JP3422005B2 - Wheelchair bathing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to bathing in a wheelchair, and more specifically, it is possible to bathe in a relatively narrow space with little pollution in the bathtub, and the burden on caregivers and users is light and simple. The present invention relates to an inexpensive bath device and bath method.

[0002]

In recent years, with the aging of society, the number of elderly people and persons with physical disabilities who need nursing care is increasing remarkably, and the number of people who are physically handicapped and need wheelchairs is increasing. For this reason, the bathing method for people using wheelchairs is a serious concern not only for the person himself / herself but also for those who are involved in medical care and nursing care. It is possible for a person with a relatively minor disability to move from a wheelchair to a normal bathtub with the help of a caregiver, but for a person with a relatively severe disability, it is very difficult to leave the wheelchair, and Attempts to move will impose an undue burden on the caregiver. Therefore, studies on how to take a bath while sitting on a wheelchair have been actively conducted.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-146296,
There has been proposed a device in which a wheelchair-accessible entrance and exit provided with a waterproof door is provided on one sidewall of the bathtub, and the wheelchair is accommodated in the bathtub for bathing. In addition, JP-A-8-322755
In the above, there is proposed a device for bathing a wheelchair by placing a wheelchair on a lid which is raised and lowered by a cylinder in a bathtub whose upper surface is flush with the floor. According to this device or the like, a wheelchair user can take a bath while sitting on the wheelchair, which is very convenient and reduces the burden on the caregiver. However, there is a problem that the inside of the bathtub becomes unclean because the mud, dust, and the like attached to the wheel portion of the wheelchair are mainly brought into the bathtub. This hygiene problem is significant because many wheelchair users are less resistant to pathogens.

Therefore, it has been proposed that the wheel portions of the wheelchair be separated and left so that the user can take a bath while sitting and enhance the cleanliness of the bathtub. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-99403 proposes a device in which a seat portion and a backrest portion are separated from a wheelchair, suspended by a lift, and moved into a bathtub. Further, JP-A-8-19585 proposes a bathing apparatus including a mechanism for separating a chair portion from a wheelchair and a mechanism for moving the separated chair portion into a bathtub. According to this device and the like, the chair portion is separated from the wheelchair and moved by the lift or the cylinder, so that the caregiver's burden is lightened and the wheel portion does not enter the bathtub, so that the problem of contamination is almost solved. However, since the apparatus is large due to the use of lifts, cylinders, etc., there is a problem that the place for installing these bathing apparatuses must be wide. There was also the problem of high prices. Therefore, these devices are limited to use in a large-scale care and welfare facility, and are difficult to use in a general home or a small and medium-sized care and welfare facility.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-218023 proposes that the chair portion is not separated from the wheelchair, but is left as a part of the wheelchair and is accommodated in the bathtub. In other words, a chair is constructed so that the chair part is suspended so that a space is provided under and around the chair part. By inserting the seat part into the space while rotating the bathtub from the side, only the chair part is to be accommodated in the bathtub. It is a thing. According to this proposal, a mechanism for separating the chair from the wheelchair is unnecessary,
You can take a bath without requiring a large area, and since the wheels do not enter the bathtub, mud and dust will not be brought into the bathtub. However, it is quite difficult to insert the bathtub around the chair while rotating the bathtub in a limited space, and the user has to bend or lift the lower limb so that the bathtub can be easily inserted.
Since many wheelchair users have restricted ankle joints, knee joints, hip joints, and the like and flexion movements, only a limited number of people can use the proposed device.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the inventor of the present invention relates to a method of bathing in a wheelchair, which requires less burden on users and caregivers, is hygienic, and requires a large area. Therefore, the present invention has been accomplished as a result of intensive research on a wheelchair bathing apparatus and a wheelchair bathing method, which is inexpensive and can be easily used by many wheelchair users in homes and nursing care facilities.

