Hinged Bathtub Bench

Abstract

An apparatus for showering within a bathtub having an upper rim and opposed ends spaced along a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame, a bench coupled to the frame, and a pivotable platform assembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame. The pivotable platform assembly includes a platform and an engagement member that is coupled to the platform and extends downwardly from the platform to bias against an upper rim of the bathtub. The apparatus is configured for use within the bathtub in spaced relation, along the longitudinal axis of the bathtub, to each of the opposed ends of the bathtub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a frame that is configured to sit within a bathtub having an upper rim and opposed ends spaced along a longitudinal axis;   a bench coupled to the frame; and   a pivotable platform assembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame, wherein the pivotable platform assembly comprises:
 a platform; and 
 an engagement member that is coupled to the platform and extends downwardly from the platform to bias against an upper rim of the bathtub; 
   wherein the apparatus is configured for use within the bathtub in spaced relation, along the longitudinal axis of the bathtub, to each of the opposed ends of the bathtub.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member comprises a compressible pad that is configured to elastically deform upon engagement with the upper rim of the bathtub. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the compressible pad comprises a water-resistant material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotable platform assembly further comprises a pair of arms that pivotably couple to the frame and support the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises a coupling that spaces the platform from the engagement member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the coupling is an adjustable-length coupling. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, when the frame is disposed in the bathtub and the engagement member is in engagement with the upper rim of the bathtub, the pivotable platform assembly is configured to extend no more than eight inches beyond an outer edge of the upper rim of the bathtub. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein, when the frame is disposed in the bathtub and the pivotable platform assembly is in engagement with the upper rim of the bathtub, the pivotable platform assembly is configured to extend no more than four inches beyond an outer edge of the upper rim of the bathtub. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a backrest, wherein the backrest is coupled to at least one of the bench or the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the bench has a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the backrest is configured to be reversibly coupled to the at least one of the bench or the frame so that the backrest can selectively be positioned at the first end of the bench and at the second end of the bench. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform support structure is pivotable with respect to the frame between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein, in the raised position, the pivotable platform assembly is configured to be spaced from the upper rim of the bathtub, and wherein, in the lowered position, the engagement member is configured to be in engagement with the upper rim of the bathtub. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein, when in the raised position, the platform support structure is angularly offset by at least 30 degrees from an orientation of the platform support structure when in the platform support structure is in the lowered position. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hinge that pivotably couples the platform support structure to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one hinge comprises a pin that extends through a pair of coaxial through-holes that extend through the frame and a pair of coaxial through holes that extend through the platform support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein, in the lowered position, the pivotable platform assembly is configured to rest on a portion of a shower curtain that is disposed between the pivotable platform assembly and the upper rim of the bathtub. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle that is coupled to at least one of the bench or the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform support structure is configured to support the platform without contacting a floor outside of the bathtub. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises legs that are adjustable in length. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 positioning, within a bathtub having an upper rim and opposed ends spaced along a longitudinal axis, an apparatus comprising:
 a frame that is configured to sit within a bathtub; 
 a bench coupled to the frame; and 
 a pivotable platform assembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame, wherein the pivotable platform assembly comprises:
 a platform; and 
 an engagement member that is coupled to the platform and extends downwardly from the platform to bias against an upper rim of the bathtub; 
 
 wherein the apparatus is configured for use within the bathtub in spaced relation, along the longitudinal axis of the bathtub, to each of the opposed ends of the bathtub; 
   using the platform to access the bench within the bathtub when the platform is in a lowered position and the engagement member is biasing against an upper rim of the bathtub;   raising the platform to allow a shower curtain to be positioned between the engagement member and an upper rim of the bathtub;   closing the shower curtain so that the shower curtain is positioned between the engagement member and the upper rim of the bathtub; and   lowering the platform to the lowered position so that the engagement member is resting on, and supported by the upper rim of the bathtub, with the shower curtain disposed between the engagement member and the upper rim of the bathtub.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein, when the shower curtain is disposed between the pivotable platform assembly and the upper rim of the bathtub, a lower edge of the shower curtain is disposed within an interior of the bathtub.