Bathing system

A bathing system comprising:

• a tub means adapted to hold water;
• a seat mounted in a position suitable for a bather to sit in it;
• means for moving said tub means from a bathing position in which it holds water to an entering and exiting position in which it is upright without substantially changing said position of said seat from said bathing position, whereby the bather may remain seated while said tub means moves from an entering and exiting position to the bathing position;
• said tub means having a depth, a height and a width with said depth extending from an edge forming an opening downwardly to a closed bottom whereby when said tub means is in bathing position, said depth extends downwardly into said water and when said tub means is in an entering position, said depth is horizontal;
• said means for moving including stationary base means for supporting said tub means;
• first and second transmission means;
• and motor means for driving said first transmission means;
• said first and second transmission means being engable, whereby said first transmission means can drive said second transmission means;
• one of said first and second transmission means being connected to said stationary base means and the other to said tub means, whereby said tub means may be moved from said entering position to said bathing position;
• said means for moving comprising means for moving the tub about a horizontal axis that remains during the movement at an elevation from a floor within the range of 15 inches to 40 inches, whereby the tub may be used in a confined space.

A bathing system comprising:

• a tub adapted to hold water;
• a seat mounted in a position suitable for a bather to sit in it;
• means for moving said tub from a bathing position in which it holds water to an entering and exiting position in which it is upright without substantially changing said position of said seat from said bathing position, whereby the bather may remain seated while said tub moves from an entering and exiting position to the bathing position;
• said tub having a depth, a height and a width, with said depth extending from an edge forming an opening downwardly to a closed bottom whereby when said tub is in bathing position, said depth extends downwardly into said water and when said tub is in an entering position, said depth is horizontal;
• said tub having a longitudinal axis, a semimean axis and a minor axis;
• said tub having a length in the direction of said longitudinal axis of less than 60 inches;
• said tub having a depth in the direction of said semimean axis in the range of 25 inches and 40 inches;
• said tub having a width along the minor axis in a range of 20 inches and 35 inches;
• said tub having a height above said seat to a wall of said tub of at least 36 inches when said tub is in said entering and exiting position;
• and a depth beneath said seat of at least 20 inches when said tub is in said entering and exiting position;
• and
• means for pivoting said tub, said seat and said means for moving about a vertical axis wherein said tub, said seat and said means for moving may be turned for easier storage while in the entering and exiting position and may be moved between the entering and exiting position within a confined space.

A method of using a bathing system having a tub means comprising the steps of:

• sitting in a seat mounted in a chamber means facing outwardly whereby the tub means is in an entering position and has its longitudinal axis vertical;
• moving said chamber means from a position in which its longitudinal axis is vertical while a bather is in the seat to a position in which it holds water;
• applying water;
• draining;
• moving the chamber means to an exiting position in which it is upright without substantially changing said position of said seat, whereby the bather may remain seated while said tub means moves between an entering or exiting position to the bathing position;
• applying warm air to said chamber means while its longitudinal axis is in a vertical position and while the seat is recessed in the chamber;
• and
• controlling the change of position from a control means mounted within three feet of said seat.