Fold-up Bath Bench with Stepped-down Booster Seat

Abstract

A portable, fold-up bath bench for common alcove bathtubs has a stepped-down booster seat attached in front of the bench to assist people as they lower and raise themselves within the tub. The bench is pivotally attached to the rear rim of the tub; resting on the side walls of the tub in the down position, or standing up against the abutting wall in the raised position. The booster seat provides an intermediate seat midway between the bench and the tub floor, thereby making it easier to lower and lift yourself in the tub. When you are seated on the floor of the tub, the booster seat folds back against the rear wall of the tub, allowing you to stretch out, with full use of the tub. This device is a simple, self-assist mechanism which operates without any ancillary-power source. The bench design can be modified for use in free-standing bathtubs

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A folding, self-assist bathtub bench with a stepped-down booster seat, comprising;
 A bench adapted to be supported by a rear rim and sidewalls of a bathtub, the bench including pivot hinges adapted to pivotally attach the bench to either the rear rim of the bathtub or an abutting rear wall so that the bench can be pivoted down and be supported by the rear rim and sidewalls of the bathtub, or be pivoted up to a standing position against the wall at the rear of the tub;   A stepped-down booster seat attached beneath the bench;   Support arms having one end attached to said pivot hinges on said bench and a second end that extends beneath the bench with pin hinges that are attached to said booster seat wherein the booster seat can be positioned down, as a seat, or up, as a backrest;   and Pads are provided under the bench and booster seat to protect the surface of the tub.