Wheel chair abstract
An apparatus for mounting and positioning a wheel chair in a tilted
association to a shampoo basin, wherein the organization includes
a housing with spaced side walls defining an upper basin and a floor
positioned below the basin for orienting a container for receiving
fluid directed through the basin from a fluid container mounted
overlying the basin. The housing includes spaced parallel slider
bars positioned laterally of the basin and extend ible forwardly
to position and mount wheel chair handle bars, with a wheel chair
forward wheel support mount arranged to position the forward wheels
of a wheel chair thereon.
Wheel chair claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. A wheel chair shampoo apparatus comprising, in combination,
a housing, the housing including a right side wall and left side
wall arranged in a spaced coextensive relationship, and a rear vertical
wall mounted coextensively to rear vertical edges of the right and
left side walls, and
a floor mounted orthogonally relative to the rear wall and the
side walls, and
a removable bucket member mounted on the floor, and
a fluid basin assembly mounted overlying the bucket member adjacent
upper terminal edges of the right hand and left side walls, the
fluid basin assembly including a fluid basin drain positioned overlying
the bucket member, and
slider means mounted to the housing adjacent the basin assembly,
wherein the slider means is arranged for mounting handle bars of
a wheel chair assembly thereon, and
wherein the apparatus further includes a wheel chair support mount
spaced from the housing for mounting forward wheels of the wheel
chair assembly thereon, and
the slider means includes a right channel and a left channel, the
right channel and left channel formed within the housing between
the basin assembly and respective right and left side walls of the
housing, and each channel including a respective right and left
slider bar slidably mounted therewithin, each slider bar including
a respective abutment bar orthogonally mounted to a forward terminal
end of each slider bar, and a horizontal mounting bar including
a central concave portion orthogonally mounted between the abutment
bars for receiving the handle bars thereon.
2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the support mount
includes support mount side walls, the support mount side walls
arranged coextensively and in a spaced relationship relative to
one another, and including a lower floor fixedly and orthogonally
secured to lower terminal ends of the support mount side walls,
and further including a support mount upper floor, the support mount
upper floor arranged in a tilted relationship relative to the lower
floor, wherein a forward terminal edge of the upper floor is spaced
above a lower terminal edge of the upper floor to orient the upper
floor towards the wheel chair assembly when the wheel chair assembly
is mounted to the slider means.
3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the rear wall includes
a top guide loop spaced above and parallel to a bottom rear wall
support, the top guide loop including a loop bore orthogonally directed
through the guide loop, and the bottom rear wall support includes
a blind bore, wherein the loop bore is coaxially aligned with the
blind bore, and an "L" shaped rod including a vertical
rod portion received through the loop bore with the lower terminal
end of the vertical rod portion mounted within the blind bore, and
the "L" shaped support rod including a horizontal leg,
the horizontal leg pivotally mounting a water container, the water
container including a fluid tube, and the fluid tube including a
fluid valve for selectively directing fluid from the water container
through the fluid tube, and the water container positioned overlying
the basin assembly.
4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the floor of the
housing includes a plurality of rear locking casters mounted to
the floor, with a front positioning leg positioned forwardly of
the locking casters for positioning the housing onto a support surface
rearwardly of the wheel chair assembly.
