Patent Application
20070277305
The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated in and form part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
The bathtub 1 can have a longer side and a shorter side so that the bathtub 1 is longer than it is wide. The standard bathtub 5 can have a longer side and a shorter side so that the standard bathtub 5 is longer than it is wide. In the preferred embodiment, the longer side of the baby bathtub 1 is parallel to the longer side of the standard bathtub 5. In other embodiments, the baby bathtub 1 is not longer than it is wide and has side of approximately the same length.
The bathtub 1 should be in a position that is parallel to the standard bathtub 5. This allows the parent or adult who is bathing the infant or child to reach the least distance to bathe the child.
The bathtub 1 can be of any size. The bathtub 1 can also be used to wash any person, animal or object. The bathtub 1 can be made of any rigid material. The bathtub 1 can be made of metal, wood, plastic or any other material.
The supports 2 can be of any number or any rigid material. The preferred embodiment envisions four supports 2. In the preferred embodiment, two supports 2 would be on one side of the bathtub 1 and the other two supports 2 would be on the opposite side of the bathtub 1. The preferred embodiment also envisions that the lip 8 of the bathtub 1 will be substantially higher than the lip of the standard bathtub 7. The invention could use any number of supports 2.
The supports 2 need to be of a length that will extend from the walls 9 to a point over the edge of the lip of the standard bathtub 7. The supports 2 can extend beyond the lip of the standard bathtub 7. The exact length of the supports 2 is proportional to the side of the opening of the standard bathtub 6. Other versions of the supports 2 include versions that have grips on the supports 2 to hold the lip of the standard bathtub 7.
The supports 2 can be attached to the bathtub 1 by any means practical. The preferred embodiment envisions the supports 2 being integral and continuous to the bathtub 1, such as both bathtub 1 and supports 2 being molded from the same piece of plastic. Other examples of means of attaching the supports 2 include forming the bathtub 1 and the supports 2 out of one piece of material, attaching supports 2 to bathtub 1 with glue or adhesives, attaching supports 2 to bathtub 1 by welding supports 2 to bathtub 1, attaching supports 2 to bathtub 1 by a bolt or pin, or attaching supports 2 and bathtub 1 by any fastener such as screws or nails.
The bathtub 1 can also have other features commonly found in baby baths. Bathtub 1 can have a drain and an overflow drain. It can also be molded to provide support for the child or infant, or to provide a place to store bottles or soap. The bathtub 1 could also be molded into a novelty shape such as a flower or cartoon character. The standard bathtub 5 can be an adult sized bathtub or any large container.
Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made which clearly fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
