Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for a fully customizable bath chair that is configurable to provide a wide variety of positioning options of the head, trunk and leg support in a sitting or reclining position. The described embodiments can be custom fit to individuals dimensions, or be refit at any time to accommodate growth and/or size changes. Legs, calf support and back angles as well as chair height can be adjusted independently to maximize positioning options to accommodate the support and comfort of the user. The chair has the unique capability to be adjusted in six independent dimensions, each affecting a specific relational fit to the individual users anthropometrics and functional need.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an anatomical support device and more specifically to an anatomical support device in the form of an articulating chair to facilitate bathing of an individual with limited mobility or physical ability that is customized to fit the particular individual and is expandable as the individual grows.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Background  
         [0004]     Numerous bathing chairs or seats have been developed to assist persons with limited mobility or physical ability within a bathing enclosure such as a bathtub, shower, whirlpool or the like. These include devices that act as a seat, bench or stool supported by the base or edge of the enclosure. Others include apparatus that are used as a rotatable seat to facilitate transfer of an individual (especially from a wheelchair) to a bathing enclosure. These designs are lacking in many ways, specifically in their inability to adjust to a variety of precise positions to accommodate the support and comfort of the user. These designs additionally lack in their ability to be custom fit and refit to the changing size requirements of a growing individual. Additionally, most bathing chairs do not accommodate the head and trunk support and leg support that certain individuals may require.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art by providing a method and system for a fully customizable bath chair that is configurable to provide a wide variety of positioning options of the head, trunk and leg support in a sitting or reclining position and can be custom fit to individuals dimensions, or be refit at any time to accommodate growth and/or size changes. Legs, calf support and back angles as well as chair height can be adjusted independently to maximize positioning options to accommodate the support and comfort of the user. The chair has the unique capability to be adjusted in six independent dimensions, each affecting a specific relational fit to the individual users anthropometrics and functional need.  
         [0006]     An embodiment of the present invention may therefore comprise an articulating bathing and support device for an individual comprising: a central support chassis comprising two articulating connector pairs joined by one or more lateral braces that can be variably sized to set the relative position of an anterior articulating connector to a posterior articulating connector within the articulating connector pair, each posterior connector that may be independently rotatably positionable about a coplanar arc of movement, pivoting within the anterior articulating connector, each anterior articulating connector that may be independently rotatably positionable about a coplanar arc of movement, pivoting within the anterior articulating connector; a transverse brace rigidly joining the articulating connector pairs; a positioning stand for the central support chassis comprising an anterior chassis support frame and a posterior chassis support frame, the anterior chassis support frame connected to the anterior articulating connectors, the posterior chassis support frame connected to the posterior articulating connectors; and, a head and thorax support frame connected to the posterior articulating connectors.  
         [0007]     An embodiment of the present invention may also comprise an articulating bathing and support chair custom fit to the anthropometric and functional needs of an individual comprising: a central support chassis comprising two pairs of articulating connectors rigidly joined by a transverse brace; each pair of articulating connectors comprising an anterior and a posterior articulating connector rigidly joined by one or more tubular lateral braces; each articulating connector further comprising a superior and an inferior connecting tube, the connecting tube comprising, a semi-cylindrical articulating connecting receiver with a proximal pivot end fixed within the articulating connector and a distal engagement end for receiving a tubular member that articulates in a single plane arc of movement of less than 180 degrees that can be rigidly fixed at more than one point within the arc; the transverse brace mounted between the anterior articulating connectors, perpendicular to a cylindrical axis of the tubular lateral braces and the arc of movement, and rigidly fixes the position of the articulating pairs of articulating connectors with respect to one another; a positioning stand for the central support chassis comprising an anterior chassis support frame connected to the inferior connecting tubes on the anterior articulating connectors and a posterior chassis support frame connected to the connecting tubes of the posterior articulating connectors, the anterior and posterior chassis support frames independently rotatably positionable about the arc of movement of the connecting tube; a lower extremity support frame connected to the superior connecting tubes on the anterior articulating connectors, the lower extremity support frame independently rotatably positionable about the arc of movement of the connecting tubes on the anterior articulating connectors; a head and thorax support frame connected to the superior connecting tubes on the posterior articulating connectors, the head and thorax support frame independently rotatably positionable about the arc of movement of the connecting tubes on the posterior articulating connectors; a drape of support material attached to and extending across the head an thorax support frame, the lower extremity support frame and a superior portion of the lateral braces to support the weight of the individual; the central support chassis being customized to specific dimensions by sizing the lateral braces and the transverse brace of appropriate length and the head and thorax support frame, the lower extremity support frame and the chassis support frames sized to fit the central support chassis and specific dimensional needs of the individual.  
