Bathing assistance apparatus

Abstract

A bathing assistance apparatus for use within either a shower or a bathtub. The apparatus includes a seat with a base portion, a back-rest portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, and the seat is configured to support a user atop the upper surface. The seat support assembly includes a base member and the seat support assembly is mounted to the lower surface of the seat. The seat support assembly further includes laterally opposed biased locking members as well as a ratcheting mechanism for selectively altering the inclination of the seat relative to the support assembly. The apparatus further includes a support platform, the support platform is positioned beneath the seat support assembly and is detachably engageable from the seat support assembly using the laterally opposed and biased locking members. The support assembly is operable to support the seat and the seat support assembly.

1 . A bathing assistance apparatus for use in bathing a user, the apparatus comprising;
 a seat with a base portion, a back-rest portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, the seat configured to support a user atop the upper surface;   a seat support assembly with a base member, the seat support assembly mounted to the lower surface of the seat, the seat support assembly further comprising laterally opposed biased locking members;   a ratcheting mechanism for selectively altering the inclination of the seat relative to the support assembly, the ratcheting mechanism disposed substantially within the seat support assembly; and   a support platform, the support platform disposed beneath the seat support assembly and detachably engageable from the seat support assembly using the laterally opposed and biased locking members integral to the seat support assembly, wherein the support assembly is operable to support the seat and the seat support assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ratcheting mechanism further comprises a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally biased for engagement with a bracket in the seat support assembly, the second end of the ratcheting mechanism comprising a pad for application of force to actuate the first end for engagement with the bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support platform further comprises a support plate with an upper surface and a lower surface. 
     
     
         4 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the support platform is elevated by at least one leg that is secured to the lower surface of the support platform. 
     
     
         5 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg is adjustable in height to accommodate the position of an individual that is assisting the user in the bathing process. 
     
     
         6 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inclination of the seat is selectable with the ratcheting mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein seat inclination is selectable between at least two positions. 
     
     
         8 . A bathing assistance apparatus for use within either a shower or a bathtub, the apparatus comprising;
 a seat with a base portion, a back-rest portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, the seat configured to support a user atop the upper surface;   a seat support assembly comprising a base member, a support member and a lower surface, the seat support assembly mounted to the lower surface of the seat;   a cover plate with first and second laterally opposed indented edges, the cover plate disposed adjacent the lower surface of the seat support assembly;   a pair of biased locking members received into the indented edges of the cover plate and disposed adjacent to the cover plate;   a ratcheting mechanism for selectively altering the inclination of the seat relative to the support assembly, the ratcheting mechanism disposed substantially within the seat support assembly; and   a support platform, the support platform disposed beneath the cover plate and configured for detachable engagement from the seat support assembly by the pair of biased locking members.   
     
     
         9 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the ratcheting mechanism further comprises a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally biased for selective engagement with a plurality of cutouts in a bracket in the seat support assembly, the second end of the ratcheting mechanism comprising a pad for application of force to actuate the first end for engagement with the bracket. 
     
     
         10 . A bathing assistance apparatus for use within a bathtub and optionally a shower, the apparatus comprising;
 a seat with a base portion, a back-rest portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, the seat configured to support a user atop the upper surface;   a bracket with a plurality of cutouts mounted to the lower surface of the seat;   a spacer member with first and second side members, first and second end members and an open interior space;   a base member with an upper surface, a lower surface and an open interior, the base member upper surface comprising a base plate as well as a saddle extending upwardly from the base member upper surface, the spacer member disposed atop the saddle and the bracket disposed atop the spacer member;   a cover plate for engagement with the lower surface of the base member, the cover plate having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a ratcheting mechanism disposed within the open interior of the base member, the ratcheting mechanism comprising a first end and a second end, the ratcheting mechanism first end configured for selective engagement with one of the plurality of cutouts in the bracket and the second end operable as a surface for application of a force to slidably reorient the contoured seat to an alternative position upon the base member; and   at least one leg disposed beneath the cover plate for supporting the contoured seat.   
     
     
         11 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the contoured seat further comprises a plurality of openings to facilitate drainage of shower water. 
     
     
         12 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the user is secured in the seat with at least one strap with a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         13 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first end of the strap is secured to the seat. 
     
     
         14 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bracket is arcuately shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the saddle further comprises a pair of laterally opposed arcuate upper surfaces configured to support the spacer member. 
     
     
         16 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the ratcheting mechanism is hook shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the ratcheting mechanism is pivotally biased. 
     
     
         18 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a torsion spring biases the pivotal first end of the ratcheting mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the ratcheting mechanism is mounted to the upper surface of the lower plate. 
     
     
         20 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of bosses extend downwardly from the lower surface of the cover plate. 
     
     
         21 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of bosses are received into a plurality of alignment recesses in an upper surface of a support plate. 
     
     
         22 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the support plate further comprises a lower surface and a pair of laterally opposed cutouts. 
     
     
         23 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein a biased locking member is received into each laterally opposed cutout, each biased locking member is secured to the lower surface of the base member. 
     
     
         24 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a mounting plate is disposed between the cover plate and the at least one leg. 
     
     
         25 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein a pair of laterally opposed indentations are disposed within the mounting plate. 
     
     
         26 . The bathing assistance apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein each biased locking member lockably engages with each indentation in the mounting plate and unlocks upon manual application of force adequate to overcome the bias of the locking member.