Patent Application
20160128478
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protective guard that can affix, via suction cups, to any smooth surface, such as around the edge of a sink, a corner, or any edge of a table top or the like, in order to protect against bodily injuries in the event of harmful contact with the hard edge or surface.
2. Description of Prior Art
Bathing a squirming, slippery baby can be a difficult task, especially if you are bending over a bathtub or trying to use a portable bathtub resting on the floor or even a counter top. Portable bathtubs are generally cumbersome to store and can really only be used for a short time period of a baby's infancy. Once the baby grows to a certain size and becomes more active, portable tubs, and infant size bathers are no longer useful, as the baby can squirm right out of them. Portable tubs, often placed on counter tops, can also slip off the surface, or tip over. However, the kitchen sink is generally an easy to reach bathing area and no additional storage space is needed to store a tub once the bath has concluded. One of the main risks associated with bathing a baby in the sink is the edge of the sink or counter, especially if the baby slips or flings himself backwards, thereby hitting his head or body against a hard corner or surface of the sink or surrounding counter top.
Currently some people use layers of towels or foam padding on the edges of a kitchen sink during bath time. However, the towels are not secured to the edge and can easily be pulled into the sink, thus creating a wet mess and removing the protective guard. Another option often used is a foam guard. Unfortunately though, the foam can be ripped apart or chewed on by a baby or child, thus creating a choking hazard and again, removing the protective guard. Many edge guards use double sided adhesive tape, which does not offer a very strong bond, especially when wet. Children can pull the guard from the edge with very little strength. Over time, after many removals from the child, the adhesive tape loses the ability to adhere to any surface, leaving the edge or corner exposed. Other options used to protect an infant include inflatable devices, which can be collapsible and deflated by a puncture or tear, rendering the device useless.
Examples of prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,652 entitled Infant Bathing Apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,901 entitled Table Edge Bumper Assembly; U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,737 B2 entitled Protective Edge Guard; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2011/0041244 A1 entitled Child Bathing Apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,000 entitled Infant Bathing Apparatus with Faucet Guard; U.S. Pat. No. 8,695,129 entitled Portable Bath Tub Apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,684 entitled Baby Bath Insert; U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,394 entitled Baby Bather; U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,588 entitled Collapsible Baby Tub; U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,552 entitled Sink Mounted Infant Bathing Device; U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,967 entitled Baby's Bath; U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,622 entitled Method of Fabricating Inflatable Bathing Tub and Associated Support Apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,959 entitled Bath Station; U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,430 entitled Baby Bath Tub; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,106 entitled Safety Bumper for Furniture.
Therefore, a need exists for a protective edge guard that is not easily removed from a surface, and cannot be easily chewed, ripped, or deflated. Additionally, the guard needs to be easy to use, easy to store, easily portable, and easily cleaned. Ideally, the guard could also be affixed to the corners of walls, edges of counters, edges of table tops, and other like, smooth surfaces.
The present invention is a pliable protective guard that can bend around and temporarily attach, via suction cups, to a smooth hard surface in order to protect a child or person against harmful contact with the edge of the hard surface. In the preferred embodiment, the edge guard is designed to cover the edges of a sink, corners of walls, edges of tables, countertops, and any other edge that could pose a potential bodily injury from unintentional impact.
The protective edge guard has a top surface, a bottom surface, a cushioned middle section, and suction cups included along the bottom surface.
The top surface may contain characters, designs, shapes, or the like as decoration in order to entertain children. Optionally, the top surface may also contain bumps or ridges
The cushioned middle section of the invention is comprised of an inner filling of compressible material, such as silicone or rubber. The middle section does not need to be extremely thick, but thick enough to create a protective barrier along the edge being covered. The middle section remains pliable enough to be able to bend around an edge or corner.
The bottom surface is generally a smooth, flat surface containing a plurality of suction cups. Optionally the bottom surface can contain bumps or ridges. The suction cups are spaced periodically along the underside of the guard. The suction cups will adhere to most any smooth surface, such as the side of a sink, counter top, table edge, or even the corner of a wall.
Optionally, holes and loops can be included in the protective edge guard in order to allow toys to be connected. For example, toys could be connected to the loop, or placed through the hole, in order to distract and entertain the child during bath time.
In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is one piece and made of a flexible silicone, plastic, or rubber-like material that can easily bend around an edge or corner. Ideally, the material is safe for children, is easily cleaned, preferably dishwasher safe, and non-toxic. Additionally, the material used may be an anti-slip material. Thus, the material used can be determined by those skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the protective edge guard can be customized and cut to fit a range of different lengths, in order to fit a variety of kitchen sink sizes, edges, and corners.
A more complete understanding of the invention is further illustrated by reference to the following drawings in conjunction with the detailed description, in which like numerals refer to like elements in the various views:
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The protective edge guard 10, ideally made of a singular piece of material, can be made from any variety of materials so long as it is of a flexible nature and can easily bend around an edge or corner and cannot be torn easily. Such materials may include silicone, rubber, plastic-like material, or a tear resistant foam. Preferably the material can be cleaned in the dishwasher, is non-toxic to humans, safe for children, and easily cleaned. The protective edge guard 10 can be of a range of thicknesses and sizes in order to cover the edges of many varying sizes of household sinks, tables, counter edges, or corners of walls and trim work. Preferably the protective edge guard 10 will have a width of approximately between six and twelve inches and a length of between approximately nine and eighteen inches, but dependent on the use, other sizes may be used. The thickness and size can vary and can be determined by those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the protective edge guard 10 can be easily cut and customized to fit a range of lengths, in order to fit a variety of kitchen sink sizes, edges, and corners.
Hence, there has been shown and described a protective guard which satisfies the improvements sought. The disclosed embodiments are meant to be illustrative, not restrictive. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many variations, modifications, and other uses and applications to the guard are possible, especially with regard to shape, size, and materials. Such variations, modifications, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the essence and scope of the invention are considered to be encompassed by the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.
