Patent Publication Number: US-2007101490-A1

Title: Cover for use with bathing tub

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Technical Field  
      The invention relates generally to a bathtub cover which helps prevent heat loss from water within the bathtub. More particularly, the invention relates to such a bathtub cover having an opening formed therein so that the torso or other portion of the body of the user of the bathtub may extend above the cover when in use. Specifically, the invention relates to such a cover having a suspension system for suspending the cover over the bathtub.  
      2. Background Information  
      It is well known that heated water within a bathtub loses heat relatively rapidly due in part to the large upper surface area of the body of water in the bathtub. Thus, it would be helpful to have a bathtub cover which substantially covers the bathtub to help retain the heat and which is easily usable.  
      As disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. D485,605, bathtub covers are known in the art which have a water fill opening and are attachable to the bathtub via several suction cups. However, there is room for improvement with regard to the suspension system for suspending the cover over the bathtub. In addition, there is a need in the art for a bathtub cover having an opening to accommodate the torso or other portion of the user&#39;s body when the cover is in use with the bathtub. The present invention provides these and other benefits.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a bathtub cover for use with a bathtub having a water-receiving cavity with an entrance opening, the cover comprising a flexible sheet defining a body opening adapted to receive a portion of a body of a user of the bathtub; and a suspension system for suspending the sheet in a generally horizontal orientation so that the sheet is adapted to cover the entrance opening of the bathtub.  
      The present invention also provides a bathtub cover for use with a bathtub having a water-receiving cavity with an entrance opening, the cover comprising a flexible sheet having a portion which is movable to define a body opening adapted to receive a portion of a body of a user of the bathtub; and a suspension system for suspending the sheet in a generally horizontal orientation so that the sheet is adapted to cover the entrance opening of the bathtub. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the bathtub cover of the present invention in use with a bathtub showing the top of the cover.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the bottom of the bathtub cover of the first embodiment.  
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 2  showing a rod of the suspension system which is removably insertable into an elongated pocket of the cover.  
       FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 2  and shows a second embodiment of the bathtub cover of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 4  and shows a third embodiment of the bathtub cover of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of the encircled portion of  FIG. 6 . 
    
    
      Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      A first embodiment of the bathtub cover of the present invention is indicated generally at  100  in  FIGS. 1-2 ; a second embodiment is indicated generally at  200  in  FIG. 4 ; and a third embodiment is indicated generally at  300  in  FIG. 6 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 1 , bathtub cover  100  is shown in use with a bathtub  80 . Bathtub  80  defines a cavity  82  having an entrance opening  84  which is bounded by a ledge or a plurality of ledges with entrance opening  84  disposed therebetween. Bathtub  80  has first and second opposed ends  86 A and  86 B. Bathtub  80  also has first and second opposed sides  88 A and  88 B each extending between first and second ends  86 A and  86 B. The plurality of ledges noted above include first and second end ledges  90 A and  90 B and first and second opposed side ledges  92 A and  92 B each of which extends from first end ledge  90 A to second end ledge  90 B. Ledges  90  and  92  are disposed at the top of bathtub  80 . End ledges  90 A and  90 B respectively have first and second inner edges  94 A and  94 B which bound entrance opening  84 . First and second side ledges  92 A and  92 B respectively have first and second inner edges  96 A and  96 B which bound entrance opening  84 . Thus, inner edges  94 A,  94 B,  96 A and  96 B define a substantially rectangular outer perimeter  98  of entrance opening  84  which is also an inner perimeter of ledges  90  and  92 . Inner edges  94 A and  94 B of ledges  90 A and  90 B define therebetween a length L 1  of entrance opening  84 . Inner edges  96 A and  96 B of ledges  92 A and  92 B define therebetween a width W 1  of entrance opening  84 . Bathtub  80  further includes a water spout  99  disposed adjacent first end  86 A thereof for filling cavity  82  of bathtub  80  with water.  
