Patent Publication Number: US-3875597-A

Title: Bath seat

Description:
United States Patent McGaffin et al. 1 Apr. 8, 1975 [5 BATH SEAT 3.1333 04 11 39 gentz .5 4/185 5 .l 27 l 40 t [76] Inventors: Andrew Russell MeGafiin; Hilda 2 834 968 sjlgss z g Mario&#34; McGflffim both of 3.421466 l/l969 Banoczi..... Hutt, New Zealand 3.462,!95 8/!969 Allen 297/452 [22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1974 I Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artts [2]] Appl&#39; 441350 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Curtis, Morris &amp; Safford Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 284.724. Aug. 30, [57] ABSTRACT l972 abandoned. which is a continuation-in-part of set NO &#39;25 784 March 18 abandoned. A stool type seat is formed in a generally truncated pyramid shape with a plurality of leg members that are 52 us. Cl 4/l85 4/185 R adapted straddle the rim or P edge of a 51 Int. Cl A47k 3/12 9 lmld F Securely P9 -T legs are P [58 Fidd of Search 4/185 R. 185 s 185 L- vtded with ad ustably positionable disks to enable the H AB B I85 HB 237 $8211 (0 be firmly secured 10 the top BClgfi Of the bath 297/DIG.2 452, 414, 438 442 tube and allow for variation in bath tub wall thick- 1 nesses. In addition a plurality of rib and tie beam [56] References Cited members are provided to firmly support the seat on the top edge of the bath tub wall and to reinforce the UNITED STATES PATENTS Seat mama 2.l3l 2l4 9/[938 Bentz 4/185 5 2,142.26 M939 Bentz 4/185 S 10 Claims. 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3|975 3,875,597  
 SHEET 1 BF 2 BATH SEAT This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 284.724. filed Aug. 30. 1972, now abandoned which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 125,784. filed Mar. 18. I97]. now abandoned. The disclosures of said applications are incorporated herein by reference.  
  The present invention relates to a bath tub seat and in particular to a seat which is adapted to be removably mounted over the rim of a bath tub and which has adjustable means adapted to contact the opposite walls of the top edge of the bath tub in order to firmly mount the seat on the tub.  
  Most bath tubs now in use throughout the world typically have a rather narrow rim around the periphery of the tub which generally is molded or formed to slope inwardly slightly. thereby making it extremely difficult and rather unsafe for a person to sit on the edge of the tub for the purpose of bathing ones feet or the like. The present invention. therefore provides an article which is capable of being removably mounted on the top edge of a bath tub in order to provide a relatively wide and safe seat. Basically. the article consists of a seat structure having legs which are adapted to straddle the top edge of the bath tub. which legs are joined by a seat section which is concave and has drain holes formed therein. The seat and legs are supported and reinforced by a plurality of U-shaped rib members which are integrally formed with the seat and by a pair of tie beams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seat.  
  In one embodiment of the invention the leg portions of the seat are formed of end wall members having cut outs whose configuration is selected to conform substantially to the cross-sectional configuration of the tub on which it is to be used. In this manner. the seat can be placed directly upon the top edge of the tub with the edges of the cut outs in the end walls of the seat frictionally engaging the tub and holding the seat thereon.  
  It has been found. however. that typically, baths or bath tubs will have varying thicknesses of their side walls. This is particularly true. for example, where the bath tub is -built in&#34; with exterior paneling extending between the rim of the bath tub and the floor. In this case. the horizontal distance separating the paneling and the side wall of the bath varies in accordance with several parameters such as the slope of the bath wall and the actual method in which the bath was built in. As a result. the distance between the tub and the paneling can vary so that a gap can result between the legs of the bath seat previously described and the side walls of the bath. Accordingly. in another embodiment of the present invention. this gap is accommodated by the provision of a plurality of adjustable disks or clamping members which are mounted on the end walls of the seat. adjacent the cut outs therein. so as to engage the side walls of the bath tub and clamp the seat thereon.  
  Accordingly. it is an object of the present invention to provide a bath tub seat which is adapted to be removably mounted over the top edge of a bath tub.  
  It is another object of the present invention to provide a bath tub seat which can be used as an extremely stable stool for general bathroom use.  
  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bath tub seat which is adapted to accommodate and be used with a variety of different sized bath tubs.  
  The above. and other objects. features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. wherein:  
  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bath tub seat constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted in position on the top edge ofa bath tub wall; FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1&#39;.  
  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and  
  FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the bath tub seat shown in FIG. 1.  
  Referring now to the drawing in detail. and initially to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a bath tub seat is provided which is adapted to be mounted on the top edge 12 of the wall 14 ofa bath tub. Preferably. bath tub seat 10 is formed of a molded construction from a material such as fiberglass. or a plastic material such as high density polypropylene. The seat can be formed in any convenient molding process. such for example. by a compression or injection molding. blow molding or vacuum molding. as appropriate.  
 Basically. seat 10 consists of a pair of end walls 16 and a pair of side walls 18, each of which are integrally connected along their top edges to an integral top wall or a seat surface 20. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the end and side walls 16, I8 of seat I0 are sloped or inclined upwardly and inwardly towards the top surface 20. so that they form a generally truncated pyramid shape. The bottom edges 22 of the walls I6. 18 all lie in the same plane so as to form a flat base upon which the seat can be relatively stably supported.  
  Walls 16 and 18 have cut outs 24. 26 formed therein respectively, thereby to define legs 28 at each of the corners of the generally rectangular seat. As a result of this construction it will be seen (FIG. 5) that each of the leg members 28 has a generally L-shaped configuration which provides a relatively broad base for the legs that contributes substantially to the stability of the seat when used as a regular stool on a flat surface.  
  The top wall 20 of seat 10 is preferably supported in a horizontal position when the seat is mounted on the top edge of the tub. This desirable result is insured by the predetermined configuration of the cut outs 24 in the end wall 18 of the seat. Thus. as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, cut outs 24 have a predetermined configuration which conforms generally to the exterior periphery of bath tub wall 14. More specifically, the top edge or section 30 of cut outs 24 are inclined to conform generally to the inclined surface of the top edge 12 of the bath tub. In this manner when the seat is mounted on the top edge of the tub as seen in FIG. 2, the seat surface 30 will be in a relatively flat horizontal position.  
  In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention the side edges 32 of cut outs 24 are formed in spaced relation to each other in a dimension which is substantially equal to the width of wall 14, so that these edges of the cut outs will frictionally engage the edges of the wall and hold the seat on the bath tub edge. This feature of applicants invention was disclosed in applicants previously filed U.S. application Ser. No. 125.784. mentioned above. and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
  Preferably. the upper surface 20 of seat is generally concave in shape. opening upwardly so as to provide a well which comfortably seats a person using the seat structure and which also serves to conveniently collect water dripping from the person using the seat. In addition. the top surface of the seat is provided with a plurality of holes 34 which are preferentially Iocated toward one side of the top wall. as seen most clearly in FIG. 3. That is. holes 34 are located to be adjacent or above the inner edge of the top wall 12 of the tub. in this manner. water collecting in the well will drip onto the inner edge of the inclined top edge of the tub. for drainage into the tub itself. Thus. the scat helps to eliminate undesirable wetting of the area surrounding the tub even when the seat is in use.  
  Seat ll) of the present invention is reinforced and more stably supported on the edge of the tub 12 by a plurality of rib members 40 which project from the inner surfaces of the side walls and top wall of the seat. Ribs 40 are generally inverted U-shaped members. as seen most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 5. and have inner edge portions 42 which conform generally to the configuration of the cut outs 24 in the end walls of the seat. In this manner. each of the ribs engages the tub wall to provide a relatively flat and stable surface by which the seat 10 engages the wall and is supported thereon.  
  Preferably. ribs 40 are integrally molded with the walls of seat 10. Where the cut outs 24 of the end walls of the seat are dimensioned, as described in our abovemcntioned patent application so as to conform exactly or tightly with respect to the side walls of the tub. ribs 40 are similarly dimensioned. so that all of the ribs frie tionally engage the wall of the tub for securing the same thereto. In this embodiment of the invention it is preferahle that the material of which the seat is formed has a somewhat resilient nature to provide a clamping effect for the seat against the tub wall. Of course. it will be appreciated that the number of ribs 40 provided along the length of the seat 10 can be varied as desired in order to provide the necessary supporting strength for the scat dependent upon the material from which the seat is fabricated.  
  In addition to ribs 40. seat 10 is provided with a pair of tie beams 44 which extend between and integrally join the various ribs 40 and the end walls 16 of the seat. Preferably. two such tie beams are utilized with each beam having a lower edge portion 46 that is located in the same plane as the top edge of the cut outs 26 in end walls 18. In this manner. the tie beams also serve to support the seat on the top edge of the wall in a relatively stable and fixed position.  
  As mentioned. where the dimensions of the top edge of the bath tub do not conform to the cut outs in the end walls of the seat. seat it] can be provided with adjusting means for accommodating the differences in dimensions between respective tubs. These adjusting means 50 preferably consist of a plurality of circular disks which are formed from a plastic material or the like. i.e. the same material of which the seat 10 is formed. The disks are mounted on the inner surface 52 on each of the end walls 16 by any convenient rotational mounting assembly. such as a bolt 54 and wing nut 56.  
  Bolt 54 of each adjustment means 50 passes through a hole in the disk which is radially offset from the axial center of the disk so that the disk is eccentrically mounted and will have a cam-like movement when it is rotated. This eccentric mounting allows the respective disks to extend into the interior of the cut outs 24 between the end wall 16 in varying degrees. depending upon the rotational position of the respective disks. In this manner. the distance between the respective disks can be adjusted in order to compensate for the dimensions of the bath tub wall. Accordingly. when the outer perimeter of each disk meets the adjacent face of the bath tub wall and/or any exterior paneling about the wall. the wing nuts 56 can be tightened to hold the disks in that position. In this manner. it will be appreciated that the bath tub seat is held tightly against the walls of the bath tab, so as to minimize any tendency for the seat to inadvertently fall from the top edge of the bath tub when in use. Of course. it will be appreciated that the number and location of the respective disks can be varied as desired. However. in practice. the use of three disks on each end wall has been found to be preferable.  
