U.S. patent application number 14/600340 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-23 for bath chair.
The applicant listed for this patent is AGATSUMA CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Shinji TODOKORO.
Application Number | 20150201813 14/600340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52350048 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150201813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TODOKORO; Shinji |
July 23, 2015 |
BATH CHAIR
Abstract
A bath chair having excellent usability of a handle opening and
closing is provided. An insertion hole is formed on a support part
of each front left and right of a base. A latching hole is provided
to the insertion hole. A connection member is provided to a bottom
face of a handle so as to be connected rotatably to the handle. A
latching projection is provided to a lower part of the inserting
projection, which is formed to be insertable into the insertion
hole. A release push button and latching projection are provided to
the connection member facing outer side. The latching projection is
biased toward outer side direction. Pressing the release push
button releases a latching between the latching projection and the
latching hole, thus the handle can be opened.
Inventors: |
TODOKORO; Shinji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AGATSUMA CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52350048 |
Appl. No.: |
14/600340 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/572.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/122 20130101;
A47K 3/127 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/12 20060101
A47K003/12; A47D 1/00 20060101 A47D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2014 |
JP |
2014-008385 |
Claims
1. A bath chair comprising: a base having a seat; two support parts
protruding at front left and front right both sides of the base
with each top of the support parts being formed into a flat top
surface; an insertion opening formed downwardly into hole-like
shape on the each flat top surface of each support part, having a
latching hole on an inside wall of the insertion opening; a handle
extending between the support parts; a connection member provided
on each bottom surface of the handle which faces each support part,
so as to be connected rotatably to the handle; an inserting
projection provided on each lower portion of each connection
member, with being formed insertable into the each insertion
opening; a latching projection provided to the each inserting
projection, which is formed latchable to the each latching hole by
being biased toward a direction in which the latching hole is
provided; and a release push button provided on each outer side
surface of each connection member for releasing a latching of each
latching projection and latching hole by pushing operation of the
release push button against bias force of each latching
projection.
2. The bath chair of claim 1, wherein the each latching hole is
provided to a wall surface positioning on an outer side among
interior wall surfaces of each insertion opening, the each
connection member is rotatably supported a top end thereof and has
a release member to which the each release push button and the each
latching projection are provided integrally.
3. The bath chair of claim 1, wherein the latching projection is
formed such that a top surface is formed flat and a lower surface
from an edge of the top surface to a bottom is formed slanted.
4. The bath chair of claim 2, wherein the latching projection is
formed such that a top surface is formed flat and a lower surface
from an edge of the top surface to a bottom is formed slanted.
5. The bath chair of claim 1, wherein the each connection member
includes a flat surface that can be superposed on a flat top
surface of each support part, and outside surfaces of each
connection member and the each support part are aligned with each
other continuously.
6. The bath chair of claim 2, wherein the each connection member
includes a flat surface that can be superposed on a flat top
surface of each support part, and outside surfaces of each
connection member and the each support part are aligned with each
other continuously.
7. The bath chair of claim 3, wherein the each connection member
includes a flat surface that can be superposed on a flat top
surface of each support part, and outside surfaces of each
connection member and the each support part are aligned with each
other continuously.
8. The bath chair of claim 4, wherein the each connection member
includes a flat surface that can be superposed on a flat top
surface of each support part, and outside surfaces of each
connection member and the each support part are aligned with each
other continuously.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority under 35 USC 119 of Japanese Patent Application No.
2014-008385 filed on Jan. 21, 2014, the entire disclosures of
which, including the description, claims, drawings, and abstract,
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a bath chair for infants.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a handle of a
bath chair for infants that can be opened and closed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Currently, bath chairs are provided that is used for taking
care of an infant in a bathroom. These bath chairs comprise a seat
having a protrusion at a front center part, a seat back having a
reclining mechanism, and a handle provided at a seat front position
and extended from side to side. Various toys are often provided on
a top surface of the handle of the bath chair for attracting
attention of the infant. The handle and protrusion on the seat
prevent the infant from sliding off the seat. The handle can be
opened in order to define a wide open space above the bath chair so
as to facilitate seating and removing the infant on/from the bath
chair.
