Auxiliary bathtub for invalids
OwnerJohn E. Budlonginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An auxiliary bathtub mounted above a conventional bathtub for use by invalids. The bathtub includes a rectangular frame approximating the shape of the conventional bathtub formed by a pair of parallel end walls and side walls. A flexible, waterproof liner extends between the side and end walls and along the inside faces thereof to form a watertight container. At least one of the side walls pivots downwardly to allow entry and exit from the tub. The pivoting side wall is held in its upright position by a releasable latching mechanism actuated through a release cord extending along the outside face of the side wall. A planar seat extends across one end of the tub beneath the liner to support the bather.
Claims10
An auxiliary bathtub for horizontal placement to be used on the top of a conventional bathtub and for vertical placement during temporary non use at the end of the conventional bathtub opposite the faucet end, and for convenient manipulation between such placements, utilizing rolling and pivoting movement, and for convenient filling and draining by using the faucets and drain of the conventional bathtub, thereby providing an invalid with an opportunity of bathing at a level of the top of the conventional bath and essentially near a normal sitting level in a regular bathroom facility, comprising:
- a. a frame for receiving upright walls which in turn define a bathing volume and for placement over a conventional bathtub,
- b. upright end walls defining the ends of the bathing volume, each end wall being secured to the frame
- c. upright side walls defining the sides of a bathing volume, each side wall being secured to the frame, and at least one side wall being pivotally secured for movement to a horizontal position substantially in the plane of the frame;
- d. a seat secured to the frame and positioned adjacent one end wall substantially in the plane of the frame;
- and
- e. a flexible, continuous, and watertight, liner defining a bathing volume draped over the seat, ends walls and side walls, having sufficient material to accommodate the pivoting of one side wall to the horizontal position substantially in the plane of the frame and the seat when then the side wall becomes an extension of the seat, the liner being secured at its top to the tops of the end walls and side walls.
An auxiliary bathtub for horizontal placement to be used on the top of a conventional bathtub and for vertical placement during temporary non use at the end of the conventional bathtub opposite the faucet end, and for convenient manipulation between such placements, utilizing rolling and pivoting movements, and for convenient filling and draining by using the faucets and drain of the conventional bathtub, thereby providing an invalid with an opportunity of bathting at a level of the top of the conventional bathtub and essentialy near a nomal sitting level in a regular bathroom facility, comprising:
- a. a frame for receiving upright walls which in turn define a bathing volume and for placement over a conventional bathtub;
- b. upright end walls defining the ends of a bathing volume, each end wall being secured to the frame;
- c. upright side walls defining the sides of a bathing volume, each side wall being secured to the frame, and at least one side wall being pivotally secured for movement to a horizontal position substantially in the plane of the frame;
- d. a seat secured to the frame and positioned adjacent one end wall substantially in the plane of the frame;
- e. a flexible, continuous, and watertight, liner defining a bathing volume draped over the seat, end walls, and side walls, having sufficient material to accommodate the pivoting of one side wall to the horizontal position substantially in the plane of the frame and the seat when then the side wall becomes an extension of the seat for an invalid to use in getting to the coplanar seat, the liner being secured at its top to the tops of the end walls and side walls;
- f. a fastening subassembly with portions thereof mounted on both the frame and the pivotal side wall, whereby upon pivoting the side wall to its upright position, the fastening subassembly automatically secures the side wall in place, and whereby, upon a movement of hand of the invalid bather alongside the pivotal upright side, the fastening subassembly is released by the invalid, resulting in the pivotal upright side then pivoting to a horizontal position, where it becomes an extension of the seat for the invalids use in getting out of the auxiliary bathtub;
- g. a drain subassembly for securement to the flexible, continuous, and watertight liner at a place removed from the seat, where the liner is not directly supported, except at the top of the side walls, and therefore the liner depends below the seat level at this drain location, facilitating the draining of the auxiliary bathtub, and also during the invalid's bathing providing a more comfortable flexible support for his or her legs and feet in somewhat deeper water;
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- h. hoses and fittings, whereby the water available to the conventional bathtub, upon operating the conventional bathtub faucets, is delivered to the bathing volume defined by the liner supported by the end walls and side walls of the auxiliary bathtub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.