Dismantlable shower assitance chair

Abstract

The present invention discloses a dismantlable shower assistance chair comprising suction cups that attach the chair to the wall of the bathtub for greater user comfort, and a bearing installed under the seat to allow rotary movement, thus improving access to shower water when necessary. The present invention also discloses telescopic footrests installed inside the seat, which are used to support the user's legs. The dismantlable shower assistance chair has a removable integrated base with wheels, which also allows the user to be moved to different locations. Said wheels are also interchangeable with double or triple wheels, which allows the user to move on flat surfaces or climb stairs. It should be noted that the chair has holes in the backrest and in the seat to prevent water from accumulating.

Description

[0001] DETACHABLE CHAIR FOR SHOWER ASSISTANCE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of mechanical engineering, ergonomics, health care, medical devices and more specifically nursing, since it provides a detachable chair for assistance in the shower.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Shower chairs for people with disabilities are essential tools that contribute to the user's safety, comfort, independence, and overall well-being, while also providing a more accessible and safer bathing environment.

[0006] The bathroom is a high-risk environment for falls due to the presence of wet and slippery surfaces. People with disabilities, especially those with reduced mobility, are at greater risk of falling. A shower chair provides a stable and secure seat, significantly reducing the risk of falls. It also facilitates transfers to and from the shower, which is crucial for people who need assistance moving around.

[0007] Standing during a shower can be physically exhausting for people with limited mobility, muscle weakness, or chronic fatigue. Sitting in a shower chair allows the user to bathe comfortably without having to support their body weight, and it also allows them to maintain a greater degree of independence by enabling them to perform personal hygiene without constant assistance from a caregiver. This is crucial for self-esteem and emotional well-being.

[0008] Users of shower chairs can adapt the bathroom space to their specific needs, allowing them greater control over their environment.

[0009] For people with disabilities, the simple act of showering can be a challenge if the environment isn't adapted to their needs. A shower chair is an accessible solution that allows these individuals to use the shower more easily and safely.

[0010] Shower chairs can be used in various bathroom configurations, allowing people with disabilities to use showers that might otherwise be inaccessible. By facilitating personal hygiene, shower chairs can also reduce the physical and emotional burden on caregivers, making the process safer and less demanding. By providing a comfortable and stable position, shower chairs allow for more effective cleaning, especially for individuals who may have difficulty reaching certain parts of their body while standing.

[0011] The history of shower chairs for people with disabilities is framed within the evolution of medical devices and technical aids designed to improve the quality of life of people with reduced mobility.

[0012] Since ancient times, rudimentary methods have been developed to assist people with disabilities with their daily needs, including hygiene. However, these methods were generally improvised and not specifically designed for showering. Before the development of specialized chairs, people with disabilities often used ordinary chairs in the bathroom, which offered a limited and often unsafe solution.

[0013] With the Industrial Revolution and advances in medicine, more specialized medical devices began to be developed, including bathing aids. However, the options were still limited and poorly adapted to the specific needs of showering. As the need for specific assistance with hygiene became more recognized, the first designs for bath chairs emerged, generally made of wood or metal. These chairs were simple, but they marked a step forward in the care of people with disabilities.

[0014] During World War II, increased awareness of the needs of war veterans and the expansion of disability rights led to the development of more assistive devices, including shower chairs. During this period, designs began to incorporate safety features such as non-slip feet and waterproof seats.

[0015] In the 1960s and 70s, with the growing demand for more accessible products, shower chairs specifically designed for people with disabilities began to appear. The materials improved, and the designs became more ergonomic and safer, with the use of durable, water-resistant plastics.

[0016] With the advancement of technology in the early 21st century, shower chairs have undergone significant improvements in design and functionality. They began incorporating lighter, more durable, and non-slip materials, as well as adjustable features to accommodate different users. Innovations include chairs with wheels for easier movement within the bathroom, and motorized models that allow for automatic adjustments, providing greater independence for the user.

[0017] With the enactment of laws and regulations mandating accessibility in buildings and public services, shower chairs have been standardized to meet certain requirements, such as stability, safety, and ease of use. In recent decades, there has been a growing focus on universal design, which aims to create products that can be used by everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. This has influenced the development of shower chairs that are more versatile and adaptable.

[0018] Today, shower chairs can be customized to individual needs, including options for size, height, materials, and accessories. There is also a growing interest in using sustainable and eco-friendly materials in the manufacture of shower chairs.

