Patent GB-1370610-A (GB)
Title: Baths for use by invalids
IPC: A61G7/10
Filed: 1971-11-30
Abstract: 1370610 Baths suitable for invalids &c. W G ADAMSON 30 Nov 1971 [1 Sept 1970] 37292/70 Heading A4N BATHS A bath assembly for invalids &c. comprises a generally rectangular bath 12 with an outwardly extending rim, in which bath a horizontal platform 10 is mounted for supporting the invalids' body and is vertically movable within the bath. The platform is of buoyant material and is provided with one or more internal ballast tanks which may be filled with liquid from the bath via nozzles 17, Fig. 2a and 19 and tube 18 connected to an electrical reversible pump 20. The tanks may also be filled with air to aid buoyancy. The platform is constrained between an upper position in which the top of the platform is level with the top of the bath, and a lower position, i. e. at A, in which the platform rests on the base of the bath. A pair of vertical constraints are positioned at each end of the bath and comprise channel members 11, 13 and pulley wheels 15, the latter coated with P. T. F. E. to reduce friction. Each pair of vertical constraints provides a plate (16) Fig. 4 (not shown) attached to the bath and engageable with a plate 26 attached to the lower end of channel member 11. These plates are removable or displaceable to allow the platform to be lifted out of the bath for cleaning purposes. Atmospheric pressure is maintained in the tank by provision of a pipe 30 and tube 32 which extends to an outside wall of the bath. The bottom of the bath can be contoured to accommodate the tubes 18, 32 and to allow liquid to drain efficiently to waste. A contoured backrest 24 is provided for adjustable mounting on the platform to support the back of an invalid and a waterproof hinged door can be located in a side of the bath for cleaning purposes. In a modification, only one vertical constraint may be provided at each end of the bath or, alternatively, they may comprise vertical, rectangular recesses (35) Fig. 5 (not shown) in the ends of the bath with corresponding projections (36) attached to the platform. The top of the platform may be contoured to shape and castors may be mounted on the base of the bath for ease of movement. Also, stabilizing ribs may be provided to engage with slots in the side walls of the bath to hold the platform in a horizontal position when stationary or during vertical movement. SUPPLY FITTINGS A set of three taps (not shown) is provided on the rim of one side of the bath to control the flow of liquid into and out of the bath and ballast tanks. One of the taps is associated with a thermostatically controlled mixer 21 for the water entering the bath through inlet 22. A second tap controls the flow of liquid from the bath through outlet 23, Fig. 3a, and the remaining tap can actuate the pump 20 to cause liquid to flow into or out of the bath and tanks as required. The pumping action to ballast the platform can be cutout by a time switch and the pump itself may be cut-out by a vacuum switch. Should there be a pump failure the liquid may drain away under gravity through the outlet 23, an overflow orifice 25 also being provided in the rim of the bath.