BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bathtubs for infants and young children, and particularly to a combination infant bathtub and seat.
2. Description of the Related Art
Infant high chairs, car seats, swimming pool chairs and restaurant chairs are relatively well known. Such chairs and seats are adapted for a babies and very young children for use in specific environments to protect and prevent babies and very young children from falling out of the chair, or injuring themselves in some other manner while in the chair. Such seats, however, are typically designed for very specific applications, such as eating or floating in a swimming pool, and cannot be adapted for other situations in which the use of such a retaining chair would be desirable. One such situation is within an infant bathtub, where the adult bathing the baby must take great precaution to prevent an accidental slip and fall of the infant within the tub. Thus, it would be desirable to provide the safety and security of an infant high chair or the like in a bathing setting.
Thus, a combination infant bathtub and seat solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The combination infant bathtub and seat is a combination bathtub and retaining bathtub chair for use by an infant. In a first embodiment, the combination infant bathtub and seat includes a base having opposed upper and lower surfaces and at least one sidewall secured to and projecting upwardly from a peripheral edge of the upper surface of the base. The at least one sidewall and the base define the bathtub basin for receiving water and the infant. Further, a chair is provided, the chair having a seat and a seat back. The seat is integrally formed on the upper surface of the base, preferably by one-piece molding, such that the base, the at least one sidewall and the seat are all integrally molded together in one-piece formation.
In an alternative embodiment, the combination infant bathtub and seat similarly includes a base, having opposed upper and lower surfaces, and at least one sidewall projecting upwardly from a peripheral edge of the upper surface of the base to define a bathtub. However, a raised central portion of the base is configured to define a seat adapted for supporting an infant. An annular retainer is further provided, the retainer having at least one vertical support depending downward therefrom. A lower end of the at least one vertical support is adapted for releasable mounting within the bathtub, so that the annular retainer is raised with respect to the base and is positioned about the seat.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a combination infant bathtub and seat according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination infant bathtub and seat according to the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a combination infant bathtub and seat according to the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a partially exploded perspective view of the combination infant bathtub and seat of FIG. 3A, showing releasable attachment of a ring portion thereof.
FIG. 3C is a side view in section of the combination infant bathtub and seat of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a combination infant bathtub and seat according to the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a partially exploded perspective view of the combination infant bathtub and seat of FIG. 4A, showing releasable attachment of a ring portion thereof.
FIG. 4C is a side view in section of the combination infant bathtub and seat of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of still another alternative embodiment of a combination infant bathtub and seat according to the present invention.
FIG. 5B is a partially exploded perspective view of the combination infant bathtub and seat of FIG. 5A, showing releasable attachment of a ring portion thereof.
FIG. 5C is a side view in section of the combination infant bathtub and seat of FIG. 5A.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The combination infant bathtub and seat 10 is a combination bathtub and retaining bathtub chair for use by an infant, such as the exemplary infant I in FIG. 1. The combination infant bathtub and seat 10 includes a base 12 having opposed upper and lower surfaces 14, 15, respectively, and at least one sidewall 16 secured to and projecting upwardly from a peripheral edge of the upper surface 14 of the base 12. The at least one sidewall 16 and the base 12 define the bathtub basin for receiving water and the infant I. The lower surface 15 of base 12 is adapted for resting on a support surface typical for infant bathing, such as a counter, a floor, or the like. The overall bathtub formed by at least one sidewall 16 and base 12 may be formed from plastic or similar waterproof materials, as is commonly known in the field of infant bathtubs. It should be understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the overall bathtub shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the configuration and relative dimensions of the bathtub may be varied. The bathtub may include features common to conventional infant bathtubs, such as a drain opening and drain plug 40, an integral soap dish 42, or the like.
