US3855644A

US3855644A - Devices for assisting in the bathing of babies and incapacitated persons

Info

Publication number: US3855644A
Application number: US00410984A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Benson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-21
Filing date: 1973-10-30
Publication date: 1974-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-24
Also published as: FR2218075B3; DE2359980A1; FR2218075A1; ZA731233B; AU6283173A; JPS5025376A; IT1000302B

Abstract

In this invention, a framework including a headrest and preferably a neck and shoulder rest and two hook formations so located with respect to the headrest as to enable the person''s arms to be crooked over them, thereby confining the person on the headrest. The hook formations are hinged to the framework for movement toward and away from each other. Suitable means may be provided for anchoring the device in the bath, for example suction pads.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,855,644

Benson Dec. 24, 1974 1 DEVICES FOR ASSISTING IN THE BATHING OF BABIES AND INCAPACITATED PERSONS Inventor: Donald Cyril Benson, 195 Spoor St.,

Vryheid, South Africa Filed: Oct. 30, 1973 Appl. No.: 410,984

Foreign Application Priority Data Mar 21, 1973 South Africa 73/1233 U.S. Cl. 4/185 B, 4/185 I-IB Int. Cl A47k 3/12 Field of Search 4/185 B, 185 R, 185 A, 4/185 HB, 185 S, 185 L, 174; 128/66, 369; 5/66, 317 D, 327 B; 297/384, 463

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1940 Haas 4/185 118 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 632,280 11/1936 Germany ..4/185B 544,131 10/1930 Germany 4/185 AB Primary ExaminerI-Ienry K. Artis [57] ABSTRACT In this invention, a framework including a headrest and preferably a neck and shoulder rest and two hook formations so located with respect to the headrest as to enable the persons arms to be crooked over them, thereby confining the person on the headrest. The hook formations are hinged to the framework for movement toward and away from each other. Suitable means may be provided for anchoring the device in the bath, for example suction pads.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures DEVICES FOR ASSISTING IN THE BATHING OF BABIES AND INCAPACITATED PERSONS The invention relates to devices for assisting in the bathing of incapacitated persons such as invalids and the like.

The difficulties involved in bathing baby are known to all mothers. The usual method adopted is to support the baby in the crook of one arm while holding the opposite arm of the baby and then trying to accomplish the washing performance with the other hand. Similar problems are encountered with the bathing of invalids.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which revolutionizes the bathing operation by supporting the incapacitated person in a suitable, safe and stable position while attending to the washing operation with both hands.

A device according to the invention includes a framework including a head rest and preferably a neck and shoulder rest and two hook formations so located with respect to the headrest as to enable the person's arms to be crooked over them, thereby confining the person on the headrest. The hook formations should be long enough to prevent the baby from disengaging his or her arm.

According to preferred feature the hook formations are hinged to the framework for movement towards and away from each other.

In addition, each hook formation may be associated with means to secure the arm more securely. For example, each hook may be articulated and releasably lockable in a closed position.

Suction pads or similar means are preferably provided for anchoring the device in the bath.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a device according to the invention for assisting in baby bathing;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, of the device shown in FIG. I; and,

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

A base of channel construction provides two soc kets 12 into which fit a pair of uprights 14 having at their upper ends tubular head rest members 16.

The head rest members 16 each have a series of holes 18 through which is laced plastic tubing 20 to form the surface of a neck, shoulder and head rest (indicated generally at 22). To the forward ends of members 16 are hinged free swivelling hook formations 24. The details of the hinge construction is shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 1 adjacent either side and towards the front the base 10 has two recesses in which are removably received a pair of locating lugs 28 on the bottom of a member 30 which is adapted to support the torso and buttocks of the baby. The member 30 is suitably covered to support the baby by means of a sheet of plastic material which may be provided with drainage orifices (not shown).

The base 10 is also equipped with a pair of suction pads 32 to anchor the device in the bath.

In use the baby is positioned on the device with the head and shoulders on the head rest 22 and the torso and buttocks on the member 30. The hook formations 24 are then moved towards each other and the babys arms crooked over the hook formations 24 with the portions '33 of the hook formations engaging in the arm pits of the baby. With the baby so confined the mother will have no difficulty in bathing baby. Depending on the growth and development of the baby, it will be found that the use of member 30 may be eventually dispensed with.

The device may be constructed of any suitable material but is preferably made of a plastic material.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A device for supporting a person in a bathtub, comprised of a base member including a top surface and a bottom surface for engagement with the bottom interior of the tub, a support member engaged with the said top surface and including an upper surface inclined with respect to the plane of the said bottom surface for supporting the buttocks of the person, a pair of uprights mounted on said top surface and having at their upper ends headrest members, a hook member mounted on each said headrest member and including a curved portion for engaging in the armpit of the person to confine the person on the device and means supported jointly by said headrest members and extending between said headrest members for supporting the head, neck and shoulder of the person.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 and including means pivotally mounting each curved hook member to its associated headrest member to allow rotation of the said hook member about a vertical axis at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the said headrest member.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which each curved hook member is articulated and releasably lockable in a closed position.