GB2386321A

GB2386321A - A height-adjustable infant bathing aid for use with an adult bath or shower

Info

Publication number: GB2386321A
Application number: GB0205913A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-13
Filing date: 2002-03-13
Publication date: 2003-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-13
Also published as: GB0205913D0; GB2386321B

Abstract

The infant bathing aid includes an infant bath or bathing chair (2) for supporting an infant, a frame (3) being adapted to stably support the infant bath or bathing chair in or over an adult bathtub or shower and means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and infant bath or bathing chair. The means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and infant bath or bathing chair may comprise providing the infant bath or bathing chair with a sleeve (11) capable of travelling along a substantially vertical column provided on, or as part of, the frame. Locking means are provided are provided for retaining the sleeve at a plurality of points along the column.

Description

238632 1

INFANT BATHING AID

The present invention relates to an infant Lathing aid in the form of a height adjustable infant bath or bathing chair. The invention further relates to an adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair and a kit of parts for assembling either Bathing aids for infants generally take the form of a bathtub of substantially reduced dimensions when compared to an adult bathtub, or a bathing chair that can be placed in a shallow filled adult bathtub to support an infant in a semi-upright position such that at least the head of the infant is maintained above the waterline Such infant bathing aids are disclosed, for example, in UK patent 1 509 551 or in US patents 4,226,306 and 5,321,859.

Such infant baths and bathing chairs are commonly used by placing them inside an adult bathtub or, in the case of an infant bathtub, they may be supported on a separate stand.

Each of these hitherto used arrangements have drawbacks associated with them. In the case of an infant bathtub supported on a stand, water can cascade over the edges of the infant bathtub during bathing. Where there is a carpeted floor underneath the infant bathtub the spilling of water is merely inconvenient, where there is a vinyl, polished wooden, or tiled floor it is potentially dangerous Infant baths or bathing chairs placed within an adult bathtub for use present the problem of making it difficult for the adult cater bathing an infant to comfortably reach in to during bathing.

A further disadvantage of these known infant bathing aids is that they can not be used in a filled adult bath, thereby preventing a parent and child bathing together unless the parent is to support the child, restricting the freedom a parent has to interact with the child during bathing Many parents, particularly parents of very young infants, wish to, and consider it important to, spend significant amounts of time with their child and to stimulate, play or otherwise interact with him or her for pleasure and to assist the mental

and physical development of the child. It is currently difficult to do this by parent and child sharing a bath.

The present invention seeks to reduce at least some of the problems associated with prior art infant bathing aids.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention there is provided an infant bathing aid comprising: an infant bath or bathing chair for supporting an infant; a frame having a top and a bases the frame being adapted to stably support the infant bath or bathing chair in or over an adult bathtub; means for adjusting the vertical distance between the the base and infant bath or bathing chair. Preferably the infant bathing aid further comprising means for releasably securing the base to an adult bathtub.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided n adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair, the adjustable support comprising: a frame having a top and a base, the frame being adapted to stably support an infant bath or bathing chair in or over an adult bathtub; and means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and infant bath or bathing chair. Preferably the frame includes a cradle for securely retaining an infant bath or bathing chair. The infant bathing aid and the adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair may be realized in a number of embodiments. An infant bathing aid comprises a frame and an infant bath or bathing chair. The frame includes a base to provide a stability to the structure when in use, the base extending over a large enough area that the infant bath or

bathing chair may be stably supported such that it does not wobble, tip or spill and thereby endangering the infant being bathed. The base need not cover the whole area it extends across, that is, it is not necessarily slab-like but may contact an adult bath or a shower tray at a plurality of points. In such a case the area over which the base extends is that area delimited by, or 'inside', the points of contact.

The base may be only one element of the means for stably supporting the infant bath or chair. For instance where the base is intended to be mounted on the sides of an adult bath, bridging the body of the adult bath, a secondary supporting element or secondary supporting elements may be provided to sit in the body of the adult bath. Alternatively where the base is intended to be located in the body of the bath, a secondary supporting or stabilising element or secondary supporting stabilising elements may be provided to grip, adhere to, or bear against the sides of the adult bath or shower cubicle or upright surfaces adjacent to the adult bath. The infant bathing aid may be secured in position by clamping, by attachment to brackets fixed to or near an adult bath, by friction or, more simply, through the use of suction pads or by its own weight.

The frame can be easily and inexpensively constructed from rigid hollow tubing suitable for use in damp environments. Hollow tubing is preferred because the infant bathing aid should be lightweight, to facilitate easy lifting into and out of an adult bath.

It may be provided in an assemblable and disassmeblable form. Preferably, but not essentially, when provided in this kit-of-parts form the disassembled frame pieces should be small enough to fit into the infant bath or bathing chair for storage.

In some embodiments the infant bathing aid consist of an infant bath or bathing chair and a frame comprising at least three, and preferably four, extendable legs. The legs are arranged to point generally downwards when the infant bath or bathing chair is in its operative orientation. The bottom of each of the legs will in this case constitute the base of the frame. The legs may extend telescopically to alter the and be locked at a chosen extension by locking means. The locking means may be a simple twist-and-lock' mechanism, 'jubilee' style clips, locking pins to engage ridges provided on the internal

section of leg or other well known means. Extending or shortening the legs will alter the vertical distance between the infant bath or bathing chair and the base.

The invention can be realized in other embodiments by providing a frame of which, in addition to or instead of the legs, parts or sections are extendable such that altering the length of those parts or sections varies the vertical distance between the infant bath or bathing chair and the base. Alternatively, as is explained more fully hereinafter, embodiments of the invention in which the infant bath or bathing chair and the frame move relative to one another when the infant bath or bathing chair is in its operative orientation can enable the vertical distance between the infant bath and bathing chair and the base to vary.

In the second aspect of the invention, where the invention is embodied as an adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair, it is desirable to provide a cradle as attachable to, or as part of, the frame. By cradle' it is meant a section or part of the adjustable support adapted to securely retain an infant bath or bathing chair or capable of securely retaining an infant bath or bathing chair. The cradle is preferably adapted to securely retain a standard infant bath or bathing chair but need not be so adapted and it may be that the cradle can securely retain only particular infant baths or bathing chairs intended for use with particular embodiments of the invention The first and second aspects of the invention will, in many respective embodiments, differ in that either a cradle is provided to securely retain an infant bath or bathing chair instead of an infant bath or bathing chair being directly attachable to the frame.

Furthermore, where the invention is provided in a kit-of-parts form, a similar difference between some embodiments of the a kit-of-parts for an infant bathing aid and a kit-of-

parts for an adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair may be manifest.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description, by way of example only, of one embodiment of the invention and with

reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

- Figure I shows an infant bathing aid according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an infant bathing aid according to the invention in an adult bath, the bath being shown in partial cutaway; Figure 3 shows an infant bathing aid in a shower cubicle; and Figure 4 shows locking means suitable for use with an infant bathing aid according to the invention.

An infant bathing aid (1) comprises an infant bath or bathing chair (2) supported on a frame (3). The frame (a) includes a column (4) extending vertically or nearly vertically from a base (5). The base (5) extends over a large enough area that the infant bath or bathing chair (2) may be stably supported. Typically but not essentially the base (5) extends over an area equivalent to or slightly larger than the area of the infant bath or bathing chair (2), that is the area of infant bath or bathing chair (2) as seen in a projected plan view Means for releasably securing the base (5) of the infant bathing aid ( I) to the base of an adult bathtub (6), for instance suction cups or pads (7), are provided to prevent undesirable movement of the infant bathing aid (1) during use. Where the infant bathing aid ( I) is to be placed for use inside an adult bathtub (6) and adhere to the floor of the tub, the base (3) may desirably extend over an area of 300mm-400mm by 400mm-600mm. Of course, the base may also be retained on or affixed to the sides of the adult bathtub (6) in which case the base (3) may extend over a larger area In this case a secondary base, positionable in the adult bathtub (6), may be provided to provide additional support for the column (4) of the frame (3).

Further stabilising means in the form of arms (8) located at or near the top of the column (4) of the frame (3) can also be used to maintain the infant bathing aid ( 1) in the desired position during use Conveniently, the arms (8) are freely rotatable around the column (4) and have a telescopic construction or are otherwise extendable to allow the free ends (9) to abut upright surfaces, such as bathroom walls adjacent an adult bathtub (6) or cubicle walls in a shower (6'). As with the base (5), it is desirable that the arms (8) are releasably securable to these upright surfaces while the infant is being bathed and again suitable means such as suction cups or pads (7) may be utilised.

() The infant bath or bathing chair (2) is supported on the frame (3) by one or more crosspieces (10) having a first end connected to the infant bath or bathing chair (2) and a second end connected to the frame (3). Because infant baths and bathing chairs are generally formed from moulded plastics materials, it is a relatively straightforward task to manufacture the infant bath or bathing chair (2) to include such crosspieces (10) projecting therefrom in a one piece construction or to manufacture the infant bath or bathing chair (2) and the crosspieces (10) as separate pieces that can securely slot together for use. The second end of the one or more crosspieces (10) terminates in a sleeve (I 1) that fits snugly on the column (4) of the frame (3) The sleeve (11) is free to slidably move along the column (4)' thus enabling the infant bath or bathing chair (a) to be vertically displaced with respect to the base (5) of the frame (3), until locked in position by locking means (12) Generally column with a length in the range of about 800mm to 1500mm will be sufficient for most carets to find a comfortable position from which to bath an infant.

The infant bath or bathing chair (2) can be retained in a plurality of positions by means of the locking means (12), two of which are illustrated in figure 4 In this embodiment the locking means (12) comprises a locking lever (13) hingibly attached to the sleeve (11), or to at least one sleeve (11) where there is more than one, at or near the centre of the lever (13) The locking lever (13) has a projecting stud (14) for engaging a hole (15) in the sleeve ( 11) and a corresponding hole (16) of a series of holes in the column (4) of the frame (a). These corresponding holes (16) are conveniently equally spaced along the column (4) in intervals within the range of 100mm to 300mm Aligning the hole (15) ofthe sleeve (11) and a suitable hole (16) in the column (4) such that the projecting stud (14) of the locking lever (13) passes through both locks the infant bath or bathing chair (2) in position at a height suitable for the adult carer bathing an infant to reach the infant. The locking lever (13) is biased towards the locked position to ensure that the stud (14) does not slip loose from the holes (15,16) while an infant is bathed. The locking means allows the adult cater to adjust the vertical distance between the infant

bath or bathing chair (2) and the base (5) of the frame (3) using a single hand, thereby leaving the other hand free to support the infant or the infant bath or bathing chair (2).

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 4 two such locking means (12), disposed on opposite sides of the sleeve (11), are shown, this arrangement also capable of being operated with a single hand.

Other embodiments of the infant bathing aid ( 1) may utilize a plurality of columns, each bearing one or more sleeves attached to or attachable to an infant bath or bathing chair (2). Desirably but not essentially, at least one sleeve associated with each column will bear locking means (12).

An adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair may be constructed in similar fashion to the foregoing, by providing a cradle attached to or attachable to the crosspieces (10).

Claims

l Claims

An infant bathing aid comprising: an infant bath or bathing chair for supporting an infant; a frame having a top and a base, the frame being adapted to stably support the infant bath or bathing chair in or over an adult bathtub; and means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and infant bath or bathing chair.
2. An infant bathing aid according to claim I wherein the frame includes at least one column and wherein the means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and the infant bath or bathing chair comprises one or more sleeves, attached to the infant bath or bathing chair, capable of travelling along the at least one column, and locking means for retaining a sleeve at a plurality of points along the column.
3. An infant bathing aid according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising means for releasably securing the base to an adult bathtub.
4 An infant bathing aid according to any one or more of the preceding claims further comprising arms at or near the top of the frame.
5. An infant bathing aid according to claim 4 further comprising means for releasably securing the arms to an upright surface.
6. An infant bathing aid according to any one or more of claims 2 to 5 wherein the locking means comprises a hole in the sleeve alignable with a corresponding hole in the column, and a plug to engage an aligned sleeve hole and column hole.
7. An infant bathing aid according to claim 6 wherein the the plug projects from a locking lever hingibly connected at or near its centre to the sleeves such that the lever can take up a first orientation wherein the plug engages the aligned sleeve hole and column hole and a second orientation wherein the plug does not engage the aligned sleeve hole and column hole.
8. An infant bathing aid according to claim 7 wherein the locking lever is biased towards the first orientation.
9. An infant bathing aid according to any one or more of claims 2 to wherein the at least one column is a plurality of columns and the means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and the infant bath or bathing chair comprises one or more sleeves attached to the infant bath or bathing chair capable of travelling along each column.
10. An infant bathing aid as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.
11. An adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair, the adjustable support comprising: a frame having a top and a base' the frame being adapted to stably support an infant bath or bathing chair in or over an adult bathtub; and means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and infant bath or bathing chair.
12 An adjustable support according to claim 11 wherein the frame includes a cradle for securely retaining an infant bath or bathing chair.
13. An adjustable support according to claim 12 wherein the frame includes at least one column and wherein the means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and an infant bath or bathing chair comprises one or more sleeves

l() attached to the cradle, capable of travelling along the at least one column, and locking means for retaining a sleeve at a plurality of points along the column.
14. An adjustable support according to any one or more of claims 10 to 13 further comprising means for releasably securing the base to an adult bathtub.
15. An adjustable support according to any one or more of claims 10 to 14 further comprising arms at or near the top of the frame.
16. An adjustable support according to claim 15 further comprising means for releasably securing the arms to an upright surface.
17. An adjustable support according to any one or more of claims 12 to 16 wherein the locking means comprises a hole in the sleeve alignable with any of a series of corresponding hole in the column, and a plug engage an aligned sleeve hole and column hole.
18. An adjustable support according to claim 17 wherein the the plug projects from a locking lever hingibly connected at or near its centre to the sleeve, such that the lever can take up a first orientation wherein the plug engages the aligned sleeve hole and column hole and a second orientation wherein the plug does not engage the aligned sleeve hole and column hole.
19. An adjustable support according to claim 18 wherein the locking lever is biased towards the first orientation.
20. An adjustable support according to any one or more of claims 12 to 19 wherein the at least one column is a plurality of columns and the means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and the infant bath or bathing chair comprises

1 1 one or more sleeves attached to the infant bath or bathing chair capable of travelling along each column.
21. An adjustable support substantially as hereinbefore described.
22. A kit of parts for assembling into an infant bathing aid, the kit of parts comprlsmg: frame pieces assemblable into a frame having a top and a base, one or more sleeve pieces attached to an infant bath or bathing chair, the one or more sleeve pieces being adapted to be selectively retained at a plurality of positions along a frame piece.
23. A kit of parts for assembling into an infant bathing aid, the kit of parts comprising: frame pieces assemblable into a frame having a top and a base, one or more sleeve pieces attachable to an infant bath or bathing chair, the one or more sleeve pieces being adapted to be selectively retained at a plurality of positions along a frame piece.
24. A kit of parts for assembling into an adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair, the kit of parts comprising: frame pieces, assemblable into a frame having a top and a base, one or more sleeve pieces attached to a cradle adapted to securely retain an infant bath or bathing chair, the one or more sleeve pieces being adapted to be selectively retained at a plurality of positions along a frame piece.
25. A kit of parts for assembling into an adjustable support for an infant bath or bathing chair, the kit of parts comprising: frame pieces, assemblable into a frame having a top and a base, one or more sleeve pieces attached to a cradle adapted to securely retain an infant bath or

bathing chair? the one or more sleeve pieces being adapted to be selectively retained at a plurality of positions along a frame piece.

26 A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described.