Wheel chair description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to shampoo stations, and more particularly
pertains to a new and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus wherein
the same mounts and positions a wheel chair in a desired orientation
relative to a shampoo basin to effect hair shampooing of an individual
within a wheel chair.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Shampoo stations of various types have been provided in the prior
art. Such stations are typically not adapted and arranged for shampooing
of individuals mounted within a wheel chair. Such individuals requiring
hygienic care includes regular intervals of hair shampooing. An
example of a prior art hair shampoo organization arranged for use
with a wheel chair may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,347 to Nash
wherein a wash basin organization mounted with a housing utilizes
a scissor-type linkage to tilt the basin structure forwardly of
the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,233 to Beaver sets forth a portable shampoo
and manicuring apparatus utilizing a complex array of nozzles in
a work station scenario.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,244,535 to Nutter sets forth a shampoo stand of
conventional configuration, with a fixed basin mounted overlying
a support housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,806 to Strickland, et al. sets forth a shampoo
bowl assembly with a shampoo station utilizing conventional plumbing
in a fixed position for use with chair structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,306 to Sabella sets forth a portable shampoo
arrangement wherein a fixed basin is mounted within a housing that
is positionable relative to various work stations, wherein each
work station includes plumbing for use with a basin.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need
for a new and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus as set forth
by the instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease
of use as well as effectiveness in construction and in this respect,
the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of wheel chair shampoo apparatus now present in the prior art, the
present invention provides a wheel chair shampoo apparatus where
in the same mounts a basin fixedly within a housing permitting slide
rails mounted adjacent the basin to be adjusted forwardly to support
a mounted handle bar structure of an associated wheel chair arranged
at a tilted orientation relative to the basin. As such, the general
purpose of the present invention, which will be desribed subsequently
in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved wheel chair
shampoo apparatus which has all the advantages of the prior art
wheel chair shampoo apparatus and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention provides an apparatus for
mounting and positioning a wheel chair in tilted association to
a shampoo basin, wherein the organization includes a housing with
spaced side walls defining an upper basin and a floor positioned
below the basin for orienting a container for receiving fluid directed
through the basin from a fluid container mounted overlying the basin.
The housing includes spaced parallel slider bars positioned laterally
of the basin and extendible forwardly to position and mount wheel
chair handle bars, with a wheel chair forward wheel support mount
arranged to position the forward wheels of a wheel chair thereon.
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but
rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed
and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular
combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of
the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily
be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially
the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not
familiar with the patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine
quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the
technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither
intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured
by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as the scope of
the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus which has all the
advantages of the prior art wheel chair shampoo apparatus and none
of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus which may be easily and
efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus which is of a durable
and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus which is susceptible
of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor,
and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale
to the consuming public, thereby making such wheel chair shampoo
apparatus economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus which provides
in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages
normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus wherein the same provides
for a secure and tilted mounteing of a wheel chair structure relative
to a shampoo basin.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the invention,
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an orthographic side view, partially in section, of a
prior art shampoo apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of prior art wheel chair shampoo
work station.
FIG. 3 is an orthographic side view, taken in elevation, of the
instant invention.
FIG. 4 is an orthographic side view, taken in elevation, of the
housing utilized by the instant invention.
FIG. 5 is an orthographic side view of the slider bar assembly
utilized by the instant invention.
FIG. 5a is an isometric illustration of the slider bar assembly
utilized by the instant invention.
FIG. 6 is an orthographic side view, taken in elevation, of the
slider bar assembly in operative association with the housing.
FIG. 7 is an orthographic rear view, taken in elevation, of the
housing of the instant invention.
FIG. 8 is an orthographic front view, taken in elevation, of the
wash basin entrance collar utilized by the instant invention.
FIG. 9 is an isometric illustration of the wheel chair support
mount utilized by the instant invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With referece now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1
to 9 thereof, a new and improved wheel chair shampoo apparatus embodying
the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art shampoo stand 1, wherein a housing
or framework 2 mounts a basin 3 at an upper portion thereof within
a sink assembly 4, as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 1,244,535. FIG.
2 illustrates a prior art wheel chair assembly 5, wherein the sink
assembly 6 is positionable exteriorly of the housing utilizing a
scissor-like mounting as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,347.
More specifically, the wheel chair shampoo apparatus 10 of the
instant invention essentially comprises a housing 11 including spaced
side walls defined by a right side wall 12 arranged spaced from
and parallel a left side wall 12a that are coextensive relative
to one another and include a vertical rear wall 13, with a floor
14 orthogonally mounted adjacent lower terminal ends of the side
walls and rear wall. A removable bucket member 15 is mounted on
the floor 14 for reception of drainage in use of the shampoo organization.
