GB2081088A

GB2081088A - Improvements in baths

Info

Publication number: GB2081088A
Application number: GB8025793A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LEWIS CYDNIE SUSAN; LEWIS LEONARD ALLAN; MARKHAM HOWARD SAUL; MARKHAM MARILYN BONITA
Current assignee: LEWIS CYDNIE SUSAN; LEWIS LEONARD ALLAN; MARKHAM HOWARD SAUL; MARKHAM MARILYN BONITA
Priority date: 1980-08-07
Filing date: 1980-08-07
Publication date: 1982-02-17

Abstract

A baby bath (10) has a support frame consisting of a pair of end frame elements (11, 12) and a pair of side frame elements (13, 14) the frame elements (11, 12, 13, 14) are secured together to form a frame and each end frame element (11, 12) passes through a tube (20, 21 respectively) at the ends of a flexible fluid tight container (19). The end frame elements (11, 12) are supported by the rim of a conventional bath so that the container (19) is suspended between the sides of the bath. A similar bath may alternatively be used for photographic purposes and, being smaller, could be supported on a sink. The frame may support storage cabinets etc. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in baths The invention relates to baths, for example baths for babies or baths in which photographic processing may be carried out.

According to the innvention there is provided a bath comprising frame means and a flexible container for containing fluid mounted on the frame means, the frame means comprising support means adapted to be supported on the sides of a conventional bath, the arrangement in use being such that the container is suspended from the frame means to define the bath between the sides of the conventional bath.

Theterm"conventional bath" used herein means a bath having parallel or substantially parallel sides and one or more taps for discharging water, although the term also includes a sink or basin having parallel or substantially parallel sides and one or more taps, since for photographic use, for example, a smaller bath may be required than that required for bathing a baby.

The frame means preferably comprises a pair of elongate, parallel, spaced apart end frame elements and a pair of spaced apart side frame elements extending between the end elements. The side elements and end elements are preferably releasably secured together so that the frame means can be dismantled.

The container is preferably mounted on and suspended between the end frame element, and the container may comprise tube means at each end through each of which tube means an end frame element passes. The side frame elements are preferably securable to the end frame elements in a multiplicity of different positions to allow the spacing between the side frame elements to be adjusted.

The side frame elements preferably each comprise a locating portion which in use extends below the level of the end frame elements to engage the associated side of the conventional bath.

Each end frame element preferably comprises a pair of spaced apart bars and means connecting together the bars to define an elongate space between the bars, and each side frame element preferably has a threaded shank at each end thereof and stop means spaced inwardly from the end of each shank, one end of the side element being securable to the associated end frame element by passing the associated shank between the bars of the end element and tightening a nut on the shank so that the bars are gripped between the stop means and the nut.

Each end frame element is preferably a continuous element defining said bars.

By way of example, one embodiment of a bath according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above a bath according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from below the bath of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an end view of the bath of Figures 1 and 2 shown in position supported by a conventional bath.

A baby bath is generally indicated at 10. The bath 10 has a support frame consisting of a pair of end frame elements 11 and 12 and a pair of side frame elements 13 and 14. Each frame elements is in the form of a chromium plated metal bar, although other materials could be used.

The end frame elements 11 and 12 are both in the form of a continuous looped barto define an elongate space between the elongate parts of the loop.

The side frame elements 13 and 14 each have a cranked centre portion 15, 16 respectively and a threaded shank at each end. Stop means in the form of nut and washer assembly 17 is secured by welding inwardly ofthe end of each threaded shank. To secure together one of the end frame elements 11, 12 and one of the side frame elements 13, 14, one of the threaded shanks is passed between the parallel bars of the end frame element, a wing nut 18 is threaded onto the shank and tightened until the end frame element is gripped between the assoicated nut and washer assembly 17 and the wing nut 18. It will be appreciated that this arrangement allows each side frame element to be secured in a variety of different positions on each end frame element.

Aflexible container 19 is suspended between the two end frame elements 11, 12 by tubes 20,21 through which the end frame elements 11, 12 respectively pass. The container 19 is fluid tight and made of PVC or other suitable impervious material, such as another plastics material. For photographic use, a special material may be necessary, depending on the nature of the chemical to be contained in the bath.

The container 19 is formed from a blank and seams 22 are made by high frequency welding. Reinforcement of the seams is preferably provided to add strength. The tubes 20,21 are made by folding the material of the container back on itself and welding a seam. Tubes 22, 23 are also provided along the sides of the container 19. The position of the tubes 22 and 23 creates or gently curved profile for the side of the bath.

Figure 3 shows the bath 10 of Figures 1 and 2 supported by a conventional bath 24 having a rim 25.

The end frame elements 11, 12 are supported on the rim 25 of the bath 24, and the spacing of the side frame elements 13, 14 is adjusted until locating means in the form of the cranked portions 15, 16 respectively contact the sides of the bath 24 to provide a positive location for the bath 10 in the conventional bath 24. It will be appreciated that a bath 10 suitable for bathing a baby is of a size suitable for fitting in a bath; a bath suitable for photographic use is likely to be smaller and could be supported by the rim of a sink or basin.

In a modification of this embodiment of the inven tion (not shown) the frame means may include a cabinet, shelves or the like for providing storage space for such articles as nappies, or, for a photographic bath, articles and chemicals needed for processing. In such a modification, the fluid container will be located higher relative to the conventional bath than is shown in Figure 3.

This embodiment of a bath according to the invention provides significant advantages overconven- tional-baby baths of rigid construction. The bath is supported on the rim of a conventional bath and this allows the bath to be slid underthe taps to be filled with water, instead of decanting water into a conventional baby bath. The bath can be emptied simply by tipping the water into the conventional bath supporting it, instead of lifting the entire bath and contents as is the case with a conventional baby bath. This embodiment of a bath is adjustable to fit any size of conventional bath and has locating means to positively locate the frame in the conventional bath. The frame can be dismantled easily and the flexible containerfolded so that as well as taking up a fraction of the space of a conventional baby bath, the bath is convenient for travelling.

Claims

1. A bath comprising frame means and a flexible container for containing fluid mounted on the frame means, the frame means comprising support means adapted to be supported on the sides of a conventional bath, the arrangement in use being such that the container is suspended from the frame means to define the bath between the sides of the conventional bath.

2. A bath as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the frame means comprises a pair of elongate, parallel, spaced apart end frame elements and a pair of spaced apart side frame elements extending between the end elements.

3. A bath as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the side elements and end elements are releasably secured together so that the frame means can be dismantled.

4. A bath as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the container is mounted on and suspended between the end frame elements.

5. A bath as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the containercomprises tube means at each end through each of which tube means an end frame element passes.

6. A bath as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the side frame elements are securable to the end frame elements in a multiplicity of different positions to allow the spacing between the side frame element to be adjusted.

7. A bath as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein the side frame elements each comprise a locating portion which in use extends below the level of the end frame elements to engage the associated side of the conventional bath.

8. A bath as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 7 wherein each end frame element comprises a pair of spaced apart bars and means connecting together the bars to define an elongate space between the bars.

9. A bath as claimed in Claim 8 wherein each side frame element has a threaded shank at each end thereof and stop means spaced inwardly from the end of each shank, one end of the side element being securable to the associated end frame element by passing the associated shank between the bars of the end element and tightening a nut on the shank so that the bars are gripped between the stop means and the nut.

10. A bath as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein each end frame element is a continuous element defining said bars.

11. A bath substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.