SHOWER CHAIR

Abstract

A shower chair for supporting a user in a shower or bath includes a seat supported on a foldable leg assembly. The leg assembly is configured to transition between a first configuration, in which the seat is supported at a first height above a ground surface, and a second configuration, in which the seat is supported at a second height above a ground surface depending on the needs of the user.

Claims

1. A shower chair, comprising: a seat including a left side and an opposing right side, an upper side and an opposing lower side, and a front side and an opposing rear side; a first support unit having an upper end portion coupled to the seat adjacent the front side of the seat, and a lower end portion configured to engage a ground surface; and a second support unit having an upper end portion coupled to the seat adjacent the rear side of the seat, and a lower end portion configured to engage the ground surface, the second support unit being pivotably coupled to the first support unit, wherein the first and second support units are configured to pivot relative to one another between a first configuration, in which the seat is positioned at a first height relative to the ground surface, and a second configuration, in which the seat is positioned at a second height relative to the ground surface.

2. The shower chair according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second support units has a pair of left and right feet coupled to the lower end portion of the respective first and second support units, the first and second heights being defined as a vertical distance between the seat and the pairs of left and right feet when the first and second units are in the respective first and second configurations.

3. The shower chair according to claim 2, wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

4. The shower chair according to claim 1, wherein the first and second support units are pivotably coupled to one another with a pair of first and second scissor fold joints respectively positioned underneath the left and rights sides of the seat.

5. The shower chair according to claim 4, wherein each of the first and second support units is U-shaped.

6. The shower chair according to claim 1, wherein the first support unit includes: a first rear leg extending rearwardly from the front side of the seat and positioned underneath the left side of the seat; and a second rear leg extending rearwardly from the front side of the seat and positioned underneath the right side of the seat, the first and second rear legs being connected to or monolithically formed with one another at the upper end portion of the first support unit, wherein the second support unit includes: a first front leg extending frontwardly from the rear side of the seat and positioned underneath the left side of the seat; and a second front leg extending frontwardly from the rear side of the seat and positioned underneath the right side of the seat, the first and second front legs being connected to or monolithically formed with one another at the upper end portion of the second support unit.

7. The shower chair according to claim 6, wherein the upper end portion of the first support unit is a front cross bar extending parallel with and underneath the seat, the first and second rear legs being connected to or monolithically formed with one another by the front cross bar, the upper end portion of the second support unit is a rear cross bar extending parallel with and underneath the seat, the first and second front legs being connected to or monolithically formed with one another by the second cross bar.

8. The shower chair according to claim 7, wherein the seat includes: at least one first front connector positioned adjacent the front side of the seat and extending from the lower side of the seat, the front cross bar being configured to detachably secure to the at least one first front connector when the first support unit is in the first configuration; and at least one first rear connector positioned adjacent the rear side of the seat and extending from the lower side of the seat, the rear cross bar being configured to detachably secure to the at least one first rear connector when the second support unit is in the first configuration.

9. The shower chair according to claim 8, wherein the seat further includes: at least one second front connector positioned rearwardly and adjacent the at least one first front connector, the front cross bar being configured to detachably secure to the at least one second front connector when the first support unit is in the second configuration; and at least one second rear connector positioned frontwardly and adjacent the at least one first rear connector, the rear cross bar being configured to detachably secure to the at least one second rear connector when the second support unit is in the second configuration.

10. The shower chair according to claim 8, wherein the at least one first front connector includes: a pair of left and right connectors extending from the lower side of the seat and being monolithically formed with the seat; and a metal, middle connector extending from the lower side of the seat and positioned between the pair of left and right connectors.

11. A shower chair, comprising: a seating assembly including a seat having an upper side and an opposing lower side, and a front side and an opposing rear side; a rear leg assembly including: a front cross bar positioned underneath the front side of the seat and configured to selectively detachably couple to the lower side of the seat at a first location of the seat adjacent the front side of the seat or a second location of the seat that is rearward of the first location; a left rear leg extending rearwardly and downwardly from a left end of the front cross bar; and a right rear leg extending rearwardly and downwardly from a right end of the front cross bar; and a front leg assembly including: a rear cross bar positioned underneath the rear side of the seat and configured to selectively detachably couple to the lower side of the seat at a third location of the seat adjacent the rear side of the seat or a fourth location of the seat that is between the second and third locations; a left front leg extending frontwardly and downwardly from a left end of the rear cross bar; and a right front leg extending frontwardly and downwardly from a right end of the rear cross bar.