      Cover  100  includes a sheet  102  of flexible material which is configured to be suspended over entrance opening  84  of bathtub cavity  82  when in use. In the operational position of sheet  102  shown in  FIG. 1 , sheet  102  is substantially flat and substantially horizontal although there is some variation from this configuration due to the flexible nature of the material causing some drooping of sheet  102 . Sheet  102  is made of a material which is foldable or rollable to facilitate the stowing of cover  100 . Sheet  102  is typically a water impermeable material most typically formed of a cloth and/or plastic material or including a plastic material. Sheet  102  may be a single layer or include a plurality of layers one of which is preferably a thermal insulating material.  
      Sheet  102  has first and second opposed ends  104 A and  104 B defining therebetween a length L 2  of sheet  102  and cover  100 . Length L 2  of sheet  102  is longer than length L 1  of entrance opening  84  so that end portions adjacent ends  104 A and  104 B respectively overlap portions of ledges  90 A and  90 B. Sheet  102  also has first and second opposed sides  106 A and  106 B each extending from end  104 A to end  104 B and defining therebetween a width W 2  which is longer than width W 1  of entrance opening  84  whereby portions of sheet  102  adjacent sides  106 A and  106 B respectively overlap portions of ledges  92 A and  92 B. Ends  104 A and  104 B and sides  106 A and  106 B thus define a substantially rectangular outer perimeter  108  which is larger than the substantially rectangular outer perimeter  98  of entrance opening  84 . Sheet  102  may be other than rectangular as may be entrance opening  84 . The outer perimeter of sheet  102  and outer perimeter of entrance opening  84  typically are of the same or a similar shape except that the shape defined by the outer perimeter of sheet  102  is larger.  
      In accordance with a feature of the invention, sheet  102  defines a body opening  110  distal first end  104 A and water spout  99 . Body opening  110  is configured for a user of bathtub  80  to be seated in cavity  82  of bathtub  80  with the torso or some portion of the user&#39;s body extending through body opening  110 . More particularly, body opening  110  is disposed adjacent end  104 B of sheet  102  and extends inwardly from end  104 B such that opening  110  is in communication with end  104 B of outer perimeter  108  of sheet  102 . Thus, body opening  110  opens outwardly in a direction away from first end  104 A of sheet  102  and away from water spout  99  to expose inner edge  94 B, a portion of second end ledge  90 B adjacent edge  94 B and a portion of entrance opening  84  adjacent inner edge  94 B. It will be understood that bathtub  80  is a typical bathtub wherein the water spout  99  is disposed adjacent first end  86 A but that other bathtubs may have a water spout disposed at different locations, for instance, along side ledge  92 A or adjacent the intersection of side ledge  92 A and ledge  90 A. Even when the water spout is located in such positions, body opening  110  will generally be distal the water spout and typically open in a direction away from the water spout.  
      With reference to  FIG. 2 , sheet  102  has an interior edge  112  which is centrally located between first and second sides  106 A and  106 B and disposed inwardly of second end  104 B of sheet  102 . Interior edge  112  is substantially parallel to second end  104 B and bounds an innermost side of body opening  110 . Interior edge  112  extends in an axial direction of sheet  102  defined between first and second sides  106 A and  106 B of sheet  102 . Sheet  102  further includes a pair of opposed lateral interior edges  114 A and  114 B each of which extends transversely from interior edge  112  via an arcuate transition and each of which bounds body opening  110  laterally. Lateral interior edges  114 A and  114 B extend in a generally longitudinal direction of sheet  102  extending between ends  104 A and  104 B thereof. More particularly, interior edges  114 A and  114 B taper or angle outwardly from interior edge  112  to second end  104 B of sheet  102 . Interior edges  112  and  114  thus define a generally U-shaped boundary of body opening  110 .  
