US3169253A - Mobile chair for shower facilities - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1965 J. SEGAR 3,169,253

MOBILE CHAIR FOR SHOWER FACILITIES Filed Sept. 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3 Sheet 2 INVENTOR Feb. 16, 1965 J. SEGAR MOBILE CHAIR FOR SHOWER FACILITIES Filed Sept. 24. 1962 lF- llllJ-F Feb. 16, 1965 J. SEGAR MOBILE CHAIR FOR SHOWER FACILITIES s sheet -sheet :5

Filed Sept. 24, 1962 INVENT OR United States Patent Ofi ice 3.16%,253 MGBELE CHAIR FQR SHOWER FAClLl EES lice Segar, 12950 Kercheval Ave, Detroit 15, Mich. Filed Sept. 24, 1952, 521'. No. 225,46tl 7 Claims. (Cl. 4-145) This invention relates to portable bathing apparatus and particularly to an improved apparatus for taking shower baths, improved type sitz bath and therapeutic treatment.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved shower bath device which is so constructed whereby it may be taken to the bed of the patient to be treated, the patient seated upon the mobile chair forming a part of the device and then wheeled back to a shower room and upon a track under a plurality of shower heads for treating the living body, substantially at a distance, by wh ch the efiiciency and the possibilities for application or" in themselves known devices, serving for sanitary, hygiene and medical treatments, the device embodying unusual features of construction contributing to the safety and comfort of the patient and the convenience of the hospital statf employing the bath.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, mobile apparatus for giving relief by subjecting a person to a cooling spray, or hot spray of water while assuming a comfortable seated position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus movable upon a track, which is operable by the bather under and out of direct contact with the spray of hot or cold water for his own comfort and without waiting for one of the staff to make desired changes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a chair for shower purposes particularly adapted to protect the private organs of the user whether male or female, by having two spaced cushion members arranged in spaced apart relation to support the body while avoiding pressure on the central portion of the pelvic region and permitting circulation of Water between the two cushion members.

And still another object of this invention is to provide a mobile shower chair, or bath apparatus which is simple and economical to make and use, dependable and safe in operation, durable in construction and highly effective in performing its intended functions.

The objects will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a portable bathing apparatus embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the chair and trackway with a shower head arranged therewith; and

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevational view of the bathing apparatus embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter T generally indicates a supporting trackway for supporting my improved invalid shower type bathing chair designated C. The trackway T comprises two tubular rails Ill and 11 ar ranged longitudinally and parallel with each other and integrally formed with an inverted U-shaped forward member with vertical riserslZ and 13 joined at their upper ends by cross-rail 14. The trackway T may be supported upon a plurality of vertically depending supporting members 16 which in turn may be secured to the floor in any suitable manner. The longitudinal rails it) and 11 are curved downwardly at the rear free ends to form risers l7 and 18 to receive my mobile chair C later to be described.

3,l,253 Patented Feb. 16, i965 The bathing chair designated C consists generally of a base frame 20 which is preferably made of sides with metal tubing formed with a substantially U-shaped configuration, base portion 21, upwardly extending supports 22 and 2.3 suitably supported by cross members not designated by numerals. Similar upright supports 24 upwardly project, one from the center of each base portion 21, said upright supports 24 being oppositely disposed with relation to each other and in transverse relation to the base frame 2t Longitudinal tubular horizontal members 25 and 26 extend rearwardly from the upper ends of supports 22 and 2.3 and are secured to curved upright members 27' secured to the base portion 21 between supports 23 and 24, providing a solid base frame 20 further embodying a cross rail between said risers 12 and 13 and integrally secured thereto and forming a supporting rail 28.

An inverted U-shaped frame member 3% is secured to the horizontal members 25' and 26 at the rear thereof to form a back portion B embodying two inclined side rails 31 and 32 and a cross top rail 33. A handle H with two side supports 34 and 35 with cross support 35 is welded to the upper closed end portion of said back portion. A seat frame member S of rectangular configuration embodying short side members 46 and 41 and long cross members 42 and 43 formed of a single piece of tubing is secured to the longitudinal members 25 and 26.

The mentioned back portion B and seat portion S have a metal cloth M attached thereto, the metal cloth secured in any suitable manner so as to extend as a continuous substantially flexible screen from the top rail 33 downwardly to the cross member 43 of the seat and further attached to the back side rails 31 and 32 as well as the seat side members and 41.

