Multi-position bucket type portable bathtub

Abstract

An innovative multi-position tub tub having a plurality of unique positions such that when rotated between the positions, the tilt angle of the tub varies, thereby making the tub suitable for infants in early developmental stages and facilitating use of the tub tub during various stages of child development.

Description

[0001] Inventors:

[0002] Dana Chicca (D. Chicca)

[0003] Paul Brown

[0004] and

[0005] Art Gehr

[0006] applicant:

[0007] Kids2, Inc.

[0008] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0009] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 376,204, filed on September 19, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0010] The present invention relates to a portable bathtub, and more particularly to a multi-position bucket-type portable bathtub.

[0011] Bucket-style bathtubs are considered in the art as a solution for children's bathing. Existing bucket-style bathtubs are single-position bathtubs with a substantially upright seating position, which are suitable for children with good head control ability, but are not suitable for the early stages of a child's development.

[0012] Conventional bucket-style infant bathtubs generally include a large basin for holding water and have an elongated shape sized to accommodate a child. These conventional bucket-style bathtubs are single-position bathtubs with a substantially upright seating position suitable for children with good head control. This upright seating position is not suitable for the early stages of a child's development, during which an infant may not have good head control, resulting in inconvenience for the person bathing the infant and discomfort or danger to the infant, and the need to purchase multiple bathtubs as the child goes through various stages of growth and development.

[0013] The present invention provides an innovative multi-position bucket bathtub having unique multi-position "feet" that provide unique positions when rotated from one position to another to facilitate adjustment of the bathtub's tilt angle, thereby adapting the bathtub to infants at early stages of development. The multiple unique positions (e.g., when rotated from a first position to at least a second position) change the bathtub's tilt angle, thereby adapting the bathtub to infants at early stages of development. This improvement facilitates use of the bucket bathtub at various stages of a child's development, whereas conventional bucket bathtubs are only suitable for one stage of a child's development. Summary of the invention

[0014] A brief introduction is provided below to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This brief introduction is not a broad overview of the present invention. It is neither intended to determine the core or key elements of the present invention, nor to define the scope of the present invention. The sole purpose below is to present some concepts of the present invention in a simplified form, as a prelude to the more detailed disclosure presented subsequently.

[0015] In one embodiment, the invention features a bathtub including a body including a complex elliptical curved shape and a head end portion and a foot end portion, a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion, the side wall being higher at the head end portion than at the foot end portion, the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion being stepped or recessed inwardly to provide a passage for positioning an adjustable foot portion, the adjustable foot portion being secured to the passage in the bottom wall portion by a rotatable adjustment device.

[0016] These and other features and advantages will be apparent by reading the following detailed disclosure and viewing the associated drawings.It should be understood that the foregoing general disclosure and the following detailed disclosure are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the invention claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 The multi-position bucket bathtub of the present invention is shown in a first position.

[0018] Figure 2 The rotation of the adjustable foot portion of the multi-position bucket bathtub of the present invention about the bathtub bottom is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 The multi-position bucket bathtub of the present invention is shown in a second position.

[0020] Figure 4 The multi-position bucket style bathtub of the present invention is shown with the adjustable foot portion separate from the bathtub.

[0021] Figure 5 The multi-position bucket bathtub of the present invention is shown with a sling or suspension strap attachment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention is now disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used for like elements throughout. In the following disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0023] It will be apparent that the present invention may be practiced without all or any of these specific details.In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate disclosure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1 The multi-position tub bathtub of the present invention is shown in a first position. Figure 1 As shown, the multi-position bucket bathtub 100 includes a body 112 and an adjustable foot portion 124. The body 112 has a head end portion 114 and a foot end portion 116.

[0025] The body 112 is configured as a complex oval curved shape and can be molded from a resilient polymer in an integral manner. The body 112 includes a continuous side wall 118 extending upward from a bottom wall portion 120. The side wall 118 is higher at the head end 114 portion than at the foot end portion 116. An optional hanging edge flange 122 extends integrally and continuously from the upper edge of the side wall 118 to increase strength and provide a gripping path to the side wall 118 to facilitate easy movement of the bathtub 100.

[0026] The periphery of the bottom wall portion 120 is stepped or inwardly recessed to provide a passage (not shown) for positioning an adjustable foot portion 124. The adjustable foot portion 124 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 120 by a rotatable adjustment device 126. The rotatable adjustment device 126 facilitates moving the adjustable foot portion 124 to a plurality of positions so that the position of the body 112 can be changed relative to a surface 128 on which the bathtub 100 is placed. Assume that a child is placed in the bathtub 100 and the child's head is positioned toward the head end portion 114, as shown by reference numeral 115.

[0027] In one embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 is designed so that the adjustable foot portion 124 is positioned toward the head end portion 114 and the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 is located above the bottom wall 120, thereby causing the body 112 to be oriented to a substantially upright seated position, wherein the bottom wall portion 120 rests on the surface 128. This is referred to herein as the "first position" and is similar to the substantially upright seated position of a conventional bathtub. In another embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 can be molded in an inclined orientation, or at least the channel in the body 112 can be angled or the adjustable foot portion 124 is designed so that the adjustable foot portion 124 is positioned toward the head end portion 114 and the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 is located above the bottom wall 120, thereby causing the body 112 to be oriented to the first position.

[0028] Figure 1 A first position or substantially upright seated position is shown, which is one in which the angle (SU) of the head end portion 114 of the body 112 relative to the plane of the surface 128 is approximately 90°. Figure 1The first position is shown as one in which the angle (SU) between the body 112 and the plane of the surface 128 is approximately 90 degrees, but it is contemplated that the first position may be any angle that provides a substantially upright seating position for the child.

[0029] Figure 2 The adjustable foot portion of the multi-position bucket bathtub of the present invention is shown rotating about the bathtub bottom. Figure 2 As shown, the adjustable foot portion can be rotated about the bathtub bottom relative to the surface 128 by the adjustable foot portion and the adjustment device. Figure 2 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the adjustable foot portion 124 can be rotated about the bottom of the body 12, as shown by the arrow, to change the seating position of the bathtub 100. This facilitates adjusting the position of the bathtub 100 relative to the surface 128 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 ), because moving the adjustable foot portion 124 toward the head end portion 114 or the foot end portion 116 allows the bottom wall portion 120 or the adjustable foot portion 124 to rest on the surface 128. Adjusting the position of the bathtub 100 facilitates use of the bathtub 100 at various stages of a child's development, because the bathtub 100 can be adjusted to accommodate as the child's head control ability improves, thereby eliminating the need to purchase a new bathtub 100 as the child goes through various developmental stages.

[0030] Figure 3 The multi-position tub of the present invention is shown in a second position. Figure 3 As shown, the multi-position bucket bathtub 100 facilitates positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 toward the foot end portion 116, wherein the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 is located below the bottom wall 120, thereby causing the body 112 to be oriented / tilted relative to the surface 128 to a substantially inclined seating position, wherein the adjustable foot portion 124 rests on the surface 128.

[0031] The substantially reclined seating position can be used for young children, such as infants, whose head control is not yet fully developed. This is referred to herein as the "second position".

[0032] In one embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 toward the foot end portion 116 with the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 below the bottom wall 120 causes the body 112 to be oriented to the second position. In another embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 may be molded in an inclined orientation, or at least the channel in the body 112 may be angled, or the adjustable foot portion 124 may be designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 toward the foot end portion 116 with the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 below the bottom wall 120 causes the body 112 to be oriented to the second position.

[0033] like Figure 3 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the second position is a position in which the angle (SR) of the body 112 relative to the plane of the surface 128 is greater than 90°. It is contemplated that the second position may be any angle that provides a substantially reclined seating position for the child.

[0034] Although the present disclosure relates to embodiments in which the adjustable foot portion 124 is positioned toward the head end portion 114, thereby causing the main body 112 to be oriented in a substantially upright sitting position, and the adjustable foot portion 124 is positioned toward the foot end portion 116, thereby causing the main body 112 to be oriented in a substantially inclined sitting position, embodiments are also contemplated in which the adjustable foot portion 124 is positioned toward the head end portion 114, thereby causing the main body 112 to be oriented in a substantially inclined sitting position, and the adjustable foot portion 124 is positioned toward the foot end portion 116, thereby causing the main body 112 to be oriented in a substantially upright sitting position.

[0035] Figure 4 The multi-position tub of the present invention is shown in which the adjustable foot portion is separate from the tub. As previously disclosed, the adjustable foot portion 124 can be molded in an inclined orientation, or at least the channel in the body 112 can be angled, or the adjustable foot portion 124 can be designed so that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 in the first position or the second position changes the orientation of the tub 100 relative to the surface 128 (see Figure 1 and Figure 3 ).

[0036] The adjustable foot portion 124 facilitates a multi-position bathtub 100 that can accommodate different stages of a child's development. On the other hand, conventional bucket-style bathtubs are only convenient for use at one stage of a child's development.

[0037] It is contemplated that the rotatable adjustment device 126 may be located on the bottom wall portion 120 in a manner similar to that of the bottom wall portion 120. Figure 4 In this case, a corresponding design of the adjustable foot portion 124 or molding the adjustable foot portion 124 into an inclined orientation or angle of the body 112 will help position the adjustable foot portion 124 in the first position or the second position, thereby changing the orientation of the bathtub 100 relative to the surface 128 (see Figure 1 and Figure 3 ).

[0038] Although two positions are disclosed, specifically a first position and a second position, it is contemplated that additional positions are provided. It is also contemplated that any or all of the rotatable adjustment device 126, the design of the adjustable foot portion 124, and molding the adjustable foot portion 124 in an inclined orientation or angle of the body 112 may facilitate positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 in more than just the first position and the second position, thereby changing the orientation of the bathtub 100 relative to the surface 128. The additional positions may facilitate use of the bathtub 100 for children at various stages of development, such as infants with limited head control, infants with partially developed head control, and children with fully developed head control.

[0039] It is contemplated that three specific positions may be achieved, specifically, a first position where the angle (SU) is approximately 90° relative to the surface 128, a second position where the angle (SR) is approximately 105° relative to the surface 128, and a third position where the angle (SR) is approximately 115° relative to the surface 128. It is further contemplated that the angle (SR) in the second and third positions may vary between 90° and 135°. In addition, it is contemplated that the positioning of the adjustable foot portion 124 may be enhanced by a ratchet mechanism or other mechanism that holds the adjustable foot portion 124 in the adjusted position such that the body 112 of the bathtub 100 remains in the adjusted position until readjusted.

[0040] Figure 5 The multi-position tub bathtub of the present invention is shown with a sling or sling attachment. The sling or sling attachment 140 can be used to support an infant in an early developmental stage in the tub 100. Although Figure 5 The multi-position bathtub 100 is shown with the adjustable foot portion 124 in the second position (specifically, a substantially reclined position), but it is contemplated that the sling or sling attachment 140 may be used when the multi-position bathtub 100 is in the first position or any other position.

[0041] The sling or sling attachment 140 may be made of a support material, such as a mesh material, a fabric material, a plastic material, or any other material that can support an infant. The sling or sling attachment 140 includes at least three securing devices. Figure 5 Four fastening devices 142 , 144 , 146 and 148 are shown for removably suspending the sling or sling attachment 140 at opposite locations along the depending edge flange 122 .

[0042] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention except as limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A barrel-type portable bathtub, the bathtub comprising: The main body has a complex elliptical curved shape; and Adjustable foot section, wherein: The main body includes: Head end part; Foot end part; a bottom wall portion; and a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion such that the side wall is taller at the head end portion than at the foot end portion; and The outer periphery of the exterior of the bottom wall portion facilitates positioning the adjustable foot portion such that the adjustable foot portion interacts with a rotatable adjustment device to enable adjustment of the bathtub to a plurality of positions.

2. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion toward the head end portion orients the body into a substantially upright seating position or a substantially reclined seating position.

3. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion toward the foot end portion orients the body into a substantially reclined seating position or a substantially upright seating position.

4. The bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a depending edge flange extending integrally and continuously from an upper edge of the side wall to provide additional strength and a gripping means to the side wall.

5. The bathtub of claim 4, further comprising a strap made of a support material, the strap having a securing device configured to removably suspend the strap at an opposing position along the depending edge flange.

6. The bathtub of claim 5, wherein the support material comprises a mesh material, a fabric material or a plastic material.

7. The bathtub according to claim 1, wherein: The outer periphery of the bottom wall portion is stepped to provide a channel for positioning the adjustable foot portion; and The adjustable foot portion interacts with the rotatable adjustment device and the channel to enable the bathtub to be adjusted to the plurality of positions.

8. The bathtub of claim 7, wherein the channel is angled.

9. The bathtub of claim 8, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel toward the head end portion orients the body into a substantially upright seating position.

10. The bathtub of claim 8, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel toward the foot end portion orients the body into a generally reclined seating position.

11. A bucket-type portable bathtub, comprising: The main body has a complex elliptical curved shape; and Adjustable foot section, wherein: The main body includes: Head end part; Foot end part; a bottom wall portion; and a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion such that the side wall is taller at the head end portion than at the foot end portion; The outer periphery of the outer portion of the bottom wall portion is stepped to provide a channel for positioning the adjustable foot portion; The adjustable foot portion interacts with the rotatable adjustment device and the channel to enable the bathtub to be adjusted to a plurality of positions; and The adjustable foot portion is designed so that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel toward the head end portion orients the body to a substantially upright sitting position, and positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel toward the foot end portion orients the body to a substantially reclined sitting position.

12. The bathtub of claim 11 further comprising a depending edge flange extending integrally and continuously from an upper edge of the side wall to provide additional strength and a gripping means to the side wall.

13. The bathtub of claim 12, further comprising a strap made of a support material, the strap having a retaining clip configured to removably suspend the strap at an opposing position along the depending edge flange.

14. The bathtub of claim 11, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion toward the head end portion orients the body into a substantially upright seating position.

15. The bathtub of claim 11, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion toward the foot end portion orients the body into a substantially reclined seating position.

16. A bucket-type portable bathtub, the bathtub comprising: The main body has a complex elliptical curved shape; and Adjustable foot section, wherein: The main body includes: Head end part; Foot end part; a bottom wall portion; a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion such that the side wall is taller at the head end portion than at the foot end portion; a depending edge flange extending integrally and continuously from an upper edge of said side wall to provide additional strength and gripping access to said side wall; and a sling made of a support material, the sling having a retaining clip configured to removably suspend the sling at various locations along the depending edge flange; The outer periphery of the bottom wall portion is stepped to provide a channel for positioning the adjustable foot portion; and The adjustable foot portion interacts with the rotatable adjustment device and the channel to enable the bathtub to be adjusted to a plurality of positions.

17. The bathtub of claim 16, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion toward the head end portion orients the body into a substantially upright seating position.

18. The bathtub of claim 16, wherein the adjustable foot portion is designed such that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel toward the foot end portion orients the body into a generally reclined seating position.

19. The bathtub of claim 16, wherein the channel is angled such that positioning the adjustable foot portion toward the head end portion orients the body into a generally reclined seating position.

20. The bathtub of claim 17, wherein the channel is angled so as to position the adjustable foot portion toward the foot end portion to orient the body into a generally upright seating position.

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