[0007]

A gist of a wheelchair bathing device according to the present invention is a wheelchair bathing device in which a wheelchair and a vertically movable tub are combined, and the wheelchair has a seat portion. Rigid shape , including backrest and armrests
A chair part to be formed , a pedestal part provided with wheels for suspending and supporting the chair part, and a multi-tiered installation on a vertical frame of the gantry part.
The chair is provided with a hook-shaped engaging portion, and a gap having a width larger than the height when the bathtub is contracted to the lowest is provided below the chair, and the four surroundings of the chair include the gap. There is a gap large enough to accommodate the side wall of the bathtub when the bathtub is extended to the maximum extent.

In such a wheelchair bathing device, the gantry
The part includes a horizontal frame, and the footrest is attached to the horizontal frame.
It was installed so that it could be lifted up .

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of a wheelchair bathing apparatus and a wheelchair bathing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a wheelchair bathing apparatus according to the present invention. A wheelchair 10 is shown in FIG. 1 (a), a bathtub 12 is shrunk low in FIG. 1 (b), and FIG. 1 (c). Shown is the bathtub 12 which is highly stretched in use. Wheelchair 10
Is a chair portion 20 including a seat portion 14, a backrest portion 16, and an armrest portion 18, and a wheel 22 that suspends and supports the chair portion 20.
And a pedestal portion 26 having a footrest 24.
The bathtub 12 is composed of a flexible and foldable waterproof bag 28 and a frame body 30 located at the upper end thereof. In the free state, the waterproof bag 28 of the bathtub 12 is slackened and folded, and is kept shrunk low as shown in FIG. 7B. However, when the frame 30 is pulled upward, the waterproof bag 28 expands. As shown in FIG. 3C, a bathtub 12 having a height capable of bathing is formed. Horizontally extending rod-shaped projections 32 are provided at four corners of the frame body 30, and by hanging the hook-shaped locking portions 34 provided on the pedestal portion 26, the bathtub 12 is suspended and fixed to the wheelchair 10. Has been done.

The wheelchair bathing apparatus of this example is usually used as follows. That is, first, a stopper is applied to the wheel 22 of the wheelchair 10 to prevent the wheelchair 10 from moving, the footrest 24 is flipped up, and the lowered bathtub 12 is inserted into the gap 27 provided below the chair portion 20. . Next, the frame 30 is pulled up along the gap 29 provided in the four surroundings of the chair portion 20, the waterproof bag 28 is extended to form the bathtub 12 of a predetermined height, and the rod-shaped projection 32 is attached to the hook-shaped locking portion 34. By hanging, the bathtub 12 is suspended and fixed to the wheelchair 10. If you fill it with hot water, it will be in a bath state. During this time,
The bather remains in the wheelchair 10 in a natural sitting position.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the bathtub 12 is filled with hot water during bathing. Since the bottom portion of the bathtub 12 is in contact with the floor surface, the weight of the hot water is mainly received on the floor surface, and the waterproof bag 28 having a relatively low strength can be used without breaking or deforming. The body may be washed when the wheelchair 10 is alone before the bathtub 12 is attached, or while the bathtub is being bathed. Hot water is poured into the bathtub 12 by a hose or a bucket, but the method is not limited to these. A water supply hose fixture or the like may be attached to the bathtub 12.

When the bathing is completed, the rod-shaped projection 32 is removed from the hook-shaped engaging portion 34, the bathtub 12 is folded and lowered, and the bathtub 12 is pulled out from under the chair portion 20 to restore the state of the wheelchair 10 alone. It is convenient to provide a drain port at the bottom of the bathtub 12 for draining hot water.

