TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the field of bathroom remodeling and more particularly to a conversion kit and method that can convert a bathtub to a more easily accessible shower.
BACKGROUND
Many individuals, notably the elderly and those suffering from arthritis, debilitating injury, handicap, and/or general loss of mobility, may have difficulty maneuvering around a bathroom, and in particular, stepping over the side-wall of a standard bathtub to enter and exit the bathing area for showering. Inability to safely maneuver over the bathtub side-wall when showering can lead to falls causing injury to such individuals. To avoid the risk of a fall and injury, these individuals may revert to unsatisfactory or ineffective bathing methods such as sponge baths or opt to forego bathing entirely. This can lead to lack of independence and confidence, and loss of freedom, among these individuals.
One typical approach is to renovate a bathroom and replace a standard tub with a walk-in or stall shower. However, this renovation to replace the bathtub can be an expensive and inconvenient process. Additionally, some individuals may desire or still require the functionality of a standard bathtub side-wall for additional safety features such as grab bars, guard rails, shower benches, or transfer benches. Thus, entirely replacing the bathtub with a walk-in shower may not be an appropriate long-term solution for such individuals.
Another approach is to convert a standard bathtub into a bathtub having a walk-through by providing a cut-out in the bathtub side-wall and bonding a custom made formed insert to the bathtub side-wall. Although this reduces the problems associated with entering and exiting the bathing area, this can be an equally expensive and burdensome process for individuals to undertake due to the inconsistent sizing of already-existing bathtubs and bathtub side-walls. Thus, individuals may be unable to source an appropriate and accurately-sized insert device in the current marketplace for a retrofit conversion of their bathtub. Therefore, none of the presently available solutions satisfactorily address the need and shortcomings in this field.
Accordingly, a product and method is needed to modify existing bathtubs to allow users to safely enter the bathing area and use the bathtub as a shower regardless of any physical impairment. Specifically, a product is needed to provide individuals with a customizable conversion kit to fit their already existing bathtub. Given the varying sizes of existing bathtubs in the marketplace, a multi-piece conversion kit that can be adjusted to the specific size and width of an existing bathtub to convert the bathtub into a walk in shower for users to safely enter and exit is needed and not yet available.
SUMMARY
To address the need for modifying existing bathtubs to allow users to safely enter the bathing area and use the bathtub as a shower regardless of any physical impairment, there is provided a multi-piece bathtub conversion kit for a bathtub having an exterior side-wall with a U-shaped cut out passthrough defining a lower area that a user can more easily step over to enter a bathing area of the bathtub and use the bathtub as a shower. The multi-piece bathtub conversion kit includes a U-shaped outer insert positioned adjacent the cut out passthrough. The outer insert has an outer flange on the outside edge extending downward along the exterior edge of the bathtub side-wall. The outer insert also has a cut-to-fit passover surface shaped and sizable to extend over the lower area of the passthrough from the outside edge of the outer flange toward the interior edge of the bathtub side-wall of the bathtub. The multi-piece bathtub conversion kit also includes a U-shaped inner insert positioned adjacent the U-shaped cut out passthrough. The inner insert also has an inner flange on the outside edge of the inner insert extending downward along the interior edge of the bathtub side-wall. The outer insert is separate and distinct from the inner insert and the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert is adjoinable to the inner insert.
In some embodiments there is provided a bathtub conversion kit with a bathtub having a U-shaped cut out passthrough defining a lower area that a user can more easily step over to enter a bathing area of the bathtub and use the bathtub as a shower. The bathtub conversion kit includes a U-shaped outer insert shaped and sizable to cover the lower area of the passthrough and create a cut-to-fit passover surface over the lower area extending from the outside edge of the outer insert to an inside edge of the outer insert. The outer insert includes an outer flange joined to the outside edge of the insert and extends substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface. The bathtub conversion kit also includes a U-shaped inner insert shaped and sized to be adjoinable to the cut-to-fit passover surface and thereby seal off the lower area of the passthrough from an environment surrounding the passthrough. The U-shaped inner insert is separable and distinct from the U-shaped outer insert and includes an inner flange joined to the outside edge of the inner insert and extends substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface.
In still another embodiment, there is a method to convert a bathtub having a U-shaped cut out passthrough defining a lower area that a user can more easily step over to enter a bathing area of the bathtub and use the bathtub as a shower. The method includes a first step providing a U-shaped outer insert adjacent the lower area. The outer insert is shaped and sized to cover the lower area of the passthrough with the cut-to-fit passover surface extending from the outside edge of the outer insert to the inside edge of the outer insert. The outer insert is including an outer flange locatable adjacent to the exterior edge of bathtub side-wall and extending substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface. And, a next step is providing a U-shaped inner insert adjacent the lower area. The inner insert is shaped and sized to be adjoined to the U-shaped outer insert. The inner insert is including an inner flange locatable adjacent to the interior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub and extending substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface. The U-shaped inner insert is separable and distinct from the U-shaped outer insert. And, a third step is affixing the outer insert to the inner insert.
