Shower seat construction

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shower seat construction as an aid for a sanitary area for accommodating a person in need of assistance, comprising a movable shower seat 1, which is arranged on a seat support rod 20 and is designed to be displaceable on a room ceiling 30 via a ceiling suspension 28 on a rail system 17. According to the invention, the ceiling suspension 28 is designed to position the shower seat 1 in a sanitary area 29 via the rail system 17. The fixing device 25 serves to fix and release the positions of the shower seat 1 on the room ceiling 30. Furthermore, the shower seat 1 has two armrests 1a, which are designed to be height-adjustable via a perforated sleeve 3. Operating levers 2, 5 are arranged in the armrests 1a in order to realize a limited height adjustment of the shower seat 1 by means of a gas pressure spring 8.Another option for seat height adjustment is provided by holes in the seat support sleeve 12, which are arranged corresponding to openings in the seat support rod 20 and are realized by locking bolts 10. The specified shower seat construction allows people in need of assistance to perform hygienic measures and personal hygiene independently or with an assistant and to move safely in a sanitary area with a shower and bathtub.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shower seat construction as an aid for carrying out hygiene and personal care measures for persons with reduced mobility in various sanitary areas, such as showers or bathtubs in bathrooms and washrooms.

[0002] Sick people and especially elderly people with limited mobility find it difficult to get in and out of damp sanitary areas such as showers or bathtubs safely and to move safely in the desired direction while washing or showering.

[0003] In particular, the enamelled floors of shower trays and bathtubs, when wet, pose a significant risk of injury for all users due to an increased risk of slipping.

[0004] If mobility restrictions are added to this, safe use without aids or personal support is hardly possible.

[0005] Since there is a great need for suitable aids for hygienic measures and personal hygiene for people in need of care or people with limited mobility in their own home, but also in nursing homes, hospitals or home care, numerous proposals for the design of appropriate aids have been made.

[0006] These include various types of grab bars anchored to the side walls of showers and bathtubs, as well as additional supports and poles, as well as fixed or foldable seats. These well-known shower seats are available with or without armrests and are, of course, waterproof.

[0007] For example, European patent application EP1958558 A2 discloses a waterproof shower seat for one person. It features a runged seat with foldable armrests and a foldable backrest. When not in use, the armrests and backrest can be folded from a sitting position to a vertical storage position to save space. The shower seat is attached to a wall by side supports and does not allow for relocation or other mobility aids, and is not height-adjustable.

[0008] A height-adjustable shower seat in a shower cubicle is known from patent DE 10313030 B3. The seat, which is also firmly anchored in the shower cubicle, is mounted on a support rod that is attached to the corner supports of the shower cubicle.

[0009] The height adjustment is achieved by a mounting bracket with several elongated holes. The disadvantage of this shower seat is that it is apparently only suitable for certain shower cubicle designs, and the height adjustability is very limited.

[0010] German patent application DE4422604A1 discloses a shower partition with a shower seat for bathtubs and shower enclosures, which can be retrofitted and removed. The shower partition with a seat for disabled persons is attached to the ceiling and floor via an upper pivot bearing with a sturdy profile extending to the ceiling and a connecting piece. The partition element is designed to pivot semicircularly and extends at person height from the edge of the bathtub to the profile of the ceiling support. The partition element is limited at the vertical edges by two additional profiles, which can also be used as grab bars for people. Thanks to the pivot bearing of this shower partition, the shower seat can be rotated to a position outside the bathtub or shower, locked, and occupied.The subsequent rotation into a shower position at any angle allows showering in bathtubs or shower stalls. However, further assistance for users' desired relocation is not possible.

[0011] Aids are also known from other technical categories that are intended to protect and support people from excessive physical strain during their work and certain postures in the work process.

[0012] For example, in cases of limited functions of the lower extremities or during prolonged standing activities, improved seating was proposed to relieve the strain on the legs and back.

[0013] US patent US2589803 discloses a movable work seat for dentists. It is designed as a saddle-shaped seat attached to a suspension. The suspension consists of a vertical rod and a chain, which is guided along the ceiling of the practice by means of rollers and an associated rail. During use, the saddle supports the dentist's body weight without restricting their mobility. However, this work seat is not suitable for people with disabilities or physical limitations in damp rooms.

[0014] DE1061983 describes a work seat that can be moved with the user's legs and is suspended from a trolley that moves along a guide rail. The work seat is intended to provide relief for particularly physically demanding tasks, such as those performed by an ironer.

