EP0457093B1 - Seatbath insert for existing bath tubs, particularly for physically disabled - Google Patents

Abstract

This mobile seatbath insert (1) can be inserted into any existing bath tub (2) and be supported on the front and the rear bath tub edge (14 and 15 respectively) of the latter, which makes it possible for physically disabled people (16) to take a seatbath independently. The seatbath insert (1) consists of a tub body (3), a watertight door (4), fittings (5) and an electropneumatic unit (6) and is connected to the existing sanitary installation. The watertight door (4) is designed as a folding door (29) with a hinge (31), pneumatic rubber seal (19) and safety closure (34), which in an open position (O) makes the inside of the tub body (3) accessible for physically disabled people (16) and in a closed position (Z) makes possible the water-filling of the tub body (3) as far as the overflow. Water level and door position are mutually locked. For self-transfer into and out of the seatbath device, there is arranged in the tub body (3) on the seat arrangement (10) at approximately 50 cm sit-down height a seat turntable (11) which is rotatable about the vertical axis (17). On this, even a physically disabled person (16) can turn himself independently and safely from a sitting position outside the tub body (3) into a sitting position inside the same and vice versa. The seatbath insert (1) according to the invention is flexible to use, reliable and inexpensive and is suitable for use in rented apartments. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a mobile hip bath insert in existing bathtubs with a seat arrangement that can be placed in commercially available bathtubs for independent use by people who cannot get into conventional bathtubs without outside help in order to enable them to take a hip bath in self-service. wherein the seat assembly is designed as an integral part of a bathtub body with a longitudinal central axis and a transverse central axis, which bathtub body contains a bathtub floor consisting of the seat assembly and a foot section along its longitudinal central axis, two bathtub body long sides, and a bathtub body transverse side, the bathtub body into existing ones Bath tubs can be inserted and supported on the same, for which each tub body long side has a tub body flange, the one tub body long side having a watertight door with hinge, door seal and safety lock, which in an open position allows the inside of the tub body to be accessed by the physically disabled makes and in a closed position allows the water to fill the tub body up to the overflow. wherein the foot part-side bath body cross-side fittings, which are connected to the fittings of the existing bathtub via flexible hoses.

Such mobile hip bath applications are generally applicable in nursing and elderly care. In particular, however, they are suitable for rental apartments in order to make the growing number of privately living older people independent of their hygienic care and to enable them to use their own apartment even in old age and to maintain a self-determined lifestyle. In addition, such hip bath inserts are intended for people for whom the sitting position is mandatory for medical reasons when bathing.

It is known that older people are hardly able to independently get into a commercially available bathtub and to leave it independently. It is particularly difficult for them to get up in a wet and slippery bathtub without outside help. Most of the time there is only the choice either to buy aids (often after an accident) or to do without swimming independently. These tools range from attachable handles and insertable seats to technical lifting systems to entire bathtub units with transfer systems. All of these devices assume that a physically handicapped person has to climb into a 4o - 5o cm deep tub and has to leave it again. However, an additional person is often required to provide assistance even when using such aids.

