US3803642A

US3803642A - Foldable bed bath

Info

Publication number: US3803642A
Application number: US00182723A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Bearfield; F Erling; G Nelsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: CASS C
Priority date: 1971-09-22
Filing date: 1971-09-22
Publication date: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16

Abstract

A foldable bed bath used for bathing of bedridden patients which is comprised of a foldable frame structure which is foldable for storage and can be opened and positioned around the sides of a bed while the patient is retained in the bed. A water impervious sheet is connected to the frame to form the tub and the frame structure is unitary so that only the operation of folding and unfolding is required for set up and removal of the same. The improved foldable bed bath includes a control cabinet with a temperature control and selector control valve by means of which the bed map be filled with water at a required temperature for safety and health of the bedridden patient and a vacuum pump by means of which the water is removed therefrom to insure safety of the patient in the bed bath.

Description

[451 Apr. 16, 1974 Solley Jacuzzi.....

or Firm-Dugger, Johnson '&

ABSTRACT A foldable bed bath used for bathing of bedridden pa- .8 N mm A m 0MP P I mmR mfl VHN ES m 60 %W HHN HG O Gordon E. Nelsen; Clair A. Bearfield, both of Valley City, N. Dak.

[73] Assignees: Julian S. Hoxeng, Moorhead, Minn.;

Bertha J. McCarthy, Thousand Oaks; Carroll J. Cass, Los Angeles, both of, Calif.

Sept. 22, 1971 Appl. No.: 182,723

4/177 Int. A47k 3/06 Field of Search......... 4/177, 177 A, 185 L, 180

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent Erling et al.

[ FOLDABLE BED BATH [75] Inventors: Frank H. Erling, St. Paul, Minn.;

[22] Filed:

[52] US. Cl.

the same. The improved foldable bed bath includes a control cabinet with a temperature control and selector control valve by means of which the bed map be filled with water at a required temperature for safety and health of the bedridden patient and a vacuum pump by means of which the water is removed therefrom to insure safety of the patient in the bed bath.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 7 7 77L777 7 7877 777 1711115111 /7////8/// 4147441444 4 4 u m m H u H" m t W N m m mm e m t L "r mem drd md n MM m.l .1 ..l hn nmnm m Xi m t d a c c c HASABSCSHS 736736689 655 266667 9999999999 l 1 1 l l 1 1 1 11 /////////l 849744039 0033769 iATENTEUAPR 16 197 3 Q 803L642 sugar 1 OF 2 FIG, 2, IAIVENTOIIZ.

Gordan E. Nelsen Clair A. Baarfield BY Frank H. Erlin ATTORNEYS FOLDABLE BED BATH Our invention relates to a foldable bed bath and more particularly to an improved foldable or portable bed bath particularly adaptable for use in hospitals and rehabilitation centers for the washing or bathing of invalid or semi-invalid patients in which the support or bed of the patient forms a portion of the bed bath to support the patient therein and the patient is safe from any form of electrical shock.

Portable bed baths for use on patients at their bedsides in hospitals and in rehabilitation centers for the purpose of bathing invalids are known and in use. In general, these require that the bed of the patient form the support for the bath and the latter is'constructed around the same. In the past these have been made of separate end and head frames with provisions for adding side rails by means of which a flexible water resistant material may be supported to form the bath with the patient therein. Such structures presented a problem from the standpoint of convenience of set up and instability. Further, special provisions had to be made to introduce water into the bed bath and to remove water therefrom for successful operation which presented problems of convenience and safety to the patient. At the present time there is no convenient compact foldable bath of this type which requires a minimum of set up time and includes all of the provisions of the control of water and the safe removal of water from the bath which facilitates bathing of invalids and semi-invalids without moving them from their bedsides.

The improved foldable bed bath provides a simplified structure which unfolds from a compact roller form to snap into position at the head and foot of the bed and provide side rails which would support the bath or tub material. The head and end frames are connected with the side rails permanently and collapse and unfold as needed being adapted to be moved into position at the end of the bed and rolled out over the bed so that the patient does not need to be moved in the bath preparation. The improved foldable bed bath includes a control cabinet with valves controlling temperature of water flowing into the bath and a vacuum pump to facilitate the removal of water therefrom in a safe and simplified arrangement. It provides a sturdy noncollapsible assembly which may be set up and taken down without disturbing the patient. The control cabinet includes valves which are adapted to be connected to sources of hot and cold water with a temperature control valve to control the temperature of the water applied to the patient in the bath and a selector control to control the flow of water to the tub or to the drain. The improvedvalving permits filling and draining of the tub from the bath and includes a safety non-electric shock hazard feature in that no electric parts are in contact with the water to insure the safety of the patient. The tub is drained by a vacuum pump to eliminate any possibility of electric shock. The improved bath is supported by the patients bed and includes snap fasteners by means of which the tub material may be attached to the side rails and end and head frames over the bed material or-clothes to insure dryness of the same. Further, the improved bed bath provides provisions for changing the application hoses and the bath material to insure sanitation of any material coming in contact with the patient.

Therefore it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved foldable bed bath for patients using the patients bed as a support.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved foldable bed bath in which the parts thereof are permanently connected for ease in set up and removal without disturbing the patient.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved foldable bed bath which includes a control cabinet having a temperature control valve and selector valve associated therewith to fill and drain the tub with a non-electric drain provision therein.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved foldable bed bath utilizing a vacuum type pump for evacuating water from the bed bath at the conclusion of usage for safety of the patient thereof.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

FIG 1 is a perspective view of the improved foldable bed bath showing the bath in an extended or erected position and in position over the patients bed for usage;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bed bath with parts in phantom to indicate erection of the same;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the foldable bed bath with the control cabinet open to show controls and connections therein;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the bed bath in a collapsed position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the control cabinet showing the controls thereon;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the portion of the bed bath taken along the lines 6-6 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the vacuum pump of the foldable bed bath.

Our invention in a foldable bed bath is shown in per spective in FIG. 1, generally at 10, in connection with a patients bed, indicated in phantom at 20. As will be seen in FIG. 1, the bed bath 10 is comprised of a frame structure which includes an end frame portion 25 and a head frame portion 30 with interconnected side rail structures 31 and 32 connecting the end and head frames. The end frame structure 25 mounts the control cabinet 40 and a sheet of water impervious flexible material 45 is positioned over the side rail structures 31, 32 and connected to the end and

head frame structures

25, 30 to form a watertight enclosure within which the patient is positioned for bathing purposes. In its erected position, the end frame structure is disposed adjacent the foot end of the bed as evidenced by the legs 41 of the bed shown in phantom with the head frame structure being disposed adjacent and to one side of the forward legs of the bed, indicated in phantom at 42, with the frame structure being disposed around and above the spring section 47 and mattress section 46 of the bed. In its erected position the spring and

mattress sections

47, 46 of the bed are disposed beneath the sheet of flexible water impervious material to support the same and the frame structure is erected around the bed, as will be hereinafter noted, with the patient disposed thereon and with the linens and pillow in position, the pillow being retained beneath the sheet at the head end of the bed to support the patients head during bathing.

The frame structure is foldable or collapsible, as will be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 and is simply erected around the bed with a patient thereon in set up of the bath for bathing purposes of an invalid patient. As will be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the foldable bed structure folds or collapses for storage with the head frame being brought adjacent the end frame and control cabinet in a compact structure for storage. The rail structures pivot on one another and slide in tracks to be hereinafter described. The end frame portion 25 of the foldable bed structure includes a metallic base support portion 50 which is generally V shaped in form being formed of a flat frame structure to provide a three point support under which are positioned rollers 52 for stability of the frame. Attached to this generally V shaped base portion or structure is a generally rectangular metal frame formed by side posts 54, top and

