U.S. patent application number 12/806739 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-14 for bathtub comprising a bathtub seat for infants.
Invention is credited to Peter Goergen.
Application Number | 20110083261 12/806739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43066840 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110083261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goergen; Peter |
April 14, 2011 |
Bathtub comprising a bathtub seat for infants
Abstract
The invention relates to bathtub comprising a bathtub seat (12)
for infants, which bathtub seat can be inserted in the bathtub
(11), the bathtub seat (12) comprising a lying surface (31) that
has an elevation (32) at a lower end, which elevation abuts the
infant's bottom and forms an anti-slip means, and comprising a
retaining member (37) arranged at the upper end of the bathtub seat
(12), which retaining member engages releasably with the tub edge
(21) of the bathtub (11), it being possible for the bathtub seat
(12) to be arranged in the bathtub (11) in a self-centring and
tilt-secure manner since a retaining member (37) engaging at the
tub edge (21) engages, via at least a fastening member (39), with
at least a further fastening member (25, 26) moulded onto the tub
edge (21), since an edge region (34) surrounding a lying surface
(31) of the bathtub seat (12) is provided and comprises a terminal
rim (43), the outer contour of which is adapted to an oval tub
recess that comprises a tub wall (19) narrowing from the tub edge
(21) to the tub base (14), since a portion (45) abutting or lying
on the tub base (14) at the lower end of the bathtub seat (12) is
provided, and since a retaining member (47) arranged at the lower
end of the bathtub seat (12) and engaging with the tub base (16) is
provided. (See FIG. 3)
Inventors: |
Goergen; Peter;
(Wadern-Nunkirchen, DE) |
Family ID: |
43066840 |
Appl. No.: |
12/806739 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2010 |
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 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 037 926.6 |
Claims
1. Bathtub comprising a bathtub seat for infants that can be
inserted in the bathtub, the bathtub seat comprising a lying
surface that comprises an elevation at a lower end, which elevation
abuts the infant's bottom and forms an anti-slip means, and
comprising a retaining member arranged at the upper end of the
bathtub seat, which retaining member engages releasably with the
tub edge of the bathtub, wherein the bathtub seat is arrangeable in
the bathtub in a self-centring and tilt-secure manner since a
retaining member engaging at the tub edge engages, via at least a
fastening member, with at least a further fastening member moulded
onto the wall edge, since an edge region surrounding a lying
surface of the bathtub seat is provided and comprises a terminal
rim, the outer contour of which is adapted to an oval tub recess
that comprises a tub wall narrowing from the tub edge to the tub
base, since a portion abutting or resting on the wall base at the
lower end of the bathtub seat is provided, and since a retaining
member arranged at the lower end of the bathtub seat and engaging
with the tub base is provided.
2. Bathtub according to claim 1, wherein a locking device is formed
between the bathtub seat and the tub edge by the engaging fastening
members, at which locking device the bathtub seat is fixed in
position at the tub edge, at least in one direction.
3. Bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the fastening members are
fixed via an attaching or plug-in movement, and are locked against
removal.
4. Bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member of
the bathtub seat comprises a support face for providing support at
the tub edge, at which the fastening member configured as a
protrusion is provided and extends towards the at least one
fastening member of the tub edge configured as a recess and is
positionable in the fastening member configured as a recess in the
tub edge between two further fastening members configured as
ribs.
5. Bathtub according to claim 1, wherein a closable drain is
provided excentrically relative to the tub base and is accessible
when a bathtub seat is inserted in the bathtub.
6. Bathtub seat for infants for use in a bathtub, which bathtub
seat comprises a recessed lying surface that comprises an elevation
at the lower end, which elevation abuts the infant's bottom, and
forms an anti-slip means, and comprising a retaining member
provided in the head region of the lying surface and a support face
for providing support at the tub edge, wherein an oval edge region
surrounding the lying surface is provided, the outer continuously
peripheral terminal rim thereof comprising a contour or an
extension or a combined contour and extension in such a way that
the terminal rim of the edge region abuts the tub wall once the
bathtub seat has been inserted in the bathtub, the terminal rim
transitioning into a planar and horizontal portion at the lower end
of the bathtub seat, which portion abuts or lies on the tub
base.
7. Bath tub seat according to claim 6, wherein a peripheral
elevation is provided between the lying surface and the terminal
rim surrounding the edge region and defines the lying surface.
8. Bath tub seat according to claim 6, wherein a protrusion
pointing towards the tub edge is provided as a fastening member at
the support face of the retaining member and is preferably moulded
onto the retaining member.
