HIGH-PERFORMANCE BATHING ASSISTANCE DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE

Abstract

Provided is a bathing assistance device for an infant, wherein the infant's resistance due to the strong impact noise generated when using a conventional bathing aid can be eliminated, armrests can operate smoothly, the skin of the infant can be prevented from being caught or compressed in a gap between the upper body and the armrests, by making a play means removable, the infant can replace the play means with his/her preferred safe play means or purchase only the bathing assistance device separately, foreign substances such as washing water and feces which flow into the inside of a tread can be quickly discharged, the bathing assistance device can be easily stored and dried in a bathroom, a falling accident in which the infant slips and falls on an upper portion of a lower body part can be prevented.

Claims

1. An infant bathing assistance device configured to enable an infant to stay upright without falling when a guardian bathes the infant, the infant bathing assistance device comprising: an upper body part configured to support an upper body of the infant; armrests each configured to support an arm portion or an armpit portion of the infant so as to enable the infant to stay upright; and a lower body part formed on a lower side of the upper body part, the lower body part being configured to support a lower body of the infant, wherein the armrests rotatably formed on the upper body part are rotated in an inward direction to reduce a space between the armrests or are rotated in an outward direction to increase the space therebetween, the infant bathing assistance device comprising a rotation control means configured to restrict rotation of the armrests in one of the inward and outward directions, wherein the rotation control means comprises a fixed wheel, a rotating wheel, and a stopper interposed between the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel to perform a constricting action.

2. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the constricting action is performed through a process of reducing a gap between pressing areas of the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel, a process of increasing a gap between two pressing areas of the stopper, or a process of simultaneously performing the two processes.

3. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is in point contact, line contact, or surface contact with the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel.

4. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is formed as a single body or is formed of a plurality of components combined with each other.

5. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pressing areas of the fixed wheel, the rotating wheel, and the stopper has an uneven portion formed thereon.

6. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a contact-maintaining means configured to enable the stopper to maintain contact with the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel.

7. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 6, wherein the contact-maintaining means is an elastic body or a magnetic body.

8. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation control means comprises a positioning means configured to set an operating range of the stopper such that the stopper is moved within a predetermined range.

9. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 8, wherein the positioning means is a side wall of a concave groove formed in the fixed wheel or the rotating wheel or a guide ring formed between the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel.

10. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 1, wherein each of the armrests has a rotation shaft provided therein, and each of the armrests and the rotation control means are selectively operated in conjunction with each other depending on an axial position of the rotation shaft.

11. The infant bathing assistance device according to claim 10, wherein a locking groove 525 is formed in a central portion of rotation of the rotating wheel, a locking protrusion 630 is partially formed on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft, and the locking groove and the locking protrusion are selectively coupled to each other depending on the axial position of the rotation shaft.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant bathing assistance device of the related art;

[0035] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of main parts of the infant bathing assistance device of the related art;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an infant bathing assistance device according to the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an armrest rotation part of the infant bathing assistance device according to the present invention;

[0038] FIGS. 5 and 8 are views each showing a configuration of a rotation control means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views each showing a configuration of a rotation control means according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 11 is a view showing a configuration of a rotation control means according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling relationship between a rotation shaft and an armrest of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 13 is a view showing an operating state of the rotation shaft and a rotating wheel of the present invention;

[0043] FIGS. 14 to 17 are views each showing a skin protection means according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the infant bathing assistance device according to the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 19 is a usage state view showing a configuration of an anti-slip pad of the present invention; and

[0046] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a play means of the present invention.

BEST MODE

[0047] In an infant bathing assistance device according to the present invention, a pair of armrests 200 is formed on both sides of an upper body part 100, and a lower body part 300 and a height adjustment part 400 are formed on the lower side of the upper body part 100. Hereinafter, each configuration of the bathing assistance device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 20.

[0048] The upper body part 100 of the bathing assistance device according to the present invention supports the upper body of an infant so as to enable the infant to stay upright, and a pair of armrests 200 rotatably hinged to both sides of the upper body part 100 supports both arms or armpits of the infant and prevents the infant from falling off the upper body part 100. In this case, the upper body part 100 and the armrests 200 are preferably formed to have a soft curved shape because the same come into contact with the infant's body, and a material of the surface of the upper body part and the armrests may be selected from hard or soft materials. Further, the armrests 200 may be rotatably moved inwards to reduce a space between the armrests and may be rotatably moved outwards to increase the space therebetween. Further, the bathing assistance device includes a rotation control means 500 configured to selectively rotate the armrests in at least one of the inward and outward directions of the armrests, and the rotation control means is formed to be operated in conjunction with the armrests 200 so as to restrict the operation of the armrests. Preferably, since the rotation control means 500 restricts outward rotation of the armrests 200, the armrests 200 disposed on both sides of the upper body part are not rotatably moved outwards when there is no user operation, and thus the infant may stably rely on the armrests 200. Further, the armrests 200 are rotatably moved inwards to adjust a widthwise gap between the armrests 200 disposed on both sides of the upper body part. In this manner, the armrests may fit the infant's physique. Meanwhile, it is also possible to control outward rotation and inward rotation of the armrests 200 depending on the user's preference or the like.

