Abstract:
The present invention discloses a child safety retention device that is shaped substantially in the form of a chair or may be formed from a flexible sack with apertures for insertion of feet that is suspended from a horizontal rails having a mounting brace and upright rails therefrom. The sidewalls or the elliptical rail may contain telescoping shafts for securing the chair to an upright surface, such as a bathtub or a wall. The telescoping shafts have the ability to lock into position between the minimum and maximum extension distances of the telescoping components. The telescoping components, including the shaft and the means of locking the telescoping components at a certain extension length serve to secure and immobilize the retention device inside a bathtub or a shower stall. Suction supports at the bottom of the horizontal member, also known as the seat, further reinforce the secure position of the child safety retention device within a bathtub or a shower stall. The retention device can be foldable for easy storage or for traveling. The utility surface can also function as a utility surface to accept toys, soaps or even snacks. Additional pouches and stows can be provided, including pouches to hide the rigidity elements when the retention device is in folded state.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to utility seats with restraint features, in particular, to portable seats for use in childcare or care for disabled individuals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    One of the major concerns and preoccupation with child care is safety. Until the child reaches an age of a toddler, safety and proper nutrition are chief concerns. During toddlerhood phase, other development factors begin to play a greater role. However, issues involving safety do not go away at this stage, only intensify. In fact, while concerns involving child care continue to evolve as a child grows, with some concerns getting displaced by others, issues involving safety never become secondary. 
         [0003]    During infancy and toddlerhood, two activities become very routine. One is bathing and the other is feeding. Both activities are vital to a healthy development of a child, and yet both are fraught with danger. Parents and childcare workers must be highly alert and vigilant while a child in their care is enjoying his routine bath or a regular meal. A child may be playful and carefree. But a parent or a child care worker is all too aware, that the difference between humdrum and tragedy is one brief unfortunate moment of inattention. 
         [0004]    To address known risks, the legislative body developed an area of law specifically dedicated to regulating products intended to be used by children and for children. There is an enormous industry providing solutions to safety concerns. Yet, despite the prominence of the topic of child safety, devices designed to address safety concerns during routine bathing still do not adequately balance issues of safety, cost and practicality. 
         [0005]    Presently the area of art dealing with bathing safety is split between highly costly and sophisticated adaptations for the developmentally and psychologically disabled and mainstream devices that offer minimal, if any, safety features. Parents and child care workers have come to terms with the latter shortcoming by compensating with increased vigilance, which at times still leads to near drowning incidents or worse. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a safety retention device that is shaped substantially in a form of a chair and intended to be used for small children or disabled individuals. The sidewalls contain telescoping shafts for securing the chair to an upright surface, such as a bathtub or a wall. The telescoping shafts have the ability to lock into position between the minimum and maximum extension distances of the telescoping components that make up the shaft. The telescoping components, including the shaft and the means of locking the telescoping components at a certain extension length serve to secure and immobilize the retention device inside a bathtub or a shower stall. Suction supports at the bottom of the horizontal member, also known as the seat, further reinforce the secure position of the child safety, retention device within a bathtub or a shower stall. The retention device can be foldable, with shafts and frictional elements being folded or tucked away into the device, or into a storage provided by the device for easy storage or for traveling. The utility surface that provides an additional structurally rigid element may also be used as a mounting bracket for toys and other attachment, or can function as a to accept toys, soaps or even snacks. Additional pouches and stows can be provided, including pouches to hide the rigidity elements when the retention device is in folded state. 
         [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a safety device to secure an infant or toddler while bathing. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety device that is immobilized within a bathtub or shower stall. 
         [0009]    It is still another object of the present invention to present multiple safety elements that immobilize the chair provided in the present invention within a bathtub, shower stall, or some other support surface. 
         [0010]    It is still another object of the present invention where frictional elements may be removable, foldable and also adjustable by height. 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a foldable safety device. 
         [0012]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an affordable child safety device that can be secured within most conventional bathtubs or shower stalls. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide safety elements and attachments on one common elliptical brace. 
         [0014]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a safety device that can easily function as a walker or jumper trainer. 
