Apparatus for assisting the movement of invalid and handicapped persons into and out of a bathtub

Abstract

An inflatable support cushion conformed to fit within the tub cavity of a bathtub forms a generally inclined upper membrane upon inflation aligned to drain the water shed by the user towards the tub drain. The upper membrane is provided with higher elastic coefficient bands towards its periphery to further form drainage channels on inflation. An air pump may be connected either to inflate the cushion to raise the handicapped bather to the tub edge height or may be connected to deflate the cushion for bathing.

1 . Apparatus for raising and lowering a disabled person from and into a bathtub basin comprising: 
 an inflatable cushion assembly of a generally rectangular form defined by an upper and a lower elastomeric membrane each of a planform conformed for receipt within the interior of said bathtub basin and an elastomeric edge membrane extending between the peripheral edges of said upper and lower membranes to enclose an air impervious cavity therebetween, said edge membrane having a portion thereof extending between the peripheral edges of said upper and lower membranes at one ends thereof of dimension greater than the dimension between the other opposing edges of said upper and lower membranes whereby a sloping relationship between said upper and lower membranes is effected upon the inflation of said cavity;    an inflation opening formed in said cushion conformed for selective communication between the exterior and said cavity; and    pumping means conformed for connection to said inflation opening for pumping air at pressure into said cavity.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said upper membrane includes bands of increased thickness extending to the peripheral edges thereof;    
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a first and second handle mounted for deployable extension at the lateral edges of said cushion    
   
   
       4 . Apparatus for raising and lowering a disabled person from and into a bathtub basin comprising: 
 an inflatable cushion assembly of a generally rectangular form having a one and an other opposed end portions between opposing lateral sides defined by an upper and a lower elastomeric membrane each of a planform conformed for receipt within the interior of said bathtub basin and each including a cut-out in the end defining said other opposed end for obtaining access to the drain opening in said bathtub, and an elastomeric edge membrane extending between said cut-outs and between the peripheral edges of said upper and lower membranes to enclose an air impervious cavity therebetween, said edge membrane having a portion thereof extending between the peripheral edges of said upper and lower membranes defining said one ends thereof of dimension greater than the dimension between said cut-outs at the opposing edges of said upper and lower membranes defining said other end, whereby a sloping alignment of said upper membrane towards said drain opening is effected upon the inflation of said cavity;    an inflation opening formed in said cushion conformed for selective communication between the exterior and said cavity; and    pumping means conformed for connection to said inflation opening for pumping air at pressure into said cavity.    
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said upper membrane includes bands of increased thickness extending to the peripheral edges thereof.    
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a first and second handle mounted for deployable extension at the lateral edges of said cushion    
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising: a selectively releasable vent opening formed in said cushion.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said pumping means includes an electrically powered air pump having a high pressure outlet and a low pressure inlet.    
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 said pumping means further includes selective valving means for selectively connecting said low pressure inlet to said vent opening or said high pressure outlet to said inflation opening.    
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said first and second handles are deployable in an offset alignment.