Wheelchair for assisting bathing

Abstract

To provide a wheelchair for assisting bathing which gives warmth and a sense of security to bathing when a user takes off and sits down, facilitates the work of pouring hot water into a hot-water bottle and draining water after use, is usable as a wheelchair for coping with heat stroke, allows the hot water (water) in the hot-water bottle to be used as living water in a disaster, and allows the empty hot-water bottle to be used as a float for rescuing a drowning person in drowning.SOLUTION: First to third hot-water bottle storage parts 243233,, are formed in a seat part 12 and a backrest part 13 of the wheelchair 10 for assisting bathing, and first to third hot-water bottles 253435,, into which hot water for warming the body is injected are detachably stored in the respective hot-water bottle storage parts 243233,,.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathing assistance wheelchair for moving a user who has undressed in a dressing room, bedroom, etc., to a bathroom when taking a bath. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in elderly care facilities, wheelchairs are known that allow users who have difficulty walking to take a bath to undress in a changing room or bedroom and then be transported to the bathroom.For example, a wheelchair shower carrier, such as the one described in Patent Document 1, allows users to sit while bathing.

[0003] A shower carrier consists of a wheelchair body with a plastic seat and back that can withstand water, and four wheels for running, all positioned in their designated positions.A footplate is provided at the front lower part of the body for resting the feet, and the seat has an opening to make it easier to wash and use the toilet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 3060526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional shower carriers, the seat and backrest, which come into direct contact with the user's skin after undressing in a changing room or bedroom, are made of cold plastic. This makes the user feel cold until the caregiver pushes the carrier into the bathroom to bathe. This makes the user feel uneasy about bathing, and in the worst case scenario, the cold temperature when sitting can raise the user's blood pressure, putting them at risk of heat shock.

[0006] As a result of extensive research, the inventors focused on a hot water bottle that uses hot water, which is easily available in the bathroom, as its heat source, and discovered that if this were attached to at least the seat of a shower carrier (a wheelchair for bathing assistance), all of the above-mentioned problems would be solved.

[0007] Furthermore, if this hot water bottle can be detachably stored in a hot water bottle storage compartment formed on a bathing assistance wheelchair, it becomes easier to fill the hot water bottle with hot water and drain it after use.In addition, if water is poured into the hot water bottle instead of hot water in high temperature environments such as summer, the bathing assistance wheelchair can also be used as a wheelchair to prevent heat stroke.Furthermore, it was discovered that the hot water (water) contained in the hot water bottle can also be used as drinking water in the event of a disaster, and that an empty hot water bottle can also be used as a float (floatation device) to rescue a drowning person in the event of a water accident, for example, and this is what led to the completion of this invention.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of these conventional problems, and aims to provide a bathing assistance wheelchair that provides warmth and a sense of security when bathing when the user undresses and sits down, while also making it easy to fill the hot water bottle with hot water and drain it after use, and that can be used as a wheelchair to prevent heatstroke in high temperature environments such as summer by filling the hot water bottle with water instead of hot water, and that can also use the hot water (water) in the hot water bottle as daily water in the event of a disaster, and that can also use an empty hot water bottle as a float to rescue drowning people in the event of a water accident, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 is a bathing assistance wheelchair having a seat, a backrest, and wheels for running arranged on a body, wherein at least the seat of the seat and backrest has a hot water bottle storage section formed therein, and a hot water bottle, into which hot water is poured to warm the body, is removably stored in the hot water bottle storage section.

[0010] A bathing assistance wheelchair is a wheelchair, similar to a shower carrier, that is used to transport users to the bathroom after they have undressed in a dressing room or bedroom. It can be either a hand-pushed type or an automatic type. The seat (including the hot water bottle) may have an opening (including a notch) that penetrates from the front to the back to make it easier to wash or use the toilet. Similarly, the backrest (including the hot water bottle) may have an opening that penetrates from the front to the back.