[0004] For example, Japanese Patent No. 4659198 discloses a bath
chair whose seat has support parts protruding on each of left and
right sides of the seat for supporting a handle. A top portion of
each support parts is formed in an U-shape so that a upper portion
thereof is recessed when viewed from a side of the bath chair and
each center portions of the U-shaped recesses can respectively
supports each of both sides of the handle. Shaft holes are provided
to front and rear surfaces, facing each other, of an inside of each
recess. Pairs of stopper shafts are individually provided on each
front and rear surfaces of lower surfaces in the vicinity of both
end portions of the handle. The shaft holes and the pairs of
stopper shafts are formed so as to be engageable with each other.
The pairs of stopper shafts, which are individually provided to the
lower surfaces of the both end portions of the handle, are designed
to project and recede when operating simultaneously two push
buttons individually provided to each front and rear surfaces of
the lower surfaces above the stopper shafts. Front and rear stopper
shafts forming the pair recede into the handle by pushing the front
and rear push buttons simultaneously, thereby an engagement between
the handle and the support part can be released. The handle is
supported rotatably around the stopper shafts as rotating shafts.
Consequently, if the engagement at one end of the handle is
released, the handle can be swung to define open space above the
seat with the stopper shafts at the other end being used as a
rotational axis.
[0005] In general, a bathroom where the bath chair is used is
small. When seating the infant on the seat of the bath chair, it is
often that the handle of the bath chair is opened using one hand
with holding the infant using the other hand. In addition, the hand
for opening the handle often becomes slippery due to getting wet or
soap. In the bath chair disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4659198,
the two push buttons, individually provided to front and rear
surfaces of the handle lower portion, must simultaneously be pushed
hard to open the handle. However, this simultaneous operation of
the two push buttons sometimes becomes difficult to perform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
bath chair including a base having a seat; two support parts
individually protruding at each of front left and front right sides
of the base with each top of the support parts being formed into a
flat top surface; an insertion opening formed downwardly into
hole-like shape on the flat top surface of each support part,
having a latching hole on an inside wall of the insertion opening;
a handle extending between the support parts; a connection member
provided on a bottom surface of the handle which faces each support
part, so as to be connected rotatably to the handle; an inserting
projection provided on a lower portion of each connection member,
with being formed insertable into the each insertion opening; a
latching projection provided to the each inserting projection,
which is formed latchable to the each latching hole by being biased
toward the latching hole; and a release push button provided on an
outer side surface of each connection member for releasing a latch
of each latching projection and latching hole by pushing operation
of the release push button against bias force of each latching
projection.
[0007] In addition, the each latching hole is provided on an outer
sidewall of each insertion opening. A top end of each connecting
member is supported rotatably and a release member having the
release push button and the latching projection integrally is
provided to the connecting member.
[0008] As for the latching projection, a top surface is formed flat
and a lower surface from an edge of the top surface to a bottom is
formed slanted.
[0009] The each connecting member includes a flat surface that can
be superposed on the flat top surface of each support part and
outside surfaces of each connecting member and the each support
part are smoothly and continuously aligned with each other without
any gaps or any deviations.
[0010] The bath chair of the present invention, as described above,
is provided with the handle having the connecting members and each
of which are connected to the base detachably. The connecting
member can be released from the base by operating the release push
button provided on the outer side surface of the connection member.
The handle is allowed to be opened quickly and surely with easy
operation, by the release push button being provided on the outer
side surface of the connection member as mentioned above. In
addition, the release push buttons are individually provided to
each of both left and right ends of the handle. This allows the
handle to be opened from either sides, and consequently, the bath
chair is suitable for use in a bathroom where a setting space is
restricted. Further, the top of the support part is formed into the
flat top surface, where the insertion opening, into which the
inserting projection is inserted when the handle is installed, is
provided. Accordingly, installation of the handle is facilitated
since the insertion opening can be identified visually with
ease.
[0011] The release member which includes the latching projection
and release push button integrally is provided to the connection
member so that a top end of the release member is supported
rotatably. By doing this, simple construction of the connection
member leads to a lowered manufacturing cost and enhanced
durability.
[0012] Additionally, the top surface of the latching projection is
formed flat and the lower surface from an edge of the top surface
to a bottom of the latching projection is formed slanted. With this
figure, the handle can be installed to the base by a simple
operation such as just pushing the inserting projection of the
connection member into the insertion opening.
[0013] Furthermore, the outside surfaces of the connection member
and the support part are smoothly and continuously aligned with
each other by making a surface of the connection member flat, which
is superposed on the flat top surface of the support part. By such
design, a smooth outer surface without any irregularities can be
formed, and the bath chair having a high design quality can be
supplied.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the bath chair of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bath chair of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the bath chair of the
present invention showing a state in which the handle is
opened.