The metal cloth is a waterproof netting forining a body supporting means. The metal cloth M consists of substantially two supporting areas integrally joined at the top along the rail 33. The cloth M is provided with a longitudinal opening 56, the edges of the cloth about the opening secured to a reinforcing frame member 51 which extends from adjacent the top rail 33 to the cross member 43 of the seat. The seat portion of the cloth M is completely separated thereby, forming an opening 52 which is a continuation of opening 5G thereabove. Therefore the main seat frame S supports two rectangular body- engaging sections 53 and 54 of rectangular shape for supporting the portions of the anatomy in contact therewith when in use. The spacing of the sections 53 and 54 is at least two inches or more, preferably four V inches. By the arrangement described I obtain a proper support for all portions of the body in contact with the seat during a sitting period.

When the body engages the two sections 53 and 54, the muscles of the thigh and the muscles of the hips, are flexed and/ or compressed, causing only slight pressure to be exerted on the tissues and glands associated therewith. For exam le, undue pressure of the affected muscles, against the prostate gland, may cause excessive-pressure of the gland upon the urethra which it surrounds, possibly resulting in injury. When bathing, no pressure should be applied to the tissues and glands mentioned.

Two leg supports 56 and 57 are pivotally mounted upon the supporting rail 28; said supports are rectangular in shape and covered with the metal cloth M. 'Ihey are independently mounted so that one can be arranged vertically or inclined to the floor, while the other can-be clamped in a horizontal position or the like. As shown by FIG. 1, support 57 is held in an inclined position by links 68 attached at its outer end to said support 57 and mounted to a coupling 61 slidably mounted'upon upwardly extending support 22 of frame 20. Upon tightening of the handle or nut 63, both the support 57. and link 60 will remain in a set position.

The base portions 21 of frame 20, on each side thereof, are provided with a pair of wheel bearing supports 65 whereby wheels 66 can be rotatably mounted therewith, said wheels having flanged rubber tires 67 mounted thereon embodying an annular concave groove 68. The rubber tires permit the chair to be. rolled noiselessly overhospital floors and corridor-s. The tires are peripherally grooved so they will roll upon the risers 17 and 18 of the trackway T and then onto the tubular rails and 11 and under and over shower heads; the chair can be moved forward and backwards on the rails as desired. One shower head 75 is shown mounted by flexible tubing to a wall type pipe line 76 carrying water under pressure; regulating valves assembled in the water pipe line, but not shown, provide forhot or cold or tempered water to be sprayed from the spray head. As a rule three jet spray heads are used in place of the single head 75, as shown, to spray water upon and over the'whole body. 7 Two smaller spray'heads are generally used to spray the legs, shins and feet. I

The water line 76 also has an extension 78 which projects upwardly in a region under the The openings 59 and 52 in the metal cloth allows water from a spray head 77 on extension 78 to spray directly into the rectum regionwithout going through the cloth; this direct PICS, sure contact is equivalent to the ordinary sitz bath without removing the invalid from the chair. The chair metal cloth being perforated prevents any dirt from remaining I claim:

1. A mobile type apparatus for invalid use comprising a trackway composed of two parallel rails, a wheeled body supporting chair with a rigid frame-work and a shower head connected at one end of a fluid conduit, the opposite end of said conduit adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure, a valve assembled with said conduit for controlling the amount of fluid flowing to said shower head, four flanged rubber rollers assembled to the lower portion of said frame-work of. said body support, said chair adaptedfor riding upon said rails of said trackway, a frame extension means with a horizontal cross-bar attached to and extending upwardly from the forward ends of said rails] of said trackway, said shower head assembled upon said cross-bar of said extension means and said wheeled body supporting chair comprising two pivotal leg rests, a back rest and two spaced apart and perforated seat supporting members, said supporting members being sufficient to enable said seat members to comfortably support the buttocks and thighs of a patient While leaving the central portion of the pelvic region exposed for shower bathing effected by the space between said seat supporting members, and said rails elevate from the ground by suitable means and having incline type standards at the rear on the chair, the dirt flowing away with the used water.

The wheel-s are noiselessiand always clean due to being subjected to the spray of the water. The wheel bearings are arranged with offset shanks and supporting members welded to the lower portions of the frame 20. As shown by FIG. 4, a shower head bracket 80 is weldedto the cross support 36 of handle H and has a loop type hose holder member 82 welded theretor A spray head 84 is attached to a flexible water hose 85 connected to a water control valve 8-5, which itself is controlled by two valves 87 land 83 for regulating the temperature of the water. See FIG. 3. The spray head 34 being attached to the chair handle permits water to be sprayed upon theinval-id before or Q while passing past or over the stationary sprays 75 and 7 7 to eliminate shock from the Water coming from said stationary sprays. I p r r It is often desirable that medicine be administered with the sprayed water, and this is done by assembling a con- 1 tainer with medicine and connecting it to the water line 76 or the water spray head 75.

