Abstract:
A transfer seat apparatus structured for simultaneous dependent slidable translation during manual rotation, through preferably about 90° of rotation, of a seat section of the apparatus with a person seated atop the seat section. The apparatus is particularly useful for transferring a physically impaired or weakened person into a bathtub or over a collecting basin when adapted and used as a commode. Thus, as the seat section is rotated with the person seated thereon, lateral linear translation is simultaneously effected which is dependently responsive to manual seat section rotation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to seating apparatus for the physically impaired, and particularly to a transfer seat apparatus which may also be combined as a shower chair and commode. 
     Those who are physically challenged typically require some form of assistance from others or from various assistive devices in accomplishing daily tasks. One general form of adaptive aid equipment for the handicapped is generally in the form of a transfer seat. Such adaptive aids allow the handicapped or weakened user to take a seated position and then be manually moved a desired distance laterally such as in being positioned over a bathtub area or commode. 
     One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,704 invented by Dagostino which teaches a combination commode and shower chair apparatus wherein the chair section will rollably translate on spaced parallel track members a distance sufficient to position the user over a bathtub area, the positioning of the chair being initially outside of and adjacent to the bathtub. 
     A tub shower seat invented by Mace is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,844 which discloses a stationary apparatus positionable over a bathtub and having an auxiliary seat surface which covers and straddles the edge of the tub for protectively supporting a handicapped user. Another similar device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,256 invented by Hatala. 
     A somewhat more complex device than that invented by Dagostino as disclosed in the above-referenced &#39;704 patent is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,591 invented by Myers. This invention is also directed to a shower-commode chair and transfer track used in a fashion somewhat similar to the Dagostino device. 
     None of the above-referenced devices, however, provide a seat swivel or pivot feature wherein the user may rotate through, e.g. 90° during the transfer or lateral translational movement of the seat section of the apparatus. In many instances, such rotational or pivotal movement is quite useful to the handicapped person in both ingress and egress and in the transfer itself. One such device which accomplishes a manual swiveling and independent translational movement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,751 invented by Baker. This invention is directed to a shower chair and bathtub transfer assembly which allows the user, minimally physically impaired, to be seated atop the seat section, swivel through about 90° and then laterally translate to a position over the bathtub area. 
     Another such manually swivelable and independently translating or transferring apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,218 invented by McCartney. This invention also provides a seat structure for easy access to bathtubs and includes both structural and independent translational features of the seat section. 
     A number of prior art inventions are directed primarily to the swiveling or rotation of a seat section while a person is seating thereupon. One such invention is disclosed by Roesler in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,542 teaching a bathing chair which is lockably engageable within the wall and bottom panels of a conventional bathtub and provides both manual swiveling and limited linear translation of the support chair with respect to its anchored base within the bathtub. 
     Potvin, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,328 also teaches a swivel open bottom seat assembly for pivotally moving a toilet seat support structure into operative position over the commode while the user is seated thereon. 
     Another device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,378 invented by Janisch teaches a bathtub seat arrangement which provides independent free manual rotation and lateral translation of the seat section with user thereatop with the apparatus being positioned over a bathtub. Another bathtub-related invention is shown by Shapiro as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,482 disclosing a bath chair having suction cup engagement for rigid engagement to the floor of a bathtub or shower stall. Independent rotation and elevation of the chair portion of this invention is provided. 
