JP2000070321A - Body supporter for assisting bathing and bath tub - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the burden on an attendant and the worry of a person to be bathed when a physically challenging person takes a bath, and to allow the person to be bathed to keep the safe posture in a bath tub. SOLUTION: A human body is moved between a bed and a bath tub 2 while a person is laid on a supporter, and the human body is kept in the base tub 2. Since a body supporter 1 is bent at a part corresponding to the waist and the knee of the person M, the person M can be kept in a safe and comfortable posture in the bath tub 2 without damaging the movability between the bed and the bath tub 2. The body supporter 1 is supported by a link mechanism 29 to be driven by a hydraulic cylinder 31, or the like. The body supporter 1 is bent and extended in an interlocking manner with the elevating/lowering operation of the link mechanism 29, and is in a flattened condition in the elevated position, while in a bent condition in the lowered position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body support used for assisting bathing of a person who has limited physical freedom, such as an aged elderly person or a physically handicapped person, and the use of the body support. And a bathtub suitable for bathing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a person who is physically inflexible, such as a bedridden elderly person or a physically handicapped person, takes a bath, some caregivers directly lift their hands on the bather's body and lift the bed or futon. The caregiver must raise the patient in an unreasonable posture and with care while taking care of the bather's body, which not only places a great burden on the caregiver. The bathers were also caring.

[0003] In addition, although a healthy person can hold his body in a sitting position with his knees bent in the bathtub, there is a problem that it is difficult for a person with limited physical freedom to hold his posture in a bathtub of normal depth. there were. Regarding this point, for example,
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 35 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 61-115540, a shallow tub that can be soaked in hot water while lying on its back has been proposed. However, this type of bathtub has the problem of giving the bather anxiety and fear as if drowning in the bath because the head sinks into the bath. If you are a poor person, you can't raise your body from the hot water, so that for a healthy person, nothing is a major concern.

[0004] In order to solve these problems, it has been considered to dispose a supporter capable of holding a bather in a posture of sitting or a body leaning backward in a bathtub having a depth similar to that of a general household. (For example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 59-106494
FIG., JP-A-4-111338, JP-A-5-91665, JP-A-4-224756, etc.).

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
If a support is provided in a bathtub of the same depth as in the official gazette, bathers will be able to soak in hot water in a comfortable state without feeling uneasy, and the bathtub will have a certain depth. It is preferable in that it can be relaxed. But,
In this case, too, the point that some caregivers have to raise their bodies when entering and leaving the bathtub remains unchanged, so that the problem of reducing the burden on the caregiver can hardly be solved.

The object of the present invention is to improve such a situation.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventor of the present application observes a state in which a person who has limited physical freedom, such as an aged elderly person or a physically handicapped person, takes a bath with the assistance of a caregiver. As a result of studying whether a great burden is imposed and a comfortable bathing posture, we came up with a support tool to assist in entering and leaving the bathtub and maintaining the posture in the bathtub.

That is, the body support device according to the present invention includes an upper body support portion on which the upper body rests on the back, and a lower body support portion on which the lower body of the person rests, and both support portions are flat as a whole. And a state where the posture can be freely changed between a state where the upper body supporting part is raised upward and a state where the upper body supporting part is raised upward.

In this case, it is preferable that the lower body supporting portion bend or bend at a position corresponding to the knee of a person (that is, bend or bend at two positions in accordance with the bending or stretching of the body). preferable). Also, the body support
It is preferable to have a structure that allows water to flow freely between the front and back like a net. Further, it is preferable that the body support is long enough to support up to the head, and in this case, it is desirable that the part supporting the head is detachable for ease of hair washing.

[0010] The present invention also includes a bathtub suitable for using the above-mentioned support device, and the bathtub is provided with posture holding means capable of holding the body support device inside in a bent or curved state. Is characterized by Further, the present invention also includes a bathtub provided with an elevating device for elevating the body support inside. In this case, the posture of the body support is gradually changed in accordance with the elevating movement by the elevating device so that the body support is in a flat posture at the ascending position, and is in a bent or curved posture at the lowered position. Therefore, it is preferable that the lifting device has a structure including a posture changing mechanism including a link mechanism and the like. The lifting device may be of a power type, or may be of a manual type or a stepping type, and may be driven by human power (preferably a human power type in terms of cost and weight reduction).