         [0008]     An embodiment of the present invention may also comprise a method of customizing an articulating bathing and support device for variations in anthropomology of an individual comprising the steps of: providing a central support chassis comprising two articulating connector pairs; determining a relative distance between an anterior articulating connector to a posterior articulating connector within the central support chassis that is based upon the anthropomology of the individual; rigidly joining the anterior articulating connector to the posterior articulating connector with at least one lateral brace of a length that is based upon the relative distance between the anterior articulating connector to the posterior articulating connector to create a left connector pair and a right connector pair; determining a relative distance between the left connector pair and the right connector pair within the central support chassis that is based upon the anthropomology of the individual; rigidly joining the left connector pair and the right connector pair with at least one transverse brace of a length that is based upon the relative distance between the left connector pair and the right connector pair.  
         [0009]     An embodiment of the present invention may also comprise a method of customizing an articulating bathing and support device for variations in anthropomology of an individual comprising the steps of: providing a central support chassis comprising two articulating connector pairs, each joined by at least one lateral brace connecting an anterior articulating connector to a posterior articulating connector within said articulating connector pair to form a left connector pair and a right connector pair, each said posterior connector comprising a superior connecting member and an inferior connecting member pivoting within said anterior articulating connector, each said anterior articulating connector comprising an inferior connecting member pivoting within said anterior articulating connector; fixing the relative distance between said left connector pair and said right connector pair with at least one transverse brace rigidly joining said left connector pair to said right connector pair; dimensioning said central support chassis by: fixing the relative distance between said anterior articulating connector pair and said posterior connecting pair by utilizing at least one said lateral brace of a length that is based upon said anthropomology of said individual; fixing the relative distance between said left connector pair and said right connector pair by utilizing at least one transverse brace of a length that is based upon said anthropomology of said individual.  
         [0010]     The disclosed embodiments offer the advantage of performing a wide range of positioning options for the head and thorax support, leg support and independently adjustable legs allowing a greater versatility of users and environments. The full adjustment of supports also allows the chairs to fold easy and flat for convenient storage and transport. Adjustments to the chair are made simple with conveniently located levers that allow the user to raise the height of the chair and make adjustments to the head and thorax portion as well as the lower extremity support. The disclosed embodiments of the chair can be manufactured in a variety of standard sizes using common components and can be custom fit for a particular individual with special needs. A chair can be easily sized by changing the width and length measurements on any or all of the support frames. In addition, the chair support chassis can be readily modified by varying the length of a lateral and/or transverse brace. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     In the drawings,  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a drawing showing an isometric view of a typical embodiment of an articulating bathing and support chair.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a drawing showing a side view of a typical embodiment of an articulating bathing and support chair.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a drawing showing a chair chassis comprising two pair of double articulating connectors that is utilized in typical embodiment an articulating bathing and support chair.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a drawing showing the interface between two double articulating connectors within a typical embodiment an articulating bathing and support chair. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a drawing showing an isometric view of a typical embodiment of an articulating bathing and support chair. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the central bearing structure of the chair is a chassis  100  which is made up of a set of four articulating connectors  102 - 108  joined by lateral braces  110  and  112  and a transverse brace  132 . Each anterior articulating connector  102  and  106  are attached to a posterior articulating connector  104  and  108  by lateral braces  110  and  112  respectively to create left and right pairs of articulating connectors. These pairs of articulating connectors are joined by a transverse brace  132  mounted perpendicular to the axis of the lateral braces  110  and  112 , and rigidly fixes the position of the articulating pairs with respect to one another. This structure forms the chassis  100  of the chair, positions the articulating connecting tubes  130  on opposing sides of the connector pair, and allows all four connecting tubes  130  to move within the same plane.  
         [0018]     The transverse brace  132  positions the left pair of articulating connectors  102  and  104  such that the axis of rotation of the left side connecting tubes  130  are approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the connecting tubes  130  on the left pair of articulating connectors  106  and  108  and displaced by the distance of the transverse brace  132 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the chassis  100  can be sized to a wide variety of dimensions by simply changing the length of the lateral braces  110  and  112  and/or the transverse brace  132 . This versatility allows customization of fit during the initial manufacture as well as any time throughout the life of the device.  
