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WO2005032319A1 - Baignoire amelioree - Google Patents

Baignoire amelioree Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005032319A1
WO2005032319A1 PCT/GB2004/004138 GB2004004138W WO2005032319A1 WO 2005032319 A1 WO2005032319 A1 WO 2005032319A1 GB 2004004138 W GB2004004138 W GB 2004004138W WO 2005032319 A1 WO2005032319 A1 WO 2005032319A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bath
footwell
user
rim
seat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2004/004138
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alan Browne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0322959A external-priority patent/GB0322959D0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2005032319A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005032319A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
    • E03C1/22—Outlet devices mounted in basins, baths, or sinks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/02—Baths
    • A47K3/022—Baths specially adapted for particular use, e.g. for washing the feet, for bathing in sitting position

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a bath. It is particularly suitable, but by no means limited, for use by the disabled, elderly, infirm, or those suffering from restricted movement.
  • One such bathing aid comprises a seat that is lifted into a conventional bath and placed on the base ⁇ of the bath for the user to sit on. Whilst such a seat provides a more comfortable seating position for the user than simply the flat base of the bath, it will be appreciated that the seat needs to be lifted into the bath when required, and then removed if other users of the bath do not require it. Lifting the seat into and out of the bath may itself be impossible or very awkward for less able people. Furthermore, when the seat is out of the bath, it requires space in which to store it, and such space may be unavailable - particularly in retirement accommodation where space is at a premium.
  • a further problem associated with such a seat is that the user must fill the bath to a greater depth of water than conventionally, in order for the water to reach the user's body.
  • Running extra water adds to the cost to the user of each bathtime, and this additional cost may be unaffordable to the elderly. As a consequence, the user may find it necessary to take fewer baths than they would otherwise desire. Additionally, running extra water increases the time required to prepare the bath for use, and hot water may cool down whilst the user is waiting for the bath to fill to an appropriate level.
  • Other bathing aids incorporate electrical devices to assist in lowering the user into the bath, and subsequently lifting them out again.
  • Examples of such devices include motorised seats and hoists, and an inflatable/deflatable cushion or bladder that is placed beneath the user and then inflated or deflated as appropriate.
  • Such devices consume electrical power and may consequently be unaffordable for the user to run. They may also be unsuitable for people over a certain weight limit (e.g. 20 stone for a known commercially- available hoist which employs a motorised strap to raise or lower the user).
  • Devices which incorporate an inflatable/deflatable cushion or bladder may be cumbersome and awkward to use, and displace water when inflated, which can lead to the inadvertent overflow of water from the bath.
  • Baths for the less able have been designed which incorporate comparatively high side walls (of the order of 1 metre or more in height) and typically include a seat moulded into a side wall of the bath. Since the side walls are high, such a bath typically incorporates an access door. However, a consequence of this is that the user is required to enter the bath and close the access door prior to filling the bath with water. Thus the user cannot pre-fill the bath and then enter it to bathe. Also, when the user has finished bathing, it is necessary to allow the dirty bathwater to drain from the bath before the access door can be opened. As a consequence, the dirty bathwater drains over the user's body whilst the user remains in the bath, which is undesirable for many users.
  • the user's unclothed body may also get cold whilst waiting for the high-walled bath to fill or empty, which may lead to or exacerbate health problems with the elderly or infirm.
  • As more water is required to fill a high-walled bath than a conventional bath not only is filling the bath more time consuming and costly, but the water may cool inside the bath whilst the user is waiting for it to fill to an appropriate level.
  • the doors and water-tight seals of a high-walled bath add to its cost. Since the bath is not of a conventional size and shape, installation is not necessarily straightforward and the user's bathroom may need to be redesigned and altered to accommodate the bath unit.
  • a bath comprising a side wall, a base, and a rim extending at least partly around the top of the side wall, wherein: the base incorporates a footwell; the rim incorporates a seat; and the top of a side wall is profiled to incorporate a recess for a user to manoeuvre their feet through.
  • footwell as used herein should be interpreted broadly, to include any depression or sunken region in the base of the bath, the footwell being of sufficient size to accommodate the user's feet.
  • Providing a footwell in the base of the bath facilitates getting in to and out of the bath.
