GB2415622A

GB2415622A - A bath tap protector

Info

Publication number: GB2415622A
Application number: GB0414754A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Matthew Crawford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-01
Filing date: 2004-07-01
Publication date: 2006-01-04
Also published as: GB0414754D0

Abstract

A bath tap protector with means to attach the protector to the bath thereby providing a barrier across the internal width of the bath that prevents children from touching the bath taps whilst bathing. Preferably the protector has a main body 1 which may be detachably attached to the side and bottom of the bath by quick fixing attachments 2 such as suction cups/plugs, clamping or via pressure that are connected to the body via arms 4, 5. Some of the arms 5 may be flexible. The protector will allow water to flow freely around the device but prevent a person from getting past and is preferably placed slightly in front of the taps. The protector may have a game, picture or educational toy on or detachably attached to the non-tap side of the unit for the purpose of entertainment or distraction of the bath occupants.

Description

241 5622 Bath Tap Protector This invention relates to a device for

preventing children from touching bath taps whilst having a bath.

When people are having a bath they often move towards the taps, either unintentionally or in order to touch them. This is not only dangerous because they could hurt themselves from scolding or slipping and hitting the taps, but in the case of children or less able people it can also mean that they end up sitting in a too hot or too cold bath without the parents or caters realising.

Whilst a device to cover the bath taps is an obvious way of solving this problem, it has the additional problem of attracting people even more, particularly children.

This invention attempts to overcome both of these problems at once by physically restricting access (primary purpose of device) and also providing a distraction in the form of a game, picture or educational toy connecting to the device (optional and secondary purpose of device) This invention proposes a device that sits across the bath within the U-shaped recess that contains the water when the bath is filled and presents a physical barrier by effectively providing a new end to the bath that is slightly in front of the original end where the taps are fixed.

The size, shape and fixing of the device is such that water can continue to flow freely around the device, but there would be no gaps sufficient to allow a person to get past or indeed pass a hmb through. The height of the device should also prevent a young person from easily climbing over the top of the device.

It is preferable that the device is made of a robust, waterproof material that has a non- abrasive surface, so that strength and stability can be gained whilst not causing the child to catch or hurt themselves on a rough surface or edges.

In order to make this device fit securely to the bath yet also make it easy to fit and remove, it is preferable that the device has the abhty to be attached using some kind of strong, water-friendly, quick-fixing attachments, such as suction plugs/cups.

The game, picture or educational toy could be detachable, embedded within the structure of the device or printed onto the viewable surface of the device, but preferably be on the non- tap side of the device to discourage the person from attempting to get to the tap side of the device. As such a game, picture or educational toy would not affect the primary purpose or structure of the device and therefore this invention could exist without such game, picture or educational toy.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows the main structure of the device with its fixing attachments Figure 2 shows the device in place in a bath (cross section view) Figure 3 shows the device in place in a bath (side ways on view) In Figure 1, a robust main body I is a slightly off-square shape to allow for the angled nature of bath internal walls. This main body I is fixed to the bath and supported upright by means of a f xing device 3 that Is attached to the main body] using a suitable attachment device 4.

Fixing devices 2 are used with suitable attachment devices 5 to secure and stabilise the main body I to the bath walls. It is likely that fixing device 3 will be the main securing mechanism of the device to the bath and as such will require a secure holding, especially allowing for the bath to be filled with water which may exert pressure on the device to float depending on the materials used. As such, attachment device 4 Is likely to be a strong, non- flexible device that is securely fixed to the mam body 1 and the fixing device 3 Fixing devices 2 and their corresponding attachment devices 5 need to be secure in their fixing to the bath, but are likely to have less pressure exerted on them and therefore could be smaller versions of fixing device 3. The attachment devices 5 will likely require a looser coupling with the main body I as some give and take movement may be required due to the nature of flowing water and wave momentum. As such, attachment devices 5 are likely to be strong, but flexible devices that are securely fixed to the main body 1 but with an allowance for movement.

It is envisaged that main body I is unlikely to touch the surface of the bath walls, as this may restrict water flow and would also possibly render the fixings 3 and 2 not secure.

In Figure 2, the device can be seen positioned across the width of a bath 8. As can be seen, fixing devices 2 are against the internal walls 6 of the bath 8. Fixing devices 2 require some form of bond or attachment to the internal walls 6, it is likely that this will be a function of fixing device 2 by way of a suction or clamping or pressure method as no damage to the Internal walls 6 is wanted. In turn it is desirable that the device is easy to remove from the bath 8 and therefore fixing device 2 should use some kind of non-permanent bond or attachment method.

Fixing device 3 Is against the bottom 7 ofthe internal surface ofthe bath. Fixing device 2 requires some form of bond or attachment to the bosom 7, it Is likely that this will be a function of fixmg device 3 by way of suction or clamping or pressure method as no damage to the bottom 7 is wanted. In turn it is desirable that the device is easy to remove from the bath 8 and therefore fixing device 3 should use some kind of nonpermanent bond or attachment method.

In Figure 3, the device can be seen positioned across the width of the bath, but from a sideways view (The side panel has not be drawn so that the mtemal of the bath can be seen) Figure 3 allows us to see the positioning of the device relative to the bath taps 9 and the rest of the internal length of the bath 10. This positioning is changeable by removing the device, through release of fixings 2 and 3, and repositioning it elsewhere in the internal length of the bath 10. There is no specific distance that the device should be from the bath taps 9 and the only consideration needed by the user is how long or short they wish to make the bath as they are effectively using the device to create a new internal end point to the bath.

Claims

Claims 1. A bath tap protector unit with attachment means for attaching

the unit to a bath, effecting a barrier across the internal width of a bath preventing internal access from one end to the other.
2. A bath tap protector unit according to claim 1, in which the attachment means are provided by a non-invasive attachment mechanism, providing secure holding of the unit in required position.
3. A bath tap protector unit according to claim], in which the attachment means are adjustable so that the unit can be repositioned in relation to its distance from either end of the bath.