Bathing system and corresponding method
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.