[0015] From WO2018162654, an orthopaedic standing and walking aid is known for supporting a person, in particular for therapeutic purposes, as an aid in locally limited work processes, such as cooks, hairdressers, beauticians and surgeons or in cases of limited mobility of the extremities.

[0016] The described orthopedic standing and walking aid comprises a rail assembly with a guide rail and a carriage supporting a frame with a saddle suspended from a spring element. A height adjustment mechanism allows the saddle to be slightly adjusted to the user's height.

[0017] There are no plans to fix the standing and walking aid in certain areas of the room or to adjust it to the room height, nor is there any provision for its use in sanitary areas.

[0018] The object of the present invention is therefore to improve the state of the art to such an extent that significant disadvantages of the known solutions are avoided and to propose a shower seat construction which is suitable for simple and safe use by persons with reduced mobility in their daily washing and hygiene measures for any type of sanitary facility.

[0019] In particular, getting in and out of shower cubicles or bathtubs should be possible safely, even without assistance and with supporting movement in the sanitary facility, and should allow for flexible installation in different room dimensions.

[0020] This problem is solved by the inventive features in the characterizing part of the first patent claim, in conjunction with the preamble.

[0021] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0022] According to the invention, a shower seat construction for sanitary areas is provided, which comprises a ceiling suspension for positioning a shower seat using a rail system and for positioning and securing it at desired positions for performing hygiene measures. The ceiling suspension positioning system comprises a fixing device that can be controlled by the user from the shower seat using a control element.

[0023] The shower seat according to the invention features two height-adjustable armrests to securely support the person in need of assistance and a saddle-shaped seat. The seat height can also be directly adjusted by the user using controls in the armrests. Corresponding control cables are routed through the armrests and the seat support rod, which connects the shower seat to the ceiling suspension.

[0024] The height-adjustable armrests provide safety and stability while showering. They allow you to hold on to them, reducing the risk of falling.

[0025] Another option for significantly adjusting the shower seat height is to mount and install a seat support sleeve with numerous holes / openings for a locking bolt in the supporting seat support rod. This makes it possible to compensate for different ceiling heights in restrooms and ensure secure positioning of the shower seat structure.

[0026] The inventive fixing device of the ceiling suspension positioning system enables both the rotation of the shower seat and any linear movement along any oriented rail system on the ceiling.

[0027] The various adjustment options for the shower seat height allow the person in need of assistance to touch the floor of the sanitary facility with their feet and to move independently, safely and autonomously.

[0028] With the specified shower seat construction, the person in need of assistance can reach and safely exit any position necessary for their hygiene measures.

[0029] This proposed constructive walking function of the shower seat significantly improves the independence of people in need of assistance in a safe environment.

[0030] However, safe use is also advantageous for users who require greater assistance and are no longer able to move independently.

[0031] For this purpose, further aids are provided, such as the arrangement of an additional handle bar or handles, which enables an assistant to bring the shower seat construction according to the invention into the desired position with or without a person in need of assistance and to fix it for the intended hygienic measures.

[0032] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to 5 figures and several application examples.

[0033] They show: Fig. 1 the shower seat construction with the shower seat 1 and the ceiling suspension positioning 28, Fig. 2 Sectional view of the shower seat 1 with the suspension 9, Fig. 3 Details of the ceiling suspension positioning 28, with fixing device 25, Fig. 4 a front view of the shower seat construction, Fig. 5 a sanitary area 29 with cable pull system 26 and shower seat 1.

[0034] The shower seat construction according to the invention essentially comprises a shower seat 1 for persons in need of assistance for personal hygiene and hygienic measures in sanitary facilities, washrooms or bathrooms, in the home environment or even in care facilities. The shower seat construction, with the rail system 17 of the ceiling suspension 28, as well as the positioning and fixing device 25 according to the invention of the shower seat 1, allows safe entry and exit to the desired hygiene and washing positions ( Fig. 1 ).

[0035] The shower seat construction presented also offers enormous advantages due to the inventive possibilities of adjusting the height of the shower seat 1 for different body sizes of people in need of assistance or the structural designs and dimensions of showers and bathtubs.

[0036] In addition to the preferably saddle-shaped seat 4, which also allows the person in need of assistance to touch the floor and move the shower seat 1 in different directions along the rail system 17, a backrest 14 also provides support from behind when showering or bathing.

[0037] To ensure the lateral support of the user, two armrests 1a ( Fig. 2 ) on the seat support 7. Both armrests 1a are preferably designed as metallic hollow profiles for receiving and guiding actuating cables.

[0038] However, other suitable waterproof materials and designs are conceivable. Both the operating lever 2 for adjusting the shower seat height via an operating cable to the gas spring 8, as well as the brake and locking lever 15, can be conveniently operated from an armrest 1a.

