Portable bath apparatus and method

Abstract

A portable bath apparatus includes an enclosure formed by a bottom wall, first upstanding wall portions, and second upstanding wall portions. The first upstanding wall portions are stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus, and the second upstanding wall portions are movable relative to the stationary first upstanding wall portions. The movable wall portions define a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions, a portion of the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture, such as a bed, to assist a physically challenged person into and out of the portable bath apparatus. The portable bath apparatus may further include hydrotherapy jets and a shower device which provide a person utilizing the portable bath apparatus with numerous options for personal hygiene.

1 . A portable bath apparatus, comprising: 
 a bottom wall;    first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to provide an enclosure area;    a seating area;    the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus;    the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the stationary first upstanding wall portions;    the movable wall portions portion having a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions a portion of the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture.    
     
     
         2 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the bottom wall has a height of approximately 6 inches measured from a surface on which the portable bath apparatus rests.  
     
     
         3 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to the base such that the portable bath apparatus can be rolled on top of a surface.  
     
     
         4 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a seal positioned between the door and the base.  
     
     
         5 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pneumatic seal positioned between the door and the base.  
     
     
         6 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hydrotherapy nozzles operatively coupled to the enclosure to introduce mixed air and water into the enclosure.  
     
     
         7 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising six hydrotherapy nozzles operatively coupled to the enclosure to introduce mixed air and water into the enclosure.  
     
     
         8 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a shower nozzle operatively coupled to the enclosure to allow a person utilizing the portable bath apparatus to shower.  
     
     
         9 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the base and the door join to define a seal area where a complete seal is achieved to allow the enclosure to be filled with water.  
     
     
         10 . A portable bath apparatus, comprising: 
 a bottom wall;    first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to provide an enclosure area;    the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus;    the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the first, stationary upstanding wall portions;    a plurality of hydrotherapy nozzles operatively coupled to the enclosure to inject pressurized water into the enclosure during use of the portable bath apparatus.    
     
     
         11 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the movable wall portions portion have a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of.  
     
     
         12 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the movable wall portions portion have a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall such that when the movable wall portions open relative to the stationary wall portions the bottom wall can be positioned under a piece of furniture, and wherein the bottom wall has a height of approximately 6 inches measured from a surface on which the portable bath apparatus rests.  
     
     
         13 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of wheels attached to the base such that the portable bath apparatus can be rolled on top of a surface.  
     
     
         14 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a seal positioned between the door and the base.  
     
     
         15 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a pneumatic seal positioned between the door and the base.  
     
     
         16 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the hydrotherapy nozzles comprise six hydrotherapy nozzles.  
     
     
         17 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10  further comprising a shower nozzle operatively coupled to the enclosure to allow a person utilizing the portable bath apparatus to shower.  
     
     
         18 . A portable bath apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the base and the door join to define a seal area where a complete seal is achieved to allow the enclosure to be filled with water.  
     
     
         19 . A portable bath apparatus, comprising: 
 a bottom wall;    first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to provide an enclosure area;    the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus;    the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the first, stationary upstanding wall portions;    a seal interposed between the first and second upstanding wall portions;    a shower head operatively coupled to the enclosure.    
     
     
         20 . A method of bathing a person, comprising: 
 providing an enclosure including a bottom wall and first and second upstanding wall portions joining each other to form the enclosure area; the first upstanding wall portions being stationary relative to the portable bath apparatus, the second upstanding wall portions being movable relative to the stationary first upstanding wall portions, the movable wall portions portion having a bottom edge adjacent the bottom wall,    opening the movable, second upstanding wall portions to open the enclosure;    moving the portable bath apparatus adjacent a piece of furniture such that a portion of the bottom wall extends underneath a piece of furniture to assist a person desiring to enter into and exit from the portable bath apparatus.