GB2500036A

GB2500036A - Walk in bath having a main bath chamber, a smaller external chamber and inner and outer access doors

Info

Publication number: GB2500036A
Application number: GB201204060A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Daniels
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2012-03-07
Publication date: 2013-09-11
Also published as: GB201204060D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a walk in bath system comprising a main bath chamber G, and a smaller by volume external chamber C attached to the bath. The bath may have an inner door A which has a balancing valve D operable by Handle F to balance the water levels within the main chamber and small chamber when the inner and outer doors are closed. The small chamber may be moulded, have a drain, and may be a separate item mounted to the main bath chamber.

Description

1

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

The walk-in bath system comprises a small chamber which is integrated into or attached to the outside of the main bath. This small chamber has a sealing door for entry from outside the bath and a second sealing door between itself and the bath {see Fig.l, A and B}

To enter and leave the bath the bather passes through the small chamber, carrying out a short series of simple sequences which enable the bather to enter and leave a full bath without external leakage.

The presence of the invention does not place a major restraint on the design of the main bath. It can be a conventional "lie-down" type (as illustrated in this document) or one of the variations such as a hip-bath, one with a fixed or rising seat as well as one including a shower.

The sequence for entering and leaving the bath by means of the walk-in system is described in the next section in conjunction with Figs 1 to 8. (Note: The figures illustrate the walk-in system integrated into the main bath)

The dimensions of the small chamber are such as to allow the bather to enter i.e it will comfortably accommodate feet and lower legs. Its volume will be small compared with the main bath and therefore will fill quickly via the valve in the inner door (Fig. 1}D)

After entry into the main bath the water level can be topped up if required while the bather is comfortably immersed.

The balancing valve (Fig.ip) and the drain valve (Fig. la,H) may use current ceramic disc practice in their construction.

2

OPERATION Refer to Figs 1 to Q

(i) Before starting ensure inner door A is closed. Outer door B may be open (Fig 2)

(ii) Bath is filled to desired level (Fig. 3 )

(iii) Bather enters small chamber C which is empty and closes outer door B (Fig. 4)

(iv) Balancing valve D is opened. Bath water enters small chamber until level coincide ( Fig. 5 )

( v ) Bather opens inner door A and enters main bath. Inner door A closed to make Ml bath available (Fig. 6)

(vi) Before leaving, bather ensures that balancing valve D is closed., re-enters small chamber C and close inner door A.

(vii) The small chamber C is emptied by opening drain valve H which is activated by handle F and control rod J (Fig la ). The water passes out via drain outlet E which is connected into the main bath drain system.

(viii) The bather may now leave via outer door B.

( ix) The main bath may now be emptied in the normal manner

3

CLATMS

Claims

Claim 1. A walk-in Bath system comprising a main bath chamber and a small external chamber attached to the bath, the volume of the small chamber being considerably less than that of the main bath
Claim 2. A walk-in bath which has a sealing door between the two chambers and a sealing door into the small chamber from outside
Claim 3. A walk-in bath system in which the bottom surfaces in bath chambers are the same level and close to the bathroom floor.

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Claim 4. A walk-in bath system in which the main bath chamber has normal filling and draining features i.e taps and piped exit
Claim 5. A walk-in bath system which has a closable orifice in the door between the two chambers.
Claim 6. A walk-in bath system which has a closable drain from the small chamber.
Claim 7. A walk-in bath system which can be largely moulded into the bath or ( see claim 8 )
Claim 8. A walk-in bath system which can be attached as a unit to the main bath chamber. This provides a means of adding the benefits of this invention to existing designs of walk-in baths (which require entry before filling) with minor modifications, (see FIG. 8)
Claim 9.) A walk-in bath system in which the operation described in this document (i.e door opening,closing and locking; taps and valve operation ) can be performed manually as described or can be performed electrically with automatic electronic sequence control.

Claim ( 10) A walk-in bath system which enables a person to enter a bath which has already been filled to a desired level and temperature.