JP2020500094A - Modular wheelchair accessible shower system - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular wheelchair accessible shower system includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the upper surface, and a door mounted to a first side wall of the plurality of side walls. . The side walls, door, and base are connected together to form a substantially water-tight bath chamber with an opening above the base. The door is mounted on a side wall or side post. The door may be mounted at an angle biased to swing the door to the closed position, or the door may be mounted on a spring-loaded hinge that swings the door to the closed position. May be installed. The door may be electronically controlled to open and close. The system also includes an access ramp. The access ramp forms substantially coplanar with the floor surface on a first side to allow the wheelchair to enter the upper surface of the base from the floor surface and a second surface. Side is substantially flush with the upper surface of the base. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 425,819, filed November 23, 2016. This document is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS The U.S. Government has issued a paid license for the present invention and a Grant No. grant granted by The Department of Veterans Affairs. He has the limited circumstance rights that require the patentee to license others on reasonable terms, as provided by the terms of F0627-R.

  The present disclosure relates generally to bathing devices and, more particularly, to roll-in shower devices.

  Toilet devices that assist in taking a bath or shower are common among the elderly and disabled. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that about 10 percent of all people over the age of 65 have difficulty bathing and about 6 percent are subsidized. The most common assistance reported in Denmark in assessing home helpers, home remodeling, and personal assistance for as many as 2.5 million inhabitants following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) Or the remodeling was for bathtubs or showers (69%). Despite increasing awareness of bathroom assistance, no room in the house has a greater security threat than the bathroom. The National Safety Council reports that 7.8% of all events of bathroom injuries involved people aged 65 and older. The reason for this is that the biggest danger in the bathroom is slipping and falling when entering or leaving the bathtub or shower.

  To meet the needs of the elderly, the home healthcare industry has grown from $ 40.8 million in 2005 to $ 57.2 million in 2009. Similar growth is anticipated in the future based on the growing number of older people who are retired and wish to stay in their homes. During this same period, the available bath and shower industry has increased from $ 119.1 million in 2005 to $ 148.5 million in 2010. A similar growth rate is seen in the bathtub and pool lift industry, growing from $ 36.6 million in 2005 to $ 45.6 million in 2010. It is estimated that this 4.5% annual growth rate will continue as the generation born of the baby boom retires.

  Individuals with spinal cord injury / dysfunction (SCID) face equal or more prominent challenges in the bathroom. The equipment being developed by the design team also assists the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center, which has an estimated 262,000 people with SCID. Each year, there are about 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury. Of these injuries, 51.9% are quadriplegic and 45.2% are paraplegic (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center). This level of damage results in reduced performance, and in some cases, individuals may need help from a caregiver for bathing and other activities in their daily lives. Become. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center (NSCISC) of Birmingham, Alabama, tracks over 91% of this person as a person living in a private home. The need to stay at home, as well as for the elderly, is unavoidable for patients with spinal cord injuries, extending self-reliance, reducing medical costs and maintaining a high quality of life It is to be.

  Furthermore, about 90% of nursing home residents have problems bathing, and it has been estimated that bathing restrictions are particularly strong predictions for long-term nursing home entry. Helping technologies are used to increase independence and reduce the burden of care, but lack of a fair system for providing devices that help in elderly and patients with SCID are doing. With the advent of new technologies that promote higher independence while maintaining high safety standards, patients are more willing to invest in helping bathing devices in homes or outpatient facilities.

  Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that overcomes these significant problems found in the conventional systems described above.

  The present invention describes a modular wheelchair entry shower system designed for elderly individuals, or SCID patients, or any individual who uses a shower wheelchair for bathing and showering. I have. Modular wheelchair-accessible shower systems do not require extensive bathroom changes and can be installed anywhere in the home where hoses can be connected to water sources and drains.

  Modular wheelchair entry shower systems include several features that assist bathers when moving safely or on their own to enter the shower, and when moving from the wheelchair position to the shower. . These features include dimensions to accommodate the extra width of the wheelchair (e.g., a 228 cm x 95 cm doorway), sloped floors and aquariums for drainage, and open doors and modular wheelchairs. Includes appropriately sized door handles to facilitate entry into the entering shower system.

