GB2420972A - Improved access bath - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a bath assembly 2 which comprises a tub 4, a plurality of bath panels 8, at least one moveable panel 30 which is operable to open and allow access into the tub 4, and an opening mechanism (200, Fig 5) for moving the moveable panel 30. The opening mechanism moves the moveable panel from a first position (100, Fig 6) wherein the panel is in a closed configuration with the tub, into a second position (102, Fig 8) in which the panel lies in a generally level plane, and into a third position (104, Fig 9) in which the moveable panel is in an open configuration in which the panel lies at or close to a vertical plane. Also included are: an opening mechanism for a bath assembly, a bath assembly which comprises a plurality of plug holes and a safety bath mat 25.

Description

1 2420972

A BATH

The invention relates to a bath assembly. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a bath assembly for elderly people, disabled or profoundly disabled people.

Elderly people, disabled or profoundly disabled people, commonly need care assistance in order to carry out everyday tasks, for example, cooking or cleaning.

However, bathing is a particular problem and a carer is often required to help the person get into and out of a bath.

Conventional baths have a tub and a number of surrounding bath panels. In order to transfer a person to the tub, the carer has to lift him or her above the height of the bath panels and then place him down in the tub. This task can be dangerous having the associated risk of injury to either the carer or person to be bathed. The job is made especially difficult if the carer is moving a profoundly disabled person or a person who is heavy.

Due to the health risks associated with lifting, regulations have been introduced to provide guidelines on lifting techniques for carers. However, these guidelines are often overlooked or ignored.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bath for use by elderly, disabled or profoundly disabled people. It is a further object of the invention to provide a bath having improved access to the tub for elderly, disabled or profoundly disabled people.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bath assembly comprising a tub, a plurality of bath panels, at least one moveable panel which is operable to open and allow access into the tub, and an opening mechanism for moving the moveable panel from a first position wherein the moveable panel is in a closed configuration with respect to a remainder of the bath assembly, into a second position in which the moveable panel lies in a generally level plane, and into a third position in which the moveable panel is in an open configuration in which the moveable panel lies at or close to a generally vertical plane.

When the bath assembly is to be used by a profoundly disabled person, advantageously, the arrangement enables the carer to move the person more easily into and out of the tub without having to lift the person above the height of the side panels. The third position, with the moveable panel open and not projecting sideways from the bath assembly, but downwards, allows easy access to the tub.

This reduces the effort required by the carer in lifting and therefore reduces the potential for an accident or injury.

Preferably, the second position is at substantially 90 degrees to the closed configuration. In this position, the moveable panel acts as a load bearing support or platform. A person moving into the tub is able to sit on the moveable panel and slide backwards into the tub with minimum bending required. The moveable panel can be used in a similar manner when the person has finished bathing.

Preferably, the third position is at substantially 180 degrees to the closed configuration. This enables a wheelchair user to move alongside the bath assembly without obstruction. Similarly, a mobile bed or trolley can be moved alongside the bath assembly so that a carer may more easily slide the person from the bed to the tub.

Preferably, the opening mechanism comprises a frame, a drive mechanism and an axle. More preferably, at least one sliding arm and preferably, the frame is mounted on at least one lifting column. Most preferably, the moveable panel, mounted on the axle, is connected to the frame and preferably at least on the sliding arm.

The opening mechanism is not an integral part of the tub or side panels. Advantageously, this arrangement enables the moveable panel to move to and from each of the said positions without being hindered by the tub. Furthermore, because the moveable panel is attached to the opening mechanism, said panel is able to act as a load bearing surface in the second position. Furthermore, because the opening mechanism is separate from the tub, the moveable panel can be replaced, if necessary, without having to replace the tub. Alternatively, the opening mechanism may be integral with the tub and side panels.

Preferably, the opening mechanism is operable to move the moveable panel from the third position into the second position, and then from the second position into the first position.