     My prior invention in U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,809 provides an apparatus which dependently and controlledly laterally translates a person seated atop the seat portion of the present invention directly responsive to rotation of the seat section. By this arrangement, lateral translation is thus dependently controlled by manual rotation of the seat portion. The present invention improves this prior apparatus by adding a pivoted leg lifting panel which allows an assistant to easily lift both legs together as the seat section is rotated and translated. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a transfer seat apparatus structured for simultaneous dependent slidable translation during manual rotation, through preferably about 90° of rotation, of a seat section of the apparatus with a person seated atop the seat section. The apparatus is particularly useful for transferring a physically impaired or weakened person into a bathtub or over a collecting basin when adapted and used as a commode. Thus, as the seat section is rotated with the person seated thereon, lateral linear translation is simultaneously effected which is dependently responsive to manual seat section rotation. A pivotally connected leg lifting panel is also provided to assist in lifting both legs simultaneously. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for assisting physically impaired or weakened persons when seated atop the invention to be rotated through approximately 90° and simultaneously dependently moved or transferred laterally into position over a bathtub, shower, commode or other useful positioning of the person. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide an apparatus which dependently and automatically controls lateral translation of a person seated atop the seat section of the invention as the seat section is manually rotated. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for assistedly laterally translating and simultaneously rotating a person seated atop the invention while easily elevating and supporting both legs together at the same time to facilitate bathing or showering, positioning over a commode and other useful lateral transfers. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my prior invention. 
     FIG. 2 is another perspective view of my prior invention shown in FIG. 1 in position over a bathtub. 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the seat section partially rotated and laterally translated. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of my prior invention as shown in FIG. 2 during assisted patient transfer into a bathtub. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 showing the patent in position over the bathtub. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged broken perspective view of a portion of the invention shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the preferred embodiment of my prior invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the seat base section of my prior invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the releasably unlockable swivel member shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical section view of a central portion of the seat section of another embodiment of my prior invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan simplified schematic view of the operation of my prior and present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of another and preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 during assisted patient transfer into a bathtub. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     PRIOR ART 
     FIGS. 1 to  11  depict my prior invention as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,809. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to  6 , one embodiment of the invention is generally shown at numeral  10  and generally includes a seat section or assembly  12 , a seat base section  14  and a support frame assembly  16 . The seat section  12  is of a conventional nature, preferably having a plastic molded seat back and bottom structure as best seen in FIG.  2 . The seat base assembly  14  includes two mating base half sections  14   a  and  14   b  connected together and supporting spaced apart TEFLON or nylon elongated glide tubes  15  as seen in broken section in FIG.  6 . 
     Positioned between the lower surface of the seat section  12  and the upper surface of the seat base section  14  is a swivel member  32  as seen in FIG. 6 or at  32 ′ as seen in FIGS. 7 and 9. Both embodiments of the swivel member  32  and  32 ′ are available from the Wise Company of Rector, Ark., the difference being that the preferred swivel member  32 ′ includes a twelve way handle unlocking arrangement which is disengaged. by handle  34  by the finger pulling action shown in FIG.  7 . Either of the swivel members  32  or  32 ′ (when disengaged) provide free relative rotation between the seat section  12  and the seat base section  14  about an upright axis D. 
     The frame section  16  is formed of tubular aluminum members formed as shown to provide two spaced apart parallel tracks or tubular rails  22  and  24  which are disposed and held by legs  21  (typ.) at the upper portion of frame section  16 . These tracks  22  and  24  are held spaced apart by tubular cross members  26  and  28  as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     The TEFLON slide tubes  15  held within the seat base section  14  are slidably engaged over each of the tubular tracks  22  and  24  as best seen in FIG.  6 . Thus, the seat base section  14  with swivel member  32  or  32 ′ attached thereatop, and with seat section  12  attached atop the swivel member  32  or  32 ′, will freely translate laterally on tubular tracks  22  and  24  in the direction of arrow A and back. 
     Thus far, as should be clear at this point, the invention  10  as thus describes includes a seat section  12  which is freely pivotable about upright axis D in the direction of arrow B in FIG.  3  and is freely translatable in the direction of arrow A back and forth on tubular tracks  22  and  24 . The preferred embodiment of the slide arrangement between the seat base section  14 ′ and the tubular tracks  22  and  24  is shown in FIG.  8  and is formed of mating metal formed halves  36  and  38  which are held together by bolts (not shown). Cylindrical end portions shown at  40  and  42  secure the glide tube  44  in place. However, a conventional roller arrangement, glide members having an internal circulating ball bearing arrangement on a tubular shaft or any other freely linearly translatable structure between the seat base section  14  and the frame assembly  16  is envisioned and intended to be within the scope of this invention. 
