Splash water relief device

Abstract

An improved splash relief device is disclosed which comprises an elongated channel with an upper end portion and a lower end portion attached to the front edge of a bathtub or shower unit. A cover which is crosshatched to prevent slipping is provided to cover the elongated channel. Wings are adapted to position the improved splash relief device in place between the subflooring and the top surface. This is also molded or crosshatched to prevent slipping.water flows along the improved splash device and into the bathtub/shower drain.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are a number of devices which attempt to solve the problem of water splash damage/danger to areas adjacent a bathtub/shower unit. Problems from the water splash include injuries resulting from users slipping on the splashed water and structural damage such as loosened tiles and rotted floorboards.

The damage to tiles and floorboards usually is more severe the nearer one gets to the bathtub/shower front edge. Tiles and floorboards in this area generally need to be replaced during any renovation due to the water splash damage.

One device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,388 (Roberts) which teaches a bathtub splash assembly wherein a sheet member reinforced by rigid rods is vertically coupled to the front or “open” edge of the bathtub to prevent water from splashing over the edge of the bathtub/shower.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,619 (Solomon) discloses another “splashguard” type device.

Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,295 (Hess) which teaches a single molded component bath/shower unit wherein the design of the unit includes a substantially straight edge on the front of the bathtub so that the shower curtain comes straight down rather than forming gaps between the shower walls and the bottom corner ends of the shower curtains through which water splash can escape from the shower enclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,101 (Leach) teaches a Bathmat device which drapes over the front edge of a bathtub and thereby provides water catching and also comfort for the person giving the infant/pre-schooler a bath.

The field of my invention is a splash relieving device which includes a channel (or is molded into a bathtub/shower unit) and is arranged along the front or “open end” of the bathtub/shower unit. My splash relief device, as further described below, limits splashed water from contacting tiles and floorboards adjacent the bathtub/shower unit and permits splashed water to drain into the bathtub waste water system.

There is a need for a device which removes splashed water from floorboards and tiles adjacent the bathtub/shower area and minimizes damage to tiles and floorboards.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

I have discovered an improved bathtub/shower splash water relief device for collecting splash water from adjacent a bathtub/shower unit and directing the bathtub/shower waste water into the bathtub/shower waste water drainage system.

An elongated channeled splash relief member is attached to the front side of the bathtub along the front or “open” side of the bathtub/shower where a user enters the bathtub/shower.

This elongated channeled splash relief member is tapered downwardly from one end of the bathtub/shower to the other end which is adjacent and connected to the bath/shower waste water drain system outlet and furthermore is tapered inwardly along the length thereof towards the bathtub/shower so that the water splash from the bathtub/shower flows along the elongated channeled member and into the bath/shower water waste drain system.

Connecting means adapts the elongated channeled splash relief member to the bath/shower waste water system whereby any waste water is drained along the elongated channel and into the bath/shower waste water drain system.

Preferably my elongated channeled splash relief member is connected to the bathtub/shower during manufacture in which it could be either attached by conventional coupling devices or one-piece molded with a bath/shower unit.

However, for all of the bathtubs/shower units already in use I contemplate attaching and connecting my bathtub shower splash relief device in situ. I would prefer, but it is optional that my invention be attached to bathtub/shower unit already in place with the use of a waterproof adhesive, but the conventional use of fasteners is also contemplated.

Preferably my invention includes a top wing section flush with the top flooring so that there is no place for the user to trip on and so that the water may flow onto the top section. I also prefer that this top section be crosshatched and have perforations both to prevent slipping and to allow splash water to flow into my invention.

Preferably, but optionally, the interior of the channel would be shaped to promote flow of splash water into a steady stream in the channel. One way to accomplish this is shown in the preferred embodiment.

I have also disclosed in the preferred embodiment the use of Wing sections to secure my invention in place to both the sub Flooring and top flooring.

My invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art.

It is an advantage of my invention that water splash is rapidly drained into the bath/shower water waste drain system from where it lands and from where it eventually loosens tiles and rots floorboards.

Other advantages of my device it is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install.

These and other advantages of my invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings and the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrative perspective view of my invention in position along the front or “open” edge of a bathtub.

FIG. 1A is an illustrative cut away view along line 1-1 of FIG. 1 and depicts a cut away of the elongated channeled member which is crosshatched or perforated to minimize danger to a user from slipping on a flat wet surface.

FIG. 2 is a side cut away view of the connection of the elongated channeled member of my invention with the bath/shower unit waste water drain system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now in particular to the accompanying drawings, my improved bathtub/shower unit splash relief device is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1 and includes bathtub 20, having bathtub front edge 22 thereof where a user enters the bathtub/shower area.

Adjacent bathtub front edge 22 is elongated channeled splash relief member 30 defining along the length thereof elongated ovoid channel 35 (FIG. 1A) and which includes top surface 31 which has crosshatching 31 and/or perforations 37 (FIG. 1A) and which is adapted along bathtub front edge 22 and includes end 32 at one end thereof. The elongated channeled member 30 extends from end 32 downwardly to the other end 34, which is adjacent bathtub/shower drain pipe 70. Channeled member 30 is tapered substantially downwardly and inwardly from outer edge 35 to inner edge 36 and includes taper 39 to facilitate the flow of water (FIG. 1A).

Adjacent end 34 of the elongated channeled member 30 and attaching to bathtub/shower drainpipe 70 is drainage port 80 including drainpipe 82 extending outwardly therefrom and connected to bathtub/shower drainpipe 70.

