Patent Publication Number: US-6336230-B1

Title: Device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to lift devices for bathtubs and more particularly pertains to a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub for assisting elderly and handicapped persons when entering and leaving a bathtub. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of lift devices for bathtubs is known in the prior art. More specifically, lift devices for bathtubs heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,392,474; 5,129,112; 4,598,432; 4,928,330; 5,263,207; 5,168,585; 3,106,723; 4,726,081; 4,419,776; 4,768,239; and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 360,024. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub. The inventive device includes a housing, the housing is elongate and has a pair of end walls. A peripheral wall extends between and is integrally coupled to the ends walls. The peripheral wall of the housing has a pair of bends therein. The housing generally has a U-shape taken from a plan view such that a first portion, a middle portion, and a second portion are defined. A bottom wall of the first and second portions has an elongate slit therein. A first tubular member is rotatably mounted in the first portion of the housing. The first tubular member has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first portion. A second tubular member is rotatably mounted in the second portion of the housing. The second tubular member has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second portion. A panel has a first edge positioned opposite of a second edge. The first edge is securely coupled to the first tubular member, and the second edge is securely coupled to the second tubular member. Each of a pair of motors is coupled to one of the tubular members. The motors are adapted to rotate the tubular members. Control circuitry operationally coupled to the motors controls the motors. 
     In these respects, the device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of assisting elderly and handicapped persons when entering and leaving a bathtub. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of lift devices for bathtubs now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub construction wherein the same can be utilized for assisting elderly and handicapped persons when entering and leaving a bathtub. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the lift devices for bathtubs mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art lift devices for bathtubs, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a housing, the housing is elongate and has a pair of end walls. A peripheral wall extends between and is integrally coupled to the ends walls. The peripheral wall of the housing has a pair of bends therein. The housing generally has a U-shape taken from a plan view such that a first portion, a middle portion, and a second portion are defined. A bottom wall of the first and second portions has an elongate slit therein. A first tubular member is rotatably mounted in the first portion of the housing. The first tubular member has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first portion. A second tubular member is rotatably mounted in the second portion of the housing. The second tubular member has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second portion. A panel has a first edge positioned opposite of a second edge. The first edge is securely coupled to the first tubular member, and the second edge is securely coupled to the second tubular member. Each of a pair of motors is coupled to one of the tubular members. The motors are adapted to rotate the tubular members. Control circuitry operationally coupled to the motors controls the motors. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the lift devices for bathtubs mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art lift devices for bathtubs, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub for assisting elderly and handicapped persons when entering and leaving a bathtub. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub which includes a housing, the housing is elongate and has a pair of end walls. A peripheral wall extends between and is integrally coupled to the ends walls. The peripheral wall of the housing has a pair of bends therein. The housing generally has a U-shape taken from a plan view such that a first portion, a middle portion, and a second portion are defined. A bottom wall of the first and second portions has an elongate slit therein. A first tubular member is rotatably mounted in the first portion of the housing. The first tubular member has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first portion. A second tubular member is rotatably mounted in the second portion of the housing. The second tubular member has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second portion. A panel has a first edge positioned opposite of a second edge. The first edge is securely coupled to the first tubular member, and the second edge is securely coupled to the second tubular member. Each of a pair of motors is coupled to one of the tubular members. The motors are adapted to rotate the tubular members. Control circuitry operationally coupled to the motors controls the motors. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub that is retrofittable to existing bathtubs. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub that has padded peripheral walls to protect the user therefrom. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the actuators of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is an electronic schematic view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the device for lifting persons into and out of a bathtub  10  generally comprises a housing  12 . The housing  12  is elongate and has a pair of end walls  13 . A peripheral wall  14  extends between and is integrally coupled to the ends walls  13 . The peripheral wall  14  of the housing  12  has a pair of bends  15 ,  16  therein. The housing  12  generally has a U-shape taken from a plan view such that a first portion  17 , a middle portion  18 , and a second portion  19  are defined. The peripheral wall  14  comprises an inner side wall  20 , an outer side wall  21 , a bottom wall  22  and a top wall  23 . The bottom wall  22  of the first  17  and second  19  portions has an elongate slit  24  therein. The slits  24  are orientated generally parallel to and positioned generally adjacent to the inner side wall  20 . The peripheral wall  14  comprises a padded material which is preferably a foamed elastomeric material. The housing  12  is positioned on the top edge  72  of a bathtub  70 . 
     A first tubular member  26  is elongate and is rotatably mounted in the first portion  17  of the housing  12 . The first tubular member  26  has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first portion  17 . 
     A second tubular member  28  is elongate and is rotatably mounted in the second portion  19  of the housing  12 . The second tubular member  28  has an axis of rotation orientated generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second portion  19 . 
     A panel  30  has a first edge  31  positioned opposite of a second edge  32 . The first edge  31  is securely coupled to the first tubular member  26 . The second edge  32  is securely coupled to the second tubular member  28 . The panel  30  extends into the first  17  and second  19  portions through the slits  24 . 
     A seat portion  34  comprises a plate securely attached to top surface of the panel  30  and generally positioned in middle portion of the panel  30 . A plurality of legs  36  is each securely attached to and extends away from a bottom side of the plate. Each of the legs  36  extends through the panel  30 . Each of legs  36  has a free end having a suction cup  38  integrally coupled thereto for releasably securing to the tub  70 . 
     Each of a pair of motors  40 ,  41  is securely mounted in one of the first  17  and second  19  portions, respectively. Each of the motors  40 ,  41  is coupled to one of the tubular members  26 ,  28 . The motors  40 ,  41  are adapted to rotate the tubular members. Each of the motors preferably comprises an electric motor. 
     Control circuitry  50  controls the motors  40 ,  41 . The control circuitry  50  is securely mounted to the outer side wall  21 . The control circuitry  50  is adapted to rotate the tubular members in tandem in a first direction and a second direction. The control circuitry  50  has actuators  52  operationally coupled thereto for actuating the motors  40 ,  41 . The control circuitry  50  is operationally coupled to each of the motors  40 ,  41 . 
     A power supply  54  powers the motors. The power supply is operationally coupled to the control circuitry  50 . The power supply comprises a cord  55 . 
     A mounting  60  comprises an elongate member having a first end  61  and a second end  62 . The first end  61  extends into and is securely coupled to the outer wall  21  of the middle portion  18 . An annular flange  63  is integrally coupled to and extends away from the second end  62  of the elongate member. 
     Each of a plurality of fastening means  64  extends through the flange  63  and into an adjacent wall  74 . Each of the fastening means  64  preferably comprises a bolt. 
     In use, the housing  12  is placed on the top edge  72  of a bathtub  70 . The user gets in the bathtub and sits on the seat portion  34 . The control circuitry  50  is used to turn the motors on in a first direction to lower the user into the bathtub. When finished, the user uses the control circuitry to turn the motors in a second direction to lift the user out of the bathtub. The control circuitry is preferably adapted to having a lock actuator thereon for preventing unwanted rotation of the tubular members. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.