Folding baby bath seat

Abstract

A collapsible baby bath seat assembly includes a seat assembly supported by a collapsible frame assembly having a forward floor engaging portion pivotally coupled to a rear floor engaging portion via a folding mechanism. The folding mechanism has a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly on opposite sides of the frame assembly, each pivot assembly including an actuator that allows the rear floor engaging portion to pivot relative to the seat assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of children's products and, more particularly, to an adjustable and comfortable bath seat or bath for an infant or child. Background Art

[0002] Bathtubs are usually sized and suitable for adults. Conventional bathtubs may become dangerous to infants or young children who are unable to sit up independently in the bathtub, as there is a risk of drowning.

[0003] Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need for improved bath seats for assisting a caregiver in keeping an infant or young child safe during bathing. It is to this disclosure that a solution is provided that satisfies these and other needs. Summary of the invention

[0004] For the purpose of summary, certain aspects, advantages and novel features are described herein. It should be understood that not all of these advantages may be achieved according to any one particular embodiment. Thus, the claimed apparatus or method may be embodied or implemented in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages that may be taught or suggested herein.

[0005] In an example embodiment, the present disclosure provides an infant bather or bath seat for keeping a child comfortable and safe during bathing. Generally, an infant bather is configured to support a child above a support surface. The bath seat includes a seat assembly coupled to a frame assembly. The bath seat further includes a folding mechanism configured to adjust the recline of the bath seat and assist in folding the bath seat into a flat configuration.

[0006] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description herein, and will be realized by the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the example embodiments are explanations of the example embodiments of the present invention, rather than limitations of the claimed invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The apparatus is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foldable infant bath seat in a use position according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Rear view of a foldable baby bath seat.

[0010] Figure 3 is Figure 1 A side view of a foldable baby bath seat transitioning from a first use position to a second use position.

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of a foldable infant bath seat in a folded configuration.

[0012] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a headrest of a foldable baby bath seat.

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 side view of a foldable baby bath seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] By referring to the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 6 , various embodiments of the sleep surface and their advantages are best understood. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but emphasis is placed on clearly illustrating the novel features and operating principles. Throughout the drawings, the same numbers are used for the same and corresponding parts in the various drawings.

[0015] In addition, references in the specification to "an embodiment", "an embodiment", "various embodiments" or any variations thereof mean that a particular feature or aspect described in connection with a particular embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment", "in another embodiment" or variations thereof appearing in different places throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the corresponding embodiments.

[0016] Moreover, as used in the specification, including the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural, and references to a particular value include at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this article, ranges can be expressed as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and / or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation by using the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

[0017] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 6 A folding infant bather or bath seat 10 is shown in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The bath seat 10 generally includes a frame assembly 100, a seat assembly 200, and a folding mechanism 300.

[0018] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the bath seat 10 includes a seat assembly 200 that is supported above a support surface by a frame assembly 100. Although described as a bath seat, the seat may be used on any suitable flat support surface. Figure 2 As shown, the frame or frame assembly 100 includes a front or first floor engaging portion 102 and a second or rear floor engaging portion 104 that is pivotally connected. The first floor engaging portion 102 and the second floor engaging portion 104 include one or more non-slip gripping pads 106 that engage with the support surface to prevent the bath seat 10 from sliding or moving on various support surfaces constructed of various materials and when in contact with water. The second or rear floor engaging portion 104 is generally U-shaped. In alternative embodiments, the floor engaging portion 104 can be any suitable shape. For example, the floor engaging portion 102 can include two separate I-shaped portions, two T-shaped portions, or any other suitable shape or configuration that will provide stable support for the bath seat 10 on the support surface.

[0019] In the exemplary embodiment, the second floor engaging portion 104 is pivotally coupled to the seat assembly 200 via a folding mechanism 300. The folding mechanism 300 includes a first pivot assembly 202 and a second pivot assembly 204. The second pivot assembly 204 is substantially a mirror image of the first pivot assembly 202. Each pivot assembly 202, 204 includes an actuator for allowing the second floor engaging portion 104 to pivot relative to the seat assembly 200. In an alternative embodiment, the bath seat 10 may include only a single pivot assembly. In a particular embodiment, the pivot assembly also allows the angle of the backrest 206 of the seat assembly 200 to be adjusted from a tilted position to a reclined position. Although described as a two-position system, any number of tilt / recline positions can be achieved by adding additional stops (not shown or numbered) to the pivot assemblies 202, 204, as shown in FIG. 3. Although shown as being in a fixed position, in an alternative embodiment, the seat assembly 200 may be further pivotally coupled to the front floor engaging portion 102.

[0020] According to certain embodiments, the seat assembly 200 includes a seat portion 208, a backrest 210, and one or more vertical sidewalls 212 extending upwardly from the seat portion. Figure 4 As shown, the backrest 210 is also pivotally coupled to the pivot assemblies 202, 204. This allows the bath seat 10 to be folded into a compact, flat configuration for storage or travel.

[0021] refer to Figure 5, the bath seat 10 includes additional padding in the backrest 210 to provide a more comfortable environment for the infant. In an exemplary embodiment, the bath seat 10 is formed of a water-permeable mesh material. In a particular embodiment, the material can be a quick-drying material. In an exemplary embodiment, the seat assembly mesh material is removable and machine washable for easy cleaning.

[0022] Reference now Figure 6 , the side walls 212 of the bath seat 10 are also formed of a mesh, water-permeable material. The side walls 212 help to retain the child while in the bath seat 10 so that the infant does not flip or fall out of the seat. Although shown in a particular shape, size, and height, the side walls 212 can be any particular shape or height that prevents the infant from falling out of the seat 10.

[0023] The benefit of the bath seat 10 is that it allows the user to bathe an infant safely and securely. The soft mesh sling gently holds the infant, while the soft, bolstered headrest provides gentle support where the child needs it most. With two reclined positions, caregivers can provide the child with the most comfortable bathing experience for their first and subsequent sponge baths. The compact folding design makes it the perfect bathing solution for home and travel. In addition, because the bath seat 10 has such a small footprint, it can be easily used in a sink or adult bathtub.

[0024] As described above and as shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a folding infant bath seat. Although specific embodiments have been described, it will be understood that any invention pertaining to the described apparatus / system / method is not limited thereto, as modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable baby bath seat assembly comprising: Seat components; as well as a frame assembly configured to support the seat assembly and including a frame having a forward floor engaging portion pivotally coupled to a rear floor engaging portion via a folding mechanism having a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly on opposite sides of the frame assembly, each of the pivot assemblies including an actuator that allows the rear floor engaging portion to pivot relative to the seat assembly.

2. The foldable infant bath seat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of non-stick pads mounted on the forward floor engaging portion and the rearward floor engaging portion.

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