[0049] The configuration of the rotation control means 500 will be described in more detail below. The rotation control means 500 operated in conjunction with the armrest 200 includes a fixed wheel 510 formed on each of both sides of the upper body part 100, a rotating wheel 520 located on the same plane with respect to the fixed wheel 510 and operated in conjunction with the armrest 200, stoppers 550, 560, and 570 each interposed between the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 and configured to restrict and release relative rotation between the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520, and a positioning means configured to adjust a predetermined operating range of each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570, thereby enabling each of the stopper 550, 560, and 570 to be moved within the predetermined operating range. The rotation control means may further include a contact-maintaining means configured for each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 to maintain contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 in a direction in which the relative rotation is restricted.

[0050] The restriction of relative rotation is achieved through constricting action between the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 interposed therebetween. More specifically, when the rotating wheel 520 is rotated in a direction in which rotation of the rotating wheel 520 relative to the fixed wheel 510 is restricted, a gap between pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 and pressing areas of each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 is reduced. That is, through a process of reducing a gap between the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520, a process of increasing a gap between two pressing areas of the stopper, or a process in which the above-mentioned two gap changes simultaneously occur, rotation of the rotating wheel 520 relative to the fixed wheel 510 may be restricted by the constricting action through which the two pressing areas of each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 interposed between the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 press and contact the respective pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520.

[0051] Meanwhile, during the above-mentioned rotation restriction operation, when each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 is spaced apart from the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 without contacting the same in a direction in which the restriction is performed, the constricting action is not immediately performed. Accordingly, the rotating wheel 520 may be partially rotated before the constricting action occurs, or in some cases, the constricting action may not be performed effectively. As a means for minimizing the above-described problem, it is desirable to provide a contact-maintaining means configured to enable each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 to be in contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 in the direction in which the restriction is performed.

[0052] In addition, an uneven portion may be formed on at least one of the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570, thereby preventing, when the rotation restriction operation is performed, slippage of each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 and stably performing the constricting action. The uneven portion may be a protrusion formed on one side of the pressing area or a combination of a protrusion and a groove respectively formed on and in both sides of the contact surface, and the shape thereof is not limited to a sawtooth shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, a diagonal shape, a dot shape, and the like.

[0053] The rotation restriction operation may be released when the operating state is changed from the state in which the constricting action is performed. In detail, when the rotating wheel 520 is rotated in a direction in which restriction of rotation of the rotating wheel 520 relative to the fixed wheel 510 is released, a gap between the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 and the pressing areas of the stopper is increased. That is, through a process of increasing a gap between the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520, a process of reducing a gap between two pressing areas of the stopper, or a process in which the above-mentioned two gap changes simultaneously occur, two pressing areas of the stopper interposed between the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 are released from a state in which the two pressing areas are in pressure contact with the respective pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520. In this manner, restriction of rotation of the rotating wheel 520 relative to the fixed wheel 510 is released.

[0054] Meanwhile, in order to enable each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 to stably restrict rotation of the rotating wheel 520 relative to the fixed wheel 510 or release the rotation restriction, an operating range of the stopper needs to be limited. In this case, the operating range of the stopper is limited to a certain range by a combination of the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 and the positioning means.

[0055] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the rotation control means 500 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. The fixed wheels 510 of the rotation control means 500 are respectively formed on both sides of the upper body part 100. Here, the rotating wheel 520 operated in conjunction with the armrest 200 is inserted into a central portion of the fixed wheel 510, at least one stopper 550 is interposed between the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520, and at least one recessed groove 530 in which the stopper 550 is positioned is formed. The recessed groove 530 may be formed in the rotating wheel 520 or may be formed in the fixed wheel 510, as shown in FIG. 6. Here, the recessed groove 530 according to the embodiment has an inclined surface 531 in which an inclined pressing area is located such that, depending on the rotational direction of relative rotation between the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520, a gap between the pressing areas respectively formed on the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 is reduced to perform the constricting action or is increased to be released from a state in which the constricting action is performed. Meanwhile, in addition to the inclined surface 531, the recessed groove 530 has a side wall 532 formed as a positioning means to limit the operating range of the stopper 550 to a predetermined range, and the operating range of the stopper 550 is limited to a predetermined range by a combination of the side wall and the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520.

