Method and Kit for Bath and Shower Accessibility of Handicapped Individuals

Abstract

This invention relates to a kit and method for for allowing a handicapped user to use a standard bathtub and / or shower by providing a ramp and bathtub or shower insert which is uniquely designed to fit within any standard bathtub or shower without the need for costly demolition and replacement. Such a system requires little to no installation and may be made portable and lightweight for storage and / or travel. The invention works with any type of bathing enclosures, bathtub, or shower.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application relates to, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 110,030 filed on Jan. 30, 2015, which is entitled “A Ramp Wedge, with an inside platform that helps role people in wheel chairs in the shower / tub”. The content of this provisional application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates broadly to the art of bathroom facilities, and more specifically to bathroom facilities such as tubs and showers which can be used by handicapped persons in wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices without the need to permanently change or make costly repairs to the bathroom.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In recent years, emphasis has been placed on making bathroom facilities accessible to handicapped persons, including persons in wheelchairs. However, most homes, hotel rooms, apartments, and the like are constructed for non-...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method and kit for safely entering a bathtub or shower with a wheeled mobility device. The method involves using a ramp and a platform with feet to create an incline for the user to move onto the platform and then off the ramp. The platform is designed to not extend beyond the height of the bathtub or shower walls and is either formed of two or more rectangular pieces of material laid adjacent to each other and secured to a support frame or contains holes for water to drain through. The kit includes the ramp and the platform for easy use. The technical effects are an improved safety for users of wheeled mobility devices who want to access added safety and comfort in the shower or bathtub.

Problems solved by technology

However, most homes, hotel rooms, apartments, and the like are constructed for non-handicapped people, for both cost-cutting and aesthetic reasons, unless such buildings are specifically constructed with handicapped persons in mind.

Normally, even when homes are constructed with handicapped persons in mind, tubs and showers are merely provided with grab bars, which is inadequate for many situations.

Many individuals have difficulty stepping into the bathtub, lowering themselves for a bath, and then getting out of the tub following the bathing procedure.

Furthermore, it often occurs that a person unexpectedly becomes seriously handicapped while living in a house or apartment which was not constructed, or inadequately constructed to accommodate seriously handicapped persons.

When this occurs, it is often quite difficult and expensive to radically modify a home to include bathroom facilities for accommodating the newly handicapped person.

Indeed, new installations that require the demolition and removal of existing showers or bathtubs are expensive, labor intensive and environmentally unfriendly.

Additionally, the replacement, ‘handicap accessible’ types of bathtubs or showers (such as roll in showers or the like) are often very expensive and complex to operate.

Furthermore, there are no devices on the market that are relatively lightweight and easily foldable or storable, such that after each use, the handicapped user may independently store the device away to allow free access to the bathtub or shower by other non-handicapped individuals.

Images