Patent Publication Number: US-6663176-B1

Title: Seating device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to chairs and more particularly pertains to a new seating device for positioning adjacent to a bathtub for shampooing a child&#39;s hair. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of chairs is known in the prior art. More specifically, chairs heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,197; U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,662; U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,048; U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,889; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 267,599; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 200,098. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new seating device. The inventive device includes a seat section for supporting a buttocks of the child coupled to a back section for supporting a back of the child. A plurality of leg members is provided for supporting the seat section above a surface. A first end of each of the leg members is coupled to the seat section. A drape is provided for guiding water from the child&#39;s hair into the bathtub. A first end of the drape is removably mounted on an upper edge of the back section and a second end of the drape is removably positionable in the bathtub. 
     In these respects, the seating device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of positioning adjacent to a bathtub for shampooing a child&#39;s hair. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of chairs now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new seating device construction wherein the same can be utilized for positioning adjacent to a bathtub for shampooing a child&#39;s hair. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new seating device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the chairs mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new seating device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art chairs, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a seat section for supporting a buttocks of the child coupled to a back section for supporting a back of the child. A plurality of leg members is provided for supporting the seat section above a surface. A first end of each of the leg members is coupled to the seat section. A drape is provided for guiding water from the child&#39;s hair into the bathtub. A first end of the drape is removably mounted on an upper edge of the back section and a second end of the drape is removably positionable in the bathtub. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new seating device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the chairs mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new seating device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art chairs, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new seating device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new seating device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new seating device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such seating device economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new seating device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new seating device for positioning adjacent to a bathtub for shampooing a child&#39;s hair. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new seating device which includes a seat section for supporting a buttocks of the child coupled to a back section for supporting a back of the child. A plurality of leg members is provided for supporting the seat section above a surface. A first end of each of the leg members is coupled to the seat section. A drape is provided for guiding water from the child&#39;s hair into the bathtub. A first end of the drape is removably mounted on an upper edge of the back section and a second end of the drape is removably positionable in the bathtub. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new seating device that allows a user to more easily wash the hair of a child without having to undress the child and place them in a bathtub. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new seating device that allows a child to tilt their head back while their hair is being washed, thus preventing shampoo from getting in the child&#39;s eyes. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new seating device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the present invention positioned next to a bathtub. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic frontal view of the present invention showing a mounting assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the present invention in a folded position. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new seating device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the seating device generally comprises a substantially planar seat section  12  and a back section  20  coupled to a plurality of leg members  34  for supporting a child above a surface while they are getting their hair washed. 
     The seat section  12  is provided for supporting a buttocks of the child. The seat section  12  includes a front edge  13 , a back edge  14  and a pair of lateral side edges  15 . As particularly illustrated in FIG. 5, a lower surface  16  of the seat section  12  may include a plurality of spaced ear portions  18  formed thereon. Each of the spaced ear portions  18  is preferably positioned generally adjacent to a corner of the seat section  12 . 
     The back section  20  is provided for supporting a back of the child. The back section  20  includes an upper edge  21 , a lower edge  22  and a pair of side edges  23 . The lower edge  22  of the back section  20  may be pivotally coupled to the back edge  15  of the seat section  12  and may be, as particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, positionable between an upright position and a folded position. In one embodiment of the present invention, the upright position is characterized by the back section  20  being orientated generally perpendicular to the seat section  12 . The folded position is characterized by the back section  20  being orientated generally parallel to the seat section  12 . The back section  20  may include a pair of protruding portions  25  and an elongated channel portion  26  formed thereon. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the protruding portions  25  may be formed on each of the side edges  23  and positioned generally nearer the lower edge  22  than the upper edge  21  of the back section  20 . The elongated channel portion  26  may be formed on a back surface  27  of the back section  20  and extend between the upper  21  and lower  22  edges of the back section  20 . 
     A pair of brackets  30  may be provided for supporting the back section  20  in the upright position when a weight of the child is placed upon the back section  20 . Each of the brackets  30  may be mounted on one of the lateral edges  14  of the seat section  12 . An inner surface  31  of each of the brackets  30  preferably include a generally arcuate groove  32  therein with each of the protruding portions  25  of the back section  20  being slidably mounted in one of the grooves  32 . Each of the brackets  30  may have a generally obtuse triangular shape, however other shapes may be employed. 
     The plurality of leg members  34  are provided for supporting the seat section  12  above a surface. Each of the leg members  34  includes a first end  35  and a second end  36 . The first end  335  of each of each of the leg members  34  may be pivotally coupled to one of the spaced ear portions  18  of the seat section  12 . Each of the leg members  34  is preferably orientated generally perpendicular to the seat section  12  in the upright position and orientated generally parallel to the seat section  12  in the folded position. 
     The present invention may include a plurality of caps  38  for resisting slipping of the second end  36  of each of the leg members  34  with respect to a surface such as bathroom floor. Each of the caps  38  may be removably mounted on the second end  36  of each of the leg members  34 . An edge  39  of each of the caps  38  defines an opening  40  into each of the caps  38 . The second end  36  of each of the leg members  34  may be removably inserted in one of the openings  40  of the plurality of caps  34 . As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, an end  42  of each of the caps  38  may include an annular flange  43  formed thereon for securing each of the caps  38  to the surface. The annular flange  43  may act as a suction cup on the floor surface, ensuring that each of the leg members  34  will not slip with respect to the floor surface. 
     A pair of arm members  45  may be provided for each supporting an arm of the child. Each of the arm members  45  preferably includes an arm portion  46  and a support portion  47  that are pivotally coupled together. In one embodiment of the present invention, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 5, the arm portion  46  has a first end  48  and a second end  49 . The first end  48  of the arm portion  46  may be s pivotally coupled to the side edge  23  of the back section  20 . The arm portion  46  is preferably orientated generally parallel to the seat section  20 . 
     The support portion  47  has a first end  50  and a second end  51 . The first end  50  of the support portion  47  may be pivotally coupled to the lateral side edge  14  of the seat section  20  while the second ends  49  and  51  of the arm portion  46  and the support portion  47  are pivotally coupled together. In one embodiment of the present invention, the arm portion  46  and the support portion  47  are orientated generally perpendicular to each other in the upright position and parallel to each other in the folded position. 
     A substantially planar head section  54  may be provided for selectively receiving a head of the child. The head section  54  may include a head portion  55  and an elongated connecting portion  56  coupled together. In one embodiment of the present invention, the head portion  55  has an upper edge  58 , a lower edge  59  and a pair of lateral edges  60 . The upper edge  58  of the head portion  55  may include a generally arcuate cutaway  61  therein for selectively supporting a neck of a child tilting their head in a backward direction. The cutaway  61  is preferably positioned generally an equal distance between each of the lateral edges  60  of the head portion  55 . 
     The connecting portion  56  has a first end  62  and a second end  63 . The first end  62  of the connecting portion  56  is preferably mounted on a back surface  88  of the head portion  55 . The second end  63  of the connecting portion  56  is slidably mounted in the channel portion  26 . 
     A substantially planar spacer section  64  may be removably positioned between the lower edge  59  of the head portion  55  and the upper edge  21  of the back section  20  for extending the head portion  55  for taller children. A back surface  65  of the spacer section  64  may include a groove  66  therein. The connecting portion  56  is removably mounted in the groove  66  of the spacer section  64 . 
     A hook member  67  may be mounted on one of the lateral side edges  60  of the head portion  55  for hanging such things as a towel to be used for drying a child&#39;s hair. The hook member  67  may be positioned generally adjacent to the upper edge  58  of the head portion  55 . The hook member  67  may comprise a substantially rigid material such as, for example, a wood, steel or metal material. 
     A drape  68  is provided for guiding water from the child&#39;s hair into the bathtub. The drape  68  preferably includes a first end  69  and a second end  70 . The first end  69  of the drape  68  is removably mounted on the upper edge  58  of the head portion  55  with the second end  70  of the drape  68  being removably positionable in the bathtub. The first end  69  of the drape  68  may include a cutaway  71  therein and positioned generally adjacent to the cutaway  61  in the head portion  55  when the drape  68  is mounted on the head portion  55 . The drape  68  may comprise a generally flexible material such as, for example, a plastic or cloth material. 
     A fastening member  72  may be provided for removably fastening the drape  68  to the head portion  55 . The fastening member  72  may include a pair of fastening portions  73 . One of the fastening portions  73  may be mounted on the first end  69  of the drape  68  and one of the fastening portions  73  may be mounted on the upper edge  58  of the head portion  55 . Each of the fastening portions  73  is preferably releasably coupled together. The fastening member  72  may comprise a hook and loop fastener, however, other types of fasteners may be employed. 
     A pair of magnets  74  may be provided for securably mounting the second end  70  of the drape  68  to the bathtub. Each of the magnets  74  may be mounted on an inner surface  75  of the drape  68  and positioned generally adjacent to the second end  70  of the drape  68 . Each of the magnets  74  is magnetically attracted to an inner surface of the bathtub for holding the second end  70  of the drape  68  in place. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, indicia  76  may be marked on the seat section  12 , back section  20  and the head portion  55  for attracting and entertaining a child to sit in the chair. The indicia  76  may include figures such as, for example, smiley faces, hearts, and flowers. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, a toy assembly  77  may be provided for entertaining the child while seated in the seating device  10 . The toy assembly  77  may include a mounting member  78  for mounting the toy assembly  77  to a wall surface or a ceiling surface. The mounting member  78  may include a mounting portion  79  and a tab portion  80  extending from the mounting portion  79 . In one embodiment of the present invention, an upper surface  81  of the mounting portion  78  is mountable to the wall surface. The tab portion  79  may have a hole  82  extending therethrough for receiving a securing member  83  used for securing a toy  84 , such as, for example a plush toy or action figure, to the mounting member  78 . The securing member  83  preferably includes a first end  85  and a second end  86 . The first end  85  of the securing member  83  is secured to the tab portion  80  and the second end  86  of the securing member  83  is removably secured to the toy  84 . The securing member  83  may comprise any material such as, for example, a cord or thread material. 
     In use, a child sitting in the seating device  10  is amused and occupied by the toy  84  connected to the toy assembly  77 . While the child is occupied his or her hair may be washed with the water running down the drape  68  and entering the bathtub. After the seating device  10  is used, it may be placed in the folded position and stored until it is needed. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, 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.