Adjustable infant tub

Abstract

This disclosure is related to a bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin, which is sized effectively for bathing a young child, wherein the body comprises: a bottom portion comprising a base; and a set of opposing sidewalls adjacent to the bottom portion. At least one sidewall from the set of sidewalls adjustable and configured to extend between an upright position (with respect to the base) and at least one inclined/reclined position (with respect to the base).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin sized effectively for bathing a young child, wherein the body comprises:
 a. a bottom portion comprising a base; and   b. a set of opposing sidewalls adjacent to the bottom portion,
 wherein at least one sidewall is an adjustable sidewall configured to extend between an upright position and at least one inclined/reclined position with respect to the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a seating portion having an anti-slip hump-like structure configured to prevent sliding of the young child. 
     
     
         3 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a recess configured for draining water from the bathtub and a drain plug configured to cap the recess to prevent draining of water from the bathtub. 
     
     
         4 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall further comprises a first backrest and a backrest overmold. 
     
     
         5 . The bathtub of  claim 4 , wherein the at least a portion of the at least one adjustable sidewall is textured to prevent sliding of the young child. 
     
     
         6 . The bathtub of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall extends to comprise a headrest configured to support the head of the young child. 
     
     
         7 . The bathtub of  claim 1  further comprising a rear leg having a track profile defining resting points along which the positions of a cross bar and the at least one adjustable sidewall is adjusted and locked. 
     
     
         8 . The bathtub of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked in the at least one reclining position via a push-lock mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The bathtub of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked in at least three different reclining positions. 
     
     
         10 . The bathtub of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is locked in the at least one upright position using a push-lock mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall opposite to the adjustable sidewall is configured to comprise a second backrest for the young child for upright seating without requiring a headrest. 
     
     
         12 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the bathtub is configured to nest within an identical tub with a nesting space differential of less than about 1.85 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a nominal thickness. 
     
     
         14 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the reclined position comprises any angle from about 155 degrees to about 120 degrees with respect to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The bathtub of  claim 14 , wherein the reclined position comprises an angle of about 138 degrees with respect to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom further comprises an underside configured to fit safely within either a standard kitchen sink, or one basin of a double sink. 
     
     
         17 . A method for adjusting a sidewall of an adjustable bathtub,
 wherein the method comprises adjusting the angle of at least one adjustable sidewall, which is configured to extend between an upright position (with respect to a base) and at least one inclined/reclined position (with respect to a base),   wherein the bathtub comprises a rear leg having a track profile defining a plurality of resting points along which the positions of a cross bar and the at least one adjustable sidewall is adjusted and locked.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one adjustable sidewall is configured to be locked via a push-lock mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . A bathtub comprising a body defining a bathing basin sized effectively for bathing a young child, wherein the body comprises:
 a. a bottom portion comprising a base;   b. a set of opposing sidewalls adjacent to the bottom portion;   wherein at least one sidewall is an adjustable sidewall configured to extend between an upright position and at least one inclined/reclined position with respect to the base; and   c. a rear leg having a track profile defining a plurality of resting points along which the position of a cross bar and the at least one adjustable sidewall can be adjusted and locked using a push-lock mechanism.