ES2155422T3 - LIFTING DEVICES FOR BATHROOMS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Lifting apparatus is intended to enable bathers to be positioned in a conventional bath when unable to access the bath in the normal way. The apparatus includes a seat 10 which is connected to a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the seat over the side of the bath 12. There is a pivot for pivoting the seat about the vertical axis of a pillar 11 when the seat is raised. A leg support 14 is provided with a mechanism for pivoting the support 14 about a horizontal axis when the seat is in the elevated position to cause the bathers legs to be lifted clear of the side of the bath. <IMAGE>

Description

Lifting devices for bathers.

This invention concerns lifting devices for bathers and in particular to lifting devices for lifting A person sitting above the side of a bathtub.

A lifting device for bathers is known in that there is a seat, a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the seat above the side of a bathtub, and a pivot for swing the chair, when raised, around an axis vertical. Such device lifts the seated person up the height of the side of the bathtub, the seat is swung around the vertical axis, and the lifting apparatus is lowered from so that the person is placed inside the bathtub with the purpose of taking a bath. Such an apparatus is particularly useful. for people who cannot have normal access to the bathtub by cause of weakness or disability, but such people often do not They can straighten their legs when they are in a sitting position. For such people, or else the seat must be raised extra height of the legs, or there has to be assistance to lift the part lower legs.

The patent US-A-4733418 discloses a seat which is pivotally attached to a post, having the seat a leg support that can be raised or retracted by middle of a hydraulic cylinder mounted under the seat.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus Enhanced elevator for bathers.

According to the invention, a lifting device for bathers comprising a seat, a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the seat above the side of a bathtub, a pivot to pivot the seat when is raised around a vertical axis towards and away from the bathtub, a movable leg support between a supporting position and a non-supportive position, and a leg lifting mechanism on the seat to move the leg support between said positions around a horizontal axis, so when the support is in an elevated position the legs are raised to a suitable position to overcome the side of the bathtub during movement around said vertical axis, characterized  because the leg lifting mechanism is mounted at the end upper seat and is connected to the leg support by a cable or mechanical link, so that the movement of the mechanism leg lift causes a reciprocating movement of the cable or mechanical link, thereby moving the leg support.

The movement of the cable or mechanical link acts on the leg support either by pulling it to the supporting position or allowing a movement to the non-position enduring

Preferably, the lifting mechanism of legs is movable between those positions only when the seat It is raised above the side of the bathtub.

Conveniently, the leg support is generally extends horizontally in its raised position.

The leg lifting mechanism can be manually or motor driven. In a provision it is provided a crank pivotally mounted on the frame of the seat and connected to a drive mechanism, the crank also connected to a leg support member. The connection between the crank and the leg support member can be by a cable or by a mechanical link.

Preferably, the lifting mechanism of legs comprises a reciprocating member connected to a lever, where the reciprocating of the driven member moves the support of legs around said horizontal axis.

The lifting mechanism may include a closure combined by which the pivoting of the seat around is prevented of said vertical axis unless the seat is at a level predetermined in relation to the side of the bathtub.

Means of drive to swing the seat around said axis vertical, said drive means including a linear drive acting on a lever arm fixed for turn with the seat.

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Additional features of the invention from the following description of embodiments  of the invention provided by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lifting apparatus for bathers;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevation in the direction of the arrow 4 existing in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another part of the device; Y

Fig. 6 is another view of the part shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, a mechanism swimmer's lift generally comprises a seat and frame of seat 10 mounted on a pillar 11 incorporating a mechanism to raise and lower the seat 10 on the side of a bathtub 12. Seat 10 has attached to it at the front end of the horizontal portion of seat 13 a leg support member 14, which is movable between a generally horizontal position 14A and a lowered position 14B.

Pillar 11 incorporates a lifting mechanism and descent, usually a piston and hydraulic cylinder, which is connected to seat 10 and whereby seat 10 is raised from an initial position next to the bathtub 12, in the that the user can access the seat 10 and sit on the same. The seat 10 is raised so that the portion horizontal of the seat 13 is above the side height of the bathtub, the seat 10 can then be swung around the vertical axis of the pillar 11 to move the seat 10 above the side of the tub until the seat has clear space with respect to the side and is ready for a downward movement so that the swimmer dives into the bath water. After the bath, an investment of this procedure raises the seat out of the water, above the side of the bathtub, and the seat is then lowered to a proper position for the swimmer to leave the seat.