      Referring again to  FIG. 1 , sheet  102  includes a flap  116  of flexible material which is typically formed of the same material as the rest of sheet  102 . Flap  116  has substantially the same shape as that defined by interior edges  112  and  114  except that flap  116  is somewhat larger in order to overlap sheet  102  along interior edges  112  and  114 . Cover  100  includes a fastening mechanism  118  for fastening flap  116  to the rest of sheet  102  along interior edges  112  and  114 . Fastening mechanism  118  includes a plurality of first fastener portions which are mounted on sheet  102  along interior edges  112  and  114  and a plurality of second fastener portions  122  which are mounted on flap  116 . More particularly, flap  116  includes an inner edge  124 , an outer edge  126  which is opposed to and substantially parallel to inner edge  124 , and a pair of lateral edges  128 A and  128 B each extending from respective ends of inner edge  124  and tapering outwardly therefrom to respective ends of outer edge  126 . Second fastener portions  122  are disposed along inner edge  124  and lateral edges  128 A and  128 B of flap  116 . First and second fastener portions  120  and  122  may be the respective halves of snaps whereby flap  116  is removably connected to the rest of sheet  102  to close or cover body opening  110  when attached for exposed body opening  110  when removed. Such snaps may be formed of plastic materials, metals which are resistant to oxidation and wet environments or any other suitable material. In addition, fastening mechanism  118  may include any mechanism known in the art which is suitable, for example, velcro strips and so forth.  
      It is further noted that flap  116  need not be removable, but may simply be movable from a closed position which covers opening  110  to an open position where body opening  110  is uncovered or substantially uncovered. For instance, this may be easily accomplished by flap  16  by unfastening the fastener portions  120  and  122  disposed along lateral edges  128 A and  128 B of flap  116  and lateral interior edges  114 A and  114 B adjacent body opening  110  while the fastener portions  120  and  122  along inner edge  124  of flap  116  and interior edge  112  of cover  102  remain fastened.  
      Alternately, flap  116  may simply be an integral extension of the rest of sheet  102  which is foldable along the interior edge defining body opening  110  and fastenable along the lateral interior edges defined by the opening  110 . Alternately, sheet  102  may include a material in the area spanned by flap  116  which is gathered or bunched to allow the material to move inwardly from end  104 B of sheet  102  and from ledge  90 B of bathtub  80  in order to create a body opening similar to body opening  110 . Alternately, the material in this area may also be elasticized or otherwise configured to stretch inwardly from ledge  90 B in order to form a body opening similar to body opening  110 . In either of these alternate embodiments, the material would move between open and closed positions to open and close body opening  110 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 2 , cover  100  further includes a suspension system for suspending sheet  102  above or substantially above entrance opening  84  of bathtub  80 . The suspension system includes a support assembly  130  comprising a plurality of sleeves or elongated pockets  132 A-F each defining a channel or elongated interior chamber  134  ( FIG. 3 ) for slidably receiving a support member typically in the form of a tube or rod  136  wherein the slidable movement is indicated at Arrows A in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
      Each of pockets  132 A, B and C have first and second opposed ends  138  and  140  defining therebetween a length which is the same as or substantially the same as width W 2  of sheet  102 . More particularly, each first end  138  is disposed at or adjacent side  106 A of sheet  102  and each second end  140  is disposed at or adjacent second side  106 B of sheet  102 . Similarly, the rods  136  ( FIG. 3 ) which are used with pockets  132 A, B and C each have a first end  142  and a second opposed end  144  defining therebetween a length L 3  which is the same as or substantially the same as width W 2  of cover  102 . Typically, second ends  140  of each respective pocket  132 A, B and C is closed while each first end  138  of said pockets is open so that respective rods  136  may slide into the interior chamber  134  of a respective pocket  132  and be positioned by second end  140  which acts as a stop for rods  136 . Each open end  138  allows for removability of rods  136  to facilitate washing of sheet  102 , replacement of rods  136 , storing and shipping of cover  100 , and so forth.  
      Each of rods  132 A, B and C is substantially parallel to first end  104 A of sheet  102  and is thus configured to receive a rod  136  having the shortest length L 3  required to span entrance opening  84  of tub  80  with ends  142  and  144  of rod  136  respectively seated atop ledges  92 A and  92 B of bathtub  80  ( FIG. 1 ). Pockets  132 A, B and C are thus axially extending and longitudinally spaced from one another along the length of sheet  102 . Although the exact positions of the pockets  132 A, B and C may vary substantially,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a preferred embodiment in which pocket  132 A is spaced from first end  104 A by a distance which is substantially equal to the distance between pocket  132 A and  132 B, which is also substantially equal to the distance between pocket  132 B and  132 C. Thus, pockets  132 A, B and C along with first end  104 A define first, second and third panels  146 A,  146 B and  146 C which are substantially rectangular and substantially the same size. More particularly, panel  146 A of sheet  102  is disposed between end  104 A and pocket  132 A, second panel  146 B is disposed between pockets  132 A and  132 B, and third panel  146 C is disposed between pockets  132 B and  132 C.  