According to the wheelchair bathing apparatus of this example, the chair portion 2
Since only 0 is stored in the bathtub 12, dirt and dust attached to the wheels 22 do not enter the bathtub, which is sanitary. In addition, since it is possible to take a bath in a natural sitting position without bending or raising the lower limbs, it can be used by many people with different levels of disability. In addition, since the bather can take a bath while sitting on the wheelchair 10 and does not need to assist the movement from the wheelchair 10,
The caregiver's burden is greatly reduced. Further, since the bottom of the bathtub 12 is in contact with the floor surface and the floor surface receives the weight of the hot water, the material of the bathtub 12 does not need to be very high quality. Therefore, for the waterproof bag 28, a relatively low-priced material such as soft polyvinyl chloride can be used, for example. Moreover, since the bathing area is large enough for a wheelchair and a caregiver to enter, it is a bathing apparatus that is easy to use even in a general home.

In the wheelchair 10 shown in FIG. 1, the footrest 2 is
Since 4 is attached to the pedestal portion 26, it is structured so as not to enter the bathtub 12. Therefore, while taking a bath, the feet freely hang down or the soles of the feet come into contact with the bottom surface of the bathtub 12, and the feet are opened, so that the bathing state is somewhat close to the normal bathing state. In the wheelchair 10 shown in FIG. 3, the footrest 24 is suspended from the seat portion 14 and is structured to be accommodated in the bathtub 12 even while taking a bath, so that the feet can be stably supported during bathing.

As a bathtub 12 which can be expanded and contracted vertically, FIG.
It is preferable to use a flexible waterproof bag 28, as illustrated in FIG. The flexible waterproof bag 28 is relatively lightweight, inexpensive, and foldable in a small size. If the waterproof bag 28 is pleated in advance, it can be folded easily, the workability is improved, and the folded shape is stable, which facilitates storage and transportation. The material of the waterproof bag 28 is not particularly limited, but a synthetic resin sheet such as soft polyvinyl chloride, a waterproof woven fabric or a non-woven fabric can be used.

However, the bathtub 12 used in the present invention
Is not limited to the use of a flexible waterproof bag. For example, when it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the bathtub 12, a bathtub 12 having a multi-stage frame as shown in FIG. You can also do it. That is, the frame 36 having a size that fits with each other is arranged in the order of the size and connected by the waterproof cloth 38, and if the uppermost frame 36 is pulled up, the bathtub 12 having a relatively high rigidity and a well-shaped shape is formed. Although it is formed, when the uppermost frame 36 is lowered, the waterproof cloth 38 is loosened and the frames 36 are fitted with each other, so that the bathtub 12 is contracted into a substantially plate shape as a whole.

The means for maintaining / fixing the bathtub 12 in an extended state is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a rod-shaped projection 32.
Various means other than suspending and fixing to the wheelchair 10 by engagement of the hook-shaped locking portion 34 with each other are possible. For example,
In the bathtub 12 shown in FIG. 5, a ring-shaped locking portion 42 is provided at the tip of a rope 40 attached to the frame body 30, and by engaging with the hook-shaped locking portion 34, the bathtub 12 is moved to the wheelchair 10. It is hung and fixed on. According to the main locking means, the length of the rope 40 can be adjusted, so that the height of the bathtub 12 can be optimally adjusted according to the body shape of the bather. As a method of adjusting the height of the bathtub 12, the hook-shaped engaging portions 34 may be provided on the pedestal portion 26 in multiple stages and the engagement position with the ring-shaped engaging portion 42 may be adjusted.

The bathtub 12 suspended and fixed from the pedestal portion 26 of the wheelchair 10 only needs to have an engaging means for engaging with the pedestal portion 26 at the upper end thereof, so that the structure is simple and the material is required to have very high physical properties. Not done. Therefore, the bathtub 12 can be made relatively small and inexpensive, which is a particularly preferable embodiment of the present invention. However, when the structure of the gantry is restricted for a special purpose, it may be difficult to suspend and fix the wheelchair 10 from the wheelchair 10, and the self-standing bathtub 12 may be required. For example, the bathtub 1 shown in FIG.
2 is a bathtub 1 that can stand by using a frame 44 that can be assembled
A frame 44 having a structure that is easily assembled when used to support the frame 30 of the bathtub 12 and is easily folded when the height is reduced when not in use is used.

