U.S. patent application number 12/802558 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for child bathing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Eric C. Devericks, Gil D. Manalo, David M. Morelock.
Application Number | 20110041244 12/802558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43604082 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110041244 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morelock; David M. ; et
al. |
February 24, 2011 |
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.
Inventors: |
Morelock; David M.; (San
Clemente, CA) ; Devericks; Eric C.; (San Clemente,
CA) ; Manalo; Gil D.; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Edward E. Roberts
P.O. Box 3206
Dana Point
CA
92629
US
|
Family ID: |
43604082 |
Appl. No.: |
12/802558 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61274561 |
Aug 20, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/572.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/572.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/024 20060101
A47K003/024 |
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; and said 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.
Description
[0001] Claim for Benefit of Earlier Filing Date
[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/274,561 filed on 20 Aug. 2009 and entitled
"CHILD BATHING APPARATUS". This utility application has the same
inventors and subject matter as the said Provisional
Application.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The background of the invention will be discussed in two
parts.
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] 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.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] 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
[0008] 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
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of child bathing apparatus in
accordance with the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus depicted in
FIG. 1 shown placed within a bathing basin;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus depicted in
FIG. 1 illustrating the child in the protective enclosure of the
invention;
[0012] 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;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing a different method of
attachment of the protruding petal-like members in accordance with
the invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing means for web means for
connecting the protruding petal-like members in accordance with the
invention;
[0015] 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;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing a different embodiment of
the base or seat in flattened arrangement; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base or seat embodiment
of FIG. 7 in expanded arrangement.
DESCRIPTION
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus 10
illustrating the child 15 in the protective enclosure of the
invention.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
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