Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
004555000 | With user access means in side of the tub | 31 |
20100192293 | WALK-IN BATHTUB WITH MINIMAL ENTRY THRESHOLD - A walk-in bathtub is disclosed with a minimal entry threshold height that provides enhanced convenience and safety for physically challenged and/or elderly users. The walk-in bathtub couples directly to a floor drain and does not include water jets or plumbing beneath the tub, thereby allowing the bottom of the tub to rest directly on the floor without being supported by a metal frame. The entry threshold height is less than four inches, preferably less than three inches, and more preferably less than two inches above the floor. The distribution of the tub weight over the floor surface makes it safer to use on weak or compromised floors. The reduced height of the tub allows it to easily pass through conventional doorways, and the reduced weight of the tub allows it to be easily carried and installed. | 08-05-2010 |
20100212083 | Retrofit Bathtub Door - Provided is an installation process and product designed to retrofit an existing bathtub by cutting and removing a section of the existing sidewall of the bathtub and adding a generally U-shaped structure featuring an operational and watertight and sealable door. The surface of the U-shaped structure may also feature a skid resistant tread plate on its top surface to help prevent a user from slipping and/or falling. The door may also feature a handle for ease in opening and closing the door and a latch to secure the door in a closed position. | 08-26-2010 |
20100275364 | Accessible Bathtub - A bathtub system, including a tub with a bather access opening in one sidewall and a door mounted on that sidewall. In the closed position, the door is adjacent the access opening, and in the open position the door is substantially clear of the access opening. The system includes a gray water reservoir under the tub of approximately the capacity of the tub and which can be connected to a sewer system. A high capacity tub drain conducts water from the tub into the reservoir by gravity alone very quickly. | 11-04-2010 |
20100325789 | Instant bathing equipment and operating method thereof - An instant bathing equipment comprises a bathtub having a bathing room; a controlling means to generate an entrance formed on a bathing room to make a user enter the bathtub and close the bathtub; an isolating means to separate a store space in the bathing room so as to store water and to make the user enter a washing chamber from the entrance, the store space and the washing chamber communicating with each other so that water in the store space flows to the washing chamber, such that the bathing room is filled with water in a short time. | 12-30-2010 |
20110088159 | WALL-ENTRY BATHTUB - A wall-entry bathtub includes an entry wall movable between a raised position and a lowered position to provide convenient ingress and egress. A handle assembly is coupled to a pair of latches and brackets to selectively restrain the wall-entry bathtub in the raised position. A counterweight assembly is coupled to the entry wall and reduces the force required to move the entry wall between the lowered and raised positions. The entry wall also includes a seal member that is expandable to inhibit water from leaking past the entry wall when the wall-entry bathtub is in use. Dual drains are provided to reduce the time required to drain water from the wall-entry bathtub. And, a controller, in combination with a variety of sensors, applies predetermined logic to control the water filling, entry wall sealing, and water draining of the wall-entry bathtub. | 04-21-2011 |
20110167555 | Closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin - The invention relates to a closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin ( | 07-14-2011 |
20120005820 | Bathtub Overlay - In accordance with one embodiment, a method is disclosed including providing a first opening in a sidewall of a bathtub, the sidewall including a top wall, an inner wall, and a outer wall, where the first opening extends along a length of the sidewall and has a depth extending generally downward from the top wall of the sidewall. The method further includes providing an overlay, the overlay including a body configured to receive at least a portion of the bathtub, wherein the body defines a channel and a second opening and positioning the overlay such that the overlay substantially covers the top wall of the sidewall and the sidewall is positioned within the channel defined by the body of the overlay, where the first opening is aligned with the second opening. | 01-12-2012 |
20120192349 | Accessible Bathtub and Drain - A bathtub system, including a tub with a bather access opening in one sidewall and a door mounted on that sidewall. In the closed position, the door is adjacent the access opening, and in the open position the door is substantially clear of the access opening. The system includes a gray water reservoir under the tub of approximately the capacity of the tub and which can be connected to a sewer system. A high capacity toroidal tub drain conducts water from the tub into the reservoir by gravity alone very quickly. | 08-02-2012 |
20120198611 | BATH AND/OR SHOWER DEVICE - The invention relates to a bath and/or shower device, comprising a tub ( | 08-09-2012 |