For example, from the American patent US-A-3 864 762, which is considered to be the closest prior art, a mobile hip bath insert in existing bathtubs for the physically handicapped has become known, with a seat arrangement that can be placed in commercially available bathtubs for independent use by people who do not third-party help can not get into commercially available bathtubs to enable them to take a hip bath in self-service, the seat arrangement being designed as an integral part of a bathtub body with a longitudinal central axis and transverse central axis. This bathtub body contains a bathtub floor consisting of the seat arrangement and a foot part along its longitudinal center axis, two bathtub body long sides, and a bathtub body transverse side on the foot part side and can be inserted into and supported on existing bathtubs. For this purpose, each tub body long side has a tub body flange, the one tub body long side having a watertight door with hinge, door seal and safety lock, which in an open position allows the inside of the tub body to be accessed by the physically disabled makes and in a closed position, the water filling of the tub body up to the overflow, the foot part-side tub body transverse side fittings that are connected to the fittings of the existing bathtub via flexible hoses.
Since the physically handicapped is stored on a horizontal bathtub floor in this bathtub insert, there is the disadvantage that the sitting position can only be assumed with the legs stretched or drawn up. In particular, it is not possible to let the legs dangle downwards in a normal hanging position, as would be desirable in the case of severely restricted mobility or in the case of heart problems. Another major disadvantage is that it is not possible with this bath insert to take a hip bath in conventional lying bath tubs, with legs hanging freely down and the water level reaching to chest level. Such seats are required in many cases, for example with greatly reduced mobility or with cardiovascular problems and it would be desirable that conventional bath tubs, such as those found in rented apartments, could be used for this. It has also been shown that the independent transfer from a normal sitting position outside of the hip bath to a sitting position on the level bathtub floor requires mobility and concentration that are often not available to a sufficient extent in older and disabled people.

There is also the applicant's European Patent No. 0 100 321, which describes a hospital bathtub in which an electrohydraulically operated lifting device with hydraulic cylinder, piston rod, and motor-pump unit is attached to a frame supporting the tub body. The hydraulic cylinder has a piston rod that can be ejected upwards, on the upper end of which the supporting structure for a seat and lying shell is attached, which can be rotated from a position outside the tub body to a position within the tub body and in both positions to the height of the tub floor is lowerable.

When used independently by a physically handicapped person, he will conveniently lower the seat plate to about 45 - 50 cm above the floor, take a seat on it and steer himself to a sufficient height above the bath rim flange and turn into a position in the vertical longitudinal center plane of the bath tub. By lowering the seating arrangement, the user then reaches a position within the tub body in which the intended bathing treatment can be carried out. Although this bathtub lift is generally suitable for self-service by the physically disabled, it has been shown that the independent transfer into and out of bathtubs by means of the bathtub lift amounts to moving freely along the three axes of the room without outside help and this at a considerable height above the bathroom floor. This is often perceived as uncomfortable by the physically handicapped, because they feel insecure or even at risk and could get into a difficult situation due to a technical breakdown, from which they would not be able to free themselves. Another disadvantage arises from the fact that a bathtub lift is a very complex technical device, the use of which is restricted because of its purchase price and also because of the structural measures required for its installation. This applies in particular to the bathrooms of privately living people in rented apartments. A device would be required which can be operated easily and safely by the physically handicapped and which is suitable for retrofitting existing bathtubs in rental apartments, both in terms of cost and effort.

Furthermore, a bathtub insert is described in European Patent Application No. 0 324 899, which is constructed from a floor frame, a lifting plate and guide and lifting devices arranged in between. So that a physically disabled person can get onto the lifting plate, it must be raised to the level of the edge of the bath tub. The lifting plate is then lowered into the bathing position with the person. After the bath is finished, the lifting plate is raised again to the height of the bath rim from where the Bathtub - even with limited mobility - can usually be left without outside help. Two guide devices are provided, each in the form of two scissor-like swivel frames - one outer and one inner - which each have two coaxial fixed bearings on the base frame or the lifting plate and two likewise coaxial sliding bearings on the lifting plate or base frame and by means of handlebars for one joint movement are synchronized. Both swivel frames are rectangular frames, which are articulated to one another in the central area by means of an articulated rod. The inner swivel frame is narrower than the outer swivel frame so that it fits into the lifting plate when it is in the lowered position. The outer swivel frame has two upper fixed bearings and two lower sliding bearings which are guided in rails on the base frame. The inner swivel frame has two lower fixed bearings and two upper sliding bearings, which are guided in corresponding rails on the underside of the lifting plate. The lifting device consists of two pressurized water hoses, the ends of which are attached to the base frame and the lifting plate. The problem with this bathtub insert is that the sliding bearings of the swivel frame tend to jam in the rails that guide them, especially when the lifting plate is in a high position when the swivel frame is steep. There is then the danger that the lifting plate will be held in its highest position by the self-locking of the sliding bearings when the lifting mechanism is lowered and then will suddenly drop when the self-locking is released, for example, by a movement of the person carried by the lifting plate. In order to avoid this, a spring arrangement is attached to the upper cross member between the two sliding bearings of the inner swivel frame, the other end of which leads to the adjacent upper cross member between the two fixed bearings of the outer swivel frame of the other guide device. This spring arrangement is tensioned when the lifting plate is in the up position. The swivel frame of each guide device can be set very steeply without the sliding bearings jamming in the rails when the pressure water hoses are subsequently relieved, since the Spring arrangement prevents or overcomes such jamming.
Since the lifting device is driven by the local water network in this bath, its function depends on the existing water pressure. However, this can vary from place to place as well as within a building. Accordingly, there are different operating conditions, which can restrict or even make it impossible to use this bathtub freely. Furthermore, the inherent cause of the sudden drop of the lifting plate, namely the jamming of the sliding pieces guided in rails, has not been eliminated in this improved bathtub use either. In addition, this tendency to clamp is highly variable, since the rail / slide combination, depending on the operating state of the bathtub insert, temporarily comes to rest both outside and inside the bath water. The intended spring arrangement must therefore be adapted from time to time in terms of its tensile or compressive force to the sliding condition of the sliding bearing and thus requires maintenance.