9. Bathtub seat according to claim 6, wherein a recessed grip is
moulded onto an end-face end of the retaining member and protrudes
opposite an outer portion of the tub edge once the retaining member
has been placed on the tub edge.
10. Bath tub seat according to claim 6, wherein at least a
retaining member is fixed to a portion of the edge region abutting
the tub base.
11. Bathtub for infants, in which it is possible to insert a
bathtub seat comprising a base, a tub wall and a tub edge
delimiting the tub wall at the top, wherein fastening members are
provided at the tub edge for a releasable positioning or locking
device relative to a bathtub seat that is insertable in the
bathtub.
12. Bathtub according to claim 11, wherein two ribs arranged at a
distance from one another are provided at the tub edge as a
fastening member and are arranged in the further fastening member
configured as a recess.
13. Bathtub according to claim 11, wherein the fastening members
are moulded onto the tub member.
14. Bathtub according to claim 11, wherein the portion of the tub
edge receiving the fastening members is taller than an opposing
portion of the tub edge.
15. Bath tub seat according to claim 10, wherein the retaining
chamber is a suction cup or a support comprising suction bumps.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a bathtub comprising a bathtub seat
for infants, it being possible to insert the bathtub seat in the
bathtub.
[0002] DE 100 36 380 C2 discloses a bathtub comprising feet that
can be attached thereto and in which a bathtub seat can be
inserted. This bathtub comprises a rectangular bathtub recess with
side walls that are arranged perpendicular to the bathtub base. The
bathtub seat comprises a tab portion at the head end that lies on
the bathtub edge as well as a wrapping lip that rests on the outer
wall edge portion. In order to provide a further defined
arrangement of the bathtub seat at the bath wall, a protrusion is
provided at the underside of the bathtub seat, both in the pelvis
region and in the foot region, in each case centrally relative to
the longitudinal axis of the bathtub seat, which protrusions are
inserted into recesses in the bathtub base for fixing. An edge
region is adjacently moulded onto the lying surface and extends as
far as the perpendicular side walls, the edge region not closing
the corner region between the side wall and the base in the foot
region.
[0003] This arrangement poses the drawback that, owing to the
perpendicular side walls and the central fixing of the bathtub seat
via the protrusions at the tub base, there is an increased risk of
tilting about the longitudinal axis of the bathtub seat inside the
bathtub recess. Furthermore, it is cumbersome and difficult to
insert and secure the bathtub seat in the bathtub by positioning
the protrusions on the bathtub seat in the recesses in the bathtub
base.
[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a
bathtub comprising a bathtub seat for infants, a bathtub for
accommodating a bathtub seat, and a bathtub seat, whereby it is
possible for the bathtub seat to be arranged simply and securely in
the bathtub and any risk of injury posed to the infant is
eliminated.
[0005] This object is achieved by a bathtub comprising a bathtub
seat for infants in accordance with the features of claim 1.
Further advantageous configurations and developments are disclosed
in the further claims.
[0006] In accordance with the invention the bathtub comprising a
bathtub seat for infants makes it possible for the bathtub seat to
be inserted and arranged in a tub recess of the bathtub in a
self-centring and tilt-secure manner. For this purpose at least a
fastening member arranged at the retaining member engages with at
least a further fastening member moulded onto the tub edge, in such
a way that a locking device is provided at the upper tub edge.
Furthermore, a lying surface of the bathtub seat comprises an edge
region surrounding the lying surface, the outer contour of which
edge region is adapted to an oval tub recess, the tub recess
comprising a peripheral side wall that narrows from the tub edge to
the tub base. The oval edge region that surrounds the lying surface
transitions at the lower end of the tub insert into a planar and
horizontally extending portion that rests against or abuts the tub
base. Once inserted into the tub recess, the bathtub seat thus
completely abuts the tub recess in such a way that there is no
longer a gap between the tub recess, i.e. the tub wall and the tub
base, and the bathtub seat. A gap-free arrangement of the bathtub
seat relative to the tub recess is thus provided and any risk of
the infant's arms and legs becoming trapped is virtually excluded.
In addition, a retaining member engaging with the planar tub base
is provided at the lower end of the bathtub seat. On the one hand,
by combining these features it is possible to easily insert the
bathtub seat from above into the tub recess, self-centring being
achieved relative to the tub recess as a result of the outer
contour of the edge region of the lying surface. On the other hand,
a tilt-secure arrangement about the longitudinal axis of the
bathtub seat is provided, since fastening members engage with one
another at the upper tub edge, a lower portion of the bathtub seat
rests against the tub base and a retaining member also engages with
the planar tub base. Single-handed operation is thus made possible
in order to position the bathtub seat in a defined and secure
position in the bathtub recess ready for use. Easy removal is also
made possible.
