Child bathing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides improved apparatus for supporting and protecting an infant or small child during bathing. The apparatus includes a protective seat having plural protruding foam members in a radial pattern that when placed in a sink or other bathing basin, extend up the walls of the sink or basin and form a bowl shaped protective padding that provides 360 degree protection for the child. The base foam members have open spaces between them for providing for easy circulation and drainage of water.

Description

BACKGROUND

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bathing apparatus for infants and small children, and more specifically to improved bath apparatus providing 360 degree protection during bathing, is comfortable, easier and safer to use than conventional bathing apparatus, and is collapsible for storage and support.

2. Prior Art

Infant bath seats and apparatus are available in various shapes and sizes and typically formed of sponge-like material such as polyurethane foam. Prior art infant bathing apparatus has usually disclosed support for the child in a reclining position, however, other than a simple back rest, there has not been found apparatus disclosing adequate support for the child when in a sitting or upright position. Examples of infant bathing seats and apparatus of interest are shown and described in the following: U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,460 issued to Bernstein, et al. on 27 Oct. 1992 entitled BATH SEAT; U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,000 issued to Pfaeffle on 7 Apr. 1998 entitled Infant Bathing Apparatus With Faucet Guard; U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,959 issued to Sundberg, et al. on 21 Jan. 2003 entitled Bath Station, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,993 issued to Dunn on 12 Oct. 1999 entitled Bath Sponge Support for Infants. Although these inventions are adequate for their intended use, they do not teach or suggest the inherent advantages disclosed in the instant invention. Thus, in view of the known prior art there is a need for an improved infant bathing apparatus that is constructed to be used in a wide variety of sink shapes, sized and depths, allows water to flow freely within the bath seat during bathing, provides for adequate drainage during use, provides sot, resilient, 360 degree support to a sitting child, is easy to set up and use, folds up for easy transportation, and has the advantage of blocking the faucet controls from the infant.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus for protecting and entertaining an infant or small child during bathing in a sink basin, or similar receptacle. The apparatus includes a protective base or seat having plural protruding foam members, that when placed in a sink or other bathing basin extend up the walls of the sink or basin and form a bowl shaped protective padding that provides 360 degree protection for the child. Adjacent foam members have open spaces therebetween providing for easy circulation and drainage of water, and the base or seat may have holes for further water drainage. It is thus an aspect of the invention to provide improved child bathing apparatus that is simply, easily and quickly set up in a sink or other bathing basin, provides a safe enclosure for the child, and has provision for water circulation and drainage. The foregoing and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent from a reading of the specification when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like numerals refer to like elements in the various views.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of child bathing apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 shown placed within a bathing basin;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating the child in the protective enclosure of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 shown placed within a sink with the child in a seated position with the radial petal-like members in a protective position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing a different method of attachment of the protruding petal-like members in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing means for web means for connecting the protruding petal-like members in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the means for connecting the protruding petal-like members shown placed within a wash basin sink with the child in a reclining position with the petal-like members in a protective position;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing a different embodiment of the base or seat in flattened arrangement; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base or seat embodiment of FIG. 7 in expanded arrangement.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to bathing apparatus for infants and small children. It is primarily intended for bathing a baby or small child in a sink, or other water receptacle or basin meant for containing and draining water. It protects the child from the unsanitary surface of the sink while providing comfort by isolation from the cold, hard surface of the sink. The apparatus includes a central protective base or seat having multiple radially protruding members, such that when the apparatus is placed in a sink or other bathing basin, the protruding members extend up the walls of the sink or basin and form a bowl shaped protective padding that provides 360 degree protection for the child. The adjacent protruding members have open spaces between them for easy circulation and drainage of water. The center seat may, as shown in the several views, include holes for additional drainage, however, it is understood that the holes are optional since it may be desired to maintain a certain level of water in the bathing apparatus during bathing. The center seating portion and the protruding members are formed of foam or other soft resilient material.

In addition to forming a protective enclosure for the child, the apparatus may be configured to block potentially dangerous or troublesome objects, such as faucet controls, from the child. Further, the protruding members, being in a petal-like form, are conducive to creating a variety of familiar shapes such as a flower, an octopus, etc. designed to attract and entertain the child. The child will be enticed to grab the “petals” of foam and thus distracted the baby from the potentially dangerous or troublesome objects.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of child bathing apparatus, generally designated 10, for supporting and protecting a child during bathing. Apparatus 10 includes a center seating body portion 11 having multiple members 12 connected to and protruding in radial manner from the center portion 11. Although eight protruding members 12 are shown in petal-like configuration it is understood that the number can be varied as desired, and they may have other configuration, or even different configurations one from the other, as may be suitable in accordance with the invention. For instance, configurations may be adopted to fit a variety of sink shapes or aesthetic designs. Both the center portion 11 and the protruding members 12 are formed of a soft, flexible, compressible, resilient, water absorbent material such as polyurethane foam. The material further provides a non-slippery padding for the child. Also, selected other material may be cut and attached, such as sewn, to the foam to achieve either a more soft or more effective non-slip surface. The adjacent protruding members 12 have open spaces between them for easy circulation and drainage of water. The center portion 11 is shown to include drainage holes as indicated by holes 11a (four shown, one designated), although as previously, the holes are optional. In FIG. 1 apparatus 10 is shown for positioning in bathing basin 13.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus 10 positioned within the bathing basin 13. The center portion 11 is placed on the bottom of the basin 13 with the members 12 bent up along the sides of the basin 13 to form a protective 360 degree padded non-slip support for the child.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus 10 illustrating the child 15 in the protective enclosure of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the child 15 and the apparatus 10 as depicted in FIG. 3 shown positioned within a sink 14 with the child 15 in an upright seated position and protected by members 12. When bathing an infant, it is common for a sink 14 to be used as it has various advantageous ergonomic features, such as allowing the user to stand erect when bathing the child 15. It also presents a smaller, easier controlled environment with a broad counter space for handily positioning baby bath products as well as for drying and dressing the child 15. As indicated, the apparatus 10 inhibits access and manipulation of the faucet controls by the infant.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a baby bath seat constructed according to a different embodiment of the invention. Generally designated 20, this embodiment of the invention shows petal-like members 21 connected to the central portion 22 with hook and pile means, generally designated 23. It is understood that other appropriate means such as snap-on or plug-in configurations can be used. Further, as previously discussed the indicated holes in the seat are optional.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a baby bath seat constructed according to a different embodiment of the invention, generally designated 30. In this embodiment the members 12 are connected by flexible resilient porous webbing, generally indicated 31, and again the indicated holes in the seat are optional.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 6 positioned within the bathing basin 13. As indicated, the center portion 11 is placed on the bottom of the basin 13 with the members 12 bent up along the sides of the basin 13 to form a protective 360 degree padded non-slip support for the child 15.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a baby bath seat constructed according to a different embodiment of the invention, generally designated 40. In this embodiment the apparatus 40 is constructed in helix-like manner to collapse to a planar configuration as shown in FIG. 7, and expand, as illustrated FIG. 8, to provide improved child bathing apparatus that is simple, easily and quickly set up, and provides a safe enclosure for the child. The base 41 indicates optional holes 41a for water circulation and drainage.

The present invention has been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention. However, it is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for supporting a child during bathing, comprising: a centrally located generally circular seating portion having a side portion extendable in a radial pattern from said seating portion such that with placement of said apparatus in a bathing basin said side portion extends up the walls of said basin from said seating portion to provide a generally bowl shaped protective enclosure for said child.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said side portion includes a plurality of side members extending in a radial pattern from said seating portion such that said side members extend up the walls of said basin from said seating portion to provide said bowl shaped protective enclosure for said child; andsaid side members have open spaces therebetween for allowing water circulation and drainage.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said side members are configured and positioned to provide 360 degree protection for said child.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said side members are constructed of soft resilient material.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said seating portion includes a non-slippery surface.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said side members are generally petal shaped and designed to attract and entertain said child.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said side members are configured and located to block potentially dangerous exterior objects from said child.

8. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said side members are connected by flexible resilient porous webbing.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said seating portion and said side members are formed as one piece.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said seating portion and each said side member is formed separately with said side members removably attached to said seating portion.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said side portion is constructed in a helix-like manner to expand from a collapsed planar configuration to provide a safe enclosure for the child.

12. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said seating portion includes at least one hole for water drainage.

13. Apparatus for supporting a child during bathing, comprising: a generally circular centrally located seating portion having a plurality of distinct side members extending in a radial pattern from said seating portion such that with placement of said apparatus in a bathing basin said side members are extended up the walls of said basin from said seating portion and in a converging manner form a generally bowl shaped protective enclosure for said child;said protective enclosure allows for water circulation therethrough and said seating portion includes at least one hole for water drainage;said side members are generally petal shaped and constructed of soft resilient material, and said seating portion includes a non-slippery surface.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said seating portion and said plurality of distinct side members are constructed as one piece and said side members are connected by flexible resilient porous webbing.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said seating portion and said plurality of distinct side members are constructed as separate parts with said side members removably attachable to said seating portion.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said side members are configured and designed to attract the interest of said child.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said side members are generally petal shaped.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said seating portion includes at least one hole for water drainage.