U.S. patent application number 12/633978 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for wall mounted lift chair.
Invention is credited to David Franklin Dean.
Application Number | 20110131720 12/633978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44080520 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110131720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dean; David Franklin |
June 9, 2011 |
Wall Mounted Lift Chair
Abstract
A wall mounted lift chair for assisting users with lowering
themselves to the bottom surface of a bathtub or raising themselves
out of the bathtub. The lift chair has a first frame securely
attached to a wall at one end of the bathtub. A second frame is
slidably adjacent to the first frame to support a seat assembly
having a chair on which the user sits while moving and bathing. A
lift mechanism connects the second frame to the first frame and
moves the second frame between an upper position at a top edge of
the bathtub and a lower position at the bottom surface of the
bathtub. The seat assembly pivots outward for ease of getting on
the chair and a lower chair section pivots upward when not in use.
Preferably, the lift mechanism is electrically powered and the
controls are on an arm member attached to the chair.
Inventors: |
Dean; David Franklin;
(Visalia, CA) |
Family ID: |
44080520 |
Appl. No.: |
12/633978 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/564.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/12 20130101; A61G
7/1092 20130101; A61G 7/1019 20130101; A61G 7/1059 20130101; A61G
7/1003 20130101; A61G 7/1076 20130101; A61G 2203/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/564.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/02 20060101
A47K003/02 |
Claims
1. A chair lift for a bathtub having a sidewall adjacent a wall,
said chair lift comprising: a first frame mounted to said wall,
said first frame comprising at least one upright frame member; a
second frame slidably disposed relative to said first frame; a seat
assembly attached to said second frame, said seat assembly having a
chair with an upper chair section and a lower chair section, at
least said lower chair section of said chair configured to be
placed in a bathing chamber of said bathtub; and a moving means
attached to said first frame for moving said seat assembly between
an upper position at or near a top edge of said bathtub and a lower
position at or near the bottom surface of said bathtub, said moving
means having a lift mechanism operatively interconnecting said
second frame and said first frame to raise and lower said second
frame so as to operatively move said seat assembly in response to
operation of said moving means.
2. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said moving means moves said
seat assembly from an upper position above said top edge of said
bathtub to said bottom surface.
3. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said first frame comprises a
first upright frame member and a second upright frame member in
spaced apart relation.
4. The chair lift of claim 3, wherein said first frame further
comprises one or more cross-members interconnecting said first
upright frame member and said second upright frame member.
5. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said second frame is adjacent
to said first frame.
6. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said seat assembly is
pivotally attached to said second frame so as to dispose said chair
over an upper surface of said bathtub.
7. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said seat assembly further
comprises one or more chair frame members attached to said second
frame, said chair attached to said one or more chair frame
members.
8. The chair lift of claim 7, wherein at least one of said one or
more chair frame members is pivotally attached to said second frame
so as to dispose said chair over an upper surface of said
bathtub.
9. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said lower section is
pivotally disposed relative to said upper chair section.
10. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said moving means comprises
at least one bracket disposed on at least one of said first upright
frame member and said second upright frame member.
11. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said lift mechanism is
powered by an electric motor connected to a source of electric
power.
12. The chair lift of claim 1, wherein said lift mechanism is a
chain-drive lift mechanism.
13. A chair lift for a bathtub having a sidewall adjacent a wall,
said chair lift comprising: a first frame mounted to said wall,
said first frame comprising at least a first upright frame member
and a second upright frame member, said second upright frame member
in spaced apart relation to said first upright frame member; a
second frame slidably disposed against said first frame; a seat
assembly attached to said second frame, said seat assembly having a
chair with an upper chair section and a lower chair section, at
least said lower chair section of said chair configured to be
placed in a bathing chamber of said bathtub; and a moving means
attached to said first frame for moving said seat assembly between
an upper position above a top edge of said bathtub and a lower
position at or near the bottom surface of said bathtub, said moving
means having a lift mechanism operatively interconnecting said
second frame and said first frame to raise and lower said second
frame so as to operatively move said seat assembly in response to
operation of said moving means.
14. The chair lift of claim 13, wherein said seat assembly is
pivotally attached to said second frame so as to dispose said chair
over an upper surface of said bathtub.
15. The chair lift of claim 13, wherein said seat assembly further
comprises one or more chair frame members attached to said second
frame, said upper chair section attached to said one or more chair
frame members.
16. The chair lift of claim 15, wherein at least one of said one or
more chair frame members is pivotally attached to said second frame
so as to dispose said lower section of said chair over an upper
surface of said bathtub.
17. The chair lift of claim 13, wherein said lower chair section is
pivotally disposed relative to said upper chair section.
18. A chair lift for a bathtub having a sidewall adjacent a wall,
said chair lift comprising: a first frame mounted to said wall,
said first frame comprising at least a first upright frame member
and a second upright frame member, said second upright frame member
held in spaced apart relation to said first upright frame member by
one or more cross-members; a second frame slidably disposed against
said first frame; a seat assembly pivotally attached to said second
frame, said seat assembly having a chair with an upper chair
section and a lower chair section, at least said lower chair
section of said chair configured to be placed in a bathing chamber
of said bathtub; and a moving means attached to said first frame
for moving said seat assembly between an upper position above a top
edge of said bathtub and a lower position at or near the bottom
surface of said bathtub, said moving means having a lift mechanism
operatively interconnecting said second frame and said first frame
to raise and lower said second frame so as to operatively move said
seat assembly in response to operation of said moving means.
19. The chair lift of claim 18, wherein said seat assembly further
comprises one or more chair frame members interconnecting said
upper chair section and said second frame, at least one of one or
more chair frame members pivotally attached to said second frame so
as to dispose said chair over an upper surface of said bathtub.
20. The chair lift of claim 19, wherein said lower chair section of
said chair is pivotally disposed relative to said upper chair
section.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A. Field of the Invention
[0004] The field of the present invention relates generally to lift
apparatuses that are configured to support an injured or physically
incapacitated person while raising and lowering him or her into a
tub enclosure or the like. More specifically, this invention
relates to such lift apparatuses that are configured as a chair or
like seating device upon which the person sits while bathing. Even
more specifically, this invention relates to such lift apparatuses
that are mounted to a wall to assist users getting into and out of
a bathtub or the like.
[0005] B. Background
[0006] Many people enjoy taking a bath in a bathtub or otherwise
sitting in a tub-like enclosure filled or partially filed with
water, including bathtubs which have jetted water spray, spas and
like tub enclosures, for cleaning and/or therapeutic purposes. As
commonly utilized in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, hospitals
and other living quarters, bathtub and similar tub enclosures are
generally oval or rectangular shaped with a peripherally disposed
sidewall that rises substantially vertically above the bottom of
the tub on which the person sits. Spas and the like often have a
seat or shelf-like projection that serves as the seat. Most
bathtubs and some spas are located in separate rooms, such as a
bathroom, and are positioned with at least one end of the bathtub
or spa adjacent to one of the walls that form the room. For
purposes of the present disclosure, bathtubs, spas and other
bathtub-like enclosures that are positioned next to a wall, whether
part of a bathroom or not, are collectively referred to herein as
"bathtubs". One benefit of sit in bathtubs, as opposed to showers
which the person must stand in while bathing, is that the person
can sit in the water while he or she soaks the lower portion of his
or her body.
[0007] To utilize a bathtub for bathing purposes, a person first
gets into the bathtub by stepping over one of its sidewalls and
then lowers himself or herself, often by supporting at least some
of his or her weight on the sidewalls, to a sitting position on the
bottom of the bathtub. When bathing is completed, he or she must
rise up from the bottom of the bathtub, usually while supporting
his or her weight on the sidewall of the bathtub, and then step
back over the sidewall of the bathtub onto the bottom of the
bathroom. For most persons, getting in and out of, sitting in and
raising up in bathtub is not difficult. In fact, by utilizing
support rails or other support fixtures, most people are able to
step over the sidewall of the bathtub to get into or out of the
bathtub. For many people, however, the act of sitting down in the
bathtub or rising up from the sitting position is very difficult,
if not somewhat impossible, and often cannot be accomplished on
their own due to the inability to lower themselves to the bottom of
the bathtub and/or inability to pull themselves up from bottom of
the bathtub. These problems are frequently encountered by elderly
and disabled persons.