[0011] A pair of left and right armrests may be provided on the vehicle body or the backrest in a fixed or foldable state. The backrest may be provided with a reclining function or a handle for pushing a wheelchair.

[0012] The hot water bottle storage compartment may be located in the seat only, or in both the seat and backrest, or in other areas of the bathing assistance wheelchair (for example, the footplate for warming the feet) if necessary. The hot water bottle storage compartment may be recessed into the surface of the corresponding seat or backrest, or may be formed on the backside thereof. Alternatively, the hot water bottle storage compartment may be formed on the side of the seat or backrest. The shape and size of the hot water bottle storage compartment may be changed as appropriate depending on the shape and size of the hot water bottle.

[0013] The hot water bottle may be made of any material, such as various heat-resistant plastics or metals. The structure of the hot water bottle is arbitrary. For example, it may be a hard or soft container body with a pouring spout and lid. Examples of soft container bodies include water pillow-shaped ones made of polyvinyl chloride or chloroprene rubber. If the surface of the hot water bottle comes into direct contact with the user's skin, the surface may be flocked or lined with a towel or other material to improve the feel.

[0014] The hot water bottle may have any shape, for example, a rectangular container or an oval container. The size of the hot water bottle (the amount of hot water it can hold) is also optional. In addition, this bathing assistance wheelchair can also be used as a measure against heatstroke for users in high temperature environments such as summer by pouring water (including cold water and ice water) into the hot water bottle (hot water bottle-shaped container) instead of hot water.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 2 is the bathing assistance wheelchair described in claim 1, characterized in that the hot water bottle storage section is recessed into the surface of at least the seat section of the seat and backrest sections, and the depth of the hot water bottle storage section is such that when the hot water bottle is stored, the height of the opening surface of the hot water bottle storage section is the same as the height of the surface of the hot water bottle.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3 is a bathing assistance wheelchair described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the part forming the hot water bottle storage section is a frame-shaped container with a lid into which hot water at a temperature higher than the hot water is poured.

[0017] The surface of the framed container may be at the same height as the surface of the hot water bottle, or lower. In the former case, where the surface is at the same height as the hot water bottle, the risk of burns can be reduced by making the outer panel of the framed container thicker or by layering a temperature-regulating sheet such as a towel on the surface of the framed container to prevent the temperature of the framed container from rising above that of the hot water bottle. On the other hand, in the latter case, the skin of a user seated in a bathing assistance wheelchair is less likely to come into contact with the surface of the framed container, so the surface temperature of the framed container can be higher than that of the hot water bottle. The temperature of the hot water can be any temperature as long as it is higher than the temperature of the hot water poured into a hot water bottle, for example, 70°C to 80°C, preferably around 75°C.

[0018] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 4 is the bath assistance wheelchair described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the hot water bottle is hand-held and has a capacity of 1 to 3 liters.

[0019] If the capacity of the hot water bottle is less than 1 liter, the maximum amount of hot water that can be poured into it is too small, and it will cool down in a relatively short time. If it exceeds 3 liters, the hot water bottle will be too heavy when filled with hot water, making it difficult for female caregivers to handle. The ideal capacity for a hot water bottle is around 2 liters. This will allow it to function as a hot water bottle for a long time, and will also make it easy for women to handle. The size of a handheld hot water bottle is, for example, 20 cm to 40 cm in length, 20 cm to 50 cm in width, and 3 cm to 10 cm in thickness. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] With the bathing assistance wheelchair of the present invention, at least the seat of the seat and backrest, which come into direct contact with the user's skin, is warmed by a hot water bottle before use, so when the user sits in the bathing assistance wheelchair after undressing in a dressing room, bedroom, etc., they can feel warm and secure. As a result, the risk of the user's blood pressure rising due to the coldness of the air when sitting down can be eliminated.

