Abstract:
A bathing aid adapted to support the body of a person attending to a child in a bathtub. The bathing aid supports the body of a person kneeling adjacent the bathtub and reaching into the bathtub. The bathing aid includes a frame mounted to the bathtub, at least one post vertically extending from the frame, and a cushioned support pad mounted to the post. The cushioned support pad is positioned to support the torso of the user to minimize muscle strain and free the hands of user. The height of the post and the orientation of the support pad may be varied to enhance the comfort and support of the user. Aspects of the invention may also be used for non-bathing applications, for example, by healthcare professionals, animal caretakers, assembly-line workers, and technicians.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The general field of the invention comprises structures that can support a person accessing the inside of an enclosure. More specifically, the field of the invention comprises structures that can support an attendant bathing an occupant of a bathing enclosure, such as a bathtub.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Parents and other caregivers are often required to reach into an enclosure to attend to a child or patient in need of comfort, handling, washing, or treatment. A parent bathing a child in a bathtub and a nurse attending to a patient in a therapeutic spa are two typical examples of situations where the caregiver must reach into an enclosure while firmly maintaining a position outside the enclosure.  
         [0003]     However, reaching into a tub to attend to a child or patient and typically handling the child or patient can result in undue strain upon the muscles of the arms, back, and legs. This concern for the comfort of the caregiver is likely to only become more acute as the population ages and the number of patients needing assistance increases, as well the age of the caregiver increases.  
         [0004]     Prior art devices have been provided in an attempt to address this problem, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,575 issued to Terry [herein “Terry”]; U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,418 issued to Goodman, et al. [herein “Goodman”]; and U.S. Pat. No. RE 37,346 issued to Frawley [herein “Frawley”] all disclose some type of support device for a person attending to a bather in a tub. However, each of these references is limited to providing the support pad directly upon the tub rim. For example, Terry provides a pad supported upon the tub rim; Goodman provides a pad mounted directly upon the rim; and Frawley also provides a pad mounted directly upon the rim.  
         [0005]     In addition, though some of these references disclose that the height of the support pad be adjustable, none of the above-cited references disclose or suggest that this height be adjustable to other than the height of the tub rim. That is, none of these references disclose or suggest that the supporting surface be provided where it is most needed, that is, supporting the torso, upper torso, or chest, for example, to free hands and arms of the user and to support the weight of the user above a user&#39;s center of gravity. For example, without such support, the stability of the attendant may be jeopardized; for instance, the parent may fall headlong into the bathtub. In addition, the cited prior art does not provide a support pad mounted on an adjustable extension above the tub rim. Furthermore, none of the above references disclose that the angle of the support pad be variable; moreover, the angle of orientation of the prior art support surfaces cannot be adjusted since the prior art support surfaces are typically mounted directly to the ledge of the bathtub.  
         [0006]     Thus, there is a need in the art for a support structure that can be used by a person accessing the inside of an enclosure, for example, a bathtub, that provides adjustable support to the user where it is most needed: to the torso or upper torso. Aspects of the present invention provide such a device that addresses the deficiencies of the prior art and provides advantages compared to the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Aspects of the present invention include support structures or bathing aids that assist a user in attending to a person or object located inside an enclosure, for example, a parent washing a child in bathtub or a healthcare provider attending to a patient in a therapeutic spa. Aspects of the invention allow the user to access the inside of the enclosure from the outside of the enclosure, for example, while kneeling. Aspects of the present invention can minimize muscle strain, enhance the user&#39;s ability to manipulate the contents of the enclosure, and enhance the positional stability of the user.  
         [0008]     For example, one aspect of the invention is a support structure adapted to support a person accessing the inside of an enclosure, the enclosure having a vertically-extending sidewall, the support structure comprising or consisting of a frame adapted to engage the vertically extending sidewall; at least one post vertically extending from the frame, the post having a first end mounted to the frame and a second end; a cushioned support pad mounted to the second end of the post, the cushioned support pad adapted to support the person while the person accesses the inside of the enclosure. In one aspect of the invention, the vertically extending post comprises a vertically adjustable post. In another aspect, the cushioned support pad is adapted to support the person by contacting the torso of the person, for example, the midsection, chest, or upper torso. The enclosure may be bathtub, a basin, a spa, or a pool, among other enclosures.  
