U.S. patent application number 11/636673 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for bathtub lift device.
Invention is credited to Ralph W. Call.
Application Number | 20080134428 11/636673 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39496242 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080134428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Call; Ralph W. |
June 12, 2008 |
Bathtub lift device
Abstract
A bathtub lift device for assisting an individual, especially an
elderly, handicapped or convalescing individual, in getting into
and out of a bathtub includes a rectangular-shaped inflatable and
deflatable cushion comprised of interconnected sections that deploy
in accordion-like manner, with the cushion disposed within the
bathtub and having an underside that includes suction cups to
secure the device to the bathtub floor and an upper side that
includes a non-slip surface for safety whereupon inflation of the
cushion by an electrical air pump connected to the cushion by an
air line, and which also includes an air flow control and release
valve, causes the sections to expand in accordion-like manner
thereby elevating the cushion to a height adjacent to the bathtub
sidewalls and deflation of the cushion causes the sections to
collapse in an accordion-like manner thereby lowering the cushion,
and the individual seated thereon, within the bathtub.
Inventors: |
Call; Ralph W.; (Port
Charlotte, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE INVENTORS NETWORK, INC.
332 ACADEMY STREET
CARNEGIE
PA
15106
US
|
Family ID: |
39496242 |
Appl. No.: |
11/636673 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/566.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/1021 20130101;
A61G 7/1003 20130101; A61G 2200/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/566.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/02 20060101
A47K003/02 |
Claims
1. A bathtub lift device for placement in a bathtub having a floor
and opposed sidewalls for lowering an individual into the bathtub
and raising the individual so that the individual can get out of
the bathtub, comprising: a rectangular-shaped cushion for placement
within the bathtub and upon which the individual is seated and
capable of selective inflation and deflation for raising and
lowering the individual within the bathtub; the rectangular-shaped
cushion including: an under side disposed adjacent the floor of the
bathtub and an opposite upper side with the upper side including a
non-slip surface; a pair of opposed rails mounted at the upper side
and each rail having a handle portion; an interior cavity into
which air is delivered for inflating the cushion and from which air
is withdrawn for deflating the cushion; a plurality of suction cups
mounted to the under side of the cushion and for securement to the
floor of the bathtub so that the cushion is maintained in position
within the bathtub; an air electrical air pump for selectively
delivering air into the interior cavity and for withdrawing air
from the interior cavity; a flexible airline for connection to the
air pump and the cushion and through which air is delivered and
withdrawn during the inflation and deflation of the cushion; an
airflow control and release valve mounted to the air line for
regulating the flow of air to and from the interior cavity of the
cushion; and whereupon withdrawal of air from the interior cavity
of the cushion by the electrical air pump causes the deflation of
the cushion and the concomitant lowering of the individual within
the bathtub for bathing and the delivering of air into the interior
cavity of the cushion by the electrical air pump causes the
inflation of the cushion and the concomitant raising of the
individual in the bathtub so that the individual can get out of the
bathtub.
2. The bathtub lift device of claim 1 wherein the handle portion of
each rail includes an aperture so that the individual can grasp and
hold onto the rail while seated upon the cushion.
3. The bathtub lift device of claim 2 wherein the cushion includes
a plurality of adjoined and stacked sections that expand and
contract in an accordion manner concomitant with the inflation and
deflation of the cushion so that the raising and lowering of the
cushion occurs with stability and uniformity.
4. The bathtub lift device of claim 3 wherein the airflow control
and release valve includes a rotatable dial that can be manually
set to a fill position and an empty position with the dial being
set to the fill position for inflating the cushion and the dial
being set to the empty position for deflating the cushion.
