Child bathing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides improved apparatus for supporting and protecting an infant or small child during bathing. The apparatus includes a protective seat having plural protruding foam members in a radial pattern that when placed in a sink or other bathing basin, extend up the walls of the sink or basin and form a bowl shaped protective padding that provides 360 degree protection for the child. The base foam members have open spaces between them for providing for easy circulation and drainage of water.

1 . Apparatus for supporting a child during bathing, comprising:
 a centrally located generally circular seating portion having a side portion extendable in a radial pattern from said seating portion such that with placement of said apparatus in a bathing basin said side portion extends up the walls of said basin from said seating portion to provide a generally bowl shaped protective enclosure for said child.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein:
 said side portion includes a plurality of side members extending in a radial pattern from said seating portion such that said side members extend up the walls of said basin from said seating portion to provide said bowl shaped protective enclosure for said child; and 
 said side members have open spaces therebetween for allowing water circulation and drainage. 
 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said side members are configured and positioned to provide  360  degree protection for said child. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said side members are constructed of soft resilient material. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said seating portion includes a non-slippery surface. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said side members are generally petal shaped and designed to attract and entertain said child. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said side members are configured and located to block potentially dangerous exterior objects from said child. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said side members are connected by flexible resilient porous webbing. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said seating portion and said side members are formed as one piece. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said seating portion and each said side member is formed separately with said side members removably attached to said seating portion. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said side portion is constructed in a helix-like manner to expand from a collapsed planar configuration to provide a safe enclosure for the child. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said seating portion includes at least one hole for water drainage. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for supporting a child during bathing, comprising:
 a generally circular centrally located seating portion having a plurality of distinct side members extending in a radial pattern from said seating portion such that with placement of said apparatus in a bathing basin said side members are extended up the walls of said basin from said seating portion and in a converging manner form a generally bowl shaped protective enclosure for said child;   said protective enclosure allows for water circulation therethrough and said seating portion includes at least one hole for water drainage;   said side members are generally petal shaped and constructed of soft resilient material, and said seating portion includes a non-slippery surface.   
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said seating portion and said plurality of distinct side members are constructed as one piece and said side members are connected by flexible resilient porous webbing. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said seating portion and said plurality of distinct side members are constructed as separate parts with said side members removably attachable to said seating portion. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said side members are configured and designed to attract the interest of said child. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said side members are generally petal shaped. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said seating portion includes at least one hole for water drainage.