Portable bath apparatus and method

Abstract

A portable bath apparatus includes an enclosure formed by a bottom wall, first upstanding wall portions, and second upstanding wall portions. The first upstanding wall portions are stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus, and the second upstanding wall portions are movable relative to the stationary first upstanding wall portions. The movable wall portions define a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions, a portion of the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture, such as a bed, to assist a physically challenged person into and out of the portable bath apparatus. The portable bath apparatus may further include hydrotherapy jets and a shower device which provide a person utilizing the portable bath apparatus with numerous options for personal hygiene.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to bathing devices, and more particularly to portable bath and shower devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Personal hygiene is important for everyone. Personal hygiene may be even more important, however, for disabled persons. A disabled person may include anyone who is in any way physically impaired in a way that makes bathing or showering more difficult than for the normal person. Disabled persons often face significant challenges when they try to bathe, shower, or otherwise clean themselves. Indeed, the simple act of arising from one's bed or chair and walking or otherwise moving into and out of a bath or shower facility can present tremendous challenges to disabled persons.

[0003] Many devices have been developed over the years in attempting to assist disabled persons to move easily to shower and bathe. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,616,467 and 5,978,983, for example, both describe portable bath devices. While these devices may be movable, there remain numerous problems that have yet to be completely resolved. Anything that will assist an invalid in showering or bathing is significant. For example, while many traditional portable bathing devices are movable (i.e., they have wheels or castors mounted to the bottoms of such devices), these devices must still remain “parked” a distance away from the bed or other area where the invalid normally rests. Moving the distance between the bath device and bed or other area can be extremely difficult.

[0004] Additionally, alternatives or additives to bathing have generally not been available for the physically challenged. Traditional portable showers lack effectiveness and ease of use. Still further, portable bathing devices generally do not have other types of therapy or treatment available (e.g., hydrotherapy).

[0005] There is a need, therefore, to provide a portable bathing device that is completely portable or movable such that it can be positioned, at least in part, underneath a bed or other seating device to assist physically challenged persons in entering into and exiting from the portable bathing device. There is also a need to provide a portable bathing device that offers a shower capability along with a bathing capability. Still further, there is a need to provide a portable bathing apparatus that can be filled to cover a substantial portion of the person and that includes an ability to provide hydrotherapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a portable bathing device. The portable bathing device rests on top of wheels or castors so that it can be rolled adjacent a piece of furniture where a physically challenged person is resting. The portable bathing device also includes a bottom wall or floor along with upstanding wall portions. These upstanding side walls are generally in the shape of an oval, with stationary upstanding wall portions (i.e., portions that remain stationary relative to the base or floor of the unit) and movable wall portions. The movable wall portions form, in essence, a door that may be hinged or otherwise movable relative to the stationary wall portions. The door may be hinged to open from one side to another and includes, in one embodiment, all of the front wall, such that the bathing device can be rolled up underneath a bed or other seating device.

[0007] The portable bath apparatus further includes a seal interposed between the stationary upstanding wall portions and the movable upstanding wall portions. In one embodiment, the seal is a pneumatic seal that may be inflatable to prevent water from escaping between the stationary upstanding wall portions and the movable upstanding wall portions. The seal also allows the enclosure to be filled nearly completely with water for more efficient bathing.

[0008] The portable bath apparatus still further includes a plurality of hydrotherapy jets for introducing into the enclosure pressurized water with atomized air.

[0009] The foregoing and other features, utilities, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable bath apparatus according to the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevation view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1; and

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portable bath apparatus of FIG. 1 rolled into position underneath a bed for assisting a disabled person to enter into the portable bath apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention comprises a portable bath apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 1, which comprises a base 12 which supports a bottom wall or floor 14 of the portable bath apparatus. The base 12 rides on top of wheels or castors 16 which allow the bath apparatus 10 to be rolled along a surface on which the device is placed. The bath apparatus includes a plurality of upstanding wall portions, including a front wall 18, side walls 20, 22, and a rear wall 24. The walls 18, 20, 22, 24 merge at rounded corners such that an oval overall shape is provided. Although an oval shape is shown in the drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that any other shape or configuration may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The upstanding walls include two portions: a stationary portion 26 (i.e., it remains stationary relative to base 12), and a movable portion (i.e., it moves relative to base 12). The movable wall portions are associated with a movable door 28 which includes portions of side walls 20 and 22, in addition to front wall 18. The door or movable wall portions 28 articulates relative to hinge 29 (FIG. 4). Stationary wall portions 26 include portions of side walls 20, 22 as well as rear wall 24.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the stationary portion 26 and door 28 meet along edge 30 which includes both straight and curved portions. Edge 30 is a contoured edge which allows for precise mating of the door 28 and stationary portion 26. The door 28 extends down to the base 12 at locations corresponding to front wall 18 and portions of side walls 20, 22. This configuration allows for a portion of the front of the bath apparatus 10 to be rolled underneath a bed, chair, or other piece of furniture to assist a physically challenged person to enter into and exit out of the bath apparatus 10. In one embodiment, the height between the floor on which the device 10 rests and the bottom wall 14 is approximately six inches, although other heights are readily achieved.