  Again. even in this embodiment of the invention. the top edge 30 of the cut outs 24 in the end walls 16 are selected so as to conform to the inclination of the top edge of the bath tub on which it is used. Thus. seat 10 is first placed on the top edge of the wall with the disks 50 in their retracted position. until the seat is firmly seated on the top edge. with the top edge of the bath tub wall engaged against the lower edges of the various ribs and tie beams in the seat. At that position the disks 50 are adjusted. as described above. to tighten them against the side walls of the tub in order to secure the seat in position.  
  When it is no longer desired to use the seat on the top edge of the bath tub. the seat can be used as a regular bath tub stool or the like. since the bottom edges of each of the legs of the seat lie in a common plane so as to provide a stable support surface. Moreover. because of the inclination of the walls of the seat upwardly and inwardly. as shown in the drawings. the truncated pyramid shape achieved thereby provides an extremely stable support when the seat is placed on a flat surface.  
  Accordingly. it is seen that a relatively inexpensively constructed bath tub seat has been provided which is adapted for use not only on the top edge of the bath tub but also as a conventional seat or stool. The seat has numerous advantages in that it provides a flat horizontal surface for the user to sit upon even where the top edge of the tub is inclined. Moreover. it provides preferential drainage for water dripping into the seat because of the predetermined location of the holes 34 therein and the concave construction of the top surface thereof. Moreover. the seat is adapted to accommodate a variety of different sized bath tubs by the provision of the adjustable means or disks 50 mounted on the end walls of the seat.  
  Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.  
 What is claimed is:  
  l. A unitary bath tub seat adapted to fit over the top edge of a bath tub wall. said seat comprising a pair of spaced end walls and a pair of spaced side walls connecting said end walls. said walls each being inclined upwardly and inwardly in the shape of a truncated pyramid. having flat bottom edges and cut out sections in intermediate portions thereof to define legs at each corner of the seat; a top wall integrally formed with and interconnecting the top edges of said walls to define a seat surface: said cut outs in said end walls conforming generally in shape to the cross-section of said tub wall to receive the top edge of said tub wall with said seat surface located above said top edge; a plurality of reinforcing members secured to the bottom side of said top wall and to the inner sides of said walls, said reinforcing members comprising a plurality of inverted U-shaped ribs having the leg portions thereof secured to said side walls and their bight portions secured to said bottom side of said top wall said leg portions being spaced to receive said top edge of the tub wall therebetween; at least one tie beam secured to said bottom side of the top wall and extending between said end walls in integral engagement with said bight portions of the inverted U-shaped rib members to define therewith a supporting structure which reinforces and supports said seat on the top edge of said tub. said bight portions and tie beam having lower edges lying in the same plane as the upper portions of the cut outs in said end walls whereby they each engage the top edge of said tub wall to support said seat stably thereon; and adjustable means secured to said end walls for clampingly engaging the sides of said tub wall received in the cut outs of said end walls. thereby to secure said seat to said tub wall.  
  2. The seat as defined in claim 1 wherein the bottom edges of said legs lie in a common plane and the cutout portions of said end walls have an inclined upper edge portion conforming generally to the inclination of the top edge of said bath tub wall. whereby when said seat is placed on said bath tub wall. said seat surface is supported on said tie beam ribs and end walls in a relatively horizontal position.  
  3. The seat as defined in claim 1 wherein said flat bottom edges of said walls lie in the same plane thereby to define a flat pyramid base for the seat for stably supporting the seat on a flat surface.  
  4. The seat as defined in claim 2 wherein said top wall is generally concave in cross-section across its width, and opens upwardly from said seat whereby water collects in the concave top wall of the seat.  
  5. The seat as defined in claim 4 including a plurality of apertures formed in said top wall of the seat for draining water from said top wall.  
  6. The seat as defined in claim 5 wherein said apertures in the top wall are located towards the side of said top wall which is located adjacent the inner side of said tub wall, whereby water draining from the seat will fall onto the inner edge of the tub wall and drain into said tub.  
  7. The seat as defined in claim I wherein said rib members and tie beam. walls and top wall, are formed of an integral molded plastic construction.  
  8. The seat as defined in claim wherein said adjustable means comprises a plurality of generally circular disks rotatably mounted on said end walls adjacent the cut out portions thereof and means for maintaining a predetermined position for said circular disks. with the peripheral portion of the disks extending into the area of said cut out portions thereby to engage the side walls of the tub and hold the seat on said tub.  
 9. The seat as defined in claim 8 wherein said disks are mounted eccentrically on said end walls. whereby rotation ofsaid disks upon their eccentric mounting \aries the degree ofinsertion ofthe peripheral edge of the disk into the cut out portion of said end walls.  
  10. The seat as defined in claim 9, wherein said means for maintaining the position of said disks comprises a bolt extending through and rotatably support ing the disk and a wing nut secured to said bolt and cooperating therewith on the opposite side of the disk for maintaining a preselected position for said disks.