[0056] Therefore, according to the embodiment, when the armrest 200 is rotated in the direction in which rotation of the armrest is restricted, the rotating wheel 520 is restricted by the fixed wheel 510 by the constricting action of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and the stopper 550, thereby restricting rotation of the rotating wheel relative to the fixed wheel. Here, as external force that rotates the armrest 200 is increased, force restricting the armrest 200 is also increased. Accordingly, rotation of the armrest 200 may be effectively controlled only using external force acting on the armrest 200 without using a strong compression spring.

[0057] Meanwhile, the stopper 550 of the rotation control means 500 according to the embodiment is not limited to the above-described shape. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the stopper may be formed as a ball that makes a point contact with another portion or may be formed as a cylindrical shape (not shown) that makes line contact with another portion. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the stopper may be formed as a polyhedron that makes surface contact with another portion.

[0058] In addition, preferably, the rotation control means 500 further forms an elastic body 580 or a magnetic body 585 serving as a contact-maintaining means configured to allow the stopper 550 to maintain contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 in the direction in which the rotation restriction is performed. Specifically, during the rotation restriction operation performed by the rotation control means 500, when the stopper 550 is spaced apart from the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 without contacting the fixed wheel and the rotating wheel in the direction in which the rotation restriction is performed, the constricting action is not immediately performed. Accordingly, the rotating wheel 520 may be partially rotated before the constricting action occurs, or in some cases, the constricting action may not be performed effectively. In this case, as a contact-maintaining means to maximally reduce occurrence of the above-described problem, the elastic body 580 may be formed to enable the stopper 550 to maintain contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520. Here, the elastic body 580 may be formed to have a coil shape, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, or may be formed to have a plate shape, as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, the elastic body 580 may be formed on the fixed wheel 510 or the rotating wheel 520 in consideration of the position at which the recessed groove 530 is formed and may also be formed on the stopper 550. If necessary, the elastic body may also be formed to be integrated with the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, or the stopper 550.

[0059] A description will be given as to an example of using the magnetic body 585 serving as the contact-maintaining means with reference to FIG. 8. One of the pair of magnetic bodies 585 constituting the contact-maintaining means is formed on the rotating wheel 520 or the fixed wheel 510, and the other is formed on the stopper 550. In this manner, the stopper 550 may maintain contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 by using attractive or repulsive force generated between the magnetic bodies 585 on both sides.

[0060] Meanwhile, rotation of the armrest 200 is not restricted by operation of the elastic body 580 or the magnetic body 585. As described above, rotation of the armrests 200 is restricted by the constricting action using external force to rotate the armrests 200. Accordingly, elastic force of the elastic body 580 and magnetic force of the magnetic body 585 may be provided to such an extent that the stopper 550 constantly contacts the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520.

[0061] Additionally, in order to prevent slippage of the stopper 550 and to perform more reliable constricting action, as shown in FIG. 7, an uneven portion 555 may be formed on at least one of the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and the stopper 550. In this case, the uneven portion 555 may be a protrusion formed on one side of the pressing area or a combination of a protrusion and a groove formed on and in both sides of the contact surface. The shape of the uneven portion is not limited to a sawtooth shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, a diagonal shape, a dot shape, and the like.

[0062] Another embodiment of the rotation control means will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The stopper 560 provided in the rotation control means 500 is an irregular roller that makes line contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520a. In this case, an inclined surface 565 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of one or both sides of the stopper 560 such that a gap between pressing areas corresponding to both side surfaces of the stopper gradually changes. Here, when the armrests 200 are rotated in a direction in which rotation of the armrests is restricted, the stopper 560 is rotated in a direction in which the gap between the pressing areas on both side surfaces is increased, and rotation of the armrests 200 is restricted by constricting action allowing both pressing regions of the stopper 560 to be in pressure contact with the respective pressing regions of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520. Conversely, when the armrests 200 are rotated in a direction in which rotation restriction of the armrests is released, the stopper 560 is rotated in a direction in which the gap between the pressing areas on both side surfaces is reduced, and the armrests 200 are freely rotatable by escaping from the state in which the constricting action is performed.

[0063] Meanwhile, a positioning means needs to be formed to operate the stopper 560 within a predetermined range. As shown in FIG. 9, a separate guide ring 590 into which at least one stopper 560 is inserted is used, or as shown in FIG. 10, a recessed groove 530 is formed in the fixed wheel 510 or the rotating wheel 520 such that a side wall 532 is used. In this manner, an operating range of the stopper 560 is limited to a predetermined range by a combination of the positioning means and the respective pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520.

[0064] In addition, it is desirable to form the elastic body 580 as a contact-maintaining means configured to enable the stopper 560 to maintain contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic body may be installed on the stopper 560 and may be selectively formed on any one of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and the guide ring 590.

[0065] Meanwhile, when an uneven portion is formed on at least one of the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and the stopper 560, slippage of the stopper 560 may be prevented, and constricting action may be more reliably performed.