         [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to serve as a multi-purpose device that can be suspended from a tether or secured within a bathtub. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a detail diagram of a foldable section of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  demonstrate different perspective views of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  demonstrate a folding capability of the shaft and telescoping elements. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  demonstrate the folding capability of the walls with immobility elements. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  demonstrates removable upright rails, which may also serve to level the chair device along the horizontal plane. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  demonstrates how the chair device of  FIG. 7  folds once the upright rails are removed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  storage compartments for the removable rigidity elements (rails) shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cutaway diagram of one embodiment of the telescoping member otherwise referred to as the shaft. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a side cutaway view of the telescoping member or shaft, this time featuring a universal joint at its distal end of the shaft. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, with one of the telescoping components being replaced with a spring ( 193 ), thus possibly eliminating the need for a universal joint at the distal end of the shaft. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of one of the embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a demonstration of actual use of one of the embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view the present invention, demonstrating universal joints. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is another embodiment of the present invention having soft or fabric-like walls demonstrating an application thereof. This figure also demonstrates one application of the disclosed device. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 17 and 18  demonstrate additional applications for some of the embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is another application of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 20 and 21  is another embodiment of the present invention showing application thereof. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0036]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0037]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a child safety seat that securely attaches to inner walls of a bathtub ( FIG. 14 ) using shafts  190  and friction elements  400 . The shafts  190  are made up of telescoping elements that are secured at a certain length of extension with threading, constriction band, press screw or a dip pin with corresponding dip openings on either of the telescoping elements  193  and  194 . The shafts  190  are used to immobilize the safety retention device  10 , also known colloquially as the child seat. Also shown in  FIG. 1  are a first vertical barrier  20 , a second vertical barrier  30 , an outer plane  40 , an inner plane  50 , a top edge  60 , a bottom edge  70 , a back end  80 , a front end  90 , a horizontal member  100 , a top surface  110 , a first side edge  130 , a second side edge  140 , a front edge  160 , at least one, socket  170  for shafts  190 , a plunged end  200 , a distal end  210 , an extension mechanism  220 , a rear vertical barrier  240 , an inner plane of rear vertical barrier  260 , a utility bar  270 , a first end of utility bar  280 , a second end of utility bar  290 , a midway point of utility bar  300 , a hinge  310 , a crutch barrier  330 , a utility surface  340 , an immobility element  350 , a clamp  360 , a suction cup  400  and rotating attachment  410 . The rotating attachment may be used to disengage the suction cup  400  from a wall or a support surface by turning or twisting the suction cup  400  until separation is achieved. The socket  170  may be rigid or flexible. A flexible socket  170  would form a flexible sheath around the plunged end  200  of the shafts  190 . The shafts  190  and the immobility elements  350  provide the frictional or fastening features of the present invention that secure the apparatus  10  within a support surface such as a bathtub ( FIG. 14 ) or wall of a shower stall. The first vertical barrier  20  and the second vertical barrier  30  are alternatively known as the upright walls or supports. The rear vertical barrier  240  is alternatively referred and known as upright walls, or supports. 
         [0038]    The seat  10  is designed to accommodate infants, toddlers and small children, and may therefore be sized appropriately for an intended use. The horizontal member  100  provides support for the buttocks and upper thighs of the child, with feet extending past the front edge  160 , with heels of the one seated being supported by the bottom of a bathtub in one example, or the same support surface supports the immobility elements  350 . The thickness  102  of the horizontal member  100  may be between half an inch and three inches, depending on the desired use and may be manufactured using metals, alloys, plastics, resins, rubber, a composite material or wood. However these dimensions of the horizontal member  100 , otherwise known as the seat, may be two three times as large in an embodiment intended to accommodate bathing of special needs adolescents and adults, or even the elderly. The present invention is particularly useful in many instances where a use of stabilizing support safety device is required. The particular shape of the horizontal member  100 , the rear wall  240  (rear upright support) and the upright supports  20  and  30  (first and second vertical barriers) are not particularly dispositive in the present invention, and a plurality of forms and sculpted components may be utilized. The first and second vertical barriers  20  and  30  may have additional rigidity elements embedded internally running either vertically or horizontally to provide additional support against pressure exerted by the end of the socket  170  that is mounted outer plane  40 . Such additional rigidity elements will further guard the first and second vertical barriers from buckling inward in response to the inward pressure of the shaft  190  when the latter is fully extended and pressing against a supporting surface. 
         [0039]    The first vertical barrier  20  and the second vertical barrier  30  form sidewalls for the horizontal member  100 . Both the first and second vertical barriers  20  and  30  have an outer plane  40  and an inner plane  50 . The first side edge  130  attaches to the inner plane  50  of the first vertical barrier  20 , while the second side edge  140  attaches to the inner plane  50  of the second vertical barrier  30 . This attachment may be permanent using fasteners, rivets or welding, or by sculpting the components from a single piece of material, or the components may be attached in a removable fashion, using snap fasteners, clamps, straps or male and female connectors. The designations of “first” and “second” are being used loosely just to describe structural coordination and the terms “first” or “second” can apply to either wall  20  or  30 . It is structurally preferable that the horizontal member  100  is attached to the first and second vertical berries  20  and  30  along the bottom edge  70 . Alternatively, the horizontal member  100  may be attached to the first and second vertical barriers at any horizontal axis along the surface of the inner plane  50 . 
         [0040]    The horizontal member  100  and the second and third vertical barriers  20  and  30  may be coupled or mated together in a removable fashion using snap joints for easy assembly or for portability, or may be pivotedly coupled with respect to each other using hinges and pivoting joints, thereby permitting substantial folding. Alternatively, the assembly of the barriers  20  and  30 , the rear barrier, the horizontal member  100  may be permanent and utilizing fasteners, rivets, stitching or welding bond all parts together. 