[0017] FIGS. 4A-4C are side views of the bath chair of the present
invention showing how a reclining system works; FIG. 4A shows a
high position, FIG. 4B shows a middle position, and FIG. 4C shows a
low position.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bath chair of the present
invention in a stored position.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of the bath chair of the present
invention showing a state in which the bath chair is stored with
the bath chair being vertically placed.
[0020] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the bath chair of
the present invention showing main components of the handle
releasing/supporting mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of a bath chair 10
according to the present invention having a handle for a bath
chair. In descriptions hereinafter, a handle 40 side of the bath
chair 10 is referred to as front, and a backrest 70 side is
referred to as rear. Similarly, viewed from a user's perspective
when the user sitting on the bath chair 10, a left hand side is
referred to as left, a right hand side is referred to as right, a
seat 21 side on a base 20 of the bath chair 10 is referred to as
top, and a reverse side of the top is referred to as bottom.
[0023] The bath chair 10 includes the base 20 on a top surface of
which the seat 21 is formed, a backrest 70 which is connected
rotatably to the base 20, and a handle 40 provided laterally in a
front upper space of the base 20. A plurality of holes 27 is
provided substantially in a center of the seat 21. The plurality of
holes 27 prevents water from pooling on the seat 21 when bathing. A
protrusion 23 is formed into a mountain shape at a front center of
the seat 21. Support parts 24 are individually formed at each front
left and right sides of the seat 21 in such a manner that the
support part 24 rises in front-to-rear direction when being viewed
down from the upper part above the seat 21.
[0024] A handle 40 is provided above a front part of the seat 21 in
such a way as to extend between the support parts 24. A handle body
41 of the handle 40 extends from left to right and a front side of
the handle body 41 is gradually bent into a convex shape projecting
toward front. Each side end of the handle body 41 is extended to
project rearward so as to continuously form a rearward projection
42. Consequently, an infant sitting on the seat 21 is surrounded by
the handle body 41 and the each rearward projection 42 so as to
restrict his/her front side, left side and right side.
[0025] Toys 43a, 43b, 43c are disposed on a top surface 43 of the
handle body 41 so that the infant can play with while sitting. The
toy 43a is a marbles-like toy which is made up of multiple rings
supported by a supporting bar. The toy 43b includes a rotating base
having a perpendicular rotational axis. When a doll or the like is
fixedly installed on the rotating base, the doll or the like can be
rotated about the perpendicular rotational axis. The toy 43c
includes a cylindrical drum having substantially a lateral
rotational axis. Popular characters from animation or TV programs
are printed on the cylindrical drum and the infant can play by
rotating the cylindrical drum by his/her hand.
[0026] A protrusion 45 is formed into a mountain shape at a center
of a bottom surface 44 of the handle 40 so as to rise downwardly.
The protrusion 45 is formed so as to face the protrusion 23 formed
on the seat 21. The protrusions 23 and 45 prevent the infant from
slipping forwardly off of the bath chair 10 since the infant sits
straddling the protrusions 23 and 45.
[0027] The handle 40 is detachably attached to the base 20 and
supported upwardly swingable in a clockwise direction or in
counterclockwise direction by handle release/support mechanisms 50,
50 provided to each both sides of the bottom surface of the handle
40. Bearing members 46, 46 are individually formed on each both
sides of a bottom surface of the handle body 41 at each positions
where face the each support parts 24, 24, so as to project downward
from the bottom surfaces of the handle body 41. The bearing member
46 is formed into an inverted U-shape, whose front and rear
portions extend downward. A connection member 51 is rotatably
connected to the bearing member 46 in such a way that a center
upper portion of the connection member 51 is inserted into a center
recessed portion of the inverted U-shape of the bearing member 46.
A lower portion of the connection member 51 is detachably attached
to the support part 24. A release push button 52 is formed on an
outer side surface of the connection member 51. Pressing the
release push button 52 detaches the connection member 51 from the
support part 24.