[0066] Another embodiment of the rotation control means will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The stopper 570 provided in the rotation control means 500 is formed by a combination of a first member 571 in contact with the surface of the fixed wheel 510 or the rotating wheel 520 and a second member 572 configured to induce constriction of the first member 571 in the rotation direction of the rotating wheel 520. In this case, since a positioning means needs to be formed to operate the stopper 570 within a predetermined range, the recessed groove 530 may be formed, and the side wall 532 of the recessed groove may be used.

[0067] Preferably, the first member 571 of the stopper 570 is formed as a polyhedron that makes surface contact with the inner surface of the fixed wheel 510, and the second member 572 is formed as a link member connecting the rotating wheel 520 to the first member 571. In this case, when the armrests 200 are rotated in the direction in which rotation of the armrests is restricted, the second member 572 of the stopper 570 is rotated in a direction in which the first member 571 is pushed toward the fixed wheel 510, and rotation of the armrests 200 is restricted by constricting action allowing pressing areas on both side surfaces of the first member 571 and the second member 572 to press and contact the respective pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520. Conversely, when the armrests 200 are rotated in a direction in which the rotation restriction of the armrests is released, the second member 572 of the stopper 570 is rotated in an opposite direction to the above-mentioned direction, thereby escaping from the state in which the constricting action is performed. Accordingly, the armrests 200 become freely rotatable. In addition, the elastic body 580 may be provided as a contact-maintaining means configured to allow the stopper 570 to maintain contact with the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 in the direction in which the above-mentioned rotation restriction is performed. Additionally, an uneven portion is formed in at least one of the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and the stopper 570, thereby preventing slippage of the stopper 570 and stably maintaining the constricting action.

[0068] Meanwhile, in each embodiment of the rotation control means 500 according to the present invention, preferably, a cover 540 is provided to prevent the rotating wheel 520 and each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 from being separated from the fixed wheel 510.

[0069] As described above, the rotation control means 500 may be implemented in various embodiments depending on a constricting method. In each embodiment, the shapes of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 may also be formed in various manners. The fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 may be formed to have any shape as long as a gap formed between the pressing areas of the fixed wheel 510 and the rotating wheel 520 and the pressing areas of each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570 is changed by the constricting action during rotation of the rotating wheel 520 relative to the fixed wheel 510 or a current operating state is changed from a state in which the constricting action is performed. Further, a contact method between each of the stoppers 550, 560, and 570, the fixed wheel 510, and the rotating wheel 520 may use a point contact method, a line contact method, a surface contact method, or a combination of the above-mentioned contact methods. The present invention is not limited to the shapes of the fixed wheel 510, the rotating wheel 520, and the stoppers 550, 560, and 570.

[0070] In each embodiment of the present invention, since the rotation control means 500 is selectively operated in conjunction with each of the armrests 200, each of the armrests 200 may be idly rotated without being operated in conjunction with the rotation control means 500, thereby enabling the armrests 200 respectively disposed on both sides of the upper body part to be freely rotated outwards after bathing the infant.

[0071] Specifically, a pair of armrests 200 hinged to the upper body part 100 have a rotation shaft 600 therein, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. A plurality of locking protrusions 630 is partially formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft 600, and locking grooves 525 to which the respective locking protrusions 630 are coupled are formed in central portions of the rotating wheel 520 of the rotation control means 500. Accordingly, when the locking protrusions 630 and the locking grooves 525 are coupled to each other, the armrests 200 are operated in conjunction with the rotation control means 500. Conversely, when the locking protrusions 630 are separated from the respective locking grooves 525, the armrests 200 are not operated in conjunction with the rotation control means 500 and are idly rotated. As a result, rotation restriction on the armrests 200 is released, and thus the armrests 200 can be freely rotated outwards.

[0072] In order to selectively couple the locking protrusions 630 to the respective locking groove 525, the rotation shaft 600 needs to be movable upwards and downwards in the axial direction in a state of maintaining a coupled state with respect to the armrest 200, so at least one sliding portion formed as a combination of a protrusion and a groove is provided. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 12, an upper groove 610 is formed in the upper side of the rotation shaft 600 and is slidably coupled to an upper protrusion 210 formed on the inner upper side of the armrest 200, and a lower protrusion 620 is formed on the lower side of the rotation shaft 600 and is slidably coupled to a lower groove 220 formed in the inner lower side of the armrest 200. Meanwhile, in the above-described sliding portion formed as the combination of the protrusion and the groove, the position of the protrusion formed on the rotation shaft 600 and the position of the groove formed in the armrest 200 may be appropriately changed.

[0073] Further, a spring 650 is preferably provided between the armrest 200 and the upper side of the rotation shaft 600 such that, in the normal state of the rotation shaft 600, the locking protrusion 630 maintains a coupled state to the locking groove 525 in the rotation wheel 520, and when the rotation shaft 600 is pushed upwards, the locking protrusion 630 is separated from the locking groove 525 in the rotation wheel 520. In this case, the upper end of the spring 650 is supported by the inner upper side of the armrest 200, and the lower end of the spring 650 is supported by a support protrusion 640 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft 600. At this time, elastic force of the spring 650 does not affect the rotation restriction operation of the rotation control means 500, and only acts when the rotation shaft 600 is pushed upwards to release rotation restriction with respect to the armrest 200. As a result, the strength of the spring 650 may be optimally adjusted depending on user preference. Meanwhile, the lower end of the rotation shaft 600, provided inside the armrest 200, serves as a button formed to penetrate the bottom surface of the armrest 200 and configured to push up the rotation shaft 600.

[0074] In the infant bathing assistance device according to the present invention, as a skin protection means configured to prevent the skin of the infant from being caught in a gap between the upper body part 100 and the armrest 200 or to prevent the skin of the infant from being compressed even if the skin is located in the gap, a skin-catching prevention space part 230 located in the gap or a blocking member 240 configured to block a part or all of the gap. The skin protection means will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17.

[0075] Specifically, when the armrests of the bathing assistance device are rotated inwards, a contact portion of the upper body part and a contact portion of each of the armrest parts interact with each other in the same manner as a compression roller configured to suction, by frictional force, an object contacting the respective contact portions into a gap between the contact portions and to squeeze the object between the gap. In this case, when the armrests are rotated inwards in a state in which the skin of the infant is in close contact with the respective contact portions, the skin of the infant is suctioned into the gap or is squeezed by movement of the contact portions, causing injury to the skin of the infant. Here, in the skin-catching prevention space part 230 of the skin protection means, the contact portion of the upper body part 100 and the contact portion of each of the armrests 200 may be formed to have a different structure from the above-described structure in which the contact portions interact with each other in the same manner as a compression roller. The skin-catching prevention space part may be formed on either or both of the contact portions of the upper body part 100 and each of the armrests 200. The skin-catching prevention space part 230 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed in the contact portion of each of the armrests 200, that is, at least a partial portion of each of the armrests 200, which suctions or absorbs the skin by frictional force while the armrest 200 is rotated inwards. Specifically, the skin-catching prevention space part has a predetermined space portion formed from the outer side of the at least a partial portion of each of the armrests toward the inner side thereof. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 14, the skin-catching prevention space part 230 is formed to have a vertically concave shape in the contact portion of each of the armrests 200, thereby forming a shape to prevent the contact portions from interacting with each other in the same manner as a compression roller. Accordingly, when the armrests 200 are rotated inwards to reduce a space therebetween, it is possible to prevent the skin in close contact with the contact portions of the upper body part 100 and each of the armrest 200 from being suctioned into the gap formed between the contact portions. Additionally, even if a part of the skin is suctioned thereinto, the gap is widened, so unlike a conventional case in which the skin is compressed by the contact portions by being squeezed in a narrow gap, the present invention does not compress the skin and prevents injury to the infant.

[0076] The skin-catching prevention space part 230 may be formed to have any shape as long as the shape is different from a shape of a structure in which the contact portions of the upper body part 100 and each of the armrests 200 interact with each other in the same manner as a compression roller. The skin-catching prevention space part 230 may be formed in various shapes such as a concave shape and a flat shape, and the present invention is not limited to the shape of the skin-catching prevention space part 2.

[0077] The configuration of the blocking member 240 serving as the skin protection means will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. The blocking member 240 blocks a part or all of a gap formed between the upper body part 100 and each of the armrests 200 to prevent the skin of the infant from entering the gap. A soft material such as silicone may be used for the blocking member to prevent the infant from feeling discomfort when the skin of the infant contacts the blocking member. Further, in this manner, a part or all of the gap may be blocked. Specifically, the blocking member 240 may be formed to have various shapes such as a pad type, a protrusion type, and a cover type. Further, the blocking member 240 may be formed on either the upper body part 100 or each of the armrests 200 and may also be formed in parallel with the skin-catching prevention space part 230.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 15, the pad-type blocking member 240 is formed to have a flat surface and is formed to block a part or all of a gap entrance formed between the upper body part 100 and each of the armrests 200. For example, coupling holes 120 are respectively formed in both sides of the upper body part 100. The blocking members 240 are detachably coupled to the respective coupling holes 120 using locking portions 245 inserted into the respective coupling holes 120, thereby enabling the blocking members 240 to be easily detached from the respective coupling holes for cleaning or replacement of the blocking members 240. Meanwhile, the locking portion 245 is formed to have a bent shape toward the coupling hole 120 in the upper body part 100. The locking portion 245 of the blocking member 240 may be designed in various shapes and using various methods.

[0079] The protruding-type blocking member 240 is formed to significantly protrude from a gap between the contact portions of the upper body part 100 and each of the armrests 200, as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, when the armrests 200 are rotated inwards to reduce a space therebetween, the skin of the infant is prevented from approaching the gap, thereby blocking the skin from entering the gap.

[0080] In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the cover-type blocking member 240 completely covers a gap entrance, thereby blocking the skin of the infant from being suctioned into the gap. The cover-type blocking member may be formed to extend to the upper end of the upper body part 100 or the upper end of each of the armrests 200.

[0081] Meanwhile, the blocking member may be formed to have various shapes to block a part or all of the gap, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described shapes of the blocking member.

[0082] Additionally, a separation prevention part 250 is formed at the end of each of the armrests 200 as another safety means. Specifically, even if outward rotation of the armrests 200 disposed on both sides of the upper body part is restricted, when the weight of the infant is excessively concentrated on the respective ends of the armrests 200, the flexible upper body of the infant may fall into a space between the respective ends of the armrests 200 disposed on both sides of the upper body part, or when an infant who has not developed lower body muscles falls down, the infant's neck may fall into the space between the respective ends of the armrests 200, causing a slip and fall accident. Here, the present invention has the separation prevention parts 250 each gently bent upwards and formed to extend while facing each other on the same line such that the respective ends of the armrests 200 disposed on both sides of the upper body part stably support the back or chest of the infant, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14. In this manner, the infant is prevented from falling into the space between the armrests 200. Further, a gap L between the separation prevention parts 250 is configured to be 3 cm or less when the armrests 200 disposed on both sides of the upper body part are fully rotated inwards to reduce the space therebetween. Accordingly, even if the infant falls down, the neck of the infant is supported to prevent a slip and fall accident.

[0083] The recommended age for use of the infant bathing assistance device of the present invention is 5 to 24 months. Among infants aged 5 to 24 months, 20 infants aged 5 to 6 months who have thin necks and are at high risk of a slip and fall accident were investigated to check whether the necks of the infants pass through the gap formed between the separation prevention parts 250. As shown in Table 1, all infants passed through the gap of 7 cm, some infants did not pass through the gap when the gap was adjusted to 6 cm, most of the infants did not pass through the gap when the gap was adjusted to 4 cm, and none of the infants passed through the gap when the gap was adjusted to 3 cm. Therefore, a significant qualitative effect may be achieved when the gap L between the separation prevention parts 250 respectively disposed on both sides of the armrests is 3 cm or less.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Gap between separation 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 prevention parts (cm) Infants whose necks didn't 0 0 0 2 7 18 20 20 20 pass through gap (number of infants)

[0084] The infant bathing assistance device according to the present invention forms a number of drainage holes 270 and partition walls 281 and 282 in the armrest 200 as a means to prevent hygiene problems such as mold growth due to water flowing into the armrests 200. Specifically, each of the armrests 200 is hinged to the upper body part 100, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12, and an operating hole H needs to be formed to allow a housing 150 of the upper body part 100 to be inserted thereinto for rotation of each of the armrests 200. Here, water flowing into each of the armrests 200 through the operating hole H is not naturally discharged to the outside, and the bathing assistance device needs to be tilted to drain the water, causing user inconvenience. In this case, the water may be moved deeper inside the armrests. Furthermore, water remaining inside the armrests 200 causes not only unpleasant sounds inside the bathing assistance device but also a hygiene problem such as mold growth inside the armrest 200. Therefore, the present invention forms a number of drainage holes 270 in the bottom surface of each of the armrests 200 to prevent water from remaining inside the armrests. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the inside of each of the armrest 200 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by reinforcing ribs, and the drainage holes 270 are formed in the lowest bottom surface of each of the divided spaces such that water introduced into the armrest 200 is naturally discharged to the outside. Additional, according to the present invention, in order to maximally reduce a section through which water flows into the armrests 200, as shown in FIG. 12, the partition walls 281 and 282 each also serving as a reinforcing rib are respectively formed on the upper and lower sides of the inside of each of the armrests 200, and the respective ends of the partition walls 281 and 282 are formed to contact and overlap each other. In this manner, it is possible to maximally reduce a water inflow section by fundamentally blocking water introduced into the operation hole H in each of the armrests 200 from flowing into another partitioned space.

[0085] In addition, during assembly of the armrests 200, joint portions of the armrests 200 may be joined using an ultrasonic wave or thermal fusion, an adhesive, a resin, a waterproofing agent, and the like to fundamentally block water from flowing into the armrests 200.