5. A bathtub lift device for placement on a floor of a bathtub and
for lowering an individual seated thereon into the bathtub and for
raising the individual in the bathtub thereby assisting the
individual in getting out of the bathtub, comprising: a
rectangular-shaped cushion for placement within the bathtub and
upon which the individual is seated and which is capable of
selective inflation for raising the individual seated thereon and
selective deflation for lowering the individual seated thereon; the
rectangular-shaped cushion including: an upper side disposed
adjacent the floor of the bathtub and an opposite upper side with
the upper side including a non-slip surface; a pair of opposed
rails mounted at the upper side of the cushion and each rail having
a handle portion; an interior cavity into which air is delivered
for inflating the cushion and from which air is withdrawn for
deflating the cushion; an air pump that selectively delivers air
into the interior cavity for inflating the cushion and selectively
withdraws air from the interior cavity for deflating the cushion; a
flexible airline for interconnection to the air pump and the
cushion and through which air is delivered and withdrawn during the
inflation and deflation of the cushion; an airflow control and
release valve mounted to the airline for regulating the flow of air
to and from the interior cavity of the cushion; and whereupon
withdrawal of air from the interior cavity of the cushion by the
air pump causes the deflation of the cushion and the concomitant
lowering of the individual within the bathtub for bathing and the
delivery of air into the interior cavity of the cushion by the air
pump causes the inflation of the cushion and the concomitant
raising of the individual in the bathtub so that the individual can
get out of the bathtub.
6. The bathtub lift device of claim 5 wherein the handle portion of
each rail includes an aperture so that the individual can grasp and
hold onto the rail while seated upon the cushion.
7. The bathtub lift device of claim 6 wherein the cushion includes
a plurality of adjoined and stacked sections that expand and
contract in an accordion manner concomitant with the inflation and
deflation of the cushion for providing stability and uniformity in
the raising and lowering of the cushion.
8. The bathtub lift device of claim 7 wherein the airflow control
and release valve includes a rotatable dial that can be manually
set to a fill position and an empty position with the dial being
set to the fill position in order to permit the inflation the
cushion and the dial being set to the empty position in order to
permit the deflation of the cushion.
9. The bathtub lift device of claim 8 further comprising a
plurality of suction cups mounted to the under side of the cushion
and for securement to the floor of the bathtub for maintaining the
cushion in position within the bathtub.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to bathroom assist devices,
and more particularly pertains to a lift device for raising and
lowering an individual for assisting the individual in getting into
and out of a bathtub.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] One of the most difficult activities for an elderly
individual, a handicapped individual, or an individual convalescing
and recovering from an illness or injury, is to safely get into and
out of a bathtub. Because such individuals either lack strength and
mobility, or have injuries that must be protected, or are in a
weakened condition due to their illness, maneuvering in and out of
a bathtub is fraught with danger and risk. Moreover, it is often
the case that elderly and handicapped individuals, determined to
maintain their independence, live alone and thus any accident that
occurs in the bathroom may be potentially life threatening. In
addition to the generally infirm physical condition of the
individuals are the dangers posed by the objects and surfaces in
the bathroom. The sink, the sink top, the toilet, and the bathtub
present hard and slippery surfaces that can easily cause broken
bones and blunt force trauma in handicapped, elderly and infirm
individuals should they lose their balance and footing and fall
against such bathroom objects. This danger is increased in the case
of the bathtub where an individual may slip and fall while getting
into or out of the bathtub striking a surface of the bathtub with
their head rendering themselves unconscious and in danger of
drowning if the water in the bathtub has not been drained or the
water from the shower continues flowing.
[0003] This danger of slipping, falling, losing one's balance and
seriously injuring oneself while getting into or out of the bathtub
is not necessarily minimized when the elderly, infirm, or
handicapped individual is assisted by another person. It takes some
skill and practice to carefully maneuver and position a handicapped
or elderly individual into a bathtub and then lift such an
individual out and over the bathtub onto the bathroom floor. It is
left to the assisting individual to provide most of the lifting,
balancing and restraining actions as handicapped and elderly
individuals do not usually have, nor can they exert, full and
complete body and muscle control. Thus, in order to further
maneuver and position elderly, handicapped, or infirm individuals
in and out of the bathtub, and also to help family members,
relatives, or visiting nurses, bathrooms are now often equipped
with holding bars mounted to the walls surrounding the bathtub.
