Patent Publication Number: US-8122529-B2

Title: Cushioned bath lounger

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to bath devices and more particularly pertains to a bath cushion presenting a resting place for a reclined bather in a bath or spa. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Bathing is a basic requirement of personal hygiene, but it may also serve as a luxurious break from the stresses of life, as a therapy from athletic or accidental injury, or simply as a treat. A person may simply wish to soak in a common household tub for an extended period of time. Conventional bath tubs, hot tubs, and saunas are not well suited for the comfort of bather who enjoys an extended stay. The hard interior surfaces of enamel or fiberglass work against the soothing nature of the experience. The bather may not comfortably recline and relax in a partially filled tub, as the bather may slide down into the water, or the back and head support offered by the enclosure may not be properly positioned, or padded. Moreover, the bathing experience fails to take full advantage of the buoyancy support available from the water. 
     The use of bath tub lounging devices is known in the art. Many different lounger configurations have been presented. However, prior art lounging devices are lacking in separate head and torso support methodology, and do not utilize modern padding materials in their construction. Many prior art devices are permanently affixed to the bath enclosure, and are accordingly not readily adjustable in angle or position, and are not easily removable from the enclosure. Many of the prior art devices fail to provide any floatation support to the bather, and fail to adequately support the head of the bather. Finally, prior art devices fail to offer a selection of lounger positions, an adjustable firmness of support, and fail to offer free movement of the lounger within the bath enclosure. The soothing feeling of floating within the bath water cannot be achieved with a fixed position lounger. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a device wherein the position of the back and head support are easily adjustable within the bath enclosure, and easily adjustable to accommodate various size bathers. Such device a device would provide the bather with gentle padded flotation support for the torso, and comfortable support for the bathers head. It would also be advantageous to provide a section of positions for the back and neck support, such that a reclined bather may readily change between them. It would also be advantageous if the back and neck support could glide freely with the reclined bather. Such a device would provide adjustable flotation support to the bather, while gently supporting the bathers torso and head, and would allow the lounger support to slide freely with any fore and aft motion of the bather. It is thus to such a cushioned bath lounger that the present invention is primarily directed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which, in one aspect, is a cushioned bath lounger, the lounger being adapted for use in a bathtub, the bathtub having an upper surface, and inner surfaces, the inner surfaces having a back surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface, the lounger being positioned proximate to the back surface of the bathtub, the lounger then presenting a resting place for the head and shoulders of a reclined bather. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the lounger has a flexible support member with a first chamber therein. A first support rail positioned adjacent at least one inner surface of the bathtub. A first anchoring means connected to the first support rail for anchoring the first support rail to the bathtub. A second support rail positioned adjacent at least one inner surface of the bathtub. A second anchoring means connected to the second support rail for anchoring the second support rail to the bathtub. The flexible support member is affixed to the first support rail by a first attachment means and is affixed to the second support rail by a second attachment means. The flexible support member is suspended between the first support rail and the second support rail. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a visco-elastic pad being positioned within the first chamber of the flexible support member. The first chamber of the flexible support member may be vented to the atmosphere. The flexible support member has a second chamber therein. The second chamber may be configured to be inflated by air. The flexible support member may also be made of a vinyl material. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the cushioned bath lounger first anchoring means and the second anchoring means has at least one suction cup affixed to the first support rail and at least one suction cup affixed to the second support rail. The first anchoring means and the second anchoring means may also have a portion of the first support rail and a portion of the second support rail resting on the bathtub bottom surface. The first anchoring means and the second anchoring means may also have a portion of the first support rail and a portion of the second support rail resting on the bathtub upper surface. The first attachment means having a first handle member affixed to the flexible support member and engaging the first support rail, and the second attachment means having a second handle member affixed to the flexible support member and engaging the second support rail. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first support rail has a first elongated slot therein configured to receive the first attachment means, and the second support rail has a second elongated slot therein configured to receive the second attachment means. The first attachment means is positioned within the first elongated slot and slideably engages the first support rail. The second attachment means is positioned within the second elongated slot and slideably engages the second support rail. And the position of the flexible member is slideably adjustable relative to the first and second support rails. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first elongated slot in the first support rail has at least one aperture therein configured to receive the first attachment means, and the second elongated slot in the second support rail has at least one aperture therein configured to receive the second attachment means. The first attachment means is positioned within and captured by the at least one aperture of the first support rail. The second attachment means is positioned within and captured by the at least one aperture in the second support rail. And the position of the flexible support member is selectably adjustable relative to the first and second support rails. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a bath lounger is adapted for use in a bathtub. The bathtub has an upper surface, and inner surfaces. The inner surfaces having a back surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface. The lounger is positioned proximate to the back surface of the bathtub. The lounger then presents a resting place for the head and shoulders of a reclined bather. The lounger has a flexible support member with a first chamber therein. A first support rail positioned adjacent at least one inner surface of the bathtub. A first anchoring means connected to the first support rail for anchoring the first support rail to the bathtub. A second support rail positioned adjacent at least one inner surface of the bathtub. A second anchoring means connected to the second support rail for anchoring the second support rail to the bathtub. 
     The flexible support member is affixed to the first support rail by a first attachment means, and the flexible support member is affixed to the second support rail by a second attachment means. The flexible support member is then suspended between the first support rail and the second support rail. A visco-elastic pad is positioned within the first chamber of the flexible support member. The first support rail has a first elongated slot therein configured to receive the first attachment means, the second support rail having a second elongated slot therein configured to receive the second attachment means. Wherein the first attachment means is positioned within the first elongated slot and slideably engages the first support rail, and the second attachment means is positioned within the second elongated slot and slideably engages the second support rail. And the position of the flexible support member is slideably adjustable relative to the first and second support rails. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first attachment means having a first handle member affixed to the flexible support member and engaging the first support rail, and the second attachment means having a second handle member affixed to the flexible support member and engaging the second support rail. The flexible support member has a second chamber therein. The second chamber is configured to be inflated by air. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first anchoring means and the second anchoring means have at least one suction cup affixed to the first support rail and at least one suction cup affixed to the second support rail. The first anchoring means and the second anchoring means have a portion of the first support rail and a portion of the second support rail resting on the bathtub bottom surface. The first anchoring means and the second anchoring means have a portion of the first support rail and a portion of the second support rail resting on the bathtub upper surface. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first elongated slot in the first support rail has at least one aperture therein configured to receive the first attachment means, and the second elongated slot in the second support rail has at least one aperture therein configured to receive the second attachment means. The first attachment means is positioned within and captured by the at least one aperture of the first support rail. The second attachment means being positioned within and captured the at least one aperture in the second support rail. And the position of the flexible support member is selectably adjustable relative to the first and second support rails. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a bath lounger is adapted for use in a bathtub. The bathtub has an upper surface, and inner surfaces, the inner surfaces having a back surface, a bottom surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface. The lounger is positioned proximate to the back surface of the bathtub. The lounger then presents a resting place for the head and shoulders of a reclined bather. The lounger has a flexible support member with a first and a second chamber therein. A first support rail positioned adjacent at least one inner surface of the bathtub. A first anchoring means connected to the first support rail for anchoring the first support rail to the bathtub. A second support rail positioned adjacent at least one inner surface of the bathtub. A second anchoring means connected to the second support rail for anchoring the second support rail to the bathtub. The flexible support member is affixed to the first support rail by a first attachment means, and the flexible support member is affixed to the second support rail by a second attachment means. The flexible support member is then suspended between the first support rail and the second support rail. 
     The bath lounger also has a visco-elastic pad positioned within the first chamber of the flexible support member. The second chamber of the flexible support member is configured to be inflated by air. The first support rail has a first elongated slot therein configured to receive the first attachment means, the second support rail has a second elongated slot therein configured to receive the second attachment means. The first attachment means is positioned within the first elongated slot and slideably engages the first support rail, and the second attachment means is positioned within the second elongated slot and slideably engages the second support rail. And the position of the flexible support member is slideably adjustable relative to the first and second support rails. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front-perspective view of the bath lounger device positioned within a bath enclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of flexible member component of the bath lounger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side-perspective view of a side rail component of the bath lounger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side-perspective view of the handle component of the bath lounger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side-perspective view of a side rail component of  FIG. 3 , illustrating the insertion of the handle component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side-perspective view of a side rail component of  FIG. 3 , with the handle of  FIG. 4  inserted within, and illustrating one possible position of the handle component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side-perspective view of a side rail component of  FIG. 3 , with the handle of  FIG. 4  inserted within, and illustrating another possible motion of the handle component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side-perspective view of a side rail component of  FIG. 3 , illustrating the insertion of an alternative embodiment of the handle component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side-perspective view of a side rail component of  FIG. 3 , with an alternative embodiment of the handle of  FIG. 4  inserted within, and illustrating one possible position of the alternative embodiment handle component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side-perspective view of a side rail component of  FIG. 3 , with an alternative embodiment of the handle of  FIG. 4  inserted within, and illustrating another possible motion of the alternative embodiment handle component of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is side-perspective view of the bath lounger device positioned within a bath enclosure, and illustrated the bath lounger device fixed in a location relative to the bath rails. 
         FIG. 12  is side-perspective view of the bath lounger device positioned within a bath enclosure, and illustrated the bath lounger device freely sliding relative to the bath rails. 
         FIG. 13  is side-perspective view of the bath lounger device positioned within a bath enclosure, and illustrated the bath lounger device in a different orientation in the enclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A bath lounger provides a means to cushion the body of a bather when lounging in a bath. Prior art bath lounging devices provide a means to cushion the body, but are not easily installed within the bath, are not easily adjustable, do not allow infinite adjustment, and do not allow any gliding motion of the bather. Prior art devices also do not incorporate different padding methodology at the head and torso of the bather to optimize the comfort of the device. 
     With reference to the figures in which like numerals represent like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the cushioned bath lounger  10  of the present invention positioned within a bath  20 . In  FIG. 1 , the lounger  10  includes rails  30 ,  32  which are affixed to the inner left and right inner faces  22 ,  24  of the bath  20 . A flexible support  40  extends between the two rails  30 ,  32  and is affixed to each rail. The flexible support  40  partially rests on the back inner face  26 , and bottom  28  of the bath  20 . The flexible support  40  may also be positioned above the bath bottom  28 , and may also be suspended between the side rails  30 ,  32  and spaced away from, and not in contact with, the bath back inner face  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the flexible support  40  includes a first upper chamber  44  and a second lower chamber  48 . The upper chamber encloses a pad  50  for cushioning the head of the bather. The lower chamber  48  is configured to be inflated by air to cushion the back and shoulders of a reclined bather. In one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible support may be made of a vinyl material such as 21 mil pvc sheet with applied flocking, but any water and air impermeable, flexible and durable material may be used such as nylon, polyesters, and other types of plastic, natural or synthetic rubber, treated fabric compositions, or other material as are well known to those skilled in the art. 
     The lower chamber  48  is configured to be inflated by air and is divided into a number of interconnected compartments by ribs  42  molded into the flexible support  40 . The ribs  42  control the shape and distribution of air within the inflated lower chamber  48 . The air pressure within the lower chamber  48  may be adjusted to accommodate the support preference of individual bathers. For example, the lower chamber  48  may be only partially inflated to accommodate a child using the device, whereas the chamber may be fully inflated to accommodate an older adult desiring full padding and support when lounging on the device  10 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , a pad  50  is positioned within the upper chamber  44  to cushion the head of a reclined bather. The upper chamber  44  is vented to the atmosphere to allow air to escape as a bather positions his head upon and compresses the upper portion of the flexible support. The venting of the upper chamber is accomplished via small perforations  45  in the uppermost portion of the chamber. The perforations  45  allow air to escape from the chamber, but do not readily allow the entry and entrapment of water within the upper chamber  44 . In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the upper chamber  44  may be sealed water tight by a flap and closure, or may be permanently sealed closed after insertion of the pad  50  by welding, bonding or other means as are known to those skilled in the art. 
     The pad  50  is preferably made of a visco-elastic foam, which are also known in the art as a memory foam. In contrast to conventional foam or other padding material, the visco-elastic foam pad  50  slowly and automatically adjusts to the shape of the head of the bather. The foam is both pressure and temperature sensitive and will gradually conform to an object placed upon it. Under sustained pressure and exposure to body warmth, visco-elastic foam softens and “flows” conforming to the body. With the release or shifting or weight, however, the foam constantly and gradually readjusts to the new body position. The slow, conforming elastic of the visco-elastic foam offers complete, stress free support of the head in an optimal position relative to the bather&#39;s shoulders and torso. 
     Although any visco-elastic foam material can be used for the pad  50  in many cases, visco-elastic foam having certain material properties can provide improved performance results. In some embodiments, visco-elastic foam having a density of no less than about 40 kg/m.sup.3 and/or no greater than about 110 kg/m.sup.3 can provide good performance results. In other embodiments, visco-elastic foam having a density of no less than about 50 kg/m.sup.3 and/or no greater than about 90 kg/m.sup.3 can provide good performance results. In still other embodiments, visco-elastic foam having a density of no less than about 55 kg/m.sup.3 and/or no greater than about 65 kg/m.sup.3 can provide good performance results. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pad  50  of the upper chamber  44  can comprise visco-elastic foam having a density of about 60 kg/m.sup.3. 
     In one embodiment, visco-elastic foam having a hardness of no less than about 30 N and no greater than about 80 N can provide good performance results. In other embodiments, visco-elastic foam having a hardness of no less than about 35 N and/or no greater than about 75 N can provide good performance results. In still other embodiments, visco-elastic foam having a hardness of no less than about 45 N and/or no greater than about 65 N can provide good performance results. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pad  50  of the upper chamber  44  can comprise visco-elastic foam having a hardness of approximately 55 N. 
     As further depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dual chamber design of the flexible support  40  allows the optimal choice of support means for the environment. The lower chamber  48  is often immersed in water during use. The lower chamber  48  is constructive of a water and air impermeable fabric and configured to be inflated by air. The air pressure within the lower chamber  48  may be adjusted to accommodate the weight and support preferences of the bather. An inflated lower chamber  48  will provide both a cushion support to the torso of the bather, and also provide a buoyancy support when the lower chamber is immersed, or partially immersed, in the bath water. The upper chamber contains the visco-elastic pad  50 , and is configured to be vented to the atmosphere. The venting allows full advantage of the cushioning properties of the visco-elastic pad  50 , while the water impermeable fabric of the upper chamber  44  protects the pad from exposure to the moisture of the bath environment. 
     As show in  FIG. 3 , the rails  30 ,  32  are elongate and planar. The left rail  30 , and right rail  32  are identical in shape. Means of anchoring the rails to the side walls of the bath enclosure are on opposing sides of the left rail  30  and right rail  32 , and in one embodiment of the present invention, include suction cups  33 . In addition, means of slideably attaching the flexible support  40  to the first and second rails  30 ,  32  are provided. In the depicted embodiment, the attachment means are provided by slot-and-handle assemblies. Each rail  30 ,  32  has an opening or slot  34  extending longitudinally down the rail, and has apertures  35  extending from and connected to slot  34 . Each aperture  35  has a bulbous portion  36  and has short slot  38 . The short slot  38  of each aperture  35  extends longitudinally down the rail  30 ,  32 . With the exception of the bulbous portion  36 , the width of the slots  34 ,  38  and apertures  35  are the same. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rails may be constructed a durable material such as acrylic, but may also be constructed from injection molded plastics, nylons, or other materials as are know to those skilled in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a handle  60  is configured to engage the slots  34 ,  38  in each rail  30 ,  32 . The handle passes through and is permanently affixed to the flexible member  40 . The handle  60  has a shaft with varying diameters. The first diameter  62  is at the end of the shaft and is smaller than the width of bulbous portion  36  of the rails  30 ,  32 , but larger than the width of the slots  34 ,  38 . The second diameter  64  is smaller than the width of the slots  34 ,  38  in the rails  30 ,  32  and may slide freely within the slot. The third diameter  66  is larger than both the slots  34 ,  38  and the bulbous portion  36 , and limits the insertion of the handle into the rails  30 ,  32 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the handle  60  may be inserted into the bulbous portion  36  of an aperture  35  in the direction of arrow A. The first and second diameters  62 ,  64  pass through the bulbous portion  36  until the third diameter  66  rests on the face of the rail  30 ,  32 . The handle  60  may then be slid within the aperture  35  in the direction of arrow B to the end of the short slot  38 . The handle  60  is then captured within the aperture  35  by the first diameter  62  and third diameter  66  resting on opposing sides of the side rail  30 ,  32 . As further depicted in  FIG. 7 , the handle  60  may also be slid down within the aperture  35  and into slot  34 . The handle  60  may then slide freely within the slot  34  in the directions of arrows C. 
     An alternative embodiment of the handle  60  of the attachment means of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , in this embodiment the handle  60  may extend to engage two apertures  35  at the same time. The handle has two shafts with the same three diameters as the previous embodiment. The handle  60  may then be inserted into the rail  30 ,  32  in the direction of arrow A. As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the handle may then be slid within the apertures  35  in the direction of arrow B to the end of the short slots  38 . As further depicted in  FIG. 10 , the handle  60  may also be slid down within the aperture  35  and into slot  34 . The handle  60  may then slide freely within the slot  34  along arrows C. 
