Patent Application
20080290711
This invention relates to a chair in which a person may be seated while toileting, and, in a preferred embodiment, this invention relates to a toileting wheelchair.
People who are disabled or infirm may need to toilet while seated in a chair. For example, a person seated in a chair may require assistance to be seated on a toilet, which assistance may not be available when they need to toilet, or they may not be easily be transferable to a toilet. Further, many wheelchair users may require toileting more frequently due to problems with their bladders. In addition, persons who are incontinent typically require an incontinent pad, and the pad must be changed from time to time. If the person is handicapped or infirm, then the person will require assistance to have the incontinent pad changed.
In view of these issues, different designs for wheelchairs have been proposed in the past. For example, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,097,644 discloses a body lifting apparatus for a wheelchair. The wheelchair has a seat. A body support is provided on a frame. A motor is provided which moves one of the body support and the seat relative to the other so that an open area is established between the body support and the seat. Accordingly, a bedpan may be inserted on the seat for use by a person when toileting while seated in the body support. The body support comprises a web of material with a toileting opening. Accordingly, when a person is toileting, they are positioned above the seat of the wheelchair on a flexible web. A disadvantage of this design is it provides an uncomfortable toileting position for a person.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,165 discloses a wheelchair toileting module. The wheelchair has two spaced apart straps that extend between the front and the rear of the seat of the wheelchair and are positioned on top of the seat. The straps are tightened to lift a person above the seat by moving a support bar outwardly, such that the bar would be positioned underneath the thighs of the person seated in the chair. Once the straps are tightened, a cushion may be removed and a bedpan may be inserted to permit toileting. A disadvantage of this design is that the positioning of the bar under the thighs of the user and the use of the straps provides an uncomfortable position for toileting.
In accordance with the instant invention, a toileting chair, preferable a toileting wheelchair is provided which provides a solid surface upon which a person may be seated while toileting as well as providing a solid surface upon which a person may be seated during regular, non-toileting, use of the chair. Accordingly, except during the reconfiguration of the chair, the chair provides a solid surface upon which a person is seated thereby decreasing any discomfort or anxiety a person may feel from being suspended by a sling or the like.
In the non-toileting, regular configuration of the chair, a person is seated on a solid surface, which may be a rigid panel and, preferably, is resilient. One or more gel inserts, foam, or the like may be utilized to provide a resilient or yielding surface upon which a person may be seated. It is to be appreciated that a toileting chair may be occupied by a user for an extended period of time. Accordingly, it is preferred to provide a comfortable, cushioned surface upon which a person may be seated so as to reduce and, preferably, minimize discomfort.
In the toileting configuration, the person is seated on a firm support. For example, the firm support may comprise a generally rigid panel that has an opening sized to receive a bedpan or that has a bedpan incorporated therein as a one-piece assembly. Accordingly, when the person is seated on the chair in the toileting configuration, the person is supported by a flat surface and the bedpan is positioned beneath an opening. Alternately, the surface surrounding the opening for the bedpan, or the top surface of the bedpan itself, may be shaped like a toilet seat. It will be appreciated that, as with toilet seats, the support member may have padding to provide additional comfort. One advantage of this design is that, when toileting, a person is not suspended in the air but is seated on a rigid surface. Accordingly, this reduces any anxiety that may be experienced by a person while trying to toilet while suspended in a sling. In addition, the person using the toileting chair may have diminished mental faculties. Sitting on a solid surface for toileting may assist that person to toilet by creating an environment similar to being seated on a toilet.
It will be appreciated that, in a further embodiment, the bedpan may have a top surface that is sized to provide a comfortable seat for a person while toileting. According to such an embodiment, the bedpan may be securely mounted in a frame, rigid surface or the like provided that the bedpan, itself or with other members, is removable for cleaning and provides a stable platform upon which a person may be seated during toileting.
In accordance with this invention, the person may remain seated in the toileting chair while the chair is reconfigured. Accordingly, the chair is provided with a flexible support seat that has a toileting opening. The person remains seated on this flexible support seat at all times. Positioned below the flexible support seat is a seat member that is used in the normal, non-toileting configuration of the chair (e.g. a removable cushion). Beneath the removable cushion is a seat support platform, which removably receives a bedpan, a bedpan and a bedpan mount, or the like. When the person requires toileting, the position of the flexible support seat is moved relative to the removable cushion. This permits the removable cushion to be removed. The bedpan may then be inserted. The relative position of the seat support platform and the flexible support seat may then be adjusted so that the person is seated on a rigid member holding the bedpan. When the person has finished toileting, the process may be reversed and the chair reconfigured to its normal mode such that the person is now seated on the removable cushion.
It will be appreciated that the seat support platform may comprise an open area, which removably receives a panel including a waste container (e.g. bedpan). Alternately, the seat support platform may comprise a generally horizontal planer member having a bedpan opening that removably receives the bedpan, or to which a bedpan is mounted therebelow. Any construction that provides a stable surface for toileting and permits the bedpan or like container to be removed may be used.
