Adjustable infant tub

Abstract

This disclosure is related to a bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin, which is sized effectively for bathing a young child, wherein the body comprises: a bottom portion comprising a base; and a set of opposing sidewalls adjacent to the bottom portion. At least one sidewall from the set of sidewalls adjustable and configured to extend between an upright position (with respect to the base) and at least one inclined / reclined position (with respect to the base).

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The bathtub is an essential part of a young child's bathing regimen. Several designs of baby bathtubs are available in the market today, but there is a need of a design that can be adjusted to accommodate need of a growing (for example, from an infant to a toddler) young child. The present invention addresses this need.SUMMARY

[0002] In some preferred embodiments, the present invention enables a user to adjust the incline of a sidewall providing a backrest to a variety of different angles with respect to the tub bottom. In one aspect, provided herein is a bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin, which is sized effectively for bathing a young child, wherein the body comprises: a bottom portion comprising a base; and a set of opposing sidewalls adjacent to the bottom portion.

[0003] In certain embodiments, the at least one sidewall is an adjustable sidewall which is configured to extend between a substantially upright position (with respect to the base) and at least one inclined / reclined position (with respect to the base).

[0004] In certain embodiments, the base comprises a seating portion having an anti-slip hump-like structure configured to prevent sliding of the young child.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the base comprises a recess configured for draining water from the bathtub and a drain plug configured to cap the recess to prevent draining of water from the bathtub.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall further comprises a first backrest and a backrest overmold.

[0007] In certain embodiments, the at least a portion of the at least one adjustable sidewall is textured to prevent sliding of the young child.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall extends to comprise a headrest configured to support the head of the young child.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the bathtub further comprises a rear leg having a track profile defining resting points along which the positions of a cross bar and the at least one adjustable sidewall is adjusted and locked.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked in the at least one reclining position via a push-lock mechanism.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked in at least three different reclining positions.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall is locked in the at least one upright position using a push-lock mechanism.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the sidewall opposite to the adjustable sidewall is configured to comprise a second backrest for the young child for upright seating without requiring a headrest.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the bathtub is configured to nest within an identical bathtub with a nesting space differential of less than about 1.85 inches.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the body h as nominal thickness.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the reclined position comprises an angle between about 155 degrees to about 120 degrees with respect to the base. In certain embodiments, the reclined position comprises an angle of about 138 degrees from the base.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the bottom further comprises an underside configured to fit safely within either a standard kitchen sink, or one basin of a double sink.

[0018] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for adjusting a sidewall of a bathtub, wherein the method comprises adjusting the angle of the at least one adjustable sidewall. In certain embodiments, the bathtub is as described elsewhere herein.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked via in a resting position via a push-lock mechanism.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0021] The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily deformed or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

[0022] FIGS. 1A-1E show a bathtub design, according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the bathtub and some of its components, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1E.

[0024] FIGS. 3A-3B shows an exploded perspective view of the first backrest and the over-mold, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1E.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of crossbar.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of preferred embodiment of a rear leg.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of preferred embodiment of a drain plug.

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of preferred embodiment of the bathtub nesting within another identical bathtub.DEFINITIONS

[0029] The instant invention is most clearly understood with reference to the following definitions.

[0030] As used herein, the singular form “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] As used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,”“containing,”“having,” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean “includes,”“including,” and the like.

[0032] Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, the term “or,” as used herein, is understood to be inclusive.

[0033] Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 (as well as fractions thereof unless the context clearly dictates otherwise).DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present disclosure aims to provide an adjustable bathtub for bathing a young child. The disclosed design of the bathtub is configurable and can be easily adjusted to accommodate the bathing needs of a growing young child, for example the needs of infant and toddler alike. Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin sized effectively for bathing a young child. In certain embodiments, the body has a nominal thickness and is made from a molded plastic.

[0035] In certain embodiments, a set of opposing sidewalls form opposite ends of the bathing basin. In certain embodiments the body further comprises a bottom portion comprising a base for seating the young child.

[0036] In certain embodiments, at least one sidewall from the set of the opposing sidewalls is adjustable and is configured to extend between a plurality of angles with respect to the base. In certain embodiments, the plurality of angles (resting positions) varies between an upright position (with respect to the base) and at least one inclined / reclined position (with respect to the base). In certain embodiments, the plurality of angles comprises at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 different angles. In certain embodiments, the plurality of angle varies between, for example, from about 120 degrees to about 155 degrees with respect to the base. In certain embodiments, the plurality of angle comprises angles selected from about 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 155 degrees. In this sense, the bathtub is useful for bathing a young child (for example, an infant in a reclined) at any suitable reclining angle from the plurality of angles as well as in an upright position.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the adjustable sidewall in the resting position can be adjusted at an angle ranging from about 25 degrees (lowest position) to about 60 degrees (highest position) from closest horizontal (as shown in FIG. 1D). In certain embodiments, the resting position of the adjustable sidewall is adjusted at an angle of about 42 degrees from the closest horizontal. In certain embodiments, the adjustable sidewall in the resting position can be adjusted at an angle ranging from about 155 degrees (lowest position) to about 120 degrees (highest position) with respect to the base. In certain embodiments, the resting position of the adjustable sidewall is adjusted at an angle of about 138 degrees with respect to the base.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the upright position is a position when the young child can sit erect without resting their head against the sidewall. In certain embodiments, the inclined position is any position wherein the young child can rest their back as well as head against the sidewall.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall further comprises a first backrest and an over mold. The first backrest extends to comprise a headrest. Thus, the first backrest is configured to support the back as well as the head of a young child.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the first backrest is textured to prevent sliding of the young child. In certain embodiments, the first backrest has ribbed texture.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the bottom comprises a base having a seating portion. In certain embodiments, the seating portion comprises an anti-slip, hump-like structure configured to prevent sliding of the young child.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the base further comprises a recess or a drain hole and a removable drain plug for plugging the drain hole, as needed. In certain embodiments, the drain plug may also be molded of a material that changes color at elevated temperatures or include some other temperature indicator.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the bottom potion of the bathtub further comprises a rear leg having a track profile defining resting points along which the positions of the at least one adjustable sidewall can be adjusted and locked (rested). In certain embodiments, the track profile comprises at least 2, least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 different resting points for locking the at least one adjustable wall at a desired angle.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the body further comprises a crossbar. In certain embodiments, the crossbar can be locked at the desired resting points, along the track profile on the rear leg, via a push-lock mechanism. In certain embodiments, the resting points are defined by a plurality of notches present along the track profile. For locking the crossbar at the desired resting points, the crossbar is pushed along the track profile such that it engages with the desired set of notches to restrict any further movement i.e., to be in the locked state. To change the position of the crossbar, it can be moved / pushed to another set of resting points along the track profile and locked therein.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the at least one adjustable sidewall rests on the crossbar and thus is prevented from reclining beyond the desired resting position. Thus, at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked in the at least one reclining position via a push-lock mechanism. In certain embodiments, the crossbar is optionally detachable from the rear leg.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the crossbar comprises end caps on both ends, wherein the width / diameter of each endcap is greater than the diameter of the crossbar in order to restrict the movement of the crossbar. In certain embodiments, the crossbar further comprises a portion extending from the crossbar that is a handle configured to adjust position of the crossbar.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the body comprise a nominal thickness as well as an upper and a lower surface having a matching shape across an overall extent of the bathtub so as to enable the bathtub to nest within an identical bathtub with a nesting space differential of less than about 1.85″ (as shown in FIG. 7).

[0048] In certain embodiments, the sidewall opposite to the adjustable sidewall is configured to comprise a second backrest for the young child for upright seating without requiring a headrest.

[0049] In certain embodiment, the young child in an infant. In certain other embodiments, the young child is a toddler.

[0050] An example of a bathtub and its components, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1A-7.

[0051] Referring FIG. 1A-1E, shown is an assembly of bathtub 100, in accordance with the preferred embodiments, wherein the bathtub is designed for bathing either an infant in a reclined position, or a toddler in an upright / seated position. As can be seen from FIGS. 1C-1E, the length of the bathtub from the adjustable sidewall 102 to the opposing sidewall 104, opposite to the adjustable sidewall is approximately to about 31-32 inches. The total height of the bathtub is approximately 6-7 inches and the total width of the bathtub is about 15-16 inches.

[0052] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1D, the resting position comprises an angle A, which ranges from about 25 degrees (lowest position) to about 60 degrees (highest position) from the closest horizontal or angle B, which ranges from about 155 degrees (lowest position) to about 120 degrees (highest position) with respect to the base. In certain embodiments, the angle A is 42 degrees from the closest horizontal. In certain embodiments, the angle B is about 138 degrees with respect to the base

[0053] FIG. 2 shows different components of the assembly of bathtub 100, which includes the rear leg (1), the first backrest over-mold or the bathtub over-mold (2), the crossbar (4), and the drain plug (5) and a second backrest (6).

