GB2438164A

GB2438164A - A washing and changing device for use with a bath

Info

Publication number: GB2438164A
Application number: GB0609855A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Bruce Phili Stuart-Smith
Original assignee: ASTOR BANNERMAN
Current assignee: ASTOR BANNERMAN
Priority date: 2006-05-18
Filing date: 2006-05-18
Publication date: 2007-11-21
Also published as: GB0609855D0

Abstract

A washing and changing device for use with a bath, comprising a bath tub 10 with a rim 11, a tap for filing the bath tub and a bath supported changing stretcher 8 that is moveable between a useable position over the bath e.g. resting on the rim of the bath tub, and a stowed position (Fig 4), where the water outlet and tap control are located away from the plane of the changing surface of stretcher when it is in it's usable position, so that the stretcher substantially extends the full length of the bath. Preferably the tap control 14 is mounted on the outer face of the bath, away from the rim of the bath. Alternatively the rim of the bath has a lowered portion (22, Fig 5) upon which a tap control or shower head and cradle may be mounted. Preferably the changing stretcher is pivotally mounted to the bath, and may be folded in half when it is in its stowed position. The stretcher may be constructed from taut material stretched over a metal frame or from two moulded elements (20, 21, Fig 8).

Description

WASHING AND CHANGING DEVICE

The present invention relates to washing and changing devices. More particularly it relates to washing and changing devices incorporating changing surfaces.

There are already known stretchers that attach to a fixed object, typically a wall or bath, and fold down from a stowed position to a use position in which a patient can be laid on the stretcher for washing, dressing or examination. Such stretchers typically measure around 700 x 1900mm. A folding stretcher allows efficient use of space by allowing it to he stowed out of the way when not in use.

It is also known to mount a stretcher over a bath. If the stretcher is mounted over a bath, the bath can double as a water collection tray, both while washing the patient and also while drying them, possibly after using the bath for washing. There are also known both stretchers that mount directly to the bath (see for example UK patent no. 0227759.8) and removable stretchers which can be laid onto the top of a bath and retained in that position. These bath-supported stretchers have a significant advantage when used in conjunction with height-adjustable baths in that they can offer a height-adjustable changing surface, allowing it to be moved to the height most appropriate for different carers. Typically these stretchers are universal, in that they can be fitted to any flat-topped bath.

In certain circumstances, however, these "universal" bath-supported stretchers can end up considerably shorter than wall mounted stretchers, in part because of the space that is taken up by the taps on the bath. A standard bath is about 1700mm long. If the bath can be positioned so that the stretcher overhangs the end of the bath, the stretcher can be as long as desired. However, if the bath is mounted in a small bathroom or an alcove, it may not be possible for the stretcher to overhang the bath. In such circumstances, once space is allowed for taps, the changing stretchers end up being as little as 1400mm long, a considerable reduction from the 1900mm wall-mounted stretchers. This can considerably mitigate the advantages of the bath-supported stretchers.

One solution that has been provided is a bath-supported stretcher having a cutout portion through which the bath taps can protrude. This is not ideal because users can hit their head or feet on the taps when they lie on the stretcher. It has also been proposed to raise the stretcher on legs above the top of the taps. The problem with this solution is that the legs on which the stretcher stands protrude dangerously when the stretcher is in its stowed position.

According to the present invention there is provided a washing and changing device comprising a bath including a tub having a rim, a tap for filling the tub and a changing stretcher mounted to the bath and movable between a stowed position and a use position where it is over the tub and provides a changing surface on which a user may be washed, changed or the like, characterised in that the tap has a water outlet located below the changing surface in its use position and a tap control located away from the plane of the changing surface in its use position and in that the changing surface extends when in its use position substantially the full length of the bath.

Preferably the said tap control is mounted on an outer face of the bath away from the rim.

Preferably the rim has at least a high portion and a low portion which is lower than the said high portion and the said tap control is mounted on the said low portion.

Preferably a shower head and cradle are also mounted on the said low portion of the rim.

Preferably the said changing surface obstructs access to the said tap control when the said changing surface is in its use position.

Preferably the said changing surface is pivotally mounted to the bath.

Preferably the said changing surface folds approximately in half when in its stowed position.

Preferably the stretcher overhangs at least one end of the bath.

The invention will now be described more fully, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a known stretcher in its use position Figure 2 shows a known stretcher in its stowed position Figure 3 shows a first washing and changing device embodying the invention with its stretcher in its stowed position Figure 4 shows the device of Figure 3 with its stretcher in its use Figure 5 shows a second device embodying the invention with its stretcher in its stowed position Figure 6 shows the device of Figure 5 with its stretcher in its use position.

