Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02868010 2014-09-19
WO 2013/158321
PCT/US2013/032814
SHOWER CHAIR/WALKER COMBINATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to medical appliances, and
particularly to
a shower chair/walker combination that provides a walker that is also usable
as a shower
chair for the disabled.
BACKGROUND ART
In hospitals, nursing facilities and even in the private home, it is often
necessary
for a disabled and/or elderly patient to have a shower for adequate cleansing.
Often, this
endeavor requires the use of two appliances. One appliance (a walker or
wheelchair) is
needed to transport the patient to the shower area. A second appliance is
needed to provide
support while the patient is actually taking the shower. The use of walkers or
wheelchairs for
providing mobility for disabled people is a well-known concept in the related
medical arts.
So to is the use of shower chairs for people who find it difficult to stand
while taking a
shower. A variety of walkers, wheelchairs and shower chairs are disclosed in
the related arts
and are commercially available. It would certainly be advantageous if these
appliances could
be combined into a single appliance for accomplishing the task as described
above. Thus, a
shower chair/walker combination solving the aforementioned problems is
desired.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The shower chair/walker combination incorporates the features of a walker, a
shower chair and a toilet seat. The combination comprises a folding walker
having a pivoted
seat thereon. The seat is of a split toilet seat design having a gap at its
front end. This feature
allows a caregiver to have access to all parts of the patient's body to assure
complete bathing.
The appliance is provided with brakes and controls therefor as is
conventionally provided for
walkers. All moving parts are either covered to prevent rusting or fabricated
from rust-
resistant materials.
Accordingly, the invention presents a medical appliance that can be employed
as
a walker or a shower chair. The appliance is provided with wheels for easy
movement. The
appliance is also foldable to enhance storage capability. The invention
provides for improved
elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are
inexpensive, dependable
and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
1
CA 02868010 2014-09-19
WO 2013/158321
PCT/US2013/032814
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent
upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a shower
chair/walker combination according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the shower chair/walker combination of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective, rear view of the shower chair/walker combination of
Fig.1, shown in a folded position.
Fig. 4 is a perspective, side view of the shower chair/walker combination of
Fig.
1, shown in a folded position.
Fig. 5 is an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment of a
shower
chair/walker combination according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the shower chair/walker combination of Fig. 5,
shown with the lid folded down for use as a walker.
Fig. 7 is a perspective, front view of the shower chair/walker combination of
Fig.
5, shown in a folded position.
Fig. 8 is a partial perspective, side view of the shower chair/walker
combination
of Fig. 5, showing details of the folding bar support structure.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the shower chair/walker combination of Fig. 5,
shown with the backrest detached and the lid folded back.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the attached drawings.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the shower walker/chair 10 comprises a pair of
tubular
front frame members 12 and a pair of tubular rear frame members 14. Front
frame members
are pivotally attached to rear frame members 12 at pivot connections 15. First
and second
handle members 16 and 18 are disposed in front frame members 12 and are
telescopically
adjustable therein to accommodate patients of different heights. The lower
ends of frame
members 12 and 14 are provided with respective front casters 20 and rear
casters 20a to
facilitate movement.
2
CA 02868010 2014-09-19
WO 2013/158321
PCT/US2013/032814
Braking elements 22 are positioned adjacent rear casters 20a. Brake controls
24
are mounted on handle members 16 and 18 and function to operate braking
elements 22 via
control lines 24a. A padded detachable backrest member 26 is mounted to front
frame
member 12 to enhance the comfort of the patient when seated. Side support
members 30 and
32 are attached to the front and rear frame members to provide stability. Side
support
members 30 and 32 are hinged at their respective centers 30a and 32a to
accommodate
folding.
A front cross-brace 34 is attached to front frame members 12 and is adapted to
secure a seat 36 pivotally attached thereto. The seat 36 has a configuration
similar to that of a
split toilet seat, which split toilet seat has a gap at its front end. A rear
cross-brace member
35 is attached to rear frame members 14. The front end of seat 36 is supported
on rear cross-
brace member 35 when the seat is pivoted to an in use or downward position.
The seat
design permits a caregiver to have access to the patient's entire body thereby
ensuring
thorough cleansing. As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the appliance is easily
folded for storage
when desired.
In use, a patient P (shown in phantom lines) can employ the appliance as a
walker or, alternatively, be transported to the shower area while seated on
the appliance. The
appliance and the seated patient are positioned in the shower thereby
affording an opportunity
for through bathing by a caregiver or the like.
In the embodiment as illustrated in Figs. 5-9, rear casters 20a are positioned
on
the inside surfaces 14a of respective rear tubular frame members 14. This
positioning
permits the casters 20a to easily clear conventional bathroom doorframes and
provides for
easy access and egress to and from bathrooms. Cross-brace member 35 is
positioned at a
height sufficient to clear the top of a commode C (conventional and for
handicapped users).
A lid or cover 40 is mounted to hinged lever mechanism 42 to permit the cover
to pivot
completely behind the seat 36 (Fig. 9), if desired. An opening 40a is provided
in the lid
whereby the lid may be grasped and pivoted as needed. The lid provides for a
more
aesthetically pleasing arrangement when the appliance is employed as a walker
in public, and
also provides a more comfortable seat for the user if needed.
As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8, folding bar support members 44 and 46 are
provided with respective reversed one-way hinge structures at 44a and 46a.
This
arrangement allows one support member 44 to fold in an upward direction, while
preventing
folding in a downward direction. Simultaneously, the other support member 46
is folded in a
downward direction and is prevented from folding in the upward direction. This
arrangement
3
CA 02868010 2014-09-19
WO 2013/158321
PCT/US2013/032814
allows the device to be easily folded with a slight upward pressure on the
handles. A
mechanical locking assembly 49 functions to lock the appliance in the unfolded
position and
allows the appliance to be lifted up to clear obstructions (curbs, steps,
etc.) without folding.
The handle of the safety assembly must be lifted to unlock the assembly to
allow folding.
This arrangement enhances safety in that it prevents an inadvertent collapse
of the appliance.
As shown in Fig. 7, a spring 48 is attached to member 46 and to member 12 to
provide a
mechanical assist to enhance folding.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment
described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of
the following
claims.
4