[0008] Statistics show that elderly and disabled people are more
frequently injured while trying to get into or out of a bathtub
than younger and/or fully abled persons. Problems associated with
moving in and out of a bathtub for the aged or disabled are
generally due to the loss of physical capabilities and poor design,
from such a person's viewpoint, of the bathtub and its associated
enclosure. For example, the elderly or disabled generally have more
difficulty bending over and kneeling down and are often constrained
by limited reach and poor grip strength. In addition, many elderly
and disabled persons may have poor balance, which adversely affects
their stability. These physical limitations can negatively impact
the ability of the elderly or disabled person to transfer himself
or herself into or out of a bathtub. In order to compensate for
loss of physical capabilities, such persons may over-exert
themselves, which can seriously affect their safety.
[0009] Persons who are unable to easily and safely transfer in and
out of a bathtub must either abandon tub-oriented bathing or have
assistance from family members and/or other care givers for such
bathing. For those who have had to abandon bathing in a bathtub,
such abandonment typically represents a major loss of enjoyment for
the person. For those persons who rely on a care giver to move them
in and out of a bathtub, such reliance can represent a significant
loss of independence. In addition, many care givers consider
getting another person in and out of a bathtub as one of the
hardest tasks they perform. The relatively narrow space and awkward
layout of most bathrooms often makes it difficult to for the care
giver to easily assist another person with the movements necessary
to get the person into or out of a seating position in the bathtub.
In addition, poor balance and the lack of strength can result in a
well-placed fear of falling that negatively impacts the person's
ability to enjoy the bathing experience. Awkward bathtub shapes and
slippery conditions can greatly add to problems of getting into and
out of a bathtub and assisting others with such tasks.
[0010] A number of prior part patents are directed to apparatuses
that are configured to assist a person in a bathtub with lowering
himself or herself into the bathtub and then raising himself or
herself up from the bathtub so he or she may exit the bathtub. For
instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,409 to Sherlock, et al. discloses a
relatively complex bath lifting system that comprises a seat
attached to a guiding assembly, a lifting assembly and a lifting
power system. The seat is raised and lowered inside a bathtub by
the lifting device positioned inside the bathtub as it is guided by
the guiding assembly from an upper position above one sidewall of
the bathtub to a lower position near the bottom of the bathtub. The
preferred lifting power system comprises a fluid control system, a
leverage system and a return mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,146 to
O'Brien, et al. discloses a elevating bath system comprising a
vertically displaced seat that is supported by a frame structure
configured to fit within the bathtub and utilize household water
pressure to elevate and lower the user. The lifting force is
provided by a lifting bladder arrangement and the frame structure
serves as a linear guide for the up and down travel of the seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,509 to Richards discloses an apparatus for
assisting persons in and out of a bathtub comprising a base having
suckers that attach to the bottom of the bathtub, a lifting column
supported by the base, a seat supported by the base and an
electrically powered actuator to raise and lower the seat relative
to the base. The lifting column is a telescopically configured with
the upper portion thereof that extends and retracts to raise or
lower the seat relative to the bottom of the bathtub. U.S. Pat. No.
5,168,585 to Cox discloses a bath lift comprising a U-shaped frame
supported by the upper edges of the bathtub sidewalls, a seat
supported by the frame and a lowering/raising mechanism that lowers
and raises the seat relative to the frame. The lowering/raising
mechanism comprises webbing tapes that interconnect the seat with
parallel winding shafts that are rotatably supported on the frame
and turned by separate electric motors to raise and lower the seat
assembly in a windlass-fashion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,984 to Gobbers,
et al. discloses a bathtub lift apparatus comprising a seat
supported by a scissor-like frame that is operated by a drive
mechanism to lower or raise the seat inside the bathtub. The
backrest of the seat can be tilted backward when the seat is at its
lower position for comfort of use and tilted upright when the seat
is at its upper position for ease of exiting the bathtub. U.S. Pat.
No. Des. 392,808 discloses a bath lift device that comprises a
free-standing frame that rests on the bottom of a bathtub, a seat
that has folded arm extensions and a power mechanism that moves up
and down on the vertical portion of the frame to raise and lower
the person sitting on the seat.
