GB2474580A

GB2474580A - Combined bed and bath with lifting and lowering platform

Info

Publication number: GB2474580A
Application number: GB1017498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Martin Huband
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-19
Filing date: 2010-10-15
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-15
Also published as: GB201017498D0; GB2474580B

Abstract

The invention relates to a bath (20 figure 1) for use in close proximity with a bed, the bath comprises a platform 10, so sized as to support a person in the prone position, and is moveable between a raised and a lowered position. The platform constituting in the lower position the floor of a bath on which a person lies whilst bathing, the bath further comprising a side wall or walls 8 within which the platform moves. The wall or walls further having inlet means to enable water to be admitted into the bath, and outlet means 14 for water to be removed.

Description

AN IMPROVED BATH

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bath which is suitable for use in close conjunction with a bed to facilitate transfer of a person from a bed to the bath. In addition, the invention relates to a bed which can also function as a bath. The bath and bed are in particular suitable for use when dealing with a person having limited mobility.

Background to the Invention

For many people who are bed-bound or who have limited mobility, the opportunity to have a full wash to remain clean is one which is problematic. This is particularly important as it is recognised that regular bathing can reduce the risk of infection and skin disease and also contribute greatly to a person's sense of well-being making their life more tolerable and pleasant.

The difficulty remains however of facilitating the bathing process. One means of assisting a person is to install a seating arrangement in a bath in order to enable a person to sit in close proximity to the water. Such an arrangement does however .. still require the person getting into the bath. Some baths are so constructed as to S...

* : .: 25 have a type of door, such that a person can walk into the bath. These are however relatively expensive to install and also maintain. * . **..

* : One means, particularly used where it is expected that a large number of people will need to be looked after, is a hoist or sling. There are again however problems 4.5 * S * * .* 30 associated with this means. Firstly, many conventionally-used slings are : uncomfortable and can pinch a person's skin. Secondly, for the elderly and frail, being physically lifted up can be a frightening experience. Thirdly, the hoist can -2-.

be difficult to use for the person manipulating the hoist.

An additional problem pertains to the dignity of the person being hoisted. It is to be expected that the person being hoisted should not be completely naked during the hoisting process. Nevertheless, once the person is in the bath, but whilst still in the sling it is difficult to remove the clothing. It is clear also that once the sling is removed having got the person into the bath, the difficulty of removing the clothing is increased as the person is then seated on a surface.

In such situations, the idea of providing a full bath or shower is often abandoned and a body wash using a bowl of water is carried out: giving an incomplete wash, often, by the end of the task, with lukewarm water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above problems, which solution aims at providing a bath for use in conjunction with a bed. In a further solution a combined bed and a bath removes the need for a person to be moved from their bed to a separate washing facility.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bath for use in close proximity with a bed, the bath comprising, a platform, so sized as to support a person in the prone position, and being moveable between a raised and lowered position, the platform constituting in the lower position the floor of a bath on which a person lies whilst bathing, ***. * 4 ***

the bath further comprising a side wall or walls within which the platform moves, **. 4 the wall or walls having inlet means to enable water to be admitted into the bath, S....

* * 30 and outlet means for water to be removed. 4.

* ". Optionally, the platform sealingly engages the wall or walls to prevent water *S*S4 * flowing therebetween. Further optionally, said sealing engagement occurs only when the platform is in its lowered position.

Conveniently, the platform in the lowered position is higher at one end than the other end, the end being higher being suitable to keep a user's head out of the water whilst the user's feet remain below the water level. The movement of the platform is further conveniently driven by hydraulic means.

Advantageously, the platform includes a footrest to assist in supporting a user, when the head end of the platform is raised. Further advantageously, a head rest is included which can optionally be built into a wall and deployable when required.

The wall or walls optionally includes one or more vents through which warm air can be passed to dry a user after bathing.

Conveniently, the platform includes one or more apertures through which water can drain from the platform, which apertures are optionally closable if required, for example where the platform sealingly engages the wall or walls.

Preferably the outlet means is so sized as to allow solid material such as faeces to be washed out.

The wall or walls conveniently includes an overflow outlet to ensure the level of water does not rise above a desired level. S..

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Handles or rails are advantageously included to provide a grip for a user.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a bed * .: which can also function as a bath, the bed comprising;

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: 30 a planar sleeping surface including a platform portion of said surface, the platform so sized as to support a person in the prone position, and being moveable between a raised and a lowered position, the platform constituting in the lower position the floor of a bath on which a person lies whilst bathing, the bed further comprising a side wall or walls within which the platform moves, the wall or walls having inlet means to enable water to be admitted into the bath, and outlet means for water to be removed.

