Collapsible baby bathing device

2,536,731

Jan. 2, 1951

P. W. DOUGLAS

COLLAPSIBLE BABY BATHING DEVICE

Sheets-Sheet 1

Filed June 12, 1947

<img file="US2536731A_D0001.tif" />

Inventor

Peyton W Douglas

Attorney

2,536,731

Jan. 2, 1951

F. W. DOUGLAS

COLLAPSIBLE BABY BATHING DEVICE .

Filed June 12, 1947

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2536731A_D0002.tif" />

ZZLZ £7. 4

<img file="US2536731A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US2536731A_D0004.tif" />

Inventor

PettonW. Douglas

Attorney

Jan. 2, 1951

P. W. DOUGLAS

2,536,731

COLLAPSIBLE BABY BATHING DEVICE

Sheets-Sheet 3

Filed June 12, 1947

<img file="US2536731A_D0005.tif" />

Attorneys

Patented Jan. 2, 1951

2,536,731

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,536,731

COLLAPSIBLE BABY BATHING DEVICE

Peyton W. Douglas, Syracuse, N. Y.

Application June 12, 1947, Serial No. 754,161

Claims.

This invention relates to a collapsible bathing and dressing device for use in connection with the care of infants.

Many attempts have been made to perfect a device for bathing and dressing infants, and many types of such devices have been and are available on the market. However, these devices are so complicated, bulky, and costly, that in the average home they do not serve in the advantageous manner for which they were intended. Also, many of these devices, while bulky, are flimsy and weak in construction.

The general object of this invention is to provide a device of the type referred to embodying a particularly simple and light structure which, in folded or Collapsed condition, occupies a particularly small amount -of space, and which can be most conveniently set up for use and when in use is rigid and durable. This general object is to the end that the device does not require any special arrangement for its support, but can be placed on the side rail of the infant’s crib, or on the backs of two ordinary chairs: Due to its exceptionally compact form when in folded condition, it can be left on the side of the crib without in any way interfering with its normal use, or it can be stored in substantially the same space as an ordinary hard table. These features are of particular importance during . existing housing conditions where many families are living in exceedingly cramped conditions, such as one and two room apartments, trailers, camps, etc.

More particularly the invention has as an object a device of the type referred to comprising a support in the form of a flat member adapted to be suspended in vertical position, as being hung from the side rail of a crib, the backs of Chairs, or the like, and including a frame member having a tub formed of sheet flexible material, and a cover member adapted to overlie the tub to form a surface on which the infant may be attended to and dressed. The tub and the cover member are adequately supported in horizontal operated position, and are readily moved from that position to a position against the support, whereby the entire device, in its folded condition, is a matter of two or three inches in thickness, all whereby it can be left on the side of the crib, or it can be conveniently handled for storage elsewhere.

The invention has as a further object a particularly simple structure which can be most economically manufactured and conveniently used.

The invention consists in the novel features and (Cl. 4—177) in the combinations and constructions hereinafterset forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like char⁵ acters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bathing device embodying my invention illustrated as being jU supported on the side rail of a baby crib.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the bathing device shown in Figure !.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view taken on line 3—3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figure 3, taken on line 4—4, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional View of the cover and tub frame taken on line 5—5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6—5, Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the center joint of the collapsible tub supporting braces.

Figure 8 is an end elevational view, similar to Figure 2, illustrating the device in its folded 25 form.

The device consists of a support 10 which may be in the nature of a flat platelike member, and is provided with hooks 11 attached to its upper edge, whereby the support may be suspended in _so vertical position, as by being hung on the side rail 12 of a baby crib, or the like. Preferably, bumper members ! 3 of rubber, or other resilient material, are arranged in the hooks 11 and at the upper and lower edges of the plate 10 to avoid marring the structure on which the device ' is suspended.

A rectangular frame member is .pivotally mounted along one side to the support 10 adjacent the upper edge thereof, and has suspended 40 from it a tub 15 formed of suitable flexible sheet material, such as sheet rubber.

This frame consists of end members in the form of rods 16 having the end portions fJ thereof bent at right angles and extending into 45 dowels, or rods 18. The end portions Π extend through an aperture formed in a bracket 20 secured to the support (fl and in this manner the frame is pivotally mounted along the rear side to the support. The fabric forming the tub 15 59 extends over the side rods 18 and is supported thereby. A second frame of similar construction is likewise pivotally mounted on the brackets 20 and consists of end rods 22 and side rods 23. A covering of fabric material 24 is carried by 55 this upper frame, and the frame is supported by

2,836,731 the forward side rail 23 engaging the forward side rail 18 of the lower frame.

The lower frame is supported in horizontal position by a collapsible stay brace consisting of bars 25, 26, pivoted at their ends respectively to the portions 17 at the forward end of the side rods 16 and to brackets 28 mounted upon the support 10 near the lower edge thereof, see Figure 6.

The bars 25, 26, are pivotally connected at their opposite ends, as at 29, to form an overthe-center joint, the movement of which is limited by a projection 30, see Figure 7.

These stay braces are collapsible about the pivot 29 to permit the upper and lower frames to fold downwardly parallel to the support 10 and in close proximity thereto, as illustrated in Figure 8.

It will be observed that the top frame carrying the cover 24 is movable about its pivot upwardly past the vertical position, as indicated by dotted outline in Figure 2. to permit use of the tub portion !5. When this frame is moved to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, it serves as a support for dressing and attending to the infant.

Many devices of this type have been made available on the market. However, they have not possessed proper strength and rigidity, or the construction has been of such a nature that the devices sell at a prohibitive price and are cumbersome and awkward to handle.

The device herein described, while of simple construction, is entirely rigid and durable in use, and by its arrangement it can be conveniently used at the crib of the infant, and when collapsed to folded position, as shown in Figure 8, does not interfere with the use of the crib due to the extremely compact arrangement in folded condition. However, in folded condition, it can be conveniently handled and stored when not in use.

The tub is provided with a suitable drain valve 34 and I have found that a series of pockets 35, suspended from the forward side rail i8 of the lower frame, provide a convenient receptacle for soap, powder, and other articles, usually used in connection with the care of the infant. These pockets do not have to be emptied when the device is folded to collapsed condition, the pockets assuming a position as indicated in Figure 8.