[0011] Although the prior art does disclose various bath lifting
apparatuses that are utilized to lower a person into a bathtub for
bathing and then to raise them for exiting the bathtub, these
devices are not widely available despite the large number of people
who could benefit from such apparatuses. What is needed, therefore,
is an improved bath lift apparatus that is configured to lower a
person to or near the bottom of the bathtub for bathing and to
raise the person to or near the top of the bathtub upon completion
of the bath to assist the person in exiting the bathtub. Such an
improved bath lift apparatus should comprise a seat that moves up
and down relative to the bathtub to allow the user to easily and
safely lower himself or herself toward the bottom the bathtub for
bathing and raise himself or herself to the top of the bathtub when
he or she desires to exit the bathtub. The improved bath lift
apparatus should attach to a wall adjacent one end of the bathtub
and allow the seat to pivot in relation to the bathtub for ingress
and egress from the bathtub. The preferred apparatus should be easy
to use, easy to install and adaptable to a wide range of bathtubs
and bathrooms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The wall mounted lift chair of the present invention
provides the benefits and solves the problems identified above.
That is to say, the present invention discloses a lift chair which
attaches to a wall adjacent one end of a bathtub to lower the user
toward the bottom of the bathtub for bathing and raise the user to
the top of the bathtub to assist in exiting the bathtub. The
improved lift chair of the present invention allows the user to
easily and safely move between a position at the top of the bathtub
and a position at the bottom of the bathtub without having a care
giver assist him or her in such movement. The seat of the lift
chair moves up and down relative to the bathtub and pivots at or
near the top of the bathtub for ease of ingress and egress. In the
preferred embodiment, the lift chair of the present invention is
configured so as to be easy to install, easy to use and adaptable
to a wide variety of different bathtubs and the like that have a
wall at one end thereof.
[0013] In a primary embodiment of the present invention, the wall
mounted lift chair generally comprises a first frame that attaches
to a wall at one end of a bathtub or the like, a second frame that
is slidably disposed relative to the first frame, a seat assembly
pivotally mounted to the second frame and an electrically powered
moving mechanism that moves the seat assembly and user up and down
inside the bathtub. In the preferred embodiment, the first frame
has at least a first upright frame member and a second upright
frame member that are held in spaced apart relation by one or more
cross-members and the second frame is slidably disposed against the
first frame. Preferably, the seat assembly is pivotally attached to
the second frame for ease of getting into and out of the bathtub
and it comprises a chair having an upper chair section and a lower
chair section, with at least the lower chair section being
configured to be placed in a bathing chamber of the bathtub. The
moving mechanism is attached to the first frame and is configured
to move the seat assembly, which is attached to the second frame,
between an upper position above a top edge of the bathtub and a
lower position at or near the bottom surface of the bathtub.
Preferably, the chair of the seat assembly is moved above an upper
surface of the bathtub when in its upper position. In the preferred
embodiment, the moving mechanism has a lift mechanism which
operatively interconnects the second frame and the first frame so
as to raise and lower the second frame and operatively move the
seat assembly in response to operation of the moving mechanism. The
moving mechanism can comprise a hydraulic motor hydraulically
connected to a one or more hydraulic rams located behind and under
the chair on which the user sits to move the seat assembly up and
down. Alternatively, an electrically powered chain-drive mechanism
can be utilized. Preferably, the seat assembly has one or more
chair frame members that connect the upper chair section to the
second frame, with at least one of one or more chair frame members
being pivotally attached to the second frame to selectively dispose
the chair over an upper surface of the bathtub. In the preferred
embodiment, the lower chair section of the chair is pivotally
disposed relative to the upper chair section so it may be folded
upward and out of the way for persons using the bathtub who do not
require the assistance of the lift chair.
[0014] Accordingly, the primary aspect of the present invention is
to provide a wall mounted lift chair for use with bathtubs that has
the advantages discussed above and which overcomes the
disadvantages and limitations associated with prior art apparatuses
for lowering and raising a person into and out of a bathtub.
[0015] It is an important aspect of the present invention to
provide a wall mounted lift chair that allows the user to easily,
safely and conveniently lower himself or herself from the top edge
of the bathtub to the bottom of the bathtub for bathing and then
raise the user back to the top of the bathtub when he or she is
ready to exit the bathtub.
[0016] It is also an important aspect of the present invention to
provide a wall mounted lift chair for use with bathtubs that has a
frame component which mounts to a wall adjacent one end of a
bathtub, a seat which lowers and raises a user relative to the
bathtub and a moving mechanism which lowers and raises the seated
user relative to the bottom of the bathtub.
