Patent Application
20240245564
None.
The present invention relates to a chair, and more specifically, to an adjustable chair to fit in a bathtub.
Seniors or people with disabilities have trouble getting into a shower or tub. Typically, the seniors or people with disabilities need help from a caretaker to enter or exit the shower or tub area. In order to help the seniors or people with disabilities to get into and out of the shower or tub, transfer devices have been disclosed in the past. One such device is disclosed in a United States Publication No. 20220192907, entitled “Safety system for a bathroom facility transfer system” (“the '907 Publication”). The '907 Publication discloses a bathroom facility transfer system, including a mobile base, a stationary base, and a removable bridge. A user seated in a chair, is positioned adjacent to a bathroom facility with the mobile base. The removable bridge connects the mobile base to the stationary base, which is removably affixed to the bathroom facility, to allow the chair carrying the user to be moved between the mobile base and the stationary base. A chair blocking member on the removable base is movable between a) a chair blocking position, and b) a chair unblocking position. At least one opposed end of the chair blocking member interferes with movement of the chair onto the removable bridge from the mobile base or the stationary base, when the chair blocking member is in the chair blocking position. A method of assisting a user with accessing a bathroom facility is also disclosed.
Another device is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,154, entitled “Bathing chair with turnable seat” (“the '154 patent”). The '154 patent discloses a bathing chair with a fixing device comprises a front frame and a rear frame, shaped like the inverted letter U, reaching across a bathtub and having horizontal rods which pass over an edge of the bathtub at a distance, the front and rear frames being connected by right and left connecting rods, a seat, having a fixed base mounted on the horizontal rods, an axis mounted on the fixed base in a central position thereof, and a rotatable base, which is rotatable around the axis, a bearing assembly, comprising several gliding blocks connected with the seat and allowing the seat to glide along the horizontal rods, and a handle.
Yet another device is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,055, entitled “Bath transfer system” (“the '055 patent”). The '055 patent discloses a new and improved stable and portable bath transfer system that provides a disabled person complete access to bathroom facilities without having to transfer apparatus. The invention comprises a chair portion, a connector bridge portion, and a bathtub portion. The chair portion includes a base section with two or more support members and an upper chassis section including an adjustable backrest, a collapsible chair seat, and two swing-away armrests. The connector bridge portion includes connecting members attached by a cross member. The bathtub portion includes a base and four adjustable support members that provide increased stability and fine adjustment capability to match the chair portion height. The bath transfer system includes an interlocking system containing a continuous groove and lipped brackets to prevent the upper chassis section from tipping or lifting, and anti-roll mechanisms and a volitional latch to prevent undesired sliding of the upper chassis.
Although the above discussed devices are useful, they have a few limitations. For example, most of the devices known in the art are expensive, and lower cost versions do not work well. Further, the devices known in the art are difficult to use by the people with disabilities to sit down in a direction that faces either the front or rear of the tub.
Therefore, there remains a continuing need for improved chairs to be used inside of bathtubs.
The present invention provides a bathtub chair for transferring a user between a bathtub and/or toilet. The bathtub chair includes rail frames, and leg frames having first connecting members. The first connecting members connect the rail frames. The bathtub chair includes a seat assembly connected to the rail frames. The seat assembly includes a seat. The seat is capable of receiving a user. The seat is designed to swivel, and the seat assembly is design to slide along the rail fames. The seat receives the user and swivels. The seat assembly slides along the rail frames.
In one aspect of the present invention, the seat assembly includes a swivel plate. The swivel plate includes latch holes. The seat assembly further includes a roller support ring having swivel rollers. The swivel rollers rotate and allow the swivel plate to swivel along with the seat. Further, the seat assembly includes a latch pin. The latch pin enters one of the latch holes and locks the rotation/direction of the seat. Furthermore, the seat assembly includes a lever. The lever connects and engages the latch pin to enter or pull out from one of the latch holes.
In another aspect of the present invention, each of the leg frames includes a first leg part and a second leg part. The first leg part includes a pin. The second leg part includes a plurality of holes. The pin enters one of the plurality of holes and helps to adjust the height of a leg frame of the leg frames.