[0011]

The body support of the present invention has both a function of moving a bather between a bed or a futon and a bathtub, and a function of maintaining a posture of the bather in the bathtub. When the supporter is in a posture extending flat, the bather can be easily shifted and moved between the bed or the futon and the body supporter. And if you put the bather on the body support while lying down, it will be as if you put the bather on the tanker, so the caregiver should directly raise his / her hands on the bather's body Instead, the bather can be moved between the bed or futon and the bathtub via the body support.

In this case, since the body support is in a flat state as a whole, when the caregiver is moved manually, the caregiver can easily carry the sick person in a tanker without taking an excessive posture. It can be moved, and it can also be moved using a moving device such as a lifting type or a sliding type. As a result, the burden on the caregiver can be remarkably reduced as compared with the conventional case, and the care for the bather can be reduced. The concern of the elderly can be reduced significantly. In addition, since the bather is not directly lifted by putting a hand on the body of the bather, the trouble of the bather can be remarkably reduced as compared with the related art.

[0013] In the bathtub, the bather raises the upper body supporting portion of the body support so that even if the bathtub is as deep as a normal home bathtub, the bather can take a bath with the upper body raised. Therefore, it is possible to slowly soak in the hot water with the feeling of anxiety about the hot water being eliminated. In this case, the upper body supporting portion of the body support may be inclined backward at an appropriate angle, or may be raised upright depending on preference. Further, the raising angle of the upper body supporting portion may be adjustable. Furthermore, since a bather is generally immersed in hot water with his knees bent, it is preferable that the lower body support part also bends or curves in a mountain shape in side view so as to support the bent legs.

[0014] As described above, the use of the body support of the present invention significantly reduces the burden and care of the caregiver and the difficulty of the bather, and makes the person feel uneasy and fearful of the hot water. It is possible to achieve both easy and comfortable bathing.

The support of the present invention can be used in a general bathtub. In this case, some means for holding the support in a bent position may be taken. If you use the bathtub described as a set,
The body support is held in a state where the upper body supporting portion is raised in the bathtub, so that it is more suitable as a dedicated bathtub. In addition, when the elevating device is provided in the bathtub as described in claim 3, there is an advantage that the burden and care for the caregiver can be further reduced.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 8) FIGS. 1 to 8 show a first embodiment. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the entire bathing apparatus including the body support 1, the bathtub 2, and the elevating device 3. FIG. First, the body support 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Structure of Body Support As shown in FIG. 1, the body support 1 includes a first support 4 for supporting the head of a person and a second support 5 for supporting the back and waist of the person.
And a third support portion 6 for supporting a portion from the knee to the buttocks of the person
And a fourth support portion 7 for supporting a portion below the knee of the person.
It has two supports. First support part 4 and second support part 5
Correspond to the upper body supporting portion described in the claims, and the third supporting portion 6 and the fourth supporting portion 7 correspond to the lower body supporting portion.

Each of the support portions 4, 5, 6, 7 has a mesh structure that allows water to flow freely from front to back, and the first support portion 4 is detachable from the second support portion 5, and 2 to 4th support part 7
Are connected together. Each of the support portions 4, 5, 6, 7 has a structure in which a mesh member 9 is mounted on a frame (outer frame) 8 made of metal or synthetic resin. The reticulated body 9 may have a structure made of a flat band-shaped material as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B).
As shown in (1), a structure made of a material such as a circle or an ellipse may be used. In this case, the net material 9 is made of a core material 10 made of a fiber such as a chemical fiber or a natural fiber, and a surface made of a soft and impermeable material such as a high impact absorbing material (gel). It is preferable to adopt a structure covered with the material 11.

