Transfer Bench

Abstract

A transfer bench includes a base frame with a plurality of telescoping legs. At least one foot pad assembly is threadably connected to at least one of the legs. A plurality of receiving members are connected to the base frame, with each receiving member including a locking device. A side frame is connected to the base frame and includes an attachment device configured to engage the grab bar of a shower stall. A seat is carried on the base frame. A seat back assembly is removably mounted on the base frame. The seat back assembly includes a seat back frame having extension elements configured to engage the receiving members on the base frame. A leg support can be removably mounted on the transfer bench.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/523,483, filed Aug. 15, 2011, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to transfer benches for physically disabled individuals and, in one particular embodiment, to a transfer bench that can be free-standing or attached to the grab bar of a shower stall.

[0004] 2. Technical Considerations

[0005] For physically disabled individuals, such as wounded veterans, tasks such as bathing and showering can be challenging. In order to address this problem, transfer benches have been developed. A typical transfer bench can be placed in a conventional bathtub to allow the disabled person to be supported during bathing. Some of these conventional transfer benches utilize suction cups on the bottom of supporting legs to anchor the legs to the floor of the bathtub. Other transfer benches have legs that fit in the bathtub and press against the bathtub sidewalls to keep the transfer bench from tipping or moving laterally. While these transfer benches provide a secure support for the user in a conventional bathtub, some modem bathrooms do not include a bathtub. They may simply have a shower stall. Or, if there is a bathtub, there may also be a separate shower stall. Conventional transfer benches are not easily adaptable to use in shower stalls.

[0006] It would be advantageous to provide a transfer bench that could be securely installed in a shower stall for use by a disabled person. It would also be advantageous if the transfer bench could also be free-standing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A transfer bench comprises a base frame and a seat formed on the base frame. A plurality of telescoping legs are connected to the base frame. A side frame is connected to the base frame. The side frame includes at least one attachment device configured to engage a shower grab bar. A seat back assembly is connected to the base frame.

[0008] Another transfer bench comprises a base frame and a plurality of telescoping legs connected to the base frame. At least some of the legs include a threaded base. At least one foot pad assembly is threadably connected to the threaded base of at least one of the legs. A plurality of receiving members are connected to the base frame, with each receiving member including a locking device. A side frame is connected to the base frame. The side frame includes at least one attachment device configured to engage the grab bar of a shower stall. A seat is carried on the base frame. The seat comprises at least one decking member. A seat back assembly is removably mounted on the base frame. The seat back assembly comprises a seat back frame having extension elements, with the extension elements configured to engage receiving members on the base frame. A leg support can be removably mounted on the transfer bench. The leg support has a support beam and a support surface, with the support beam configured to releasably engage a receiving member on the base frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention will be described with reference to the following drawing figures wherein like reference numbers identify like parts throughout.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transfer bench of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of the transfer bench of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the transfer bench of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an elevated, perspective view of the transfer bench of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a bottom front perspective view of the transfer bench of FIG. 1; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom rear perspective view of the transfer bench of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "up", "down", "front", "rear", and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures and these terms should not be considered as limiting to the invention.

[0017] A transfer bench 10 incorporating features of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the transfer bench 10 includes a base frame 12 having a front support 14, a rear support 16, and a pair of side supports 18. The elements of the base frame 12 can be of any suitable material, such as metal. The front support 14 and rear support 16 can be, for example, rectangular steel tubes and the side supports 18 can be, for example, L-shaped metal brackets to hold the base frame 12 together. The base frame 12 can also include one or more intermediate supports to add stability and strength to the base frame 12.

[0018] The transfer bench 10 includes a plurality of legs 24 attached to or connected to the base frame 12. The legs 24 can be of any suitable material, such as metal. The legs 24 are preferably adjustable in length such that the height of the transfer bench 10 is adjustable. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the legs 24 can include telescopic members having a stationary outer member 26 and one or more inner members 28 slidable within the outer member 26. The outer member 26 has a throughbore configured to align with bores in the inner member 28. A fastener 30, such as a conventional locking pin, can be used to set the length of the legs 24. Additionally, the bottom of legs 24, such as the bottom of the inner member 28, can include a threaded base 32 through which the threaded post of a foot pad assembly 34 can be engaged. Thus, the height of the transfer bench 10 can be set by fixing the length of the telescoping legs 24 and also adjusting the length of the foot pad assembly 34.

[0019] The base frame 12 also includes at least one receiving member 36, such as a plurality of receiving tubes, attached to the bottom of the base frame 12. The receiving members 36 can be, for example, hollow steel tubes and can contain a locking device 38, such as a spring-biased plunger, that extends into the interior of the tubes.

[0020] A side frame 40 is a part of or is attached to the base frame 12. The side frame 40 can be of any suitable material, such as metal. In the illustrated embodiment, the side frame 40 includes a pair of opposed vertical posts 44 and a cross-rail 46 to provide additional support. Attachment devices 48 to attach the transfer bench 10 to a conventional shower grab bar are attached to the side frame 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment devices 48 are configured as metal shackles, such as "U"-shaped or "J"-shaped metal pieces. The shackles can engage a locking bar 50 extending from the side frame 40. The inner end of the shackle can be slidable in a hole in the locking bar 50 and the outer end of the shackle can extend through a different hole in the locking bar 50 and can engage a locking device, such as a conventional threaded wing nut. The side frame 40 also includes a pair of side supports 52 configured to engage a wall in the shower stall to increase the stability of the transfer bench 10. The side supports 52 can include a cushioned outer end, e.g., a rubber or plastic cap, so as not to damage the wall of the shower stall.

