This invention relates to a bath, particularly, although not exclusively, for use by persons with restricted movement, for example, the elderly or physically disabled.

Getting in and out of baths is particularly difficult and hazardous for those with restricted movement, because of the movement required in stepping over the edge of the bath, and in lowering and raising oneself to and from a seating position within the bath tub.

Baths designed to alleviate this problem are well known, and, typically, comprise a large bath tub in which is provided a lifting device to enable the person to be lifted in and out of the bath. This lifting device may be, for example, a seat supported on a column which can be actuated to move the seat up and down and to swivel the seat. The seat can therefore be manually operated by the user of the bath allowing the user to seat himself on the seat and then be lowered into an appropriate position in the bath tub for bathing. Similarly, the seat can then be moved to allow the user to get out of the bath.

Whilst these baths are extremely beneficial, they require a large amount of space because of the mechanical apparatus required to operate these lifting devices, which may not always be available in a domestic dwelling. The mechanical apparatus may also require servicing and is also susceptible to mechanical failure, which can be costly and extremely inconvenient. It is also frequently necessary for an additional person lo be available to

operate the lifting device. Additionally, the provision of these lifting devices in the bath tub may mean that the bath cannot be used - in a normal manner - by persons without a physical disability.

According to the present invention, there is provided a bath comprising a tub having a floor and wall, the tub having a surround provided around the top edge of the tub, the surround being dimensioned to allow a bather to be supported by a portion thereof, the tub further comprising first support means provided on the wall of the tub for supporting the bather in intermediate levels between the surround and the floor of the tub, the first support means being arranged so as to allow the bather to manually manoeuvre himself sequentially to and from the surround, the intermediate levels and the floor to effect egress from and ingress into the bath. This has the advantage of providing a bath with easy ingress and egress, and therefore suitable for persons with restricted movement. There is no mechanical apparatus susceptible to mechanical failure. Additionally, the bath may easily be used by non - physically disabled persons.

Furthermore, the bath is of a size which means it is much more easily fitted into a domestic bathroom without taking up excessive space.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bath in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the bath of Figure 1 ; and

Figures 3a to 3k illustrate the use of the bath.

A bath 1 comprises a body 2 having a substantially horizontal surround or edge 3 and a centrally located tub 4 sunk therein, in common with most bath designs. The surround 3 is of a size sufficient to support a bather 100 in a sitting position when sitting beside the tub 4, as will described in more detail below with reference to Figures 3a to 3k. The body 2 is dimensioned so that the surround 3 will be at a vertical distance from the floor such to allow the user of the bath 1 to be able to sit comfortably on the surround 3.

The tub 4 is of a substantially oval shape defining two side walls 5. 6. and two curved end walls 7, 8. In use, a person semi-reclines in the tub 4, with his back supported by one end wall 8 - the "head end", and his feet pointing towards the other end wall 7 - the "foot end", as illustrated in Figure 3h.

The walls 5, 6, 7, 8 of the tub 4 are contoured to form a number of bather supports 9, 10. 12, 13. In one of the side walls 5, first upper and lower bather supports 9, 10 - in the form of substantially horizontal ledges - are provided at intermediate locations between the floor 1 1 of the tub 4 and the surround 3. The first upper ledge 9 is located towards the "foot end" 7, and the first lower ledge 10 is located laterally of the upper ledge 9 adjacent to the "head end" 8.

In the opposite side wall 6 second substantially horizontal upper and lower ledges 12, 13 corresponding to the respective first upper and lower ledges 9, 10 are provided. These ledges are also positioned to be effective as supports for the bathing of babies and small children whilst the person bathing the child is in the bath.

A rail 14 is provided on the surround 3 running around the edge of a portion of the tub 4 adjacent to one of the side walls 6 and the "head end" wall 8.

As is well known, the bath is provided with a plug hole 17.

The method of getting in and out of the bath is illustrated in Figures 3a to 3k.

To get into the bath 1, the bather 100 sits on the surround 3 adjacent to the side wall 5 having the first upper and lower ledges 9,10 provided thereon, and downwards of the upper ledge 9 (Figure 3a). The bather 100 then swings both legs onto the surround 3 (Figure 3b), and into the tub 4 (Figure 3c). Using the surround 3 as a support the bather 100 moves his body sideways until he is sitting on the first upper ledge 9 (Figure 3d), and then further sideways until he is sitting on the lower ledge 10 (Figure 3e). At this point the bather 100 can remain in this position for shallow bathing if this is all that is required (Figure 3f)-

However, should a deeper bathing position be required, the bather 100 can lower himself onto the floor 11 of the tub 4 using the rail 14, and the lower ledge 10 for support (Figure 3g). The bather 100 can then relax in this deep bathing position with his back resting against the "head end" wall 8 and his arms resting on the corresponding first and second lower ledges 10,13 (Figure 3h) .

To get out of the bath 1, the bather 100 lifts himself back on to the first lower ledge 10 by pushing himself up against the first and second lower

ledges 10, 13, and using the first and second upper ledges 9, 1 1 for support so as to shift himself around until he is sitting on the first lower ledge 10 and in the shallow bathing position once more (Figures 3i to 3k).

The sequence for getting into the bath 1 is continued in reverse to enable the bather 100 to get out of the bath 1 completely.

The first upper and lower ledges 9, 10 are of sufficient size to allow a bather to be supported comfortably thereon. The second upper and lower ledges 12. 13 - which are used only as armrests or as support when the bather 100 is manoeuvring himself into or from his required bathing position are smaller in dimension.

Typically, the bath 1 would be made from a plastics material by a known manufacturing technique and moulded to form a unitary structure with the ledges being moulded in the sides 5, 6 of the tub 4, although other material and manufacturing techniques could equally be used. In situ, the bath would be located as required, and removable, or permanent, side panels provided as is well known to persons skilled in the art. Also, one or more vertical handrails 15, 16 may be provided at suitable locations to assist the bather with getting in and out of the bath 1.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the bath can be contoured in any way to accommodate different locations, different needs of the user, and in accordance with aesthetic considerations. For example, the bath could be circular. It is possible to have more than two ledges, and similarly, only one ledge could be provided, depending on

the depth of the tub, the ability of the bather, and the dimensions and shape of the bath tub. The ledges do not have to be provided all on one side, for example, the first upper ledge could be provided on the "foot end" wall, with the other ledges on the side. Any suitable method of making the bath can be used, and any suitable material can be used, for example, enamel, and the ledges could be fixed later on, and could be removable.