CA2009357C - Bathtub seat - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A chair assembly for use in a bath tub includes a framework adapted for mounting on the bath tub, which framework includes two horizontal rails arranged to extend transversely of the bath tub from a lip of one side wall thereof, and a generally horizontal seat with a central opening formed therein. The seat is supported on the two rails so that the seat can move transversely of the bath tub on these rails. The seat is rotatably connected to the seat supporting mechanism so that the seat is free to rotate about a vertical axis. The central opening and supporting mechanism for the seat are arranged and constructed to permit ready access to the rear and genital areas of a user seated in the chair assembly for cleaning and washing thereof. When the chair assembly is mounted on the bath tub, a space is provided between the lip of the tub and end sections of the two rails adjacent to the lip to permit passage of a hanging shower curtain therebetween. The two transverse rails are supported preferably by longitudinally extending, horizontal rails spaced from said one side wall of the tub. The seat support includes a carriage member having wheels rotatably mounted thereon. These wheels engage the horizontal, transverse rails.

Description

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This invention relates to seats or supporting devices for use in a bath tub.
Devices in the form of special chairs or seats are known to assist elderly and infirm people or the disabled when taking a bath or shower in a normal household bathing facility or bath tub while still permitting the facility to be used in the normal manner, for example, by removal of the seat or support. Some of the known seating arrangements are movable horizontally to enable a person or user to be shifted from a position at the edge of the bath tub to a central location , above the bath tub.
", In Canadian Patent No. 1,085,553 issued September 16, 1980, the seat is mounted so high above the bath tub that it may be difficult for some elderly or infirm persons to move :~ 15 or to be moved from a position at the edge of the tub to a position inside the bath tub or vice versa. The chair unit also extends over the edge of the bath tub from where access to the tub is gained, making it impossible to draw the shower curtain in the normal manner and this makes it difficult to use the shower facility normally found with a bath tub. The ~, chair itself is also so large that a large area of the body could be difficult to bathe.
U.S. Patent No. 4,168,549 issued September 25, 1979 to John H. Davies describes and illustrates two versions of a ~;?! 25 bath seat, the supporting structure of which extends over the edge of the bath tub on one side. In one lightweight version that can be folded and stored away, the seat is movable on two horizontally extending members that form a track. The seat ... ~
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has a horizontal base with a central hole and an arm rest on one side. The back and the base are mounted on tubular members and there are runners mounted on the tubular members, preferably made of low friction material so that the seat can slide on the track members. One difficulty with this known seat is that it is not rotatable so it may be difficult for some users to use.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a - chair assembly for use in a bath tub comprises frame means adapted for mounting on the bath tub, these frame means including horizontal rail means arranged to extend transversely of the bath tub from a lip of one side wall thereof, and a generally horizontal seat with a central opening formed therein. There is a mechanism for supporting ; 15 the seat on the rails so that the seat can move transversely of the bath tub on the rails. There are also means for rotatably connecting the seat to the supporting mechanism so that the seat is free to rotate about a generally vertical axis. The central opening, the supporting mechanism and the .:~
connecting means are arranged and constructed to permit ready access to the rear and genital areas of a user seated in the chair assembly for cleaning and washing thereof.
- Preferably, the supporting mechanlsm includes a carriage member having wheels rotatably mounted thereon, these wheels engaging the horizontal rails. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the carriage member has a teflon layer on top , ...
thereof to assist rotation of the seat.
; According to another aspect of the invention, a ., ..

, , ~ - ., .~ . , - ~- , chair assembly for use in a bath tub includes frame means adapted for mounting on the bath tub, these frame means including horizontal rail means arranged to extend ` transversely of the bath tub from a lip on one side wall thereof and means for supporting these rail means, and a generally horizontal seat. There are also means for movably - mounting the seat on the rail means so that the seat can move transversely of the bath tub on the rail means. When the , chair assembly is mounted on the bath tub, a space is provided between the lip and end sections of the rail means adjacent to the lip to permit passage of a hanging shower curtain therebetween.
Preferably, the aforementioned supporting means includes longitudinally extending, horizontal rails spaced lS from the one side wall of the bath tub. The preferred supporting means enables a hanging shower curtain to be drawn in use between adjacent end sections of the horizontal rail means which extend transversely and the side of the bath tub.
Because the shower curtain can be used, the spray from the shower will not escape from the bath tub.
Further features and advantages will become apparent .~ from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a shower and bath tub and a chair assembly constructed in accordance with the invention;
,., ~ Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the various .
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parts and components of the chair assembly of the invention;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the aforementioned chair assembly; and Figure 4 is an end elevation of this chair assembly.
In the drawings, the chair assembly or shower bath unit of the invention is indicated generally at 22. This , assembly 22 is designed for use in and on a bath tub 24, ~" usually provided in conjunction with a faucet 26 and possibly ', a shower apparatus 28. The chair assembly includes frame means indicated generally at 30 adapted for mounting on the '" bath tub 24 and in particular for mounting on side walls 32 and 34 of the bath tub. The frame means 30 includes horizontal rail means comprising two rails 9 arranged to extend transversely of the bath tub from a lip 36 of the side wall 32. The frame means 30 further includes longitudinally ,~, extending, horizontal rails 2 which can be made of lightweight aluminum. There are also two end support units 1 which form part of the frame means and which support the ends of the rails 2. These end units span the width of the bath tub and have end projections 38 which rest on the tops of the two side ~, walls. The right hand support unit 1 shown in Figure 2 is fastened to the two rails 2 by means of brackets 3 while the left hand support unit 1 has two holes 40 to receive the ends ... .
:' of the rails 2. The left hand support unit 1 is adjustably , 25 fastened to the rails by means of angle brackets 4 and grub ,. screws 5. Thus, the position of the left hand unit 1 with respect to the rails 2 can be adjusted to take into account d,ifferent bath tub lengths.

