Bathing assistance device

Abstract

The invention of the application relates to a bathing assistance device which is for use externally of but in contact with a bath. The device includes a portion on which the assisting person can kneel and the device typically extends to and over the rim of the bath so as to allow a person's arms to be supported thereon at the rim of the bath. The device is formed of sheet material such as neoprene and is easily storable by moving the portion which can be kneeled upon between an in-use position in which the same lies on the floor and a storage position in which the same lies substantially parallel with and flush to the side wall of the bath. In one embodiment, the portion which can be kneeled upon can be selectively removed from the remainder of the device so as to allow the same to be stored separately and/or positioned appropriately for kneeling upon.

1 . A device for use in conjunction with a bath having side walls and an upper rim, said device comprising: 
 sheet material; and    first attachment means for attaching the sheet material to the bath rim and/or side walls of the bath;    wherein said sheet material includes a portion for the reception of part of a user's legs thereon when in use, said portion being movable between a storage position in which said portion lies substantially parallel with a side wall of the bath and an in-use position in which said portion is positioned on a floor surface adjacent the bath.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said portion is movable about a hinge line between the storage and in-use positions.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said portion of sheet material is padded.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein expanded foam is used to pad said portion of sheet material.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said portion of sheet material, when the device is in the in-use position, is provided for kneeling on by a user assisting in the bathing of a person in the bath.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising second attachment means for attaching said portion in the storage position.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the sheet material extends to and over the rim of the bath to allow the user to place his elbows or forearms onto the sheet material at the bath rim.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 6  wherein the sheet material is formed of two or more plys at the location where the sheet material fits over the rim.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the length of the device.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 8  wherein the adjustment means is adjusted by the user based on the distance between the rim of the bath and the floor.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device includes a series of pockets or retention means for retaining items therein.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the sheet material used is neoprene.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said portion is detachable from the device so as to be selectively positionable for use on the floor.  
   
   
       14 . A device for use by a person assisting the bathing of an occupant of a bath having side walls and an upper rim, said device comprising: 
 a sheet of neoprene material having: 
 a first portion positionable on a floor surface adjacent the bath for kneeling on by the person assisting; and  
 a second portion at or adjacent the rim of the bath for supporting said person's arms thereon.  
   
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 14  wherein the first portion on which the person can kneel is selectively movable between an in-use position in which the first portion is positioned on the floor and a storage position in which the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the in-use position.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the sheet further includes a third position in which the sheet is detached from the bath and folded up for storage.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 14  wherein the first portion on which the person can kneel is selectively detachable from the remainder of the device.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 14  wherein the device is attachable to the bath side wall and/or rim via a plurality of suction devices mounted on the device.