Positioning apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus having a seat having flexible skirt and a flexible, inflatable bag connected to the seat. The bag has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet that are controlled by respective valves. The valve of the inlet is connectable to a pressurized fluid source and the bag is adapted for inflating and deflating for moving the seat and an individual into and from within a tub or vessel.

1 . An apparatus for positioning an individual, comprising:
 a seat having a flexible skirt;   an inflatable, flexible bag having a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet and being connected to the seat; and   first and second valves each connected to a respective bag inlet and outlet, said inlet valve being connectable to a pressurized fluid source.   
   
   
       2 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the seat and bag are adapted to be moveably positionable within a bath tub. 
   
   
       3 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the seat is adjacent a top of the tub in the inflated condition of the bag and adjacent a bottom of the tub in a deflated condition of the bag. 
   
   
       4 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the seat flexible skirt is of a construction to forcibly engage the sides and back of the bath tub during inflation and deflating of the bag and resultant substantially vertical movement of the seat within the bath tub. 
   
   
       5 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 4 , including first and second guiding members each connected to a respective side of the tub and extending substantially vertically with said seat skirt in sliding engagement therewith. 
   
   
       6 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible skirt of the seat is formed of rubber. 
   
   
       7 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is one of water or air. 
   
   
       8 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the pressurized fluid is air and the air is pressurized by a motor connected to a pump which is connectable to the bag inlet. 
   
   
       9 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible skirt of the seat extends about the outer periphery of the seat and downwardly therefrom a distance in the range of about 2 to about 6 inches. 
   
   
       10 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible skirt of the seat extends about the outer periphery of the seat and downwardly therefrom a distance of about 4 inches. 
   
   
       11 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is formed of rubber. 
   
   
       12 . A positioning apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is of general accordion type construction.