[0019] A prior art search was conducted for detachable shower chairs, revealing the development of various chairs for this purpose, as mentioned in the Mexican utility model document number MX / u / 2016 / 000380, published on May 15, 2019, entitled "ORTHOPEDIC SHOWER CHAIR." This document describes an orthopedic shower chair with a load capacity of up to 170 kg. It facilitates patient hygiene by allowing the patient to rotate 180 degrees on the seat, with height adjustment between 50 and 95 cm and an adjustable headrest. This allows the chair to adapt to the physiotherapist's work surface, depending on the patient's height, providing comfort during neck, trunk, and arm flexion positions. It also features foot support and safety armrests, helping physiotherapists perform their tasks with minimal effort. Additionally, it features a polyester seat belt that is 2.54 cm wide and has a breaking strength of 2267.96 kg, holes in the backrest and seat to prevent water accumulation. The mechanism can be retracted and mounted on the floor or ceiling, as well as on a wall.

[0020] The document cited above refers to an orthopedic shower chair, but it does not show evidence of having a base with integrated wheels that allows the patient to be moved to different places, including the shower, nor does it describe that the backrest is removable to use only the seat part.

[0021] The previous document does not describe having suction cups that allow the chair to be fixed to the wall in order to remove the wheeled base and have more freedom of movement, nor does it refer to having leg support extensions that facilitate the user's hygiene.

[0022] Also found was United States Patent Application No. US5335377 A, dated August 9, 1994, entitled "BATH CHAIR FOR THE DISABLED," which describes a bath chair for the disabled consisting of a plurality of lightweight individual parts that can be packed as luggage and assembled quickly and easily for use. The chair has a seat frame on which a cushion is placed, and a bench frame that also has a cushion, which is locked to the seat frame by a rotatably mounted protective arm. Adjustable legs on the seat frame and bench frame allow the chair to be adjusted to the desired height. A backrest is mounted on the seat frame, and a second protective arm is mounted on the opposite side of the seat frame from the bench frame.The adjustable bathtub support members are detachably mounted on, and dependent on, the bench frame to support the wall of a bathtub.

[0023] The previous document describes a bath chair for disabled people, but it does not mention having suction cups that allow the chair to be fixed to the wall of the bathtub, nor does it show evidence of having perforations in the backrest and seat to prevent the accumulation of water.

[0024] The aforementioned document does not show evidence of having a seat mounted on a universal joint that allows the seat to be rotated for greater user comfort, nor does it describe having leg extensions that can be used as support for cleaning the legs, facilitating the shower for the user.

[0025] Another feature not mentioned in the previous documents is having a removable wheeled base, which also allows the user to be moved to different places; they also do not show evidence of having interchangeable wheels that allow the use of double wheels for flat surfaces and / or triple wheels for climbing stairs.

[0026] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention relates to providing a detachable shower chair with suction cups for attaching it to the bathtub wall. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a detachable shower chair with drainage holes in the backrest and seat to prevent water accumulation.

[0028] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a detachable shower chair, which has the seat installed on a bearing that allows the seat to be rotated for the user's convenience.

[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable shower chair, which integrates telescopic footrests into the seat for use as support to facilitate washing the legs.

[0030] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a detachable shower chair, which has a removable wheeled base, which also allows the user to be moved to different locations.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable shower chair, in which the backrest is removable so that only the seat portion can be used.

[0032] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a detachable shower chair, which has interchangeable wheels, either double or triple, which allow movement on flat surfaces or climbing stairs.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The characteristic details of this novel detachable shower chair are clearly shown in the following description and in the accompanying figures, as well as an illustration thereof, using the same reference symbols to indicate the parts shown. However, these figures are shown by way of example and should not be considered limiting to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of the detachable shower assistance chair. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the seat and base of the detachable shower assistance chair, before assembly.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the seat assembly on the base of the detachable shower assistance chair.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the reinforcement assembly on the support of the detachable shower assistance chair.

[0037] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the wheels of the detachable shower assistance chair.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the transparency of the seat of the detachable shower assistance chair.

[0039] Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the footrests of the detachable shower assistance chair.

[0040] Figure 8 shows a detailed view of the locking mechanism on the guide rail of the detachable shower chair. Figure 9 shows a front perspective view of the detachable shower chair, without the base, with the footrests extended. Figure 10 shows a rear perspective view of the detachable shower chair, without the base.

[0041] Figure 11 shows a bottom perspective view of the detachable shower assistance chair, without the base.

[0042] Figure 12 shows a detailed view of the openings in the backrest of the detachable shower assistance chair.

[0043] Figure 13 shows an exploded rear view of the backrest of the detachable shower assistance chair.

