IMPROVEMENTS PORTABLE BATH TUBS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Garrett Tongue, of the Firm of Tongue and Birk-
Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
A communication from abroad by Arnold Seligsberg,
of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.
beck, Patent Agents and
Lane, in the County of
PORTABLE BATH TUBS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jolm Garrett Tongue at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th April 1876,
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Čliancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE BATH TUBS." A communication from
abroad by Arnold Seligsberg, of the City, County, and State of New York, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in bath tubs which may be readily
adjusted for use, and as readily folded and packed in a small space so as to admit
of being carried by hand like an ordinary carpet bag or satchel, and when
desired so arranged as to constitute a receptacle for clothing and other articles, and
thus serve as a substitute for such carpet bag or satchel..
The Invention consists in a novel construction of a portable bath tub whereby
lightness, durability, cheapness, and other advantages are obtained, as herein-after
particularly described.
The bath tub is mainly composed of light and flexible waterproof material, such
as sheet, rubber or rubber coated fabric or other suitable-material, which will enable
the tub' to hold water when arranged for use; and allow it to be folded and packed
so as to occupy a small space and be readily and easily carried in one-hand.
It is provided with a sectionally, constructed top frame made of metal or other
suitable material sufficiently strong and stiff to preserve the proper outline of the
upper edge of the tub when arranged' för use.
1
It is also provided with detachable vertical props for supporting it in proper.
shape and position when in use, said props being, furnished with means for con- :
necting 'tliem with certain sections of the top frame, and for uniting said sections
together, the whole forming a stiff but light skeleton supporting the flexible
[Price 6d.]

page_text: material of which the body of the tub,is composed. The tub may be furnished
with an air cushion or pillow for supporting the head of the occupant.
When not in use the tub is folded and packed in a very small compass, and may
have applied to it a shawl strap of suitable construction, by means of which it may
be easily carried in the hand, and may have packed within it the vertical props
and certain or all of the sections of the top frame previously separated from each
other in order to fold the tub.
If desired clothing or toilet articles may be enclosed in the tub before folding it,
thereby enabling it to be used instead of a carpet bag or satchel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Garrett Tongue in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
October 1876.
"
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE BATH TUBS." A communication from
abroad by Arnold Seligsberg, of the City, County, and State of New York, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in bath tubs which may be readily
adjusted for use; and as readily folded and packed in a small space so as to admit
of being carried by hand like an ordinary carpet bag or satchel, and when desired
so arranged as to constitute a receptacle for clothing and other articles, and thus
serve as a substitute for such carpet bag or satchel.
The Invention consists in a novel construction of a portable bath tub whereby
lightness, durability, cheapness, and other advantages are obtained, as herein-after
particularly described.
The bath tub is mainly composed of light and flexible waterproof material, such
as sheet rubber or rubber coated fabric or other suitable material which will enable
the tub to hold water when arranged for use, and allow it to be folded and packed
so as to occupy a small space and be readily and easily carried in one hand.
It is provided with a sectionally constructed top frame made of metal or other
suitable material sufficiently strong and stiff to preserve the proper outline of the
upper edge of the tub when arranged for use.
It is also provided with detachable vertical props for supporting it in proper
shape and position when in use, said props being furnished with means for con-
necting them with certain sections of the top frame and for uniting said sections
together, the whole forming a stiff but light skeleton supporting the flexible material
of which the body of the tub is composed. The tub may be furnished with an air
cushion or pillow for supporting the head of the occupant.
When not in use the tub is folded and packed in a very small compass, and may
have applied to it a shawl strap of suitable construction, by means of which it may
be easily carried in the hand, and may have packed within it the vertical props
and certain or all of the sections of the top frame previously separated from each
other in order to fold. the tub..
If desired clothing or toilet articles may be enclosed in the tub before folding it,
thereby enabling it to be used instead of a carpet bag or satchel.
The accompanying Drawing illustrates the manner of carrying out the Invention.
Figure 1 represents an exterior side view of a bath tub constructed in accordance
with the Invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the same; Figure 3 a longitudinal
vertical section thereof, and Figure 4 à transverse vertical section of the same on
the line x, x.
•
Figure 5 is a broken and partly sectional longitudinal view upon a larger scale
of a portion of the bath tub, showing the mode of connecting the head or foot brace