bottom posts

55, 56 and centrally disposed posts 57 all welded or suitably secured together to provide a generally rectangular frame with center braces or posts which mount the control panel or cabinet 40, as will be hereinafter noted. The rectangular frame formed by the posts 54 57 is generally square in cross section to provide rigid side supports for tubular or sleeve members 60 which are generally square in cross section and slide on the side'posts 54. The square sleeve members, as will be best seen in FIG. 6, have L shaped flange plates 61, 62 attached to the square sleeve members and extending beyond the edge of the same to define a generally rectangular recess 65 with a slot therein, indicated at 66, which extends the entire length of the sleeve member 60 to slide with the sleeve member on the posts 54. The structure is the same for the posts 54 on both sides of the end frame and the L-shaped flanges 61, 62 form a channel structure on the sleeve or tubular member 60 which mount rollers 68 carried by a shaft 69 to which is attached a plate 70 connected to one part 31a and 32a of each of the side rail structures, respectively. The rail parts 31a and 32a in addition are connected by the transversely extending member 72 so that the ends of the rail par'ts 31, 32 will simultaneously move in the channels of the tubular members. The side rail structures 31, 32 are formed of the rail parts 31a,..31b and 32a, 32b which are pivoted at their extremities opposite the rollers through a hinge structure .75 with the same construction being employed in both of the rail structures 31, 32. Apivoted brace member 76 is pivotally connected to the rail parts 31a, 32a at generally its midpoint, as indicated at 77 with its opposite extremity being pivotally connected, as at 78, on the lower end of the channel section connected to the tubular member 60. The same construction is provided with both rail parts 31a, 32a so that the rail parts have one extremity slidably mounted in channels formed on the tubular portions or members 60 carried by the side ports 54 of the end frame structure. The tubular members 60 also mount a collar member 80 formed integral there with which clamps the respective tubular member to the side posts 54 of the end frame. The collars have suitable thumb screws 82 positioned therethrough which thread into apertures (not shown) in the side posts 54 of the end frame to adjustably position the tubular members 60 thereon and hence the channel portions connected thereto relative to the end frame 25 to adjust the elevation of the side rail -structures 31, 32 with respect tothe base structure or bed associated therewith. A suitable flange portion is also carried by the channel section, as indicated at 85, which provides a stop for the rollers 68 in the channel section limiting the upward movement of the same to retain the rollers in the channel section and provide a stop or reference for the side rails in an extended position.

The head frame 30 is connected to the end frame structure 25 through the side rail structures 31, 32 and in particular by the side rail parts forming the same 31b, 32b. The head frame, or that portion of the frame structure disposed adjacent the head of the bed in erected position is comprised of two post members each having a base support 91 which is basically an elongated single bar base member suitably attached thereto and having a pair of rollers 92 disposed beneath the same. The posts 90 of the head frame are releasably connected by means of a head frame cross bar member 95, which is generally U shaped in form and adapted to fit over the top or exposed ends of the posts 90 to connect the same and add rigidity to the head frame. It is removable and selectively connected by means of screws (not shown) in the event that the bed bath is to be erected on a bed in which a traction apparatus is utilized. The removal of the cross bar member facilitates erection of the bed by eliminating a cross member between the posts of the head frame. The posts 90 of the head frame are generally square in cross section and mount the sleeve members which are slidably positioned on the posts and have the interconnected collars 101 at the upper ends of the same with the screw means 102 adapted to fit into apertures (not shown) in the posts at the upper end of the same to adjustably position the sleeve members 100 on the posts for height of adjustability of the frame in the same manner as the end frame 25. The sleeve members 100 have associated therewith the L shaped brackets 104 similar to the bracket members 61, 62 which define the channel in which a pair of rollers are guided, the rollers being mounted on a shaft and connected by a flange similar to

parts

67, 68 and 72 for the end frame as shown in FIG. 6 to mount the free extremity of the rail parts 31b, 32b, respectively, in the channel sections formed by the brackets 104 on the sleeve members 100 for each of the posts 90 of the end frame. Thus, the frame construction is similar at both the end and head frames or that which mounts the parts of the rail structures 31, 32. The rollers 110 are kept within the flange structure forming the channel by means of a stop flange 112 mounted on the channel section at the top thereof and the rail parts 31b, 32b are suitably connected to the rollers by means of flanges welded to the rail parts and carrying the roller shaft at its opposite extremity extending through the recess in the channel simultaneously. The cross brace or top brace 95 is made removable when desired for erection of the bed under conditions of obstruction over the patients bed. Under normal circumstances it will be attached to the posts 90 such that the posts 90 forming the head frame 30 will move simultaneously from collapsed to an extended position and the reverse in takedown of the apparatus. Suitable pivoted brace members 115 connect to the channel section of the sleeve member 100 on each of the posts 90 being pivoted at one extremity thereon, as at 116, and substantially at the midpoint of the rail parts 31b, 32b, as at 1 17 at the other extremity to guide the rail parts 31b, 32b in their movement in the respective channel sections associated with the sleeve members 100 for the posts 90 of the head frame. The rail parts 31b, 32!; also include a flanged extension at the end of the same which bears against a pin 121 or suitable projection of the rail parts 21a, 32a to form a rigid stop in the horizontal or aligned position of the rail parts for rigidity. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 2, the frame for the bed is erected by extending the head frame away from the end frame or base frame, as shown in the collapsed position of FIG. 4, with the rollered end of the rail parts 31, 32 being guided in the respective channels of the sleeve members and and through pivoting of the brace arm 76 and to the extended position wherein the stops 112 and 85 restrict movement of the rollered ends of the rail parts in the respective channels. The elevation of the frame is adjustable by moving the

sleeve members

60 and 100 relative to the side posts 54 and 90 to raise the entire frame with respect to the bed with which it is to be associated. Where desired, suitable pin type connectors are included on the rail parts, the cross brace 72 and the cross brace member 95 of the end and head frames, respectively, to enable the mounting of the sheet of flexible and water impervious material 45 thereon.

The control cabinet 40 carried by the end frame, the base of which rests on the base support portion 50 of the end frame and the back of which is attached to centrally disposed brace members 57 of the rectangular frame part of the end frame 25 mounts control equipment for controlling the flow of water into and out of the bed so erected. As will be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the control cabinet mounts a temperature control valve having an operating handle 132 projecting from the top of the cabinet with a suitable dial indicia 134 positioned thereon. The internal portions of the control valve include a pair of

inlet pipes

135, 136 representing hot and cold water inlets to the temperature control valve which has an off position and a plurality of mixing positions with an outlet pipe 137, shown in phantom in FIGS. 3 and 5 leading to a selector valve 140. The selector valve is also mounted on the top of a cabinet and has an indicia 142 projecting on the top surface thereof with a selector handle 143 operated to direct flow to a pair of outlet ports, as evidenced by the

pipes

144, 145 to be hereinafter identified. Common to both outlets is a passage 146 leading to a thermometer 150 mounted on the face of the control panel and having an indicia or indicating face 152 on a surface thereof to indicate temperature of the water being directed from the temperature control valve 130. The inlet to the temperature control valve or its

ports

135, 136 is directed through a pair of

hoses

160, 161 which are adapted to be connected respectively to sources of hot and cold water, there being sufficient length of hose in the control cabinet when the doors of the same are opened to enable connection to a sink or water source of hot and cold water in the area where the patients bed is located. Similarly, the control cabinet includes a drain hose of sufficient length to connect to a drain stool, wash basin or the like to receive water from the bed after usage. On the face or top of the control panel is a port or fitting 172 which is connected to one of the outlet ports 144 of the selector valve 140 and providing one outlet passage corresponding to the tub position of the selector valve to which is adapted to be connected a removable hose member for the purpose of placing water into the bed enclosure formed by the sheet of material 45 mounted on the frame of the foldable bed. This removable pipe carries a shower head extremity 182 which is removable and may be used in bathing the patient and washing the patients hair. A suitable cap (not shown) covers the port member 172 when the bed is not in usage The opposite side of the control cabinet mounts a port fitting to which may be selectively connected a drain hose 192 for the purpose of removing water from the enclosure formed by the sheet of material mounted on the frame of the bed. This port is connected to a pipe 194 leading to a siphon aspirator or vacuum pump 195 mounted on the wall of the enclosure or cabinet 40 within the same with the outlet of the pump being common to the drain hose 170. A check valve 197 is included in the inlet pipe 196 to the vacuum pump and the drain passage outlet 145 of the selector valve connects to the other inlet of the pump or siphon 195 with the drain hose 170 being connected to the outlet of the same. The drain hose is adapted to be positioned in a sink or stool at the site of the patients room to receive the water from the siphon or pump which has no electrical parts for the patients safety. The vacuum pump 195 is operated by flow of the water from the temperature control and selector valves through the pump to create a vacuum in the line 194. The sketch of FIG. 7 shows the inlet 198 therein connected to pipe 145 with an orifice 199 in the inlet. The siphon passage or inlet 200 connects to the pipe 194 and the outlet 201 thereof connects to the drain hose 170. Thus with the hose 192 connected to the fitting 190 on the control cabinet and the free end of the hose positioned in the bath water, the vacuum created by water flow through the pump inlet and outlet will draw water through the siphon inlet to empty the tub in a conventional manner.

In erecting the foldable bed bath for use on a patient, the bed bath is set up without removal of the patient from his bed or without removal of the bed linen therefrom. All electrical appliances and controls are placed at a safe distance from the bed or away from the bedside area. The foldable bed bath is rolled into position at the foot of the bed in a collapsed position, such as is indicated in FIG. 4. Where there is no obstructions above the bed, such as traction equipment, the U- shaped connecting frame 95 for the head frame portion 30 is left in tact since the clearance of the U-shaped frame will be above the height of the patient in the bed. Where it is necessary to elevate the entire frame structure, the

tubular frame members

60 and 100 are positioned with respect to the

respective post members

54 and 90 of the end 30 and head 25 frames and set to a desired height position being secured in such elevated position by the thumb screws 82 and 102 associated with the

collars

80 and 101. At that point the frame is extended, such as is indicated in FIG. 3, across the top of the bed with the end frame being positioned adjacent the end of the bed. The head frame 30 will clear the patient lying in the bed and be brought to an extended position wherein the side rail structures 31, 32 or the parts thereof will pivot to a horizontal position and be locked in a rigid frame. At this point the tub or sheet of water impervious material 45 is placed beneath the patient by manipulating the patient from side-to-side on the bed as the waterproof material is placed beneath the patient. THe pillow for the bed is held in position on the bed to provide a means for elevating the patients head while in the bath. The flanged edges 46 of the sheet of material are wrapped around the head frame part or U shaped member 95, the side rail structures 31, 32 in an extended position and the cross bar member 72 of the end frame and secured thereon at the pins 125 or, where the edges are provided with snaps, they are wrapped around the frame parts and snapped into position to form the tub enclosure which is positioned on the mattress surface of the bed with the bed clothing thereon and the pillow in place and the patient lying in position thereon. With the control cabinet at the foot of the bed, the drain hose is attached to any convenient drain such as sink, stool or bathtub or floor drain in the situs or room of the patient. With the temperature control valve 130 in the off position, the

hoses

160, 161 are connected to water supply of faucets of hot and cold water. The fill hose 180 is connected to the fitting 17 2 after the storage cap (not shown) is removed on the control cabinet and with the hot and cold water faucets opened, the temperature control valve 130 is moved from the off position to an adjusted temperature position with the tub selector valve 140 being connected to the drain position connecting the outlet of the mixing valve 130 through the selector valve 140 to the drain pipe 170 through the vacuum pump 195. This will enable water to flow in through the

inlet lines

160, 161 to the temperature control valve wherein they will be adjusted or mixed at a proper temperature and through the selector valve back to the drain. This water flow will also be exposed to the thermometer 150 to indicate the temperature of the mixed water. The vacuum created at the siphon inlet 20] of the vacuum pump will have no effect since the port 190 is covered by a storage cap (not shown) or the hose 192 is exposed to atmosphere The check valve 197 prevents water flow through the line 196 in the direction of the port fitting 190. The shower head or mixing spray 182 may be left connected to the tub fill hose 180 or may be removed depending upon whether it is desired to rapidly fill the tub or not. Once the temperature of the water is satisfactory for use for the patient, the selectorvalve 140 is shifted from a drain to a tub position and water will flow through the outlet port 137 of the selector valve through the fitting 172 and the hose 180 to be sprayed into the bed or fed directly thereto with the shower head removed allowing filling of the bed to a desired level at the operator's convenience. When the tub has been filled with suitable depth, the temperature control valve 130 will be moved to an off position stopping flow of water into the bed and allowing for bathing of the patient with selected use of the shower head for washing of hair where desired. When the bath of the invalid patient is completed, and with the temperature selective valve remaining in an off position, the drain hose 192 is connected to the fitting 190 on the control cabinet if it has not already been done. The empty or drain hose 192 is placed in the water such that when the selector valve is moved to the drain position and the temperature control valve is turned on to any temperature or mixing position, the water flow through the vacuum pump or aspirator 195 will provide a siphon or vacuum and the pump 195 will or aspirator the water through the hose 192 and the fitting 190 to the pipe 194 and check valve 197 to the siphon inlet 200 of the pump and through the outlet 201 thereof to the drain hose 170. The use of the vacuum pump insures safety and isolation of electric power near the patient or through the water to eliminate any electrical shock haaards to the patient. Once the water has been completely removed from the bed, the bath portion may be removed from underneath the patient by unsnapping or removing the sheet of material 45 from the frame parts and moving the patient so that the tub or sheet portion may be removed from beneath the same. The tub, when unfastened from the frame, permits retracitng of the bed frame or collapsing of the same by moving of the frame parts in the direction opposite to the unfolding direction allowing for folding or pivoting of the parts of the rail structures 31, 32 on one another and the sliding of the free ends of the same in the channel sections formed integral with the tubular members 60 and mounted on the

posts

54 and 90 of the end and head frame. Thus, the tub may be removed from the end of the bed, the

hoses

160, 161 disconnected from the water supplies and the drain hose retracted and stored with the fill hoses in the cabinet 40. Under certain circumstances and for purposes of extreme sterilization, the sheet 45 of flexible material forming the bath may be made disposable and the hose portions and drain portion 192 may be replaceable units. The improved foldable bed provides 2 simplified structure which may be erected around the patients bed and to form a tub with control equipment for filling the tub and removal of water of the same.

in considering this invention it should 'be remembered that the present disclosure is illustrative only and the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable bed bath comprising, a bath frame structure including an end frame, a head frame, a pair of interconnected side rail structures, upright channel track members mounted on the end and head frame members adjacent the side rail structures, each of said side rail structures being formed of a pair of parts pivotally interconnected at first ends and having opposite ends carrying track guide means for slidable movement in said the track members on the end and head frames respectively, said end and head frames being movable toward and away from one another with the parts of the rail structures pivoting relative to one another at the first ends and folding upwardly and slidably moving in the track members of the end and head frames at the opposite ends thereof in the folding and set up of the bed frame structure, brace means pivotally connected between said opposite ends of the side rail structures and said track members to position the opposite ends adjacent the upper portions of the track members when the rail structures are extended and to permit the opposite ends to move downwardly in said track members as the rail structures fold, and a sheet of water impervious flexible material positioned at its edges on the rail structures and the end and head frames to form a tub on the bath frame structure.

2. The foldable bed bath of claim 1 in which the track members are slidably mounted on the end and head frames and include means for selectively securing the track members to the end and head frames at various points thereon to position the side rail structures and the channel members at various elevations relative to a bed with which the foldable bed bath is to be used.

3. The foldable bed bath of claim 1 including valve and pump means with hoses connected thereto positioned on the end frame to selectively introduce water into the tub and to remove water therefrom.

4. The foldable bed bath of claim 3 in which the pump means is a siphon pump and the valve means includes a temperature selector and shut-off valve and a diverting valve for selectively directing water into the tub and into a drain through the pump means with the pump means being operated by water flow through the valves and the pump means.

5. The foldable bed bath of claim 1 wherein said means to mount said opposite ends of said rail structure includes pivotal brace means connected between the track members and the corresponding parts of the rail structures to guide the interconnected parts in sliding movement in the channel track members with collapse and set up of the bed frame structure.

6. The foldable bed bath of claim 5 including stop means positioned on the track members and restricting sliding movement of the opposite ends of the parts of the rail structures to define a reference set up position for the bath frame structure.

7. The foldable bed bath structure of claim 1 in which the head frame is formed of a pair of side post means upon which the track members are mounted with an interconnecting overhead U shaped frame which is selectively removable.

8. The foldable bed bath of claim 7 including roller means positioned underneath the end and head frames to facilitate movement and set up of the bath frame structure.

9. A foldable bed bath comprising an end frame, side rail elements connected to one another and mounted at the edge of the end frame at one extremity thereof, a head frame member, the bed bath being positionable with the end frame and head frame at opposite ends of the bed and with the side rail elements positioned above and adjacent the sides of the bed, a flexible water impervious sheet of material releasably connected to the side rail elements in an extended condition and to the head and end frames to form a bathtub above the height of the bed, control valve means mounted on said bed bath and adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure, a drain connection, said control valve means controlling the flow of water from the source of water and to said drain connection in a fluid path, said fluid path including means forming an aspirator through which water from the source flows to drain, said aspirator having a vacuum inlet, said vacuum inlet including a connection means for a drain hose of length to be insertable into said formed bathtub to draw water from said bathtub through said aspirator to empty the bathtub.

10. The foldable bed bath of claim 9 in which the end frame includes a control cabinet, said cabinet including storage space for the means for connection to the source of water and said aspirator.

11. The foldable bed bath of claim 10 wherein said side rail elements include sections pivotally mounted to each other, means to mount said side rail elements to said end frame and head frame respectively to permit said head frame to be moved to a first position disposed in adjacent relation to said end frame, said head frame having a recess of sufficient height and width to clear a bed with which is to be used, said head frame being extendable from its first position over said bed to be used to position the side rail elements are above and adjacent the bed.

12. The foldable bed bath of claim 11 in which the end frame includes a base support defining a three point support and mounting the control cabinet thereon, said head frame being supported on said end frame through the side rail elements with the head frame in the first position.

