Abstract:
A protective bathtub cover assembly ( 10 ) for protecting a user (not shown) during inclement weather is disclosed. The inventive cover assembly ( 10 ) is used in conjunction with a bathtub ( 12 ) to protect a user within a basin ( 24 ) of the bathtub ( 12 ). The cover assembly ( 10 ) broadly includes a vented cover ( 16 ) that is configured to span an open top ( 28 ) of the basin ( 24 ) and an attachment mechanism ( 18 ) operable to releasably secure the vented cover ( 16 ) to the bathtub ( 12 ). The attachment mechanism ( 18 ) includes a manual operator ( 72 ) that is accessible from the basin ( 24 ) and thereby permits selective basin ( 24 ) ingress and egress by the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of protective covers. More specifically, the present invention concerns a protective bathtub cover assembly with a cover that is removably attached to a bathtub for protecting a person within the bathtub from inclement weather.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of Prior Art  
         [0004]     People who live in areas that experience violent weather such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, or other storms that can cause property damage have a need to seek shelter from those storms. Storms are often unpredictable because they can develop quickly, move quickly, and change direction. People in the path of such storms often have no access to a basement, cellar, or other below-ground space that is insulated from high winds and debris. Those without a basement or cellar, due to the unpredictability of storms, often do not have time to seek shelter outside of their home. Therefore, people have a need for protection from violent weather in an above-ground room.  
         [0005]     It is known in the art for people, during inclement weather, to seek shelter in an above-ground structure, especially in a room that has no windows, doors, or walls that are part of an external wall of the structure. Local and state government authorities often recommend taking protective steps in the event of a storm, such as sheltering in an internal room, sheltering under a sturdy table, or covering one&#39;s self with a mattress, sheet or blanket. These prior art above-ground structures, covers and methods are problematic and all suffer from undesirable limitations. One limitation of the prior art covers is that a mattress, sheet or blanket must be held in place by a person protected by that cover. Such a limitation is problematic if a violent storm breaches the room because the person must overcome forces that would otherwise tend to displace the cover, such as high winds or falling debris. These external forces are often strong enough that a person cannot keep a cover from being displaced. A related limitation of these improvised covers is that they do not keep a person secured within the room. Often, winds from a violent storm are strong enough to displace the person from a room that has been breached. In some instances, an entire room or house may be displaced by a storm such that the person is thrown within or out of the room. Another limitation of these above-ground methods is that the room itself is subject to breach. Glass windows, doors, and walls constructed of wood, siding, and plasterboard are often breached by debris thrown by the high winds of a violent storm. On the other hand, reinforcing these structures to resist high winds would be complicated and expensive, as would adding a below-ground structure to an existing house. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved protective cover assembly that does not suffer from these problems and limitations.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a protective cover assembly that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art detailed above. The inventive cover assembly enables a cover that may be removably secured to a bathtub in a protective position without requiring the user to hold the cover in place.  
         [0007]     A first aspect of the present invention concerns a protective bathtub cover assembly for installation on a bathtub including a basin with an open top. The assembly broadly includes a vented cover configured to span the open top of the basin when in a protective position relative to the bathtub, and a selectively releasable attachment mechanism configured to secure the vented cover to the bathtub in the protective position. When in the protective position, the vented cover prevents basin ingress and egress while permitting venting between the basin and ambient environment. The attachment mechanism includes a manual operator that is operable to release the attachment mechanism to permit the vented cover to be removed from the protective position. The manual operator is located to be accessible from the basin and thereby manually controllable from within the basin when the vented cover is in the protective position.  
         [0008]     A second aspect of the present invention concerns a protective bathtub assembly. The assembly broadly includes a bathtub including a basin with an open top, and a protective bathtub cover assembly for installation on the bathtub. The protective bathtub cover assembly includes a vented cover that spans the open top of the basin when in a protective position relative to the bathtub, and a selectively releasable attachment mechanism that secures the vented cover to the bathtub in the protective position. When in the protective position, the vented cover prevents basin ingress and egress while permitting venting between the basin and ambient environment. The attachment mechanism includes a manual operator that is operable to release the attachment mechanism to permit the vented cover to be removed from the protective position. The manual operator is located to be accessible from the basin and thereby manually controllable from within the basin when the vented cover is in the protective position.  
