Bathtub lift device

Abstract

A bathtub lift device for assisting an individual, especially an elderly, handicapped or convalescing individual, in getting into and out of a bathtub includes a rectangular-shaped inflatable and deflatable cushion comprised of interconnected sections that deploy in accordion-like manner, with the cushion disposed within the bathtub and having an underside that includes suction cups to secure the device to the bathtub floor and an upper side that includes a non-slip surface for safety whereupon inflation of the cushion by an electrical air pump connected to the cushion by an air line, and which also includes an air flow control and release valve, causes the sections to expand in accordion-like manner thereby elevating the cushion to a height adjacent to the bathtub sidewalls and deflation of the cushion causes the sections to collapse in an accordion-like manner thereby lowering the cushion, and the individual seated thereon, within the bathtub.

1 . A bathtub lift device for placement in a bathtub having a floor and opposed sidewalls for lowering an individual into the bathtub and raising the individual so that the individual can get out of the bathtub, comprising:
 a rectangular-shaped cushion for placement within the bathtub and upon which the individual is seated and capable of selective inflation and deflation for raising and lowering the individual within the bathtub;   the rectangular-shaped cushion including: an under side disposed adjacent the floor of the bathtub and an opposite upper side with the upper side including a non-slip surface;   a pair of opposed rails mounted at the upper side and each rail having a handle portion;   an interior cavity into which air is delivered for inflating the cushion and from which air is withdrawn for deflating the cushion;   a plurality of suction cups mounted to the under side of the cushion and for securement to the floor of the bathtub so that the cushion is maintained in position within the bathtub;   an air electrical air pump for selectively delivering air into the interior cavity and for withdrawing air from the interior cavity;   a flexible airline for connection to the air pump and the cushion and through which air is delivered and withdrawn during the inflation and deflation of the cushion;   an airflow control and release valve mounted to the air line for regulating the flow of air to and from the interior cavity of the cushion; and   whereupon withdrawal of air from the interior cavity of the cushion by the electrical air pump causes the deflation of the cushion and the concomitant lowering of the individual within the bathtub for bathing and the delivering of air into the interior cavity of the cushion by the electrical air pump causes the inflation of the cushion and the concomitant raising of the individual in the bathtub so that the individual can get out of the bathtub.   
   
   
       2 . The bathtub lift device of  claim 1  wherein the handle portion of each rail includes an aperture so that the individual can grasp and hold onto the rail while seated upon the cushion. 
   
   
       3 . The bathtub lift device of  claim 2  wherein the cushion includes a plurality of adjoined and stacked sections that expand and contract in an accordion manner concomitant with the inflation and deflation of the cushion so that the raising and lowering of the cushion occurs with stability and uniformity. 
   
   
       4 . The bathtub lift device of  claim 3  wherein the airflow control and release valve includes a rotatable dial that can be manually set to a fill position and an empty position with the dial being set to the fill position for inflating the cushion and the dial being set to the empty position for deflating the cushion. 
   
   
       5 . A bathtub lift device for placement on a floor of a bathtub and for lowering an individual seated thereon into the bathtub and for raising the individual in the bathtub thereby assisting the individual in getting out of the bathtub, comprising:
 a rectangular-shaped cushion for placement within the bathtub and upon which the individual is seated and which is capable of selective inflation for raising the individual seated thereon and selective deflation for lowering the individual seated thereon;   the rectangular-shaped cushion including: an upper side disposed adjacent the floor of the bathtub and an opposite upper side with the upper side including a non-slip surface;   a pair of opposed rails mounted at the upper side of the cushion and each rail having a handle portion;   an interior cavity into which air is delivered for inflating the cushion and from which air is withdrawn for deflating the cushion;   an air pump that selectively delivers air into the interior cavity for inflating the cushion and selectively withdraws air from the interior cavity for deflating the cushion;   a flexible airline for interconnection to the air pump and the cushion and through which air is delivered and withdrawn during the inflation and deflation of the cushion;   an airflow control and release valve mounted to the airline for regulating the flow of air to and from the interior cavity of the cushion; and   whereupon withdrawal of air from the interior cavity of the cushion by the air pump causes the deflation of the cushion and the concomitant lowering of the individual within the bathtub for bathing and the delivery of air into the interior cavity of the cushion by the air pump causes the inflation of the cushion and the concomitant raising of the individual in the bathtub so that the individual can get out of the bathtub.   
   
   
       6 . The bathtub lift device of  claim 5  wherein the handle portion of each rail includes an aperture so that the individual can grasp and hold onto the rail while seated upon the cushion. 
   
   
       7 . The bathtub lift device of  claim 6  wherein the cushion includes a plurality of adjoined and stacked sections that expand and contract in an accordion manner concomitant with the inflation and deflation of the cushion for providing stability and uniformity in the raising and lowering of the cushion. 
   
   
       8 . The bathtub lift device of  claim 7  wherein the airflow control and release valve includes a rotatable dial that can be manually set to a fill position and an empty position with the dial being set to the fill position in order to permit the inflation the cushion and the dial being set to the empty position in order to permit the deflation of the cushion. 
   
   
       9 . The bathtub lift device of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of suction cups mounted to the under side of the cushion and for securement to the floor of the bathtub for maintaining the cushion in position within the bathtub.