[0039] The seat height adjustment by means of the gas pressure spring 8 is also possible using the operating lever 5 located under or in the seat support 7 and is easily accessible for the person in need of assistance. This height adjustment is also controlled by an operating cable 6 ( Fig. 2 ), which is conveyed through a cavity or beneath the seat support 7 and through the seat saddle rod 11, which is firmly connected to the seat support 7, for actuating the gas pressure spring 8. The entire shower seat 1 is anchored by means of the seat saddle rod 11 in a seat support sleeve 12, which is designed as a stable hollow tube profile with numerous holes. The hollow tube profile of the seat support sleeve 12 is in turn designed such that it fits into the seat support rod 20 and is anchored there.

[0040] Both hollow tube profiles 12 and 20 have corresponding openings or bores which, in conjunction with a locking bolt 10, offer a second possibility of seat height adjustment.

[0041] While the seat height adjustment via the gas pressure spring 8 is approximately max. 10 cm, larger length ranges of the seat height can also be adjusted via the seat support rod 20 and seat support sleeve 12.

[0042] This also allows the shower seat construction to be adapted to different room heights.

[0043] In addition to the seat height adjustment according to the invention by means of the operating levers 2 and 5, the ceiling suspension positioning 28 can also be operated by the user while sitting using the brake and locking lever 15 on an armrest 1a. By adjusting the lever 15, the shower seat 1 can be moved through the sanitary area 29 ( Fig. 5 ) along the rail system 17 into a shower cubicle or bathtub and fix it there in a suitable position by means of the fixing device 25 ( Fig. 3 ). The fixing device 25 according to the invention is connected to the brake and locking lever 15 in a force-transmitting manner via an actuating cable 21 extending through the entire seat support rod 20. The actuating cable 21 is also guided through or on the seat saddle rod 11 over the head of the gas spring 8.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the two armrests 1a are also adjustable in height.

[0045] For this purpose, a stable perforated sleeve 3 is arranged on the seat support 7 in the rear area of the shower seat 1 (at the backrest 14), and the vertical leg of the almost rectangular armrests 1a is designed to fit into the perforated sleeve 3. Corresponding openings are also provided here, which allow the height adjustment of the armrests 1a by means of a locking bolt 10.

[0046] The ceiling suspension positioning 28 according to the invention allows the person in need of assistance to move safely in the sanitary area 29 with the shower seat 1 along the rail system 17 while sitting.

[0047] For example, to sit down on the seat 4 outside the shower tray or bathtub, to release the fixing device 25 with the brake and locking lever 15 on one of the armrests 1a and to change its position as desired, for example with your own feet on the floor, and to move into the desired position under the shower or in the bathtub.

[0048] In this desired position, the fixing device 25 is actuated again and the shower seat 1 is held securely in this position.

[0049] Of course, appropriate nursing and support staff can also perform these tasks and easily and safely transport the person in need of assistance for personal hygiene and showering. An additional safety strap or similar device can be provided, for example, in front of the armrests, to prevent the person from falling out of the shower seat.

[0050] In Fig. 3 Details of the inventive ceiling suspension positioning 28 of the shower seat 1 attached to the seat support rod 20 are shown. A strong spring, preferably the illustrated coil spring 22, is attached to the upper end of the seat support rod 20, the ceiling-facing end of which is attached to a rotatable connecting piece 23. The connecting piece 23, in turn, is shaped such that it interacts with a roller device 18 in the universal supports of the rail system 17.

[0051] Both the rotatable connecting piece 23 with the coil spring 22 and a return spring 24 are arranged in a fixing sleeve 19, the ceiling-side end of which is formed into a groove 35 and a fixing bracket 31. The groove 35 serves to accommodate the actuating cable wire 21 and a fixing pin 34 for actuating a fixing bracket 31 for locking and releasing the shower seat 1. The locking / fixing and releasing of the fixing bracket 31 is achieved using a positioning plate 32, either preferably on the ceiling 30 or through minor structural changes to the universal support of the rail system 17.

[0052] The rail system 17 can be designed in such a way that the movement of the shower seat 1 in a cross rail ( Fig. 3 ) with the roller device 18 and the cross rail is arranged to be displaceable on two longitudinal rails, as in Fig. 5 equivalent to the course of the cable pull system 26 there.

[0053] The Fig. 5 The cable pull system 26 shown is arranged on the ceiling 30 or partly on the side walls and runs through the sanitary area 29 to the corresponding sanitary facilities, such as wash basin, toilet, shower or bathtub.

