At sitting bathtubs it is known to make these tiltable allowing the person who is to take a bath to seat himself or herself easily in a somewhat upright position of the bathtub and its seat. The bathtub can then be tilted backwards so that the bathing person receives a reclined position. Bathtubs of this kind are well known in the prior art even if they have not reached the market in great numbers. A number of advantages is achieved by means of using tiltable bathtubs, in particular if they are provided with a side entrance in one way or another. Here can for instance be mentioned: EP 86902545.2.

A possible reason why tiltable bathtubs are not yet a wide spread commodity might be that they are very space consuming lengthwisedue to the tiltability. Furthermore the movements from upright position to reclined position and back again require considerable mechanic or hydraulic devices which need space and are costly or require a lot of force to be actuated. This is not so easily overcome since the environment for bathtubs is not suitable for electrical appliances but will make these expensive. One attempt to overcome some of the above difficulties is perhaps, represented by the bathtub of European patent no. 79301624.7 to Roy Parker (1979), SE 7212522-2 to Ekman (1972) and SE 7601619-5 to Ekman (1976). This bathtub is journaled centrally as close as possible to the centre of gravity for bathtub with water and the bathing person. In this way the total space that the bathtub requires length¬ wise is reduced.to some extent but not fully and by pro- viding mechanical gearing between a handle and the bathtub the bathtub is intended to be brought between its two positions by means of this handle actuated by the bathing person himself or herself or an assistant. However journaling a bathtub in this way is no easy matter and as a consequence the bathtub is expensive and requires more

space laterally than a standard sized bathtub. Further¬ more since bathing persons do not all have exactly the same weight or weight distribution, the centre of gravity for bathing person, water and bathtub will vary giving the tub a tendency to tilt backwards or forwards. As a consequence the forces needed on the handle might become rather great and as a consequence weak or disabled persons for whom the bathtub is particularily designed can in fact not handle it themselves. The first object of the invention is to provide a tiltable bathtub that only need a minimum of space lengthwise.

The second object of the invention is to provide a tiltable bathtub with a tilting system that allows even severly crippled or disabled persons to actuate it them¬ selves between upright and inclined positions without any external force supply.

Both of these objects are to be achieved with a maxi¬ mum of security and comparatively low cost means in order to enable a great number of consumers to benefit from this type of bath.

The first object of the invention is achieved by journaling the bathtub moveable in its longitudinal di¬ rection so that when tilted, the bathtub can move forth and back in order only to take up a minimum of longitu¬ dinal space. In order to keep the bathtub in its place an additional guiding is arranged for instance at the front end or back end of the bathtub.

Preferable developments of the invention are apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the claims.

The second object of the invention namely the provi¬ sion of system for the tilting of the bathtub is achieved by journaling the bathtub tiltable around an axis so located that the centre of gravity for the bathing person

together with the empty bathtub will be located well behind the tilt centre which can be moveable according to the first object of the bathtub, while the centre of gravity for the tilted bathtub and a bathing person will be located in front of the tilt axis even if the bathtub is in its reclined position. In addition to these measurements the bathtub is provided with some locking means allowing locking of the bathtub in its end positions and if so is desired also in intermediate posi- tions.

The procedure when taking a bath is very simple and easy to understand, which is a fact that for some of those who are to use the bathtub will be of great importance. With the bathtub in its upright position the bathing person takes his or her place on the seat. The locking means of the bathtub is released and the bathtub with its occupant tilts backwards to a reclined position. Preferably a damping device is arranged to provide a slow and comfortable movement. When the bathtub has reached its rearward position or as far back as the bathing person wants to go, the bathtub is "locked" in its position and water is filled until a pleasant bathing level is reached. When the bath then is completed the locking means of the bathtub is once again released and the bathtub now swings up to its upright position where it can once again be locked and the water drained away and the bathing person can leave the bathtub. The bathtub can preferably be provided with a lateral opening to facilitate the access.

In order to function properly the water volume of the bathtub must to a large extent be located in front of the bathing in order to provide the necessary return force. The bathtub however always must have a certain volume in order to keep its temperature and the location will also facilitate the bathing for persons with stiff legs etc. or the possibility to excercise one's legs in the bath. Pre-

ferable further developments of the above system is appa¬ rent from the following description of a preferred embodi¬ ment and the claims.

