JP7517796B2 - Nursing chair - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a nursing chair.

Bathroom chairs that are used by elderly people and people requiring care to sit in the bathroom have been known for some time. Bathroom chairs have a seat on which the user sits and a backrest that supports the user's back. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the backrest has a base and a backrest cushion that is removably attached to the front side of the base. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, a protrusion is provided on the rear surface of the backrest cushion, and the protrusion is fitted into a hole formed in the base, thereby removably attaching the backrest cushion to the base.

In the backrest, the backrest cushion is provided with a backrest surface that supports the user's back. The backrest surface is formed to extend in a substantially vertical direction, which makes it easier for the user sitting on the seat to move their center of gravity up and down when they stand up from the seat. This makes it easier for the user to stand up.

JP 2003-47535 A

Here, if a user using a bathroom chair is unable to stand up by themselves, it may be necessary to transfer the user from the bathroom chair to another location. In that case, to facilitate the transfer, it is desirable to tilt the user's back deeply backward so that the user's legs can be easily raised.

However, as mentioned above, in bathroom chairs, the backrest surface of the backrest extends in a substantially vertical direction, making it difficult for the user to lean their back backwards too far. This makes it difficult for the user to transfer.

However, this problem is not limited to bathroom chairs, but can occur in all nursing chairs with backrests, such as portable toilets.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its main objective is to provide a nursing chair that allows a user sitting on the seat to be easily transferred to another location.

In order to solve the above problem, the nursing chair of the first invention comprises a seat on which a user sits, a horizontally long backrest cushion that the user sitting on the seat uses as a backrest, and a backrest support part that is provided on the back side of the backrest cushion and supports the backrest cushion, the surface of the backrest cushion includes a backrest surface that is formed in the center of the longitudinal direction of the backrest cushion and against which the user's back rests, the backrest surface is an inclined surface that is inclined in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the backrest cushion's backside, the backrest cushion is removably attached to the backrest support part in each of a first orientation and a second orientation that is upside down with respect to the first orientation, and the backrest surface is formed so as to be inclined more rearward when the backrest cushion is in the second orientation than when the backrest cushion is in the first orientation.

According to the present invention, the surface of the backrest cushion includes a backrest surface formed in the center of the backrest cushion in the longitudinal direction, and the backrest surface is an inclined surface that is inclined in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the rear surface of the backrest cushion. The backrest cushion is removably attached to the backrest support part in a first orientation and a second orientation that are opposite to each other vertically. When the backrest cushion is attached in the second orientation, the backrest surface is inclined more rearward than when the backrest cushion is attached in the first orientation.

In this configuration, by attaching the backrest cushion in a first orientation, the backward inclination of the backrest surface can be reduced. Alternatively, the backrest surface can be oriented vertically. In this case, it is possible to facilitate the vertical movement of the center of gravity when the user stands up from the seat, making it easier for the user to stand up. Also, by attaching the backrest cushion in a second orientation, the backward inclination of the backrest surface can be increased. In this case, the user's back can be tilted further backward, making it easier to lift the user's feet when transferring from the seat to another location, and facilitating the transfer process.

It is also possible to provide a nursing chair with a tilt change mechanism that can change the tilt angle of the backrest, and use this tilt change mechanism to change the backward tilt angle of the backrest surface of the backrest cushion. In this case, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the effect of the first invention described above. However, in this case, it is thought that providing a tilt change mechanism would significantly complicate the structure of the nursing chair. In this regard, according to the first invention described above, in which the backrest cushion is attached upside down to change the backward tilt of the backrest surface, it is possible to obtain the above-mentioned effect while preventing the structure of the nursing chair from becoming complicated.

The nursing chair of the second invention is the first invention, characterized in that the vertical length of the backrest surface is at least half the vertical length of the backrest cushion.

The present invention provides a wide back support surface, which can adequately support the user's back when the user stands up, sits down, or transfers.

The third invention is a nursing chair according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the backrest surface is formed so as to be located at the bottom of the backrest cushion when the backrest cushion is in the first orientation, and to be located at the top of the backrest cushion when the backrest cushion is in the second orientation.

According to the present invention, when the backrest cushion is in the first orientation, the backrest surface is located at the bottom. In this case, the backrest surface with a smaller backward inclination can be positioned at the user's waist height. This makes it easier to stand up from the seat. On the other hand, when the backrest cushion is in the second orientation, the backrest surface is located at the top. In this case, the backrest surface with a larger backward inclination can be positioned at the upper part of the user's back. This makes it easier to lean the user's back backward.