  Two design features that distinguish this modular wheelchair entry shower system from conventional wheelchair entry showers are: 1) a door that opens and closes itself without the need for hands, and 2). A side wall opening and a hinged or removable translucent window to facilitate access by a caregiver. These two unique features provide a significant advantage of the modular wheelchair entry shower system over conventional wheelchair entry showers. The reason for this is that these shower systems provide bathers with a customizable level of bathing support and also provide optional, individual bathing or caregiver assistance in bathing and showering procedures. is there.

  Due to the angle of the door handle located outside the modular wheelchair accessible shower system, the bather can be conveniently moved out of the wheelchair position to open the shower door before entering the modular wheelchair accessible shower system. Allows access and gripping. After opening the door and wheelchair entry into the modular shower system, the bather need not close the door. The weight of the door, mounted at a three degree angle, works with the hinge to swing behind the bather to close the door without the use of hands. When closed, the door engages the side posts and seals to prevent water from exiting the modular shower system. After the shower is completed, the bather can exit without hands by hitting the door using his wheelchair wheel and pushing the door open from the inside.

  An opening in the side wall of the shower that is wheelchair-accessible allows the bather to see outside, and the opening in the side wall also provides the caregiver with access to assist the bather in bathing / showing. Modular wheelchair accessible shower systems include plastic translucent windows that slide into wall openings. While these windows fit snugly and prevent water from exiting the modular shower system, they can also be easily opened or removed to provide caregiver access to bathers. In one embodiment, the window is comprised of a smooth or wavy, transparent or slightly opaque polymer. This polymer provides sufficient visibility for viewing inside and outside the shower. Alternatively, the window may be configured as a one-way mirror, so that bathers can see outside but people cannot see inside.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

  The structure and operation of the present invention will be understood from a reading of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numbers refer to like parts.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system accessible by a bather in a wheelchair, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system with removable windows, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system accessible by a caregiver, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system accessible by a caregiver through a recess in a side wall, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair-accessible shower system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system having side columns according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system having side columns according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Certain embodiments disclosed herein are modular wheelchairs configured to allow easy access by bathers in wheelchairs and caregivers assisting the bathing process. Provide a shower system to enter. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, while various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood that these embodiments are provided by way of example only, and not limitation. Therefore, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope or breadth of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 includes a base 20 attached to a plurality of side walls 30. The base 20, the side wall 30, and the door 40 define the bathing chamber 15. Door 40 is attached to first side wall 30 using a hinge 45. Door 40 includes a handle 50. The handle 50 is spaced from the door a sufficient distance to allow a bather in the wheelchair to pull the handle and open the door as the wheelchair approaches the shower system 10, for example, on a ramp 60. Extends outside. The ramp 60 has a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side formed on the base 20 to facilitate easy access to the bath chamber 15 by a bather in a wheelchair. Are formed substantially flush with the upper surface of. One or more of the plurality of side walls 30 of the shower system 10 also include a recess 70. The recess 70 extends downwardly from the upper edge of the side wall 30 to define an opening in which the removable window 80 can be secured. The window 80 can advantageously be removed to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the shower system 10 to assist in the bathing process.

  In one embodiment, a modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 includes a base 20 having at least three sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface. At least a portion of the upper surface of base 20 has a slope, and base 20 further has a drain at the lowest point of the upper surface. One of the sides of the base 20 is a side for a door. The side for the door is configured to connect to the ramp 60 and is also configured with the door 40 to establish a substantially water tight seal.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of side walls 30 extend upward from the base 20, each side wall 30 being connected to the base and configured to form a substantially water-tight seal. Further, each side wall 30 is also connected to one or more adjacent side walls 30 and is also configured to form a substantially water-tight seal, such that the base 20 and the side walls 30 mate, A bath chamber 15 is formed having an opening above the base 20 and a side opening for the door. The shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to a first side wall of the plurality of side walls 30. The door 40 is configured to swing outward from the base 20 so as to provide access to the bath chamber 15 when opened. The door 40 is also configured to be stationary with respect to the second side wall of the plurality of side walls 30 so as to form a substantially watertight seal when closed. Advantageously, the door can be attached to the first side wall 30 by one or more hinges 45 so that the door 40 is biased to swing to a closed position. I have. The door 40 can be swung to a closed position by mounting the door 40 at an angle or by mounting the door 40 using a hinge 45 configured to automatically swing the door 40 to a closed position. In some cases. For example, a mechanically controlled hinge 45, such as an electronically controlled hinge 45 or a spring loaded hinge, continuously presses the door 40 to the closed position.