page_text: sections of the top frame with intermediate side sections thereof, and with the
vertical props, and Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section on the irregular line y, y,
in further illustration of the same mode of connecting said parts.
Figure 7 is a side view of the tub folded to resemble an ordinary carpet bag or
satchel, and provided with and secured by a strap such as is commonly known as a
shawl strap and used for carrying packages by hand, and Figure 8 is a transverse
section corresponding with Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a view of an air cushion or pillow for supporting the head of the
occupant of the bath tub when the latter is unfolded and ready for use.
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are views of certain details of which the top frame
and its vertical supports are composed.
The body A of the tub is made of light flexible waterproof material of any suit-
able description, as india-rubber coated cloth. The shape of the tub when expanded
may be similar to that of an ordinary bath tub, and. its dimensions may be varied
for adults and children. For holding the upper edge of the tub in proper shape
a sectionally constructed top frame is used, the same being sufficiently strong and
stiff to preserve the proper outline. This frame is composed of a bent head brace
section B, a similar foot brace section C, intermediate-side brace sections D, D, and
certain means herein-after described interposed between and serving to connect the
ends of the side braces or sections with ends of the curved head and foot braces
and vertical props. E used in the construction of the skeleton frame of the tub.
These several parts may all be of iron japanned or galvanized to prevent rusting, or
they may be made of any other suitable metal or material.
The head and foot braces B, C, the side braces D, D, and the props E may either
be solid or tubular throughout the whole or any portion of their length; thus the
braces might be made with sockets or tubular at their extreme ends, only to facilitate
connection.
In Figure 10 the side braces D, D, of the top frame are represented as divided
transversely half way of their length, and such divided sections constructed to screw
at their meeting ends one into the other to facilitate packing away of said parts
when not using the tub for bathing purposes. When the tub, however, is a sinall
one said side braces may each be made in a single piece. The vertical side props
or supporting devices each consist of a rigid post, on to the upper ends of which.
are fitted cross heads or tubular T-pieces G. These cross heads serve to connect
the vertical props E with the side braces D, D, and with the head and foot
braces B, C, of the top frame, the ends of. the several braces fitting into the cross
heads, or the latter fitting into sockets on the ends of the braces as desired, and the
whole being locked together when united by removable pins d, d, inserted through
the terminal portions of the braces and side arms or portions of the cross heads
within or over which as desired the ends of the braces fit. The cross heads G and
the braces B, C, D, thus combined form one continuous top frame, and when com-
bined also with the props E constitute a sectionally constructed and detachable
skeleton frame supporting the flexible body A of the tub, and holding it in position
when extended for use.
The props E may be of wood, metal, or any other material which will serve the
desired purpose.
When the tub is opened and erected for use the props E, of which there may be
one, two, or more on each side of the tub, are held in position by means of loops,
keepers, or pockets H, one of which is represented as broken away in Figure 1.
The keepers or pockets H may be made of the same material as the flexible body A.
The side braces D, D, and head braces B, C, are similarly entered or passed through
a hen I on the upper edge of the body A to insert the frame into the body A,
said hem being cut away or ormit at portions to provide for drawing out the
side braces D, D, and if necessary the head and foot braces B, C, when packing
the tub away or folding it, as represented in Figures 7 and S. These openings f
in the hem I also serve to provide for the entry and passage of the side braces, also
of the head and foot braces within and through the hem when erecting the tub for

page_text: •
bathing purposes. The flexible nature of the body A provides for the ready entry
and removal of the braces within and out of the hem. Instead of the hem I loops or
keepers may be used. The props E are also similarly capable of being entered
into and removed from their keepers or pockets H, their removal providing for
packing and folding the tub into a small space or compass, as, for instance,, when
compacting it into the form of a carpet bag or satchel, as represented in Figures 7
When the tub is thus compacted the side braces D; D, props E, cross
heads G, and locking pins d, d, may, all be stowed" away inside of the flexible
body, A, and the lead and foot braces be arranged on the outside of the packing,
which is afterwards secured by a shawl strap, the bar M of which having the usual
handle g and straps h, h attached to it may be made concave on its inner face to
more effectually secure the several parts, including the head and foot braces, and to
prevent the latter from dropping or working loose...
and 8.
An air cushion or pillow N is provided for supporting the head of the occupant
of the bath, said head rest or pillow having hooks by which it may be hung
over the top edge of the head of the tub, or it, may be otherwise attached to
the tub
A bath tub constructed and arranged as herein described possesses many advan-
tages. It is light, cheap, and durable. It is readily put in position for use, and as
readily folded and packed, so, that it may be carried by hand or placed out of the
way when not in use. It may be conveniently carried by travellers with the same
facility as other light portable baggage or packages, and it affords ready means for
bathing at any time in any place where water can be obtained in any manner.
may be used in a sick room and removed after use, and may be easily carried from
one room to another.
It
It is particularly advantageous to travellers and tourists, and in some cases may
be used instead of a carpet bag or satchel.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of per-
forming or carrying the same into practice, what I claim under the above in part
recited Letters Patent is―.
First. The improved arrangement and construction of a bath tub composed of a
flexible body and a skeleton supporting frame, substantially as specified and repre-
sented in the Drawings annexed.
Second. The combination with the flexible body A of the head and foot
braces B, C, and interposed side braces D, substantially as and for the purpose
herein described and represented in the Drawings annexed.
Third. The combination with the side props or supports E of the cross heads
or T-pieces G for the connection of the upper frame of the bath tub with said
props.
Fourth. The combination with the flexible folding tub body A and its head
brace B of the air cushion or pillow N, substantially as herein described and
represented on the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Garrett Tongue, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
TATTT
חחחבד בד .
MANAU
1
JOHN GARRETT TONGUE. (...)