WO2003103467A1

WO2003103467A1 - Multi-functional baby bathtube

Info

Publication number: WO2003103467A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000319
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung Leol Kim
Original assignee: Joeuni Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-06-07
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2003-12-18
Also published as: AU2003207397A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a multi-functional infant bathtub set which enables a user to bathe an infant and wash the infant’s hair alone, and wash clothes as well using a back support plate which is removably mounted to a tub body in a stable manner. The multi-functional infant bathtub set comprises a tub body of a predetermined shape for containing water therein, and the back support plate removably mounted to the inside of the tub body in a parallel direction to a bottom plate of the tub body or in a direction to form a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom plate.

Description

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL BABY B ATHTUBE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an infant bathtub, and more particularly, to a multi-functional infant bathtub set which enables a user to bathe an infant and wash the infant's hair alone, and wash clothes as well using a back support plate which is removably mounted to a tub body in a stable manner.

Background Art

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional infant bathtub set.

The conventional infant bathtub set includes a tub body 10 for containing water therein, a bath seat 20 removably mounted to the tub body 10 for allowing an infant to be positioned therein and a washboard 30 removably mounted to the bath seat 20 for allowing a user to wash clothes therewith.

Herein, the bath seat 20 is inclined with respect to the bottom of the tub body 10 such that the infant is bathed in a state of being slantingly supported. Further, the washboard 30 is mounted on the bath seat 20 so that the user can wash clothes using the washboard 30.

The conventional bathtub set, however, has a drawback in that since the head of the infant laid in the bath seat 20 is directed upward, the user cannot wash only the infant's hair without soaking the infant in the water. Therefore, in the case where the user wants to wash only the infant's hair, the user should ask someone for help so that one person holds the infant and the other washes the infant's hair. The conventional bathtub set has another drawback in that since it includes the tub body 10, the bath seat 20 and the washboard 30, lots of elements are used, leading to increase in volume, weight, price and production costs.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional infant bathtub set which enables a user to bathe an infant and wash the child's hair alone, and wash clothes as well.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional infant bathtub set which has a smaller number of components and simpler structure and allows a user to do bathing and hair washing for his or her infant alone, and laundering as well. To achieve these objects, in an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-functional infant bathtub set, comprising: a tub body of a predetermined shape for containing water therein; and a back support plate removably mounted to inside of the tub body in a parallel direction to the bottom plate of the tub body or in a direction to form a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom plate; wherein the tub body including: a bottom plate of a predetermined size; first and second longitudinal sidewalls and first and second lateral sidewalls of a predetermined height, respectively, for enclosing outer periphery of the bottom plate; a stepped part having a flat plane continuously foπned at the insides of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls at a predetermined height from the bottom plate and at the top end of the first lateral sidewall, and a back support plate holding elevation protruded to a predetermined height from the flat plane which is formed at the top end of the first lateral sidewall; a first flange outwardly extended from the top end of the second lateral sidewall; wherein the back support plate including: a backrest of a predetermined length and width; a hole formed at one end of the backrest to correspond in shape to the back support plate holding elevation for allowing the back support plate holding elevation to be inserted thereinto; a sitting part of a predetermined height formed at the opposite end of the backrest in a direction opposite to that at which the hole is formed; first and second sidewalls defined by connecting the bottom of the backrest at which the hole is formed to the top end of the sitting part so that the height of the first and second sidewalls is linearly increased in a range between the bottom of the backrest and the top end of the sitting part; a second flange outwardly extended from the top end of the sitting part; a reinforcement extension connected to the third flange and outwardly extended from the top ends of the first and second sidewalls; and a hanging extension extended from the reinforcement extension to the same length as the reinforcement extension in such a manner as to surround the hole.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional infant bathtub set; FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a multi-functional infant bathtub set according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of a back support plate of FIG. 2A; FIG. 3A is a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a case where a user washes an infant's hair;

FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 3 A; FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user bathes the infant;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user washes clothes;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a tap holder mounted on the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line A- A of FIG. 5 A;

FIG. 7A is a top plan view illustrating another example of the tap holder mounted on the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6 A;

FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of a multi-functional infant bathtub set according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of a back support plate of FIG. 8 A;

FIG. 9A is a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where a user washes an infant's hair;

FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 9 A; FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user bathes the infant;

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user washes clothes;

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of a multi-functional infant bathtub set according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a rear perspective view of a back support plate of FIG. 12 A; FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where a user bathes an infant; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 13.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Structure and operation of a multi-functional infant bathtub set according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 8B.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a tub body 100 of a predetermined shape for containing water therein and a back support plate 200 removably mounted to the inside of the tub body 100 in a parallel direction to a bottom plate 110 of the tub body 100 or in a direction to form a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom plate 110. The tub body 100 includes the bottom plate 110 of a predetermined size, first and second longitudinal sidewalls 122 and 124 and first and second lateral sidewalls

123 and 121 of a predetermined height, respectively, for enclosing the bottom plate 110 around the outer periphery of the bottom plate 110, a stepped part 125 having a flat plane continuously formed at the insides of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls 122 and 124 at a predetermined height from the bottom plate 110 and at the top end of the first lateral sidewall 123, and a tap holder-mount rail 126 outwardly extended from the top ends of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls 122 and 124 and the first lateral sidewall 123 in the opposite direction to that in which the stepped part 125 is formed at the first and second longitudinal sidewalls 122 and 124. Herein, the first and second lateral sidewalls 123 and 121 are set up in a lateral direction of the tub body 100 while the first and second longitudinal sidewalls 122 and

124 are set up in a longitudinal direction of the tub body 100.

The second lateral sidewall 121 has a first flange 128 outwardly extended from the top end thereof. Both lateral ends of the first flange 128 are connected to the tap holder-mount rail 126 at the top ends of corners where the first and second longitudinal sidewalls 122 and 124 and the first lateral sidewall 121 meet together. Further, the first flange 128 has a back support plate holding hole 128a of a predetermined size and shape formed on a plane thereof so that the back support plate 200 can be coupled to the tub body 100.

The stepped part 125, as shown in FIG. 3B, includes a back support plate holding groove 125 a of a predetermined length and depth formed at the flat plane foπned at the insides of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls for coupling the back support plate 200 to the tub body 100 in parallel, and a back support plate holding elevation 132a protruded to a predetermined height from the flat plane formed thereon for placing one end of the back support plate 200 at the top end portion of the first lateral sidewall 123 so that the back support plate 200 is inclined with respect to the bottom plate 110.

Herein, the stepped part 125 may not be provided with the back support plate holding groove 125 a.

In the meantime, the bottom plate 110 has a buttock-rest portion 112 formed at one side thereof in which the first lateral sidewall 121 is positioned, the buttock-rest portion 112 slightly bugled out relative to other portions of the bottom plate 110 of the tub body 100. The buttock-rest portion 112 has a plurality of linear concave grooves 112a formed thereon for preventing an infant from slipping on the tub body 100. The linear concave grooves 112a are formed in parallel to the first lateral sidewall 121.

The tap holder-mount rail 126, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, has an arcuate part 126a formed around the outer periphery of the tub body 100 and opened at the bottom side thereof. In the meanwhile, the back support plate 200 removably coupled to the tub body 100, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, includes a backrest 202 of a predetermined length and width, and having a hole 202a formed at one end thereof to correspond in shape to the back support plate holding elevation 132a of the stepped part 125a for allowing the back support plate holding elevation 132a to be inserted thereinto, a sitting part 214 of a predetermined height formed at the opposite end of the backrest 202 in a direction opposite to that at which the hole 202a is formed, first and second sidewalls 216 and 218 defined by connecting the bottom of the backrest 202 at which the hole 202a is formed to the top end of the sitting part 214 so that the height of the first and second sidewalls 216 and 218 is linearly increased in a range between the bottom of the backrest 202 and the top end of the sitting part 214, a second flange 220 outwardly extended from the top end of the sitting part 214, and a reinforcement extension 222 connected to the second flange 220 and outwardly extended from the top ends of the first and second sidewalls 216 and 218.

