BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bedpan accessories. More particularly the present invention relates to a bedpan housing device.

Description of Related Art

[0002] Bedpans are used in hospitals and other care situations for those who are unable to use the bathroom. These bedpans are prone to spillage, causing further discomfort and embarrassment for patients. Further, inconvenient bedpans add to wasted time and resources for nurses and care takers. Primary causes of spillage are improper placement of the bedpan and spills during removal. Common bedpans have a relatively tall profile and narrow opening. This leads to patients missing the opening when not placed just right. Removal of the bedpan is also difficult because bedpans can often stick to the patient. Patient weight adds to challenges, causing deformation of the bed pan, and/or the difficulty that caretakers often need to tilt the bedpan to pull it out from under the patient.

[0003] Therefore, what is needed is a device that may efficiently and easily facilitate positioning and removal of bedpans.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

[0005] In one aspect, a bedpan housing is provided. The bedpan housing is formed of a body having a top part and bottom part connected together. The bottom part having a rear and two sidewalls. The top part having sidewalls connected to the bottom part, as well as a buttocks portion and two upwardly sloping leg portions on a top surface. The top part and bottom part combine to define a front opening to a cavity within the bedpan housing. This cavity is defined by the top part, a base of the bottom part, rear, and two bottom part sidewalls. The front opening is sized to allow passage of a bedpan, and in certain embodiments contains the bedpan. Further, the top part defines a top opening into the cavity. As such, the bedpan housing is adapted to removably receive the bedpan into the cavity through the front opening, thereby aligning an opening of the bedpan with the top opening of the bedpan housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 2 provides an elevation view of another embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of an embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 4 provides a front view of another embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 5 provides a rear view of yet another embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of still another embodiment of the bedpan housing receiving a bedpan.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of still another embodiment of the bedpan housing having a bedpan positioned within.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of a top part of an embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of a bottom part of an embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a top and bottom part of an embodiment of the bedpan housing while being connected to one another.

FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of a top and bottom part of an embodiment of the bedpan housing connected to one another.

FIG. 12 provides a side detail view of an embodiment of a connection between a top part and bottom part of an embodiment of the bedpan housing.

FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of yet still another embodiment of the bedpan housing having a bedpan positioned within.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

[0007] Generally, the present invention concerns a bedpan housing that is able to receive a bedpan, such as a fracture bedpan, via a front opening. Once used, the bedpan can easily be removed from the housing through the front opening while the bedpan housing remains in place and bears the weight of the user. Such a structure greatly aids in limiting spillage when using and removing the bedpan.

[0008] The bedpan housing is formed generally of a base, side walls, and a top seating area. These define a top opening and a front opening, the front opening sized to removably receive a bedpan, and the top opening large enough to communicate with the basin opening of the bedpan. The bedpan housing is constructed to be able to be able to support a weight of a user without appreciable deformation that would apply a force against the bedpan, thereby allowing the bedpan to be easily removed from the housing while the weight of the user is supported by the bedpan housing. Any deformation of the bedpan housing caused by the weight of a user is minimal and not appreciable such that it does not interfere with an ability of the bedpan to be removed, with at most only slight frictional contact between the bedpan and bottom face of the top surface. In one embodiment, the bedpan housing may withstand a load of up to 500 lb. without appreciable deformation to interfere with entry or removal of the bedpan. In a further embodiment, the bedpan housing may deform approximately 6 mm under a 450 lb load, which is not appreciable deformation to prevent entry or removal of a bedpan into the cavity. The bedpan housing, which does not receive any waste, may be removed from under a user after the bedpan is removed. In one embodiment, all top edges of the housing may be rounded to limit risk of discomfort, and all bottom edges of the housing may be rounded to facilitate ease of placement.

[0009] Materials of which the bedpan housing may be made include, but are not limited to plastic materials, metals, wood, composite materials, ceramics, combinations of these materials, and the like.

[0010] The bedpan housing may be of various sizes to fit various sizes and types of bedpans. In many cases, an embodiment of the bedpan housing may be sized to receive what is known in the art as a“fracture bedpan.” Fracture bedpans are common, small, tapered bedpans which are designed to be slid underneath a patient with a hip fracture, but can be used for any bedridden patient. In other cases, the bedpan housing may be large enough to receive a variety of different bedpans in a single housing. A spacer may be built into the housing or removably positioned therein to properly position a bedpan within the housing.

[0011] Turning now to Figs. 1-5, views of certain embodiments of the bedpan housing are provided. The bedpan housing is formed of a base 10, sidewalls 6, and a seating area formed of a flat buttocks portion 1 and a legs portion 2. In some embodiments, the leg portion can be flat, or may slope upwardly as shown in the Fig. 1. Similarly, in other embodiments the buttocks portion 1 may be flat, or curved. Embodiments having upward sloping legs portions 2 may be more comfortable and may ease use of the bedpan and housing. However, it should be understood that the present invention is in no way limited to such shapes. The seating area opens at its center to create a top opening 3 through which waste may enter into a bedpan. In this embodiment, the top surface buttocks portion 1 and legs portion 2 combine to define an approximately U shaped top surface.

[0012] The bedpan housing has a front opening 4 which allows a bedpan to be positioned within the housing and removed from the housing through the front opening. The legs portion 2 extends to the front opening so that the user’s legs are shielded from the bedpan and do not unintentionally interfere with the bedpan during removal. In some cases, slight overlap of the legs portion 2 extends past the front edge of the sidewalls 6 and/or base 10. Optionally, the bedpan housing may have reinforcing struts 8 or other structural elements to strengthen the bedpan housing and support the seating area. Further, in some optional embodiments, the sidewalls may taper forward at the front edge, forming an inward protrusion 9. Further still, in some optional embodiments, the sidwewalls may define a slot 7 into which a flange of a bedpan (not shown) may slidably fit. This structure may allow the bed pan to be at least partially secured in position during use.

