Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Convenience accessories
Patent
1994-08-29
1996-09-17
Phillips, Charles E.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Convenience accessories
A47K 302
Patent
active
055555756
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a lift assembly capable of lifting a person, article or animal between raised and lowered positions.
This invention has particular but not exclusive application to a lift assembly adapted to assist persons into or out of a bath tub, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, including assisting persons to and from locations which are difficult to access. Furthermore while the specification hereinafter refers to a lift assembly for lifting persons it must be understood that a reference to a person may also embrace a reference to an article, an animal or the like.
Incapacitated and invalid bathers, such as the aged, infirmed and paraplegics often experience difficulties getting into or out of a bath tub. Accordingly, persons including nurses are frequently required to physically lift or otherwise assist them into or out of bath tubs, often risking injury to themselves. Futhermore, many bathers have slipped or fallen over, and as a consequence injured themselves, when either entering or leaving a bath tub due to their shape and wet, slippery surfaces.
Attempts have been made in the past to provide lifting means for lifting a patient to and from bath tubs however to date such attempts have been relatively impractical, requiring adoption of a special bath tub, external or internal fixing of the necessary supporting structure. Furthermore effective cleansing of the bath and/or lifting means was difficult and the usefulness of the bath was diminished.
The present invention aims to alleviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to provide a lift assembly which will be reliable and efficient in use.
With the foregoing in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a lift assembly operable to lift a person between an elevated loading position and a lowered position and including: loading position between the elevated loading position and the lowered position, said support assembly including platform means and connecting means operatively connecting said platform means to said guide means, said connecting means being formed so as to extend downwardly to said platform means from said guide means and to support said platform means below said mounting assembly when in said lowered position, and said support assembly.
Preferably the lift assembly is adapted to lift a person to and from a bath tub but it may be used to lift a person to and from a reservoir such as a spa bath, swimming pool, or the like or through a access opening such as a man hole.
The support assembly may be capable of selective lateral movement relative to a bath tub. For example, the platform means may be capable of pivotal movement relative to a bath tub. Alternatively, the support assembly may be provided with a turn-table to facilitate entry or exit therefrom. The platform means may be in the form of an elongated rest for a patient in a prone position but preferably the platform means includes a seat upon which a person may be seated. The platform means may further include a back rest and arm and leg rests.
The guide means may include a side wall or walls of the reservoir. Preferably however, the guide means includes a guide rail or guide track along which the support assembly may slide or roll. The guide rail or guide track may be inclined to the vertical but preferably the guide rail or guide track extends substantially vertically so as to maximise the useable space within the bath tub. The connecting means may be hingedly connected to the guide means whereby the platform means may be folded upwardly away from the bath tub so as not to intrude into the bath tub when not required.
The lifting means may be in the form of a hoist or mechanical linkage but preferably it is fluid actuated and adapted to be operated by the fluid supply for the bath tub.
The lifting means may be an inflatable bladder which may provide support for the support means and may be inflated by water intended to be al
REFERENCES:
patent: 2779949 (1957-02-01), Crispen
patent: 3078473 (1963-02-01), Daniels
patent: 3280409 (1966-10-01), Cotner
patent: 3381317 (1968-05-01), Daniels et al.
patent: 3714672 (1973-02-01), Condon
Anscombe-Black William A. B.
Farthing Allan J.
Aqua Medics Pty. Ltd.
Phillips Charles E.
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