GB1586660A

GB1586660A - Apparatus for aiding anvalids when bathing

Info

Publication number: GB1586660A
Application number: GB4035376A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-09-23
Filing date: 1977-09-23
Publication date: 1981-03-25

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR AIDING INVALIDS WHEN BATHING (71) I, WILLIAM CORDINGLEY ALLEN, of British Nationality, of 68 High Street, Lenham, Kent, ME17 2QB, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to aids for invalids or other persons whose mobility is restricted in so far as such persons are confined to wheelchairs or are not readily capable of free movements with the legs.

Amongst the many difficulties and inconveniences met by persons whose mobility is impaired is that the carrying out of the normally simple activity of having a bath or shower frequently becomes an impossibility without substantial assistance from somebody else.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for facilitating the taking of a bath, shower or the like by a person whose mobility is impaired for example, to such an extent that the person is confined to a wheelchair. It is appreciated that whilst the apparatus of the invention makes it possible for some persons to have a bath or shower unaided it does not set dut to provide apparatus which would enable all cases of impaired mobility to undertake a bath or shower. In each case the suitability of the apparatus of the invention is a matter of personal choice and medical advice.

Broadly, according to the invention there is provided apparatus for aiding persons of impaired mobility in bathing, including a track structure, a seat unit comprising a seat carried by a seat support, the seat support having a framework adapted to carry the seat on an upper frame and having fixed transit wheels, the wheels being en gageable with the track for movement therealong, means for preventing the seat unit from becoming disengaged from the track and means for attaching the track structure to a water receptacle so that the track extends across and projects beyond the receptacle on at least one side thereof, the seat unit being moveable along the track from a first position when in use at least partly outside the receptacle to permit an intended user to occupy the seat unit, to a second position which, in use, lies within the boundary of the receptacle.

Typically the receptacle comprises the water receiving tray of a shower bath and the attaching means then includes means for attaching a track support means to opposite side walls of the tray. The seat unit is preferably arranged so that the direction of its movement is transverse the direction in which a user faces when occupying the seat in use.

That part of the track structure extending outside the receptacle may be pivoted so that it can be moved to a stowed position when not in use and a support may be provided which is moved into a supporting position when the extended portion is in its operating position.

The seat unit is preferably provided with a leg supporting flap which is adjustable for angular position relative to the seat unit.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support unit portion of apparatus of the invention, the Figure illustrating the principal constructional elements of a first construction of the support unit, which latter is shown mounted in operative position on a shower installation water receiving tray, Figure 2 is a perspective view of apparatus of the invention located in position on a shower installation water tray, the Figure 2 illustrating a slightly modified form of support unit, Figure 3 is a side view of á schematic representation of apparatus for positionally setting a leg support flap, and Figure 4 is an underside view of a part of the seat unit illústrating the leg support flap setting mechanism.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the particular apparatus illustrated therein essentially includes a seat unit 1 movably mounted upon a support unit 2 adapted for mounting securely upon the water receiving tray 3 of a shower installation.

The support unit can include various detailed constructions and Figures 1 and 2 although generally similar differ in some details as will be clear from the following description.

The support unit particularly shown in Figure 1 includes a pair of parallely arranged main frame elements 4 and S which respectively provide guide rails 6 and 7 for wheels 8 (Figure 2) of the seat unit 1. The frame elements 4 and 5 are carried by base frame elements 9 and 10 which are adapted to engage with the walls 11 and 12 of the tray 3. In the Figures the installation is such that the tray is located in the corner of the room in which the installation is provnded, and in the Figures only fragmentary parts of the walls 14, and 15 and the floor 16 are shown.

To facilitate the mounting of the support unit to such a shower installation the element 9 has an L cross section and is arranged so that a limb 17 can overlie the top of the wall 11 with the other limb 18 of the L bearing against the side of the wall 11. The other frame element 10 is of a generally U shape and has limbs 19 and a base 20. The element 10 is arranged so that it can be engaged over the tray wall 12 when the limb 18 of the element 9 bears against the tray wall 11.

In the case of each element a layer 21 of protective material is provided between the element and the associated tray wall 11 or 12.

End frame elements 22 and 23 are provided at the ends of the elements 4 and 5. In addition upper rails 24 and 25 supported from vertical support columns or plates 26 extend parallel to the main elements 4 and 5.

Each upper rail 23, 24 respectively provides a guide rail 27, 28 which is intended to lie immediately above the corresponding guide rail 6, 7 and at such distance therefrom as to define slots 29 for the wheels of the seat unit 1, the arrangement between the wheels and the co-operating rails pairs being such as to prevent the wheels from disengagink from the rails 6 and 7.

As can be seen the upper rail 25 has a facing strip 30 which can be regarded as a guard for preventing clothes, towels or the like from fouling the wheels 8.

The rear upper rail 24 also affords a support rail for assisting the user to mount or dismount from the seat unit. This will be considered in more detail hereinafter. In addition, the rail 24 has a series of regularly spaced apertures whose function will be considered hereinafter.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 1 the elements 4, 5 and the rails 24, 25 extend outwardly from the wall 12 of the tray 3. This allows the seat unit 1 to be moved to a position clear of the tray for the purpose of allowing the user to transfer to and from the seat unit. It will be understood that support means (not shown in Figure 1) would be provided for supporting the overhanging part of the support unit.

This support means could be a leg or leg structure extending downwardly from the end rail 23.

The support unit can be secured to the tray unit by any suitable clamping or cramping devices or means. Thus for example, one such clamping arrangement could include a bar (not shown) located between one of the limbs 19 and the tray wall 12, the bar being displaceable relative to the limb by screw means engaged with the limb and the bar in such manner that operation of the screw means pushes the bar away from the limb and thereby cramps the wall between the bar and the other limb 19 of the element 10. Corresponding operation of the screw means in the opposite sense releases the cramping effect.

It will be appreciated that with this mode of securing the support unit to the tray walls the support unit can be positioned on the tray at any desired position. Conveniently, the support unit would be positioned close to the wall 15 so that the latter will afford back support to the user. It will be understood that additional rails could be provided in the vicinity of the rail 24 to provide such back support. Any such rails can be conveniently carried by supports connecting with the element 4 and the rail 24.

In practice, the support unit would be so positioned that the user can readily operate the shower controls.

Referring now to Figure 2 this illustrates a seat unit 1 positioned upon a support unit 2. In the Figure the support unit is generally similar to that shown in Figure 1, except that the overhang aspect of the Figure 1 arrangements has been replaced by an auxilary frame section 33 pivotally connected to the end rail 23. Furthermore, for convenience the upper rail 25 has been omitted and the left hand ends of the tray and support unit have be omitted.

In addition those elements of Figure 2 that have been mentioned in relation to Figure 1 will be given the same reference numerals.

The auxilary frame section 33 comprises two side rails 34 and 35, and end rails 36 and 37, and is pivotally connected to the end rail 23 by a hinge arrangement 38 which allows the section 33 to be moved between a folded position (not shown) in which it overlies the adjacent ends of the support unit 2 and an extended position, shown in Figure 2, in which the rails 34 and 35 respectively align with and provide extensions to the rails 6 and 7.

The auxilary section 33 includes support means 39 including for example, a foot 40 carried upon leg 41 which is arranged automatically to move from a folded position to a support position on moving the section to the extended position. It will be understood that the support means 39 can be height adjustable. Since the support means could take a variety of forms it has only been schematically represented.

In the embodiment shown the support means moves under gravity between the open and closed positions. If desired mechanical linkages (not shown) could be provided to operate the support means simultaneously with the movement of the auxilary frame section 33.

The seat unit 1 comprises a framework 42 having a rectangular top frame part 43 supported by four legs 44 which are interconnected by pairs of stretchers 45 and 46.

