WO2012094704A1

WO2012094704A1 - Support frame

Info

Publication number: WO2012094704A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott Fulvio LARUFFA
Original assignee: Laruffa Scott Fulvio
Priority date: 2011-01-11
Filing date: 2012-01-11
Publication date: 2012-07-19

Abstract

A support platform (100), adapted to be positioned on a bath. The support frame includes at least two substantially parallel support members (101) which are selectively extendible and retractable, and, at least two substantially parallel cross members (102) extending between the support members (101). A support surface (103) is provided substantially between said cross members (101). In an assembled position, said support platform (100) is adjusted such that the support members (101) thereof are extended such that end portions thereof rest atop and are supported by a respective upper surface of the bath walls, and, in a storage position, said support members (101) are retracted such that said support platform is compactly stored.

Description

SUPPORT FRAME

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support frame and in particular, to a support frame for supporting objects over a bath tub.

Background of the Invention

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Bathing infants in regular bath tubs is dangerous and wasteful given the amount of water that is required to fill the tub to a reasonable level. If the water level is too high, there is a risk of drowning. If the water level is too low, adequate bathing, of the infant can be difficult. Further, the infant must be lowered down into the tub, which can be difficult for parents, especially those with back injuries or limited mobility.

Infant tubs are small portable tubs for bathing infants. However, in use, movement and splashing by the infant can cause considerable displacement of water from the infant tub as the walls of the infant tub tend to be quite low. Accordingly, the infant tub is typically placed in an environment where the displaced water can easily drain away, such as in a regular bath tub. However, as the infant tub sits on the bottom of the bath tub, this still requires the parent or carer to bend down in order to attend to the infant.

Other items such as indoor pot plants that need to be watered and are prone to leaking water are sometimes kept in a bath tub during and after watering. If the plants are placed on the bottom of the bath tub, they are often too low to receive any sunlight or to be seen.

Many elderly or disabled people have great difficulty getting into or out of regular bath tubs due to the high walls. Pregnant women and others also have difficulty sitting down in bath tubs or standing in bath tub showers.

Various attempts have been made at providing a seat for positioning atop a bath tub. Examples are shown in various patent documents, including US 5887297 by Sutor, US 5373591 by Myers, US 6240577 by Worthy, US 4150445 by Bailey, US 5740563 by Gaddy, and US 2007/0083990 by Werschmidt. Various attempts have been also made at positioning a baby bath atop a conventional bath tub, such as shown in DE 2856168 by Eubel.

All these prior art devices are quite cumbersome and bulky, and, whilst they all have various useful features, none are particularly portable. None can be easily disassembled into a 'flat-pack' type configuration where they take up minimal space for transportation in the back of a car along with other luggage, and as such, none can be readily moved from place to place as and when required without requiring excessive luggage requirements.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative.

In one broad form, the present invention provides a support frame adapted to be positioned on a bath, including:

a base frame having:

(i) at least two substantially parallel support members, the support members being selectively extendable and retractable, enabling the length of the support members to be selectively varied; and

(ii) at least two substantially parallel cross members extending between the support members, the cross members being substantially perpendicular to the support members; and

a removable platform having a support surface and at least two substantially parallel slots, wherein the slots are sized and spaced to receive the support members and retain the platform on the base frame,

wherein:

in an assembled position,

· said support frame is adjusted such that the support members thereof are extended so that end portions thereof rest atop and are supported by a respective upper surface of the bath walls, and

said removable platform is positioned such that the cross members of said support frames are received in the slots of the removable platform; and,

in a storage position,

said platform is removed from said support frame, and,

said support members of said base frame are retracted such that said support frame is compactly stored.

In a preferred embodiment, the support members each include a rod portion telescopically received in a sleeve portion allowing the support members to be extended and retracted.

Preferably, said support members include rubber feet at or near the extremities thereof.

Preferably, the cross members are selectively extendable and retractable, enabling the length of the cross members to be selectively varied.

Further preferably, the cross members each include a rod portion telescopically received in a sleeve portion allowing the support members to be extended and retracted.

In a preferred embodiment, the removable platform includes two substantially parallel rails and a plurality of perpendicular cross beams, wherein each slot is formed by a spacing between an adjacent pair of the cross beams.