         [0041]    The first and second vertical barriers  20  and  30  and for the rear vertical barrier  240  may be manufactured out of fabric, polymers, plastics, leather, or a hard material, such as plastic, wood or metal. The rear vertical barrier  240  is connecting to the first and second vertical barriers  20  and  30  along the back end  80  and back edge  150 . This connection may be permanent, using joints, fasteners, rivets, welding or stitching or may be assembled and dismantled at will for more portable embodiments. The connection may also be spanned with hinges or joints to rotate or flex individual parts for better adjustability or portability of the present invention. As seen in later figures, the rear wall, also known as the rear vertical barrier  240 , may be made of the same or different materials as the other components of the present invention. The rear vertical barrier  240  may be collapsible together with, or separate from the walls  20  and  30 . 
         [0042]    The shafts  190  are one of the main safety elements of the present invention. There are preferably four shafts  190 , with two shafts along the outer plane  40  of both the first vertical barrier and the second vertical barrier  20  and  30 . Alternatively, there may be just one shaft emanating from the first and second walls  20  and  30 , and there may be an additional shaft emanating from the rear vertical barrier  240  and even a forward facing shaft on either the utility bar  270  or along the front edge  160 . 
         [0043]    The shafts  190  are preferably telescopic, with at least three telescopic components. The socket  170  is the mount point of the shaft  190  to the outer plane  40 . The socket  170  may be made of a hard material or made as a flexible sheath. All other telescoping members should preferably be made out of durable and light weight material, such as plastic, wood, aluminum or some other metallic alloy. The socket  170  may also form a substantially universal joint at the mount point  171  to the outer plane  40 , as shown in later figures. Furthermore, the shaft  190  is made up of at least one additional telescoping member, with each telescoping member being inserted into the telescoping member that is more proximal to the outer plane  40 . For example, the first telescoping element  193  slides into and out of the socket  170 . The plunged end  200  is secured at the desired depth within the socket  170  with an extension mechanism  220 . The extension mechanism is shown as a coupler, having an encircling band  222  and a tension pin with a tension arm  224 . Other extension mechanism may be a pressure screw, with the socket  170  having an opening into which a pressure screw is threaded until it jams against the sidewall of the first telescoping element  193 . Still another embodiment may have an opening through the sidewall  171  of the socket  170 , which is set to receive a spring loaded locking pin emanating from the sidewall  195  of the first telescoping element  193 . Whatever the case may be, the first telescoping element  193  moves within the interior of the socket  170  and is able to be fixatedly positioned at a desired extension length by the extension mechanism  220 . 
         [0044]    The shaft  190  may be further comprised of a second telescoping member  194 . The diameter  196  of the second telescoping member  194  is preferably less than the diameter of the first telescoping element  193 . The second telescoping element  194  slides within the first telescoping member  193  and may be fixatedly positioned at a desired extension length with the same extension mechanism  220  as used between the socket  170  and the first extension element  193 . Alternatively, a different means may be used, such as a threaded coupling between the first telescoping element  193  and the second telescoping element  194 . Arguably, a threaded coupling is preferred for the relationship between the first and second telescoping elements  193  and  194  since such a connection would permit a more precise calibration of extension of the shaft  190  and would further permit minute adjustment of extension the shaft  190  to achieve the most secure attachment to the sidewalls of a bathtub, a shower stall, or any other support surfaces, as well as for easy release and decoupling of the shaft from a support surface. The shaft  190  may be comprised of additional telescoping members to enable greater ability to extend or retract the shaft  190 , should the connection between telescoping elements  193  and  194  become stuck or jammed in an extended or retracted state. 
         [0045]    The distal ends  210  of the shaft  190  preferably contain an immobility element, preferably a suction cup  400 . Alternatively a rubber or resinous tip may be implemented in places were a suction cup  400  would not be able to attain a perfect seal throughout the entire rim of the suction cup  400 . In such an event, the suction would be weak or may fail altogether. This scenarios may occur if the retention device  10  is placed between walls decorated with mosaics. Due to the uneven surface produced by the diminutive mosaic pieces interspersed by grout, the suction cup may not be able to attain a perfect suction. In such an embodiment, the suction cup  400  may be replaced with a resinous or a rubberized tip, or a highly chiseled point capable of digging into the surface supporting the horizontal member  200  so as to produce a high degree of friction induced by the linear radiating outward pressure of the extension shaft  190 . The distal ends  210  should preferably comprise universal joints to enable attachment to support surfaces having irregular features, or uneven surfaces or heights. 