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`` 2009357 The chair assembly of the invention includes a seat ; 18 which is part of a seat assembly 17. There are means for mounting the seat 18 and the transverse rails 9 on the horizontal rails 2 for movement longitudinally of the bath tub. The preferred mounting means comprise two saddle units 7 which are mounted so that they roll along the rails 2. The preferred saddle unit 7 comprises a rectangular metal plate - that has been bent twice near the centre to form a U-shaped member (see Figure 2). Rotatably mounted on each saddle unit are four wheels 6, two positioned below the respective rail 2 and two positioned above the rail. The wheels are connected by suitable bolts 8 that extend through both sides of the ; saddle unit. The wheels are spaced as shown in Figure 2 to ~ prevent the saddle unit from tipping forward or backward in `~ 15 use. The channel-shaped rails 9 are each fastened to the top ~ of the saddle units 7 by means of bolts 10. The open side of `~ each channel rail 9 faces inwardly as shown in Figure 2 in ~ order to form the necessary track for wheels 11 rotatably i:i mounted on a carriage member 12.
:~ 20 The carriage member 12 forms means for supporting the seat 18 on the horizontal rails 9 so that the seat can move transversely of the bath tub on these rails. The carriage member 12 as shown comprises a rectangular metal plate that has been bent twice to form a generally U-shaped member. The aforemencioned wheels 11 are rotatably mounted on . .
: the outside of the vertical sides of this carriage member.
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Long axles 13 which extend through both vertical walls of the , ~ carriage member are used to attach the wheels 11.
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There are means for rotatably connecting the seat 18 to the carriage member 12 so that the seat is free to rotate about a generally vertical axis. These connecting means include a seat bracket 17 which can be formed from a rectangular plate bent several times in the manner shown in Figure 2. There is also a pivot pin member or spigot 16 which extends through a hole 42 formed in the centre of the bracket 17. The pivot pin 16 is peined over (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) to connect its upper end to the bracket 17. It will be ~- 10 particularly noted that the seat bracket 17 has a central section 44 which is spaced a distance below the seat, this distance D being indicated in Figure 3. The distance D is , sufficient to permit ready access to the rear and genital , areas of a user through a large central hole 46 formed by the seat 18. This access is useful for cleaning these areas since often it is difficult to raise the person, who may be an invalid, off the seat in order to clean these areas. The seat 3 18, which may be padded and covered with a water resistant material, is attached by screws 19 to two outer sections 48 of the bracket. The spigot or pin member 16 extends through a : hole 50 in the top of the carriage and is free to rotate s~ therein. The bottom end of the spigot 16 is supported by a bracket that extends across the bottom of the carriage 12 and a cotter pin 20 is inserted through a hole in the bottom of '~3 25 the spigot to prevent the seat and seat bracket 17 from being detached from the carriage 12.
sS Preferably a sheet of friction reducing material is attached to the top of the carriage 12 and a second sheet is ~r, 6 -, ~

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also attached to the bottom of the bracket 17 (as indicated in Figure 2) in order to render the seat 18 easy to rotate or turn on. The preferred form of friction reducing material is ~ Teflon (trade mark). A 1/16" thick sheet of Teflon can be -~ 5 rivetted to the top of the carriage 12 with 1/8" counter sunk rivets 15 to make the lower bearing surface. A similar sheet of Teflon 14 is rivetted to the bottom of the seat assembly or bracket 17.
It will be particulary noted from Figure 1 of the , 10 drawings that, when the chair assembly 22 is mounted on the bath tub, a space 60 is provided between the lip 36 and end sections 62 of the rails 9. This space 60 permits passage of the usual hanging shower curtain (not shown) between the lip and the end sections of the rails. Thus a shower curtain can ~, lS be used in the usual manner to prevent water from spraying out of the bath tub and on to the adjacent floor.
It will be seen that the chair assembly described herein has a number of advantages. The seat 18 is movable on . .~
rails both transversely and longitudinally of the bath tub so that it is easy to move the patient, invalid, or other user as required over the tub. Furthermore, the seat 18 is able to ~ pivot through 90 to right or left (from the position shown in ;1 Figure 1) to align with the longltudlnal axls of the bath tub.
; The supportlng mechanism or frame means for the chair assembly ` 25 permits a shower curtain to be used in the usual manner .,:~
xl without shower spray escaping from the tub. Also, the chair assembly can be made reasonably light and compact so that the assembly can be moved into or out of position as desired.
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Thus when the chair assembly is no longer required, it can be moved from the bath tub so that the bath tub can be used in the ordinary manner.
; Preferably, the various components that make up the chair assembly of the invention are made from non-ferrous materials in order that they will not rust under damp and wet conditions. Such materials as acrylics, aluminum, nylon and Teflon can be used.
If desired, simple means can be provided to restrain movement of the seat 18 at any point along the transverse . rails.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the , construction of invalid chair assemblies that various modifications and changes to the chair assembly described ~:~ 15 herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, all such modification and .:~
` changes as fall within the scope of the appended claims are `; intended to be part of this invention.
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Claims (20)