The invention seeks to remedy this. The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem of creating a hip bath insert which enables physically disabled people to take a hip bath independently in a convenient and safe manner in existing bathtubs. The innovation also aims to design a hip bath insert so that it is inexpensive and can be combined with standard bathtubs without any structural measures. Such a hip bath should also be suitable for inexpensive retrofitting of existing bathing facilities, especially in rented apartments for elderly people living privately.
This object is achieved according to the invention with the means as characterized in the version of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

The hip bath insert according to the invention has the advantage that no special supply and discharge lines have to be created for its operation. Rather, the existing and tried and tested installation is used to supply fresh water or to drain bath water that has been drained or overflowed into the existing bathtub. Any failure of the electro-pneumatic door seal would be obvious, ie its good function is monitored. The use of the hip bath according to the application is therefore highly reliable - especially in terms of water technology. It has also proven to be advantageous that with the application of the hip bath, the movement sequence during bathing is simplified in such a way that it can also be handled independently by the physically handicapped and they are therefore no longer forced to deliver risky, motor-driven transfer maneuvers when bathing. This simple, constant movement sequence is also mastered by older people after a few seated baths, thereby strengthening confidence in their own motor skills. The use of the bathtub according to the invention is therefore characterized by a high level of safety, which is a priority for older people living alone. Another advantage arises from the fact that the innovation makes it possible to take a "real" hip bath in the simple bath tubs that are normally found in rental apartments, with legs hanging freely down and the water level reaching to shoulder level. This corresponds advantageously to the bathing position, as is required for hygienic and medical reasons with restricted mobility or with cardiac and circulatory disorders. Finally, there is a further advantage that the hip bath insert according to the invention is suitable for being procured in large numbers by older people, in particular because of its advantages with regard to the cost price, maintenance and use in rented apartments. In this way, it can be widely used and thus enable the older population to be independent into old age - a social advantage that should not be underestimated.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing and the associated description, the same elements being provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. The selected area of application is the use of the proposed innovation for retrofitting commercial bath tubs to enable older people to take a hip bath independently.

Fig. 1a;1b;1c

in perspektivischer Sicht, im Schnitt und in Ansicht Disposition und prinzipieller Aufbau einer Sitzbadeinrichtung, bestehend aus dem erfindungsgemässen Sitzbadeinsatz und einer bestehenden, handelsüblichen, Liegebadewanne.

Fig. 2a;2b

in perspektivischer Sicht und teilweise im Schnitt eine detaillierte Skizze des erfindungsgemässen Sitzbadeinsatzes.