         [0046]    The retention device  10  preferably contains additional immobility elements  350  disposed on the bottom surface  120 . The purpose of the immobility elements  350  is to succor the superior fixation already exerted by the extended shafts  190  that are pressing against the supporting surfaces (for example walls  6  in  FIG. 14 ). Thus while the shafts  190  are keeping the retention device  10  substantially fixed in place, the immobility elements  350  prevent slippage of the retention device  10  on the floor (item  7  in  FIG. 14 ) of the supporting surface, for example the bottom  7  of the bathtub  5  or a floor of a shower stall. Since the immobility elements  350  at the bottom surface  120  usually are not intended to provide the main point of secure affixation of the retention device  10 , there is a leeway on what elements are implemented. These can be suction cups  400  as shown in the figures, but may also be friction elements such as ridges protruding outward from the lower surface  120  made from high friction material, such as rubber, resin or fractionized plastic. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  is another embodiment of the present invention, featuring a taller rear wall or support  240 , which can be made sculpted to conform to natural curvatures or a human back, or to provide greater support in key areas of the back. The rear support  240  may be made from a flexible material and contain an inflatable orifice inside the rear support  240 , to be inflated secure the person inside seat  10  or to provide more comfort of support in certain sections of the back area  240 . Shown further are the retention device  10 , the first vertical barrier  20 , the second vertical barrier  30 , an outer plane  40 , an inner plane  50 , a top edge  60 , an arm rest  61 , a bottom edge  70 , a horizontal rail  71 , a back end  80 . The front end  90  in this embodiment is comprised of an upright structural element or rail  96  having a bottom section  93  and a top section  94  separated by a middle hinge  92 . The top most and bottom most ends, or distal ends of the structural element  96  is a bottom hinge  91  and a top hinge  95 . The middle hinge  92  is able to keep the bottom and top sections  93  and  94  locked in place. The rail  96  will remain fully vertical until the lock on hinge  92  is deactivated, allowing the structural element  96  to fold substantially midpoint along the length of the rail  96 . The front end  90  and the back end  80  of both first and second walls  20  and  30  contain a collapsible element vertical rail  96 , thus permitting the retention device  10  to fold downward. 
         [0048]    Furthermore, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  contains a horizontal member  100 , a top surface  110 , and a bottom surface  120 . The front edge  160  contains an aperture  161  for the bottom hinge or snap  162  of the crotch bar  330 . In this embodiment, the crotch bar  330  can swing linearly in the backward or forward direction  332  to permit access and egress for a person using the retention device  10 , and to fold the utility bar  270  downward, as part of the process of collapsing the retention device  10  for travel or storage. To further permit collapsibility of the utility bar  270 , which in this embodiment is a fully functional mini tabletop, a hinge  331  disposed along the midpoint  300 , pivots the utility bar  270  about the crotch bar  330  in either backward or forward directions  332 . The utility bar  270  may further comprise a cup holder, soap holder, utility hooks for sponges and brushes, as well as snap or magnetic attachments for soaps and clips. With preferred thickness of the utility bar  270  being preferably between a half of an inch and one and a half of an inch, there is even enough room for a hermetic storage compartment for smart phones, watches and small tablets. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  demonstrates a more detailed diagram of the folding substructure of the present invention that enables the device  10  to assume a smaller, folded profile. The rails  96  form upright supports for the walls  20  and  30 . Horizontal rails  71  provide structural support for the lower edge  70  and the upper edge  60 . The outer surface  40  and the inner surface  50  are formed from a flexible sheet material, such as fabric made from natural or synthetic fibers. The inner space between inner and out surfaces  50  and  40 , may be empty or may contain structural support for the sockets  170 . Alternatively, only the inner surface  50  or the outer surface  40  would be present with edges of such surface wrapping around and substantially concealing the rails  96  and  71 . 
         [0050]    The latches  92  shown in  FIG. 3  preferably have a safety mechanism to immobilize the bottom section  93  and the top section  94  in an upright position. Such mechanism may be a spring loaded tongue to fit into grooves on the part of the bottom and top sections  93  and  94  that are mated with the latch  92 . One skilled in the art would appreciate that other forms and latches of securing mechanisms are available to keep the two sections  93  and  94  in an upright and fully unfolded position. On the distal ends  97 , the sections  93  and  94  pivot about hinges  91  and  95  respectively, that permit the sections  91  and  94  to fold against the top and bottom rails  71  when folded, and to swing linearly until ninety degree angle with respect to the rails  71 , as shown in the figure, to permit fully unfolded stance. The rails  96  and  71  may be tubular or paralegromatic in shape, and may be hollow or solid. For greater stability and tip-over protection, the rails  96  and  71  may be weighted by utilizing an internal filler, by being made of a solid material or by using thicker and heavier hollow tubes. 
