Bottom Bather

Abstract

This invention named “Bottom Bather” is a basin seat for a shower stall, has its own drain, can be filled by shower wand or provided with self water supply. It also is modifiable for installation in a bathtub.

Claims

1. Bottom Bather is a unique basin-seat unit with self-drain and optional self-water supply, permanently installable in a shower stall or as a separate placeable unit in a shower stall, for cleansing and medical soaking of the body's genito-uro and perineal regions, primarily important as to elderly and disabled individuals subject to bladder and bowel incontinence. It also permits a seated occupant to obtain full showering concomitantly with shower water wand. Bottom Bather further allows efficient disinfecting and skin treatments; obviates major expense and drawbacks of “walk-in” ‘tub installations. “Bottom Bather” is not to be confused with “bidets” of varying constructions, which do not allow hygienic or medical soaking but utilize only direct water application via differently-adapted nozzles, and require changes in user's bodily position to accommodate cleansing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] [Note: More formal drawings in process, when complete, will be added to this filing by form PTO/SB21,] Herewith:

[0014] FIG. 1:

[0015] FIG. 1-A—Bottom Bather basin seat designed for tubular-post-supported construction.

[0016] FIG. 1-B—Bottom Bather basin seat of solid ‘pedestal’ form consisting of various possible compositions (ceramic, stone, etc.).

[0017] FIG. 1-A—Bottom Bather basin supported by legs installed in stall and also showing drain pipe omission (1C) if constructed as a over-toilet chair. [0018] 1-A (1)=basin. [0019] 1-A (2)=basin drain. [0020] 1-A (3)=drain pipe from basin drain to sub-floor main drain piping.; omitted if unit is constructed as an over-toilet chair. [0021] 1-A (4)=basin supporting legs. [0022] 1-A (5)=arm rests. [0023] 1-A (6)=sub-floor pipe to main drain if shower stall install. [0024] 1-A (7)=spigot/faucet if self-water supply is incorporated in a stall installation.

[0025] FIG. 1-B—A solid Bottom Bather unit constructed in shower stall. [0026] 1-B(1)=basin interior, exterior, and solid base. [0027] 1-B(2)=basin drain. [0028] 1-B(3)=interior drain pipe. [0029] 1-B(4)=arm rests. [0030] 1-B(5)=sub-floor pipe to main drain. [0031] 1-B(6)=spigot/faucet if self-water supply is incorporated in the installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Bottom Bather basin installation requires only standard, prefabricated plumbing piping and drainage parts.

[0033] Order of carrying out invention depends on the model chosen, determining whether:

[0034] (1a) construction is to be part of a completely new shower stall construction, added to an existing stall, replace an existing simple seat in an existing stall, or as an over-the-toilet unit.

[0035] (1b) Determine whether Bottom Bather basin will utilize a self-water supply or be filled by a shower or bath tub water wand.

[0036] (1c) Determine whether bottom bather basin will be supported upon legs (such as tubular aluminum or steel—Drawing FIG. 1-A), or whether basin will be atop of and part of a solid base seat (such as ceramic or stone—Drawing FIG. 1-B).

[0037] (1d) If solid seat base with basin is intended (Drawing FIG. 1-B), obtain manufacture of plumbing-adaptable unit with appropriately-sized basin, interior drain pipe, and applied arm rests.

[0038] (1e) If leg-supported, secure supply or production of adaptable basin of suitable material, and appropriate fittings, etc.for legs and arm rests.

[0039] (1f) Secure all requisite standard piping and assembly parts for chosen model and operation, including connections for drainage and, if intended, for self-water supply for basin.

[0040] (2) Prepare flooring area to receive delivery of basin drain pipe to shower stall drain. If self-water supply for basin is intended, prepare wall and/or floor areas for planned pipe conveyance of water from bathroom main water source to basin spigot. If a solid base is used, measure and mark place at subfloor where drainage extension from base will meet piping to main drain.

[0041] (3) Assembling and positioning “Bottom Bather:”

[0042] (a) If leg-supported unit (FIG. 1-A) measure proper seating height of unit legs and affix to basin seat. Construct and affix arm rests of material identical to leg supports. If in a shower stall, measure and construct pipe from basin drain down to meet sub-floor piping that will lead to main shower drain. Measure appropriate sub-floor length of piping to run from end of basin drain pipe to shower stall drain.

[0043] (b) If solid seat and base (FIG. 1-B), measure and construct sub-floor piping from bottom of base interior drain pipe to meet main shower drain. Complete connections.

[0044] (c) If self-supply water source is planned, construct piping from main shower water source to, and install basin spigot.