Also available are sturdy, lightweight seats that straddle the
bathtub so that separate seat portions are partially disposed above
the bathtub bottom and above the adjacent bathroom floor so that
the elderly, handicapped or infirm individual can slide on the seat
portions for maneuvering into and out of the bathtub. Further
devices have been conceived that actually position the individual
within the bathtub and lift the individual off the bathtub bottom
thereby easing and facilitating the process of getting the
individual in and out of the bathtub.
[0004] Thus, the prior art discloses a number of lift devices for
assisting and situating an individual in a bathtub. For example,
the Hermann, Jr. patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,254,517 and 4,495,666)
disclose bathtub cushion lift assemblies that include an inflatable
shell that has a filler tube connectable to the bathtub faucet so
that water can be controllably discharged from the bathtub faucet
into the inflatable shell through the operation of a pressure
relief valve. The interior cavity of the inflatable shell can be
provided with baffles for dampening water movement within the
shell.
[0005] The Pauley patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,239) discloses a
bathtub lift device that includes a planar base that is set on the
floor of the bathtub, a collapsible chair structure that is placed
upon the planar base, an inflatable bag enclosed within the chair
for raising and lowering the chair and slide control valves for
regulating the filling and emptying of water into the bag for
raising or lowering the chair structure.
[0006] The Attler patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,544) discloses a
liftable seat for bathtubs that includes a square-shaped tubular
frame for disposition on the floor of the bathtub, a seat slidably
mounted on the uprights of the tubular frame, and an inflatable
cushion disposed beneath the seat that is inflated for slidably
raising the seat and deflated for slidably lowering the seat on the
tubular frame.
[0007] The Jeans patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,598) discloses a
seating device that includes an inflatable seat for disposition on
the floor of a bathtub and which is inflated by a motorized fan
unit that is connected to the inflatable seat by a supply pipe.
[0008] The Steadman et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,164 B2)
discloses a bathtub lift that includes an inflatable seat having a
seat section and a support section that are interconnected and
inflate and deflate in sequence for raising and lowering the
inflatable seat.
[0009] Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices,
there remains a need for a bathtub lift device that inflates and
deflates in a controlled and stable manner and is easy to operate,
move and clean.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention comprehends a lightweight, portable,
durable, easy to operate bathtub lift device that is placed on the
bottom surface or floor of a bathtub and is used to lower an
individual into the bathtub and raise the individual up from the
floor of the bathtub so that the individual can get out of the
bathtub thereby allowing the individual to get into and out of the
bathtub by his or her own powers and with greater ease and safety.
The bathtub lift device is especially adapted for use by
handicapped, elderly, infirm, sick, or convalescing individuals
that lack the physical power and strength to get into and out of
the bathtub on their own and need the assistance of a lifting and
stabilizing device. In addition, the bathtub lift device of the
present invention provides a measure of independence to elderly or
handicapped individuals by assisting them in getting into and out
of the bathtub so that they can take a bath on their own and not be
dependent on assistance from someone else.
[0011] Thus, the bathtub lift device of the present invention
includes a generally rectangular-shaped inflatable cushion for
disposition within the bathtub and on the bottom or floor of the
bathtub. The inflatable cushion includes an interior cavity and is
further comprised of interconnected sections stacked one upon the
other. The sections expand and contract in an accordion-like manner
concomitant with the discharge of air into the interior cavity of
the cushion thereby raising the cushion or lowering the cushion.
The underside of the cushion includes suction cups that adhere to
the bathtub bottom for securing the cushion in place within the
bathtub, and an upper side that includes a non-slip surface so that
the individual seated thereon doesn't slip or slide off the
cushion.