         [0051]    The parallel upright supports  96  shown in  FIG. 3  provide support for the rear upright support  240 . Since the upright supports  20  and  30  are preferably soft and pliable, to enable for easy folding and unfolding, the shaft  190  need to be mounted on an external hard flap  62 . The shaft  190  itself is mounted on a joint that is capable of pivoting in a 180 degree linear arch to fold and unfold about the pivot  65 , while the hinge  171  of the socket  170  may be rotated 360′ about its axis. This configuration is demonstrated clearly in  FIGS. 4 a    and  4   b.  Also shown in  FIG. 4 b    is that the horizontal member is attached to the distal ends  97  with fasteners  131 . These fasteners  131  may be removable. Given the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4   b,  the fastener may double as a pivot for the folding section  93 , since the hinge  91  shown in prior figures may be replaced with this pivot. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    demonstrate the shafts  190  in a retracted state, folded against the hard flap  62 . The hard flap  62  may additionally support the armrests  61  which are clearly shown. The stiff flap  62  provides a non-elastic support surface for the shafts  190 , which exert a force on walls of a support surface such as the bathtub  5  ( FIG. 14 ). This force is then linearly translated through the shaft  190  back against the upright supports  20  and  30 . The hard flap  62  thus ensures that the walls  20  and  30  do not buckle and fall inwardly onto the horizontal member  100 . Structurally, the distal ends of the hard flap  62  abut against the upright rails  97 , or against the top rail  71 , or against the combined frame formed by upright rails  97  and top rail  71 . Alternatively, the upper rail  71  may house the mounting hinges  171  of the sockets  170 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  demonstrates one embodiment of the present invention in the process of being folded. The upright rails  96  are seen through a cutaway in  FIG. 6A  as folded at the latch  92 , with top section  94  folding unto the bottom section  93 . In this embodiment, the bottom hinge  91  is replaced with an axle  132 , with bottom section  93  being secured to the seat  100  with an axle  132 , with the bottom section  93  pivoting about the axle  132  as is folded or returned back into an erect position. Also shown is a slightly lower back support  240  and a utility bar  270  where the first end  280  and the second end  290  wrap around the upright rail  96  of the front edge  90 , to provide further structural strength to prevent inward buckling of the sidewalls  20  and  30 . 
         [0054]    In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , sidewalls  20  and  30  are shown as made out of fabric, while rear upright support  240  is a single unit that is made out of hard material. A stiff rear upright support  240  may be desirable to especially young children, or those with back pains, a stiff rear upright support  240  provides greater lumbar support. Sliding rails  241  assist in swinging of the rear upright supports almost horizontal and then by sliding the rear support  240  toward the seat  100 , achieves the same or even lower profile as the folded walls  20  and  30 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  further demonstrate the of utility bar  270 , a hinge  310 , a snap in connector  320 , a crutch barrier  330 , the latch portion of the squeeze latch  331  and the tongue portion of the squeeze latch  332 , and the utility surface  340  having at least some of the benefits and features as presented heretofore with description of  FIG. 2 , as well as other not stated benefits and utilities. The snap connector  320  locks unto the latch  321  to locking the utility bar  270  into place between the first and second upright supports  20  and  30 . In a locked position, the utility bar is intended to provide structural support for the upright supports or walls  20  and  30 , to prevent them from buckling or leaning inward toward the horizontal support surface  100 . The crutch bar  330  is shown having a squeeze latch  332 . Additionally, the lower portion  364  of the crotch bar  330  is looped around the axle  362  that spans the aperture  162 . The shafts  190  are fully collapsed and folded against within the sockets  170  along the outer plane  40 . When fully folded the height  341  of this embodiment of the present invention is preferably between one and a half inches to five inches. The hinges  171  are shown to fold in only one direction, but are capable of inducing a 90 degree between fully unfolded and fully folded shaft  190 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  is another embodiment of the present invention. The variation demonstrated in this figure is that the upright rails  96  are unitary rods that are inserted into the channels  83  at bottom surface  120  of the horizontal support member  100 . The rod body  82  may contain male or female threading and engage the channels  83  which may have the opposite thread from the one on rod body  82 . Having threads on the rails  96 , or alternatively, height adjustable dip pins and dip pin holes will enable a horizontal leveling ability of the device  10 , to remain upright despite uneven or inclined surfaces. The rails  96  then run the entire length of the channels  83  that form the back end  80  and the front end  90  of each wall  20  and  30 . Also shown is the bottom surface  120  of the horizontal support  100  and suction cups  400  and the distal end  84 . 
         [0057]    Still describing  FIG. 7 , the inserted end  81  of the rod-like rail  96  may be narrower than the rest of the rod body  82 . The bottom end of the rod-like rail  96  contains an immobility element, in this case the suction cup  400 . The rails  96  shown in this environment may be hollow or solid, and may be tubular or parallelogramatic, and may be manufactured from plastics, metals, or light weight composite polymeric or metallic mixtures, which may or may not have conducting or non-conducting physical properties. 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is another configuration of the embodiment that is shown with a swingout utility bar  270 . In a folded state, the utility bar  270  swings forward in direction  332  about of the crutch bar  330 , which is shown as inflexible rod of material that pivots within the hinge  162  that is sunken into the aperture  161  of the bottom surface  100 . When unfolded, with walls  20  and  30  are capable of remaining fully vertical and supported structurally in an erect position by the inserted rails  96 . The utility bar  270  clips into the snap connectors  320  and feature a latch connector  321  within the utility bar  270 . Such a latch connector  321  is capable of wrapping around the front ends  90  to further prevent sideways motion of the sidewalls  20  and  30 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  demonstrates elements  122  with are storage compartments for rails  96 , which may be removed to fold the device  10 . The storage pockets  122  function as sheaths to keep the rails  96  tucked away while the seat  10  is folded for travel. Each rail  96  has its own compartment featuring an opening  123  and a closed off back end  124 . The opening  123  and back end  124  are preferably configured in a staggered fashion, with close off end being followed by an opening  123  and then again by the closed off end. In this way, the storage pockets  122  can achieve a snug fit with the storage pockets  122  and yet still have plenty of room to accommodate the suction cups  400 . The storage compartments or pockets are preferably made of flexible material or fabric, in order that when the rails  96  are within the channels  83 , the storage pockets  122  can be crimped down so as to be substantially on the same plane as the bottom surface  120 . Alternatively, the storage compartments  122  may contain frictional elements and be made of a stiff non-flexible material, to double as support stands for the rest of the device  10 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are a cross section of the shaft  190 . The shaft  190  is used to secure the seat  10  between the sidewalls  6  of a bathtub  5  ( FIG. 14 ). Preferably there are two shafts  190  on each sidewall  20  and  30 , facing outwardly and in ninety degree orientation to the outer surface  40 . The shaft  190  works by forming a tension truss between a wall of a bathtub  5  and the wall of the seat  10 . For the tension to be effective, shafts on both the first upright vertical support  20  and the second  30  must be extended and ajammed against the wall  6  of the bathtub  5  to a degree that no further lateral outward motion in the direction  199  is possible. When this point is reached, the shafts  190  on either side of the seat  10 , as well as the seat itself forms a tension truss that spans the width of a bathtub  5 , and is thereby immobilized within said bathtub  5 . 
