CN104244784A - shower wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shower wheelchair (10) that integrates the features of a walker and a shower chair into a single appliance (10). The appliance (10) includes a folding walker having a pivoting seat (36) thereon. The seat (36) is designed in the form of a split toilet seat with a notch at its front end. This feature enables the caregiver to contact all parts of the patient's body, thereby ensuring a thorough bathing. The appliance (10) has a brake (22) and a control (24) for the brake, all of which are of conventional configuration for a walker. All moving parts are covered for rust prevention or made of rust-proof material.

Description

shower wheelchair

【Technical field】

The present invention relates generally to medical devices, and more particularly to a shower wheelchair that provides disabled persons with a mobility aid that also functions as a shower chair.

【Background technique】

For disabled and/or elderly patients, it is often necessary to ensure adequate cleanliness by showering in hospitals, care facilities, and even in private homes. Typically, two instruments are used to accomplish this attempt. A device (walker or wheelchair) is used to transfer the patient to the shower area. The second implement is used to provide support during the patient's shower. The use of a walker or wheelchair to enable mobility of a disabled person is a well-known concept in the related medical field. Likewise, the use of a shower chair by someone who has difficulty standing in the shower. A wide variety of walking aids, wheelchairs and shower chairs are disclosed in the related art and are also commercially available. It would be advantageous to be able to combine these utensils into a single utensil for accomplishing the above tasks. Therefore, need a kind of shower wheelchair that solves above-mentioned problem.

【Content of invention】

A shower wheelchair that integrates the features of a walker, shower chair and toilet seat. The assembly includes a folding walker with a pivoting seat on it. The seat is designed in the form of a split toilet seat with a notch at its front end. This feature allows the caregiver to access all parts of the patient's body, ensuring a thorough bath. The implement has brakes and controls for the brakes, which are all conventional for a walking aid. All moving parts are covered to prevent rust or are made of rust-resistant materials.

Therefore, the present invention proposes a medical appliance that can be used as a walking aid or a shower chair. The appliance is provided with wheels for easy movement. The utensil is also collapsible for enhanced storage capacity. The present invention provides improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the above objects which are cheap, reliable and fully effective in achieving its intended purpose.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further examination of the following specification and drawings.

【Description of drawings】

Figure 1 is an environmental perspective view of a first embodiment of the shower wheelchair of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shower wheelchair of FIG. 1 .

Figure 3 is a perspective rear view of the shower wheelchair shown in Figure 1 in a folded position.

Figure 4 is a perspective side view of the shower wheelchair shown in Figure 1 in a folded position.

Figure 5 is an environmental perspective view of a second embodiment of the shower wheelchair of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the shower wheelchair of Figure 5, shown with the cover folded down for use as a walking aid.

Figure 7 is a perspective front view of the shower wheelchair shown in Figure 5 in the folded position.

Figure 8 is a partial perspective side view of the shower wheelchair of Figure 5 showing details of the folding rod support structure.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the shower wheelchair of Figure 5, shown with the backrest removed and the cover folded back.

Like reference numerals denote corresponding features consistently throughout the parts of the drawings.

【Detailed ways】

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the shower wheelchair 10 includes a pair of tubular front frame members 12 and a pair of tubular rear frame members 14 . The front frame member is pivotally attached to the rear frame member 12 at a pivot connection 15 . First and second handle members 16 and 18 are disposed within the front frame member 12 and are telescopically adjustable therein to accommodate patients of different heights. The lower ends of the frame members 12 and 14 each have front casters 20 and rear casters 20a for easy movement.

A braking element 22 is placed adjacent to the rear caster 20a. A brake controller 24 is mounted on the handle members 16 and 18 and functions to operate the brake member 22 via a control line 24a. A padded, removable backrest member 26 is mounted to the front frame member 12 to enhance patient comfort while sitting. Side supports 30 and 32 are attached to the front and rear frame members to provide stability. Side supports 30 and 32 are hinged at their respective centers 30a and 32a to accommodate folding.

A front cross brace 34 is attached to the front frame member 12 and is adapted to secure a seat 36 pivotally attached thereto. The seat 36 has a structure similar to that of a split toilet seat provided with a notch at its front end. A rear cross member 35 is attached to the rear frame member 14 . The front end of the seat 36 is supported on the rear cross member 35 when the seat 36 is pivoted to the use position or the down position. The seat is designed to allow the caregiver to access the patient's entire body, ensuring thorough cleaning. As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the appliance can be easily folded for storage when required.