[0012] The opposed short ends of the cushion each include a guard
rail and each guard rail includes a centrally located handle
portion with an aperture for gripping by the individual so that as
the individual is being raised or lowered upon the cushion, the
individual can maintain his or her stability by gripping and
holding onto the respective handle portions. An electrical air
pump, such as the kind used to inflate air mattresses used in
outdoor camping, is used to supply air to the interior cavity for
inflating and elevating the cushion, and also for deflating and
lowering the cushion. Mounted on the square-shaped, waterproof
housing or case of the air pump is an on button and an off button.
An airline or hose extends from the air pump for airflow
registration with the interior cavity of the cushion for allowing
the passage of air into the interior cavity for inflating the
cushion. Mounted to the air line midway between the air pump and
the connection to the cushion is a manually operable two-way air
flow control and release valve that can be manually adjusted and
set to allow air to flow through the air line and into the cavity
of the cushion or to allow the egress and evacuation of air
therefrom. In addition, a rechargeable battery can be used to power
the electrical air pump.
[0013] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
bathtub lift device for assisting elderly and handicapped
individuals in getting into and out of a bathtub.
[0014] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a bathtub lift device that is portable, easy to use and operate,
and easy to clean.
[0015] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide a bathtub lift device that allows an individual a certain
amount of dignity and independence by allowing the individual to
bathe without assistance and by their own efforts.
[0016] It is still yet another objective of the present invention
to provide a bathtub lift device that prevents slip-and-fall
accidents in the bathtub.
[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
bathtub lift device that utilizes an inflatable cushion that
facilitates the lowering of the individual into the bathtub and the
raising of the individual for getting out of the bathtub.
[0018] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a bathtub lift device that is lightweight and manufactured from
durable components.
[0019] These and other objects, features and advantages will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the
following detailed description read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing figures and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bathtub lift device of
the present invention illustrating the device in the inflated
disposition for raising the individual in the bathtub;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bathtub lift device of
the present invention illustrating the underside of the device and
the device in the deflated and lowered disposition;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the bathtub lift device
of the present invention illustrating the device situated in a
bathtub and the device in the deflated and lowered disposition;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the bathtub lift device
of the present invention illustrating the device situated in the
bathtub and the device in the inflated and elevated
disposition;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bathtub lift device of the
present invention illustrating the control buttons on an electric
air pump that are actuated for directing air into the cushion and
for withdrawing air from the cushion;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bathtub lift device
of the present invention illustrating an air regulation valve for
regulating airflow and which is mounted to an air hose of the
device that extends from the electric air pump to the inflatable
cushion;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic of the bathtub lift device
of the present invention showing the air pump powered by standard
residential house current from a wall outlet or electrical
receptacle; and
[0027] FIG. 8 is an electrical schematic of the bathtub lift device
of the present invention illustrating the use of a rechargeable
battery for providing power to the electric airpump.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is a lightweight, portable, durable
and inflatable bathtub lift device 10 that assists and eases a
handicapped or elderly individual in getting into and out of a
bathtub on their own and without someone else's assistance. An
individual convalescing or recovering from an injury in which
additional care must be taken, for example, to protect the injured
limb, can also use the bathtub lift device 10. The bathtub lift
device 10 is thus a convenient addition to the numerous
conventional assist products already on the market, and the lift
device 10 of the present invention provides a measure of
independence to such individuals by allowing them to be safely and
stably lowered into a bathtub and safely and stably raised and
lifted upward in order to get out of the bathtub.