         [0061]    Demonstrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11  are telescoping elements that form the corpus of the shaft  190 , comprising a socket  170 , a pivot or a joint axle  65  that is then disposed within the hinge  171 , a first telescoping element  193  and a second telescoping element  194 . The first telescoping element  193  is within a linearly slidable relationship with the socket  170 . The socket  170  is the portion of the shaft  190  that is mounted unto the hinge  171  that is mounted directly on the upright support elements  20  and  30 . The extension distance between the socket  170  and the first telescoping element  193  is regulated in this embodiment using a pressure clamp  360 , which is disposed at the distal end  172  of the socket  170  and which forms a channel  366  suitable for accommodating the clamp band  363 . During the process of extension or retraction of the shaft  190 , the lever arm  364  of the clamp  360  is oriented nearly perpendicularly to the axis of the clamp band  363  and thus remaining in a released state. In this orientation of the clamp arm  364 , the first telescoping element  193  may freely slide in a linear direction within the cavity  198 . Once the desired length of extension or retraction of the first telescoping element  193  is reached, the level arm  364  is lowered, thus tightening the constriction band  363 . The chocking effect of the constriction band  363  caused the channel  366  to exert pressure on the first telescoping element  193 , immobilizing it within the cavity  198 . 
         [0062]    The loosely sliding relationship between the socket  170  and the first telescoping element  193  are preferred to achieve a close to optimal extension or retraction length of the shaft  190  within a very short time. If at that point the shaft  190  is not optimally extended, for example the suction element  400  is not quite reaching the wall  5 , the user can then more precisely and gradually adjust the overall extension of the shaft  190  by using the threaded engagement on the wall of the cavity  202  of the second telescoping element  194  and the opposing thread  197  of the dipping channel  203  within the first extension element  193 . Thus, at all times a user extends or retracts quickly between the socket  170  and the first telescoping element  193  and then able to more precisely and gradually adjust the extension by radially rotating the second extension element  194  to achieve the maximum degree of tension against the wall  6  of bathtub  5 , or a similar supporting surface. The distal end  210  preferably contains a ball bearing at the distal end  210 , where the first telescoping element is fitted with a suction cup  400 . The ball bearing is desirable to ensure that the second telescoping elements  194  can continue to twist freely even when the suction cup  400  is already secured to a support surface. The fastener or rivet  410  connects any such ball bearing with the suction cup  400 . The suction cup  400  is preferably capable of independent rotation with respect to the radial rotation of the first telescoping element  193 . The distal end  210  may contain a universal joint  500  to enable a secure connection of the distal end  210  against a supporting surface in a circumstance where the supporting surface is somewhat slanted (some degrees away from being completely perpendicular to the support surface  5 ) or uneven, or in the event that the outer surface  40  of the sidewall  20  or  30  is not exactly parallel with said support surface. 
