Portable foldable infant bathing and changing station and infant bathing and changing kit

Abstract

A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station includes a tub member for holding at least one of a predetermined amount of water, an infant, and a combination thereof. Such tub member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A plurality of leg members each have a first end and a second end and each of such first ends of such plurality of leg members are operably connected to an outer surface of such tub member at predetermined locations thereon for supporting such tub member at a predetermined height. Such leg members are manufactured from a second predetermined material and have a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/988,997 filed Nov. 19, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to infant bathing tubs and changing tables, more particularly, this invention relates to a portable foldable infant bathing and changing station and an infant bathing and changing kit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, infant bath tubs, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to bathe infants. Such tubs are usually placed on the floor of a conventional bath tub and then filled with water for bathing an infant. The adult bathing the infant has no choice but to stoop down and bend over the conventional bathtub to reach the infant tub and wash the infant. Once bathing the infant is complete, the infant is removed from the infant tub and taken to another room to a dressing or changing table to be dried, diapered, and dressed. Some parents attempt to bathe their infant in a shower or tub while the parents themselves are bathing or showering. This can be uncomfortable for both the child and the parent and can also be dangerous since the child may become slippery and difficult to hold. Some parents even attempt to use a kitchen sink for a bathtub, a very unsanitary practice.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Drane, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,601, discloses a small plastic animal container assembly or kit of parts for bathing small pets in a home bathtub or shower stall. Yang, U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,890, discloses a bathtub having an integrally formed rectangular body with a recess having a depth. The four corners of the body are formed with four cylindrical holes. The cylindrical holes on the four corners can be inserted with legs of different length in order to lift up the bathtub. De Puy, U.S. Pat. No. 2,461,260, discloses a folding cross-legged stand for holding a flexible tub. Douglas, U.S. Pat. No. 2,518,604, discloses a compactable baby bathing appliance which includes a cover and may also include shelves attached to a support member. Raphael, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,284, discloses an infant bathtub apparatus having a tub and a plurality of legs removably attached to the tub for supporting the tub thereon, a plurality of article containers are formed in a flange around the periphery of the tub.

The referenced prior art devices fail to provide the benefits attendant with the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable foldable infant bathing and changing station which includes a tub member for holding at least one of a predetermined amount of water, an infant, and a combination thereof. Such tub member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A plurality of leg members each have a first end and a second end and each of such first ends of such plurality of leg members are operably connected to an outer surface of such tub member at predetermined locations thereon for supporting such tub member at a predetermined height. Such leg members are manufactured from a second predetermined material and have a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.

According to another embodiment, an infant bathing and changing kit is provided. Such infant bathing and changing kit includes a portable foldable infant bathing and changing station including a tub member for holding at least one of a predetermined amount of water, an infant, and a combination thereof. Such tub member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A plurality of leg members each have a first end and a second end and each of such first ends of such plurality of leg members are operably connected to an outer surface of such tub member at predetermined locations thereon for supporting such tub member at a predetermined height. Such leg members are manufactured from a second predetermined material and have a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. A spray nozzle is operably connectable to a sink for selectively receiving and spraying a stream of water.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a portable foldable infant bathing and changing table which can be opened to a position for allowing an adult to stand and bathe an infant and which may be folded to a more compact arrangement for storage or other desired usage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an infant bathing station which can be placed either inside or outside a conventional bathtub and thereafter used to bathe an infant.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bathing station for infants which can be easily and quickly converted to a diaper changing and dressing table.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination infant bathing station and changing table which includes at least one of a recess, a compartment, an integrally molded pocket, a built-in storage area, and a combination thereof for housing bathing necessities and other baby items such as towels, soap, diapers, diaper cream, shampoo, nail clippers, baby powder, baby oil, brushes, combs, clothing, and the like.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a kit which includes a bathing station having a plurality of hinged legs, a sprayer, a drain hose, a mesh sling for use in securing very young infants in a position conducive to bathing such very young infants, and a cover member, such as a fold over top, for converting such bathing station into a diaper changing and dressing table.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a user is standing upright while bathing an infant in the tub member.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the invention includes a towel bar and a shelf member having a cut out portion for receiving and supporting a the head of a spray nozzle and in which such shelf member further includes a pocket member for holding baby care items such as shampoo.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a plurality of leg members are hingedly attached the tub member and in which a drain hose is attached to the tub member to direct a flow of draining water therefrom.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a cover member is being used as a surface on which to place an infant.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the plurality of leg members are in a closed position for such that the device is compact for storage.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which an infant bathing and changing kit includes a portable foldable infant bathing and changing station.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-8.

A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station, generally designated 10, includes a tub member 12 for holding at least one of a predetermined amount of water 14, an infant 16, and a combination thereof. Such tub member 12 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.

A plurality of leg members 18 each have a first end 22 and a second end 24 and each of such first ends 22 of such plurality of leg members 18 are operably connected to an outer surface 25 of such tub member 12 at predetermined locations thereon for supporting such tub member 12 at a predetermined height. Such plurality of leg members 18 are manufactured from a second predetermined material and have a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such second predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.

It is presently preferred that each one of such plurality of leg members 18 are hingedly connected to a bottom outer surface 27 of such tub member 12 such that such plurality of leg members 18 are foldable from an open position perpendicular to such bottom outer surface 27 of such tub member 12 to a closed position in which such plurality of leg members 18 are each substantially parallel to such bottom outer surface 27 of such tub member 12 closely adjacent thereto.

It is further presently preferred that such second ends 24 of such plurality of leg members 18 each include a non-slip member 32 disposed thereon for preventing slippage of such plurality of leg members 18.

Furthermore, such portable foldable infant bathing and changing station 10 may include a locking means 34 for securing each of such plurality of leg members 18 in such open position.

It is presently preferred that such tub member 12 further includes a draining means 36 disposed through a bottom surface 29 thereof at a predetermined location for selectively draining water therethrough.

Such draining means 36 may be a drain hole 38 and such portable foldable infant bathing and changing station 10 may further include a drain hose 39 releasably connectable to such tub member 12 on such bottom outer surface 29 thereof closely adjacent an edge 42 of such drain hole 38, such drain hose 39 being for receiving draining water, such draining water coursing therethrough to a predetermined destination. A plug means 44 may be included for plugging such drain hole 38.

It is presently preferred that such portable foldable infant bathing and changing station 10 includes a cover member 46 for releasably covering at least one of such tub member 12, a predetermined interior portion of such tub member 12, and a combination thereof such that such cover member 46 may be used as a surface for at least one of drying a wet infant, changing a diaper of an infant, dressing an infant, and a combination thereof. Such cover member 46 is manufactured from a third predetermined material and has a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined size. It is presently preferred that such third predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof. It is contemplated that such cover member 46 may be a flip top style cover member hingedly connected to such tub member 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the device is not meant to be limited as such and such cover member 46 may also a simple substantially flat member for use as such cover member as illustrated in FIG. 4. Such tub member 12 may include a lip portion 48 disposed on such tub member 12 on a predetermined inside portion thereof for supporting such cover member 46 a predetermined distance above a bottom inner surface of such tub member 12. FIG. 2 depicts the lip portion 48 while FIG. 4 illustrates such cover member 12 in place over such lip portion 48.

Such tub member 12 may also further include a towel bar 54 operably disposed on an outer surface thereof at a first predetermined location thereof. Such towel bar 54 may be releasably connectable to such tub member 12 on an outer surface thereof at a second predetermined location. Such towel bar 54 may also be permanently fixed thereto and may be integrally formed with such tub member 12.

It is presently preferred that such portable foldable infant bathing and changing station further includes a shelf member 62 releasably connectable to such tub member 12 on an outer surface thereof at a third predetermined location. Such shelf member 62 may further include at least one of a recess, a pocket 63, and a combination thereof formed integrally therein at a first predetermined location. It is meant that such recess, such pocket 63, and such combination thereof be used for storing items which may be useful during bathing and changing an infant such as shampoo 65, soap, diapers, diaper cream, and the like. Such shelf member 62 may also include a cut out portion 64 disposed therethrough at a second predetermined location for at least one of receiving and supporting a head of a spray nozzle 66.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, an infant bathing and changing kit, generally designated 20 is provided. Such infant bathing and changing kit 20 includes a portable foldable infant bathing and changing station, generally designated 10, which includes a tub member 12 for holding at least one of a predetermined amount of water 14, an infant 16, and a combination thereof. Such tub member 12 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.

A plurality of leg members 18 each have a first end 22 and a second end 24 and each of such first ends 22 of such plurality of leg members 18 are operably connected to an outer surface 25 of such tub member 12 at predetermined locations thereon for supporting such tub member 12 at a predetermined height. Such plurality of leg members 18 are manufactured from a second predetermined material and have a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such second predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof. A spray nozzle 66 is operably connectable to a sink (not shown) for selectively receiving and spraying a stream of water.

It is presently preferred that such kit 20 further includes a cover member 46 for releasably covering at least one of such tub member 12, a predetermined interior portion of such tub member 12, and a combination thereof such that such cover member 46 may be used as a surface for at least one of drying a wet infant, changing a diaper of an infant, dressing an infant, and a combination thereof. Such cover member 46 is manufactured from a third predetermined material and has a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined size. It is presently preferred that such third predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.

It is presently preferred that such kit further includes a sling member 72 operably connectable to such tub member 12 for at least one of receiving an infant, supporting an infant, and a combination thereof. Such sling member 72 is manufactured from a fourth predetermined material and has a fourth predetermined size and a fourth predetermined shape. Such sling member 72 may be mesh or any other type of material which reasonably facilitates its purpose.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station comprising:

a. a tub member for holding at least one of a predetermined amount of water, an infant, and a combination thereof, said tub member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape; and

b. a plurality of leg members each having a first end and a second end, each of said first ends of said plurality of leg members being operably connected to an outer surface of said tub member at predetermined locations thereon for supporting said tub member at a predetermined height, said plurality of leg members being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.

2. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein each one of said plurality of leg members are hingedly connected to a bottom surface of said tub member such that each of said plurality of leg members are foldable from an open position perpendicular to said bottom outer surface of said tub member to a closed position in which said plurality of leg members are each substantially parallel to said bottom outer surface of said tub member closely adjacent thereto.

3. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said second ends of said plurality of leg members each include a non-slip member disposed thereon for preventing slippage of said plurality of leg members.

4. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 2 wherein said portable foldable infant bathing and changing station further includes a locking means for securing each of said plurality of leg members in said open position.

5. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said tub member further includes a draining means disposed through a bottom surface thereof at a predetermined location for selectively draining water therethrough.

6. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said draining means is a drain hole and said station further includes a drain hose releasably connectable to said tub member on said bottom outer surface thereof closely adjacent an edge of said drain hole, said drain hose being for receiving draining water, said draining water coursing therethrough to a predetermined destination.

7. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 6 wherein said portable foldable infant bathing and changing station further includes a plug means for plugging said drain hole.

8. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said portable foldable infant bathing and changing station further includes a cover member for releasably covering at least one of said tub member, a predetermined interior portion of said tub member, and a combination thereof such that said cover member may be used as a surface for at least one of drying a wet infant, changing a diaper of an infant, dressing an infant, and a combination thereof, said cover member being manufactured from a third predetermined material and having a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined size.

9. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 8 wherein said tub member further includes a lip portion disposed on said tub member on a predetermined inside portion thereof for supporting said cover member a predetermined distance above a bottom inner surface of said tub member.

10. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said tub member further includes a towel bar operably disposed on an outer surface thereof at a first predetermined location thereof.

11. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 10 wherein said tub member further includes a towel bar releasably connectable thereto on said outer surface thereof at a second predetermined location.

12. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said portable foldable infant bathing and changing station further includes a shelf member releasably connectable to said tub member on an outer surface thereof at a third predetermined location.

13. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 12 wherein said shelf member further includes at least one of a recess, a pocket, and a combination thereof formed integrally therein at a first predetermined location.

14. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 13 wherein said shelf member further includes a cut out portion disposed therethrough at a second predetermined location for at least one of receiving and supporting a head of a spray nozzle.

15. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.

16. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 1 wherein said second predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.

17. A portable foldable infant bathing and changing station according to claim 8 wherein said third predetermined material is at least one of plastic, metal, wood, and a combination thereof.

18. An infant bathing and changing kit comprising:

a. portable foldable infant bathing and changing station including; i. a tub member for holding at least one of a predetermined amount of water, an infant, and a combination thereof, said tub member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape; and ii. a plurality of leg members each having a first end and a second end, each of said first ends of said plurality of leg members being operably connected to an outer surface of said tub member at predetermined locations thereon for perpendicularly supporting said tub member at a predetermined height, said plurality of leg members being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape; and

b. a spray nozzle operably connectable to a sink for selectively receiving and spraying a stream of water.

19. An infant bathing and changing kit according to claim 18 wherein said kit further includes a cover member for releasably covering at least one of said tub member, a predetermined interior portion of said tub member, and a combination thereof such that said cover member may be used as a surface for at least one of drying a wet infant, changing a diaper of an infant, dressing an infant, and a combination thereof, said cover member being manufactured from a third predetermined material and having a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined size.

20. An infant bathing and changing kit according to claim 18 wherein said kit further includes a sling member operably connectable to said tub member for at least one of receiving an infant, supporting an infant, and a combination thereof, said sling member being manufactured from a fourth predetermined material and having a fourth predetermined size and a fourth predetermined shape.