US20170196409A1

US20170196409A1 - Bath Time Bumper Guard

Info

Publication number: US20170196409A1
Application number: US14/990,708
Authority: US
Inventors: Brenda Dillingham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-07
Filing date: 2016-01-07
Publication date: 2017-07-13

Abstract

The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD consists of four bumper pads that fit securely over the top of the bathtub. They adhere easily to the sides and top of the bath with magnets or suction cups. They are made of vinyl and they provide a cushioned pad that would safeguard a child or adult from contacting the hard surfaces of the tub in the event of a slip or fall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Bath Time Bumper Guard is a safety accessory designed to prevent injuries in the bathtub. This need was identified when the Inventor's young grandson slipped and fell in the bathtub. He hit his head on the side of the tub and had to be rushed to the emergency room.
After doing research to find a product that was designed for this purpose, and finding none, she conceived the BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD. She created a prototype with plastic pool vinyl and filled it with premium polyester fiberfill.
The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD consists of four bumper pads that fit securely over the top of the bathtub. They adhere easily to the sides and top of the bath with magnets or suction cups. They provide a cushioned pad that would safeguard a child or adult from contacting the hard surfaces of the tub in the event of a slip or fall.
These bumpers would help alleviate the concerns of parents who struggle to bathe a slippery baby or toddler and worry about losing their grip on the child. Older babies and toddlers may also pull themselves up to a standing position in the tub where they are at risk of falling and bumping their heads or faces on the hard surfaces. These accidents can result in chipped or broken teeth, lacerations that may require stitches, bloody or broken noses, or even serious jaw injuries.
The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD could be used in home settings with elderly or disabled individuals who may otherwise be at increased risk for bathtub accidents. Falls are the leading cause of injury among the elderly. The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD would help prevent these injuries for any bather by padding the hard top surfaces of the bathtub. The Inventor believes the BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD could be produced easily using conventional and readily available material with standard manufacturing processes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD consists of four bumper pads which adhere to the top perimeter of a bathtub. They can be produced from plastic pool vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyrate's, or polyvinylidene chloride, any plastic flexible material. These all have excellent resistance to moisture, mold and mildew. That is, there may be more than one type of plastic that could produce a component meeting the specified design and requirements. They can be filled (or stuffed) with polyester or any fiberfill material, or even foam that would cushion a fall. Once again there may be more than one type of fill that could meet the specified design requirement. They adhere to the bathtub with suction cups (magnets could also be used). They are easily removed for drying or storage. They can be used repetitively. They can be created with a solid colored vinyl or a fun, colorful print for children.
With the BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD in place, young children, the elderly, or any other bather would be prevented from injuring themselves on the otherwise hard surfaces if they should fall in the tub.
The appealing features of BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD would be its convenient design, ease of use, and the increased safety for young children and other bathers. Households without children could use the BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD to protect against accidents in a slippery bathtub.
The Inventor believes BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD will work and function as designed to serve the intended purpose. It will accomplish those objectives desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 SHORT END TUB & BUMPERS—This drawing depicts the short-end of the tub and the bumpers. It specifies the materials, their thickness, the suggested color of the vinyl and some suggested assembly instructions.

FIG. 2 BACK WALL/TUB SECTION—This drawing depicts the back wall of the tub and the bumpers. It specifies the materials, their thickness, the suggested color of the vinyl and some suggested assembly instructions.

FIG. 3 FRONT WALLSECTION—This drawing depicts the front section of the tub and the bumpers. It specifies the materials, their thickness, the suggested color of the vinyl and some suggested assembly instructions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD is a set of four bumper guards (pads) made of vinyl (or any like product). They would be generously filled and padded with a premium polyester fiberfill (or any like product). They could also be made to be inflatable. They would be sized and shaped to fit over the top of the bathtub extending over the upper edge of the tub and 4″ down on the inside. The pads and would be held in place by suction cups (and perhaps magnets). The bumpers measure 24 inches long and 18 inches wide for the short end sides of the tub; 60 inches long and 19 inches wide for the long side against the back wall of the tub, and 60 inches long and 28 inches wide for the long side that in the front of the bathtub. This would fit a standard-sized tub. They could be custom-made or made to fit any size bathtub.
The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD could be produced easily using readily available and accessible material. Basic patterns for the vinyl material are available based on the prototypes. They could be produced using standard established manufacturing processes included heat sealing or gluing of the vinyl material. Usually there are multiple options for the fabrication of vinyl components that would meet the demand for the specified design or requirement.
The use of this invention again gravitates toward safety in the bathtub. Slips and falls in the bathtub are a major cause of injuries to people of all ages. The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD is an inexpensive way to help ensure no one in your family gets injured in a preventable home accident. Staying safe in the bathtub is important for young children, people with muscle weakness or physical disabilities, the elderly or anyone bathing. Bathing is a part of everyday life. However, many parents do not know that children can be seriously injured in bathtubs. Every year more than 43,000 children receive emergency treatment for bathtub-related injuries. Many of these injuries could be prevented by using BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD.
BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD is inexpensive, convenient and easy to use.

Claims

1. The BATH TIME BUMPER GUARD is a claimed invention for cushioning against a slip or fall on the top side of a bathtub. It is comprised of mold and mildew resistant vinyl material filled with a fiberfill material to soften or cushion the slip or fall.