         [0063]    Still referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the inner cavity  202  of the second telescoping element  195  contains a thread that is matched to the thread  197  of the dipping channel  203 . There is no thread between the socket  170  and its internal cavity  213  and the first telescoping element  193 . Alternatively, there may be a groove thread between the cavity  2130  and the wall of the first telescoping element  193 . The groove will thus assist in keeping the shaft in an extended fashion without the need to fully engage the shafts  190 . Shown in this figure is just one embodiment of a telescoping shaft  190  and other telescoping elements may be possible. The preferred full extension length is approximately between three inches when fully retracted to three feet when fully extended.  FIG. 11  also demonstrates the cross section of the universal joint  500 , which may pivot towards the right, left, up and down, as well as to rotate the shaft  190  without disengaging the suction cup  400 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 12  is yet another embodiment of the present invention, showing the first telescoping element  193  in form of a spring. The spring permits some up and down motion of the seat  10  and may enable securing of suction cups at an angle to the horizontal axis corresponding to the fully extended shaft  190 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. Shown are the immobility elements, which are preferably suction cups  400 , the first telescoping element  193 , the second telescoping elements  194 , the clamp  360  having a band  363  and a lever arm  364  that is secured within a channel  366 . The socket  170  is secured within the hinge  171 , by the joint axle  65 . The hinge  171  may also rotate clockwise and counter clockwise within its mount point. Also shown are the upright rails  96  that hold the seat  10  in an erect and unfolded position. The upright rails are secured at the bottom with an axle  132  traversing through the horizontal member  100 , and with a hinge  95  at the top. A hinge  91  may be used instead of the axle  131 . The hinge  95  also supports the arm rest  61  and the stiff flap  62  that houses the hinges  171 . One of the armrests  61  contains a snap connector  320  of the utility bar  270 . The utility bar  270  is then pivotetly connected through the binge  310  to the wall of the seat  10  at the second end  290  of the utility bar  270 . The rear back rest  240  is shown being mounted on a complex hinge  242  that gets affixed to the upright rail  96  at the back end of the device  80 . The complex hinge  242  contains a channel that enables the backrest  240  to be pushed down into a near perfect horizontal position. The complex hinge  242  contains fastener points  243 , which are mounted within openings  244  in a pivotal, temporary or permanent fashion. Other components shown have been described previously or will be described in later figures. 
         [0066]      FIG. 14  is an example of usage of the seat  10  in the intended setting, namely a bathtub. Additionally, the seat  10  may be used and secured within any relatively narrow space between any two substantially parallel support surfaces, such as walls  6 , which would enable the formation of a tension truss through the combination of opposing shafts  190  pressing against the wall  6  of the bathtub  5 , and rigid walls  20  and or  30 , thus completing the full rigid frame that forms a single truss that spans the width of the bathtub. In this figure, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the present invention is secured to the sides  6  of the tub  5  with shafts  190 . At the same time, it is further immobilized and removably attached to the tub bottom surface  7  with suction cups  400  or other devices suitable for restraining movement of the apparatus  10 . 
         [0067]    With shafts  190  being substantially on a horizontal plane, a wall  6  oriented at an angle sloping away from or towards the outer surface  40  would present a challenge to secure the suction cups  400  of the shafts  190  to said support surface. To resolve this shortcoming, the suction cups are preferably attached to the distal end  210  through a universal joint that is clearly demonstrated in  FIG. 15 . The universal joint  500  is disposed at the distal end  210  of the second telescoping element  194  (or any element of the shaft  190  that by its position forms the distal end  210 ). The universal joint is able to orient and rotate the suction cup  400  to assume many angles with respect to the plane of the shaft  190 , to remain substantially parallel with a support surface. The universal joint  500  is able to rotate axially  67  (clockwise or counter clockwise) and linearly  68  (from front to back). Similarly, the hinge  171 , may also cause the shaft to be folded in an arch  68  and rotate in the axially  67 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 16  is another alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the rigid supports  20  and  30  and  240  are replaced with one soft basket like sack  540 . The sack  540  contains leg openings  550  placed catty-cornered from sides  581  to the front  590 . The sack  540  is suspended from a rigid horizontal elliptical brace  530  with long loops or channels  580  that wraparound said brace  530  and are in a preferably sided coupling therewith. The rigid elliptical brace  530  encircles the entire top portion  600  of the device  10  and serves as the mounting point for the shafts  190  that are mounted within the hinges  171 . The shafts  190  has been described at length in the preceding figures, but essentially further comprise telescoping elements as illustrated before, a universal joint  500  that is wedged between frictional elements, namely a suction cup  400  and the first telescoping element  194 . The shaft  190  is pivotedly connected to the hinge  171  with the joint axle  65 . The hinge  171  in the embodiment shown, is connecting to the brace  520 , which juts out laterally toward the sides  571 , and compensates for the rounded shape of the elliptical brace  530 . The connecting brace  520  further contains the downwards socket  510  which houses the upright rail  96  and a hookup loop  560 , which will be further described below. To allow for an uninterrupted and secure connection between the elliptical brace  530  and the connecting brace  520 , the sack  540  contains gaps  570  in the upper loops  580 . The sack  540  may be made from a cloth, burlap, flannel, rubber, cotton, wool or a synthetic material. 