US20050102746A1

US20050102746A1 - Deep soaking tub and shower with side entry door

Info

Publication number: US20050102746A1
Application number: US10/706,036
Authority: US
Inventors: Dorothy Wright; Helmut Jung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-13
Filing date: 2003-11-13
Publication date: 2005-05-19

Abstract

A deep soaking tub and shower combination apparatus having a side entry door and a built-in seat with armrests to allow a person to enter from the side through a hinged door with a seal that becomes tighter as the tub fills. The door has a rotating locking mechanism with a plurality of locking dogs and a lockable handle. The apparatus provides a safer tub and shower for the elderly and those persons with a limited range of bodily movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to bathtubs, and more particularly, to a deep soaking bathtub and shower apparatus with a built-in seat and a removable hinged door.
2. Description of the Related Art
The related art of interest describes various tubs and/or shower combinations and assemblies with various sliding entry doors, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an economical and simplified bathtub, shower and door combination having a seat, armrests and a door seal with a latching/locking handle that can be installed in place of an existing bath. The relevant art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,312 issued on January 10, to Fred J. Corlew describes a bathtub on wheels having a hinged door in front opposite a seat with a recessed center portion for use as a sitz bath. Two rear removable posts are joined by a horizontal rear curtain rod and support two pivotable side curtain rods. A shower curtain with rings is supported by the curtain rods. A floor drain can be closed or opened by a lever below a counter supporting a showerhead with an extendible tube and a water faucet. A lever for controlling water overflow and drain into a pipe and a thermometer are provided adjacent the faucet. The water is supplied to the wheeled bathtub from an external faucet and piped to a chamber below the seat containing a submersible pump operated by an external electric power source. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a wheeled bath, a shower curtain, a front, i.e., opposite the bather, hinged door, a self-contained water source tank with a submersible pump, and a thermometer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,241 issued on Sep. 4, 1990, to Douglas P. Williams describes a block shaped bathtub with an easy access side door having a specific contoured shape with a single axis hinge and a double axis hinge. A handle on top of the door activates the opening and swiveling of the door inside and in front of the seat. Handgrips are on the left inside sidewall and on the inside surface of the door. Gaskets are provided on either side of the door or the jamb. Plumbing is not disclosed. The tub is made from molded acrylic plastic. The bathtub is distinguishable for requiring a specially hinged and shaped door, and lacking plumbing essentials.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,569,825 issued on Oct. 2, 1951, to Howard J. Otis describes a square-shaped bathtub installed in a corner having high walls and a small, hinged door swinging out with resilient door stripping in an upper corner that is lockable on the outside. The faucets are arranged in a wall against the bathroom wall opposite the seat. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a small, hinged door that swings out.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,354 issued on Mar. 5, 1968, to Vetra M. Hayslett describes a walk-in square shaped bathtub having a seat and a water tap positioned at the rear end of a horizontal rectangular base. Drains are located on the base outside and inside the tub. A hinged door in front swinging out has sealing and a pair of slots that engage lugs controlled by a linking disc and linkage inside a chamber below the seat to a water float. A control knob or ring by the seat is connected by internal linkage to open or close the tub's drain. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a hinged door opening out and a drain opening control.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,316 issued on Dec. 4, 1962, to Lionel E. Russell describes an elevated rectangular seatless tub mounted on a support base having a recessed area under the automobile-type hinged door with a handle and lock consisting of a slide bolt to engage a pair of angular clips on the bathtub wall. The bathtub has a spigot and hot and cold valves mounted at one end. The door swinging out has a sponge rubber gasket on an edge opposite the hinge. The apparatus is distinguishable for lacking any seat and requiring an elevating support base and a hinged door that opens outward.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,960 issued on Mar. 13, 1973, to Lionel E. Russell describes a rectangular bathtub having two facing seats and an irregularly shaped door on hinges that swings out. The door's opening surface is obliquely formed to widen to the outside. The door has a conforming shape on its sides. A door latch is positioned on the outside surface. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring an irregularly shaped door that swings out and two opposing seats.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,275 issued on Feb. 4, 1975, to Thomas Brendgord et al. describes a Fiberglass sit-up bathtub and shower apparatus comprising a waist high height tub having an elevated shower attachment in a corner opposite a hinged door that opens out. The door has an inflatable seal around its periphery inflated by a pump handle and deflated by an adjacent bleed valve on the door top. A supplemental door seal comprising a flexible sheet is added. A slide bolt inside the top portion of the door locks the door when closed. A seat is provided without armrests. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring an inflatable door seal, a hinged door that opens outward and a slide bolt.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,935 issued on Nov. 30, 1982, to John P. Barrett, Sr. describes a deep bathtub with an elevated seat and an entrance door comprising a rectangular high walled tub having a horizontally swinging and inwardly opening door supported by link-type hinges from one wall. A pair of handgrips is provided inside on opposite walls. A seat is provided at one end without armrests. The door is hollow and has an intricate linkage system with a hinged partial cap on top of the door. The door apparatus requires a hollow door having a control handle on top and linked internally to a first latch arm and a second control arm linked to another control arm of a bell crank. A seal strip 50 is not shown. The bathtub is distinguishable for requiring a hollow door having internal mechanisms for opening the door.