  • the footwell enables the user to manoeuvre his or her legs into the bath, step into the footwell and then sit down onto the base of the bath alongside the footwell. If the user suffers from restricted mobility, he can bathe in this substantially chair-like seated position, with his knees bent and his feet and lower parts of his legs in the footwell. Alternatively, he can stretch his legs over the top of the footwell, adopting a more conventional bathing position in the bath.
  • the footwell is an integral part of the bath, it is always in place and ready for use. This provides clear advantages over the prior art seat which is stored elsewhere and then lifted into and out of the bath as required. Since the footwell has a small volume in comparison with the rest of the bath, filling the footwell does not unduly extend the time required to fill the bath to the desired level, or the cost in so doing. In contrast to the mechanical or pneumatic mobility devices of the prior art, the footwell is straightforward to use, can be engineered to support heavy people, does not require a power supply to function and cannot malfunction.
  • the bath of the present invention may have substantially the same footprint area as a conventional bath, thereby enabling it to replace a conventional bath without the need for the bathroom to be redesigned or rebuilt to accommodate it.
  • a further advantage is that a baby or young child may be bathed substantially entirely within the footwell, thereby negating the need to obtain a baby bath (which relatively quickly ceases to be useful when the baby or child has grown out of it).
  • the seat may be integrally formed in the rim.
  • the seat advantageously enables the user to sit on the seat and then manoeuvre their legs into the bath.
  • the rim may be widened to form the seat.
  • the bath may comprise a rotatable (and optionally height-adjustable) seat mounted on the rim, to further facilitate the user manoeuvring their body into the bath.
  • the shape and position of the recess are preferably ergonomically designed to complement and cooperate with the positions of the seat and footwell.
  • the bath further comprises a drainage outlet incorporated in the footwell.
  • the drainage outlet may be incorporated at the bottom of a side wall of the footwell, advantageously enabling the use of a substantially horizontal drainage pipe which provides a more compact configuration of pipework than a vertical pipe.
  • the bottom surface of the footwell may be inclined so that, in use, water in the footwell drains towards the drainage outlet.
  • the bath further comprises a valve in communication with the drainage outlet.
  • the valve may advantageously be remotely operated, aiding those users of limited mobility.
  • the valve may be incorporated in an outlet pipe in communication with the drainage outlet, the outlet pipe extending substantially horizontally from the drainage outlet and thereby providing a compact collinear "in-line" configuration of the outlet, pipe and valve.
  • Operating means for opening or closing the valve may be provided on a rim of the bath.
  • the operating means may comprise a handle that may be connected to the valve by a mechanical linkage. This provides a reliable drainage mechanism that may be operated by a user without needing to reach down towards the bottom of the bath in order to remove a conventional plug.
  • the bath further comprises a self-sealing waste valve in communication with the drainage outlet. This advantageously prevents any waste water from passing from the drainage pipes into the bath when the user-operable valve is open.
  • the bath further comprises one or more support members arranged to support the bath. At least some of these support members are preferably arranged to support the base of the bath aside from the footwell.
  • One or more taps may be mounted on a rim extending at least partly around the top of the side wall of the bath.
  • a removable cover member shaped and configured to cover the footwell, may be supplied to enable the bath to be used without the footwell being open - for example when the bath is being used by a fully able-bodied person.
  • the removable cover member preferably incorporates one or more drainage apertures to enable the bath water to drain through a drainage outlet in the footwell.
  • a removable insert member may be supplied that is shaped and configured to be positioned within the footwell and thereby effectively raise the base of the footwell. This may be used to adjust the depth of the footwell to suit the user, or when bathing a very small baby within the footwell.
  • This removable insert member may also incorporate one or more drainage apertures.
  • the bath may further comprise one or more handles to assist a user in entering or leaving the bath in use.
  • a method of entering a bath by a user comprising the steps of: sitting on a seat incorporated on the rim of the bath; manoeuvring the user's feet through a recess at the top of a side wall of the bath; standing in a footwell incorporated in the base of the bath; and sitting in the bath.
  • a method of leaving a bath by a user comprising the steps of: standing in a footwell incorporated in the base of the bath; sitting on a seat incorporated on the rim of the bath; and manoeuvring the user's feet through a recess at the top of a side wall of the bath.