     The installation of the present invention within a bath enclosure  20  is shown in  FIG. 11 . The bath enclosure  20  is represented by dashed lines. Each rail  30 ,  32  is positioned adjacent an inner face  22 ,  24  of the bath enclosure  20 . Each side rail  30 ,  32  has suction cups  70  affixed to the rail at two locations. The suction cups  70  provide a means to anchor the side rails  30 ,  32  to the inner face  22 ,  24  of the bath  20 . The use of suction cups  70  allows the rails to anchor to any shape of bath enclosure  20 . The flexible suction cups  70  may pivot to engage the bath enclosure inner faces  22 ,  24  including when the enclosure inner faces are not parallel to the plane of the side rail  30 ,  32 . The flexible member  40  is suspended between rails  30 ,  32  and may rest on the back inner face  26  of the bath enclosure, or may be suspended off the back inner face  26  of the bath enclosure  20 . The flexible member  40  may be further supported by resting on the bottom  28  of the bath enclosure  20 , or may rest on the top  29  of the bath enclosure  20 , or may be supported by resting on both the top  28  and bottom  29  of the bath enclosure  20 . In the configuration depicted in  FIG. 11 , the flexible member  40  is locked in a stationary position by the handles  60  engaging opposing slots  38 . The plurality of apertures  35  allow the bather to select the position of the flexible member  40  relative to the side rails  30 ,  32  and fix the flexible member in that position by sliding the handle  60  into slots  38 . In this manner, the bather may adjust the location of the flexible member  40  and integral pad  44 , within the bath enclosure  20  to the most comfortable lounging position. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the rails  30 ,  32  may be further supported by resting on the bottom  28  of the bath enclosure  20 , or may rest on the top  29  of the bath enclosure  20 , or may be supported by resting on the top  28  and bottom  29  of the bath enclosure  20 , with the anchors or anchoring means provided by portions of the rails that support the rails on the bath enclosure. As may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, in other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the rails  30 ,  32  may be anchored to the side walls of the tub by anchors or anchoring means such as a bonding agent (e.g., an adhesive an adhesive strip), and/or a hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO, or the rails may be formed integral with the bath enclosure  20  with the anchors or anchoring means provided by portions of the rails that extend from the bath enclosure. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 12 , the flexible member  40  extends between the two rails  30 ,  32 . Depending on the preference of the bather, and the size and shape of the bath  20 , the flexible member may rest on the back inner face  26  of the bath enclosure  20 , or may be suspended between the rails  30 ,  32  and not resting on the back inner surface  26  of the bath  20 . The flexible member  40  may also extend to rest on the bottom  28 , or top  29  of the bath enclosure  20 . The handles  60  pass through and engage the flexible member  40 . The handles  60  are then inserted into apertures  35  of each support rails  30 ,  32 . In this manner, the flexible member  40  is attached to, and extends between, each rail  30 ,  32  on opposing sides. 
     As further depicted in  FIG. 12 , the handles  60  may be positioned with the slots  34  of the side rails  30 ,  32 . Since the side rails  30 ,  32  may be positioned on the inner face  22 ,  24  of the bath enclosure  20  at any convenient angle and height, the bather may choose to place the side rails low within the bath enclosure and at a shallow angle to the bath bottom  28 . In this configuration, the torso of the bather may be substantially immersed within the bath water, and the air filled lower chamber  48  will provide a buoyant force to the bathers&#39; torso within the bath water. The buoyant lower chamber  48  thus provides a soothing padded floating support to the bather&#39;s torso. The bather may then freely slide the flexible member  40  forward and back, along arrows D, within the bath enclosure  20  to the most comfortable lounging position as the handles  60  freely slide within slots  34 . The slots  34  allow the bather to achieve a fore and aft rocking motion while being supported by the flexible member  40  floating within the bath. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 13 , in an alternative configuration, the bather may choose to place the side rails at the rear of the bath  20 , on the bath inner faces  22 ,  24  and at a high angle to the bath bottom  28 . The bather may then be seated in an upright position, and the flexible member  40  may travel up and down with the handles  60  traveling in slots  34 , to position the padded upper chamber  44  behind the bathers head and with the lower chamber  48  behind the bathers torso, until the most comfortable lounging position is achieved. The handles  60  may then be locked in the appropriate slots  38  at the most comfortable position. 
     While there has been shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that certain changes may be made in the forms and arrangement of the elements of the device without departing from the underlying spirit and scope of the invention.