Inflatable bathtub
OwnerKathleen E. Deschlerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bathtub which can be inflated about a bed-ridden patient with minimum inconvenience to the patient is disclosed. Inflatable tubular cells form the sidewalls which support an impermeable liner forming an enclosure. A cover extends between the sidewalls. Conduits for water supply and drainage communicate with the enclosure. The supply system includes a spray system to direct water against the prone patient. An independent water recirculation system and thermostatically controlled heater may also be incorporated.
Claims4
A portable bathtub which can be pneumatically erected about a bed-ridden patient supported on the patient's bed, said bathtub comprising:
- a. tub means including:
- i. a floor of generally impervious material;
- ii. generally tubular sidewalls secured to said floor and inflatable to define a generally longitudinal self-supporting enclosure to accommodate the patient, said floor and sidewalls in a deflated condition being portable and adapted to be supported on a bed surface along side a bed-ridden patient;
- b. a cover extending from said sidewalls and across the enclosure to prevent water from splashing therefrom and to ensure patient privacy, said covering having fastening means associated therewith which can be selectively opened and closed to admit the patient into said enclosure;
- said enclosure defining an opening for at least the head of said patient;
- c. a drain outlet attached to sid tub means connectable to a drain for selectively draining water from said enclosure;
- and
- d. water supply means including:
- i. conduit means attachable to a water source and connected to tub means;
- ii. spray means connected to said conduit means and secured to one of the said cover or said sidewall means within the enclosure oriented to deliver a spray of water on the enclosed patient whereby the bathtub can be located on the bed adjacent to the bed-ridden patient in a deflated condition and inflated to a self-supporting position of use about the patient and connected to a water supply to deliver a spray of water directed onto the body of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.