients are more willing to invest in assistive bathing devices within the home or outpatient facility.

[10] Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that overcomes these significant problems found in the conventional systems as described above.

SUMMARY

[11] The present invention describes a modular roll-in shower system designed for elderly individuals or SCID patients or any individual who uses a shower wheelchair for bathing and showering. The modular roll-in shower system does not require any major bathroom modification, and can be installed anywhere in a home where hoses can be connected to a water source and a drain.

[12] The modular roll-in shower system contains several features that assist bathers in transferring or self-propelling safely into the shower and proceeding with showering from the wheelchair position. These features include dimensions to accommodate the extra width of a wheelchair (e.g., 228 cm x 95 cm doorway), an angled floor and water trough for drainage, and an appropriately-sized door handle to facilitate opening the door and entering the modular roll-in shower system.

[13] Two design features that distinguish the modular roll-in shower system from conventional roll-in showers are: 1 ) hands-free self-opening and closing door, and 2) side wall openings and hinged or removable translucent windows to facilitate access by a caregiver. These two unique features provide significant advantages of the present modular roll-in shower system over conventional roll-in showers because they provide the bather with a customizable level of bathing support and also provide optional independent bathing or caregiver assistance in the bathing and showering procedure.

[14] The angle of the door handle positioned on the outside of the modular roll- in shower system enables a convenient reach and grasp by a bather from a wheelchair position to open the shower door before entering the modular roll-in shower system. After opening the door and rolling into the modular shower system, the bather does not have to close the door. The weight of the door, which is mounted at a 3° angle, works with the hinges to swing the door closed behind the bather, hands-free. Once closed, the door engages the door-jam to provide a seal that prevents water from leaving the modular shower system. After the shower is complete, the bather can exit, hands-free, by using his/her wheelchair wheels to bump into the door and push it open from the inside.

[15] The sidewall openings on the roll-in shower allow for the bather to see outside and the sidewall openings also provide caregiver access to assist the bather with bathing/showering. The modular roll-in shower system includes plastic translucent windows that slide into the openings in the walls. While these windows fit snugly to prevent water from leaving the modular shower system, they can also be easily opened or removed to achieve caregiver access to the bather. In one embodiment, the windows are composed of a smooth or corrugated clear or slightly opaque polymer that provides enough visibility to see in and out of the shower. Alternatively, the windows may be configured as one-way mirrors so the bather can see out but people cannot see in.

[16] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[17] The structure and operation of the present invention will be understood from a review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[19] FIG. 2 is a top view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[20] FIG. 3 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system accessible by a bather in a wheelchair according to an embodiment of the invention;

[21] FIG. 4 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[22] FIG. 5 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system with a removable window according to an embodiment of the invention;

[23] FIG. 6 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system accessible by a caregiver according to an embodiment of the invention;

[24] FIG. 7 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system accessible by a caregiver via a recess in a side wall according to an embodiment of the invention;

[25] FIG. 8 is an expanded view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system according to an embodiment of the invention; [26] FIG. 9 is an expanded view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system with a door jamb according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[27] FIG. 10 is an expanded view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system with a door jamb according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[28] Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide for a modular roll-in shower system configured to allow easy access for a bather in a wheelchair as well as a caregiver assisting with the bathing process. After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[29] FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 comprises a base 20 attached to a plurality of side walls 30. The base 20, the side walls 30 and a door 40 define a bathing chamber 15. The door 40 is attached to a first side wall 30 using hinges 45. The door 40 includes a handle 50 that extends outward away from the door a sufficient distance to allow a bather in a wheelchair to pull the handle and open the door when the wheel chair is approaching the shower system 10, for example on the ramp 60. The ramp 60 is substantially flush with the floor on a first side and substantially flush with an upper surface of the base 20 on a second side to facilitate easy access to the bathing chamber 15 by a bather in a wheelchair. One of more of the plurality of side walls 30 of the shower system 10 also includes a recess 70 that extends down from an upper edge of the side wall 30 to define an opening into which a removable window 80 can be secured. The window 80 can advantageously be removed to allow a caregiver to access the bather in the shower system 10 to assist with the bathing process. [30] In one embodiment, the modular roll-in shower system 10 comprises a base 20 having at least three sides and an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the upper surface of the base 20 having a slope and the base 20 further having a drain at a lowest point on the upper surface. One of the sides of the base 20 is a door side that is configured to connect to a ramp 60 and also configure to establish a substantially water tight seal with the door 40.

[31] In this embodiment, the plurality of side walls 30 extend upward from the base 20 and each side wall 30 is configured to connect to the base and create a substantially water tight seal. Additionally, each side wall 30 is also configured to connect to one or more adjacent side walls 30 and create a substantially water tight seal such that the base 20 and the side walls 30 combine to form a bathing chamber 15 having an opening above the base 20 and an opening on the door side. The shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to a first of the plurality of side walls 30. The door 40 is configured to swing outward away from the base 20 to provide access to the bathing chamber 15 when open. The door 40 is also configured to rest against a second of the plurality of side walls 30 to create a substantially water tight seal when closed. Advantageously, the door can be attached to the first side wall 30 by way of one or more hinges 45 such that the door 40 is biased to swing into a closed position. The door 40 may be biased to swing into a closed position by attaching the door 40 at an angle or by attaching the door 40 using hinges 45 that are configured to automatically swing the door 40 into the closed position. For example an electronically controlled hinge 45 or a mechanically controlled hinge 45 such as a spring loaded hinge that continuously presses the door 40 into the closed position.

[32] Also in this embodiment, the show system 10 includes an access ramp 60 that has a first side that is substantially flush with a floor surface on which the base 20 of the shower system 10 rests. The access ramp 60 also has a second side that is substantially flush with the upper surface of the base 20 and is connected to the base 20 along the door side of the base 20 such that a wheelchair can roll from the floor surface onto the upper surface of the base 20.

[33] Also in this embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 that is mounted on an exterior surface of the door 40 that faces away from the bathing chamber 15. Additionally, one or more of the side walls 30 includes a recess 70 that extends down from a top edge of the side wall 30 to form a substantially U shaped opening in the side wall 30. One or more portions of the edges of the recess 70 are configured to secure a removable window 80 in the recess 70 such that the side wall 30 with the window 80 secured in the recess 70 is substantially water tight. Advantageously, when the window 80 is removed from the recess 70, the recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber 15. The shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water source and for draining water out of the chamber 15. The shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps to move water into the chamber 15 and out of the chamber 15.

[34] In an alternative embodiment, the base 20 may also include a lip that extends upward from the base 20 on each side of the base 20 except for the door side. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more water tight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 on an upper surface of the lip.

[35] FIG. 2 is a top view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 comprises a base 20 having a drain 25, the base 20 is attached to a plurality of side walls 30. The base 20, the side walls 30 and a door 40 define a bathing chamber 15 that is sized to fit a wheelchair 100. The shower system 10 also includes a shower wand 120. The door 40 is attached to a first side wall 30 and includes a handle 50 that extends outward away from the door 40 a sufficient distance to allow a bather in a wheelchair 100 to pull the handle 50 and open the door 40 when the wheelchair 100 is approaching the shower system 10, for example when the wheelchair 100 is on the ramp 60. The door 40 also includes a second handle 55 that is attached to an interior surface of the door 40 that is facing the chamber 15. The handle 55 allows the bather to manually close the door 50 after entering the bathing chamber 15. The ramp 60 is substantially flush with the floor on a first side and substantially flush with an upper surface of the base 20 on a second side to facilitate easy access to the bathing chamber 15 by a bather in a wheelchair 100. One of more of the plurality of side walls 30 of the shower system 10 also includes a recess 70 that extends down from an upper edge of the side wall 30 to define an opening into which a removable window 80 can be secured. The window 80 can advantageously be removed to allow a caregiver to access the bather in the shower system 10 to assist with the bathing process.