The net 9 is not limited to be made of fiber, but may be integrally formed of a material such as a synthetic resin or a metal plate. In any case, it is preferable to cover the surface material 11 such as the impact absorbing gel or the sponge-like body.

FIG. 2D shows an example of a connection structure between the second support portion 5 and the third support portion 6. That is, both support parts 5, 6
Of the horizontally long frame 8 adjacent to each other
The two supporting portions 5, 6 are connected by a hinge 13 having two pins 12 that fit into I have. The third support part 6 and the fourth support part 7 are connected by the same means. The means for flexibly connecting the adjacent support parts 5, 6, 7 is not limited to using the pin type hinge 9 as in the embodiment, but is shown in the partial side view of FIG. As described above, various means such as connection with a flexible cloth hinge 10 having flexibility can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 2 (F), the frame 8 may be covered with a surface material 11 such as a shock-absorbing gel, or as shown in FIG. The surface material 11 may be covered in a state of straddling the surface material 8. By doing so, there is an advantage that the pinching of the skin when bending the body support device 1 is eliminated, and the touch is good. In addition, the net-like bodies 9 of the second to fourth support portions 7 may be connected in a continuous state.

FIG. 2H shows an example in which a round bar frame 8 of the other support portion is inserted into one pipe frame 8 as a means for connecting adjacent support portions to bend freely. . FIG. 2 (I) shows an example in which supporting portions made of perforated plates are connected by hinges 14.

In FIG. 2 (J), the first support 4 is connected to the second support 5.
2 shows an example of a structure that can be detachably attached to the device. That is, by inserting and removing the rod 15 provided on the vertical frame 8 of the first support 4 from the vertical frame 8 of the second support 5,
The first support 4 is detachably attached to the second support 5. The means for detachably attaching the first support 4 to the second support 5 may have another structure. Further, a structure in which the first support portion 4 is folded on the back side of the second support portion 5 may be employed. It should be noted that the body support 1 may be bent and deformed in a hammock shape due to the weight of a person.

As shown in FIG. 1, a groove 16 is formed in the third support part 6, the fourth support part 7, and a part of the second support part 5 so as to have a width dimension enough to allow human hands. The leg of the person is supported by the third support portion 6 and the fourth support portion 7 on both sides of the groove 16. The groove 16 is for facilitating the caregiver (or bather) to wash the lower body (particularly the buttocks). Note that the groove 16 may be provided only in the third support portion 6 and the second support portion 3, and the groove 16 is not a necessary condition for the present invention.

As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, in order to hold the body support device 1 in a flatly extended state, an auxiliary member 17 into which the side portion of each frame 8 fits may be provided detachably. Further, a lock means which can freely switch between a flat locked state and a flexible unlocked state may be provided at the connecting point of the adjacent support portions, so that the person M can be made easier. There is an advantage that can be lifted.

The connecting portion between the third supporting portion 6 and the fourth supporting portion 7 of the body support device 1 does not necessarily need to be configured to be freely bendable (or freely bendable) (in this case, the person M is in the bathtub 2).
The upper body is tilted backward, and the legs are extended.)

Next, the bathtub 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The description will be made with reference to FIG. FIGS. 3 and 4 are longitudinal side views, and as can easily be inferred from these figures, the bathtub 2 is as deep as that used in ordinary households. That is, the depth is such that an adult can be soaked in hot water around his chest with his knees bent and sitting.

By making the back surface 2a of the bathtub 2 an inclined surface, it is possible to hold the second support portion 5 of the body support device 1 in a backwardly inclined state. In order to make it possible to hold the sixth and fourth support portions 7 in a posture bent in a mountain shape when viewed from the side, a mountain-shaped convex portion 19 is formed on the bottom surface. A gap 20 for drainage is provided between the left and right
Is empty. The gap 20 also has a role of cooperating with the groove 16 of the body support 1 to make it easier to wash the lower body of the bather. In terms of the role of drainage only, the gap 20
May be provided between the left and right side surfaces, or a drain hole may be provided in the convex portion 19.

