Patent Publication Number: US-7900292-B1

Title: Individual assisting device for bathtubs

Description:
DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS DEVICE 
     This description relates to a device for assisting an individual get into and out of a bathtub. 
     A primary object of the device is to provide a simplified relatively lightweight unit for safely and easily lowering and elevating an individual in a bathtub. 
     A further object of the device is to provide helpful means of the above-mentioned character adapted to be placed bodily within any standard bathtub, and used in conjunction with the bathtub for lowering and elevating the person in the desired manner. 
     Another object is to provide an individual assisting device for bathtubs, the use of which device requires no structural alterations of the bathtub or attachment of fixtures thereto. 
     A further important object is to provide individual assisting means of the above-mentioned character which may be readily operated by the user, a single attendant or nurse with a minimum of physical effort. 
     Still another object is to provide individual assisting means of the above-mentioned character which is rugged and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, reliable in operation and easy to maintain in a sanitary condition. 
     A further object is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which does not employ electrical or power operated equipment in conjunction therewith, thereby greatly reducing hazards attendant to the use of such devices in water. 
     Another object of the device is to provide an individual assisting unit for bathtubs having manual operating means which remain above the water level in the bathtub at all times, so that the user or attendant need not&#39;extend his or her hand or arm into the water while lowering or elevating the platform  20 . 
     A most important object of this device is to support the entire body of the user including the head and the feet during the use of this device. Other objects and advantages of this device will become apparent during the course of the following description. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS OF THIS DEVICE 
       In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of this individual assisting device for bathtubs according to the descriptions. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device. 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the device with parts positioned for elevating the lifting platform  20 . 
         FIG. 4  is a similar view of the device with parts positioned for lowering the platform  20 . 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary vertical section through the operating means of the individual assisting device 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS OF THIS DEVICE 
     The horizontal rectangular base frame  10  is adapted to be formed of pipe, aluminum tubing or the like. The base frame  10  comprises parallel longitudinal rotating sides  11  which rotate in the operation of the device and which have two integral arms  32  A and  32  B extending at right angles to each as shown. The ends of sides  11  are held securely in place by parallel transverse members  12  and  15  arranged at right angles to the sides  11 . The parallel transverse members  12  and  15  have T-fittings  14  with an inside bearing surface, affixed to each end. Rockshafts  11  have journals at the indicated locations so rockshafts  11  may freely rotate in the fittings  14  which are affixed to each end of base frame  10  members  12  and  15 . The rockshafts  11  which also serve as the longitudinal members  11  of the base frame  10  have integral arms  32  A and  32  B arranged at right angles to the rockshafts  11  and arranged on the rockshafts  11  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The rectangular horizontal base frame  10  is considerably longer in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction. The base frame  10  constructed as above described is secure and stable. 
     The device further comprises a horizontal rectangular lifting platform  20 . The platform  20  embodies a rigid rectangular frame including parallel longitudinal frame members  21  and parallel transverse frame members  22  and  23  arranged at right angles to the members  21 . The members  21 ,  22  and  23  may be formed of pipe, aluminum tubing or the like. Corresponding ends of the longitudinal frame members  21  are rigidly connected with the transverse members  22  and  23  with right angle couplings  24  as shown. Platform  20  has two reinforcing transverse members  35  securely attached to members  21  by fittings  36 . Floating arms  33 A and  33 B extend downwardly from each member  21 . A rigid rectangular frame headrest  60  is provided on the device. Headrest  60  may be constructed of aluminum tubing or the like. Headrest  60  is the same width as platform  20  and is approximately 24 inches long. Headrest  60  is attached to elevating platform  20  transverse member  22  by means of adjustable fittings  61  as shown. 
     Elevating platform  20  will be covered with a light rigid aluminum or other suitable grill to support the weight of the user. A separate, suitable, porous, plastic, removable cover of the grill should be available for each user. Headrest  60  will be covered with a suitable plastic network. 
     Mechanical Operation of this Device 