[0019] Upstanding walls 18, 20, 22, 24, when joined together at edge 30, provide an enclosure area 32 which provides sufficient space for a person to sit and take a bath or shower. A seating area 34 is formed inside of enclosure 32 to allow the disabled person to sit down while bathing or showering inside the portable bath apparatus 10. Alternatively, seating area 32 may comprise a totally separate seat, such as a folding chair, that may be placed inside of enclosure area during bathing or showering. Still further, a seating area may comprise the bottom wall 14 such that the person using the portable bath device simply sits on top of the floor or bottom wall 14.

[0020] To ensure that water does not escape from enclosure 32 when door 28 is closed relative to stationary portion 26, a seal 40, which may be an inflatable or pneumatic seal, is provided along the entire edge 30 interposed between the stationary portion 26 and the door 28. The seal 40, in one embodiment, has a hollow interior which may be filled with compressed air after door 28 is closed to seal the apparatus and prevent water from escaping to the outside of enclosure 32. In one embodiment, pressurized air is introduced into seal 40 at 15 psi. An air tank 58 (FIG. 1) provides pressurized air to seal 40. A plurality of latches or fastening devices 36 are provided to latch and hold door 28 in a closed position relative to stationary portion 26.

[0021] The overall height of the bathing apparatus is approximately 36 inches from the base 12 to the top of upstanding walls 18, 20, 22, 24. The portable bath apparatus 10 can be filled almost to the top (i.e., within a few inches from the top to prevent overflowing given movement by the person inside the enclosure 32) to allow the person sitting inside of enclosure 32 to be almost completely immersed in water except for the neck and head if desired.

[0022] As an alternative to bathing, a person may be placed or otherwise transported inside of the portable bath apparatus 10, with the movable portion or door 28 being left open or closed. The person inside of enclosure 32 (seated, kneeling, or standing) may then utilize a hand-held shower head 50 coupled to an extension hose 52 to take a shower inside enclosure 32. Excess water collecting on floor 14 would pass through a passageway 56 which leads to a sump (a sump may be held, for example, inside location 57 shown in FIG. 5). The sump can either direct the water to a drain external to bath apparatus 10, or it can recirculate the water into the enclosure 32 via hydrotherapy nozzles (discussed below) by way of an appropriate pumping system, known to those skilled in the art.

[0023] A plurality of hydrotherapy nozzles 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 (FIG. 3) are provided on or operatively coupled to rear surface 24 and the upstanding wall of seating area 34. Nozzles 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 introduce pressurized water that is atomized with air for providing hydrotherapy to users of bath apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the hydrotherapy nozzles (only nozzles 62 and 66 are shown in FIG. 6) are coupled to a water supply line 72 which is coupled, in turn, to a water source. As water moves through the supply lines toward the nozzles 62, 66, a reducer is provided in the water supply lines (i.e., the inside diameter of the water supply lines reduces from one inch to one-half inch) immediately before air intake supply lines 74, 76 such that a venturi is created. Air flowing toward nozzle locations 62, 66 will draw air into the stream of water so that the water being pumped through nozzles 62, 66 will be atomized with air. An air inlet supply valve 80 (FIG. 6) allows air to be introduced into an air supply conduit 79 (FIG. 5), which is rolled around the top edge of stationary enclosure portion 26. Supply conduit will provide air, in turn, to air intake supply lines 74, 76.

[0024] A pump for the hydrotherapy jets 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 is housed in enclosure area 90 (FIG. 5), which is accommodated by seating area 34. The specific types of pumps and nozzles will be known to those skilled in the art, and are the same or similar to the types of therapeutic nozzles utilized in connection with known jacuzzi or like bath devices.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, an access panels 100 are provided at the rear of the bath apparatus 10 on both sides of air tank 58 (only one access panel is shown in FIG. 6) to enable access into the location or enclosure 90 where the pumps, conduits, and other equipment used to operate the bath apparatus are located. Access openings accessible through panels 100 should be sized to allow for easy access into the interior of enclosure 90.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 6, a gauge 82 is provided to measure the pressure of air introduced into seal 40. A pressure relief valve 84 is also provided to release air from inside seal 40 after the enclosure 32 has been drained and the door 28 is ready to be opened.

