Patent Publication Number: US-11375856-B1

Title: Covertable bathub and shower assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a bathing assembly that can be quickly and easily converted from a shower to a bathtub and vice versa. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Shower stalls typically include at least one wall and a planar floor comprising a shower drain. The shower wall and floor create a shower cavity and an opening to enter and exit the shower. A pivotable door or shower curtain is provided across the shower opening to allow easy entry into the shower cavity and to create a privacy barrier. A water-dispensing head and a spigot provide water within the shower cavity. Because shower stalls are not designed to retain a specified volume of water, the floor portion of the shower is generally not suitable to allow a user to take a bath. 
     Many people prefer to have a versatile space to accommodate a bath as well as shower. As such, shower stalls are often combined with bathing tubs to form a combination stall-tub fixture. The bathing tub is positioned on a bathroom floor and the shower stall is erected around the bathing tub. Water is then either drawn into the bathing recess for a submersion bath or routed to an upper water-dispensing head and dispensed into the shower cavity. However, because bathing tubs typically have at least one side wall extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bathroom floor across the shower opening, users must step over the steep sidewall of the bathtub to enter and exit the shower. This can be extremely problematic for elderly people, children, and those with disabilities. 
     R is often an expensive and time-consuming undertaking to convert a shower stall and bathing tub into a single bathtub or shower only. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a bathing assembly that can be quickly and easily converted from a shower to a bathtub and vice versa. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a bathing assembly comprising a shower base defined by one or more walls. The assembly also includes a bathtub unit defined by interconnected sidewalls and a base that create an upper bathtub edge and an interior with a central opening. The assembly comprises a removable sidewall insert that includes a portion of the top edge of one of the bathtub sidewalls, wherein the insert can be removed from the sidewall to create a sidewall opening defined by two sides and a bottom edge. In some embodiments, the bottom edge of the sidewall opening comprises a drain. Further, the removable insert comprises a retention element (e.g., latch) that cooperates with the drain to retain the insert within the opening, and the retention element can be actuated to release the insert from the bathtub opening upon demand. The term “retention element” refers to any element that can be used to retain the insert within the bathtub sidewall opening. 
     In some embodiments, the bathtub unit and the shower base are molded together as one unitary pierce. 
     In some embodiments, the insert includes a mount that cooperates with a hanger positioned on one wall of the shower. 
     In some embodiments, the mount is configured as a recess. 
     In some embodiments, the sidewall opening is configured on an entry side of the bathtub. 
     In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a seal positioned around the edges of the bathtub opening, around the edges of the removable insert, or both. 
     In some embodiments, the removable insert is configured in a wedge shape that tapers from a top edge to a bottom edge. 
     In some embodiments, the removable insert has a length of about 10-90 inches and a width of about 5-20 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the thickness of the removable insert is equal to the thickness of the corresponding bathtub sidewall. 
     In some embodiments, the retention element is a cam latch. 
     In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of converting a bathtub into a shower. Specifically, the method comprises removing a bathtub insert from a sidewall of the disclosed bathing assembly. Removing the insert exposes the sidewall opening to allow for entry into the shower, thereby converting the bathtub into a shower. 
     In some embodiments, the shower can be returned to a bathtub by repositioning the insert within the sidewall opening and actuating the retention element to lock the insert into position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bathing assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view of a bathing assembly bathtub in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2 b    is a side plan view of a bathing assembly bathtub in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2 c    is a side plan view of a bathing assembly bathtub in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2 d    is a top plan view of a bathing assembly bathtub in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a fragmentary perspective view of a bathtub insert in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a fragmentary perspective view of a bathtub insert being added or removed from a bathtub in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 3 c    is a fragmentary perspective view of a bathtub insert opening in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4 a    is a fragmentary perspective view of a bathtub insert opening comprising seals in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4 b    is a front plan view of a bathtub insert comprising a plurality of seals in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4 c    is a perspective view of a bathtub opening comprising a pair of seals in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a bathtub insert in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6 a    is a perspective view of a bathtub insert comprising a mount in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6 b    is a side plan view of the bathtub insert of  FIG. 6 a    in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6 c    is a top plan view of a bathtub insert in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6 d    is a side plan view of a bathtub insert configured on a hanger in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view of an insert comprising a cam latch in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7 b    is a front plan view of an insert comprising a latch cooperating with a bathtub sidewall in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7 c    is a front plan view of an insert comprising a latch cooperating with a bathtub sidewall drain in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIGS. 7 d  and 7 e    are perspective views of overflow drains in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7 f    is a top plan view of an overflow drain in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7 g    is a side cutaway view of an overflow drain in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an assembly shower comprising an adjacent bathtub in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 9 a    is a perspective view of a bathing assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 9 b    is a perspective view of a bathing assembly with the insert removed in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
     Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/−20%, in some embodiments +/−10%, in some embodiments +/−5%, in some embodiments +/−1%, in some embodiments +/−0.5%, and in some embodiments +/−0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the drawing figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawing figures. 
