JPH05503861A - bath seat assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] name of invention bath seat assembly field of invention The present invention relates to a bath seat assembly for assisting in entering and exiting a bathtub.

Background technology People who are elderly, frail, paralyzed from the waist down, or have other physical disabilities. People who are sick or ill often have difficulty getting in and out of bathtubs. Such a large number (For people, bathing is quite dangerous, getting in and out of the bathtub without assistance. That is impossible. In particular, nurses should be able to hold patients, especially older patients, in and out of the bathtub. It is often necessary to raise the Also, people in wheelchairs should also avoid other people when bathing. Requires assistance from other people. Nurses and other caregivers should hold the patient in and out of the bathtub. They run the risk of injuring themselves by twisting their backs when lifting.

Additionally, the common bathtub shape and its smooth surface make bathtubs a popular choice for domestic use. known as a common cause or location of accidents in a serious and sometimes fatal Accidents are known to occur due to slips and falls when entering and exiting the bathtub. There is. An elderly or sick person may be left stranded in the bathtub if they fall and break an arm, leg, hip or rib. It will end up being lost.

Various devices have been proposed to assist in getting in and out of bathtubs.

Australian Patent Application No. 23310/84 describes a wall-mounted lift. A bathing seat that can be lowered gradually lowers the seated bather into the bathtub. A seat is shown that can be lifted from. However, when installed on the wall The suspended lifting device is complex in construction and therefore expensive. Besides, that The device requires professional installation and is not compatible with all bathrooms. That outfit It is a permanent fixture and if moved it leaves an unsightly and unhygienic hole in the wall.

Australian Patent Application No. 83837/82 describes how to lift a sick person into a bathtub. A device that can be placed inside a bathtub and folded to raise or lower a plate or stretcher on which a bather rests. A device is shown using collapsible bellows. Its foldable bellows is inflated by a household water supply, such as a faucet. The disadvantage of bellows is that it is used for bathing. While applying vertical force to raise and lower the stretcher, it tends to wobble. It is unstable in the lateral direction. For this reason, folding is required to provide the necessary support. Scissor joints in and/or around the collapsible bellows. nkages) are provided. Since such a bond operates in soapy water , pivot joints are susceptible to corrosion and are prone to failure. Furthermore, the entire device Cumbersome and heavy to use.

The applicant's earlier patent application no. 18992/88 describes an inflatable bladder and its A self-supporting inflatable bathing device having a seat at the top of an inflatable bladder, the bladder has many vertical tubes spaced at regular intervals around its periphery, and the tubes is shown to be inflatable by air or water.

This bladder is specially designed to be inflated with a minimum amount of water or air. It is measured. The bladder is made specifically for this application, so the total cost of the product Use increases.

Disclosure of invention The purpose of this invention is to provide assistance in getting in and out of the bathtub, substantially eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art. The goal is to provide equipment for

In one form, the invention provides an apparatus for assisting in and out of a bathtub, comprising: Placed inside the bathtub, and at the bottom of the bathtub! supported by, in use, upwards a frame assembly having at least one guide member extending; To move between a raised position near the top of the bathtub and a lowered position near the bottom of the bathtub. a bath seat slidably connected to the at least one guide member; Inflation or deflation moves the bath seat between the raised and lowered positions. having an inflatable bladder operatively connected to the bathing seat for the purpose of This is a unique device.

The frame assembly has multiple leg members to help the device stand on its own. is preferable. The plurality of leg members may include front leg members and rear leg members. pair Suitably, there are a pair of separate front leg members and a pair of separate rear leg members.

Preferably, the front leg members are connected by one or more connecting members. Linking Suitably, the member extends between the lower ends of the respective nose leg members, and The connecting member may also fit into a supporting surface, such as the floor of a bathtub.

Similarly, the rear leg members are preferably connected by one or more connecting members. Delicious. The lower connecting member extends between the lower ends of the rear leg members and is adapted to engage the support surface. It's urgent. Further, the upper ends of the rear leg members are connected by an upper connecting member. It's okay.

Preferably, the front leg member and the rear leg member are connected by a side connecting member. Side connecting member may extend from near the top of the front leg member to the center of the rear leg member. side connection The members should provide rigidity to the frame assembly and ensure that the bathing seat is underneath. When in the horizontal position, it may function as an armrest.

The frame assembly is secured along the bathtub by one or more movement restraint members. It can be made stable against movement. The movement restraint member is a frame assembly. It may also consist of a suction pad that can secure the yellowtail to the bottom wall of the bathtub. As an alternative, move The restraint member may consist of a non-slip pad made of a suitable material such as rubber. Good too. Furthermore, a non-slip mat is placed between the device and the bottom wall of the bathtub in which the device is located. can be placed in between.

Support means may be provided to support the inflatable bladder, in particular the lower part thereof. Ru. The support means may be supported by a frame assembly. The support means are inflatable. It can consist of a support stand for supporting the bottom wall of the tension bladder. support means extends between and near the bottom of the front and rear leg members, and Suitably, it is supported by a connecting member.

