Abstract:
A bath lift for easily transferring a user into and out of a bathtub. The bather inflates the bath lift with liquid from a liquid source in order to raise the bath lift to a height of a chair. By inflating the bath lift with liquid, the bath lift conforms to the sides of the bathtub and provides a safe and secure seat for a bather to sit on. After inflating the bath lift and sitting onto the bath lift, the bather releases the liquid from the bath lift into the bathtub. As a result, the bather is safely and slowly lowered into the bathtub. Once the bather has finished bathing, the bather inflates the bath lift once again to raise the bath lift to the height of a chair. The bather then exits from the bathtub, thereby making the task of bathing oneself simple again.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/503,296, filed Sep. 17, 2003, in the name of Richard J. Bigda, and entitled “AFFORDABLE BATH LIFT”. The above IS hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to a bath lift and more specifically, to an affordable bath lift that will allow for the easy transfer of a person into and out of a bathtub using water supplied from the bathtub faucet or a separate device under pressure.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0005]     Everyday, millions of people, who because of age, infirmities, or accidents, struggle with the simple routine of bathing themselves. Moreover, many persons with small infants or children require that the child or infant be lifted in and out of a standard bath. As a result, bath lifts have provided a way for those millions to enjoy a soothing bath without the difficulty of getting into and out of the bathtub and thereby making it once again a simple routine.  
         [0006]     In order to accommodate the many people who have difficulty getting into and out of the bathtub, numerous manufacturers have designed different bath lifts. Most of these bath lifts will raise and lower a person into the bathtub. However, the bath lifts designed by most manufacturers are quite expensive: ranging from $700 to $10,000 or more. Most of these devices are chair like units that are placed in the bathtub and after the bather is seated, the seat is lowered by a hydraulic or gear driven electric motor. For most people, the use of the mechanical equipment is far too costly. Furthermore, these types of devices cannot be operated independently. Thus, the bather must find another person to operate the device in order to bathe. An additional problem with the aforementioned bath lifts is that the bath lifts are not easily storable or transferable, are difficult to clean and maintain, and do not conserve natural resources.  
         [0007]     As a result, a need existed to provide an improved bath lift that overcomes the above mentioned problems. The improved bath lift will allow for a bather to enter into and exit from a bathtub in an affordable way. The improved bath lift will be lightweight and easily storable or transferable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bath lift.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved bath lift that is affordable.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved bath lift that will allow for the easy transfer of the bather into and out of the bathtub.  
         [0011]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved bath lift that is easy for the bather to use once inside the bathtub.  
         [0012]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved bath lift that fits securely and safely into the bathtub by conforming to the sides of the bathtub.  
         [0013]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved bath lift that will be inflatable through the affordable use of a liquid.  
         [0014]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved bath lift that is easily storable and transferable.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a bath lift for a bather to easily enter and exit a bathtub is disclosed. The bath lift has a flexible liquid-tight container which acts like a seat for the bather. A conduit coupled to the flexible liquid-tight container allows for inflating and deflating of the flexible liquid-tight container with a liquid. When opened, a valve assembly connected to the conduit releases the liquid and thereby lowers the seat. When closed, the valve assembly allows the liquid to enter into the conduit to fill the flexible liquid-tight container and thereby raise the seat. Also, the flexible liquid-tight container retains liquid when the valve assembly is in a closed position. This allows for the lowering of the bather into the bathtub when liquid is released, raising the bather when liquid is entered into the conduit, and retaining the liquid when inflated.  
         [0016]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the fully inflated bath lift.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a front view of one embodiment of the deflated bath lift.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front view of one embodiment of the fully inflated bath lift with an inner view of the reinforced vertical column.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a top view of one embodiment of the conduit, valve assembly, and attaching device to the flexible liquid-tight container.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view of one embodiment of the conduit, valve assembly, and a lever with a shortened vertical handle for opening and closing the valve assembly connected to the flexible liquid-tight container.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top view of one embodiment of an oval-shaped bath lift within a bathtub connected to a liquid source.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a top view of another embodiment of a circular-shaped bath lift within a bathtub connected to a liquid source.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a top view of another embodiment of a rectangular-shaped bath lift within a bathtub connected to a liquid source.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a top view of another embodiment of a bath lift which fills the length of the bathtub to a liquid source.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a side view of another embodiment of a bath lift with a backrest and supporting device.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side view of another embodiment of the conduit, valve assembly, and an extended lever for opening and closing the valve assembly connected to the flexible liquid-tight container.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]     Referring to the Figures, an affordable bath lift  1  (hereinafter bath lift  1 ) will be described. The bath lift  1  uses a liquid, such as water from the faucet of the bathtub, to raise the bath lift  1  up so that a person may sit on the bath lift  1 . Once seated, the water may be released from the bath lift  1  thereby lowering the person into the bathtub. The water released from the bath lift  1 , will fill the bathtub so that the user may bathe.  
         [0030]     The bath lift  1  comprises a flexible liquid-tight container  30  (hereinafter container  30 ). The container  30  includes a top section  2 . The top section  2  is coupled to a bottom section  6  by a vertical section  4 . The top section  2  and bottom section  6  are seamed  3  to the vertical section  4  to make it liquid-tight as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0031]     The top  2  and bottom  6  sections of the container  30  may come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. While  FIG. 1-3  and  5 - 7  show a circular/oval container  30 , other shapes and sizes may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example,  FIGS. 8 and 9  shows a bath lift  1  having a square/rectangular container  30 .  
         [0032]     The container  30  is made from a light weight material. This will make the bath lift  1  easy to store and transport. Compositely, the container  30  is made of a flexible polymer film such as a heavy gauge polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a similar heavy gauge plastic film. By using a flexible polymer film, the container  30  effectively eliminates the need for heavy mechanical parts.  
         [0033]     Furthermore, by using a flexible polymer film, the container  30  is sized to expand to press against the irregular walls and bottom of the tub  21  as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . Thus, the container  30  conforms to the size and shape of the bathtub. By conforming to the shape of the bathtub, the container  30  creates friction between the container  30  and the bathtub. The friction prevents the tipping and tilting of the container  30  and creates a safe and secure bath lift  1  for the bather to enter and exit the bathtub.  
         [0034]     The flexible polymer film also makes the container  30  washable and durable. Specifically, the bath lift  1  can be easily washed by deflating the unit and placing it in a washing machine with towels or other fabrics. Drying the container  30  can also be easily accomplished through air-drying.  
         [0035]     In another embodiment, the container  30  forgoes the use of the flexible polymer film and is instead constructed with a flexible plastic film that stretches in only one direction. Accordingly, the flexible plastic film may be an isotatic film that deforms only in the vertical plane but not in the horizontal plane. The isoatic film would serve the purpose of reinforcing or maintaining the box like shape of the bath lift while collapsing only in a vertical fashion.  
         [0036]     In order to further support the weight of the liquid in the container  30 , reinforcing straps  10  ( FIG. 3 ) may be coupled to the container  30 . The reinforcing straps  10  are coupled on the vertical section  4 . The reinforcing straps  10  will generally be placed on the front side and the back side of the vertical section  4 . The reinforcing straps  10  support the vertical section  4  thereby preventing the vertical section  4  from bulging out and forming a sphere. The reinforcement straps  10  are generally not necessary on the side area of the vertical section  4  since the side areas are needed to press against the bathtub to hold the bath lift  1  in place. However, the reinforcing straps  10  may be placed around the entire outer circumference of the vertical section  4  if desired.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, an internal view of the container  30  is shown. As shown, the reinforcing straps  10  are coupled to the interior surface of the container  30 . This is done to hide the reinforcing straps  10  to make the bath lift  1  more aesthetically pleasing to the user. However, it should be noted that the reinforcing straps  10  may be placed on the outside of the container  30  if desired. The reinforcing straps  10  that adhere to the container  30  may be sealed to the container  30  and covered or coated with vinyl or like film to improve the appearance and aid in supporting the container  30  and preserving the shape of the bath lift.  
         [0038]     The reinforcing straps  10  may be made out of a plurality of different materials. The reinforcing straps  10  may be composed of plastic foam, fiberglass, metal strand like material, or the like. The listing of the above should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0039]     The container  30  has a conduit/valve assembly  5  coupled to the container as shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . The conduit/valve assembly  5  is generally coupled to the bottom-front section of the container  30 . The conduit/valve assembly  5  is used for inflating and deflating the container  30 . The conduit/valve assembly  5  also prevents the liquid of the container  30  from escaping.  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, one embodiment of the conduit/valve assembly  5  is shown.  FIG. 4  shows the conduit/valve assembly  5  is broken into smaller parts. Specifically,  FIG. 4  shows an attaching end  11 , a first value  12 , a liquid source  18 , a second valve  14 , a conduit  13  connecting the first valve  12  and the second valve  14 , and a lever  15  attached to the second valve  14 . Accordingly, the attaching end  11  connects the container  30  to the valve assembly/conduit  5 . As a consequence, liquid flows in and out of the attaching end  11 . In this embodiment, the attaching end  11  has a threading. The threading is used to couple the attaching end  11  to the container  30 . However, many different means may be used to attach the container  30  to the attaching ends  11 .  
         [0041]     Connected to the attaching end  11  is the first valve  12 . The first valve is a “T” shape valve. As shown in  FIG. 4  the first valve  12  performs two functions. First, the first valve  12  connects the rest of the conduit/valve assembly  5  to the container  10 . Second, water is entered in via the first valve  12  to inflate the container  30 . Accordingly, the first valve  12  allows for water to be passed into the container  30  by a water source  18  when the water source  18  is turned on to inflate the container  30 . As a result, the bather can easily enter into the bath tub by inflating the bath lift  1  through the first valve  12 . Similarly, the bather can be lifted from the bathtub to the appropriate height to exit the bathtub.  