In use, patient P (shown in dashed lines) may use the appliance as a walking aid, or alternatively be transferred to the shower area while seated on the appliance. The appliance and the seated patient are placed in the shower, thereby providing an opportunity for a caregiver, etc. to take a thorough bath.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-9 , the rear casters 20 a rest on the inner surface 14 a of the respective rear tubular frame member 14 . This placement allows the casters 20a to pass easily through conventional bathroom door frames and allow for easy entry and exit from the bathroom. The cross brace 35 is positioned at a height sufficient to remove the top of the seat commode C (conventional and for the handicapped). A cover or cover 40 is mounted to a hinged lever mechanism 42 allowing the cover to pivot fully behind the seat 36 if desired (FIG. 9). An opening 40a is provided in the cover, whereby the cover can be grasped and pivoted through said opening if required. The cover provides a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement when the implement is used in public as a walking aid, and also provides the user with a more comfortable seat when desired.

As best seen in Figures 7 and 8, the folding rod supports 44 and 46 are each provided with a reverse one-way hinge arrangement at 44a and 46a. This arrangement enables one support member 44 to fold in an upward direction while also preventing folding in a downward direction. At the same time, the other support 46 is folded in the downward direction, and it is also prevented from being folded in the upward direction. This arrangement allows the device to be easily folded by applying a slight upward force on the handle. A mechanical locking assembly 49 functions to lock the appliance in the unfolded position and allows the appliance to be lifted over obstacles (curbs, steps, etc.) when unfolded. The handle of the safety assembly must be raised in order to unlock said assembly and allow folding. This arrangement enhances safety as it prevents inadvertent collapse of the appliance. As shown in Figure 7, a spring 48 is attached to part 46 and part 12 to provide mechanical assistance to reinforce the fold.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. A shower wheelchair, comprising: front frame parts; a rear frame member pivotally attached to said front frame member; a front cross member attached to said front frame member; a rear cross member attached to said rear frame member; a seat pivotally mounted on the front frame member, the seat having a front end configured as a split toilet seat having a notch at the front end thereof; and A cover is pivotally mounted on the front frame member, the cover being on the seat to selectively cover the seat. 2. The shower wheelchair of claim 1, further comprising a padded backrest removably attached to the front frame member. 3. The shower wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein said front frame member has a lower end, said shower wheelchair further comprising casters mounted on said lower end. 4. The shower wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the rear frame member has a lower end, the shower wheelchair further comprising casters mounted on the lower end of the rear frame member. 5. The shower wheelchair of claim 1, further comprising a pair of handles telescopically mounted on the front frame member. 6. The shower wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the shower wheelchair is made of lightweight rust-proof material. 7. A shower wheelchair, comprising: a front frame member having a lower end; a rear frame member pivotally attached to the front frame member, the rear frame member having a lower end, the lower end of the rear frame member having an inner surface; a first pair of casters mounted on said lower end of said front frame; a second pair of casters mounted on the inner surface of said lower end of said rear frame member; a front cross member attached to said front frame member; a rear cross member attached to said rear frame member; a seat pivotally mounted on said front frame member, said seat having a front end, said seat configured as a split toilet seat having a notch at its front end; a cover pivotally mounted on the front frame member, the cover on the seat to selectively cover the seat; and A locking assembly attached to the front frame member and the rear frame member to prevent inadvertent collapse of the shower wheelchair. 8. The shower wheelchair according to claim 7, wherein the seat is pivotally mounted on the front cross member. 9. The shower wheelchair of claim 7, further comprising a brake element disposed adjacent the second pair of casters. 10. The shower wheelchair of claim 7, further comprising a padded backrest removably attached to said front frame member. 11. The shower wheelchair according to claim 7, further comprising a pair of handles telescopically mounted on said front frame member. 12. The shower wheelchair of claim 7, wherein the assembly is made of a lightweight, rust-resistant material. 13. A shower wheelchair comprising: a front frame member having a lower end; a rear frame member pivotally attached to the front frame member, the rear frame member having a lower end, the lower end of the rear frame member having an inner surface; a first pair of casters mounted on said lower end of said front frame member; a second pair of casters mounted on the inner surface of said lower end of said rear frame member; each of the folding bar supports connecting said front frame member to said rear frame member has a respective one-way pivot hinge whereby said folding bar supports fold in opposite directions; connecting a spring in one of the folding rod supports to the rear frame member; a braking element positioned adjacent to said second pair of casters; a front cross member attached to said front frame member; a rear cross member attached to said rear frame member; a seat pivotally mounted on said front cross member, said seat having a front end, said seat being configured as a split toilet seat having a notch at its front end; a cover pivotally mounted on the front frame member, the cover on the seat to selectively cover the seat; and A locking assembly connected to the front frame member and the rear frame member for preventing inadvertent collapse of the shower wheelchair. 14. The shower wheelchair according to claim 13, wherein said cover has an opening therethrough whereby said cover can be grasped for pivoting through said opening, said shower wheelchair further comprising a pair of A handle is telescopically mounted on the front frame member. 15. The shower wheelchair according to claim 14, wherein the shower wheelchair is made of a lightweight rust-resistant material.