Preferably, the support frame further includes a collapsible stand for supporting the removable platform above the base frame.

Preferably, the collapsible stand includes two pairs of legs, each pair of legs joined at a central pivot joint and each leg having a foot at a lower end and a support surface at an upper end, the collapsible stand having an expanded configuration, in which the feet are adapted to engage the support members of the base frame and the support surfaces are adapted to engage and support the removable platform at a height above the base frame.

Further preferably, the support members each have opposing end portions that project beyond the cross members.

Preferably, said removable platform includes engagement means to releasably secure an article to said platform.

Also preferably, said engagement means includes one or more strap(s), belt(s), clip(s), slot(s) or like engagement means which is adapted to secure an article, such as, but not limited to a baby bath, a seat cushion, one or more pot plants or other article, to said platform.

Preferably, each of said components is provided in a reassemblable kit form, including said support members, said cross members and said removable platform.

Also preferably, said kit is adapted to be provided in a carry bag or the like.

Preferably, said kit includes said collapsible stand.

In a further broad form, the present invention provides a support platform, adapted to be positioned on a bath, including:

(i) at least two substantially parallel support members, the support members being selectively extendible and retractable, enabling the length of the support members to be selectively varied;

(iii) a support surface provided substantially between said cross members, wherein:

in an assembled position,

said support platform is adjusted such that the support members thereof are extended such that end portions thereof rest atop and are supported by a respective upper surface of the bath walls, and, in a storage position,

said support members are retracted such that said support platform is compactly stored.

Preferably, said support surface is permanently or removably secured to said cross members.

Also preferably, the support members and/or the cross members each include a rod portion telescopically received in a sleeve portion allowing the support members to be extended and retracted.

Also preferably, the support platform further includes engagement means to releasably secure an article to said platform,

said engagement means being one or more strap(s), belt(s), clip(s), slot(s) or like engagement means which is adapted to secure an article, such as, but not limited to a baby bath, a seat cushion, one or more pot plant or other article, to said platform.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of specific examples thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 depicts a support frame mounted over a bath;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a support member of the base frame of the support frame of Fig. 1 expanded;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the support member of the base frame of the support frame of Fig. 1 collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the cross member of the base frame of the support frame of Fig. 1 expanded;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the cross member of the base frame of the support frame of

Fig. 1 collapsed;

Fig. 6 is an end view of a removable platform of the support frame of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is a top view of the removable platform of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the support frame of Fig. 1 including a collapsible stand;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the collapsible stand of Fig 8;

Fig. 10 shows an isometric view of the support frame, in accordance with the present invention, installed over a bath tub;

Fig. 11 shows the support structure in use over a bath tub, supporting various pot plants;

Fig. 12 shows the support structure of the present invention utilised over a bath tub, to support a baby bath;

Fig. 13 illustrates a support frame, including the collapsible stand to elevate the platform above a sunken bath tub;

Fig. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention, and shows a top view of a support platform, in its retracted position; Fig. 15 shows the support platform of Fig. 14, but in its extended position;

Fig. 16 shows a side view of the support platform of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 shows a side view of the support platform of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 18 shows an end view of the support platform shown in Figs. 14 to 17.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As shown in Fig.l, the support frame 10 includes a base frame 1 1 having two substantially parallel support members 12 and two substantially parallel cross members 14. The cross members 14 are mounted substantially perpendicular to the support members 12 to create a generally rectangular support frame 10.

As best shown in Figs, 2 and 3, the support members 12 each include a rod portion 16 telescopically received in a sleeve portion 18 to allow the support members 12 to be selectively extended and retracted. The length of the support members 12 can be set and fixed by tightening a set screw 20. The end portions 25 of the support members project beyond the cross members 14 at both ends.

Similarly, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the cross members 14 each include a rod portion 22 telescopically received in a sleeve portion 24 to allow the cross members 14 to be selectively extended and retracted. The length of the cross members 14 can be set and fixed by tightening a set screw 20 or other fastening mechanism such as a retractable pin and hole arrangement.

