BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a bath chair that is used by an infant or young
child during bath time.
Description of the Background Art
[0002] Japanese Patent Publication Nos.
2004-121491 and
2002-119391 of unexamined applications disclose a child bath chair. The child bath chairs disclosed
in these publications have a base member having a seating surface portion, a back
member having a backrest surface portion and attached to the base member in a backward
inclinable manner, and a forward guard member provided above a front part of the base
member and extending in a width direction.
[0003] In the child bath chairs disclosed in the above publications, the back member is
capable of reclining adjustment with respect to the base member. However, a scummy
deposit is likely to build up around a pivot shaft that pivotally connects the back
member with the base member. Since a bathroom has a lot of moisture, mold may grow
from the scummy deposit, which is not sanitarily preferable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a child bath chair that can be
always kept clean.
[0005] According to the present invention, a child bath chair that is used by a young child
during bath time includes: a base member having a seating surface portion; and a back
member having a backrest surface portion and detachably attached to the base member.
[0006] According to the present invention having the above structure, the back member is
detachable from the base member. Therefore, each part of the bath chair can be washed
and the bath chair can be kept clean.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the back member is supported
by the base member in a backward and forward inclinable manner. In this embodiment
as well, since the back member is detachable from the base member, a portion around
a pivot shaft for pivotally connecting the back member with the base member can be
kept clean.
[0008] In one embodiment, the base member has a pair of rear standing wall portions provided
at both ends in a width direction of a rear part of the base member so as to face
both side surfaces of the back member, respectively. A first engaging shaft and a
second engaging shaft are provided in one of the rear standing wall portion of the
base member and the side surface of the back member so as to be displaceable between
a position protruding from a surface and a position retracted inside, and a first
shaft hole and a second shaft hole for respectively receiving the first engaging shaft
and the second engaging shaft are provided in the other of the rear standing wall
portion of the base member and the side surface of the back member.
[0009] In the above embodiment, a plurality of first shaft holes and a plurality of second
shaft holes are provided. Preferably, the plurality of second shaft holes are located
at an equal distance from one of the plurality of first shaft holes, and the plurality
of first shaft holes are located at an equal distance from one of the plurality of
second shaft holes.
[0010] In a more preferred embodiment, the first engaging shaft and the second engaging
shaft are provided on both side surfaces of the back member. The back member includes
a first biasing member for biasing the first engaging shaft toward the protruding
position, a first operation member for moving the first engaging shaft to the retracted
position against biasing force of the first biasing member, a second biasing member
for biasing the second engaging shaft toward the protruding position, and a second
operation member for moving the second engaging shaft to the retracted position against
biasing force of the second biasing member. Preferably, the base member has a recess
region recessed to a predetermined depth in each of respective inner wall surfaces
of the pair of rear standing wall portions, and the first shaft hole and the second
shaft hole are provided in the recess region. The first engaging shaft and the second
engaging shaft are provided so that the first engaging shaft and the second engaging
shaft can be stopped at an intermediate position between the protruding position and
the retracted position, and in the intermediate position, the first engaging shaft
and the second engaging shaft are respectively removed from the first shaft hole and
the second shaft hole, but protrude from both side surfaces of the back member to
such a height that the first engaging shaft and the second engaging shaft cannot be
removed from the recess region.
[0011] In one embodiment, the back member is inclinable forward until the back member becomes
approximately parallel to the base member. With this structure, a compact folded form
of the bath chair can be implemented.
[0012] Preferably, the base member includes a pillar portion extending upward from a middle
in a width direction of a front part of the base member, and a front guard portion
extending from an upper end of the pillar portion toward both sides in the width direction.
Preferably, the front guard portion is detachably attached to the pillar portion.