During normal configuration, the chair provides firm support to a person seated therein such that the person does not fall into the bedpan opening. Accordingly, a rigid member is provided to bridge the bedpan opening. The rigid member may be a flat panel, which is provided as part of the removable cushion (e.g. a hard backing board for the removable cushion). Alternately, if the bedpan opening comprises a bedpan shaped opening in a horizontal planer member, a closure member may be provided which is movable between an open position, in which the bedpan opening is provided, in a closed position in which the rigid member extends across the bedpan opening to provide a rigid support surface. For example, the closure member may comprise a panel slidably mounted beneath the seat support platform.
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, there is provided a toileting chair comprising:
In one embodiment the toileting chair further comprises spaced apart side flexible seat support mounts.
In another embodiment, the flexible seat support extends generally continuously between the flexible seat support mounts and the front and rear ends are freely moveable with respect to the seat support platform.
In another embodiment, the flexible seat support is suspended at its sides.
In another embodiment, the member is drivingly connected to the seat support platform.
In another embodiment, the member comprises a motor.
In another embodiment, the member further adjusts the position of at least one of the seat support platform and the flexible seat support between the second position and a third position in which the flexible support seat is positioned on the seat support platform.
In another embodiment, the seat support platform is adapted to removably receive a bedpan.
In another embodiment, the bedpan has a top and, when installed, the top of the bedpan is generally flush a support area surrounding the top of the bedpan.
In another embodiment, the toileting chair further comprises a mirror surface provided beneath the flexible seat support and positioned to permit a person adjacent the chair to view the toileting opening in the region when a bedpan is not inserted. Preferably, the mirror surface is provided beneath the seat support platform.
In another embodiment, the toileting chair further comprises wheels affixed to the frame whereby the chair is a wheelchair.
In another embodiment, the toileting chair further comprises bridging the bedpan opening and moveable to expose the bedpan opening during toileting is provided. The rigid member may be positionable over the bedpan opening and beneath the upper surface of the removable seat. For example, the rigid member may be provided as part of the removable seat.
In another embodiment, the bedpan opening is closeable.
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, there is also provided a toileting chair comprising:
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, there is also provided a method of permitting a person to toilet while seated in a chair, the chair having a flexible seat web moveably mounted with respect to a seat support platform, the seat support platform having a bedpan opening for removably receiving a bedpan aligned with the bedpan opening, the flexible seat web having a portion for supporting a person when seated in the chair and a toileting opening positioned over the bedpan opening, the method comprising:
In one embodiment, the method further comprises mounting the bedpan beneath bedpan opening in the seat support platform and step (c) comprises adjusting the position of the seat support platform relative to the flexible support web such that the person is supported by the seat support platform when toileting.
In another embodiment, the seat support platform is moveably mounted and step (a) comprises lowering the seat support platform and step (c) comprises raising the seat support platform.
In another embodiment, the method further comprises using a mirror surface provided beneath the seat support platform and positioned to permit a person adjacent the chair to view the toileting opening when the chair is in the position at the end of step (a) and the bedpan has been removed.
In another embodiment, the chair further comprises a rigid member positionable over the bedpan opening and beneath the upper surface of the removable seat and the method further comprises removing the rigid member with the removable seat prior to the person toileting.
In another embodiment, the chair further comprises a rigid member that extends over the bedpan opening and the method further comprises moving the rigid member to expose the bedpan opening prior to a person using the bedpan for toileting.
In another embodiment, the rigid member comprises part of the removable seat whereby step (d) comprises simultaneously removing the removable seat and the rigid member.
In another embodiment, the rigid member comprises a moveable closure member affixed to the chair and the method further moving the closure member to an open position to expose the bedpan opening prior to a person using the bedpan for toileting.
These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fully and completely understood in accordance with the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention in which:
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the chair may be for any particular seating use. For example, the seat may be a fixed, non-movable seat. Further, the seat may be in the form of an armchair. Preferably, as exemplified in
As shown in
In accordance with the instant invention, a flexible seat support 32 is provided. Flexible seat support 32 has a front end 26, a rear end 28 and spaced apart sides 30. Flexible seat support 32 has a central region 34, which is contacted by a person when seated in a chair. Region 34 is provided with toileting opening 36. At least region 34 comprises a generally continuously member, except for toileting opening 36. Accordingly, when a person is seated on flexible seat support 32, they experience the feeling of sitting on a continuous extended material and not merely straps. Preferably, all of flexible seat support 32 comprises a generally continuous member except for toileting opening 36.
Flexible support seat may be made from any woven or non-woven material and, preferably, is made from a washable material. Flexible support seat 32 may be an open mesh material so as to provide a breathable web.
