Fold-up bathtub

Abstract

A baby bathtub having a base with a reservoir therein in which the baby is supported and an outwardly extending headrest and leg rest that support the baby's head and legs when the baby is in the reservoir. The headrest and leg rest are pivotally connected to the base so that they can move from the extended operative positions to a retracted position over the base for convenient storage or toting of the bathtub.

Description

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to baby bathtubs to be used on counters or tables or in typical double kitchen sinks or large single tub sinks.

There are a variety of baby bathtubs now on the market for conveniently bathing a baby. However, many of them are relatively large particularly if they are designed to be used for infants that are relatively large, for example, approximately the average size of a six month old. As a result of their large size, they are often inconvenient to tote or store. Moreover, they are not convenient to use in small double sinks. Many of the prior art tubs also lack a suitable basin to hold bathing accessories such as a wash cloth and soap.

The principle object of the present invention is to provide a tub which is large enough to be used with larger infants but which can be folded into a relatively compact size to facilitate toting or storing in a trunk, cabinet or closet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable baby bathtub which is suitable for use in a single or double kitchen sink without danger to the infant occupying it.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foldable bathtub which can be carried about with an infant in it when the tub is unfolded, without any danger of the tub collapsing.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tub that can be manufactured and sold for a modest price and yet provide long and dependable service.

To accomplish these and other objects, the bathtub of the present invention is made of three major parts, namely, a base having the major bathing reservoir in it, and a headrest and a foot rest each pivotally connected to the base. The pivotal connections between the base and the headrest and foot rest enable the two to be folded over the base so that each lies within the perimeter of the base and in the reservoir so that the effective volume of the tub for purposes of storage is essentially only that of the base itself. Latches are provided for securely locking both the headrest and foot rest in the extended or operative position so that the tub will not accidentally fold when in use. The location of the latches renders them inaccessible to the infant in the tub so that that cannot accidentally be released. A cushion pad lines the upper surfaces of the base, headrest and foot rest for maximum comfort of the infant. The surfaces of the three major parts form smooth continuations of one another and are contoured to support the infant in a partially-reclined position. Shoulders are provided on the bottoms of the parts that cooperate with one another so that the tub may be placed in a stable position in either a single or double sink, and a support rim is provided on the base for supporting the tub on a table, counter top or other flat surface.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the baby bathtub embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top 150 50 and 100 of the headrest and leg rest with the adjacent ends of the surface 38 of the base. The pad 120 is secured to the base 10, headrest 12 and leg rest 14 by transverse application of adhesive 122, 124 and 126, preventing water from dripping through the connection and directing water into the reservoir. These applications of adhesive however are spaced from the hinge connections between the three parts so as not to interfere with the folding of the tub. The pad 120 does not interfere with the folding of the leg rest 14 and headrest 12 to the retracted position closely adjacent the base. Any bulging at the fold between the base 10 and headrest 12 may be accommodated in the cavity 64.

In FIG. 12 the baby bathtub of the present invention shown in its extended or operative configuration is schematically depicted as it may be placed in either a double kitchen sink 128 or a larger single tub sink 129. Placed in a typical double kitchen sink having tubs 130 and 132, the shoulder 62 at the head end of the base 10 is shown to rest on the lip 134 at the right end of tub 130 while the foot end 136 of the base which is coplanar with the bottom edge 140 of shoulder 62 rests on the top 135 of the left side of basin 130, which is also the wall 137 between the two basins 130 and 132. In that position the leg rest 14 extends above the basin 132 in cantilever fashion and is held in that position by the latch 18 (not shown in FIG. 12). Referring to the same figure, the single tub sink 129 will support the end of the leg rest 14 by means of the shoulder 146 defined by the skirt 102 of the leg rest to the left of the well 140 104. Thus, the baby bathtub of this invention may be used either on a flat surface such as a table or counter top supported in place by the rim 22 on the base or in a single or double sink by means of the shoulder 62 at the head end of the base and either the shoulder 136 at the foot end of the base or the shoulder 146 at the extreme end of the leg rest. It will also be evident from the foregoing description that the baby bathtub of the present invention while providing a large reservoir full of water as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, is very compact as its head and foot ends may be folded over in the manner shown in FIG. 11 for carrying or storage. Furthermore, the baby bathtub has a convenient well at the leg rest for holding bath accessories when the device is in use.