[0021] In addition, this hot water bottle can be removed from the hot water bottle storage compartment, making it easy to fill the hot water bottle with hot water and drain it after use. Furthermore, this bathing assistance wheelchair can be used as a wheelchair to prevent heat stroke, for example, in high-temperature environments such as outdoors in the summer, by filling the hot water bottle with water (including cold water and ice water) instead of hot water. The hot water (water) in the hot water bottle can also be used as water for daily use in the event of a disaster, and an empty hot water bottle can also be used as a float (floatation device) to rescue a drowning person in the event of a water accident.

[0022] In particular, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, when the hot water bottle is stored in the hot water bottle storage compartment, the height of the opening of the storage compartment matches the height of the hot water bottle's surface, eliminating the discomfort and pain that users may feel when sitting in the bathing assistance wheelchair due to the difference in height between the surface of the hot water bottle and the opening of the storage compartment.

[0023] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the hot water in the hot water bottle stored in the hot water bottle storage compartment is heated from the surrounding area by hot water poured into the frame-shaped container, thereby improving the hot water bottle's heat retention.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the present invention described in claim 4, the capacity of the hot water bottle is set to 1 to 3 liters, which makes it easy to carry, so that it can maintain its function as a hot water bottle for a predetermined period of time, and its weight makes it easy for even women to carry, making it easy to handle, such as attaching and detaching the hot water bottle to the hot water bottle storage compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a bathing assistance wheelchair according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of a seat of a bath assistance wheelchair according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another form of bath assistance wheelchair according to the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail, taking as an example a wheelchair for bathing assistance provided in a nursing home for the elderly. [Example]

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, a bathing assistance wheelchair 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame-shaped body 11, a seat 12 located approximately midway along the height of the body 11, a backrest 13 located at the top of the body 11, a pair of left and right handles 14 protruding rearward from both sides of the upper end of the backrest 13, a pair of left and right armrests 15 located midway along the height of the backrest 13, wheels 16 for running located at the four corners of the lower part of the body 11, and a pair of left and right footplates 17 pivotally supported on the lower front end of the body 11 in a manner that allows them to rise and fall.

[0028] These components will be specifically described below. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle body 11 has a rectangular bottom frame 18 made by bending and connecting multiple stainless steel pipes into a predetermined shape, with the wheels 16 supported at the four corners, and a lower frame 21 consisting of a left-side lower frame 19 that is long in the front-to-rear direction and is bridged in a gate-like shape on the front and rear corners of the left side of the bottom frame 18, and a right-side lower frame 20 that is long in the front-to-rear direction and is bridged in a gate-like shape on the front and rear corners of the right side of the bottom frame 18, with the seat 12 fixed to its upper surface.

[0029] 1 and 2, the seat 12 has a stainless steel seat base plate 22 that is roughly rectangular in plan view and is hung across the left and right lower frames 19, 20, and a thick heat-resistant plastic seat plate 23 that is roughly rectangular in plan view and is fixed to the top surface of the seat base plate 22. The space inside the seat base plate 22 and seat plate 23 forms the first hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 24. An opening 12a that is long in the front-to-rear direction is formed in the center of the seat 12, penetrating the front and back surfaces to make it easier to wash and use the toilet. An inner edge 22a of this seat base plate 22 protrudes toward the inner space beyond the inner edge of the seat plate 23. Inner edge 22a of seat base plate 22 serves as a hanging part for first hot water bottle 25 when first hot water bottle 25 is stored in first hot water bottle storage section 24.

[0030] First hot water bottle 25 is a rectangular container made of insulating plastic, with a lidded pouring spout 26 formed on the underside. The thickness of the wall panel forming first hot water bottle 25 is a thickness (e.g., 5 mm to 10 mm) that will result in a surface temperature of 40°C to 45°C, preferably 43°C, which is comfortable for elderly people, when hot water of the highest temperature (e.g., 60°C) typically available from a bathroom faucet is poured into first hot water bottle 25. Furthermore, the thickness (height) of first hot water bottle 25 is the same as the thickness (height) of seat panel 23. As a result, when first hot water bottle 25 is stored in first hot water bottle storage section 24, the height of the opening surface of first hot water bottle storage section 24 and the height of the surface of first hot water bottle 25 are the same. As a result, the discomfort and pain felt by the user when sitting in the bathing assistance wheelchair 10 due to the difference in level between the surface of the first hot water bottle 25 and the opening surface of the first hot water bottle storage section 24 can be eliminated.

