Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Convenience accessories
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-04
2001-05-15
Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Convenience accessories
C004S559000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230339
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a simplified device which assists a person in rising safely from a sitting position on a low surface such as a bathtub or in sitting down from a standing position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices for assisting persons to pull themselves up from a low sitting position or in sitting down from a standing position such as in a bathtub have been used in the past. Examples of such known devices are described below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,059,171 to Harris shows a longitudinal handle having one end pivotally secured on a wall above a bathtub and a ring at the other end for grasping by the hand of a person for support in sitting down and rising from the tub. The handle can pivot to a vertical position against the wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,038 to Augustine concerns a safety bar having ends pivotally mounted on a wall at the end of a bathtub. The bar is in the form of a long low U-shaped handle extending from the wall and resting on the sides of the tub with vertical side members and a horizontal bar across the tub for a person to hold onto in getting into and out of the tub.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,196 to Louis shows a hydraulic jack mounted on support bars secured to the wall at the end of a bathtub. A handle attached to the jack is held by a person in the tub to assist in getting up and out of the tub.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,252 to Cuttriss depicts a grab bar having a straight central portion and angled ends mounted on an end wall over a tub. The ends are rotatable in end holders bolted to the wall.
The various previous devices have had shortcomings in either being too complex, being secured in a position too low or of an improper length to provide adequate leverage for easily pulling up to a full standing position or safely lowering to a sitting position, not permitting a two handed grip, not being readily detachable, or not having the capability of being held in an extended position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a simplified self lifting device for assisting a person in rising safely from a low sitting position to a standing position or lowering to a sitting position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lift assisting device secured at a sufficient height and of a sufficient length to permit a person to easily pull up to a standing position or lower to a sitting position and to avoid slipping and possible injury.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a two handed grip for a self lifting device which is particularly useful in assisting a person to stand up or sit down in a bathtub.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a self lifting device coupled to a wall bar at the head of a bathtub and which includes a stop member to maintain a desired extended position.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a self lifting device coupled to a wall bar which includes a tension adjusting member to maintain a desired position.
A further object of the invention is to provide a self lifting device which is pivotally mounted over a bathtub and which can be raised out of the way when not in use.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lift assisting device for a bathtub which is readily engageable with a wall bar and readily disengaged from the wall bar.
These objects are achieved with a novel elongated U-shaped bar or tube laterally mounted and secured at each end to a wall at the head of the bathtub. A unitary bifurcated extension member has a narrow end which pivotally engages the wall bar and has two angled arms extending outwardly to a cross-wise handle engaging the other end of the arms. The handle provides a grip for a person when rising from or lowering into the tub. The arms at the end of the device that pivotally engages the wall bar are joined together in a loop that fits tightly over and snaps around the wall bar. A tension member or a stop member may be positioned adjacent the wall bar to engage the loop and hold the device in an extended position when in use. The device may be pivoted to a vertical position against the wall when not in use. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 345918 (1886-07-01), Palmer
patent: 647160 (1900-04-01), Silver
patent: 1827575 (1931-10-01), Germershausen
patent: 2059171 (1936-10-01), Harris
patent: 2514743 (1950-07-01), Carson
patent: 3228038 (1966-01-01), Augustine
patent: 943137 (1963-11-01), None
Fetsuga Robert M.
Goldberg Edward
LandOfFree
Lift assisting device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lift assisting device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lift assisting device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2512059