GB2411829A

GB2411829A - Adjustable-seat bathing aid

Info

Publication number: GB2411829A
Application number: GB0405228A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Bradburne; John Grundy
Original assignee: & R Disability Services Ltd AB
Current assignee: & R Disability Services Ltd AB
Priority date: 2004-03-09
Filing date: 2004-03-09
Publication date: 2005-09-14
Also published as: GB0405228D0

Abstract

An adjustable-seat bathing aid for use with a bath having a seat, a support structure for supporting the seat where the support structure is mountable relative to the bath, and a lifting means for raising and lowering the seat relative to the support structure with means provided for moving the seat, when raised, between an outboard position outside the bath and an inboard position within the bath.

Description

241 1 829 Bathing Aid The present invention relates to an adjustable-seat

bathing aid.

It is known to provide an adjustable seat to facilitate bathing. Such seats are commonly used by the infirm and those with physical disability.

There are several types of adjustable seat currently available which vary greatly in complexity, practicality and cost.

One of the simplest types of adjustable seat currently available consists of a strip of suitable material which is laterally tensioned across a bath. In order to lower the strip into the bath the tension is gradually released by an electrical drive. The strip is raised by the reverse operation.

Whilst such an arrangement is relatively affordable it has limited utility as it offers no hack support and so, is unsuitable for many potential users.

An alternative arrangement provides a seat having a back and lifting means which is positioned in the bottom of a bath. The seat back can provide good support for the user in the bath, but it can be difficult or inconvenient to mount the lifting means in such a way that in use the seat can be positioned close to the bottom of the bath.

Also, there is the problem of moving the user into and out of the seat in a comfortable and safe manner.

A further alternative arrangement provides a height adjustable seat which is mounted on a pillar which is fixed to the floor by the side of the bath. Whilst this arrangement has enjoyed commercial success it is expensive and not particularly suitable for small bathrooms due to the floor space it occupies.

A still further alternative arrangement provides a seat attached to the bath which is operated by a hydraulic ram. This arrangement is purchased as a complete unit and is therefore very expensive. Moreover, this is a fixed unit which the user is unable to move.

Whilst currently available adjustable seats are adequate they are not ideal as each type is beset with its own disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively compact affordable adjustable-seat bathing aid which is convenient to install and use and with which the user can be moved into and out of the bath safely and comfortably.

According to the present invention there is provided a bathing aid for use with a bath, said aid having a seat, a support structure for supporting said seat the support structure being mountable relative to the bath, and a lifting means for raising and lowering the seat relative to the support structure characterised in that means are provided for moving the seat, when raised, between an outboard position outside the bath and an inboard position within the bath.

With this arrangement, the movement of the seat between outboard and inboard positions can help ensure safe and comfortable support for the user during movement of the user into and out of the bath.

The support structure may be mountable on at least one side of the bath and/or it may be mounted in use on a surface or surfaces adjacent to the bath such that it may be detachably fixed to a wall and/or an area of the floor.

The mounting of the support structure is preferably such as to facilitate unobtrusive location of the support structure and lifting means such as to give a compact arrangement enabling the seat to be lowered into the bath such that seat is positioned close to the bottom of the bath, and which can be inexpensively manufactured and conveniently installed.

Preferably the support structure is removably mountable relative to the bath to facilitate positioning and to enable the bathing aid to be removed and reinstalled on the same or different bath as desired. Thus the support structure may have one or more members which rest on or against or hook over the (or each) side wall of the bath and/or may be detachably fixed thereto e.g. with a removable clamp or the like.

Where the support structure is mounted on at least one side of the bath, preferably the (or each) said support structure member comprises an elongate member, particularly a member having a generally L-shaped crosssection, which is arranged to extend longitudinally of the respective side of the bath. Preferably there are at least two said members mountable respectively on opposite sides of the bath, so that the support structure spans opposite side walls of the bath. These members of the support structure may be connected by a linking means comprising one or more elements extending transversely between the members.

The linking means may comprise a plurality of said elements interconnected such as to permit positioned adjustment of the members relative to each other. Thus there may be one or more pivotal connections and/or one or more telescopic projections, particularly to accommodate different spacings of the members.

With this arrangement, the lateral extension of the linking means can apply tension to the support structure e.g. such as to force the members against the opposite bath side walls thereby facilitating its secure and safe positioning relative to the bath. Also, the support structure can be adjusted such that it fits any size and shape of bath.