[36] FIG. 3 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 accessible by a bather in a wheelchair 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 comprises a base 20 that is attached to a plurality of side walls 30. The shower system 10 also includes a door 40 that is attached to one of the side walls 30. The base 20, the side walls 30 and the door 40 define a bathing chamber 15 that is sized to fit a wheelchair 100. The door 40 is attached to a first side wall 30 and includes a handle 50 that extends outward away from the door 40 a sufficient distance to allow a bather in a wheelchair 100 to pull the handle 50 and open the door 40 when the wheelchair 100 is approaching the shower system 10, for example when the wheelchair 100 is on or near the ramp 60 as shown. Advantageously, the ramp 60 is substantially flush with the floor on a first side and substantially flush with an upper surface of the base 20 on a second side to facilitate easy access to the bathing chamber 15 by a bather in a wheelchair 100. At least one of the plurality of side walls 30 of the shower system 10 also includes a recess 70 that extends down from an upper edge of the side wall 30 to define an opening into which a removable window 80 can be secured. The window 80 can advantageously be removed to allow a caregiver to access the bather in the shower system 10 to assist with the bathing process.

[37] FIG. 4 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 comprises a base 20 that is attached to a plurality of side walls 30 and a door 40 that is attached to one of the side walls 30. The base 20, side walls 30 and the door 40 define a bathing chamber 15. The door 40 includes a handle 50 and the shower system 10 includes a ramp 60 to allow a wheelchair to access the bathing chamber 15 by rolling up the ramp 60 from a floor surface and onto the upper surface of the base 20. Additionally, one or more of the side walls 30 may include a recess 70 that is configured to secure a removable window 80. When the window 80 is secured in place, the side wall 30 is water tight and when the window 80 is removed, a caregiver can access a bather in the bathing chamber 15 to facilitate the bathing process. Advantageously, the shower system 10 can be configured such that the door 40 swings open to the right or to the left to allow the shower system 10 to be positioned in a variety of ways that accommodate the characteristics of the physical space into which the shower system is located.

[38] FIG. 5 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 with a removable window 80 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a plurality of side walls 30 and at least one side wall 30 includes a recess 70 into which a removable window 80 may be secured. When the window 80 is secured in the recess 70, the side wall 30 is water tight. When the window 80 is removed from the recess 70, the recess 70 provides an opening to the bathing chamber 15 through which a caregiver can access a bather to facilitate the bathing process.

[39] In an alternative embodiment, the window 80 is attached to the side wall 30 by one or more hinges that are configured to allow the window 80 to swing open and thereby provide an opening to the bathing chamber 15 through which a caregiver can access a bather to facilitate the bathing process. In such an embodiment, the one or more hinges may be located on a side of the window 80 or on the bottom of the window 80 to allow the window 80 to swing left or right or down when opening.

[40] FIG. 6 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 accessible by a caregiver according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a base 20 with a drain 25. A bather in a wheelchair 100 accesses the bathing chamber 15 by opening the door 40 using the handle 50 and rolling up the ramp 60 and onto an upper surface of the base 20. When exiting the bathing chamber 15, the bather may advantageously roll backward such that the wheels of the wheelchair 100 push the door 40 and cause the door 40 to swing into an open position to allow the wheelchair 100 to roll onto the ramp 60 and thereby exit the chamber 15.

[41] FIG. 7 is perspective view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 accessible by a caregiver 1 10 via a recess 70 in a side wall 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a plurality of side walls 38 that, in part, define a bathing chamber 15 configured to fit a bather in a wheelchair 100. One or more of the side walls 30 include a recess 70 that extends down from an upper edge surface of the side wall 30. The recess 70 provides an opening through which a caregiver 1 10 can access a bather in the bathing chamber 15. In one embodiment, the caregiver 1 10 may use a shower wand 120 that is connected to plumbing external to the shower system 10 and thereby assist with the bathing process. Alternatively, the caregiver 1 10 may use a shower wand 120 that is connected to plumbing integral with the shower system 10 and thereby assist with the bathing process.

[42] FIG. 8 is an expanded view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Many of the elements of the illustrated shower system 10 have been previously described, for example with respect to FIG. 1 . However, in the presently illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 comprises a door jamb 130 that is configured to connect at least to the base 20. The door jamb 130 may also be configured to attach to one or more of the side walls 30. Moreover, the door 40 is configured to attach to the door jamb 130, for example by one or more hinges (not shown). The door jamb 130 comprises at least two long members 132 that extend upward from the base 20 and at least one cross member 134 that connects the top ends of the two long members 132.

[43] In one embodiment, the modular roll-in shower system 10 comprises a base 20 having at least three sides and an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the upper surface having a slope and the base further having a drain 25 at a lowest point on the upper surface. One side of the base 20 is a door side. The shower system 10 also includes a plurality of side walls 30 that are each configured to connect to the base and extend upward from the base 20 to create a substantially water tight seal. The side walls 30 are also configured to connect to one or more adjacent sidewalls 30 and create a substantially water tight seal such that the base and the side walls combine to form a bathing chamber having an opening above the base and an opening on the door side. The shower system 10 also includes a door jamb 130 attached to the base 20. The door jamb 130 includes at least two long members 132 connected by at least one cross member 134. [44] The shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to the door jamb 130. The door 40 is configured to swing outward away from the base 20 to provide access to the bathing chamber, the door 40 is also configured to create a substantially water tight seal when closed by engaging a portion of the door jamb 130 and/or a portion of one or more side walls 30. Additionally, the door 40 is attached to the door jamb 130 such that the door 40 is biased to swing into a closed position. The door can be biased to swing closed, for example, by one or more spring hinges or by hanging the door at an angle.

[45] The shower system 10 also includes an access ramp 60 having a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of the base 20. Advantageously, the access ramp 60 is connected to the base 20 along the door side of the base 20 and the access ramp 60 is configured to allow a wheelchair to roll from the surface of the surface onto the upper surface of the base 20 and thereby into the bathing chamber.

[46] Also in this embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 that is mounted on an exterior surface of the door 40 that faces away from the bathing chamber 15. Additionally, one or more of the side walls 30 includes a recess 70 that extends down from a top edge of the side wall 30 to form a substantially U shaped opening in the side wall 30. One or more portions of the edges of the recess 70 are configured to secure a removable window 80 in the recess 70 such that the side wall 30 with the window 80 secured in the recess 70 is substantially water tight. Advantageously, when the window 80 is removed from the recess 70, the recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber 15. The shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water source and for draining water out of the chamber 15. The shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps to move water into the chamber 15 and out of the chamber 15.

[47] In an alternative embodiment, the base 20 may also include a lip that extends upward from the base 20 on each side of the base 20 except for the door side. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more water tight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 on an upper surface of the lip. [48] FIG. 9 is an expanded view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 with a door jamb 130 according to an embodiment of the invention. Many of the elements of the illustrated shower system 10 have been previously described, for example with respect to FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the door jamb 130 includes two long members 132 that are connected by a cross member 134. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross member 134 connects respective bottom ends of the two long member 132. The cross member 134 is connected to the base 20 and each of the two long members 132 are connected to a side wall 30. The door 40 may be connected to one of the long members 132 or one of the side walls 30.

[49] In one embodiment, the modular roll-in shower system 10 comprises a base 20 having at least three sides and an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the upper surface having a slope and the base further having a drain 25 at a lowest point on the upper surface. One side of the base 20 is a door side. The shower system 10 also includes a plurality of side walls 30 that are each configured to connect to the base and extend upward from the base 20 to create a substantially water tight seal. The side walls 30 are also configured to connect to one or more adjacent sidewalls 30 and create a substantially water tight seal such that the base and the side walls combine to form a bathing chamber having an opening above the base and an opening on the door side. The shower system 10 also includes a door jamb 130 attached to the base 20. The door jamb 130 includes at least two long members 132 connected by at least one cross member 134.

[50] The shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to the door jamb 130. The door 40 is configured to swing outward away from the base 20 to provide access to the bathing chamber, the door 40 is also configured to create a substantially water tight seal when closed by engaging a portion of the door jamb 130 and/or a portion of one or more side walls 30. Additionally, the door 40 is attached to the door jamb 130 such that the door 40 is biased to swing into a closed position. The door can be biased to swing closed, for example, by one or more spring hinges or by hanging the door at an angle.

[51] The shower system 10 also includes an access ramp 60 having a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of the base 20. Advantageously, the access ramp 60 is connected to the base 20 along the door side of the base 20 and the access ramp 60 is configured to allow a wheelchair to roll from the surface of the surface onto the upper surface of the base 20 and thereby into the bathing chamber.

[52] Also in this embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 that is mounted on an exterior surface of the door 40 that faces away from the bathing chamber 15. Additionally, one or more of the side walls 30 includes a recess 70 that extends down from a top edge of the side wall 30 to form a substantially U shaped opening in the side wall 30. One or more portions of the edges of the recess 70 are configured to secure a removable window 80 in the recess 70 such that the side wall 30 with the window 80 secured in the recess 70 is substantially water tight. Advantageously, when the window 80 is removed from the recess 70, the recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber 15. The shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water source and for draining water out of the chamber 15. The shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps to move water into the chamber 15 and out of the chamber 15.

[53] In an alternative embodiment, the base 20 may also include a lip that extends upward from the base 20 on each side of the base 20 except for the door side. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more water tight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 on an upper surface of the lip.

[54] FIG. 10 is an expanded view diagram illustrating an example modular roll-in shower system 10 with a door jamb 130 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the door jamb 130 includes two long members 132 that are connected by a cross member 134 that extends between respective bottom ends of each of the two long members 132. The cross member is also connected to the base 20 and each of the two long members 132 are connected to a side wall 30. The door 40 may be connected to one of the long members 132 or one of the side walls 30. Additionally, the shower system 10 comprises one or more plumbing connections 145 for receiving water from a water source and/or draining water out of the bathing chamber. The plumbing connections 145 may also be connected to one or more pumps to facilitate movement of the water into and out of the bathing chamber.

[55] In one embodiment, the modular roll-in shower system 10 comprises a base 20 having at least three sides and an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the upper surface having a slope and the base further having a drain 25 at a lowest point on the upper surface. One side of the base 20 is a door side. The shower system 10 also includes a plurality of side walls 30 that are each configured to connect to the base and extend upward from the base 20 to create a substantially water tight seal. The side walls 30 are also configured to connect to one or more adjacent sidewalls 30 and create a substantially water tight seal such that the base and the side walls combine to form a bathing chamber having an opening above the base and an opening on the door side. The shower system 10 also includes a door jamb 130 attached to the base 20. The door jamb 130 includes at least two long members 132 connected by at least one cross member 134.

[56] The shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to the door jamb 130. The door 40 is configured to swing outward away from the base 20 to provide access to the bathing chamber, the door 40 is also configured to create a substantially water tight seal when closed by engaging a portion of the door jamb 130 and/or a portion of one or more side walls 30. Additionally, the door 40 is attached to the door jamb 130 such that the door 40 is biased to swing into a closed position. The door can be biased to swing closed, for example, by one or more spring hinges or by hanging the door at an angle.

[57] The shower system 10 also includes an access ramp 60 having a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of the base 20. Advantageously, the access ramp 60 is connected to the base 20 along the door side of the base 20 and the access ramp 60 is configured to allow a wheelchair to roll from the surface of the surface onto the upper surface of the base 20 and thereby into the bathing chamber.

[58] Also in this embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 that is mounted on an exterior surface of the door 40 that faces away from the bathing chamber 15. Additionally, one or more of the side walls 30 includes a recess 70 that extends down from a top edge of the side wall 30 to form a substantially U shaped opening in the side wall 30. One or more portions of the edges of the recess 70 are configured to secure a removable window 80 in the recess 70 such that the side wall 30 with the window 80 secured in the recess 70 is substantially water tight. Advantageously, when the window 80 is removed from the recess 70, the recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber 15. The shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water source and for draining water out of the chamber 15. The shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps to move water into the chamber 15 and out of the chamber 15.

[59] In an alternative embodiment, the base 20 may also include a lip that extends upward from the base 20 on each side of the base 20 except for the door side. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more water tight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 on an upper surface of the lip.

[60] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative blocks, features and elements described in connection with the figures and the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented using alternative materials and alternative shapes that carry out the same functions described herein. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, various illustrative components, blocks, features, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented precisely as described above depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a particular module, block, or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or step to another without departing from the scope of the invention.