     The essential part of the invention  10  is in the form of an elongated turning member  30  preferably formed of rigid wire or rod material having an orthogonal bend  30   a  which is pivotally connected to tubular track  22  at one end and an oppositely directed orthogonal bend  30   b  formed at the other end thereof which is pivotally connected into the tubular armrest section  18  of seat section  12 . This arrangement is best understood with reference to FIG. 11 which depicts the invention at  10  in simplified schematic form, the seat section removed for clarity. The turning member  30  is shown in solid lines in conjunction with the seat base section  14  which is positioned at one end of the frame assembly  16 . In this position of the seat base section  14 , the seat section would be oriented with respect to the frame assembly  16  similar to that shown in FIG.  2 . 
     As the seat base assembly  14  is rotated about upright as D, the turning member  30  pivots about connection  30   a  in the direction of arch C whereupon the other pivoted end  30   b  follows along imaginary arc E. Movement of the seat base section  14 , including the tubular armrests  18  and  20  and moves linearly in the direction of arrow A into a final position wherein the seat base section  14  is disposed at the opposite end of the frame assembly  16  (shown in phantom) and wherein the seat section (not shown for clarity) and armrests  18  and  20  would be rotated in the direction of arrow B through an angle of about 90° in the orientation as also shown in FIG. 5 with respect to the frame assembly  16 . 
     Thus, as the seat section  12  is rotated with the person seated thereatop, the turning member  30  requires that the seat section atop the seat base section  14  also move in the direction of arrow A along tracks  22  and  24 . That is to say, rotation may not be effected without accompanying lateral movement of the seat section  12  in the direction of arrow A. It should be obvious now that pivoted end  30   b  need only be positioned and pivotally connected to the seat section  12  at a point laterally spaced from axis D. 
     As seen in FIG. 4, this important feature of the invention allows an attendant to easily move a patient or disabled person while seated atop the seat section over a bathtub area without concern for uncontrolled movement of the seat section during such procedures. 
     THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12 to  15 , details of the present invention are there shown generally at numeral  10 ′ in FIGS. 12,  13  and  15  and at  10 ″ in FIG.  14 . Both of these embodiments  10 ′ and  10 ″ generally include a seat section or assembly  12 , a seat base section  14 ′ and a support frame assembly  16  as previously described in my prior art invention. 
     These two new embodiments  10 ′ and  10 ″ further operate in a manner depicted in FIGS. 3,  6 ,  7  and  11 . However, the seat base section  14 ′ in the present invention has been modified to be fabricated of two mating plastic shells with an elongated bearing trapped therebetween in a fashion described in FIG.  8 . 
     The improvement of the present invention  10 ′ includes a leg lifting panel assembly  60  having a leg lifting panel  62  attached to a U-shaped tubular support member  64 . The center section of the support member  64  is attached by hinges  66  to the lower front margin  68  of the seat section  12 . By this arrangement, the leg lifting panel assembly  60  is pivotally moveable from the downwardly extending position thereof shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 to an upwardly somewhat horizontal position in the direction of arrow F. The calves of the lower legs of the seated patient are both supported together against the leg-lifting panel  62  as an attendant manually pivots the entire assembly  16  upwardly in the direction of arrow F. As shown in FIG. 15, the lower legs of the patient are supported by the leg lifting panel  62  absent any support bracing for supporting the leg lifting panel. By this arrangement, both lower legs are simultaneously liftable together manually as shown in FIG. 15 to effect pivotal and translational movement of the seat section  12  as previously described with respect to my prior invention. 
     As seen in FIG. 14, to further facilitate the manual lifting of a patient&#39;s lower legs by an attendant, elongated hand grasping apertures  70  are provided in this embodiment  60 ″ along either side edge of the leg lifting panel  62 ′. This greatly reduces the manual hand grasping effort required of an attendant in effecting the pivotal and translational transfer of a patient seated atop the seat section  12  such as into and from a bathtub depicted in FIGS. 2,  4  and  5 . 
     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.