The bed therefore allows a person to be bathed without having to move them to a bathroom and without resorting to hoists or other means indicated above.

Optionally, the platform sealingly engages the wall or walls to prevent water flowing therebetween. Further optionally, said sealing engagement occurs only when the platform is in its lowered position.

The wall or walls optionally includes one or more vents through which warm air * can be passed to dry a user after bathing. : * .

Conveniently, the platform includes one or more apertures through which water S.,.

can drain from the platform, which apertures are optionally closable if required, for example where the platform sealingly engages the wall or walls. C'

.* Preferably the outlet means is so sized as to allow solid material such as faeces to *ISS* be washed out.

The wall or walls conveniently includes an overflow outlet to ensure the level of water does not rise above a desired level.

Handles or rails are advantageously included to provide a grip for a user.

The bed preferably includes a mattress, layable on the platform, the mattress providing additional comfort to a user. The mattress is further preferably in two halves, joined longitudinally along the middle of the mattress, for example by means of a zip or other joining means known in the art, to facilitate transfer of a user between the platform and the mattress.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, two aspects of the invention. In the drawings, are shown in perspective view: in Figure 1 a bath having a platform in the raised position, in Figure 2, the bath of Figure 1 with the platform partially lowered, in Figure 3, the bath of Figure 1 with the platform fully lowered, in Figure 4, a bed with a mattress in position; in Figure 5, a bed with the mattress removed; in Figure 6, a bed with a platform partially lowered; and S...

in Figure 7, a bed with the platform fully lowered.

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Detailed Description of the Invention **.. S * *SS*

Figures 1-3 illustrate a bath generally referenced 20 in accordance with a first * .. aspect of the invention. The bath 20 is intended for use in conjunction with a bed * 5 5 * 30 and is in certain embodiments (not illustrated) particularly designed to be storable S.....

* beneath the sleeping surface of a bed, and to be easily movable from said storage position to the in-use position.

Figure 1 shows a bath 20 having a side wall 21. To assist storage, for example beneath a bed, the entire bath can be mounted on a supporting structure which enables the bath to be lowered to fit under a bed and raised such that the platform 10 is level with a bed thereby assisting transfer from the bed onto the platform.

Additionally or alternatively the bath can be mounted on wheels, rollers or the like to facilitate movement of the bath between locations.

The platform 10 can be raised and lowered between the position shown in Figure 1 and that shown in Figure 3. Figure 2 shows the platform 10 in a partially lowered position. The movement of the floor is carried out through conventional means: for example via hydraulic cylinders or the like. Other means which are applicable are to use a raising and lowering means driven by an electric motor which is operated by the carer. Pneumatic means can also be used, for example in the form of an inflatable container, which can if desired be inflated by means of a foot pump operated by the carer.

Figure 3 shows the bath 20 in the configuration suitable to function as a bath. The bath is defined in this embodiment by the platform 10 and the side walls 8. The platform 10 and side walls 8 therefore sealingly engage each other to ensure there is no loss of water. In a further aspect, not illustrated, the bath has a permanent base, integral or permanently sealed with the side walls 8. In this aspect, the platform 10 need not sealingly engage the side walls 8 but can simply function as a support surface for the user. **.S

Water inlets 12 are included in the side walls 8 to allow the bath to be easily * * filled. In the illustrated embodiment there are two inlets; one for the warm and **** one for the cold water. If warm and cold water are pre-mixed then only one inlet *S..

may be required. An outlet 14 is also provided to allow the water to drain away.

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* 30 The outlet 14 can be so sized to enable solid material, such as faeces from *: *. uncontrolled bowel movements to be washed away.

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* Vents 16 are connected to a warm air source and a fan to at least partially dry the person and keep them warm. The warm air is normally to be used once the water has drained off.

Although not shown in the drawings, the platform 10 can include drainage holes to allow water to pass therethrough. When such holes are included then closure means can also be provided for the holes. Closure means are particularly to be included when the platform 10 forms a seal with the walls 8.

A number of other features can also be included which again are not illustrated.

Firstly, a means to attach rails can be included in the side walls 8 of the bath, the rails when fitted providing the bather with a hand-hold for facilitating movement.

Secondly, an overflow outlet at a suitable height in the side walls prevents the bath water level from rising too high.