The operation of the moveable panel in this manner allows for controlled movement thereof. This is particularly advantageous if the user wants to use the moveable panel as a load bearing surface in the second position. For example, when a person wants to get into the tub, the rnoveable panel is moved to the third position and the person is able to sit in the tub with their legs hanging over the edge of the tub. The moveable panel is then moved into the second position, in so doing the person's legs are slowly lifted upwards to the horizontal position by the moveable panel. The person is then able to slide themselves into the tub without having to exert a lot of energy in bending. If a carer is transferring the person, a minimum of lifting is required. The moveable panel is then moved into the first position to close the access to the tub.

Preferably, the opening mechanism is operable to move the moveable panel a distance away from the bath assembly before moving said panel into the first position to allow access into the tub. More preferably, the moveable panel is operable to be moved in a substantially horizontal direction away from the bath assembly, preferably approximately 50mm away from the bath assembly.

Preferably, the moveable panel is operable to be moved the distance away from the bath assembly prior to moving from the third position to the second position.

Advantageously, provision of the distance, or gap, between the bath assembly and the moveable panel, reduces the risk of a person trapping their fingers between the moveable panel and the bath assembly whilst said panel is moving.

This is of particular importance if the bather is not the person operating the moveable panel and the operator is distracted.

Preferably, an operating means is provided operable to operate the opening mechanism. More preferably, the operating means is an electronic handset mounted on the bath assembly. Alternatively, the operating means is a remotely controlled electronic handset.

Preferably, a seal is provided between the tub and the at least one moveable panel. Preferably, the seal is mounted on the tub.

Preferably, an inflatable element is housed in the seal.

The seal is preferably adapted such that when the inflatable element is inflated, the seal expands so as to provide a seal between the tub and the moveable panel.

Once the seal is fully inflated, the tub is filled with water. Preferably, valves are provided on the bath assembly operable to work in conjunction with the operating means to cause the tub to fill automatically when the seal is fully inflated.

Preferably, pressure sensors are provided on the seal.

Alternatively, the pressure sensors are provided in an air supply linked to the seal. Alternatively, the pressure sensors are provided on the tub. The pressure sensors are operable to monitor the pressure in the inflatable element. If the air in the inflatable element is insufficient, the pressure sensors operate so that more air enters the inflatable tube.

Preferably, a switch is provided within the seal which is operable to detect the presence of an object trapped between the moveable panel and the remainder of the bath assembly. If the switch is touched by the object before the moveable panel is fully closed, the opening mechanism is operable to stop the moveable panel from moving any further in the given direction and is operable to cause the moveable panel to preferably, reverse direction so as to allow the trapped object to be freed.

Preferably, detectors are provided operable to detect a level of water in the bath. The detectors are preferably mounted within the tub and can be, preferably, proximity detectors, or, preferably, a pressure sensor mechanism.

These preferably detect the presence of water within the bath.

Preferably, the opening mechanism is mounted on the frame.

Preferably, at least one lifting frame mechanism, preferably, a lifting column is operable to raise and lower the bath assembly. Advantageously, the height of the bath assembly can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the user or carer. In so doing, the bath assembly is made further accessible by the user or carer.

Preferably, the at least one moveable panel is the length of a side of the bath assembly. Advantageously, when said panel moves into the third position, a person or carer can easily access the tub. This is a particular advantage for a wheelchair user who can move alongside the bath assembly when the moveable panel is in the third position and slide into the tub without assistance from a carer. The need for a cater is therefore minimised and the disabled person is given a degree of independence.

Preferably, the at least one moveable panel is manufactured from glass reinforced plastic. This makes the panel highly durable.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an opening mechanism comprising a frame, a drive mechanism, an axle and at least one moveable panel.

Preferably, at least one sliding arm is provided on the opening mechanism for sliding the said panel from a closed to an open position. Preferably, at least one lifting column is provided to mount the opening mechanism on.

Most preferably, an axle is mounted on the sliding arm, and the moveable panel is mounted on the axle.

The opening mechanism can be located on/underneath any apparatus which benefits from having a moveable panel or door. This would include a bath, particularly for elderly or disabled people wherein the moveable panel is operable to move so as to allow easy access into the tub.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a bath is provided comprising a tub having a plurality of plug holes.

