Kneeling appliance for use with bathtubs

A cushioned or padded kneeling appliance particularly adapted for use in association with a bathtub when it is desired to reach into the interior area of the bathtub to perform some utilitarian function, such as bathing an infant, cleaning the tub, or the like. The device includes a rigid frame having a generally horizontally disposed lower cushion or pad oriented outwardly of and alongside the lower outer surface of a bathtub wall and an upper cushion or pad overlying the top edge portion of the bathtub wall to enabling a person using the device to kneel on the lower pad and lean on the upper pad thereby reducing discomfort which would occur if a person kneeled on the tile floor of the bathroom or the like and leaned against the top edge portion of a bathtub wall. The pads or cushions are removable for cleaning or replacement and the frame is of sectional construction to enable it to be disassembled for storage in a compact condition and capable of vertical adjustment for use with bathtub walls having different heights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention generally relates to a kneeling appliance for use 
with bathtubs or alongside of other containers which includes a lower pad 
or cushion forming a cushioned kneeling surface and an upper pad or 
cushion adapted to be engaged by the upper torso area of a person kneeling 
on the lower pad when the person reaches into the area a bathtub or other 
container when the applicance is placed alongside of the bathtub wall or 
the like. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Kneeling pads of various types have been provided for use by those engaged 
in various activities. In some instances, the pads are attached directly 
to the wearer so that they move with the person using the pads. 
Additionally, mats are frequently provided alongside of a bathtub which 
primarily are intended for a bather to step on when entering or exiting 
from the bathtub and, of course, it has been known to utilize such bath 
mats as a kneeling pad or cushion when cleaning the bathtub or the like. 
The following U.S. patents illustrate structures which are relevant to the 
present invention: 
U.S. Pat. Nos: 
D-35,304--Nov. 19, 1901--Pendergast 
1,529,498--Mar. 10, 1925--Novak 
2,140,902--Dec. 20, 1938--Fischer 
2,525,531--Oct. 10, 1950--Dorff 
2,719,576--Oct. 4, 1955--Emmett 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a kneeling appliance for 
use in association with the wall of a bathtub which includes a vertical 
outer wall and an inner wall spaced therefrom with the upper edges thereof 
interconnected by a generally horizontal top edge portion in which the 
appliance includes a pad or cushion resting on the bathroom floor 
alongside the outer surface of the lower end portion of the outer wall of 
the bathtub, a supporting framework and an upper pad or cushion overlying 
the top edge portion of the bathtub wall so that when a person kneels on 
the lower pad or cushion, and reaches into the interior of the bathtub, 
the person's knees will be cushioned against contact with the bathroom 
floor and the chest area of the person will be cushioned against contact 
with the top edge portion of the bathtub wall. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a kneeling appliance 
in accordance with the preceding object in which the frame includes upper 
and lower end portions which detachably support the upper and lower pads 
to enable removal thereof for cleaning and replacement when necessary. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a kneeling appliance in 
accordance with the preceding objects in which the supporting frame is 
constructed of separable, longitudinally adjustable vertical components 
forming two side members of the frame to enable the applicance to be 
disassembled for storage or shipment in a knocked-down compact condition 
and also enabling some degree of vertical adjustment to enable the device 
to be utilized with bathtub walls of different heights and with other 
similar containers. 
Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a 
kneeling appliance which is inexpensive to manufacture, comfortable in 
use, capable of many uses and capable of being constructed of various 
materials. 
These together with other objects and advantages which will become 
subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation 
as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to 
the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals 
refer to like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The kneeling appliance of the present invention is generally designated by 
reference numeral 10 and is illustrated in use in association with a 
conventional bathtub generally designated by the numeral 12 in which the 
bathtub includes an outer wall assembly generally designated by the 
numeral 14 which consists of an inner wall 16 and an outer wall 18 spaced 
horizontally from each other with the two walls 16 and 18 being generally 
vertical and interconnected at their top edge by a top wall or upper edge 
portion 20 which provides a generally horizontal ledge or top wall portion 
having rounded corner portions 22. The construction of the bathtub 12 is 
conventional and, as illustrated, is installed in a bathroom with a 
horizontal floor 24 which may be tile or any other surface normally 
provided in a conventional bathroom. The tub may be installed in an alcove 
having an end wall 26 or the like or may be a free-standing tub or any 
other conventional tub in which the wall extends upwardly from the floor. 