1. A chair assembly for use in a bath tub comprising:
frame means adapted for mounting on said bath tub, said frame means including horizontal rail means arranged to extend transversely of said bath tub from a lip of one side wall thereof;
a generally horizontal seat with a central opening formed therein;
means for supporting said seat on said rail means so that said seat can move transversely of said bath tub on said rail means; and means for rotatably connecting said seat to said supporting means so that said seat is free to rotate about a generally vertical axis, wherein said central opening, supporting means, and said connecting means are arranged and constructed to permit ready access to the rear and genital areas of a user seated in the chair assembly for cleaning and washing thereof.

2. A chair assembly according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a carriage member having wheels rotatably mounted thereon, said wheels engaging said horizontal rail means.

3. A chair assembly according to claim 2 wherein said carriage member has a Teflon* layer on top thereof to assist rotation of said seat.
* trade mark

4. A chair assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said connecting means includes a seat bracket connected to said seat and a pivot pin member connected to both said bracket and said supporting means.

5. A chair assembly according to claim 2 wherein said connecting means includes a seat bracket connected to said seat and a pivot pin member connected to a central section of said bracket and to said carriage member, said central section of said bracket being spaced a sufficient distance below said seat to permit said ready access to the rear and genital areas of a user.

6. A chair assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said seat is padded and covered with vinyl material.

7. A chair assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said frame means includes longitudinally extending, horizontal rails and means for mounting said seat and transverse rail means on said horizontal rails for movement longitudinally of the bath tub.

8. A chair assembly according to claim 5 wherein said pivot pin member is a spigot that is rotatably mounted in a hole in the centre of the carriage member.

9. A chair assembly according to claim 5 wherein there are Teflon* layers on top of said carriage member and on a * trade mark bottom of said central section of said bracket to assist rotation of said seat.

10. A chair assembly according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said frame means includes longitudinally extending, horizontal rails and means for mounting said seat and transverse rail means on said horizontal rails for movement longitudinally of the bath tub.

11. A chair assembly for use in a bath tub comprising:
frame means adapted for mounting on said bath tub, said frame means including horizontal rail means arranged to extend transversely of said bath tub from a lip on one side wall thereof and means for supporting said rail means;
a generally horizontal seat; and means for movably mounting said seat on said rail means so that said seat can move transversely of said bath tub on said rail means;
wherein when said chair assembly is mounted on said bath tub, a space is provided between said lip and end sections of said rail means adjacent to said lip to permit passage of a hanging shower curtain therebetween.

12. A chair assembly according to claim 11 wherein said supporting means includes longitudinally extending, horizontal rails spaced from said one side wall of the bath tub.

13. A chair assembly according to claim 11 including means for rotatably connecting said seat to said seat mounting means so that said seat is free to rotate about a generally vertical axis.

14. A chair assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said seat is padded and covered with a vinyl material.

15. A chair assembly according to claim 12 wherein said supporting means includes two transversely extending end frame members connected to and supporting the longitudinally extending rails, said end frame members having a length sufficient to span the bath tub so that they can rest on opposite sides of said bath tub.

16. A chair assembly according to claim 12 or 15 wherein said supporting means include two saddle devices with wheels which run on said longitudinally extending rails, each saddle device being rigidly connected to said transversely extending horizontal rail means so as to permit said seat and rail means to be movable longitudinally of the bath tub.

17. A chair assembly according to claim 12 or 15 wherein said longitudinally extending rails are made of aluminum.

18. A chair assembly according to claim 15 wherein one of said end frame members is adjustably and detachably connected to the longitudinally extending rails to permit the distance between the end frame members to be changed as desired.

19. A chair assembly according to claim 11 wherein said seat mounting means includes a carriage member having wheels rotatably mounted thereon, said wheels engaging said transversely extending, horizontal rail means.

20. A chair assembly according to claim 19 including means for rotatably connecting said seat to said seat mounting means and wherein said carriage member has a Teflon* layer on top thereof to assist rotation of said seat.
* trade mark