The 'metal cloth, sometimes called major metal, is

locked in a desired location by screw typelocking means 90 and 9 2. Y i

It is clearly seen that the above described invention 7 provides-an apparatus for treating the: living body, by which the effi-ciencyand the possibilities for application of end integrally secured therewith so that the rubber rollers may ride upwardlyonto said trackway for guidance under a plurality of shower'heads.

2; The bath apparatus according to. claim 1 wherein said back rest has an'inverted U-shaped member attached thereto, said U-shaped member embodying across-bar element with flexible clamping means rigidly secured thereto whereby a conduit having'a shower head attached thereto Qmay be clamped by said clamping means.

3. A shower bath apparatus for invalid use comprising a trackway, a wheeled body frame type supporting device and a plurality of shower. heads connected with fluid conduit means, said conduit means connected with a source of fluid medium, and-means for selectively controlling the emission of fluid from the said shower heads, said wheeled body supporting device embodying a tubular frame and having secured'theret-o a plurality of flanged resilient rollcrs for riding on said trackway, aback rest, said back rest having a longitudinal opening in the lower portion thereof, a seat for the support of the human body and pivotal leg rests, said seat comprising two spaced perforated supporting members and'means for securing said members to saidtu'b'ula frame in spacedrelati-on, said members being sufficient to enable said members to comfortably support the body while avoiding pres-sure on the central portion of the pelvic region and leaving it exposed for bathing effected by the space between said members, and said back rest leaving the spinal region exposed for bathing because of the longitudinal opening in' the lower portion thereof.

' 4. A shower bathyapparatus for invalid use comprising a substantiallyU-shaped .trackway, a mobile body frame type supporting device anda plurality of shower heads connected with fluid conduit means, said conduit means a connected with a source [of-fluid medium, and means for in themselves known devices, serving for. sanitary, hygenic and medical treatments, are increased andcnhancedand done without extra human effort, or, that the entire body may be covered with water, hot or cold, for cleaning or the like, as required, in an easy manner.

The opening providing two seating portions furnishes a conventional toilet; the chair'can berolled over atoilet or drain, then the patient washed :and sprayed. When. it

- is desirable to utilizethe chair for asit'zibath, it is position'ed relative to a toilet or drain and only water sprayed from head 77. All of the waste water willru'n. into the toilet drain on the floor.

selectivelycontrollingthe emission of fluid from the said.

showerhe-ads, said mobile body supporting device embodying a tubular frame and having secured thereto-a plurality of flanged rollers for riding on said trackway, ap-air of pivotal leg rests, aback rest with a longitudinal central opening, "aseat for thesupport of the human body and pivotal foot rests, said se-atcomprising two spaced perfo-' 1 rated sup-porting members and means for securing said betweensaid members, said pivotal leg rests mounted upon members 'to'said "tubular frame in -spaced relation, .said

' members beingsuflicient to enable said members to comfortably support the body whilejavoiding pressure on the central portion of the pelv'icregi'on' effected by the space the forwardend of said seat with means to lock said leg rests inselected elevations independent to each other, a'

conduit assembled to said .trackway-and midway thereof with a spray head mounted upon the upper end thereof whereby fluid medium with how from said spray head through said opening in said seat and onto the pelvic region of the invalid using the bath apparatus.

5. A mobile chair for shower bathing facilities comprising a wheeled chair-type support, a tracltway with a pair of parallel leg portions and a plurality of shower heads connected with conduits attached to a source of fluid treatment medium, said trackway adapted to lie in a substantially horizontal plane and having a forward inverted U- shaped closed portion arranged in a vertical plane with a horizontal transverse cross-bar, a downward-1y directed fluid discharge spray head connected with a conduit assembled with said cross-bar, a single shower-head mounted upon the upper end of a vertical conduit standard arranged between the leg portions of said trackW-ay, said wheeled chair-type support comprising a frame-work and a seat portion, a back rest and a pair of leg supports, said leg supports spaced from each other and individually pivotally mounted to the forward end or" said seat portion, locking means for selectively arranging said leg supports in position, said back rest having a longitudinal central opening exposing the spinal region of the user, said seat portion consisting of two spaced apart supporting members formed of perforated material and attached to the framework of said chair-type support, the pelvic region of the user exposed for bathing thereof, effected by the opening between said seat portions, said frame-Work having four wheel bearings supports mounted upon the lower extremities thereof, four flanged rubber wheels rotatably mounted in said bearing supports, for riding on said leg portions of said tracltway, said back rest having a transverse crossbar attached above and therewith, and means rigidly secured to said crossbar for removably supporting a conduit with a spray head attached thereto for spraying the head and adjacent portions of the user.