12. The shower chair according to claim 11, wherein the seat includes: at least one first front connector positioned at the first location; at least one second front connector positioned at the second location; at least one first rear connector positioned at the third location; and at least one second rear connector positioned at the fourth location.

13. The shower chair according to claim 12, wherein the front cross bar extends parallel with the front side of the seat and is configured to selectively detachably engage the at least one first front connector or the at least one second front connector, and the rear cross bar extends parallel with the rear side of the seat and is configured to selectively engage the at least one first rear connector or the at least one second rear connector.

14. The shower chair according to claim 13, wherein the at least one first front connector defines a C-shaped channel configured for snap fit engagement with the front cross bar.

15. The shower chair according to claim 12, wherein the at least one first front connector includes: a pair of left and right connectors extending from the lower side of the seat and being monolithically formed with the seat; and a metal, middle connector extending from the lower side of the seat and positioned between the pair of left and right connectors.

16. The shower chair according to claim 11, wherein the rear leg assembly and the front leg assembly are configured to pivot relative to one another between a first configuration, in which the seat is supported on the rear and front leg assemblies at a first height relative to a ground surface, and a second configuration, in which the seat is supported on the rear and front leg assemblies at a second height from the ground surface, higher than the first height.

17. The shower chair according to claim 16, wherein in the first configuration, the front cross bar is coupled to the lower side of the seat at the first location of the seat and the rear cross bar is coupled to the lower side of the seat at the third location of the seat, and in the second configuration the front cross bar is coupled to the lower side of the seat at the second location of the seat and the rear cross bar is coupled to the lower side of the seat at the fourth location of the seat.

18. The shower chair according to claim 11, further comprising: a left scissor fold joint pivotably coupling a middle portion of the left front leg to a middle portion of the left rear leg; and a right scissor fold joint pivotably coupling a middle portion of the right front leg to a middle portion of the right rear leg.

19. The shower chair according to claim 18, wherein the left front leg and the right front leg each includes a lower end portion configured to engage a ground surface and extending frontwardly of the front side of the seat, and the left rear leg and the right rear leg each includes a lower end portion configured to engage the ground surface and extending rearwardly of the rear side of the seat.

20. A shower chair, comprising: a seating assembly including: a seat having an upper side and an opposing lower side, and a front side and an opposing rear side; a pair of front connectors extending from the lower side of the seat and positioned adjacent the front side of the seat; and a pair of rear connectors extending from the lower side of the seat and positioned adjacent the rear side of the seat; a rear leg assembly including: a front cross bar configured to detachably engage one of the pair of front connectors; a left rear leg extending rearwardly and downwardly from a left end of the front cross bar; and a right rear leg extending rearwardly and downwardly from a right end of the front cross bar; a front leg assembly including: a rear cross bar configured to detachably engage one of the pair of rear connectors; a left front leg extending frontwardly and downwardly from a left end of the rear cross bar; and a right front leg extending frontwardly and downwardly from a right end of the rear cross bar; a left scissor fold joint pivotably coupling a middle portion of the left front leg to a middle portion of the left rear leg; and a right scissor fold joint pivotably coupling a middle portion of the right front leg to a middle portion of the right rear leg, wherein the front and rear leg assemblies are configured to pivot relative to one another between a first configuration, in which the seat is supported on the first and second leg assemblies at a first height, and a second configuration, in which the seat is supported on the first and second leg assemblies at a second height.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front, top perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a shower chair shown in a first configuration;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a bottom, front perspective view of the shower chair of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the shower chair of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 4A is a left side view of the shower chair of FIG. 1 shown in the first configuration;

[0032] FIG. 4B is a left side view of the shower chair of FIG. 1 shown in a second configuration; and

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the shower chair of FIG. 1 in a disassembled, stored configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Embodiments of the presently disclosed shower chair are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

[0035] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary embodiment of a chair, such as, for example, a shower chair for supporting a user with mobility impairment in a shower or bathing area is illustrated and is generally designated 100. As will be described in further detail herein, the shower chair 100 is configured to transition between a first configuration in which a seat 104 is supported at a first height (FIG. 4A), and a second configuration in which the seat 104 is supported at a second height (FIG. 4B).

[0036] The shower chair 100 generally includes a seating assembly 102, a first support unit, such as, for example, a front leg assembly 106, a second support unit, such as, for example, a rear leg assembly 108, a left scissor fold joint 110, and a right scissor fold joint 112. The seating assembly 102 includes the seat 104 supported on the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 at an adjustable height above a ground surface. The front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 are pivotable relative to one another via the left and right scissor fold joints 110, 112 between the first configuration (FIG. 4A), in which the seat 104 is supported above the ground surface at a first height H1, and a second configuration (FIG. 4B), in which the seat 104 is supported above the ground surface at a second height H2, greater than the first height H1.

[0037] The seat 104 of the seating assembly 102 has opposing front and rear sides 104a, 104b, opposing top and bottom sides 104c, 104d, and opposing left and right sides 104e, 104f. The seat 104 may assume a generally rectangular configuration, but other suitable shapes are contemplated. The seat 104 has a plurality of drainage holes 114 formed through a central region thereof and a pair of elongated handle holes 116a, 116b formed adjacent the respective left and right sides 104e, 104f thereof.

[0038] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower side 104d of the seat 104 includes a pair of left connectors 118, such as, for example, tube-shaped connectors, and a pair of right connectors 120, such as, for example, tube-shaped connectors configured for removable receipt of a respective pair of armrests 122, 124. The lower side 104d of the seat 104 further includes a pair of rear connectors 126, such as, for example tube-shaped connectors configured for removable receipt of a backrest 128. The backrest 128 and the pair of armrests 122, 124 may be selectively secured to the lower side 104d of the seat 104 with corresponding locking mechanisms. The locking mechanism may be any suitable locking mechanism, such as a spring-biased locking pin 130 (FIG. 2).

[0039] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the seating assembly 104 further includes a pair of first and second front connectors 132, 134 extending from the lower side 104d of the seat 104 and positioned adjacent the front side 104a of the seat 104 at discrete first and second locations of the seat 104. The first front connector 132 is positioned underneath the front side 104a of the seat 104 at the first location and the second front connector 134 is positioned rearwardly and adjacent the first front connector 132 at the second location. The first and second front connectors 132, 134 are configured to selectively engage an upper end portion or front cross bar 108a of the rear leg assembly 108.

[0040] The seating assembly 102 further includes a pair of first and second rear connectors 136, 138 extending from the lower side 104d of the seat 104 and positioned adjacent the rear side 104b of the seat 104 at discrete third and fourth locations of the seat 104. The first rear connector 136 is positioned underneath the rear side 104d of the seat 104 at the third location and the second rear connector 138 is positioned frontwardly and adjacent the first rear connector 136 at the fourth location. The first and second rear connectors 136, 138 are configured to selectively engage an upper end portion or rear cross bar 106a of the front leg assembly 106.

[0041] The first front connector 132 of the seating assembly 102 may be a series of three separate connectors arranged in a linear array between the left and right sides 104e, 104f of the seat 104. For example, the first front connector 132 may include a pair of left and right connectors 132a, 132b extending from the lower side 104d of the seat 104 and being monolithically formed with the seat 104, and a middle connector 132c extending from the lower side 104d of the seat 104 and positioned between the pair of left and right connectors 132a, 132b. The left and right connectors 132a, 132b may be fabricated from a plastic and may define respective C-shaped channels 140 (FIG. 4B) for snap fit engagement with the front cross bar 108a of the rear leg assembly 108.

[0042] The middle connector 132c of the first front connector 132 may be fabricated from metal and may be attached to the lower side 104d of the seat 104 rather than being formed therewith. The middle connector 132c may also define a C-shaped channel 142 configured for snap fit engagement with the front cross bar 108a of the rear leg assembly 108. It is contemplated that the C-shaped channel 142 of the middle connector 132c may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the C-shaped channels 140 of the left and right connectors 132a, 132b. The middle connector 132c of the first front connector 132 may include a threaded inner surface (e.g., a nut) (not explicitly shown) for receiving a fastener, such as, for example, a T-handle bolt 144 attached to the front cross bar 108a for enhancing the selective securement of the front cross bar 108a to the middle connector 132c when the shower chair 100 is in the first configuration. The rear cross bar 106a may also include a T-handle bolt 146 for selectively securing the rear cross bar 106a to the middle connector of the first or second rear connectors 136, 138.

[0043] It is contemplated that each of the middle connectors may include a nut for receiving the T-handle bolt 144 or 146. Each of the second front connector 134, the first rear connector 136, and the second rear connector 138 may similarly be a series of connectors (e.g., three separate connectors arranged in a linear array). In aspects, the connectors 132, 134, 136, 138 may each include more or less than three, separate C-shaped connectors.