20120216343 | BATHTUB OVERLAY - In accordance with one embodiment, a method is disclosed including providing a first opening in a sidewall of a bathtub, the sidewall including a top wall, an inner wall, and a outer wall, where the first opening extends along a length of the sidewall and has a depth extending generally downward from the top wall of the sidewall. The method further includes providing an overlay, the overlay including a body configured to receive at least a portion of the bathtub, wherein the body defines a channel and a second opening and positioning the overlay such that the overlay substantially covers the top wall of the sidewall and the sidewall is positioned within the channel defined by the body of the overlay, where the first opening is aligned with the second opening. The overlay can include at least one assistance feature. The assistance feature may include, for example, a seat, a grab bar, or a handrail. | 08-30-2012 |
20120304376 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A SIDE DOOR FOR A WALK-IN TUB - The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a door for a walk-in bathtub, which comprises forming a tub door cap from an acrylic sheet, wherein the tub door cap has an outer shape defining a door for a walk-in tub; forming a channel into a surface of the tub door cap along a peripheral area thereof; forming a threshold portion configured to mate with the channel in the tub door cap and extend outwardly from the tub door cap; and the tub door cap is then adhered to the threshold portion of the door to form a walk-in tub door. The acrylic sheet that forms the tub door cap may be cast acrylic or it may be reinforced by co-extruding with thermoplastic, adding a reinforcing filler and/or fiberglass. A walk-in bathtub door made by the method described above and a walk-in bathtub assembly having a door made by the method described above are also provided herein. | 12-06-2012 |
20130086738 | PORTABLE WALK-IN BATHTUB - A portable, walk in type bathtub includes an entrance and a door attached thereto to allow someone to walk into the bathtub without stepping over a wall. A replaceable water tank is attached to the tub such that clean water is directed from the water tank to the tub. Once the water has been used, the dirty or black water is directed to a separate tank within the water tank attachment. Once all of the clean water from the water tank has been used, the water tank is detached from the tub housing and a new tank containing clean water is attached to the tub to further facilitate bathing. The tub and water tank include wheels attached to the bottoms thereof to facilitate movement of the tub and water tank. The wheels may be raised and lowered to facilitate movement and locking of the tub in place. | 04-11-2013 |
20130086739 | Modular Walk-in Bathtub Systems - A modular walk-in bathtub system may comprise a plurality of configurable components that connect together. The configurable components may enable: passage of the configurable components through various sized doorways; on-site configuration during installation of the walk-in bathtub system to provide a left-hand drain or right-hand drain orientation; on-site configuration during installation of the walk-in bathtub system to provide an in-swing door, an out-swing door or a two-in-one door; removal and reinstallation of the walk-in bathtub system in a different location; and/or stackable storage of the configurable components. | 04-11-2013 |
20130283518 | DRAIN SYSTEM FOR BATHTUB WITH DOOR - A drain system for a tub of the type having a tub body defining a bathing cavity, a doorway with door sill in the tub body and a door in the doorway. The drain system comprises a drain piping section adapted to be in fluid communication with a tub drain hole in a bottom of the bathing cavity for drainage of bathing liquid therethrough. A drain unit is adapted to be connected to a door drain hole in the door sill for drainage of liquid therethrough. The drain unit has an inner cavity and a check valve held releasably captive in the inner cavity. The check valve is manually removable from an exposed surface of the door sill. A pipe connects the drain unit to the drain piping section to direct liquid collected by the drain unit to the drain piping section. | 10-31-2013 |
20150020305 | WALL-ENTRY BATHTUB - A wall-entry bathtub includes a basin, a shell defining an entryway to allow access into the basin, and an entry wall movable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the entry wall is substantially clear of the entryway in the lowered position and at least partially blocks the entryway in the raised position. The bathtub also includes first and second entry wall position sensors configured to sense the position of the entry wall and a controller in electronic communication with the first and second entry wall position sensors, wherein the controller is configured to control components of the bathtub based at least in part on the position of the entry wall. | 01-22-2015 |
20150305573 | BATHTUB CLOSURE SYSTEMS - Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity is configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub, and a first attachment recess defined by the step. The bathtub closure system having a plug, the plug including a body having a first side, a second side, and a bottom portion, and a first attachment member corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step, where the plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity defined by the step. | 10-29-2015 |