         [0009]     Another aspect of the invention is a bathing aid adapted to support a person kneeling on the floor adjacent a bathtub and bathing an occupant of the bathtub, the bathtub having a vertically extending sidewall having an upper ledge, the bathing aid comprising or consisting of a frame adapted to engage the vertically extending sidewall; at least one post vertically extending from the frame, the post having a first end mounted to the frame and a second end; a cushioned support pad mounted to the second end of the post, the cushioned support pad adapted to support the torso of the person while the person bathes the occupant of the bathtub. In one aspect, the vertically extending sidewall of the enclosure may include an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein the frame may engage the inner surface and the outer surface of the vertically extending sidewall. In another aspect, the cushioned support pad may be pivotally mounted to the second end of the post and the pivotally mounted cushioned support pad may further comprise means to fix the orientation of the cushioned support pad.  
         [0010]     A further aspect of the invention is a method for attending to an object or occupant of an enclosure using the device described above. This method may comprise or consist of providing the above support structure; mounting the support structure to a wall of the enclosure; leaning over the wall of the enclosure and engaging the cushioned support pad wherein to provide at least some load to the support structure; and attending to the object or occupant of the enclosure. In one aspect, the attending may comprise washing the occupant of the enclosure, for example, a child or a patient. In another aspect, attending may comprise washing or servicing an object or component, for example, servicing an automotive component or manipulating objects on an assembly line. Other uses of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art.  
         [0011]     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bathing aid according to one aspect of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the bathing aid shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is right-hand elevation view of the bathing aid shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the bathing aid shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the cushioned support pad mounting to the post according to another aspect of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a right-hand elevation view of the bathing aid shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating a typical use according to one aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a support structure or bathing aid  10  according to one aspect of the invention as bathing aid  10  would typically be mounted to an enclosure  12 , for example, to a bathtub, basin, spa, or pool. As shown, bathing aid  10  includes a frame  14  adapted to engage a vertically extending sidewall  16  of enclosure  12 , at least one post  18  vertically extending from frame  14 , and a cushioned support pad assembly  20  mounted to post  18 .  FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of bathing aid  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  is right-hand elevation view of bathing aid  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the bathing aid shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]     According to one aspect of the invention frame  14  may comprise any structure that is adapted to mount bathing aid  10  onto enclosure  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , frame  14  may comprise a structure that can be mounted to the top surface or ledge  22  of sidewall  16 . Frame  14  may include a plurality of structural members, for example, one or more horizontal members  26 ,  27 , and  28 , and a plurality of vertical members  29 ,  30 ,  31 , and  32 . Horizontal member  26  may comprise one or more plates, for example, a round, square, or rectangular plate, to which members  29 - 32  are mounted. Horizontal member  26  may also comprise two or more bars or rods, for example, bars  26 - 28  to which bars or rods  29 - 32  are mounted. Vertical members  29 - 32  are positioned to engage the inside surface  33  and outside surface  34  of sidewall  16 , for example, to provide some horizontal stability to bathing aid  10  under the expected loading applied by a user to support pad assembly  20 . For example, vertical members  29 - 32  typically comprise at least three vertical members adapted to engage sidewall  16 . Frame  14  may include means for varying the width or length between vertical members. In one aspect, the widths between members  29 ,  30 ,  31 , and  32  may be varied to accommodate varying widths and lengths of sidewall  16 . For example, the width between members  29  and  31  and between members  30  and  32  may be varied to accommodate a sidewall  16  of larger or smaller width. In another aspect, the width between members  29  and  30  and between members  31  and  32  may be varied to increase or decrease the width of the engagement with sidewall  16 , for instance, to provide a wider frame  14  for more stability. The adjustment in width between members  29 ,  30 ,  31 , and  32  may be provided by providing one or more of horizontal members  26 ,  27 , and  28  as telescoping members, for example, similar to members  38  and  39  shown in  FIG. 5  for post  18  having a retaining means  40 .  