  • Embodiments of the various aspects of the present invention may be fabricated from pressed steel or fibreglass, or other suitable materials.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a plan view from above of a bath embodying the invention
  • Figure 2 is a version of Figure 1 including example dimensions
  • Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional side view through the bath of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a version of Figure 3 including example dimensions
  • Figure 5 illustrates a preferred "in-line" drainage arrangement for use with the bath
  • Figure 6 illustrates a possible configuration of the drainage outlet of the bath.
  • Figures 2 and 4 are in millimetres, and are provided by way of example only, as the bath may be constructed in different sizes.
  • the bath 10 is substantially of the proportions of a conventional rectangular bath, having a length to width ratio of very approximately 2:1. This enables the bath 10 to be fitted in place of a conventional bath, without the bathroom needing to be substantially redesigned or altered to accommodate it.
  • the bath may be manufactured from pressed steel, moulded from fibreglass, or made from any other suitable material (or combination of materials) selected by a materials expert.
  • the bath 10 incorporates several features to aid a bather of restricted mobility. Firstly, a footwell 12 is incorporated in the base 14, 16.
  • the footwell 12 is preferably formed as an integral part of the bath. As illustrated, the footwell is preferably located substantially in the centre of the base of the bath.
  • the footwell 12 is shaped and positioned such that the user can step into the footwell 12 and then sit down onto the base area 14, 16 of the bath in a substantially chair-like manner.
  • the depth of the footwell is chosen to facilitate the user adopting a chair-like seated position (and subsequently standing up from such a seated position) in which their legs pass in front of a wall of the footwell (e.g. wall 20 or 22) and their bottom sits on the corresponding adjacent base area (area 14 or 16 respectively) of the bath. If desired, the user can then extend their legs over the footwell 12 onto the opposite base area (area 16 or 14 respectively).
  • the user can bathe in a seated position with their knees bent and their feet in the footwell, which may be desired by the elderly and infirm.
  • a footwell 12 not only makes it easier for the elderly, infirm or disabled to enter the bath, but it also makes it easier for them to get out of the bath afterwards. Leaving the bath is essentially accomplished in the reverse manner to entering it. From a bathing position, the user first moves their feet into the footwell 12 and then stands up in the footwell. They can then step out of the footwell 12 onto the base 14, 16 of the bath, and then out of the bath.
  • Handles may be provided around the edges of the bath to further assist the user with getting into the bath, sitting down, standing up, and getting out afterwards.
  • the drainage outlet 24 of the bath is provided at the bottom of the footwell 12, this being the lowest point in the bath.
  • a conventional plughole could be incorporated in the bottom surface 18 of the footwell 12. However, this would necessitate pipework extending beneath the footwell, which would either require the bath to be entirely supported above the floor, or for the pipework to run into the floor. Therefore, in the presently preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the drainage outlet 24 is not incorporated in the bottom surface 18, but instead is at the bottom of the front wall 22 of the footwell.
  • the front wall 22 of the footwell 12 extends further downwards than the back wall 20 of the footwell, such that the base 18 of the footwell is inclined towards the drainage outlet 24, thereby facilitating drainage of water.
  • in-line drainage arrangement may be employed as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.
  • This "in- line” arrangement preferably incorporates a ball valve 26 in communication with the outlet 24 via a pipe 25 (although other types of valves are possible, which may be remotely activated).
  • the ball valve 26 is also in communication with an outlet pipe 27 for conveying waste water away from the bath.
  • pipe 25 becomes communicatively connected to pipe 27 and water can then drain from the bath.
  • the ball valve 26 is closed, the bath can be filled.
  • the ball valve 26 is operated using a handle 32 mounted on the rim 35 of the bath.
  • the handle 32 is connected to the ball valve 26 by a mechanical linkage 34 (e.g. a metal rod), and in the example shown in the figures the handle 32 rotates about the axis of the linkage rod 34.
  • a mechanical linkage 34 e.g. a metal rod
  • Ball valves as used for swimming pools are suitable for this application, and a presently preferred valve is the double union 1.5 inch (38 mm) PPF120 ball valve supplied by Plastica Limited of Hastings, East Canal, UK.
  • a self-sealing one-way valve 28 (and further pipework 29 leading towards the drain or sewer 30) may be also be provided to prevent any waste water from entering the bath when the ball valve 26 is left open.
  • a pump may also be employed to aid drainage of water from the bath.
  • the drainage outlet 24 may incorporate a plurality of apertures 23 in communication with the outlet pipe 25.
  • the outlet 24 is positioned at the bottom of the footwell 12, with the apertures 23 extending to the bottom of wall 22 and meeting the base 18 of the footwell, to enable all the water in the footwell to be drained.