The fourth invention is a nursing chair according to any one of the first to third inventions, characterized in that the surface of the backrest cushion is formed over the entire inner area surrounded by the outer edge of the surface.

According to the present invention, the backrest cushion does not have any through holes, so the surface of the backrest cushion that faces the back of the user can be made large.

A perspective view of the bathroom chair from diagonally front. A perspective view of the bathroom chair from diagonally behind. FIG. A perspective view of the bathroom chair with the backrest cushion removed, viewed diagonally from the front. 1A is a perspective view of the backrest cushion as seen diagonally from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the backrest cushion as seen diagonally from the rear. 1A is a front view showing a bathroom chair, in which (a) shows a state in which the backrest cushion is in a first orientation, and (b) shows a state in which the backrest cushion is in a second orientation. FIG. 4A and 4B are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the backrest portion, in which FIG. 4A shows a state in which the backrest cushion is in a first orientation, and FIG. 4B shows a state in which the backrest cushion is in a second orientation.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the nursing chair of the present invention is embodied as a bathroom chair for use in a bathroom. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bathroom chair seen diagonally from the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bathroom chair seen diagonally from the rear. Figure 3 is a plan view of the bathroom chair. In the following description, front, back, left and right are defined based on the position of the user sitting in the bathroom chair.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the bathroom chair 10 comprises a leg frame 11, and a seat portion 12 and a backrest portion 13 attached to the leg frame 11. The leg frame 11 has a front leg frame 15 and a rear leg frame 16. Each of these leg frames 15, 16 is formed from a metal pipe material.

The front leg frame 15 has a pair of left and right front legs 17 and a backrest frame 18 that connects the front legs 17. Each front leg 17 extends so as to incline backward as it extends upward, and a plastic cap 19 is attached to its lower end.

The backrest frame 18 is the part to which the backrest portion 13 is attached, and is provided to extend above the seat portion 12. The backrest frame 18 has a pair of vertical frame portions 21 extending upward from each of the front legs 17, and a horizontal frame portion 22 connecting the upper ends of the vertical frame portions 21. Each vertical frame portion 21 extends upward from each of the front legs 17 at a rearward incline, and the horizontal frame portion 22 extends horizontally in the left-right direction. The backrest frame 18 and each of the front legs 17 are integrally formed from pipe material.

The rear leg frame 16 has a pair of left and right rear legs 23. Each rear leg 23 extends so as to incline forward as it extends upward, and a plastic cap 24 is attached to its lower end.

Although not shown in the figures, the front leg frame 15 and the rear leg frame 16 are connected to each other so that they can rotate, and this rotation allows them to transition between an open leg state in which the lower parts of the legs are separated from each other, and a closed leg state in which the lower parts of the legs are brought closer to each other.

The seat 12 comprises a plate-shaped seat body 27 made of a resin material, and a seat cushion 28 attached to the seat body 27. The seat body 27 is attached to the leg frame 11. The seat cushion 28 is made of a waterproof cushioning material, and its upper surface serves as the seat surface. Although not shown in the figure, the seat 12 is foldable.

The backrest 13 is attached to the backrest frame 18 of the front leg frame 15. The backrest 13 is located at a position spaced above the seat 12 and is attached to the horizontal frame 22 of the backrest frame 18. In addition to the backrest 13, a pair of left and right armrests 29 are attached to the backrest frame 18. Each armrest 29 is attached to a respective vertical frame 21 of the backrest frame 18.

Next, the configuration of the backrest portion 13 will be described using Figs. 1 to 3 as well as Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bathroom chair 10 with the backrest cushion 32 removed, as seen obliquely from the front. Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view of the backrest cushion 32 as seen obliquely from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the backrest cushion 32 as seen obliquely from the rear.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the backrest portion 13 comprises a plate-shaped backrest support portion 31 made of a resin material, and a plate-shaped backrest cushion 32 attached to the front side of the backrest support portion 31. The backrest support portion 31 and the backrest cushion 32 are provided in a state of being overlapped from front to back. Both the backrest support portion 31 and the backrest cushion 32 are formed in a horizontally elongated shape that is long in the left-right direction, and more specifically, in an oval shape that is long in the left-right direction. More specifically, the backrest support portion 31 and the backrest cushion 32 form a gentle arc shape that convex backward.

The backrest support part 31 and the backrest cushion 32 have substantially the same outer edge shape and are substantially the same size when viewed from the front (in other words, when viewed from the direction in which the backrest support part 31 and the backrest cushion 32 overlap). In addition, the outer edge shapes of the backrest support part 31 and the backrest cushion 32 are vertically symmetrical when viewed from the front.

The backrest support part 31 is attached to the horizontal frame part 22 of the backrest frame 18. The backrest support part 31 is disposed in front of the horizontal frame part 22, and in this disposed state is attached to the horizontal frame part 22 using a mounting bracket 34. In this attached state, the backrest support part 31 is disposed in a state inclined backward.

The backrest cushion 32 is made of a waterproof cushioning material. The backrest cushion 32 has a front surface 41 and a back surface 42. The backrest cushion 32 is arranged with its back surface 42 facing the front surface 31a (front face) of the backrest support part 31, more specifically, with its back surface 42 abutting the front surface 31a of the backrest support part 31. In this case, the front surface 31a of the backrest support part 31 serves as a cushion receiving surface that receives the backrest cushion 32. In addition, the back surface 42 of the backrest cushion 32 and the front surface 31a of the backrest support part 31 both extend in the same vertical direction, more specifically, both are inclined surfaces that are inclined backward.

The backrest cushion 32 does not have any holes that penetrate in the thickness direction. In other words, the backrest cushion 32 does not have any holes that open on the surface 41. Therefore, the surface 41 of the backrest cushion 32 is formed over the entire inner area surrounded by the outer edge of the surface 41. In addition, the backrest cushion 32 has a shape that is symmetrical in the left-right direction.

The surface 41 of the backrest cushion 32 is formed to include a first surface 41a and a second surface 41b. The first surface 41a is formed in the center of the backrest cushion 32 in the longitudinal direction, and serves as the surface against which the user's back rests. The first surface 41a is formed on one side in the short direction (in other words, the vertical direction) of the backrest cushion 32. The first surface 41a is also formed to include the end portion of the surface 41 on the one side. The vertical length of the first surface 41a is more than half the vertical length of the backrest cushion 32.

The second surface 41b is the surface of the front surface 41 of the backrest cushion 32 other than the first surface 41a, and is formed continuously with the first surface 41a. The second surface 41b extends vertically in roughly the same direction as the rear surface 42 of the backrest cushion 32. Therefore, the thickness of the backrest cushion 32 is roughly the same in the range in which the second surface 41b is formed. In addition, in the longitudinal center of the backrest cushion 32, the second surface 41b is aligned vertically with the first surface 41a, and the vertically aligned surfaces 41, 42 are continuous with each other (see also FIG. 7, etc.).

The first surface 41a is an inclined surface that is inclined in the front-rear direction relative to the back surface 42 of the backrest cushion 32. The first surface 41a is inclined in the up-down direction from the boundary 43 with the second surface 41b toward the end opposite the second surface 41b toward the back surface 42 (see also FIG. 7, etc.). As a result, in the range of the backrest cushion 32 where the first surface 41a is formed, the thickness gradually decreases toward the end. Therefore, the thickness of the backrest cushion 32 is smallest at the end.

The first surface 41a is inclined in the front-rear direction relative to the second surface 41b. Therefore, at the boundary 43 between the first surface 41a and the second surface 41b, a convex portion is formed on the opposite side to the back surface 42 by these surfaces 41a and 41b. The boundary 43 between the first surface 41a and the second surface 41b extends in a generally arc shape that is convex toward the second surface 41b in the up-down direction when viewed from the front of the backrest cushion 32 (see FIG. 6).

The backrest cushion 32 is detachably attached to the backrest support part 31. The back surface 42 of the backrest cushion 32 is provided with multiple (specifically, two) protrusions 36 that protrude toward the backrest support part 31. Each protrusion 36 is cylindrical and is arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Furthermore, each protrusion 36 is arranged in a position that is symmetrical with respect to the center of the backrest cushion 32 in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, each protrusion 36 is arranged in the center of the backrest cushion 32 in the short direction (in other words, the up-down direction).

On the other hand, the backrest support portion 31 is provided with a plurality of holes 37 (specifically, two holes) into which the protrusions 36 of the backrest cushion 32 are fitted. These holes 37 are circular and penetrate the backrest support portion 31 in the thickness direction. These holes 37 may be bottomed holes that open on the surface 31a of the backrest support portion 31.