Where the support structure is mounted in use on a surface or surfaces adjacent the support structure preferably comprises a first member arranged, in use, to be mounted generally horizontally and a second member, arranged, in use, to be mounted generally f l vertically for detachably fixing the support. Where the bath is in juxtaposition with a wall the first member is preferably detachably fixed to a wall. Where the bath is 'free standing' in addition the first member may be provided with a third member, arranged, in use, to be mounted generally vertically. The second and third members are intended to be fixed at respective ends of the first member. The support structure is provided with an attaching means for the connection of the seat to the support structure. Preferably the attaching means comprises a plate which is fixed to the support structure and which communicates with the bath to provide stability to the bathing aid. The support structure may also be provided with at least one elongate member. The or each elongate member extends longitudinally along the side or opposite sides of the bath. This provides additional stability to the bathing aid. The or each elongate member may be such as to be mountable upon the side or opposite sides of the bath. The first member, and second members and the attaching means may be provided in one piece or they may be provided separately for construction during installation. The first, second and/or third member(s) may be extendable lengthwise to accommodate different spacing arrangements. Extension may be effected telescopically or in any other suitable manner.

The seat is connected to the support structure via the lifting means in such a way that the seat can be moved from the outboard position to the inboard position and once in the inboard position so that the seat can be lowered into and raised out of the bath.

Where the support structure is mounted in use on a surface or surfaces adjacent to the bath seat is connected to the support structure in such a way that the seat can be lowered and raised when in an inboard and an outboard position. With this arrangement the seat can be suitably positioned so as to facilitate movement of a patient from a wheelchair to the seat in a safe and comfortable manner. I' -

In any case the seat may move in any suitable manner to adopt the outboard position, thus allowing the user to sit on the seat from a position outside the bath before being manoeuvred to the inboard position.

Preferably however the seat is connected to the support structure so as to permit movement through an angle relative to the bath so that in the inboard position the seat faces along the bath and in the outboard position the seat faces transversely away from the bath.

The angle of movement may be substantially 90 .

With this arrangement, the moveable seat can eliminate the need for the user's body to be rotated relative to the seat, thus the user is provided with back support at all times whilst using the seat enabling safe and comfortable movement into and out of the bath.

Angular movement of the seat preferably occurs whilst over the bath in order that the seat is sufficiently balanced thereby facilitating safe and comfortable movement into and out of the bath. Thus, the connection between the seat and the support structure preferably is effected via an angularly moveable joint. Where the support structure is mounted on at least one side of the bath the said joint is preferably located between the said opposite side walls of the bath.. This joint may be a pivot joint which may be established between the seat and the aforesaid link between the members of the support structure, more particularly between the aforesaid lifting means and the said link.

Where the support structure is mounted in use on a surface or surfaces adjacent to the bath the said joint is preferably located near to the junction of the first member and the second member such that when the seat is moved into an outboard position the seat is no longer suspended above the bath but rather above the floor thereby enabling the seat to be lowered and raised when in an outboard position. This joint may be a pivot joint seat and the support structure, more particularly between the aforesaid lifting means and the support structure.

The seat may be mounted on the lifting means and the lifting means may be mounted relative to the support structure for the said angular movement. The lifting means may comprise an upright slide arrangement for guiding lifting and lowering of the seat.

The lifting means may incorporate a screw mechanism, hydraulic means or any other suitable drive, but preferably comprises a battery operated power drive device.

A powered drive device may be provided for effecting angular movement of the seat and this may act via a lever arm or the like.

The powered drive device may be an electric device which may be battery operated, such as a motor or solenoid.

A stop or stops may be provided for limiting angular movement of the seat to ensure that desired positions are attained.

The bathing aid may be fitted with sensors such that as the ascending seat reaches a predetermined point it automatically begins to rotate relative to the bath. Provision may be made for movement of the seat to be stopped at any time during its use and restarted in accordance with operation of a user control.

With this arrangement the user is lowered into and raised out of the bath in a safe and comfortable manner. Furthermore, the more able user can operate the lifting means thereby giving the user more control.

Thus, operation of the seat may be controlled by way of a hand held control device.

The support structure, the lifting means and the seat may comprise releasably interconnected modules, or may be rigidly interconnected or may even be formed // integrally. Releasably interconnected modules are preferred in order that the bathing aid of the present invention can be readily dismantled for transport and storage.

Preferably each of these modules is of a size and weight, e.g. 5.5kg in weight, to facilitate easy transport and in order to comply with health and safety regulations.

Where battery operated, the bathing aid is preferably operated by a 12 volt battery in order that it safe to use with water. However, any other suitable power supply may be used.

The bathing aid of the present invention may be made from any suitable material and is preferably made from a non-rusting material or is coated with a non-rusting material.