[0013] Preferably, the base member has a pair of front standing wall portions raised upward
at both ends in a width direction of a front part of the base member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a child bath chair according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the child bath chair;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the child bath chair;
Fig. 4A is a plan view of a back member, Fig. 4B is a front view of the back member,
and Fig. 4C is a side view of the back member;
Fig. 5 is a rear view of the back member;
Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an internal mechanism of the back member;
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the state obtained by operating first and second operation
members in the state shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the state obtained by operating the first and second operation
members after moving a third engagement member downward;
Fig. 9 is a sectional side view of a base member;
Fig. 10 is a sectional front view of the base member;
Fig. 11 is a sectional side view of the bath chair with the back member in a forward
inclined state;
Fig. 12 is a sectional side view of the bath chair with the back member in a slightly
backward inclined state;
Fig. 13 is a sectional side view of the bath chair with the back member in a largely
backward inclined state; and
Fig. 14 is a sectional side view of the bath chair with the back member in a further
backward inclined state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Figs. 1 through 3 show a child bath chair according to an embodiment of the present
invention. First, the overall form of the child bath chair will be described based
on its external appearance with reference to the figures.
[0016] A child bath chair 1 is used by an infant or young child during bath time, and includes
a base member 10 having a seating surface portion 11, and a back member 50 having
a backrest surface portion 51. As described in detail later, the back member 50 is
detachably attached to the base member 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the back
member 50 is supported by the base member 10 in a forward and backward inclinable
manner.
[0017] The base member 10 includes a pillar portion 14 and a front guard portion 15. The
pillar portion 14 extends upward from the middle in the width direction of a front
part of the base member 10, and the front guard portion 15 extends from an upper end
of the pillar portion 14 toward both sides in the width direction. As described later,
the front guard portion 15 is detachably attached to the pillar portion 14. A spherical
object 16 that attracts child's interest is rotatably accommodated in the middle of
the top surface of the front guard portion 15.
[0018] The base member 10 has a pair of rear standing wall portions 12 and a pair of front
standing wall portions 13. The rear standing wall portions 12 are provided at both
ends in the width direction of a rear part of the base member 10 and face both side
surfaces of the back member 50, respectively. The front standing wall portions 13
are provided at both ends in the width direction of the front part of the base member
10 and are raised upward.
[0019] The back member 50 has a pair of sidewall portions 52 projecting forward from both
sides of the back member 50. When a child sits on the bath chair, the right and left
sides of the child's body are supported by the pair of sidewall portions 52 and the
child's legs are placed between the pair of front standing wall portions 13 and the
pillar portion 14. Therefore, the child can retain a stable posture.
[0020] Figs. 4 through 8 show the back member 50. The back member 50 has a pair of first
engaging shafts 53 and a pair of second engaging shafts 54 which are displaceable
between a position protruding from both sidewalls of the back member 50 and a position
retracted inside the back member 50. Corresponding to the first engaging shafts 53
and the second engaging shafts 54, two first shaft holes 23 and two second shaft holes
24 are formed in the respective inner wall surfaces of the pair of rear standing wall
portions 12 of the base member 10 which respectively face both sidewall surfaces of
the back member 50 (see Fig. 9). The first shaft holes 23 are provided to receive
the first engaging shafts 53 and the second shaft holes 24 are provided to receive
the second engaging shafts 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the relatively small
first engaging shafts 53 are located above the relatively large second engaging shafts
54.
[0021] Figs. 6 through 8 illustrate elements accommodated in the back member 50. As shown
in the figures, the pair of first engaging shafts 53 are respectively fixed to a pair
of first engaging members 55, and the pair of second engaging shafts 54 are respectively
fixed to a pair of engaging members 56. The pair of first engaging members 55 are
always biased by respective first springs 59 so as to move outward in the width direction.
Each first spring 59 has its one end supported by a first fixed spring bearing 63
fixed to the back member 50. The other end of each first spring 59 abuts on a first
spring abutting portion 57 fixed to the first engaging member 55. Similarly, the pair
of second engaging members 56 are always biased by respective second springs 60 so
as to move outward in the width direction. Each second spring 60 has its one end supported
by a second fixed spring bearing 64 fixed to the back member 50. The other end of
each second spring 60 abuts on a second spring abutting portion 58 fixed to the second
engaging member 56. It should be understood that other biasing members for providing
resilient biasing force may be used instead of the springs 59, 60.