A wheel 8 is provided at the lower end region of each leg 44. Each wheel 8 has a guide rail engaging part 47 and side flanges 48. With this arrangement the seat unit 1 is intended to be engaged with the support unit 2 so that the wheels engage with the rails 6 and 7. This is effected with the upper rails 24 and 25 removed. After mounting the seat unit on the rails 6 and 7 the rails 24 and 25 are replaced and are set so that the lower edges of the rails 27 and 28 enter between the wheel side flanges 48.

In other words the depth of the slots 29 is less than the diameter of the wheel flanges. It will be understood that alternative arrangements can be provided for holding the wheels on the rails 6 and 7, and as will be discussed later, Figure 3 shows an alternative method.

The seat unit 1 is additionally provided with stop plates 49 which engage with the end rail 37 of the extension to ensure that the seat unit cannot derail be slipping off the ends of the rails 34 and 35.

The end rail 23, and the rail 36 of the extension are slotted as at 50 to allow passage of these tops 49.

A seat plate 51 is provided upon the top of the seat frame, the plate being suitably padded or profiled to aid comfortable support to the user.

A side flap 52 of rectangular shape is pivotally connected to the top frame 43 or if thought more convenient to the seat plate 51. This flap 52, which is shown as though it is transparent in the Figure to aid the illustration of the seat unit is intended to be positionally adjustable between a horizontal position in which it provides an essentially co-planar extension to the seat plate 51 and a lowered position in which it hangs down in a substantially vertical position with the free lower edge 53 entering into the tray 3.

In practice the length of the flap is such that it supports the calves of the user's legs whilst leaving the heels free, that is, clear of the lower edge.

Since the function of the flap is to support the legs the surface thereof would in practice be padded or profiled to assist in the comfortable support.

The flap is on the side of the seat unit facing towards the tray since the person using the apparatus faces in a direction transverse to the movement of the seat unit.

The flap is displaced with respect to the seat unit 1 by a lifting mechanism which is schematically shown in Figures 3 and 4.

This lifting mechanism includes a lever arm 54 rigidly connected to a gear plate 55 journalled on a shaft 56 rotatably mounted on a support bracket or housing 57 which is connected at a convenient location to the seat unit. In the Figures 3 and 4 the bracket or housing 57 is shown attached to the underside of the seat plate.

The gear plate 55 is rotated by way of a pinion 58 journalled in the bracket or housing and coupled to be rotated by a handle 59 which projects outwardly of the side of the seat unit.

Conveniently the pinion shaft can be such that the handle can be engaged from either side of the seat unit. The handle will, in practice be supported by support means (not shown) provided at suitable positions along the length thereof.

The free end of the lever arm 54 carries a shaft 60 which extends transversely of the lever arm and parallel to the pivotal axis of the gear plate 55, the shaft 60 carries rollers 61 located one to each end thereof which engage with guide rails 62 which are provided on the underside of the flap 52.

In use rotation of the handle 59 will move the flap between a horizontal position depicted in chain/dot lines to a fully lowered position shown in dashed lines and which is nearly vertical. An intermediate setting is shown in full lines.

It will be understood that- the pivoting mechanism is such that the flap remains in any position into which it is arranged. This can be attained by suitable frictional loading of the gear drive or by pawl devices.

Figure 3 also illustrates a modified form of a rail assembly for holding the seat unit in position upon the support rail 2. In this modification an elongate guide rail housing 63 is provided along each side of the seat unit and bridges the legs to provide a box like closure for the wheels. The housing has a lower wall 64 which engages in a recess 65 beneath the rails 6 and 7 the latter being suitably spaced from the frame elements 9 and 10 by spacers 66. With this arrangement the wheels 8 are fully enclosed and the interengagement of the wall 64 in the associated recess 65 prevents the seat unit from disengaging from the support unit.

The seat unit is engaged with the support unit with the end rail removed, the latter being subsequently refitted.

The seat unit is located in any desired position along the support unit by engagement of a plunger or the like 67 with a selected one of apertures 32 as best shown in Figure 2.