  Further, in this embodiment, the shower system 10 includes an access ramp 60. The access ramp 60 has a first side that is substantially flush with the floor surface on which the base 20 of the shower system 10 rests. Access ramp 60 also has a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of base 20 and connected to base 20 along a door side of base 20. This allows the wheelchair to be wheelchair accessible from the floor surface onto the upper surface of the base 20.

  Further, in this embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 mounted on the outer surface of the door 40 facing away from the bath chamber 15. In addition, one or more of the sidewalls 30 includes a recess 70 extending downwardly from the top edge of the sidewall 30 to form a substantially U-shaped opening in the sidewall 30. One or more portions of the edge of the recess 70 are configured to secure the removable window 80 to the recess 70 such that the sidewall 30 to which the window 80 is secured to the recess 70 is substantially watertight. Have been. Advantageously, when window 80 is removed from recess 70, recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in chamber 15. Shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water supply and draining out of chamber 15. Shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps for moving water into and out of chamber 15.

  In an alternative embodiment, base 20 may also include a lip extending upwardly from base 20 on each side of base 20, except for the side for the door. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more watertight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 at the upper surface of the lip.

  FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a base 20 having a drain 25, which is attached to a plurality of side walls 30. Base 20, side walls 30, and door 40 define a bath chamber 15 sized to fit wheelchair 100. Shower system 10 also includes a shower wand 120. The door 40 is attached to the first side wall 30 and includes a handle 50. The handle 50 enables a bather in the wheelchair 100 to pull the handle 50 and open the door 40 when the wheelchair 100 approaches the shower system 10, for example, when the wheelchair 100 is on the ramp 60. Extending out of the door 40 a sufficient distance to do so. Door 40 also includes a second handle 55 mounted on the inside surface of door 40 facing chamber 15. The handle 55 allows the bather to manually close the door 50 after entering the bath chamber 15. The ramp 60 has a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side base so as to facilitate easy access to the bath chamber 15 by a bather in the wheelchair 100. 20 is substantially coplanar with the upper surface. One or more of the plurality of side walls 30 of the shower system 10 also include a recess 70. The recess 70 extends downwardly from the upper edge of the side wall 30 to define an opening in which the removable window 80 can be secured. The window 80 can advantageously be removed to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the shower system 10 to assist in the bathing process.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair entry shower system 10 accessible by a bather in a wheelchair 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a base 20 attached to a plurality of side walls 30. The shower system 10 also includes a door 40 mounted on one of the side walls 30. The base 20, side walls 30, and door 40 define a bath chamber 15 sized to fit a wheelchair 100. The door 40 is attached to the first side wall 30 and includes a handle 50. When the wheelchair 100 approaches the shower system 10, for example, as shown, when the wheelchair 100 is on or near the ramp 60, a bather in the wheelchair 100 pulls the handle 50, It extends out of the door 40 a sufficient distance to allow the door 40 to be opened. Advantageously, the ramp 60 has a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side to facilitate easy access to the bath chamber 15 by a bather in a wheelchair 100. The sides form substantially flush with the upper surface of the base 20. At least one of the plurality of side walls 30 of the shower system 10 also includes a recess 70. The recess 70 extends downwardly from the upper edge of the side wall 30 to define an opening in which the removable window 80 can be secured. The window 80 can advantageously be removed to allow a caregiver to access a bather in the shower system 10 to assist in the bathing process.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a base 20 mounted on a plurality of side walls 30 and a door 40 mounted on one of the side walls 30. The base 20, the side wall 30, and the door 40 define the bathing chamber 15. The door 40 includes a handle 50 and the shower system 10 includes a ramp 60. This ramp 60 allows the wheelchair to access the bath chamber 15 by wheelchair climbing the ramp 60 from the floor surface onto the upper surface of the base 20. Further, one or more of the sidewalls 30 may include a recess 70 configured to secure a removable window 80. When window 80 is locked in place, side wall 30 is watertight, and when window 80 is removed, the caregiver can access the bather in bath chamber 15 to facilitate the bathing process. it can. Advantageously, the shower system 10 allows the door 40 to swing open to the right or left to arrange the shower system 10 in various ways to match the characteristics of the physical space in which the shower system is located. It can be configured to be.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 having a removable window 80 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a plurality of sidewalls 30, at least one sidewall 30 including a recess 70 to which a removable window 80 may be secured. When the window 80 is fixed in the recess 70, the side wall 30 is watertight. When the window 80 is removed from the recess 70, the recess 70 provides an opening to the bath chamber 15. Through this opening, the caregiver can access the bather and facilitate the bathing process.

