Patent ID: 12256872

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. Further, spatially relative terms which describe a relationship between features of the bath tub relate to the bath tub as oriented inFIG.1. Moreover, any term of degree used herein, such as “substantially” and “approximately”, means a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified word is contemplated such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, such terms can be construed as allowing a deviation of at least 5% of the modified word if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word the term of degree modifies.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,FIGS.1-5illustrate a foldable bath tub100according to the present disclosure, which is configured for bathing either an infant in a reclined position, or a toddler in an upright, seated position. The bath tub100generally comprises a base102, a rim104and an annular basin wall106disposed between and interconnecting the base and the rim. The basin wall106is configured to be positioned in one of an extended condition and a folded condition (i.e., the basin wall106is foldable between the base102and the rim104).

The depicted base102includes a bottom wall110, opposed sidewalls112,114, and opposed end walls116,118which are integral with the sidewalls. The sidewalls and the end walls can extend obliquely upwardly from the bottom wall110. The bottom wall110has an upwardly extending center post or crotch support124. The crotch support124is defined by a top wall128, opposed sides132,134, which are spaced inwardly from the sidewalls112,114, and opposed ends136,138, which are spaced inwardly from the end walls116,118. With the basin wall106in the extended condition, each opposed side132,134of the upwardly extending crotch support124is spaced from the basin wall106in a direction perpendicular to a length dimension of the bath tub100so as to accommodate a child's leg therebetween.

Further provided on the bottom wall110are first and second drain holes140,142located inwardly of support feet144that depend from the bottom wall110. According to one aspect, the first drain hole140is located at the end136of the crotch support124and the second drain hole142is located at the other end138of the crotch support. By having the first and second drain holes140,142located on opposite ends136,138of the crotch support124, the user can selectively drain the bath tub100when in use by either an infant or a toddler without having to first move the infant or toddler in the bath tub.

The bath tub100further includes a drain plug150adapted to seal the first and second drain holes140,142. The features of the drain plug150are best shown inFIG.6. In the depicted embodiment, the drain plug150is a one-piece, unitary component configured to be fitted over the crotch support124. The drain plug150has a first plug152for insertion in the first drain hole140and a second plug154for insertion in the second drain hole142. The first and second plugs152,154are connected via a ring-shaped mount156and depend from first and second pull tabs158,160which project from the mount156. The pull tabs allow for ease of removal of the drain plugs from the drain holes. To secure the drain plug150to the base102, the mount156is fitted over or around the crotch support124. The bottom wall110of the base102includes a groove162surrounding the crotch support124and first and second recessed portions164,166extending from the groove162. The groove162is sized to receive the mount156and the first and second recessed portions164,166are sized to receive the first and second pull tabs158,160. When fitted into the groove162and the first and second recessed portions164,166, the drain plug150is substantially flush with an interior surface168of the bottom wall110(seeFIG.5).

With continued reference toFIGS.1-5, the basin wall106includes a first edge portion174secured to the base102and a second edge portion176secured to the rim104. The basin wall106further includes an inner surface180and an outer surface182. The outer surface182is formed with at least one circumferential crease186having a reduced thickness, thereby allowing the basin wall106to fold into itself at the at least one crease186when in the folded condition. In the depicted embodiment, the at least one crease186is a first circumferential crease and the outer surface182of the basin wall106is formed with a second circumferential crease188also having a reduced thickness. The first and second creases186,188extend approximately parallel to one another around the basin wall106and are spaced inwardly from the respective first and second edge portions174,176with the first crease186located closer to the base102than the second crease184in a height direction of the bath tub. As shown inFIGS.12and13, the basin wall106is foldable along the first and second creases186,188, and in the folded condition of the basin wall106the first crease186is located closer to the rim104than the second crease188in the height direction of the bath tub.

When in the extended condition and with reference toFIG.1, the basin wall106defines opposing lateral sides190,192, a first back rest194adjacent a first end196of the bath tub100along a length dimension of the bath tub100and a second back rest198adjacent a second end200of the bath tub100along the length dimension. In plan view (seeFIG.2), the opposing lateral sides190,192are oriented closer to parallel as compared to perpendicular to a length dimension of the of the bath tub100. Although the opposing lateral sides190,192are shown as linear and converging toward the length dimension from the first end196toward the second end200in plan view, the opposing lateral sides190,192can take other configurations, such as being more curved. The first back rest194and the second back rest198are disposed closer to perpendicular as compared to parallel to the length dimension of the of the bath tub100.

With reference toFIG.5, when the basin wall106is in the extended condition, the first back rest194extends at a first angle θ1relative to an associated subjacent surface supporting the bath tub100and the second back rest198extends at a second larger angle θ2relative to the associated subjacent surface when measured in cross-section taken along the length dimension of the bath tub100. This configuration allows an infant to be more reclined with respect to horizontal (when the associated subjacent surface is horizontal) when resting against the second back rest198, and a toddler to be more upright with respect to horizontal when resting against the first back rest194. With reference back toFIG.2, respective ends of the opposing sides190,192of the basin wall106nearest to the first end196of the bath tub100are offset a greater width distance W1in a direction perpendicular to the length dimension as compared to respective ends of the opposing sides190,192of the basin wall106nearest to the second end200, e.g. width distance W2inFIG.2. As such, as the child grows and is able to sit more upright in the bath tub100, the greater width distance W1is able to accommodate the child.

In the extended condition and at the first end196of the bath tub100the inner surface180of the basin wall106in a cross-section taken along the length dimension of the bath tub100extends continuously (and without interruption by the at least one crease) a first distance D1from the base102to the rim104. Further depicted, at a second end200of the bath tub100the inner surface180of the basin wall106in the cross-section extends continuously (and without interruption by the at least one crease) a second distance D2from the base102to the rim104. The bath tub100is configured such that the first distance D1differs from the second distance D2, i.e., D1<D2. As illustrated, in the extended condition and at the first end196of the bath tub100the inner surface180of the basin wall106in the cross-section can define a continuous, approximately straight first line (coincident with the first back rest194inFIG.5) extending from the base102to the rim104, and at the second end200of the bath tub100the inner surface180of the basin wall106in the cross-section can define a continuous, approximately straight second line (coincident with the second back rest198inFIG.5) extending from the base to the rim. The bath tub100is configured such that a length dimension of the first line differs from a length dimension of the second line.

Because of the differing dimensions/lengths and angles defined by the inner surface180of the basin wall106in the cross-section, in the extended condition a distance from the base102to at least one of the first crease186and the second crease188continuously increases from the first end196of the bath tub100to the second end202of the bath tub100. In the depicted embodiment, the bath tub100is configured such that a distance from the base102to each of the first crease186and the second crease188continuously increases from the first end of the bath tub to the second end of the bath tub. By having the first and second creases186,188angled on the basin wall106relative to the base102, in the folded condition of the basin wall106the bath tub100can have a substantially constant height dimension from the first end196to the second end202(seeFIG.12). This allows for ease of storage of the bath tub100.

The bath tub100further includes a first support210and a second support212each pivotally connected to the rim104for supporting the bath tub100on the associated subjacent surface. The first support210is located at the first end196of the bath tub100and the second support is located at the second end202of the bath tub. The first and second supports210,212may be identically constructed, but for their disposition on the opposite ends of the bath tub100. To simplify the explanation of the present disclosure, only the first support210will be discussed, but using the same reference numerals for the features of the first and second supports210,212. With particular reference toFIGS.7-11, the first support210comprises a leg member220, mounts222,224for attaching the leg member220to the rim104, backing member226,228secured to the respective mounts222,224, and engaging members230,232movably supported on the respective backing member226,228and configured to releasably engage the respective mount222,224. The leg member220has first and second uprights238,240and a transverse member242interconnecting the first and second uprights. Feet246, which can be made of a rubber material, are secured to lower end portions250,252of the first and second uprights. The upper end portions254,256of the first and second uprights238,240are pivotally connected to the respective mounts222,224.