Preferably, two plug holes are provided. More preferably, the two plug holes are located towards the centre of the tub. In this manner, the user of the bath can sit at any chosen end of the tub without having the nuisance of a plug hole. Further, and more advantageously, having a number of plug holes allows the water to drain out of the bath more rapidly than in a conventional bath having only one plug hole. This is a particular advantage when the plug hole arrangement is provided in a bath for an elderly or disabled person, as described according to any one of the previous aspects. In such baths, there is an increased risk that the user of the bath may have an accident or be taken ill whilst bathing. In these circumstances, it is important that the bath can be emptied as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of drowning while also enabling a carer to more easily manoeuvre the person and move them out of the bath.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety mat for use with a bath assembly, comprising at least one moveable panel which opens to allow access into a tub and an opening mechanism for moving the moveable panel, the safety mat comprising detecting means for detecting the presence of a person/object on said mat, and signalling means for signalling the presence of the person/object on said mat to the opening mechanism, such that when the person/object is on the mat, the signalling means sends a signal to the opening mechanism to stop the at least one moveable panel from further moving.

Preferably, the opening mechanism is operable to prevent the at least one moveable panel from moving into a third position when the at least one moveable panel lies in a generally vertical plane. Preferably, the opening mechanism is operable to prevent the at least one moveable panel and the bath assembly from lowering, if the moveable panel is in third position and an object is on the mat.

There exists a risk that in the third position, a person standing on the mat may have their feet trapped by the moveable panel, particularly as the panel reaches the generally vertical plane. Advantageously, the safety mat eliminates this risk by alerting the moveable panel to the presence of the person. Similarly, if an object is on the mat, for example, a wheelchair, the detecting means will detect its presence and the moveable panel will not move into the third position. In this situation, neither the wheelchair nor the moveable panel will be damaged.

Preferably, the at least one moveable panel is held in a second position wherein the at least one moveable panel lies in a generally horizontal plane. Advantageously, in the second position, a person will be forced away from the bath by the said panel and off the mat. In so doing, there will be no risk of injury to the person.

Furthermore, because the person is no longer standing on the mat, the moveable panel will not be prevented from moving into the third position.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects; in any combination.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bath assembly in a closed configuration; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the bath assembly of figure 1 in a partly open configuration; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the bath assembly of figure 1 in an open configuration; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the bath assembly of figure 1 in a raised configuration; Figure 5 is a schematic view and exploded view of a part of the bath assembly of figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the bath assembly of figure 1 in the closed configuration; Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the bath assembly of figure 1 in a partly open configuration; Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the bath assembly of figure 1 in the partly open configuration; Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the bath assembly of figure 1 in the open configuration; and Figure 10 is a further schematic side view of the bath assembly.

Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a bath assembly 2 according to the present invention. The bath assembly 2 is rectangular in plan view and comprises a tub 4 surrounded by a lip 6 and a number of bath panels 8. The tub 4 is oval in shape and has a base 10 on which a person sits or lies when bathing. A spout 12 is provided on the bath 2 and is located centrally along a rear of the tub 4.

The spout 12 is fitted to the bath assembly 2 such that a top 14 of the spout 12 is flush with the lip 6 and a side 16 of the spout 12 is flush with the tub 4. In this arrangement, water flowing from the spout 12 cascades down into the tub 4.

The bath panels 8 comprise a rear panel 18, two side panels 20, a front panel 22 and a skirt 24. A mat 25 is provided adjacent the front panel 22. The front panel 22 has a cut-away section as shown in figures 2 to 4. A seal 26 is located on the front panel 22 and is mounted thereon so as to follow the shape of the cut-away section. The seal 26 has an inflatable element therein which inflates to inflate the seal 26.

A door or moveable panel 30 lies adjacent the bath assembly 2. The moveable panel 30 has an inner face 32 and an outer face 34. The outer face 34 is moulded and finished to give a matching overall appearance with the rest of the bath assembly 2. The moveable panel 30 is separately mounted to the bath assembly 2. Inner door arms 36 (see figure 5) of the moveable panel 30 are mounted on an opening mechanism 200 shown in figure 5 and described below.