[0031] The backrest portion 13 has an inverted U-shaped, elongated backrest frame 27 whose lower ends on both sides are connected to the upper rear ends of the left and right lower frames 19, 20, respectively; a elongated, approximately rectangular stainless steel backrest base plate 28 fixed to the backrest frame 27; and a thick, elongated, approximately rectangular heat-resistant plastic backrest plate 29 fixed to the surface of the backrest base plate 28. A base plate side partition frame 30 that divides the inner space of the backrest base plate 28 into upper and lower halves is installed horizontally at the middle part in the height direction of the backrest base plate 28. In addition, a backrest plate side partition frame 31 that divides the inner space of the backrest plate 29 into upper and lower halves is installed horizontally at the middle part in the height direction of the backrest plate 29.

[0032] These base plate side partition frame 30 and backrest plate side partition frame 31 define a second hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 32 located below and a third hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 33 located above in the inner space of the backrest plate 29. The inner edge 28a of the backrest base plate 28 and the upper and lower edge portions 30a of the base plate side partition frame 30 each protrude over their entire length toward the corresponding second and third hot water bottle storage compartments 32, 33. These inner edge portions 28a, 30a serve as hooks when the second and third hot water bottles 34, 35 are stored in the second and third hot water bottle storage compartments 32, 33.

[0033] The second and third hot water bottles 34, 35 are rectangular containers made of heat-insulating plastic, and each has a pouring spout 26 with a lid formed on the bottom. The thickness of the second and third hot water bottles 34, 35 is the same as the thickness of the backrest panel 29. As a result, when the second and third hot water bottles 34, 35 are stored in the corresponding second and third hot water bottle storage sections 32, 33, the height of the opening faces of the second and third hot water bottle storage sections 32, 33 and the height of the surfaces of the second and third hot water bottles 34, 35 are the same, respectively. As a result, the discomfort and pain felt by the user when sitting in the bathing assistance wheelchair 10 due to the difference in level between the surfaces of the second and third hot water bottles 34, 35 and the opening surfaces of the corresponding second and third hot water bottle storage sections 32, 33 can be eliminated.

[0034] Each handle 14 is a short stainless steel pipe, and the base end of each handle 14 is connected to the left and right ends of the upper frame part of the backrest frame 27. Each armrest 15 is made of a long stainless steel pipe, and its base end is pivotally supported at the middle of the height direction of the left and right frame parts of the backrest frame 27 so that it can be raised and lowered. Each wheel 16 is a caster with a stopper.

[0035] Each foot plate 17 is a horizontally long stainless steel plate, and both ends in the length direction are pivotally supported by the front end of the bottom frame 18 via short links so that they can be raised and lowered. 1, each foot plate 17 may also be provided with a small fourth hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 36 and a fourth hot water bottle (hot water bottle) 37. This prevents the user from feeling cold when placing their feet on the foot plate 17.

[0036] Next, a method of using the bath assistance wheelchair 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the bathroom of an elderly care facility, hot water from a faucet is poured into the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 through the open hot water inlets 26. After pouring, the lids on the hot water inlets 26 are closed. At this time, the surface temperature of the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 is set to 43°C, which is comfortable for the elderly. The first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 are then stored in the corresponding first to third hot water bottle storage compartments 24, 32, 33, respectively.

[0037] Next, in the changing room next to the bathroom, the user undresses and sits in the bath assistance wheelchair 10. At this time, the seat 12 and backrest 13, which come into direct contact with the user's skin, are warmed by the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35, providing the user with warmth and a sense of security. As a result, the risk of the user's blood pressure rising due to the coldness of the air when sitting and causing heat shock is eliminated. Thereafter, the attendant pushes the bathing assistance wheelchair 10 to move the user from the changing room to the bathroom, where the user is allowed to take a bath or shower.