     This individual assisting device for bathtubs is operated by Hydraulic jack  40  or other suitable means. Hydraulic jack  40  uses mineral oil or other as hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic jack  40  is attached securely to this device at two points. The lower point of attachment is to the base frame  10  transverse member  12  by special fitting  42  located on the center of transverse member  12 . Special fitting  42  has an integral right angle fitting on its side through which jackshaft  41  is securely attached. Jackshaft  41  has a plastic or rubber bumper  43  attached on the lower end to bear pressure on the bottom of the bathtub. The upper point of attachment to this device by hydraulic jack  40  is to the elevating platform  20  end member  23  by special fitting  44  which is located on the center of end member  23  as shown. Special fitting  44  has an integral right angle fitting on its side through which jackshaft barrel  45  is securely attached. The lower end of jackshaft barrel  45  is set at the lower side of special fitting  44  and is fitted with a bushing through which jack shaft  41  can freely slide. The upper end of jackshaft  41  is fitted with a seal  55  which retains the oil under pressure in the chamber of jackshaft barrel  45  above jackshaft  41  and below valve body  46 . Hydraulic jack  40  consists of; jackshaft  41 , jackshaft barrel  45  and valve body  46  which contains the valves arranged for the proper operation of the jack  40 . The jack  40  also consists of the reserve fluid tank  47  and rotating collar  49  which jack handle  52  fulcrum  48  is attached as shown. Jack handle  52  rotates freely and pivots around pump stem  51  by means of rotating collar  49  so that this device may be operated by the user or an attendant on either side. 
     Hydraulic jack  40  also consists of pump stem  51  which is the cylinder of the pump and the pump piston which is attached to the center of valve body  46 . Jack  40  also consists of tank  47  cover  50 . Cover  50  has a bushing  54  in the center through which pump stem  51  can freely slide. 
     The base frame  10  is comprised of the longitudinal side members  11  which rotate in the operation of the device. Members  11  have two right angle integral arms  32  A and  32  B that connect to integral offset fittings of floating arms  33  A and  33  B at points  34  A and  34  B as shown. Base frame  10  is held stable and secure by transverse members  12  and  15  which have integral right angle T-fittings  14  at each end as shown. The T-fittings  14  have inner bearing surfaces which allow rockshafts  11  to rotate freely on journals or races located on rockshafts  11 . The transverse members  12  and  15  are located on the respective ends of longitudinal frame  10  members  11  or rockshafts  11  as shown. Base frame  10  also has two transverse reinforcing members  38  located close to integral arms  32 A and  32  b as shown Members  38  have T fittings  62  on each end. T fittings  62  have inside bearing surfaces and allow rockshaft  11  to rotate freely on a journal or race located on member  11 . A three inch suction cup  66  is affixed to the lower side of T-fittings  14  at each end of transverse member  12  to engage with the bottom of the tub. A one inch rubber or plastic bumper  68  is affixed to the lower side of T-fitting  14  at each end of transverse member  15  to rest on the bottom of the tub. 
     Means are provided for interconnecting the horizontal platform  20  and base frame  10  and for elevating and lowering the platform  20  relative to the base frame  10 . Such means comprise: the base frame  10  longitudinal members  11  or rockshafts  11  with the integral right angle arms  32  A and  32  B. Arms  32  A and  32  B connect to an integral offset fitting of floating arms  33  A and  33  B at points  34  A and  34  B. The other or upper end of floating arms  33  A and  33  B have an integral T fitting  36  which has an inner bearing surface. Floating arms  33  A and  33  B rotate freely at journals or races located on longitudinal members  21  of elevating frame  20  as frame  20  is raised or lowered in the operation of this device. 
     Physical Operation of this Device 
     In the physical operation of this device we begin with elevating platform  20  at its lowest point. Jack handle  52  is easily moved up and down; on the down stroke, hydraulic oil from jack tank  47  is introduced under pressure through a check valve in valve body  46  into the chamber  53  of jackshaft barrel  45  above jackshaft  41 , this causes jackshaft barrel to rise. As jackshaft barrel  45  rises, it raises the jack  40  or foot end of elevating platform  20 . As platform  20  rises it lifts floating arms  33 A and  33 B and the offset flexible connections  34 A and  34 B in turn lift integral arms  32 A and  32 B. This rotates rockshafts  11 . As rockshafts  11  rotate, upward pressure by integral arms  32 A and  32 B through offset flexible connections  34 A and  34 B in conjunction with floating arms  33 A and  33 B is exerted on the head end of platform  20 . This action raises the head end of platform  20  in conjunction with the rising movement of the foot end of platform  20 . Subsequent gentle down strokes of jack handle  52  raises platform  20  to the desired position at the top of the tub. 
     To return to the bottom of the tub, we gently press jack handle  52  to its lowest position. This opens a valve in valve body  46  which releases the oil in chamber  53  back into reservoir tank  47  and allows platform  20  to slowly descend. 
     In the Use of this Device 
     In the use of this device; with the device properly placed in the bathtub, with elevating platform  20  adjusted to the desired level at the top of the tub and the desired level of bathwater at the desired temperature in the tub, it is ready to be used. The user sits on elevating platform  20 , turns with feet toward the jack or foot end of the device and relaxes in a prone position on the headrest end. Jack handle  52  can be adjusted for the convenient operation by the user or moved to either side to be operated by an assistant. Jack handle  52  is pressed gently down until it opens the valve in valve body  46  and allows platform  20  to slowly descend to the bottom of the tub, with the user. When the user desires to return to the top of the tub, the jack handle  52  is gently moved up and down and the elevating platform  20  slowly rises to the desired level with the user. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCES CITED IN THE FILE OF THIS APPLICATION 
               
