US3005208A

US3005208A - Collapsible bathtub seat

Info

Publication number: US3005208A
Application number: US858910A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thelma L Matthews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-12-11
Filing date: 1959-12-11
Publication date: 1961-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 1978-10-24

Description

0t- 24, 1961 T. MATTHEWS 3,005,208

coLLAPsIBLE BATHTUB SEAT Filed Dec. 11, 1959 Unite States, Patent 3,005,208 COLLAPSIBLE BATHTUB SEAT VThelma L. Matthews, P.O. Box 513, Kreole, Miss. Filed Dee. 11, 1959, Ser. No. 858,910

4 Claims. (Cl. 4--185) This invention relates to safety supports such as used in bathtubs and which are particularly designed for use by invalids to enhance comfort in bathing and also ingress into a bathtub and egress from the tub; and in particular a `seat frame including spaced longitudinally disposed rods connectedbytransversely disposed rods and having a mat of Arubber or other resilient material designed to be positioned in the bottom of a bathtub, with clamps for securing the frame in position on the outer wall of the bathtub aiidva'cuirn cups for retaining the frame in position on the inner wall, and which also includes a back rest positioned in the inclined end of the bathtub.

The purpose of this invention is to facilitate the use of a bathtub by invalids and to eliminate the possibility of injury to invalids resulting from slipping in a bathtub.

Various types of seats, mats, and frames have been designed for use in bathtubs and whereas such devices are used successfully by average individuals they are not designed to accommodate the entire body such as is required for invalids. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a frame having longitudinally disposed telescoping rods connected by cross members and having a mat of resilient material in the lower portion and a seat or back rest at one end.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a lining for a bathtub in which the lining is of a size sufricient to accommodate the body of an invalid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame for covering the inner surface of a bathtub in which the frame may readily be positioned in the bathtub and also readily removed from the bathtub.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a frame for use as a lining for a bathtub in which the frame is adjustable to bathtubs of diterent sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide supporting means for an invalid in a bathtub in which said supporting means is of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a frame having spaced telescoping longitudinally disposed members connected by cross and vertical members, a mat of resilient material positioned in the lower part of the frame, and a seat providing a back rest positioned at one end of the frame.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view showing the frame positioned in a bathtub with parts of the frame and bathtub broken away.

FIGURE 2 is a view showing the invalid supporting frame for a bathtub with the frame collapsed or folded to facilitate storing and shipping.

FIGURE 3 is a view illustrating connections of members of the frame with parts broken away and parts omitted.

FIGURE 4 is a View showing one of the clamps on the upper ends of the posts on the outer side of the frame.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved invalid supporting frame for a bathtub of this invention includes longitudinally disposed

tubes

10, 11, 12 and 13 positioned to receive horizontally disposed parallel spaced

telescoping rods

14, 15, 16 and 17, respectively, vertically disposed parallel spaced

posts

18, 19 and 20 on the outer side of the frame and positioned with the post 18 connecting the

tubes

12 and 13 in vertically spaced alinement with each other and the

posts

19 and 20 connecting the

telescoping rods

16 and 17 in vertically spaced alinement with each other and in horizontal alinement with the

tubes

12 and 13; and also vertically disposed

posts

21, 22 and 23 positioned with the post 21 connecting tubes 10 and 11 in vertically spaced alinement with each other and the

posts

22 and 23 connecting the telescoping rods 14 and 15 in vertically spaced alinement with each other and in horizontal alinement with the tubes 10 and 11.

t The members are connected by crosses 24 and Ts 25, although it will be understood that the tubes may be connected by welding 'such as the hubs 26 on ends of the tubes 10 and 11. VLower ends of the posts are provided with vacuum cups 27 and similar vacuum cups may be provided on upper ends of the

posts

21, 22 and 23, as indicated by the numeral 28. Similar vacuum cups 29 may be provided on the inner or back frame for retaining the frame in position against the rear wall 30 of a bathtub 31. The

posts

18, 19 and 20, at the front, may also be provided with vacuum cups 32. Upper ends of the

posts

18, 19 and 20 are provided with clamps 33 having thumb screws 34 threaded in hubs 35 on lower ends of outer vertical members 36. Inner ends of the thumb screws 34 are provided with washers 37 and the washers are provided with resilient discs 38 which are clamped against the outer wall of the bathtub, as shown in FIGURE 1.

The

posts

20 and 23 are connected by a horizontal transversely disposed rod 39 and lower ends 40 of side members of a U-shaped frame 41 are pivotally mounted on the rod 39, as shown in FIGURE 1. The back rest also includes an aluminum plate 42 having perforations 43 therein and the plate is secured by bolts 44 to tongues 45 extended from hubs 46 on the bar 39. By this means the plate 42 may be used in a horizontal position, as shown in FIGURE 1, or may be turned upwardly to a vertical position.

The U-shaped frame 41 providing a back rest or back of a seat is covered with a sheet of canvas or other similar material 55 and it will be understood that similar sheets of material, either provided in single sheets or in double sheets `with filling material, such as cushions may be provided on or used in combination with the frame and such cushions may be located in various positions to accommodate patients having diierent handicaps. A foot rest 66 may also be provided on the mat 47, which is provided with perforations 48. The mat 47 may be of resilient rubber or other suitable material.

With the rods and tubular members pivotally mounted in the crosses, Ts and other ittings the parts readily fold to the position shown in FIGURE 2 to facilitate storing and shipping.

With the parts assembled as illustrated and described and with the feet positioned in a bathtub an invalid many have ingress into the bathtub or egress from the bathtub with freedom and without the possibilityl of slipping or otherwise injuring parts of the body.

It will be understood that modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A liner for the inner surface of a bathtub comprising a frame having telescoping side members, means for retaining the side members in position on the side walls of a bathtub, a mat of resilient material positioned in the frame, and a back rest pivotally mounted. in one end of the frame.

2. A safety support for a bathtub comprising spaced longitudinally disposed telescoping members, spaced vertically disposed members supporting the longitudinally disposed members, clamps on upper ends of the vertically disposed members positioned against the outer Wall of a bathtub, vacuum cups on the'ver-tically disposed members positioned against the'inner Wall of a bathtub, a mat in the lower 'part of the support, and a back rest pivotally mounted in one end of said support.

3. ln a bathtub seat, the combination which comprises spaced longitudinally disposed members, spaced vertically disposed supports for said longitudinally disposed members, clamps on said vertically disposed supports at one side of a bathtub for retaining the vertically disposed members in position in said bathtub, vacuum cups on the vertically disposed members on the opposite side of the bathtub, a back rest including a U-shaped frame with a sheet of canvas thereon pivotally mounted in one end of the seat, and a perforated plate also mounted in the end 'of the seat in which the back rest is positioned. -4. In a seat, the combination `which comprises spaced telescoping longitudinally disposed members, spaced vertically disposed members attached to and positioned to support the longitudinally disposed members, clamps on upper ends of the vertically disposed members at one side of the seat, vacuum cups on the vertically disposed members at the opposite side of the seat, a perforated mat of resilient material positioned in the seat, a U'shaped back rest covered by a sheet of material pivotally Vmounted in one end of the seat, a perforated plate also pivotally mounted in one end of the seat, and a foot rest positioned in said'seat.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,644,954 Jumper July 14, 1953 2,732,565 Weber Jan. 31, 1956 2,736,904 Suggs Mar. 6, 1956 2,815,513 Tilson et al. Dec. 10, 1957 2,885,690 Scott May 12, 1959 c. Ir l, g m