20150335206 | BATHTUB SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity can be configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub. The bathtub closure system can include a closure, where the closure can be coupled with the step and can cooperate with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the closure is in a closed position. The bathtub closure system can include a support portion, where the support portion can be co-molded with the step and have a substantially U-shaped configuration extending in a generally downward direction from the step to support the step during use. | 11-26-2015 |
20160000272 | SLIDING DOOR FOR WALK-IN BATHTUB - A walk-in bathtub is disclosed, which may include a bathtub frame and a sliding door. The bathtub frame has a door receiving space to receive the sliding door and the sliding door may include a plurality of door seals that can be attached to the outer wall of the door receiving space to secure the sliding door. The door also includes a door lock, so when the door is appropriately positioned in the door receiving space, the door lock is used to further secure the door in a fixed position. The bathtub may include a pair of bottom sliding rails and the sliding door can travel thereon, and one end of each bottom sliding rail is curved to a predetermined extent to cause the sliding door to slightly tilt before entering the receiving space. | 01-07-2016 |
20160135649 | COLLAPSIBLE GRAB BARS FOR BATH TUBS AND/OR SHOWERS - A walk-in bathing environment is used by people who may have trouble getting in and out of standard bathtubs or showers. Grab bars are positioned in and around the bathing environments to aid in entering the environments, exiting the environments, sitting, standing, and otherwise moving relative to the bathing environment. The grab bars may be placed on the walls, top, external, or generally on and around the bathing environment such that a user can grab the one or more grab bars in order to provide support for moving relative to the bathing environment. The grab bars are connected to the environment such that they can be moved between a use and a non-use configuration, such that the bars are extending from a portion of the housing only when desired by the user. | 05-19-2016 |
004556000 | Pivoted door | 12 |
20090288248 | Bathtub system - A bathtub system includes a tub having a substantially horizontal planar floor and contiguous endwalls and sidewalls extending upwardly from the floor. At least one sidewall has a door opening. A sliding door cooperates with the door opening. The sliding door is operable in a direction which includes a horizontal translation component between oppositely disposed open and closed positions. The door is slid between those positions by a horizontal force applied by a user sitting in the tub urging the sliding door horizontally. The door opening has a sill having an elevation which is both substantially equal to an elevation of the seat of a user's wheelchair and substantially at the same elevation as the floor of the tub so as to not interfere with the user of the tub transferring laterally from the seat of the wheelchair, over the sill, and onto the floor of the tub. | 11-26-2009 |
20100037382 | LOW STEP SHOWER UNIT AND METHOD - A method of installing a low step entryway in a bathtub wall structure which comprises a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and an upper edge portion which together define an interior wall space. A portion of the front wall is cut away to form a cutout which is shaped in the form of the entryway which is being installed. After the open entryway is formed, a saddle structure is installed in the entryway. This saddle structure is shaped the same as the entryway opening which is being provided, and it comprises a lower middle portion forming a horizontal bottom wall, and two side saddle members extending upwardly extending components of alignment, with these providing side surfaces for the entryway. | 02-18-2010 |
20100263119 | Door Assembly for Walk-In Bathtub - The present invention provides a door assembly for a walk-in bathtub. The invention includes a door that fits within a door threshold in a wall of the walk-in tub. The door assembly further comprises a hinge assembly that includes a first axis mount coupled to the door threshold and a second axis mount coupled to the outer side of the door. A double axis hinge is coupled to both axis mounts, thereby connecting the door to the bathtub. The double axis hinge opens the door to the inside of the tub by pivoting about the first axis toward the interior of the bathtub as the door in turn counter rotates about the second axis at the distal end of the hinge, in the direction opposite to that of the hinge. | 10-21-2010 |
20120192350 | Bathtub Insert for Retrofit Installation - A bathtub insert is configured for retrofit installation into a bathtub. The bathtub insert includes a frame and a door. The frame includes a step-plate and a pair of end pillars. The door is movably coupled with the frame and movable with respect to the frame between an opened position and a closed position. | 08-02-2012 |