Frame 18 may be of any general construction known in the chair arts and, in particular in the wheelchair arts, provided it includes an open area for receiving a bedpan. For example, a shown in
Wheels 20, 22 may be directly mounted to frame 18 or to support legs that extend from frame 18. For example, a shown in
Longitudinally extending sides 30 of flexible seat support 32 are preferably mounted adjacent the sides of frame 18, and may be removably mounted thereto. For example, as exemplified in
Flexible seat support mounts 54 may be secured to frame 18, and preferably removably secured thereto, by any means known in the art. For example, as shown in
A seat support platform 58 is provided at an upper end of frame 18. In the normal, non-toileting configuration, removable cushion 60 is provided between seat support platform 58 and flexible seat support 32. Removable cushion may be of any particular configuration. As shown in
Removable cushion 60 is configured to be removably mounted to seat support platform 58, such as being placed on top thereof or slidably received in a groove or removeably fixed in place. As shown in
As exemplified in the embodiment of
In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that bedpan opening 68 may be substantially smaller and, may be the size or shape of a standard bedpan. Accordingly, seat support platform would have a generally continuous upper surface but for the standard size bedpan opening 68. In such a case, the rigid member would be the continuous upper surface and could optionally include a closure member, which covers the small bedpan opening 68 when cushion 60 is positioned on seat support platform 58. For example, in such a case, the closure member may be a panel pivotally mounted to seat support platform 58 or slidably mounted thereto, and movable between a closed position, in which it is positioned to extend across bedpan opening 68 and provide a solid support surface, and an open position in which bedpan opening 68 is open to permit toileting. In such a case, cushion 60 need not have a rigid member provided as part thereof.
If seat support platform 58 provides a large opening, then as exemplified in
Seat support platform 58 removably receives a bedpan which, when mounted on seat support platform 58, is aligned with bedpan opening 68. As exemplified in
In order to move between the normal, non-toileting configuration and the toileting configuration, at least one of flexible seat support 32 and seat support platform 58 is movable and, optionally, both may be movable. In particular, chair 10 is designed so that an opening may be provided between seat support platform 58 and flexible seat support 32 so as to permit cushion 60 to be removed during the reconfiguration of chair 10. Any member known in the art may be utilized to vertically displace one or both of flexible seat support 32 and seat support platform 58. The member may be motorized or may be manually movable. Preferably, seat support platform 58 is vertically movable and flexible seat support 32 is stationary. An advantage of this latter design is that a person seated in chair 10 does not move during the reconfiguring procedure.
As exemplified in
Motor 82 may be utilized to one or more drive cables 88 to raise and lower seat support platform 58. In the exemplified embodiment, four cables are utilized. Each cable 88 has an end secured to one corner of seat support platform 58 and the other end is secured to rod 90. Accordingly, cable 88 extends longitudinally (i.e. either forwardly or rearwardly) to a lower pulley 92 and then upwardly around an upper pulley 94 prior to extending downwardly to seat support platform 58. Accordingly, when motor 82 is operated in one direction, rod 90 will rotate in a first direction unwinding cable 80 and permitting seat support platform 58 to be lowered, e.g., due to gravity. When motor 80 is operated in the reverse direction, rod 90 will rotate in the reverse direction drawing in cable 88 and thereby raising platform 58. In order to stabilize the movement of seat support platform 58, each corner of seat support platform 58 may have a flange 96 that travels in a grove 98 of vertical member 38.
In the normal and toileting configuration, a portion of wheelchair 10 is open so as to permit the insertion and removal of removable cushion 60 and the insertion and removal of bedpan 70 (which may be positioned in a bedpan support 72). Optionally, bedpan 70 and cushion 60 may be inserted and removed from different opening. Preferably, the same opening is utilized to insert and remove each of these items. The opening, referred to herein as access area 100, may comprise an open area at the rear of chair 10. In an alternate construction, it will be appreciated that cushion 60 and/or bedpan 72 may be inserted and removed from a side or the front of chair 10.
In an alternate construction, it will be appreciated that the vertical movement of seat platform 58 and/or flexible seat support 32 may be achieved by use of pneumatics, scissors arms, and the like.
The reconfiguration of chair 10 will be explained with reference to
When a person seated in chair 10 needs to toilet, motor 82 is actuated so as to unroll cable 88 permitting seat support platform 58 to descend due to the force of gravity. The person seated in chair 10 is supported by flexible seat support 32, which is suspended from flexible seat support mounts 54. As shown in
Once cushion 60 has been removed, seat support platform 58 is then raised to the position shown in
After a person has finished toileting, seat support platform 58 may be lowered (e.g. to the second position). Accordingly, bedpan 70 and bedpan support 72 may be removed. At this time, the person seated in the chair may be cleaned, if required and, or an incontinent pad may be inserted through toileting opening 36 to a position underneath the person. It will be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment, only bedpan 70 need be removed. In addition, a separate rigid member may be provided to close bedpan opening 68.
Subsequently, cushion 60 may be reinserted and seat support platform 58 raised to the position shown in
In an alternate embodiment, a mirror surface may be provided beneath flexible seat support 32 and positioned to permit a person (e.g. a nurse) positioned adjacent to chair 10, (e.g., standing, sitting or bending over) to view toileting opening 36 and determine whether a person requires cleaning. For example, the mirror surface may be provided as a lower surface that extends across the area defined by transverse members 42 and longitudinal members 40. In particular, if a mirror surface is provided, then it is preferred that seat support platform 58 is provided with a generally open area as exemplified such that a bedpan support 72 is required.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and additions may be made to chair 10 and all of these are with the scope of the following claims.