Also described herein are various features of the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert and the inner insert. The cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert preferably extends from the outer flange to substantially the interior edge of the bathtub side-wall or to the bathing area of the bathtub, and may be shaped and sized to fit a width of the exterior side-wall of the bathtub. The inner insert preferably includes a substantially horizontal passover surface extending perpendicularly inwardly from the inner flange and is shaped and sized to at least partially overlap and be parallel to the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert. The inner insert may further include a second substantially horizontal passover surface extending perpendicularly inwardly from the outside edge of the inner flange and defining a channel shaped and sized to receive the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert.
Preferably, the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert and the horizontal passover surface of the inner insert have ribs located on the bottom surface of the cut-to-fit passover surface and the bottom surface of the horizontal passover surface or surfaces of the inner insert, to increase strength. The cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert is preferably adjoined to the inner insert and substantially seals off the entire U-shaped cut out passthrough when adjoined to the passthrough. The outer insert may also be adjoined to the inner flange of the inner insert. Alternatively, or additionally, the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert and the inner insert may be affixed together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front-side, top isometric view of a U-shaped outer insert ;
FIG. 2 is a rear-side, top isometric view of a U-shaped inner insert;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the U-shaped outer insert in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the U-shaped outer insert in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the U-shaped outer insert of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the U-shaped outer insert of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a left-side view of the U-shaped outer insert of FIG. 1 and where the right-side view is a mirror image there of;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the U-shaped inner insert of FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the U-shaped inner insert FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is a top view of the U-shaped inner insert of FIG. 2;
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the U-shaped inner insert of FIG. 2;
FIG. 12 is a left-side view of the U-shaped inner insert of FIG. 2 and where the right-side view is a mirror image thereof;
FIG. 13 is a top, front isometric view of a common configuration for a prior art bathtub and side-wall;
FIG. 14 is a top, front isometric view of a bathtub showing the side-wall of the bathtub having a U-shaped cut-out passthrough;
FIG. 15 is a front-side, top isometric view of just the bathtub seen in FIG. 14 with the U-shaped outer and inner insert in exploded view moving into position relative to the passthrough of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a front-side, top isometric view of that of FIG. 15 and now with the
U-shaped outer and inner insert fully installed and adjoined to the side-wall of the bathtub;
FIG. 17 is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of a U-shaped inner insert having two substantially horizontal passover surfaces defining a channel to receive the U-shaped outer insert of FIG. 1;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A for that seen in FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 18 but now also showing how the U-shaped outer insert can fit together with the inner insert in this embodiment;
The drawings show some but not all embodiments. The elements depicted in the drawings are illustrative and not necessarily to scale, and the same (or similar) reference numbers denote the same (or similar) features throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with the practice of at least one embodiment, as seen throughout the figures and exemplified in FIGS. 15 and 16, the multipiece bathtub conversion kit 10 is for use on a bathtub 12 having an exterior side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12 with a U-shaped cut out passthrough 16. The passthrough can extend from an exterior edge 18 of the side-wall 14 to an interior edge 20 of the side-wall 14. The passthrough is defining a lower area 22 that a user can more easily step over to enter a bathing area 26 of the bathtub 12 and use the bathtub 12 as a shower 28. On either side of the lower area 22 are sides 23 and 24 defining the balance of the passthrough 16 from the lower area up to the top edge 25 of the bathtub 12. Sides 23, 24 are preferably sloped, e.g. to add width to the passthrough near the top edge 25 of the bathtub 12. The kit 10 includes the U-shaped outer insert 30 separable and distinct from the U-shaped inner insert 50. For example, it is the separability and distinctiveness of these two components, yet also their relatedness and fit-together configuration, that makes the bathtub conversion kit so unique. And, this can help drive the kits advantage over any existing devices and methods.
The U-shaped outer insert 30 is positionable adjacent the U-shaped cut out passthrough 16 on the exterior edge 18 of the side-wall 14, as shown in FIG. 15 for example. And, the outer insert 30 has an outer flange 32 on an outside edge 34 of the outer insert 30 extending downward along the exterior edge 18 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12, for example as seen in FIG. 16 when fully in position in the passthrough 16, and especially when adjoined thereto. Also in reference to FIGS. 1-7, the U-shaped outer insert 30 also includes a cut-to-fit passover surface 38 shaped and sizable to extend over the lower area 22 of the passthrough 16 from an outside edge 34 of the outer flange 32 toward the interior edge 20 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12. Preferably, the cut-to-fit passover surface 38 of the outer insert 30 extends from the outer flange 32 of the outer insert 30 to substantially the interior edge 20 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12 and is shaped and sized to fit a width 29 of the exterior side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12.