According to the wheelchair bathing apparatus of the present embodiment, only the chair portion 20 is accommodated in the bathtub 13, so that dirt and dust attached to the wheels 22 do not enter the bathtub, which is sanitary. In addition, since it is possible to take a bath in a natural sitting position without bending or raising the lower limbs, it can be used by many people with different levels of disability. In addition, the bather can use it while sitting on the wheelchair 10 and does not need to assist the movement from the wheelchair 10, so that the burden on the caregiver is greatly reduced. Also, bathtub 1
Since the 3 is self-supporting, it does not need to be locked to the wheelchair 10 and has high rigidity and is not easily deformed, so that the caregiver can easily perform the work.

In addition, within the scope of the present invention, various improvements, corrections, and modifications of the material, shape, structure, assembling method, accessories, etc. of the bathtub or wheelchair are made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It can be implemented in an added mode.

[0022]

According to the wheelchair bathing apparatus of the present invention, only the chair portion is accommodated in the bathtub, so that dirt and dust attached to the wheels do not enter the bathtub, which is sanitary. In addition, since it is possible to take a bath in a natural sitting position without bending or raising the lower limbs, the degree of disability, such as those who have traditionally contracted the ankles, knees, hips, etc. and have limited flexion It is highly versatile and available to many different people. Further, the bather does not need to assist the movement from the wheelchair while sitting in the wheelchair, so the burden on the caregiver is greatly reduced.

According to the wheelchair bathing device of the present invention,
Since it has a simple structure, it is relatively inexpensive and does not require a large space, so it is easy to use at home.

Further, in the case of a flexible and foldable bathtub, since the bottom of the bathtub is in contact with the floor surface and the weight of the hot water is received on the floor surface, the material of the bathtub does not need to be very high quality. For this reason, since the waterproof bag 28 can be made of a relatively low-priced material such as soft polyvinyl chloride, it can be easily used in general households. It is also possible to provide low-priced disposable bathtubs with excellent hygiene and personally owned bathtubs among a large number of people for bathers who have a low immunity and are at high risk of infection. Is.

Furthermore, if the upper end of the flexible and foldable bathtub is constructed so as to be suspended and fixed from the pedestal portion of the wheelchair, the self-supporting function can be omitted and the structure can be simplified. Further miniaturization is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a wheelchair bathing apparatus according to the present invention, where FIG. 1 (a) is a wheelchair, FIG. 1 (b) is a contracted and lowered bathtub, and FIG. 1 (c). Indicates an extended and raised bathtub.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a bathing state using the wheelchair bathing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing another example of a wheelchair according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing another example of the bath according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of a locking portion of a bath according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing another example of a bath according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Wheelchair 12, 13: Bathtub 14: Seat 16: Back part 18: Armrest 20: Chair 22: Wheel 24: Foot stand 26: Stand 27, 29: Gap 28: Waterproof bag 30: frame 32: Rod-shaped protrusion 34: Hook-shaped locking part 36: Frame 38: Waterproof cloth 40: Rope 42: Ring-shaped locking portion 44: frame

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A wheelchair bathing device in which a wheelchair and a vertically expandable and contractible bathtub are combined, wherein the wheelchair includes a chair portion including a seat portion, a backrest portion, an armrest portion, and a rigid chair portion. The pedestal portion is provided with wheels for suspending and supporting the chair portion, and a hook-shaped engaging portion provided in multiple stages on a vertical frame of the pedestal portion. Below the chair portion, the bathtub is provided. Is provided with a width larger than the height when the bathtub is contracted to the lowest, and the four surroundings of the chair are provided with a gap large enough to accommodate the side wall portion of the bathtub when the bathtub is extended to the highest level. Wheelchair bathing device characterized by that. 2. The gantry unit includes a horizontal frame, and the horizontal frame
The footrest is attached to the frame so that it can be flipped up.
The wheelchair bathing device according to claim 1, wherein: