US20110107511A1

US20110107511A1 - Standing baby shower seat

Info

Publication number: US20110107511A1
Application number: US12/799,379
Authority: US
Inventors: Christine Alcala; Mathew Brandon Alcala
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-12
Filing date: 2010-04-23
Publication date: 2011-05-12
Also published as: US20110108554A1; US20120082589A1

Abstract

The embodiment of our shower seat comprises of a frame (10) with connected legs (18) and a connected seat (12). The embodiment also has a height adjusting mechanism (28) and a connected tray (26) or shallow dish (24) or combination thereof. The embodiment permits a baby's feet to extend to the shower floor facilitating a sitting up and or standing up position when arranged therein. The embodiment encourages the development of coordination needed by a baby to stand on a shower floor independently over time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The closest related prior art comprises of a Baby Shower U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,131 (1991) and a Baby Shower Bath 129883 (2007). The Baby Shower U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,131 is suspended from the outer wall of a bath and a baby is showered while being suspended above the bath floor. The structure is quite bulky and may be inconvenient for parents to set up each shower time. Also, parents may be hesitant to use the invention because it suspends their baby above the bath floor. Parents may be concerned for their baby's safety if the baby happens to lose their balance and slip.
The Baby Shower Bath 129883 (2007) is for use within a shower space. However, the invention does not include a seat for a baby to be arranged therein. This invention also does not include a tray or splash dish for a baby to play with while being bathed.
The embodiment we propose is a seat within a frame with connected legs, adapted to rest on a shower floor. The embodiment permits a baby's feet to extend to the shower floor, facilitating a sitting up or standing up position. Being in this facilitated position will help babies develop and understand the requisite stability and balance for proper shower standing coordination. The embodiment does not involve any set up after the initial use and is easily positioned in and out of the shower. The embodiment does not directly derive from the prior art cited, but they are the closest related prior art we found.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Much effort is taken towards developing functional coordination in babies like walking, jumping, eating, and bathing. The marketplace is full of mechanisms that facilitate the development of such coordination like walkers, jumpers, highchairs, and baths. By using these mechanisms, a baby can develop the ability to walk, jump, sit at a table, and sit safely in a bath. Over time, the baby will master these functions and will no longer need the assistance from the mechanisms.
The standing baby shower seat we are proposing, introduces a baby to a shower. This introduction is made so the baby can begin to develop the needed coordination and skill to stand in the shower independently. The embodiment permits a baby's feet to extend to the shower floor, facilitating a sitting up or standing up position when the baby is arranged therein. Being in this facilitated position will help babies develop and understand the requisite stability and balance for proper shower standing coordination.
This invention gives the parent a way to safely shower with their baby. Parents are offered another option for bathing their baby rather than just giving their baby a bath.

SUMMARY

The embodiment of our shower seat comprises of a seat within a frame. The frame has a connected tray or shallow dish or combination thereof, along with a plurality of connected legs. The embodiment also has a height adjusting mechanism.

Advantages

For a parent, bathing a baby is another task added on a parent's to-do-list. With today's busy lifestyle, bathing a baby can be constraining on a parent's busy schedule. Not only does the parent have to shower them self, but the parent also has to find time in the day to bathe their baby. A baby shower seat would allow the parent to shower their baby while the parent showers them self, combining two separate tasks into one.
Our baby shower seat is a standing seat adjusted to rest on a shower floor. The embodiment is easy to place in the shower and also easily removed. The area taken up by the embodiment is minimized to offer optimal space to the parent showering with the baby. The parent can easily position the baby in the seat and also easily remove the baby from the seat. The shower seat encourages the development of the needed coordination for the baby to stand independently on a shower floor over time. The baby can also become familiar with a shower environment and come to enjoy it, rather than being confined to a conventional bath.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of our invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of our invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of our invention.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 frame
12 seat
13 lining
14 openings for legs
16 lips
18 legs
20 enlarged base
22 slip-resistant material
24 shallow dish
26 tray
28 vertically spaced holes
30 upper leg
32 lower leg
34 rear storage

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiment of our baby shower seat comprises of a seat within a frame. The frame has a connected tray or shallow dish or combination thereof, along with a plurality of connected legs. The embodiment also has a height adjusting mechanism.
In FIG. 1, the embodiment comprises of a frame 10 that is large enough to fit a baby and narrow enough to fit within a width of a shower. Integrally attached to the frame 10 are pluralities of vertically spaced legs 18 extending downward. The legs 10 are adapted to rest on the shower floor. Each leg has a lower portion that includes at least one slip-resistant element 22. The slip-resistant element may comprise of a suction cup and or other slip-resistant materials. The slip-resistant element 22 enables the affixing of the embodiment to the shower floor in an immobile position. The lower portions of the leg members have an enlarged base 20 for resting on the shower floor providing a larger surface area for the slip-resistant material. I envision the frame 10 and legs 18 to be made from durable materials such as plastics but other durable materials are also suitable.
The embodiment in FIG. 1 has a seat 12 that is integral to the frame 10. The seat 12 has a pair of openings 14 for receiving a baby's legs when arranged therein. The seat 12 is made from durable plastic. The seat is lined 13 with materials comprising of slip-resistant foam and or mold and mildew-resistant materials to provide a safe, easy to clean, and comfortable environment. I envision this seat to be made of plastic including a lining made of slip-resistant foam and or mold and mildew-resistant materials, but any suitable material or combination of materials can be used for the seat.
FIG. 1 also shows an integral shallow dish 24 relative to the frame 10. The shallow dish 24 is included to entertain the baby while seated in the embodiment. The dish 24 holds a safe amount of water at a safe distance to avoid drowning. The baby can splash and play with the water while arranged therein.
In an alternate embodiment, a height adjustable mechanism is illustrated. As seen in FIG. 2, the adjustable mechanism is found on the legs of the embodiment. The legs of the frame 10 each comprise of an upper 30 and lower 32 telescoping member. The lower member 32 contains a plurality of vertically spaced openings 28. The upper leg member 30 includes a displaceable pin (not shown) adapted for engaging the openings 28. When the pin is displaced inwardly, the upper leg member 30 can be moved upwardly or downwardly with respect to the lower leg member 32. When the desired height is obtained, the pin can be released to engage the opening 28 for that height to lock the upper leg member 30 into position. When each of the legs of the embodiment are adjusted so, the seat will be positioned at a desired height above the shower floor in accordance with the length of the baby's legs.
FIG. 2 also includes an integral tray 26 relative to the frame 10. The integral tray is included to accommodate a variety of toys. The toys can either be attachable or fixed to the tray. Otherwise, the tray can be used as a platform for other bath toys preferred by the baby separate from what is included with the tray.
Further seen in FIG. 2 in regards to the seat 10 is a lip 16 found along the perimeter of each of the openings 14 for the baby's legs. The lips 16 of the openings extend downward softening the edges by displacing the edge downward rather than being in direct contact with the baby's legs.
The final alternate embodiment is configured into the shape of an animal. The embodiment in FIG. 3 is configured as a duck. Included in this embodiment is also a rear storage compartment integral to the frame. The rear storage 34 can hold baby shampoo and or baby body wash and or other bathing accessories. In this embodiment, the rear storage compartment 34 is configured as a duck tail and the shallow dish 24 as the beak of the duck.

Operation

Before using the embodiment with a baby in a shower, a parent should place the baby in the embodiment to ensure the baby can sufficiently sit up or stand up in the embodiment properly. The parent can then adjust the height of the seat to ensure that the baby's feet comfortably extend to the floor. Once the seat has been adjusted to an optimal height, the parent can remove the baby and arrange the embodiment into the shower.
When the parent and baby are in the shower, the parent should ensure that the baby is acclimated to the shower. The parent can then wash the baby and place him or her in the seat once fully washed. Otherwise, the parent can place the baby in the seat and wash them self first. Another option is to place the baby in the embodiment in order to wash the baby's hair, upper body, legs, and feet while he or she is arranged therein. The parent can then lift the baby up into their arms to wash the child's midsection and then place the baby back into the embodiment once fully washed. While arranged in the embodiment, the baby can play with the water collected in the shallow dish and or with the toys provided on the tray.
The baby will also build and develop the needed coordination for standing in a shower. While supported in the shower seat, the baby can start to understand how to balance his or her weight to properly stand on the shower floor. Over time, the baby will progress to standing on a shower floor independently without the aid of the embodiment.

Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope

Accordingly the reader will see that we have provided a mechanism for a baby to sit up or stand up in while in a shower. The embodiment of our shower seat includes a tray or shallow dish or combination thereof for the baby to play with while arranged therein. Also, to convenience the parent with the baby's toiletries and shower accessories, the option of a rear storage compartment is included.
In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 are seats integral to each of the frames. It will be appreciated that any seat configuration may be used for the embodiment. The embodiment is not limited to an integral seat but can also comprise of a rotating or removable seat. A seat with a rotating mechanism would allow a baby to turn in place while seated in the embodiment. This would also allow a parent to rotate the baby as needed for various shower needs. The other option for the seat would be for it to be removable from the frame. Removing the seat from the embodiment would provide easier access for cleaning purposes.
It should also be appreciated that the seat can be made from any material including durable fabrics. If made from durable fabrics, the fabric seat would include means to be affixed onto the frame. Various means for attaching the seat to the frame could be used, for example, a variety of buttons, hooks, loops, notches, etc. Again, any seat configuration and connective means of the seat to the frame may be used according to the invention.
In addition to these ramifications of the embodiment are the different possibilities of height adjusting mechanisms. An alternate embodiment may have the height adjusting means on the seat. In this embodiment, a seat comprising durable materials should be used. Adjusting the height of the seat relative to the shower floor would include a belt provided on the seat. The height of the seat can be adjusted by tightening the belt to increase the distance from the floor; to decrease the distance from the floor, the belt can be loosened for the needed slack to lower the seat towards the floor. This height adjustable mechanism is suitable for an embodiment of this invention, but according to the invention, any height adjustable mechanism configured for the embodiment may be used.
Another ramification relates to the integral parts relative to the frame 10 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. The embodiments comprise of integral components such as a seat, a plurality of legs 18, a shallow dish 24 or tray 26 or combination thereof, and rear storage 34. These components can be integral to the frame or be manufactured separately and assembled thereafter. Any means of connecting the various components to the frame can be used according to the invention. Lastly, the embodiment can be configured into different entities such as boats, submarines, shapes, animals, etc.
While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of various embodiments. Thus the scope should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

Claims

1. A baby shower seat comprising of:

2. A frame of sufficient size to accommodate a connected seat large enough to fit a baby of infant to toddler years, the seat containing a pair of openings for receiving a baby's legs when arranged therein, the combination of the frame and seat being small enough to fit within a shower, the frame is also sufficient in size to include a plurality of connected legs, adjusted to rest on a shower floor, the plurality of vertically spaced legs extending downward, having at least one slip-resistant element on the base of each of the lower legs,

3. The frame of claim 2 further including a connected tray or shallow dish or combination thereof,

4. The seat of claim 2 wherein the seat comprises a plurality of connecting means to the frame; seat can be integral, removable, can rotate, etc., relative to the frame,

5. Height-adjusting means for vertically adjusting the seat relative to the shower floor, whereby the seat may be vertically adjusted to a position where the baby's feet extend to the shower floor,

whereby, a baby shower seat to be arranged on a shower floor for a baby to sit up or stand up in, is provided.