GB2376181A

GB2376181A - Bath

Info

Publication number: GB2376181A
Application number: GB0113496A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lay Heng Chhung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-04
Filing date: 2001-06-04
Publication date: 2002-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-04
Also published as: GB2376181B; GB0113496D0

Abstract

A bath comprises an open-topped shell (2) for holding bathing water and a closed channel (6) extending along the shell. At least part of the walls of the channel are transparent. The channel contains at least one inanimate object capable of being moved along the channel. The channel is also associated with pump means (7) for propelling fluid along the channel to effect said movement of the object.

Description

BATH The present invention relates to a bath intended particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, for the bathing of a child or an infant.

The aim of the invention is to provide a bath which will be perceived by a child or infant to have some novelty value and which, from the parents point of view, will assist in"bath time"by keeping the child amused and contented.

According to the present invention there is provided a bath comprising an open-topped shell for holding bathing water and a closed channel extending along the shell wherein at least part of the walls of the channel visible from within the shell are transparent, the channel contains at least one inanimate object capable of being moved along the channel, and the channel is associated with pump means for propelling fluid along the channel to effect said movement of the object.

The bath is such that a child or infant being bathed within the shell is able to see at least part of the interior of the channel. Within the channel there is at least one, and more preferably several, objects which is/are moved along the channel by the pump means. This movement of the object (s) provides a novelty value to keep the child amused.

Preferably the interior of the channel is visible from both outside and within the bath. Conveniently the shell of the bath is wholly of transparent plastics material so that the entire interior of the channel is readily visible.

In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention, the channel extends continuously around the entire periphery of the shell of the bath thus providing a "circuit"around which the object (s) may continuously move by means of fluid displacement effected by the pump means.

It is particularly preferred that the channel is filled with a liquid, most preferably water, which is moved along the channel by the pump means thus conveying the objects along the channel. It is preferred that the objects are at least partially buoyant in the liquid contained within the channel.

The objects within the channel may take any desired shape but given that the channel contains a liquid then the objects can be shaped as fish. However we do not preclude the possibility of using different shapes or a variety of different shapes within the channel. Conveniently the objects are plastics material.

For preference the pump is battery operated and is mounted on the exterior of the shell. In this case, the pump may have (i) an outlet nozzle projecting into the channel and directed so as to effect movement of fluid (and thus the objects) there along; and (ii) an inlet conduit via which liquid from the channel is returned to the pump for recirculation.

In this embodiment, water-tight seals may be provided around the inlet and outlet (conduit where they locate through the wall of the channel.

The bath may be fitted with additional"play things"for added novelty value.

Thus, for example, the shell may be fitted with components that can be moved (e. g. rotated) by a child or infant. Conveniently such additional components are mounted on a gantry that spans opposite sides of the bath shell.

It is particularly preferred that the bath of the invention is a portable structure and for this purpose the shell may have an upper, outwardly projecting flange by means of which the bath may be carried. The lower portion of the shell of such a portable structure will have supports to enable the shell to be stably positioned on the

floor or other support surface. These supports may, for example, comprise a plurality of legs mounted on the bottom of the shell.

The interior of the bath may be fitted with one or more seats on which a child or infant in the bath may sit.

The invention will now further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of bath in accordance with the invention; Fig 2 is a sectional view of the shell of the bath shown in Fig 1 taken on the line A-A thereof (and omitting details of the gantry); Fig 3 is a side view of the bath shown in Fig 1; and Fig 4 is a top plan view of the bath shown in Fig 1.

Referring firstly to Fig 1, the illustrated bath I is a portable structure and comprises a clear plastics shell 2 supported on legs 3. A ledge 4 is provided around the upper periphery of the shell to assist in carrying the bath. A further feature of the illustrated construction is a gantry 5 which spans opposite sides of the shell and on which are mounted"mobiles"i. e. toys that be moved (e. g. rotated) by a child/infant in the bath.

Formed within the shell of the bath and extending around the periphery thereof is a channel 6 (see also Fig 2). The transparent nature of the shell 2 ensures that the interior of the channel 6 is visible. Channel 6 is filled with water in which float a number of inanimate objects depicted, in the drawings, as being in the shape of fish although other configurations could be used.

Mounted on the outside of the shell 2 is a battery operated pump 7 having an outlet conduit 8 which extends through the outer wall of the channel 6 and which is disposed within the channel so as to circulate water which can leave the channel 6 via a conduit 9 for return to the pump.

Operation of the pump thus ensures that water is circulated around the channel 6. The objects 6 thus continue to circulate round the channels producing a novelty value for a child or infant in the bath.

Claims

1. A bath comprising an open-topped shell for holding bathing water and a closed channel extending along the shell wherein at least part of the walls of the channel are transparent, the channel contains at least one inanimate object capable of being moved along the channel, and the channel is associated with pump means for propelling fluid along the channel to effect said movement of the object.

2. A bath according to claim 1, wherein the at least one object is moved along the channel by the pump means.

3. A bath according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interior of the channel is visible from both outside and within the bath.

4. A bath according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the shell of the bath is wholly of transparent plastics material.

5. A bath according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the channel extends continuously around the entire periphery of the shell of the bath.

6. A bath according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the channel is filled with a liquid.

7. A bath according to claim 6, wherein the liquid is water.

8. A bath according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one object is at least partially buoyant in the liquid contained within the channel.

9. A bath according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the at least one object is shaped as fish.

10. A bath according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the at least one object comprises a plastics material.

11. A bath according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump is battery operated and is mounted on the exterior of the shell.

12. A bath according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the bath has an upper, outwardly projecting flange by means of which the bath may be carried.

13. A bath according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein a lower portion of the shell has a support to enable the shell to be stably positioned on the floor or other support surface.

14. A bath according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior of the bath is fitted with a seat on which a child or infant in the bath may sit.

15. A bath substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.