[0007] In accordance with a preferred configuration of the
invention a locking device is provided between the bathtub seat and
the tub edge of the bathtub by the engaging fastening members, at
which locking device the bathtub seat is fixed in position at the
tub edge, at least in one direction. In particular, the fastening
members engaging with one another are largely configured in such a
way that the bathtub seat is secured in the bathtub recess against
rotation or tilting about its longitudinal axis in the tub
recess.
[0008] In accordance with a further preferred configuration of the
invention, the fastening members can be arranged or fixed via an
attaching or plug-in movement. This enables easy handling,
positioning and (if configured accordingly) fixing of the bathtub
seat in the bathtub. Once the bathtub seat has been placed in
position for use in the bathtub, secure positioning or locking
between the retaining member and the tub edge is provided, almost
autonomously.
[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the bathtub it
is provided for the retaining member of the bathtub seat to
comprise a support face for providing support at the tub edge, at
which the fastening member configured as a protrusion is provided
and extends toward the fastening member of the tub edge configured
as a recess and can be positioned between two fastening members
configured as ribs that are arranged in the fastening member
configured as a recess. This arrangement makes it possible to
position and insert the protrusion at the retaining member of the
bathtub seat into a recess in the tub edge defined by two distanced
ribs in a tilt-free manner as a result of a simple attaching or
plug-in movement. If a tilting movement begins, the protrusion
abuts the ribs arranged laterally thereto in such a way that any
rotation or tilting is prevented by these ribs. This simple fixing
in position makes it possible to create a locked connection without
clip or catch mechanisms. Additionally or alternatively, a clip or
catch mechanism may also be provided in order to prevent the
bathtub seat from being removed from the tub edge.
[0010] In accordance with a further preferred configuration of the
bathtub comprising a bathtub seat it is provided for a closable
drain to be provided excentrically so as to remain accessible when
a bathtub seat is inserted in the bathtub. The inclination and
length of the bathtub seat as well as the positioning of the drain
are adapted to one another in such a way that the drain is
accessible despite the bathtub seat being inserted. It is thus made
possible for bath water to be drained off as required during use of
a bathtub seat. The contour of the edge region resting on the base
therefore preferably deviates from the contour extending at the tub
edge so as to create an additional clearance and to make the drain
accessible.
[0011] The object of the invention is also achieved by a bathtub
seat for infants for insertion in a bathtub that comprises an edge
region surrounding the lying surface, the outer continuously
peripheral terminal rim of said edge region comprising a contour in
such a way that the terminal rim abuts the tub wall once the
bathtub seat has been inserted in the bathtub, the terminal rim
transitioning into a planar and horizontal portion at the lower end
of the bathtub seat, which portion abuts the tub base or rests on
the tub base. In this instance the outer peripheral terminal rim of
the edge region is adapted to the bathtub and to the inclination of
the tub wall. As a result, the risk of injury posed by the infant's
arms or fingers being crushed or trapped is also prevented. At the
same time a stable and secure arrangement of the bathtub seat in
the tub is also obtained.
[0012] In accordance with a preferred configuration of the bathtub
seat a peripheral elevation is provided between the lying surface
and the terminal rim surrounding the edge region, which elevation
defines the lying surface. The infant is thus retained laterally
within the lying surface. At the same time, access to the region in
which the terminal rim lies against the tub wall is impeded by the
elevation.
[0013] In accordance with a preferred configuration of the bathtub
seat a protrusion pointing towards the tub edge is provided as a
fastening member at the retaining member in a support face for
resting on the bathtub edge and is preferably moulded onto the
retaining member. This configuration makes it possible to position
and secure the bathtub seat relative to the bathtub in a simple
manner once the bathtub seat has been placed and positioned in the
bathtub for use.
[0014] Furthermore, a recessed grip is preferably moulded onto the
bathtub seat at the end-face end of the retaining member, which
recessed grip protrudes opposite the tub edge once the retaining
member has been placed on the tub edge. This makes it possible to
remove the bathtub seat in a simple manner since the other regions
of the bathtub seat abut the tub edge or the tub recess as well as
the tub base. The tub seat can thus be lifted out of the bathtub in
a simple manner using this recessed grip.
[0015] Furthermore, at least a suction cup is fixed to an edge
region lying in the tub base. The bathtub seat can thus be
additionally secured and fixed against removal from the tub base.
