US2700776A - Infant's bathing device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1955 E. Q. WALTERS INFANTS BATHING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001.- 50, 1955 INVENTOR. EVERETTE QMAcreas BY Kym ATTOQM EYS Feb. 1, 1955 E. Q. WALTERS v INFANTS BATHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 50, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. Ev gnET'rs Q. WALTERS AT TOQN EYS Feb. 1, 1955 E. Q. WALTERS 2,700,776

INFANTS BATHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 30, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. Ev ERETTE Q. Wan-vans fl AAM United States Patent INFANTS BATHlNG DEVICE Everette Q. Walters, Alexandria, Minn.

Application October 30, 1953, Serial No. 389,263

3 Claims. (Cl. 4-177) This invention relates to an infants bathing device of the knockdown type.

An object of the present invention is to provide an infants bathing device which is adapted to be mounted upon a conventional household bathtub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an infants bathing device which when mounted upon a conventional household bathtub is strongly and firmly braced not only against portions of the tub but against the wall projecting above the rear of the tub.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an infants bathing device in which certain key supporting elements are adjustable in length, the better to adapt the device to support upon various sizes and shapes of bathtubs to insure the proper levelling of the device despite such variations in supporting tubs.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an infants bathing device which is simply and inexpensively constructed and which may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the ensuing description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the bathing device of the present invention, with the cover in open position, mounted upon a conventional bathtub, parts of which are broken away.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 with portions cut away showing the cover in closed position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bathing device of the present invention in an upright position with the fabric portions omitted.

Figure is an enlarged detail fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the bathing device of the present invention in the nested position.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the numeral 1 represents a horizontally disposed frame of rigid tubular construction. The frame has two side members which for convenience in description are designated by the numeral 2 and two end members designated 3. Adjacent end portions of one end of said end members 3 project beyond one of the side members 2 to form the projecting portions 4. Slidably supported in each projecting portion 4 is a foot member 5 adapted to engage a wall surface. The member 5 embodies a tubular element 6 telescoping into the adjacent projecting portion 4 and into the complemental end member 3, as shown in Figure 5, the outer end carrying a shoe 7 of rubber or other resilient material Which engages a wall surface W, as shown in Figure l. The tubular element 6 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 8 arranged longitudinally therealong, any one of which may be brought into registry with an opening 10 formed in the wall of the complemental projecting portion 4. A pin 9 carried by a leaf spring 11 which is exteriorly of and fixedly secured to the projecting portion 4 projects through the registering openings and holds the foot member 5 in its adjusted position on the projecting portion 4.

2,700,776 Patented Feb. 1, 1955 Positioned contiguous to the foot members 5 are a pair of spaced upright legs 12, each having its upper end connected to the side member 2 adjacent to the root members 5, for swinging movement from the upright position to a nested relation position with respect to the frame 1. Each of the legs 12 has on its lower end a foot member 13 which engages the interior surface of a bathtub B. Each foot member 13 embodies a tubular element 14 telescoping into the lower end of the leg 12, the outer end carrying a shoe 15, of rubber or other resilient material. The tubular element 14 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 16 arranged longitudinally therealong, any one of which may be brought into registry with an opening 17 formed in the wall of the complemental leg 12. A pin 18 carried by a leaf spring 19 which is exteriorly of and fixedly secured to the leg 12 projects through the registering openings and holds the foot member 13 in its adjusted position on the leg 12.