  In an alternative embodiment, window 80 is attached to sidewall 30 by one or more hinges. The one or more hinges are configured to allow the window 80 to swing open, thereby providing an opening to the bath chamber 15. Through this opening, the caregiver can access the bather and facilitate the bathing process. In such embodiments, one or more hinges are located on the sides of window 80 or on the bottom of window 80 to allow window 80 to swing left, right, or down when opened. May have been.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 accessible by a caregiver, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a base 20 having a drain 25. A bather in wheelchair 100 accesses bath chamber 15 by opening door 40 using handle 50 and climbing ramp 60 onto the upper surface of base 20 in a wheelchair. Upon exiting the bathing chamber 15, the bather may advantageously push the door of the wheelchair 100 to the door 40 and swing the door 40 to the open position so that the wheelchair 100 enters the ramp 60 in a wheelchair. , So that one may enter a wheelchair backwards to exit the chamber 15.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair-accessible shower system 10 accessible by a caregiver 110 via a recess 70 in the side wall 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower system 10 includes a plurality of sidewalls 38. The plurality of side walls 38 partially define a bathing chamber 15 configured to fit a bather in a wheelchair 100. One or more of the side walls 30 include a recess 70 that extends downward from the upper edge surface of the side wall 30. Recess 70 provides an opening through which caregiver 110 can access a bather in bath chamber 15. In one embodiment, the caregiver 110 may use a shower wand 120 that is connected to plumbing external to the shower system 10, thereby assisting the bathing process. Alternatively, the caregiver 110 may use a shower wand 120 connected to a plumbing integral with the shower system 10, thereby assisting the bathing process.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Many of the elements of the illustrated shower system 10 are described above, for example, with respect to FIG. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the shower system 10 includes a side pillar 130 configured to be connected to at least the base 20. Side pillars 130 may also be configured to be attached to one or more of side walls 30. Further, the door 40 is configured to be attached to the side pillar 130 by, for example, one or more hinges (not shown). The side pillar 130 includes at least two elongated members 132 extending upward from the base 20 and at least one cross member 134 connecting the top ends of the two elongated members 132.

  In one embodiment, a modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 includes a base 20 having at least three sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface. At least a portion of the upper surface has a slope, and the base further has a drain 25 at the lowest point of the upper surface. One side of the base 20 is the side for the door. Shower system 10 also includes a plurality of side walls 30. The plurality of sidewalls 30 are each connected to the base and extend upwardly from the base 20 and are configured to form a substantially water-tight seal. The side wall 30 is also connected to one or more adjacent side walls 30 and is also configured to form a substantially water-tight seal, such that the base and the side walls mate to form an opening above the base. And a side opening for the door. Shower system 10 also includes side columns 130 attached to base 20. The side columns 130 include at least two longitudinal members 132 connected by at least one cross member 134.

  Shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to side post 130. The door 40 is configured to swing outward from the base 20 to provide access to the bath chamber, and the door 40 may be a portion of the side post 130 and / or one or more sidewalls. Engagement with a portion of 30 is also configured to form a substantially water tight seal when closed. Further, the door 40 is attached to the side pillar 130 such that the door 40 is biased to swing to a closed position. The door may be biased to swing to a closed position, for example, by attaching one or more spring hinges or the door at an angle.