The backrest cushion 32 is removably attached to the backrest support part 31 by fitting each of the protrusions 36 into each of the holes 37 of the backrest support part 31 from the front. This makes it possible to remove the backrest cushion 32 from the backrest support part 31 in this bathroom chair 10 for cleaning, etc.

Here, in the bathroom chair 10, the backrest cushion 32 can be attached to the backrest support part 31 by inverting it up and down. That is, the backrest cushion 32 can be detachably attached to the backrest support part 31 in each of the first orientation and the second orientation that is upside down with respect to the first orientation. Hereinafter, the configuration when the backrest cushion 32 is attached to the backrest support part 31 in each of these orientations will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a front view of the bathroom chair 10, where (a) shows the state in which the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, and (b) shows the state in which the backrest cushion 32 is in the second orientation. Also, Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the backrest part 13, where (a) shows the state in which the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, and (b) shows the state in which the backrest cushion 32 is in the second orientation. Note that FIG. 7(a) corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 6(a), and FIG. 7(b) corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 6(b).

First, the case where the backrest cushion 32 is attached to the backrest support part 31 in the first orientation will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) and 7(a).

As shown in Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 7(a), when the backrest cushion 32 is attached to the backrest support part 31 in the first orientation, the first surface 41a is located at the bottom of the backrest cushion 32. Specifically, in this case, in the longitudinal center of the backrest cushion 32, the first surface 41a is located at the bottom of the backrest cushion 32, and the second surface 41b is located at the top of the backrest cushion 32.

When the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, the first surface 41a is an inclined surface that is slightly inclined backward. More specifically, the first surface 41a is an inclined surface that is inclined backward as it faces upward. In this case, the second surface 41b is also an inclined surface that is inclined backward, like the first surface 41a. The inclination (angle of inclination) of the second surface 41b backward is greater than the inclination of the first surface 41a backward.

Next, the case where the backrest cushion 32 is attached to the backrest support part 31 in the second orientation will be described with reference to Figures 6(b) and 7(b).

As shown in Fig. 6(b) and Fig. 7(b), when the backrest cushion 32 is attached to the backrest support part 31 in the second orientation, the first surface 41a is located at the upper part of the backrest cushion 32. Specifically, in this case, in the longitudinal center of the backrest cushion 32, the first surface 41a is located on the upper side of the backrest cushion 32, and the second surface 41b is located on the lower side of the backrest cushion 32.

When the backrest cushion 32 is in the second orientation, the first surface 41a is an inclined surface inclined backward. In this case, the backward inclination (tilt angle) of the first surface 41a is greater than the backward inclination (tilt angle) of the first surface 41a when the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation. In this case, the second surface 41b is also an inclined surface inclined backward, like the first surface 41a. The backward inclination (tilt angle) of the second surface 41b is smaller than the backward inclination of the first surface 41a.

The configuration of this embodiment described above provides the following excellent effects:

The backrest cushion 32 has a first surface 41a at its longitudinal center, against which the user's back rests, and the first surface 41a is an inclined surface that is inclined in the front-to-rear direction relative to the rear surface 42 of the backrest cushion 32. The backrest cushion 32 can be detachably attached to the backrest support portion 31 in a first orientation and a second orientation that are opposite to each other vertically. When the backrest cushion 32 is attached in the second orientation, the first surface 41a is inclined rearward to a greater extent than when the backrest cushion 32 is attached in the first orientation.

In this configuration, by attaching the backrest cushion 32 in the first orientation, the backward inclination of the first surface 41a can be reduced. In this case, it is possible to facilitate the vertical movement of the center of gravity when the user stands up from the seat 12, making it easier for the user to stand up. In addition, by attaching the backrest cushion 32 in the second orientation, the backward inclination of the first surface 41a can be increased. In this case, the user's back can be tilted further backward, making it easier for the user to lift their feet when transferring from the seat 12 to another location, and facilitating the transfer operation.

The vertical length of the first surface 41a is set to be at least half the vertical length of the backrest cushion 32. In this case, the first surface 41a that serves as the back support surface can be secured widely, so that the first surface 41a can adequately support the user's back when the user stands up, sits down, or transfers.