[0028] A backrest 70 is provided to a rear of the base 20. The
backrest 70 is formed so as to have a gradual concave curve
extending from a center to left and right so that the infant can
lean back on the backrest 70 stably. At each of lower ends of both
sides in a left-right direction of the backrest 70, axle portions
71, 71 are individually provided and the axle portions 71, 71 are
made two-pronged like an inverted U-shape when viewed from the
front of the backrest 70 and individually have openings which cut
through between two-prongs and in a front-back direction of the
axle portions 71, 71. bearing members 25, 25 are individually
formed at each both side of a rear of the base 20, and the bearing
member 25, 25 are made to be a substantially circular shape when
viewed from a side and project from each rear side ends of the base
20. The each bearing members 25, 25 projecting from the base 20 are
individually inserted into the openings between two prongs of the
axle portions 71, 71. An inside and outside surfaces of the bearing
member 25 projecting from the base 20 slidingly contact inside
surfaces of the two-prongs of the axle portion 71, and the axle
portion 71 is rotatably supported by the bearing member 25 at an
inside and outside surfaces of the bearing member 25.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a rear right perspective view of the bath chair of
the present invention. A reclining mechanism 80 is provided to a
backside of the backrest 70. The backrest 70 can be reclined at
three predetermined angles by the reclining mechanism 80.
[0030] A step member 81, which includes three stair-like steps, is
formed on a backside of the bearing member 25 of the base 20. The
step member 81 corresponds to the three predetermined angles of the
backrest 70 adjusted by the reclining mechanism 80. A top step 81a
is a highest step and corresponds to a state in which the backrest
70 is at the highest position. A middle step 81b and a bottom step
81c are formed in sequence along from top to bottom.
[0031] An operating shaft 82 is rotatably laid across the backrest
70 at slightly lower position from a center in a vertical direction
of a back face of the backrest 70. Abutment members 83, 83 are
respectively provided in a fixed manner to each both ends of the
operating shaft 82. Therefore the operating shaft 82 and the
abutment member 83 rotate integrally. An abutment part 83a is
formed on the abutment member 83 so as to extend to a direction
which is intersected with a shaft center of the operating shaft 82
at a right angle. A flat portion 83b is formed on a distal end of
the abutment part 83a. The backrest 70 is supported by the flat
portion 83b and the step member 81, which abut against each
other.
[0032] A lever 84 is provided to a center of the operating shaft
82. A cover 85 covers the remaining portions of the operating shaft
82 other than portions to which the lever 84 and the each abutment
member 83 are provided. An elastic member provided to an interior
of the cover 86 biases the operating shaft 82 toward a direction in
which the lever 84 is pressed down (in other words, in
counterclockwise direction when viewed from right side). The
operating shaft 82 is rotatably supported by a bearing member (not
shown) formed by the cover 85 and the back face of the backrest 70.
Consequently, pulling up the lever 84 against the bias force to the
operating shaft 82 rotates the abutment members 83, 83 backward,
whereby abutments between the abutment members 83, 83 and the step
members 81, 81 are released, and then, the backrest 70 can be
adjusted its reclining angle.
[0033] A top end cover 72 is provided to a top end part of the back
face of the backrest 70. On a surface of the top end cover 72, two
hooks 76 are provided. The each hook 76 is formed by bending a
plate-like member. Free ends of the plate-like member are formed to
be biased so as to close a gap therebetween. The each hook 76 is
disposed so that its free end side is oriented upwardly. Usage of
the hooks 76 is that one end of a towel (not shown) is inserted
into gaps of the free ends of the two hooks 76, and the other end
of the towel is extended over the top end of the backrest 70 to a
vicinity of a front end of the seat 21. By doing this, the infant
does not feel coldness of the backrest 70 and the seat 21, and is
prevented from slipping forwardly when he/she is naked and sits on
the bath chair 10 for bathing since the backrest 70 and the seat 21
are covered by the towel. The free end on the rear side of each
hook 76 is bent toward gap-opening direction for facilitating
insertion of the towel. In addition, a grip 26 is formed at a rear
center of the base 20 by making a laterally elongated through
hole.
[0034] Next, opening and closing operations of the handle 40 of the
bath chair 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is
a front left perspective view of the bath chair showing a state in
which the handle 40 is opened. In order to open the handle 40 as
shown, press either one of the two release push buttons 52 (left
side button in this embodiment). By doing this, the connection
member 51 is in a state in which the connection member 51 can be
detached from the support part 24. Now, the handle 40 can be opened
by lifting it up with being swung about the bearing member 46 for
supporting the handle 40 on a different side, whereby an open space
can be secured above the seat 21. The opening and closing
operations can be conducted at either one of both left and right
connection members 51. Therefore the handle 40 can be opened to
both left and right sides of the base 20. In addition, the handle
40 can be removed from the base 20 by pressing the both left and
right release push buttons 52 simultaneously.