     The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a bathing assembly that allows for conversion between a bathtub and shower as desired by the user.  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of bathing assembly  5  comprising bathtub  10  and shower stall  15 . The assembly includes shower head  20  and tub head  25  to provide water when using the shower and bathtub, respectively. Advantageously, the bathtub includes insert  30  positioned on one of the bathtub sidewalls. Insert  30  is watertight and allows the bathtub to function fully when installed. The insert can be easily removed from the bathtub sidewall, allowing access to the shower stall with minimal step over barrier. Hanger  35  is positioned on one wall of the shower stall to retain the insert until it is needed again (e.g., when a user desires to take a bath). The assembly further includes overflow drain  32  positioned in the bathtub sidewall opening created when the insert is removed, acting as an added safety feature when the shower is in use. Assembly  5  therefore allows a user to enjoy the benefits of both a shower and bathtub without requiring major renovations or costly updates. 
     As described above, assembly  5  includes bathtub  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   . The bathtub includes a plurality of sidewalls  50  that join together to form interior  55  that is sized and shaped to retain water for bathing. The bathtub further includes bottom surface  60  that provides a support for the bather to sit, stand, or lie. The bottom surface of the bathtub typically lies about 3-4 inches above the finished floor line, enabling drain connections to be made after the tub is in place. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the bathtub can include angled region  65  as an added comfort feature, as shown in  FIG. 2 b   . However, the presently disclosed subject matter also includes embodiments wherein the bathtub is partially or substantially horizontal in the use position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2   c.    
     The bathtub also comprises aperture  70  configured to house water dispensing head  25  to distribute water into the bathtub interior. Drain  75  is typically positioned adjacent to or near the bathtub dispensing head and drains water from the interior of the bathtub when the user has finished bathing, as shown in  FIG. 2 d   . Any conventional type of bathtub dispensing head and drain can be used. 
     The bathtub can have length  80  of about 50-100 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 inches). The term “length” refers to the longest horizontal distance of the bathtub in the use position (e.g., on a support surface such as a bathroom floor). The bathtub can include width  12  of about 20-40 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 inches). The term “width” refers to the longest straight line distance perpendicular to the length. The tub can also include height  90  of about 10-20 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 10, 15, or 20 inches). The term “height” refers to the longest vertical distance of the bathtub in the use position. It should be appreciated that the length, width, and height of bathtub  10  is not limited, and the bathtub can be configured in any desired size. 
     The disclosed bathtub can be configured in any suitable shape, such as the rectangular configuration shown in  FIGS. 2 a -2 d   . However, the bathtub can have any desired shape, such as (but not limited to) square, round, oval, heart-shaped, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the bathtub includes insert  30  positioned on an entry side of the tub to allow access to the shower with no or minimal step over barrier. After insert  30  has been removed, access opening  80  is formed in the bathtub sidewall, as shown in  FIG. 3 c   . The access opening is sized and shaped to retain the insert when desired by the user (e.g., when taking a bath). In addition, opening  80  is large enough to allow a user to easily and safely step through to access the interior of the bathtub, to take a shower. Lower edge  31  of opening  80  includes overflow drain  32 . Water can run from drain  32  through standard piping to be disposed of, as would be known in the art. 
     Alternatively, the piping could be integrated and/or molded directly into the bathtub. Drain  32  can help prevent overflow when the main bathtub drain is still depressed in the sealed position. Excess water can flow through the overflow portion of the drain. When insert  30  is installed on the bathtub sidewall, drain  32  is sealed by the insert. 