[0029] A standard bathtub 12 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and includes
a pair of sidewalls 14 and a flat bottom or floor surface 16. Each
sidewall 14 includes an exterior sidewall surface 18 and an
opposite interior sidewall surface 20. In addition, each sidewall
14 includes a flat ledge 22 coextensive with the length of the
respective sidewall 14. The bathtub lift device 10 is disposed
within the bathtub 12 and upon the floor or bottom 16 of the
bathtub 12.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the bathtub lift device 10 includes a
generally rectangular-shaped inflatable cushion 24 that is
preferably made from a strong and durable vinyl plastic or latex
rubber and upon which the individual is seated for getting into the
bathtub 12 and raised upwardly thereon for getting out of the
bathtub 12. While the inflatable cushion 24 can vary in dimensions,
one preferred dimension is for the inflatable cushion 24 to have a
height of 12 inches, a length of 20 inches and a width of 12
inches. The inflatable cushion 24 includes an upper side 26, an
opposite under side 28 and opposed long sides 30 and opposed short
ends 32 with the ends 32 being perpendicular to the long sides 30.
The upper side 26, underside 28, opposed long sides 30 and opposed
short ends 32 enclose therein an interior cavity 34 for receiving
air from an external source and from which air is evacuated
concomitant with the inflating and raising and deflating and
lowering of the cushion 24. The upper side 26 includes a non-slip
surface 36 that further prevents the individual from slipping off
the lift device 10 during the lowering or raising of the individual
thereon. In addition, and for providing additional safety, an
upwardly projecting rail 38 is located at each opposed end 32 of
the cushion 24, and centrally located on each rail 38 is a handle
portion 40 having an aperture 42 that the individual can grasp and
hold while he or she is being lowered or elevated by the cushion
24. Moreover, attached to the under side 28 are a plurality of
spaced-apart suction cups 44 that adhere to the bottom 16 of the
bathtub 12 for maintaining the lift device 10 in position and
preventing any shifting or movement of the lift device 10 as the
lift device 10 is being inflated or deflated and being used with
the individual seated thereon. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, at least five suction cups 44 are disposed on the
underside 28, and each suction cup 44 has a diameter of at least
three inches. The cushion 34 is spaced inward from the interior
sidewalls 20 of the bathtub 12 so that the inflation and deflation
of the cushion 34 can occur unimpeded by the bathtub 12 sidewalls
14.
[0031] The cushion 24 is further comprised of interconnected
cushion sections 46 that provide for the stable and uniform raising
and lowering of the cushion 24 thereby avoiding the problem of
having one end of the cushion 24 inflate--or deflate as the case
may be--at a greater rate than the rest of the cushion 24 which
would result in uneven and irregular cushion 24 inflation or
deflation. Such uneven inflation and deflation could destabilize
the individual seated upon the non-slip surface 36 of the upper
side 26. Thus, the adjoined sections 46 are disposed in a stacked
arrangement of one upon another and are interconnected to each
other to provide for a uniform accordion-like extension of the
sections 46 concomitant with the filling of air in the interior
cavity 34 during the inflation of the cushion 24, and for a uniform
accordion-like contraction of the sections 46 when air is withdrawn
from the interior cavity 34 during the process of deflation of the
cushion 24.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3-5, 7 and 8, a portable and
lightweight electrical air pump 48 is used to deliver air into the
interior cavity 34 and to evacuate air from the interior cavity 34
of the cushion 24. The electrical air pump 48 may be similar to the
type of air pump used to inflate and deflate air mattresses used as
support for sleeping bags for outdoor camping. The electrical air
pump 48 is generally housed or encased in a square-shaped portable
waterproof housing or casing 50 and includes a manually operable on
button 52, an off button 54, and a reverse (motor) button 56 that
are all externally mounted upon the casing 50 and electrically
interconnected to standard electrical circuitry contained within
the housing 50.