13. The foldable bed bath of claim 12 in which the control valve means includes control valves in the cabinet and hose means connected to the control valve of the control cabinet and adapted to be connected to a source of water and the drain connection with additional hose means adapted to be connected to the control valves to admit water into the bath and to drain water therefrom, said cabinet being of size to store all of said hose means.

14. The foldable bed bath of claim 11 in which the side rail elements include a plurality of foldable sections with brace members and stop members which hold the rail elements in an extended position.

15. A foldable bed bath support comprising an end frame, foldable side rail elements on opposite sides of said bed bath support, each side rail element including two rail sections pivotally connected to one another in the central portion of the element, a head frame member having a recess therein with sufficient height and width to clear the height and width of a bed with which the bed bath is to be used, said end frame and head frame each including spaced apart upright channel track members positioned on opposite sides of said bed track guide, means to mounted on said opposite ends to slidably mount the ends of the side rail elements in a separate one of said track members, respectively, a separate brace member pivotally mounted to each of said track members, and pivotally mounted to an adjacent one of said side rail sections, wherein the ends of said side rail sections can move up and down in the track members as the center portions of the side rail sections pivot upwardly from a substantially horizontal working position and fold relative to each other in a manner constrained by said braces, said head frame thereby moving toward and away from the end frame as the rail sections fold, stop means to prevent said rail sections from folding downwardly in the center portions thereof beyond a substantially horizontal position of the rail elements, said rail elements being supported on the head and end frames above and adjacent the sides of the bed in their substantially horizontal working position, a flexible waterproof sheet of material connected to the side rail elements in a working position and on the head and end frames, said head and end frames being spaced apart, and said waterproof sheet of material being supportable on the top of the bed to form a bathtub with the edges thereof above the height of the bed. 7

16. The foldable bed bath of claim 11 and including a temperature control valve and a selector control valve positioned in said control cabinet and adapted to be connected to sources of hot and cold water to control flow of tempered water from said sources to a discharge pipe extending from the control cabinet to the bed bath.

po-ww UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5/ 9 a) QERTIFIGATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 398037642 Dated April 16, 1974 Inventor(s) Frank H. Erling, Gordon E. Nelsen, Clair A, Bearfielci It is certified that error appears in the above-=identified patent that said Letters Patent are hereby eon-acted as shown below:

I F Abstract, line ll, "map" should be may Golumn 3, g line 53, "ports" should be -pOStS===* 7 Column 6, line 63, "THe" eheuld be --The- Column 7-, line, 5g, ter "will" delete or aspirator" and insert sgiha te Column 7, line o4, heaerds should be hazard-s Column 8, line 4, "retracitng should be -==retracting Column 8, .line' 20, "2" should be --a-=- Column 10, line 9, (Claim 13, line 3) "valve" should he --valves==; Column 10, line 30- (Claim 15, line 111;) the eomma siggulei hg gffieg "bed" instead of after "guide",

Signed and Sealed this 19th day of November 19!74.

(SEAL) Atteet:

I iQCOY M, GIBSON JR; c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting, Officer 1 Commissioner of Patents in. J

Claims

15. A foldable bed bath support comprising an end frame, foldable side rail elements on opposite sides of said bed bath support, each side rail element including two rail sections pivotally connected to one another in the central portion of the element, a head frame member having a recess therein with sufficient height and width to clear the height and width of a bed with which the bed bath is to be used, said end frame and head frame each including spaced apart upright channel shaped track members positioned on opposite sides of said bed roller, means mounted on said opposite ends to slidably mount the ends of the side rail elements in a separate one of said track members, respectively, a separate brace member pivotally mounted to each of said track members, and pivotally mounted to an adjacent one of said side rail sections, wherein the ends of said side rail sections can move up and down in the track members as the center portions of the side rail sections pivot upwardly from a substantially horizontal working position and fold relative to each other in a manner constrained by said braces, said head frame thereby moving toward and away from the end frame as the rail sections fold, stop means to prevent said rail sections from folding downwardly in the center portions thereof beyond a substantially horizontal position of the rail elements, said rail elements being supported on the head and end frames above and adjacent the sides of the bed in their substantially horizontal working position, a flexible waterproof sheet of material connected to the side rail elements in a working position and on the head and end frames, said head and end frames being spaced apart, and said waterproof sheet of materIal being supportable on the top of the bed to form a bathtub with the edges thereof above the height of the bed.