Foldable Bath Seat With Nested Leg Assemblies for Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bath seats are large and cumbersome, making them difficult to store and carry, especially for individuals with mobility issues who require a bath seat for various applications.

Innovation Solution

A foldable bath seat design featuring a seat member with pivotally mounted leg assemblies and a backrest that can be folded into a compact position, allowing for easy storage and carrying, while maintaining stability and comfort during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bath seats are designed with adjustable legs and foldable configurations, then they provide adaptability for different applications, but they still have relatively large dimensions and require storage space outside the bathroom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different applicationsVSAvoidstorage space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The leg assemblies are designed to nest within the seat member when folded. The legs pivot inward and upward, with the footrests and leg structures collapsing into the hollow interior space of the seat member, achieving a compact nested configuration that minimizes storage volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The bath seat employs dynamic folding mechanisms with multiple pivot points. The leg assemblies can pivot between extended and retracted positions, and the backrest can pivot between upright and folded positions, allowing the structure to dynamically change its volume while maintaining adaptability for different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional bath seats are designed to be stable and comfortable for various applications, then they provide reliable support, but they become large and cumbersome for storage and carrying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability and comfortVSAvoidease of storage and carrying
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bath seat uses dynamic folding mechanisms that allow it to transition between a stable, comfortable extended configuration for use and a compact folded configuration for storage. The pivot points and crossbar connections maintain structural integrity in both states, ensuring reliability during use while enabling easy storage and carrying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bath seat is segmented into modular components including the seat member, leg assemblies with footrests, and a backrest. These segmented parts can be independently folded and collapsed, allowing the overall structure to be disassembled into a compact form while maintaining the functional integrity of each segment during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bath seats are designed with specific applications in mind, then they address specific needs, but it is necessary to select different designs for different applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific functionalityVSAvoidnumber of different designs required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bath seat is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can accommodate different applications through its adjustable leg assemblies and foldable backrest. The same basic structure can be configured for various uses including shower seating, bath tub support, and mobility assistance, eliminating the need for multiple application-specific designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic adjustable features including pivotable leg assemblies with footrests and a foldable backrest allow a single bath seat design to adapt to different application requirements. The structure can be dynamically reconfigured to provide different levels of support, positioning, and comfort for various users and situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7549702B2Foldable bath seat
Publication Date: 2009.06.23 DRIVE MEDICAL CANADA INC
  • US7549702B2 patent drawing
  • US7549702B2 patent drawing
  • US7549702B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A foldable bath seat includes at least a seat member and two leg assemblies each having two legs connected with a crossbar. Each of the crossbars is pivotally mounted to a bottom seat portion to allow the legs to pivot between a folded position and a downwardly extended position.