[0022] In the state of Fig. 6, the pair of first engaging members 55 and the pair of second
engaging members 56 are located outermost in the width direction, and the pair of
first engaging shafts 53 and the pair of second engaging shafts 54 are brought to
the protruding position protruding from both sides of the back member 50 to a large
extent.
[0023] As can be seen from Figs. 5 and 6, a pair of first operation members 61 for performing
an operation of moving the respective first engaging members 55 are fixedly attached
to the pair of first engaging members 55, respectively. A pair of second operation
members 62 for performing an operation of moving the respective second engaging members
56 are fixedly attached to the pair of second engaging members 56, respectively. The
pair of first operation members 61 and the pair of second operation members 62 are
exposed to the outside from a back surface of the back member 50. By pinching the
pair of first operation members 61 with fingers so that the first operation members
61 approach each other, the first engaging shafts 53 are brought to the retracted
position retracted into the back member 50 against the biasing force of the first
springs 59. Similarly, by pinching the pair of second operation members 62 with fingers
so that the second operation members 62 approach each other, the second engaging shafts
54 are brought to the retracted position retracted into the back member 50 against
the biasing force of the second springs 60.
[0024] As shown in Fig. 6, a third engaging member 67 is also accommodated in the back member
50. The third engaging member 67 extends in an up-down direction between the pair
of first engaging members 55 and between the pair of second engaging members 56. The
third engaging member 67 is provided displaceably in the up-down direction. An operation
click 72 for performing an operation of moving the third engaging member 67 is exposed
to the outside from the back surface of the back member 50.
[0025] The third engaging member 67 is always biased by a third spring 66 so as to move
to an upper position. The third spring 66 has its one end supported by a third fixed
spring bearing 65 fixed to the back member 50. Each of the first engaging members
55 has a first protrusion 68 protruding toward the middle in the width direction of
the back member 50. Each of the second engaging members 56 has a second protrusion
69 protruding toward the middle in the width direction of the back member 50. The
third engaging member 67 has third protrusions 70 and fourth protrusions 71. The third
protrusions 70 are provided at such a position that the third protrusions 70 can face
the first protrusions 68 of the pair of first engaging members 55, respectively. The
fourth protrusions 71 are provided at such a position that the fourth protrusions
71 can face the second protrusions 69 of the pair of second engaging members 56, respectively.
[0026] Fig. 7 shows the state of the back member 50 after the pair of first operation members
61 and the pair of second operation members 62 are operated to approach each other
from the state shown in Fig. 6. In the state of Fig. 7, the third protrusions 70 of
the third engaging member 67 respectively abut on the first protrusions 68 of the
pair of first engaging members 55. Therefore, the pair of first engaging shafts 53
are retained at an intermediate position slightly protruding from both sides of the
back member 50. Similarly, the fourth protrusions 71 of the third engaging member
67 respectively abut on the second protrusions 69 of the pair of second engaging members
56. Therefore, the pair of second engaging shafts 54 are retained at an intermediate
position slightly protruding from both sides of the back member 50.
[0027] Fig. 8 shows the state of the back member 50 after the operation click 72 of the
third engaging member 67 is operated to move the third engaging member 67 to a lower
position and the first operation members 61 and the second operating members 62 are
operated to move the first and second engaging members 55, 56 toward the middle in
the width direction of the back member 50. In the illustrated state, the third protrusions
70 and fourth protrusions 71 of the third engaging member 67 are located at a displaced
position from the first protrusions 68 of the pair of first engaging members 55 and
the second protrusions 69 of the pair of second engaging members 56, respectively.
Therefore, the pair of first engaging shafts 53 and the pair of second engaging shafts
54 are brought to a retracted position completely retracted from both sides of the
back member 50 into the back member 50.
[0028] Hereinafter, the base member 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.
A recess region 22 recessed to a predetermined depth is formed in the respective inner
wall surfaces of the pair of rear standing wall portions 12 of the base member 10.
The two first shaft holes 23 and the two second shaft holes 24 are provided in the
recess regions 22. The two second shaft holes 24 are located at an equal distance
from one of the first shaft holes 23 which is located above, and the two first shaft
holes 23 are located at an equal distance from one of the second shaft holes 24 which
is located forward (on the left side in Fig. 9).
[0029] As shown in Fig. 9, a cylindrical part of the front guard portion 15 is accommodated
in a columnar recess of the pillar portion 14. The pillar portion 14 has a fixed click
17 protruding upward from the bottom of the columnar recess. The front guard portion
15 has an engaging piece 19, and the engaging piece 19 has an engaging hole 18 through
which the engaging piece 19 can be anchored to the fixed click 17. The engaging piece
19 is biased by a spring 21 in a direction in which the engaging piece 19 is anchored
to the fixed click 17. The front guard portion 15 has an operation button 20 for performing
an operation of moving the engaging piece 19.
[0030] In the state of Fig. 9, the fixed click 17 of the pillar portion 14 and the engaging
piece 19 of the front guard portion 15 are anchored to each other so that the front
guard portion 15 cannot be detached from the pillar portion 14. By pressing the push
button 20 in the state of Fig. 9, the anchored state between the engaging piece 19
and the fixed click 17 is released so that the front guard portion 15 can be detached
from the pillar portion 14.
[0031] Figs. 11 through 14 show the bath chair with the back member 50 in various positions.
Each state will now be described.
[0032] First, in the state of Fig. 11, the first engaging shaft 53 fits in the upper first
shaft hole 23, the second engaging shaft 54 fits in the rear upper second shaft hole
24, and the back member 50 is inclined forward until the back member 50 becomes approximately
parallel to the base member 10. Fig. 11 shows the form of the bath chair while not
in use, that is, a compact folded form of the bath chair.
[0033] The second engaging shaft 54 is retracted by operating the second operation member
62 in the state of Fig. 11. This operation causes the second protrusion 69 of the
second engaging member 56 and the fourth protrusion 71 of the third engaging member
67 to abut on each other. Therefore, the second engaging shaft 54 is retained in the
intermediate position between the protruding position and the retracted position.
In other words, in this intermediate position, the second engaging shaft 54 is removed
from the second shaft hole 24, but protrudes from both sides of the back member 50
to such a height that the second engaging shaft 54 cannot be removed from the recess
region 22 provided in each of the respective inner surfaces of the pair of rear standing
wall portions 12. In this state, the back member 50 is pivoted backward around the
first engaging shaft 53 in order to obtain the state shown in Fig. 12.
[0034] In the state of Fig. 12, the second engaging shaft 54 fits in the front lower second
shaft hole 24 and the back member 50 is inclined slightly backward so that the bath
chair can be used as a chair. The first engaging shaft 53 is retracted by operating
the first operation member 61 in the state of Fig. 12. This operation causes the first
protrusion 68 of the first engaging member 55 and the third protrusion 70 of the third
engaging member 67 to abut on each other. Therefore, the first engaging shaft 53 is
retained in the intermediate position between the protruding position and the retracted
position. In other words, in this intermediate position, the first engaging shaft
53 is removed from the first shaft hole 23, but protrudes from both sides of the back
member 50 to such a height that the first engaging shaft 53 cannot be removed from
the recess region 22. In this state, the back member 50 is pivoted backward around
the second engaging shaft 54 in order to obtain the state shown in Fig. 13.
[0035] In the state of Fig. 13, the first engaging shaft 53 fits in the lower first shaft
hole 23, and the back member 50 is in a largely backward inclined state. By operating
the first operation member 61 in the state of Fig. 13, the first engaging shaft 53
is removed from the first shaft hole 23. In this state, the back member 50 is pivoted
further backward, whereby the state shown in Fig. 14 is obtained. In the state of
Fig. 14, the back surface of the back member 50 abuts on a rear end abutting portion
25 of the base member 10, whereby the position of the back member 50 is fixed.
[0036] In order to detach the back member 50 from the base member 10, the operation click
72 of the third engaging member 67 is first operated to move the third engaging member
67 to a lower position. In this state, the first operation member 61 and the second
operation member 62 are operated to retract the first engaging shaft 53 and the second
engaging shaft 54 to a completely retracted position. Since the first engaging shaft
53 and the second engaging shaft 54 are completely retracted from both side walls
of the back member 50 into the back member 50, the back member 50 can be detached
from the base member 10.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the first engaging shaft 53 and the second engaging
shaft 54 are provided in the back member 50, and the first shaft hole 23 and the second
shaft hole 24 are provided in the base member 10. In another embodiment, however,
the first and second engaging shafts may be provided in the base member and the first
and second shaft holes may be provided in the back member. In still another embodiment,
the bath chair may have a back member that is detachable from the base member but
has a fixed inclination angle.
[0038] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference
to the figures, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.
Various modifications and variations can be made to the above described and illustrated
embodiment within the same scope or an equivalent scope as in the present invention.
[0039] The present invention can thus be advantageously used as a child bath chair that
can be kept clean.
1. A child bath chair that is used by a young child during bath time, comprising:
a base member (10) having a seating surface portion; and
a back member (50) having a backrest surface portion and detachably attached to said
base member (10).
2. The child bath chair according to claim 1, wherein said back member (50) is supported
by said base member (10) in a backward and forward inclinable manner.
3. The child bath chair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
said base member (10) has a pair of rear standing wall portions (12) provided at both
ends in a width direction of a rear part of said base member so as to face both side
surfaces of said back member (50), respectively, and
a first engaging shaft (53) and a second engaging shaft (54) are provided in one of
the rear standing wall portion (12) of said base member (10) and the side surface
of said back member (50) so as to be displaceable between a position protruding from
a surface and a position retracted inside, and a first shaft hole (23) and a second
shaft hole (24) for respectively receiving said first engaging shaft (53) and said
second engaging shaft (54) are provided in the other of the rear standing wall portion
of said base member and the side surface of said back member.
4. The child bath chair according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of said first shaft
holes (23) and a plurality of said second shaft holes (24) are provided.
5. The child bath chair according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of second shaft
holes (24) are located at an equal distance from one of said plurality of first shaft
holes (23), and said plurality of first shaft holes (23) are located at an equal distance
from one of said plurality of second shaft holes (24).
6. The child bath chair according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said first engaging
shaft (53) and said second engaging shaft (54) are provided on both side surfaces
of said back member (50), and said back member includes a first biasing member (59)
for biasing said first engaging shaft (53) toward said protruding position, a first
operation member (61) for moving said first engaging shaft to said retracted position
against biasing force of said first biasing member, a second biasing member (60) for
biasing said second engaging shaft (54) toward said protruding position, and a second
operation member (62) for moving said second engaging shaft to said retracted position
against biasing force of said second biasing member.
7. The child bath chair according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said base member (10)
has a recess region (22) recessed to a predetermined depth in each of respective inner
wall surfaces of said pair of rear standing wall portions (12), said first shaft hole
(23) and said second shaft hole (24) are provided in said recess region, said first
engaging shaft (53) and said second engaging shaft (54) are provided so that said
first engaging shaft and said second engaging shaft can be stopped at an intermediate
position between said protruding position and said retracted position, and in said
intermediate position, said first engaging shaft and said second engaging shaft are
respectively removed from said first shaft hole and said second shaft hole, but protrude
from both side surfaces of said back member to such a height that said first engaging
shaft and said second engaging shaft cannot be removed from said recess region.
8. The child bath chair according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said back member (50)
is inclinable forward until said back member becomes approximately parallel to said
base member (10).
9. The child bath chair according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said base member (10)
includes a pillar portion (14) extending upward from a middle in a width direction
of a front part of said base member, and a front guard portion (15) extending from
an upper end of said pillar portion toward both sides in the width direction.
10. The child bath chair according to claim 9, wherein said front guard portion (15) is
detachably attached to said pillar portion (14).
11. The child bath chair according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said base member
(10) has a pair of front standing wall portions (13) raised upward at both ends in
a width direction of a front part of said base member.