US3848274A

US3848274A - Inflatable bed pan

Info

Publication number: US3848274A
Application number: US00387303A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Oliver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-08-10
Filing date: 1973-08-10
Publication date: 1974-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-19

Abstract

An inflatable bed pan is substantially flat so as to be easily implaced under the buttocks of a bed-ridden patient, but is inflatable by a hand operated bulb to provide a semitoroidal shaped member for supporting such buttocks above the bed. A bottom member extends across the torus and forms a closed receptacle. The torus is interrupted to provide an exit passage, and a flap is associated with said exit passage for opening or closing the exit passage. Air inlet and air outlet means for inflating and deflating the device are also disclosed. The semitoroidal member is provided with a ring of foam rubber on its upper and inner sides.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Oliver Nov. 19, 1974 1 i INFLATABLE BED PAN [76] Inventor: Janet Oliver, 428 N. Kenwood, ""T' Hucke" Assistant Exammer-Stuart S. Levy Glendale, Callf. 91206 Attorney, Agent, or FlrmLyon and Lyon [22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1973 211 App]. No.: 387,303 [571 ABSTRACT An inflatable bed pan is substantially flat so as to be easily implaced under the buttocks of a bed-ridden paa t a a I a n a d l 1 5 8 vide a semitoroidal shaped member for supporting l o 25 l such buttocks above the bed. A bottom member extends across the torus and forms a closed receptacle. The torus is interrupted to provide an exit passage, [56] References cued and a flap is associated with said exit passage for UNITED STATES PATENTS opening or closing the exit passage. Air inlet and air 1,362,751 12/1920 Snyder 4/1 [3 outlet means for inflating and deflating the device are 2,750,600 6/ 1956 MacDonald a 4/113 also disclosed. The semitoroidal member is provided COUICI' a ring of foam rubber on upper and inner 3,514,793 6/1970 West 4/113 Sides 3,546,717 l2/l970 Kuhn 4/113 3,628,197 12/1971 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Leventhal 4/113 l INFLATABLE BED PAN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Inflatable bed pans have been disclosed heretofore,

but have failed to come into common usage for one reason or another. The main reason for the failure of the various prior art devices to find popularity, is that they are not primarily concerned, as is the present invention, with the comfort of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. A is a view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 2

sure flap in sealed condition.

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 2. i

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED I EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly. to the drawings, 10 indicates themain portion of the invention and is a generally semitoroidal shaped member formed of rubber, synthetic rubber or any elastic plastic material from which an inflatable-deflatable tube may be made.

inner'sides of member 10 as indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and serves as a wedge between the patient and direct contact with the pan. A sheet 12 of the same material as forms the member 10 stretches across the bottom of the device and makes it water-tight, a secondsheet of elastic material 13 also is stretched across the bottom and reinforces thesheet 12.,A ring 14 of foam rubber 2 In this condition it is stored and when it is desired to put it in use, it can be slid under a patient with a minimum of effort. Once in place, it is inflated by use of the squeeze-bulb 21, with the flap 19 closing when pressure is built-up in the member 10. After use it may be partially deflated through tube 22, the deflation beingcontrolled by pinch valve 23. The partially deflated device is then removed, emptied through opening 15, flap 16 being opened. After washing and drying the flap is put FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5showing the cloback into its original place, then the device is ready for reuse or storage.

While there has been described what at present is considered'a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the essence of the invention.-

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable bed pan comprising: asemitoroidal shaped airtight member having a bottom member stretched thereacross to close the bottom of the semitoroidal member; said semitoroidal member being interrupted at one point in its circumference to form a single discharge passage; a flap attached to said semitoroidal :member for closing said discharge passage said flap having locking means adjacent the extendedend thereof, .closure' means carried by said semitoroidal A ring 11 of foam rubber is attached to the upper and v means comprises an air tube adapted to communicatefor closing said air tube when said device is affixed to the sheet 13 for the purpose of preventing the device from sliding.v v The semitoroidal member 10 is interrupted as at 15, and a flap l6 normally stretches across the gap 15 and is held in closed position by buttons 17 located on either side of the discharge opening, whereby said buttons cooperate with receiving means 24in the extended end of the flap 16 asshown in FIG. 4. When the flap 16 is opened, the gap 15 permitsthe contents of the device to be removed. 1 Means for inflating the member 10 may consist of an inflating tube 18, normally closed by a flap 19 formed in the wall of member 10. The flap 19 is held in sealing position by 'air pressure in the member 10 (FIG. 5B). When it is desired to inflate the member 10 the tube 20 leading to a squeeze-bulb 21 is attached to tube 18. The squeeze-bulb 21 is like the one on a physicians sphyg momanometer and forms no part of the inventive concept.

For deflation of the device another opening is made in the member 10 and a tube 22 normally closed by pinch valve 23 is attached therein. (See FIG. 6.)

The device is normally deflated and substantially flat.

member on either side of said discharge passage and being adapted to cooperatewith said locking means to secure said flap in passage closing position; a ring of foam material attached to said semitoroidal member which serves as a wedge between the patient and direct contact with the pan; means for filling said member with air, and means for controllably deflating said member.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said filling with a squeeze-bulb and a flap attached to said air tube has built up sufficient air pressure'therein. I 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for controllably deflating comprises a deflating tube and a pinch valve for selectively controlling said deflat ing tube. l

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said filling means comprises an air tube adapted to communicate with a squeeze-bulb and a flap attached to said air tube for closing said air tube when said device has built up sufficient air pressure therein and means for controllably deflating comprises a deflating tube and a pinch valve for selectively controlling said deflating tube.

5. A device as set, forth in claim 1 in which the upper and inner portion of said semitoroidal member is provided with said .ring of foam material.

6. A device asset forth in claim 1 in which said filling means comprises an air tubeadapted to communicate with a squeeze-bulb and a flap attached to said air tube for closing said air tube when said device has built up sufiicient air pressure therein, the upper and inner portion of said semitoroidal member is provided with said ring of foam material.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said ring of foam material is constructed of foam rubber.

Claims

1. An inflatable bed pan comprising: a semitoroidal shaped airtight member having a bottom member stretched thereacross to close the bottom of the semitoroidal member; said semitoroidal member being interrupted at one point in its circumference to form a single discharge passage; a flap attached to said semitoroidal member for closing said discharge passage said flap having locking means adjacent the extended end thereof, closure means carried by said semitoroidal member on either side of said discharge passage and being adapted to cooperate with said locking means to secure said flap in passage closing position; a ring of foam material attached to said semitoroidal member which serves as a wedge between the patient and direct contact with the pan; means for filling said member with air, and means for controllably deflating said member.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said filling means comprises an air tube adapted to communicate with a squeeze-bulb and a flap attached to said air tube for closing said air tube when said device has built up sufficient air pressure therein.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for controllably deflating comprises a deflating tube and a pinch valve for selectively controlling said deflating tube.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the upper and inner portion of said semitoroidal member is provided with said ring of foam material.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said filling means comprises an air tube adapted to communicate with a squeeze-bulb and a flap attached to said air tube for closing said air tube when said device has built up sufficient air pressure therein, the upper and inner portion of said semitoroidal member is provided with said ring of foam material.