In a preferable development the tilting axis of the bathtub is situated below this and journaled in roller bearings in the lengthwise direction of the bathtub and a more or less vertical guiding is arranged at the front or rear end of the bathtub to guide the combined tilting movement with the movement lengthwise of the bathtub. Further advantages, features and functions of the sitting bathtub in accordance with the invention are apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings fig 1 shows a lateral view of the bathtub in its initial entry position and with some parts removed for clarity. Fig lb shows the tub tilted rearwards. Fig 2 also shows the tub in its tilted position, fig 3 shows the tub seen from above, and fig 4 shows the supporting frame of the tub, fig 5 shows a detail of the guiding for the bathtub, fig 6 another detail of the guiding and tilting arrangement, fig 7 shows the sitting bathtub from the side with the guide covers on place, fig 8 details of the rear of the tub with additional details mounted, fig 9a corresponds to fig la but with reference numerals, fig 9b corresponds to fig lb with reference numerals entered and fig 10 corresponds to fig 2 with reference numerals.

The drawings shows a bathtub 10 which is based on the Swedish patent 8501552-7/448 810 and that has a great lateral opening 11. Certain details as the flat, rearwards inclined seat with lateral drain chutes can be found in the Swedish patent 8400091-8/437 759. The sitting bathtub 10 is preferably made in one piece in a suitable material as for instance reinforced plastic, acryl + AP, stainless steel etc. The sitting bathtub 10 is shaped with a high rear back support 18 with an elevateable and lowerable

head cushion 56. The front end side of the sitting bathtub 16 is polygonally arched and located so far in front of the seat 14 that a fully grown person even with a straight leg can be accomodated in the bathtub 10 placing a foot on a support 13a for foot washing. In reality this means that the maximum inner length of the bathtub should be around 145 cm. The bathtub has a bottom with an outlet 12. The outlet 12 has a conventional outlet valve connec¬ ted to a flexible hose etc. that is not shown. The front end side 16 of the bathtub 10 is so high that the water that is used to fill the bathtub in its inclined position can be fully accomodated if the bathtub is tilted back to its upright position, see fig la. With a filled tub is meant the filling of water up to 6-8 cm from the upper edge in an inclined position, see fig 2.

The longitudinal sides 17a och 19a of the tub are provided with lateral pieces 17b och 19b in the shape of flat plates going downwards from the drain chutes of the seat 14 until they are in level with the bottom of the sitting bathtub 10. The sides 17b och 19b each at their lower edge has a recess for the tilting axle 30. The til¬ ting axle 30 is constituted by a pipe with two stop rings outside which the side pieces 17b och 19b rest and are secured laterally. To the front end side 16 of the sitting bathtub 10 a pivot bracket 32 is fastened. This swing or pivot bracket 32, see fig 5 is journaled centered around guiding rod 23. A hydraulic cylinder 40 surrounds the gui¬ ding rail 23 and the pivot bracket 32 is also joined to the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 40 which is in turn connected to a operating valve 42 mounted high up on the side 17a for easy access and manouvering of the bathing/helper. The guiding rod 23 is inclined 18-20° from the vertical. The guiding rod 23 is fastened to the frame 20 (see fig 4 among others) centrally on the short front side of the frame 20. The pivot bracket 32 is made

sturdy and with a comparatively great width between the fastenings in the front end 16 of the tub 10. This means that the tub 10 can not tilt obliquely forward over a line from pivot bracket 32 to the wheels 31. This security is very important for the bathing person. The guiding rod 23 constitutes a piston rod in the hydraulic cylinder 40, the upper end of which is constituted by the swing bracket or pivot bracket 32. Together these components constitutes a cross with spaced journaled fastening points. This cross localize the sitting bathtub 10 against a turning in the roll plane.

The swing bracket 32 has a central hole that can be shaped as a relatively long sleeve also providing security against the above mentioned undesirable partly lateral tilting. In this case a hydraulic cylinder 41 coupled to the tilting axle 30 can be used as shown in fig 6. This hydraulic cylindre 41 has no piston rod that goes all the way through which means that the difference in fluid amount at the movement of the piston rod out/in will have to be compensated by means of a pressure tank 43. The hyd¬ raulic cylinder 41 is of standard type with joints coupled to the pivot axle 30 and frame 20 according to fig 6.

The frame 20 is essentially rectangular with narro¬ wing rear. This so that a possible helper need not stumble over the feet or legs 21 (four in the entire frame) . The frame 20 can be raised/lowered by means of conventional mechanic, pneumatic, hydraulic means etc. which is not shown.

The frame 20 is for instance made of so called RHS- profile (rectangular hollow profile) . On the longitudinal sides of the frame 20 are fastended two rails 22 (welded curved or flat irons). These rails 22 are somewhat incli¬ ned downwards/forwards. The object of this inclination of the rails 22 is to facilitate the first part of the tilting movement and then in particular when a very light

person is to bath. The shown embodiment can easily handle persons down to a weight of about 50 kilos. Light persons can also tilt the bathtub (overcome the rest or initial friction that is greater than that of the movement friction) if conventional springs are mounted in order to work precisely in this starting moment. This feature can for instance be of use on orphanages childrens wards at hospitals etc.

