Patent Publication Number: US-2013248008-A1

Title: Ramp assembly for the emptying of a leg bag

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/613,700 filed Mar. 21, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a ramp assembly. More specifically this invention relates to a ramp assembly that allows an individual to release the contents of a leg bag into the assembly. 
     Conventionally, a patient that is bound to a wheel chair wears a leg bag that collects fluid. When this leg bag fills then a nurse, orderly, or assistance provider is required to help the patient empty the leg bag. This process is labor intensive, expensive, and requires the presence of another person who is often a paid assistance provider. 
     To improve upon this manual and labor intensive process, electric and mechanically powered release systems were developed that can be controlled by the operator of the wheel chair without further assistance. Still, disposing of the fluid in the leg bag is problematic. Thus, a need in the art exists for an assembly that facilitates the emptying of a leg bag. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A ramp assembly having a support body with a first end that is lower than a second end to form a ramp surface. The ramp surface has an opening that receives a drain pan. To cover the opening, a drain plate having a plurality of slots is fitted to cover the opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ramp assembly; and 
         FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of a ramp assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The figures show a ramp assembly  10  that has a support structure or body  12  having a first end  14  with a greater height than a second end  16  that is adjacent the floor  18  to provide an angled ramp surface  20  that is supported and represents a ramp. A stop member  22  is secured to the support body  12  and in one embodiment is considered a control box. 
     An opening  24  is disposed within the ramp surface  20  of the support structure  12  and is covered by a removable drain cover  26  that has a plurality of slots and openings  28  therein to allow the passage of fluid. Disposed underneath the opening  24  is a drain pan  30  that is connected to the support structure  12  underneath the opening  24  with a support ring  32  and mounting ring  34  to hold the pan  30  in place. The pan  30  additionally has a tube elbow fitting  36  that can be utilized to convey fluid from the pan  30 . 
     In one embodiment first extension  38  and second extension  40  sections may be placed and secured to the support body  12 . Together the support structure  12  and the extension sections  38 ,  40  present identically sloping ramp support surfaces  42  that matingly engage the support body  12  to form one single smooth surface. 
     In operation when an individual needs to release the fluid from their leg bag the individual moves the front wheels of their wheelchair up the ramp surface  20  of the support body  12  until the tube of their leg bag is directly over the drain plate  26  of the opening  29  of the support body  12 . At this time their leg bag can be actuated either electrically or mechanically depending upon the type of leg bag utilized so that the fluid within the bag may flow through the slots  28  and openings  29  within the drain plate  26  and into the pan  30 . The fluid can then be conveyed through tube elbow fitting  36  to a desired location. When cleaning the assembly one only need to clean the drain plate  26  and remove the drain plate  26  to clean the pan  30  in order to keep the assembly sanitary. 
     Thus presented is a ramp assembly that allows an individual in a wheel chair to empty their leg bag into a pan. By presenting a ramp surface the angle of the fluid flowing from the tube from the leg bag is improved to ensure that spillage is minimized. Further, by using the control box and the first and second attachment members provides better control and easier use for the individual in the wheelchair. In addition, because of the design the assembly may be easily cleaned providing improved sanitation. Further, by utilization of the assembly with a leg bag that allows self-use by the individual in the wheelchair the individual has more freedom and ability to help them without the need of additional assistance. Thus, all of the stated problems and needs described in the Background have been overcome and met.