MULTI-POSITION BUCKET-STYLE PORTABLE BATHTUB

Abstract

An innovative multi-position bucket-style bathtub that has multiple unique positions such that, when rotated between positions, a recline angle of the bathtub is changed, thereby making the bathtub suitable for infants in earlier stages of development and facilitates using the bucket bathtub during various stages of a child's development.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/376,204, filed Sep. 19, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention directed to a portable bathtub, and more specifically, to a multi-position bucket-style portable bathtub.

Bucket-style bathtubs are known in the art as a solution for bathing children. Existing bucket-style bathtubs are single-position bathtubs with a substantially upright seating position suited for a child with good head control, but do not accommodate earlier stages of child development.

Conventional bucket-style baby bathtubs generally include a large basin for holding water and have an elongated shape dimensioned to hold a child. These conventional bucket-style bathtubs are single-position bathtubs with a substantially upright seating position suited for a child with good head control. This upright seating position does not accommodate the earlier stages of child development during which an infant may not have good head control, thereby leading to inconvenience for the person bathing the infant as well as discomfort or danger for the infant and requiring the purchase of multiple bathtubs as a child progresses through various stages of growth and development.

The present invention provides an innovative multi-position bucket-style bathtub that has a unique multi-position “foot” that, when rotated from one position to another position, provides unique positions that facilitate adjusting a recline angle of the bathtub, thereby making the bathtub suitable to infants in earlier stages of development. The multiple unique positions, such as when rotated from a first position to at least a second position, change recline angle of the bathtub, thereby making the bathtub suitable for infants in earlier stages of development. This improvement facilitates utilizing the bucket-style bathtub during various stages of a child's development while conventional bucket bathtubs are suitable only for one stage of a child's development.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the present invention nor delineate the scope of the present invention. The sole purpose of the following is to present some concepts of the present invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed disclosure that is presented subsequently.

In one embodiment, the present invention features bathtub including a main body that includes a complex oblong curved shape and a head-end portion and a foot-end portion, a continuous side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall portion, the side wall higher at the head-end portion than the foot-end portion, and an outer perimeter on an exterior of the bottom wall portion that is stepped, or recessed inwardly, to provide a channel for positioning an adjustable foot portion, the adjustable foot portion secured to the channel within the bottom wall portion by a rotatable adjustment device.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed disclosure and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general disclosure and the following detailed disclosure are explanatory only and are not restrictive of embodiments of the present invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention in a first position.

FIG. 2 illustrates rotation of the adjustable foot portion of the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention about the bottom of the bathtub.

FIG. 3 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention in a second position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention with the adjustable foot portion separated from the bathtub.

FIG. 5 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention having a sling, or hammock, attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is now disclosed with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

It will be evident that the present invention may be practiced without all or any of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are illustrated in block diagram form in order to facilitate disclosure of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention in a first position. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multi-position bucket-style bathtub 100 includes a main body 112 and an adjustable foot portion 124. The main body 112 has a head-end portion 114 and a foot-end portion 116.

The main body 112 is configured with a complex oblong curved shape and may be molded of a resilient polymer in a unitary manner. The main body 112 includes a continuous side wall 118 extending upwardly from a bottom wall portion 120. The side wall 118 is higher at the head-end 114 portion than at the foot-end portion 116. An optional drop-edge flange 122 extends integrally and continuously from the upper edge of the side wall 118 to add strength and provide grip access to the side wall 118 to facilitate easily moving the bathtub 100.

An outer perimeter of the bottom wall portion 120 is stepped, or recessed inwardly, to provide a channel (not shown), for positioning an adjustable foot portion 124. The adjustable foot portion 124 is secured to the bottom wall portion 120 by a rotatable adjustment device 126. The rotatable adjustment device 126 facilitates movement of the adjustable foot portion 124 into multiple positions such that a position of the main body 112 may be changed with respect to a surface 128 on which the bathtub 100 is placed. It is assumed that a child is placed in the bathtub 100 with the child's head located toward the head-end portion 114 as indicted by reference designator 115.

In one embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the head-end portion 114 with the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 above the bottom wall 120 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into a substantially-upright seating position with the bottom wall portion 120 resting on the surface 128. This is referred to herein as a “first position” and is similar to the substantially-upright seating position of the traditional bathtub. In another embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 can be molded in an inclined orientation, or at least the channel in the main body 112 may be angled or the adjustable foot portion 124 may be contoured, such that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the head-end portion 114 with the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 above the bottom wall 120 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into the first position.

FIG. 1 illustrates the first, or substantially-upright seating, position as one in which the head-end portion 114 of the main body 112 is at an angle (SU) that is approximately 90° with respect to a plane of the surface 128. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the first position as one in which the angle (SU) between the main body 112 with respect to a plane of the surface 128 is approximately 90, it is contemplated that the first position may be any angle that provides a substantially-upright seating position for the child.

FIG. 2 illustrates rotation of the adjustable foot portion of the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention about the bottom of the bathtub. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the adjustable foot portion may be rotated about the bottom of the bathtub, via the adjustable foot portion and the adjustment device, with respect to the surface 128. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the adjustable foot portion 124 may be rotated about the bottom of the main body 12, as illustrated by the arrows, to change the seating position of the bathtub 100. This facilitates adjusting the position of the bathtub 100 with respect to the surface 128 (see FIG. 1) as moving the adjustable foot portion 124 toward the head-end portion 114 or toward the foot-end portion 116 allows either the bottom wall portion 120 or the adjustable foot portion 124 to rest on the surface 128. Adjusting the position of the bathtub 100 facilitates using the bathtub 100 during various stages of a child's development since the bathtub 100 may be adjusted to adapt as the child develops better head control, thereby precluding the necessity to purchase a new bathtub 100 as the child progresses through various stages of development.

FIG. 3 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention in a second position. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the multi-position bucket-style bathtub 100 facilitates positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the foot-end portion 116 with the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 below the bottom wall 120 which results in an orientation/angle of the main body 112 into a substantially-reclined seating position with respect to the surface 128, with the adjustable foot portion 124 resting on the surface 128.

The substantially-reclined seating position may be utilized for a younger child, such as an infant, without fully developed head control. This is referred to herein as a “second position.”

In one embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the foot-end portion 116 with the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 below the bottom wall 120 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into the second position. In another embodiment, the adjustable foot portion 124 can be molded in an inclined orientation, or at least the channel in the main body 112 may be angled or the adjustable foot portion 124 may be contoured, such that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the foot-end portion 116 with the bottom of the adjustable foot portion 124 below the bottom wall 120 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into the second position.

As further illustrated in 3, the second position is one in which the main body 112 is at an angle (SR) that is greater than 90° with respect to a plane of the surface 128. It is contemplated that the second position may be any angle that provides a substantially-reclined seating position for the child.

Although the disclosure is related to embodiments in which positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the head-end portion 114 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into a substantially-upright seating position and positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the foot-end portion 116 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into a substantially-reclined seating position, embodiments are also contemplated in which positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the head-end portion 114 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into a substantially-reclined seating and positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 towards the foot-end portion 116 results in an orientation of the main body 112 into a substantially-upright seating position.

FIG. 4 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention with its adjustable foot portion separated from the bathtub. As disclosed previously, the adjustable foot portion 124 can be molded in an inclined orientation, or at least the channel in the main body 112 may be angled or the adjustable foot portion 124 may be contoured, such that positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 in the first position or the second position changes the orientation of the bathtub 100 with respect to the surface 128 (See FIGS. 1 and 3).

The adjustable foot portion 124 facilitates a multi-position bathtub 100 that is adaptable to different stages of a child's development. On the other hand, conventional bucket bathtubs only facilitate use in one stage of a child's development.

It is contemplated that the rotatable adjustment device 126 may be located at a different position on the bottom wall portion 120 than illustrated in FIG. 4. In this case, the corresponding contour of the adjustable foot portion 124, or molding of the adjustable foot portion 124 into an inclined orientation or angling of the main body 112, would facilitate positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 in the first position or the second position that changes the orientation of the bathtub 100 with respect to the surface 128 (See FIGS. 1 and 3).

Although two positions, specifically the first position and second position, are disclosed, it is contemplated additional positions may be provided. It is further contemplated that any or all of the rotatable adjustment device 126, the contour of the adjustable foot portion 124, the molding of the adjustable foot portion 124 into an inclined orientation, or the angling of the main body 112 may facilitate positioning the adjustable foot portion 124 in more than the first position and second position to change the orientation of the bathtub 100 with respect to the surface 128. The additional positions would facilitate utilizing the bathtub 100 for various stages of a child's development, such as for an infant not having good head control, an infant with partially-developed head control, and a child with full-developed head control.

It is contemplated that three specific positions may be facilitated, specifically a first position in which the angle (SU) is approximately 90° with respect to the surface 128, a second position in which the angle (SR) is approximately 105° with respect to the surface 128, and a third position in which the angle (SR) that is approximately 115° with respect to the surface 128. It is further contemplated that the angle (SR) in the second position and third position may vary between 90° and 135°. Moreover, it is contemplated that the positioning of the adjustable foot portion 124 may be enhanced by a ratcheting mechanism, or other mechanism, that retains the adjustable foot portion 124 in the adjusted position such that the main body 112 of the bathtub 100 remains in the adjusted position until re-adjusted.

FIG. 5 illustrates the multi-position bucket-style bathtub of the present invention having a sling, or hammock, attachment. The sling, or hammock, attachment 140 may be utilized to support an infant in the earliest stage of development in the bathtub 100. Although FIG. 5 illustrates the multi-position bathtub 100 with the adjustable foot portion 124 in the second position, specifically the substantially-reclined position, it is contemplated that the sling, or hammock, attachment 140 may also be utilized when the multi-position bathtub 100 is in the first position or any other position,

The sling, or hammock, attachment 140 may be made from a supportive material, such as a mesh material, a fabric material, a plastic material, or any other material that can support an infant. The sling, or hammock, attachment 140 includes at least three securing means. FIG. 5 illustrates four securing means 142, 144, 146, and 148, that are used to detachably suspend the sling, or hammock, attachment 140 at opposing positions along the drop-edge flange 122.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention except as limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bucket-style portable bathtub, the bathtub comprising:

a main body portion having a complex oblong curved shape; and

an adjustable foot portion, wherein:

the main body portion comprises:

a head-end portion;

a foot-end portion;

a bottom wall portion; and

a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion such that the side wall is higher at the head-end portion than the foot-end portion; and

an outer perimeter on an exterior of the bottom wall portion facilitates positioning the adjustable foot portion such that the adjustable foot portion interacts with a rotatable adjustment device such that the bathtub may be adjusted to multiple positions.

2. The bathtub of claim 1 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion towards the head-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-upright seating position or into a substantially-reclined seating position.

3. The bathtub of claim 1 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion towards the foot-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-reclined seating position or into a substantially-upright seating position.

4. The bathtub of claim 1 further comprising a drop-edge flange extending integrally and continuously from an upper edge of the side wall to provide added strength and grip access to the side wall.

5. The bathtub of claim 4, further comprising a sling made from a supportive material and having securing means configured to detachably suspend the sling at opposing positions along the drop-edge flange.

6. The bathtub of claim 5 wherein the supportive material comprises a mesh material, a fabric material, or a plastic material.

7. The bathtub of claim 1, wherein:

the outer perimeter of the exterior of the bottom wall portion is stepped to provide a channel for positioning the adjustable foot portion; and

the adjustable foot portion interacts with the rotatable adjustment device and the channel such that the bathtub may be adjusted to the multiple positions.

8. The bathtub of claim 7 wherein the channel is angled.

9. The bathtub of claim 8 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel towards the head-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-upright seating position.

10. The bathtub of claim 8 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel towards the foot-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-reclined seating position.

11. A bucket-style portable bathtub, the bathtub comprising:

a main body portion having a complex oblong curved shape; and

an adjustable foot portion, wherein:

the main body portion comprises:

a head-end portion;

a foot-end portion;

a bottom wall portion; and

a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion such that the side wall is higher at the head-end portion than the foot-end portion;

an outer perimeter on an exterior of the bottom wall portion is stepped to provide a channel for positioning the adjustable foot portion;

the adjustable foot portion interacts with a rotatable adjustment device and the channel such that the bathtub may be adjusted to the multiple positions; and

the adjustable foot portion contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel towards the head-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-upright seating position and positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel towards the foot-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-reclined seating position.

12. The bathtub of claim 11 further comprising a drop-edge flange extending integrally and continuously from an upper edge of the side wall to provide added strength and grip access to the side wall.

13. The bathtub of claim 12, further comprising a sling made from a supportive material and having securing clips configured to detachably suspend the sling at opposing positions along the drop-edge flange.

14. The bathtub of claim 11 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion towards the head-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-upright seating position.

15. The bathtub of claim 11 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion towards the foot-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-reclined seating position.

16. A bucket-style portable bathtub, the bathtub comprising:

a main body portion having a complex oblong curved shape; and

and adjustable foot portion, wherein:

the main body portion comprises:

a head-end portion;

a foot-end portion;

a bottom wall portion;

a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion such that the side wall is higher at the head-end portion than the foot-end portion;

a drop-edge flange extending integrally and continuously from an upper edge of the side wall to provide added strength and grip access to the side wall; and

a sling made from a supportive material and having securing clips configured to detachably suspend the sling at various positions along the drop-edge flange;

an outer perimeter on an exterior of the bottom wall portion is stepped to provide a channel for positioning the adjustable foot portion; and

the adjustable foot portion interacts with the rotatable adjustment device and the channel such that the bathtub may be adjusted to the multiple positions.

17. The bathtub of claim 16 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion towards the head-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-upright seating position.

18. The bathtub of claim 16 wherein the adjustable foot portion is contoured such that positioning the adjustable foot portion in the channel towards the foot-end portion results orients the main body into a substantially-reclined seating position.

19. The bathtub of claim 16 wherein the channel is angled such that positioning the adjustable foot portion towards the head-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-reclined seating position.

20. The bathtub of claim 17 wherein the channel is angled such that positioning the adjustable foot portion towards the foot-end portion orients the main body into a substantially-upright seating position.