The tilting axle 30 has in its both ends two wheels 31 in the shape of ball bearings (2RS-type) rolling on the rails 22.

The frame 20 with the guide rail 23 is covered by a cover 24 that at the same time protects the wheel of the tilting axle 30 and the hydraulic cylinder 41 alternative- ly 40 according to fig 7. In fig 7 can also be seen the supporting handle 53 to be used on entrance to the tub 10. Fig 7 also shows the foot step 52 with anti-slip strips. The foot step divides the entrance height in two steps which considerably fasciliates for older, sick and others to enter into the sitting bathtub 10 of their own force.

The front shape of the bathtub 10 at the front short side 16 allows the location of a child seat 13b, the child being able to use this part of the bathtub 10 for bathing and playing. The size of the hatch 15 can be adapted to children of different ages so that an appropiate amount of water can be filled into the sitting bathtub 10. The child seat 13b is in principal adjustable to its height as is the foot support 13a. Alternatively the child seat 13b can be made as a flap seat fastened in the front short side 16 as is shown in fig 9a.

The shape of the bathtub 10 below the seat 14 with the side pieces 17b and 19b constitutes a downwards/back¬ wards open box were a WC-device 51 can be mounted. The flush tank of the WC-device is preferably placed behind the rear short side 18 as is shown in fig 8. The location

of the tilting axle 30 as well as the position of the rails 22 will have to be changed in view of the weight of the WC-device 51 in order to retain the tilting function by means of gravity center changes for the system of bathtub including the bathing person and water. At WC- visiting solely the tilting of the bathtub is hardly in question.

The WC-device 51 should be complete with water spray of private parts after excecution of intended functions (instead of paper drying) . Drying with heated air and eva¬ cuation by means of a fan 55, (F) (fig 8). Together these WC-functions give where also the results are flushed out, the most hygenic (and with this the least risk of contamination) WC-visit for for instance the personal taking care of the patients in this respect.

The sitting bathtub 10 has a slightly rearwards re¬ clining seat 14 of rectangular shape. When a WC-device 51 is mounted in accordance with the above description the seat 14 is provided with an opening for the WC-device which is covered by a lid with an underlying seal. The seal can be of the type with an elastic rubber strip of conventional type since the pressure from the bathing and the bathing water will provide a sufficient closing force. Possible leakage is no problem since it is lead away as the flushing water via a water lock. The WC-device has a flexible hose as connection to the sewer net. The lid in/on the seat is provided with an outlet 54 and a valve (for instance a plug) . This additional outlet 54 can at the end of the bath be opened by the bathing person pro- viding the bathtub with two oulets 12 and 54 allowing a fast draining of the bath water.

The WC-device 51 with full equipment according to the above will mean that the personel need not to handle WC- paper with excrements, bed pans with excrements, single use packages with excrements etc. This is a major advan-

tage not at least when recruteing people to these types of professions. In front and above the bathtub 10 is pre¬ ferably hanged a prefill tank 50 with a thermometer and heater. The correct bathing water temperature can then be obtained in advance and the bathing water can quickly be filled as soon as the sitting bathtub 10 has reached the tilted position according to fig 2. A volume in excess of 200 litres of bathing water will provide a water level between what in fig 2 and 10 has been marked with "Balance 50/50" and the highest practical level in accordance with fig 2. Additional water can be filled afterwards according to need/desire. The prefill tank 50 and the quick emptying through the outlets 12 and 54 together secure that the actual bath time will be maximum within the total access time of the bathtub. The prefilled tank 50 furthermore eliminates the risk of shock from too hot/cold bathing water which today is all together too often the cases for patients in hospitals.

When filling the bathing water to a level marked "Ba- lance 50/50" according to fig 2 the bathtub 10 is unstab¬ le and can tilt backwards or forwards since the center of gravity will be vertically above the tilting axle 30. In this position the valve 42 can be closed and if the bathtub 10 then is provided with an extra pressurized tank 44 (see fig 6), the bathing person by oveing his upper body forth and back can obtain a wavelike movement in the bathing water which is also transferred to the bathtub 10 that will rock forth and back and prolonge the wave move¬ ment. The bathtub 10 balances between the air pressures and the pressure tanks 43 and 44.

If the hydraulic cylinder at the front end of the bathtub as the guiding rail has a piston rod extending outwards through both ends the sum of liquid volume is constant and independent of the position of the cylinder along the piston rod. The hydraulic cylinder can alterna-

tively be placed within the rear part of the frame and work on the moveable tilting axle. The fluid volume will then differ at movement in/out of the piston rod in the hydrualic cylinder. This can easily be compensated by means of small pressurized tank in the pipe system.