      Sheet  102  further includes first and second lateral panels  148 A and  148 B and central end panel  150  each of which is partially defined by pockets  132 D and  132 E. Pockets  132 D and  132 E are spaced from one another and each of said pockets extends transversely from adjacent pocket  132 C to second end  104 B of sheet  102 . More particularly, pockets  132 D and  132 E have respective first ends  152 A and  152 B and respective second opposed ends  154 A and  154 B. Similar to pockets  132 A, B and C, pockets  132 D and E have first ends  152  which are closed and second ends  154  which are open for removably slidably receiving support members similar to rod  136  ( FIG. 3 ). Each of ends  152 A and  152 B of pockets  132 D and E are disposed adjacent pocket  132 C and are spaced from one another. Pockets  132 D and E angle outwardly from one another from respective ends  152 A and  152 B toward respective ends  154 A and  154 B, the latter of which are disposed inwardly of but adjacent sides  106 B and  106 A of sheet  102 .  
      Thus, each of panels  148 A and  148 B of sheet  102  are substantially triangular in shape. More particularly, panel  148 A is bounded by pocket  132 E, a portion of pocket  132 C which extends from adjacent first end  152 B of pocket  132 E to first side  106 A of sheet  102 , a portion of first side  106 A extending from first end  138  of pocket  132 C to the intersection of side  106 A and end  104 B of sheet  102 , and a portion of end  104 B extending from its intersection with side  106 A to second end  154 B of pocket  132 E. Panel  148 B is substantially a mirror image of panel  148 A and is bounded by an analogous structure on the opposite side of sheet  102 . Panel  150  defines body opening  110  and may thus be termed a body opening panel of sheet  102 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 3 , first end  138  of pocket  132 A is enlarged to show the basic structure of pockets  132  in general. An elongated strip  156  of material is connected to sheet  102  to form interior chamber  134  between strip  156  and a portion of sheet  102 .  FIG. 3  also shows that sheet  102  includes first and second layers  158 A and  158 B which are connected to one another. Sheet  102  may be a single layer or a plurality of layers, preferably at least one of which is formed of a thermally insulating material. Each strip  156  of material is typically sewn to sheet  102  although other methods of attachment may be used. Each pocket  132  may be formed in any suitable manner in the art. For example, sheet  102  may comprise a plurality of layers with an interior chamber such as channel  134  formed between a pair of adjacent layers thereof. In addition, while strip  156  is preferably a continuous one-piece strip of material, a plurality of pieces of material may be used to form channel  134 . In addition, channel  134  is typically a continuous passage which extends from first side  106 A to second side  106 B of sheet  102 . However, channel  134  may be broken up into several shorter passages which are aligned with one another to receive rod  136 . Various options will be evident to one skilled in the art to form pockets or to otherwise connect rods  136  to sheet  102 .  
      The suspension system for suspending sheet  102  over the cavity of the bathtub may further include a securing mechanism for releasably securing a portion of sheet  102  to bathtub  80 . More particularly, securing mechanism  160  includes a pair of suction cups  162 A and B disposed adjacent first end  104 A of sheet  102  with suction cup  162 A adjacent the intersection of first end  104 A and first side  106 A and second suction cup  162 B disposed adjacent the intersection of first end  104 A and second side  106 B. While securing mechanism  160  is not required in order to suspend sheet  102  above bathtub  80 , mechanism  160  is beneficial in that it will secure sheet  102  adjacent first end  104 A so that users of cover  100  may pull sheet  102  and support assembly  130  toward themselves without displacing end  104 A from its position above or adjacent first end ledge  90 A of bathtub  80 . While suction cups are preferred for use with the smooth surfaces of a bathtub and the like, any other suitable mechanism for securing sheet  102  adjacent end  104 A may be used.  
