GB2292682A

GB2292682A - Bath seat

Info

Publication number: GB2292682A
Application number: GB9417624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Dale
Original assignee: Nottingham Rehab Ltd
Current assignee: Nottingham Rehab Ltd
Priority date: 1994-09-02
Filing date: 1994-09-02
Publication date: 1996-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-02
Also published as: GB2292682B; GB9417624D0

Abstract

A bath seat assembly comprises a seat 11 and two supports 12, 13 adjustably connected by connector 34 in slot 31 to the seat to support the seat with respect to the bath. Each support has a transverse portion 21, a downwardly extending support portion 22 of a first height at the inner end of the support portion for engagement with the base of the bath to determine the height of the bath seat, an upwardly extending support portion 23 of a second height at the outer end of the support portion for engagement with a side of the bath. The supports are reversibly connected to the seat whereby the support portions can be reversed to provide an inner downwardly extending support portion of the second length to determine a different height for the bath seat. <IMAGE>

Description

ADJUSTABLE BATH SEAT The invention relates to bath seat assemblies. Bath seats in conjunction with supports constitute bath seat assemblies which may be positioned within a bath. Such a seat can be a convenience for a bath user because the bath user does not then have to lower him or herself into the base of the bath.

It is convenient for a bath seat assembly to be capable of adjustment to a variety of shapes and sizes of bath and also for it to be adjustable to more than one seat height.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable bath seat assembly in a convenient manner.

According to the present invention there is provided a bath seat assembly comprising a seat and two supports adjustably connected to the seat to support the seat with respect to the bath, each support having a transverse portion, a downwardly extending support portion of a first height at the inner end of the support portion for engagement with the base of the bath and an upwardly extending support portion of a second height at the outer end of the support portion for engagement with a side of the bath, the supports being reversibly connected to the seat whereby the support portions can be reversed to provide an inner downwardly extending support portion of the second length and an outer upwardly extending support portion of the first length.

The effective length of the inner downwardly extending support portions of the supports is the primary factor controlling the height of the seat.

Thus, by providing appropriate first and second lengths, two distinct heights for the seat can be achieved with the same seat assembly. It is convenient to arrange for the first and second lengths to provide seat heights above the base of the bath of 1 50 mm and 200 mm depending on the positioning of the supports.

Conveniently the seat and the two supports are each formed as hollow plastics mouldings. This kind of construction can provide a comfortable contoured seat and an assembly which is easy to clean.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation, partly in section on line I - I, of a bath seat assembly in a first configuration; Figure 2 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 1, adjusted to a narrower width; Figure 3 is a section on line Ill - lil Ill of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a diagramatic perspective view of the seat assembly installed in a bath with the supports reversed from the position of Figure 1.

The bath seat assembly shown in the drawings comprises a seat 11 and two seat supports 12, 1 3. The seat 11 is generally rectangular in plan but with curved up sides 14 and 15. All corners and edges of the seat are generally curved and rounded in the interests of comfort when sitting on the seat or handling it and to facilitate cleaning. The seat also incorporates three transverse slots 16, 17 and 18 to facilitate drainage of water. The seat is formed as a hollow plastics moulding from a material such as polyethelene. Slots 1 6 to 1 8 also serve to increase the strength of the seat because the walls of the moulding defining the slots extend from top to bottom of the seat.

Each support member 1 2 or 13 is also constituted by a hollow moulding constructed in the same way as the seat itself. Each support such as support 1 3 incorporates a horizontal transverse portion 21 which is rectangular in plan view (not shown) and in use is connected adjustably to the seat 11 in a manner to be described. The inner end of transverse portion 21 carries a downwardly extending support portion or leg 22 and the outer end of the support portion similarly carries an upwardly extending support portion or leg 23. Leg 22 has a first length shorter than the corresponding second length of leg 23. The support portions and legs are each generally rectangular with a width slightly less than the width of the seat as illustrated in dotted outline in Figure 2.Both legs end in feet 24 and 25 respectively which have outward extensions 26 which extend slightly beyond the length of the seat 11 along the bath.

