Suntanning Tub

Abstract

A shallow, tub-like receptacle for use by sunbathers in obtaining a suntan. The receptacle is defined by an elongated rectangular bottom with relatively short end and side walls projecting upwardly therefrom, the end walls being of different height so that the tub is deeper at one end than the other. A peripheral flange extends laterally outward from the end and side walls, the flange being widened along each side over a predetermined length to define arm rests for the user. The tub further includes inclined ramp surfaces disposed at each end thereof to receive and comfortably support the sunbather's head and feet in a position of repose.

Description

The invention is directed to a shallow tube for use by sunbathers in obtaining a suntan.

Sunbathing, whether done for the purpose of obtaining a suntan or merely for relaxation, is often accompanied by periods of undue warmth, particularly under conditions of high temperature and little or no wind. For the sunbather in close proxmity to a swimming pool, lake or ocean, the problem of becoming excessively warm or hot is of little consequence since it is readily solved by a short submergence into the water, which both cools the body and assists in the tanning process. Sunbathers who do not have immediate access to a swimming area are not so fortunate, and either tolerate such excessive warmth or cut short their period of sunbathing.

My invention resides in a suntanning tub or receptacle which is capable of containing water at a shallow depth, and which also offers comfortable support to the sunbather in a position of repose. Thus, the use of my inventive structure enables the sunbather to remain both cool and comfortable for extended sunbathing periods.

The inventive suntanning tub includes an elongated rectangular bottom having side and end walls projecting upwardly therefrom to define a shallow receptacle capable of holding water. Preferably, the end walls are of different height so that depth of the receptacle increases from the foot to the head portion. A peripheral flange extends laterally outward from the side and end walls, the flange having an increased width from essentially the tub midpoint to the head portion to define arm rests enabling the sunbather to repose in a position of total comfort. Disposed at each end of the tanning receptacle is an inclined ramp surface extending longitudinally from the tub bottom to the top of the associated end wall to define supports for the user's head and feet. The supportive foot surface is of such width relative to the width of the tub as to permit the sunbather to place his feet in the water on either side thereof if desired.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the inventive structure permits a user to obtain a suntan at any desired location, whether or not a swimming area is nearby, in complete comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suntanning tub embodying the inventive principle;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the inventive suntanning tub;

FIG. 3 is a view in top plan of the suntanning tub;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the suntanning tub taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of the suntanning tub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a suntanning tub or receptacle embodying the inventive principle is represented generally by the numeral 11. Tub 11 comprises an elongated bottom 12 which is generally rectangular in shape and longitudinally corrugated to give it the requisite strength for adequately supporting a person in a reclined position thereon. The length and width of bottom 12 are chosen in accordance with the size of adult persons as will be evident below.

Projecting upwardly from the bottom 12 are a pair of side walls 13a, b and a pair of end walls 14a, b the height of which is chosen to generally define a shallow receptacle capable of holding water. The juncture of each of the side walls 13a, b and end walls 14a, b with bottom 12 is rounded, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the preferred embodiment, the end wall 14a is disposed at the head of tub 11, and its height is slightly greater than that of the end wall 14b (see FIG. 2 in particular). Consequently, the side walls 13a, b increase in their vertical dimension or height from the foot to the head of the tub 11, and the receptacle depth increases accordingly.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the line of juncture of each of the side walls 13a, b and end walls 14a, b with the bottom 12 is rounded to eliminate the presence of sharp edges on the tub 11.

Extending laterally outward from the side wall 13a, b and end walls 14a, b is a continuous peripheral flange 15. As shown particularly in FIG. 4, the flange 15 has a rolled, smooth outer edge, also for the reason of avoiding any sharpness to the user. Between the longitudinal midpoint of the tub 11 and the head portion, the peripheral flange 15 is widened to define arm rests 16 on each side thereof. The arm rests 16 may be slightly concave, as shown particularly in FIG. 4, for more comfort to the user and also to insure that water will be channeled back into the receptacle rather than over the outer edge. Except for the arm rest 16, peripheral flange 15 is of essentially constant dimension.

Extending longitudinally from the end wall 14a to the top surface of the bottom 12 is a ramp surface 17, the inclined length of which is sufficient to receive and comfortably support a user's head. Similarly, at the foot of tub 11, a ramp surface 18 extends longitudinally from the end wall 14b to the upper surface of bottom 12. The inclined length of ramp surface 18 enables the user to comfortably place his feet in a slightly elevated position thereon, such length being slightly greater than that of the ramp surface 17. The transverse dimension of width of the ramp 18, however, is somewhat less than that of the ramp surface 17 to define slots 19 on either side thereon into which the user may place his feet to keep them partially submerged in water, if desired.

Preferably, each of the ramp surfaces 17, 18 is slightly concave as shown and has a slightly roughened finish, which prevents the user's head and feet from slipping to provide optimum comfort.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the inventive tanning tub can be made from any number of appropriate materials capable of defining a water retaining receptacle. Preferably, the tanning tub is formed from self-supporting polyethylene having a thickness of 0.060 inches, which offers sufficient supportive strength without being unduly heavy. The use of self-supporting polyethylene also enables the tub 11 to be integrally molded as a unit to simplify its manufacture.

Using the inventive tub 11 simply involves placing it on a flat horizontal surface, filling it with water to the desired depth and assuming a comfortable reposed position. The unique structure of the suntanning tub 11 enables the user to lie either face up or face down; and consequently, should the user become excessively warm or hot, turning over provides immediate cooling with a minimum expenditure of energy.

Claims

I claim:

1. An integrally molded, thin walled article for use by sunbathers, comprising:

a. an elongated, generally rectangular bottom member of predetermined dimension, the bottom member being longitudinally corrugated for strength;

b. first and second end walls and first and second side walls projecting upwardly from the bottom member and defining a shallow recepacle therewith capable of holding water and sized to permit a sunbather to lie therein;

c. the vertical dimension of the first end wall being greater than that of the second end wall, and the vertical dimension of the first and second side walls increasing correspondingly to define a receptacle of increasing depth toward said first end wall;

d. a peripheral flange of predetermined width extending laterally outward from said side and end walls, the peripheral flange being widened along each side from an intermediate point thereof to a point proximate the first end wall to define arm rests for the sunbather;

e. a first generally rectangular inclined surface extending longitudinally from the top surface of the bottom member to the first end wall and being slidhtly concave to receive and comfortably support the sunbather's head;

f. a second generally rectangular inclined surface extending longitudinally from the top surface of the bottom member to the second end wall and being slightly concave to receive and confortably support the sunbather's feet;

g. each of said first and second inclined surfaces having a roughened finish to prevent slipping relative thereto.

2. The article defined by claim 1 wherein each of said arm rests is slightly concave and inclined downwardly to the receptacle to channel water thereto.

3. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1 wherein the juncture of said side and end walls with the bottom member is rounded.

4. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1, wherein the outer edge of the peripheral flange is rolled downwardly.

5. The suntanning tub defined in claim 1, wherein the bottom member, side walls, end walls, peripheral flange and inclined surface are integrally molded from self-supporting polyethylene.

6. The suntanning tub defined by claim 1, wherein the second inclined surface is spaced from the respective side walls to define slots to receive the user's feet.