[0035] Further, reclining operation of the backrest 70 of the bath
chair 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C. In order
to adjust the reclining angle, pull up the lever 84 provided to the
back face of the backrest 70 so as to rotate the abutment member
83, and then choose a preferred step of the step member 81 to which
the abutment member 83 abuts. FIG. 4A shows a condition in which
the abutment member 83 abuts against the top step 81a. The backrest
70 is at the highest position. An inclination angle of the backrest
70 from a floor is between 65 degrees and 75 degrees. FIG. 4B shows
a condition in which the abutment member 83 abuts against the
middle step 81b. The inclination angle of the backrest 70 from the
floor is between 40 degrees and 50 degrees. FIG. 4 C shows a
condition in which the abutment member 83 abuts against the bottom
step 81c. The inclination angle of the backrest 70 from the floor
is between 10 degrees and 15 degrees. By doing as such, the
inclination angle of the backrest 70 of the bath chair 10 can be
adjusted to three positions.
[0036] A storage condition of the bath chair 10 will be described
with reference to FIG. 5. The backrest 70 can be folded forward by
pulling up the lever 84 provided to the back face of the backrest
70 when the bath chair 10 is stored. The bath chair 10 can be made
compact for easier storage by folding the backrest 70 until it
contacts the handle 40 lightly, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0037] Alternatively, the bath chair 10 can also be stored with the
bath chair being placed vertically, as shown in FIG. 6. Namely, the
backrest 70 of the bath chair 10 can be folded until its front top
end lightly contacts the protrusion 23 if the handle 40 is removed
from the base 20 by pressing the both left and right release push
buttons 52 simultaneously. In addition, by re-installing the handle
40 to the base 20 with the backrest 70 and the protrusion 23
contacting each other, the backrest 70 can be stored with its
backward rotation being restricted by the handle 40. Consequently,
the backrest is prevented from rotating to open unintentionally.
The bath chair 10 can be placed with the handle 40, backrest 70, a
front end of the base 20 being oriented downward, and with the grip
26 being oriented upward. By doing this, the bath chair 10 can be
stored compactly even in a small bathroom. Further, the vertical
position of the bath chair 10 facilitates an easy gripping of the
grip 26, and thereby facilitates an easy carry of the bath chair
10.
[0038] Next, the handle release/support mechanism 50 will be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows the
handle 40 being removed from the base 20, and the connection member
51 of a right side in the handle release/support mechanism 50,
being exploded.
[0039] First, the connection member 51 of a left side in an
assembled state is described with reference to FIG. 7. The
connection member 51 is formed into a substantially cross shape
when viewed from a side. Swells 51a, 51a are formed on each left
and right surfaces of the connection member 51 and at substantially
a center position in a vertical direction of the connection member
51 with each bottom surfaces thereof being formed flat. Each
inserting projections 51b, 51b are respectively formed downwardly
from each bottom surfaces of the swells 51a, 51a. The release push
buttons 52, 52 respectively project toward outside direction from
each outer side surfaces of the connection members 51, 51. Each
latching projections 53, 53 respectively project toward outside
direction from each outside surfaces of the inserting projections
51b, 51b formed under the release push buttons 52, 52.
[0040] Next, the connection member 51 of the right side, which is
illustrated as an exploded perspective view, is described with
reference to FIG. 7. A main body of the connection member 51 is
made up of separated two parts, the part which faces an inner side
space of the bath chair 10 is formed as an inner body 51c, and the
part which faces an outer side space of the bath chair 10 is formed
as an outer body 51d. A handle supporting shaft member 54 is
provided to an upper portion of the connection member 51. The
handle supporting shaft member 54 is fixed by being nipped by a
port defined by a semi-circular cutout 51c1 of an upper portion of
the inner body 51c and a semi-circular cutout 51d1 of an upper
portion of the outer body 51d. A flange 54a is provided at the
handle supporting shaft member 54 so as not to come off from the
connection member 51.
[0041] Meanwhile, the release push button 52 and the latching
projection 53 as have described above are connected together at
their back side (inside, in other word) by a release member 55.
