US1961433A

US1961433A - Bathtub construction

Info

Publication number: US1961433A
Application number: US711106A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edmund B Schlegel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-02-14
Filing date: 1934-02-14
Publication date: 1934-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 1951-06-05

Description

June 5, 1934. E. B. SCHLEGEL BATHTUB CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 14, 1934 INVENTOR B. Sch L EGEL ATTORN Patented June 5 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BATHTUB CONSTRUCTION Edmund B. Schlegel, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application February 14, 1934, Serial No. 711,106 5 Claims. (01. 4-185) with use and/or chip or disfigure the bathtub and which, moreover, are unsanitary and render ready cleansing of the bathtub most difficult.

An object of the present invention therefore, is to provide an integral head rest which may be integrally molded or formed with the bathtub, which may be readily cleansed, which will not necessitate clamping extra devices onto the bathtub and which will not substantially increase the cost manufacture.

In designing such an integral head rest it has been found important to form the head rest in such a way that the back of the headshall be solely supported without the neck of the bather at all coming in contact with the edge of the bathtub or any part of the head rest.

It has been found that this is particularly desirable inasmuch since if the neck is supported on the back of the bathtub it is necessary for the-bather to assume an uncomfortable position in the tub not conducive to restful bathing and further necessitating an extra modification in bathtub structure over standard construction which may involve substantially increased expense in manufacture.

Furthermore, it has been found desirable to shape the head rest in such a way that substantially no water will collect therein and so that ready drainage can be had at all times, with the result that the hair and the head will remain dry if positioned in the head rest in dry condition, or will readily drain and dry if positioned in the head rest in wet condition. I

In addition, it has been found desirable to so form the head rest that the bather may conveniently lie slightly on his side, as well as on his back, the rest being formed so that it will not always cause his head to slide to one position in the lower portion thereof, but will permit him to assume different positions within the tub.

Other objects of the present invention therefore, are to provide an integral head rest in a bathtub of porcelain, ceramic or other suitable material which, although of relatively inexpensive construction, will most conveniently and comfortably support the back of the head of the bather without compelling him to assume any undesirable or uncomfortable position, which will be self-draining and readily cleansed, which will maintain the hair and head dry if dry when placed thereon, which will permit drying if the head or hair is placed wet thereon, and which will permit a convenient oscillation or turning of the head of the bather so as to assume a position of maximum comfort.

Other objects will be obvious and will appear during the course of the following specification.

In accomplishing these objects, as above stated, it has been found most satisfactory to form the head rest as an integral recess or depression in the head end of the bathtub, which may be of porcelain, ceramic or metal construction.

It has been found most desirable in forming this head rest to cause it to extend over the center back portion of the bathtub, for a distance of substantially from two to three times the width of the head so that the head may conveniently roll slightly from side to side therein, and to position the recess so that it is substantially below the edge of the tub.

The bottom of the recess transversely of the bathtub is slightly concaved and longitudinally of the bathtub is slightly concave at its rear portion and as it descends and merges with the bathtub, it becomes slightly convex.

The bottom of the recess is preferably formed with a series of ridges of such width and shape that at their top faces they will conveniently support and conform to the back and sides of the head regardless of position, and give the feeling to the bather that his head is resting on a solid member without discomfort.

At the same time, the spaces between the ridges are of such width as to permit ready and speedy drainage of liquid from any portion of the head of the bathtub provided with the improved head rest of the present invention, formed integrally therein.

Figure 2 is a top view taken in the direction indicated by the numeral 2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear view in the direction of the numeral 3 on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on the lines 4--4 of Figures 1 and 2, and Y Figure 5 is a fragmentary side sectional view of a slight modification.

Figures 6 and 7 are detail views on an enlarged scale of the ridged construction.

As indicated in Figures 1 to 5 the bathtub is provided with a bottom 10, sides 11, back 12 and a rim 13, said rim extending entirely around the side walls.

The bathtub may be formed of ceramic material such as porcelain, of various types of plastic materials or of metal materials, although the latter are usually not preferred.

At the top of the back wall 12 of the bathtub below the top portion 14 of the rim 13 is provided the recess 15. The recess 15 is substantially depressed below the top of the rim by the depth of the vertical step 16. It will be noted particularly uponFigures 1 and 4, that the floor of the recess slopes downwardly from the step 16 in the form of the slightly concaved member 17, which when it merges with the front and side walls of the bathtub becomes slightly convexed as indicated at 18.

Along the width of the recess it will be noted in Figs. 1 to 3 that the floor is slightly concaved at 19 in its center portion and it tends to straighten or become slightly convexed toward'its edges 20, the base of the depression being formed by a series of ridges 21 which are separated by the channels 22.

The ridges 21, as shown in Figure 6, are preferably so shaped and slanted as to drain to the depressions 22 and the depressions or grooves 21 are so shaped, as shown in Figure 7, as to assure rapid drainage of all water from the head rest recess into the bathtub cavity proper. As shown in Fig. 4, the depressions .are slightly more depressed below the level of the ridges 21 at 18 than they are at 17, the depth of the depressions being so regulated that they will extend substantially below the ridges by an increasing amount as to approach the front of the bathtub.