[0033] An inlet 58 mounted to the cushion 24 and projecting
outwardly therefrom communicates with the interior cavity 34 and a
flexible airline or hose 60 connects at a first end to the inlet 58
and at a second end to the electrical air pump 48 so that air can
be delivered by the air pump 48 through the airline 60 and into the
cavity 34 of the cushion 24 or withdrawn from the cavity 34 through
the airline 60. A manually operable two way airflow control and
release valve 62 is mounted on the airline 60 and includes internal
valve structure disposed within the bore of the airline 60 that
regulates airflow to and from the interior cavity 34 of the cushion
24. The airflow control and release valve 62 includes a rotatable
dial 64 mounted to the external body 66 of the valve 62 and
includes two settings: an empty setting or position 68 for allowing
the withdrawal of air from the cushion 24 and a fill setting or
position 70 for directing air from the electrical pump 48 through
the air hose 60 and into the cavity 34 of the cushion 24.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the electrical air pump 48
receives power from a standard wall outlet or receptacle via a
110-volt power cord 72 terminating with an electrical plug 74 for
plugging into the outlet or receptacle. In addition, and to provide
more flexibility of use for the device 10, a rechargeable battery
76, such as those used for power tools and machinery, can be used
in place of the power cord 72 and wall outlet. Thus, shown in FIG.
8 in particular, is a rechargeable battery 76 for disposition
within a battery compartment 78 of the housing 50 and/or body of
the air pump 48 for supplying power to the motor 80 and fan 82 unit
of the electrical pump 48.
[0035] A representative manner of use for the bathtub lift device
10 would be to first position the inflatable cushion 24 within the
bathtub 12 and upon the floor 16 of the bathtub 12. The air pump 48
and the valve 62 would be placed within easy reach--but not on the
bathtub ledge 22--for the individual. A convenient and stable
resting place for the air pump 48 would be on a stand positioned
beside one sidewall 14 of the bathtub 12. The suction cups 44 would
be adhered to the bathtub floor 16 after the proper positioning and
locating of the cushion 24 within the bathtub 12. With the cushion
24 in the lowered or deflated position, the individual would set
the dial 64 on the valve 62 to the fill position 70 and press the
on button 52 thereby actuating the air pump 48 to draw in air 84
and force air 84 through the air hose 60 and into the cavity 34 for
filling and inflating the interior cavity 34 of the cushion 24.
After full inflation of the cushion 24 the individual would press
the off button 54 and carefully ease into the bathtub 12 and sit
upon the non-slip surface 36 gripping and holding onto the handle
portions 40 for balance and stability. The individual would then
set the dial 64 on the airflow control and release valve 62 to the
empty setting 68 and the on button 52 and the reverse button 56
would then be pressed thereby actuating the pump 48 (the motor 80
and fan 82 unit) to withdraw air 84 from the interior cavity 34
back through the air hose 60 resulting in the deflation and
lowering of the cushion 24. As air 84 is withdrawn from the
interior cavity 34 the sections 46 simultaneously contract in an
accordion-like manner thereby facilitating the uniform lowering of
the entire cushion 24 and with the individual seated thereon into
the bathtub 12. Upon deflation of the cushion 24 to the desired
level (FIG. 3 shows the cushion 24 at complete deflation and FIG. 4
shows the cushion 24 at complete inflation), the individual would
then press the off button 54 on the electrical air pump 48 and
proceed to bathe. After bathing and draining the water from the
bathtub 12, the individual would then turn the dial 64 on the valve
62 to the fill setting 70 and then press the on button 52 on the
electrical pump 48. The electrical pump 48 would then be actuated
to direct air 84 through the air hose 60 and into the cavity 34
thereby inflating and elevating the cushion 24. As air 84 fills the
cavity 34 of the cushion 24, the sections 46 expand with respect to
each other in an accordion-like manner, and the cushion 24, with
the individual seated thereupon, inflates and raises the individual
in the bathtub 12 to a level adjacent the ledges 22 of the
sidewalls 14 of the bathtub 12. After the cushion 24 has been fully
inflated and elevated relative to the bathtub 12 sidewalls 14, the
individual would then press the off button 54 on the electrical
pump 48 and then proceed to carefully, but with ease, get out of
the bathtub 12.
[0036] While the invention has been illustrated in a bathtub lift
device, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,
since it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
numerous modifications, alterations, and variations can be made
without departing in any way, shape or manner from the spirit of
the present invention.
* * * * *