US2143674A

US2143674A - Rubber bathtub

Info

Publication number: US2143674A
Application number: US206802A
Authority: US
Inventors: Berger Jacob
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-05-09
Filing date: 1938-05-09
Publication date: 1939-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1956-01-10

Description

im w, 1939. 'l BERGER 2,143,674

RUBBER BATHTUB Filed Maye, 1938 j 55- E- BY i l l C ATToRNE-Y Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES QEFIEE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a rigid platform for collapsible rubber baby bath tubs.

Heretofore collapsible rubber baby bath tubs have been constructed from sheet rubber and nothing has been applied to the base Wall of the tub for reinforcing the same to prevent it from sagging under the Weight of the infant. When a child attempted to stand up in the tub, the tub assumes a cone shape makes it difficult to keep the childs balance and also very often the childs foot punctured a hole in the bottom.

This invention proposes the construction of a rigid member which is adapted to be extended across the bottom of the tub and disposed in a pocket formed by a flange extending continuously around the base wall of the tub, to permit more floor surface, hence more comfort for the child. i Still' further it is proposed to construct the 20 rigid member from a plurality of adjacent rigid strips extending parallel with the sides of the tub and connected together by flexible strips extending transversely of the rigid strips.

d Still further it is proposed toprovide a means 3" for reinforcing the flexible strips to hold the rigid member in a substantially at plane or which is releasable for permitting the rigid member to assume a slightly convexed shape.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.v

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. l is an elevational View of a rubber baby bath tub constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a View looking in the direction of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

' Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

f Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but with the rigid strips turned out of their operative position to permit the bottom to assume a slightly curved position.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. l but illustrating the position the tub assumes when the rigid member is removed therefrom.

Fig. 7 is avieW similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the position assumed by the tub when, the rigid member is removed therefrom.

The rigid platform for collapsible baby bath tubs, according to this invention, is to be used in conjunction with a tub consisting of a substantially rectangular frame I having sides and ends. A rubberV bath tub body II is mounted along its edges on the sides and ends of the frame I 0 and at its bottom is formed With a continuous ange I2 forming a pocket I3. The top edge portions `I ia of the rubber bath tub II are molded around the frame I0 or securely at- 10 tached thereto in any other manner.

A rigid member extends across the bottom of the tub body Il and has its edges disposed into the pocket I3 and engaging the flange I2. The rigid member consists of a plurality of adjacent 1 rigid strips I4 extending parallel with the sides of the tub.` Flexible strips I5 extend transversely of the rigid strips I4 and these exible strips are adapted to connect the rigid strips together in a spaced position with relation to each other. Pins I5 extend through the rigid strips I4 and the ange strips I5 for holding the rigid strips in position upon the flange strips.

A means is provided for reinforcing the flexible strips I5 for holding the rigid member in a substantially flat plane and for preventing the flexible strips from bending under the Weight of the child. This means comprises rigid strips I'l turnably mounted upon the flexible strips I5 30 by means of pins I8. The rigid strips I'I are adapted to be extended longitudinally as well as transversely of the rigid strips I4. Fastening elements are mounted upon the flexible strips I5 and cooperative with the ends of the turnably 35 mounted rigid strips I1 for holding them extended along the flexible strips for reinforcing the same. These fastening elements comprise hooks I9 attached to the bottom face of the flexible strips I5 and engageable beneath the ends 40 of the turnably mounted rigid strips for holding the same against turning unless pressure is applied thereto.

When the turnably mounted rigid strips I1 are extended along the lengths of the flexible strips I5 with their ends against the hooks I8 the rigid member will be held in a substantially nat plane as shown in Fig. 4. Each of the turnably mounted rigid strips may be rotated through 180 as illustrated by the dot and dash lines II in Fig. 2, and the bottom would then assume a curved position as illustrated by the dot and dash lines I I in Fig. 4, or the full lines in Fig. 5.

Fastening elements are mounted along the 56 edges of the rigid member and the ange I2 for holding the rigid element in position within the pocket I3. These fastening elements comprise snap fastener elements 20 attached to the inner face of the flange I2 and engageable With complementary fastening elements 2| attached to the edge portions of the rigid strips I4 of the rigid member.

The operation of this device is as follows:-

The tub is suspended from a conventional baby bath tub frame and the tub is filled with Water. The baby is rested on the base of the tub, and while the turnably mounted rigid elementsy I'I are extended along the length of the flexible members I5 the rigid member will be in a substantially flat plane to reinforce the bottom Wall of the tub to prevent the same from sagging in the middle under the Weight of the child. In the event it should be desirable to impart slight curve to the base wall of the tub, this may be accomplished by moving the turnably mounted rigid strips II through 180, as illustrated by the dot and dash lines I1 in Fig. 2 as to permit the bottom Wall of the tub to become slightly concaved (as shown in Fig. 5) under the weight of the child.

In Figs. 6 and '7 views similar to Figs. 1 and 4 are shown in which the rigid member is removed from the base Wall of the tub to illustrate the positions assumed'by the tub under the Weight of the baby. By carefully inspecting these figures it will be noted that the position of the baby is not at all normal and tends to destroy its cor- Yrectposture while it is lying on its back.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to al1 changes and modifications coming Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

' Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

l., In a device of the class described, a frame having sides and ends, a rubber bath tub body mounted along its edges on said sides and ends of :said frame and at its bottom having a continuous flange forming a pocket, a rigid member extendedl across the bottom of said tub body and disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging said flange, and fastening elements mounted'along the'edges of said member and said flange for releasably holding said rigid member.

2. In a device ,of the class described, a frame having sides andends, a rubber bath tub body mounted along its edges on said sides and ends of said frame and at its bottom having a continuous-,flange forming a pocket, a rigid member extended across the bottom of said tub body and disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging said flange, and fastening elements mounted along the edges of Said member and said flange for releasably4 holding said rigid member, said rubber bath tub body having its topgedges molded upon said frame or securely attached thereto in any other manner.

3. In a device of the class described, a frame having sides and ends, a rubber bath tub body mounted kalong its edges on said sidesl and ends of said'frame and at its bottom having a continuous flange forming a pocket, a rigid member extended across the bottom of said tub body and disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging Vsaid -flange, andv fastening elements mounted along the edges of said member and said flange for releasably holding said rigid member, said fastening elements comprising snap fastener elements on the edge portions of said rigid member and engageable with complementary snap fastener elements attached to the inner face of said flange.

4. In a device of the class described, a frame having sides and ends, a rubber bath tub body mounted along its edges on said sides and ends of said frame and at its bottom having a continuous flange forming a pocket, a rigid member extended across the bottom of said tub bodyand disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging said flange, and fastening elements mounted along the edges of said member and said flange for releasably holding said rigid member, said rigid element comprising a plurality of adjacent rigid strips extending parallel With said sides, flexible strips extending transversely of said rigid strips and connecting them together, a rigid strips turnably mounted on said flexible strips to be extendable longitudinally and transversely thereof, and fastening elements mounted c-n said flexible strips and cooperative with said turnably mounted rigid strips for holding them extended along said ilexible strips for reinforcing the same.

5. In a device of the class described, a frame having sides and ends, a rubber bath tub body mounted along its edges on said sides and ends of said frame and at its bottom having a continuous flange forming a pocket, a rigid member extended across the bottom of said tub body and disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging said 3 flange, and fastening elements mounted along the edges of said member and said flange for releasably holding said rigid member, said rigid element comprising a plurality of adjacent rigid strips extending parallel with said sides, flexible strips extending transversely of said rigid strips and connecting them together, rigid strips turnably mounted on said flexible strips to be extendable longitudinally and transversely thereof, and fastening elements mounted on said flexible strips and cooperative with said turnably mounted rigid strips for holding them extended along said flexible strips for reinforcing the same, pins extending through said rigid strips and said flexible strips for holding said rigid strips in fixed positions upon said flexible strips and spaced with relation to each other.

6. In a device of the class described, a frame having sides and ends, a rubber bath tub body mounted along its edges on said sides and ends of said frame and at its bottom having a continuous flange forming a pocket, a rigid member extended across the bottom of said tub body and disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging said flange, and fastening elements mounted along the edges of said member and said flange for releasably holding said rigid member, said rigid element comprising a plurality of adjacent rigid strips extending parallel With said sides, flexible strips extending transversely of said rigid strips and connecting them together, rigid strips turnably mounted on said flexible strips to be extendable longitudinally and transversely thereof, and fastening elements mounted on said flexible strips and cooperative with said turnably mounted rigid strips for holding them extended along said flexible strips for reinforcing the same, a pin freely passing through the center of the said turnably mounted rigid strips and fixedly engaging said flexible strips for turnably supporting said latter-mentioned rigid strips.

7. In a device of the class described, a frame having sides and ends, a rubber bath tub body mounted along its edges on said sides and ends of said frame and at its bottom having a continuous ange forming a pocket, a rigid member extended across the bottom of said tub body and disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging said flange, and fastening elements mounted along the edges of said member and said flange for releasably holding said rigid member, said rigid element comprising a plurality of adjacent rigid strips extending parallel with said sides, flexible strips extending transversely of said rigid strips and connecting them together, rigid strips turnably mounted on said flexible strips to be eX- tendable longitudinally and transversely thereof, and fastening elements mounted on said flexible strips and cooperative with said turnably mounted rigid strips for holding them extended along said flexible strips for reinforcing the same, said lattermentioned fastening. elements comprising hooks extending from said flexible strips and engageable over the ends of said turnably mounted rigid strips for holding the same in fixed position with relation to said flexible strips.

8. In a device of the class described, a frame having sides and ends, a rubber bath tub body mounted along its edges on said sides and ends of said frame and at its bottom having a continuous flange forming a pocket, a rigid member extended across the bottom of said tub body and disposed in said pocket and having its edges engaging said flange, and fastening elements mounted along the edges of said member and said flange for releasably holding said rigid member, said rigid element being readily removable from the base Wall of said tub body when so desired by disengaging said fastening elements.

JACOB BERGER.