Namely, the release push button 52 and the latching projection 53
are integrally formed as the release member 55. The release member
55 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape when viewed
from the side. A shaft portion 55a is formed on a top end of the
release member 55. The shaft portion 55a is rotatably held by a
bearing 51d2 of the outer main body 51d. A recessed portion 55b is
formed on a back side (inside, in other word) of the release push
button 52. A pin 51c2 is provided in a standing fashion to a
position facing the recessed portion 55b so as to be oriented
toward outside direction from a surface of the inner main body 51c
facing the outer main body 51d. A coil spring 56 is provided to the
pin 51c2 in such a manner that the coil spring 56 is wound in a
compressed state around an outer periphery of the pin 51c2. One end
of the coil spring 56 abuts against an outside face of the inner
main body 51c at a base end of the pin 51c2, and the other end of
the coil spring 56 abuts against the recessed portion on the back
side of the release push button 52. Therefore, the release member
55 is biased toward outside direction.
[0042] A flat surface is formed as a flat top surface 24a on a top
section of the support part 24 of the base 20, which is matched to
the bottom surface of the swell 51a of the connection member 51. An
insertion opening 24b is downwardly provided to the flat top
surface 24a. The insertion opening 24b is rectangular, which is
long in a front-rear direction when viewed from above, and a bottom
24b1 is provided thereto. A latching hole 24b2 is provided to a
wall surface positioning on an outer side among interior wall
surfaces of the insertion opening 24b, which is latched with the
latching projection 53. The inserting projection 51b of the
connection member 51 is inserted into the insertion opening 24b,
and then the bottom surface of the swell 51a is superposed on the
flat top surface 24a. Simultaneously, the latching projection 53 is
latched with the latching hole 24b2, whereby an upward movement of
the connection member 51 is restricted.
[0043] When the inserting projection 51b is inserted into the
insertion opening 24b, the latching projection 53 is pressed
against bias force toward outer direction by the outer wall surface
positioning on the outer side among interior wall surfaces of the
insertion opening 24b since a lower surface of the latching
projection 53 from the edge of the top to the bottom is formed
slanted. In the event that the latching projection 53 reaches the
latching hole 24b2, the latching projection 53 enters into the
latching hole 24b2 since the latching projection 53 is biased
toward the outer direction. Since a top surface of the latching
projection 53 is formed flat, the entering of the latching
projection 53 into the latching hole 24b2 causes a condition in
which the top surface of the latching projection 53 and an edge
part of the latching opening 24b2 are allowed to abut against each
other, and then latching is triggered.
[0044] In the bearing member 46 of the handle 40, a hole portions
are individually provided to each surfaces of the downwardly
extended front and rear portions of the inverted U-shape in a
manner that faces each other. The handle 40 is rotatably supported
about the handle supporting shaft member 54 by each both ends of
the handle supporting shaft member 54 being fitted into the each
hole portions.
[0045] In a condition in which the connection member 51 is
installed to the base 20, outside surfaces of the connection member
51 and the support part 24 of the base 20 are smoothly and
continuously aligned with each other without any gaps or any
deviations.
[0046] As described above, in the handle release/support mechanism
50 according to the present invention, the latching between the
latching projection 53 of the connection member 51 and the latching
hole 24b2 of the insertion opening 24b is made to be released by
the single release push button 52 provided to the outer side
surface of each connection member 51. Therefore, a release
operation of the connection member 51 for opening/closing the
handle is made easier than a release operation of two push buttons
disposed front and rear sides as disclosed in the prior art. In
addition, the handle 40 can be opened from either left or right
side since the handle 40 is supported rotatably by each left and
right connection members 51, 51, hence usability of the handle 40
is good even in a bathroom where a setting space is restricted.
[0047] Further, the insertion opening 24b, into which the inserting
projection 51b is inserted, is easily visible when closing the
handle 40 since the top section of the support part 24 is formed as
the flat top surface 24a. A split line between the connection
member 51 and the support part 24 is formed linear when viewed from
the side, and the outside surfaces of the connection member 51 and
the support part 24 are formed smooth and continuous without any
gaps or any deviations, whereby the bath chair having a high design
quality can be supplied. Furthermore, the connection member 51
includes the release member 55 which is integrally formed by the
release push button 52 and the latching projection 53, and the top
end of the release member 55 is supported rotatably. As described,
the connection member 51 has a simple structure and this leads to a
reduced manufacturing cost and excellent durability.
[0048] The invention is not limited to the embodiment that has been
described heretofore but can be modified or improved variously
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For
example, although the insertion opening 24b is formed into a
rectangle when viewed from above, a square or oval shape can also
be adopted. In addition, a connecting structure of the connection
member 51 and the bearing member 46 can be reversed, such that the
upper portion of the connection member 51 is formed into a U-shape
for supporting the handle 40 rotatably.
* * * * *