U.S. patent application number 10/448404 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for transfer bench.
This patent application is currently assigned to RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS LLC. Invention is credited to Crim, Phillip Anthony, Darst, Daniel, Van Landingham, Alfred Reneau JR..
Application Number | 20040051365 10/448404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31997218 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040051365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Darst, Daniel ; et
al. |
March 18, 2004 |
Transfer bench
Abstract
A bench can be used with at least one of a bathtub and a shower.
The bench includes a seating surface, a support for supporting the
seating surface, and a restraining member configured to restrain a
shower curtain when the bench is disposed at least partly within a
bathtub. The restraining member can include a drain configured to
direct liquid into the bathtub while the restraining member
restrains the shower curtain. The bench may also include a handle
adjacent the seating surface and a soap dish disposed substantially
under the handle. The bench may also have a pad including foam that
can be positioned on the seating surface to provide a second
seating surface, and connectors that maintain the pad in position
on the seating surface.
Inventors: |
Darst, Daniel; (Carlsbad,
CA) ; Van Landingham, Alfred Reneau JR.; (Stephens
City, VA) ; Crim, Phillip Anthony; (Berryville,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS
LLC
|
Family ID: |
31997218 |
Appl. No.: |
10/448404 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60384117 |
May 31, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/440.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/282 20130101;
A47K 3/122 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/440.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower, the
bench comprising: a seating surface; a support for supporting the
seating surface; and a restraining member configured to restrain a
shower curtain when the bench is disposed at least partly within at
least one of a bathtub and a shower, wherein the restraining member
includes a drain configured to direct liquid into at least one of
the bathtub and the shower while the restraining member restrains
the shower curtain.
2. The bench of claim 1, wherein the drain includes a water
directing surface and an opening in the water directing surface
that allows liquid to pass to the bathtub.
3. The bench of claim 2, wherein the opening is positioned below
the water directing surface.
4. The bench of claim 1, wherein the restraining member is adjacent
the seating surface and extends below the seating surface.
5. The bench of claim 1, wherein the restraining member includes a
trough having an opening that allows liquid to pass to the
bathtub.
6. The bench of claim 5, wherein the trough is adjacent the seating
surface and extends below the seating surface.
7. The bench of claim 1, wherein the support includes a plurality
of legs extending downward from the seating surface.
8. A bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower, the
bench comprising: a seating surface; a support for supporting the
seating surface; a handle adjacent the seating surface; and a soap
dish disposed substantially under the handle.
9. The bench of claim 8, further comprising an opening in the
seating surface, wherein the opening is configured to receive the
soap dish.
10. The bench of claim 9, wherein the opening has an opening rim,
the soap dish has a soap-dish rim, and the soap-dish rim engages
the opening rim when the soap dish is received in the opening.
11. The bench of claim 9, wherein the soap dish is constructed to
be insertable into and removable from the opening.
12. The bench of claim 8, wherein the soap dish extends below the
seating surface.
13. The bench of claim 12, wherein the soap dish is disposed
entirely below the seating surface.
14. The bench of claim 8, wherein the soap dish has a length in a
horizontal direction, a width in the horizontal direction, a depth
in a vertical direction, and the depth is greater than at least one
of the length and the width.
15. The bench of claim 8, wherein the handle includes a gripping
surface and a handle support that facilitates supporting the
gripping surface above the seating surface so as to provide a gap
between the gripping surface and the seating surface that permits
access to the soap dish.
16. The bench of claim 8, wherein the support includes a plurality
of legs extending downward from the seating surface.
17. A bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower,
the bench comprising: a first seating surface; a support for
supporting the first seating surface; a pad including foam that can
be positioned on the first seating surface to provide a second
seating surface; and connectors that maintain the pad in position
on the first seating surface, wherein the connectors can be
connected, disconnected, and reconnected such that the pad can be
positioned on the first seating surface, removed from the first
seating surface, and reconnected to the first seating surface,
respectively.
18. The bench of claim 17, wherein the connectors include a foam
material.
19. The bench of claim 18, wherein the connectors are formed
entirely of a foam material.
20. The bench of claim 18, wherein the connectors extend from the
pad into openings in the first seating surface.
