Abstract:
This disclosure relates generally to a method and means for modifying an existing bathtub to facilitate access by creating a generally U-shaped opening in an external sidewall of the tub and positioning in said opening a generally U-shaped insert having a step saddle with an elongated step-plate and a pair of generally parallel end plates extending from the ends of the step-plate; and a pair of a generally rectangular housings attached to the bottom of the step-plate and extending to rest directly on the floor, thus supporting said step saddle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein relates generally to an insert to be placed in a cut-out section of an exposed wall of a bathtub. This insert, when properly positioned in the cutout section of the tub wall, will effectively lower the tub wall to permit easy access to the interior of the tub for those who are physically challenged by the height of the wall of the typical bathtub. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The idea of placing an insert in the wall of a bathtub is not entirely original. The bathtub remodeling industry has at least one other product. It is known as the Bathcrest insert and is fairly represented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,846, issued May 16, 2000 to Peterson. This insert, generically characterized as a bathtub walk-through insert is designed to be positioned and bonded into an opening cut from the exposed sidewall of a bathtub. The Bathcrest insert is generally U-shaped with a web that will rest on the bottom of the opening cut into the side of the tub. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Notwithstanding the benefits and advantages afforded by the insert of the prior art, there are design and structural modifications and improvements that need to be made in the product of the prior art to improve its function and facilitate its installation. Those modifications and improvements are embodied in the insert described herein. Specifically, what is disclosed and claimed in this specification is a bathtub sidewall insert for facilitating access to the interior of said tub wherein said insert comprises: a generally U-shaped step-saddle having an elongated step-plate; a pair of generally parallel end plates extending upwardly from the ends of said step-plate; and a pair of generally rectangular housings attached to the bottom of said step-plate for extending to the floor to distribute the weight of said step saddle and the weight of anyone using it, onto the bathroom floor. This disclosure also relates to the method of modifying an existing bathtub to facilitate access to the interior of said tub by creating an opening by cutting through an external sidewall of the bathtub, said opening extending for a predetermined length of said sidewall and from the top of said sidewall to a predetermined distance above the bottom of said bathtub, said opening being generally U-shaped; positioning in said opening a generally U-shaped insert having a step saddle with an elongated step-plate to cover the bottom edge of said opening, a pair of generally parallel end plates extending from the ends of said step-plate to cover the sides of said opening and a pair of generally rectangular housings attached to the bottom of said step-plate and extending to rest directly on the floor to support the weight of the step saddle and the weight of anyone standing, sitting or stepping on it. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a assembly view of the disclosed bathtub insert showing its essential elements. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevated front view of the assembly positioned within a cutout in the side wall of a bathtub showing the adjustable housing supports under the step-plate. 
     FIG. 3 is top plan view of the disclosed step-saddle, positioned within the cutout in the sidewall of a bathtub as depicted in FIG. 2, with its skid resistant surface readily apparent. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A full appreciation of the disclosed insert can be gained by referring to the drawing. FIG. 1 presents an exploded or assembly view of the disclosed insert  10 . In this preferred embodiment of the disclosed insert  10 , there are what could be characterized as three components of the insert. The most prominent portion is the step saddle  12 , which essentially creates the step-through in the side-wall of the tub  40 . 
     The step-saddle  12  features an elongated step-plate  11 , which can be stepped over or upon to gain access to the interior of the tub  40  and a pair of step-plate flanges  14  running the length of the step-plate  11  to mate with and dress the elongated edges of the opening cut in the sidewall of the tub. The step saddle  12  also features a pair of end plates  13  each originating at the ends of the step-plate  11  and extending upward from and perpendicular to the step-plate  11  and generally parallel to each other. The end plates  13  define the ends of the step-saddle insert  10  and cover the sides of the U-shaped opening cut in the side-wall of the tub. To facilitate fitting the step saddle  12  within the opening created in the tub side-wall, each end plate  13  is preferably fitted with a top flange  17 , a pair of end plate flanges  15  and return lips  19 . The foregoing elements  17 , 15  and  19  are structural features designed to improve the fit and finished appearance of the installed insert  10 . 