Fig. 3a;3b

eine Darstellung der einfachen Bewegungsabläufe, wie sie bei Anwendung des erfindungsgemässen Sitzbadeinsatzes ausreichend sind, um in handelsüblichen Liegebadewannen ein Sitzbad zu nehmen.

Of course, this hip bath insert is not limited to this exemplary embodiment and to this application, but is generally applicable if it is to be ensured that physically disabled people are independent in their hygienic care. In the drawing which merely shows this exemplary embodiment and application example of the invention:

Fig. 1a; 1b; 1c

in perspective, in section and in view disposition and basic structure of a hip bath device, consisting of the hip bath insert according to the invention and an existing, commercial, bath tub.

2a; 2b

in perspective and partly in section a detailed sketch of the hip bath insert according to the invention.

Fig. 3a; 3b

a representation of the simple movements, as they are sufficient when using the hip bath according to the invention to take a hip bath in commercially available bathtubs.

1a , the mobile hip bath insert 1 according to the invention and a lying bath tub 2 are shown individually before they are assembled into a hip bath device. The mobile hip bath insert 1 is designed as a tub body 3, which has a watertight door 4, fittings 5 and one Electro-pneumatic unit 6 contains. The tub body 3 is delimited at the front and rear by a tub body long side 7 and 8, respectively, and is closed at the bottom by a foot part 9 and a seat arrangement 10 with a seat turntable 11. The two sides of the tub body 7, 8 are designed at the bottom over their entire length as tub body flanges 12, 13. The existing bathtub 2 is a commercially available bathtub, as is normally installed in rental apartments. It has a bath rim 14, 15 on both sides at the top. FIG. 1b shows a cross section through the hip bath device , along the section line AA in FIG. 1a, when the hip bath insert 1 according to the invention is inserted into the existing bathtub 2 and supported on it. The foot part 9 is received without contact from the inside of the existing bath tub 2. The tub body flanges 12, 13 are clearly visible as they come to rest on the two tub edges 14, 15 of the existing tub 2 to support the hip bath insert 1.
Fis.1c shows the hip bath device as it is formed by inserting the mobile hip bath insert 1 into the existing bathtub 2, in use by a physically handicapped person 16 who is seated on the rotating seat plate 11 about the axis of rotation 17 perpendicular to the bathtub floor and is seated, with legs hanging freely downwards in the foot part 9 and a water level 18 that reaches shoulder height.