[61] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A modular roll-in shower system comprising:

a base having at least three sides and an upper surface and a lower surface, at least a portion of the upper surface having a slope and the base further having a drain at a lowest point on the upper surface, wherein the at least three sides includes a door side;

a plurality of side walls extending upward from the base, each side wall configured to connect to the base and create a substantially water tight seal, each side wall configured to connect to one or more adjacent sidewalls and create a substantially water tight seal such that the base and the side walls combine to form a chamber having an opening above the base and an opening on the door side;

a door attached to a first of the plurality of side walls, the door configured to swing outward away from the base to provide access to the chamber when open, the door also configured to rest against a second of the plurality of side walls to create a substantially water tight seal when closed, wherein the door is attached to the first side wall such that the door is biased to swing into a closed position; an access ramp having a first side substantially flush with a floor surface on which the modular roll-in shower system rests, the access ramp additionally having a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of the base, the access ramp connected to the base along the door side and configured to allow a wheel chair to roll from the floor surface onto the upper surface of the base.

2. The modular roll-in shower of claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a lip extending upward from the base on each of the sides of the base except for the door side.

3. The modular roll-in shower of claim 2, wherein each side wall is connected to the base on an upper surface of the lip.

4. The modular roll-in shower of claim 1 , wherein the door is attached at an angle such that the door is biased to swing into a closed position.

5. The modular roll-in shower of claim 1 , wherein the door is attached using spring loaded hinges such that the door is biased to swing into a closed position.

6. The modular roll-in shower of claim 1 , further comprising a handle on an exterior surface of the door facing away from the chamber.

7. The modular roll-in shower of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of side walls comprises a recess extending down from a top edge of the side wall to form a substantially U shaped opening in the side wall, wherein the substantially U shaped opening is sized to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber.

8. The modular roll-in shower of claim 7, further comprising a window positioned in the substantially U shaped recess.

9. The modular roll-in shower of claim 8, wherein the window is removable.

10. The modular roll-in shower of claim 8, wherein the window is attached to the at least one of the plurality of side walls by one or more hinges configured to allow the window to swing open to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber.

1 1 . The modular roll-in shower of claim 1 , further comprising plumbing connections for receiving water from a water source and for draining water out of the chamber.

12. The modular roll-in shower of claim 1 1 , further comprising one or more pumps to move water into the chamber and out of the chamber.

13. A modular roll-in shower system comprising:

a door jamb attached to the base;

a door attached to the door jamb, the door configured to swing outward away from the base to provide access to the chamber when open, the door also configured to create a substantially water tight chamber when closed, wherein the door is attached to the door jamb such that the door is biased to swing into a closed position;

an access ramp having a first side substantially flush with a floor surface on which the modular roll-in shower system rests, the access ramp additionally having a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of the base, the access ramp connected to the base along the door side and configured to allow a wheel chair to roll from the floor surface onto the upper surface of the base.

14. The modular roll-in shower of claim 13, wherein the base further comprises a lip extending upward from the base on each of the sides of the base except for the door side.

15. The modular roll-in shower of claim 14, wherein each side wall is connected to the base on an upper surface of the lip.

16. The modular roll-in shower of claim 13, wherein the door is attached at an angle such that the door is biased to swing into a closed position.

17. The modular roll-in shower of claim 13, wherein the door is attached using spring loaded hinges such that the door is biased to swing into a closed position.

18. The modular roll-in shower of claim 13, further comprising a handle on an exterior surface of the door facing away from the chamber.

19. The modular roll-in shower of claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of side walls comprises a recess extending down from a top edge of the side wall to form a substantially U shaped opening in the side wall, wherein the substantially U shaped opening is sized to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber.

20. The modular roll-in shower of claim 19, further comprising a window positioned in the substantially U shaped recess.

21 . The modular roll-in shower of claim 20, wherein the window is removable.

22. The modular roll-in shower of claim 20, wherein the window is attached to the at least one of the plurality of side walls by one or more hinges configured to allow the window to swing open to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the chamber.

23. The modular roll-in shower of claim 13, further comprising plumbing connections for receiving water from a water source and for draining water out of the chamber.

24. The modular roll-in shower of claim 21 , further comprising one or more pumps to move water into the chamber and out of the chamber.