Bathtub wall liner

Abstract

A liner is disclosed for cushioning and protecting a bather from harmful contact with the walls of a bathtub while bathing. The liner can be used for bathing infants, children, elderly or physically disabled individuals. The liner typically includes chambers that reversibly adhere to the walls of the bathtub. The chambers can be filled with air, water, or a soft padding material. When the chambers are not inflated or otherwise filled, the liner is able to be folded into a compact condition for ease of storage and for travel. The liner can include at least one rim chamber to allow one to lean their elbows on the rim of the bathtub while bathing the bather, a faucet chamber for covering the water faucet system of the bathtub to protect the bather from a fall towards the faucet, or an arch that rises over the bathtub that can keep a child occupied while bathing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 616,814, filed on Oct. 7, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to bathing devices and, more particularly, to a bathtub wall liner which is used to chamber the interior vertical walls of a bathtub. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Bathtubs have hard surfaces and become slippery when wet. The interior surfaces of the tubs acquire a layer of residue comprised of dirt, soap and water impurities which can become quite slippery without repeated cleaning of the tubs. [0004] Bathtub liners have been known for some time. Generally, such liners are designed to provide comfort, as well as safety. To prevent injury, liners have been used to both provide better traction and to chamber the blow from falling. In general, these liners involve protective padding on the sides and bottom of the bathtub to prevent injuries from accidental falls...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides a portable bathtub liner that can protect the user, such as a standing or squirming child or a sitting elderly or physically disabled person, against injuries from falls in the bathtub.

Problems solved by technology

Bathtubs have hard surfaces and become slippery when wet.

The interior surfaces of the tubs acquire a layer of residue comprised of dirt, soap and water impurities which can become quite slippery without repeated cleaning of the tubs.

While these prior art liners may be useful for their intended purposes, there still exists a need for a portable bathtub liner for bathing infants or small children who may stand or flop around in the bathtub and are at risk of slipping and falling, causing them to hit their head on a wall of the tub.

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