[0017] It is also an important aspect of the present invention to
provide a wall mounted lift chair that has a seat which pivots
relative to a frame that mounts to a wall at one end of the bathtub
for ease of entering and exiting the bathtub.
[0018] It is also an important aspect of the present invention to
provide a wall mounted lift chair that has a seat which folds out
of the way when it is not necessary to utilize the lift chair for
entering or exiting a bathtub.
[0019] Another important aspect of the present invention is to
provide a wall mounted lift chair that is easy to install, easy to
use and adaptable to a wide variety of bathtubs and bathrooms.
[0020] The above and other aspects and advantages of the present
invention are explained in greater detail by reference to the
attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment
which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides
in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and
combination of the above presently described and understood by the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments
and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the
present invention:
[0022] FIG. 1 is an end perspective view of a wall mounted lift
chair that is configured according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention with the seat shown in its upper position;
[0023] FIG. 2 is an end perspective view of the wall mounted lift
chair of FIG. 1 with the seat in its lowered position for
bathing;
[0024] FIG. 3 is an end perspective view of the wall mounted lift
chair of FIG. 2 with the seat removed to better illustrate the
remaining components thereof;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an end perspective view of the wall mounted lift
chair of FIG. 1 with the seat shown in the pivoted position for
ease of ingress and egress from the bathtub; and
[0026] FIG. 5 is an end perspective view of the wall mounted lift
chair of FIG. 1 with the seat in its folded position when use of
the lift chair is not needed for bathing;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] With reference to the figures where like elements have been
given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's
understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments
of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed text and
drawings are merely illustrative of one or more preferred
embodiments and, as such, disclose one or more different ways of
configuring the present invention. Although specific components,
materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be
understood that a number of variations to the components and to the
configuration of those components described herein and in the
accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and
function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although
the figures and description provided herein show a certain
configuration for the bathtub and the components of a preferred
embodiment of the lift chair, those skilled in the art will readily
understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying this
disclosure and that the present invention is not so limited.
[0028] A wall mounted lift chair that is configured pursuant to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as
10 in the figures. As set forth in more detail below, the wall
mounted lift chair 10 is configured for use with a bathtub 12
having a wall 14 that is adjacent or at least generally adjacent a
first end 16 of the bathtub 12. Typically, the first end 16 will be
opposite a second end 18, at least for generally rectangular or
oval shaped bathtubs 12, that has the bathtub faucet and fluid
controls, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5. As well known in the
art, a conventional bathtub 12 has, depending on its shape, one or
more peripherally disposed upright sidewalls 20 that surround a
bottom surface 22 on which the user normally sits while taking a
bath or stands if the bathtub 12 is also configured with shower
components (not shown). The sidewalls 20 are generally somewhat
vertically disposed, at least on the outside of the bathtub 12,
with a top edge 24 that defines a peripherally disposed upper
surface 26 along the sidewalls 20. The sidewalls 20, bottom surface
22 and top edge 24 of bathtub 12 define a bathing chamber 28, open
along the upper surface 26, in which the user sits while he or she
is bathing. Typically, bathtub 12 has a generally rectangular or
elongated oval shape and a plurality of the sidewalls 20 are
positioned next to a wall of the bathroom or other room in which
the bathtub 12 is located. Although other shapes of bathtub 12 can
be utilized with chair lift 10, an elongated shape, typically
rectangular or oval, will generally be preferred. For purposes of
the present invention, one of the sidewalls, shown as 20a, at one
end of bathtub 12 must be adjacent wall 14 on which chair lift 10
is securely mounted, as set forth below. In the preferred
embodiment, the sidewall 20a that is adjacent wall 14 is at the
first end 16 of bathtub 12, such that the chair lift 10 is mounted
away from the faucet and other bathtub controls, as shown in the
figures.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, chair
lift 10 generally comprises a first frame 30 that is securely
attached to wall 14 adjacent the first end 16 of bathtub 12 above
sidewall 20a, a second frame 32 that is slidably disposed relative
to first frame 30, a seat assembly 34 that is mounted to the second
frame 32 and a moving means 36 having a lift mechanism 38 that
operatively interconnects the second frame 32 with the first frame
30 for moving the seat assembly 34 (with the user sitting thereon)
up and down between its upper position 40 at or near the top edge
24 of bathtub 12 and its lower position 42 at or near the bottom
surface 22 of bathtub 12, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As set in
more detail below, the chair lift 10 generally moves the user into
and out of the bathing chamber 28 of bathtub 12 so he or she may
take a bath without having to lower himself or herself in and out
of the bathtub 12. As described above, for may elderly, disabled or
incapacitated persons, the act of lowering oneself to a sitting
position on the bottom surface 22 of bathtub 12 and then raising
oneself from that sitting position can be difficult, if not
impossible, to accomplish without assistance from a care giver.
Even with a care giver, the configuration of the typical bathroom
and bathtub 12 can cause difficulties for the user and care giver.
The chair lift of the present invention significantly eases the
user's transition from a standing position to a sitting position at
or near the bottom surface 22 of the bathtub 12 for bathing and
then the transition from the sitting position at the bottom surface
22 back to a position where the user can more easily exit the
bathtub 12.
[0030] As shown in the figures, first frame 30 comprises at least
one upright frame member that is attached to the wall 14 adjacent
sidewall 20a in a manner that securely supports lift chair 10 at or
above the top edge 24 of the first end 16 of bathtub 12. In the
preferred embodiment of lift chair 10, the first frame 30 comprises
a pair of upright frame members, namely first upright frame member
44 and second upright frame member 46, that are held in spaced
apart relation by an upper cross-member 48 and a lower cross-member
50, as best shown in FIG. 3 (with the seat assembly 34 removed from
lift chair 10), to configure the first frame 30 with an elongated
rectangular shape. The use of the pair of upright frame members
44/46 provides more weight distribution and support for the seat
assembly 34 and the user sitting thereon than the use of a single
upright frame member. Although the upright frame members 44/46 can
be attached to wall 14 in spaced apart relation without
cross-members 48/50, the cross-members 48/50 will generally provide
more stability for chair lift 10 during installation and when in
use by the user for bathing. In a preferred embodiment, the lower
cross-member 50 is positioned on and supported by the upper surface
26 of the sidewall 20a that is adjacent to the wall 14, as shown in
FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0031] In one embodiment, the frame member 30 is securely mounted
to the wall 14, typically to the studs which support the wall 14,
with the use of one or more brackets at each of upright frame
members 44/46 such that the brackets interconnect the upright frame
members 44/46 with wall 14. If preferred, one or more brackets can
also be utilized with the upper cross-member 48 and/or lower
cross-member 50 to securely mount these components to wall 14 so as
to additionally secure first frame 30 to wall 14. Alternatively,
though generally not preferred, only the cross-members 48/50 can be
attached to wall 14 to mount first frame 30 to the wall 14. As will
be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, a wide variety
of brackets and or other attachment devices can be used to mount
first frame 30 to wall 14, including the use of screws, bolts or
other connectors that directly attach one or more of the frame
members 44-50 to wall 14.
[0032] The second frame 32, which comprises a plurality of frame
members 52, is slidably disposed relative to the first frame 30
such that it will move up and down along the first frame 30 to move
the seat assembly 34, which is attached to the frame members 52 of
second frame 32, up and down between the upper position 40 and the
lower position 42. As best shown in FIG. 3, the engaging mechanism
38 interconnects the second frame 32 with the component of the
moving mechanism 36 mounted on first frame 30 such that when the
moving mechanism 36 is operated the second frame 32, with the seat
assembly attached thereto, will move up and down to move the user
into and out of the bathing chamber 28 of bathtub 12. The frame
members 52 that make up the second frame 32 can be disposed in a
variety of different configurations. In the preferred embodiment,
the frame components 52 are configured to effectively track along
the upright frame members 44/46 of first frame 30, with the width
of second frame 32 being approximately the same as the length of
the cross-members 48/50 or the spacing between the upright frame
members 44/46, as best shown in FIG. 3, to provide additional
support for the user sitting on seat assembly 34.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, the seat assembly 34 comprises
a pair of chair frame members 54 and a chair 56 having an upper
chair section 58 securely attached to the chair frame members 54
and a lower chair section 60 pivotally attached to the upper chair
section 58 and/or the chair frame members 54, as best shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. As will be readily understood by those skilled
in the art, the user will sit on the upper surface of the lower
chair section 60 and lean against the outwardly facing surface of
the upper chair section 58 during use of chair lift 10 of the
present invention. The chair 56 should be made out of materials
that can function well in a wet environment, as the components
thereof will be exposed to water while in use in the bathing
chamber, and which are comfortable for the user to sit on and lean
against while he or she is bathing. In a preferred embodiment, the
upper 58 and lower 60 chair sections are made out of acrylic and/or
other plastic materials. Various other materials will be generally
suitable for use with chair 56. The back side of the upper section
58 of chair 56 is securely attached to the chair frame members 54
utilizing connectors, such as screws, bolts, rivets or the like,
adhesives, welding or other devices and/or processes suitable for
the materials utilized for chair frame members 54 and chair 56.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment, one of the chair frame members
54 of the seat assembly are pivotally connected to the second frame
32 to allow the user to pivot the chair 56 approximately 90.degree.
such that the seating position is facing away from the bathtub 12,
as shown in FIG. 4. The pivoting of chair 56 is useful to assist
the user with getting on and off of the lift chair 10 of the
present invention, particularly those users who have to move from a
wheelchair to the bathtub 12. A variety of pivoting devices can be
utilized to allow the seat assembly 34 to pivot relative to second
frame 32. In one embodiment, one or more hinges 62 are utilized to
pivotally connect one of the chair frame members 54 to the second
frame 32, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5. Although the figures
show a pair of hinges 62, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that one strong hinge or more than two hinges can be
utilized. Any such hinges 62 or other pivoting mechanism should be
sized and configured to support the weight of the seat assembly 32
and the anticipated user sitting on the lower chair section 60 of
chair 56 above the upper surface 26 of bathtub 12 and while the
user is moved between the upper position 40 and lower position 42
during the use of lift chair 10 while bathing. In another
embodiment, the pivoting mechanism can comprise one or more
hydraulic rams or other powered devices that provide powered pivot
action for the seat assembly 34. The powered mechanism can be
connected to the same source of power and operated by the same
controls that moves the seat assembly 34 up and down. The side of
seat assembly 34 generally opposite the side having the hinges 62
or other pivoting mechanism should have a locking latch or other
secure locking mechanism (not shown) that allows the seat assembly
34 to securely lock in its use position with the chair 56 disposed
above the sidewall 20a next to the wall 14. In this manner, the
user would first disengage the locking mechanism to allow the seat
assembly 56 to pivot to the position shown in FIG. 4 and then,
while sitting in the chair 56, the user would pivot the seat
assembly 34 back to the position shown in FIG. 1 with his or her
legs in the bathing chamber 28 of bathtub 12 ready to operate the
lift chair 10 to lower himself or herself to at or near the bottom
surface 22.
[0035] Preferably, the seat assembly 34 also includes seat belt
assembly comprising a belt 64 and a buckle 66, as shown in FIGS. 1,
2 and 4, to allow the user to secure himself or herself to the
chair 56 or a care giver to secure the user to chair 56 so as to
prevent the user from sliding off of the lift chair 10 during use
thereof to take a bath. As will be readily appreciated by those
skilled in the art, a wide variety of different types of seat belt
assemblies can be utilized with the seat assembly 34 of lift chair
10. The preferred embodiment of the seat assembly 34 also includes
an arm member 68 that extends outward from the chair 56, as shown
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The arm member 68 provides two functions.
First, the arm member 68 helps prevent the user from sliding off
the lower chair section 60 while he or she is sitting in chair 56
when it is in its pivoted position, shown in FIG. 4, and moving to
the upper position 40 shown in FIG. 1. Second, the arm member 68
provides a location where the control mechanism 70 can be placed to
allow the user to control the movement of the seat assembly 34 as
it moves up and down and, if applicable, as it pivots outward and
inward. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the control
mechanism 70 is a joystick type of device. As will be understood by
those skilled in the art, a variety of devices can be utilized for
control mechanism 70, including one or more buttons, balls or the
like or a combination of such devices.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the seat assembly is configured
to allow the lower chair section 60 to pivot upward against the
upper chair section 58, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the lift chair
10 can be substantially out of the way if someone wishes to take a
bath in bathtub 12 without lift chair 10. The lower chair section
60 can be pivotally attached to the upper chair section 58 and/or
to the chair frame members 54. Alternatively, the chair frame
members 54 can be configured to pivot relative to the second frame
32. Typically, it will be preferred that when the lower chair
section 60 is pivoted upward, as shown in FIG. 5, that the
outwardly facing surface thereof, which is the lower surface of the
lower chair section 60 when in use, is smooth and relatively
comfortable so a person sitting in bathtub 12 without using lift
chair 10 can lean his or her head against the lower chair section
60 while enjoying a bath.
