Bath Transfer System

Abstract

This project is a simple and inexpensive transfer system that  allows a wheelchair user  (or any individual with mobility issues) to easily be transferred from their wheelchair to a bath for bathing purposes with the assistance from another individual (or by themselves, depending on the situation).

Motivation  

Before this project was given to us the process of Rosa giving her daughter Vanessa a bath was quite a labor intense process by where she needed to physically lift her into and out of the bath. This did not only put unnecessary strain on Rosa’s back but it was also not a completely safe for Vanessa as well. After getting plenty of input from Rosa which included a picture of a preexisting idea that she liked, we began to come up with ideas that we believe best suited her needs.   

Overall Idea

The system is made of 3 separate pieces:
1) Base
2) Chair
3) Rolling Platform for the chair 

Parts List
Plywood 1/2" thickness
2 to 3 hinges
Aluminum beach chair
Swievl for a boat seat (can be found at a marine store)
4 Caster Wheels (1/2")
3 Gate latch
Stainless Steel U-Bolt, 1/4"-20 X 1" Thread Length, for 1" OD
C-bar (enough length to run the full length of the platform on both sides)
Enough bolts, washers, and nuts to attach all the nessecary parts 

Special Thanks
Quoc Vhin for working on this project for 2 quarters
And other Engineering students for their input

Step 1 Cutting the Base to Size

The first step in this project is to get the measurements of your bath's width and height (you want the the width of both the inside/outside walls, the width of the overall tub, and also the height of the tub from outside of the tub).  The first base that we used was made of 3/4" plywood that we later would coat with an epoxy resin.  The second version we used a corian material that was donated to us by American Marble 1280 N. Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92083.

The overall length of the base is equal to the overall width of the tub plus the height of the tub.

The width of the base we used 15".

For the hinging aspect of the base, measure from one end of the base (the height of the tub) then make a cut across.

Use either 2 or 3 hinges to attach the two pieces of the base.

Comments

[kelseymh]

Very nice project! Using the rendering to start, and finishing with the as-built product, is a nice touch.

"Wheelchair bound" is not considered good language -- it is demeaning and reminiscent of the institutional captivity experienced by many disabled people both in the past and today. The term used within the disability community is "wheelchair user." Could you change your text accordingly?

I also have a question about usage. The beach chair seems fairly high off the ground (it's higher than the toilet seat in the Intro (second picture). Is it easy for a wheelchair user with good upper-body strength to transfer themselves into the beach chair?

[ErichFischer]

Thanks for the language change, I had a hard time trying to phrase it but I think your suggestion is a good improvement.

And about your question of whether or not a person with good upper-body strength could transfer themselves into the chair, to tell you the truth I just don't know for sure. I don't see why they couldn't but it has barely been test with the person that it was built for, so I am just not positive.

Thanks for the comment, it was much appreciated

[kelseymh]

It's a really nice design! I think with a Hoyer lift, or maybe even a "trapeze bar" installed, a para could do the transfer themselves, but it's hard to know without having a real user try it out.

I guess from the last step that you're in the Cal State LA ME program? Does the rehab lab there collaborate at all with CSUN? Northridge has a nationally recognized disability program, and it's not like the two campuses are that far apart :-) (I used to drive farther than that for a fancy dinner when I lived in West LA).

[caitlinsdad]

Maybe an L shaped configuration of aluminum tubes or pipes would be better for the wet environment. Have two poles with ball casters that ride inbetween them to act as rails for the transfer movement. Thanks for sharing.

[ErichFischer]

Thanks for the suggestion it sounds like a good idea. We were just under limited supplies for this student project, but it sounds like it would be cool for further improvements to the design.