Patent Application
20220381089
The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a portable and pivotable stepstool that can be used in a variety of environments, such as a bathtub.
Traditional bathtubs have high sidewalls that allow the bathtub to hold a large volume of water. However, many individuals have difficulty accessing the bathtub due to the high step required to enter and exit the bathtub. Specifically, the elderly and those suffering from arthritis, debilitating injuries, handicaps, and/or general loss of mobility may be unable to enter or exit a bathtub without pain or difficulty. For these individuals, the sidewall of a bathtub can be an insurmountable hurdle. Even with the assistance of a nurse or health aide, many people are not capable of safely stepping over the sidewall of a bathtub to take a bath or shower. As a result, people that have physical limitations may choose to forego taking a bath or shower altogether and settle for alternate bathing methods, such as sponge baths and the like. However, the alternate bathing methods are significantly less effective and can prove uncomfortable or embarrassing, R would therefore be beneficial to provide a device that allows a wide variety of users to enter and exit a bathtub easily and safely.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a stepping device. Particularly, the device comprises a first side and a second side, operably connected together via a rotatable element, wherein each side is defined by at least one brace operably connected to a plurality of steps including a top step at a maximum height of the device. The first side is pivotable relative to the second side, such that the top step of the first side is positioned directly adjacent to the top step of the second side.
In some embodiments, the first side is configured to be positioned above the second side in the pivoted orientation.
In some embodiments, the device further comprises a stabilizer attached to at least one brace.
In some embodiments, the rotatable element is selected from a hinge, pivot pin, or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, each brace includes a non-skid foot positioned adjacent to a support surface.
In some embodiments, the length of each brace is adjustable.
In some embodiments, each side of the device comprises about 1-5 steps.
In some embodiments, the device has a total height (e.g., longest vertical distance) of about 12-50 inches.
In some embodiments, the top step of the first and second sides each have a top face and an opposed bottom face, wherein the top faces of the top steps are facing each other in the pivoted orientation.
In some embodiments, the steps are customizable relative to position along each brace.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of entering an apparatus comprising an interior and at least one sidewall. Particularly, the method comprises positioning a stepping device to straddle the sidewall, wherein the device first side is housed within the interior of the apparatus and the second side is housed external to the apparatus. The device comprises a first side and a second side, operably connected together via a rotatable element, wherein each side is defined by at least one brace operably connected to a plurality of steps including a top step at a maximum height of the device. The first side is pivotable relative to the second side, such that the top step of the first side is positioned directly adjacent to the top step of the second side. The method includes ascending up the steps of the second side and descending down the steps of the first side such that the user enters the interior of the apparatus. The method further includes pivoting the first side from the interior of the apparatus via the rotatable element, such that the top step of the first side and the top step of the second side are directly adjacent to each other.
In some embodiments, the apparatus is a bathtub.
In some embodiments, the method includes gripping a stabilizer attached to at least one brace during the ascending step, descending step, or both.
The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.
As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/−20%, in some embodiments +/−10%, in some embodiments +/−5%, in some embodiments +/−1%, in some embodiments +/−0.5%, and in some embodiments +/−0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the drawing figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawing figures.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a device that allows a user to enter and exit a bathtub or other apparatus with a relatively high sidewall safely and easily. Particularly,
As described, the disclosed device can be easily used with a conventional bathtub. One example of bathtub 35 defined by a series of sidewalls 40 that define interior 45 is illustrated in
As set forth above, device 5 includes first and second sides 10, 15, each including at least one brace that supports and stabilizes a series of steps 25. The term “brace” broadly refers to any support structure and is not limited to the those illustrated in the Figures. As illustrated in
In some embodiments, each leg can be adjustable in length using standard techniques, such as telescoping arrangements, the addition and removal of segments, and the like.
In some embodiments, a single brace is attached on either side of a corresponding step 25, as shown in
Optionally, lower end 22 of braces 20 can include foot 50 to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of movement during use. Each foot can include a bottom surface configured to rest upon a generally flat surface, such as a bathroom floor or the inside surface of a bathtub. Thus, the bottom surface of each foot can include a non-skid surface, such as (but not limited to) plastic, rubber, textured regions, and the like.
As described above, steps 25 are attached along the length of braces 20.
Similarly, although depicted as rectangular in shape in the Figures, steps 25 can have any desired shape and/or cross-sectional shape, such as (but not limited to) rectangular, square, trapezoidal, and the like. However, each step has at least one flat surface (e.g., top face 55) sized and shaped to allow a user's weight to rest thereupon.
In some embodiments, each step can have about the same length, width, and/or thickness. However, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited and at least one step can differ when compared to at least one other step. For example, the top step can be constructed to be thicker or wider to provide additional support for a user at the elevated height.
Device 5 can include any desired number of steps 25, such as about 1-5 on each side. However, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited and the device can include greater than 5 steps in some embodiments.
Each step 25 is operably connected to one or more braces 25. Particularly, brace 20 can be attached to one or more top, bottom, side, front, or rear faces of steps 25. Any suitable method can be used to permanently or releasably attach each step to frame 20. For example, mechanical elements (e.g., screws, bolts, fasteners, clips), magnets, snap fit closure, pressure-fit closure, or combinations thereof can be used.
Device 5 can also optionally include one or a pair of stabilizers 30 that can be attached to braces 20. The term “stabilizer” refers to any element that assists a user in maintaining balance. One embodiment of stabilizer 30 is illustrated in
It should be appreciated that stabilizers 30 can be formed in any shape (e.g., round, square, rectangle), size, and the like. Further, any number of stabilizers can be included.
Brace 20, stabilizer 30, and steps 25 can be constructed from any rigid material, such as (but not limited to) metal (e.g., stainless steel, steel, aluminum, copper, and the like), wood, plastic, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the materials used to construct the braces and/or steps can be lightweight, strong, and water-resistant. The term “water-resistant” refers to the ability to resist the penetration of water or other liquids.
As set forth above, each device includes first side 10 and second side 15 that are pivotably connected together using rotator 95. The term “rotator” refers to any element that allows the first side of the device to be rotated relative to the second side. Suitable rotators can include (but are not limited to) hinges, pivot pins, slides, flexible joints, and the like. As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that device 5 can be used anywhere that a user desires to bathe, such as in a hospital, home, nursing home, rehabilitation center, hotel, and the like.
It is further noted that the device is not limited to use with a bathtub and can be used with any element that has a high step or sidewall, such as a shallow pool, hot tub, and the like.
Device 5 offers many advantages to the user. Specifically, the device allows a user to easily enter and leave a bathtub without having to clear the bathtub sidewall in a single step.
Accordingly, the device provides increased safety to the user, reducing the incidence of pain and/or injuries that potentially result from stepping over an elevated sidewall.
Device 5 can be easily used by a wide variety of individuals, including children, the elderly, and the disabled.
The disclosed device is designed to be lightweight, allowing users to easily pivot the first side toward and away from the second side. Further, the device can be easily moved or stored when not in use.
Users require very little work to use device 5. Some user may require no help or assistance from nurses or other aides while entering or exiting the bathtub.
The disclosed device allows easy access to existing bathtubs, saving thousands of dollars in costly remodeling expenses that otherwise may be needed.
Device 5 is considerably less expensive than existing solution, such as electronic lifts and the like.
These and other advantages would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after a review of the present disclosure.
As described above, although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
