US2141467A - Nonskid device for bathtubs and like fixtures - Google Patents

Description

27,1938- J. F; GUTMANN 2,141,467

NONSKID DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS ND LIKE FIXTURES Filed oct. 4, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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27', 1938. J. F. GUTMANN NONSKID DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS AND LIKE FIXTURES Filed Oct. 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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Patented Dec. 27, 1938 PATENT OFFICE NONSKID4 DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS AND LIKEA FIXTURES John F. Gutmann, Richmond Hill, N. Y.

Application October 4, 1937, Serial No. 161,151

15 Claims.

This invention relates to non-skid or anti-slip devices for bath-tubs, shower Ystalls or cabinets1 and the like and has as a main object the provision of such a device for association with the bottom of a bath-tub, in which case the device may be built in the bath-tub, at the factory and made a permanent partvthereof, or such device Ymay be constructed as a separate article of manufacture for application to such fixture, in which latter case it would bev convenient to build the same inV sections fitted into a removable frame which would be suspended or supported from the sides of the fixture. V

A further object of the invention is to provide a bath-tub, shower stally or like fixture with antislip trays, having a plurality of plungers which are' normally kept upward and protruding while floating in water, and capable of being depressed by contact with and weight of parts of the human body. The surrounding protruding plungers will provide a stop wall against slipping.v

It is a further object of the present inventionto provide an economical and eicient, light in weight and easily cleanable non-slip rfloor for a bath-tub or similar fixture. 1

When the device is applied to a tub or similar fixture during its construction, a rim rest is preferably made part ofthe tub to hold the plunger carrying removable plates, which may be made in sections. The plungers work automatically with the water in the tub when the latter is in use. When applied to tubs which are already in use in homes, these plates are held secure .by independent supports which hang over the top edge of the tub. Handles are rprovided preferably on the plates for removal thereof for cleaningv purposes. The plates or the plungers are perforated to provide outlets for the water displaced by the depressed plungers.

Such a device will prevent the occupant from slipping, sliding, skidding or falling, thereby,

` providingr an accident-preventative floor for bath-tubs and like fixtures.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following disclosure thereof together with the attached drawings which illustrate certain forms` of embodiment thereof. These forms are shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized andy that thek invention is not zation of the instrumentalities as herein shown Y and described.

, In the drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away of a form of bath-tub, embodyingthe invention" in one yof its aspects.

Fig. `2 is a perspective partial4 sectional view showing how the device incorporating the invention is applied as part of a bath-tub.

Fig. 34 is a top plan view of a typical 4frame arrangement and plungers employable in the invention.

Figs. li-'1,V inclusive, show some of the many types of plunger heads which may be used in the invention.

Fig. 8 is diagrammatic sectional views of parts of plunger trays, showing Yvarious types of plungers which may be used, and how same may be depressed by the weight of a foot.

Y Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of` straps 26 which engage the rim of the bath-tub, Y 25. These straps support theV frame 21.

21 may have a flange or anges upon which to removably seat the plates or trays 28 ofv which there may be arranged on frame 21 any desirable number. In Fig. 2 the frame 21 is seen as being supported by the ledge 32 built into or forming part of the side walls of the bath-tub 25 and thereby made integral therewith. The Vtrays or plates 28 may assume any desirable shape. Fig.

3 show' some rectangular ones 29 and one with;`

a partly arcuate side wall 30 to conform to the curvature of a bath-tub having a curved rear wall. e Of course, in the modern type of bath-tub which has substantially straight walls, the rectangular type of trays or plates 29, above,

The frame 21 or 21' is spaced from the bottom of the tub, preferably about six inches to allow for vertical movement of the plungers P. These plungers are arranged to function through suit-y able openings in the trays or plates 28, 29 and preferably in tubes 3l (Figs. 1 and 8). The plungers P may be of any suitable construction and shape. The tubes or sleeves 3| in which the plungers are arranged for vertical, reciprocal,-A

