GB2410431A

GB2410431A - Rotatable support for a shower seat

Info

Publication number: GB2410431A
Application number: GB0401908A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Harold Chater; Jacqueline Elizabeth Goulding
Original assignee: CMAK
Current assignee: CMAK
Priority date: 2004-01-29
Filing date: 2004-01-29
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-29
Also published as: GB2410431B; GB0401908D0

Abstract

The rotatable support comprises: a mounting (6) located within a shower unit and a pivot arm assembly (10) one end of which is removably mounted on a pivot pin (8) so as to be rotatable relative to the mounting (6) about a first vertical axis (A1) within the shower unit and the other end having a pivot pin (18) for receiving a seat (1) such that the seat (1) is rotatable relative to the pivot arm (10) about a second vertical axis (A2). The pivot arm assembly (10) can be rotated about the first vertical axis (A1) between a first position in which the seat (1) is adjacent an open side of the shower unit to enable a person outside the shower unit to sit on the seat (1) and a second position in which the seat (1) is within the shower unit to move person thereon into the shower unit and the seat (1) being rotatable about the second vertical axis (A2) so it can be positioned in a desired orientation in both the first and second position and at positions therebetween.

Description

A ROTATABLE SUPPORT FOR A SHOWER SEAT

This invention relates to a rotatable support for a shower seat and, in particular, to a support which is easily installed and removed so as to convert a shower unit from a form suitable for an able-bodied person to a form suitable for a disabled or elderly person who wishes to use a seat when showering.

Many different devices have been proposed for providing a seat within a shower but these tend to be unsightly additions to existing shower units or specially designed units which are less suitable for use by able bodied people. They also tend to be cumbersome to install and/or not easily removed when not required.

There thus remains a need for a shower unit in which the visual impact of parts provided to enable a seat to be used therein are not unsightly (both to able bodied or less able bodied users) and which can easily and quickly be converted from one form to the other.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is thus provided a rotatable support for a shower seat comprising: mounting means located within a shower unit, or for securing within a shower unit, and a pivot arm assembly one end of which is removably mountable on the mounting means so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a first substantially vertical axis within the shower unit and the other end thereof having seat receiving means for receiving a seat thereon such that the seat is rotatable relative to the pivot arm about a second substantially vertical axis, the arrangement being such that, when mounted in the shower unit with a seat mounted thereon, the pivot arm assembly can be rotated about the first vertical axis between a first position in which the second vertical axis is adjacent an open side of the shower unit to enable a person outside the shower unit to sit on the seat and a second position in which the second vertical axis is within the shower unit to move the seat and the person thereon into the shower unit, the seat being rotatable about the second vertical axis so as to be positionable in a desired orientation in both the first and second position and at positions therebetween.

According to second and third aspects of the invention there are provided a pivot arm assembly and a moulding incorporating mounting means for use in providing such a rotatable support for a shower seat.

Preferred and optional features will be apparent from the following description

and the subsidiary claims of the specification.

The invention will now be further described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shower unit with an embodiment of the invention provided therein; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pivot arm assembly used in the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are front, side and plan views, respectively, of the pivot arm assembly shown in Figure 2; and Figures 4A-4D are schematic plan views of the shower unit shown in Figure 1 illustrating its use.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shower unit, viewed through an open side thereof, with a rotatable support for a shower seat according to a preferred embodiment of the invention installed therein and with a seat 1 installed thereon.

In the embodiment shown, the shower unit comprises a moulded enclosure having a base 2, a first side wall 3 and a second side wall 4, e.g. made of glass reinforced plastics material. Preferably, the enclosure is provided in two parts, a lower part which comprises the base 2 and lower parts 3A and 4A of the side walls and an upper part which comprises upper parts 3B and 4B of the side walls. The upper and lower parts may be joined together at a horizontal join 5 by techniques known in the art.

