METHOD FOR APPLYING A TRACTION COATING TO A BATHING IMPLEMENT

A method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement; the method involves providing a bathing implement. The bathing implement may be prefabricated and of any dimensions. At least one surface of the bathing implement is cleaned with a cleaning agent. The cleaning involves removing any particulates that may be on the surface of the bathing implement. A stencil is secured to the surface of the bathing implement that had been cleaned of any debris and particulate matter. A base coat of silicon rubber may then be applied to the surface. The base coat applied may not be less than 1 millimeter thickness and may not exceed 4 millimeters of thickness. The base coat of silicon rubber may then be cured from a liquid state to a substantially solid state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of surface coatings of existing art and more specifically relates to a traction coating application.

RELATED ART

Presently bathing implements such as showers and bathtubs are made with a glazed enamel surface. The glazed enamel surface is not porous and provides no traction when wet. The lack of traction on conventional bathing implements is problematic. A person may sustain serious injuries by slipping in their designated bathing area. Slipping on the surface of a shower or bathtub is a fear that many people who live alone have, more specifically the elderly. A suitable solution is desired.

Existing removable surface covers may be used but are not often practical. The removable surface covers generally comprise of a material that may provide traction to a person in a bathtub or shower, such as rubber or plastic. These surface covers are placed over a limited surface area of the bathing implement, and subsequently removed after bathing is complete. The surface covers may not be reliable and introduce an additional tripping hazard if not placed and secured properly. Further methods for adding traction may be incomplete or cost prohibitive.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,868,862 to Jia Liu relates to a surface coating system and method of using surface coating system. The described surface coating system and method of using surface coating system includes a coating system for a surface (such as a floor) including a liquid adhesive layer composition including a heat-activated adhesive that forms an adhesive layer upon drying after application to a surface, and a liquid maintenance layer composition comprising a dispersible polymer that forms a maintenance layer upon drying after application to the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer and the maintenance layer may form a peelable coating. An adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the maintenance layer may be greater than an adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the surface. The peelable coating may have a tensile strength that is greater than the adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the surface. The peelable coating may be configured to be peeled from the surface without the adhesive layer and the maintenance layer separating from one another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known traction coating application art, the present disclosure provides a novel method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an effective and efficient method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement.

A method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement is disclosed herein. The method involves providing a bathing implement. The bathing implement may be prefabricated and of any suitable dimensioning. At least one surface of the bathing implement is cleaned with a cleaning agent. The cleaning involves removing any particulates that may be on the surface of the bathing implement. A stencil is secured to the surface of the bathing implement that had been cleaned of any debris and particulate matter. A base coat of silicon rubber may then be applied to the surface. The base coat applied may not be less than 1 millimeter in thickness and may not exceed 4 millimeters of thickness. The base coat of silicon rubber may then be cured from a liquid state to a substantially solid state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a traction coating application and more particularly to a method/means for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement as used to improve the traction of the host bathing implement.

Generally, the method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement involves acquiring a conventional bathing implement or coating of an existing bathing implement. The bathing implement may be purchased from a retail store or through a manufacturer. The bathing implement may embody a bathtub, shower stall, wash basin and similar residential fixtures used for washing that may require a traction surface. The present invention provides a method to apply a traction coating of silicon rubber or a composite thereof to the bathing implement.

Further, the method includes modifying the surface of the bathing implement. The surface may be modified by attaching an anatomically formed structure. The anatomically formed structure may provide additional support for people with special needs. The anatomically formed structure may be customized prior to application correspondingly to a client's request. The anatomically formed structure may further embody any structure that a client may request. The structure may embody a novelty children's toy, additional seating, organizational containers, and all further considered customized features that may be added to the bathing implement.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown inFIGS. 1-4, various views of applying a traction coating to a bathing implement110.

The application of a traction coating to a bathing implement110is shown for an ‘in-use’ condition50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the method100may be beneficial to apply a traction coating to a bathing implement110surface. As illustrated, the method100may include providing a bathing implement110. The bathing implement110may embody a prefabricated bathtub, shower, and any similar facility used for washing. Cleaning at least one surface200of said bathing implement110with a cleaning agent112. The process of cleaning is to remove any matter that may be on the at least one surface200of the bathing implement110. Securing a stencil114to the at least one surface200. The stencil114may be used to protect the at least one surface200from debris. The stencil114may have a design configured to increase traction. The stencil114may be coated in an oil to prevent the adherence of any material.