.30 Frame" 5 removal of the-same in and from Vthe tub. The

to provide a non-rotatable shank for the plunger to prevent rotation of the rlatter, otherwise .the

plungers by accidental rotation may at times overlap and thereby interfere with eachother during their operation. This may be accomplished by providing a shank whichis non-circular in cross-section as indicated at 33, orby providing a shank which iskeyed as indicated at .313 in a slot '35 within' theguide tube A33T (Fig. 8). The floats F are preferably made of i cork C` although any other suitable floatable. material maybe employed; Vor .the "floats .may `be hollow `metal members. These floats.' may be of any desirable shape as shown inFigLS. 'Th'e bottom part of the plunger should be-preferablyconstructd such as to vhave a taperingy'b'evelled,

slanted or curved portion connectingtheshank andfloatportions to facilitate any accumulation of V`dirt --being washed Soif :during the reciproeating movement of the plunger. VOf course, the

Ufl'oat may be suitablyshapedat its juncture with the shank 'for 4the aforesaid purpose. s

The head portion H of the plunger may be madeo'f anti-slip material or the same may be provided with an anti-rslipcovering 3'! 2(Fig.8),

such as, for'example, rubber or fabric.

The trays T-may be provided with-lslidable handles-'38 (Fig. 8) to facilitate placement and `grooves 39 (Fig. 8) in the plunger-carrying tray fit into complementary grooves 4U (Figfl) of frame `2l, thereby providing a` smooth and Vconttinuous surface betweenframe andztray.

Tojpermit the water from'surging up from below the trays Twhenthe plungers P are being depressed under the weight'of the foot 4l (Fig.

8), holes 42 may be provided for in thetrays between the plungers, orthe plungers may be made hollow as indicated at 43 to provide through passageways for the water.

Fig. 8 shows various sections of trays carrying plungers 'of different types. These sections have been combinedin onefigure for purposes of illustration only, it being understood thatincarrying'out theinvention in practice all the Aplungers should be of the vsame ftype. AVAll shows a casing or 'housing over the cork 'filler C.

The vnumeral 'I'he foot lll by thepressure of the-bodycauses the plungers or floats in contact therewith to be depressed allowing the" surrounding plungers to act'as a wall to prevent vslipping -or'skipping of the foot. The water-displaced-by the depressed plungers will find an exit through the holes @2 or passages 43.

" The chambers '43 or @2' (Figs. land ,2) formed rby the bottom'of the tub andthe plates or trays A28 fills with waterwhen the water is run into the tub and the floats operate in this chamber to raise the plungers. Y

`It is understood thatmy linvent-ion is applicable not vonly to bath-tubs `but Valso for-shower stallsV and 'other fixtures yand devices holdingv or ber hood D.

receiving water and having Vparts likely to be tread upon by a person.

Where the device is applied to a shower stall, for example, in which there is n o provision made to close the drain pipe, it is essential to provide an extension drain sleeve D (Fig. 10) between the trays 29' and the bottom of the stall 25". 'Ihe connection between extension D and the drain D maybe effected by employing a rub- The extension D has an opening in the plunger-carrying tray 29', the latter being vsupported by the flanges or ledges 2l extending Vfrom the walls of the stall shower 25". ".floatable plungers operate in the chamber 43 when filled Vwith water during operation of the The shower.

Although the drawings, and the above specification discloses the -best modes in which I have contemplated embodying my invention,l I desire in no way to be limited to the details of such vdisclosure, for inv thefurther practical' applica- 'tion of my invention many changes'in the forms and proportions'may be made as circumstances require or experience suggests'without departing from the spirit of the inventionwithinthe fscope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim -as` new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1; An article of the character described comprising a perforated plate fitting into a receptacle adapted to containwater, and vertically slidable oats operable in said plate anddepressible when in surfacel contact withA ai part of the Yhuman "body 2. An article of the character described com-v prising a perforated plate ttinginto a receptacleadapted to `c0ntainwater, and spacedfrom the -bottom thereof, hollow guides extending l-within. the, perforations, and vertically slidable floats operable in said guides and extending `therebelow and Vdepressible when in surface contact with a part of the human body. f l

" 3. .An-article ofthe character described comprising a -frame fitting into a hollow fixture?.

adapted to contain Water, a perforated plate supportable by said frame, and vertically slidable floats operable in/said plate and depressible when in surface contact with a part of thehuman body. Y

4. An article of the 4character described comprising a perforated plate iitting into a hollow memberadapted to contain water, a plurality of loatable plungers vertically operable in the perforations of said plate and extending therebe-V 'low, said plungers having smooth, Yflat upper surfaces for engagement witha part of the Ahuman body and depressible when in surface contact therewith. Y

` 5. An article of the character described comprising a perforated tray'fitting intoV a hollow member adapted to contain water, and spaceable from the bottom thereof, guides extending within the perforations, oatable plungers vertically operable in the guides and extending therebelow, said plungers having smooth and ilatupper surfaces for engagement with a partof the human body and depressible when in surface contact therewith. Y

6. An article of the character described comprising a frame fitting into a hollow fixture adaptedto contain water and spaceable from the bottom thereof, a perforated tray supportable by said frame, `guides extending Within the perforations, oatable plungers vertically operable in" the guides and extending therebelow, said plungers having smooth and flat upper surfaces for engagement with a part of the human body Vand depressible when in surface contact therewith.

7. An article of the character described comprising a perforated plate fitting into a hollow member adapted to contain water, a' plurality of floatable plungers vertically operable in the perforations of said plate and extending therebelow, said plungers having smooth, fiat upper surfaces for engagement with a part of the human body and depressible when in surface contact therewith, and means for removing said plate.

8. An article of the character described comprising a frame fitting into a hollow xture adapted to contain water and spaceable from the bottom thereof, a perforated tray supportable by said frame, fioatable plungers vertically op erable in the perforations of said tray and extending therebelow and depressible when in surface contact with a part of the human body, and means to withdraw said tray 'from said frame.

9. An article of the character described comprising a frame fitting into a hollow xture adapted to contain water and spaceable from the bottom thereof, a perforated tray supportable by said frame, oatable plungers vertically operable in the perforations of said tray and extending therebelow and depressible when in surface contact with a part of the human bOdy, and vertically slidable handles on said tray to withdraw the same from said frame.

l0. An article of the character described comprising a perforated plate fitting into a hollow memberv adapted to contain water, a plurality of floatable plungers vertically operable in the perforations of said plate and extending therebelow, said plungers having smooth, flat upper surfaces provided with anti-slip means for engagement with a part of the human body, said plungers depressible when in surface contact therewith.

1l. An article of the character described comprising a hollow member adapted -to contain water, a frame within said member and spaced from the bottom thereof, a perforated plate supportable by said frame, and floatable plungers vertically slidable in the perforations of said plate and depressible when in surface contact with a part of the human body.

l2. An article of the character described comprsing a hollow member adapted to contain water and provided with a ledge spaced from the bottom thereof, a frame supportable by said ledge, a perforated plate sup-portable by said frame, and oatable plungers vertically slidable in the perforaticns of said plate and depressible when in surface contact with a part of the human body.

13. An article of the character described comprising a chamber adapted to be i'llled with water, a top perforated plate for said chamber,

and iloatable plungers within the perforations of -f ers being vertically operable in the chamber by water therein.

14. An article of the character described comprising a chamber adapted to be lled with water, a top perforated plate for said chamber, floatable plungers within the perforations of said plate and extending therebelow, said plungers being vertically operable in the chamber by water therein, and outlet means for the water displaced and outlet means for the water displaced by the depressing floats.

JOHN F. GUTMANN.

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