[0044] Figure 14 shows an exploded front view of the detachable shower assistance chair, without the base.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] For a better understanding of the present invention, the parts that make up the detachable shower assistance chair are listed below:

[0047] 1. Base

[0048] 2. Leg

[0049] 3. Wheel

[0050] 4. Reinforcement

[0051] 5. Outgoing

[0052] 6. Seat

[0053] 7. Support

[0054] 8. Footrest

[0055] 9. Means of securing

[0056] 10. Plate 11. Guide

[0057] 12. Insurance

[0058] 13. Support

[0059] 14. Bearing

[0060] 15. Arm

[0061] 16. Backup

[0062] 17. Suction Cups

[0063] 18. Drilling

[0064] 19. Cavity

[0065] 20. Slot

[0066] 21. Drill

[0067] 22. Support

[0068] 23. Bearing

[0069] 24. Armrests

[0070] 25. Openings

[0071] 26. Leg

[0072] 27. Border

[0073] 28. Slot

[0074] 29. Extension

[0075] 30. Drill

[0076] 31. Insurance

[0077] 32. Holes

[0078] With reference to the figures, the detachable shower chair consists of a base (1), preferably a flat rectangular prism, with a leg (2) installed at each corner of its underside. A through-hole (18) is placed in the underside of each leg (2), passing laterally through it. A wheel (3), preferably interchangeable, is installed in each of the holes (18) of each leg (2), allowing the wheels (3) to be changed. The wheels (3) can be double or triple, such that double wheels (3) are for moving the detachable shower chair on flat surfaces, and triple wheels (3) are for going up and down stairs more efficiently.

[0079] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, a reinforcement (4) is installed on the top of the base (1), preferably centered; the reinforcement (4) is preferably rectangular prismatic in shape with a cut at the bottom along the reinforcement (4) giving it a "C" shape with the top wider; the top and bottom of the reinforcement (4) are projected horizontally in the same direction; a projection (5) is located vertically at the free end of the top of the reinforcement (4); the projection (5) is projected downwards.

[0080] A seat (6) has a support (7) installed on its underside, which is configured to be assembled onto the reinforcement (4), thereby positioning the seat (6) on top of the base (1). The support (7) is preferably rectangular prismatic in shape, hollow, and without front and back faces. This configuration allows the reinforcement (4) to be inserted through the front face of the support (7), passing from side to side, until the protrusion (5) emerges from the opposite end, i.e., the back face, thus securing the position of the seat (6). The base (1) is configured to allow a person sitting on the seat (6) to be moved by means of the wheels (3) located on each of the legs (2).

[0081] As illustrated in Figure 6, at least one cavity (19) is located in the front of the seat (6) and runs longitudinally through the interior of said seat (6), without protruding from the rear. The cavity (19) is preferably angled, and one is placed at each end of the seat (6). A footrest (8) is installed inside each cavity (19). This configuration allows the footrest (8) to be extended when required to support a person's legs while seated on the seat (6). A fastening means (9) is installed on the front of the seat (6), opposite each cavity (19). The fastening means (9) is configured to keep the footrest (8) inside the cavity (19) when said footrest (8) is not in use; the footrest (8) is preferably telescopic.

[0082] As illustrated in Figure 6, a slot (20) is located transversely on the back of the top face of the seat (6); a plate (10) is installed inside the slot (20); the plate (10) is configured to support the lower back of a person sitting on the seat (6) when the plate (10) is removed.

[0083] With reference to figures 6 and 8, a guide (11) is located at each end of the rear face of the seat (6); a hole (21) is located at the rear of each of the side faces of the seat (6), said holes (21) being aligned with the guides (11), so that a lock (12), which is preferably U-shaped, is installed at one end in each of the holes (21), and the opposite end slides through the guides (11); the locks (12) are configured to maintain the position of the plate (10) when it is inside the groove (20), as well as to maintain the position of the plate (10) when it is in the backrest position.A cube-shaped support (13) is installed on the back of the underside of the seat (6); a bearing (14) is installed inside the support (13); an arm (15), preferably curved, is installed at one end on the bearing (14), and at the opposite end a backrest (16) is installed, which has a plurality of suction cups (17) installed on the back, which are configured to fix the backrest (16) to the wall and, by means of the arm (15), hold the seat (6) when the base (1) is removed.

[0084] The bearing (14) is configured to provide rotary movement to the seat (6) and thus position the person in the detachable shower assistance chair more conveniently for bathing.

