US 4,365,367 A · Bathing units with door controller

Abstract

A bathing apparatus for invalids and the like, comprises a bathtub having a lateral opening in one side thereof for invalid ingress and egress, a door selectively closing the bathtub opening, and a seal positioned between the door and the bathtub. The door is slidably mounted in a pair of tracks disposed on opposite sides of the door for vertically translating the door between open and closed positions. A counterbalance for the door comprises a pair of spools mounted on opposite ends of a spring loaded axle, and a pair of flexible lines having one pair of ends wrapped around the spools, and the opposite ends attached to the door, whereby downward translation of the door tenses the spring and counterbalances the weight of the door. A lock for the door comprises a foot operated lever arrangement, which engages both sides of the door and positively pulls the same downwardly against the seal into the closed position.

Claims22

Dependent claims

In combination, a bathing apparatus for invalids and the like, comprising a bathtub having a lateral opening in one side thereof for invalid ingress and egress, a door selectively closing said bathtub opening, means for forming a seal between said door and said bathtub when said door is in a closed position, a pair of tracks supported on opposite sides of said door and extending vertically upwardly, and means for slidably mounting said door on said tracks for vertical translation, a counterbalance for said door, comprising:

first and second flexible lines having first ends thereof attached to opposite sides of said door;
an axle rotatably mounted adjacent said bathing apparatus;
first and second spools attached to said axle for rotation therewith, and having second ends of said lines connected with a different one of said spools and wrapped thereabout, whereby axle rotation translates said lines;
a spring having one end fixed and the other end connected with said axle whereby downward translation of said door tenses said spring and counterbalances the weight of said door.

1 more element

In combination, a bathing apparatus for invalids and the like, comprising a bathtub having a lateral opening in one side for invalid ingress and egress, wherein said opening is defined by a lip having a generally wedge-shaped contour which opens upwardly;

a door selectively closing said opening, including a sealing edge with a generally wedge shape which conforms to the contour of said lip;
a compression seal connected with one of said lip and said sealing edge;
and means for vertically translating said door into a closed position wherein said door and said bathtub are converged to compress said seal between said lip and said sealing edge and form a seal therebetween which is leakproof when said bathtub is filled with water to a level substantially above a base portion of said lip for immersal bathing of an invalid, a door lock, comprising:
a lever pivotally mounted in a forward portion of one of said bathtub and said door at a first pivot point, and having an exposed end for manipulating said lever;
a latch arm pivotally mounted in said one of said bathtub and said door at a second pivot point, and including a first, outer end;
a catch connected with the other of said bathtub and said door, and being positioned adjacent to the lock engaging end of said latch arm for selective abutment therewith;
a link having one end pivotally connected with said lever at a third pivot point which is spaced apart from said first pivot point, and the other end of said link being pivotally connected with said latch arm at a fourth pivot point which is spaced apart from said third pivot point, whereby rotation of said lever pivots said latch arm outer end into engagement with said catch, and positively pulls said door downwardly into the closed position;
and
means for retaining said lever in the closed door position.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bathing units with door controller

Life of this patent

Bathing units with door controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22