Suitably, the at least one guide member is arranged near the rear leg member. multiple Preferably, preferably two guide members are provided. one or each guide The material extends between the lower connecting member and the upper connecting member that connect the rear leg members. Appropriate. The one or each guide member is connected to the rear leg member and/or the respective coupling. Preferably, it is fixed to the member. Preferably, the or each guide member is inclined. Yes.

Preferably, the or each guide member has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. moreover , parts of the frame assembly such as leg members and connecting members are formed of connecting tubes. It is preferable that

Suitably, the bath seat has one or more connections, the connections being is slidably connected to at least one guide member, thereby allowing the bath seat to may be slidably connected thereto. The connections are for each Preferably it comprises a collar at least partially sheathed around the guide member. stomach. Preferably, a number of collars are wrapped around each respective guide member.

Suitably the connection is connected to the back support of the bathing seat.

Accessories to support various patients, such as safety belts, are bathing notebooks or accessories! Nitori May be attached. Bath sheets are susceptible to corrosion due to repeated soaking in bath water. It may be formed from molded plastic material to resist erosion or deterioration. bathing The seat has a drainage opening or It may have a water drain.

In the above-described embodiment, the bath seat is connected to the guide member while connected thereto. slide up and down. However, the connection between the bath seat and frame assembly Other models can also be used.

The bath seat has at least one guiding member so that it can be rotated to one side of the bathtub. It may be rotatably connected to. This allows the bather to sit in the bathtub and It can be rotated in the opposite direction. Alternatively, the bathing notebook can be used with the bathing sheet on top. To make it easier for the bather to exit the bath seat when in the elevated position, It may be provided with a rotating part that can be rotated laterally.

The inflatable bladder is located below the bath seat and between the bath notebook and the support means. It is preferable that the Inflatable bladders are shaped from a flexible, liquid-impermeable material. Preferably, the material is made of a material that does not elongate substantially. The inflatable bladder is made of plastic, It may be made of rubber, metal foil or a mixture thereof. Bladder is too distended A flexible, non-stretchable material made of woven or reticulated material to avoid May be protected by a cover.

A pressure release valve is connected to the inflatable bladder to prevent the bladder from overinflating. Preferably, it is continued. The pressure release valve may have a contracted opening configuration. .

A bladder may consist of one inflatable body or multiple separate inflatable bodies. may be completed. The bladder may be bellows shaped. Bladder is something suitable by a suitable source of pressurized fluid, including compressed air or, more preferably, by a source of pressurized water. It may be expanded.

The bladder is suitably filled by a pressurized water source, preferably consisting of tap water. Ru. Is the bladder secured to the frame assembly and/or bath seat? , or may be formed separately from them. The bladder folds on itself when it contracts. It consists of a cylindrical inflatable body that is tapered so that it can be folded up. preferable.

The bladder is inflated through an inlet connected to a source of pressurized fluid via a suitable supply conduit. or may be fulfilled. The supply conduit partially passes through part of the frame assembly. It may be extended. A valve is placed in the conduit to regulate the inflow of fluid into the inflatable bladder. Preferably connected.

Brief description of the drawing For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings to describe the preferred embodiments. I will explain.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2a is a side sectional view of the device of Figure 1 in a lowered position;

Figure 2b is a side sectional view of the device of Figure 2a in a raised position.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 will be explained. The figure shows a device for assisting people in and out of the bathtub.

The device 10 includes a frame assembly 11, a bath seat 12 and an inflatable bladder 1. It has 3.

The device is dimensioned so that it can be installed in its entirety in a bathtub indicated at 14. ing.

The frame assembly 11 is formed by a number of connecting tubes and includes a pair of separate front leg members. 15a, 15b and a pair of spaced rear leg members 16a.

16b.

The lower parts of the front leg members 15a and 15b are connected by a horizontal connecting member 17. Real truth In the embodiment, the front leg members 15a, 15b and the connecting member 17 are formed from a single tubular member. has been done. In use, the connecting member 17 fits into the bottom wall 18 of the bathtub 14.

The lower parts of the rear leg members 16a, 16b are connected by a lower horizontal connecting member 19, The upper parts of the members 16a, 16b are connected by an upper horizontal connecting member 20.

The upper parts of the front leg members 15a and 15b are connected to the rear leg member 1 by side connecting members 21a and 21b. It is connected to the central part of 6a and 16b. When the bathing sheet 12 is in the lower position The side connecting members 21a and 21b function as a brace, and the frame assembly Provides rigidity against yellowing.

A support device in the form of a platform 22 extends between the connecting members 17 and 19 and connects them. Fixed. The stand 22 supports the bottom wall of the inflatable bladder 13.

A pair of separate guide members 23 (only one shown in the drawing) connects the lower connecting member 19. and the upper connecting member 20, and is generally made of a cylindrical tube. guidance The upper and lower ends of member 23 are fixed to connecting members 19 and 20, respectively. Ru.

The bathing seat 12 in the embodiment has a seat portion 25 and a back support portion 24. Ru. The seat is molded from a plastic material and drains liquid from the seat portion 25. It has a discharge opening 26 for.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2a and 2b, a cover is provided on the rear side of the back support 24. It has a pair of spaced connections in the form of a collar 27.

