Bathtub lifting device

Abstract

To provide a bathtub lifting device that is highly useful for both wheelchair users and able-bodied individuals. [Solution] A bathtub lifting device 1 for raising and lowering a support 10 inside a bathtub 100 comprises a support 10 and a lifting device body 20 positioned below the support 10 for raising and lowering the support 10, wherein the support 10 comprises a first horizontal section 11 whose base end is positioned near the side wall of the bathtub 100 and a second horizontal section 13 supported downward via a stepped section 12 on the tip side of the first horizontal section 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device for a bathtub.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional bathing device that can be used by the elderly, persons requiring assistance, etc., Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including a flexible member that is disposed so as to bridge between two opposing side walls of a bathtub and whose seating portion can be raised and lowered, and a transfer table portion that is disposed on the outer surface side of one of the side walls and is used by a bather for transfer. In this bathing device, by forming the transfer table portion in a convex letter shape when viewed from above, it is said that when a person requiring assistance is lowered from a wheelchair and transferred to the seating portion of the flexible member, it becomes easier for the caregiver to step in and perform the work.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the bathing device of Patent Document 1 above, since the transfer table portion is fixed on the outer surface side of the bathtub, physical strength such as arm strength is required when a wheelchair user moves between the transfer table portion and the seating portion without assistance. In particular, when the bathtub is formed deep so as to allow for a leisurely bath, movement becomes more difficult, resulting in increased stress before and after bathing. On the other hand, for healthy persons, there is a problem that the transfer table portion is unnecessary and tends to be in the way.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device for a bathtub that is highly useful for both wheelchair users and healthy persons.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a bathtub lifting device for raising and lowering a support in a bathtub, comprising a support and a lifting device body disposed below the support for raising and lowering the support, wherein the support comprises a first horizontal portion whose base end is disposed near the side wall of the bathtub and a second horizontal portion supported downward via a stepped portion on the tip side of the first horizontal portion.

[0007] The bathtub lifting device preferably further comprises a partition member that hangs down from the tip of the second horizontal section and partitions the space below the support. It is even more preferable that the partition member is extendable and retractable in the vertical direction.

[0008] The first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion are formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and it is preferable that the longer side is the base end.

[0009] Preferably, the first horizontal section includes a partition wall that extends upward from its base end along the side wall of the bathtub.

[0010] The first horizontal portion preferably includes a gripping portion provided along one edge from the base end to the tip end.

[0011] Preferably, the lifting device body can lower the support from a state in which the first horizontal section is held at the same height as the upper end of the bathtub.

[0012] The lifting device body preferably includes a telescopic cylinder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bathtub lifting device that is highly useful for both wheelchair users and able-bodied individuals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of a bathtub lifting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 1 shows (a) a side view and (b) a rear view of the bathtub lifting device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows an example of the operating state of the bathtub lifting device, with (a) a side view and (b) a rear view. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows other examples of the operating state of the bathtub lifting device, (a) a side view and (b) a rear view. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of a bathtub lifting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows (a) a side view and (b) a rear view of the bathtub lifting device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view of a bathtub lifting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a side view in the direction of arrow A and a rear view in the direction of arrow B of the bathtub lifting device shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bathtub lifting device 1 comprises a support 10 arranged inside the bathtub 100 and a lifting device body 20 arranged below the support 10 and raising and lowering the support 10 within the bathtub 100. Note that in Figure 1, a part of the bathtub 100 is omitted from the illustration.

[0016] The support 10 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view and includes a first horizontal section 11 arranged horizontally and a second horizontal section 13 horizontally supported on the tip side of the first horizontal section 11 via a stepped section 12. The stepped section 12 is upright in the vertical direction and connects the tip side edge of the first horizontal section 11 and the base side edge of the second horizontal section 13, supporting the second horizontal section 13 below the first horizontal section 11. The height of the stepped section 12 (height from the top surface of the second horizontal section 13 to the top surface of the first horizontal section 11) is preferably about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the depth of the bathtub 100. For example, if the depth of the bathtub 100 is 60 cm, the height of the stepped section 12 is preferably about 15 to 30 cm. If the bathtub 100 is rectangular in plan view, the length of the support 10 along the shorter side of the bathtub 100 is preferably 1 / 3 or more and 1 or less of the shorter side dimension of the bathtub 100, and the length of the support 10 along the longer side of the bathtub 100 is preferably 1 / 17 or more and 1 / 2 or less of the longer side dimension of the bathtub 100. If the bathtub 100 is not rectangular in plan view, the area of ​​the support 10 in plan view is preferably 12.5% ​​or more and 50% or less of the area inside the bathtub 100 in plan view.

[0017] The first horizontal section 11, the stepped section 12, and the second horizontal section 13 are all formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and their vertical width in Figure 1 is approximately equal to the width inside the bathtub 100. The support 10 is positioned so that its base end is close to the wall surface of the bathtub 100. The horizontal length of the support 10 in Figure 1 is approximately 1 / 4 of the length inside the bathtub 100. Multiple rollers 14 are supported on the lower surface of the first horizontal section 11 at a position close to the wall surface of the bathtub 100, and as the support 10 moves up and down inside the bathtub 100, each roller 14 rolls along the wall surface of the bathtub 100.

[0018] Between the tip of the second horizontal portion 13 and the bottom surface of the bathtub 100, as shown in FIG. 2, a partition member 30 is provided that partitions the lower space formed directly below the support 10 by the second horizontal portion 13 rising from a state substantially flush with the bottom surface of the bathtub 100. The partition member 30 of the present embodiment is formed in a bellows shape that can expand and contract in the vertical direction, but is not particularly limited as long as it does not impede the raising and lowering of the support 10. For example, it may be an elastically deformable sheet-like member made of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like.

[0019] The lifting device body 20 is constituted by a two-stage telescopic cylinder that operates by water pressure so that the depth of embedding in the bottom surface of the bathtub 100 is reduced. The lifting device body 20 raises and lowers the support 10 by the second-stage rod 21 supporting the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 11. The lifting stroke of the support 10 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the support 10 moves up and down between a lowered position where the second horizontal portion 13 is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the bathtub 100 and a raised position where the first horizontal portion 11 is substantially flush with the upper end portion of the bathtub 100. Note that the depth of embedding of the lifting device body 20 is preferably about 0.5 times to 1 time the height of the stepped portion 12.

[0020] The lifting device body 20 preferably has a simple structure, is easy to maintain, and is unlikely to cause water quality contamination, but its specific configuration is not particularly limited. For example, the lifting device body 20 may be a single-stage or three-stage or more cylinder, or instead of the cylinder mechanism, other drive mechanisms such as a pantograph mechanism or a rack and pinion mechanism may be adopted.

[0021] When the support 10 of the bathtub lifting device 1 having the above configuration is in the lowered position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second horizontal portion 13 is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the bathtub 100, and the first horizontal portion 11 is disposed above the bottom surface of the bathtub 100. This arrangement enables a healthy person or the like to use the first horizontal portion 11 as a step when straddling the edge of the bathtub, which is particularly effective in the case of a deep bathtub 100 such as a hot spring.

[0022] When the support 10 is raised to the intermediate position shown in Figure 3 by extending the second rod 21 of the lifting device body 20 and then stopped, the second horizontal section 13 is positioned above the bottom surface of the bathtub 100. This allows healthy individuals to use the first horizontal section 11 and the second horizontal section 13 as steps to the bottom surface of the bathtub 100. Children can also enjoy bathing by sitting on the first horizontal section 11, which has shallower water.

[0023] Preferably, the first horizontal section 11 and the second horizontal section 13 have a vertical width in Figure 1 that is greater than the horizontal length in Figure 1, and by having the longer side as the base end, bathers can smoothly enter the bath by stepping over the edge of the bathtub 100 and descending the stairs from the base end side of the first horizontal section 11. Furthermore, the space below the support 10 formed by the rise of the support 10 is partitioned by the partition member 30, which not only prevents the intrusion of foreign objects but also ensures safety.

[0024] When the support 10 is further raised to the raised position shown in Figure 4 by extending the first rod 22 of the lifting device body 20 and then stopped, the first horizontal section 11 becomes almost flush with the upper end of the bathtub 100. Therefore, the first horizontal section 11 can be used as a transfer platform for wheelchair users or those requiring care to bathe independently. After the bather sits on the first horizontal section 11, the support 10 can be lowered to an appropriate position by operating the lifting device body 20, allowing for safe and secure bathing. Furthermore, by adjusting the height of the support 10, it can also accommodate partial baths, foot baths, etc.

[0025] Thus, the bathtub lifting device 1 of this embodiment can enhance its usability for a variety of people, including wheelchair users, those requiring care, the elderly, and healthy individuals.

[0026] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the specific aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the bathtub lifting device 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is configured by providing a partition wall 40 and a gripping part 50 on the upper surface of the first horizontal part 11. In Figures 5 and 6, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in Figures 1 and 2.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the partition wall 40 is a flat or mesh-like member that extends upward from the base end of the first horizontal section 11 along the side wall of the bathtub 100, and is formed over substantially the entire width of the first horizontal section 11. The upper part of the partition wall 40 is curved so that it is easy for bathers to grasp. The gap between the partition wall 40 and the side wall of the bathtub 100 is preferably small enough (for example, 8 mm or less) to prevent bathers from pinching their fingers. Bathers can easily step over the edge of the bathtub 100 together with the partition wall 40, and when sitting on the first horizontal section 11, the partition wall 40 can be used as a backrest to prevent the bather's back from rubbing against the side wall of the bathtub 100 when the support 10 is raised or lowered.

[0028] The gripping portion 50 is provided along one edge of the first horizontal portion 11, from the base end to the tip end. The gripping portion 50 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the side, and by securing a space (for example, about 60 mm) between it and the side wall of the bathtub 100 that is large enough to insert a finger, the bather can raise and lower the support 10 while holding the gripping portion 50. As the gripping portion 50 is shown by a dashed line in Figure 6(b), if there is a risk of a hand or arm being caught between the gripping portion 50 and the bathtub 100 when the gripping portion 50 protrudes upward from the bathtub 100 in the raised position of the support 10, it is desirable to extend the side wall of the bathtub 100 above the gripping portion 50, as shown by a dashed line in Figure 6(b). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 1. Lifting device for bathtubs 10 Support 11 First horizontal section 12 steps 13. Second horizontal section 14 Laura 20 Lifting device body 21,22 Rods 30 Partition Members 40 Bulkhead 50 Gripping part 100 Bathtubs

Claims

1. A lifting device for a bathtub that raises and lowers a support within the bathtub, The system comprises a support and a lifting device body positioned below the support for raising and lowering the support. The support comprises a first horizontal section whose base end is positioned near the side wall of the bathtub, and a second horizontal section supported downward via a stepped section on the tip side of the first horizontal section, making it a bathtub lifting device.

2. The bathtub lifting device according to claim 1, further comprising a partition member that hangs down from the tip of the second horizontal portion and partitions the space below the support.

3. The lifting device for a bathtub according to claim 2, wherein the partition member is extendable and retractable in the vertical direction.

4. The bathtub lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section are formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the longer side is the base end.

5. The bathtub lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the first horizontal section comprises a partition wall extending upward from its base end along the side wall of the bathtub.

6. The bathtub lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the first horizontal portion comprises a gripping portion provided along one edge from the base end to the tip end.

7. The lifting device for a bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the lifting device body is able to lower the support from a state in which the first horizontal part is held at the same height as the upper end of the bathtub.

8. The lifting device for a bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the lifting device body comprises a telescopic cylinder.

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