A vertically disposed strut structure 20 is connected to the other side member 2 for swinging movement from a vertical position to a nested relation position with respect to the frame 1. The strut structure comprises upstanding legs 21' each of which has on its upper end a horizontally disposed arm 22. 'lhe arms 22 extend into and are swingably supported in a bearing sleeve 23 'rixedly carried by the side member 2 remote from the foot members 5. A coiled spring is positioned within the bearing sleeve 23 and is operatively connected to each arm and the sleeve. Since the structure of both springs is the same, only one will be specifically described. Referring to Figure 7, a coiled spring 24 is positioned within the left hand portion of the bearing sleeve 23 and has one end secured [0 the arm 22 and has the other end secured to the sleeve. "lhe springs serve to hold the legs 2t in the vertical or upstanding position. 'lhe lower end of each of the legs 21 has a saddle element 25, the saddle elements being connected together by a cross rod 26. As shown in rigure l, the saddle elerngnltg's emoracingly engage the ad acent side of the bathtll A cross member 27 extends between the end members 3 adjacent to but spaced from the side member 2 which carries the legs 12. The cross member 27 together with the side member 2 supporting the strut structure 20 and the portions of the end members 3 therebetween form an auxiliary frame 28. From the auxiliary frame 28 is dependingly supported a collapsible infants tub 29. The tub 29 is of the customary shape and is made of the customary water retaining flexible fabric. It is fastened to the end members 3 by means of flaps 30 which extend from the portions of the rim of the tub adjacent the end members 3 embracingly around said end members and fasten upon the adjacent outer surface of the tub 29 by snap fasteners 31. The tub 29 is fastened to the adjacent side member 2 and the cross member 27 by means of the flaps 32 and 33, the flaps extending over the side member 2 and cross member 27 respectively and being detachably secured to the tub 29 by means of the strips 34 secured along one edge to the under side of the flaps 32 and 33 and strips 35 secured along one edge to the adjacent surfaces of the tub 29, the strips being connected together by a slide fastener 36. The end of the flap 32 extends a sufficient distance beyond its connection with the strip 34 to be folded back upon itself and stitched along its meeting edges 37 and the intermediate lines 38 to form the pockets 39. The tub 29 is provided with a horizontally disposed cover 40 consisting of a frame 41 of tubular material, of approximately the size and shape of the auxiliary frame 28 and an envelope 42 of fabric closely fitting about the frame 41. The frame 41 is pivoted for swinging movement upward from its horizontal closed position on top of the tub 29 upon an elongated bolt 43 which passes longitudinally through the side 44 of the frame 41 and is supported adjacent its ends in apertures 45 of the upper portions of uprights 46 which are rigidly fastened to and project upwardly from the end members 3 at the junction therewith of the cross member 27. The ends of the bolt 43 project through the uprights 46, one end being provided with a head 47 and the other end being in threaded engagement with the wing nut 48. The envelope 42 fits snugly upon the frame 41 and is detachably secured thereon by means of a flap 49 and a snap fastener 50. A fabric strip 51 is fixed transversely upon the upper surface of the cover 40 intermediate its ends. Upon the mid-portion of said strip 51 one end of each of two additional fabric strips 52 are fixedly secured in parallel spaced relation. The strips 52 are turned upwardly and fastened together at their other ends by cooperative fastening means 53 located thereon to form a safety belt 54.

The tub 29 has a drain opening 55 at its lowest point and a flexible hose 56 projecting downwardly therefrom. On the free end of the hose there is a nozzle 57 which is of such construction that it may be slipped over a faucet of the bathtub B for filling the tub 29 from the bottom with water when the faucet is turned on. If desired, the nozzle 57 may be left connected to such faucet until the water in the tub 29 has been used for bathing purposes, whereupon such nozzle is disconnected from the faucet and the used water drained from the tub 29. However, the nozzle 57 may be disconnected from the faucet of the bathtub B as soon as the tub 29 has been filled, and placed upon a hook 58 which projects exteriosrly of the auxiliary frame 28 adjacent the drain opening 5.

To serve as a stop for the cover 40 in its open position the bathing device is provided with a transverse panel 59 projecting upward at an obtuse angle from the auxiliary frame 28 and fastened to the end members 3 between the cross member 27 and the side member 2 carrying the legs 12. The panel 59 consists of a tubular frame 60 and a fabric envelope fitting thereupon. The envelope 61 is slid downwardly over the frame 60 and is detachably fastened around the cross member 62 by means of the flap 63 and the snap fasteners 64. A fabric strip 65 is positioned longitudinally across the upwardly angled face of the panel 59 and is stitched thereto along its bottom edge 66, its end 67, and the intermediate lines 68 to form pockets 69.

The thus described bathing device is usually maintained in its nested relation position, Figure 8, and when transported from its place of storage to its place of use it is carried in such nested position by the user having one of his hands firmly grasping the intermediate portion of the rod 26 of the strut structure 20. To set up the device upon the bathtub B the legs 12 are swung from their nested relation position to the upright position with the shoes 15 hearing against the inner face of the juncture of the bottom with the front Wall of the tub B and the shoes 7 on the end members 3 bearing against the wall surface W adjacent the tub B, whereupon the frame 1 is raised to a height such as to permit the strut structure 20 to freely execute its movement from the nested relation position to its vertical position. While holding the frame 1 in such raised position the strut 20 is then caused to execute its movement from the nested position to its vertical position and the frame released so that the cross rod 26 bears against the inner surface of the front wall of the tub B and the saddles 25 embracingly rest upon the top edge of such front wall. It is noted that the legs 12 when in their upright position are at a silght angle from the vertical, and by virtue of the shoes 15 bearing against the juncture of the front wall and bottom of the tub B, coupled with the rod 26 and saddles 25 of the strut structure 20 bearing against and supported upon the front wall of the tub B respectivelv, the bathing device is rigidly supported on the tub B, as shown in Figure 1.

Because bathtubs differ in size and shape, the legs 12 and the projecting portions 4 may have to be lengthened or shortened when the device is set up in a particular bathtub in order to support the frame 1 and thus the tub 29 in a substantially horizontal position. Such lengthening or shortening is accomplished by the appropriate movement of the telescopic foot members and 13 in the projecting portions 4 in the legs 12 respectively. When thus leveled, the tub 29 is braced from three directions and will not only carry a substantial weight, but will firmly resist movement transversely or longitudinally of the bathtub. The bracing effect of the projecting portions 4 against the room wall is particularly helpful in overcoming a tendency of the tub to sag or slip away from the user, a common objection to earlier forms of this type of bathing device.

When the bathing device has been set up and leveled as above described, and is to be used for bathing the baby,

the cover 40 is raised to its upright position where it rests against the panel 59. The nozzle 57 is then taken from the hook 58, and slipped over the faucet of the bathtub B, whereupon the faucet is turned on and the tub 29 filled to the desired level with water. After the baby has been bathed in the tub 29, the water is drained from the tub 29 into the bathtub B by placing the nozzle 57 in the bottom of such bathtub.

To remove the bathing device from the bathtub B, the front of the frame 1 is raised, the strut structure 20 and the legs 12 swung in turn to their nested positions, the intermediate portion of the cross rod 26 of the strut structure grasped by the hand of the user and lifted from the bathtube B.

The device may not only be used for bathing the baby, but as a baby dressing table as well. The cover when in its horizontal closed position and fastened in that position by the tightening of the wing nut 48 offers a steady horizontal and resilient surface of the appropriate height for the support of the baby while he is being dressed or changed. If considered necessary, the baby may be secured to the upper surface of the cover by means of the safety belt 54.

What is claimed is:

1. An infants collapsible bathing device of the type to be mounted for use upon a conventional household bathtub, comprising a horizontally disposed frame having two side members and two end members, a foot member projecting from and slidably supported in one end of each of said end members and adapted to engage a wall surface, a pair of spaced upright legs positioned contiguous to the foot members and each having the upper end connected to the side member adjacent to said foot members for swinging movement from the upright position to a nested relation position with respect to said frame, each leg having on its lower end a foot member projecting from and slidably supported in said leg for engaging the interior surface of the bathtub, a vertically disposed strut structure arranged longitudinally of the other side member and having the upper end connected to the other side member for swinging movement from the vertical position to a nested relation position with respect to said frame, said strut structure having on its lower end means for embracingly engaging a side of a bathtub, a cross member extending between said end members adjacent to and spaced from said side member carrying said legs, the cross member together with the other side member and the portions of the end members therebetween forming an auxiliary frame, and a collapsible tub dependingly supported from said auxiliary frame.

2. An infants collapsible bathing device of the type to be mounted for use upon a conventional household bathtub, comprising a horizontally disposed frame having two side members and two end members, a foot member projecting from and slidably supported in one end of each of said end members and adapted to engage a wall surface, a pair of spaced upright legs positioned contiguous to the foot members and each having the upper end connected to the side member adjacent to said foot members for swinging movement from the upright position to a nested relation position with respect to said frame, each leg having on its lower end a foot member rojecting from and slidably supported in each of said legs for engaging the interior surface of the bathtub, a vertically disposed strut structure comprising a pair of upstanding legs arranged longitudinally of the other side member, a horizontally disposed arm on the upper end of each of the strut legs, the arms connecting the strut legs to the other side member for swinging movement about said side member from the vertical position to a nested relation position with respect to said frame, a saddle element on the lower end of each of the strut legs for embracingly engaging the side of a bathtub, a cross member extending between said end members adjacent to and spaced from said side member carrying said legs, the cross member together with the other side member and the portions of the end members therebetween forming an auxiliary frame, and a collapsible tub dependingly supported from said auxiliary frame.

3. An infants collapsible bathing device of the type to be mounted for use upon a conventional household bathtub, comprising a horizontally disposed frame having two side members and two end members, a foot member projecting from and slidably supported in one end of each of said end members and adapted to engage a wall surface, a pair of spaced upright legs positioned contiguous to the foot members and each having the upper end connected to' the side member adjacent to said foot members for swinging movement from the upright position to a nested relation position with respect to said frame, each leg having on its lower end a foot member projecting from and slidably supported in one end of each of said legs for engaging the interior surface of a bathtub, a vertically disposed strut structure comprising a pair of upstanding legs arranged longitudinally of the other side member, a horizontally disposed arm on the upper end of each of the strut legs, the arms connecting the strut legs to the other side member for swinging movement about said side member from the vertical position to a nested relation position with respect to said frame, a saddle element on the lower end of each of the strut legs for embracingly engaging the side of a bathtub, spring means operatively connected to each arm and the other side member for holding the strut legs in the upright position, a cross member extending between said end members adjacent to and spaced from said side member carrying said legs, the cross member together with the other side member and the portions of the end members therebetween forming an auxiliary frame, and a collapsible tub dependingly supported from said auxiliary frame.

No references cited.

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