Patent Publication Number: US-2010107328-A1

Title: Full Bathtub Overflow Stopper and Bubble Bath Diffuser

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefit of one prior filed provisional application: No. 61108377 submitted Oct. 24, 2008 by inventor Jennifer K. Brooks. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention was not made under a federally sponsored research and development and therefore, the inventor claims all rights to the invention. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This document relates generally to an invention for blocking or impeding the flow of water through an overflow drain of a bathtub. 
     Most bathtubs have a drain system which includes an overflow drain located on the wall of the tub, usually 4-8 inches from the top edge of the bathtub. The overflow opening acts to receive water above a certain height in the tub to prevent the overflow of water from the bathtub&#39;s edge. Typically, the overflow opening cover is equipped with cut-outs on its lower periphery that allow entrance of overflow water into the overflow opening. By draining water above a height set by the location of the cut-outs on the cover, the bathtub is prevented from overflowing. 
     Some people (having different shapes, sizes and needs) prefer to take a bath in a nearly full bathtub, with the water level above the overflow openings, and accordingly desire to block the overflow drain. 
     This document also relates to an additional use of the invention for diffusing bubble bath through the water flowing out of the faucet and into the bathtub and therefore, creating more bubbles. 
     Some faucets are high above the bathtub or the water does not have enough pressure to churn the water enough to create lots of bubbles. Once the bathtub&#39;s water level is above the floor surface of the bathtub there is only the water pressure to churn the bubble bath and so few additional bubbles are created thereafter. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a device of blocking or impeding the flow of water through the lower opening of the overflow drain of a bathtub. The device may include a elongated bodied, cloth material stopper to be removably held in place by suction cups on each side of the overflow drain. 
     The body of the invention may be one of a elongated body. The elongated body comprises the stopper. The stopper may be formed of cloth material. At the ends of each elongated body may be a suction cup internally attached to the elongated body. 
     The invention is a method for blocking or impeding the flow of water through the overflow drain opening of the bathtub, the overflow drain comprising an overflow drain opening in a wall of a bathtub and a cover plate over the overflow drain opening, the cover plate comprising at least one overflow opening in one of an annular skirt and a domed portion. The method of using the device may include wrapping the elongated bodied, cloth material stopper around the lower front portion of the overflow drain&#39;s cover plate and removably securing in place with the suction cups to the side of the bathtub next to the overflow drain. 
     The invention is a device for diffusing bubble bath while filling a bathtub with water. The device may include an elongated bodied, cloth material diffuser removably secured by suction cups to each side of the faucet. 
     The invention is a method for diffusing bubble bath while filling a bathtub with water. The method of using the device may include applying bubble bath to the middle of the elongated bodied, cloth material diffuser, turning on the water, removably securing the suction cups to either side of the faucet and lowering the elongated bodied, cloth material diffuser into the stream of water. 
     The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the suction cup attachment to the end of the elongated bodied, cloth material. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the full elongated, bodied cloth material device with external suction cups and internally attached tacks. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the overflow opening cover plate and the device and method in use. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the overflow opening cover plate and the device and method in use. 
         FIG. 5  is front/side view of the overflow opening cover plate and the device and method in use. 
         FIG. 6  is frontal view of a faucet and the diffuser device and method in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The first embodiment of the invention is directed towards a bathtub assembly for increasing a capacity of the bathtub. The bathtub assembly includes a plate covering a drain opening in the tub except for the at least one overflow opening in the lower portion thereof. The elongated, flexible body of the invention acts as a sealing member when engaged to the underside of the lower portion of the cover plate overflow opening and attached to the wall of the bathtub of either side of the cover plate. When engaged to the plate, the stopper portion of the invention prevents or impedes fluid from exiting the tub through the drain opening. The invention can be quickly engaged and disengaged from the plate and does not protrude into the bathing area of the tub. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  illustrate a perspective view of the overflow drain cover plate incorporating the teachings of a first embodiment of the invention. Although these drawing show a circular cover plate only, they are merely an exemplary of the type of apparatus in which the present invention could be employed. The flexible, elongated body may be employed with a variety of shaped cover plates. The cover plate underside, lower openings are covered completely by the invention ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) and secured with the suction cup attachment to the wall of the bathtub on either side of the cover plate ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 ) without protruding into the bathing area of the bathtub ( FIG. 4 .) The preferred method of covering the at least one overflow opening of the cover plate ( FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ) is to wet the flexible, elongated body  1  and wrap it under and around the lower/underside of the cover plate. The preferred method of securing the invention is to press suction cups  2  to the walls of the bathtub on either side of the cover plate. These suction cups  2  may be easily removed when finished bathing by releasing the suction. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , more detailed views of the invention itself are illustrated. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flexible, elongated body  1  is the stopper of the at least one opening of the overflow drain cover plate. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the two suction cups  2  are attached to the elongated body  1  by an enclosed tack  3  for each of the two suctions cups. Each of the two suction cups  2  are further attached to the each of the two enclosed tacks  3  by placing sealing, water-proof glue to the external portion of the tack ( FIG. 1-3 ). 
     The second embodiment of the invention ( FIG. 6 ) is directed toward the faucet and method of filling a bathtub with water and a bubble bath additive to enhance the bathing experience. Most bathtubs are filled with water by turning on a faucet and allowing water to flow into the bathtub to the desired level. Some people prefer to have bubble bath added to the bathtub while being filled to create bubbles for bathing with and, perhaps, creating an aromatherapy experience while soaking in the bathtub. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , this drawing is a perspective view incorporating the teachings of how the flexible, elongated body ( FIG. 2-1 ) of the invention acts as a diffuser of the bubble bath while attached to the faucet by the suction cup attachment ( FIGS. 2-2  and  3 ) on each side of the faucet and the flexible, elongated body ( FIG. 2-1 ) is placed in the flow of the water, subsequently churning the water as it mixes with the bubble bath, and creating more bubbles ( FIG. 6 .) Although this drawing shows an illustrated faucet, it is to be understood that this faucet is merely an exemplary of the type of apparatus in which the present invention could be employed. The flexible, elongated body and suction cup attachment ( FIGS. 2-1 ,  2 , and  3 ) may be employed with a variety of shaped faucets. 
     The best mode for manufacturing the flexible, elongated body ( FIG. 2-1 ) is to cut cloth material (of a desired thickness) to a length and width to span the overflow opening of a cover plate when tri-folded, long-ways and sewn together. The internal tack attachment ( FIG. 1-3 ) for the suction cup ( FIG. 1-2 ) is secured inside the cloth material after tri-folding, but before being sewn. When sewing is complete, the suction cups ( FIG. 1-2 ) should be secured to the external portion of the tack ( FIG. 1-3 ) attachment using sealing, water-proof glue. 
     The implementations and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical applications and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. Accordingly, any components of the present invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible components and not as a limitation. Similarly, any steps or sequence of steps of the methods of the present invention indicated herein are given as examples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations.