U.S. patent application number 10/190820 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-16 for bath pillow and seat.
Invention is credited to Julien, Arthur R..
Application Number | 20030009828 10/190820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26886487 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030009828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Julien, Arthur R. |
January 16, 2003 |
Bath pillow and seat
Abstract
A rubber bath pillow and seat combination, wherein the bath
pillow portion is substantially cylindrical. The pillow is inflated
with water. A rectangular planar non-inflatable seat portion is
integrated with the pillow along its longitudinal axis. The pillow
has an elongated filler tube attached to the cylindrical pillow at
one end by a threaded thumb screw having a scalloped periphery. The
distal end of the filler tube has a slotted threaded plug.
Inventors: |
Julien, Arthur R.;
(Oakville, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
26886487 |
Appl. No.: |
10/190820 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60304113 |
Jul 11, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655.5 ;
4/578.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/655.5 ;
4/578.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 027/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A bath pillow and seat combination comprising: a substantially
cylindrical bath pillow containing a filler; a rectangular
non-inflatable seat integral with said bath pillow along its
longitudinal axis; and a closable tubular nozzle connected to said
pillow at one end.
2. The bath pillow and seat combination according to claim 1,
wherein a thumb screw element having a scalloped periphery being
positioned at a proximate end of the nozzle and adapted to connect
the nozzle to the bath pillow.
3. The bath pillow and seat combination according to claim 1,
wherein the tubular nozzle has a threadable distal end plug.
4. The bath pillow and seat combination according to claim 1,
wherein the non-inflatable seat is planar.
5. The bath pillow and seat combination according to claim 1,
wherein the bath pillow filler is water.
6. The bath pillow and seat combination according to claim 1,
wherein the bath pillow and seat combination is made of rubber.
7. The bath pillow and seat combination according to claim 1,
wherein the nozzle element is made of plastic.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/304,113, filed Jul. 11, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to pillows. More
specifically, the invention is a non-floating bath pillow filled
with water and attached to a seat for supporting one's back while
taking a bath in a bathtub.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The related art of interest describes various bath pillows,
but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for a
non-floatable bath pillow and seat made of natural rubber for use
in either a sitting position or lying down in the bathtub. The
related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance
to the present invention.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,012 issued on Mar. 27, 1973, to Sidney
Tobinick et al. describes a rectangular polyvinylchloride covered
water bed mattress having a polyvinylchloride pillow which may be
filled with either air or water. The pillow is formed from a strip
which is folded over and sealed at its edges and one of its ends to
provide a web in front. A valve is positioned at the rear of the
pillow. The strip may be formed from separate panels and must be
placed at the head of the mattress. The pillow is distinguishable
for being required to be an integral part of a water bed
mattress.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,721,571 issued on Jul. 23, 1929, to Carl
Miller describes a rectangular bathtub pad constructed of rubber
and formed in two compartments having filler plugs to be filled by
warmed water. The pillow compartment is one-third of the total
length. Straps are positioned at each corner and each strap has a
distal suction cup and a proximate aperture for hanging by hooks.
The bathtub pad is distinguishable for requiring attachment straps,
suction cups and hook apertures.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,373 issued on May 14, 1991, to Dwayne
Dobine describes a bath pillow adapted for supporting the head and
back while bathing in a bathtub. Straps with suction cups are
provided for securing the pillow to the wall of the tub. The pillow
comprises two detachable support cushions with a tear-drop
cross-section having moisture-proof cores of soft cotton. The bath
pillow is distinguishable for failing to have water filled
cores.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,713 issued on Aug. 25, 1992, to John B.
Pesterfield describes a rectangular bath pillow for use as a head
rest within a bathtub comprising an outer casing enclosing a
resilient plastic foam filler such as polyurethane. A sheet of film
is disposed between a front covering of soft polyvinylchloride and
a rear covering of an expanded vinyl coated with polyvinylchloride
which has a polyvinylchloride suction cup in each corner. The bath
pillow is distinguishable for its solid structure and requirement
for suction cups.
[0010] U.S. Design Pat. No. 25,786 issued on Jul. 14, 1896, to
Albert A. Stoll describes an ornamental design for a rectangular
water pillow having a central aperture and elongated outlet tubes
with distal stoppers at each corner. The pillow is distinguishable
for its required central aperture and corner outlet tubes.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 2,167,178 issued on Jul. 25, 1939, to Marie M.
Kohlstadt describes a bathtub cushion support comprising a head
rest detachable from a mat. The cushion support is made of a rubber
cover enclosing sponge rubber. The head rest is fatter and less
wide with ears on each end and on the free side for supporting
three suction cups. The mat is extensive in area and connected by a
bead insertable in a slot of the head rest. The bathtub cushion
support is distinguishable for being solid in composition.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 2,483,077 issued on Sep. 27, 1949, to John C.
Walsh describes a bathtub cushion comprising a square back cushion
and a square seat cushion connected by straps and snap fasteners on
the back cushion. The casing is either rubber or rubberized cloth
and contains sponge rubber. An array of suction cups are provided
only for the bottom surface of the seat cushion. The cushion is
distinguishable for being solid in construction with suction cups
and being separable.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 505,873 issued on Oct. 3, 1893, to Joseph
Bomgardner describes an ice pillow comprising a rectangular air
chamber with an aperture in its center and having an inflation
tube. The bottom portion contains ice which can be emptied by a
drain tube. The pillow is distinguishable for its different
configuration and lack of a seat portion.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,388 issued on Jan. 30, 1990, to Maurice
R. Bard describes a water pillow having a gussetted edge filled
with a compressible material and a bottom layer filled with a fluid
accessed by a filler plug. The plastic pillow has a top space and a
zippered or hook and loop fastening for adding a conventional
stuffed pillow. The water pillow is distinguishable for its
requirement for utilizing a conventional pillow.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,560 issued on Feb. 16, 1988, to Larry L.
Christie describes a pillow utilizing air and water in separate
compartments, wherein the air is enclosed by the water compartment.
The pillow is distinguishable for its requirement for air and water
compartments.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,910 issued on Aug. 26, 1975, to Yuichi
Nakata describes a water pillow comprising a hollow rubber or
polyvinyl chloride container having an upper concavity, a bottom
having hollow flexible ridges surrounding the concavity, and filled
with water to fit on the user's head. A cap is threaded onto a
filling mouth. The water pillow is distinguishable for its distinct
structure and lack of a seat.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 2,582,439 issued on Jan. 15, 1952, to James O.
Kavanaugh describes a pneumatic seat and back rest lounging device
for a bathtub comprising a vinylite head and back rest portion and
a seat portion having an array of suction cups. The head and back
rest portion has separate air inlet valves, while the seat portion
has only one air valve. The device is distinguishable for its
separate air compartments and the requirement for suction cups.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,931 issued on Jul. 18, 1989, to Maurice
R. Bard describes a water pillow comprising a rectangular casing
layer enclosing a compressible filler material with air pockets in
front and in the rear. Water is contained in a thin envelope of
ethylene vinyl acetate with a thermal reflector layer and a foam
wedge below it. The water pillow is distinguishable for its
required enclosed compartments.
[0019] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention is directed to a rubber bath pillow
and seat combination, wherein the bath pillow is substantially
cylindrical except for two diametrically opposed portions. The
pillow is inflated with water. A rectangular planar non-inflatable
seat portion is integrated with the pillow along its longitudinal
axis. The seat portion ensures the static position of the pillow
with the pressure of the user's back. The pillow has a plugged,
elongated filler tube attached to the cylindrical pillow at one end
by a threaded thumb screw attachment having a scalloped periphery.
Thus, the thumb screw is readily attached and removed. The distal
end of the filler tube has a slotted threaded plug. The elongated
filler tube and plug permit the adjustment of the inflated volume
of the pillow while the user is laying on it.
[0021] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a water fillable bath pillow and a planar non-inflatable
seat combination.
[0022] It is another object of the invention to provide a bath
pillow having an elongated filling and discharging tube.
[0023] It is a further object of the invention to provide the
elongated tube with an attachment screw at a proximate end with a
scalloped periphery.
[0024] Still another object of the invention is to provide the
elongated tube with a threaded filler and emptying plug having a
slot in the threaded portion, a flange and a flat rounded
handle.
[0025] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes
described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
[0026] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a bath
pillow and seat combination according to the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the filling nozzle element
with the removed thumb screw plug in shadow.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the thumb screw plug having
a round flat handle positioned on a flange having a slotted and
threaded neck portion.
[0030] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] The present invention is a rubber bath pillow and seat
combination device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 and comprising a
substantially cylindrical bath pillow portion 12 containing water
14 (hidden). A rubber composition is critical to ensure that the
device 10 is durable and heavy enough to stay in place in the
bathtub against an inclined side without a requirement for
retaining means such as suction cups. Moreover, a rectangular
planar non-inflatable seat portion 16 is provided integral with the
bath pillow portion 12 along its longitudinal axis.
[0032] A tubular nozzle element 18 is connected to the pillow
portion 12 at one of the two planar ends 20. The nozzle element 18
has a threadable distal end plug 22 at the distal end of an
elongated and flexible tube 23, illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3,
which permits the filling and emptying of the water 14 to suit the
desires of the user while lying in the bathtub. The end plug 22,
depicted enlarged in FIG. 3, has a flat circular tab portion 24
with a cross-hatching design 26 on both sides for ease of gripping,
and is based on a circular flange 28 abutting a threaded shank 30
having a slot 32. The slot 32 is important in facilitating the
removal of the end plug 22 when it is desired to empty or fill the
bath pillow portion 12 with the non-soapy bathtub water 14.
[0033] A thumb screw 34 having a scalloped periphery 36 is
positioned at the proximate end of the nozzle element 18, and is
adapted to connect the nozzle element 18 to a threaded aperture
(hidden) in the bath pillow portion 12. The provision of a
scalloped periphery 36 is critical to enable any user to readily
remove the nozzle element 18 for cleaning the inside surface of the
bath pillow portion 12.
[0034] The combination device 10 is made of rubber, preferably,
except for the plastic nozzle element 18.
[0035] Although the bath pillow portion 12 is depicted in FIG. 1 as
having a pointed portion 38 diametrically opposite the connection
point 40 of the planar non-inflatable seat portion 16, it is within
the ambit of this invention to omit the pointed portion 38.
[0036] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *