Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Convenience accessories
Patent
1983-03-01
1985-01-29
Artis, Henry K.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Convenience accessories
4575, 4578, 4583, 4565, 4566, A47K 312
Patent
active
044956665
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND ART
It is extremely difficult for many people to take unattended baths because of the configuration of a conventional bathtub. Persons such as the handicapped, convalescents, expectant mothers, and the elderly often find it extremely difficult to utilize conventional bathtubs without assistance, and such difficulties are often focused on their inability to lower themselves into the tub, and upon completion of the bath, to lift themselves out of the tub. Not only is the entrance and exit into and out of the tub for such users fraught with considerable difficulties, it is also extremely dangerous due to the ever present possibility of slippage.
Bathtub cushion lift assemblies are known in the art such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,176. In this patent, a cushion lift is described which has an inflatable shell adapted to be positioned on the floor of a bathtub and is connected to the bathtub spout or faucet. Water under pressure is fed through the bathtub spout into the inflatable shell to selectively inflate it to its full elevation wherein its supporting surface is elevated to the approximate height of the bathtub walls to provide a cushionlike support that a person desirous of taking a bath may sit. Once seated on the cushionlike support in the bathtub, the cushion may be deflated whereby the person sitting thereon is gradually lowered to the floor of the bathtub. After the bath is completed, the shell may once again be filled to elevate the user upwardly to the top of the bathtub whereby the user may then exit the tub easily.
The prior bathtub cushion lift assemblies have provided apparatus helpful for persons such as elderly persons taking a bath; however, persons who have balance problems have need of more specialized lift assemblies. In particular, persons such as paraplegics require a cushion lift assembly which is very stable during inflation and deflation of the cushion lift. It is important to these persons that the lift assembly not tilt, rotate, slide or otherwise shift position during the course of bathing. Moreover persons such as severe handicaps and those with other special mobility problems require greater aid in getting on and off cushion lifts and in maneuvering within the bathtub than has been provided by prior bathtub lift assemblies.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
This invention overcomes the difficulties of prior bathtub cushion lift assemblies in providing a stable cushion lift assembly which utilizes features for preventing or tending to prevent tilting, rotation, sliding or shifting position of the cushion lift assembly during use thereof.
In the present invention rigid members are disposed on either the top surface of the cushion or the bottom surface of the cushion or both to minimize undesired movement of the cushion during use. The interior of the cushion may be provided with baffles or the like for dampening water oscillations within the cushion. Furthermore, the cushion may be tiered or formed in layers so that the cushion may be inflated or deflated in stages for added stability. Also the cushion may be placed in a rigid chairlike structure having an apparatus on the chair back which cooperates with a side wall of the cushion to guide the cushion during raising or lowering thereof. Furthermore, a foldable valve may be provided for effecting controlled discharge of the water from within the cushion. A plurality of interconnecting plates generally lining the side walls, rear walls, and floor of the bathtub may be utilized to assist a bather safely in getting on and off the cushion lift and in maneuvering himself safely within the bathtub.
Thus, with the present invention, a stable bathtub cushion lift assembly is provided which maintains its stability during inflation and deflation of the cushion and which aids a bather in getting out and off the lift and in maneuvering himself within the bathtub.
For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following descriptions of representative embodiments, taken in conjunction w
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Artis Henry K.
International Healthcare Products, Inc.
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