[0085] A cube-shaped support (22) is installed at an angle, preferably at 45 degrees, on each of the side faces of the backrest (16), preferably in the middle part; a bearing (23) is installed inside the support (22); an armrest (24) is installed from the lower part of one of its ends, on each of the bearings (23); the supports (22) are configured to give firmness to the bearings (23), and thus be able to place the armrest (24) in different positions to adjust them to the needs of the person using the detachable shower assistance chair that is the subject of the present invention.

[0086] Openings (25) are located on the underside of the backrest (16), preferably on each side; a leg (26) is installed inside each of the openings (25); a lip (27) is located on the top of each of the legs (26), this configuration allows the legs (26) to be removed and, by means of the lip (27), prevents said legs (26) from coming completely out of the openings (25). A groove (28) is located longitudinally on the front of each of the legs (26); an extension (29) is installed inside each of the grooves (28) of the legs (26); a hole (30) is located on the underside of the legs (26) and the back of the extensions (29); A means of attachment (not illustrated) is located in the holes (30) securing the extensions (29) to the legs (26), this configuration allows said extensions (29) to be foldable.

[0087] A lock (31) is installed at the bottom of the backrest (16), aligned with each of the openings (25). This configuration allows the legs (26) to be kept inside these openings (25) when not in use.

[0088] The legs (26) are configured to lower to make contact with the floor when the lock (31) is removed, and with the fastening means (not illustrated), the extensions (29) can be folded down to provide greater support to the detachable shower chair, especially when the base (1) is removed. The fastening means (not illustrated) may be bolts, screws, studs with nuts, or a combination thereof.

[0089] A plurality of holes (32) are located on the surface of the seat (6) and the backrest (16). This configuration allows water to pass through to prevent its accumulation on the detachable shower assistance chair. The legs (2), seat (6), plate (10), backrest (16), armrests (24), legs (26), and extensions (29) are preferably rectangular prismatic in shape.

[0090] The fastening means (9) and the safety (31) can be a clasp, a strap, a lock, a latch, or a combination of the above.

[0091] The detachable shower assistance chair that is the subject of this invention is configured for use by people with injuries to their upper and / or lower limbs that limit their mobility and require them to be in a specific position, since the chair can be disassembled, facilitating its storage. In addition, the seat can be removed to be used as a transparent medium regardless of where the person using it is located.

[0092] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0093] Examples

[0094] The following examples illustrate a preferred way of carrying out the present invention, and should therefore not be considered as limiting it.

[0095] Example 1. Operation and functioning of the detachable chair for assistance in the shower.

[0096] With reference to the figures mentioned above, the triple wheels (3) are installed, in order to raise the edge that is found when entering the shower, then the backrest (16) is placed by assembling the bearing (14) in the support. A person is positioned on the seat (6) to move it to the shower area, once inside the shower the suction cups (17) are fixed to one of the walls, and the legs (26) are extended until they make contact with the floor, after the above, the extensions (29) are unfolded to give greater firmness to the detachable chair for assistance in the shower and the base (1) is removed by removing the protrusion (5) of the reinforcement (4) that is assembled in the support (7).

[0097] Before starting the bathing, the person in the seat (6) is positioned in the most convenient way to perform the bath, using the roller (14) to place the person in the desired area. Subsequently, the restraints (9) are removed to extend the footrests (8) and support the person's legs. The armrests (24) are also adjusted so that the person is in a comfortable position, and the bathing routine begins.

[0098] In view of the foregoing, it is reiterated that the scope of the present invention shall not be limited by the specific embodiments described, and it shall be understood that variations in several respects may be made. Such variations shall not be considered a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications may be obvious to a person skilled in the art and shall be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