As depicted in Figs. 6 and 7, the support frame 10 further includes a removable platform 30, shown in phantom in Fig. 1, comprising two substantially parallel rails 32 and a plurality of substantially perpendicular cross beams 34. The cross beams 34 are spaced to define two substantially parallel slots 36, which are sufficiently wide and spaced apart to receive the support members 12 and retain the platform 30 on the base frame 11.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the support frame 10 further comprises a collapsible stand 40 having two pairs of legs 42 joined by a tie bar 45. Each pair of legs 42 is joined at a central pivot joint 44 and each leg 42 has a foot 46 at a lower end and a support surface 48 at an upper end. With the stand 40 in an expanded configuration, the feet 46 are adapted to engage the support members 12 of the base frame 1 1 and the support surfaces 48 are adapted to engage and support the removable platform 30 at a height above the base frame 11.

In use, the base frame 11 is typically mounted between two opposing walls 62 of a bath 60, as depicted in Figures 10 to 13. The cross members 14 are arranged adjacent and parallel to the bath walls 62 and the end portions 25 of the support members 12 project over and rest upon the upper surface of the bath walls 62. With the support members 12 fixed at this length by the set screws 20, the base frame 11 is stably supported over the bath 60.

With the length of the cross members 14 set and fixed at the same spacing as the slots 36 of the removable platform 30, the support members 12 are able to be received in the slots 36 and to support the removable platform 30 as shown in phantom in Fig. 1.

The removable platform 30 is then securely supported over the bath 60, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, a disabled person may easily sit on the support structure 30 whilst showering. For example, if a person with impairment to his lower limbs wheels his wheelchair adjacent the bath, the person would be able to lift themselves from their wheelchair to a seated position on the platform 30 enabling them to shower themselves.

Fig. 11 shows how the support structure may be utilised to support pot plants or other objects above a bath. This is not only useful such that any overflowing water or seepage from the pot plants will fall directly into the bath, but also enables them to be positioned adjacent a window or the like to allow good access to sunlight and thereby provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance within the room.

Fig. 12 illustrates an alternative version of the invention wherein a baby bath 63 may be secured to the support frame 30 positioned over the bath 60. For example, straps, clips, slots, belts, or other like engagement means may be utilised to secure the baby bath 63 to the support frame 30, such that any movement of the baby bath relative to the support frame 30 is substantially eliminated, thus avoiding a potentially dangerous situation where the bath might fall off the support frame. It will become obvious to persons skilled in the art that a variety of clips or restraining means may be utilised for this purpose.

Fig. 13 illustrates an alternative version of the present invention, wherein, for a bath which is sunken into the substrate floor surface, the collapsible stand may be utilised to elevate the platform 30 above the bath thus enabling ease of bathing an infant in a bath which is secured to the support stand, such as hereinbefore described.

The collapsible stand 40 is provided to support the removable platform 30 at a raised height above the bath 60. The collapsible stand 40 is expanded by pivoting the legs 42 about the pivot joint 44 until the feet 46 of the legs 42 are sufficiently spaced to engage the support members 12 of the base frame 11. In this expanded configuration, the support surfaces 48 of the legs 42 are appropriately spaced to receive and support the removable platform 30, as depicted in Fig. 8.

Use of the collapsible stand 40 is particularly advantageous if the bath is sunken into the floor or if the walls of the bath are quite low, allowing the removable platform 30 to be is supported at a height above the base frame 11.

The support frame 10 provides a convenient solution for supporting objects over a bath tub or wash basin. It allows objects that may leak or spill water such as infant tubs and pot plants to be supported over the bath tub or wash basin, so that the spilt water can be contained and drained away.

A further advantage of the support frame 10 is that disabled or elderly persons with limited mobility can sit on the removable platform 30 while using the bath, making it easier to enter and exit the bath and more comfortable to sit during bathing.

An alterative but also preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 14 to 18. In this version of the invention, a support platform, generally designated by the numeral 100 includes a pair of substantially parallel support members 101, a pair of substantially parallel cross members 102 and a support surface generally designated by the numeral 103.