Also in reference to FIGS. 2 and 8-12, the U-shaped inner insert 50 is positionable adjacent the U-shaped cut out passthrough 16 on an interior edge 20 of the side-wall 14. The inner insert 50 includes an inner flange 52 on an outside edge 54 of the inner insert extending downward along the interior edge 20 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 8-12, 15 and 16, the inner insert 50 can include a substantially horizontal passover surface 58 extending perpendicularly inwardly from the inner flange 52 and shaped and sized to at least partially overlap and be parallel to the cut-to-fit passover surface 38 of the outer insert 30 when these two components are adjoined together. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17-19, for example, the inner insert 50 can include a second substantially parallel horizontal passover surface 59 also extending perpendicularly inwardly from the inner flange 52 of the inner insert 50 and defining a channel 62 shaped and sized to receive the inside edge 36 of the cut-to-fit passover surface 38 of the outer insert 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, the outer insert 30 and inner insert 50 are positionable in the U-shaped cut out passthrough 16 of the exterior side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12. Although separate and distinct, the outer insert 30 and inner insert 50 are adjoinable and can be affixed together to substantially seal off the lower area 22, and preferably the entire passthrough 16 including sides 23 and 24, from an environment surrounding the passthrough 16, as shown in FIG. 16, for example. Preferably, the cut-to-fit passover surface 38 of the outer insert 30 can be adjoined to the horizontal passover surface 58 of the inner insert and sealed and/or adhered together with chemical or mechanical means like adhesive, caulk, sealants, or a friction-fit, close tolerance relationship. Alternatively or additionally, the cut-to-fit passover surface 38 of the outer insert 30 may be adjoined to the inner flange 52 of the inner insert 50 or received by the channel 62 formed by the horizontal passover surfaces 58 and 59 of the inner insert 50.
Other aspects of multi-piece bathtub conversion kit 10 are directed to the cut-to fit passover surface 38. As seen in FIGS. 5-7, the passover surface 38 can be customized and cut to the necessary and/or desired length, as shown by lines A and/or B, for example, or any number of other cuts (not shown) as desired to fit the passthrough 16. Modification to the passover surface to the desired and/or necessary length allows for the passover surface to be properly adjoined to the inner insert 50.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, and 7, for example, ribs 42 can be located on the bottom surface 44 of the cut-to-fit passover surface 38 of the outer insert 30. And as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 9, 11, 12, and 15, for example, ribs 61 can also be located on the bottom surface 60 of the horizontal passover surface 58 of the inner insert 50 to increase strength of the respective surfaces and/or with their respective flanges, when adjoining or affixing the outer insert 30 and inner insert 50 together and/or with the bathtub at the U-shaped cut-out-passthrough.
Other aspects of the invention are directed to a method to convert the bathtub 12 having the U-shaped cut out passthrough 16 defining the lower area 22 that the user can more easily step over to enter the bathing area 26 and use the bathtub 12 as the shower 28. The method includes the step providing the U-shaped outer insert 30 adjacent the lower area 22. The outer insert is shaped and sized to cover the lower area 22 of the passthrough 16 with the cut-to-fit passover surface 38 extending from the outside edge 34 of the outer insert 30 to the inside edge 36 of the outer insert 30. The outer insert 30 includes the outer flange 32 locatable adjacent to the exterior edge 18 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12 and extending substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface 38. Then, a next step is providing the U-shaped inner insert 50 adjacent the lower area 22. The inner insert 50 is shaped and sized to be adjoined to the U-shaped outer insert 30. The inner insert 50 includes the inner flange 52 locatable adjacent to the interior edge 20 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12 and extending substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface 38. The U-shaped inner insert 50 is separable and distinct from the U-shaped outer insert 30. Then, is the step affixing the outer insert 30 to the inner insert 50. Preferably, a portion of each the inner insert 50 and outer insert 30 overlap. Alternatively, preferably, a step can be locating the inside edge 36 of the outer insert 30 in a channel 62 formed by the inner insert 50. Next, is the step joining the affixed outer insert 30 and inner insert 50 to the U-shaped cut out passthrough 16. For example, preferably, joining can be at least one of (i) locating and joining the outer flange 32 to the exterior edge 18 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12 and (ii) locating and joining the inner flange 52 to the interior edge 20 of the side-wall 14 of the bathtub 12.
Additional discussion of embodiments in various scopes now follows:
- A. A multi-piece bathtub conversion kit with a bathtub having a U-shaped cut out passthrough defining a lower area that a user can more easily step over to enter a bathing area of the bathtub and use the bathtub as a shower. The kit includes a U-shaped outer insert shaped and sizable to cover the lower area of the passthrough and create a cut-to-fit passover surface over the lower area extending from an outside edge of the outer insert to an inside edge of the outer insert. The outer insert includes an outer flange joined to the outside edge of the outer insert and extending substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface. The kit also includes a U-shaped inner insert shaped and sized to be adjoinable to the cut-to-fit passover surface and thereby seal off the lower area of the passthrough from an environment surrounding the passthrough. The U-shaped inner insert is separable and distinct from the U-shaped outer insert. The inner insert includes an inner flange joined to an outside edge of the inner insert and extending substantially perpendicular away from the cut-to-fit passover surface.
- B. A multi-piece bathtub conversion kit for a bathtub having an exterior side-wall of the bathtub with a U-shaped cut out passthrough from an exterior edge of the side-wall to an interior edge of the side-wall and defining a lower area that a user can more easily step over to enter a bathing area of the bathtub and use the bathtub as a shower. The kit includes a U-shaped outer insert positioned adjacent the U-shaped cut out passthrough and having an outer flange on an outside edge of the outer insert extending downward along the exterior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub. The U-shaped outer insert has a cut-to-fit passover surface shaped and sizable to extend over the lower area of the passthrough from an outside edge of the outer insert toward the interior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub. The kit also includes a U-shaped inner insert positioned adjacent the U-shaped cut out passthrough and having an inner flange on an outside edge of the inner insert extending downward along the interior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub. The outer insert is separate and distinct from the inner insert and the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert is adjoinable to the inner insert.
- C. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert extends from an exterior edge of a side-wall of the bathtub over an interior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub and substantially to the bathing area of the bathtub.
- D. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert is shaped and sized to fit a width of a side-wall of the bathtub.
- E. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the inner insert includes a substantially parallel horizontal passover surface extending perpendicularly inwardly from the outside edge of the inner insert and is shaped and sized to at least partially overlap and be parallel to the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert.
- F. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert has ribs to increase strength.
- G. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the ribs are located on a bottom surface of the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert.
- H. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the inner insert includes two substantially parallel horizontal passover surfaces extending perpendicularly inwardly from the outside edge of the inner insert and defining a channel shaped and sized to receive the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert.
- I. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert and the inner insert are affixed together.
- J. The kit according to any of the prior embodiments wherein the cut-to-fit passover surface of the outer insert is adjoined to the inner insert and substantially seals off the entire U-shaped cut out passthrough.
- K. A method to convert a bathtub having a U-shaped cut out passthrough defining a lower area that a user can more easily step over to enter a bathing area of the bathtub and use the bathtub as a shower. The method includes providing a U-shaped outer insert adjacent the lower area, the outer insert shaped and sized to cover the lower area of the passthrough with a cut-to-fit passover surface extending from an outside edge of the outer insert to an inside edge of the outer insert. The outer insert includes an outer flange locatable adjacent to an exterior edge of a side-wall of the bathtub and extending substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface. The method also include providing a U-shaped inner insert adjacent the lower area, the inner insert shaped and sized to be adjoined to the U-shaped outer insert. The inner insert includes an inner flange locatable adjacent to an interior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub and extending substantially perpendicular away from the passover surface and the U-shaped inner insert is separable and distinct from the U-shaped outer insert. Further, the method includes affixing the outer insert to the inner insert.
- L. The method according to any prior method embodiment, further including sealing off the lower area of the passthrough from an environment surrounding the passthrough by joining each of the outer insert and the inner insert to the U-shaped cut out passthrough.
- M. The method according to any prior method embodiment, wherein joining comprises at least one of (i) locating and joining the outer flange to the exterior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub and (ii) locating and joining the inner flange to the interior edge of the side-wall of the bathtub.
- N. The method according to any prior method embodiment, further including sealing off substantially an entirety of the passthrough including areas adjacent to the lower area.
- O. The method according to any prior method embodiment, further including overlapping a portion of each of the inner insert and the outer insert.
- P. The method according to any prior method embodiment, further including locating the inside edge of the outer insert in a channel formed by the inner insert.
Each and every document cited in this present application, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is incorporated in this present application in its entirety by this reference, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed in this present application or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this present application conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this present application governs.
The present invention includes the description, examples, embodiments, and drawings disclosed; but it is not limited to such description, examples, embodiments, or drawings. As briefly described above, the reader should assume that features of one disclosed embodiment can also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present application are approximations that can vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation using the teachings disclosed in the present application. Modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the bathroom remodeling art, and all such modifications and other embodiments are intended and deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20220160180
