U.S. patent application number 10/138914 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for portable inflatable/collapsible bath.
Invention is credited to Bentley, Donna Pauline.
Application Number | 20040040083 10/138914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31975743 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040040083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bentley, Donna Pauline |
March 4, 2004 |
Portable inflatable/collapsible bath
Abstract
The portable inflatable/collapsible bath has several unique
design features: It is made of a flexible material with a portable
detachable air pump and operates on 110VCA or battery power. It has
a one-way air input valve and a quick-release style valve for
deflation. Multiple drain ports around the entire periphery of the
floor facilitate rapid draining through an external on/off drain
valve which allows the water to be discharged into a suitable
receptacle or attachment of a hose to direct the waste into
available plumbing such as a bathtub, shower, sink or toilet. The
attached reinforced eyelets on the backside allow the bath to be
hung for drying. It also has detached inflatable headrests of
various sizes, for different sized persons.
Inventors: |
Bentley, Donna Pauline;
(Palmetto, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DONNA BENTLEY
1417 51 Ave. DR. W.
Palmetto
FL
34221
US
|
Family ID: |
31975743 |
Appl. No.: |
10/138914 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/585 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/0005 20130101;
E04H 4/0025 20130101; A47K 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/585 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/06 |
Claims
1. What is clamed this portable inflatable/collapsible bath made of
a flexible material provides portable aqua comfort to various
people.
Description
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to devices utilized to bathe
incapacitated persons. Specifically, this device allows such
persons to be bathed without removal from their beds.
2. UNIQUE DESIGN FEATURES
[0002] The present invention contains several unique design
features. The first, and most significant, is the included
inflation device. This air pump is portable, detachable and will
operate on both 110 and battery power. Other features include a
one-way air input valve, a drain with an on/off valve, and a
quick-release style deflation valve. Additional noteworthy features
are multiple drainage ports around the entire periphery of the bath
floor, detached inflatable headrests, of various sizes for
different sized persons, a supplied carrying case for easy storage
and transportation and attached reinforced eyelets for hanging the
bath to facilitate drying.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention is related to the bathing of bed-ridden
incapacitated persons, by providing a portable device that allows
such persons to be bathed without removal from their bed. The
uninflated device is placed on the bed with the patient rolled to
one side. The patient is then rolled back to the other side, over
the deflated bath. The remaining portion of the bath is spread out
and the patient is then centered in the bath on their back.
[0004] This compliant bath is self-supporting, by inflating with
air using a portable, compact air pump, which is supplied with each
bath and provides a dependable and speedy means of inflation. An
optional battery powered air pump is available for locations
without electricity, or for times when electrical power is
unavailable. A one-way valve on the input attachment prevents any
back flow, preventing air loss after the air pump is turned off.
Detached inflatable headrests are included, in a variety of sizes.
The suitable size is selected and inflated, using the air pump, and
placed under the patient's head.
[0005] The patient is bathed accordingly by applying as much water
as desired and, upon completion, rinsing freely with the required
amount of water, without wetting the bed or linens.
[0006] A valve on the drain allows the soiled water to be
immediately discharged, in the open position, or collected within
the bath during bathing, in the closed position. The drain is
designed for a hose to be attached to facilitate draining. This can
be accomplished into available building plumbing (toilets,
bathtubs, showers, sinks, etc.) or collected into pails or similar
containers for transporting to suitable disposal sites.
[0007] After draining, a quick release valve allows the bath to be
deflated rapidly. The patient can then be dried, as the bath is
removed in the reverse manner, and dressed. The bath can then be
removed from the bed, cleaned/sanitized as needed, and hung to dry
by use of the attached reinforced eyelets.
[0008] Storage can be accomplished, after drying, by folding or
rolling the bath into a compact form and placing into the furnished
carrying case, along with the other bath
components/accessories.
DETAIL ILLUSTRATION OF BATH
[0009] The portable/inflatable bath is comprised of a pliable
structure (1), (2), (3), (4) & (10), which, upon inflating with
air, becomes self-supporting (views A-A & B-B). Inflation is
accomplished using a portable electric air pump (5) powered by
standard 110VAC or with an optional battery powered unit (6). The
air pump is connected to an airline (7) which, in turn, is
connected to the bath, via the air inlet (8). The air inlet has an
internal one-way valve, which will prevent the backflow of the air
already within the bath, when the pump is turned off or should the
airline become disconnected at any time. Deflation is accomplished
by releasing the air outlet valve (9). The large opening of this
outlet allows the air to be expelled rapidly.
[0010] The bath includes detached, inflatable head supports of
different sizes (11) and (12), for different sized individuals. The
appropriate size head support is selected, inflated to a desired
pressure and situated within the bath at a suitable location, based
on the individual's size. These head supports are also inflated
using the portable air pump (5) or (6).
[0011] The bath also includes a built-in drain (13) with an
integral on/off valve (14). The valve can be closed to permit the
collection of water within the bath and then opened whenever
draining is desired. This valve can remain open, during bathing, to
allow the water to drain immediately. The bath has a series of
outlet holes (detail D) which allow the water to be removed. The
bath is drained using a hose (15), which attaches directly to the
drain valve and then inserted into an appropriate receptacle (sink,
toilet, shower, etc.). Draining can also be accomplished using a
portable receptacle (pail, bucket, pan, etc.) placed directly under
the valve, to collect the wastewater, which can then be transported
to a suitable disposal site.
[0012] Drying is accomplished, after draining, by hanging the bath
using the reinforced eyelets (view E-E) which allows the residual
water to be expelled.
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