The bathing aid of the present invention may be fitted with other devices such as a leg lift for those who are unable to raise their legs over the side of the bath as the seat moves to the outboard position.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a support structure of one form of a bathing aid according to the present invention; Figure2 is a diagrammatic side perspective view of an angularly movable joint of the bathing aid; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of a lifting means and seat of the bathing aid; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side perspective view of the lifting means of Fig. 3; and Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a first embodiment of the assembled bathing aid mounted on a bath in three positions of use.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a support structure of a second form of a bathing aid according to the present invention mounted on a bath; Figures 9, 10 & 1 1 show a second embodiment of the assembled bathing and mounted on a bath in three positions.

Figures 1-4 show parts of a bathing aid which parts are interconnected and mounted on a bath as indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Referring to figure 1, this shows a support structure to which the ratable means of Fig. 2 can be interconnected. The support structure 4 has two right angled elongate members 2a and 2b which are joined by a link structure 4 and which can be aligned substantially parallel to each other. The link structure 4 is made up of three sections 4a, 4b and 4c which are joined via apertured pivot joints 5a and 5b. Each end of the link structure 4 is telescopically interconnected to an arm 3a and 3b which protrudes from a flanged area 7a and 7b of each elongate member. The link structure 4 and each elongate member can be adjustably connected by wing nuts 6a and 6b.

Referring to figure 2, this shows a joint 8 which is connected to the link structure 4 of the support structure 1 and to which the lifting means 22 and seat 25 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are interconnected. The joint 8 has a mounting plate 9, to which a retractable member 10, a right angled member 11, a strut 12, and a spring loaded protruding member 13 are directly attached.

The retractable member 10 comprises an electrical drive device 9a, a sleeve 15 and a rod 16. The said rod slides in and out of the sleeve 13 under the action of the device 9a. I'm

J

The retractable member 10 is rigidly mounted upon the mounting plate 9 by way of the sleeve 15.

The right angled member 11 comprises two pivotal attachments 17 and 18, one being located at each end of the right angled member 11. One of the said attachments 17 is pivotally mounted upon the mounting plate 9 and the other attachment 18 is pivotally connected to a bracket plate 14. The bracket plate 14 facilitates the attachment of the lifting means 4 and seat 25, as referred to in Figs. 3 and 4, to the joint 8. The reverse face of the bracket plate 14 exhibits a substantially centrally located horizontally aligned apertured plate 22 with which to receive the attachment means 18. The bracket plate 14 exhibits a second apertured plate 23 aligned substantially parallel to the first with the attachment means 18 located there between. The said right angled member 11 and retractable member 10 are interconnected by way of the rod 16 which is pivotally connected to a lever arm 19 rigidly fixed to the right angled member 11. The second apertured plate 23 has an elongated portion 21 to which is pivotally connected one end of the strut 12. The opposite end of the strut 12 is pivotally connected to the mounting plate 9.

The strut 12 is positioned substantially parallel to the retractable member 10. The mounting plate 9 further comprises a spring loaded protruding member 13 the free end of which abuts the bracket plate 14.

Referring to figures 3 and 4, these show the seat 25 interconnected to the lifting means 24 in such a way that the said lifting means 24 can be mounted upon the bracket plate 14. The said lifting means 24 further comprises an upright frame 26 and an actuator 27. The frame 26 comprises two upright members 28 and 29 which are substantially parallel to each other and are joined by a lateral member 30. The actuator 27 is supported within the frame 26 by guide members 31 and 32 (only one guide member is shown in (/ ' figure 4) and a further upright member 33. The further upright member 33, which is centrally located between the two upright members 28 and 29, extends into the actuator in order to facilitate longitudinal movement thereon. Longitudinal protrusions 34 and 35 are present on opposite sides of the actuator 27, said protrusions 34 and 35 inter-engage the guide members 31 and 32 by way of slots 36 and 37. The actuator is connected to a power source via a socket 38 which is located on the actuator 27. The seat 25 is fitted to the front of the actuator 27. The rear of the actuator, as shown in figure 3, is fitted with two plates 38 and 39 which facilitate connection of the lifting means 24 to the ratable means 8 via bracket plate 14.

Referring to figure 8, this shows a second embodiment of a support structure which enables the seat to be lowered and raised when in an outboard position as shown in figures 9to 11.

Figures 8 and 9 show a support structure 41 comprising a first member 42 extending across the width of a bath and an integrally formed second member 43. The support structure 41 further comprises an attaching means 45 in the form of a plate. The attaching means is provided with a pivotally mounted connection means 46 for connection of the support structure 41 to the seat 47. The support structure is also provided with an elongate member 49 mounted on the bath which provides additional support to the structure. The first member 42 is fixed to a wall 48 and the second member 43 is fixed to the floor. The attaching means 45 is positioned at the point of engagement of the first and second members.

Prior to use, the support structure 1, the joint 8 and the lifting means 24 must be assembled in order to provide the bathing aid of the present invention. The two elongate members 2a and 2b of the support structure 1 are fitted over the top inside edges of a bath.