         [0042]     The water source  18  may come from a variety of different places.  FIG. 6-7  and  9  shows the water source  18  as a faucet  19  of the bathtub. Accordingly, the bath lift  1  only requires a plumbing fixture or a faucet in or near the bath lift  1  so the bather can easily turn on and off the liquid source  18 . Other water sources  18  may be used such as a sink faucet or the like. The listing of the above should be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0043]     Also, attached to the first valve  12  is a conduit  13  which connects to the second valve  14 . The conduit  13  allows for the bather to position the second valve  14  at an appropriate length away from the bather. Thus, the bather is not hampered by having the second valve  14  directly in front of him or her.  
         [0044]     The second valve  14  is a two way valve. The second valve  14  serves two useful purposes. First, when the second valve  14  is closed, the valve assembly/conduit  5  retains the water inside the container  30 . Moreover, when water is entered in by the first valve  12 , the second valve  14  stops the water from escaping and forces the water to flow through the attaching end  11  into the container  30 . The second purpose occurs when the second valve  14  is in an open position. When the second valve  14  is opened, the water contained within the container  30  flows through the conduit  13  and is released into the bathtub  20 .  
         [0045]     The second valve  14  has a lever  15  coupled thereto. The lever  15  is used to control the opening and closing of the second valve  14 . The lever  15  further helps to regulate the flow of water that is released from the container  30 . As a result of the bather&#39;s ability to regulate the flow of liquid from coming out, the bather may slowly and safely enter into the tub at the bather&#39;s pace.  
         [0046]     The lever  15  may come in different lengths. In  FIG. 5 , a side view of the invention is shown. The embodiment depicts the connection of a short lever  15  coupled to the valve assembly  14 . Accordingly, the short lever  15  maintains a low vertical height. Differentiating from the short lever  15  is the extended lever  15  as depicted in  FIG. 11 . As a result of the extended lever  15 , bathers with infirmities may close the second valve  14  by reaching forward instead of forward and downwards.  
         [0047]     As stated above, the container  30  may come in different shapes.  FIG. 6  shows an oval-shaped container  30 .  FIG. 7  depicts a circular-shaped container  30 . The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8  shows a rectangular-shaped container  30 .  
         [0048]     The container  30  may have additional features added thereto. For example, the container  30  shown in  FIG. 9  is an extended container  30  that&#39;s approximately the size of the length of the bathtub. The extension of the container  30  results in the ability for a bather who needs or has to lie down to be raised and lowered. Accordingly, infants or bathers who require bathing in a lying down position would benefit from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0049]     In addition to the extended size, the container  30  in  FIG. 9  also includes a headrest  25 . The headrest  25  comes in a variety of forms and is sewn, molded, or fastened any other way to the container  30 . As a result of the headrest  25 , the bather&#39;s head is prevented from being submerged. Thus the headrest  25  gives the bather the ability to bathe while lying down.  
         [0050]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, a rigid backrest  26  and a support device  27  are coupled to the container  30 . The backrest  26  and support device  27  come in a variety of forms and are sewn, attached, or fastened any other way to the container  30 . The backrest  26  provides a comfortable chair-like apparatus whereby the bather&#39;s back is supported. The additional supporting device  27  prevents the container  30  from tipping over and the bather from falling back. Accordingly, the benefits of the back rest  26  and the support device  27  are further realized when those persons with infirmities would not be able to sit upright on the bath lift.  
       OPERATION  
       [0051]     As stated above, the container  30  is flexible so that the container may be inflated with water to support a person and deflated to place the person in the bathtub. The bath lift  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , shows a container  30  in an inflated state. In this state, the bather may enter or exit from the bathtub in a safe and secure manner. In  FIG. 2 , the container  30  is in a deflated state. Correspondingly, the vertical section  4  has collapsed, but the top section  2  of the container  30  remains intact. In the deflated state, the bather has entered into the water and while sitting comfortably, bathes himself. Moreover, because of the compact nature of the bath lift  1  in the deflated state, the bath lift  1  may be easily stored away or transported.  
         [0052]     In operation, the first valve  18  is coupled to a water supply  19 . The water supply is generally the water faucet in the bath tub. The user will rotate the handle  15  to close the second valve  14 . The user will turn on the water supply  19  at a desired temperature and fill the container  30  with water.  
         [0053]     When the container  30  is full of water, the sides of the container  30  will be secured against the walls of the bathtub thereby holding the container  30  in place. The container  30  will now be able to support the weight of the user. The user will then sit on the container  30 . Once seated, the user will rotate the handle  15  thereby releasing the water stored in the container  30 . The user will control the release of water to slowly deflate the container and gently lower the user into the bathtub. The water released from the container  30  will fill the bathtub so that the user can bathe. The deflated container  30  may be removed from the bathtub or the user may continue to sit on the container while bathing  
         [0054]     When the user is finished bathing, the user will rotate the handle  15  to close the second valve  14 . The user will then turn on the water supply  19  again. The water supply  19  will fill the container  30  back up with water. As the container  30  is filled with water, the user will begin to gentle rise up out of the tub. When the container  30  is full of water, the sides of the container  30  will be secured against the walls of the bathtub thereby holding the container  30  in place. The user will then be able to safely exit the bathtub.  
         [0055]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the conduit/valve assembly  5  could be made using a single three-way valve assembly instead of the one shown.