GB2038177A - Improvements in and relating to baths - Google Patents

Abstract

A water-saving bath accommodates a bather as in a low-slung deck chair and comprises two portions 1,4 at two levels and an intermediate ridge 5 which supports the bent legs of a bather. The two main portions are connected by a drainage channel 6. The ridge 5 has an insert 8 for receiving the foot of a bather enabling easy entry and exit from the bath. The bath may be formed as a shell for fitting into a conventional bath and may contain non-slip surfaces and body-supporting pillows. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvement in and relating to baths This invention relates to baths and in particularto the inner surface shape of baths.

The conventional shape of the domestic bath is wasteful of water and therefore of energy; the quantity of water normally required is more than half the average hot-water cylinder, thus leading to inconvenience if more than one bath is required on the same occasion; and it is difficult and even dangerous for the elderly and invalids to have to raise themselves from a lying position on a flat slippery floor.

It is an object of the present invention to produce a bath in which these disadvantages are reduced.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a bath having a first portion shaped for receiving the trunk of a bather and a second portion for receiving the bather's feet and calves, the base surface of the bath having an intermediate portion rising above the lower level of the first portion and then down to the second portion, the intermediate portion being shaped for positioning under, and as support for, the knees of the bather whose legs are in a bent position.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure lisa vertical sectional view through a bath; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the bath.

Referring to the Figures a bath according to this invention is modelled more closely to the shape of the average body sitting or reclining with knees bent as in a lowslung deck chair. Most bathers preferto wash first and then to relax with as much of the body as possible covered by warm water. The design of the bath must therefore cater for a comfortable lying position in which the water covers the whole body below the neck, and for safe and stable sitting and standing positions. And, as previously stated these aims are to be accomplished with an economical use of water. Afirst portion 1 of the bath receives the trunk of a bather and the bottom surface slopes gently downwards from the head resting position 2 and then gently upwards again.The downward slope is gentlerthan in conventional baths and the whole curve is generally parabolic.

The plan of the bath tapers, or narrows, by inwardly angled sidewalls 3 from dimensions approximately the same as those of the present conventional head end to a narrow waist portion rather more than half way along its length. The sidewalls 3 include integrally moulded armrests 12 extending inwardly into the first portion of the bath.

The width of the waist portion is continued into the second main portion 4 of the bath which is the portion containing the legs and thus this portion is con siderably less wide than conventionally. The para bolic curve of the first portion of the bath rises to a smooth ridge 5 thence descending at a sharper angle to the position of the feet. This ridge forms an intermediate portion of the bath and receives the bent knees of a bather.

An open drain channel 6 through the ridge is moulded as part of the bath and is preferably located adjacent a sidewall. The width of the channel 5 should be at least the width of a forefinger to allow it to be cleaned easily.

The second portion 4 has a level floor7 forthe feet and this floor 7 is of sufficient size for safety on entering the bath and to allow for manoeuvre. The floor 7 may be slightly ridged or "dimpled". For ease in leaving the bath, the level floor 7 includes a recess 8 into the intermediate ridge portion 5 for the heel of one foot and into which the drainage channel 6 extends. Large handles, curving downwards towards the head of the bath are placed at positions 9 near the foot of the bath at arms' length from the upright sitting position.

If the outer edges of the lip of the bath are both straight and the lip is therefore unusually wide at the point of entry, a step may be provided; alternatively the side of the bath away from the wall (to be manufactured optionally on left or right) may follow the plan of the bath to give a lip of about 7 cms, the side panel being shaped accordingly. Although the taps may be conventionally sited and plumbed, greater economy, comfort and convenience may be achieved by leading a "mixer" tap to the side of the bath beyond the knee ridge, for which an aperture 10 may be provided art a level at least 1 inch higherthan the overflow aperture 11. This arrangement allows the bather to reheat the small amount of water round his body after washing.

A bath of this shape will require much less water than a normal 5 ft. 6 in. bath filled to a comfortable depth. There is also a much greater proportional displacement and it is therefore preferable to include below the overflow outlet 11 a moulded mark showing the maximum level to which the bath can be filled before occupation by the average person. In order to conserve heat in the smaller quantity of water and to give added strength to the structure, the bath may be supported on a block of expanded polystyrene or similar insulating material, moulded to the same shape as the lower side of the bath.

Further economy can be achieved by the use of anchored pillows (not shown) partly inflated with air or a light heat-conducting liquid and connected by a tube led down the drainage channel. The larger, of approximately triangular shape, is placed behind the back and anchored with the larger end above the water level by press studs to small depressions on either side of the floor built into the bath; the other, of cuboid shape, is anchored at a lower level by similar studs to the vertical wall below the taps. As the bath fills to coverthe latter, most of the fluid will be expelled into the former above the water level. When the trunk is lowered into the pillow at the head of the bath, however, and the water level also rises, the fluid will be forced back into the second pillow, thus causing further displacement until equilibrium is attained.Again a mark to indicate the maximum level of water in the unoccupied bath fitted with pil lows is desirable.

Although the dimensions of conventional baths vary greatly, another embodiment of the bath (with an appropriately shaped mounting of some rigid but soft material such as an expanded polystyrene block) can be used to modify larger existing baths. In this version the outlet and overflow would be extended by short flexible tapered pipes to fit tightly into the existing drainage arrangement; the pipes should have angled lugs in the interiorto engage with a socketted key in orderto ensure that the junction is tight. Since the bath is deeperthan a normal bath the overflow will be at a higher level and its pipe must be carried vertically down to meet the position of the normal overflow. It will also be necessary to raise the taps (which will normally be at the foot) a few centimetres, and it may be convenient to omit entirely the lip at the foot end so that the modification can be removed if desired without further plumbing.

In orderto reduce the overall heightthe bath in this embodiment may be made shallower at the foot, thus raising the knees to a less comfortable position, or, if the length of the bath to be modified permits, the slope of the leg portion may be reduced and the floor consequently raised. Alternatively or in addition a step may be used; and since in this version the lips at the sides must both be straight, a step is in any case desirable. Panels to the level of the original bath will improve the appearance of the modification, which is easily removed if required.

Claims (8)

1. A bath having a first portion shaped for receiving the trunk of a bather and a second portion for receiving the bather's feet and calves, the base surface of the bath having an intermediate portion rising above the lower level of the first portion and then down to the second portion, the intermediate portion being shaped for positioning under, and as support for, the knees of the bather whose legs are in a bent position.

2. A bath as claimed in claim 1 including a drainage channel through orto the side of said intermediate portion and connecting the first and second portions of the bath.

3. A bath as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the slope of the intermediate portion down into the second portion includes a recess at its base adapted to receive the heel of a bather when stepping into or from the bath.

4. A bath as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the inlet for hot water tap for the bath is situated over the first portion of the bath.

5. A bath as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including one or more body supporting pillows anchored to the bath or its surrounding structure.

6. A bath as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed as a shell and adapted for fitment into a conventional bath.

7. A bath as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 seated in a block of light, rigid insulating material.

8. A bath substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.