Further, each of the first connecting members includes a first T-shaped member and a second T-shaped member. Each of the first T-shaped member and the second T-shaped member comprises a plurality of connecting pads. The connecting pads connect around a rail frame of the rail frames to connect the leg frame with the rail frame. Further, the rail frame includes a leg and handle receiving section extending along the entire length, or substantially the entire length (e.g. 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% and all in between values) of the rail frame. The connecting pads insert in the leg and handle receiving section.
In another aspect of the present invention, the bathtub chair includes a handlebar. The handlebar includes a second connecting member having connecting pads. The connecting pads connect around a rail frame of the rail frames. The handlebar mounts to the rail frames in between a leg frame and one distal end of the rail frames.
Further, the bathtub chair includes side latches. One of the side latches connects to a connecting pad of the connecting pads when the seat assembly slides towards a leg frame of the leg frames.
In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the bathtub chair combines both the swivel function and the toileting hole (seat opening provided at the seat). The bathtub chair uses a unique swivel plate and roller support ring design with no central axle point, allowing for a large toilet hole in a swivel seat. The presently disclosed bathtub chair achieves this using the roller support ring having swivel rollers. The swivel rollers rotate and allow the swivel plate to swivel along with the seat. The swivel seat allows the user to sit on the seat in a direction that faces either the front or rear of the bathtub and rotate sideways depending on the need.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the bathtub chair presents a unique latching mechanism implemented by the latch pin. The latch pin is pushed or pulled for locking or unlocking the latch plate using the lever. This allows the seat to be swivelled and locked once desired direction of the seat is achieved.
In yet another advantageous feature of the present invention, the bathtub chair provides a unique mounting system that allows the leg frames to be clamped at any appropriate position along the rail frames. This allows the user to precisely position the leg frames where he/she needs them to suit the bathroom. The leg frames are spaced far enough away from the end so that the user won't slide too far in and pinch himself/herself against the end of the bathtub chair. The user can unlock the side latches from the first connecting members by pushing against it. The leg frames also act as a stopper for the seat assembly when the side latches get locked to the connecting pads at the leg frames.
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, and/or section.
It will be understood that the elements, components, regions, layers and sections depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom,” “upper” or “top,” “left” or “right,” “above” or “below,” “front” or “rear,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.
The term “designed to” means that a particular element has structures that enable (i.e. capable of) a movement. Likewise, the term “designed to” may also mean “adapted to” or “configured to.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to idealized embodiments of the present invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. The numbers, ratios, percentages, and other values may include those that are ±5%, +10%, +25%, +50%, +75%, +100%, +200%, +500%, or other ranges that do not detract from the spirit of the invention. The terms about, approximately, or substantially may include values known to those having ordinary skill in the art. If not known in the art, these terms may be considered to be in the range of up to +5%, +10%, or other value higher than these ranges commonly accepted by those having ordinary skill in the art for the variable disclosed. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any elements that are not specifically disclosed herein. All patents, patent applications and non-patent literature cited through this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Turning to the Figures,
Bathtub chair 12 includes a pair of rail frames 28.
Rail frames 28 connect to a pair of leg frames 34 via first connecting members 36, as shown in at least
Referring to
Further, bathtub chair 12 includes a seat assembly 64 mounted over rail frames 28. Bathtub chair 12 includes a backrest 66 connected to seat assembly 64 via a support member 68. In one exemplary embodiment, support member 68 includes a seatbelt 70 having a buckle 72. User 18 straps seatbelt 70 around his body and tightens seatbelt 70 with the help of buckle 72, as shown in
Further, seat assembly 64 includes a first swivel plate 90. This swivel plate 90 allows seat and seat assembly 64 to swivel (i.e., the seat is adapted to, designed to, configured to, and allows the seat to be capable of swivelling and rotating relative to rail frames 28 in all embodiments throughout the specification). First swivel plate 90 indicates a lower swivel plate. First swivel plate 90 comes in a substantial square or rectangular configuration. First swivel plate 90 includes spacing therebetween. First swivel plate 90 positions over carriage assembly 74. Seat assembly 64 further includes a roller support ring 92. Roller support ring 92 positions at first swivel plate 90 and comes in a circular configuration. Roller support ring 92 encompasses support rods 94 connecting swivel rollers 96.
