Infant bath with retractable sling

Abstract

An infant bath having a sling infant support that holds the infant while bathing, yet retracts to a convenient and safe storage position when not in use is provided. The assembly includes an elongate infant bath basin having upwardly extended side walls for containing water in which to bathe an infant, a sling extends across the basin and is supported by at least two of the side walls when in the extended position. The sling is configured and arranged to be detached from one of the sidewalls and retract into a retraction mechanism at the opposing side wall such that the sling is stored in the retraction mechanism when not in use. In an alternate embodiment, a retrofit sling support assembly is provided for use in baths not fitted with a sling or for standalone use. The retractable sling is supported by a portable foldable frame.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An infant support sling comprising:
 a support structure having first and second opposing vertical supports;   a sling having first and second opposing ends; and   a retraction mechanism positioned at said second vertical support,   wherein said second end of said sling is engaged with said retraction mechanism, said sling having a first deployed position wherein said first end is supported by said first vertical support, said sling extending between said first and second vertical supports, said sling having a second retracted position at said retraction mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The infant support sling of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is a basin said vertical supports being vertical side walls of said basin. 
     
     
         3 . The infant support sling of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is a structural frame. 
     
     
         4 . The infant support sling of  claim 3 , wherein said structural frame is foldable to a compact storage arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . The infant support sling of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said sling is releasably engaged with said first vertical support. 
     
     
         6 . The infant support sling of  claim 5 , wherein said sling is releasably engaged with said first vertical support using engagement devices selected from the group consisting of: snaps, buttons, hooks, hook and loop fastener, slides and pins. 
     
     
         7 . An infant bath comprising:
 a basin having first and second opposing sidewall vertical supports;   a sling having first and second opposing ends; and   a retraction mechanism positioned at said second sidewall vertical support, wherein said second end of said sling is engaged with said retraction mechanism, said sling having a first deployed position wherein said first end is supported by said first sidewall vertical support, said sling extending between said first and second sidewall vertical supports, said sling having a second retracted position at said retraction mechanism.   
     
     
         8 . The infant bath of  claim 7 , wherein said first end of said sling is releasably engaged with said first sidewall vertical support. 
     
     
         9 . The infant support sling of  claim 8 , wherein said sling is releasably engaged with said first vertical sidewall support using engagement devices selected from the group consisting of: snaps, buttons, hooks, hook and loop fastener, slides and pins. 
     
     
         10 . An infant support sling comprising:
 a support frame having first and second opposing vertical supports;   a sling having first and second opposing ends; and   a retraction mechanism positioned at said second vertical support, wherein said second end of said sling is engaged with said retraction mechanism, said sling having a first deployed position wherein said first end is supported by said first vertical support, said sling extending between said first and second vertical supports, said sling having a second retracted position at said retraction mechanism.   
     
     
         11 . The infant support sling of  claim 10 , wherein said structural frame is foldable to a compact storage arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . The infant support sling of  claim 10 , wherein said first end of said sling is releasably engaged with said first vertical support. 
     
     
         13 . The infant support sling of  claim 12 , wherein said sling is releasably engaged with said first vertical support using engagement devices selected from the group consisting of: snaps, buttons, hooks, hook and loop fastener, slides and pins.