Bathing system and corresponding method

Abstract

Bathing systems and corresponding methods featuring a multi-position support apparatus. In one non-limiting embodiment, the multi-position support apparatus is accepting a user in a standing position, moving the user into a predefined reclining position, bathing the user in the predefined reclining position, and returning the user to a standing position.

1 . A bathing system comprising: 
 at least one multi-position support apparatus able to change its angular position; and    at least one sprinkler.    
     
     
         2 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus comprises a back support and a seat.  
     
     
         3 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus comprises at least one leg support and at least one foot support.  
     
     
         4 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus further comprises: 
 at least one leg support;    at least one foot support;    a multi-position support apparatus base; and    at least one arm support.    
     
     
         5 . The bathing system of  claim 4 , wherein the arm support is motorized.  
     
     
         6 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus further comprises an integrated toilet.  
     
     
         7 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus further comprises at least one spring elements surface.  
     
     
         8 . The bathing system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the spring elements is integrated with at least one of the sprinklers.  
     
     
         9 . The bathing system of  claim 7 , wherein the spring elements comprise leaf springs.  
     
     
         10 . The bathing system of  claim 7 , wherein the spring elements surface is upholstered.  
     
     
         11 . The bathing system of  claim 7 , wherein the spring element comprises a fenestrated support area; at least one spring; and a connecting area.  
     
     
         12 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus further comprises: 
 at least one engine for changing its angular position; and    a control system for controlling the at least one engine.    
     
     
         13 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , wherein the control system prevents the apparatus from reaching an angular position from which the user might fall.  
     
     
         14 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , wherein the control systems further controls the at least one sprinkler.  
     
     
         15 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus further comprises at least one engine for changing its angular position and a mechanical element for preventing the apparatus from reaching an angular position from which the user might fall.  
     
     
         16 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus is capable of retaining water.  
     
     
         17 . The bathing system of  claim 16 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus retains a water level needed for immersing at least the back of a user in the water.  
     
     
         18 . The bathing system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the sprinklers is immersed in the water.  
     
     
         19 . The bathing system of  claim 16 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus features a Jacuzzi effect.  
     
     
         20 . The bathing system of  claim 19 , further comprising a water pump and an air pump.  
     
     
         21 . The bathing system of  claim 16 , further comprising a water level sensor and a water controller, whereby the water controller is operated according to the readings of the water level sensor.  
     
     
         22 . The bathing system of  claim 16 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus is not completely horizontal in a fully reclined position and comprises a back-support that is open from the top.  
     
     
         23 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , wherein the control system further controls the temperature of fluids used by the bathing system.  
     
     
         24 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , wherein the control system further controls a bathing system cleaning process.  
     
     
         25 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , wherein the control system controls the amount and type of cleansing agent used by the bathing system.  
     
     
         26 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , further comprising a control device enabling a user to control the bathing system.  
     
     
         27 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one sensor; whereby the sensor detects an object and the foot support is prevented from crushing the detected object.  
     
     
         28 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one sensor; whereby the sensor detects an object the back support is prevented from crushing the detected object.  
     
     
         29 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , further comprising a steam dispenser.  
     
     
         30 . The bathing system of  claim 29 , wherein the steam dispenser is controlled by the control system in conjunction with the bathing system mode of operation.  
     
     
         31 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus is a parallelogram-based multi-position support apparatus.  
     
     
         32 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus comprises at least one engine and is capable of changing its position from standing to reclining.  
     
     
         33 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus comprises two engines and is capable of changing its position from standing to reclining.  
     
     
         34 . The bathing system of  claim 12 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus further comprises a headrest, whereby the state of the headrest is controlled in conjunction with the operation of the bathing system.  
     
     
         35 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the bathing system is placed in a shower.  
     
     
         36 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sprinklers is located apart from the multi-position support apparatus.  
     
     
         37 . The bathing system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one sprinkler located apart from the multi-position support apparatus is controlled by the control system.  
     
     
         38 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an armrest, and at least one of the sprinklers is placed on the arm rest.    
     
     
         39 . The bathing system of  claim 38 , wherein the armrest is motorized.  
     
     
         40 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-position support apparatus further comprises liquid conduits through which a liquid passes.  
     
     
         41 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of massage elements.  
     
     
         42 . The bathing system of  claim 3 , wherein the length of the multi-position support apparatus is adjusted to the height of a user.  
     