  • the upper rim 35 of the bath may incorporate a number of advantageous features. Firstly, the rim may be widened (and reinforced if necessary) to provide a seat area 36, to support the user's weight and assist them in manoeuvring their legs into or out of the bath. This seat area 36 may have a ribbed upper surface to provide rigidity and to prevent the user slipping, particularly while wet.
  • the seat area 36 is at a height appropriate to enable a user to easily sit on it without substantially bending. That is to say, a user can essentially rest his bottom onto the seat area 36, and from there manoeuvre his legs over the side wall of the bath.
  • the bath may optionally further comprise a rotatable and/or height adjustable seat 38, mounted on a shaft 39.
  • This seat 38 is preferably substantially of the type commonly found in photo booths, in that it may be rotated and, through doing so, its height may be adjusted.
  • the user may sit on the seat 38 to manoeuvre himself into or out of the bath.
  • the seat 38 may be rotated as part of this manoeuvre, to further facilitate the user's movement into or out of the bath.
  • the height of the seat 38 may be adjusted to suit the user's height.
  • a hole is provided in the rim of the bath to accommodate the shaft 39 of the seat 38. If the seat 38 is not supplied or used, this hole may be covered by a cap.
  • the upper rim of the bath also incorporates a recess 40 shaped, configured and positioned to aid the user when manoeuvring their feet and legs over the edge of the bath.
  • the recess 40 is positioned on the same side of the bath as the seat(s) 36 and/or 38, at an appropriate distance from the seat to enable the user to manoeuvre their feet and legs through the recess whilst remaining seated.
  • the recess 40 is also positioned to enable the user to manoeuvre their feet into the footwell 12 as easily as possible. The shape and position of the recess 40 aids the user with both entering and leaving the bath.
  • the seat(s) 36 and/or 38, the recess 40 and the footwell 12 cooperate synergistically to facilitate the user's entry into, and exit from, the bath.
  • One or more taps 50 may also be provided on the rim 35 of the bath.
  • the taps are preferably of a form designed for use by the elderly, infirm or disabled.
  • a plurality of support members 42, 44, 46, 48 are provided. These are preferably made of metal and are arranged to support the base regions 14, 16 of the bath. Further supports may be provided to support the rim 35.
  • the footwell 12 may rest directly on the bathroom floor, or may itself be supported by further supports.
  • a removable cover, shaped and configured to cover the footwell 12, may be supplied to enable the bath to be used without the footwell being open - for example when the bath is being used by a fully able-bodied person.
  • the removable cover preferably incorporates one or more drainage apertures to enable the bath water to drain through to the drainage outlet 24 in the footwell.
  • a removable insert member may also be supplied that is shaped and configured to be positioned within the footwell and thereby effectively raise its base 18. This may be used to adjust the depth of the footwell to suit the user, or when bathing very small babies within the footwell.
  • the removable insert member also preferably incorporates one or more drainage apertures to enable the bath water to drain through to the drainage outlet 24.
  • a bath has been described that can be installed as, or in place of, a conventional bath.
  • the bath is a user-friendly product having reshaped contours on the side, one or more wide edges and a footwell, which are beneficial to the physically fit as well as the less agile.
  • the bath is preferably constructed from pressed steel to withstand any extra stresses placed upon it in use, but fibreglass (or other materials) may also be used with appropriate supports.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une baignoire comprenant une paroi latérale, une base et un bord s'étendant au moins partiellement autour de la partie supérieure de la paroi latérale, cette baignoire étant caractérisée en ce que la base comprend un logement pour les pieds, en ce que le bord comprend un siège et en ce que la partie supérieure d'une paroi latérale est profilée de façon à comprendre un évidement à travers lequel un utilisateur peut passer ses pieds. Cette baignoire présente de préférence une forme et une configuration telles que, lors de l'utilisation, un utilisateur puisse enjamber la paroi latérale de la baignoire, se tenir debout dans le logement pour les pieds, puis s'asseoir sur la base de la baignoire. Un orifice d'évacuation peut être incorporé dans le logement pour les pieds. De préférence, la baignoire selon l'invention comprend en outre une soupape en communication avec l'orifice d'évacuation. Cette soupape peut être incorporée dans un tuyau de sortie s'étendant sensiblement horizontalement à partir de l'orifice d'évacuation. Une poignée d'actionnement de la soupape peut être placée sur le bord de la baignoire.
PCT/GB2004/004138 2003-10-01 2004-09-29 Baignoire amelioree Ceased WO2005032319A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0322959.8 2003-10-01
GB0322959A GB0322959D0 (en) 2003-10-01 2003-10-01 Easy access bath
GB0409338A GB2406512B (en) 2003-10-01 2004-04-27 Improved bath
GB0409338.1 2004-04-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005032319A1 true WO2005032319A1 (fr) 2005-04-14