[0054] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the details related to the adjustable sidewall 102, wherein 302 is the textured backrest, 304 is the over mold. 306 is a part of the body of the bathtub, which comprises a base having a hump-like structure 308 to prevent a young child from slipping as well as a drain hole 310 for draining the bathtub as needed. FIG. 3B depicts further details regarding probable approximate dimensions of the textured first backrest and the over-mold, wherein the assembly comprising the backrest and backrest over mold is about 12-13 inches in length and about 13-14 inches in width. As shown in FIG. 3B the adjustable backrest has a nominal thickness.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows the cross bar 400 upon which the adjustable sidewall 102 can rest in a reclining resting position / angle. The cross bar 400 comprise end caps 402 and 402′, which have a larger diameter than rest of the cross bar. The endcaps 402 and 402′ of the crossbar can engage with the track profile 08A shown in the side view of the rear leg 1 in FIG. 5, wherein the track profile comprises three resting positions i.e., recesses 502, 505, 506, wherein the crossbar can rest or can be locked via a push-lock mechanism, while at least a portion of the adjustable sidewall 102 can rest on the crossbar locked in a resting recess of the track profile.

[0056] Details of drain plug 600 are shown in FIG. 6 providing various views of the plug. Plug 600 is a molded piece of flexible resin that that is adapted and configured to engage with the drain hole to stop draining the bathtub. The drain plug may also be molded of a material that changes color at elevated temperatures, or include some other temperature indicator.EQUIVALENTS

[0057] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin sized effectively for bathing a young child, wherein the body comprises:a. a bottom portion comprising a base; andb. a set of opposing sidewalls adjacent to the bottom portion,wherein at least one sidewall is an adjustable sidewall configured to extend between an upright position and at least one inclined / reclined position with respect to the base.

2. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a seating portion having an anti-slip hump-like structure configured to prevent sliding of the young child.

3. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a recess configured for draining water from the bathtub and a drain plug configured to cap the recess to prevent draining of water from the bathtub.

4. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall further comprises a first backrest and a backrest overmold.

5. The bathtub of claim 4, wherein the at least a portion of the at least one adjustable sidewall is textured to prevent sliding of the young child.

6. The bathtub of claim 5, wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall extends to comprise a headrest configured to support the head of the young child.

7. The bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a rear leg having a track profile defining resting points along which the positions of a cross bar and the at least one adjustable sidewall is adjusted and locked.

8. The bathtub of claim 7, wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked in the at least one reclining position via a push-lock mechanism.

9. The bathtub of claim 7, wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked in at least three different reclining positions.

10. The bathtub of claim 9, wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is locked in the at least one upright position using a push-lock mechanism.

11. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the sidewall opposite to the adjustable sidewall is configured to comprise a second backrest for the young child for upright seating without requiring a headrest.

12. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the bathtub is configured to nest within an identical tub with a nesting space differential of less than about 1.85 inches.

13. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the body has a nominal thickness.

14. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the reclined position comprises any angle from about 155 degrees to about 120 degrees with respect to the base.

15. The bathtub of claim 14, wherein the reclined position comprises an angle of about 138 degrees with respect to the base.

16. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the bottom further comprises an underside configured to fit safely within either a standard kitchen sink, or one basin of a double sink.

17. A method for adjusting a sidewall of an adjustable bathtub,wherein the method comprises adjusting the angle of at least one adjustable sidewall, which is configured to extend between an upright position (with respect to a base) and at least one inclined / reclined position (with respect to a base),wherein the bathtub comprises a rear leg having a track profile defining a plurality of resting points along which the positions of a cross bar and the at least one adjustable sidewall is adjusted and locked.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked via a push-lock mechanism.

19. A bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin sized effectively for bathing a young child, wherein the body comprises:a. a bottom portion comprising a base;b. a set of opposing sidewalls adjacent to the bottom portion;wherein at least one sidewall is an adjustable sidewall configured to extend between an upright position and at least one inclined / reclined position with respect to the base; andc. a rear leg having a track profile defining a plurality of resting points along which the position of a cross bar and the at least one adjustable sidewall can be adjusted and locked using a push-lock mechanism.

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