The opening mechanism 200 is located underneath the bath 2. The opening mechanism 200 comprises a frame 40 having a longitudinal axis 41. The frame 40 comprises at least one channel section framework, a tie bar 42 and a bracing frame 44 which provide a scaffold across the two sliding arms and the top of the frame 40. The tub 4 of the bath 2 sits on the frame 40 and is attached thereto by bolts 46.

Vertically orientated lifting columns 48 are mounted on the frame 40, perpendicular to the axis 41. Two lifting columns 48 are provided at opposite ends of the frame 40.

Each lifting column 48 is fitted to a foot 50 which acts to stabilise the opening mechanism 200. The skirt 24 is attached to the lifting columns 48. Two sliding arms 52 are mounted on respective opposite ends of the bracing frame 44. At least one of the frames 40 are bolted to respective lifting columns 48 as shown in figure 4. Anti- vibration mounts 54 are fitted to the sliding arms 52 to ensure the moveable panel 30 moves in a smooth motion.

An axle 56 is mounted on the sliding arms 52, parallel to the longitudinal axis 41. The axle 56 is fixed at each end thereof to the sliding arms 52. The axle 56 carries the inner door arms 36 of the moveable panel 30. Three inner door arms 36 are shown, one inner door arm 36 mounted at either end of the axle 56 and one mounted centrally thereof.

A drive mechanism comprising a gear assembly 58 and motor assembly 60 is mounted at opposite ends of the axle 56.

Two linear actuators connected from the underneath of the tub 4 to the bracing frame, drive the bracing frame 44, sliding arms 52 and the axle 56. As the gear assembly 58 is driven, the inner door arms 36 rotate to move the moveable panel 30, pivoting around the axle 56.

Operating means 70 are connected to the opening mechanism 200. The operating means 70 comprises an electrically operated handset which controls the functioning of electrical circuitry for the motor assembly 60 of the opening mechanism 200 and of the linear actuators, lifting columns 48, the mat 25 and a seal switch. Although the handset is shown attached to the bath assembly 2 in figures 1 to 4, it will be understood by the skilled reader that the operating means 70 could be separate from the bath assembly 2 to operate the bath assembly 2 by remote control. The operating means 70 also includes rotary encoders (not shown) which are fitted to the motor assembly 60, 48 and linear actuators to provide feedback information to control the functioning of the movement of the opening mechanism 200. The operating means 70 has an inbuilt alarm system which alerts the user to problems with the circuitry, for example, a break in the circuitry.

In the event of such a problem, the opening mechanism 200 is prevented from moving. A manual override is provided on the bath 2 to override the function of the operating means 70 if required.

Pressure sensors are mounted on the bath assembly 2 to monitor the air pressure of the seal 26. If a drop in pressure is detected when the seal 26 is being used fully inflated, pressure valves open and air is allowed to enter the inflatable element. In this manner, a sealing configuration between the bath assembly 2 and the moveable panel 30 is maintained. A seal switch is also provided on the seal 26 to detect an object/person between the moveable panel 30 and the bath assembly 2. If the seal switch is touched before the moveable panel 30 is fully closed, the moveable panel 30 automatically stops moving and reverses direction to free the object/person. Water sensors are mounted on the bath assembly 2 to detect the level of water. These sensors are mounted within the tub and can be proximity detectors or pressure sensors. The sensors detect the presence of water within the bath.

The operation of the moveable panel 30 will be described with reference to figures 6 to 9. Figure 6 shows the moveable panel 30 in a first position 100. In the first position 100 the moveable panel 30 is in a vertical plane with the inner face 32 adjacent the front panel 22. The seal 26 is fully inflated. In order to open the moveable panel 30, the user presses the operating means 70. This causes a warning buzzer to sound to warn the user that the moveable panel 30 is about to move. The seal 26 is deflated and the actuators activate the bracing frame 44 and sliding arms 52. The sliding arms 52 slide forward in a horizontal direction away from the bath assembly 2 simultaneously moving the moveable panel 30 away from the front panel 22 as shown in figure 7. The moveable panel is moved a distance of approximately 50mm from the front panel 22. The gap produced between the moveable panel 30 and the bath assembly 2 is sufficient to prevent a person from trapping their fingers.