The bucket member 15 is positioned coaxially underlying a fluid
basin drain 16 mounted medially and to a bottom surface of a fluid
basin assembly 17 (see FIG. 7). The basin assembly 17 includes basin
side walls 18 mounted to the housing side walls defining a respective
right and left channel 19 and 20 between the respective right and
left side walls of the basin assembly 18 and the respective right
and left side walls 12 and 12a of the housing 11. The respective
right and left channels 19 and 20 slidably receive a right and left
slider bar 21 and 22 (see FIG. 5a for example). The right and left
slider bars each respectively mount a respective right and left
slider abutment bar 21a and 22a that are orthogonally mounted to
forward terminal ends of each right and left slider bar 21 and 22.
A horizontal mounting bar 36 including a central concave portion
is orthogonally directed between the right and left slider abutment
bars 21a and 22a for mounting of wheel chair handle bars 38 of a
wheel chair assembly 37 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3. The
handle bars 38 are of a generally arcuate configuration at their
upper terminal ends for mounting and positioning of the wheel chair
assembly 37 relative to the mounting bar 36 when the slider bars
21 and 22 are extended relative to the housing from the respective
right and left channels 19 and 20. This orients the wheel chair
in a desired orientation relative to the fluid basin assembly 17
for positioning of an individual's head that is positioned within
the wheel chair assembly 37. Understandably, the basin assembly
17 is positioned underlying a right and left side wall top edge
23 and 24, as well as the right and left channels positioned underlying
the top edges 23 and 24 of the respective right and left side walls
12 and 12a.
The vertical rear wall 13 includes a top rear wall guide loop 25
that includes a loop bore 26 that is orthogonally directed through
the guide loop 25. The top guide loop 25 is arranged above and parallel
a bottom rear wall support 27 that includes a blind bore 28 that
is coaxially aligned with the loop bore 26. In this manner, a vertical
extent of an "L" shaped support rod 29 is directed through
the loop bore 26 and through the lower end to be received within
the blind bore 28. The "L" shaped support rod 29 includes
a support rod horizontal leg 30 that extends overlying the basin
assembly 17 mounting a water pouch 31 thereon. The water pouch or
container 31 includes a fluid tube 32 directed downwardly therefrom,
with a fluid tube valve 33 permitting selective fluid through the
tube for the washing of hair of an individual whose head overlies
the basin assembly. It should be understood that the fluid pouch
31 is pivotally mounted relative to the horizontal leg 30 to permit
desired orientation and positioning of the fluid pouch relative
to an individual and to positioning of the pouch relative to the
underlying basin assembly 17.
In use, a plurality of rear locking casters 34 are mounted adjacent
rear end portions of bottom edges of the respective right and left
side walls 12 and 12a, with positioning legs 35 mounted to forward
ends of bottom terminal ends of the right and left side walls 12
and 12a. In this manner, the casters 34 may be locked in position
relative to a wheel chair assembly 37. The wheel chair assembly
rear wheels 39 are positioned adjacent the housing 11, with the
wheel chair forward wheels 40 positioned onto a wheel chair support
mount 42. In this manner, an individual's neck is received within
an arcuate concave basin collar 41 mounted orthogonally between
upper forward end edges of the side walls 12 and 12a. The support
mount 42 includes support mount side walls 43, with a support mount
upper floor 44 spaced above a support mount lower floor 45. The
upper floor 44 is positioned below upper terminal edges of the support
mount side walls 43, and wherein the upper floor 44 is tilted rearwardly,
wherein a forward edge 44a of the upper floor 44 is spaced above
a rear edge 44b of the floor 44 to properly orient the wheel chair
assembly 37 and accommodate weight distribution of an individual
mounted upon the wheel chair assembly 37.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention,
the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly
no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation
of the instant invention shall be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimun dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily
apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described
in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of
the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of
the invention. |