21. The bench of claim 17, wherein the support includes a plurality
of legs extending downward from the seating surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to bath safety products and,
more particularly, to a bench that is adapted to be used in and
around bathtubs and/or showers.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] To maintain good bodily hygiene, frequent showers and baths
are necessary. A number of people find it necessary to sit while
showering because, for example, they cannot stand, they are unable
to stand for an extended period of time, or they have difficulty
standing on a slick surface. In such instances, a shower aid can
help a person transfer in and out of the bathtub. For example,
elderly people will often sit on a shower seat while taking a
shower. This lessens the chances that the person taking the shower
will slip and injure himself or herself during showering or getting
in and out of the bathtub.
[0005] There are problems with conventional shower seats. For
example, conventional seats do not adequately inhibit water from
flowing outside the tub.
[0006] Another problem is that conventional seats do not permit the
case of transport of soap and other body cleaning items to and from
the seat. Further, conventional seats locate these items in
inconvenient locations.
[0007] Another problem is that conventional shower seats have load
ratings which are below the maximum expected load that a seat can
experience during its lifetime. Further, conventional shower seats
experience short fatigue life, as well as short appearance life, as
they are made from material that is both difficult to clean and is
subject to fading and/or corrosion.
[0008] Another problem is that conventional shower seats place too
much reliance on the end-user for assembly and place too much
reliance on the end-user to ensure that the seat is configured
safely.
[0009] Another problem is that conventional seats have a number of
components that are not ergonomically attached to the seat, thus
promoting injury to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An aspect of the present invention relates to a bench for
use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The bench can
include a seating surface, a support for supporting the seating
surface, and a restraining member configured to restrain a shower
curtain when the bench is disposed at least partly within a
bathtub. The restraining member includes a drain configured to
direct liquid into the bathtub while the restraining member
restrains the shower curtain.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a bench
for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The bench can
include a seating surface, a support for supporting the seating
surface, a handle adjacent the seating surface, and a soap dish
disposed substantially under the handle.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a
bench for use with at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The
bench can include a first seating surface, a support for supporting
the first seating surface, a pad including foam that can be
positioned on the first seating surface to provide a second seating
surface, and connectors that maintain the pad in position on the
first seating surface. The connectors can be connected,
disconnected, and reconnected such that the pad can be positioned
on the first seating surface, removed from the first seating
surface, and reconnected to the first seating surface,
respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the invention and together with the description,
serve to explain principles of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
bench according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bench of FIG. 1,
conceptually showing the components that make up the bench.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the bench of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made
to use the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer
to the same or like parts.
[0018] FIGS. 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of a bench 10 for use
with a bathtub and/or shower according to the present invention.
The bench 10 can be a universal transfer bench. In this embodiment,
the bench 10 includes a first seating surface 20 (see FIG. 2) and a
support 40 for supporting the first seating surface 20.
[0019] The first seating surface 20 is intended to provide an area
upon which a person can sit. The first seating surface 20 can
include a platform 21 that is generally rectangular in shape, with
curved, rounded edges. In the preferred embodiment, the platform 21
has bulbous portions 22 and 23 ergonomically positioned. The
platform 21 preferably is made from molded plastic, such as high
modulus polypropylene, and is the component of the bench to which
other components are attached. In the preferred embodiment, the
platform 21 has a hollow underside with molded ribbing 24 (see FIG.
3) to provide support, although the invention can be practiced
without ribbing 24, with just a portion of the underside being
hollow, or with a solid platform 21.
[0020] The support 40 supports the first seating surface 20. The
support 40 can include, for example, four legs 41, although more or
less legs could be used. These legs 41 can be molded plastic tubes,
such as high modulus polypropylene, of hollow construction. Solid
legs can be used as well. The legs 41 preferably are of a
sufficient length to allow the end-user to comfortably sit on the
bench and comfortably mount the bench. The legs 41 also are of
sufficient length to provide clearance over the lip of a bathtub if
the bench 10 is placed with one or more legs inside the
bathtub.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the legs 41 can incorporate adjusters
42, which allow the lengths of the legs 41 to be individually
adjusted for stabilization and to adjust the height of the bench
10. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes
adjusters 42 which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,068, the
entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. The
present invention can be practiced with another type of adjuster or
even without adjusters.
[0022] The legs 41 have rounded bottoms 43, which are made from
soft rubber, such as Vyram. Other bottoms that can interface with
bathtub floors, bathroom floors, and shower floors also can be
used.
[0023] The legs 41 preferably are attached to the platform 21. A
leg attachment fitting 30 (also referred to as a molded in leg
attachment socket) preferably is molded into each corner of the
platform 21. In the preferred embodiment, the fittings 30 are
located at the perimeter of the first seating surface 20 of the
platform 21. However, the invention can be practiced with the
fittings 30 inside or outside the perimeter of the first seating
surface 20 of the platform 21. The leg attachment fittings 30 of
the preferred embodiment are female connectors with a circular
cross-sectional shape, although male connectors and different
cross-sectional shapes could be used. Each leg attachment fitting
30 has a hole 31 on the side. The leg attachment fittings 30 each
also can have an alignment structure, such as a groove (not shown)
formed on the internal side wall of the leg attachment fitting 30.
In the preferred embodiment, the groove is aligned axially inside
the fitting 30. The groove can be slightly tapered to form a funnel
shape.
[0024] The legs 41 have structure that mates with the holes 31 and
grooves of the leg attachment fittings 30. In particular, each leg
41 has a snap button 42 that mates with a corresponding hole 31 in
a corresponding leg attachment fitting 30. By accepting the snap
button 42, the leg 41 is captured within the attachment fitting 30.
The button 42 can be hollow or solid. During assembly of the bench
10, the snap button 42 is depressed, either by hand or mechanically
via a ramp (not shown in the figures) on the inside of the
attachment fitting 30, where it remains depressed until it is
aligned with the hole 31 of the fitting 30. Once aligned with the
hole 31, the button 42 reassumes its normal position and fits into
the hole 31, thus capturing the leg 41. To remove the leg 41 from
the fitting 30, the button 42 is depressed, and the leg 42 is
pulled out of the fitting 30. The button 42 of the preferred
embodiment is moveable because the plastic used to form the legs 41
has a memory that drives the plastic back to its original shape. In
the preferred embodiment, an elongated "U" shaped section of the
leg wall is cut out, with the button 42 being on the bottom portion
of the "U." Thus, a cantilever type lever is formed that allows the
button great freedom of movement about an axis formed at the top of
the "U." However, other means of providing a moveable button are
envisioned.
[0025] Each leg 41 also has a ridge 43 that is aligned axially and
molded on the exterior surface on the top portion of the leg 41.
The ridge 43 is received in a corresponding groove of a
corresponding leg attachment fitting 30, which assures that the
bench 10 will be assembled in the correct manner. The funnel-shaped
groove can grip the ridge 43 on the leg 41 as the leg is slid into
the fitting 30 during assembly. As ridge 43 moves into the narrower
portions of the funnel-shaped groove, an interference fit is
created, which reduces the axial movement of the legs 41.
Alternatively, the ridge 43 can have a wedge shape and the groove
could have substantially parallel walls, thus the wedge forms an
interference fit with the groove as the leg 41 is slid into the
fitting 30. Alternatively, a key can be used in place of ridge
43.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the legs 41 have another ridge
44 that extends over the circumference of the leg 41. Other
embodiments could use a ridge that extends over only a portion of
the circumference, or alternatively, a plurality of lugs that are
evenly or unevenly spaced, or a single lug. When the legs 41 are
inserted into the attachment fittings 30, the ridges 44 abut lower
rims 33 of the fittings 30, thus allowing most of the weight placed
on the bench to be applied to the ridge 43 of the legs 41.
[0027] The bench 10 can include a restraining member 60 configured
to restrain a shower curtain (not shown) when the bench 10 is
disposed at least partly within a bathtub or shower. Preferably the
restraining member 60 is disposed adjacent the first seating
surface 20 and extends below it. The restraining member 60 can
include, for example, a trough 61 molded in the platform 21 on the
upper portion. While taking a shower, a user can form a shower
curtain around the bench and stuff at least a portion of the
curtain into the trough 61 to maintain the curtain in position.
[0028] The restraining member 60 also can includes a drain 62
configured to direct liquid into the bathtub or shower while the
restraining member 60 restrains the shower curtain. Preferably, the
trough 61 is angled to allow water to flow toward the center and/or
away from the outside of the tub. In the preferred embodiment,
water from the trough 61 flows down water directing surfaces 63,
such as side walls of the trough 61, and exits through two drain
holes 64 at the bottoms of the trough 61.
[0029] The first seating surface 20 of this preferred embodiment
also includes an ergonomic concave area 25 to accommodate the lower
portions of the user. A series of strategically placed holes 26
(not all labeled) are located in the concave area 25 for drainage.
The holes 26 can also be used for perineal cleaning. By holding a
hand held shower wand under the bench 10, spraying water up through
the holes 26 can aid in the bathing process.
[0030] The bench 10 also may include a handle 65 and a soap dish
70. The handle 65 can be molded as an integral part of the platform
21 and disposed adjacent the first seating surface 20. The handle
65 comprises a horizontal, substantially cylindrical portion or
gripping surface 66 supported above the platform 21 by vertical
portions or handle supports 67 and 68. The ends of the handle
supports 67 and 68 are molded with the platform 21, and the
gripping surface 66 is molded with the handle supports 67 and 68.
This arrangement provides a gap between the gripping surface 66 and
the first seating surface 20.
[0031] The soap dish 70 can be disposed substantially under the
handle 65. The gap between the gripping surface 66 and the first
seating surface 20 permits a user to access the soap dish 70 and
the contents of the soap dish 70 while sitting on the bench 10.
Preferably the soap dish 70 extends below the first seating surface
20 and, more preferably, is disposed entirely below the first
seating surface 20. The soap dish 70 can be removable, permitting
ease of cleaning. It can be made from molded plastic, such as high
modulus polypropylene. The soap dish 70 fits into a receptacle or
opening 27 (see FIG. 2) formed in the platform 21. The soap dish 70
has a soap dish rim 71 that engages a rim of the opening 27 when
the soap dish 70 is received in the opening 27. In the preferred
embodiment, the soap dish 60 is held in the opening 27 by gravity,
although it can be held in place via a positive retention means.
For example, raised surfaces can be provided on either the soap
dish 70 or the platform 21, or both, to provide an interference fit
when the soap dish 70 is attached to the platform 21.
[0032] Another handle 73 (see FIG. 3) can be provided on the
platform 21. Preferably it is molded integrally with the platform
21. The handle 73 can be positioned on the underside of platform 21
and is not a protrusion type handle like handle 65, although other
embodiments can utilize a protrusion type handle.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, ridges or knurling or dimpling
(both concave and/or convex) is molded into some or all of the hand
grips. It is noted that the ridges can be substantially elongated,
although the ridges can be of a smaller or larger configuration.
The platform 21 can have hollow portions (not shown) in the
vicinity of the handles to provide additional clearance for the
user's hand. By providing two handles, the end user can use the
bench more securely.
[0034] The bench 10 also may include a pad 80 that can be
positioned on the first seating surface 20 to provide a second
seating surface 81. The pad 80 is preferably made from a soft
material that is compatible with the material of the platform 21.
For example, the pad 80 can be made of foam, and is preferably made
from a polyethylene compound by molding.
[0035] The pad 80 can have drainage holes and/or slots 83 which
extend through the pad 80. The drainage holes 83 permit water to
flow through the pad 80 and into the concave area 25 and/or trough
61 and through the drainage holes 26 in the platform 21 and/or
through holes 64 in the trough 61. Further, the pad 80 of the
preferred embodiment has cut-outs 84 which allow the pad to be
placed around all or a portion of the support struts 94, although
other embodiments can utilize a pad without cutouts (e.g. the pad
does not extend all the way to the support struts). Additionally,
the pad 80 can be symmetrical in design, thus allowing the pad to
be reversed when the back support 90 is reversed.
[0036] The pad 80 can be secured to the platform 21 via connectors
85 that maintain the pad 80 in position on the first seating
surface 20. The connectors 85 can be connected, disconnected, and
reconnected such that the pad 80 can be positioned on the first
seating surface 20, removed from the first seating surface 20, and
reconnected to the first seating surface 20. The connectors 85 can
be, for example, foam plugs made from the same or similar material
as the pad 80, and that also are made by modling. The connectors 85
fit through holes 86 in the foam pad 80, as well as holes 28 molded
into the platform 21. In the preferred embodiment, the connectors
85 each have a tapered surface 87 (an inverted frustum-shaped
portion), which allows the connectors 85 to collapse while being
pulled through the holes 86 in the pad 80 and the holes 28 in the
platform 21. Once the connector 85 is pulled through a hole it
springs back to its original profile to secure the pad 80 in place.
To remove the pad 80, the connector 85 is squeezed at its tapered
surface 87 and pushed back through the hole. The connectors 85 can
resemble bolts for wooden garage doors, having a rounded end with
an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of the shank
portion of the connector 85. The rounded end of the connector 85 is
shaped so as to not interfere with the user if the end-user sits on
the bench directly above on of the plugs. While the preferred
embodiment utilizes four connectors, more or fewer connectors can
be used to practice the invention.
[0037] The bench 10 may also include two recess areas 88 molded
into the side of the platform 21. The recesses 88 allow a shower
wand to be connected to the bench 10. While recesses 88 are
utilized to practice the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, other means can be utilized.
[0038] The bench 10 can include a back support 90. The back support
90 of the bench is configured to be comfortable and to support the
back of the user. In the preferred embodiment, the back support 90
comprises a back support body 91 that can be made from molded
plastic, such as high modulus polypropylene. In the preferred
embodiment, the back support body 91 has a hollow backside with
molded ribbing (not shown) to provide support, although the
invention can be practiced without ribbing, with just a portion of
the backside being hollow, or with a solid back support body 91.
The back support body 91 of the preferred embodiment is contoured
to interface with the back of the user. The back support body 91
has handles 92 and 93 near its upper ends. These handles 92 and 93
can be molded into the back support 90, and, in the preferred
embodiment, do not protrude from the basic shape of the back
support body 91. The handles 92 and 93 are ergonomically designed
to allow the end-user to comfortably grasp the bench 10.
[0039] The back support 90 also includes the support struts 94 for
supporting the back support body 91. In the preferred embodiment,
the support struts 94 are molded integrally with the back support
body 91. The invention can be practiced with support struts that
are mechanically attached to the body. Each support strut 94 has an
adapter 95 that is configured to fit into receptacles 29 (described
below) on the platform 21. The adapters 95 have a greater cross
sectional area than the upper portion of the support strut 94,
although the invention can be practiced with an adapter having the
same cross sectional area as the support strut, or the invention
can be practiced with support struts that do not have adapters. The
adapters 95 have a lip 96 around the upper portion of the adapters
95. This lip 96 prevents the adapter 95 from sliding completely
through the receptacle 29 if the receptacle 29 extends completely
through the platform 21. Also, the lip 96 allows the height of the
back support 90 to be precisely controlled.
[0040] The adapters 95 have snap clips 97 molded into the adapters
95. The snap clips 97 can be either hollow or solid. During
assembly of the bench 10, the snap clip 97 is depressed, either by
hand or mechanically via a ramp on the inside of the receptacle 29
(not shown in the figures), where it remains depressed until it is
aligned with a hole on the inside of the receptacle (not shown).
Once aligned with the hole, the clip 97 reassumes its normal
position and fits into the hole, thus capturing the back support
90. To remove the back support 90 from the platform 21, the clip 97
is depressed by hand completely outside or substantially outside
the hole in the receptacle 29, and the back support 90 is pulled
out of the receptacle 29. The clip 97 of the preferred embodiment
is moveable because the plastic used to form the adapters 95 has a
memory that drives the plastic back to its original shape. In the
preferred embodiment, an elongated squared "U" shaped section of
the adapter wall is cut out, with the clip being on the "U". Thus,
a cantilever type lever is formed that allows the clip great
freedom of movement about an axis formed at the top of the "U." The
principle of operation is much the same as that of the buttons 42
on the legs 41. However, other means of providing a moveable clip
are envisioned. Further, other means of securing the back support
90 to the platform are envisioned.
[0041] Receptacles 29 for receiving the back support 90 can be
molded into the upper portion of the platform 21. The receptacles
29 of the preferred embodiment are configured to receive the
adapters 95 on the support struts 94 of the back support 90.
Preferably, as is seen in FIG. 2, the receptacles 29 take the form
of slots along or near the periphery of the seating surface of the
platform 21. The receptacles 29 are positioned on either side of
the platform 21, thus allowing the bench to be usable in a bath or
shower with the entrance to the bath or shower on the left or right
side, because the back support 90 can be mounted on either side of
the platform 21.
[0042] In the preferred embodiment, the bench 10 can be placed in
the bathtub with handle 50 and soap dish 60 against the inside wall
of the tub. To reverse the seating direction depending on the water
faucet location, the back support is simply moved.
[0043] Further, in the preferred embodiment, fillers 99 can be
provided which are placed in the receptacles 29 that are not being
used. However, it is envisioned that the invention can be practiced
without the fillers 99. Fillers 99 of the preferred embodiment are
made from the same material or substantially the same material as
the platform 21. They cover all of the open portion of the empty
receptacles 29, and when installed, provide a flush or semi-flush
top surface of platform 21. The fillers 99 are held in place by
extended clips 100, which positively fasten the fillers inside the
receptacles 29, although other retention means are envisioned.
[0044] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.
* * * * *