20130145542 | WALK-IN BATHTUB WITH WATER-PROOF DOOR AND SEALING MECHANISM - A walk-in bathtub has an outward swinging door mounted on a door jamb. The door is provided with a latching mechanism that includes an extendible latching pin for receipt within a latch receiver in the door jamb. The latching pin has a contoured face for guiding the latching pin into the latch receiver, and for drawing the door close to the door jamb to compress a gasket provided between the door and the door jamb. A push button lock selectively locks the latching mechanism in the latched position. | 06-13-2013 |
20130219609 | BATHING INSERT - A bathing insert includes a base and one or more walls extending therefrom. At least one of the walls defines an opening therein. A door is coupled to the opening at a pivot joint. The pivot joint is configured to rotate the door about a pivot axis and to translate the door substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis. | 08-29-2013 |
20140075665 | Walk In Bathtub Having Outward Opening Door and Entry Facilitative Seat - Described herein is a walk-in tub having an outward opening door that includes a walk-in bathtub having an outward opening door. The tub includes a body, which defines a cavity and at least one access wall which itself contains an entry surface that extends laterally away from the cavity. The entry surface defines a doorway or portal that is in communication with the cavity to facilitate lateral ingress to and egress from the cavity by a bather. Also contemplated with the scope of the invention are door sealing assemblies that serve to seal the door against the access wall. | 03-20-2014 |
20140101841 | ACCESSIBLE BATHTUB - Bathtubs and methods for making a bathtubs are disclosed. A bathtub may include a shell, a first door, and a second door. The shell defines a bathing well. A portion of the edge of the shell defines a door opening. The first door is coupled to a first side of the door opening. The second door is coupled to a second side of the door opening opposite the first side of the door opening. The first and second doors are movable into a closed position blocking the door opening. | 04-17-2014 |
20140115771 | Dual Compartment Walk-in Bathtub - A bathtub is provided of the walk-in type, wherein the bathtub includes an internal dam element that allows a user to segment the bathtub into a first and second compartment and operably utilize the bathtub as a sit-down tub or as a standing shower. An entry door provides access into the bathtub without requiring users to lift their legs during entry, while the dam element allows the user to fill the first compartment of the tub and prepare it for use before entering the bathtub interior. The second compartment remains empty as the first compartment fills with water, whereafter the user can enter the empty second compartment and remove the dam element after closing the entry door. The bathtub further comprises a first and second drain for independently draining the first and second compartments and allowing the user to exit the tub while the first compartment is still draining. | 05-01-2014 |
20140201900 | Walk-In Tub Door Assembly - A walk-in tub includes a tub frame having a door frame provided in one or more of the walls of the tub frame. The tub further includes a door hingedly connected to the door frame and adapted for movement between an open position into the interior cavity of the tub and a closed position aligned with the door frame. A sealing face is provided on the door frame facing the interior cavity of the tub. A seal is disposed around a perimeter of the door for sealing the door against the sealing face when the door is in the closed position. A latching mechanism on the door is operable between a latching position and an unlatching position and includes a slidable latching pin that is slidable to engage a pin receiver in the latching position when the door is locked and disengage from the pin receiver in the unlatching position when the door is unlocked. | 07-24-2014 |
20150107017 | Multiple Compartment Walk-in Bathtub - A bathtub is provided of the walk-in type, wherein the bathtub includes an at least one internal dam element that allows a user to segment the bathtub into a two or more compartments and operably utilize the bathtub as a sit-down tub or as a standing shower. An entry door provides access into the bathtub without requiring users to lift their legs during entry, while the dam elements allow the user to fill the sectioned compartments of the tub and prepare it for use before entering the bathtub interior. Certain compartments may remain empty as the other compartments fill with water, whereafter the user can enter the empty the empty compartment and remove a dam element after closing the entry door. The bathtub further may also comprise a first and second drain for independently draining the compartments. | 04-23-2015 |
20150342418 | BATHTUB DOOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A bathtub insert can include a frame, a door movably coupled with the frame and movable with respect to the frame between an opened position and a closed position, an elongate latch coupled with the door, a catch coupled with the frame, and a support structure, the support structure being coupled to the frame. | 12-03-2015 |