Applying a base coat of silicon rubber116to the at least one surface200measuring a thickness of 1 millimeter to a thickness of 4 millimeters is preferred. The base coat of silicon rubber116may be applied over the stencil114. The stencil114may then be removed, and alternatively, remain secured to the at least once surface200. Curing118the base coat of silicon rubber116such that the base coat of silicon rubber116transitions from a liquid state to a substantially solid state. The method of curing118may involve an additive reaction. The additive reaction may include adding additional chemicals to the base coat of silicon rubber116such that the base coat of silicon rubber116transitions from a liquid state to a substantially solid state. The method of curing118may involve vulcanization. The vulcanization may be completed by inputting energy through heat and light.

The method100may include providing a bathing implement110. The bathing implement110may have a base coat of silicon rubber116applied to the at least one surface200. A traction stencil222may be applied to the base coat of silicon rubber116during a substantially solid state. The traction stencil222may cover a traction area220. The traction stencil222may have at least one surface200coated in oil. The oil may be configured to disallow the adherence of silicon rubber to said traction stencil222. The traction stencil222may include voids configured to pool the second coat of silicon rubber230. The voids may define the pattern used for increasing traction in the bathing implement110. The pattern used for increasing traction may have any design. A second coat of silicon rubber230may be disposed over the traction area220. The second coat of silicon rubber230may then be cured into a substantially solid state.

A further step in the method100may be to affix an anatomically formed structure300to the bathing implement110. The anatomically formed structure300may be custom made to accommodate different body types. The anatomically formed structure300may embody any structure that may be affixed to the at least one surface200of the bathing implement110. The anatomically formed structure300may be made of steel. The anatomically formed structure300may be made of plastic, and alternatively any composite thereof. The anatomically formed structure300may be attached to the bathing implement110prior to the base coat of silicon rubber116(FIG. 1) having been applied. The anatomically formed structure300may be affixed to the bathing implement110prior to, and alternatively, following the second coat of silicon rubber230being applied.

A third coating of silicon rubber310may be applied on the anatomically formed structure300. The third coating of silicon rubber310may be applied directly to the anatomically formed structure300. The third coating of silicon rubber310may be applied multiple times. The traction stencil222(FIG. 2) may be used in conjunction with the third coating of silicon rubber310. The third coating of silicon rubber310is then cured into a substantially solid state. The curing118(FIG. 1) may be achieved through additive reaction, vulcanization, and any other means of curing118.

As shown, the method100comprises a bathing implement110(FIG. 1) having a base coat of silicon rubber116applied to at least one surface200. As shown, a granular material320may be mixed into the base coat of silicon rubber116prior to the step of curing118(FIG. 1) the base coat of silicon rubber116. The granular material320may include silica sand. The granular material320effectively increases the traction of the base coat of silicon rubber116. Further modifications of the base coat of silicon rubber may include the step of mixing a coloring agent into the base coat of silicon rubber116prior to the step of curing118the base coat of silicon rubber116. Further shown are multiple instances of an anatomically formed structure300. The anatomically formed structure300may be removably attachable to the bathing implement110

FIG. 5is a flow diagram illustrating a method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement500may include one or more components or features of the method100as described above. As illustrated, the method for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement500may include the steps of: step one501, providing a bathing implement; step two502, cleaning at least one surface of said bathing implement with a cleaning agent; step three503, securing a stencil to the at least one surface; step four504, mixing granular material into the base coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the base coat of silicon rubber; step five505, mixing a coloring agent into the base coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the base coat of silicon rubber; step six506, applying a base coat of silicon rubber to the at least one surface measuring a thickness of 1 millimeter to a thickness of 4 millimeters; step seven507, curing the base coat of silicon rubber such that the base coat of silicon rubber transitions from a liquid state to a substantially solid state; step eight508, securing a traction stencil to the base coat of silicon rubber during a substantially solid state, the traction stencil covering a traction area; step nine509, mixing granular material into the second coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the second coat of silicon rubber; step ten510, mixing a coloring agent into the second coat of silicon rubber prior to the step of curing the second coat of silicon rubber; step eleven511, applying a second coat of silicon rubber over the traction area; step twelve512, curing the second coat of silicon rubber into a substantially solid state; step thirteen513, affixing an anatomically formed structure to the bathing implement; step fourteen514, applying a third coating of silicon rubber on the anatomically formed structure; step fifteen515, curing the third coating of silicon rubber into a substantially solid state;

It should be noted that step504,505,508,509,510,511,512,513,514, and515are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use500are illustrated using dotted lines inFIG. 5so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for applying a traction coating to a bathing implement, are taught herein.