Extensions 26 each carry a high friction rubber sleeve 27. The feet with their extensions are formed as part of the moulded structure of the supports.

The seat and the supports are adjustably connected to each other by a means which will now be described. The transverse portion of each support such as support 12 incorporates a slot 31 with recessed edges 32 as best seen in Figure 3. The recessed edges incorporate a series of ribs 33 such that there are four rows of ribs, two on the upper face and two on the lower face of the transverse portion 21.

The seat itself incorporates connectors 34 for engagement with the slots 31. Each connector comprises a screw 35 extending through slot 31 and carried on the seat by a mount 36 which is bonded to the main body of the seat and is such as to spread load arising at the bolt 35. The mounting 36 incorporates ribs 37 corresponding to and arranged to engage between ribs 33 referred to previously. Bolt 35 carries a wing nut 38 which can be applied to and removed from the bolt without tools.

When the nut is tightened, it causes ribs 37 on the seat to engage positively between ribs 33 on the support and thereby prevents relative movement between the seat and the support. the bolts and nuts are made of a strong plastics material such as nylon 66.

In use, when it is desired to instal a bath seat in a relatively low position in a bath, nuts 38 are loosened and the supports 12 and 13 are then slid outwardly or inwardly to mutually corresponding positions, such that feet 24 rest on the base of the bath and feet 25 engage against the sides of the bath. When an approximately correct adjustment has been achieved, the seat assembly is removed from the bath and the nuts 38 are tightened to secure the seat and the supports together. Some trial and error in adjustment may be necessary. Installation of the seat assembly in a bath is illustrated in Figure 4. A small degree of angular movement about the axis of bolt 35 is also possible for the supports, in order to align the feet 25 with the side of the bath if the bath tapers along its length.The dimensions of the bath seat assembly are such that in the configuration shown in Figures 1 to 3, the height of the seat 11 above the base of the bath is approximately 1 50 mm.

The rubber sleeves 27 with their inherent high friction tend to hold the seat assembly in position in the bath. If more effective fixing is required, the rubber sleeves may be replaced by suitably positioned suction cups to secure the feet against the surface of the bath.

If a higher seat position is required, nuts 38 may be removed completely.

The supports are then repositioned in such a way that the longer legs 23 and the shorter legs 22 are interposed. This changed arrangement is illustrated in Figure 4. The difference in the lengths of the legs 22 and 23 is approximately 50 mm so in the configuration of Figure 4, the seat is approximately 200 mm from the base of the bath.

In this way, a sturdy but simple and adjustable bath seat assembly is provided. Width and angular adjustment of the assembly are available to suit different baths but also two different heights are available through a relatively simple disassembly and reassembly operation. By manufacturing the main parts of the assembly from rounded plastics mouldings, a lightweight, comfortable, safe and easily cleanable assembly is provided.

Claims

1. A bath seat assembly comprising a seat and two supports adjustably connected to the seat to support the seat with respect to the bath, each support having a transverse portion, a downwardly extending support portion of a first height at the inner end of the support portion for engagement with the base of the bath and an upwardly extending support portion of a second height at the outer end of the support portion for engagement with a side of the bath, the supports being reversibly connected to the seat whereby the support portions can be reversed to provide an inner downwardly extending support portion of the second length and an outer upwardly extending support portion of the first length.

2. A bath seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seat comprises a hollow plastics moulding.

3. A bath seat assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the seat incorporates slots to facilitate drainage.

4. A bath seat assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each support comprises a hollow plastics moulding.

5. A bath seat assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support portions of the supports end in feet for engagement with the bath.

6. A bath seat assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support portions have high friction members for engagement with the bath.

7. A bath seat assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the feet have suction cups to secure them against the surface of the bath.

8. A bath seat assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a connection between the seat and a support comprises a slot in the transverse portion of the support and a connector incorporated in the seat for engagement with the slot to permit adjustment between the seat and the support.

9. A bath seat assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the seat and connector incorporate interengaging elements to prevent relative movement between the seat and the support at selectively adjusted positions.

10. A bath seat assembly as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the connector incorporates a threaded member which can be disassembled for reversal of the support.

11. A bath seat assembly substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.