US2825911A - Baby bathing support - Google Patents

Description

March 11, 1958 E. TOWNSLEY 2,825,911

' BABY BATHING SUPPORT Filed Nov 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR March 11, 1958 E. TOWNSLEY 1 2,825,911

BABY BATHING SUPPORT Filed Nov. 1. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ESTHER TOWNSLEY Un te BABY BATHIN G SUPPORT Esther Townsley, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 7 This. ihventionreljates to a device for supporting a baby while it is being bathed.

An object of the present invention is the provision of "a baby. bathing support which will hold babies of all sizes, and which is so constructed that it is impossible for the baby to bang itself against any metal part.

7 Another object is the provision of a baby bathing suppan having a fabric covering that is so supported that it ban sag longitudinally thereof so that it functions somewhat like a hammock.

I A further objectis the provision of a baby supporting device having a fabric covering which may be quickly and easily removed for storage, cleaning and/or replac 1 I There have been a number of devices invented for holding a baby while it'is being bathed. However, none genie-Se is in general use, and one of the reagons for this is "that'they usually consist of a frame for supporting a ifa'bri'cat the'sides thereof. This made it possible for the baby to hurthit'nself by banginghimself against the metal frame,and"thelatter kept the fabric in a stretched condition so that'it was comparatively easy for the baby to iollfoif. 'In other words, the prior devices for this purpose were not reall practical.

The bathing support according to this invention elim inates allthese difficulties. It includes a'frame for supporting a rectangular fabric 'cover only at the corners thereof. As the covering is not supported along its sides,

is free to sag along its longitudinal centre so that it ftiifnisa pocket which prevents the baby from rolling laterall'y. Furthermore, the baby cannot come into contact the frame atthe sides of the device. Furthermore, the frame is designed so that the baby cannot tench it at the lower'or foot end thereof and this is particularly important because even very young babies can and do kick their feet about. The mainframe includes ahead frame for supporting a head section projecting from the fabric covering. Examples of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure- 1 is a perspective view'of one form of bathing support with parts thereof broken away,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 efFigure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, Figure 4 is'a perspective view of another form of bathin support,

line -"-5 of Figure 4,'and F1gu"re 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view t'algenon thelin'e 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, 10 generally designates a bathing support made up of a main framell for supporting a covering 12formed of a suit: able fabric, such as canvas, nylon or the like. The frame may be formed of any suitable material, but it is preferably formedjof 'a heavy wire constructed of material tent ure 5 'i sa longitudinal sectional view taken on the a that will not rust in water, or coated against rusting. The frame may also be dipped in a rubber or plastic coating material.

In the preferred form of the invention, the frame includes spaced side members 16 and 17. One end of the member 1'6 has. an upright 20 connected thereto and extending. downwardly therefrom, while the opposite end of said member has an upright 21 connected thereto and extending upwardlytherefrom. Similarly, one end of side member17 has-an upright 25 extending downwardly therefrom, while its opposite end has an upright 26 extending upwardly therefrom. A foot connector 29 extends between and is connected to the foot uprights 20 and 25 spaced below'the upper ends thereof. In this example, the connector is connected to the lower ends of theuprights so that it combines; with the latter to form a wide U-.

Projections 32 and 33 are connected to the upper end of uprights 20 and 25 respectively, and project outwardly therefrom on the opposite side thereof from the side members 16 and 17. These projections may be formed in any desired manner. In this example, the wire forming the side members is bent back on itself to form the projection, and then downwardly to form the foot up rights. The same piece of wire extends between the lower ends of these uprights to form the foot connector 29.

The head frame generally designated by the numeral 38 is provided at one. end of the main frame 11. This head frame includes end sections 39 and 40 connected to and extending inwardly a short distance from the upper ends of uprights 21 and 26, side pieces 42 and '43 extending outwardly from said end sections substantially parallel with the side members, and a head connector 45 extending between the outer. ends of these side pieces. It is preferable to make this head connector U-shaped with the upper ends of its sides 46 and 47 connected to the outer ends of the side pieces 42 and 43 respectively,

From the description so far it will be seen that the main and head frames may be formed from a single piece of wire. The wire forming the side members 16 and 17 may be bent upwardly to form the uprights 21 and 26, inwardly to form the end sections 39 and 40, outwardly 'to form the side pieces 42 and 43, downwardly to. form the sides 46 and 47, and across to form the connector 45.