6. A mobile chair for shower bathing facilities comprising a track composed of two parallel rails, a plurality of means for supporting said rails in an elevated position in bathing facilities with water conduits extending from the Walls thereof, the forward end of said rails joined by a cross rail, the rear end portions of said rails curved downwardly to form two risers, a carriage adapted to ride said rails, said carriage having four flanged wheels rotatably mounted thereon with two of said wheels spacedly mounted on each side of said carriage to rotate in line and ride the said two rails, said carriage having a back rest, a seat and a leg rest, said seat on said carriage consisting of two spaced apart frames covered with metal screening for supporting a person thereon, a conduit attached at one end to a water conduit extending from said wall, and a shower head connected with the opposite end of said conduit, said shower head attached to said conduit removably attached to said carriage for spraying the head and adjacent portions of the user.

7. A mobile chair for shower bathing facilities comprising a track composed of two tubular rails arranged longitudinally and parallel with each other and integrally formed at their front ends with an inverted U-shaped forward member with two vertical risers joined at their upper ends by a cross-rail, supporting means for elevating said tubular rails in an elevated position in the shower bathing facilities, and the rear end portions of said tubular rails curved downwardly to form two risers, a chair adapted to ride on said tubular rails, said chair composed of a rigid base frame having two side members of U-shaped configuration embodying a base portion, a front upright support and a rear upright support, with two longitudinal horizontal seat members secured to the upper ends of said front and rear upright supports, and said seat members connected at the rear thereof by a cross member, said base portions of each of the two side members provided at the front and rear ends thereof with a wheeled bearing support, four flanged rubber wheels rotatably mounted in said wheel bearing supports, to ride the two tubular rails, a shower head assembled upon said inverted U-shaped forward member of said track, a back rest frame rigidly secured to said rigid base frame, said back rest having a transverse cross-bar attached above and therewith and said cross-bar having a shower head assembled thereon for spraying the user, two seat irame portions spaced from each other and rigidly secured to said base frame, two leg support frames spaced from each other and hingedly secured to said base frame, said back rest frame, said two seat frame portions and said two leg support frames having perforated metal cloth attached thereto, said spaced apart seat frame portions and said spaced apart leg support frames 'being suificient to oom-fortably support the buttocks and thighs of a patient using the chair and leaving the central portion of the pelvic region exposed for shower bathing effected by the space between said frames.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,037,578 4/36 Hoaglund et a1 4-134 2,869,614 1/59 Wamsley 4-134 2,872,686 2/59 Osborn et al 4-6 3,040,335 6/62 Gellnrann 4185 3,090,969 5/63 Maling 4-145 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,808 5/ 11 Great Britain.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A MOBILE TYPE APPARATUS FOR INVALID USE COMPRISING A TRACKWAY COMPOSED OF TWO PARALLEL RAILS, A WHEELED BODY SUPPORTING CHAIR WITH A RIGID FRAME-WORK AND A SHOWER HEAD CONNECTED AT ONE END OF A FLUID CONDUIT, THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CONDUIT ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE, A VALVE ASSEMBLED WITH SAID CONDUIT FOR CONTROLLING THE AMOUNT OF FLUID FLOWING TO SAID SHOWER HEAD, FOUR FLANGED RUBBER ROLLERS ASSEMBLED TO THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID FRAME-WORK OF SAID BODY SUPPORT, SAID CHAIR ADAPTED FOR RIDING UPON SAID RAILS OF SAID TRACKWAY, A FRAME EXTENSION MEANS WITH A HORIZONTAL CROSS-BAR ATTACHED TO AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE FORWARD ENDS OF SAID RAILS OF SAID TRACKWAY, SAID SHOWER HEAD ASSEMBLED UPON SAID CROSS-BAR OF SAID EXTENSION MEANS AND SAID WHEELED BODY SUPPORTING CHAIR COMPRISING TWO PIVOTAL LEG RESTS, A BACK REST AND TWO SPACED APART AND PERFORATED SEAT SUPPORTING MEMBER, SAID SUPPORTING MEMBERS BEING SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE SAID SEAT MEMBERS TO COMFORTABLY SUPPORT THE BUTTOCKS AND THIGHS OF A PATIENT WHILE LEAVING THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PELVIC REGION EXPOSED FOR SHOWER BATHING EFFECTED BY THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID SEAT SUPPORTING MEMBERS, AND SAID RAILS ELEVATE FROM THE GROUND BY SUITABLE MEANS AND HAVING INCLINE TYPE STANDARDS AT THE REAR END INTEGRALLY SECURED THEREWITH SO THAT THE RUBBER ROLLERS MAY RIDE UPWARDLY ONTO SAID TRACKWAY FOR GUIDANCE UNDER A PLURALITY OF SHOWER HEADS.

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