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The link structure 4 is extended by way of wing nuts 6a and 6b in order to create the necessary tension and down force to secure the support structure in position. The joint 8 is releasably connected to the support structure 1 by way of the mounting plate 9 which is received by one of the apertures 5a or 5b depending upon the direction of rotation required.

The lifting means 24 is releasably connected to the joint 8 via the bracket plate 14 which in turn is fitted to the plates 39 and 40 located on the rear of the actuator 27.

In use, assuming that when the user wishes to bathe the seat is in the lowered position (as shown in figure 6), the user must first raise the seat 25 by operating the actuator 27. This causes the actuator to move longitudinally up the centrally located upright member 32 until a predetermined point is reached (as shown in figure 5). At this point the seat 25 begins to rotate automatically and unless the user intervenes to stop rotation of the seat relative to the bath rotation ceases when the seat has rotated 90 relative to the bath (as shown in figure 7). Rotation of the seat 25 is facilitated by the ratable means 8. When rotation is initiated the rod 16 retracts into the sleeve 15 of the retractable member 10. As rod 16 is connected to the right angled member 11 by way of the protruding plate 19 the said retraction results in the clockwise rotation of the right angled member 11 about the pivotally mounted connecting device 17. During the said rotation of the angled member 11 the bracket plate 14, to which the lifting means 24 and therefore the seat 25 is attached, rotates in an anti-clockwise direction about the pivotally mounted connecting device 17.

This anti-clockwise rotation is facilitated by the strut 12 which connects the mounting plate 9 and the bracket plate 14 and thereby prevents the bracket plate 14 rotating in the same clockwise fashion as the right angled member 11 to which it is attached. The seat rotates until it reaches a predetermined stop point. Once the seat has reached the correct position the user is able to sit on the seat and instigate the reverse procedure in order to rotate the seat and lower him-self into the bath.

Accordingly, when the user initiates rotation of the seat in order that the seat moves into the position where it can be lowered into the bath the rod 16 extends from the sleeve 15 of the retractable member 10. This retraction results in the anti-clockwise rotation of the right angled member 11. As the right angled member 11 rotates, the strut 12 causes the simultaneous clockwise rotation of the bracket plate 14 and therefore the rotation of the seat connected thereto back to its position over the bath. The bracket plate rotates until it abuts the spring loaded protruding member 13. Once the seat reaches a predetermined stop point the seat 25 automatically begins to lower into the bath. The seat 25 moves longitudinally down the further upright member 32 and is guided by the guide members 31 and 32. The user is able to stop the seat at any point, but the lifting means 24 is fitted with a fail safe predetermined stop point.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

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Claims 1. A bathing aid for use with a bath, said aid having a seat, a support structure for supporting said seat, the support structure being mountable relative to the bath, and a lifting means for raising and lowering the seat relative to the support structure characterised in that means is provided for moving the seat, when raised between an outboard position outside the bath and an inboard position within the bath.
2. A bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is mountable on at least one side of the bath.
3. A bathing aid according to any of claims l or claim 2, wherein the support structure is removably mountable relative to the bath.
4. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the support structure comprises one or more support members which, in use, rest on or against at least one of the 1 S side walls of the bath.
S. A bathing aid according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support structure comprises one or more support members which hook over at least one of the side walls of the bath.
6. A bathing aid according to claim 4, wherein the one or more support members comprise an elongate member.
7. A bathing aid according to claim 6, wherein the or each elongate member is of generally L-shaped cross-section.
8. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises at least two support members arranged, in use, to be mounted respectively on opposite sides of the bath.
9. A bathing aid according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein there are at least two support members connected by a linking means.
10. A bathing aid according to claim 9, wherein the linking means is adjustable.
11. A bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is arranged to be mounted in use on a surface or surfaces adjacent to the bath.
12. A bathing aid according to claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises a first member, arranged, in use, to be mounted generally horizontally and a second member, arranged, in use, to be mounted generally vertically.
13. A bathing aid according to claim 12, wherein the first member is arranged to be detachably fixed to a wall.
14. A bathing aid according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the second member is arranged to be detachably fixed to the floor.
15. A bathing aid according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the first member and/or second member are of adjustable length.
16. A bathing aid according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein when the seat is in an outboard position the seat can be lowered and raised relative to the bath.
17. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the seat is connected to the support structure via the lifting means.
] 8. A bathing aid according to any preceding claim wherein the seat may be pivoted relative to the bath.
19. A bathing aid according to claim 18, comprising a powered drive device for effecting pivotal movement of the seat.
20. A bathing aid according to claim 18 comprising one or more stop devices to limit pivotal movement of the seat.
21. A bathing aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either figures 1 to70r8to 11.