U.S. Pat. No. 746,390 issued on Dec. 8, 1903, to Ida W. Schmidt describes a wheeled bathtub having a hinged and sealed door at one end opposite the enclosed water supply end having a drain and a sloped surface. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a wheeled tub having its own water supply.
U.S. Pat. No. 228,722 issued on Jun. 15, 1880, to Henry Arnd describes a combination bathtub with a shower connection having an oval cross-section made of sheet metal or wood lined with sheet metal. A watertight inwardly opening hinged door has a locking slide bolt. Hot and cold water taps support a sprinkler on a hose that can be attached to a notched vertical rack on one wall. A box for soap is attached to the wall below the faucets. A stool and a footstool are included. A chained stopper is positioned on the floor in one end. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a movable stool, a movable footstool and a notched hose holding rack.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,456,275 issued on Dec. 14, 1948, to Louise E. Harris describes a substantially rectangular bathtub on a pedestal made from metal sheeting covered with a vitreous enamel coating and'having two walls. A hinged door opening outward on one long side has an external latch and keeper. A second inner closure door slides horizontally into the hollow wall. The hot and coldwater valves are located at one end of the tub and have an overflow spout between them. Handles are provided on top of the tub on either side of the door. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a main hinged door and a horizontally sliding second door.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,570,053 issued on Oct. 2, 1951, to Arthur E. Fowler et al. describes a walk-in bathtub comprising a hinged outwardly opening door on the front side of a built-in conventional bathtub, and having a pivoting locking handle on the bathtub held by a U-shaped handle keeper on the door. The handle is provided with a mechanism that would prevent filling of the tub until the door is closed or preventing opening of the door until all the water has drained off. A control mechanism for the drain involving a float is linked to the handle in a wall adjacent the door. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a locking door handle actuating the operation of the drain with the mechanism inside the wall of the tub adjacent the door.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,977,604 issued on Apr. 4, 1961, to Bertha E. Miller describes an invalid's bathtub comprising a rectangular conventional bathtub having a handrail on its top surface and the floor inclining the tub towards the drain and faucets. An operator drain opener and closure is included. A wide seat on hooks straddles the width of the tub. The door is hinged, latchable and opens outward. The door has a negatively curved surface covered with a gasket to conform to the positively curved surface of the doorjamb. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a hinged door with curved edges opening out and a seat straddling the tub width.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,769 issued on Jan. 28, 1969, to George E. Cowley describes a molded fiberglass bathtub comprising a door having a watertight seal on one-half of the tub and an integral seat portion with runner on the other half, whereby a person can be wheeled on a trolley into the bath. The door is slid down into an opening with grooved sides. The sealing ring in the undercut door frame is inflated by a pump to produce a watertight seal. The bathtub is distinguishable for requiring the inflation of the seal in a doorframe for a door that is inserted down into the door opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,971 issued on May 23, 1972, to Andre Bonhote describes a rectangular bathtub having a seat at one end, and a hinged door located inside the doorframe at an opposite end that swings inward. A seal is maintained on the periphery of the door. A drain stopper is provided that is carried on the inside surface of the door and cannot be placed into a drain stopping position unless the door is closed. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a hinged door located inside the tub and for a drain plug attachment to the door.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,810 issued on Oct. 10, 1978, to Preston E. Brickhouse et al. describes a portable wheeled chair tub comprising a raised back wall, a seat, and an inverted L-shaped and hinged door that opens out. A showerhead is provided from below and behind the seat extending from a hose. A whirlpool effect can be provided. The door is provided with numerous external latches on both sides. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a portable wheeled chair tub having a hinged door that opens out.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,545 issued on Sep. 24, 1985, to Richard L. Johnson et al. describes a bathtub having a footwell, a slightly raised larger region and an entrance door that swings in on hinges. The door opening has a ferromagnetic faced door stop around the sides and bottom. The door has two magnetic gaskets mounted on a flange on the door. The tub has two levels with the door level being shorter in length. The tub has a base footing at each end to raise the tub off the floor. There is no description of water faucets, but has a drain by the door. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a magnetic sealing door.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,915 B1 issued on Nov. 5, 2002, to Barry Davis et al. describes a hydrotherapy pool comprising a boat-shaped tub having sealed, removable two side doors and an end door locked by rotatable side doorknobs. The pool can have wheels. A patient's seat is at one end opposite a door has a cleaved configuration and a seat opposite the patient for the orderly. A trapeze like structure having a rope or towel loop can be provided. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring multiple removable doors and seats.