         [0009]     A third aspect of the present invention concerns a method for a user to take shelter in a bathtub from inclement weather, where the bathtub includes a basin with an open top. The method broadly includes the steps of placing one&#39;s self into the basin of the bathtub, arranging a vented cover overhead to span the open top, and securing the vented cover to the bathtub in a protective position to prevent basin ingress and egress. The step of securing the vented cover to the bathtub occurs while occupying the basin.  
         [0010]     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0011]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a protective bathtub cover assembly with a vented cover disposed above a bathtub but not in a protective position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is a sectional schematic view of the protective bathtub cover assembly of  FIG. 1  with the vented cover in the protective position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the protective bathtub cover assembly of  FIG. 1  with the vented cover in the protective position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the protective bathtub cover assembly showing a portion of the vented cover and the attachment mechanism adjacent to a spout of the bathtub;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the protective bathtub cover assembly showing a portion of the vented cover and the attachment mechanism adjacent the end of the tub opposite from the spout;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the protective bathtub cover assembly taken generally along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the protective bathtub cover assembly taken generally along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the protective bathtub cover assembly with an alternative vented cover in the protective position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the protective bathtub cover assembly of  FIG. 7 , showing a portion of the alternative vented cover and a second alternative attachment mechanism adjacent to the spout;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the protective bathtub cover assembly of  FIG. 7 , showing a portion of the alternative vented cover and the second alternative attachment mechanism adjacent the end of the tub opposite from the spout;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the alternative protective bathtub cover assembly taken generally along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the alternative protective bathtub cover assembly taken generally along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7 ; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a third embodiment of the protective bathtub cover assembly showing a portion of the alternative vented cover, which is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIG. 7 , and the attachment mechanism adjacent to the spout. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a protective bathtub cover assembly  10  in combination with a bathtub  12  to provide a protective bathtub assembly  14 . The cover assembly  10  is configured for protecting a user within the bathtub  12  during periods of inclement weather. Although the cover assembly  10  is adapted for this purpose, the principles of the present invention are applicable in other contexts where a person wants to provide a protected space within an otherwise open basin using a releasably attached cover. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cover assembly  10  broadly includes a vented cover  16  and an attachment mechanism  18 .  
         [0026]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , the bathtub  12  presents sides  20  and bottom  22  that form a basin  24 . The sides  20  extend up from the horizontal, rectangular bottom  22  to meet a generally horizontal upper surface  26  of the bathtub  12 . The basin  24  presents an open top  28  having a periphery along the upper surface  26 . The upper surface  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is generally rectangular in shape. The bathtub  12  has first and second ends  34 , 36  and is disposed within an alcove  30  formed by wall  32  on three sides of the bathtub  12 . Protruding from the wall  32  and adjacent to the first end  34  are water spout  38  and water valves  40 . The bathtub  12  has a length dimension L and a width dimension W. Most preferably, the length L is generally less than about 72 inches and the width W is generally less than about 48 inches. However, it is within the principles of the present invention to use various bathtub size and shape configurations, such as a bathtub with larger length and width dimensions, or a bathtub having a basin of generally oval or circular shape, although it is most preferably located indoors and sized for single or double occupancy.  
         [0027]     The vented cover  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , is arranged relative to the bathtub  12 . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, the preferred vented cover  16  is generally flat and rectangular in shape and includes first and second ends  42 , 44 . The vented cover  16  includes a frame  46  extending along an outer margin of the vented cover  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  46  is formed from several pieces of extruded metal having a C-shaped (channel) cross-section that are welded together, although other suitable frame configurations can be used. A panel  48  of the vented cover  16  extends across substantially all of the area within the frame  46  and is welded to the frame  46 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the vented cover  16  further includes an operator access opening  50  located adjacent to the second end  44  of the vented cover  16 . The operator access opening  50  is formed by removing a rectangular portion of the panel  48  adjacent to the second end  44  and by framing that portion with additional pieces of channel. Alternatively to welding, the panel  48  and channel pieces may be assembled by other fastening techniques (e.g., fasteners) known by those of ordinary skill in the art. The panel  48 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , is formed of a sheet of expanded metal. In this manner, the vented cover  16  provides vents  52  in the panel  48  that allow the flow of air between a top surface  54  and a bottom surface  56  of the panel  48 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The flat and lightweight construction of the vented cover  16  allows the user to remove the cover  16  and easily store it in a closet or under a bed.  
         [0028]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , the vented cover  16  is associated with the bathtub  12  by arranging the first and second ends  42 , 44  so that they are respectively adjacent to the first and second ends  34 , 36  of the bathtub  12 . The cover  16  is then moved so that the first end  42  is arranged below the spout  38  while the second end  44  is raised relative to the first end  42 . The vented cover  16  can then be placed in a protective position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the protective position, the vented cover  16  spans the open top  28  to have a substantially overlying relationship to the open top  28 . In this manner, a person within the basin  24  is protected along the entirety of the open top  28  when the vented cover  16  is in the protective position. The cover  16  further prevents basin ingress and egress while in the protective position. In the protective position, the vents  52  allow the flow of air between the basin  24  and an ambient environment  60 . As  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate, a gap  62  is provided between the vented cover  16  and the bathtub  12 , when the cover  16  is placed in the protective position, to further vent the area within the basin  24  covered by the cover  16 .  
         [0029]     As discussed previously, the cover assembly  10  includes the attachment mechanism  18 . Turning to  FIGS. 3-6 , the attachment mechanism  18  includes fasteners  64 , cover-receiving sections  66 , 68 , a spring-loaded latch  70 , and a manual operator  72 . The fasteners  64  are disposed along the upper surface  26 , and as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each fastener  64  includes a captive nut  74 , a rubber spacer  76 , and a machine screw  78  extending through the spacer  76  and being threaded into the captive nut  74 . The fastener  64  is secured to the bathtub  12  by cutting or drilling a hole through the upper surface  26  and installing the captive nut  74 . The captive nut  74  is secured to the bathtub  12  by means of a frictional fit or other locking means known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0030]     Attached by the fasteners  64  to the bathtub  12  along the first and second ends  34 , 36  are respective cover-receiving sections  66 , 68 . The cover-receiving sections  66 , 68  are extruded lengths of metal having a generally continuous C-shaped or channel-type cross-section. The sections  66 , 68  extend laterally along the upper surface  26  and generally parallel to the first and second ends  34 , 36 . The cover-receiving sections  66 , 68  include vertically-extending through-holes  80 , each of which accept one of the machine screws  78 . The through-holes  80  of sections  66 , 68  are aligned with captive nuts  74  so that machine screws  78  may extend through the holes  80 , spacers  76 , and be threaded into captive nuts  74 . In this manner, the cover-receiving sections  66 , 68  are releasably secured to the bathtub  12 . However, it is within the ambit of the present invention to use various alternative fastener configurations for securing the sections  66 , 68  relative to the bathtub  12 . For example, the cover-receiving sections  66 , 68  may be secured using other varieties of fasteners, such as metal-cutting screws, rivets, or adhesives. Furthermore, the sections  66 , 68  may be integrally formed as part of the bathtub  12 . It is also within the ambit of the present invention that the sections  66 , 68  may be attached to other portions of the upper surface  26  or integrally attached to the wall  32  surrounding the bathtub  12 .  
         [0031]     Turning to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the attachment mechanism  18  further includes the spring-loaded latch  70  adjacent the second end  44  of the vented cover  16 . The latch  70  includes two spaced-apart bolt housings  84  fixed to the vented cover  16  and along the length of the second end  44 . Slidably engaged within the bolt housing  84  is a latch bolt  86  and a spring  88  for biasing the latch bolt  86  into an extended position  90 . When in the extended position  90 , a portion of the latch bolt  86  protrudes out from the vented cover  16 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . A keeper (not shown) retains the latch bolt  86  from further protruding beyond the extended position  90 .  
         [0032]     The attachment mechanism  18  includes the manual operator  72  that extends laterally between and is attached to ends of the two latch bolts  86 . The manual operator  72  is also positioned, relative to the vented cover  16 , within the operator access opening  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this manner, the manual operator  72  is preferably accessible and controllable from within the basin  24  when the vented cover  16  is in the protective position. However, it is consistent with the scope of the present invention that the manual operator  72  may be positioned outside of the opening  50  and spaced above or below the panel  48  to allow similar access to the manual operator  72  from within the basin  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the manual operator  72  is also positioned relative to the operator access opening  50  to be controllable from above the vented cover  16  when the vented cover  16  is in the protective position.  
         [0033]     A user, from within the basin  24  or above the vented cover  16 , can access the manual operator to exert a pulling force F on the manual operator  72  in the direction of the first end  42 . This causes the bolts  86  to retract from the extended position  90 , provided that the pulling force F overcomes the spring force of springs  88 . Subsequent removal of the pulling force F causes the springs  88  to bias the bolts  86  back into the extended position  90 . Thus, the manual operator  72  provides a handle for the user to simultaneously retract the latch bolts  86  from the extended position  90 .  
         [0034]     Turning to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the inventive cover assembly  10  allows the vented cover  16  to be freely moved into and out of the protective position. The cover  16  is placed into the protective position by initially arranging it over the open top  28  so that the cover  16  spans the width of the open top  28 . As discussed previously, the vented cover  16  is arranged so that the first and second ends  42 , 44  are respectively adjacent to the first and second ends  34 , 36  of the bathtub  12 . The first end  42  is then arranged proximate the cover-receiving section  66  by tilting the first end  42  below the spout  38 , so that the cover  16  is in a first open position. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cover-receiving section  66  has an open face  94  having a width WC. The frame  46  has a width WF that is less than width WC so that the section  66  may receive the frame  46 . The first end  42  is engaged by the cover-receiving section  66  by shifting the cover  16  so that first end  42  passes through the open face  94 . The cover  16  is fully moved toward and therein received by the cover-receiving section  66  in a second open position (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The second end  44  is above the first end  42  in the first and second open positions. The width WC is such that the first end  42  is free to rotate inside the cover-receiving section  66  over an angle α. In this manner, the cover-receiving section  66  and first end  42  cooperate to provide the cover  16  with hinge-like movement about the first end  42 . This freedom of movement allows the user to more easily move the cover  16  while occupying the basin  24 .  
         [0035]     After the first end  42  is received within the cover-receiving section  66 , the second end  44  is free to rotate down from the second open position until the extended latch bolts  86  contact the cover-receiving section  68 . The cover-receiving section  68  includes strike plates  98 , each of which have bolt holes  100  extending therethrough, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . Each of the bolt holes  100  are adapted to receive a respective latch bolt  86 , when the vented cover  16  is in the protective position. Because the latch bolts  86  are biased in the extended position  90 , they provide resistance to moving the second end  44  into the protective position. To place the cover  16  in the protective position, the latch bolts  86  must be moved to a retracted position (not shown) so that they do not protrude from the cover  16 . The bolts  86  can be retracted using the manual operator  72 . This allows the cover  16  to drop into the protective position. Alternatively, the cover  16  can be forced into the protective position without the use of the manual operator  72 . The latch bolts  86  each include a cam  104  that engages the respective strike plate  98  if the bolts  86  are extended. The camming action causes the bolts  86  to retract when the cover  16  is moved down into the protective position without using the manual operator  72 . The bolts  86 , when aligned with the bolt holes  100 , are free to extend through those holes  100  and be received within the cover-receiving section  68 . The cover  16  is then secured in the protective position. In the protective position, the cover  16  spans the length of the open top  28  and the width of the open top  28 .  
         [0036]     Again referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the vented cover  16  is removed from the protective position by retracting the latch bolts  86  until they do not pass through their respective bolt holes  100 . The second end  44  is then free to be raised above the first end  42 , into the second open position so that the first end  42  may be removed from within the cover-receiving section  66 . This is accomplished by moving the cover  16  toward the second end  36  and back to the first open position. After removing the cover  16  from the cover-receiving section  66 , the cover  16  is free to be moved away from the bathtub  12 .  
         [0037]     It is within the ambit of the present invention for the vented cover  16  to be moved into and out of the protective position in other ways. For example, the vented cover  16  could slide into the protective position. This would be done by arranging the vented cover  16  horizontally next to the bathtub  12  and then inserting the end  42  into section  66  and sliding the cover sideways until the end  42  is engaged along its length by section  66 .  
         [0038]     In operation, the vented cover  16  of the protective bathtub cover assembly  10  is placed and held in the protective position by use of the attachment mechanism  18 . The user arranges the vented cover  16  relative to the bathtub  12  so that the first and second ends  42 , 44  are respectively adjacent to the first and second ends  34 , 36  of the bathtub  12 . As the first end  42  is arranged adjacent to the cover-receiving section  66 , the second end  44  is spaced above the first end  42  while permitting user ingress or egress from the basin  24 . As the user crouches into the basin, the user can slide the first end  42  into the cover-receiving section  66  while lowering the second end  44 . As the user continues to crouch into the basin  24  and assume a prone position, the second end  44  may be further lowered toward the protective position. The user moves the vented cover  16  into the protective position by retracting the latch bolts  86  from their extended position  90  with a pulling motion on the manual operator  72  or by forcing the cover  16  so that the cam  104  retracts the bolts  86 . This allows the latch bolts  86  to be aligned with the respective bolt-receiving holes  100  of the attachment mechanism  18 , so that the bolts  86  may extend and be received in those holes  100 . Once the bolts  86  are aligned with holes  100  and the manual operator  72  is released, the bolts  86  are biased into the extended position  90  and the cover is secured in the protective position.  
         [0039]     The vented cover  16  is detached from the protective position by retracting the latch bolts  86  from their respective bolt-receiving holes  100 . The retracting step occurs when the user slides the manual operator  72  toward the first end  42 . Again, the manual operator  72  is positioned relative to the vented cover  16  to be accessible and controllable from within the basin  24 . As the latch bolts  86  are retracted from the bolt-receiving holes  100 , the user can raise the second end  44  while sliding the first end  42  away from the channel section. The user may then move the vented cover  16  away from the open top  28  permitting basin  24  ingress and egress.  
         [0040]     Turning to  FIGS. 7-11 , an alternative embodiment of a protective bathtub cover assembly  200  is illustrated. An alternative vented cover  202  with first and second ends  204 , 206  includes a generally rectangular frame  208  and a panel  210  extending along and between the frame  208 . The panel  210  is made of a generally continuous piece of sheet metal that provides enhanced protection. Alternatively, the panel  210  may be formed of a non-metal material, such as a composite plastic including glass fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber. The alternative cover  202  provides venting between the basin  212  of bathtub  214  and ambient environment  216 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , this venting is provided by vent  218  of the cover  202  located between the frame  208  and the bathtub  214 . The panel  210  includes an access opening  220  adjacent to the second end  206 . The panel  210  further includes a raised portion  222  having four upwardly extending sides  224  of trapezoidal shape and a rectangular top  226  extending horizontally between the sides  224 . In this manner, the raised portion  222  provides additional room below the cover  202 . The panel further includes cut-outs  228 , shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0041]     The cover assembly  200  includes an alternative attachment mechanism  230  having fasteners  232  that secure cover-receiving sections  234 , 236  disposed along respective first and second ends  238 , 240  of the bathtub  214 . The sections  234 , 236  each have two spaced-apart posts  242  aligned and secured by the fasteners  232  to the bathtub  214 , with spacers  244  disposed therebetween. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the section  234  has a C-shaped cross-section and a laterally extending slot  246  that receives the frame  208 . The section  234  further includes vertical through-holes  248 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the section  236  has a generally rectangular cross-section with laterally extending bolt-receiving holes  250  and vertical through-holes  252 . The bolt-receiving hole  250  presents an open face  254 . The section  236  also includes a laterally extending ledge  256  that is disposed below the bolt-receiving hole  250  and protrudes toward the first end  238  beyond the open face  254 .  
         [0042]     The alternative protective cover assembly  200  is placed into the protective position by aligning the cut-outs  228  with the posts  242  of section  234 . The second end  206  of the cover  202  is then free to be arranged so that latch bolts  260  are aligned with respective bolt-receiving holes  250 .  
         [0043]     Turning to  FIG. 12 , a third alternative cover assembly  300  includes a vented cover  302  that is generally similar to that shown in  FIGS. 7-11 . However, the attachment mechanism  304  is alternatively configured to include a plurality of posts  306 . The posts  306  have oppositely spaced flanges  308  that include a through-hole  310 . Fasteners  312  extend through each of through-holes  310  to secure the post  306  to bathtub  310 . The posts  306  are otherwise configured similarly to posts  242  shown in  FIG. 8 . For example, the posts  306  have a C-shaped cross-section and a slot  314  that receives frame  316 . The alternative cover assembly  300  is placed into the protective position by aligning cut-outs  318  with the posts  306 .  
         [0044]     It is within the ambit of the present invention to use the protective bathtub cover assemblies  10 , 200 , 300  in different applications. For example, the cover may be used for temporarily storing or protecting items in the basin or for storing items on the cover but above the basin. The cover may also be used for protecting children from falling into a basin.  
         [0045]     The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0046]     The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.