[0038] After using the bathing assistance wheelchair 10, the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 are removed from the corresponding first to third hot water bottle storage compartments 24, 32, 33, and the covers of the pouring spouts 26 are opened to drain the water. In this way, the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 are detachably attached to the corresponding first to third hot water bottle storage sections 24, 32, 33, making it easy to pour hot water into the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 and to drain the water after use.

[0039] Furthermore, this bathing assistance wheelchair 10 can also be used as a wheelchair to prevent heatstroke, for example, in high temperature environments such as outdoors in summer, by pouring water (including cold water and ice water) into the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 instead of hot water. In addition, the hot water (water) filled in the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 can be used as water for daily use in the event of a disaster, and the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 with their lids closed and empty can also be used as floats (floating devices) to rescue drowning people in the event of a water emergency, for example.

[0040] Furthermore, the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 have a capacity of 2 liters, which makes them easy to carry, allowing them to function as hot water bottles for a long time, and are light enough for even women to carry, making it easy to attach and detach the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 to the first to third hot water bottle storage sections 24, 32, 33.

[0041] Furthermore, as in the bathing assistance wheelchair 10A shown in Figure 3, the seat panel 23, backrest panel 29 and backrest panel side partition frame 31, which are the forming parts of the first to third hot water bottle storage sections 24, 32, 33, may be made into first to third frame-shaped containers (frame-shaped containers) 23A, 29A, 31A, each equipped with a lidded inlet 26A and outlet 26B through which hot water at a temperature higher than that of hot water (for example, 75°C) is poured. As a result, the hot water in the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35 stored in the first to third hot water bottle storage sections 24, 32, 33 is warmed from the surrounding area by the hot water in the first to third frame-shaped containers 23A, 29A, 31A, improving the heat retention of the first to third hot water bottles 25, 34, 35.

[0042] In order to prevent burns and other injuries caused by the user's skin coming into direct contact with the first to third framed containers 23A, 29A, 31A containing hot water, the outer panels of the first to third framed containers 23A, 29A, 31A may be made thick, or a temperature-regulating sheet such as a towel or heat-resistant sheet of an appropriate thickness may be laminated on the surface of each outer panel (not shown). [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a technology for a bathing assistance wheelchair for moving a user who has undressed in a dressing room, bedroom, etc. to a bathroom when taking a bath. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10. Bathing assistance wheelchair 10A Bathing assistance wheelchair 11 Body 12 Seat 13 Backrest 16 wheels 23A First frame-shaped container (frame-shaped container) 24 First hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 32 Second hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 33 Third hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 25 The First Hot Water Bottle (Hot Water Bottle) 29A Second frame-shaped container (frame-shaped container) 31A Third framed container (framed container) 32 Second Hot Water Bottle (Hot Water Bottle) 33 The Third Hottie (Hottie) 36 Fourth hot water bottle storage section (hot water bottle storage section) 37 The Fourth Hot Water Bottle (Hot Water Bottle)

Claims

1. A bathing assistance wheelchair in which a seat, a backrest, and wheels for running are arranged on a body, This bathing assistance wheelchair is characterized in that at least the seat portion of the seat and backrest is formed with a hot water bottle storage section, and a hot water bottle into which hot water to warm the body is poured is detachably stored in the hot water bottle storage section.

2. The hot water bottle storage section is recessed into the surface of at least the seat section, of the seat section and the backrest section; A bathing assistance wheelchair as described in claim 1, characterized in that the depth of the hot water bottle storage section is such that when the hot water bottle is stored, the height of the opening surface of the hot water bottle storage section is the same as the height of the surface of the hot water bottle.

3. A wheelchair for bathing assistance as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the part forming the hot water bottle storage section is a frame-shaped container with a lid into which hot water at a temperature higher than the hot water is poured.

4. 3. The bath assistance wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the hot water bottle has a capacity of 1 to 3 liters and is hand-held.

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