PORTABLE BODY WASH TUB

Abstract

A portable device is described that allows for on-site washing of bodies, conveniently, inexpensively and without the need for assistance from the body, which may be incapacitated, immobile, resistive or dead.

Claims

1. A washing apparatus comprising: a tub comprising four side walls and a bottom connected at their respective edges with water tight joints, said tub further comprising a drain, wherein said tub is of a size suitable for the washing of a body; and a sturdy tray comprising a flat rigid surface having an area and shape that is similar to, but smaller in every dimension than, the surface area of the top opening of said tub, and further comprising angled support hangers configured to engage at the corresponding top rim edge of said tub along two opposite edges of said sturdy tray configured to support said sturdy tray in said tub at a predefined distance below the top surface area opening of said tub, wherein at least one edge of said sturdy tray does not contact the inner surface of any wall of said tub.

2. The washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tub is molded as one contiguous structure.

3. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tub further comprises an at least one attachment device configured to serve as an entry port for a water source hookup.

4. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tub further comprises carrying handles.

5. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drain further comprises a shut off valve.

6. The washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sturdy tray and the angled support hangers are configured such that the sturdy tray is supported by the angled hangers that fit over the top rim of the corresponding edges of the tub such that the sturdy tray is depressed within the tub a distance of about two inches.

7. The washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sturdy tray and the angled support hangers are configured such that the sturdy tray is supported by the angled hangers that fit over the top rim of the corresponding edges of the tub such that the sturdy tray is depressed within the tub at an angle a distance of about two inches, and that one end is approximately inch deeper into the tub than the other end.

8. The washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sturdy tray and the angled support hangers are configured such that the sturdy tray is supported by the angled hangers that fit over the top rim of the corresponding edges of the tub such that the sturdy tray is depressed within the tub a distance of about two inches at its midpoint and slopes downward a couple degrees towards both ends.

9. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sturdy tray further comprises a gasket that is attachable around the entire edge sufficient to fill the gaps between the edges of the sturdy tray and the sidewalls of the tub.

10. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tub is made from stainless steel.

11. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sturdy tray is made from stainless steel.

12. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tub and sturdy tray are each made of a material chosen from the group: aluminum, titanium, metal alloy, plated metal, plastic, polycarbonate, PVC, composite resin, glass or glass alternative such as plexiglass and the like, or a combination of the foregoing.

13. A washing apparatus comprising: a sturdy tray comprising a flat rigid surface having an area and shape that is similar to, but smaller in every dimension than, the surface area of the top opening of a pre-existing tub with which it is configured to be used, and further comprising angled support hangers configured to engage at the corresponding top rim edge of said tub along two opposite edges of said sturdy tray configured to support said sturdy tray in said tub at a predefined distance below the top surface area opening of said tub, wherein at least one edge of said sturdy tray does not contact the inner surface of any wall of said tub.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a top view of a sturdy tray (1) as described and suitable for use as described with an overall long dimension of seventy-four inches as shown with a top surface area and sides (2) configured to have affixed angled hangers along two opposite edges. Also shown is a side view perspective. The center line of the sturdy tray is shown (3).

[0030] FIG. 2A depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of the angled hangers of a sturdy tray suitable for use as described showing dimensions and angles of the hangers as associated with the tub. FIG. 2B depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a side view from the short end of the sturdy tray as it fits into the top surface area of the tub (4). The sturdy tray is shown (1) with its angled hangers (2) as it sits down into the tub (4). One embodiment of the drain (7) is shown.

[0031] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a tub (4) suitable for use as described with an overall bottom inside dimension of seventy-eight inches and an overall top inside dimension of seventy-seven inches. The center line of the tub (3) (which corresponds to the center line of the sturdy tray) is shown. One embodiment of a placement of the drain (7) is shown. One embodiment of bottom structural supports (8) is shown. One embodiment of attached side handles (10) with an area for attachment of a water source (9) is shown.

[0032] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a tub (4) suitable for use as described from a side view showing an overall outer length of seventy-nine inches, attached handles (10), attached bottom structural supports (8) (with a sixty inch length between the supports) and a drain (7). Also shown are the top edges of the tub (11) configured to accept and support the angled hangers (2) (not shown) of a sturdy tray suitable for use as described.