[0013] Figs. 6 and 7 show views of embodiments of the bedpan housing in operation. Here, the bedpan top surface leg portions 2 and buttocks portion 1 are seen above the top of the bedpan 60. The bedpan 60 may abut a bottom face of the top surface, or may be spaced apart from it. Any deformation of the bedpan housing caused by the weight of a user is minimal such that it does not interfere with an ability of the bedpan 60 to be removed, with at most only slight frictional contact between the bedpan 60 and bottom face of the top surface 1, 2. As seen in Fig. 6, a bedpan 60 is formed having a tapering height, with a leading edge buttocks portion shorter than the opposite end by the front opening. The bedpan 60 defines an opening which allows access to a basin. The bedpan 60 opening should align with the opening 3 of the bedpan housing. As is clear from the figures, the bedpan top surface 1, 2, provides a greater seating area than the bedpan top surface area itself, minimizing pressure applied to a user.

[0014] In this embodiment, a flange 61 of the bedpan 60 engages with the slot 7. In this view, the bedpan 60 is slid into the bedpan housing via the front opening 4. The bedpan may be manually positioned, or slid in until it abuts an interior rear of the bedpan housing, spacer, or the like. As seen in Fig. 7, this embodiment of the bedpan housing is sized so that the entire bedpan 60 fits within the cavity 5. In some embodiments, a positioning spacer may be used such as protrusions, detents, blocks, and so on, to aid in proper positioning of the bedpan 60 within the cavity 5 of the bedpan housing. As can be seen, in operation, the bedpan housing may be positioned beneath a user such that their buttocks is on the buttocks portion 1, and each leg is on each leg portion 2 of the top surface. Next, a bedpan 60 may be positioned within the cavity 5 of the bedpan housing. A user may use the bedpan, and once finished, the bedpan may be removed via the front opening 4 and between the patient’s legs without contacting the user and without forces being applied to it by the user’s weight. The bedpan is able to slide out smoothly because it is to have minimal contact with the patient when removed, so no sticking or tilting will result. Once the bedpan is removed, the bedpan housing may be removed from under the user without concern of spilling waste.

[0015] Referring to Figs. 8-13, views of embodiments of the bedpan housing which are formed of two connected pieces are provided. A top piece 80 connects to a bottom piece 90, forming the bedpan housing. The top piece 80 has a buttocks portion 1 and a legs portion 2. In some embodiments, the leg portion 2 can be flat, or may slope upwardly. Similarly, in other embodiments, the buttocks portion 1 may be flat or curved. A side wall 9 depends from the buttocks portion 1 and legs portion 2 in an outward sloping direction. A bottom of the side wall 9 defines a bottom perimeter opening which is both wider and longer than a top of the side wall and the buttocks portion 1 and legs portion 2, such that the top piece 80 is stackable with other top pieces (not shown). In so stacking, a top of the top piece 80 can fit within the bottom perimeter opening defined by the bottom of the side wall 9. [0016] A connector 13, shown here as a channel, is positioned on the side wall 9 which allows the top piece 80 to be connected to the bottom piece. This is best seen in the Fig. 12 detail view. Of course, other connector structures, including a snap tab, engaging members, hooks, adhesives, molding, and the like may be used to join top piece 80 to bottom pieces 90 without straying from the scope of this invention.

[0017] A bottom piece 90 defines a bottom area of the bedpan housing. A base 10 forms the bottom surface of the bedpan housing, with side walls 6 extending upwardly from the base 10. The sidewall 6 extends at an outward angle away from the base 10, and connects to an outer wall 7, which itself extends downwardly and away from the base 10. This structure defines an opening 8 which corresponds in shape to the upper surface of the two walls 6, 7, allowing a stacking of the bottom piece 90. In this embodiment, a side flange 11 extends laterally from a bottom of the outer wall 7. When assembled, the side flange 11, in this embodiment, is covered by the top piece 80. In a particular embodiment, a top of the walls 6, 7 is positioned to support the seating area 1, 2, of the top piece 80. At an outer edge of the flange, in this embodiment, is a track 12 which is sized and positioned to engage with the channel 13 of the top piece 80, allowing connection of the two.

[0018] As assembled, the seating area defined by the buttocks portion 1 and legs portion 2 opens at its center to create a top opening 3 through which waste may enter into a bedpan 60 such as that shown in Fig. 13. In this embodiment, the top surface buttocks portion 1 and legs portion 2 combine to define an approximately U shaped top surface.

[0019] The bedpan housing, when assembled in this embodiment has a front opening 4 which allows a bedpan to be positioned within, and removed from the housing. In this embodiment, the legs portion 2 extends to the front opening 4. A cavity 5 is defined by the base 10 and side walls 6, as well as the top piece 80 seating area made of the buttocks portion 1 and legs portion 2. As shown in Fig. 13, a bedpan 60 can enter into the bedpan housing via the front opening 4. This embodiment of the bedpan housing is sized so that the entire bedpan 60 fits within the cavity 5. The embodiments of Figs. 8-13 may be used in the same way and manner as that of Figs. 1-6. Further, these embodiments may be configured, sized, and operated in the same manner, or differently, as that of Figs. 1-6.

[0020] While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.