The moveable panel 30 is then rotated by the drive mechanism into the second position 102 shown in figure 8.

In the second position 102, the moveable panel 30 is substantially 90 degrees to the front panel 22. The moveable panel 30 is prevented from rotating passed the second position 102 by the action of the operating means which counts a number of pre-defined pulses from the encoders in the motors 60 and stops the moveable panel 30 in the second position 102. In this position 102 the moveable panel 30 acts as a load-bearing surface being able to support the weight of the user, typically up to 130kg. Alternatively, a carer can sit on the moveable panel 30 when dealing with their patient.

The moveable panel 30 is moved from the second position 102 to the third position 104 in order to allow closer access to the tub 4. In the third position 104, the moveable panel 30 is at substantially 180 degrees to the closed configuration as shown in figure 9. Because the moveable panel 30 is the length of the bath assembly 2, in the third position 104, the user is allowed unrestricted access to the tub 4. For example, a wheelchair user is able to move alongside the bath assembly 2 and enter the tub 4 without great difficulty.

In order to close the moveable panel 30, the user presses the operating means 70 and the moveable panel 30 moves in the reverse direction to that described above i.e. the moveable panel 30 moves from the third position 104 to the second position 102 and then moves horizontally backwards into the first position 100. In the event that the moveable panel 30 is met with resistance in the first position 100, the resistance is detected by the circuitry and all movement of the panel 30 is stopped.

In the first position 100, the seal 26 automatically inflates. The tub 4 is then filled with water by turning on a tap. Alternatively, solenoid valves are provided which are controlled by the operating means 70. The valves would operate to automatically open and allow water to enter the tub 4 when the moveable panel 30 reaches the first position 100 and the seal has finished inflating to the correct pressure.

After the person has finished bathing, the water is drained from the tub 4 by the person or carer pulling out the plugs from the holes 17. Two plug holes 17 are provided in the base 10 of the tub 4, towards the centre, and the back of the tub 4. When the plugs are removed from the holes 17, water is rapidly released from the tub 4. It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the mechanical plugs can be replaced by electronically controlled plugs which operate using solenoid technology.

The bath assembly 2 can be raised or lowered independently from the movement of the moveable panel 30, by the lifting columns 48. Figure 4 shows the bath assembly 2 in the raised configuration. This enables the bath assembly 2 to be adjusted to a height suitable for the user. The bath assembly 2 may also include a shower mechanism.

A safety mat 25 is provided in front of the bath assembly 2 as shown in figures 1-4. The safety mat 80 comprises a detecting means which is pressure sensing ribbon switch/es, which detects the presence of an object/person thereon. The detecting means operate in conjunction with an on/off signalling means which signal the presence of the object/person to the opening mechanism 200. The operating means 70 prevent the opening mechanism 200 from moving when the signal is received. Further, if the moveable panel 30 is in the position labelled B in figure 10, and the bath assembly 2 is raised, there is a possibility of trapping between the moveable panel 30 and the floor. In this situation, the safety mat 25 prevents the bath assembly 2 being lowered until the safety mat 25 is free from obstruction.

By way of example only, figure 10 shows the bath assembly 2 in use. The moveable panel 30 is in the second position 102 and the user 90 is sat on the edge of the tub 4 with their legs over the moveable panel 30. The user 90 is able to use the moveable panel 30 to lower their legs to the floor by the moveable panel 30 moving from the positions labelled A to B. Advantageously, the bath assembly 2 enables a person with restricted mobility, particularly a profoundly disabled person, to more easily access the tub 4 and bathe.

Furthermore, the arrangement enables a carer to move the person more readily, into and out of the tub 4, without excessive lifting of the person above the height of the side panels. Therefore, accidents or injury are less likely to occur than in a conventional bath.

The bath assembly 2 is simply maintained because the opening mechanism 200 is not an integral part of the tub 4 or bath panels 8. During routine maintenance, the tub 4 can be unbolted from the frame 40 to allow an engineer unrestricted access to the opening mechanism 200.