The hatch covering the large lateral opening can be located before or after the first tilting movement to the reclined bathing position. Water is then quickly filled into the tub. At a certain level of water the center of gravity of the system (bathtub + occupant + water) will be precisely above the centre of the tilting axle and the tub will be unstable and can be tilted forwards unless the function of the hydraulic cylinder prevents this. In this position small tilting movements will provide a pleasent wavy motion in the bathtub which in combination with bat¬ hing salt and bubble bath will give the bathing a comfor¬ table pleasant feeling somewhat like a bath in the open see with waves and salt water.

Continued filling of the bathing water will due to the shape of the bathtub move the center of gravity for¬ wards and the bathtub excert in relation to the tilting axle a forward tilting, torque which is blocked by the gui¬ ding valve until the bath is over. The valve can then be opened and the bathtub tilts of its own accord driven by the gravity force forward to its upright position. At this position the valve is once again locked and the tub can be emptied. The water volume in front of the bathing person is so great that this force frontwards raising the bathtub will be sufficient even if the outlets of the bathtub are opened simultaneously with the release of the bathtub for the tilting forwards.

According to the invention changes or alterations in the center of gravity in the system constituted by bathtub, the bathing person and bathing water is used to obtain the desired tilting movements backwards and

forwards. No additional source of power, mechanical device, pump or the like is needed for the movement back and forth from the reclined bathing position. The bathing person need not to alter his own position in the bathtub. Furthermore the total length of the sitting bathtub is increased very little from entering position (starting position) to the inclined bathing position depending on the doubl e movement forwards/upwards and downwards/backwards. The simple design of the bathtub, function and comfort will make it suitable in homes as well as in the care of sick, elderly etc. Since the bathing person in most cases can take his or her bath herself or himself the need of help from other persons is diminished to a minimum. Within the scope of the invention further alterations are possible, for instance it should perhaps be mentioned that the roller bearings on the tilting axle allowing the lengthwise movement of the bathtub in the rails instead can be obtained by sliding means in the slideways. These sliding means can in conventional manner be constituted by or be coated with low friction syntetic material and if pressurized air is close at hand for instance for bubble bathing this can be used in the slideways in order to lower the friction. Due to the great forces that the bathtub unit can excert the need for extremely low friction value is not so important. As has been mentioned above the guiding rails can be curved or inclined in order to provide the desired movement pattern. This of course also goes for the guiding in front of the bathtub. If it for instance should be required by law or rules that the tub is power driven this is very easily achieved by hydraulic pneumatic or even electrical means since the power requirement is very small due to the fact that the bathtub will actually help itself. In the electrical case this means that low voltage motors of small size driven by

small transfor ators can be used which is an acceptable solution for bath rooms etc.

On a final note it should be mentioned that the de¬ scribed bathtub has the following advantages: The work of other persons than the bathing person at bath and similar activities is minimized and at the same time possible care needing person is activated as much as possible.

It can easily be combined with a WC-device. Despite a comparatively small amount of water a full size bath of the entire body up to shoulder and neck is obtained, and this can also be carried out for persons with straight legs or casts on foot and legs.

The bathtub needs less than 1,600 mm longitudinal space which is a standard length provided for bathtubs in appartments.

No outside power sources as electricity, pressurized air, hydraulic engines, pumps etc are required for the tilting movements. A person in need of help to be bathed need not to be lifted high up into the air, which is unpleasent and risky for the person in question and dangerous for backs of the lifting persons. Of course however a conventional bathing lift can be used to and from the bathtub and WC. The bathtub can quickly be filled with appropriately heated water.

A low entrance via a foot step fasciliates for a per¬ son to take himself into the bathtub or to the WC. The support handles fascilates further. Wheel chair restricted persons can be moved or move themselves sideways into the bathtub or to the WC.

The bathtub can be completed with a wash basin, bub¬ ble bath, steam bath (Roman/Turkish bath), mini sauna etc. contain all functions in a bath room thereby constituting unity furniture or device saving a lot of space and

installations.

The concept and function is simple so that the user will find it natural to use the sitting bathtub/WC. Simp¬ le and few standard components give a priceworthy product. The showering of private parts and the entire body can easily be undertaken.

The security is good in many aspects, for instance that the amount of water at tilted tub is accomodated within the tub even when it is tilted back to its starting position with closed outlet and also an intermediatly tilted or inclined position can be used if desired.

The bathtub is easy to keep clean.

Wave generation in the bathtub is possible.

Bath for children in different ages is possible. - ---