Abstract:
A bathtub cushion for configured to be disposed within a bathtub at least partially filled with a liquid for providing comfort and support to a user superposed thereon. The bathtub cushion includes a plurality of integrated sections with at least one of the sections being non-buoyant to substantially inhibit the section from floating. The sections further include three layers with one layer being comprised of a non-buoyant gel. The bathtub cushion further includes a plurality of suction cups for releasably securing the bathtub cushion within a bathtub. Additionally provided is a lumbar support pad for supporting the lumbar region of a user superposed on the bathtub cushion.

Description:
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. 119(e) &amp; 37 C.F.R. 1.78 
     This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior United States provisional patent application entitled: Bath and Spa Body Pillow/Bath Buddy/Tubby Cozy, Application No.: 60/767,265, filed Mar. 14, 2006, in the name of Jeanette C. Brooks, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a comfort providing device, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a cushion for providing support for portions of the user superposed thereon designed to be disposed within a bathtub, with the cushion having a plurality of portions with at least one portion being non-buoyant for submersing into the water contained within the bathtub. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Whether it is for therapeutic or hygienic reasons, millions of individuals engage in utilizing a bathtub on a daily basis. Most bathtubs are shaped to receive a user therein either in a sitting position or in a partially extended prone position. Regardless of the design, one problem that exists with all bathtubs is that they are manufactured from a durable rigid material such as fiberglass or cast iron. While these materials function to provide increased durability for the bathtub, it also provides a rigid surface that is uncomfortable for the user to engage with for any period of time. Additionally, most common bathtubs are not ergonomically designed to properly support various portions of the individual&#39;s body that is disposed therein. Individuals that attempt to assume a prone-like position in the bathtub usually have portions of their body that are forced away from the bathtub walls which creates additional discomfort. 
     Many products have been manufactured to support the head and neck area only of an individual disposed within a bathtub. Unfortunately, these products fail to address in providing comfort for the lower portions of the user&#39;s body. In addition, these current devices can increase the angle of the lower portion of the user&#39;s body with respect to the bathtub walls resulting in increased discomfort for other portions of the user&#39;s body such as the lower back or buttocks. Furthermore, these devices are commonly filled with air or foam making them buoyant and therefore difficult for a user to utilize to provide comfort for the portions of their body that are submerged under the water in the bathtub. The buoyancy of the existing devices creates difficulty in maintaining the positional stability of the device when a user is attempting to provide comfort for any part of the body that is submerged under the water contained within the bathtub. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a cushioning device that can provide comfort for a plurality of portions of a user&#39;s body engaged therewith that has at least one portion that is non-buoyant in order to provide a stable method of providing comfort for the portions of the user&#39;s body that are submerged under the water in the bathtub. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a cushioning device designed to be disposed within a bathtub having a portion that is submerged under the water in the bathtub that provides comfort for the user superposed thereon. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a cushioning device designed to be disposed within a bathtub that has at least one portion that is non-buoyant in order to facilitate positional stability of the cushioning device when partially submerged under water. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a cushioning device that is designed to be disposed within a bathtub having a non-buoyant portion partially submerged under water that further contains therein a gel or other suitable material for increasing the comfort of the user superposed thereon. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cushioning device that is designed to be disposed within a bathtub having a non-buoyant portion for facilitating the comfort of a user superposed thereon that can be folded to a smaller size for storage. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a cushioning device that is designed to be disposed within a bathtub having a non-buoyant portion that is substantially waterproof and mildew resistant. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of a portion of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein like elements are identified with like reference numerals and in particular  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a body pillow  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in the Figures, the body pillow  100  comprises a body  10  having a first layer  15  and a second layer  20  secured proximate a peripheral edge  25  creating a cavity  30  therebetween. The body  10  is generally rectangular in shape and is of sufficient size to be disposed within a bathtub. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the body  10  could be manufactured in numerous shapes and sizes and retain the ability to be disposed within a bathtub. The body  10  is manufactured from a durable comfortable material such as but not limited to vinyl. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  is substantially waterproof in order to inhibit liquids from propagating into the cavity  30 . Furthermore, it is desired within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  be manufactured from a material that is mildew resistant or with a material that has been treated with a substance that substantially inhibits the growth of mildew and/or algae. 
     The first layer  15  and second layer  20  are secured proximate the peripheral edge  25  using suitable and durable chemical or mechanical methods. Substantially disposed within the cavity  30  is an intermediate layer  35 . The intermediate layer  35  is manufactured from a material that functions to provide increased comfort to a user superposed on the body pillow  100 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, the intermediate layer  35  could be manufactured from foam, gel or other suitable material for providing comfort to user. Additionally, the intermediate layer  35  could be comprised of a gas such as but not limited to air. It is desired within the scope of the present invention that the first layer  15 , second layer  20  and intermediate layer  35  have thermal characteristics such that they assume the temperature of their surroundings. 