The ridges 21 are so proportioned both as to width and number and in respect to the depressions 22 that the back of the head will feel as if it were resting upon a substantially solid surface, and at the same time ready drainage and drying will be permitted, if the head is wet. The shape of the grooves and ridges and the curvature of the whole recess is such as to assure most rapid and speedy drainage and drying at all times and most ready cleansing of the head rest recess.

It will be noted that these ridges .will support the head of the bather above the bottom of the recess and substantial latitude is permitted for the movement of the head of the bather from side to side. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the back step or wall 16 of the recess 15 takes the form of a portion of a cylinder having a diameter equal to or about three-quarters of the maximum width 23 of the head rest. The maximum. depth of the head rest 24 on the other hand, varies from onehalf to one-quarter of the width 23.

In Figure 5 is shown an alternative embodiment in which similarly functioning parts are designated by the same numerals primed. In Figure 5 the shape and proportion of the head rest is substantially the same as indicated in the embodiment in Fig. 4, except that a self-draining groove 25 is provided to hold a lip 26 of a sponge rubber pad 27, if it is desired to use the same in the recess. As indicated, it is apparent, that, if the sponge rubber pad is removed, the recess 15 will function substantially the same as the recess 15 of Figs. 1 to 4.

It is apparent that by the present invention the applicant has provided an integral, simple and satisfactory head rest adapted to bathtubs which will achieve the many advantages set forth above.

What is claimed is:

1. A bathtub provided with a substantial integral recesstoserve as a headrest, said recess being of such a shape as to permit of oscillation or rolling of the head, to support the back of the head in a position most comfortable to the bather without contact with the neck, to be most readily cleansed and permit drainage, drying and maintenance of the head of the bather in dry condition, said recess being depressed below the rim of the bathtub and the floor of the recess longitudinally first being of concaved shape and which concavity initiates at a substantial depth inside the rim of the bathtub, said concavity becoming a slight convexity, as it merges into the rear face of the bathtub, and laterally and centrally having a slight concavity which becomes slightly convexed adjacent the lateral ends of the head rest recess, said head rest having a contour when viewed from the top ranging from one-quarter to one-half moon and being provided with a series of parallel ridges extending longitudinally of the tub and laterally of the recess, said ridges being curved on top so as to drain readily and so as to support the back of the head of the bather in the most comfortable position, and a series of de-- pressed grooves between said ridges for readily and quickly draining away the water collected in said headrest recess.

2. A bathtub provided with a substantial integral recess to serve as a head rest, said recess being of such a shape as to permit of oscillation or rolling of the head, to support the back of the head in a position most comfortable to the bather without contact with the neck, to be most readily cleansed and permit drainage, drying and maintenance of the head of the bather in dry condition, said recess being depressed below the rim of the bathtub and the floor of the recess longitudinally first being of concaved shape and which concavity initiates at a substantial depth inside the rim of the bathtub, said concavity becoming a slight convexity as it merges into the rear face of the bathtub, and laterally and centrally having a slight concavity which becomes slightly convexed adjacent the lateral ends of the head rest recess.

3. A bathtub provided with a. substantial integral recess to serve as a head rest, said recess being of such a shape as to permit of oscillation or rolling of the head, to support the back of the head in a position most comfortable to the bather without contact with the neck, to be most readily cleansed and permit drainage, drying and maintenance of the head in dry condition of the bather, said recess being depressed below the rim of the bathtub, and the floor of the recess, being provided with a series of parallel ridges extending longitudinally of the tub"= and laterally of the recess, said ridges being curved on top so as to drain readily and'so as to support the back of the head of the bather in the most comfortable position, and a series of depressed channels between said ridges for readily and quickly draining away thewater collected in said head 15 rest recess.

4. A bathtub provided with a substantial integral recess to serve as a head rest, said recess being of such a shape as to permit of oscillation or rolling of the head, to support theback of the head without contact with the neck in a position most comfortable to the bather, to be most readily cleansed and permit drainage, drying and maintenance of the head of the bather in dry condition, said means being depressed below the rim of the bathtub and the floor of the recess, being of a contour when viewed from the top ranging from one-quarter to one-half moon and being provided with a series of parallel ridges extending longitudinally of the tub and laterally of the recess, said ridges being curved on top so as to drain readily and soas to support the back of the head of the bather in the most comfortable position.

5. A bathtub provided with a substantial integral recess to serve as a head rest, said recess being of such a shape as to permit of oscillation or rolling of the head, to support the back of the head in a position most comfortable to. the bather without contact with the neck, to be most readily cleansed and permit drainage, drying and maintenance of the head in dry condition of the bather, said recess being depressed below the rim of the bathtub and the floor of the recess longitudinally first being of concaved shape and which concavity initiates at a substantial depth inside the rim of the bathtub, the rear of the recess being provided with a self-draining groove extending along the wall thereof, and a rubber pad provided with a lip fitted in said groove and covering said floor.

EDMUND B. SCHLEGEL.