Leg lifter member 14 is provided to lift the bottom of the swimmer's legs respect to the knees so that the legs exceed the side of the bath after the seat is lifted and seat pivot around vertical axis. So the member 14 is moved between the initial lowered position 14B and the position raised generally horizontal 14A, so that the seat 10 is pivoted above the side of the bath 12.

The pivoting action of the lifting member of legs 14 can be achieved in several ways, of which a It is shown in Figs. 2 to 4. In these drawings, for greater clarity, the seat and backrest surface of the seat 10 as has the leg support portion of the leg lifter member 14, the portions being omitted usually made of plastic and being shaped to fit the bathe, as shown in Fig. 1.

The seat 10 is formed of racks of base 16 and 17, the base frame 16 being for the backing of the seat and base frame 17 for the seat portion of the seat, portions 16 and 17 inclined one at relationship with each other at a suitable angle to produce a seat comfortable for the user. At the upper end of the frame 16 there is a crossbar 18 that supports the seat from the pillar 17 and which is connected to a piston and cylinder (not shown) located inside the abutment 11. Thus, as the piston moves out of the cylinder, the crossbar is raised and lowered in the direction vertical in a known way.

The seat frame 17 is adjustable as soon as in length to fit people of different sizes by the provision of extensible side frame members 20 telescopically, which can be extended to vary the length of the seat frame 17.

At one end of the seat frame 17 is provided with a transverse frame member 21 mounted between the side frame members 20, which carries the support of legs 14. The support 14 includes a central bar 22 having a outer support member 23 at its free end and that is connected at its other end to the crossbar 21, which is pivotally mounted on the side frame member 20 around its axis. Thus, the bar 22 is movable around the crossbar shaft 21 to allow the support of legs 14 be moved between positions 14A and 14B.

The movement of the leg support 14 in the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4 is produced by a electromechanical arrangement that the swimmer can operate or an assistant In this arrangement an actuator is provided electrically operable 25 mounted on frame 16 in the upper end of the frame and operating a lever sway 26, which, at its outer end, is connected to pivoting manner to a crank 27. The crank 27 is mounted in pivoting manner on the frame 16 and carries, with respect to a pin 28, a Bowden cable 29. Wire 30 of the Bowden cable 29 is connected to a lever arm 31 supported on the bar transverse 21 so that, as a result of a movement of the wire 30, leg support 14 moves between its positions upper and lower. The cover 32 of the Bowden cable 29 is secured to frame 16 to allow Bowden cable 29 to operate leg support 14.

The actuator 25 may be an electric motor that, through a gear transmission, it causes movement of reciprocating of lever 26 and, as a result of such movement of sway, makes the crank 27 rotate around its pivot and move the wire in reciprocating, causing the bar 22 to rotate around the axis of the crossbar 21. The angle of leg support movement 14 is approximately 90 degrees, or something less, to move the bathers legs enough to lift them up to a position generally horizontal at the appropriate time.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, in they show a way in which you can coordinate the seat drive around the vertical axis of the pillar 11 With the vertical movement. A support rod 40 is provided, the which is movable up and down, as previously described, and is located inside a cylindrical housing 41. The housing 41 is provided with a clipped portion 42 to accommodate a protruding lever 43, to be described below.

A cam ring 44 is fixed to the rod 40 and the cam ring 44 is provided with grooves 46 that are arranged to be in coupling with vertical bars (not shown) installed inside the cylindrical housing 41. A unless the rod 40 and cam ring 44 are in a position in which the vertical bars are positioned with the grooves 46, the rod 40 is prevented from rotating about its axis. Alone when the cam ring 44 is raised with the rod 40 above from the level of the vertical bars can the rod 40 rotate around its vertical axis. Thus, the opening 42 is arranged to an appropriate height to allow such pivot around the axis vertical when the seat has been raised to height required in relation to the side of the bathtub.

An additional drive ring 47 is located inside the housing 41 and is supported in relation to the housing by pins 48 to prevent vertical movement of the drive ring 47, while allowing the ring of drive rotate along an arc of approximately 90 °. He arm 43 is fixed to drive ring 47 and an actuator linear 50 (Fig. 6) is connected to the outer end of arm 43, with which, as a result of the operation of the linear actuator 50, the arm causes the rod 40 to rotate around its axis vertical. Ring 47 also has a tooth 51 that protrudes down capable of engaging with the grooves 46 of the cam ring 44. When this takes place, the seat assembly can be turned over the side of the bath by the drive of actuator 50 on arm 43.