United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 2 085 721 A issued on May 6, 1982, to Georges C. Spach et al. describes a bathtub having a seat partially exposed by an adjacent hinged door extending from the floor to open outward away from the patient. The door has locking means located on top of the door. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a hinged door that swings out and exposing the seat.
European Patent Office Application Publication No. EP 0 109 960 A2 published on May 30, 1984, for Lambert Kroll describes a stationary sitting bath comprising a seat having an elevated back at one end, and at one side a folding three-sectioned door folding back adjacent the seat back. The bath water can be collected below the tub. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a folding door.
German Patent Application No. DE 36 01 064 A1 published on Jul. 23, 1987, for Peter Florjancic describes a bath cell for a standing patient comprising a hermetically sealable glassed housing equipped with nozzles for underwater massages and the like. There is provided a front glassed half-door, two glassed sidewalls and two bottom access side panels. A showerhead on a tube and a hanging strap-aid are provided. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a standing shower bath and underwater nozzles.
European Patent Office Application Publication No. EP 0 585 564 A2 published on Mar. 9, 1994, for Frederick A. Kilbourn et al. describes a rectangular bath tub having a tambour door on one side that can be rolled into a bottom compartment. The door has an impervious membrane guided by a door guide assembly. An inflatable seal is provided on the closed door. A seat is provided at one end. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a tambour door.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a deep soaking tub and shower apparatus solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a safer tub and shower combination apparatus that would allow an aged or handicapped user to enter from a side door. The fiberglass or acrylic bathtub has a molded seat with armrests that gives the user a choice of either standing or sitting. The seat will lend support for cleaning feet and legs if standing. The hinged door has a seal that becomes tighter as the tub fills with water. The door has a latching mechanism with a pivoting handle that rotates a locking rod that locks the door in place. The showerhead has a plastic tube located on the wall opposite the door.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a tub and shower combination apparatus having a door with a unique locking attachment and release mechanism.
It is another object of the invention to provide a tub and shower combination apparatus having a seat with armrests.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a tub and shower combination apparatus having a flexible corded shower-head.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a showerhead, waterspout and water temperature controls on a wall opposite the door.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a movable showerhead that can be placed on an adjustable bar on an optional sidewall to enable a stand up shower.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tub and shower combination apparatus with the hinged door shown detached according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 1 apparatus without the door, shower attachment and upper sidewalls.
FIG. 3 is top plan view of the apparatus without the door and upper sidewalls.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the door.
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the door.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the closed door.
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a lift-off door hinge depicting male and female parts.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention in FIGS. 1 through 7 is directed to a safer tub and shower combination apparatus 10 for aged or handicapped bathers to use by entering a hinged sealable side door 12. FIG. 1 illustrates the bathtub 14 having a front sidewall 16, a right sidewall 18, a left sidewall 20, and a rear sidewall 22. The bathtub 14 has a width of 30 inches to enable installation in a home having 30-inch wide interior doorways. The bathtub 14 is intended to be installed or framed in replacing an existing bathtub or shower. A nailing flange 96 is provided along the tub ledge 44 above the tub walls 16, 20 and 22 to ensure a watertight seam between tub walls and extended rear sidewall 30 and extended right sidewall 32. It should be noted that the front extended sidewall extending up from the tub ledge 44 is not shown for reasons of clarity of the bathtub 14.
A showerhead 24 having a flexible hose connection 26 may be placed in a holder 100 positioned at any location that is most convenient for a bather on the extended rear sidewall 30. A vertical height adjustable showerhead holder 101 having an adjustable slidebar 28 may be placed on the extended right sidewall 32 proximate the rear sidewall 30.
