Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Shower – With special feature for physically handicapped
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2001-03-06
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Shower
With special feature for physically handicapped
C004S560100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195815
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a unit for a shower and, in particular, to apparatus for facilitating use of a shower by a disabled person.
Disabled persons such as geriatric, sick or post-operative persons can be unsteady and often need to sit while having a shower. Persons who normally use a wheelchair also generally need to sit while showering. In general, the disabled person is wheeled into the shower on a wheelchair, for example by hospital staff for assisted showering.
The present invention has been made from a consideration of the disadvantages with use of a wheelchair or the like in a shower and in order to provide an apparatus which facilitates use of a shower by a disabled person and which facilitates assisted showering.
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for facilitating use of a shower comprising support means and shuttle means slidably mounted on said support means such that, in use, said shuttle means is slidably movable along said support means between a first position adjacent a shower and a second position remote from said shower.
Preferably, said support means comprises an elongate panel. Typically, the panel is adapted to be mounted with its longer edges substantially horizontal. Preferably, the panel comprises polypropylene with a metal backing plate such as stainless steel. Typically the panel is adapted to be mounted on a wall by suitable means such as brackets and, in use, may extend from the interior of a shower cubicle to project outside the cubicle. Preferably, the panel is in two sections, an interior section and an exterior section having a small gap therebetween. Such a gap is typically sufficiently small not to interfere with the sliding movement of the seat means. The gap may be adapted to receive a portion of a shower curtain means.
Preferably, the shuttle means comprises a shuttle adapted to be slidably mounted on said support means and a seat extending substantially horizontally from said shuttle. The seat may be removably secured to said shuttle. Preferably, arm-rests and/or a back-rest are also removably secured to the shuttle. Preferably, the height of the seat and/or the arm-rests and back-rest are adjustable to accommodate different sized users. Preferably, the shuttle comprises front and back panels which respectively extend downwardly on each side of the support panel, the seat being secured to the front panel. Preferably, the front panel extends down the support panel substantially as far as the region from which the seat extends in use and the back panel extends only partially down the support panel. Preferably, the front panel is a relatively long panel and the back panel is a relatively short panel. Preferably, bearing means on the front surface of the back panel engage the upper region of the support panel and bearings means on the back surface of the front panel engage the lower region of the support panel. Preferably, the bearing means on the front panel is located on the opposite side but in the same region as, when in use, the seat of the shuttle. Preferably, the seat of the shuttle is secured and extends from, in use, the said front panel. Preferably, the shuttle means engages the support means by means of bearing means on the front panel, back panel and spacer element. Preferably, the bearing means are roller bearings. Preferably, a spacer element is sandwiched between the upper regions of the front and back panels. Preferably, in use, the spacer element overlies an upper edge of the support panel. Preferably, a back surface of the front panel is provided with one or more roller bearings, typically spaced at intervals in a row along a lower region of the front panel. Preferably, a front surface of the back panel is provided with one or more roller bearings, typically spaced at intervals in a row along a lower region of the back panel. Such bearing may be mounted in corresponding recesses in the front and back panels. Preferably, the bearing axes extend vertically in use. Preferably, the spacer element comprises one or more recesses formed in a lower edge thereof, typically spaced at regular intervals along said edge. Preferably, one or more roller bearings are mounted transversely between said front and back panels and typically extend into corresponding edge recesses in said spacer element such that in use the shuttle slides along the support panel by means of such rollers.
The invention includes a shower cubicle having apparatus of the invention installed thereon. Preferably, the support panel extends both inside and outside the cubicle. Preferably, the cubicle comprises a shower tray or floor section which is raised above ground level. Preferably, a recess or footwell is provided beneath the tray or floor section with an opening to the front of the cubicle to allow an assistant to stand with his feet beneath the shower tray/floor thereby facilitating better access during assisted showering and closer proximity to the person being showered.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a shower cubicle having a shower tray or floor section raised above ground level wherein a recess or footwell is provided beneath the tray or floor section, such recess or footwell having an opening to the front of the cubicle for receiving a user's feet.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a shower cubicle having a curtain rail pivotally secured to one side of said cubicle adjacent a cubicle opening. Preferably, the rail is secured by means of a pivotal hinge. Preferably, the rail is adapted to pivot between a stored position, typically upright, and an extended position wherein the rail spans the cubicle opening. Preferably, the pivotal connection is at a height on the cubicle such that when in the extended position the rail extends at substantially the height of the shoulders of a user seated in the shower cubicle. Preferably, a half height or corresponding height curtain is mounted on the rail to extend between the rail and the floor of the cubicle.
Preferably, the curtain comprises a stiffened edge. Preferably the stiffened edge of the curtain is the edge remote from the pivotal connection of the rail. The cubicle may include apparatus of the invention installed thereon.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3028603 (1962-04-01), Rodman
patent: 3090969 (1963-05-01), Maling
patent: 4091479 (1978-05-01), Hancock
patent: 4168549 (1979-09-01), Davies
patent: 4253202 (1981-03-01), Thomas
patent: 4680817 (1987-07-01), Sloan et al.
patent: 5337525 (1994-08-01), Zaccai et al.
patent: 5606751 (1997-03-01), Baker
patent: 2671961 (1992-07-01), None
Fowle Alan Percy
Wilkinson Andrew David
Jenkins & Wilson, P.A.
Phillips Charles E.
Taplanes Limited
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