      The operation of cover  100  is now described. Typically cover  100  will initially be packaged either with all of the rods  136  removed from their respective pockets or with the rods removed from pockets  132 D and  132 E so that cover  100  may be folded or rolled into a relatively compact unit with all of the poles disposed in substantially parallel fashion. Once all of the rods are inserted into their respective pockets  132 , the user will then typically at least partially unfold or unroll the cover to an operational position for use with bathtub  80 . The cover will then be suspended over entrance opening  84  with suction cups  162  secured to first end ledge  90 A or adjacent thereto. The rods  136  disposed in pockets  132 A, B and C will be laid across entrance opening  84  with respective first ends  138  atop first side ledge  92 A and the respective second ends  140  atop second side ledge  92 B of bathtub  80 . The respective ends of pockets  132 A, B and C will thus also be respectively disposed atop ledges  92 A and  92 B. Similarly, the second ends  154 A and B of pockets  132 D and E along with the respective rods inserted therein will be disposed atop second end ledge  90 B of bathtub  80  or respectively atop side ledges  92 A and  92 B depending on the positions of pockets  132 D and E on sheet  102 .  
      Cover  100  may be suspended on tub  80  either prior to or after filling the tub with water via water spout  99 . If the cover is positioned on bathtub  80  first, cover  100  adjacent first end  104 A may be folded back in order to allow water from spout  99  to fill bathtub  80 . Because cover  100  is slidable along side ledges  92 A and  92 B, the user is able to slidably move cover  100  back and forth as desired to facilitate getting into and out of the tub. At some point, the user folds back or removes flap  116  in order to provide access to opening  110  so that the torso or other portion of the user&#39;s body may extend upwardly through opening  110  while seated in cavity  82  of bathtub  80 . It is noted that rods  136  may be formed with sufficient strength simply to suspend sheet  102  over bathtub  80 . However, rods may be formed which have sufficient strength for supporting the arms of the user atop cover  100  when in use.  
      With reference to  FIG. 4 , bathtub cover  200  is now described. Cover  200  is similar to cover  100  except that the support assembly of the suspension system is somewhat different than support assembly  130  of cover  100 . Cover  200  includes a suspension system comprising a support assembly  230  while retaining the securing mechanism  160  as described with regard to cover  100 . Support assembly  230  is similar to assembly  130  in that the rods of assembly  230  are positioned in substantially the same manner to establish panels such as panels  146 ,  148  and  150  as described with cover  100 . That is, the panels formed by support assembly  230  are substantially identical in shape and size to those formed by support assembly  130  of cover  100 .  
      Support assembly  230  utilizes a different system of pockets for securing various rods thereto. More particularly, support assembly  230  includes three pairs of pockets each including a first pocket  232 A and a second pocket  232 B with each of pockets  232 A disposed along first side  106 A of sheet  102  and each of second pockets  232 B disposed along second side  106 B of sheet  102 . Pockets  232 A are spaced from one another along side  106 A and pockets  232 B are spaced from one another along side  106 B with respective pockets  232 B being in opposed relation to the respective first pockets  232 A. In contrast with pockets  132  of cover  100 , each of pockets  232 A and  232 B extend inwardly from the respective sides  106 A and  106 B only a relatively short distance so that the entire respective pocket is adjacent its respective side of sheet  102 . Each first pocket  232 A defines an interior chamber  234 A which faces or opens away from first side  106 A and toward side  106 B of sheet  102 . Similarly, each second pocket  232 B defines an interior chamber  234 B which faces or opens away from side  106 B and toward side  106 A of sheet  102 . Thus, each associated pair of pockets  232 A and B define respective interior chambers  234 A and B which face or open toward one another and are aligned with one another for respectively receiving first and second ends  142  and  144  of a respective rod  136 .  
      Support assembly  230  further includes first and second end pockets  236 A and B disposed adjacent second end  104 B of sheet  102  with first end pocket  236 A disposed between first side  106 A of sheet  102  and opening  110  and second pocket  236 B disposed between second side  106 B of sheet  102  and opening  110 . Pockets  236 A and  236 B are thus disposed on opposite sides of opening  110  with a portion of opening  110  situated directly between pockets  236 A and  236 B. Pockets  236 A and  236 B are typically disposed respectively adjacent first and second sides  106 A and  106 B of sheet  102  although this may vary. Pockets  236 A and  236 B respectively define interior chambers  238 A and  238 B each of which faces away from second end  104 B and toward first end  104 A of sheet  102 .  