[0037] As set forth above, the seat assembly 34 is moved up and
down on first frame 30 by a moving means 36 that slidably connects
the second frame 32 to the first frame 30. In a preferred
embodiment, moving means 36 comprises a pair of opposite facing
brackets 72 attached to the inside surfaces of the first 44 and
second 46 upright frame members, as shown in FIGS. 1-5. The
brackets 72 support a hydraulic ram assembly 38 that is positioned
behind and below the chair 56 and which moves the seat assembly 34
up and down to raise and lower the second frame 32 with the seat
assembly 34 attached thereto and a user sitting on the lower chair
section 58. A motor 74, which for the hydraulic ram assembly is a
hydraulic motor, pressurizes fluid and directs it through hose 76
to power the hydraulic ram system 38. The hydraulic motor 74
connects to a source of power (i.e., an outlet 78) via power cord
80. The various components and the configuration of such hydraulic
systems 38 are well known in the art and are incorporated herein.
In another embodiment, moving means 36 comprises a chain-drive lift
mechanism 38 that is powered by an electric motor 74, which
connects to the lift mechanism 38 via a cable. The configuration
for such moving means 36 are also well known in the art. The
hydraulic or electric motor 74 and other electrical components must
be selected to be usable in a wet environment as it is very likely
they will be exposed to water from the bathtub 12. In a preferred
configuration, the motor 74 will be placed on or near the floor
below or behind a commode that is located near the bathtub 12.
[0038] In use, the lift chair 10 of the present invention is
installed on a wall 14 that is adjacent one end of a bathtub 12,
such as the first end 16 shown in the figures. One or more of the
frame members 44-50 of the first frame 30 are securely attached to
the wall 14, typically to the studs or other support members behind
the wall. When not in use, the lift chair 10 is typically stored
with the lower chair section 60 of the seat assembly folded upward,
as shown in FIG. 5. When the user desires to take a bath, he or she
approaches the bathtub 12 and folds down the lower chair section 60
to place the seat assembly 34 of the lift chair 10 in its upper
position shown in FIG. 1. Typically, the chair 56 is then pivoted
outward, as shown in FIG. 4, so the user can sit on the lower chair
section 60. The user then rotates the seat assembly 34, with
himself or herself sitting on the chair 56, around until the chair
56 is facing the opposite end of the bathtub 12, which is shown as
the second end 18 in the figures, and the chair frame members 54
engage the locking mechanism on the far side of the second frame
32. In an alternative use, the user can step over the outside
sidewall 20 and enter the bathing chamber 28 with the seat assembly
34 in the upper position 40 and sit on the lower chair section 60
inside bathtub 12. In either use, once the user sits on the chair
56, he or she should secure the loose end of the seat belt 64 to
the buckle 66 to prevent falling off of the seat assembly 34 while
it is moving. Once the user is secured in a sitting position on the
lower chair section 60 at the upper position 40, he or she operates
the control mechanism 70 to lower the seat assembly and
himself/herself to the lower position 42 at or near the bottom
surface 22 of the bathtub 12 and takes a bath. When the user is
done bathing, he or she operates the control mechanism 70 to raise
the seat assembly 34 and himself/herself to back to the upper
position 40. The user can unbuckle the seat belt assembly and raise
up and exit the bathtub 12 directly by stepping back over the
sidewall 20 or first unlock the locking mechanism and pivot the
seat assembly 34 outward and exit outside of the bathtub 12.
[0039] While there are shown and described herein a specific form
of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to
various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In
particular, it should be noted that the present invention is
subject to modification with regard to any dimensional
relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly,
materials, size, shape and use. For instance, there are numerous
components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent
functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present
invention.
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