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , the embodiment of the present invention is disposed within a bathtub  5 , having walls  6  and bottom surface  7 . The apparatus  10  is securely wedged within the bathtub  5  with shafts  190  that are pressing against the sides  6  on each side  581  of the apparatus  10 , and which is suctioned to the bottom surface  7  with suction cups  400  that are disposed at distal ends  84  of upright rails  96 . The upright rails  96 , provide optimal elevation to sit a child in a position that is comfortably elevated above the bottom surface  7 . The preferred length  99  of the upright rails is preferably between six inches and one and a half feet. The upright rails  96  may be telescoping to increase height adjustment capabilities or to compensate for the often sloping grade of the support surface  7  of the bathtub  5 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 17  demonstrates another application of the present invention. Shown is the embodiment having rigid walls as shown in  FIGS. 1-15 . Shown is a swing frame  700  with the device  10  suspended from the upper brace  705  of the swing frame  700  with chains  710 . Y-shaped tethers  720  are stretched between the chain  710  and the hookup loops  560 . The y-shaped tethers  720  can be clipped unto or threaded through the hookup loops  560 . While device  10  is being utilized as a bathing chair, the hookup loops  560  remain unengaged. Alternatively, the hookup loops may be removable, with just a threaded, carabiner or bayonet socket located in the arm rests  61  or at the top of the connecting brace  520  as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 18  is yet another application of the present invention demonstrating versatility of the apparatus  10  in utilizing various attachments. Shown is the embodiment having an elliptical brace  530  with lateral connecting braces  520 . Protruding from the top of the connecting brace  520  are hookup loops  560 . The elliptical brace  530  may be manufactured out of plastic, steel, iron or wood, or a composite material or any other rigid and inflexible material. It may be made out of sections which may be removable or telescoping to reduce the diameter  535 . The device  10  is suspended from some upper support, like an i-beam or a door lintel with a u-connector  680 , tethered thereto with suspension strap  640 . The strap  640  contains a carabiner connector  670  on the end most proximal to the device  10 . The carabiner connector hooks into the loop  660  that is at the top of the spreader platform  690 . At each corner of the three or four corners  691  of the spreader platform  690  is a tether strap or chain  650  that connects to the hookup loops  560 . Either or both the tether strap  645  and the strap  640  may be elastic. The purpose of this application is to suspend the device  10  from an upper support using the u-connector  680 . A child can be seated inside the sack  540  from the upward direction  600 , with child&#39;s legs protruding from the openings  550 . The strap  640  and tether straps  645  will then stretched downward under the weight of this child, until the child&#39;s feet are able to just touch a supporting surface, such as a floor. The child can then use this device, which may have just been removed from the inside of a bathtub as shown in  FIG. 16 , as leg muscle training jumper or a walker trainer. Shown clearly in this figure is the diameter  535  or the general width of the elliptical brace  530 , which is preferably between one to three feet. 
         [0072]      FIG. 19  is still another application of the present invention. The device  10  is another type of bouncer or walker trainer. The hookup loops  560  engage flexible tethers  645 . Distal ends  646  are connected to upright posts  810 , which may connect to a base  800  as shown in the figure, or may connect to a different type of a base. The device  10  remains completely unchanged between each application, with any unnecessary components either removed, as demonstrated in reference to upright rails  96  missing in  FIG. 16 , or tucked out of the away as shown in reference to the shaft  190 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 20  is still another variation of the present invention. In this figure the forward facet  540  of the device  10  contains a single upright rail  96  as opposed to two forward upright rails  96 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . For this reason the forward placed structural braces  520  do not contain the downward socket  510 . Instead a centrally located downward socket ring  830  is mounted onto the elliptical brace  530 , in the front  590  between the feet openings  550 . The feet openings  550  in this embodiment are oriented in an opposing catty-cornered orientation to each other and at an angle with respect to the front  590  and the sidewalls  581 . The arches  552  form the angle  582  to achieve a less obstructed and more natural position of toddler&#39;s feet. The distance from the bottom edge  551  and the apex of the arches  552  is preferably between two and five inches. The centrally located downward socket ring  830  may also be clamped onto the elliptical brace  530  without removing any additional section of the long loop  580 . 
         [0074]    The apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 20  may be fully disassembled for storage repair and reconfiguration. For example, the structural brace  520  contains an opening to fasten the downward socket  510  or the hinge  171 . The hinge  171  may be removed from the rest of the structural brace  520 . The shafts  190  may be fully removed from the hinges  171 , and telescoping members from within the sockets  170 . The gaps  570  may be machined in place or created by a user through utilization of perforated/removable sections of fabric or other type of surface. 
         [0075]      FIG. 21  demonstrates the application of the diagonal openings for feet  550 . A child using the present device  10  will insert feet into the openings  550  from inside the sack  540  and would remain in a squatting position with heels of feet resting on a supporting surface inside an elliptical support base  800 . The child would then drive his or her fit into the ground and thus be propelled upward and back downward in the motion indicated numerically as  840 . The diagonal openings for feet  550  may be slid further back toward the sidewall  581 , or more toward the from  590  since the sack  540  is hanging loosely from the elliptical brace  530  on the long loops  580 . If greater stability is desired, one may reattach the upright rails  96  to the frontal structural braces  520  and remove the single structural brace  96  from the front, along with the downward mounting ring  830 . The elliptical ring  530  may additional contain ball bearings or wheels that may fit into a channel bracket (not shown), which would enable the apparatus  10  to fully rotate horizontally using the channel bracket 
         [0076]    All structural components of the present invention may be made from metals, plastics, wood or composite materials. Similarly, the sack  540  may be made from a flexible naturally occurring or manmade materials. 
         [0077]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.