         [0021]     Frame  14  and its components may be made from any structural material for example, wood, plastic, or metal. Frame  14  may be made from a polyamide (PA), for example, nylon; a polyamide-imide; a polyethylene (PE); a polypropylene (PP); a polyester (PE); a polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE); an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS); a polycarbonate (PC); or a vinyl, such as, polyvinylchloride (PVC), among other plastics. Frame  14  may also be made from iron, steel, stainless steel (for example, AISI 304 SS), aluminum, or even titanium, or any other structural metal. When frame  14  is made from a hard material, for example, iron or steel, that may damage a softer or damageable material of construction of enclosure  12 , for example, a plastic or a porcelain, frame  14  may include one or more protective covers  36 , for example, a foam rubber tube or pad about members  26 - 32  to minimize or prevent damage to enclosure  12 .  
         [0022]     Frame  14  may be fabricated by conventional means, for example, by means of welding or mechanical fasteners. In one aspect, horizontal members  27  and  28  and vertical members  29 - 32  may be fabricated by bending structural shapes, for example, rods or structural angles, at an angle, for example, an angle of about 90 degrees.  
         [0023]     As described, at least one post  18  may be mounted to frame  14 . Post  18  may typically vertically extend from frame  14 , for example, vertically extend from horizontal member  26 , and post  18  is adapted to support cushioned support pad assembly  20 . Though only a single post  18  is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , support structure or bathing aid  10  may include a two or more posts  18  mounted to frame  14 . Post  18  may be made from any one or more of the structural materials described above with respect to frame  14 .  
         [0024]     In one aspect of the invention, post  18  may comprise a vertically adjustable post having a length that can vary, as indicated by double arrow  61 , for example, to vary the elevation of support pad assembly  20  to accommodate users of varying height. Post  18  may include telescoping members that can be adjusted and fixed relative to each other. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , post  18  may include a first hollow member  38  having a inside dimension, for example, an inside diameter, and mounted to frame  14  and a second member  39  having a outside dimension smaller than the inside dimension of member  38 . Post  18  may also include a restraining means  40  that interferes with the telescoping action of members  38  and  39  to position support pad assembly  20  at a desired height or elevation. Restraining means  40  may include any structure or adaptation that prevents relative movement between members  38  and  39  when support pad assembly  20  is positioned in a desired elevation. Restraining means  40  may include one or more rods  41  that engage one or more through holes in members  38  and  39  or a rotatable tightening means that prevents relative movement between members  38  and  39 . Other restraining means will be apparent to those of skill in the art.  
         [0025]     Support pad assembly  20  is mounted to the second end of post  18  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Support pad assembly  20  may include a rigid platform  42 , for example, a plate or board, mounted to post  18  and some form of cushion material  44  mounted to the upper surface of platform  42 . Platform  42  may be mounted directly to post  18 , for example, by means of welding, mechanical fasteners, or a pivoting device (see below). As shown in  FIG. 4 , platform  42  may include one or more support members  43 , and post  18  may be mounted to support member  43 . Platform  42  and support members  43  may be made from any one or more of the structural materials described above with respect to frame  14 . Support members  43  may be mounted to platform  42  and to post  18  by welding or mechanical fasteners  45 . Cushioning material  44  may be a foam pad or cushion, for example, a closed cell foam rubber, a latex foam rubber, or a “memory foam” rubber, or their equivalents. In one aspect, cushioning material  44  may comprise a cushioning fabric, for example, cotton batting, covered by a protective cover  47  (see  FIG. 3 ), for example, a vinyl cover, mounted to platform  42 . Support pad assembly  20  and cushioning material  44  are adapted to support a person accessing the inside of enclosure  12 , for example, comfortably support a person.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the cushioned support pad assembly  20  mounting to post  18  according to another aspect of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , support pad assembly  20  may be pivotally mounted to post  18  by means of pivot connection  46 . According to this aspect of the invention, the orientation of pad assembly  20  may be varied to conform to a more comfortable position for the user, for example, as indicated by angle θ in  FIG. 5 . Pivot connection  36  may include one or more pivot plates  48  having one or more through holes adapted to accepted a pin, rod or shaft  52 . Member  39  of post  18  may include at least one through hole adapted to cooperate with through hole in pivot plate  48 . Pivot connection  46  may include a threaded fasteners adapted to tighten post  18  to pivot plate  48  when support pad assembly  20  is in a desired orientation. For example, rod  52  may be threaded and include nuts  50  (see  FIG. 4 ) on at least one end which can be tightened to secure post  18  to support pad assembly  20 . In one aspect, at least one of the nuts  50  on threaded rod  52  may be a knob or hand wheel  51  that can be easily tightened and untightened by the user.  
