US20080155743A1

US20080155743A1 - Shower apparatus for securing infant and toddler

Info

Publication number: US20080155743A1
Application number: US12/005,826
Authority: US
Inventors: Gisele Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-28
Filing date: 2007-12-28
Publication date: 2008-07-03

Abstract

An apparatus for securing at least one of an infant and toddler within at least one of a bathtub and a shower. Such apparatus includes a waterproof base member. A securing means is operably connected to a first predetermined location on such base member for securing such base member to at least one of such bathtub and a shower. A seat is coupled to such base member at a second predetermined location thereon. An adjustment mechanism is operably connected to such base member at a third predetermined location thereon for securing such infant within the apparatus.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/882,333 filed Dec. 28, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to infant and child care and, more particularly, this invention relates to seating devices for infants and children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, infant and toddler chairs, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used in variety of styles to care for infants and small children.
Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Bulger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,033, discloses a child's food serving try such as those used on high chairs.
Wolf, et al, Publication No. 4,640,033, discloses a compact folding high chair.
Tribecca manufactures the Majestic Discovery high chair which has a tray including electronic activities.
Kolcraft produces Baby Sit & Step 2-In-1 Activity Center; a one-piece apparatus that acts as an activity center for babies who can hold their heads up and then converts to a walker for those babies ready to take their first steps.
None of these references, however, is suitable for placement in a shower for securing an infant or toddler while a caregiver takes a shower.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for securing at least one of an infant and toddler within at least one of a bathtub and a shower. The apparatus includes a base member manufactured from a first waterproof predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A securing means is operably connected to a first predetermined portion of such base member for securing such base member to at least one of such bathtub and such shower. A seat is coupled to such base member at a second predetermined portion thereon, the seat being manufactured from a second waterproof predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. An adjustment means is operably connected to such base member at a third predetermined location thereon for securing at least one of such infant and such toddler within the apparatus.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a waterproof device which will keep a child safe and occupied while a caregiver of the child showers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive device securable to a bathtub or shower floor in which an infant or toddler may sit while a caregiver takes a shower.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device securable to a bathtub or shower floor and which provides various waterproof toys with which to amuse an infant or toddler secured within the device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device securable to a bathtub or shower floor in which an infant or toddler may sit while a caregiver takes a shower and which includes a detachable mobile for amusing such infant or toddler.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device to keep infants and toddlers safe while their caregivers are taking showers.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3.
An apparatus, generally designated 10, for securing at least one of an infant (not shown) and a toddler (not shown) within at least one of a bathtub (not shown) and a shower (not shown) is provided.
Such apparatus 10 includes a base member 12 manufactured from a first waterproof predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such base member 12 is between about 11½ and 12½ inches wide. It is presently most preferred that such base member 12 is about 12 inches wide.
A securing means 14 is operably connected to a first predetermined location 16 on such base member 12 for securing such base member 12 to at least one of such bathtub and such shower. It is presently preferred that such securing means 14 is at least one suction cup 22 attached at a predetermined location to such base member 12.
A seat 24 is coupled to such base member 12 at a second predetermined location thereon, such seat 24 being manufactured from a second waterproof predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.
An adjustment means 26 is operably connected to such base member at a third predetermined location thereon for securing at least one of such infant (not shown) and such toddler (not shown) within the apparatus 10.
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such base member 12 further includes a waterproof tray 28 coupled to such base member 12 at a predetermined location thereon. It is further presently preferred that such waterproof tray 28 includes at least one waterproof toy 30 releasably connected to the waterproof tray 30 at a predetermined location thereon.
It is presently preferred that such waterproof tray 30 includes at least one cavity 32 at a predetermined location thereon for storing toys.
It is presently preferred that such base member 12 includes a means 34 for draining water collected within such base member 12 at predetermined location thereon.
It is further presently preferred that such base member 12 includes a waterproof mobile 36 releasably engageable to such base member 12 at a predetermined location thereon.
It presently preferred that a water proof pillow 38 is releasably connected to such base member 12 at a predetermined location thereon.
In the presently preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 is produced in a variety of colors.
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such base member 12 and such seat 24 are manufactured from substantially identical materials.
In another embodiment, such waterproof tray 30 includes at least one waterproof toy 39 securably connected to the tray 30 at a predetermined location thereon.
In yet another embodiment, such waterproof tray 30 includes a plurality of apertures 40 at predetermined locations thereon for draining water from such waterproof tray 30.
While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing at least one of an infant and a toddler within at least one of a bathtub and a shower comprising:

a. a base member manufactured from a first waterproof predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape;

b. a securing means operably connected to a first predetermined location on said base member for securing said base member to at least one of such bathtub and such shower;

c. a seat coupled to said base member at a second predetermined location thereon, said seat being manufactured from a second waterproof predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape; and

d. an adjustment means operably connected to said base member at a third predetermined location thereon for securing at least one of such infant and such toddler within said apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member further includes a waterproof tray coupled to said base member at a predetermined location thereon.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said waterproof tray includes at least one waterproof toy releasably connected to said waterproof tray at a predetermined location thereon.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member includes a waterproof mobile releasably engageable to said base member at a predetermined location thereon.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said waterproof tray includes a plurality of apertures at predetermined locations thereon for draining water from said waterproof tray.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus is produced in a variety of colors.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member includes a means for draining water collected within said base at a predetermined location thereon.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member includes a water proof pillow releasably connected at a predetermined location thereon.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member is between about 11½ and 12½ inches wide.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member is about 12 inches wide.

11. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said waterproof tray includes at least one cavity at a predetermined location thereon for storing toys.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is at least one suction cup attached at a predetermined location to said base member.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base member and said seat are manufactured from substantially identical materials.