Seat assembly 64 further comprises a seat 102. User 18 sits on seat 102 and moves/slides along rail frame 28 or rotates with the help of seat assembly 64. Seat 64 includes a first carriage cap 104 and a second carriage cap 106. First carriage cap 104 positions over first latch 78, and second carriage cap 106 positions over second latch 80. Each of first carriage cap 104 and second carriage cap 106 connect to second swivel plate 98 with the help of connecting plates 108. User 18 operates first carriage cap 104 and second carriage cap 106 to engage first latch 78 and/or second latch 80 to move along and position seat assembly 64 at leg frames 34. Seat 102 is designed for providing comfort for user 18 to be seated for a long period of time. Seat 102 encompasses a seat opening 110 allowing user 18 to use over toilet 16 while being seated over seat 102.
Referring to
Further, user 18 slides across rail frames 28 from one first end 24 to second end 26, or vice versa. Consider, user 18 is seated over seat assembly 64 at second end 26, as shown in
The embodiments provide for several advantages over the prior art. For example, the presently disclosed bathtub chair includes a swivel seat. The swivel seat can go over the toilet and then slide across into a bathtub over rails. The user can orient him or herself with respect to the tub in any direction because the swivel seat can swivel. The swivel seat has a seat opening that allows the swivel seat to be used as a commode seat. The bathtub chair includes height adjustable legs. The legs are adjusted up or down by locking pins.
The presently disclosed bathtub chair can be used as a sliding transfer bench. The bathtub chair fits in environments where there are no obstructions adjacent to the bathtub. The bathtub chair slides easily over the bathtub and locks in two points; on the inside and outside of the bathtub. The bathtub chair can be installed as a left or right-hand unit. The handlebar helps the user to grab and slide from one end to another. The user can pull or push himself or herself easily along the rails. Further, the height of the bathtub chair can be adjusted easily thereby allowing tit to be used easily over the bathtub.
Further, the seat comes as an open commode seat for easy washing. Furthermore, the seat includes a reducer ring to reduce the size of the commode opening. Additionally, the seat includes a solid seat insert to close the commode opening completely.
Clause 1. A bathtub chair, comprising: rail frames; leg frames comprising first connecting members, wherein the first connecting members connect the rail frames; and a seat assembly connected to the rail frames, wherein the seat assembly comprises a seat, wherein the seat is capable of receiving a user, wherein the seat is designed to swivel, and wherein the seat assembly is designed to slide along the rail frames.
Clause 2. The bathtub chair of Clause 1, wherein the seat assembly comprises a swivel plate, and wherein the swivel plate comprises latch holes.
Clause 3. The bathtub chair of Clause 2, wherein the seat assembly comprises a roller support ring having swivel rollers, and wherein the swivel rollers rotate and allow the swivel plate to swivel along with the seat.
Clause 4. The bathtub chair of Clause 3, wherein the seat assembly comprises a latch pin, and wherein the latch pin enters one of the latch holes and locks rotation of the seat.
Clause 5. The bathtub chair of Clause 4, further comprises a lever, wherein the lever connects and engages the latch pin to enter or pull out from one of the latch holes.
Clause 6. The bathtub chair of Clause 1, further comprises a backrest, wherein the backrest connects to the seat assembly via a support member.
Clause 7. The bathtub chair of Clause 6, wherein the support member comprises a seatbelt, and wherein the seatbelt straps around the user seated on the seat.
Clause 8. The bathtub chair of Clause 1, wherein the seat comprises a seat opening allowing the user to use a toilet while being seated over the seat.
Clause 9. The bathtub chair of Clause 1, wherein each of the leg frames comprises a first leg part and a second leg part, wherein the first leg part comprises a pin, wherein the second leg part comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein the pin enters one of the plurality of holes and helps to adjust a height of a leg frame of the leg frames.
Clause 10. The bathtub chair of Clause 1, wherein each of the first connecting members comprises a first T-shaped member and a second T-shaped member, wherein each of the first T-shaped member and the second T-shaped member comprises a plurality of connecting pads, and wherein the plurality of connecting pads connect around a rail frame of the rail frames to connect the leg frame with the rail frame.