     
         43 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one part of the multi-position support apparatus is a floating part.  
     
     
         44 . The bathing system of  claim 3 , wherein the foot support covers a water drain located beneath the foot support when the multi-position support apparatus is in a standing position.  
     
     
         45 . The bathing system of  claim 2 , further comprising a water level sensor and an electric pump, whereby the electric pump drains the water into a disposal system.  
     
     
         46 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one device for entering an emergency response operation.  
     
     
         47 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for customizing and saving operational parameter settings.  
     
     
         48 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a water tank, whereby the bathing begins only when the amount of water in the tank, combined with an estimated water pressure, is sufficient for completing the planned bath.  
     
     
         49 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one multi-position support apparatus is adjustable between reclining, sitting and standing positions; and the at least one multi-position support apparatus is generally vertical in the standing position.  
     
     
         50 . The bathing system of  claim 49 , wherein the at least one multi-position support apparatus comprises: an engine connected to a seat, and a wheel connected to a foot support.  
     
     
         51 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one multi-position support apparatus is adjustable between reclining and sitting positions.  
     
     
         52 . The bathing system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one multi-position support apparatus is adjustable between sitting and standing positions.  
     
     
         53 . The bathing system of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one multi-position support apparatus comprises an engine connected to a seat; and a wheel connected to a foot support.  
     
     
         54 . A method for bathing comprising: 
 accepting a user in a standing position by a multi-position support apparatus;    moving the user into a predefined reclining position by using the multi-position support apparatus;    bathing the user in approximately the predefined reclining position; and    returning the user to the standing position.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the step of moving of the user into a predefined reclining position comprises leaning the user backwards, and upon achieving a predefined intermediate reclined angle, moving the user into the predefined reclining position; and 
 wherein the step of returning the user to a standing position comprises moving the user into a predefined intermediate reclined angle, and upon achieving the predefined intermediate reclined angle, moving the user into the standing position.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the step of returning the user to the standing position further comprises detecting an object and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing the detected object.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the step of moving the user into the predefined reclining position comprises detecting an object and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing the detected object.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the steps of moving the user into the predefined reclining position and returning the user to the standing position are controlled in conjunction with the movements of a headrest.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising the step of sensing a water level below a predefined threshold using a water level sensor before returning the user to the standing position.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , further comprising draining the water into a disposal system using an electric pump operated by the water level sensor.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising: identifying the user and executing a personalized program.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the step of executing the personalized program is performed automatically.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising the step of executing a program manually.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising executing at least one predefined emergency response operation in case of an emergency.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising activating a predefined operation whenever the user does not react to a function of the bathing system within a predefined time interval.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising sending a warning signal to a predefined supervisor whenever the user does not react to a function of the bathing system within a predefined time interval.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising customizing and saving operational parameter settings.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the step of bathing the user further comprises retaining a water level needed for immersing at least part of the user's body in the water.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising providing a Jacuzzi effect.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising the step of operating a water pump and operating an air pump.  
     
     
         71 . A method for bathing comprising: 
 accepting a user in a sitting position by a multi-position support apparatus;    moving the user into a reclining position;    bathing the user in the predefined reclining position; and    returning the user to the sitting position.    
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of moving the user into the predefined reclining position comprises detecting an object and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing the object.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising the step of identifying the user and executing a personalized program.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising the step of activating a predefined operation whenever the user does not react to a function of the bathing system within a predefined time interval.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising customizing and saving operational parameter settings.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of bathing the user further comprises retaining a water level needed for immersing at least part of the user's body in the water.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising providing a Jacuzzi effect.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising the step of operating a water pump and an air pump.  
     
     
         79 . A method for bathing comprising: 
 accepting a user in a standing position by a multi-position support apparatus;    moving the user into a predefined sitting position;    bathing the user in the predefined sitting position; and    returning the user to the standing position.    
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the step of returning the user to the standing position comprises detecting an object and preventing the multi-position support apparatus from crushing the detected object.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising the step of identifying the user and executing a personalized program.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising the step of activating a predefined operation whenever the user does not react to a function of the bathing system within a predefined time interval.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising customizing and saving operational parameter settings.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the step of bathing the user further comprises retaining a water level needed for immersing at least part of the user's body in the water.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , further comprising providing a Jacuzzi effect.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 84 , further comprising the step of operating a water pump and an air pump.