[0086] Hereinafter, the configuration of the lower body part 300 in the bathing assistance device according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower body part 300 is formed on the lower side of the upper body part 100 and is formed of a stepping plate 310 serving as a space for an infant to stand on his or her own feet and a boundary part 320 formed to protrude upwards from the edge of the stepping plate 310. In this case, even if the bathing assistance device is tilted, the stepping plate 310 maintains the center of gravity thereof by the weight of the infant acting as a load such that the stepping plate 310 is restored to an upright state without falling. The boundary part 320 prevents the infant from deviating from the stepping plate 310 and restricts the position of the infant so as to continuously maintain the center of gravity of the lower body part 300 using the weight of the infant.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 18, the lower body part 300 forms a discharge hole 330 in the front side of the stepping plate 310, which is in contact with the boundary part 320, and a discharge passage 340 connected to the discharge hole 330 is formed in the front side of the bottom surface of the lower body part 300. In this manner, foreign substances such as washing water and feces are not collected in the stepping plate 310 and are immediately discharged. Specifically, since the boundary part 320 formed on the lower body part 300 is open to the rear side of the bathing assistance device, the washing water is easily discharged to the rear side of the stepping plate 310. However, since the floor of the bathroom or bathtub is generally formed to be inclined, washing water and the like may accumulate on the front side of the stepping plate 310 depending on a direction in which the bathing assistance device is located on the floor. Particularly, in a case where feces are washed away with water after defecation, when the feces are accumulated on the front side of the stepping plate 310 where the infant steps, the feces may come into contact with the infant's feet again, causing a hygiene problem. To solve this problem, the present invention quickly discharges washing water and the like through the discharge hole 330 and the discharge passage 340.

[0088] Here, the discharge hole 330 is preferably formed to have a tunnel shape in the boundary part 320 and is preferably formed to have a wide width toward both sides of the lower body part so as to rapidly discharge washing water and the like. Further, the discharge passage 340 formed in the bottom surface of the lower body part 300 is formed to secure a sufficient space such that foreign substances such as feces discharged through the discharge hole 330 are smoothly discharged and do not remain on the floor of the bathroom or the bathtub or the floor of the lower body part 300. The discharge passage also serves to guide the flow of washing water to one side of the lower body part.

[0089] Meanwhile, the discharge hole 330 and the discharge passage 340 may be formed to have any shape as long as the same are formed on the side surface of the stepping plate 310 and are formed at the boundary part 320, and may be formed to have various shapes such as a plurality of narrow tunnels. The present invention is not limited to the shapes of the discharge hole 330 and the discharge passage 340.

[0090] In addition, the bottom surface of the lower body part 300 is designed to have a plurality of attachment points to be placed on the bottom surface of a bathroom or a bathtub such that falling or slipping of the bathing assistance device does is prevented. Additionally, a friction member 370 formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction is attached to each of the attachment points to increase frictional force, thereby having an effect of preventing slippage of the bathing assistance device.

[0091] Additionally, an anti-slip pad 350 may be detachably formed on the upper portion of the stepping plate 310 of the lower body part 300 so as to prevent a slip and fall accident of an infant. In this case, the anti-slip pad 350 is preferably formed of a flexible resin that is soft and has excellent anti-slip properties, such as silicone, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and is preferably formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the stepping plate 310. In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, the anti-slip pad 350 may have a protrusion 351 formed on the upper surface thereof and configured to prevent slippage of the infant's feet and may have a concave groove 352 formed in the bottom surface thereof and configured to improve grip force between the stepping plate 310 and the anti-slip pad 350. Further, when the infant steps on the anti-slip pad 350, a cushioning feeling is created by the concave groove 352. Additionally, a number of through-holes 353 is formed in the anti-slip pad 350 to allow water to be quickly discharged without remaining on the anti-slip pad 350.

[0092] Meanwhile, the attachable/detachable means is formed of a suction plate 354 formed on the bottom surface of the anti-slip pad 350, thereby improving grip force between the anti-slip pad 350 and the stepping plate 310. Alternatively, the attachable/detachable means is formed of a fixing protrusion 355 formed on the bottom surface of the anti-slip pad 350 and a fixing groove 315 formed in the stepping plate 310 and configured to correspond to the fixing protrusion 355. Through such a structural configuration, the anti-slip pad 350 may be easily and stably attached to and detached from the stepping plate 310 without using an adhesive such as a bonding agent. Additionally, since washing of the anti-slip pad 350 is easily performed, cleanliness of the anti-slip pad may be maintained without residual water stains or mold growth.

[0093] Hereinafter, the configuration of the height adjustment part 400 of the present invention will be described. The height adjustment part 400 may be formed between the upper body part 100 and the lower body part 300 disposed therebelow and may adjust the height of the upper body part 100 with respect to the lower body part 300. More specifically, the height adjustment part 400 is formed of an upper support part 410 formed on the lower side of the upper body part 100, a lower support part 430 formed on one side of the lower body part 300 and configured for the upper support part 410 to be inserted thereinto, and a known fixing button 450 installed inside the lower support part 430 and configured to fix the position of the upper support part 410. The height adjustment part 400 according to the present invention is not limited to the operating method of the upper support part 410, the lower support part 430, and the fixing button 450.