  Shower system 10 includes an access ramp 60 having a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of base 20. Also included. Advantageously, the access ramp 60 is connected to the base 20 along the side of the base 20 for the door, the access ramp 60 being from a surface surface to an upper surface of the base 20 and Thus, it is configured to allow a wheelchair to enter the bathing chamber.

  In this embodiment, too, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 mounted on the outer surface of the door 40 facing away from the bath chamber 15. In addition, one or more of the sidewalls 30 includes a recess 70 extending downwardly from the top edge of the sidewall 30 to form a substantially U-shaped opening in the sidewall 30. One or more portions of the edge of the recess 70 are configured to secure the removable window 80 to the recess 70 such that the side wall 30 where the window 80 is secured to the recess 70 is substantially To be watertight. Advantageously, when window 80 is removed from recess 70, recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in chamber 15. Shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water supply and draining out of chamber 15. Shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps for moving water into and out of chamber 15.

  In an alternative embodiment, base 20 may also include a lip extending upwardly from base 20 on each side of base 20, except for the side for the door. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more watertight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 at the upper surface of the lip.

  FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 having side columns 130 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Many of the elements of the illustrated shower system 10 are described above, for example, with respect to FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the side columns 130 include two longitudinal members 132 connected by cross members 134. In the illustrated embodiment, a cross member 134 connects the bottom edge of each of the two elongate members 132. The cross member 134 is connected to the base 20, and each of the two elongate members 132 is connected to the side wall 30. The door 40 may be connected to one of the longitudinal members 132 or one of the side walls 30.

  In one embodiment, a modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 includes a base 20 having at least three sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface. At least a portion of the upper surface has a slope, and the base further has a drain 25 at the lowest point of the upper surface. One side of the base 20 is the side for the door. Shower system 10 also includes a plurality of side walls 30. The plurality of sidewalls 30 are each connected to the base and extend upwardly from the base 20 and are configured to form a substantially water-tight seal. The side wall 30 is also connected to one or more adjacent side walls 30 and is also configured to form a substantially water-tight seal, such that the base and the side walls mate to form an opening above the base. And a side opening for the door. Shower system 10 also includes side columns 130 attached to base 20. The side columns 130 include at least two longitudinal members 132 connected by at least one cross member 134.

  Shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to side post 130. The door 40 is configured to swing outward from the base 20 to provide access to the bath chamber, and the door 40 may be a portion of the side post 130 and / or one or more sidewalls. Engagement with a portion of 30 is also configured to form a substantially water tight seal when closed. Further, the door 40 is attached to the side pillar 130 such that the door 40 is biased to swing to a closed position. The door may be biased to swing to a closed position, for example, by attaching one or more spring hinges or the door at an angle.

  Shower system 10 includes an access ramp 60 having a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of base 20. Also included. Advantageously, the access ramp 60 is connected to the base 20 along the side of the base 20 for the door, the access ramp 60 being from a surface surface to an upper surface of the base 20 and Thus, it is configured to allow a wheelchair to enter the bathing chamber.

  In this embodiment, too, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 mounted on the outer surface of the door 40 facing away from the bath chamber 15. In addition, one or more of the sidewalls 30 includes a recess 70 extending downwardly from the top edge of the sidewall 30 to form a substantially U-shaped opening in the sidewall 30. One or more portions of the edge of the recess 70 are configured to secure the removable window 80 to the recess 70 such that the side wall 30 where the window 80 is secured to the recess 70 is substantially To be watertight. Advantageously, when window 80 is removed from recess 70, recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in chamber 15. Shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water supply and draining out of chamber 15. Shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps for moving water into and out of chamber 15.

  In an alternative embodiment, base 20 may also include a lip extending upwardly from base 20 on each side of base 20, except for the side for the door. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more watertight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 at the upper surface of the lip.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded view illustrating an exemplary modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 having side columns 130, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the side columns 130 include two longitudinal members 132 connected by cross members 134. A cross member 134 extends between the respective bottom ends of each of the two elongate members 132. The cross member is also connected to the base 20, and each of the two elongate members 132 is connected to the side wall 30. The door 40 may be connected to one of the longitudinal members 132 or one of the side walls 30. In addition, the shower system 10 includes one or more plumbing connections 145 for receiving water from a water source and / or draining out of the bath chamber. The plumbing connection 145 may be connected to one or more pumps to facilitate the movement of water into and out of the bath chamber.

