| 摘要 |
An improved inflatable cushion lift assembly for use a bathtub by a person taking a bath. The lift assembly is positioned on the floor (12) of a bathtub (10) and is connected to the bathtub faucet (18) to inflate the cushion (20). The cushion may be deflated while a person is sitting thereon to lower a person to the floor (12) of the tub (10). Furthermore, the cushion may be inflated while the person is sitting on the cushion on the floor (12) of the tub (10) to raise the user upwardly to allow the user to exist the tub (10) easily. The present improvement inhibits undesired movement of the cushion (20) while being used by utilizing a rigid bottom panel (21) and/or rigid top panel (30). Furthermore, the interior of the cushion (20) may be provided with baffles (48) or the like for dampening water oscillations within the cushion (20). The cushion (20), for reasons of stability, may also be tiered or formed in layers such that the cushion inflates or deflates in stages. In another embodiment, the cushion (20) may be placed in a rigid chair-like structure (40) having an apparatus (44, 46) on the chair back (41) which cooperates with a side wall of the cushion (20) to guide the cushion (20) during raising or lowering hereof. In yet another embodiment, a foldable valve (56) is provided for effecting controlled discharge of the water within the cushion. In another embodiment, a plurality of interconnecting plates (110, 112, 114) generally lining the side walls, rear wall, and floor (12) of the bathtub (10) are utilized to assist a bather safely in getting on and off the cushion lift (20) in maneuvering himself safely within the bathtub (10) during bathing. |