If the shower unit is installed in the corner of a room, a fixed glass side (not shown) may be mounted on the base unit 2 opposite the first side wall 3 and an opening glass door (not shown) may be fitted on the base unit 2 opposite the second side wall 4 to provide an open side to the unit. The construction of such a shower unit is well known so will not be described further.

For the purposes of the invention, the lower moulding of the shower unit is modified to provide a first mounting 6 therein on the first side wall 3 and, optionally, a second mounting 7 therein on the second side wall 4.

The mounting 6 comprises a vertical curved bearing surface 6A centred about a first substantially vertical axis A1 and terminating in a horizontal substantially semi-circular surface at the level of the join line 5 preferably with a metal cover plate 9 mounted thereon (see Figure 2). A first metal pivot pin 8 (see Figure 3A) is provided behind the curved surface 6A and projects up through the semi- circular surface. The part of the moulding providing the curved surface 6A is also preferably reinforced (by known techniques) for reasons which will become apparent.

The second mounting 7 is of similar construction. Preferably, the pivot pins of the first and second mountings are bonded to the lower moulding and joined by a horizontal metal brace beneath the base unit 2. This brace may also serve to strengthen the floor of the base unit 2.

A pivot arm assembly 10 is provided for installing on the mounting 6. The pivot arm assembly 10 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. The assembly 10 comprises a vertical member 11 and a horizontal member 12 extending perpendicularly therefrom with a bracing member 13 therebetween. The upper end of the vertical member 11 carries a locating arm 14 which extends horizontally from the member 11 and is provided with a hole 14A for fitting over the upper end of pivot pin 8 which projects through a hole in the cover plate 9.

The lower end of the vertical member 11 is provided with bearing means for bearing against curved bearing surface 6A to provide a substantial horizontal supporting force for the assembly 10. In the embodiment shown, the bearing means comprises two pairs of rollers 15, 16 mounted at the ends of a curved arm 17 and arranged to roll around the curved surface 6A about substantially vertical axes as the pivot arm assembly 10 is rotated about vertical axis A1. As indicated above, the part of the moulding forming the curved surface 6A is reinforced so that it has sufficient strength to withstand the forces applied thereto by the rollers 15, 16.

The distal end of the radially extending horizontal member 12 of the assembly is provided with seat receiving means comprising a second substantially vertical pivot pin 18 mounted on a circular metal plate 19. The seat 1 is provided with a tube 1A (see Figure 1) on the underside thereof for fitting over the pin 18 so as to mount the seat on the assembly so that it is rotatable about a second substantially vertical axis A2.

The principal components of the pivot arm assembly may be formed of metal tubes preferably of stainless steel or plastic coated so as to be corrosion resistant.

The pivot arm assembly 10 is designed to be easily installed and removed from the shower unit. To install it, it is simply located on the mounting 6 by locating hole 14A onto pivot pin 8 with the rollers 15, 16 engaging the curved surface 6A.

The seat 1 can then be placed onto the assembly by simply locating the tube 1A onto the pivot pin 18. The shower unit is then adapted for use by a disabled or elderly person who wishes to use a seat whilst showering.

The shower unit can be easily converted back to a form for use by an ablebodied person who does not require a seat by simply lifting the seat 1 off the assembly 10 and lifting the assembly 10 off the mounting 6. The seat 1 and assembly 10 can then be put aside or stored for future use. A cover in the form of a soap dish is then preferably fitted onto the top of the mounting 6 to conceal the plate 9 and the pivot pin 8. Figure 1 shows such a cover 20 fitted to the top of second mounting 7. The shower unit then appears as a normal shower unit apart from the curved surfaces of the two mountings 6 and 7 moulded in the side walls thereof (although grab handles may also be provided on walls 3 and/or 4 and/or on the wall or door opposite these walls).