Alternatively to the suction cup, a rubberised support face
comprising suction bumps or a furrowed surface or the like may be
provided.
[0016] The object of the invention is also achieved by a bathtub
for infants, in which a bathtub seat can be inserted, which bathtub
comprises fastening members at the tub edge for releasable
positioning or locking relative to the bathtub seat inserted in the
bathtub. The bathtub seat can thus be arranged and positioned
rigidly in the bathtub as well as be easily inserted and
removed.
[0017] A further preferred configuration of the bathtub for
accommodating the bathtub seat provides two ribs arranged at a
distance from one another as a fastening member at the tub edge,
which are arranged in the further fastening member configured as a
recess in the tub edge and between which a protrusion arranged at
the retaining member of the bathtub seat can be inserted. The
bathtub seat can thus be fixed relative to the bathtub by a simple
attaching or plug-in movement of the bathtub seat. The protrusion
of the bathtub seat engages in the recess in the bathtub edge
between the ribs, the distance between the ribs corresponding to
the width of the protrusion or being only slightly wider than this.
An arrangement of the bathtub seat in which it is secured against
tilting is thus provided in the upper region of the bathtub seat
relative to the tub edge.
[0018] In accordance with a further preferred configuration of the
bathtub it is provided for the fastening members to be moulded onto
the tub edge. When producing the tub as a moulded part, the recess
and the at least ribs arranged transversely thereto are, in
particular, deformed in such a way that they are provided
integrally with the tub. The same applies to the configuration of
the protrusion at the retaining member of the bathtub seat.
[0019] A preferred embodiment of the bathtub provides for the
portion of the tub edge receiving the fastening members to be
taller than an opposing tub portion. If of a constant size, the
lying surface can thus be arranged in the bathtub at a steeper
incline. In addition, it may be made possible to keep the infant's
head above the water level when the bathtub is completely full.
[0020] The invention and further advantageous embodiments and
developments thereof will be described and explained in greater
detail hereinafter with reference to the examples shown in the
drawings. The features to be inferred from the description and the
drawings may be applied in accordance with the invention either
individually or in any combination. In the drawings:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bathtub comprising a
bathtub seat for infants arranged therein,
[0022] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the bathtub
comprising a bathtub seat according to FIG. 1,
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the
bathtub comprising a bathtub seat according to FIG. 1,
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematically enlarged sectional view of detail
"X",
[0025] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a bathtub seat, and
[0026] FIG. 5b is a schematic side view of the bathtub seat
according to FIG. 4.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective plan view of a bathtub 11 comprising
a bathtub seat 12. FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of the
bathtub 11 comprising the bathtub seat 12 arranged therein. FIG. 3
shows a longitudinal sectional view of FIGS. 2 and 3. The bathtub
11 is preferably provided for infants and is made of plastics
material. The bathtub 11 comprises a tub base 14 with a drain 16
that can be closed by a drain plug 17. A tub wall 19 abutting the
tub base 14 is defined by a tub edge 21 that preferably has a
U-shaped cross-section with an end face 22. The tub wall 19 is
configured between the tub edge 21 and the tub base 16 so as to
become narrowed toward the tub base 14, or extends in a conically
tapering manner toward the tub base 14. For example the bathtub 11
is oval and may also be U-shaped, kidney-shaped, slot-shaped or
slot-shaped with a central constriction. For example an
accommodating recess 23 is provided at an end-face end of the
bathtub 11 as a storage face. Fastening members 25, 26 are provided
opposite at the tub edge 21 and, together with a fastening member
39 of the bathtub seat 12, form a secured positioning device
relative to one another or a locking device 28. A fastening member
25 is formed at this exemplary locking device 28 by a recess in the
tub edge 21, which recess extends along the tub edge 21. Two ribs
oriented at a distance from one another and transverse to the
recess 25 are provided in the recess 25 as a further fastening
member 26, for example as shown in FIG. 2. These fastening members
25, 26 form a part of a locking device 28 for receiving the bathtub
seat 12.