A detailed illustration of the mobile hip bath insert 1 is given in FIG . 2 , FIG. 2a showing its individual parts: namely the tub body 3, the watertight door 4, the fittings 5, and the electro-pneumatic unit 6 while in FIG. 2b - in an enlarged view Scale - the pneumatic rubber seal 19 is shown.
In Figure 2a, the tub body 3 is limited laterally by tub body sides, namely by one Tub body long side 7 and a tub body long side 8 both parallel to the longitudinal central axis 20, a foot and a head-side tub body transverse side 21, 22 both parallel to the transverse central axis 23 and closed at the bottom by a foot part 9 and a seat arrangement 10. The two sides of the tub body 7, 8 are formed on their undersides over their entire length as tub body flanges 12, 13 which run parallel to the longitudinal central axis 20 and lie approximately in the plane of the seat arrangement 10. When assembling the hip bath insert 1 and bath tub 2, the two bath body flanges 12, 13 come to rest on the corresponding bath tub edges 14, 15. In order to achieve additional stability against horizontal slipping of the hip bath insert 1, it suffices to fasten it to the bathroom wall 26 with the two brackets 24, 25, for example with two dowels. In existing bathtubs 2, the bathtub edges 14, 15 on both sides are arranged approximately 50 to 60 cm above the bathroom floor 27. It is also the cheapest average height for a person. In practice, physically handicapped people actually use the bathtub rim 14 closest to them as a sitting aid and intermediate stage during transfer into and out of bathtubs. Since the bathtub body flanges 12, 13 rest on the bathtub edges 14, 15 when the mobile hip bath insert 1 is supported on the existing bathtub 2, the seat arrangement lo, ie the bathtub floor of the newly formed hip bath device, is at this ergonomically optimal height, so that technical lifting devices are dispensed with can be. In the one bathtub body long side 8 there is a recess 28 which serves as an overflow from the mobile hip bath insert 1 into the existing bathtub 2 and further enables narrow passages such as bathroom doors to be passed with the bathtub body 3. The seat arrangement 10 contains a seat turntable 11 which can be rotated about the axis of rotation 17 which is perpendicular to the tub floor. The one long tub body side 7 contains a watertight door 4 which is designed as a folding door 29, the door leaf 30 being used for the entry and exit with the hinge 31 the horizontal axis of rotation 32 can be folded upwards can and can be pivoted back and forth between a closed position Z and an open position O. The seal 33 provided between the door leaf 30 and the one side 7 of the tub body is a pneumatic rubber seal 19 which is secured in the closed position Z by the safety lock 34.
The foot side of the bath body transverse side 21 contains fittings 5 which are connected to the fittings 36 of the existing bath tub 2 via flexible hoses 35. The pneumatic seal 19 is actuated with the electro-pneumatic unit 6. It is locked with the safety lock 34 against erroneous or improper operation. 2b shows the pneumatic seal 19 of the watertight folding door 29 on an enlarged scale. Between the door leaf 30 and the door stop 37 there is a sealing lip 38 which can be pneumatically actuated by the electropneumatic unit 6 between a non-sealing position N and a sealing position D. It thus ensures that one side of the tub body 7 is sealed against water leakage. In this embodiment, the lower horizontal part of the door stop 37 is slightly raised compared to the seat arrangement 10 with the seat turntable 11.

The mode of operation of the innovation according to the invention will be explained in the following with reference to the sequence of movements as is required for taking a hip bath; in FIG. 3a for the case of a physically handicapped 16 of medium size or above, in FIG. 3a for a physically handicapped 16 of smaller size.

In order to get into the hip bath device according to the invention, the waterproof folding door 29 is folded up into the open position O. Since the door leaf 30 is supported by the gas spring 39, a muscle force of only about 5 Newtons is required for this, which can also be easily applied by older people. The physically disabled 16 then sits on the seat turntable 11 in a seated position Q, outside the tub body 3 and parallel to the transverse central axis 33 he feels completely safe because he is comfortably supported on the bathroom floor 27 with both legs 40. The next step is to get from the seating position Q into the interior of the tub body 3 in a comfortable and safe manner. For this purpose, the seated person lifts his legs 40, for example one after the other, over the edge of the bathtub 14 into the foot part 9 with the support of the arms, rotates from the seated position Q and briefly passes through a transient seated position T in which he is inclined to the tub body 3 located. This rotary movement from the sitting position Q is under constant control by the bather, whereby he can hold at least one hand, for example, in the recess 28 in the other long side 8 of the bathtub body. He almost automatically rotates his body by 90 and arrives in a sitting position L within the tub body 3, parallel to its longitudinal central axis 20. This sitting position L with legs hanging freely down is considered the ideal bathing position, especially for older people, since it is difficult for their legs be able to bend straight and, in the case of heart or circulatory problems, a lying position in warm water must be avoided anyway. To sit in the hip bath device according to the invention, the gas spring-supported door leaf 30 - for example with the left hand 41 - is conveniently pulled down, the safety lock 34 is pushed in, the water drain is closed with a rubber ball on a nylon cord and the water is introduced. At a water level of approx. 20 cm. In the foot section 9, the door seal is automatically inflated (approx. 0.5 bar, with a 12 V air pump arranged in a control box) and the folding door 29 is raised approx. 5 mm, which blocks the safety lock 34 in the delivery - the door can no longer be opened. Depending on the equipment, the air whirl can be switched on.
To get out of the inventive seat bath device, the water is first drained. When the water level in the foot part 9 is approx. 20 cm, the door seal 33 is automatically released and the safety lock 34 is released. The folding door 29 can be opened upwards, which again requires only about 5 Newton muscle strength. The patient can move the legs over the open edge of the patient Lift the door opening and move to the side seat position Q on the seat turntable 11 to stand up next to the tub. Smaller people can use a stool 42 with a higher tub arrangement in order to achieve the optimal sitting height.