Clause 11. The bathtub chair of Clause 10, wherein the rail frame comprises a leg and handle receiving section extending along substantially an entire length of the rail frame, and wherein the plurality of connecting pads insert in the leg and handle receiving section.
Clause 12. The bathtub chair of Clause 1, further comprises a handlebar, wherein the handlebar comprises a second connecting member having a plurality of connecting pads, wherein the plurality of connecting pads connect around a rail frame of the rail frames, and wherein the handlebar mounts to the rail frames in between a leg frame of the leg frames and one distal end of the rail frames.
Clause 13. The bathtub chair of Clause 10, further comprises side latches, wherein one of the side latches connects to a connecting pad of the plurality of connecting pads when the seat assembly slides and connects the first connecting member.
Clause 14. A bathtub chair, comprising: rail frames, wherein each rail frame comprises a leg and a handle receiving section extending along substantially an entire length of the rail frame; leg frames comprise a first leg part and a second leg part, wherein the first leg part comprises a pin, wherein the second leg part comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein the pin enters one of the plurality of holes and helps to adjust a height of the leg frames; first connecting members connected to the leg frames, wherein each of the first connecting members comprises a first T-shaped member and a second T-shaped member, wherein each of the first T-shaped member and the second T-shaped member comprises a plurality of connecting pads, and wherein the plurality of connecting pads insert in the leg and handle receiving section and connect to a rail frame of the rail frames; and a seat assembly connected to the rail frames, wherein the seat assembly comprises a seat, wherein the seat is capable of receiving a user, wherein the seat is designed to swivel, and wherein the seat assembly is designed to slide along the rail frames.
Clause 15. The bathtub chair of Clause 14, wherein the seat assembly comprises a swivel plate, and wherein the swivel plate comprises latch holes.
Clause 16. The bathtub chair of Clause 15, wherein the seat assembly comprises a roller support ring having swivel rollers, wherein the swivel rollers rotate and allow the swivel plate to swivel along with the seat, wherein the seat assembly comprises a latch pin, and wherein the latch pin enters one of the latch holes and locks rotation of the seat, wherein the seat assembly comprises a lever, and wherein the lever connects and engages the latch pin to enter or pull out from one of the latch holes.
Clause 17. The bathtub chair of Clause 14, further comprises side latches, wherein one of the side latches connects to a connecting pad of the plurality of connecting pads when the seat assembly slides towards a leg frame of the leg frames.
Clause 18. A bathtub chair, comprising: rail frames, wherein each rail frame comprises a leg and a handle receiving section extending along substantially an entire length of the rail frames; leg frames comprise a first leg part and a second leg part, wherein the first leg part comprises a pin, wherein the second leg part comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein the pin enters one of the plurality of holes and helps to adjust a height of the leg frames; first connecting members connected to the leg frames, wherein each of the first connecting members comprises a first T-shaped member and a second T-shaped member, wherein each of the first T-shaped member and the second T-shaped member comprises a plurality of connecting pads, and wherein the plurality of connecting pads insert in the leg and handle receiving section and connect to a rail frame of the rail frames; a seat assembly connected to the rail frames, the seat assembly comprises a roller support ring having swivel rollers, a swivel plate having latch holes, and a latch pin; and, a seat positioned over the swivel plate, wherein the swivel rollers rotate and allow the swivel plate to swivel along with the seat, wherein the seat receives a user and is design to swivel, wherein the latch pin enters one of the latch holes and locks the rotation of the seat, and wherein the seat assembly is designed to slide along the rail frames.
Clause 19. The bathtub chair of Clause 18, further comprises a handlebar, wherein the handlebar comprises a second connecting member having a plurality of connecting pads, wherein the plurality of connecting pads connect around a rail frame of the rail frames, and wherein the handlebar mounts to the rail frames in between a leg frame of the leg frames and one distal end of the rail frames.
Clause 20. The bathtub chair of Clause 18, further comprises side latches, wherein one of the side latches connects to a connecting pad of the plurality of connecting pads when the seat assembly slides and connects the first connecting member.
While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the words that have been used are words of description and not of limitation. As is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims, which should be given their fullest, fair scope.