It will be noted that the mechanism of Figs. 5 and 6 It can only be operated when the seat is raised up a height at which it can pivot above the side of the bathtub. In this position, tooth 51 is coupled with groove 46 existing in cam ring 44 and by driving switching means (not shown) controlled by the user the seat can be moved to the required position crossing over the side of the bathtub.

Instead of the arrangement illustrated in the drawings, other means can be provided to raise and lower the leg portion 14. For example, a manually operated lever to replace the actuated actuator electrically, providing the lever a mechanical advantage to allow the swimmer or assistant to lift the portion for legs by manual effort.

As another alternative, a lifting mechanism that makes use of the movement of the frame main seat in relation to the 11th pillar. A rigid mechanical cable or link, properly engaged, for provide the necessary pivot movement of the portion for legs 14. In such an arrangement, the vertical movement of the frame 16 in relation to a fixed point of the pillar 16 of the base of the bathtub for lifting of the leg portion 14. In another arrangement you can employ the movement of the seat 10 around the vertical axis in relationship with a fixed point of the pillar or the base of the bathtub for cause the leg portion to rise.

The leg portion 14 can be automatically raised by having a sensor or a switch that it is operated either by the vertical lifting movement of the seat or by the turning movement of the seat.

In another arrangement, the leg portion 14 can be lifted by a sensor that detects the position of the swimmer on the seat before use, operating the sensor the lifting mechanism when the swimmer is positioned on the seat.

It will be noted that the apparatus provides some means for the swimmer's legs to be lifted to overcome the side of the bathtub when the seat must be moved above the side of the bath, thus overcoming the need to raise your legs manually. This allows the bathroom to be performed by the user without the need for an assistant and without the need for the seat to be raised high enough to that has clear space with respect to the side of the bathtub.

Claims (9)

1. Lifting device for bathers, comprising: a seat (10); a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the seat above the side of a bathtub (12); a pivot to pivot the seat, when it is raised, around a vertical axis towards and away from the bathtub; a leg support (14) movable between a supporting position (14a) and a non-supporting position (14b); Y a leg lifting mechanism (25, 26) mounted on the seat (10) to move the leg support (14) between said positions around a horizontal axis, whereby, when the support (14) is in an elevated position, the legs are raised to a position to overcome the side of the bathtub (12) during movement around said axis vertical, characterized in that: the leg lifting mechanism (25, 26) is mounted on the upper end of the seat and is connected to the leg support (14) by a cable (30) or mechanical link (27, 31), so that the movement of the leg lifting mechanism (25, 26) causes a reciprocating movement of the cable (30) or link mechanic (27, 31), thereby moving the leg support (14). 2. Lifting device according to the claim 1, wherein the leg lifting mechanism (25, 26) is  movable between said positions only when the seat (10) is raised above the side of the bathtub (12). 3. Lifting device according to the claim 2, wherein the leg support (14) extends in general horizontally in its raised position (14a). 4. Lifting device according to a any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism leg lift (25, 26) is operated manually or by motor, and the mechanical link (27) is provided between the seat (10) and the leg support (14) for effecting said movement of the support of legs (14). 5. Lifting device according to the claim 4, wherein the mechanical link (27) comprises a crank (27) pivotally mounted on a frame seat (17) and connected to a drive mechanism (25, 26), the crank (27) also being connected to the support member of legs (14) through a lever (31). 6. Lifting device according to the claim 5, wherein the connection between the crank (27) and the leg support (14) is by means of the cable (30). 7. Lifting device according to the claim 4, wherein the leg lifting mechanism (35) comprises a reciprocating member (37) connected to a lever (31), where the reciprocating of the driven member (37) moves the leg support (14) around said horizontal axis. 8. Lifting device according to a any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism elevator (25, 26) may include a combined closure (51, 46) by the which prevents the pivoting of the seat (10) around said vertical axis unless the seat (10) is at a level predetermined in relation to the side of the bathtub (12). 9. Lifting device according to a any of the preceding claims, comprising drive means (25, 26) to swing the seat (10) around the vertical axis, including the drive means a piston (26) and a cylinder (25) acting on a lever arm secured to turn with the seat (10).