Bath lift

Details Bath lift Bath lift

2000-02-15

2001-03-13

Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)

Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons

Tubs

Convenience accessories

C004S560100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199226

ABSTRACT:

This invention concerns bathlifts and particularly but not exclusively bath lifts for lowering or raising a person to or from a seated position on the bottom of a bath.
A number of bath lifts are available to lower and raise a person to an from a seated position on the bottom of a bath. Such lifts often do not provide security or at least a feeling of security, to a person thereon, or sufficient support to the person whilst they are being raised or lowered.
According to the present invention there is provided a bath lift, the lift comprising an elongate flexible band extendable across a bath from one side to the other such that a person can sit on the band, and means for selectively simultaneously feeding the band in or out from both sides of the bath such that the band is movable between a first position extending taughtly between the bath sides, and a second position such that the band is pressed by a person sitting thereon onto the bottom of the bath so that the person is sitting in the bath.
The lift may comprise two rollers which are locatable one on either side of the bath. The rollers may be interconnected to simultaneously rotate at the same speed, and desirably in opposite directions. The lift may comprise a motor, and gearing connecting with the rollers.
The lift may comprise a substantially U-shape frame with the base of the U locatable at an end of the bath, and the side limbs extendable along respective sides of the bath. A shaft driveable by the motor, may extend along the base of the U. The shaft preferably connects with the rollers via gearing, and perhaps also via further shafts extending partway along the side limbs of the frame.
The shaft may be threaded, and non-rotatable threaded members may be provided on the shaft engageable with an appropriately located switch or switches to automatically turn the motor off when the band reaches the first and/or second position. The positioning of the or each switch is preferably adjustable, and the or each switch may be mounted on a, or on a respective, threaded elongate member such that rotation of the member causes movement of one or more switches.
The lift may be removably locatable on a bath. Alternatively, means may be provided for mounting the lift on or adjacent to a bath. The mounting means may be such that the lift is selectively movable between an in-use condition extending over a bath, and an out-of-use condition clear of the bath. The mounting means may be arranged such that in the out-of-use condition the lift extends generally upwardly away from the bath.
The lift preferably comprises a back rest against which a person sitting on the band can lean. The back rest may be padded. The back rest may be pivotally mounted on the lift, or removably mounted thereon.
A support member may be provided engagable between the frame and the bottom of the bath. The support member may extend respectively from adjacent the free ends of the side limbs of the frame to the bottom of the bath, and the support member may comprise a generally U shape member with the base of the U engagable with the bottom of the bath. The support member preferably braces the free ends of the side limbs apart. The support member may be mounted on the frame by a ratchet arrangement such that it is restrainably held in a required position relative thereto.
The support member and/or back rest may be pivotally mounted on the frame to be able to lie substantially parallel thereto in the out-of-use condition.
The frame may be arranged such that at least one of the side limbs of the frame in the in-use condition lies on or alongside the side of a bath. Supporting members may be provided on one or both of the side limbs engageable with the top of the side of the bath, and the supporting members may be pivotally mounted to the or each side limb. Alternatively the supporting members may comprise adjustable feet.
The lift may be adjustable in size to be usable with different size baths. The support member may be adjustable in height. Any of the support member, back rest, base of the frame, or shaft extending along the frame base, may be adjustable across the width of the lift.
Electric control means may be provided to permit a user to control the feeding out or in of the band. The control means may be selectively locatable on either side of the lift as is required, and may comprise a plug in module.
A set member may be provided locatable on the band for a person to sit on. The seat member may be substantially rigid or semi rigid. The side edges of the seat member may be flexible or pivotable to accommodate tapering side walls of a bath. The side edges may comprise one or more strips of substantially rigid or semi rigid material joined to the main part of the seat member by a web or webs.
The lift may be arranged to automatically stop rotation of the rollers upon a voltage change across the motor being detected.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2045110 (1936-06-01), Spiess
patent: 2123398 (1938-07-01), Bowers
patent: 3317928 (1967-05-01), Root
patent: 3581316 (1971-06-01), Petersen
patent: 5185892 (1993-02-01), Mitchell
patent: 0 486 215 A1 (1992-05-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Bath lift does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Bath lift, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bath lift will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2474268