Abstract:
A bath tub bathing aid includes a guide rail affixed to the bath tub and projecting beyond the perimeter of the tub substantially perpendicular thereto. The guide rail is affixed to the bath tub via mounting arms. The externally projected portion of the guide rail includes a leg that supports the guide rail by resting upon a floor surface. A bathing chair or seat is provided that travels along the guide rail as actuated by the control panel and driven by a mechanically coupled motor. A separate elevation motor is mechanically coupled to control raising and lowering the seat or chair, the elevation motor coupled to and directing extension and contraction of a plurality of cables via a pulley system. The bathing aid is connected to a power source.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/460,662, filed on Apr. 7, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to home health care aids and, more particularly, to a bath tub bathing aid comprising a bath chair having an integral mechanism that raises and lowers the chair and a user into a bathtub, thereby aiding in the bathing of physically disabled or handicapped individuals. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Persons that have a physical disability, including the elderly and disabled, recognize the difficulties that they encounter while performing tasks that many take for granted. Several activities, such as climbing stairs or bending over from the waist to attend to a shoe, are difficult for the elderly and disabled, and often requires extreme physical exertion to accomplish such tasks. In some instances, these activities are altogether impossible to accomplish without mechanical or personal assistance. One acknowledged activity that is extremely difficult for the elderly and the disabled is entering and exiting a conventional bathtub. For the elderly and disabled, entering and exiting a bathtub is a difficult and dangerous activity, and may result in serious physical injury and or death because the increased risk of slipping on a wet surface, the lack of grasping handles about the tub, the very hard and/or blunt surfaces of the tub and surrounding objects, among other reasons. These difficulties are compounded with those individuals who must be placed in and lifted out of a bath or shower. As a result, many people are forced to either bathe less frequently or they must obtain the assistance of two or more people to help them, which is often embarrassing and/or humiliating for the bathing party. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
         U.S. Pat. No. 2,045,110, issued in the name of Spiess, discloses a bathtub appliance that raises and lowers a user into and out of a tub;   U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,723, issued in the name of Carpenter, discloses a bath tub seat raised and lowered by a power lift mechanism;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,840, issued in the name of Asakawa et al., discloses a medical bed apparatus having a body frame, a hoisting assembly and a hammock supported from the hoisting assembly by hanging strings, the strings are used for raising and lowering the hammock via a number of drums above the hammock and assembly;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,112, issued in the name of Schaffer, discloses a bathtub chair lift having a chair coupled to a movable member, the movable member raised and lowered via a motor;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,482, issued in the name of Asakawa, discloses a device for raising and lowering a hammock or other body support structure onto a bed or other flat surface;   U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,131, issued in the name of Schaffer, discloses a fluid operated chair lift;   U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,168, issued in the name of Steadman, discloses an apparatus for moving a person into and out of a bath tub having a seat mounted to a pivot linkage for raising and lowering the seat;   U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,230, issued in the name of Lane, discloses a device for lifting a person into and out of a bathtub;   U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,860, issued in the name of Schaffer, discloses a chair lift for raising and lowering a seat into and out of a bathtub; and   U.S. Pat. No. Des. 360,024, issued in the name of Smith, discloses an ornamental design for a combination bathtub and sear for handicapped and elderly persons.       

   Consequently, a need exists for means by which those with physical disabilities can utilize a bathtub easily and in a safe manner while placing less strain on their care givers. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bathing aid for the physically impaired. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide a bathing aid for raising and lowering the physically impaired into and out of a bath tub. 
   It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a bathing aid affixed to a bath tub and governed by a control panel for raising and lowering the bathing aid. 
   It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a bathing aid having a seat or chair that travels along a guide rail via a motor, thereby allowing the user to set in the chair externally to the tub and then actuate transport along the guide rail to within the boundary of the tub. 
   It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a bathing aid having a seat or chair that reclines. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a bath tub bathing aid includes a guide rail affixed to the bath tub and projecting beyond the perimeter of the tub substantially perpendicular thereto. The guide rail is affixed to the bath tub via mounting arms. The externally projected portion of the guide rail includes a leg that supports the guide rail by resting upon a floor surface. A bathing chair or seat is provided that travels along the guide rail as actuated by the control panel and driven by a mechanically coupled motor. A separate elevation motor is mechanically coupled to control raising and lowering the seat or chair, the elevation motor coupled to and directing extension and contraction of a plurality of cables via a pulley system. The bathing aid is connected to a power source, and may include a power cord and power plug with a ground fault interrupter to prevent electrocution or may be provided by battery supply. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the bath tub bathing aid  10 , shown in a ready to utilize state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bath tub bathing aid  10 , shown in a utilized state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the pulley system used to raise and lower the seat surface  50 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the bath tub bathing aid  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in a ready to be utilized state. The bath tub bathing aid  10  is utilized on a conventional bath tub  15 . A guide rail  20  straddles across or traverses the middle of the conventional bath tub  15  and projects outward or beyond the tub  15  in a substantially perpendicular manner. The guide rail  20  is held in place with a series of three mounting arms  25 , the mounting arms  25  affixed to the tub via attachment means, such as screws, bolts or other fasteners. Each of the mounting arms  25  has a pair of suction cups  30  to aid in its retention to the surface of the conventional bath tub  15 . (Note that only two are shown for sake of illustration). The guide rail  20  comprises an elongated body  22  having a coextensive platform  23 , the platform  23  operatively coupled to a plurality of cables  115  for raising and lowering the chair  45 . The guide rail  20  also comprises an elongated opening  24  substantially traversing the length of the body  22  and platform  23 , the opening  24  receiving and guiding the track glide mechanism  70 . 