Having described this invention in detail those skilled in the art will appreciated that many modifications may be made of this invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the breadth of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A baby bathtub comprising:

a base having a support on which the base may stand on a flat surface and having an upwardly open contoured reservoir for receiving a baby's torso, said base having a foot end and a head end and a pair of side walls,

said base having a rim that extends beyond the support at the foot and head ends for supporting the tub from the rim in a sinks sink,

a leg rest pivotally connected to the foot end of the base and movable between an extended position wherein it extends away from the base beyond the foot end and for supporting the feet of a baby positioned with its torso in the reservoir and a folded position wherein it overlies the base,

and a headrest pivotally connected to the head end of the base and movable between an extended position wherein it extends away from the base beyond the head and for supporting the head of a baby positioned with its torso in the reservoir and a folded position wherein the headrest overlies the base,

said leg rest and headrest in the folded position being compact so that the bathtub is easy to tote and store.

2. A baby bath tub as defined in claim 1 wherein hinges pivotally connect the leg rest and headrest to the base,

and latches are mounted in adjacent the hinges for releasably locking the leg rest and headrest in the extended positions.

3. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 1 wherein

the headrest and leg rest lie in an area defined by the perimeter of the base when they are in their folded positions.

4. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 2 wherein

the latches are mounted on the headrest and leg rest and engage the base in the latching position.

5. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 1 wherein

a pad is secured to the head rest and base on which the baby lies when placed in the bathtub.

6. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 1 5 wherein

the pad overlies the pivotal connection between the base and headrest for preventing water from dripping through the connection and directing water into the reservoir.

7. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 5 wherein

the pad is permanently secured to both the headrest and base.

8. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 1 wherein

a pad is secured to the base, leg rest and headrest and overlies the pivotal connection between them for preventing water from dripping through the connections .

9. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 8 wherein

a pad is secured to the base, leg rest and headrest for providing comfort for a baby in the bathtub.

10. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 1 wherein

a well is provided in at least one of the leg rest, headrest and base includes a well for holding both bath accessories.

11. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 10 wherein

a drain is provided in the reservoir for draining it.

12. A baby bathtub comprising:

a rigid, molded plastic base defining a reservoir having an upper surface for supporting a baby in the bathtub,

a rigid, molded plastic headrest movably connected to the base at one end thereof and having an upper head supporting surface, the headrest being movable between a folded position wherein the head supporting surface lies closely adjacent to the base and an extended position for supporting a baby's head when lying on the upper surface of the base,

and a rigid, molded plastic legrest movably connected to the base at an opposite end thereof and having an upper leg supporting surface, the legrest being movable between a folded position wherein the leg supporting surface lies closely adjacent to the base and an extended position for supporting a baby's leg when lying on the upper surface of the base.

13. A baby bathtub as in claim 12 wherein the bathtub is convenient for toting and storage when in the folded position.

14. A baby bathtub as in claim 13 wherein latches interconnect the base and headrest as well as the base and legrest for releasably locking the legrest and base as well as the headrest and base in their extended position.

15. A baby bathtub as in claim 14 wherein the latches are disposed on an underside of the bathtub to be inaccessible to the baby while in the bathtub.

16. A baby bathtub as in claim 13 wherein the headrest and legrest are each pivotally connected to the base.

17. A baby bathtub as defined in claim 12 wherein latches interconnect further comprising a first latch connecting the base and the legrest for releasably locking the leg rest in the extended position, and a second latch connecting the base and the headrest as well as the base and the legrest for releasably locking the legrest and base, as well as the headrest and base in their the extended positions position.

18. A baby bathtub as in claim 17 wherein the latches are disposed on an underside of the bathtub to be inaccessible to the baby while in the bathtub.

19. A baby bathtub as in claim 12 wherein the headrest and legrest are each pivotally connected to the base.

20. A baby bathtub comprising:

a rigid, molded plastic defining a reservoir having an upper surface for supporting a baby in the bathtub,

a rigid, molded plastic headrest movably connected to the base at one end thereof and having an upper head supporting surface, the headrest being movable between a retracted position wherein the headrest lies closely adjacent to the base and an extended position for supporting a baby's head when lying on the upper surface of the base, and

a rigid, molded plastic movably connected to the base at an opposite end thereof and having an upper leg supporting surface, the legrest being movable between a retracted position for storage and an extended position for supporting a baby's leg when lying on the upper surface of the base.

21. A baby bathtub as in claim 20 wherein latches interconnect the base and headrest as well as the base and legrest for releasably locking the legrest and base as well as the headrest and base in their extended position.

22. A baby bathtub as in claim 21 wherein the latches are disposed on an underside of the bathtub to be inaccessible to the baby while in the bathtub.

23. A baby bathtub as in claim 20 wherein the headrest and legrest lie in an area defined by the perimeter of the base in their retracted position.

24. A baby bath tub as defined in claim 20, further comprising a first latch mounted adjacent the first hinge for releasably locking the leg rest in the extended position, and a second latch mounted adjacent the second hinge for releasably locking the head rest in the extended position.