The kneeling appliance 10 includes a lower pad or cushion generally 
designated by the numeral 28, an upper pad or cushion generally designated 
by the numeral 30 and an frame generally designated by the numeral 32. The 
frame 32 includes a pair of vertical members 34 which are generally 
parallel to each other and spaced horizontally from each other. The lower 
end of each of the vertical members 34 extends outwardly in the form of a 
horizontal leg 36 with the legs 36 being horizontally disposed and spaced 
horizontally from each other. The outer ends of the horizontal legs 36 are 
interconnected by a horizontal member 38 generally perpendicular to the 
legs 36. The legs 36 and horizontal member 38 have the lower pad 28 
mounted thereon and the legs 36 are joined to the horizontal member 38 by 
rounded right angle corners 40 and the legs 36 are joined to the vertical 
members 34 by rounded right angle corners 42. The vertical members 34, 
legs 36 and horizontal member 38 form one component of the frame 32. The 
other component of the frame 32 is formed by a pair of vertical members 44 
which are telescopically and adjustably engaged with the vertical members 
34. At the upper ends of the vertical members 44, a pair of parallel 
inclined legs 46 are provided with the outer ends thereof being 
interconnected by a horizontal member 48 which is parallel to the 
horizontal member 38 with the horizontal member 48 being connected to the 
inclined legs 46 by rounded right angle corners 50 and the legs 46 are 
connected to the vertical members 44 by rounded corners 52 which are less 
than 90.degree. as illustrated in FIG. 2 with the upper pad 30 being 
mounted on the horizontal member 48 and legs 46. As illustrated, the 
components of the frame 32 are constructed of tubing which may be chrome 
plated or otherwise waterproof or rustproof such as providing a vinyl 
coating or may be constructed of anodized aluminum or other suitable 
material. 
As illustrated, when the kneeling appliance is used, it is positioned so 
that the lower pad 28 and the corresponding portion of the frame is 
alongside the bottom outer surface of the outside wall member 18 with the 
appliance resting on the bathroom floor 24 so that a person may kneel on 
the lower pad 28 by placing both knees thereon if desired, or only one 
knee if desired. The upper pad or cushion 30, mounted on the members 48 
and 46 is positioned in overlying relation to the top wall portion 20 of 
the bathtub wall 14 but is upwardly slanted in relation to the surface to 
provide cushioning support to the rib area or chest area of a person 
leaning toward the interior of the bathtub and performing some ulitarian 
function therein, such as bathing an infant in the bathtub, cleaning the 
bathtub or performing some other operation which requires that the hands 
and arms of the person kneeling beside the tub be extended interiorly of 
the tub for an extended period of time. 
While the construction of the pads or cushions may vary, they preferably 
are in the form of an envelope having a closed outer edge 54 and closed 
side edges 56, but an open inner edge 58 to enable the pads to be slid 
onto the frame and removed therefrom to facilitate cleaning or replacement 
when desired. Each of the pads may include an outer member 60 and an inner 
member 62 spaced and cushioned by cushioning material 64 which may be any 
well-known cushioning material such as fibrous material, foamed material, 
or the like. The cushion is generally U-shaped in configuration with the 
open edge 58 telescopically receiving the lower or upper end portion of 
the frame and the cushions may be identical or the upper cushion or pad 
may be of slightly less extent. The inner and outer members 60 and 62 may 
be vinyl or other plastic film material having the edges thereof heat 
sealed or otherwise secured as at 66 to define the open edge 58 of the 
pad. Other materials may be used in forming the cushions such as fabric 
coverings and the like in which event the edges could be stitched together 
with any suitable decorative bias tape or the like. The envelope-type 
construction of the pads enables the pads to be slid onto and removed from 
the frame 32 to facilitate cleaning of the pads and replacement thereof in 
the event of damage to the pads during use. 
The telescopic connection between the vertical members 34 and 44 enable 
vertical adjustment of the upper pad 30 so that it can conform with and 
accommodate vertical walls of various types of bathtubs or other 
receptacles or containers with which the appliance is used. Likewise, the 
telescopic connection enables the disassembly of the two sections of the 
frame thereby enabling the kneeling appliance to be stored in a compact 
manner and transported or handled in a compact manner. When in use, the 
lower pad is positioned closely adjacent the bathtub wall and the upper 
pad positioned in overlying relation to the top edge portion of the 
bathtub wall with the inclination of the upper pad enabling it to be 
effectively used even though a sliding door frame or the like may be 
positioned on top of the top edge portion 20 of the bathtub wall. This 
inclination also generally conforms with the inclination of the rib area 
or chest area of a person kneeling on the lower pad 28 and leaning toward 
the bathtub. The upper cushion is contacted by the rib area of the user 
which reduces discomfort caused by leaning against the rigid top wall 
portion 20 of the bathtub for long periods of time, such as is necessary 
when bathing an infant, cleaning the tub, or the like. While the frame as 
illustrated is generally Z-shaped, it could also be constructed with the 
side components of the frame being acutely angled in relation to each 
other, i.e., the top portion being acutely angled in relation to the 
bottom portion so that the horizontal inner connecting member between the 
lower legs would be positioned against the outer wall of the bathtub which 
would eliminate any possible discomfort which might occur if the knee area 
of a person was positioned over top of the outer portion of the cushion 
and the horizontal member 38. Also, as an alternative structure, 
structural components other than tubular members may be employed and the 
frame may be constructed of metal components, plastic components, or the 
like, which may be molded or otherwise formed into any desired 
construction having decorative appearances compatible with use in a 
bathroom. It is further pointed out that the device may be used in 
association with other containers having a vertical wall in which it is 
desired to lean over the vertical wall toward the interior of the 
container for some reason. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily 
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and 
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted 
to, falling within the scope of the invention.