[0044] With reference to FIGS. 1-4B, the first support unit or front leg assembly 106 includes an upper end portion (e.g., the rear cross bar 106a), a left front leg 106b extending frontwardly and downwardly from a left end of the rear cross bar 106a, and a right front leg 106c extending frontwardly and downwardly from a right end of the rear cross bar 106a. Similarly, the second support unit or rear leg assembly 108 includes an upper end portion (e.g., the front cross bar 108a), a left rear leg 108b extending rearwardly and downwardly from a left end of the front cross bar 108a, and a right rear leg 108b extending rearwardly and downwardly from a right end of the front cross bar 108a. In aspects, the legs 106b, 106c, 108b, 108c of each of the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 may be undulating as shown, linear, or any other suitable shape along their length. The front leg assembly 106 may be U-shaped and monolithically formed from a single piece of metal tube, and the rear leg assembly 108 may be U-shaped and monolithically formed from a single piece of metal tube.

[0045] The rear cross bar 106a of the front leg assembly 106 extends parallel with and underneath the seat 102, and the first and second front legs 106b, 106c of the front leg assembly 106 are connected to or monolithically formed with one another by the rear cross bar 106. In other aspects, the first and second front legs 106b, 106c may be connected (e.g., welded) to the rear cross bar 106a. The front cross bar 108a of the rear leg assembly 108 extends parallel with and underneath the seat 102, and the first and second rear legs 108b, 108c of the rear leg assembly 108 are connected to or monolithically formed with one another by the front cross bar 108a.

[0046] The left front leg 106b and the right front leg 106c of the front leg assembly 106 each include a lower end portion 107 configured to engage a ground surface and extend frontwardly of the front side 104a of the seat 102. The left rear leg 108b and the right rear leg 108c of the rear leg assembly 108 each include a lower end portion 109 configured to engage the ground surface and extend rearwardly of the rear side 104b of the seat 102. A pair of left and right feet 113 are coupled to the lower end portion 107, 109 of the respective front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108. The first and second heights H1, H2 of the shower chair 100 may be defined as a vertical distance between the seat 102 and the feet 113 when the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 are in the respective first and second configurations.

[0047] The first and second scissor fold joints 110, 112 are respectively positioned underneath the left and rights sides 104e, 104f of the seat 104. The left scissor fold joint 110 pivotably couples a middle portion of the left front leg 106b to a middle portion of the left rear leg 108b. The right scissor fold joint 112 pivotably couples a middle portion of the right front leg 106c to a middle portion of the right rear leg 108c.

[0048] In operation, to transition the shower chair 100 from the first configuration (FIG. 4A) to the second configuration (FIG. 4B), the T-handle bolts 144, 146 may be rotated to unlock the rear and front cross bars 106a, 108a from the respective first rear connector 136 and first front connector 132. With the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 unlocked from the seat 104, the rear cross bar 106a of the front leg assembly 106 is disengaged from the first rear connector 136 of the seat 102 (e.g., dislodged from the C-channels 140, 142 thereof) and the front cross bar 108a of the rear leg assembly 108 is disengaged from the first front connector 132 of the seat 104 (e.g., dislodged from the C-channels 140, 142 thereof), such that the seat 104 and the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 are detached from one another.

[0049] With the seat 104 disengaged from the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108, the front leg assembly 106 and the rear leg assembly 108 may be manually pivoted relative to one another via the first and second scissor fold joints 110, 112 to transition the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 from the first configuration (FIG. 4A) to the second configuration (FIG. 4B). With the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 in the second or taller configuration, the front cross bar 108a of the rear leg assembly 108 is coupled to the second front connector 134 of the seat 104 (e.g., inserted into the C-channels 140, 142 thereof) and the rear cross bar 106a of the front leg assembly 106 is coupled to the second rear connector 138 of the seat 104 (e.g., inserted into the C-channels 140, 142 thereof) whereby the seat 104 is secured to the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108. The T-handle bolts 144, 146 may be used to further secure the seat 104 to the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108. In the second configuration, the seat 104 is supported by the first and second leg assemblies 106, 108 at the second height H2, greater than the first height H1.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 5, the seating assembly 102 may be detached from the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 and the front and rear leg assemblies 106, 108 may be transitioned into a folded or stored configuration.

[0051] It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended thereto.