Herein, as depicted in FIG. 2, the second flange 220 has a protrusion 220a of a predetermined length protruded outwardly from the top end of the sitting part 214 and downwardly from the bottom of the second flange 220 to correspond in size to the back support plate holding hole 128a. The back support plate 200 further includes a reinforcement flange 202b extended from the inner peripheral plane of the hole 202a by a predetermined length and a hanging extension 223 formed at the top end of the hole 202a in such a manner as to be extended from the reinforcement extension 222 to the same length as the reinforcement extension 222 to surround the hole 202a. The backrest 202 has a linear jut part 212 with a plurality of constantly-spaced linear juts attached to the outer bottom plane thereof opposite to the inner bottom plane thereof enclosed by the first and second sidewalls 216 and 218. Method of utilizing and operating the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention constructed as above will be explained as follows. The method of utilizing the multi-functional infant bathtub set is varied depending on a way of placing the back support plate 200 on the tub body 100. FIG. 3 A shows a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where a user washes an infant's hair, and FIG. 3B shows a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 3 A.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the multi-functional infant bathtub set is used to wash the infant's hair, the back support plate 200 is entirely placed on the top portion of the tub body 100 in substantially parallel.

To do that, the protrusion 220a is inserted into the back support plate holding hole 128a so that the second flange 220 of the back support plate 200 is mated with the first flange 128 of the tub body 100. At the same time, the reinforcement extension 222, as shown in FIG. 3B, is placed in the back support plate holding groove 125a of the stepped part 125.

As shown in FIG. 3 A, the backrest 202 of the back support plate 200 is spaced by a predetermined distance from the bottom plate 100 of the tub body 100, such that the back support plate 200 is coupled to the tub body 100 in a state where the back support plate 200 is slightly tilted to one side with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, when the user lays the infant on the backrest 202, the infant's face is directed upward with the back of the infant's head against the tub body 100, thereby enabling the user to easily wash the infant's hair.

FIG. 4 shows a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user bathes the infant.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the multi-functional infant bathtub set is used to bathe the infant in a state where the infant is comfortably seated, the back support plate 200 slantingly rests against the top end and the bottom of the tub body 200. That is to say, the hanging extension 223 of the back support plate 200 is placed in the back support plate holding groove 132a of the tub body 100, and at the same time, the second flange 220 of the back support plate 200 comes in contact with the bottom plate 110 of the tub body 100, thereby slantingly coupling the back support plate 200 to the tub body 100. Thus, when the infant is seated in the sitting part 214, the infant's upper part naturally leans against the backrest 202, thereby enabling the user to easily bathe the infant's face and body.

FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user washes clothes. Referring to FIG. 5, when the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment is used to wash clothes, the back support plate 200 is coupled to the inside of the tub body 100 with the linear jut part 212 directed upward.

To do that, the back support plate holding elevation 132a of the tub body 100 is inserted into the hole 202a of the back support plate 200, and at the same time, the second flange 220 comes in contact with the bottom plate 110 of the tub body 100, thereby slantingly coupling the back support plate 200 to the tub body 100. Therefore, the user can wash clothes by scrubbing the clothes against the linear jut part 212 of the backrest 202.

Herein, even when the back support plate 200 is not mounted to the tub body 100, according to the bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user can bathe the infant after seating the infant in the bottom plate 110 or the buttock-rest portion 112 connected to the bottom plate 110.

Meantime, a tap holder mounted on the tap holder-mount rail 126 of the multifunctional infant bathtub set according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6A to 7B.

FIG. 6A shows a top plan view of the tap holder mounted on the multifunctional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B shows a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6 A.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the tap holder 300 mounted on the tap holder- mount rail 126 of the tub body 100 has a predetermined width and thickness, and includes a hook part 132 in contact with the plane of the tap holder-mount rail 126 of the tub body 100, a tap fixing part 306 extended from one end of the hook part 132 for detachably fixing a tap (not shown), and an elastic projection 304 projected by a predetermined length from a contact portion between the tap holder fixing part 306 and the hook part 132 for surrounding the tap holder-mount rail 126 on the opposite side to that on which the hook part 132 surrounds the tap holder-mount rail 126. Herein, the hook part 132 has a tap holding hole 306a opened at one side thereof and connected to a hose for fixing a head portion of the tap.

The hook part 302 and the elastic projection 304 are in contact with the tap holder-mount rail 126 to be elastically joined with the tap holder-mount rail 126. Thereafter, the hook part 132 and the elastic projection 304 slide over the tap holder- mount rail 126 to be fixed to a predetermined position. When an external force is applied to the tap fixing part 306, the elastic projection 304 is elastically widened so that the hook part 132 and the elastic projection 304 can be separated from the tap holder-mount rail 126.

Therefore, the user can fix the tap holder 300 at the predetermined position on the tap holder-mount rail 126 of the tub body 100 and hang the tap in the tap fixing hole 306a of the fixed tap holder 300.

FIG. 7A shows a top plan view of another example of the tap holder mounted on the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B shows a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6 A.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a modified tap holder 310 has a tap fixing part 306-1 different from the tap fixing part 306 of FIGS. 6 A and 6B. That is to say, the tap fixing part 306-1 of the modified tap holder 310 includes the tap fixing part 306 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and a soap container 307 adjacent to the tap fixing part 306 for receiving a general soap thereon. The soap container 307 has a flat hollow of a predetermined depth and a plurality of openings 307a formed on the flat hollow. Herein, the openings 307a permit soapy water generated from the soap to be discharged.

Since the user can simultaneously put the tap and the soap on the tap holder- mount rail 126 of the tub body 100, he or she can bathe the infant and wash the infant's hair more easily.

On the other hand, structure and operation of a multi-functional infant bathtub set according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 A through 13.

FIG. 8 A shows a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where a user washes an infant's hair, and FIG. 8B shows a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 8 A.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a tub body 100-1 in which water is contained, and a back support plate 200-1 removably mounted to the inside of the tub body 100-1. The second preferred embodiment is identical in structure to the first preferred embodiment as is best shown in FIG. 2A, except elements corresponding to the stepped part 125 and the back support plate holding elevation 132a of the tub body 100 and the reinforcement extension 222 of the back support plate 200 of the first preferred embodiment.

Herein, in the tub body 100-1, the back support plate holding groove 125 a of the stepped part 125 has a pair of angular back support plate holding projections 125b projected therefrom to a predetermined height in a transverse direction to that in which the back support plate holding groove 125 a is formed for preventing the back support plate 200-1 from being moved at a level with the bathtub body 100-1. The stepped part 125 includes a back support plate holding elevation 129 projected therefrom at the top end of the first lateral sidewall 123 to be used when the back support plate 200-1 is placed in the first lateral sidewall 123 for the purpose of seating the infant or washing clothes. Herein, the back support plate holding elevation 129 of the stepped part 125 has a rolling prevention hole 129a of a predetermined depth formed thereon, so that the back support plate 200-1 slantingly resting against the first lateral sidewall 123 of the tub body 100, as shown in FIG. 10, is prevented from being rolled in the stepped part 125.

In the meantime, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the back support plate 200-1 includes a pair of projection insertion recesses 222a formed on the reinforcement extension 222 thereof to correspond in position and shape to the back support plate holding projections 125b formed at the stepped part 125 of the tub body 200-1, and a press-fit pin 228 interposed between the hole 202a and the hanging extension 223 in parallel to the hanging extension 223 to correspond in size, depth and shape to the rolling prevention hole 129a.

Thus, when the back support plate 200-1 is coupled to the tub body 100-1, the reinforcement extension 222 and the press-fit pin 228 of the back support plate 200-1 are inserted into the back support plate holding groove 125 a and the rolling prevention hole 129a of the tub body 100-1, and the back support plate holding projections 125b of the tub body 100-1 are inserted into the projection insertion recesses 222a of the back support plate 200-1. While there have been illustrated the back support plate holding projections 125b and the projection insertion recesses 222a of an angular shape, it is to be understood that the back support plate holding projections 125b and the projection insertion recesses 222a may have any other shapes that can prevent the back support plate 200-1 from being moved at a level with the tub body 100-1, such as a semispherical shape and a semi-tube shape.

Method of utilizing and operating the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention constructed as above will be described as follows. That is to say, the method of utilizing and operating the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is identical to that according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is varied depending on a way of placing the back support plate 200-1 on the tub body 100-1.

FIG. 9A shows a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where a user washes an infant's hair, and FIG. 9B shows a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 9 A.

Similarly to the operation of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the multi-functional infant bathtub set is used to wash the infant's hair, the back support plate 200-1 is entirely placed on the top portion of the tub body 100-1 in substantially parallel.

In particular, the protrusion 220a of the second flange 220 is inserted into the back support plate holding hole 128a of the first flange 128, such that the second flange 220 of the back support plate 200-1 is mated with the first flange 128 of the tub body 100-1. The reinforcement extension 222 is inserted into the back support plate holding groove 125a of the stepped part 125, and at the same time, the back support plate holding projections 125b are inserted into the projection insertion recesses 222a of the reinforcement extension 222.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the backrest 202 is spaced by a predetermined distance from the bottom plate 100 of the tub body 100-1, such that the back support plate 200-1 is coupled to the tub body 100-1 in a state where the back support plate 200-1 is slightly tilted to one side with respect to the horizontal plane. As a result, when the user lays the infant on the backrest 202, the infant's face is directed upward with the back of the infant's head against the tub body 100-1, thereby enabling the user to easily wash the infant's hair.

Herein, since the back support plate 200-1 is coupled to the tub body 100-1 in a state where the back support plate holding projections 125 of the tub body 100-1 are inserted into the projection insertion recesses 222a, the back support plate 200-1 is prevented from being moved at a level with the tub body 100-1 when the user washes the infant's hair

FIG. 10 shows a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user bathes the infant.

Similarly to the operation of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, when the multifunctional infant bathtub set of the second preferred embodiment is used to bathe the infant, the back support plate 200-1 slantingly rests against the top end and the bottom of the tub body 100-1.

In particular, when the hanging extension 223 of the back support plate 200-1 hangs on the back support plate holding elevation 129 of the tub body 100-1, the press- fit pin 228 interposed between the hanging extension 223 and the hole 202a is inserted into the rolling prevention hole 129a formed at the back support plate holding elevation 129. At the same time, the second flange 220 of the back support plate 200- 1 comes in contact with the bottom plate 110 of the tub body 100-1, thereby slantingly coupling the back support plate 200-1 to the tub body 100-1. As a consequence, when the user seats the infant in the sitting part 214 in the state where the backrest 202 is inclined, the infant's upper part naturally leans against the backrest 202, thereby enabling the user to easily wash the infant's face and body.

Herein, since the back support plate 200-1 is coupled to the tub body 200-1 in a state where the press-fit pin 228 is forcibly fitted into the rolling prevention hole 129a, the back support plate 200-1 is prevented from being rolled in a lateral direction of the tub body 100-1.

In the meanwhile, when the back support plate 200-1 is lifted in parallel to the direction of depth of the rolling prevention hole 129a, the press-fit pin 128 of the back support plate 200-1 is released from the rolling prevention hole 129a, resulting in separation of the back support plate 200-1 from the tub body 200-1.

FIG. 11 shows a side sectional view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where the user washes clothes. Similarly to the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the first preferred embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5, when the multi-functional infant bathtub set of the second preferred embodiment is used to wash clothes, the back support plate 200-1 slantingly rests against the top end and the bottom of the tub body 100-1 with the linear jut part 212 directed upward. To do that, the back support plate holding elevation 129 of the tub body 100-1 is inserted into the hole 202a of the back support plate 200-1 and at the same time, the second flange 220 comes in contact with the bottom plate 110 of the tub body 100-1, thereby slantingly coupling the back support plate 200-1 to the tub body 100-1. Thus, the user can wash clothes by scrubbing the clothes against the linear jut part 212 of the backrest 202.

Herein, even when the back support plate 200-1 is not mounted to the tub body 100-1, the user can bathe the infant after seating the infant in the bottom plate 110 or the buttock-rest portion 112 connected to the bottom plate 110.

Similarly to the first preferred embodiment, the tap holder 300 or the modified tap holder 310 can be mounted on the tap holder-mount rail 126 of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, since the tap or soap is positioned close to the bathtub set, the user can use the bathtub set more easily to bathe the infant or wash the infant's hair or clothes. FIG. 12A shows an exploded perspective view of a multi-functional infant bathtub set according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12B shows a rear perspective view of a back support plate of FIG. 12 A.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a tub body 100-2 for containing water therein and a back support plate 200-2 removably mounted to the inside of the tub body 100-2. The third preferred embodiment is identical in structure to the second preferred embodiment as is best shown in FIG. 8A, except elements corresponding to the stepped part 125, the top end of the second lateral sidewall 121 and the first flange 128 of the tub body 100-1, and the second flange 220 and the reinforcement extension 222 of the back support plate 200-1 of the second preferred embodiment.

