FOLDING BABY BATH SEAT

Abstract

A foldable baby bath seat assembly includes a seat assembly supported by a foldable frame assembly having a forward floor-engaging portion pivotally coupled to a rear floor-engaging portion via a folding mechanism. The folding mechanism has first and second pivoting assemblies on opposite sides of the frame assembly, each of which comprises an actuator that allows the rear floor-engaging portion to pivot with respect to the seat assembly.

Claims

1-2. (canceled)

3. A method of configuring a foldable child seat, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a foldable child seat comprising a seat assembly supported above a support surface by a frame assembly, and comprising a front floor-engaging portion and a rear floor-engaging portion and at least one pivot assembly of a folding mechanism that pivotally couples the rear floor-engaging portion to the seat assembly; (b) placing the foldable child seat on a support surface; (c) actuating an actuator of the at least one pivot assembly of the folding mechanism that pivotally couples the rear floor-engaging portion to the seat assembly, to pivot the rear floor-engaging portion between at least a first position and a second position to adjust a recline angle of a backrest; and (d) after configuring, then folding the foldable child seat into a compact, flat configuration for storage or travel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one pivot assembly comprises a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly, and the actuating comprises actuating a first actuator of the first pivot assembly and a second actuator of the second pivot assembly.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one pivot assembly comprises a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly, and the actuating comprises actuating a first actuator of the first pivot assembly and a second actuator of the second pivot assembly; and wherein the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly are disposed on opposite sides of the seat assembly.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising pivoting the rear floor-engaging portion from the second position back to the first position to reduce the recline angle.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein folding into the compact, flat configuration comprises pivoting the rear floor-engaging portion relative to the seat assembly to a folded position.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the foldable child seat comprises one or more anti-slip grip pads on at least one of the front floor-engaging portion and the rear floor-engaging portion, and wherein placing the foldable child seat on the support surface comprises engaging the one or more anti-slip grip pads with the support surface to inhibit slipping when in contact with water.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the rear floor-engaging portion is generally U-shaped.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein actuating the actuator pivots the rear floor-engaging portion to select among a plurality of incline/recline positions provided by additional stops of the at least one pivot assembly.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the foldable child seat comprises a water-permeable mesh seat material, and further comprising removing the mesh seat material, machine-washing the mesh seat material, and reattaching the mesh seat material to the seat assembly.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the foldable child seat comprises one or more vertical side walls extending upward from a seat portion and configured to help retain a child to reduce rolling or falling out of the foldable child seat.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein placing the foldable child seat on the support surface comprises placing the foldable child seat in a sink or an adult bathtub.

14. A foldable child seat comprising: (a) a seat assembly comprising a seat portion and a backrest; (b) a frame assembly coupled to the seat assembly and configured to support the seat assembly above a support surface, the frame assembly comprising a front floor-engaging portion and a rear floor-engaging portion; (c) one or more vertical side walls extending upward from the seat portion; wherein the one or more vertical side walls are configured to help retain a child supported on the seat assembly to reduce rolling or falling out of the foldable child seat.

15. The foldable child seat of claim 14, wherein the one or more vertical side walls are formed from a mesh, water-permeable material.

16. The foldable child seat of claim 14, wherein the one or more vertical side walls have any selected shape or height effective to prevent the child from falling out of the foldable child seat.

17. The foldable child seat of claim 14, wherein the foldable child seat comprises a mesh material permeable to water, and wherein the mesh material comprises a quick-drying material.

18. The foldable child seat of claim 14, wherein a seat assembly mesh material is removable and machine-washable for cleaning.

19. The foldable child seat of claim 14, wherein the backrest comprises extra padding, and the foldable child seat further comprises a bolster headrest configured to provide gentle support to the child.

20. A method of safely configuring a foldable child seat on a wet support surface, the method comprising: placing a foldable child seat on a wet support surface, the foldable child seat comprising a seat assembly supported above the support surface by a frame assembly; actuating an actuator of at least one pivot assembly of a folding mechanism to pivot a rear floor-engaging portion with respect to the seat assembly to adjust a recline angle of a backrest from an inclined position toward a reclined position; ensuring that one or more anti-slip grip pads that are configured to prevent slipping/movement, including when in contact with water are preventing slippage on the wet support surface; then placing an infant and/or a child into the seat.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein ensuring that the one or more anti-slip grip pads are preventing slippage comprises ensuring that the one or more anti-slip grip pads are disposed on at least one of the front floor-engaging portion and the rear floor-engaging portion and are in contact with the wet support surface.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising pivoting the rear floor-engaging portion between at least a first position and a second position to select between a first recline angle and a second recline angle prior to placing the infant and/or the child into the seat; and/or further comprising, before placing the infant and/or the child into the seat, positioning one or more vertical side walls extending upward from a seat portion such that the one or more vertical side walls help retain the infant and/or the child to reduce rolling or falling out of the foldable child seat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The apparatus is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding baby bath seat in a use position according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the folding baby bath seat of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the folding baby bath seat of FIG. 1 transitioning from a first use position to a second use position.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a top view of the folding baby bath seat of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the headrest of the folding baby bath seat of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of the of the folding baby bath seat of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The various embodiments of the sleep surface and their advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the novel features and principles of operation. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