     The body  10  further includes a plurality of portions  40  that are separated by seams  45 . The portions  40  of the body  10  function to provide comfort and support for different parts of a user&#39;s body that is engaged therewith. A head portion  50  is located at one end  55  of the body pillow  100  and functions to provide comfort and support for the user&#39;s head and neck area of the user&#39;s body. Those skilled in the art will recognize that although the head portion  50  is illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as being shell-shaped that the head portion  50  could be manufactured in numerous different shapes. The lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  distal to the end  55  function to provide support for the lower parts of a user&#39;s body that are submerged under the water that is contained within a bathtub. The lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  are non-buoyant so as to facilitate positional stability of the body pillow  100  subsequent to the body pillow  100  being partially submersed in water contained within a bathtub. In use, the non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  remain proximate the bottom of the bathtub that the body pillow  100  has been disposed within, subsequent to the bathtub being at least partially filled with water. The non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  inhibit the portions  40  of the body pillow  100  that are submerged under the water contained in the bathtub from floating. The non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  further function to enhance the user manageability of the body pillow  100  subsequent to the body pillow  100  being placed in a bathtub that is at least partially filled with water as the non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  remain proximate the bottom of the bathtub. This allows the user to more easily position themselves on the body pillow  100  and be able to maintain the desired position thus increasing the user&#39;s comfort while bathing. 
     The non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  are manufactured to be non-buoyant by utilizing a gel for the intermediate layer  35  that is substantially disposed within the cavity  30 . As the intermediate layer  35  manufactured from gel is disposed within the cavity  30 , the non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  remain proximate the bottom of the bathtub following the bathtub being at least partially filled with water. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  could be manufactured to be non-buoyant by numerous other methods. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  could have compartments disposed therein that are designed to receive therein a suitable material such as weights that would restrict the non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  from floating. Additionally, the non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  could have external pockets secured to the second layer  20  or first layer  15  that function to receive therein a material suitable for restricting the adjacent portions  40  from floating when submerged. Those skilled in the art should also recognize that although the body pillow  100  is illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as having three non-buoyant lower portions  41 ,  42 ,  43  the body pillow  100  could be manufactured to have as few as one non-buoyant portion with the other portions  40  being buoyant. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body pillow  100  could be manufactured to have any number of portions  40 . 
     The seams  45  are laterally oriented across the body  10  and are conventional seams constructed from suitable mechanical or chemical methods. The seams  45  function to divide the body  10  into the portions  40 . The seams  45  allow a user to fold the body pillow  100  into a smaller size to allow for storage in a suitable container such as but not limited to a bag. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the body pillow  100  could be manufactured to have any number of seams  45  laterally disposed across the body  10 . Although it is not illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body could have a handle attached thereto that would facilitate a user being able to engage the body pillow  100  with a hook or other suitable structure to temporarily suspend the body pillow  100  to allow the body pillow  100  to dry. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could have journaled therethrough and proximate the peripheral edge  25 , a plurality of grommets that could also function to receive therein a suitable durable structure in order to temporarily suspend the body pillow  100  for drying. 
     Lumbar pads  70  are integrally formed to the first layer  15  of the portion  40  proximate the end  55 . The lumbar pads  70  function to provide additional support for the lumbar region of a user&#39;s spine when superposed on the body pillow  100 . Although the body pillow  100  is illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as having two lumbar pads  100  it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body pillow  100  could have any number of lumbar pads. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the lumbar pads  70  could have disposed therein the same materials referenced herein that comprise the intermediate layer  35 . 
     Secured to the second layer  20  are a plurality of suction cups  75 . The suctions cups  75  are manufactured from a suitable pliable material such as plastic. The suction cups  75  function to substantially inhibit the lateral and longitudinal movement of the body pillow  100  subsequent to being disposed within a bathtub. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that any number of suction cups  75  could be utilized to substantially inhibit the lateral and/or longitudinal movement of the body pillow  100 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different devices could be utilized to substantially inhibit the lateral an longitudinal movement of the body pillow  100 . More specifically but not by way of limitation, the body pillow  100  could have secured thereto a plurality of non-skid vinyl or other suitable material nubs such as silicon nubs. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body pillow  100  have disposed thereon the silicon nubs or other non-skid material. 
     Although it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body pillow  100  is primarily to be utilized disposed within a bathtub during bathing, it should be recognized that the body pillow  100  could be utilized to increase the comfort of any rigid surface for which a user chooses to engage. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the body pillow  100  could be utilized in a spa, on a boat or as an exercise mat functioning to increase the comfort for the user of the rigid support structure upon which the body pillow  100  has been superposed. While no particular size of the body pillow  100  is required, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body pillow  100  could be manufactured of a size suitable for disposing within a sink to provide comfort to an infant during bathing. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body pillow  100  could be manufactured from numerous materials that would substantially inhibit fading, peeling or mold. Additionally, the body pillow  100  could have substantially disposed therein all portions the non-buoyant gel or small particle such as beads. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 1  a description of the operation of the body pillow  100  is as follows. In use, a user will place the body pillow  100  substantially within a bathtub with at least a portion  40  of the body pillow  100  being proximate the bottom of the bathtub. Following releasably securing the body pillow  100  to the bathtub utilizing the suction cups  75  to substantially inhibit any lateral and/or longitudinal movement, the user will at least partially fill the bathtub with a desired liquid such as water. Subsequent to at least partially filling the bathtub with a desired liquid, the non-buoyant portions  41 ,  42  and  43  will remain proximate the bottom of the bathtub as these portions  40  do not float. The user will then engage with the body pillow  100  in a sitting or laying position as desired for the desired length of time. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawing that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.