A stepped part 125-1 of the tub body 100-2 is not provided with the back support plate holding groove 125a which is foπned at the stepped part 125 of the first and second preferred embodiments. Instead of the pair of back support pate holding projections 125b of the second prefeπed embodiment, the stepped part 125-1 of the tub body 100-2 includes a pair of curved back support plate holding projections 125b-l formed at the flat plane, which is formed at the longitudinal sidewalls 122 and 124 for allowing the reinforcement extension 222 to be placed therein, in such a manner as to be projected from the midway point of the longitudinal sidewalls 122 and 124, respectively. Further, the first flange 128 outwardly extended from the top end of the second lateral sidewall 121 of the tub body 100-2 includes a rectangular back support plate holding hole 128a-l of a predetermined length and width foπned at the top end of the second lateral sidewall 121 in a lateral direction in such a manner as to be directed from the inside of the tub body toward the first flange 128. Meantime, the reinforcement extension 222 of the back support plate 200-2 includes a pair of curved projection insertion recesses 222a- 1, like the projection insertion recesses 222a of the second preferred embodiment, formed thereon to coπespond in position and shape to the curved back support plate holding projections 125b-l. The second flange 220 has a protrusion 220a- 1 outwardly protruded therefrom to coπespond in size and shape to the back support plate holding hole 128a- 1.

Method of utilizing and operating the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the third prefeπed embodiment of the present invention constructed as above is identical to that according to the second prefeπed embodiment, which is varied depending on a way of placing the back support plate 200-2 on the tub body 100-2.

FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the third prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state where a user bathes an infant. FIG. 14 shows a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 13.

Similarly to the operation of the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the second prefeπed embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the multi-functional infant bathtub set of the third prefeπed embodiment of the present invention is used to wash the infant's hair, the back support plate 200-2 is entirely placed on the top portion of the tub body 100-2 in substantially parallel.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, when the back support plate 200-2 is coupled to the tub body 100-2, the curved back support plate holding projections 125b-l are inserted into the curved projection insertion recesses 222a- 1 of the reinforcement extension 222, and at the same time, the protrusion 220a- 1 of the second flange 220 is inserted into the back support plate holding hole 128a-l .

As a consequence, the back support plate 200-2 is coupled to the tub body 100- 2 in parallel but not moved at a level with the tub body 100-2.

The tub body and the back support plate in the prefeπed embodiments of the present invention are made of material with good formability, preferably synthetic resin material. Industrial Applicability

As described above, the multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the present invention includes the tub body and the back support plate. The parts of the tub body are stably coupled to the parts of the back support plate depending on the way of placing the back support plate on the tub body. Thus, a user can use the multifunctional infant bathtub set to wash an infant's hair, bathe the infant or wash clothes as occasion demands by changing the way of placing the back support plate on the tub body. Since a cube of soap or a tap can also be put on the bathtub set, the user can easily bathe the infant and wash the infant's hair alone, and wash clothes as well.

The multi-functional infant bathtub set according to the present invention comprises only the tub body and the back support plate, thereby reducing production costs.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A multi-functional infant bathtub set, comprising: a tub body of a predetermined shape for containing water therein; and a back support plate removably mounted to inside of the tub body in a parallel direction to the bottom plate of the tub body or in a direction to form a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom plate; wherein the tub body including: a bottom plate of a predetermined size; first and second longitudinal sidewalls and first and second lateral sidewalls of a predetermined height, respectively, for enclosing outer periphery of the bottom plate; a stepped part having a flat plane continuously formed at the insides of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls at a predetermined height from the bottom plate and at the top end of the first lateral sidewall, and a back support plate holding elevation protruded to a predetermined height from the flat plane which is formed at the top end of the first lateral sidewall; a first flange outwardly extended from the top end of the second lateral sidewall; wherein the back support plate including: a backrest of a predetermined length and width; a hole formed at one end of the backrest to coπespond in shape to the back support plate holding elevation for allowing the back support plate holding elevation to be inserted thereinto; a sitting part of a predetermined height formed at the opposite end of the backrest in a direction opposite to that at which the hole is formed; first and second sidewalls defined by connecting the bottom of the backrest at which the hole is formed to the top end of the sitting part so that the height of the first and second sidewalls is linearly increased in a range between the bottom of the backrest and the top end of the sitting part; a second flange outwardly extended from the top end of the sitting part; a reinforcement extension comiected to the third flange and outwardly extended from the top ends of the first and second sidewalls; and a hanging extension extended from the reinforcement extension to the same length as the reinforcement extension in such a manner as to suπound the hole.

2. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 1, wherein the first flange further including a back support plate holding hole of a predetermined size and shape formed thereon, and the second flange further including a protrusion of a predetermined length protruded from the bottom thereof to coπespond in size to the back support plate holding hole, when the first and second flanges are mated with each other.

3. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 2, wherein the stepped part further including back support plate holding grooves with a predetermined length and depth, which are formed on flat planes of the insides of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls, the back support plate holding grooves allow the reinforcement extension to be placed therein, when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body.

4. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 3, wherein the back support plate holding grooves including back support plate holding projections projected therefrom with a predetermined height in a transverse direction to that in which the back support plate holding groove is formed.

5. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 4, wherein the reinforcement extension including projection insertion recesses formed thereon to coπespond in position and shape to the back support plate holding projections formed at the back support place holding groove, -when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body.

6. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 5, wherein the backrest including a plurality of constantly-spaced linear juts attached to the outer bottom plane thereof opposite to the inner bottom plane thereof enclosed by the first and second sidewalls.

7. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 1, further comprising a pin of a predetermined length and thickness interposed between the hole and the hanging extension in parallel to the hanging extension.

8. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 7, wherein the back support plate holding elevation of the stepped part including a hole formed thereon to coπespond in position and shape to the pin when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body.

9. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 8, wherein the first flange further including a back support plate holding hole of a predetermined size and shape formed thereon, and the second flange further including a protrusion of a predetermined length protruded from the bottom thereof to coπespond in size to the back support plate holding hole, when the first and second flanges are coupled to each other.

10. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 9, wherein the stepped part further including back support plate holding grooves with a predetermined length and depth, which are foπned on flat planes of the insides of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls, the back support plate holding grooves allow the reinforcement extension to be placed therein when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body.

11. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 10, wherein the back support plate holding grooves including back support plate holding projections projected therefrom with a predetermined height in a transverse direction to that in which the back support plate holding groove is formed.

12. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 11, wherein the reinforcement extension including projection insertion recesses foπned thereon to coπespond in position and shape to the back support plate holding projections formed at the back support plate holding groove, when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body.

13. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 7, wherein the backrest including a plurality of constantly-spaced linear juts attached to the outer bottom plane thereof opposite to the inner bottom plane thereof enclosed by the first and second sidewalls.

14. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 1, wherein the second lateral sidewall including a hole of a predeteπnined size and shape formed at the top end of the second lateral sidewall in such a manner as to be directed from the inside of the tub body toward the first flange.

15. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 14, wherein the second flange including a protrusion outwardly protruded therefrom to coπespond in size and shape to the hole formed at the top end of the second lateral sidewall, when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body.

16. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 16, wherein the stepped part further including a pair of curved back support plate holding projections fonned at the flat plane, which is formed at the insides of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls for allowing the reinforcement extension to be placed therein when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body, in such a manner as to be projected from the midway point of the longitudinal sidewalls, respectively.

17. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 16, wherein the reinforcement extension including a pair of curved projection insertion recesses formed thereon to coπespond in position and shape to the curved back support plate holding projections, when the back support plate is coupled to the tub body.

18. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 14, wherein the backrest has a plurality of constantly-spaced linear juts attached to the outer bottom plane thereof opposite to the inner bottom plane thereof enclosed by the first and second sidewalls.

19. The multi-functional infant bathtub set of claim 1, further comprising a rail outwardly extended from the top ends of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls and the first lateral sidewall.