         [0027]     According to another aspect of the invention, the interface between post  18  and frame  14  may also comprise a pivotal connection  60 . According to one aspect of the invention, the angular orientation of post  18 , shown generally perpendicular to frame  14 , may any angular orientation, as indicated by angle α in  FIG. 5 . Pivotal connection  60  may be similar to pivotal connection  36  described above, among other pivoting arrangements. In another aspect, post  18  may also rotate relative to frame  14 , for example, rotate about a vertical axis directed along the axis of post  18 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a right-hand elevation view of the bathing aid or support structure  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-5  illustrating a typical use of one aspect of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the user  70  of bathing aid or support structure  10  may kneel beside enclosure  12  while accessing the inside of enclosure  12 . In one aspect of the invention, a user may stand adjacent to enclosure  12  and lean over to access the inside of enclosure  12 . In the aspect of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , user  70  may be a parent washing a child in a bathtub or other enclosure, a health care professional attending to a patient in a tub or other enclosure, a animal caretaker attending to an animal in a tub or other enclosure, technician attending to a device or process in a tub or other enclosure, an assembly line worker manipulating a piece part or assembly in an enclosure, or a dishwasher bending over a sink or other enclosure to wash dishes, among other typical users and applications of the invention.  
         [0029]     Unlike prior art devices, which typically contact the arms or stomach of the user, as shown in  FIG. 6 , bathing aid  10  is adapted to contact and support the torso  72  of user  70 . According to aspects of the invention, by contacting and supporting the torso  72  of user  70 , the user&#39;s arms  75  and hands  76  are not encumbered and may more easily access the inside of enclosure  12 , and more easily handle or manipulate a bather or object located within enclosure  12 , for example, a child  80 . In one aspect, bathing aid  10  is adapted to contact the upper torso  74  of user  70 . For example, in one aspect, bathing aid  10  is adapted to support a user at a location above the user&#39;s center of gravity, CG in  FIG. 6 . By supporting the body of a user above the user&#39;s center of gravity, the user&#39;s position is more stable and the user is freer to access and handle an object within enclosure  12  with reduced fear of muscle strain, with reduced fear of falling into enclosure  12 , or reduced fear of contacting the contents of enclosure  12 . In one aspect of the invention, where enclosure  12  may contain dangerous substances or machines, support structure  10  may provide a significant degree of safety that may prevent users from falling into or undesirably contacting the contents of enclosure  12 .  
         [0030]     Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and devices for attending to people or objects in an enclosure while minimizing discomfort and muscle strain. The methods and apparatus of the present invention may free the hands and arms of the user to more easily access and manipulate, for example, a child or a patient. The design of the present invention also permits for easy handling and storage of the apparatus, for example, by simply removing the apparatus from a wall of an enclosure and standing the apparatus on the three or more vertical members of the frame. In one aspect, the vertical and horizontal members may be retractable (for example, by telescoping engagement) to reduce the footprint or envelope of the apparatus for easier handling and storage.  
         [0031]     While several aspects of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be provided by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.