When the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, the first surface 41a is located at the bottom of the backrest cushion 32, and when the backrest cushion 32 is in the second orientation, the first surface 41a is located at the top of the backrest cushion 32. In this configuration, when the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, the first surface 41a (backrest surface) with a small backward inclination can be positioned at the user's waist height. This makes it easier to stand up from the seat 12. On the other hand, when the backrest cushion 32 is in the second orientation, the first surface 41a (backrest surface) with a large backward inclination can be positioned at the upper part of the user's back. This makes it easier to lean the user's back backward.

The surface 41 of the backrest cushion 32 is formed over the entire inner area surrounded by the outer edge of the surface 41. In this case, since no through holes are formed in the backrest cushion 32, the surface 41 of the backrest cushion 32 that faces the back of the user can be secured widely.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented, for example, as follows:

In the above embodiment, the first surface 41a is formed only on a portion of the backrest cushion 32 in the vertical direction, but the first surface 41a may be formed over the entire area of the backrest cushion 32 in the vertical direction.

- In the above embodiment, when the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, the first surface 41a is inclined slightly backward, but when the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, the first surface 41a may be arranged to extend in a substantially vertical direction without inclining backward. Even in this case, when the backrest cushion 32 is in the first orientation, it is possible to facilitate the vertical movement of the center of gravity when the user stands up from the seat 12, making it easier to stand up. Note that in this case, as in the above embodiment, when the backrest cushion 32 is in the second orientation, it is inclined more backward than when it is in the first orientation.

- In the above embodiment, the protrusion 36 is provided on the backrest cushion 32 and the hole 37 is provided on the backrest support part 31, but this may be reversed and the protrusion may be provided on the backrest support part 31 and the hole may be provided on the backrest cushion 32. That is, a protrusion that protrudes toward the backrest cushion 32 may be provided on the surface 31a of the backrest support part 31, and a hole into which the protrusion is fitted may be provided in the backrest cushion 32. In this case, the backrest cushion 32 can be detachably attached to the backrest support part 31 by fitting the protrusion of the backrest support part 31 into the hole in the backrest cushion 32. In this case, it is preferable that the hole in the backrest cushion 32 be a bottomed hole that opens only on the back surface 42.

- In the above embodiment, the backrest cushion 32 is removably attached to the backrest support part 31 by fitting the protrusion 36 into the hole 37, but the configuration for removably attaching the backrest cushion 32 to the backrest support part 31 is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a hook-and-loop fastener may be provided on the opposing portion of the backrest cushion 32 and the backrest support part 31, and the hook-and-loop fastener may be used to removably attach the backrest cushion 32 to the backrest support part 31.

- In the above embodiment, the backrest structure of the present invention is described as being applied to a bathroom chair 10, but the backrest structure of the present invention can be applied to any nursing care chair that has a backrest. In addition to bathroom chairs, examples of such nursing care chairs include portable toilets that are used by elderly people and people requiring nursing care when they need to relieve themselves. Some portable toilets are equipped with a seat and a backrest. If a user of such a portable toilet is unable to stand up by themselves, the user will still need to be transferred to another location. Therefore, applying the backrest structure of the present invention to such a portable toilet can facilitate the user's transfer.

10...bathroom chair, 11...leg frame, 12...seat, 13...backrest, 31...backrest support, 32...backrest cushion, 41...surface, 41a...first surface, 41b...second surface.

Claims (3)

A seat on which a user sits;
A horizontally long backrest cushion used as a backrest by a user sitting on the seat;
A backrest support portion is provided on the back surface side of the backrest cushion and supports the backrest cushion.
The surface of the backrest cushion includes a backrest surface formed in a central portion of the backrest cushion in a longitudinal direction thereof for supporting the back of the user.
The backrest surface is an inclined surface inclined in the front-rear direction with respect to the rear surface of the backrest cushion,
The backrest cushion is removably attached to the backrest support portion in a first orientation and a second orientation that is upside down relative to the first orientation,
the backrest surface is formed to be inclined more rearward when the backrest cushion is in the second orientation than when the backrest cushion is in the first orientation ,
In this nursing chair, the backrest surface is formed to be located at the bottom of the backrest cushion when the backrest cushion is in the first orientation, and to be located at the top of the backrest cushion when the backrest cushion is in the second orientation . The nursing chair according to claim 1, wherein the vertical length of the backrest surface is at least half the vertical length of the backrest cushion. 3. The nursing chair according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the backrest cushion is formed over the entire inner area surrounded by an outer edge of the surface.

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