Further, a retaining chair 18 is provided for releasably holding the infant I. As is conventionally known, the chair 18 includes a seat 22 and a seat back 20. Similar to the bathtub, it should be understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the chair 18 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the configuration and relative dimensions of the chair 18 may be varied, e.g., according to the age and size of the infant I. As best shown in FIG. 2, the seat 22 is integrally formed on the upper surface 14 of the base 12, preferably by one-piece molding, such that the base 12, the at least one sidewall 16 and the seat 22 are all integrally molded together in one-piece formation. The chair 18 may be formed from plastic or any other suitable waterproof material that is comfortable and suited for use by infants.
As best shown in FIG. 2, a central projecting member 26 or leg divider is preferably formed on the front end of seat 22 for proper positioning of the legs of infant I when seated. As shown in FIG. 1, the legs of infant I are separated apart by the central projecting member 26 for proper bathing positioning, and also to prevent the infant I from accidentally slipping off of the seat 22.
Similarly, armrests 24 are attached to the seat back 20 and project forward therefrom, forming a substantially C-shaped retainer for the proper positioning and security of the infant I. As shown in FIG. 2, the front end of chair 18 includes a front retainer 28 for further securement of infant I. Preferably, as shown, one end of front retainer 28 is pivotally attached by an hinge 30 or the like to one end 42 of one of the armrests 24, and the other end of front retainer 28 includes a latching mechanism 32 for releasable engagement with an engaging end 34 of the other one of the armrests 24. It should be understood that any suitable type of infant-proof latch may be used for releasably securing the front retainer 28 to the engaging end 34 to form a protective, enclosed frame for infant I. As shown in FIG. 1, the projecting member 26 may provide lower support for a lower end of front retainer 28. The latching infant seat frees the caregiver from the necessity of supporting the child in the bathtub, allowing the caregiver to use both of his or her hands for tasks relating to bathing and grooming the child
It should be understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the front retainer 28 may be varied. As best shown in FIG. 2, a bottle B may be removably received within an aperture 36 formed through the front retainer 28. The bottle B, the positioning and relative dimensions of the aperture 36, and the adjoining recesses 38 for toys T are all shown for exemplary purposes only. It should be understood that the overall configuration and choice of accessories for use with the infant bathtub and integral seat 10 may be varied.
In the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the combination infant bathtub and seat 100 includes a basin defined by a base 112 and at least one sidewall 116. However, instead of the integral raised seat 22 of the previous embodiment, the base 112 has a raised central portion 123 that is contoured to form a seat for the infant (as best shown in FIG. 3C). As best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the infant is held in place during bathing by ring portion 118, which is releasably supported and held in place by a plurality of vertical supports 120 extending downward from the ring 118. It should be understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the overall bathtub shown in FIGS. 3A-3C are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the configuration and relative dimensions of the bathtub may be varied. Similar to the previous embodiment, the bathtub may include features common to conventional infant bathtubs, such as a drain opening and drain plug, an integral soap dish, and the like, along with any desired support, such as feet 130, which are mounted to a lower surface 115 of the base 112. When the ring portion 118 is removed, as shown in FIG. 3B, multiple basins may be stacked together for transportation and storage.
As best shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the upper surface 114 of the base 112 defines a plurality of raised engaging members 124 arrayed peripherally about the raised central portion 123. These raised engaging members 124 are releasably received within corresponding recesses 122 formed in the lower ends of vertical supports 120. In FIGS. 3A-3C, four vertical supports 120 and four corresponding engaging members 124 are shown. However, it should be understood that the number of supports 120 and corresponding engaging members 124 may be varied. Similarly, it should be understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the ring portion 118 and the vertical supports 120 may be varied. As in the previous embodiment, the front vertical support 120 serves to separate the legs of the infant I and is used to properly position the infant I on the seat portion 123. Additionally, as in the previous embodiment, the front portion of ring portion 118 may, as an alternative, be hinged, allowing the infant I to be releasably secured within the ring portion 118. As a further alternative, the rear portion of ring portion 118 may be permanently or integrally fixed within the basin, while the front, hinged portion is movable.