The seat unit can be such as to be adjustable in height. Conveniently the height adjustment is attained by forming the seat framework 42 as a double frame unit (not shown) inclining one frame section carrying the wheels 8 and a second frame section carrying the seat unit. The two frame sections telescope one into the other and are securable with respect to each other at any of a number of possible securing settings according to the height required. This adjustment is intended to be one which is made in installation to suit the intended user of the unit. This mode of adjustment is thought to be preferable to one which the user can rest when sitting on the seat, in view of the possibility of accidental operation by an invalid user.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for aiding persons of impaired mobility in bathing, including a track structure, a seat unit comprising a seat carried by a seat support, the seat support having a framework adapted to carry the seat on an upper frame and having fixed transit wheels, the wheels being engageable with the track for movement therealong, means for preventing the seat unit from becoming disengaged from the track and means for attaching the track structure to a water receptacle so that the track extends across and projects beyond the receptacle on at least one side thereof, the seat unit being moveable along the track from a first position when in use at least partly outside the receptacle to permit an intended user to occupy the seat unit, to a second position which, in use, lies within the boundary of the receptacle.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 intended for use with a receptacle which comprises a water receiving tray of a shower bath, such receptacle having a pair of opposite side walls; in which the attaching means include means for attaching a track structure support means to the side walls.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the seat unit is so structured and engaged with the track that the direction of movement of the seat along the track is transverse to the direction in which the user is intended to face when occupying the seat in use.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which that part of the track structure extending outside the receptacle when in use is pivoted to enable it to be moved when not required for operation to a stowed position in order to leave that area outside the recptacle to which it is attached in use substantially clear of obstruction.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 further including support means for the pivoted portion of track structure, the support means being moveable into a supporting position as the pivoted portion of the track structure in moved into its operational position.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a leg support means carried by the seat unit.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 in which the leg support means include a flap hinged to the seat unit and means for adjusting the angular position of the flap relative to the seat unit.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the adjusting means includes a gear driven lever arrangement having a lever projecting from the seat unit, the lever having a free end co-operating with the flap.

9. Appartus as claimed in Claim 8 in which the gear driven lever arrangement includes a gear drive operable by a rotary handle.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any pre ceding claim in which the height of the seat unit is adjustable.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further including adjustable means for positively locating the seat unit in a selected one of a plurality of positions spaced apart along the track.

12. Apparatus for use with a bath, shower or like installation, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. latter being suitably spaced from the frame elements 9 and 10 by spacers 66. With this arrangement the wheels 8 are fully enclosed and the interengagement of the wall 64 in the associated recess 65 prevents the seat unit from disengaging from the support unit. The seat unit is engaged with the support unit with the end rail removed, the latter being subsequently refitted. The seat unit is located in any desired position along the support unit by engagement of a plunger or the like 67 with a selected one of apertures 32 as best shown in Figure 2. The seat unit can be such as to be adjustable in height. Conveniently the height adjustment is attained by forming the seat framework 42 as a double frame unit (not shown) inclining one frame section carrying the wheels 8 and a second frame section carrying the seat unit. The two frame sections telescope one into the other and are securable with respect to each other at any of a number of possible securing settings according to the height required. This adjustment is intended to be one which is made in installation to suit the intended user of the unit. This mode of adjustment is thought to be preferable to one which the user can rest when sitting on the seat, in view of the possibility of accidental operation by an invalid user. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for aiding persons of impaired mobility in bathing, including a track structure, a seat unit comprising a seat carried by a seat support, the seat support having a framework adapted to carry the seat on an upper frame and having fixed transit wheels, the wheels being engageable with the track for movement therealong, means for preventing the seat unit from becoming disengaged from the track and means for attaching the track structure to a water receptacle so that the track extends across and projects beyond the receptacle on at least one side thereof, the seat unit being moveable along the track from a first position when in use at least partly outside the receptacle to permit an intended user to occupy the seat unit, to a second position which, in use, lies within the boundary of the receptacle.