[0015] Furthermore, reference in the specification to an embodiment, one embodiment, various embodiments, or any variant thereof means that a particular feature or aspect described in conjunction with the particular embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment, in another embodiment, or variations thereof in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to its respective embodiment.

[0016] Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately one particular value and/or to about or approximately another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about,it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

[0017] With reference now to the drawing figures, FIGS. 1-6 show a folding baby bather or bath seat 10 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The bath seat 10 generally comprises a frame assembly 100, a seat assembly 200, and a folding mechanism 300.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in example embodiments, the bath seat 10 comprises a seat assembly 200 that is supported above a support surface by a frame assembly 100. Although described as a bath seat, the seat may be used on any suitable flat support surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame or frame assembly 100 includes a front or first floor-engaging portion 102 and a second or rear pivotally coupled floor-engaging portion 104. The first and second floor-engaging portions 102, 104 include one or more anti-slip grip pads 106 that engage with the support surface to prevent slipping or movement of the bath seat 10 on various support surfaces constructed from various materials and when in contact with water. The second or rear floor-engaging portion 104 is generally U-shaped. In alternate embodiments, the floor-engaging portion 104 may be any suitable shape. For example, the floor-engaging portion 102 may comprise two separate I-shaped portions, two T-shaped portions, or any other suitable shape or configuration that will provide a stable support for the bath seat 10 on a support surface.

[0019] In example embodiments, the second floor-engaging portion 104 is pivotally coupled to the seat assembly 200 via folding mechanism 300. The folding mechanism 300 includes a first pivot assembly 202 and a second pivot assembly 204. The second pivot assembly 204 is generally a mirror image of the first pivot assembly 202. Each pivot assembly 202, 204 includes an actuator for allowing the second floor-engaging portion 104 to pivot with respect to the seat assembly 200. In alternate embodiments, the bath seat 10 may only include a single pivot assembly. In particular embodiments, the pivot assemblies also allow the angle of the back rest 206 of the seat assembly 200 to be adjusted from an inclined position to a reclined position. Although described as a two-position system, any number of incline/recline positions may be achievable by adding additional stops (not shown or numbered) to the pivot assemblies 202, 204, as shown in FIG. 3. Although shown in a fixed position, in alternate embodiments, the seat assembly 200 may be further pivotally coupled to the front floor-engaging portion 102.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, the seat assembly 200 includes a seat portion 208, a backrest 210, and one or more vertical side walls 212 extending upward from the seat portion. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the backrest 210 is also pivotally coupled to the pivot assemblies 202, 204. This allows the bath seat 10 to be folded into a compact, flat configuration for storage or travel.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, the bath seat 10 includes extra padding in the backrest 210 to provide a more comfortable environment for the infant. In example embodiments, the bath seat 10 is formed of a mesh material that is permeable to water. In particular embodiments, the material may be a quick-drying material. In example embodiments, the seat assembly mesh material is removable and machine-washable for easy cleaning.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 6, the side walls 212 of the bath seat 10 are also formed from a mesh, water-permeable material. The side walls 212 help retain the child while in bath seat 10 so that the infant does not roll or fall out of the seat. Although shown in a particular shape, size, and height, the side walls 212 may be any particular shape or height that would prevent the infant from falling out of the seat 10.

[0023] The bath seat 10 is beneficial in that it allows a user to bathe an infant safely and securely. The soft mesh sling cradles the infant, while the soft bolster headrest provides gentle support where the child needs it most. With two recline positions, a caregiver can give the child the most comfortable bathing experience for their first sponge bath and beyond. The compact fold design makes it the perfect bathing solution for both home and travel. In addition, because the bath seat 10 has such a small footprint, it can easily be used in a sink or an adult bathtub.

[0024] As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a folding baby bath seat. While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood, however, that any invention appertaining to the apparatus/system/method described is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the invention.