Abstract: A support cushion has a flexible, airtight casing having a support layer on one side defining a support surface for being engaged by a portion of a body to be supported. A resilient layer of foam is disposed within the casing generally coextensive with the casing support layer support surface for normally urging the casing toward an expanded condition. A fluid-filled pad is positioned within the casing adjacent the additional foam material. A valve is mounted to the casing for communicating with the interior of the casing and is operable for preventing or permitting flow of air through the valve into and out of the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling persons with impaired mobility to enter and leave a bathtub includes a water inflatable shell having a shape such that when fully inflated the shell wedges between opposed bathtub sidewalls and has a top tapering to a platform at about the level of the top of the sidewalls so that the person may lower and raise himself into and out of the bathtub by releasing and adding water from and to the shell, respectively, and the period of time required to transit a distance between the top of the sidewalls and below the top of the sidewalls is briefer than a comparable distance below the top of the sidewalls by virtue of the reduced volume of the tapered top of the shell. Horizontal tubes of elliptical cross section contribute to the tapered shape of the top and add stability.

Abstract: An improved inflatable cushion lift assembly for use in a bathtub by a person taking a bath. The lift assembly is positioned on the floor of a bathtub and is connected to the bathtub faucet to inflate the cushion. The cushion may be deflated while a person is sitting thereon to lower a person to the floor of the tub. Furthermore, the cushion may be inflated while the person is sitting on the cushion on the floor of the tub to raise the user upwardly to allow the user to exit the tub easily. The present improvement inhibits undesired movement of the cushion while being used by utilizing a rigid bottom panel and/or rigid top panel. Furthermore, the interior of the cushion may be provided with baffles or the like for dampening water oscillations within the cushion. The cushion, for reasons of stability, may also be tiered or formed in layers such that the cushion inflates or deflates in stages.