[0027] In operation, the movable upstanding wall portions or door 28 of the portable bath apparatus 10 is opened (i.e., articulated relative to stationary wall portions 26) and the device is rolled and positioned, at least in part, underneath a bed (shown in phantom in FIG. 7) or other piece of furniture. A person (also shown in phantom) is able to directly access (i.e., step directly into) the portable bath apparatus 10 because a portion of the floor or bottom wall 14 extends beneath the bed. After the person enters into the enclosure 32, the movable upstanding wall portions 28 are moved relative to the stationary upstanding wall portions 26 so that the two portions meet along edge 30 (FIG. 1). Thereafter, latches 36 are employed to secure the movable portion 28 relative to the stationary portion 26. Air from pressurized air container 58 is then introduced into seal 40 to prevent water from escaping to the exterior of enclosure 32. Thereafter, water is introduced into the enclosure by way of a faucet or other water supply line 110 (FIG. 3) and the enclosure area is filled as desired by the person utilizing the portable bath apparatus 10.

[0028] After a desired amount of water has been introduced into enclosure 32, the person can either take a regular bath and/or can utilize hydrotherapy jets 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 for treatment purposes. When the person is finished utilizing the portable bath apparatus 10, water is allowed to exist through drain 56, air is released from inside of pneumatic seal 40, and the door 28 is opened, allowing the person to exit the device.

[0029] When showering, the person can either roll the portable bath apparatus 10 away from the bed or the person can simply utilize the hand-held shower head 50 and take a shower in the same location with the portable bath apparatus 10 immediately adjacent the bed with the door 28 opened. Alternatively, the portable bath apparatus 10 can be rolled away from the bed and the movable door 28 can be articulated to close against stationary portion 26 in the manner described above.

[0030] Construction of the portable bath apparatus will be accomplished as understood by those skilled in the art. A stainless steel construction of the entire enclosure and surrounding areas is contemplated, although other suitable materials may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Other construction methods, materials, and designs as understood by those skilled in the art may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] While this invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention, as defined by the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

Claims

1. A portable bath apparatus, comprising:

a bottom wall;

first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to provide an enclosure area;

a seating area;

the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus;

the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the stationary first upstanding wall portions;

the movable wall portions portion having a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions a portion of the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture.

2. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bottom wall has a height of approximately 6 inches measured from a surface on which the portable bath apparatus rests.

3. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to the base such that the portable bath apparatus can be rolled on top of a surface.

4. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a seal positioned between the door and the base.

5. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic seal positioned between the door and the base.

6. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hydrotherapy nozzles operatively coupled to the enclosure to introduce mixed air and water into the enclosure.

7. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising six hydrotherapy nozzles operatively coupled to the enclosure to introduce mixed air and water into the enclosure.

8. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shower nozzle operatively coupled to the enclosure to allow a person utilizing the portable bath apparatus to shower.

9. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base and the door join to define a seal area where a complete seal is achieved to allow the enclosure to be filled with water.

10. A portable bath apparatus, comprising:

a bottom wall;

first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to provide an enclosure area;

the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus;

the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the first, stationary upstanding wall portions;

a plurality of hydrotherapy nozzles operatively coupled to the enclosure to inject pressurized water into the enclosure during use of the portable bath apparatus.

11. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the movable wall portions portion have a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of.

12. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the movable wall portions portion have a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture, and wherein the bottom wall has a height of approximately 6 inches measured from a surface on which the portable bath apparatus rests.

13. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to the base such that the portable bath apparatus can be rolled on top of a surface.

14. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a seal positioned between the door and the base.

15. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a pneumatic seal positioned between the door and the base.

16. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the hydrotherapy nozzles comprise six hydrotherapy nozzles.

17. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a shower nozzle operatively coupled to the enclosure to allow a person utilizing the portable bath apparatus to shower.

18. A portable bath apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the base and the door join to define a seal area where a complete seal is achieved to allow the enclosure to be filled with water.

19. A portable bath apparatus, comprising:

a bottom wall;

first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to provide an enclosure area;

the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus;

the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the first, stationary upstanding wall portions;

a seal interposed between the first and second upstanding wall portions;

a shower head operatively coupled to the enclosure.

20. A method of bathing a person, comprising:

providing an enclosure including a bottom wall and first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to form the enclosure area; the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus, the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the stationary first upstanding wall portions, the movable wall portions portion having a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall,

opening the movable, second upstanding wall portions to open the enclosure;

moving the portable bath apparatus adjacent a piece of furniture such that a portion of the bottom wall extends underneath a piece of furniture to assist a person desiring to enter into and exit from the portable bath apparatus.