The substantially parallel support members 101 are preferably selectively extendible and retractable, enabling the length of the support members to be. selectively varied. The cross members can also be selectively extendible and retractable, although in the embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 18, they are of fixed length. The cross members extend between the support members being substantially perpendicular to the support members.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 18, the support surface is formed of a plurality of cross bars 104. In an assembled position, whereby the parallel support members are extended, as shown in Figure 15, the ends of the support members are adapted to rest atop and be supported by respective upper surface walls of a bath. In a storage or compressed position, as shown in Figure 14, the support members are retracted such that the support platform is compactly stored. The embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 18 also shows the use of a brace 105 which may be used to brace the ends of the support members for increased stability, in use.

Whilst the platform illustrated in Figures 14 to 18 is shown to be permanently secured to the cross members 102, a removable platform could alternatively provided.

The support members and/or the cross members may, when embodied to be selectively extendible and retractable, be formed by including an inner rod portion telescopically received in a sleeve portion.

Engagement means may be optionally utilised to releasably secure an article to the platform. The engagement means may be one or more strap, belt, clip, slot or like engagement means which is adapted to secure an article such as, but not limited to, a baby bath, a seat cushion, or one or more pot plants, or other article, atop the platform.

The embodiment in Figures 14 to 18 may be constructed of a suitable material, such as, but not limited to, plastics, metal, timber.

It will be appreciated that the device of the present invention is capable of being easily disassembled into its component parts for compact transportation. That is, the base frame may be retracted into a small sized frame and the platform and base frame may be positioned together in a 'flat pack' configuration for compact transportation. In this manner, the components may be easily stored in a carry bag. This enables the device to be easily carried by a person from place to place, which is particularly useful, for example, when going on holidays or staying with friends or family, allowing a disabled or incapacitated person to readily use a bath which is in any bathroom, not necessarily a specially designed wheelchair- or disabled- accessible bathroom.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly herein described.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A support frame adapted to be positioned on a bath, including:

a base frame having:

wherein:

in an assembled position,

said support frame is adjusted such that the support members thereof are extended so that end portions thereof rest atop and are supported by a respective upper surface of the bath walls, and

said removable platform is positioned such that the cross members of said support frames are received in the slots of the removable platform; and, in a storage position,

said platform is removed from said support frame, and,

2. The support frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support members each include a rod portion telescopically received in a sleeve portion allowing the support members to be extended and retracted.

3. The support frame as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said support members include rubber feet at or near the extremities thereof.

4. The support frame as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cross members are selectively extendable and retractable, enabling the length of the cross members to be selectively varied.

5. The support frame as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cross members each include a rod portion telescopically received in a sleeve portion allowing the support members to be extended and retracted.

6. The support frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removable platform includes two substantially parallel rails and a plurality of perpendicular cross beams, wherein each slot is formed by a spacing between an adjacent pair of the cross beams.

7. The support frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including a collapsible stand for supporting the removable platform above the base frame.

8. The support frame of claim 7, wherein the collapsible stand includes two pairs of legs, each pair of legs joined at a central pivot joint and each leg having a foot at a lower end and a support surface at an upper end, the collapsible stand having an expanded configuration, in which the feet are adapted to engage the support members of the base frame and the support surfaces are adapted to engage and support the removable platform at a height above the base frame.

9. The support frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support members each have opposing end portions that project beyond the cross members.

10. A support frame as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said removable platform includes

engagement means to releasably secure an article to said platform.

1 1. A support frame as claimed in claim 10, wherein said engagement means includes one or more strap(s), belt(s), clip(s), slot(s) or like engagement means which is adapted to secure an article, such as, but not limited to a baby bath, a seat cushion, one or more pot plants or other article, to said platform.

12. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of said components is provided in a reassemblable kit form, including said support members, said cross members and said removable platform.

13. A support frame as claimed in claim 12, wherein said kit is adapted to be provided in a carry bag or the like.

14. A support frame as claimed in claims 12 or 13, wherein said kit includes said collapsible stand.

15. A support platform, adapted to be positioned on a bath, including:

in an assembled position,

16. A support platform as claimed in claim 15, wherein said support surface is permanently or removably secured to said cross members.

17. A support platform as claimed in claims 15 or 16, wherein the support members and/or the cross members each include a rod portion telescopically received in a sleeve portion allowing the support members to be extended and retracted.

18. A support platform as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, further including engagement means to releasably secure an article to said platform,

19. A support frame, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A support platform, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.