In the present embodiment, the convex portion 19 is provided integrally with the bathtub 2, but a separately formed one may be fixed or placed by an appropriate means. Further, for example, a wire mesh-like or plate-like material (having a specific gravity larger than that of water) bent in a mountain shape may be attached. Also, the back 2a of the bathtub 2
May be formed vertically, and the second support portion 5 may be directly leaned against it, or a member such as a wire mesh may be placed in a leaning state, and the second support portion 5 may be supported by this member. .
When the back surface 2a is inclined or the solid convex portion 19 is provided as in the embodiment, there is an advantage that the amount of hot water can be saved. Person M
From the viewpoint of the heat retention effect, the back surface 2a of the bathtub 2 and the second support 5
It is preferable to provide a gap between them.

The bathtub 2 has a hot water supply port with a cock, respectively.
21 and a drain port 22 are provided, and a heat-resistant hot water supply hose 23 is connected to a drain hose 24, respectively. As a hot water supply means, such as connecting a hot water supply hose 23 to the faucet of home bath,
Various means can be employed. The hot water supply port 21 and the drain port 22 are not necessarily required. For example, the hot water supply hose 23 may be manually supplied to supply hot water, or may be drained using a drain pump. Further, a dedicated water heater may be provided.

A recess 25 is formed on the outer back surface of the bathtub 2 to save material and reduce weight. Therefore, a hot water supply port 21 and / or a drainage port 22 may be provided on the back of the bathtub 2, and a hot water supply cock and / or a drainage cock may be provided in the recess 25. Providing the hot water supply cock and the drain cock in the recess 25 has an advantage that it is possible to prevent the cocks from being damaged by contact with an object. A step 26 is formed in a portion of the opening edge of the bathtub 2 except for the rear portion.

The material and processing form of the bathtub 2 can be freely selected. For example, it may be integrally molded with a lightweight foamed resin such as urethane foam (polyurethane) or styrene foam.
In this case, it is desirable to perform a surface treatment such as coating with a water-impermeable resin such as an ABS resin in order to maintain strength and / or block water. Further, it may be manufactured by integral molding such as injection molding or reaction molding of a synthetic resin like a general home tub, or may be manufactured by a metal plate such as stainless steel. Since this type of bathing device is to be moved and used, if it is made of foamed resin, it can be lightweight and easy to carry, and it is easy to cut with a saw broken or broken with a hammer etc. Therefore, there is an advantage that disposal and disposal when it is no longer needed is very simple.

[0034] Next, the lifting device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 in addition to FIGS. 3 and 4 described above. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the principle of lifting and lowering, and FIG.
7 (B) is a plan view of the separation, FIG. 7 (A) is a plan view showing a driving structure, and FIG.

The elevating device 3 includes a U-shaped support frame 28 placed on the left and right side plates and the front side plate of the bathtub 2, and a link mechanism for moving the body support 1 up and down while changing the posture inside the support frame 28. 29 are arranged. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
The support frame 28 is formed in a hollow square shape. As shown in FIG. 7, a hydraulic pump 30 is built in the front of the support frame 28, and hydraulic cylinders 31 are built in both left and right sides of the support frame 28, respectively. The hydraulic pump 30 discharges pressure oil by rotating a handle 32 such as a crank type, and the pressure oil of the pump 30 is sent to both hydraulic cylinders 31 via a pipe 33 such as a pipe. Driven.

Needless to say, all the side surfaces of the support frame 28 are provided with holes for detachably inserting and engaging the handle 32 with the hydraulic pump 30. Further, the piston rod 34 fitted to the hydraulic cylinder 31 faces forward, and the slider 35 is fixed to the piston rod 34. slider
35 is exposed toward the step 26 of the bathtub 2 from the long hole opened in the support frame 28. For example, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with a guide roller 36 that contacts the lower surface of the support frame 28. Although not shown, the slider 35 or the piston rod 34 is provided with a guide roller that contacts the inner bottom surface of the support frame 28 (to prevent the piston rod 34 from being bent by a load).

The support frame 28 is simply placed on the bathtub 2 from above. Therefore, in order to prevent the support frame 28 from shifting in the front-rear direction,
Stoppers 36 and 37 are provided at the front end and the rear part of the support frame 28. The front stopper 36 partially touches the bathtub 2, while the rear stopper 37 extends to the full width of the bathtub 2.
The displacement of the support frame 28 in the left-right direction
Or by the link mechanism 29. The slider
A hole formed in the support frame 28 so as to enable the movement of the slider 35 is sealed by a sealing means made of a rubber plate or the like in a state where the movement of the slider 35 is allowed.

As can be easily understood from FIGS. 4 to 6, the link mechanism 29 is connected to the twelfth and second support portions 5 of the body support device 1.
A pair of left and right first links 39 extending substantially in the front-rear direction corresponding to
A pair of left and right second links 40 extending in the front-rear direction corresponding to the third support portions 6, and a pair of left and right third links 41 extending in the front-rear direction corresponding to the fourth support portions 7. The ends of the adjacent links 39, 40, 41 are pinned so that
Connected at 42 (may be connected by hinges). Between the left and right first links 39, between the left and right second links 40,
The left and right third links 41 are connected to each other by an appropriate number of horizontal bars 43 and 44, respectively.

As can be easily understood from FIG. 6, for example,
The third link 41 is fixed via a spacer 46 to a fourth link 45 disposed outside the third link 41. The front end of the fourth link 45 is located behind the front end of the third link 41. The rear end of the fourth link 45 extends halfway through the first link 39. The front end of the fifth link 47, which extends in the front-rear direction behind the rear end of the fourth link 45, is rotated by a pin 48. They are freely connected. The rear end of the fifth link 47 is rotatably connected to a portion from the rear end of the first link 39 by a support shaft 49. The support shaft 49 extends through the hollow horizontal bar 44.

A downwardly directed first bracket 50 is provided at a portion of the fourth link 45 that is slightly closer to the rear than the intermediate portion. The first bracket 50 and the slider 35 are connected to each other.
They are connected by a sixth link 51 and a pin 52. Reference numeral 53 in FIG.
Is a color. The rear end of the fourth link 45 and the front end of the fifth link 47 are rotatably attached to the upper end of a second bracket 54 provided on the support frame 28 by the pins 48. The second bracket 54 may be fixed to the support frame 28, or its lower end may be rotatably attached to the support frame 28. The rear end of the fifth link 47 is connected to the third bracket 55 and the fourth bracket 56.
Is rotatably connected to the rear end of the support frame 28 via a.

[0041] Description of Use State In the ascending state where the piston rod 34 of the hydraulic cylinder 31 is fully advanced, as shown in FIG. 4, the link mechanism 29 is in a state of extending substantially linearly in a side view. Four
0,... Are substantially flush with the upper surface of the support frame 28. Therefore, the person M
Can easily be replaced on the bed or the like and the lifting device 3.

The first link 39, the second link 40, and the fourth link
Since the 45 and the fifth link 47 constitute a parallel link mechanism, when the piston rod 34 is retracted, the fourth link
In conjunction with the rotation of 45, the other links 39, 40,... Also gradually rotate, and when fully retracted, the first link 39 moves along the back surface 2a of the bathtub 2 as shown in FIG. And the second and third links 41 extend along the convex portion 19 of the bathtub 2. This allows the person M to have his body washed or bathed in hot water in a safe posture.

The first to third links 41 are suspended from the support frame 28 via the fourth to sixth links 45, 47, 51 in a state where they are completely lowered, but are completely lowered. And the structure supported by the inner surface of the bathtub 2 may be sufficient.

The hydraulic cylinder 31 is operated by rotating the handle 32.
, The body support 1 can be raised and lowered while being gradually deformed. However, when the hydraulic cylinder 31 is laid down sideways as shown in the figure, the body support becomes closer as the body support 1 approaches the ascent limit. The force required to raise the tool 1 increases. Therefore, as shown roughly in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, a lever lever that raises the front end of the fourth link 45 upward at a position near the front end on the left and right inner side surfaces of the support frame 28.
57 are provided.

This lever-type lever 57 has a support pin 58 projecting sideways, and the fourth link 45 in the posture shown in FIG.
When the lever 57 is pivoted to near the top and bottom, and then the lever 57 is pivoted to the front as shown by the arrow A, the support pin 58
By abutting on the lower surface of the front end of the link 45, the fourth link 45 is caused to extend parallel to the support frame 28, and the link mechanism 29 is locked so that the person M can be safely put on and off. it can. When lowering the body support 1, the link mechanism 29 is unlocked by tilting the lever 57 in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG.
, The piston rod 34 may be gradually retracted. When such a lever-type lever 57 is used, the cylinder
Even when the body 31 is built in the support frame 28 to make it compact, there is an advantage that the body support 1 can be raised and lowered lightly and safely.

FIG. 8 shows a state where the hair is being washed.
In the present embodiment, the head of the person M is protruding from the bathtub 2, and a hair-washing aid 59 made of synthetic resin or the like is attached to the rear of the bathtub 2 so that the hair can be washed. The hair-washing aid 59 is recessed upward and concave, and includes a drainage hose 60. In order to make it possible to attach the hair washing aid 59, the rearmost horizontal bar 43 of the horizontal bars 43, 44 connecting the first left and right links 39 is detachable (the rearmost horizontal bar 43).
Need not be provided).

When returning a person after bathing to a bed or a futon, the body support 1 is wet, and there is a possibility that the futon may be wet if the body is simply moved. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 9, a water-absorbing mat 62 that absorbs moisture but does not seep out is laid on a mattress 62 laid on a bed 61 or the like. Then, the water absorbing mat 62 may be pulled out and removed (moisture adhering to the body support 1 and the person M is absorbed by the water absorbing mat 62, so that the futon does not get wet).
In addition, it is desirable to cover the periphery of the bathtub with a non-permeable curtain, and it is desirable to lay a waterproof sheet on the floor.

(2) Second Embodiment (FIGS. 10 to 11) FIGS. 9 to 10 show a second embodiment for making the movement of the person M between the bed 61 and the bathtub 2 easier. Is shown. In other words, FIG. 9 is a front view, in which a reciprocating type as an example of the transfer assisting means for facilitating the movement of the person M is provided on the horizontal bar 44 at the connecting point of the first link 39 to the third link 41. The rail 64 is built in so as to be able to protrude and retract horizontally, and the body support 1 is moved while being mounted on the rail 64. The body support 1 may be slid and moved with the rail 64 protruding. The cross-sectional shape of the rail 64 is shown in FIG.
It can be formed into various shapes such as a square shape as in (A) or a circular shape as in (B). The structure may be similar to a reversing suspension rail used to support a drawer of a cabinet. In addition, body support device 1
Is preferably supported by rails 64.

(3) Third Embodiment (FIG. 12) A third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is a transfer device having an endless belt 65 between the support frame 28 of the lifting device 3 and the bed 61.
It is easy to move people by crossing 66. The transfer device 66 may be detachable from the bathtub 2,
It may be attached to the outer surface of the bathtub 2. Further, the belt 65 does not need to have a size extending over the entire length of the support frame 28, and a belt having an appropriate width may be arranged at a plurality of front and rear portions.

(4) Fourth Embodiment (FIG. 13) FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment which is another example of a person moving device. In this embodiment, a lifting type moving device 67 is used as a means for moving the bather M between the bed 61 and the bathtub 2, and the moving device 67 has a size that completely surrounds the bed 61 and the bathtub 2. Equipped with a machine frame 68
A traveling body 69 that moves above the bed 61 and above the bathtub 2 is attached to a pair of left and right beam members 68a in the 68.
Further, a wire 70 (a chain or a rope may be used) for lifting the body support 1 is attached. wire
A hook may be provided at the lower end of 70.

The lifting of the body support 1 by the wire 70 may be performed manually using a pulley or the like, or may be performed by using a power such as a motor. Similarly, the movement of the traveling body 69 may be performed manually or using power. If space, floor strength, budget and other conditions permit, it is also possible to use such a large moving device. The structure which can move the moving device 67 and the bathtub 2 freely may be sufficient.

(5) Fifth Embodiment (FIG. 14) In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, an intermediate table 71 is arranged between the bed 61 and the bathtub 2 and the person M is connected via the intermediate table 71. Is moved to the bed 61 and the bathtub 2. In this case, since the height of the bed 61 and the bathtub 2 are often different, it is preferable that the height of the intermediate table 71 be adjustable.

(6) Sixth Embodiment (FIG. 15) FIG. 15 shows a fifth embodiment which is another example of the moving means of the person M and the bathtub 1, and FIG. 15A is a front sectional view. (B) is an AA view, (B) is a cross-sectional view of the (A) BB view, (C) is a partial plan view of the bathtub 1 In this embodiment, one side surface of the bathtub 2 has a plate or arm shape. The transfer member 72 is flipped up and rotatably mounted,
The transfer member 72 is provided with a leg 73 for holding the transfer member 72 horizontally. Then, the lifter 74 is inserted below the bed 61 (the bed 61 may have a vertically movable structure).
Can be moved to the bed 61 and the bathtub 1 via the body support 1 by lifting the person to the height of the bathtub 2.

A balloon-type jack 75 as an example of the elevating device 3 is arranged inside the bathtub 2. A water-permeable holder such as a net or perforated plate on the top surface of the balloon jack 75
The holding member 76 can be freely moved up and down in the bathtub 2 by feeding and exhausting air to and from the balloon-type jack 75. The holding body 76 has a bent portion corresponding to a bent portion of the body support device 1, and a guide bar 77 is provided at the bent portion, and on the left and right inner surfaces of the bathtub 2, as an example of a posture holding unit and a posture changing unit. Guide grooves 78 are formed, and the guide bars 77 of the holder 76 are fitted into these guide grooves 78. The guide groove 78 is shallow at the front and rear central portions.

As can be easily understood from the drawing, when the holding body 76 is lowered by the balloon type jack 75, the holding body 76 and the body support 1 extend flat because the depth of the guide groove 78 is different. It gradually changes from a posture to a bent posture,
When the person M has fully descended, the person M assumes a posture in which the upper body is tilted backward. When the holder 76 is raised, the holder 76 and the body support 1 gradually deform from a bent state to a posture extending flat. In order to lock the holding member 76 at the raised position, a lock bar for supporting the guide bar 76 is provided at each guide groove 78 on the upper end surface of the bathtub 2 as shown in FIG.
79 is slidably arranged.

13 has an advantage that the person M can be easily moved to the bed 61 and the bathtub 2. In addition, since the person M simply moves sideways while lying down, the person M does not have a fear as in the case of being lifted. In addition, since the person M is moved manually, it is useful in that it can give warmth to assistance. is there.

(7). Seventh Embodiment (FIGS. 16 and 17) FIGS. 16 and 17 show a seventh embodiment in which a lid 80 is provided. FIG. Among them, (A) is a perspective view of a lid, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of BB of (A). Lid 80 in this example
A fitting portion 81 is formed to cover the neck (or upper chest) so that only the head (face) of the person M can be exposed. Also the lid
The size 80 fits exactly into the step 16 of the bathtub 2 (thereby improving the heat retaining function). A shower 82 is provided on the lower surface of the lid 80. Although the shower 82 has a structure in which a number of holes are formed in a pipe, the lid 80 may be formed in a hollow shape and a number of small holes may be formed in the lower surface thereof. Needless to say, the hot water supply hose 83 is connected to the lid 80.

The material of the lid 80 is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of a lightweight and highly heat-insulating material such as urethane foam, like the bathtub 2. The lid 80 may be provided with a steam injection port to provide a sauna function. For example, when a bathing device is arranged in a room of a general household or a room of a nursing care facility, if the room temperature is low, there is a drawback that the entrance M is thought to be cold. Thus, there is an advantage that the heat can be efficiently used to warm the inlet M.