[0021] A seat 54 is carried on the base frame 12. The seat 54 can be any conventional seat type and, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed by at least one decking member 56, such as a plurality of spaced decking members 56, connected to the base frame 12. The decking members 56 can be of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal.

[0022] The transfer device 10 also includes a seat back assembly 60. The seat back assembly 60 includes a seat back frame 62 with an upwardly extending portion 64 and a pair of extension elements 66. The seat back frame 62 can be, for example, made of rectangular metal tubing. At least one decking member 68, such as a plurality of decking members 68, similar to those making the seat, can be attached to the upwardly extending portion 64 of the frame 62. The extension elements 66 are configured to slide in the receiving tubes on the base frame 12, as shown in FIG. 6. The receiving tubes 36 can have a plurality of holes located along the bottom of the tube so that the position of the seat back with respect to the seat is adjustable. The seat back can be locked in place by spring-biased plungers 38 engaging holes in the extension elements 66.

[0023] The transfer bench 10 also includes a leg support 70 having a support beam 72 with a support surface 74 attached thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface 74 is formed by at least one decking member 76, such as a pair of spaced decking members 76. The decking members 76 can be of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. The support beam 72 is configured to engage one of the receiving tubes 36 on the bottom of the base frame 12. The leg support 70 can be locked in place by one of the spring-biased plungers. The support beam 72 can be, for example, a rectangular metal tube.

[0024] To use the transfer bench 10, the transfer bench 10 can be positioned in a shower stall. The wing nuts can be unfastened and the shackles pulled upwardly or removed from the side frame 40. The transfer bench 10 is positioned such that the shower grab bar is above the locking bars 50 and then the shackles are replaced to surround the shower grab bar. The wing nuts are replaced and tightened so that the side frame 40 is securely clamped onto the shower grab bar. The side supports 52 abut the shower stall wall to provide additional support and stability to the transfer bench 10. If the height of the seat or the height of the transfer bench 10 requires adjustment, the locking pins in the legs 24 can be removed and the length of the legs 24 adjusted. For minor adjustments, the threaded foot pad assemblies 34 can be rotated to make minor adjustments in height. The position of the seat back with respect to the seat can be adjusted by sliding the extension elements 66 in the receiving tubes 36 and then locking them in place at the desired location. The leg support 70 can be adjusted by sliding the support beam 72 in the receiving tube 36 and locking it in place. Or, if the leg support 70 is not needed, it can simply be removed.

[0025] As will be appreciated, the transfer bench 10 can be removed from the shower stall by releasing the loops and moving the transfer bench 10 out of the shower stall. For ease of use, the transfer bench 10 does not require the use of tools to install or adjust any of the functional components.

[0026] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail herein are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A transfer bench, comprising: a base frame; a seat formed on the base frame; a plurality of telescoping legs connected to the base frame; a side frame connected to the base frame, the side frame including at least one attachment device configured to engage a shower grab bar; and a seat back assembly adjustably connected to the base frame.

2. The transfer bench of claim 1, including a plurality of receiving tubes connected to the base frame and positioned under the seat.

3. The transfer bench of claim 2, wherein the seat back includes extension elements configured to engage the receiving tubes.

4. The transfer bench of claim 1, including at least one side support extending from the side frame.

5. The transfer bench of claim 1, including a leg support removably mounted on the base frame.

6. The transfer bench of claim 1, wherein the base frame comprises a front support, a rear support, and a pair of side supports, and the supports comprise metal tubes.

7. The transfer bench of claim 1, further including at least one side support extending outwardly from the side frame and having a cushioned outer end.

8. The transfer bench of claim 3, including a locking device connected to the receiving tube and configured to engage the extension elements on the seat back assembly such that a position of the seat back assembly with respect to the base frame is selectively adjustable.

9. The transfer bench of claim 4, wherein the side support includes a locking bar and a curved metal shackle connectable with the locking bar.

10. A transfer bench, comprising: a base frame; a plurality of telescoping legs connected to the base frame, with at least one of the legs including a threaded base; at least one foot pad assembly threadably connected to the threaded base of at least one leg; a plurality of receiving members connected to the base frame, with each receiving member including a locking device; a side frame connected to the base frame, the side frame including at least one attachment device configured to engage the grab bar of a shower stall; a seat carried on the base frame, the seat comprising at least one decking member; a seat back assembly removably mounted on the base frame, the seat back assembly comprising a seat back frame having extension elements, with the extension elements configured to engage receiving members on the base frame; and a leg support having a support beam and a support surface, with the support beam configured to releasably engage a receiving member on the base frame.

11. A transfer bench, comprising: a base frame comprising a front support, a rear support, and a pair of side supports, with the supports comprising hollow metal tubes; a plurality of telescoping legs connected to the base frame, with at least one of the legs including a threaded base; at least one foot pad assembly connected to the threaded base of at least one leg; a plurality of receiving members connected to the base frame, with each receiving member comprising a hollow metal tube and having a locking device connected thereto; a side frame connected to a side of the base frame, the side frame including a pair of vertical posts and a cross rail extending between the posts, the side frame further including at least one attachment device comprising a locking bar and a metal shackle configured to engage the locking bar; a seat carried on the base frame, the seat comprising a plurality of spaced decking members; a seat back assembly configured to engage the base frame, the seat back assembly comprising a seat back frame having spaced extension elements, with the extension elements configured to engage the receiving members on the base frame, and with the locking device configured to engage the extension elements such that a position of the seat back assembly with respect to the base frame is selectively adjustable; and a leg support configured to engage the base frame, the leg support comprising a support beam configured to engage a receiving member of the base frame and a support surface connected to the support beam, wherein the support surface comprises at least one decking member.