               
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                 No. 
                 Item 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 10. 
                 base frame 
               
               
                   
                 11. 
                 rotating longitudinal sides 
               
               
                   
                 12. 
                 transverse member 
               
               
                   
                 14. 
                 Integral T fittings 
               
               
                   
                 15.  
                 transverse member 
               
               
                   
                 20. 
                 elevating platform frame 
               
               
                   
                 21. 
                 longitudinal members 
               
               
                   
                 22.  
                 head end transverse member 
               
               
                   
                 23. 
                 foot end transverse member 
               
               
                   
                 24. 
                 right angle couplings 
               
               
                   
                 32A. 
                 foot end integral arms 
               
               
                   
                 32B. 
                 head end integral arms 
               
               
                   
                 33A. 
                 foot end floating arms 
               
               
                   
                 33B. 
                 head end floating arms 
               
               
                   
                 34A. 
                 foot end flexible connections 
               
               
                   
                 34B. 
                 head end flexible connections 
               
               
                   
                 35. 
                 reinforcing transverse members 
               
               
                   
                 36. 
                 integral T fittings 
               
               
                   
                 38. 
                 transverse reinforcing members 
               
               
                   
                 40. 
                 hydraulic jack 
               
               
                   
                 41.  
                 jack shaft 
               
               
                   
                 42. 
                 special fitting 
               
               
                   
                 43. 
                 bumper 
               
               
                   
                 44. 
                 special fitting 
               
               
                   
                 45. 
                 Jackshafbarrel 
               
               
                   
                 46. 
                 valve body 
               
               
                   
                 47. 
                 reservoir tank 
               
               
                   
                 48. 
                 fulcrum 
               
               
                   
                 49. 
                 rotating collar 
               
               
                   
                 50. 
                 tank cover 
               
               
                   
                 51. 
                 pump stem 
               
               
                   
                 52. 
                 jack handle 
               
               
                   
                 53. 
                 pressure chamber 
               
               
                   
                 54. 
                 bushing 
               
               
                   
                 55. 
                 pressure seal 
               
               
                   
                 60. 
                 head rest 
               
               
                   
                 61. 
                 adjustable fittings 
               
               
                   
                 62. 
                 integral T fittings 
               
               
                   
                 66. 
                 suction cups 
               
               
                   
                 68. 
                 bumpers