In this embodiment, a recess 84 for washing hair is formed at the rear of the bathtub 2 and a drain port communicating with the recess 84 for washing hair.
85 are provided.

(8) Eighth Embodiment (FIG. 18) FIG. 18 shows an eighth embodiment in which casters (or rollers) 86 for movement are provided at appropriate portions such as the four corners of the bathtub 2. In this case, the caster 86 is attached to the moving body 88 supported from above by the spring 87, and the total of the spring force of the spring 87 can be raised in the bathtub 2 in a state where the hot water is drained. Bathtub 2 loses its weight when put
Is set so that it touches the floor. For this reason, when hot water is drained, it can be moved freely. The moving body 88 may be moved up and down by a screw mechanism or the like,
The lock device may be provided such that the casters 86 cannot be moved up and down.

(9) Other Embodiments (FIGS. 19 and 20) In FIG. 19A, a tenth embodiment in which the inner surface and the outer surface of the bathtub 2 are covered with a sheet-like covering 89 made of synthetic resin or the like. The form is shown. With this configuration, the strength can be improved even in a bathtub made of a foam material. The cover 89 may be manufactured by vacuum molding or pressure forming, and a foamed resin may be injected into the cover 89 to cause foaming and solidification.In this case, the cover 89 can be used as a shaped mold, so that the strength is high. Moreover, there is an advantage that the light bathtub 2 can be easily manufactured.

FIG. 19 (B) shows an eleventh embodiment which is another example of raising and lowering the link mechanism.
The right and left sliders 35 are moved using the bevel gear 90, the screw shaft 91 and the nut 92.

FIG. 20 shows another example of the structure of the bathtub.
In the twelfth embodiment shown in (A), the bathtub 2 is assembled with a plurality of plate members made of a rigid body.
Further, in the thirteenth personnel form shown in FIG.
Is made of a hollow body made of a flexible material, and air is blown into the peripheral wall 2b to inflate the hot water therein (that is, the bathtub 2 is formed in a rubber boat shape). . When folded as in these examples, it is easy to carry.

(10). Others Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, specific examples of the present invention are not limited to those described above.
It can be implemented in various forms. Further, it is needless to say that embodiments described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-167154, which is an earlier application in the present application, but not described in the present application are also included in the scope of the claims. Although the lifting device is described in the claims in combination with the bathtub, it goes without saying that the invention can be independently invented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bathing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the structure of the body support device.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view in a state where the body support is raised.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view in a state where the body support is lowered.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a driving principle of the lifting device 3.

6 (A) is a partial plan view, and FIG. 6 (B) is a separated plan view of the lifting device.

FIG. 7A is a partially broken plan view of the support frame, and FIG.
It is BB sectional drawing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which hair is being washed;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a person after bathing is returned to a bed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment.

11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment.

17 (A) is a perspective view of a lid, and FIG. 17 (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 17 (A).

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment.

19A is a diagram illustrating a ninth embodiment, and FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating a tenth embodiment.

20A is a diagram illustrating an eleventh embodiment, and FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating a twelfth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body support 2 Bathtub 3 Elevating device 4,5,6,7 Support part 9 Reticulated body 19 Convex part 29 Link mechanism 30 Hydraulic pump 31 Hydraulic cylinder 34 Piston rod 61 Bed

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A support device for assisting a person with limited physical freedom to take a bath, comprising: an upper body support portion on which the upper body of the person lying on his back is placed; and a lower body support portion on which the lower body of the person is placed. The two support portions are integrated so as to be freely bendable or bendable so that the posture can be freely changed to a state of extending flat as a whole and a state in which at least the upper body support portion is raised upward. Body support for bathing. 2. A bathtub comprising posture holding means for holding said body support in a bent or curved state. 3. A bathtub having an elevating device for elevating and lowering the body support inside.