The collars 27 are arranged linearly in a row to cover each guide member 23. has been done. Although not shown, a second pair of collars are provided on the second guide member. has been done.

The inflatable bladder 13 is made of a hollow cylindrical body, and in this embodiment, it is made of vinyl. made of plastic.

The top 29 of the bladder 13 contacts the lower part of the seat portion 25 and is connected thereto. , the bottom wall 28 of the bladder 13 is supported by the platform 22.

The bladder 13 has a liquid inlet 30 connected to a supply conduit 31, which is connected to a side It extends through the coupling member 21a to a source of pressurized fluid, such as a hydrant 32. valve 3 3 is a connecting member so that a person sitting on the bathing sort can easily operate it. Conveniently placed near the end of 21a! has been done.

To prevent bladder 13 from overinflating, a pressure release valve 34 A short conduit 35 is connected to the pressure release valve. ing. The valve 34 is always open, but since it has a reduced diameter section, it cannot be used as an inflatable valve. The rudder 13 expands, but is designed not to expand too much.

In use, the device is placed in a bathtub with the connecting members 17 and 19 placed on the floor of the bathtub. be placed. The inflatable bladder is connected to the bathtub faucet via a supply conduit 31.

As the bladder fills with water, the bath sheet moves from the position shown in Figure 2a to the position shown in Figure 2. It will float to the position shown in b. The bladder absorbs the bathing sheet when it expands. The dimensions are determined so that it is approximately at the same height as the edge of the tank. Sit on the bath seat, When valve 33 is switched, water flows through pressure release valve 34 due to body weight, and The bladder contracts further from the position shown in Figure 2b to the position shown in Figure 2a! bath sheet moves. However, instead of the pressure release valve 34, an outlet valve is also provided in the bladder 13. Open valve 33 for emptying. As a result, the bathing sheet 12 returns to the position shown in Figure 2b, at which point the bather can step out of the bathtub.

The device according to the invention has several advantages. First of all, the device is portable. and is not permanently bolted or secured to or around the bathtub. . The device is lightweight and can be easily installed in a bathtub. The device is It can stand upright and requires no additional clamps or supports for installation within the bathtub. So The device is formed from a few relatively simple parts and is therefore inexpensive to manufacture. , not easy to break.

The device is particularly suitable for bathtubs, but also for frail or elderly people to access. Can also be used in hot spring tubs, therapeutic tubs and other bathing devices that are difficult to clean. I can do it.

Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, Many changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described.

abstract Devices to assist in entering and exiting the bathtub may be placed within the bathtub and provided by the bottom wall of the bathtub. and at least one guide member (23) which extends upwardly when in use. frame assembly (11) for moving between raised and lowered positions; A bathing seat (12) movably connected to a guide member (23) and a bathing seat (12) and is inflatable by pressurized water and capable of expanding or contracting. Bathing sheets (12) are on the rise! and an inflatable bladder that slides between the lowered position (13). The device is especially designed to make getting in and out of the bathtub difficult. Suitable for elderly or frail people.

international search report

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A device for assisting in getting in and out of a bathtub, the device being disposed within the bathtub, and at least one draft supported by the bottom wall of the bathtub and extending upwardly when in use; a frame assembly having an internal member; To move between a raised position near the top of the bathtub and a lowered position near the bottom of the bathtub. a bath seat slidably connected to the at least one guide member; moving the bathing sheet between a raised position and a lowered position by expansion or contraction; and an inflatable bladder operatively connected to the bathing seat. Featured device. 2. The frame assembly has a plurality of legs to allow the device to stand on its own. 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a member. 3. characterized by having a pair of separated front leg members and a pair of separated rear leg members 3. The device according to claim 2. 4. The front leg members are connected by a connecting member extending between the lower ends of the respective front leg members. 4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the device is connected to 5. The rear leg member includes a lower connecting member extending between lower end portions of each rear leg member. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that they are connected by. 6. The rear leg member includes an upper connecting member extending between upper end portions of each rear leg member. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that they are connected by. 7. The front leg member and the rear leg member are connected by a side connecting member. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that: 8. characterized by having support means for supporting the lower part of the inflatable bladder. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: 9. The support means is preferably supported by the frame assembly. 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device comprises: 10. The at least one guide member includes the lower connecting member and the upper connecting member. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the device extends between. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a pair of separate guide members. . 12. The above-mentioned bathing sheet has at least one connection part, and the connection part is the above-mentioned slidably connected to at least one guide member, whereby the bathing seat is The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is slidably connected to the guide member. Place. 13. The at least one connection portion is arranged around the respective guide member. 13. The collar according to claim 12, characterized in that it consists of a partially exteriorized collar. equipment. 14. The at least one connection part is connected to the back support part of the bathing seat. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that: 15. The above-mentioned inflatable bladder is characterized in that it is located below the bathing seat. 2. The device according to claim 1. 16. The inflatable bladder has a flexible and substantially non-stretchable body. 16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that: 17. The above inflatable bladders have a pressure release valve to prevent over-inflation. 17. A device according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises. 18. Claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is inflated by pressurized water. 5. The device according to 5.