Additionally, because the moveable panel 30 is a part of the opening mechanism 200, the moveable panel 30 is able to act as a load bearing surface being able to accept the weight of a person.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bath assembly comprising a tub, a plurality of bath panels, at least one moveable panel which is operable to open and allow access into the tub, and an opening mechanism for moving the moveable panel from a first position wherein the moveable panel is in a closed configuration with respect to a remainder of the bath assembly, and into a further position in which the moveable panel is in an open configuration in which the moveable panel lies at or close to a generally vertical plane.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (35)

1. A bath assembly comprising a tub, a plurality of bath panels, at least one moveable panel which is operable to open and allow access into the tub, and an opening mechanism for moving the moveable panel from a first position wherein the moveable panel is in a closed configuration with respect to a remainder of the bath assembly, into a second position in which the moveable panel lies in a generally level plane, and into a third position in which the moveable panel is in an open configuration in which the moveable panel lies at or close to a generally vertical plane.

2. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second position is at substantially 90 degrees to the closed configuration.

3. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the third position is at substantially 180 degrees to the closed configuration.

4. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism comprises a frame, a drive mechanism and an axle.

5. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sliding arm is mounted on the opening mechanism.

6. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one sliding arm is mounted on the frame.

7. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the frame is mounted on at least one lifting column.

8. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the moveable panel is mounted on the axle and is connected to the frame and the at least one sliding arm.

9. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism is not an integral part of the tub or side panels.

10. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism is operable to move the moveable panel from the third position into the second position, and then from the second position into the first position.

11. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism is operable to move the moveable panel a distance away from the bath assembly before moving said panel into the first position to allow access into the tub.

12. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the moveable panel is operable to be moved in a substantially horizontal direction away from the bath assembly.

13. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the moveable panel is operable to be moved the distance away from the bath assembly prior to moving from the third position to the second position.

14. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an operating means is provided operable to operate the opening mechanism.

15. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the operating means is an electronic handset mounted on the bath assembly.

16. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the operating means is a remotely controlled electronic handset.

17. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a seal is provided between the tub and the at least one moveable panel.

18. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein an inflatable element is housed in the seal.

19. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein pressure sensors are provided on the seal.

20. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein a switch is provided within the seal which is operable to detect the presence of an object trapped between the moveable panel and the remainder of the bath assembly.

21. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one detector is provided operable to detect a level of water in the bath.

22. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one moveable panel is the length of a side of the bath assembly.

23. An opening mechanism for a bath assembly comprising a frame, a drive mechanism, an axle and at least one moveable panel.

24. An opening mechanism as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least one sliding arm is provided on the opening mechanism for sliding said panel from a closed to an open position.

25. An opening mechanism as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the opening mechanism is mounted on a at least one lifting column.

26. An opening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the axle is mounted on the sliding arm, and the moveable panel is mounted on the axle.

27. A bath assembly comprising a tub having a plurality of plug holes.

28. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein two plug holes are provided.

29. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein the two plug holes are located towards the centre of the tub.

30. A bath assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26 comprising a plurality of plug holes.

31. A bath assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein two plug holes are located towards the centre of the tub.

32. A safety mat for use with a bath assembly, comprising at least one moveable panel which opens to allow access into a tub and an opening mechanism for moving the moveable panel, the safety mat comprising detecting means for detecting the presence of a person/object on said mat, and signalling means for signalling the presence of the person/object on said mat to the opening mechanism, such that when the person/object is on the mat, the signalling means sends a signal to the opening mechanism to stop the at least one moveable panel from further moving.

33. A safety mat as claimed in claim 32, wherein the opening mechanism is operable to prevent the at least one moveable panel from moving into a third position when the at least one moveable panel lies in a generally vertical plane.

34. A safety mat as claimed in claim 32 or 33, wherein the opening mechanism is operable to prevent the at least one moveable panel and the bath assembly from lowering, if the moveable panel is in third position and an object is on the mat.

35. A bath assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.