RECLAIMS 1. A detachable shower chair, characterized in that it comprises: a base (1) which has a leg (2) installed at each of the corners of its lower part; a perforation (18) placed at the bottom of each of the legs (2); a wheel (3) installed in each of the perforations (18) of each of the legs (2); a reinforcement (4) installed at the top of the base (1), which has a cut at the bottom along the reinforcement (4); a seat (6) which has a support (7) installed at the bottom, which is assembled into the reinforcement (4), positioning the seat (6) at the top of the base (1); at least one cavity (19) is located in the front of the seat (6) and runs longitudinally through the interior of said seat (6), without exiting at the rear;a footrest (8) is installed inside the cavity (19), such that said footrest (8) extends when required to support the legs of a person sitting on the seat (6); a groove (20) is located transversely on the back of the upper face of the seat (6); a plate (10) is installed inside the groove (20) to support the lower back of a person sitting on the seat (6) when said plate (10) is pulled out; a support (13) is installed on the back of the lower face of the seat (6); a bearing (14) is installed inside the support (13);an arm (15) is installed at one end in the bearing (14), and at the opposite end a backrest (16) is installed which has a plurality of suction cups (17) installed on the back, which fix the backrest (16) to the wall and by means of the arm (15); secures the seat (6) when the base (1) is removed; a support (22) is installed on each of the side faces of the backrest (16); a bearing (23) is installed inside the support (22); an armrest (24) is installed from the bottom of one of its ends, on each of the bearings (23); openings (25) are located on the bottom of the backrest (16); a leg (26) is installed inside each of the openings (25); a groove (28) is located longitudinally, on the front of each of the legs (26); an extension (29) is installed inside each of the grooves (28) of the legs (26); a hole (30) is located on the bottom of the legs (26) and the back of the extensions (29); and, a means of fixing is found in the holes (30) holding the extensions (29) to the legs (26).

2. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the base (1) is of a flat rectangular prismatic shape.

3. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the perforations (18) located in each of the legs (2) are through, passing laterally through each of said legs (2).

4. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the wheels (3) are interchangeable, and are double or triple, such that the double wheels (3) are for moving the chair on flat surfaces, and the triple wheels (3) are for going up and down stairs in a more efficient manner.

5. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the reinforcement (4) is rectangular prismatic in shape and is placed centrally on the base (1).

6. The chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the cut of the lower part of the reinforcement (4) gives it a "C" shape with the top wider.

7. The chair according to claim 6 characterized in that the upper and lower parts of the reinforcement (4) are projected horizontally in the same direction.

8. The chair according to claim 7 characterized in that a projection (5) is located vertically at the free end of the upper part of the reinforcement (4).

9. The chair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the projection (5) is projected downwards.

10. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the support (7) is rectangular prismatic in shape, hollow and without its front and back faces, this configuration allows the reinforcement (4) to be inserted through the front face of the support (7), passing from side to side through said support (7), until the protrusion (5) comes out through the opposite end, i.e., through the back face, and thus ensuring the position of the seat (6).

11. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the cavity (19) is inclined and one is placed at each end of the seat (6).

12. The chair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a fastening means (9) is installed on the front of the seat (6), opposite the cavity (19) to keep the footrest (8) inside the cavity (19) when said footrest (8) is not in use.

13. The chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest (8) is telescopic.

14. The chair according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide (11) is located in each From the ends, on the back face of the seat (6); a hole (21) is located on the back of each of the side faces of the seat (6), said holes (21) being aligned with the guides (11), so that a lock (12) is installed by one of its ends in each of the holes (21), and the opposite end slides through the guides (11); such that the locks (12) maintain the position of the plate (10) when it is inside the groove (20), as well as to maintain the position of the plate (10) when it is in the backrest position 15. The chair according to claim 14, characterized in that the lock (12) is U-shaped.

16. The chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the supports (13) and (22) are cube-shaped.

17. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the bearing (14) provides rotary movement to the seat (6) and thus positions the person sitting in the chair more conveniently for bathing.

18. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the support (22) is placed at an angle, preferably at 45 degrees, in the middle part of each of the side faces of the backrest (16).

19. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the supports (22) give firmness to the bearings (23), and in this way the armrest (24) is placed in different positions to adjust to the needs of the person using the chair.

20. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that an opening (25) is placed on each side of the backrest (16).

21. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that, a rim (27) is located on the top of each of the legs (26), which allows the legs (26) to be pulled out, and said rims (27) prevent the legs (26) from coming completely out of the openings (25).

22. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the extensions (29) are foldable.

23. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the arm (15) is curved.

24. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that a lock (31) is installed on the lower part of the backrest (16), aligned with each of the openings (25), to keep the legs (26) inside said openings (25) when not in use.

25. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that a plurality of holes (32) are located on the surface of the seat (6) and the backrest (16) to allow the passage of water and prevent its accumulation on the chair.

26. The chair according to claim 1 characterized in that the fastening means located in the holes (30) securing the extensions (29) to the legs (26) are bolts, screws, studs with nuts or a combination thereof.

27. The chair according to claims 8, 12 and 14 to 17 characterized in that the legs (2) and (26), the seat (6), the plate (10), the backrest (16), the armrest (24), the legs (26) and the extensions (29) are of rectangular prismatic shape.

28. The chair according to claims 12 and 24 characterized in that the fastening means (9) and the safety (31) are a clasp, a strap, a lock, a latch or a combination thereof.

Images