  In one embodiment, a modular wheelchair accessible shower system 10 includes a base 20 having at least three sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface. At least a portion of the upper surface has a slope, and the base further has a drain 25 at the lowest point of the upper surface. One side of the base 20 is the side for the door. Shower system 10 also includes a plurality of side walls 30. The plurality of sidewalls 30 are each connected to the base and extend upwardly from the base 20 and are configured to form a substantially water-tight seal. The side wall 30 is also connected to one or more adjacent side walls 30 and is also configured to form a substantially water-tight seal, such that the base and the side walls mate to form an opening above the base. And a side opening for the door. Shower system 10 also includes side columns 130 attached to base 20. The side columns 130 include at least two longitudinal members 132 connected by at least one cross member 134.

  Shower system 10 also includes a door 40 attached to side post 130. The door 40 is configured to swing outward from the base 20 to provide access to the bath chamber, and the door 40 may be a portion of the side post 130 and / or one or more sidewalls. Engagement with a portion of 30 is also configured to form a substantially water tight seal when closed. Further, the door 40 is attached to the side pillar 130 such that the door 40 is biased to swing to a closed position. The door may be biased to swing to a closed position, for example, by attaching one or more spring hinges or the door at an angle.

  Shower system 10 includes an access ramp 60 having a first side substantially flush with the floor and a second side substantially flush with the upper surface of base 20. Also included. Advantageously, the access ramp 60 is connected to the base 20 along the side of the base 20 for the door, the access ramp 60 being from a surface surface to an upper surface of the base 20 and Thus, it is configured to allow a wheelchair to enter the bathing chamber.

  In this embodiment, too, the shower system 10 includes a handle 50 mounted on the outer surface of the door 40 facing away from the bath chamber 15. In addition, one or more of the sidewalls 30 includes a recess 70 extending downwardly from the top edge of the sidewall 30 to form a substantially U-shaped opening in the sidewall 30. One or more portions of the edge of the recess 70 are configured to secure the removable window 80 to the recess 70 such that the side wall 30 where the window 80 is secured to the recess 70 is substantially To be watertight. Advantageously, when window 80 is removed from recess 70, recess 70 is sized and shaped to allow a caregiver to access a bather in chamber 15. Shower system 10 also includes one or more plumbing connections for receiving water from a water supply and draining out of chamber 15. Shower system 10 may also include one or more pumps for moving water into and out of chamber 15.

  In an alternative embodiment, base 20 may also include a lip extending upwardly from base 20 on each side of base 20, except for the side for the door. Advantageously, the lip facilitates a more watertight configuration of the shower system 10. In this alternative embodiment, each side wall 30 is connected to the base 20 at the upper surface of the lip.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative blocks, features, and elements described in conjunction with the figures and embodiments disclosed herein often perform the same function as described herein. It should be understood that alternative materials and alternative shapes may be implemented. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, various illustrative components, blocks, features, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented exactly as described above depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in a variety of ways for each particular application, but determining such embodiments is not to be construed as a departure from the scope of the invention. I do. Further, the grouping of functions within a particular module, block, or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or step to another module, block or step without departing from the scope of the invention.

  The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles described herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. be able to. Accordingly, the description and drawings provided herein are representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are intended to broadly illustrate the subject matter contemplated by the present invention. I want to be understood. It is further to be understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is not limited accordingly.