[0094] Hereinafter, in the present invention, the configuration of a play means 700 that attracts the interest of an infant will be described. If the infant is not familiar with the use of the infant bathing assistance device, or even if an infant is familiar with the use thereof, the infant may have difficulty in bathing or the posture of the infant may become unstable when it takes a long time to bathe the infant. Accordingly, a guardian needs to be extra careful with the infant during bathing. Here, the present invention includes the play means 700 attachable to and detachable from the upper body part 100 or the height adjustment part 400. In this case, the play means may be replaced with a new play means preferred by an infant or a guardian. Accordingly, since a bathing assistance device excluding a play means can be purchased depending on the consumer's choice, it is possible not only to reduce the purchase cost of the bathing assistance device, but also to choose a play means that is generally recommended for the age of the infant using the bathing assistance device and is capable of visually and tactually attracting the interest of the infant. As a result, the infant may play with the play means while seeing the play means with the eyes and touching the same with the hands during the use of the bathing assistance device. Further, since the infant is interested in the play means during bathing, brain development and small muscle development of the infant may be achieved by allowing the infant to see and touch the play means.

[0095] Specifically, the play means 700 may be attached to and detached from any portion of the infant bathing assistance device. Preferably, the play means may be detachably mounted on any position of the infant bathing assistance device as long as the position allows the infant to visually recognize and touch the play means so as to visually and tactually attract the interest of the infant. The play means 700 may include, but is not limited to, a spinner, a rattle, a teething toy, and the like.

[0096] Additionally, the mounting position of the play means 700 may be easily adjusted to allow the infant to visually recognize and touch the play means, and a plurality of play means may be mounted on the bathing assistance device. To this end, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 20, a separate support means 750 may be interposed between the play means 700 and any one of the upper body part 100, the height adjustment part 400, and the armrests 200 of the infant bathing assistance device. The support means 750 may be detachably mounted on the infant bathing assistance device and may be integrally formed with or detachably formed with the play means 700. As one example, as shown in FIG. 20, an insertion groove 170 may be formed in the bottom surface of the upper body part 100, the lower end of the support means 750 may be fixedly inserted into the insertion groove, and the play means 700 may be mounted on the upper end of the support means 750.

[0097] Additionally, the support means 750 may also be formed to have various shapes. In addition to the J shape shown in the drawing, the support means may be formed to have an I shape or a n shape. Further, a table-shaped support means as well as a rod-shaped support means may be formed. Regarding the attachment method, the support means may be inserted into the upper body part 100 as described above or may be attached thereto in various shapes and methods through design modifications thereof. The present invention is not limited to the shape of the support means 750.

[0098] In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the play means 700 may be inserted into or attached to the rod-shaped support means. In this case, the play means 700 may be used as a toy in daily life when separated from the support means.

[0099] Meanwhile, the bathing assistance device according to the present invention has a large volume compared to a narrow bathroom area. When the bathing assistance device is stored on the bathroom or bathtub floor, inconvenience may occur due to a space occupied by the bathing assistance device when the bathroom is used for other purposes. Additionally, moisture may remain on a portion such as the bottom portion of the lower body part of the bathing assistance device, which is in contact with the bathroom floor, and thus mold growth may occur on the portion. As shown in FIG. 18, at least one hanging means 810, 820, and 830 such as a groove or a hook is formed in the upper body part 100, lower body part 300, and the like of the bathing assistance device. In this case, preferably, a hanging member such as an S-shaped hook is installed on an existing bathroom structure such as a towel rack or a towel shelf, or a separate hanging member is attached to the bathroom wall, and then the bathing assistance device may be hung and stored on the hanging member. Specifically, the hanging means 810 or 820 formed on the rear or side of the upper body part 100 may be used to hang and store the bathing assistance device upright. Alternatively, the bathing assistance device may be stored in a state of leaning against the wall or being hung upside down by using the hanging means 830 formed in the lower body part 300. Since the hanging means may be formed to have any shape capable of being hung, such as a groove shape or a hook shape, the present invention is not limited to the above-described shape of the hanging means.

[0100] In this manner, since the bathing assistance device is easily stored in the bathroom using the hanging means and the like, the bathroom space may be used efficiently. Further, since the bathing assistance device is easy to dry, mold does not grow, and thus the bathing assistance device is used hygienically. In addition, the bathing assistance device may be brought into a living room or a room from the bathroom so as to be used for other purposes such as supporting an infant when diapers or clothes are changed. In this case, since water left on the bottom portion of the lower body part 300 dries well, water does not drip on a living room or a room when the bathing assistance device is moved out of the bathroom, thereby preventing any user inconvenience or hygiene problems.