         [0019]     Two articulating connecting tubes  130  extend from two pivot points within each of the articulating connectors  102 - 108  to engage four sets of adjustable frame members. These articulating connecting tubes  130  are rotatably mounted, non-ratcheting pivoting connectors, that can be secured at various points throughout an arc of rotation of less than 180 degrees using a lock/release mechanism. A head and thorax support frame  116  connects to the two superior connecting tubes  130  of the posterior articulating connectors  104  and  108  to provide the upper body support section of the chair. A lower extremity support frame  114  connects to the two superior connecting tubes  130  of the anterior articulating connectors  102  and  106  to provide the lower body and leg support section of the chair. The chassis  100  is supported from the ground by a chassis positioning stand  138  made up of an anterior and posterior chassis support  118  and  120 . The anterior chassis support  118  connects to the two inferior connecting tubes  130  of the anterior articulating connectors  102  and  106  and the posterior chassis support  120  connects to the two inferior connecting tubes  130  of the posterior articulating connectors  104  and  108 .  
         [0020]     Each connecting tube  130  is combined with an articulator adjustment release  136  that acts to release the movement of the connecting tube  130  when disengaged allowing articulation through an arc of less than 180 degrees. When the articulator adjustment release  136  is engaged, the connecting tube  130  is held in a fixed position within the arc. The articulator adjustment release  136  mechanisms are accessed in pairs through an adjustment release lever  122  that engages an articulator adjustment release  136  at each end. The adjustment release lever  122  generally follows the shape of the support frame  114 - 120  to which it is releasing for aesthetics and ease of access by a user.  
         [0021]     The rotational position of any one of the four support frames  114 - 120  can be readily adjusted by gripping the support frame  114 - 120  and the adjustment release lever  122  at its most distal point from the articulator adjustment release  136  and pulling the adjustment release lever  122  away from the connecting tubes  130  to disengage the articulator adjustment release  136  and position the support frame  114 - 120 . This allows the four support frames to be moved and positioned independently creating a wide range of positioning options. For example, positioning of the lower extremity and head and thorax support frames  114 - 116  can be made so that the user is positioned in an upright, supine, or recumbent posture. Independent positioning of the anterior and posterior chassis support frames  118 - 120  allows the seat angle to be adjusted as well as the seat height.  
         [0022]     The user of the chair is supported by a support material  134  stretched across the lower extremity support frame  114 , the superior portion of the chassis  100  section and the head and thorax support frame  116 . This support material  134  can be of any variety of woven or non-woven material, but is typically a synthetic woven mesh material that performs well in a water environment and dries readily.  
         [0023]     The disclosed embodiment can be manufactured in a variety of standard sizes using common components and can be custom fit for a particular individual with special needs. A chair can be sized by changing the width and length measurements on any or all of the support frames  114 - 120 . In addition, the chassis  100  can be readily modified by varying the length of the lateral brace  110 - 112  and the transverse brace  132 . In this way, the anthropomology (specific anatomical body measurements including but not limited to size, weight, somatype, girth, physical ability and limitation, and range of motion and the like) of an individual with special needs can be addressed.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a drawing showing a side view of a typical embodiment of an articulating bathing and support chair. This side view further demonstrates the relationship of an articulating connecting pair comprised of an anterior articulating connector  206  connected to a posterior articulating connector  208  by a superior lateral brace  210  an inferior lateral brace  212 . As can be readily seen in  FIG. 2 , anterior articulating connector  206  supports the connection and articulation of the lower extremity support frame  214  and the anterior chassis support  218 . Similarly, the posterior articulating connector  208  supports the connection and articulation of the head and thorax support frame  216  and the posterior chassis support  220 . Also demonstrated in  FIG. 2  are the positional relationships of the adjustment release mechanisms to the articulating connectors. As depicted, the superior adjustments release  230  is connected to, and activated by, the head and thorax support adjustment release lever  224  and follows the shape contour of the head and thorax support frame  216 . Similarly, the inferior adjustments release  232  is connected to, and activated by, the posterior chassis support adjustment release lever  228  and follows the shape contour of the posterior chassis support frame  220 . An analogous relationship exists on the anterior portion of the chair with the lower extremity adjustment release lever  222  and the anterior chassis support adjustment release lever  226 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a drawing showing an articulating support chassis  300  within a typical embodiment an articulating bathing and support chair. This depiction further demonstrates the relationship of two sets of articulating connector pairs  302  whose dimensional spacing is determined by a right and left lateral brace  310  and  312  and the transverse brace  332 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a drawing showing the interface between two articulating connectors within a typical embodiment an articulating bathing and support chair. As shown in  FIG. 2 , an articulating connector pair  400  comprises an anterior articulating connector  412  that is rigidly connected to a posterior articulating connector  414  by a superior and an inferior lateral brace  416  and  418  at a distance E  402 . This distance E  402  determines the overall chassis length of the chair and can be readily changed by adjusting the lengths of the superior and an inferior lateral braces  416  and  418 . The positioning angle of each of the connecting tubes  420 - 426  can be regulated in an independent manner to achieve a variety of angle combinations for angles A  404 , B  406 , C  408 , and D  410 .  
         [0027]     The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.