The fabric covering 12 is folded over on itself at its foot end 50 to form a pocket 51 extending across said end. The folded. over portion of the fabric may be removably held in position at each end in any suitable manner, such as by dome fasteners 53. This construction provides a pocket at each corner of the covering at its end 50 into which the projections 32 and 33 of the frame 11 extend, see Figure 2. 7

When the covering 12 is supported by the frame 11, 'a. portion 56 at each side thereof adjacent its head end 57 is folded downwardly to form one'side of a pocket, the other side of which is formed by a strip of material '59 which extends around the upright 21 or 26. The strip 59 is removably connected to the adjacent portion 56 by one or more dome fasteners 60, or any other suitable connecting means. T hus,-'the upper end of each of the uprights 21 or 26 fits in a pocket at the adjacentcornerof the fabric covering.

A head section 65 is formed with and extends outwardly from the head end :37 of the covering 12. This head section preferably has a portion 66 which is folded back underneath said section toform a pocket 67 in which the side pieces 42 and 43 and the connector 45 removablly fit. The side pieces actually. extend along .thesides of the pocket-so that in-effect the-sides of the head section are connected thereto. It will be noted that there is no. metal between the inner ends of the end sections 39 and,

.40, as indicated at 68, and no metal between the outer or free ends of the side pieces 42 and 43, as indicated at 69. It will be noted that the covering 12 is supported only at each of its four corners by .the main frame 11. The

head sectionj65 of this covering is supported along its opposite sides by the side pieces of the head frame. When the weight of a baby is placed on the covering 12 with its head resting on the head section, the fabric is free to sag longitudinally and centrally of the device. This is particularly true of the covering 12 since the latter is not connected to anything throughout the length of its sides. Furthermore, the covering is not connected to the frame throughout the length of its foot end 50. Thus, a baby cannot strike the frame along the foot of the device or either side thereof. The main portion of the side members 16 and 17 are positioned below the covering.

If desired, a strip 70 of stretchable material, such as fabric or elastic, may extend between the projections 32 and 33. In this example, the strip is in the form of an endless band which fits over the projections, as clearly shown in Figure 1. This strip resiliently supports the foot end of the covering so that a baby cannot be harmed by kicking it, and yet it helps to prevent the baby from sliding downwardly off the foot end of the device.

Similarly, a strip 73 of stretchable or resilient material, such as fabric or elastic, may extend between the inner ends of the side pieces 42 and 43 of the head frame. This may be in the form of an endless band, as shown, which may he slipped on over said side pieces. This provides a flexible support beneath the part over which the neck of a baby would lie. This permits the head section of the covering to form a shallow pocket for the head, while the strip 73 will tend to prevent the head and, consequently, the baby from slipping downwardly on the main covering 12.

By referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that uprights 21 and 26 are higher than uprights 20 and 25. This makes the covering 12 slope downwardly slightly from its head end 57 to its foot end 50. If desired, the side pieces 42 and 43 may slope downwardly slightly in the opposite direction from the inner ends of the end sections 39 and 40, as shown in Figure 2. This causes the babys head to hang down slightly relative to its body.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 is only slightly different from that described above. This alternative includes a main frame 11a and a fabric covering 12a with its head section 65a fitting over the head frame 38a.

The only difference in the main frame is that the upper ends of uprights 21a and 26a are not connected directly to the end sections 39a and 40a, respectively. These end sections have been shifted outwardly and are connected to the upper ends of the uprights by short extensions 80 and 81. Actually, the parts 39a80 and 4011-81 form projections extending outwardly from the main frame at the corners thereof opposite the projections 32a and 33a.

The fabric covering 12a is bent over on itself to form a pocket 84 along the foot end 50a thereof. The sides of the bentover strip have been sewn or otherwise secured to the sides of the main portion of the covering, as indicated at 85. In this example, the pocket 67a of the head section 65a has been lengthened and broadened to form lateral extensions 88 into which the projections 39a8(9 and 40a81 fit. This eliminates the necessity of the portions 56 and the parts associated therewith at each side of the covering.

The bathing support of Figures 4 to 6 functions in the same manner as that of Figures 1 to 3. The projections 32a and 33a fit in the opposite ends of the pocket 84 at the corners of the foot end of the covering, while the projections 3912-459 and Mia-81 fit into the pockets 88 at the opposite corners of said covering. This makes it very easy to remove and replace the covering.

A sling 90 has been provided for use with either form of this invention, although it is only illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. This sling includes a relatively long strap 92 which is adapted to extend beneath the head frame 38a and downwardly over the covering 12a. The ends of this strap are connected by a seat portion 93 formed of a suitable piece of fabric which is folded to provide a pocket 94.