      Support assembly  230  further includes first and second elongated support members  240 A and  240 B which are typically in the form of tubes or rods. Rods  240 A and B have respective first ends  242 A and  242 B and respective second opposed ends  244 A and  244 B. First ends  242 A and B are received respectively in interior chambers  238 A and  238 B of pockets  236 A and  236 B. Second ends  244 A and  244 B are disposed adjacent rod  136 C, which is the rod  136  closest to second end  104 B of sheet  102 . More particularly, support assembly  230  includes a pair of connectors  246 A and  246 B each of which are mounted on said rod  136  and define respective openings for respectively receiving ends  244 A and  244 B of rods  240 A and  240 B. Second ends  244 A and B of rods  240 A and  240 B are removable from connectors  246 A and  246 B as shown by Arrows B in  FIG. 4 .  
      The removal of rods  240 A and  240 B from connectors  246 A and  246 B may equate to complete disconnection therebetween. However, one option is to use tubes having elastic cords disposed therein such as used with camping tents so that the support members  240 A and  240 B are still connected to support member  136 C by the elastic cords. Similarly, support member  136 C may be divided into three sections with connectors  246 A and  246 B providing the separation points thereof such that the various sections are also connected by such elastic cords. Support members  136 A and  136 B may also utilize this concept in order to provide smaller packaging for shipping and retailing purposes. Alternately, the various support members may simply include two or more pieces which may be connected without the use of such an internal elastic cord.  
      With reference to  FIG. 5 , support member  136  is shown adjacent a pocket  232 A to indicate the insertable and removable nature of support member  136  as indicated at Arrow C into and out of interior chamber  234 A of pocket  232 A. This insertable end removable feature is true of all of the support members and their respective pockets  232  and  236 . Each pocket  232  and  236  is formed with a strip  248  of material attached to sheet  102 , typically being sewn thereto. However, any suitable mechanism for connecting strip  248  to sheet  102  may be used and other options for forming pocket  232  or  236  may be used as well.  
      The operation of cover  200  is essentially the same as that as described with cover  106 . However, there are some variations with regard to the connection between support assembly  230  and sheet  102 . In short, the rods  136  are inserted into respective pockets  232 A and  232 B and support members  240 A and  240 B are inserted into connectors  246 A and  246 B and pockets  236 A and  236 B respectively to connect support assembly  230  to sheet  102 . It is noted that the various support members  136  and  240  are sufficiently stiff to support sheet  102 . However, support members  136  in particular are sufficiently flexible to allow insertion thereof into respective pockets  232 A and  232 B. The use of cover  200  with bathtub  80  is otherwise the same as described with cover  100 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 6 , bathtub cover  300  is now described. Cover  300  is similar to covers  100  and  200  except that cover  300  includes a sheet  302  which defines a water-fill opening  304  and which is suspended over entrance opening  84  of bathtub  80  utilizing a different suspension system. Generally, the suspension system of cover  300  eliminates the use of a support assembly like assemblies  130  and  230  and utilizes a different securing mechanism  306  instead.  
      Sheet  302  defines opening  110  which is openable and closable via flap  116  as described with regard to cover  100 . In addition, water-fill opening  304  formed in sheet  302  is disposed adjacent first end  104 A of sheet  302  in a location which is disposed below water spout  99  when in use with bathtub  80 . Preferably, water-fill opening  304  is openable and closable for respectively filling tub  80  with water and covering opening  304  to retain heat within bathtub  80 . Sheet  302  includes a flap  308  to that effect. Fasteners in the form of first fastener portions  310 A mounted on flap  308  and  310 B mounted on sheet  302  adjacent opening  304  are used to releasably secure flap  308  in a closed position thereof in which flap  308  covers opening  304 . Fastener portions  310 A and B may be hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps as discussed with regard to the fasteners for flap  116  or any other fastening mechanism which is suitable for the purpose.  