     Affixed to, and perhaps even an integral part of, the step saddle  12  is an adjustable housing  20  which is typically a rectangular box-like structure extending from the bottom or underside of the step-plate  11  and extending through the elongated bottom opening cut in the tub  40  for the placement of the insert and resting on the bathroom floor. It is this housing  20 , in conjunction with support-housing  30 , that provides the improved strength and adjustability afforded by the instantly disclosed insert  10 . Other inserts, most notably those of the prior art, supra, rest on the edges of the opening cut in the tub side-wall. Installing an insert in this manner, without resting it on a support, other than the edges of the tub, provides an insert that is structurally deficient. Such an insert can support little more than its own weight. Notably, tub and shower users need to be forewarned against stepping, standing or sitting on the step-plate. 
     By way of contrast, instructions for using the disclosed unit, far from warning against or discouraging stepping on it, encourage the placement of weight by providing a non-slip tread  16  on the anterior side of the step-plate  11 . And, to justify encouraging the placing of weight on the step saddle  12  of the insert  10 , the housings  20  and  30 , of the disclosed insert are positioned to transfer the weight of the step saddle  12 , and the weight of anyone choosing to step, stand or sit on the step-plate  11 , to the bathroom floor upon which the tub also rests. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable housing  20  is a five-sided rectangular box-like structure. Its top panel  26  will mate with or adhere to the bottom of the step-plate  11 . For added support, the top panel  26  will include transverse ribs  21  incorporated or molded into the panel  26 . These will aid in distributing any load or weight generally attributed to the bather. The adjustable housing  20  will also have two side panels  23  and two end panels  25 . There is no bottom panel. In the end panels  25 , there are exhaust ports  22  for the escape of air when the adjustable housing  20  is used in conjunction with the support-housing  30 . So, ideally, the adjustable housing  20  will fit over and enclose, with a snug friction fit, and be ultimately sealed in place to support-housing  30  with the bonding power of a strong sealant, of which there are several commercially available. Air, temporarily entrapped in the adjustable housing will escape through the exhaust ports  22 . 
     The support-housing  30  will typically be a rectangular box-like structure, not unlike the adjustable housing  20 . In most instances it will feature a pair of side panels  33 , a pair of end panels  35  and a bottom panel  36 . The bottom panel  36  is especially useful for attaching the support-housing  30  to the bathroom floor. Typically an elastomeric sealant is all that is necessary to fix the support-housing  30  in place, but metal fasteners such as nails, staples or brads can also be used. Additional ports  32  for the escape of air compressed by the nesting of the support-housing  30  within the adjustable housing  20  can be provided in the end panels  35 . 
     The installation of the disclosed insert  10  will proceed generally as follows: An opening, generally U-shaped, is cut in the sidewall of the bathtub. Typically, the tub is of the built-in variety of bathtub and not the porcelain-coated cast iron tub that sits on four legs. In most instances, the built-in tub has three sides encased in or by the surrounding wall and has a bottom perimeter that is flush with the floor on the exposed side. And, it is the exposed side that is chosen for alteration with an insert to make entry and departure easier. This opening, cut into the exposed sidewall of the tub, extends for a predetermined length within the sidewall and from the top of the sidewall, extends to a predetermined distance above the bottom of the bathtub. These predetermined distances are generally the dimensions of the step saddle  12  of the insert  10 . 
     More specifically, a template is used to outline the portion of the tub  40  sidewall to be removed for the insertion and placement of the insert  10 . With the aid of the template, an outline is drawn on the sidewall of the tub, and the defined section is cut out and removed with the appropriate tools dictated by the composition of the tub. A pattern is then made of the cutout area of the tub. The pattern outline is then transferred to the return lips  19  on the insert  10  to mirror the cutout section of the tub, and the insert  10  is cut to fit. 
     The insert  10  with all of its components, is then positioned in the cutout of the tub and aligned in the void of the cutout. It is then removed to permit the support-housing  30  to be secured to the bathroom floor with sealant, metal fasteners, or whatever is appropriate in the given instance. 
     A bonding compound is then applied to the return lips  19  of the step-plate  11  and around the mating edges of the adjustable  20  and support  30  housings. The insert is then repositioned over the cutout opening with the underside of the step-plate  11  resting on edged of the cutout void. The adjustable housing  20  is then bonded to the support housing  30  with a suitable sealant; and, finally, the return lips  19 , running the entire perimeter of the step saddle  12  are joined to the tub with a waterproof caulk or sealant to finish the placement of the insert  10 . After allowing a short period of time for the sealants to crosslink and cure, the insert is ready for use. 
     While the foregoing is a complete and detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the disclosed insert, numerous variations and modifications may be employed to implement the all-important purpose of the disclosure without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, the elaboration provided herein should not be assumed to limit, in anyway, the scope of the invention which is fairly defined by the appended claims.