In order to improve safety and also to make the user feel more secure, the head end of the platform 10 is not lowered as far as the foot end to ensure that the user's head is kept above water whilst the rest of the body remains below the water line. As an alternative, the platform 10 can be tilted about an axis across the bed, to give the same effect. Again to increase the user's comfort and safety, a footrest can be provided across the platform 10 to support the user and reduce the feeling to the user of sliding down the platform 10 when in the bath. The footrest can be either a permanent part of the platform 10 or removably fixed. Similarly, a headrest can be included in the platform 10 or built into a side wall 8 and deployable when desired. *.SS * *

* S 25 The bed, according to a second aspect of the invention as herein described is intended to aid in the bathing of a person who is bedridden or who has limited * mobility. In order to facilitate the bathing, the bed includes within it, beneath the ****** * * surface on which the person normally lies, a bath into which water can be added * ** and removed. The bed is so configured that it can be switched between these * 0 * * * 30 modes of operation enabling the person, with assistance from a carer to be easily S.....

* transferred between bed to bath. Safety features are also included to minimise the risk of an accident.

Although not a part of the invention the bed should be equipped such that a supply of warm water is available and the outlet for water from the bath can be directed to the mains drainage.

Referring now to Figure 4, and employing where applicable the same reference numerals for the same features as used in the first embodiment, a bed generally referenced 1 comprises a base unit 3 which houses and provides support for other features of the bed 1. Resting on the base unit 3 is a planar surface 6, whose upper surface is soft, for example through the use of padding. Although the user would not normally lie on this section of the bed 1, the softness adds to the comfort of the user. A mattress 2 is provided on which the user would normally lie when the bed is being used for its normal function. For convenience, the mattress 2 is in two halves 2a, 2b held together longitudinally by a zip 4. It will be appreciated that other known means can be utilised to joint the halves 2a, 2b without departing from the scope of the invention. A conventional headboard 9 is provided.

In use therefore, and where a user is lying on the mattress 2, the user is moved with the assistance of a carer such that he lies on only one half 2a or 2b of the mattress 2. The two halves 2a, 2b are unzipped and one half removed. The user is then rolled onto the platform 10 and the remaining half of the mattress removed. The user can be undressed before, during or after this process occurs which is a far simpler process for the user to carry out than when the user is in a hoist. The bath portion is then operated as described above in respect of the bath.

* .* The carer operates the control of the platform 10 to lower the floor 10 to its lower * **.** * level. Depending on the wishes of the user and also on whether the platform 10 * sealingly engages the walls 8, the water can already be in the bath at this point. *SS.

* * Once washing is complete, the water is drained away through the outlet 14 and warm air admitted through the vent 16. The platform 10 is raised and any final * * drying and dressing completed. The user is then helped back on the mattress 2 in * the reverse manner to that outlined above. * *

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention. *... * * ***s

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** **** * * * *. * * * * S.

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Claims

Claims 1. A bath for use in close proximity with a bed, the bath comprising, a platform, so sized as to support a person in the prone position, and being moveable between a raised and lowered position, the platform constituting in the lower position the floor of a bath on which a person lies whilst bathing, the bath further comprising a side wall or walls within which the platform moves, the wall or walls having inlet means to enable water to be admitted into the bath, and outlet means for water to be removed.
2. A bath according to Claimi, wherein the platform sealingly engages the wall or walls to prevent water flowing therebetween.
3. A bath according to Claim 2, wherein said sealing engagement occurs only when the platform is in its lowered position.
4. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform in the lowered position is higher at one end than the other end, the end being higher being suitable to keep a user's head out of the water whilst the user's feet remain below the water level.
5. A bath according to Claim 4, wherein the movement of the platform is driven by hydraulic means. * .

*
6. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein, the platform includes a * * 30 footrest. * * a * .
7. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein a head rest is included.*.a'*. *
8. A bath according to Claim 7, wherein the headrest is built into a wall and deployable when required.
9. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall or walls includes one or more vents through which warm air can be passed.
10. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform includes one or more apertures through which water can drain from the platform.
11. A bath according to Claim 10, wherein the or each apertures is closable.
12. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet means is so sized as to allow solid material such as faeces to be washed out.
13. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall or walls includes an overflow outlet.
14. A bath according to any preceding claim, wherein handles or rails are included.
15. A bed which can also function as a bath, the bed comprising; a planar sleeping surface including a platform portion of said surface, the platform so sized as to support a person in the prone position, and being moveable between a raised and a lowered position, the platform constituting in the lower position the floor of a bath on which a person lies whilst bathing, * * * : the bed further comprising a side wall or walls within which the platform moves, S.. 551.the wall or walls having inlet means to enable water to be admitted into the -* bath, and outlet means for water to be removed. * a * * *. a **..
16. A bath substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. /