      Securing mechanism  306  includes first and second side mounting strips  314 A and  314 B in opposed relation with one another wherein strip  314 A is mounted along the entire length L 2  of sheet  302  along first side  106 A thereof and mounting strip  314 B extends along the entire length L 2  of sheet  302  along second side  106 B thereof. Each mounting strip  314 A and B is secured to sheet  302  by any suitable means known in the art. More particularly, mounting strips  314 A and  314 B respectively include first and second strips  316 A and  316 B of material each having a plurality of suction cups  318  mounted thereon. Suction cups  318  are disposed along the entire length of each strip  316  so that there are suction cups  318  generally all along the length of strip  316 . Typically, suction cups  318  are spaced from one another by approximately one to three inches. Preferably, each mounting strip  314  is a one-piece integrally formed member such that suction cup  318  and strips  316  of material are formed as an integral one-piece member. Securing mechanism  306  may also include an end mounting strip  320  which is connected to sheet  302  along first end  104 A thereof with strip  320  extending substantially the entire width W 2  of sheet  302 . End mounting strip  320  includes a strip  322  of material like strips  316  with suction cups  318  mounted thereon in the same fashion as described with regard to mounting strips  314 .  FIG. 7  shows an enlarged view of a portion of mounting strip  314 B which is representative of mounting strips  314  and  320 .  FIG. 7  shows strip  316 B of material is sewn onto sheet  302  although as previously noted any suitable fastening mechanism may be used.  
      The use of cover  300  is similar to that of covers  100  and  200  in the general sense of covering the tub  180 . However, there are various distinctions. Because there is no support assembly utilizing rods which may be removable, there is no need for insertion thereof into pockets as with covers  100  and  200 . In addition, the elimination of such a support assembly simplifies the folding and/or rolling of cover  300  into a stowing position.  
      In short, side mounting strips  314 A and  314 B are secured via suction cups  318  respectively to side ledges  92 A and  92 B of bathtub  80  and end mounting strip  320  is likewise secured to first end ledge  90 A of bathtub  80 . Securing mechanism  306  thus provides the suspension of sheet  302  over entrance opening  84  of bathtub  80 . This will position opening  110  and flap  116  as previously described with covers  100  and  200 . In addition, opening  304  will be disposed below water spout  99  in order to fill bathtub  80  when flap  308  is in an open position. Once the bathtub is filled to a desired level, the water is cut off and flap  308  is secured via fasteners  310 A and B to cover opening  304  for retaining heat of the water within the bathtub. Alternately, if opening  304  happens not to be disposed in a proper position for use with water spout  99 , or if cover  302  is covered without opening  304 , bathtub  80  may be filled with water either prior to securing cover  300  to bathtub  80 , after partially securing it thereto or after securing it to bathtub  80  by pulling back a portion of cover  300  adjacent end  104 A or wherever the water spout is located in order to provide an opening for filling the tub.  
      Because cover  300  utilizes suction cups for securing it to bathtub  80 , it does not possess the slidable qualities associated with covers  100  and  200 . Thus, the user of cover  300  may find it convenient to leave some portion of side mounting strip  314 A adjacent end  104 B of sheet  302  unsecured prior to getting into the bathtub or may release them from their securement to ledge  92 B prior to getting in to the bathtub. The use of mounting strips such as strips  314  and  320  ensure that even with the failure of connection between some suction cups  318  and a respective ledge of bathtub  80 , that a sufficient number of suction cups  318  will remain secured to the ledges to provide the suspension of cover  300  over entrance opening  84  of bathtub  80 .  
      Thus, bathtub covers  100 ,  200  and  300  provide a cost efficient mechanism which retains heat within the bathtub and which is easily used. Each of the bathtub covers provides a body opening which conveniently receives the torso or some portion of the user&#39;s body while seated in the bathtub. In addition, the covers may provide an optional water-fill opening for filling the tub while the bathtub cover is in its operational position on the bathtub. In addition, each of the covers provides a suitable suspension system which may include only a support assembly such as the support systems utilizing rods or the like or simply securing mechanisms such as the suction cups of mounting strips  314  and  320  or a combination of a support assembly and a securing mechanism. Each of the bathtub covers is configured to fit into a compact unit for storing and shipping.  
      In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
      Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.