US3469265A - Baptistry for immersion - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 30, 1969 cs. L. BRADLEY BAPTISTRY FOR IMNERSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 26. 1967 FIG.2

INVENTOR.

61/) L. BRADLEY ZKZM/ 272 Sept. 30, 1969 e. L. BRADLEY 3,469,265

BAPTIS'I'RY FOR IMMERSION Filed Sept. 26, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR.

GUY L. BRADLEY United States Patent 3,469,265 BAPTISTRY FOR IMMERSION Guy L. Bradley, Chula Vista, Calif. (3908 Cooney Way, Bakersfield, Calif. 93309) Filed Sept. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 670,645 Int. Cl. A47k 3/022, 3/12, 3/16 U.S. Cl. 41 4 Claims ABSTRACT on THE DISCLOSURE A baptistry for immersion having complementary steps on each end thereof with a seat in between the two sets of steps which is adjustable in height, the bottom step on eachset of steps having an adjustable foot-hold means for accommodating persons of differing sizes during the immersion process and an adjustable platform adjacent the baptistry for accommodating ministers of various heights during the baptismal ceremony.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a baptistry for immersion and more particularly to a baptistry for immersion having an adjustable seat therein and an adjustable toehold for accommodating persons of differing heights.

PRIOR ART BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a baptistry for immersion is provided having a set of steps on each end thereof. A glass panel is preferably included to permit the viewing of the complete baptism by the congregation. A seat, which is adjustable in height, is provided in the center be tween the two sets of steps. Under each bottom step of the two sets of steps, an adjustable toe-hold is provided which, in combination with the adjustable seat, removes the occupants weight from the minister since the majority of weight is borne by the occupant. A recessed area with steps leading down to an adjustable platform is provided for the minister adjacent to the baptismal bath for allowing the minister proximity to the baptistry without the necessity of entering the bath itself. The overall construction results in a substantial reduction in water volume.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a baptistry for immersion having a height adjustment for accommodating a wide range of age groups.

Another object is to provide a baptistry for immersion having an adjustable toe-hold for accommodating a wide range of heights of users.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a baptistry for immersion having a recessed area for placing the minister in proximity to the person being baptized without the necessity of immersion or partial immersion of the minister.

A still further object is to provide a baptistry in which the occupants weight is substantially removed from the minister.

Yet another object is to provide a baptistry for immersion which is inexpensive to manufacture and install and extremely convenient in use.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View partially broken away of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in schematic form of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail in perspective of the toe-hold apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the seat construction of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat and toe-hold portions of the present invention mounted as an insert to existing baptistrys.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 baptistry 11 has two sets of steps 12 and 13, steps 13 having a recess 14 in the bottom step thereof. Floor area 17 has a pedestal 18 supporting an adjustable shaft 19 therein on which a seat 21 is carried. Recess 14 has an adjustable toe-hold apparatus shown generally at 22. Adjustable shaft 19 is coupled to toehold apparatus 22 as indicated by dotted lines 20. A recessed area shown generally at 23 has a plurality of steps 24 leading down to an adjustable platform 26 adjacent to the floor area 17 of baptistry 11. A dividing wall 25 separates recessed area 23 from baptistry 11.

Referring to FIG. 3, a detail of the toe-hold apparatus 22 is shown having an axle member 28 rotatably coupled to the sides 27 of recess 14. Axle member 28 has two U- shaped members 31 and 32 mounted at substantially right angles to each other. Extension 31 accommodates a foothold for a relatively short person and extension 32 provi-des a foot-hold for a relatively tall person.

Adjustable shaft 19 is coupled via a wire 20 around guide wheel 33 through conduit 34 to a guiding disk 36 fixedly attached to axle member 28.

Referring to FIG. 4, pedestal 18 has a top 19 which is stepped at 37, 38 and 39, each steps 37 and 38 having a retaining lip at their respective edges. Adjustable shaft 19 has a retaining rod 41 adapted to cooperate with steps 37, 38 and 39 in top surface 15 of pedestal 18.

Referring to FIG. 5, an insert is shown having a floor area 17, a pedestal 18 and a foot adjustment 22. Adjustable shaft 19 is received by a pedestal 18 and carries seat 21 thereon. Two sets of steps 12 and 13 are shown but may or may not be included.

OPERATION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the party to be baptized can enter the baptistry from either stairway 12 or 13 and can adjust seat 21 to accommodate his height (in the alternative, seat 21 can be adjusted for groups of relatively short persons or groups of relatively tall persons). The foot-hold mechanism 22 being coupled to adjustable shaft 19 is automatically positioned for the height of the user depending upon the height posi tioning of seat 21, i.e., with seat 21 raised, the coupling wire 20 rotates the U-shaped member 31 upward, accommodating a relatively short person, and with seat shaft 19 lowered, coupling 20 allows U-shaped member 31 to lie flush with floor 17, placing U-shaped member 32 in position for accommodating a relatively tall person. This combination of the adjustable toe-hold and seat, removes the burden of the occupants weight from the minister since the occupant is holding himself by his feet at the time of his immersion in a backward direction while seated.

It can be seen that the minister attending the baptising ceremony merely descends steps 24 and stands on adjustable platform 26 without the necessity of a partial immersement in the bath of the baptistry itself.

Referring to FIG. 5, the seat adjustment and toe-hold adjustment mechanisms are shown mounted on a platform 17 for insertion in an existing baptistry. Steps can be omitted or included as the need dictates.

It should be understood, of course, the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention herein chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do not constitute departures in the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A baptistry for immersion comprising:

a closed bath having a set of steps at one end thereof,

said set of steps including a bottom step;

a recess underneath said bottom step of said set of steps;

an adjustable toe-hold means mounted within said recess;

a seat in proximity with said adjustable toe-hold means.

2. The baptistry of immersion of claim 1 and further including:

adjustment means for adjusting the height of said seat.

3. The baptistry for immersion of claim 2 and further including:

.4 coupling means for coupling said adjustment means for adjusting the height of said seat to said adjustable toe-hold means, whereby upon raising said seat, said adjustable toe-hold means is adjusted for accommodating relatively short occupants and upon lowering said seat, said adjustable toe-hold means is ad justed for accommodating relatively tall occupants. 4. The baptistry for immersion of claim 1 and further including:

a compartment adjacent to said baptistry for immersion for accommodating a minister, said compartment including a platform adjustable in elevation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 182,939 5/1958 Wiedemann 4172 2,869,140 1/1959 Wiedemann 4172 2,875,528 3/1959 Garate 4172 20 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner

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