Foldable, portable bed bath device
A portable, foldable bath device for use on a bed or other support surface, includes: (a) a generally planar, flexible, water impervious bottom wall; (b) at least one flexible, water impervious side wall attached along one of its side edges to the periphery of the bottom wall; and (c) an aperture in one of the walls of the bath device, the aperture being occludable by a closure mechanism; wherein the side wall is convertible from a generally horizontal, planar, folded position adjacent the bottom wall to a generally vertical, erect, open position extending in an upward direction from the generally horizontal bottom wall.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a portable, foldable bath device for use on a bed, particularly by a bed-ridden patient.
2. Background Information
Hospitalized, paralyzed, aged, or otherwise bed-ridden patients often have no way to enjoy a bath, other than a cursory sponge bath. The inexpensive bath device of the present invention allows such patients to enjoy the health and other benefits a bath affords. The bath device of the present invention is easy to use and decreases the amount of lifting required of the caregiver administering the bath. Since the bath is given in the bed, the patient need not be disturbed by a lot of moving. The present bed bath device is portable, lightweight, and easy to clean, and folds into a compact bundle, which is easy to carry and store. A shower head may optionally be included for use when the patient desires a shower as well as a bath.
The bath device of the present invention can be used in nursing homes, hospitals, or other facilities for a series of patients, or in private homes. It is particularly suitable for giving a bath to an older or infirm person. It can also be used in a funeral home for a final washing of a body. Since the present bath device can be brought to the body, the body need not be moved to and from the surface on which it is lying.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a portable, foldable bath device for use on a bed or other support surface, which includes:
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- (a) a generally planar, flexible, water impervious bottom wall;
- (b) at least one flexible, water impervious side wall attached along one of its side edges to the periphery of the bottom wall; and
- (c) an aperture in one of the walls of the bath device, the aperture being occludable by an openable and closable closure mechanism;
- wherein the side wall is convertible from a generally horizontal, planar, folded position adjacent the bottom wall to a generally vertical, erect, open position extending in an upward direction from the generally horizontal bottom wall.
A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:
In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “front,” “back,” “within,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described.
Turning first to
As shown in
The bath device 10 is made of a water impervious material. The bottom wall 11 is preferably made of a durable, thin, substantially rip-proof plastic material. The side walls 12 are preferably made of a thicker plastic material, which is more rigid yet somewhat foldable and flexible, so they will remain in an upright position and not buckle under pressure, yet not be uncomfortable when temporarily under the patient. The side walls 12 and bottom wall 11 may be made of a single sheet of material, such as a flexible polyvinylchloride material. Preferably, though, the side walls 12 are sealed to the corresponding edges of the bottom wall 11, most preferably by heat sealing or a suitable adhesive.
Referring to
As shown in
In opening the bath device 10, it is preferably placed on the bed 13 or other support surface so that the lower corner 17 where the drainage hose will be connected is slightly skewed over the edge of the mattress 21 supported on the bed, as depicted in
Referring to
To unfold the bath device, the patient (or other user) is pushed onto her (or his) side, with her back facing and substantially parallel to one longitudinal side wall, 12d in
Referring to
As depicted in
In an alternate embodiment illustrated in
In still another alternate embodiment, which is illustrated in
To assemble the strap/hook and loop bath device 10, the assistant/caregiver pulls the side walls 12a-d up to a generally vertical position and fastens the first hook and loop patch 30a at the end of each strap 28 to the second hook and loop patch 30b. The straps 28 hold the side walls 12a-d up against the force exerted by the bath water 20 when the bath device 10 is full. The straps 28 are preferably made of a water resistant fabric.
Other alternative attachment mechanisms can be used at all four corners 27 of the bath device, or at opposite ends of a longitudinal side wall, in place of the above-described strap mechanism. For example, a first, substantially flat button 31 is attached to an outside face of an end portion of an end side wall 12b of the bath device, as shown in
Another embodiment illustrated in
Returning to
To avoid overfilling, the water tank 35 preferably only holds enough water to fill the bath device 10. Even though only a few inches of water are added to the bed bath device 10, the patient is substantially immersed in the water, and the bath afforded by this bath device is much superior to a sponge bath and helps the patient to feel clean again. If the bath device is accidentally overfilled, water will overflow the low, erect side walls. Even though the patient remains bed-ridden, this bath simulates a return to normalcy. At the same time, his bath device is easy to operate and does not place an undue burden on the assistant administering the bath.
If the assistant, or patient, wishes to temporarily stop the water input, he (or she) can pinch off the water hose 36, or reapply the hose clamp 38 (see
To empty the bath water 20 during or after the bath, the closure mechanism 16 is switched to an open position and the bath water drains out though the drainage hose 18 into the bucket 19, as shown in
Turning now to
The bath device of the present invention can be used in nursing homes, hospitals, or other facilities for a series of patients, or in private homes. The bath device is available in different sizes for large adults, smaller adults, and children. The bath device may be gaily colored. The inside of the longitudinal side walls may have cartoon characters or other designs for the enjoyment of a child user.
The bath device 10 can also be used in a funeral home for a final washing of a body. Since the present device is portable, it can be brought to the body, which need not be moved to and from the surface on which it is lying.
From the foregoing it can be realized that the described device of the present invention may be easily and conveniently utilized as a bath device for use on a bed or other support surface. It is to be understood that any dimensions given herein are illustrative, and are not meant to be limiting.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, this description is for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and that such are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It is intended that the doctrine of equivalents be relied upon to determine the fair scope of these claims in connection with any other person's product which fall outside the literal wording of these claims, but which in reality do not materially depart from this invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Brief List of Reference Numbers Used in the Drawings
- 10 bath device
- 11 bottom wall
- 12 side wall
- 12a,b end side walls
- 12c,d longitudinal side walls
- 13 bed
- 14 upper surface of bed
- 15 aperture
- 16 closure mechanism of aperture
- 17 corner of lower end of bath device
- 18 drainage hose
- 19 bucket
- 20 bath water
- 21 mattress
- 22 flange
- 23 metal or rubber strip
- 24 seam
- 25 corner pleat
- 26 snap
- 27 side wall corner
- 28 strap
- 29 attached end of strap
- 30 hook and loop patches
- 31 first button
- 32 cord
- 33 second button
- 35 portable water tank
- 36 water hose
- 37 stand
- 38 clamp
- 39 spigot
- 40 sink
- 41 shower head
- 42 first peg
- 43 elasticized band
- 44 second peg
Claims
1. A portable, foldable, shower device for use on a support surface, the shower device comprising:
- (a) a generally planar, flexible, water impervious bottom wall;
- (b) at least one flexible, water impervious side wall attached along one of its side edges to the periphery of the bottom wall;
- (c) an aperture in one of the walls of the shower device, the aperture being occludable by an openable and closable closure mechanism; and
- (d) a water hose comprising a spray shower head attached to a first one of its ends, the water hose being attachable at its opposite, second end to a water source,
- wherein the side wall is convertible from a generally horizontal, planar, folded position adjacent the bottom wall to a generally vertical, erect, open position extending in an upward direction from the generally horizontal bottom wall.
2. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is generally rectangular in shape and is comprised of four sections: two opposite, substantially parallel end side walls, one end of each of which is connected to an end of one of a set of opposite, substantially parallel longitudinal side walls.
3. The shower device according to claim 1, which is one-piece and does not comprise a cover or a separate means of positional support.
4. The shower device according to claim 1, further comprising a length of water impervious drainage hose, a hose member affixed to one end of the drainage hose, and a flange affixed to the wall of the shower device around the periphery of the aperture, the hose member corresponding to the flange.
5. The shower device according to claim 4, wherein the second end of the water hose comprises a mechanism for connection to a water spigot of a sink.
6. A portable, foldable shower device for use on a support surface the shower device comprising:
- (a) a generally planar, flexible water impervious bottom wall;
- (b) at least one flexible, water impervious side wall attached along one of its side edges to the periphery of the bottom wall;
- (c) an aperture in one of the walls of the shower device, the aperture being ocludable by an openable and closable closure mechanism; and
- (d) a length of water impervious drainage hose, a hose member affixed to one end of the drainage hose and a flange affixed to the wall of the shower device around the periphery of the aperture, the hose member corresponding to the flange;
- wherein an outside surface of the flange is threaded, an inside surface of the corresponding hose member is correspondingly threaded, and both the flange and the corresponding hose member are generally cylindrical; and
- wherein the side wall is convertible from a generally horizontal, planar, folded position adjacent the bottom wall to a generally vertical, erect, open position extending in an upward direction from the generally horizontal bottom wall.
7. The shower device according to claim 6, which does not comprise any other apertures, or any rigid member supportable to the side wall for supplying rigidity to the side wall.
8. The shower device according to claim 2, wherein in a folded position, the side walls are substantially coplanar with the bottom wall, and the bottom wall is folded in a plurality of folds along its longitudinal axis, so that the bottom wall folds are compressed between the two longitudinal side walls; and wherein the side walls are sealed to corresponding edges of the bottom wall.
9. The shower device according to claim 8, wherein the folded shower device is further folded in two along its longitudinal axis, so that one longitudinal side wall is on top of the other.
10. A bath device according to claim 2, wherein one of the longitudinal side walls is collapsible from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position, the other, opposite longitudinal side wall permanently remaining in a generally vertical position.
11. A bath device according to claim 1, further comprising a strip of a flexible, water resistant metal or rubber material along an upper edge of the side wall, the strip having substantially the same length as the periphery of the bottom wall.
12. A bath device according to claim 11, wherein the strip is aluminum, and the ends of the strip are fused together.
13. A bath device according to claim 2, wherein each corner of the side walls comprises a corner pleat, and an openable pleat attachment mechanism; each of the pleats allowing the end of a longitudinal side wall when in a folded position to lie substantially flat over or under an end of an adjacent one of the end side walls.
14. A bath device according to claim 13, wherein the pleat attachment mechanism is a snap.
15. A bath device according to claim 13, further comprising a strap and at least two hook and loop strips; wherein one end of the strap is attached to an end portion of an outside face of one of the end side walls of the bath device, a first one of the hook and loop strips being attached to a lower face of an opposite end of the strap, a second one of the hook and loop strips being attached to an end portion of the outside face of an adjacent one of the longitudinal side walls.
16. A bath device according to claim 15, having a matching, openable strap attachment at each of its four corners.
17. A bath device according to claim 15, having a matching, openable strap attachment at either end of one of the longitudinal side walls, with the other, opposite longitudinal side wall remaining permanently erect.
18. A bath device according to claim 2, further comprising at least two buttons, and a length of cord; wherein a first one of the buttons is attached to an outside face of an end portion of an end side wall, a second one of the buttons being affixed to an end portion of an adjacent one of the longitudinal side walls, a portion of the length of cord being wound around the first button, another portion of the cord being fastenable around the second button.
19. A bath device according to claim 2, further comprising at least two pegs, and an elasticized band; wherein a first one of the pegs is attached to an outside face of an end portion of an end side wall, a second one of the pegs is affixed to an end portion of an adjacent one of the longitudinal side walls, a portion of the band is wrapped around the first peg, and another portion of the band is fastenable around the second peg.
20. The shower device according to claim 6, further comprising a water hose and a portable water tank on a movable stand, the water hose comprising a shower head attached to a first one of its ends, a second end of the water hose being attachable to the portable water tank for showering a person in the shower device with water from the portable water tank.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 7, 2003
Publication Date: Jan 13, 2005
Inventors: Franklin Johnson (Charleston, SC), Elizabeth Johnson (Charleston, SC)
Application Number: 10/614,269