FR2773453A1 - Position adjustable bath suspension support for baby - Google Patents

Abstract

The bath baby suspension support has its supporting elements (3) arranged near their end zone (3b) located outside the median positioning and fixing zone to the bath. Openings (3c) are made to allow the positioning and locking of removable position selector pegs (4) in sections able to be supported against the sides opposite the adult bath.

Description

BATHTUB SUSPENSION SUPPORT DEVICE
FOR BABY, ADJUSTABLE IN POSITION
The invention relates to the sector of the technique of baby baths and their positioning relative to adult baths in which or on which they can be adapted.

The positioning of a baby bathtub in relation to an adult bathtub has been the subject of numerous works, studies and proposals to allow an appropriate and stable positioning of the baby bathtub in relation to the adult bathtub making support office.

For this purpose, use is mainly made of support means in the form of frames which allow, on the one hand, the transverse support between the longitudinal walls of the adult bath, and, on the other hand, the support on certain parts or edges of the ends of the baby bathtub to ensure prepositioning. This is for example the case of the bathtub suspension support device described in patent application No. 96.08447 developed by the applicant.

The support device essentially comprises two support elements of elongated shape arranged to be applied to the baby bath, either in a plane transverse to the latter to ensure the positioning, the maintenance and the suspension of the latter relative to the bath adult, or in a longitudinal plane if the baby bath is not used.

The carrier elements are thus arranged with complementary male-female means capable of cooperating with the male-female means established on the peripheral edge of the baby bathtub to maintain it.

In practice, and taking into account the variable widths of baths which no longer offer the same possibilities of manufacturing standardization to take account of aesthetic aspects and variable shapes, and the needs and tastes of consumer-users, baby bath support devices , as described in the aforementioned patent application and the other known patents, are not likely to respond to all cases.

In addition, safety problems can arise if the dimensions and lengths of the support arms are insufficient or too tight compared to the dimensions of the adult bathtub.

In view of these parameters, the first object sought after according to the invention is to design a bathtub suspension support device which allows, by appropriate adjustments, a firm, constant and safe holding of the baby bathtub relative to the adult receiving bath.

Another aim sought after according to the invention is to design a support device allowing easy adjustments in position relative to the dimensions of the bathtub, adjustments only made by an adult and not by the child himself.

Another object sought after according to the invention is incidentally that the adult user can vary the position of the baby bathtub easily and quickly in relation to the adult bathtub, and this under the best possible safety conditions.

Finally, another aim sought after according to the invention is to allow a possibility of orientation of the baby bathtub with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the adult bathtub, thus allowing, by a position variation, a position adaptation to the shapes bathtub for adults, allowing a partial orientation of the child towards its mother or person ensuring its washing.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description.

According to the first characteristic of the invention, the support device for suspending a baby bath in an adult bath is of the type comprising two support arms of elongated shape placed to be applied on the baby bath, either in a plane transverse to this, to ensure its positioning, maintenance and suspension relative to the adult bathtub, that is to say in a longitudinal plane in the event of non-use, said load-bearing elements being arranged with complementary male-female means capable of cooperating with means female males established on the peripheral edge of the baby bath, the support device being characterized in that said support elements are arranged near their end zone located outside the central positioning and fixing zone of the baby bath with openings and profiles to allow positioning, insertion and locking in position d 'removable selector elements in position capable of pressing firmly against the blanks opposite the adult bathtub, whatever the shapes and dimensions of said adult bathtub, to stabilize the position of said load-bearing elements, said means being lockable in position a temporary way to ensure a fixed positioning of the assembly.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the mobile means are established in the form of studs capable of penetrating into an opening established at each of the ends of the support elements and this in a selected position, said studs being after engagement on the support elements, blocked and locked in position.

These characteristics and others will emerge clearly in the following description.

To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the drawing figures where: - Figure 1 is a top view illustrating a support device in suspension of a baby bath on an adult bath.

- Figure 2 is a partial view on a large scale illustrating the insertion of a removable selector element in position at one end of one of the carrier elements.

- Figure 3 is a bottom view of the end of a carrier element including the removable selector element shown in Figure 2.

- Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view along line 4.4 of Figure 2.

- Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view along line 5.5 of Figure 4 - Figure 6 is a partial view before mounting illustrating the configuration of the removable selector element for penetration into the carrier element.

- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the removable element capable of being positioned on the carrier element.

- Figure 8 is a top view illustrating the positioning of the baby bath in a particular angular orientation.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

The adult bathtub is referenced as a whole by (1) and conventionally comprises two longitudinal walls (la - lb). These walls can be parallel or not. The adult bathtub can have a variable shape according to tastes and conditions of use and location.

The baby bath is referenced by (2). It is made of plastic by injection for example. It comprises, in a known manner, a basin (2a) and a peripheral edge (2b) arranged with shapes (2c) for soap dishes and the like, or for gripping (2d). The lateral edges (2e) are also arranged with shapes (2f) projecting from their underside capable of cooperating with complementary shapes (3a) established in the middle part of the support elements (3), this in an assembly method. male-female, as described for example and without limitation in Patent Application No. 96.08447. The forms (2f - 3a) can have a cylindrical or other configuration. Any other form of baby bath is possible.

The supporting elements (3) are designed in plastic material for example and have their ends (3b) capable of coming to bear as shown on the longitudinal edges of the adult bathtub.

According to the invention, each of the ends (3b) of each carrier element (3) is arranged, near the end zone and outside the central zone with one or more openings (3c) arranged and profiled to allow positioning, the insertion and locking of removable selector elements (4) in position forming studs. The openings (3c) advantageously have a configuration in successive and continuous undulations established in the general oblong opening, thus making it possible to define a plurality of zones for positioning said studs (4).

The aforementioned openings (3c) can be successive or independent of one another while allowing the positioning of said studs (4) at various locations and at different distances.

According to the invention, the said opening (s) (3c) established in the volume of the carrying elements, have in lower extension a leg shape (3d) whose height (hl) is less than that (h2) of said carrying element. Each of said legs internally defines a volume (vi) allowing the insertion of the positioning stud (4). These studs have a particular configuration with a cap-forming head (4a) and overlapping the corresponding corresponding opening zone of the latter. The shape of the hat is such that it is difficult for the child to grasp. Under the head (4a), the stud is extended by an internally hollow U-shaped lower part (4b) defining wings (4c) thus having a certain elastic capacity for deformation by pinching effect. The length of said extension (4b) is greater than that of the above-mentioned leg (3d) so as to overflow. Furthermore, said extension (4b) externally has one or more zones (4d) projecting from the outside forming a recess or support spout, and capable of snapping onto the lower edge (3e) of said leg, thereby ensuring self -locking after positioning as shown in Figure 5. Between the head (4a) forming a cap and the lower extension (4b), each stud has an intermediate part (4e) having a profile corresponding to that of the openings (3c) to allow perfect interlocking on the carrier element (3).

This intermediate part (4e) can for example be established with two forms (4ex) and (4e2) fitting into two successive undulations of said opening.

Furthermore and according to another important arrangement of the invention, each of said studs has on its underside in extension, a cutaway shape (4f) oriented in an angular configuration corresponding to the usual angle of inclination of the longitudinal edges of the walls of the adult bath thus defining a counter-support.

Advantageously, said pad can be arranged on its lower extension with a support pad made of any suitable material, orientable or not and allowing its support against the opposite face of said bathtub so as not to damage it. This pad can be made of rubbery material, foam or the like, and can be threaded onto the stud in any suitable manner.

The stud, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, can have a bean configuration under the head part corresponding to the shapes of said openings arranged on the load-bearing elements.

According to the invention, said pads disposed at each end of the carrier elements are therefore adjustable in position on said carrier elements. Essentially, said studs cannot slide or be translated along said openings for the sake of total security. Said studs are blocked in transverse position by the undulating configuration of said openings, blocking also in vertical position by locking the studs in the fixed forms established on the legs from said openings (3c). Under these conditions, the baby therefore has no possibility alone of modifying the position of the studs, thereby creating an unexpected instability of the baby bathtub with risk of accident. It is therefore necessary for an adult person in charge of the child to perform a pinching operation below the baby bath on the lower free end of the stud to release the latter from the leg retaining edge of the opening considered thus allowing the lifting of said stud. The release of the studs therefore requires a double manipulation, by pinching the wings (4c) then by lifting. Furthermore, access to the elastic part of the pads is reserved for the person ensuring the cleaning of the child, which reinforces the safety of use of the invention.

Furthermore, the placement of the studs and their locking are carried out very quickly and simply. When the studs are put in place, the latter are elastically deformed at their base by pinching effect when penetrating into the openings concerned, then they return to their position after the passage of the lower end of the legs, thus allowing the latching wish.

The locking means described is simple in its implementation, but it does not exclude others of the pin or other type.

Furthermore and according to another arrangement and as a variant, said studs and the corresponding openings established in the bearing elements may have a polygonal section thus allowing angular indexing of said studs as required.

 It is also necessary to emphasize, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the possibility, thanks to the device of the invention, of orienting the baby bathtub at an angle relative to the adult bathtub, while ensuring the blocking in position thanks to the different studs. The orientation is obtained by the appropriate forms of connection of the male-female fitting of the baby bathtub with those established on the supporting elements. Thus the child can be partially oriented towards his mother.

Thus, according to the invention, the baby bath can be positioned on any type of adult bath and of very varied shapes. The advantages of the invention are emphasized: simplicity, safety of the baby who cannot himself have access to the removable elements (4), safety due to the double manipulation to modify the position and the location of the studs.

Claims (1)

 CLAIMS -1- Suspended support device for a baby bathtub in an adult bathtub, of the type comprising two elongated support arms placed to be applied to the baby bathtub, or in a plane transverse to it, to ensure its positioning, holding and suspension relative to the adult bathtub, ie in a longitudinal plane when not in use, said load-bearing elements being arranged with complementary male-female means capable of cooperating with female-male means established on the peripheral edge of the baby bath, the support device being characterized in that said support elements (3) are arranged near their end zone (3b) situated outside the central positioning and fixing zone of the baby bath with openings (3c) arranged and profiled to allow positioning, insertion and locking in position of removable elements (4 ) selectors in position capable of pressing firmly against the blanks facing the adult bathtub, whatever the shapes and dimensions of said adult bathtub, to stabilize the position of said carrying elements, said means being lockable in the position of a temporarily to ensure a fixed positioning of the assembly. -2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable elements (4) are established in the form of studs capable of entering an opening (3c) established at each of the ends (3b) of the carrier elements (3), and this in a selected position, said studs being after engagement on the load-bearing elements, blocked and locked in position, and in that the disengagement of said studs requires a double pinching manipulation of the end of the removable elements (4) and their lifting. -3- Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the opening (s) (3c) have a configuration in successive and continuous undulations established in the general opening of oblong shape allowing to define, from a selectively, a plurality of positioning zones of said pads, said pads being in a specific position and cannot be translated into the opening. -4- Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening (s) (3c) have in lower extension a leg shape whose height (hl) is less than that (h2) of the carrier element, each leg defining internally a volume (V1) allowing the insertion of a positioning pad. -5- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each stud comprises a cap-forming head (4a) partially covering the opening zone, and extending, by its lower part profiled in U (4b) with wings (4c) having an elastic deformation capacity, said wings being arranged with one or more projecting zones (4d) forming a recess or support spout for snapping onto the lower edge of the leg (3d ) ensuring self-locking after positioning. -6- Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the studs have between the head forming a cap and their lower extension an intermediate part (4.1) profiled with shapes (4el), (4e2) fitting into two successive undulations of the 'opening. -7- Device according to claim 5, characterized in that each stud has, on its underside, a cutaway shape (4f) oriented in an angular configuration corresponding substantially to the angle of inclination of the longitudinal edges of the bath for adults by constituting a counter-support. -8- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower extension of the stud receives a support pad orientable or not against the opposite face of the adult bath. -9- Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the studs have a bean configuration under the head part. -10- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable elements (4) and the corresponding openings (3c) established in the carrier elements have a polygonal section allowing their angular indexing as necessary.