[0033] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a side view from the short end of a tub showing the overall outer dimension of thirty-one inches, an overall inside dimension of thirty inches at the top and an overall inside dimension of twenty-nine inches at the bottom. This view also shows the drain (7), the bottom structural supports (8) and the attached side handles (10). There is also an exploded view indicating how the angled hangers (2) of a sturdy tray would fit over the edges of the top rim of the tub edge and preferred dimensions of this embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of the angled hangers of a sturdy tray suitable for use as described showing a preferred configuration of the hangers as associated with a preferred embodiment of the tub.

[0035] FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a sturdy tray suitable for use as described from an underneath view showing two bottom structural supports (8) and an additional center support bar (12) and a gasket (13), all having similar dimensions and features as shown in FIG. 3, including attached handles, attached bottom structural supports and a middle support rod, and a drain, all in a preferred embodiment, as it would sit along and be supported by the outer edges of a tub.

[0036] FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a side view of a sturdy tray with carrying handles, bottom supports, and a drain.

[0037] FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure of a side view of the end of a sturdy tray depicting the angled hangars in exploded view overhanging the side edges of a tub to support in a depressed manner within the tub, such sturdy tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

[0039] tub as used herein means a wash basin, sink or other enclosure with an open top suitable for containing liquid and capable of having a drain with a valve.

[0040] sturdy tray as used herein means a substantially flat, strong surface suitable for supporting an item or body to be washed, impervious to water or other washing liquids and capable of having affixed angled hangers along its edges to be supported over a tub.

[0041] angled hangers as used herein means secure, strong material with a formed angle capable of supporting a sturdy tray when affixed to at least two opposite edges of said sturdy tray and placed over the top edges of the sides of a tub.

The System and Method of the Present Invention

[0042] The tub and sturdy tray as described herein are portable, sturdy and sanitary. The system apparatus can easily be transported to any typical location where a washing is desired. It is completely self contained such that it can be set up anywhere there is sufficient room, used, and then transported away. If there is an external drain in the room where it is used, it is easy to simply hook up a drain hose to the bottom drain port as described as comprised in the tub and let any used wash liquids simply drain away. Alternatively, if there is no drain apparatus, the washing liquid can be left in the tub and transported away with the tub. Typically, only a couple gallons of liquid would be used in any washing as described herein and would not prevent the tub from remaining fully portable. Moreover, the top sturdy tray would act as a lid to keep the used liquid from sloshing out during transport. In an alternative embodiment, the top sturdy tray could further be fitted with a rubber gasket around its edge to seal the minimal gap that exists from the sturdy tray being shorter in dimension than the top surface area of the tub to fully seal the used washing liquid within the tub for transport.

[0043] The sturdy tray is fit into the area of the opening of the tub and depressed a predefined distance down into the tub and supported in position with angled hangers. In this configuration, the sturdy tray is not so far down into the tub that the washing of the body placed on the sturdy tray is strenuous, nor too close to the top of the tub that washing liquid is not contained within the tub. Further, the sturdy tray is angled such that the washing liquid runs off of the sturdy tray into the tub as it is passed over the body and does not remain pooled on the sturdy tray itself. In an alternative embodiment, the sturdy tray could have perforations to allow the liquid to simply pass through like a sieve. However, it is believed that in this construction, it would both make the sturdy tray less sturdy and raise the cost of manufacture. It is believed that, although not obvious, keeping the sturdy tray solid and making it angled is the preferred embodiment.

Examples

[0044] The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

[0045] A typical use for the apparatus as described herein is for a Ghusal. Because the tub and sturdy tray are portable, sanitary, and capable of supporting an adult human body with minimal other provision, a tub and sturdy tray apparatus can be brought to the place of death of the adult human.

[0046] Because of the configuration of this tub and sturdy tray, it lends itself to being able to cover the body with a cloth or shroud for privacy while still maintaining an ability to wash and drain without spillage or undue strain, while also maximizing the flow of wash liquid away from the body after it has been used.

[0047] When the washing is concluded, because of the configuration of this tub and sturdy tray, the body is in perfect position to be dried and shrouded, which needs to occur immediately after the washing has concluded. Here, there is no need to move the body or reposition, it is already in position to have all facets of the ceremonial washing performed, all while remaining substantially covered, as required. No other tub/sturdy tray configuration would be suitable. A normal bathtub is impractical because the body would be too far down into the bottom of the tub to maneuver and the washing liquid would not drain as completely as in this configuration.

[0048] Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

[0049] Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.