   The outward portion or body  22  of the guide rail  20  is held up by a support leg  35  which rests upon a floor surface  40 . A bathing seat or chair  45 , complete with a seat surface  50 , a foot rest  55  downwardly depending from the seat surface  50 , a back rest  60  upwardly depending from the seat surface  50 , and a pair of arm rests  65  is provided at a conventional elevation and attitude for a common chair. The bathing chair  45  is supported by guide rail  20 , with the use of a track glide mechanism  70 . A guide track motor  75 , with the use of a guide track gearbox  80 , propels the bathing chair  45  along the length of the guide rail  20 . Power for the guide track motor  75 , along with other components of the bath tub bathing aid  10 , is provided from a power cord  85 , connected to a ground fault interrupter plug  90 . The ground fault interrupter plug  90  is intended to eliminate the risk of electric shock due to the invention&#39;s close proximity to water during use. The bathing chair  45  is shown in its outward or non-active use point. It is from this point that the user would access or egress the bathing chair  45  from a normal walking posture on the floor surface  40 . An elevation motor  95  (raising and lowering chair  45 ), in conjunction with an elevation transmission  100 , is used to raise and lower the bathing chair  45  into the conventional bath tub  15 , and whose function will be described in greater detail herein below. Finally, a control panel  105 , provides for the activation and direction of both the guide track motor  75  and chair lowering motor  95 . Its location allows ease of access and operation from either end of the guide rail  20 , whether the bathing chair  45  is in or out of the conventional bath tub  15 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the bath tub bathing aid  10 , is shown in a utilized state. In this view the bathing chair  45  is lowered into the conventional bath tub  15 . In said position, the user would be able to bathe. The bathing chair  45  is driven to this position by first activating the guide track motor  75  using the control panel  105 . This action produces multiple actions. First, the foot rest  55  is moved to an elevated position, using a series of internal levers and gears. Next, the back rest  60  is reclined to a lowered position. Such a position puts the user in a reclined position, similar to what would be found sitting in a conventional recliner in a home. At this point the user is transported down the guide rail  20  as defined by a direction arrow  110 . When the bathing chair  45  is centered over the conventional bath tub  15 , the elevation motor  95  and the elevation transmission  100  are engaged to lower the bathing chair  45  into the bathing position as shown. This is accomplished by the use of four elevation cables  115 , of only which three are shown for sake of simplicity. The plurality of elevation cables  115  are controlled via a pulley system  120 , as will be described in greater detail herein below within the chair lowering transmission  100 . Operation of the elevation motor  95  and the elevation transmission  100  are governed by the control panel  105 , which is easily reachable and readily accessible when the bathing chair  45  is deployed inside of the conventional bath tub  15 . The user is free to bathe or simply soak when the bathing chair  45  is in its deployed position. When complete, the user operates the conventional bath tub  15  to return the bathing chair  45  to its pre-deployed position, thus allowing the user to simply stand up from a sitting position to complete the bathing process. 
   Referring finally to  FIG. 3 , the internal operation of the pulley system  120  is described. The elevation cable  115  begins at a fixed pulley  125  and is routed downward to a first rotating pulley  130  fixed to the seat surface  50 . A second rotating pulley  135  is located in a similar manner on the opposite side of the seat surface  50 , through which the elevation cable  115  is routed ant then upward to a third rotating pulley  140 . Finally, surplus elevation cable  115  is wound upon a take up pulley  145 . In such a manner, the elevation cable  115 , when retracted or extended from the take up pulley  145  results in raising or lowering of the seat surface  50  respectively. This configuration is repeated on the rear of the seat surface  50 , resulting in a total of four elevation cable  115  that raise and lower the seat surface  50  as aforementioned described.  FIG. 3  depicts two of said elevation cable  115  for purposes of illustration. 
   It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used by the common operator in a simple and effortless manner, with minimal training. After procurement of the bath tub bathing aid  10 , it must be installed in a conventional bath tub  15 , and connected to a suitable source of electrical power with particular attention that the ground fault protected afforded by the power cord  85  and the ground fault interrupter plug  90  is utilized. The guide rail  20  must be secured by the use of the mounting arms  25  and the suction cups  30 . The mounting arms  25  are adjustable in position to accommodate conventional bath tubs  15  of varying styles and sizes. After the support leg  35  is setup upon the floor surface  40 , the bath tub bathing aid  10  is ready for use. 
   To use the bath tub bathing aid  10 , the user prepares for bathing in the conventional manner by disrobing, and filling the conventional bath tub  15  with bath water of the appropriate temperature and quantity. Next, the user sits in the bathing chair  45  utilizing the seat surface  50 , the foot rest  55  and the back rest  60 . When seated, the user would activate the control panel  105 . This will place the user in a reclined position by raising his or her legs, and reclining the upper torso. When fully reclined, the user is transported down the guide rail  20  and over the conventional bath tub  15 . Next, the elevation motor  95  and the elevation transmission  100 , lowers the bathing chair  45  and the user into the water. At this point the bathing process can begin. When completed, the user simply activates the control panel  105  to reverse the above process and remove the user from the conventional bath tub  15  with no effort required on the user&#39;s behalf. When fully removed, the user simply stands up from a sitting position in the bathing chair  45 . At this point the bathing process is complete and the system is in a reset state ready for the next usage. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.