     In some embodiments, opening  80  includes seal  91  to allow the insert to be watertight (e.g., not leak) when installed with sidewall  50 , as shown in  FIG. 4 a   . A single seal can be used, as shown. Alternatively, the seal can be configured on the bottom and side edges of the insert, as shown in  FIG. 4 b   . In some embodiments, seal  91  is configured within a channel that is compressed when the insert is positioned within opening  80  to create a watertight seal. Seal  91  can be positioned on any suitable surface of insert  30  or opening  80 , such as on one or more edges. Thus, the seal can be configured on the surface where the insert contacts the sidewall opening. In addition to a single seal, a pair of seals can be used, such as in a front edge and a rear edge, as shown in  FIG. 4   c.    
     The seal can be configured from any suitable material, as would be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, seal  91  can be constructed from rubber, foam, polymeric material, and the like. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of insert  30  comprising top edge  85 , opposed bottom edge  86 , side edges  87 , front face  88 , and rear face  89 . The top edge of the insert forms a top edge of the bathtub when assembled. 
     The insert can be configured in any size and/or shape. For example, the insert can have length  100  of about 10-90 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 inches). The insert can also include height  105  of about 5-20 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, or 20 inches). The section further includes thickness of about 1-10 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 inches). It should be appreciated that thickness  110  of the insert is the same or about the same thickness as a sidewall of the bathtub. The insert thickness is the distance between the front and rear faces of the insert. It should be appreciated that the length, width, and thickness of insert  30  can vary and are not limited to the ranges given above. 
     In some embodiments, length  100  and/or height  105  of the insert can be about 40-95 percent of the total length or height of sidewall  50 . Thus, if the bathtub sidewall comprising the insert has a length of about 100 inches, the sidewall can have length of about 40-95 inches. Similarly, if the sidewall has a height of about 10 inches, the insert height can be about 4-9.5 inches. 
     Insert  30  can have any desired shape, such as the rectangular configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3 b   . However, the shape of the insert is not limited and can be configured in a square, wedged, abstract, or the like shape. Particularly, a wedged or trapezoidal shape that tapers from top edge  85  to bottom edge  86  may be advantageous in preventing leaks when installed on the tub sidewall. Specifically, as water from inside the bathtub applies pressure to the insert, the tapered shape increases the ability of the system to remain watertight. 
     In some embodiments, the front or rear face of insert  30  includes mount  115  for attaching the insert to hanger  35  within the shower, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 a -6 d   . The term “mount” broadly refers to any element that allows for removable attachment to the shower hanger, such as (but not limited to) the use of magnets, fasteners, clips, and the like. In some embodiments, the mount is recessed within the interior of the insert, also functioning as a handle when removing the insert from the bathtub sidewall. The size and shape of the mount are not limited and can be configured in any desired size or shape so long as the mount can cooperate with hanger  35 . In use, the mount is configured on a corresponding hanger  35 , as shown in  FIG. 6 d   . Specifically, at least a portion of the hanger is sized and shaped to fit into mount  115 . It should be appreciated that mount  115  is optional and the insert can be configured without the mount. Further, it is not mandatory that the insert cooperate with the hanger. Rather, after the insert has been removed, it can be stored in a secondary location (e.g., closet, under the bed) where it is out of the way until needed. 
     In some embodiments, the insert can include latch  81  to engage and draw down the insert to compress seals  91  when in the bathtub configuration, as shown in  FIG. 7 a   . The term “latch” can include any element that can secure, lock, and/or press down the insert relative to the bathtub sidewall. In some embodiments, the latch can be a cam latch. The term “cam latch” refers to a device that locks, comprising a base and a cam lever. The cam can be positioned on the insert, above overflow drain  32  such that the drain functions as the receiving latch portion of the cam. When in the place, the cam latch will seal the drain. The insert can optionally include lock  82  that allows a user to secure the insert into position in the bathtub sidewall opening. A key or other element can be used to unlock the lock, allowing the insert to be removed. For example, an allen wrench can be used as a key, inserted into lock  82  to lock the insert into place and remove the insert when desired by the user, although any conventional key/lock arrangement can be used. 