Because the mounts222,224, backing member226,228, and engaging members230,232are provided on the opposite sides of the first support210in left-right symmetry, the following describe in detail only the left-side component members as shown inFIG.6, using the same reference numerals for the left and right component members. The mount222includes a base wall260and end walls262,264. A platform268is provided on the base wall260and merges into the end wall262. The platform268defines a cavity (not shown) which extends through the end wall262, the cavity sized to receive the upper end portion254of the first upright238. As shown, a first mounting boss274is provided on the base wall260and second and third mounting bosses276,278are provided on the platform268. The first mounting boss274is received in a corresponding first boss (not shown) on an underside of the rim104which properly positions the mount222. The second and third mounting bosses276,278receive and are fastened to corresponding second and third bosses (not shown) also on the underside of the rim104. The upper end portion254of the first upright238is pivotally connected to the mount222via a pivot pin290. The pivot pin290extends through openings in a sidewall292of the platform268(only opening294is visible) and through corresponding openings in the upper end portion254of the first upright238(only opening296is visible).

The backing member226is mounted in the upper end portion254of the first upright238. In the depicted aspect ofFIG.10, the backing member includes a first end portion300having a bore302for receiving the pivot pin290and a second end portion304having a mounting flange308for engaging an inner mounting flange (not shown) of the upper end portion254. A seat312and a post314extend from the backing member226. The seat312at least partially supports the engaging member230in the upper end portion254of the first upright238. A spring316is mounted on both the post314and a corresponding post (not shown) of the engaging member230. As best shown inFIG.11, the engaging member230includes a button part320which is movably received in a first opening322in the upper end portion254. A locking tab326located at an end portion of the engaging member230is movably received in a second opening328in the upper end portion254of the first upright238. The locking tab326is further selectively received in a slot330located in the sidewall292of the platform268. As depicted, the upper end portion256of the second upright240includes openings for the pivot pin290(only opening332is visible) and first and second openings334,336for the respective button part320and locking tab326of the engaging member232. In a locked state of the first support210the locking tab326projects through the slot330and engages the base wall260of the mount222. To unlock the first support210, the button part320is pressed which moves the locking tab326out of the slot330allowing the first support210to pivot to a folded state (FIG.13).

With reference again toFIGS.1-5, the bath tub100further includes a hook340connected to the rim104. According to the present embodiment, the hook340is movable about both a first axis and a second axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the first axis. More particularly, the hook340includes a mounting part342and a separate hook part344. A connection of the mounting part342to the rim104defines the first axis and a connection of the hook part344to the mounting part342defines the second axis. It should be appreciated that the mounting part342is movable about the first axis between an extended position where the hook part344projects outwardly from the rim104and a stowed position where the hook part344is covered by the rim. The hook part344is rotatable about the second axis relative to the mounting part342.

According to the present disclosure, an exemplary method of manufacturing a foldable bath tub100comprises forming both a base102and a rim104of the bath tub by a common one-shot injection molding process and connecting the base102to the rim104with a foldable basin wall106. The connecting step includes forming the basin wall106by a second one-shot injection molding process so that opposite edge portions174,176of basin wall106are overmolded onto the previously molded base102and rim104. The base and the rim are made of a first plastic material, and the basin wall is made of a second plastic material.

The method further includes forming the basin wall106with at least one circumferential crease having a reduced thickness allowing the basin wall to fold into itself at the at least one crease when in a folded condition. As indicated above, the at least one crease includes first and second circumferential creases186,188each having a reduced thickness. The method includes spacing the first and second creases186,188inwardly from the respective edge portions174,176of the basin wall106with the first crease186located closer to the base102than the second crease188in a height direction of the bath tub allowing the first crease186to be located closer to the rim104than the second crease188in the folded condition of the basin wall106.

Further, in the extended condition of the basin wall106and at the first end196of the bath tub the inner surface180of the basin wall in cross-section taken along a length dimension of the bath tub extends a first distance from the base102to the rim104, and at the second end200of the bath tub the inner surface180of the basin wall in the cross-section of the bath tub extends a second distance from the base to the rim. The exemplary method includes forming the basin wall such that the first distance differs from the second distance and the at least one crease is canted relative to the base102. This allows the bath tub100to have different seating surfaces at the first and second ends196,200and to have a substantially constant height dimension from the first end196to the second end200in the folded condition of the basin wall.

It will be appreciated that the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.