Claims (10)

1. Mobile seat bath insert (1) in existing bath tubs for physically disabled, with a seat arrangement placeable in commercially obtainable bath tubs for the self-reliant use by persons who cannot get into and out of commercially obtainable bath tubs without help from others, in order to enable them to take a hip bath with self-help, wherein the seating arrangement is constructed as integrating component of a tub body (3) with longitudinal centre line (20) and transverse centre line (23), which tub body (3) contains a tub base consisting of the seat arrangement (10) and a foot part (9) along its longitudinal centre line (20), two longitudinal tub body sides (7, 8) as well as a transverse tub body side (22) at the foot part, wherein the tub body (3) is constructed to be insertable into existing bath tubs (2) and supportable on the same, for which each of the longitudinal tub body sides (7, 8) has a tub body flange (12, 13), wherein the one longitudinal tub body side (7) displays a watertight door (4) with hinge (31), door seal (33) and safety catch (34), which door (4) in an open setting makes the interior of the tub body (3) accessible for physically disabled and in a closed setting enables the tub body (3) to be filled with water up to the overflow, wherein the transverse tub body side (22) at the foot part displays fittings (36), which are connected by way of flexible hoses (35) with the fittings of the existing bath tub (2), characterised thereby,

   - that the other longitudinal tub body side (8) at its free longitudinal rim displays a recess (28), which is formed as overflow and safety handle,

   - that the seat arrangement (10) contains a seat turntable (11), which is rotatable about a rotational axis (17) standing perpendicularly to the tub base, for the independent transfer of the physically disabled (16) from a seated position (Q), which is transverse to the longitudinal centre line (20) and outside the tub body (3) into a seated position (L), which is parallel to the longitudinal centre line (20) and inside the tub body (3) and conversely, and

   - that the seat arrangement (10) and the base of the foot part (9) are arranged at a spacing at right angles to the rotational axis (17) and in its direction and a seated position with legs hanging down freely is assured thereby.
2. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that for the support of the mobile seat bath insert (1) on an existing bath tub (2), the tub body flange (12) of the one longitudinal tub body side (7) comes to bear on the one bath tub rim (14) and the tub body flange (13) of the other longitudinal tub body side (8) comes to bear on the other bath tub rim (15).
3. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that in the case of the watertight door (4), there is concerned a flap door (29), which is supported by a gas spring (39) and pivotable in the hinge (31) between a lower closed setting (Z) and an upper open setting (0) about a rotational axis (32) extending transversely to the transverse centre line (23).
4. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 3, characterised thereby, that a pneumatic rubber seal (19), which seals the one longitudinal tub body side (7) against the egress of water when the flap door (29) is closed, is concerned in the case of the door seal (33).
5. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the water level in the seat bath insert (1) and the setting of the watertight door (4) are latched and a surface level monitor (43) with threshold value (N) is provided for this purpose, wherein the water level is limited to a value = S by the open setting (0) of the watertight door (4) and the watertight door (4) is blocked in its closed setting (Z) by a water surface level (18) = S.
6. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the recess (28) in the one longitudinal tub body side (8) is matched to getting through narrow passages, such as bathroom doors.
7. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the seat bath insert (1) is supported on a separate frame.
8. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the tub body (3) is formed of a synthetic material of low specific weight.
9. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the seat bath insert (1) is secured against slipping laterally by mountings (24; 25) at a bathroom wall (26).
10. Mobile seat bath insert in existing bath tubs according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the tub body flange (12) of the one longitudinal tub body side (7) and the tub body flange (13) of the other longitudinal tub body side (8) extend parallelly to the longitudinal centre line (20).

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