Figure 7 shows a further device embodying the invention with its stretcher in its stowed position and Figure 8 shows the device of Figure 7 with its stretcher in its use position Figure I shows a bath (1) with a stretcher (2) of known design mounted to it. The stretcher includes mounting means (3) which mount the stretcher to the bath along its long edge and a surface (4) adapted to receive a patient who may, for example, be washed or dried or changed on the surface. In the example shown the surface comprises a coated nylon sheet (5) stretched tautly within a stainless steel perimeter frame (6). The nylon sheet may include holes to allow water to drain through. Other forms of surface are known, including surfaces made of one or more pieces of moulded plastic. In the use position the stretcher surface is supported by the rim of the bath as shown. This type of stretcher can be mounted on most conventional types of bath. It will be seen that the stretcher cannot extend the full length of the bath because of the taps, although it can overhang the other end of the bath as shown.

Figure 2 shows the stretcher of Figure 1 in its stowed position. The surface has pivoted around an axis provided by the mounting means (3) to move it off the bath rim and into an upright position.

Figure 3 shows a washing and changing device embodying the invention. The device comprises a stretcher (8), shown in its stowed position in this figure, mounted on a bath (9) having a tub (10) bounded at its upper edge by a rim (11). The stretcher is pivotally mounted on the bath rim (11) by mounting means (12). A water outlet (13) is moulded into the bath below the rim, and tap controls (14) are mounted on the front face of the bath, towards the foot end of the bath. A shower head (15) and associated hose and controls (16) are also mounted adjacent the tap controls.

In the embodiment shown the stretcher comprises a tubular perimeter frame (17) over which a coated nylon sheet (18) is tautly stretched to provide a changing surface. In other embodiments the stretcher may be a moulded item.

Figure 4 shows the washing and changing device of Figure 3 with the stretcher in its use position. The stretcher (8) is folded down over the tub (10). In the embodiment shown the stretcher is supported by the rim (Ii). The frame (17) includes pads (19) to allow it to sit on the bath rim without marking it. In another embodiment of the invention (not shown) the stretcher is not supported on the rim but is supported by legs or other mechanisms transferring the load carried by the stretcher to the body of the bath.

It will be seen that with the water outlet (13) below the stretcher and the tap controls (14) remote from the plane of the changing surface, the stretcher can extend unobstructed over the full length of the bath. In the embodiment shown the stretcher overhangs the bath by 100mm at both ends. This allows a full 1900mm stretcher to be mounted on a 1700mm bath. In this embodiment the tap controls (14) can be operated even when the stretcher (8) is in its use position. This may be advantageous, for example to allow a carer to leave the tap running to sluice the tub (10) out while drying and dressing a patient on the stretcher.

Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the invention in its stowed and use positions respectively. In this embodiment, a part (22) of the rim is lower and the tap controls (19) are located in the recess so formed. This design has the disadvantage of providing a hazard for more frail users who may catch themselves on the tap controls when getting in or out of the bath. It also makes for an unusually high rim to the bath to achieve a given depth of water. However, it shields the tap controls from a user laid upon the stretcher. It also avoids tap controls protruding into the bathroom, where they may be hit by a wheelchair or person moving around the bathroom. Both of these may be advantageous in certain circumstances. A further embodiment (not shown) may also have a shower head, hose and shower controls mounted on this lower part of the rim.

Figures 7 and 8 show a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the stretcher folds in half, in a way known in GB022759.8. This embodiment reduces the height that patients will need to be lifted to get them onto the stretcher without moving them away from the bath. This reduces the disadvantage of the high rim arising from the recessed tap controls, while retaining the advantages of having the tap controls not protruding into the room and their being obscured when the stretcher is in use. In the embodiment shown the changing surface is provided by two moulded elements (20,21). In this embodiment the changing surface is contoured rather than flat. $

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A washing and changing device comprising a bath including a tub having a rim, a tap for filling the tub and a changing stretcher mounted to the bath and movable between a stowed position and a use position where it is over the tub and provides a changing surface on which a user may be washed, changed or the like, characterised in that the tap has a water outlet located below the changing surface in its use position and a tap control located away from the plane of the changing surface when in its use position and in that the changing surface extends when in its use position substantially the full length of the bath.

2. A washing and changing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tap control is mounted on an outer face of the bath away from the rim.

3. A washing and changing device as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the rim has at least a high portion and a low portion which is lower than the said high portion and the said tap control is mounted on the said low portion.

4. A washing and changing device as claimed in any of claims 1,2 or 3 wherein a shower head and cradle are also mounted on the said low portion of the rim.

5. A washing and changing device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said changing surface obstructs access to the said tap control when the said changing surface is in its use position.

6.A washing and changing device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said changing surface is pivotally mounted to the bath.

7. A washing and changing device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said changing surface folds approximately in half when in its stowed position.

. A washing and changing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.