The alternative combination infant bathtub and seat 200 of FIGS. 4A-4C similarly includes a basin defined by a base 212 and at least one sidewall 216. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3C, the base 212 includes a raised central portion 223, which is contoured to form a seat for the infant (as best shown in FIG. 4C). As best shown in FIGS. 4A and 413, the infant is held in place during bathing by a ring portion 218. As best shown in FIG. 4B, the ring portion 218 includes a front portion 219 and a rear portion 221, which are pivotally joined to one another at one end by a hinge 231 or the like, and which may be releasably latched to one another at the other end by a latch 233 or the like (similar to the hinged retainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2).
Similar to the previous embodiment, vertical supports 220 extend downward from both the front portion 219 and the rear portion 221 of the ring portion 218. The lower end 227 of each vertical support 220 is contoured to form an engaging member which is releasably received within a corresponding recess 225 formed in the upper surface 214 of the base 212 (best shown in FIG. 4C). It should be understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the overall bathtub shown in FIGS. 4A-4C are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the configuration and relative dimensions of the bathtub may be varied. Similar to the previous embodiments, the bathtub may include features common to conventional infant bathtubs, such as a drain opening and drain plug, an integral soap dish, and the like, along with any desired support, such as feet 230, which are mounted to the lower surface 215 of base 212. When the ring portion 218 is removed, as shown in FIG. 4B, multiple basins may be stacked together for transportation and storage.
In addition to the recesses 224 arrayed peripherally about the raised central portion 223, the rear portion 221 has a plurality of tabs 230 formed peripherally thereon for releasable engagement with corresponding slots 232 formed within a rear portion of the sidewall 216 (best shown in FIG. 4B). In FIGS. 4A-4C, four vertical supports 220 and four corresponding recesses 224 are shown. However, it should be understood that the number of supports 220 and corresponding recesses 224 may be varied. Similarly, although four tabs 230 are shown for engagement with four slots or recesses 232, it should be understood that this is shown for exemplary purposes only. It should be similarly understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the ring portion 218 and the vertical supports 220 may be varied.
In the further alternative embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5C, the combination infant bathtub and seat 300 similarly includes a basin defined by a base 312 and at least one sidewall 316. Similar to the previous embodiment, the base 312 includes a raised central portion 323, which is contoured to form a seat for the infant (as best shown in FIG. 5C). As best shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the infant is held in place during bathing by a ring portion 318, which includes a front portion 319 and a rear portion 321.
In contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4C, a single vertical support 320 extends downward from the front portion 319 of the ring portion 318. The lower end 332 of the vertical support 320 is contoured to form an engaging member that is releasably received within a corresponding recess 331 formed in the upper surface 314 of the base 312 (best shown in FIG. 5C). As in the previous embodiments, the vertical support 320 separates the legs of the infant I when the infant I is sitting in the seat portion 323, thus properly positioning and securing the infant I. It should be understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the overall bathtub shown in FIGS. 5A-5C are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the configuration and relative dimensions of the bathtub may be varied. Similar to the previous embodiments, the bathtub may include features common to conventional infant bathtubs, such as a drain opening and drain plug, an integral soap dish, and the like, along with any desired support, such as feet 330, which are mounted to the lower surface 315 of the base 312.
In addition to the recess 331, a plurality of recesses 336 are formed in an upper portion of the sidewall 316 for releasable engagement with corresponding engaging members 334, which extend downward from the rear portion 321 of the ring portion 318 (best shown in FIG. 5B). In FIGS. 5A-5C, three engaging members 334 and three corresponding recesses 336 are shown. However, it should be understood that the number of engaging members 334 and corresponding recesses 336 may be varied. It should be similarly understood that the overall configuration and relative dimensions of the ring portion 318 and the vertical support 320 may be varied. Additionally, as in the previous embodiments, the front portion 319 of the ring portion 318 may, as an alternative, be hinged with respect to the rear portion 321, allowing the infant I to be releasably secured within the ring portion 318. When the ring portion 318 is removed, as shown in FIG. 5B, multiple basins may be stacked together for transportation and storage.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Patent Application
20150101118