       FIG. 7 b    illustrates one embodiment of latch  81  configured with movable element  83  that can releasably interact with catch  84  on a bathtub sidewall to secure the insert into the bathtub sidewall. As shown in phantom, the hook can be rotated away from catch  84  to release the insert, allowing a user to remove it from the bathtub as desired. It should be appreciated that the movable element can be positioned on any surface of the insert, adjacent to the bathtub sidewall. 
     Alternatively, the latch can be at least partially recessed within the interior of the insert, configured to rotate in the closed position to communicate with overflow drain  32 . As shown in  FIG. 7 c   , when in the closed or locked position (retaining the insert within the bathtub sidewall), movable element  83  cooperates with the overflow drain to lock the insert into position (e.g., exerting pressure on seals  91 ). The overflow drain can include grid pattern  3  or any support element  4  that acts as a catch, allowing the movable to releasably connect with, as shown in  FIGS. 7 d -7 g   . The overflow drain can be recessed within the bathtub sidewall or flush within opening  80 . 
     However, it should be appreciated that any type of latch can be used, such as (but not limited to) compression latches, slam latches, draw latches, sliding latches, and the like. In use, a key, hand, or tool can be used to rotate the cam which latches the insert into opening  80 . Still further, the insert is not limited to the use of latches and can be releasably retained within a bathtub sidewall using any element, such as (but not limited to) the use of magnets, clips, fasteners, snap-fit arrangement, pressure-fit arrangement, and the like. 
     Bathtub  10  and insert  30  can be constructed from any desired material, such as (but not limited to) fiberglass, molded fiberglass sheets, composite material, glass, polymer, porcelain-enameled metal (e.g., steel, cast iron), acrylic, metal (e.g., copper), stone, or combinations thereof. It should be appreciated that bathtub  10  and insert  30  are not limited to the materials set forth above. 
     Shower  15  can be any suitable shower, such as those including tile or fiberglass, and the like. Typically, the shower will include vertically extending walls  130  to create an enclosed space for bathing, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The shower can be constructed above and adjacent to bathtub  10  to prevent water leaks. In some embodiments, the shower and bathtub can be configured as a single unit. In other embodiments, the shower is constructed around the bathtub. 
     In use, insert  30  can be installed on an entry sidewall of a bathtub, as shown in  FIG. 9 a   . In this configuration, a user is free to take a bath within the interior of the bathtub. When the user desires to take a shower, insert  30  can be quickly and easily removed from bathtub sidewall  50  and positioned outside the bathing assembly or can be positioned on hanger  35  within the interior of the shower, as shown in  FIG. 9 b   . In these embodiments, the insert can function as a shelf, allowing the user to store items on the top surface. Opening  80  is left in the sidewall where the insert has been removed. The opening functions as an entry to the shower, such that the user does not have to step over a large lip or bathtub sidewall. In addition, overflow drain  32  is exposed within the lower surface of the opening as an overflow safety feature. 
     When the user desires to replace the insert into opening  80 , it can be easily removed from hanger  35  and aligned and repositioned using cam latch  81 , as described above. The insert is then secured into place against sidewall  50  to create a watertight seal. The user can then use the bathtub to take a bath as desired. 
     Bathing assembly  5  offers many advantages over prior art bathtub and shower assemblies. Specifically, assembly  5  is convertible allowing the user versatility to either take a shower or bath easily. 
     Assembly  5  is easy to use, enabling children, adults, the elderly, and disabled persons to easily use and convert the assembly as desired. 
     Overflow drain provides an added safety feature, preventing or reducing the incidence of escape of water from the assembly when the shower is being used. 
     Assembly can be easily retrofitted on an existing bathtub, providing a cost savings to the user. Alternatively, the bathtub can be removed and replaced with the assembly disclosed herein. 
     Advantageously, the bathtub can be used for bathing with normal water levels and converted to a shower with no step over barrier like a shower. 
     When installed on the hanger in the shower, insert  30  can function as a shelf, saving space within the interior of the shower. 
     The foregoing descriptions have been presented for purposes of illustration and description and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presently disclosed subject matter. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the present disclosure.