Ceiling-Mounted Shower Support for Fall Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elderly individuals and susceptible persons face high risks of fatal injuries from drowning in bathtubs and slipping in showers due to lack of effective safety measures, as existing solutions like anti-skid mats and additional handles are insufficient in preventing falls and slips, especially when muscle weakness or dizziness occurs.
Innovation Solution
A bath plug device with a cone and pedal-like units that automatically drains water when the user becomes unconscious, and a shower fall prevention device with a ceiling-mounted rod and cushion system that stabilizes the user during falls, potentially connected to a home security system for alerting authorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a shower chair is used to prevent falls, then stability is improved, but comfort deteriorates and slipping still occurs when exiting or when the chair moves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a belt as an intermediary safety device that connects the user to fixed anchors in the shower. This belt system provides continuous support without requiring the user to sit on or interact with a shower chair, thereby eliminating the comfort issues and slipping problems associated with chair-based solutions while maintaining stability through the anchored belt system
2Stability of the object's composition
If a belt is used to prevent falls, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in putting on and cleaning the skin underneath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the belt from the user's body and replaces it with a wearable device that integrates the belt function into a clothing item or accessory that can be easily put on and removed. This allows the safety function to be maintained while eliminating the difficulty of putting on traditional belts and cleaning the skin underneath strap areas
Data Source
AI summary
A device may be provided for preventing fatal bathroom accidents relating to falls. Such a shower fall prevention device may be attached to a fixing point on a ceiling of a shower and may have two arm pit hooks pivotably connected to the fixing point. It may further comprise a rod connected between the fixing point and a bar, where arm pit hooks may be connected on right and left ends of the bar. The device may further comprise a strong rubber band or an extendable and retractable belt, connected between the fixing point and the rod. The device may further comprise a handle next to the rod and connected to the bar via an extension of a free end of one of the arm pit hooks, and may further comprise a cushion formed on an extension of a free end of one of the arm pit hooks.