By placing the showerhead 24 on the adjustable slidebar 28, the bather may choose to stand in the 20-inch by 23-inch tub well or floor 40 to shower facing the seat 36. The seat 36 would lend support for a foot to enable the cleaning of feet and legs, thus eliminating the need to bend down from a standing position or to balance on one foot to wash them. A conventional shower curtain on a horizontal rod (not shown) would confine the water spray to the tub area. Handrails (not shown) may be installed on the extended rear sidewall 30 and on an extended front sidewall (not shown) as desired by the bather. A combination hot and cold water valve 34 and spigot 102 are located on extended rear sidewall 30.
The contoured seat 36 is located approximately midway up the rear sidewall 22, and has a pair of curvilinear armrests 38 (one hidden) at approximately elbow height while seated. The seat 36 is approximately 15 inches high, 20 inches wide and 15 inches deep. The floor 40 has a drain (and stopper) 42 connected to an installed sewage line (hidden), and an overflow/drain stopper control fixture 94 and a drainpipe to be installed. The bathtub 14 has a horizontal planar ledge 44 that extends around the bathtub and will be level with the ledge 46 on the door 12.
Thus, the tub and shower apparatus 10 can be multi-functional in being utilized by the bather as a stand-up shower, as well as a tub 14 to fill and bathe in or to take a seated hand-held shower. The armrests 38 are important in assisting the bather to stand when leaving the tub 14. Occupational therapists always recommend chairs with armrests for their clients. Additional grab bars (not shown) can be attached to an optional front wall (not shown) or rear sidewall 30 as desired. The floor 40, seat 36 and armrests 38 have a non-skid surface, i.e., dimpled.
The door 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6 overlaps the doorway or doorframe 48 by 1.25 inches and swings inward on three lift-off hinges 78 (FIG. 7) located on the interior wall of the doorframe 48 and door 12. The door 54 has rounded bottom corners 50 (FIG. 4) to allow more foot space when the door 12 is being opened or closed. The threshold 52 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is approximately 4 inches in height.
The external door locking mechanism 54 in FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises a vertical lock rod 56 having three locking dogs 58 spaced equidistantly. Each locking dog 58 has an adjusting screw 92 to tighten the locking dog to the vertical lock rod 56. A horizontal brace 60 having an aperture 62 confines the vertical lock rod 56 to the door 12, but frictionally allows the lock rod to rotate. A handle rod 64 having a footrest stud 66 at its distal end pivots on a pivot pin 68 in the slot 70 on the top end of the lock rod 56. The door 12 is locked by rotating the lock rod 56 until the stud 66 seats in the hole 98 in the ledge 46 of the door 12. The lock rod 56 rotates the dogs 58 for catching or abutting with their hook portions 59 the front side of a vertical aluminum strip 72 positioned medially on the inside face 74 of the right wall 18 (FIG. 6). This abutment compresses the pliable sealing strip 76 which is adhered to the exterior side and proximate the side edges and the bottom of the door 12 to press against the interior surface of the right sidewall 18 of the tub 14 to form a fully effective seal preventing water in the tub 14 from leaking out after the door 12 is closed. As the tub 14 fills, water exerts more pressure against the door 12 to create an even tighter seal. After the tub 14 has drained fully, the door 12 is opened by lifting the handle 64 until the peg 66 is free of hole 98, and then rotating the vertical lock rod 56 to release the locking dogs 58.
FIG. 7 illustrates the lift-off hinge 78 for the door 12. The male hinge portion 80 has a planar L-shaped flange portion 82 with two apertures 84 for installing with fasteners and a cylindrical stud 86. The female hinge portion 88 has a tubular portion or socket 90 for frictionally receiving the stud 86 and a similar flange portion 82 with two apertures 84. The male portion 80 of each hinge 88 is affixed equidistantly apart to the interior surface of the doorway 48 of the tub 14 and adjacent the front sidewall 16. The female portion 88 of hinge 78 is affixed to the interior edge opposing the locking mechanism 54 of door 12 so that it will align with the male portion 80 on the tub 14 to form the complete hinge 78 (FIG. 7). After the water in bathtub 14 has been emptied, and the locking mechanism 54 has been released, the door 12 swings inward allowing the bather to exit, or can be readily removed in emergency situations by lifting it off the male hinge portion 80 to allow access to the bather, e.g., who has fallen to the floor 40.
Thus, it has been shown that a bathtub and shower apparatus for disabled persons can have a leak-proof door that is hinged to facilitate entry and exit, or can be readily removed to facilitate access into the tub in emergency situations.
The safer tub and shower combination apparatus is designed to be used as a stand-up shower as well as a tub to fill for bathing or to take a seated hand-held shower. A bather can stand in the tub well to shower facing the seat. The seat would then lend support for cleaning feet and legs, thus eliminating the need to bend down or to balance on one foot to wash.
Most homes and apartments are equipped with conventional baths and showers that are often unusable or dangerous for the elderly and infirm persons. Many users risk falling as they step over the high rim of a bathtub, and must cope with an awkward and potentially tippy bath bench, or have to rely on bathing aid personnel requiring high hourly rates, or surrender to assisted living complexes. The safer tub and shower combination apparatus is designed to allow these elderly and infirm people to maintain their independence in their own homes. It should be noted that other people not elderly or infirm can benefit from this apparatus.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A deep soaking tub and shower combination apparatus with a side entry door comprising:

a unitary body having a front sidewall with a predetermined height, a left sidewall coextensive in height with the front sidewall, a rear sidewall having a height commensurate with said left sidewall height and a depth commensurate with an elevated seat, a floor between said seat and the front sidewall, and a right sidewall forming a door frame extending from adjacent the front sidewall to adjacent the seat;

a shower head connected to a flexible cord extending from the upper extension of said left wall and a water valve proximate the elevated seat;

a removable water-tight door fitting said door frame;

a drain hole and stopper in said floor, and proximate the rear sidewall and seat; and

an overflow/drain stopper element positioned adjacent an uppermost height on the left sidewall and above the drain hole.

2. The combination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seat has armrests on both sides thereof.

3. The combination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removable door has a U-shaped configuration, a front side, a rear side, and round bottom corners, a topmost horizontal ledge, and a watertight sealing strip adjacent its peripheral edge on three sides on the front side of the door.

4. The combination apparatus according to claim 3, including a plurality of hinges on one vertical edge.

5. The combination apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the hinges are lift-off hinges to allow emergency access when the tub is drained.

6. The combination apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the hinges permit the door to swing only inward.

7. The combination apparatus according to claim 1, including a door locking mechanism.

8. The combination apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the door locking mechanism comprises a rotatable vertical lock rod.

9. The combination apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the vertical lock rod has a plurality of horizontal and equidistantly spaced locking dogs.

10. The combination apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the vertical lock rod is confined by horizontal braces positioned on the front side of the door adjacent the locking dogs.

11. The combination apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the locking dogs abut a vertical metal strip on an openable side of a doorjamb.

12. The combination apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the vertical lock rod has a pivotable handle at its upper end.

13. The combination apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the pivotal handle has a short leg extending downward as a locking peg to fit within a hole in the topmost door ledge to secure the door in a closed position.

14. A locking device on a door having a horizontal top panel comprising:

a door having a horizontal top ledge panel, a vertical right edge, a vertical left edge, and a rounded bottom edge;

a vertical lock rod positioned adjacent the vertical right edge and extending through the top ledge of the door; and

a plurality of locking dogs spaced equidistantly on said lock rod;

whereby rotation of said vertical lock rod secures the door in a door jamb.

15. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein the locking dogs comprise a body having planar top and bottom sides, a circular aperture, a separation forming two legs of unequal size and shape, and a hex screw penetrating said two legs for adjusting the circular aperture to secure the body on a rod.

16. The locking device according to claim 14, including a handle rod secured on the vertical rod above the horizontal top ledge panel.