[0028] The bathtub seat 12 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5a
and 5b. This bathtub seat 12 comprises a lying surface 31, which
preferably has a soft pad or another soft insert or support. An
elevation 32 is provided at the lower end of the lying surface 31
as an anti-slip means for the infant. A trough-shaped extension 33
for receiving the infant's legs is arranged beside the elevation
32. The lying surface 31 is provided in a recessed manner relative
to an edge region 34 that surrounds the lying surface and is
preferably configured ergonomically so the infant can lie
comfortably on the lying surface 31. The edge region 34 is
configured as a preferably peripheral elevation, in such a way that
the elevation is taller than an outer terminal rim 43. A retaining
member 37 is provided at the upper end in the head region of the
lying surface 31 and is clip-shaped. This retaining member 37 lies,
at least in part, on the tub edge 21 via a support face 38. The
retaining member 37 comprises a protrusion or an edge portion as a
fastening member 39 and this extends towards the tub edge 21. This
fastening member 39 at the retaining member 37 forms part of the
locking device 28 so as to position and fix the bathtub seat 12
relative to the tub edge 19 of the bathtub 11. A curvature is
provided at the outer end-face end of the retaining member 37 as a
recessed grip 55 so as to make it possible to easily release the
retaining member 37 of the bathtub seat 12 from the tub edge.
[0029] The edge region 34 surrounding the lying surface 31 has an
outer contour with the terminal rim 43, which is adapted to the
contour of the bathtub 11 and to the incline of the lying surface
21 and the contour relative to the bathtub 11 thus produced. In
this instance the edge region 34 comprises portions 44 connected
laterally to the tub wall 19 and a portion 45 abutting the tub base
14. The extension of the terminal rim 43 or the width of the edge
region 34 surrounding the lying surface 31 is adapted to the size
and contour of the bathtub 11 or of the tub recess. It is thus
possible for the terminal rim 43 of the edge region 34 to abut the
tub wall 19 and the tub base 14 in such a way that an almost
gap-free arrangement of the bathtub seat 12 in the bathtub 11 is
made possible. The terminal rim 43 of the edge region 34 preferably
abuts the tub wall 19 and the tub base 14 once the bathtub seat 12
has been positioned for use. The infant's arms and fingers cannot
therefore become trapped between the bathtub seat 12 and the
bathtub 11. The portions 44 are elliptical in the bathtub seat 12
provided for an oval contour of the bathtub 11. The portion 45,
arranged on the tub base 14, of the edge region 43 is
segment-shaped. This portion 45 is planar, lies on the tub base 14
and extends as far as the tub wall 19. This poses the advantage
that the drain 16 is freely accessible when the bathtub seat 12 is
inserted in the bathtub 11.
[0030] At least a retaining member 47, in particular a suction cup
or a support with suction bumps, is preferably provided in the
portion 45 of the edge region 34, which also acts as an additional
support against tilting of the bathtub seat 12, so as to prevent
the bathtub seat 12 from being removed unintentionally from the
bathtub base 14.
[0031] In the bathtub 11 shown in cross-section in FIG. 3 the tub
edge 21 receiving the fastening members 24 is preferably taller
than the opposing tub edge 21, which, for example, comprises the
accommodating recess 23.
[0032] The bathtub seat 12 may easily be inserted in the bathtub 11
as required and removed again following use so as to make it
possible, on the one hand, to clean the bathtub 11 and the bathtub
seat 12 in a simple manner and, on the other hand, to use the
bathtub 11 without the bathtub seat 12. In order to insert the
bathtub seat 12 in the bathtub 11 it is provided for the fastening
member 39 at the bathtub seat 12 to be inserted into the fastening
member 25 configured as a recess and between the fastening members
26 at the bathtub 11 configured as ribs. The bathtub seat 12 is
moved towards the tub base 14 either subsequently or
simultaneously.
[0033] The fastening member 39, configured as a protrusion, of the
retaining member 37 engages in the recess 26 at the tub edge 21,
either before the portion 45 of the edge region 34 abuts the tub
base 14 or as the edge region 34 abuts the tub base 14. This
engagement between the protrusion 39 and the recess 25 between the
two ribs 26 at the tub edge 21 is shown in a schematically enlarged
manner in the detail shown in FIG. 4. In this instance the
components cooperating with one another may also be configured in
such a way that at least a small locking effect or clamping against
simple removal is made possible between the protrusion 29 and the
recess 25. At the same time the suction cup 47 engages with the tub
base 14. In addition, the edge region 34 of the bathtub seat 12
abuts the tub wall 19 and the tub base 14. It is therefore possible
to orientate the bathtub seat 12 relative to the bathtub 11 in a
stable manner. An attaching and/or plug-in movement of this type
makes it possible to insert and, at the same time, fasten the
retaining member 37 to the tub edge 21 in a simple manner. In order
to remove the bathtub seat 12, the suction cup 47 is first released
from the tub base 14. The bathtub seat 12 can then be removed
upwardly from the bathtub 11.
[0034] The bathtub seat is preferably configured as a bathtub
reclining seat that combines the functions of lying and sitting so
the infant is held comfortably and securely and can be easily
removed from the bathtub.
* * * * *