The pivot arm assembly 10 may be provided with first holding means for holding the assembly at particular angular positions about axis A1. The first holding means preferably comprises a first handle 30 pivotably mounted to arm 14 by means of tube 14B provided thereon and having a finger (not shown) which fits through a hole 14C in the arm 14 to locate in one of a plurality of slots 9A provided in the upper surface of plate 9. Lifting the handle 30 disengages the finger from a slot 9A and lowering the handle 30 engages the finger in a different slot 9A once the assembly 10 has been rotated to the desired position.

The seat 1 may also be provided with second holding means for holding the seat at particular angular positions about axis A2. The second holding means may comprise a second handle (not shown) pivotably mounted to the seat, e.g. to the tube 1A, with a finger which can be located in one of a plurality of holes 19A in circular plate 19. Lifting the second handle disengages the finger from a hole 19A and lowering the handle engages the finger in a different hole 19A once the seat 1 has been rotated to the desired position.

Figures 4A-4D are schematic plan views of a shower unit such as that described above to illustrate use of the rotatable support and seat 1.

The pivot arm assembly 10 is rotated about axis At between a first position (shown in Figure 4A) in which the second axis A2, and hence the seat 1, is located adjacent to the open side of the shower unit with the front of the seat facing outwards so that a person can sit thereon with their back towards the second wall 4 and a second position (e.g. that shown in Figure 4B and/or Figure 4C) within the shower unit in which the person can shower and reach the shower controls.

The person can move the seat 1 backwards from the first position (Figure 4A) into the shower unit, e.g. by pushing with their feet against the floor and/or by holding a grab handle (not shown) provided on wall 3 and pushing themselves backwards into the shower unit. The pivot assembly 10 thus rotates about axis At (when viewed from above) and axis A2 is moved into, or further into, the shower unit. At the same time, the person may rotate the seat 1 about axis A2 so as to turn themselves so their back is towards wall 3 (as shown in figure 4B) and then continue turning until they are facing wall 4, or the corner between walls 3 and 4 (as shown in Figure 4C), where the shower head and shower controls are located.

It will be appreciated that by appropriate rotation of the pivot arm assembly 10 about axis A1 combined with rotation of the seat 1 about axis A2, a person on the seat can easily position themselves in the desired location and orientation as they move into the shower unit, once they are within the shower unit and when they wish to move out of the shower unit.

The shower unit is preferably designed to facilitate easy movement of a person on the seat within the unit. There should, for instance, be sufficient space between the front edge of the seat 1 and a side wall unit opposite wall 3 and other components, such as the shower controls, grab handles and a riser bar on which the shower head is mounted, should be located at a height where they are accessible to a person seated on the seat but not so low as to restrict movement of the persons legs or knees as they rotate within the shower unit. It has been found that a shower unit approximately 90cm square provides sufficient space for an adult to easily move themselves about within the shower whilst sitting on the seat.

As indicated above, the lower moulding of the shower unit is preferably provided with two mountings 6, 7 located on respective walls 3, 4 so the unit can be installed with an opening door either opposite wall 4 or opposite wall 3. The same moulding can thus be used in both left and right-handed configurations of the shower unit. The provision of a curved moulding on both of walls 3 and 4 also increases the strength of the moulding.

If desired, a stable door may be fitted so that a carer outside the shower unit can open the upper part of the door only to assist a person in the shower unit.

The person within the shower unit may, for instance, position themselves as shown in Figure 4D so their back faces side wall 4 so the carer can lean over the lower half of a stable door opposite the wall 4 to assist the person within the shower unit.

The mounting 6 or mountings 6 and 7 are preferably formed as part of the mouldings forming walls of the shower unit as described. However, other arrangements can be envisaged in which the mountings are separate items that can be installed within the shower unit.

Other forms of seat can be provided for mounting on the pivot arm assembly.

The rotatable support described above thus provides an arrangement which can be easily and quickly converted between a configuration suitable for use by a disabled or elderly person and a configuration suitable for use by an able bodied person. It also provides an arrangement which is easy to operate and which can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing in both configurations. Such a support is thus particularly suitable for use in hotels, in state owned properties or in private residences where it is desired to be able to provide facilities for disabled or elderly people but where it is also desired to be able to easily, quickly and inexpensively, convert the facilities back to a form which is acceptable for use by able bodied people.

Claims

1. A rotatable support for a shower seat comprising: mounting means located within a shower unit, or for securing within a shower unit, and a pivot arm assembly one end of which is removably mountable on the mounting means so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a first substantially vertical axis within the shower unit and the other end thereof having seat receiving means for receiving a seat thereon such that the seat is rotatable relative to the pivot arm about a second substantially vertical axis, the arrangement being such that, when mounted in the shower unit with a seat mounted thereon, the pivot arm assembly can be rotated about the first vertical axis between a first position in which the second vertical axis is adjacent an open side of the shower unit to enable a person outside the shower unit to sit on the seat and a second position in which the second vertical axis is within the shower unit to move the seat and the person thereon into the shower unit, the seat being rotatable about the second vertical axis so as to be positionable in a desired orientation in both the first and second position and at positions therebetween.

2. A rotatable support as claimed in claim in which the mounting means is located within or adjacent a side wall of the shower unit.

3. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the mounting means comprises a first substantially vertical pin onto which the pivot arm assembly can be removably positioned.

4. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the mounting means comprises a bearing surface within the shower unit against which part of the pivot arm assembly is located when mounted on the mounting means to provide a substantially horizontal supporting force.

5. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 4 in which said bearing surface has a curved shape centered about said first substantially vertical axis.

6. A rotatable support as claimed in any claim 5 in which the mounting means is provided within a first moulding which forms at least part of a first side wall of the shower unit.

A rotatable support as claimed in claim 6 in which the first moulding comprises at least part of first and second side walls and a floor of the shower unit.

8. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 7 in which second mounting means is provided within the first moulding in said second side wall so a mounting means is available in a side wall adjacent an open side of the shower unit irrespective of whether the shower unit is constructed with the open side opposite the first side wall or opposite the second side wall.

9. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8 in which part of the mounting means projects from an upper surface of the moulding.

10. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 9 having a cover for covering said part when a pivot arm assembly is not mounted thereon.

11. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 10 in which the cover is in the form of a soap dish.

12. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 4, or any claim dependent thereon, in which the pivot assembly has bearing means for bearing against said bearing surface.

13. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 12 in which the bearing means comprises two or more rollers mounted on the pivot arm assembly for rotation about substantially vertical axes and arranged to roll on said bearing surface as the pivot arm assembly is rotated about said first substantially vertical axis.

14. A rotatable support as claimed in any preceding claim in which first holding means are provided for releasably holding the pivot arm assembly in a plurality of angular positions about said first substantially vertical axis.

15. A rotatable support as claimed in any preceding claim in which second holding means are provided for releasably holding a seat, when mounted upon the seat receiving means, in a plurality of angular positions about said second substantially vertical axis.

16. A rotatable support as claimed in any preceding claim in which the pivot arm assembly comprises a first member which, in use, is positioned substantially parallel with the first substantially vertical axis, and a second member extending perpendicularly from the first member in a radial direction away from the said first substantially vertical axis.

17. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 16 in which locating means is provided at the upper end of the first member for mounting the pivot arm assembly on the mounting means.

18. A rotatable support as claimed in claims 3 and 17 in which the locating means comprises a hole for fitting over the upper end of said first substantially vertical pin.

19. A rotatable support as claimed in claims 12 and 16 in which said bearing means are provided at the lower end of the first member.

20. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 16 in which the seat receiving means is provided at the distal end of said second member.

21. A rotatable support as claimed in claim 20 in which the seat receiving means comprises a second substantially vertical pin onto which a seat can be located.

22. A rotatable support for a shower seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in one or more of the accompanying drawings.

23. A pivot arm assembly for use in providing a rotatable support as claimed in any preceding claim.

24. A moulding incorporating mounting means for use in providing a rotatable support as claimed in claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon.