US20140359932A1

US20140359932A1 - Inclined child bath support

Info

Publication number: US20140359932A1
Application number: US13/911,412
Authority: US
Inventors: Karen Dutton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-06
Filing date: 2013-06-06
Publication date: 2014-12-11

Abstract

An inclined bath support for a child in a bathtub comprising an inclined support, where the inclined support includes a top surface between two lateral surfaces; a seat positioned along the top surface; a top edge of the top surface, where the top edge is cushioned to support a neck of the child; a set of suction cups attached to a bottom surface of the inclined support, where the set of suction cups prevent the inclined support from sliding in the bathtub. The seat may be a raised cushion or a depressed groove to comfortably receive the child. During use, the inclined bath support provides a comfortable rest for the child, and cushions the neck to prevent soap from getting into the child's eyes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bath support for a child to provide an elevated and comfortable seat upon which the child rests and enjoys while taking a bath.
2. Description of Related Art
Washing an infant or a child can be a wet and messy affair. They are typically wiggly and like to splash the water while seated in the tub. To make the baths more enjoyable, toys and games are often incorporated to entertain and distract the child. Due to the splashing and playing, water and soap often gets all over the tub, child and parent. This may be detrimental if soap gets into the child's eyes causing a stinging pain and discomfort until the eyes are rinsed with clean water.
To prevent the splashed water from getting into the eyes, the parent or guardian often supports the back or neck of the child at an incline with one hand while washing and rinsing the hair with the other. This quickly becomes tiresome for the parent and difficult having to perform the washing with one hand. Alternatively, bath seats are used to restrain the child from excessive splashing and to assist the parent in washing the child's hair. The seats may be inclined to support the child's back which puts the child's head at an appropriate angle for washing. While the seats are useful, they often are not long enough to also support the child's neck therefore the parent must revert to using their hand against the neck to support the child.
It would be beneficial in the art to provide a bath support that supports the entire back and neck of a child while taking a bath. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a bath support for a child with a cushioned neck rest for a comfortable feel while the child is seated on the bath support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an inclined bath support for a child in a bathtub, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bath support that is shaped with an incline to support a child's back and neck while seated on the bath support.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a inclined bath support is described comprising an inclined support, where the inclined support includes a top surface between two lateral surfaces; a seat positioned along the top surface; a top edge of the top surface, where the top edge is cushioned to support a neck of the child; a set of suction cups attached to a bottom surface of the inclined support, where the set of suction cups prevent the inclined support from sliding in the bathtub. The seat may be a raised cushion or a depressed groove to comfortably receive the child. During use, the inclined bath support provides a comfortable rest for the child, and cushions the neck to prevent soap from getting into the child's eyes.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an inclined child bath support in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a bath support for a child to provide an elevated and comfortable seat upon which the child rests and enjoys while taking a bath. The present invention provides an inclined child bath support to afford a user a safe way to wash a child's hair without the risk of exposing their eyes to the shampoo. The inclined child bath support includes an inclined support upon which the child rests their body. At a top portion is a neck rest where the child rests their head and neck while the adult user washes and rinses their hair. The inclined support includes a padded seat to prevent the child from slipping or sliding while in the tub. With the inclined child bath support the child is provided a comfortable bath chair without the stress or worry that stinging shampoo will enter their delicate eyes.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an inclined child bath support 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The inclined child bath support 100 includes an inclined support 102 to comprise the body of the support. The inclined support 102 comprises a generally prism shape or wedged shaped, where the bottom surface and back surface (not labeled) are flat, meeting at a 90 degree angle, and the top surface 106 is angular from a top edge 104 to the ground. The lateral surfaces 108 extend flat from the top surface 106 to the bottom surface or ground. The inclined support 102 is made from a plastic material for durability and ability to withstand prolonged periods in water.
The top surface 106 may be covered with a waterproof, textured material to prevent a child user sitting on the top surface 106 from sliding or slipping during use. The material may be a texturized rubber, neoprene, or plastic. The top surface 106 may be curved along the center, where the side edges are slightly higher than the middle. This way the child user easily rests their back along the top surface 106. The side edges may include arm rests 112 to provide support and handles for the child user. The arm rests 112 may be made from a hard plastic or a soft cushioned material.
Along a middle portion of the top surface 106 may be a seat 110. The seat 110 provides a comfortable resting support for the child user while seated on the inclined support 102. The seat 110 may be a depressed grooved to receive the child. Alternatively, the seat 110 may be a raised cushion for additional support to prevent the child from sliding.
The top edge 104 supports the child's neck when seated on the seat 110 and laying along the top surface 106. The top edge 104 may be padded with a cushion extending the entire width of the top surface 104. Alternatively, a neck pillow 114 may be detachably fastened to the top edge 104. The neck pillow 114 provides an optional neck rest for the child as additional support for taller children.
The lateral surfaces 108 include a plurality of storage openings 116. The storage openings 116 enable the user to house shampoo, body wash, soap, a rinse cup and the like. Also, the storage openings 116 may house the child's toys and water accessories, to keep them entertained while taking a bath. Attached to the bottom surface are a set of suction cups 118. The suction cups 118 prevent the inclined support 102 from sliding in the tub while the child rests along the top surface 106. Finally, the top surface 106 may include a handle 120 positioned near the bottom surface. The handle 120 allows the user to easily lift the inclined child bath support 100 out of the tub after use, and to reposition the inclined support 102 as needed. Alternatively, a pair of handles may be attached along the lateral surfaces 108 to lift the inclined support 102 from the sides.
The inclined child bath support 100 is a comfortable and fun bath accessory to help parents or guardians wash their child's hair. The top edge 104 and optional neck pillow allow the child to easily rest their heads. The inclined support 102 may be collapsible with foldable lateral surfaces 108, which fold beneath the top surface 106 to for easy storage when not in use. Using the inclined child bath support 100 prevents soap from getting into the child's eyes, and provides a relaxing inclined lounger for when the child is in the tub.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inclined bath support for a child in a bathtub comprising:

a. an inclined support, where the inclined support includes a top surface between two lateral surfaces;

b. a seat positioned along the top surface;

c. a top edge of the top surface, where the top edge is cushioned to support a neck of the child;

d. a set of suction cups attached to a bottom surface of the inclined support, where the set of suction cups prevent the inclined support from sliding in the bathtub.

2. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the top surface is covered with a textured material.

3. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the top surface is curved along a middle portion, where the middle portion is lower than a pair of side edges of the top surface.

4. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where a pair of side edges along the top surface includes a pair of arm rests.

5. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the seat is a depressed groove.

6. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the seat is a raised cushion.

7. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the lateral surfaces include a plurality of storage openings.

8. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the top edge includes a removable neck pillow.

9. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the inclined support is collapsible along the lateral surfaces which are foldable beneath the top surface.

10. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the top surface includes a handle to lift and reposition the inclined bath support.

11. The inclined bath support according to claim 1, where the lateral surfaces include a pair of handles.