Family

ID=34424885

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2004/004138 Ceased WO2005032319A1 (fr) 2003-10-01 2004-09-29 Baignoire amelioree

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2005032319A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007071823A1 (fr) * 2005-12-22 2007-06-28 Ido Kylpyhuone Oy Baignoire
EP2153764A3 (fr) * 2008-08-15 2012-01-04 Masco Bath Corporation Système de baignoire

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR806880A (fr) * 1935-05-28 1936-12-28 Baignoire à paroi interrompue
FR1254090A (fr) * 1960-03-26 1961-02-17 Baignoire réduite amovible
DE1800532A1 (de) * 1968-10-02 1970-07-02 Loewe Andreas Badewanne
DE2436850A1 (de) * 1974-07-31 1976-02-12 Berthold & Sutter Wanne fuer unterwassermassage
EP0098757A1 (fr) * 1982-05-13 1984-01-18 Serge Hurel Dispositif de remplissage, de vidange et déversoir par le fond des contenants
GB2243078A (en) * 1990-04-04 1991-10-23 Peter Butterworth Bath
WO1998033423A1 (fr) * 1997-01-29 1998-08-06 Kolar Petr Baignoire polyvalente
JPH11192278A (ja) * 1998-01-05 1999-07-21 Og Giken Co Ltd 移動・置き式簡易浴槽
GB2334438A (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-25 Robert Nailer Circular sliding door for a bath tub

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR806880A (fr) * 1935-05-28 1936-12-28 Baignoire à paroi interrompue
FR1254090A (fr) * 1960-03-26 1961-02-17 Baignoire réduite amovible
DE1800532A1 (de) * 1968-10-02 1970-07-02 Loewe Andreas Badewanne
DE2436850A1 (de) * 1974-07-31 1976-02-12 Berthold & Sutter Wanne fuer unterwassermassage
EP0098757A1 (fr) * 1982-05-13 1984-01-18 Serge Hurel Dispositif de remplissage, de vidange et déversoir par le fond des contenants
GB2243078A (en) * 1990-04-04 1991-10-23 Peter Butterworth Bath
WO1998033423A1 (fr) * 1997-01-29 1998-08-06 Kolar Petr Baignoire polyvalente
JPH11192278A (ja) * 1998-01-05 1999-07-21 Og Giken Co Ltd 移動・置き式簡易浴槽
GB2334438A (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-25 Robert Nailer Circular sliding door for a bath tub

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 12 29 October 1999 (1999-10-29) *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007071823A1 (fr) * 2005-12-22 2007-06-28 Ido Kylpyhuone Oy Baignoire
EP2153764A3 (fr) * 2008-08-15 2012-01-04 Masco Bath Corporation Système de baignoire

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