The sling is provided for abnormally small babies. As very short babies would be located near the head end 57a of the covering, they may not sag the latter sufficiently to keep them from rolling off. In this case, the sling 90 is used and the baby more or less seated in the pocket 94 thereof so that it cannot slip down the covering and is not likely to roll laterally thereon.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A baby bathing support comprising a main frame having spaced side members, a head frame connected to adjacent ends of the side members extending inwardly therefrom a short distance and then outwardly and in clined downwardly a little substantially parallel with said members, a substantially rectangular fabric covering, means on the frame for supporting the covering at the four corners thereof, and a head section projecting from the covering over the head frame secured to the latter at opposite sides thereof, said covering head section being inclined downwardly relative to the remainder of the covering, and said side members being spaced below the corresponding sides of the covering, whereby the covering sags towards the longitudinal centre thereof when supporting a baby and the latter cannot bang against the side members.

2. A baby bathing support comprising a main frame having spaced side members, an upright connected to each end of both members, a foot connector extending between and connected to the uprights of adjacent ends of the side members below the upper ends of said uprights, a head frame connected to the upper ends of the other uprights; said head frame comprising end sections connected to and extending inwardly a short distance from the uprights, side pieces extending outwardly from the end sections substantially parallel with the side members, and a head connector extending between the outer ends of said side pieces; a substantially rectangular fabric covering connected to the frame only at its four corners, and a head section projecting from the covering over the head frame secured to the side pieces thereof, the side members and the foot connector being spaced below the sides and an end of the covering, whereby said covering sags towards the longitudinal centre thereof when supporting a baby with its head on the head section and said baby cannot bang against the side members and foot connector. 7

3. baby bathing support as claimed in claim 2 in which the head connector is U-shaped with the upper ends of its sides connected to the outer ends of the side pieces, and the head section of the covering extends downwardly over and is secured to said connector.

4. A baby bathing support comprising a U-shaped foot connector, a side member connected to the top of each side of the foot connector and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, an upright connected to the opposite end of each side member, a head frame connected to the upper ends of the uprights; said head frame comprising end sections connected to and extending inwardly a short distance from the uprights, side pieces extending outwardly from the end sections substantially parallel with the side members, and a head connector extending between the outer ends of said pieces; a substantially rectangular fabric covering connected to the frame only at its four corners, and a head section projecting from the covering over the head frame secured to the side pieces thereof, whereby the covering is free of the frame at the sides and the foot connector thereof and between the inner ends of the end sections.

5. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 4 in which the head section of the covering is in the form of a pocket which slips on over the head connector and side pieces of the head frame.

6. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 4 including a projection extending outwardly from the upper end of each side of the U-shaped foot connector away from the side member connected thereto, and the fabric covering has a pocket at each of its corners, one pocket fitting over each of said projections and one pocket fitting over each upright at the opposite end of the frame.

7. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 4 in which the head connector is U-shaped with the upper ends of its sides connected to the outer ends of the side pieces, and the head section of the covering is in the form of a pocket which slips on over the head connector and the side pieces of the head frame.

8. In a baby bathing support, a substantially rectangular frame formed of heavy wire comprising spaced side members, foot uprights extending downwardly from adjacent ends of the members, head uprights extending upwardly from the opposite ends of the members, a foot connector extending between and connected to the foot uprights beneath the upper ends thereof, and a head frame connected to the upper ends of the head uprights; said head frame comprising end sections connected to and extending inwardly a short distance from the uprights, side pieces extending outwardly and downwardly from the end sections substantially parallel with the side members, and a head connector extending between the outer ends of said side pieces.

9. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 8 in which the head connector is U-shaped with the upper ends of its sides connected to the outer ends of the side pieces.

10. A baby bathing support as claimed in claim 8 including a stretchable strip extending between and removably connected to the side pieces near the end sections.

6 11. A baby bathing support comprising a main frame having spaced side members, a head frame connected to adjacent ends of the side members extending inwardly therefrom a short distance and then outwardly and inclined downwardly a little substantially parallel with said members, a substantially rectangular fabric covering, means on the frame for supporting the covering at the four corners thereof, and a head section projecting from the covering over the head frame secured to the latter at opposite sides thereof, said covering head section being inclined downwardly relative to the remainder of the covering, a sling removably connected to the head frame and extending inwardly, said sling having a flexible pocket therein spaced inwardly from the head frame, and said side members being spaced below the corresponding sides of the covering, whereby the covering sags toward the longitudinal centre thereof when supporting a baby and the latter cannot bang against the side members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 962,970 Musselman June 28, 1910 1,133,114 Elfenbein Mar. 23, 1915 2,461,744 Lafield Feb. 15, 1949 2,491,223 Stedlman Dec. 23, 1949 2,495,482 Rogatz Jan. 24, 1950 2,507,848 Bashaw May 16, 1950 2,535,259 Boyington Dec. 26, 1950 2,563,076 Schreckengost Aug. 7, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 370,172 Great Britain Apr. 7, 1932 998,629 France Sept. 26, 1951

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