WHEELCHAIR SANITARY COMMODE

Abstract: A seat panel for a chair, wheelchair or the like which incorporates a sanitary commode. The panel comprises a seat portion (20) attached to the chair on one edge, a seat portion (20) attached to the chair on the other edge, and a median, transverse commode portion (21) attached on its edges to the other edges of the seat portions. The commode portion has an elongated relatively narrow transverse aperture (11a) and a front latch (23) and pocket (22a) are characterized in that they releasably secure an open waste container (30) having a projection (33) cooperable with the latch (23) and a throat (30a) cooperable with the pocket (22a).

Description: ' WHEELCHAIR SANITARY COMMODE Background of Invention This invention relates to a sanitary commode and in particular, to a sanitary commode which can be incorporated into a wheelchair. Treatment of the aged and infirm has become increasingly difficult because of the lack of sufficient suitable trained personnel. In particular, bedridden or immobile patients have a difficult time in obtaining suitable assistance in getting on or off present-day portable commodes. The result is a generally unsanitary and uncomfortable condition in many hospital wards and nursing homes. Devices have been described which are intended to incorporate a commode in a wheelchair as for example, European patent application, publication number 0,032,177, July 22, 1981, application number 80207122.6, and Barsotti, U.S. Patent 2,942,648. However, each of these prior art devices has one or more disadvantages, such as complexity of construction or difficulty of operation by the occupant who is typically weak and often feeble. One object of the present invention is to provide a chair, particularly a wheelchair, which will permit the occupant to eliminate his body waste whenever he wishes in a clean, . sanitary manner and without the assistance of a nurse and with substantially no effort. Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the description and claims which follow, taken together with the appended drawings. Summary of Invention The invention comprises broadly a seat for a chair, in particular a wheelchair, having a median, elongated transverse commode body. The body has an elongated, relatively narrow, transverse waste-receiving aperture and a front latch and on its underside a rearward receiving V pocket. A removable, open waste container is provided having a throat insertable into said receiving pocket and a protrusion cooperable with said latch. In particular, it is preferred that the width of the aperture be slightly narrower than the space between the ischium bones. This creates the best weight distribution for maximum comfort. Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of- this invention incorporated into a conventional wheelchair. Fig. 2 is a lower perspective view of the wheelchair showing the waste container in position. Fig. 3 is a top view of the seat incorporating the invention. Fig. 4 is a front view of the seat showing the container engaged. Fig. 5 is a rear view of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 4 showing the container engaged . Fig. 7 is a side view of Fig. 4 showing the container disengaged. F ig. 8 is a side view of another shape of container in engaged position on the seat. Fig. 9 is a front view of the container of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an exp loded end view of Fig. 3. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of this invention. F ig. 12 is a partial side view of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a rear view of Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is view along line 14-14 of Fig. 15. F ig . 15 i s a partia l ly e xp loded v i ew of the unattached seat portion of Fig. 11. Fig . 16 i s a diagrammatic r ear vi ew o f F ig. 11 showing the pelvic area of the human body when in contact with the device. Specific Exam le of Invention j Referring now to the drawings there is illustrated therein a conventional foldable wheelchair 10 whose normal seat panel 20 has been modified to provide the seat panel 11 of this invention. The conventional seat panel 20, which is typically soft, flexible material, is slit and then each free end is bent over and attached to bars 24 in transverse grooves in rigid transverse commode body member 21 with spaced threaded members 25. On the front undersurface of body member 21 is a locking latch 23 and on the rear undersurface is a curved member 22 forming an open pocket 22a. The specially shaped open waste container 30 has a forward throat portion 30a cooperable with pocket 22a and has a top extension 33 cooperable with latch 23. The container has a gripping handle 31. In operation the container is readily removed by pulling up on the latch 23 which releases the extension 33 and permits the ready removal of container 30 by pulling. When the container is removed the wheelchair can be folded in its conventional way since the commode body portion 21 is suspended by the flexible seat portions 20. Once the waste has been removed the container 30 can be easily re¬ inserted inserting the throad 30a into the pocket 22a and engaging extension 33 with the latch 23. Waste removal can be speeded up by the use of disposable plastic liners in the container. The embodiment 110 illustrated in Figs. 11-16 is of slightly different construction but of similar operation and function. The wheelchair seat panel 120, typically soft, flexible and washable is slit and each free end wrapped over elongated rods or dowels 124. Such dowels are preferably made of resilient material. The two wrapped dowels and panels are inserted into a pair of transverse L-shaped slots 121a in body member 121 alongside a narrow transverse waste aperture Ilia. Aperture Ilia is selected so as to permit comfortable spanning thereof by the ischium bones 135a of the human pelvic area 135. The container 130 in this embodiment has ahandle 131 and a rear top extension 132 engagable with depending hooks 123 in the front of the body portion. The forward throat portion 130a of the container is cooperable with the pocket 122a formed on the rear undersurface of body member 121 by curved member 122.

Claims: Claims 1. A seat panel incorporating a commode for a chair, wheelchair or the like, comprising a first seat portion whose outer edge is attached to one side of the chair, a second seat portion whose outer edge is attached to the chair on the other s ide, and a median, e longated , transverse commode portion attached on its edges to the inner edges of said seat portions; said commode portion having an elongated relatively narrow transverse aperture and an attachment means and on its lower surface an open pocket means; said attachment means and pocket means being characterised in that they releasably secure an open waste container having means cooperabl e with said attachment means and a throat means cooperable with said pocket means. 2. A wheelchair incorporating the seat panel of Claim 1. 3. A unit for modification of the seat of a chair, wheelchair or the like to incorporate a sanitary commode, comprising an elongated, transverse commode body portion having an elongated relatively narrow transverse waste aperture, means for attaching the free edges of the transverse ly cut portions of a conventional seat to the edges of said body portion, attachment means on said body portion, and pocket means below said body portion; said attachment means and pocket means being characterised as being cooperable so as to re leasably secure an open waste container having means for engaging said attachment means and throat means engagable with said pocket means. 4. The seat panel of Claim 1 wherein said transverse aperture is slightly narrower than the space between the ischium bones. 5. A wheelchair incorporating the seat pane l of Claim 4. 6. The unit of Claim 3 wherein said transverse ι l aperture is slightly narrower than the space between the ischiura bones.

Inventors: DRAEGER PHYLLIS, THOMPSON JOSEPH J, DRAEGER, PHYLLIS, THOMPSON, JOSEPH, J.
Applicants: DRAEGER PHYLLIS, THOMPSON JOSEPH J, DRAEGER, PHYLLIS, THOMPSON, JOSEPH, J.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A47K11
IPC codes: A47K11, A61G5