[0054] With the appropriate assignment of the rail system 17 to the cable pull system 26, the person in need of assistance is able to reach the individual sanitary facilities using the shower seat construction according to the invention.

[0055] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the universal supports of the rail system 17 are formed from two or more support rails 27 which are fastened to the ceiling 30 or the side walls of the sanitary area 29 and at least one, as a sliding support 13, which is designed to be movable on the support rails 27.

[0056] As described above, the shower seat 1 is movably mounted on the sliding support 13 via the ceiling suspension 28.

[0057] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat support rod 20 has further means, such as additional handles, for moving and securing the shower seat 1 by a caregiver or other assistant. This can be, for example, a rod 16 arranged transversely to the seat support rod 20, with or without handles ( Fig.4 ).

[0058] Due to the inventive design of the two armrests 1a, which are advantageously provided with handles, the shower seat construction can also be used as an aid for the movement of a person in need of assistance in sanitary areas 29. In this type of use, similar to a rollator, the two armrests 1a have a corresponding support function.

[0059] All components of the described shower seat construction, as well as textile or other covers of the shower seat 1 and its armrests 1a and the backrest 14 are designed to be waterproof and wear-resistant according to their application.

[0060] The described inventive shower seat construction with an additional walking function particularly improves the safety and independence of persons in need of assistance when getting in and out of bathtubs or showers and when performing all hygienic personal hygiene measures.

[0061] Especially when using this shower seat construction in the home, the risk of falls or accidents when entering or leaving the bathtub or shower is significantly reduced.

[0062] People who have difficulty getting into the bathtub due to mobility issues can now sit safely on the seat and glide gently into the bathtub using the walk-in feature.

[0063] The Shower Seat 1 allows users to remain comfortably and safely seated while showering. This is especially beneficial for elderly people or those with limited mobility who may have difficulty showering while standing for extended periods.

[0064] Sitting also improves balance and minimizes the risk of falls.

[0065] The ability to safely enter the bathtub and shower while sitting down gives users a sense of independence and self-reliance. They no longer necessarily need outside assistance to perform their daily personal hygiene, but can usually do it independently.

[0066] The innovative shower seat design with a walk-in function can be easily integrated into any bathroom with a shower and bathtub without the need for major renovations. It can be easily adapted to the individual needs and preferences of the user. This can be achieved, for example, by adjusting the seat height or adding grab bars. The various seat height adjustment options allow for easy adaptation to different room heights.

[0067] In addition to its advantageous use in the home, this invention offers an innovative solution for greater independence and quality of life for people in need of assistance. Furthermore, the shower seat variant presented here can also be used in nursing homes or hospitals to relieve staff and increase patient comfort. Reference symbol

[0068] 1 Shower seat 1a to 8, 10 to 15 1a Shower seat armrests 2 Operating lever for seat height at 8 3 Hole sleeve with locking pin for height adjustment of armrests 1a 4 Seat surface (saddle-shaped seat contour if necessary) 5 Operating lever for seat height at 8 6 Operating cable, Bowden cable, for seat height 7 Seat support, saddle support 8 Gas spring, seat height (operated by 2 and 5) 9 Shower seat suspension (7, 8, 11, 12), at 20 (height adjustable) 10 Locking pin (height adjustment of shower seat 1) 11 Seat saddle rod 12 Seat support sleeve with holes for 10 13 Sliding support of 17 14 Backrest of shower seat 1 15 Brake and locking lever for shower seat 1 (over 21) 16Handles / rod for assistant 17Rail system, universal support on ceiling 30 18Roller device in 17 19Fixing sleeve of the seat support rod 20 20Seat support rod (seat holder) 21Actuating cable wire for fixing device (25) 22Spring suspension of 20 23Rotatable connecting piece 24Return spring 25Fixing device (19,31 to 35) of 1 26Cable pull system in the sanitary area / bathroom 27Support rail of 17 28Ceiling suspension, positioning (17 to 34) of 1 29Sanitary area with shower seat 1 and cable pull system 26 30Room ceiling 31Fixing bracket 32Positioning plate (pressure plate) at 30 33Joint angle of 31 34Fixing pin at 21 35Groove in 19 for receiving the fixing pin 21,

Claims

1. Shower seat construction as an aid for the sanitary area (29) for accommodating a person in need of assistance, comprising a shower seat (1) which is arranged on a seat support rod (20) and is designed to be displaceable on a room ceiling (30) via a ceiling suspension (28) on a rail system (17), characterized in that the ceiling suspension (28) is designed for positioning the shower seat (1) in a sanitary area (29) via the rail system (17) and has a fixing device (25) for fixing and releasing the position of the shower seat (1) on the ceiling (30) of a sanitary area (29), wherein the shower seat (1) is equipped with two armrests (1a) which are designed to be height-adjustable via a perforated sleeve (3) and are arranged on the seat support rod (20) by means of a height-adjustable seat suspension (9) for accommodating a person in need of assistance.

2. Shower seat construction according to claim 1 characterized by, in which the shower seat (1): - is arranged on the seat support rod (20) via a suspension (9), - has a seat surface (4) and a backrest (14) which are arranged at an almost right angle to one another, - the armrests (1a), which are arranged almost at right angles to the backrest (14), each have an actuating lever (2) and the seat support (7) has an actuating lever (5) for adjusting the height of the shower seat (1), wherein the actuating levers (2, 5) are each connected to a gas pressure spring (8) via an actuating cable wire (6), - wherein both the armrests (1a) and the seat support (7) or the seat seat rod (11) are designed as a hollow body or hollow tube for the passage of actuating cables (6, 21).

3. ) Shower seat construction according to claim 2, characterized in thatthe suspension (9) of the shower seat (1) is formed by a metallic hollow tube of suitable thickness, which is designed to be insertable into the hollow tube of the seat support rod (20) and has numerous bores which, with corresponding bores of the seat support rod (20) and a locking bolt (10) to be guided through both bores, allow a further height adjustment of the shower seat (1).

4. ) Shower seat construction according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower part of the hollow tube of the suspension (9) is designed to receive the seat saddle rod (11) and the gas pressure spring (8), wherein the seat saddle rod (11) as a support of the seat surface (4) is designed almost rectangularly and as a hollow body / hollow tube and is connected to the gas pressure spring (8) to guide the actuating wire (6) connected to the actuating lever (5) for limited seat height adjustment.

5. ) Shower seat construction according to claim 4, characterized in thata brake and locking lever (15) connected to the fixing device (25) of the ceiling suspension positioning (28) via an actuating cable wire (21) is arranged in one of the two armrests (1a) and is designed to be actuated by a person in need of assistance who is in the shower seat (1).

6. ) Shower seat construction according to claim 5, characterized in that the seat support rod (20) has a rod with handles (16) in the lower area, which allows an assistant to hold the shower seat (1) or to move it in the room along the rail system (17).

7. Shower seat construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe ceiling suspension positioning (28) of the shower seat (1) comprises the following assemblies: - a rail system (17) made up of one or more universal supports fastened to the ceiling (30) or the side walls of the sanitary area (29), - a rolling device (18) for the rail system (17), - a fixing sleeve (19) which is connected to the seat support rod (20) by means of a spring suspension (22), - a fixing device (25) which allows the shower seat (1) to be moved and fixed in the rail system (17), - an actuating cable (21) which extends from the braking and locking lever (15) to the fixing pin (34) of the fixing device (25), - a rotatable connecting piece (23) which is arranged in the fixing sleeve (19) and allows a rotary movement of the shower seat (1), - a cable pull system (26) which is arranged on the ceiling (30).

8. ) Shower seat construction according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe fixing device (25) has a fixing angle (31) which extends into the fixing sleeve (19) via a joint (33) and is connected to the latter via a groove (35), the groove (35) being designed to receive the fixing pin (34) connected to the actuating cable wire (21).

9. ) Shower seat construction according to claim 8, characterized in that the leg of the fixing angle (31) extending towards the ceiling (30) is provided with a positioning plate (32) which fixes the position of the shower seat (1) in the rail system (17) on the ceiling (30), wherein the pressing force of (19, 31, 32) of the fixing angle (31) on the fixed point of the ceiling (30) can be generated by means of a return spring (24). 10.) Sanitary area (29) with a shower seat construction according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatthe rail system (17) is constructed and arranged from a plurality of universal supports arranged as desired on the ceiling (30) and / or the side walls of the sanitary area (29), wherein at least two universal supports are fastened as support rails (27) to the ceiling (30) or to the side walls and at least one universal support is designed as a sliding support (13) which is movably arranged on the support rails (27) and, by means of a ceiling suspension (28) and shower seat (1), allows a person in need of assistance to enter and take care of their body in a shower or bathtub of any design.

11. ) Sanitary area (29) according to claim 10, characterized in thata cable pull system (26) is arranged on the ceiling (30) and connected to the roller system (18) in such a way that the shower seat (1) can be arranged and fixed in various positions in the sanitary area, for example in front of the washbasin, the toilet, the shower or bathtub or a starting position to be determined.

Images