Claims (24)

A modular wheelchair shower system,
A base having at least three sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface has a slope, and the base further has a drain at a lowest point of the upper surface. The base, wherein the at least three sides include a side for a door;
A plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base, each side wall being connected to the base and configured to form a substantially water-tight seal, each side wall having one or more adjacent seals; And the base and the side wall are mated to form an opening above the base, and a side for the door. The plurality of sidewalls forming a chamber having an opening;
A door mounted to a first side wall of the plurality of side walls, the door configured to swing outwardly from the base when opened to provide access to the chamber. And wherein the door is configured to be stationary relative to a second side wall of the plurality of side walls when closed, so as to form a substantially watertight seal when closed. The door attached to the first side wall such that the door is biased to swing to a closed position;
An access ramp having a first side substantially coplanar with a floor surface on which the modular wheelchair entry shower system is placed, wherein the access ramp is above the base above the base. A second side forming substantially flush with a surface, wherein the access ramp is connected to the base along a side for the door; The access ramp configured to allow access to the upper surface of the base from
A modular wheelchair-accessible shower system with:   2. The modular wheelchair accessible shower of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a lip extending upwardly from the base on each of the sides of the base except for the side for the door. system.   3. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 2, wherein each side wall is connected to the base at an upper surface of the lip.   The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 1, wherein the door is mounted at an angle such that the door is biased to swing to a closed position.   The modular wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the door is mounted using a spring-loaded hinge so that the door is biased to swing to a closed position. Shower system.   The modular wheelchair accessible shower system according to claim 1, further comprising a handle on an outer surface of the door facing away from the chamber. At least one of the plurality of sidewalls includes a recess extending downwardly from a top edge of the sidewall to form a substantially U-shaped opening in the sidewall;
The substantially U-shaped opening is sized to allow a caregiver to access a bather within the chamber;
The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 1.   The modular wheelchair accessible shower system according to claim 7, further comprising a window located in the substantially U-shaped recess.   9. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 8, wherein the window is removable.   One or more hinges configured to allow the window to swing open so that the caregiver can access a bather within the chamber. 9. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 8, attached to the at least one of the plurality of sidewalls.   The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 1, further comprising a plumbing connection for receiving water from a water source and draining out of the chamber.   12. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 11, further comprising one or more pumps for moving water into and out of the chamber. A modular wheelchair shower system,
A base having at least three sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface has a slope, and the base further has a drain at a lowest point of the upper surface. The base, wherein the at least three sides include a side for a door;
A plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base, each side wall being connected to the base and configured to form a substantially water-tight seal, each side wall having one or more adjacent seals; And the base and the side wall are mated to form an opening above the base and a side for the door. The plurality of sidewalls forming a chamber having an opening;
A side post attached to the base,
A door attached to the side post, the door configured to swing outward from the base to provide access to the chamber when opened, the door comprising: The door is also configured to form a substantially water-tight chamber when closed, and the door is mounted to the side post such that the door is biased to swing to a closed position. Said door,
An access ramp having a first side substantially coplanar with a floor surface on which the modular wheelchair entry shower system is placed, wherein the access ramp is above the base above the base. A second side forming substantially flush with a surface, wherein the access ramp is connected to the base along a side for the door; The access ramp configured to allow access to the upper surface of the base from
A modular wheelchair-accessible shower system with:   14. The modular wheelchair accessible shower of claim 13, wherein the base further comprises a lip extending upwardly from the base on each of the sides of the base except for the side for the door. system.   15. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 14, wherein each side wall is connected to the base at an upper surface of the lip.   14. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 13, wherein the door is mounted at an angle such that the door is biased to swing to a closed position.   14. The modular wheelchair of claim 13, wherein the door is mounted using a spring-loaded hinge to bias the door to swing to a closed position. Shower system.   14. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 13, further comprising a handle on an exterior surface of the door facing away from the chamber. At least one of the plurality of sidewalls includes a recess extending downwardly from a top edge of the sidewall to form a substantially U-shaped opening in the sidewall;
The substantially U-shaped opening is sized to allow a caregiver to access a bather within the chamber;
14. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 13.   20. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 19, further comprising a window located in the substantially U-shaped recess.   21. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 20, wherein the window is removable.   One or more hinges configured to allow the window to swing open so that the caregiver can access a bather within the chamber. 21. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 20, attached to the at least one of the plurality of sidewalls.   14. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 13, further comprising a plumbing connection for receiving water from a water supply and draining out of the chamber.   22. The modular wheelchair accessible shower system of claim 21, further comprising one or more pumps for moving water into and out of the chamber.

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