Showering assistance device

Abstract

A showering assistance device that enables a user to adjust the height of the showerhead through an accessible height adjustment mechanism is discussed. The showering assistance device also allows a user to adjust the circumferential or lateral position of the showerhead with respect to the seat upon which the user is sitting via an angle adjustment mechanism.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A showering assistance device comprising:
 a seat configured to provide a seating surface for a user;   two or more supports or legs configured to contact the surface of a tub, a shower or a combination tub and shower and to provide support for the showering assistance device;   an adjustment rod and an attached showerhead holder that in combination are configured to support and hold a showerhead;   a height adjustment mechanism configured to enable a user to adjust the height of the adjustment rod and showerhead holder; and   an angle adjustment mechanism configured to enable the user to adjust the circumferential or lateral position of the adjustment rod and showerhead holder with respect to the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1  wherein the device is sized to fit a tub, a shower or a combination tub and shower. 
     
     
         3 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a telescoping assembly; and 
 an adjustment handle. 
 
     
     
         4 . The showering assistance device of  claim 3  wherein the angle adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a disk or ring configured to rotate about the seat, 
 a rod holder attached to the disk or ring; and 
 a support rod in contact with the adjustment rod and the rod holder. 
 
     
     
         5 . The showering assistance device of  claim 3  wherein the angle adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a swing arm. 
 
     
     
         6 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1  wherein the angle adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a disk or ring configured to rotate about the seat, and 
 a support rod in contact with the adjustment rod. 
 
     
     
         7 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1  wherein the height adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a rod configured to slide through or on a guide. 
 
     
     
         8 . The showering assistance device of  claim 7  wherein the angle adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a swing arm. 
 
     
     
         9 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1  wherein the angle adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a swing arm. 
 
     
     
         10 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seat adjustment mechanism configured to allow the adjustment of the height of the seat to accommodate different users.   
     
     
         11 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a multi-adjustment handle configured to enable a user to adjust both the height and lateral position of the showerhead via manipulation of the handle.   
     
     
         12 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1  wherein the showerhead is an showerhead integrated into the showering assistance device. 
     
     
         13 . The showering assistance device of  claim 1  wherein the showerhead is a separate handheld showerhead. 
     
     
         14 . A height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of a showerhead in a showering assistance device comprising:
 a telescoping or sliding assembly in which a structure slides on or within another;   a showerhead holder attached to the telescoping assembly,
 the showerhead holder configured to hold a handheld or integrated showerhead; and 
   a handle configured to enable a user to extend or contract the telescoping assembly in order to adjust the height of the showerhead holder.   
     
     
         15 . An angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the circumferential position of a showerhead with respect to a seat in a showering assistance device, comprising:
 a disk or ring configured to rotate about the seat;   a rod or telescoping assembly attached to the disk or ring; and   a showerhead holder attached to the rod or telescoping assembly, the showerhead holder configured to hold a handheld or integrated showerhead.   
     
     
         16 . An angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the lateral position of a showerhead with respect to a seat in a showering assistance device comprising:
 an adjustment arm that pivots about a fixed point, the
 adjustment arm configured to be movable by a user; 
   a rod or telescoping assembly attached to the adjustment arm; and   a showerhead holder attached to the rod or telescoping assembly, the showerhead holder configured to hold a handheld or integrated showerhead.   
     
     
         17 . A height and angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting with the same handle the height and circumferential position of a showerhead with respect to a seat in a showering assistance device comprising:
 a swing arm pivoting about a fixed location;   a rod passing through a channel or guide mechanism on the swing arm;   a showerhead holder attached to the rod, the showerhead holder configured to hold a handheld or integrated showerhead; and   a handle assembly attached to the swing arm and the rod, the handle assembly configured to:
 pivot at the swing arm attachment point and the rod attachment point, 
 enable a user to adjust the height of the showerhead holder by raising and lowering the handle assembly, and 
 enable a user to adjust the circumferential position of the showerhead holder with respect to a seat in the shower assistance device by moving the handle assembly from side to side.