Elongated channel member 30 includes tapered inner section 33 which closely adapts to the bathtub 20 and wings 37,38 on the other side of the elongated channel member. Wing 37 adapts over subflooring 40 between subflooring 40 and top flooring 44 to hold the elongated channeled member in place. Wing 38 flexibly and compressibly adapts level with the top flooring 44. Between wings 38 and 37 is recess 46 which adapts over an end 45 of the flooring 44.

Hollow, flexible drainage connection 50 (FIG. 2) connects to elongated channel member 30 at end 52, which includes internally threaded nut 56 thereof, to threaded drainpipe end 84 and at the other end 58 thereof defines a plurality of annularly threaded ribs 58 which screw into threaded port 72 of bathtub/shower drain pipe 70. Drainage vents 38 perforate elongated

In use, once the user turns on the bath water or shower, some of the water splashes onto the bathroom floor. The water either lands on the improved splash relieving device or on the floor where it flows onto the splash relieving device, then, along the channel to the bath waste water drainpipe.

Several different modifications, changes and adaptations may be substituted by other types of design and are anticipated by my invention. I anticipate either a bathtub or shower usage whether my invention is part of a manufactured unit or installed in situ. Therefore different means may be substituted by other types of designs and are anticipated by my invention.

I prefer that my invention be installed so that the outer edge thereof designated 35 in the drawings is flush with the surface of the bathroom floor

Accordingly, it is the intention of the inventor to include all such modifications which shall come within the true scope of my invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved splash relief device for a bathtub/shower unit with a drain system which comprises: (a) an elongated splash relief means adapted along an edge of said bathtub/shower unit defining an elongated channel means along the length thereof and having an upper end portion extending gradually downwardly to a lower end portion;(b) connection means adapted to said lower end portion of said elongated splash relief means at a first end thereof and extending therefrom to a second end thereof connecting to said bathtub.shower unit drain system.

2. The improved splash relief device of claim 1 wherein said elongated channel means further comprises: (a) an elongated channel means defining an outer side thereof away from said bathtub/shower unit tapering substantially downwardly for a portion thereof and then substantially downwardly and inwardly towards a center of said elongated channel means and an inner side thereof adjacent said bathtub/shower unit tapering downwardly towards a center of said elongated channel means;

3. The improved splash relief device of claim 1 further comprising: (a) an elongated cover means adapting over and to said elongated splash relief means defining one or more perforations therethrough whereby splash water enters said elongated channel means through said one or more perforations and flows into the bathtub/shower drain system.

4. The improved splash relief device of claim 3 wherein said elongated cover means further comprises; (a) an upper surface thereof defining a slip resistant pattern means.

5. The improved splash relief device of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a first elongated outer wing means extending substantially perpendicularly from said outer surface of said elongated splash relief means away from said bathtub/shower unit extending outward and adapting to said top flooring whereby a substantially flush surface ids formed.(b) fastening means attaching said first elongated wing means in position with respect to said top flooring.

6. The improved splash relief device of claim 1 further comprising: (a) one or more elongated outer wing means extending substantially perpendicularly from said outer surface of said elongated splash relief means away from said bathtub/shower unit including a first lower wing means defining a thickness slightly less than a space between a top surface of a subflooring and a bottom surface of a top flooring and extending therebetween for a distance and a second wing means extending over a planed portion of said top flooring whereby remaining flush with the top surface of said top flooring.b) fastening means affixing said one or more elongated wing means in position with respect to said sub flooring and said top flooring.

7. The improved splash relief device of claim 6 further comprising: (a) slip resistant means defined in a top surface of said upper wing means.

8. The Improved splash relief device of claim 5 further comprising: (a) an upper surface of said upper elongated wing means thereof defining a slip resistant pattern means.(b) fastening means affixing said wing means in position with respect to said flooring and said subflooring.

9. The improved splash relief device of claim 1 wherein said connection means further comprises: (a) a substantially rounded drain means adapted to said lower end of said elongated channel means extending through said improved splash relief means and having an inner end thereof open to said elongated channel means whereby waste water flows therethrough and a second end thereof connected to said bathtub/shower unit drain whereby waste water is disposed of.

10. An improved splash relief device which comprises: (a) an elongated splash relief means adapted along an edge of said bathtub/shower unit defining an elongated channel means along the length thereof and having an upper end portion extending gradually downwardly to a lower end portion;(b) an elongated channel means defining an outer side thereof away from said bathtub/shower unit tapering substantially downwardly for a portion thereof and then substantially downwardly and inwardly towards a center of said elongated channel means and an inner side thereof adjacent said bathtub/shower unit tapering downwardly towards a center of said elongated channel means(c) an elongated cover means adapting over and to said elongated splash relief means defining one or more perforations therethrough whereby splash water enters said elongated channel means through one or more perforations and flows into said bathtub/shower drain system and having an upper surface thereof defining a slip resistant pattern means.(d) substantially perpendicularly from said outer surface of said elongated splash relief means away from said bathtub/shower unit including a first lower wing means defining a thickness slightly less than a space between a top surface of a subflooring and a bottom surface of a top flooring and extending therebetween for a distance and a second wing means extending over a planed portion of said top flooring whereby remaining flush with the top surface of said top flooring.(e) fastening means affixing said one or more elongated wing means in position with respect to said sub flooring and said top flooring.(f) slip resistant means defined in a top surface of said upper wing means.(g) a substantially rounded drain means located at said lower end of said elongated channel means extending through said improved splash relief means and having an inner end thereof open to said elongated channel means whereby waste water flows therethrough and a second end thereof connected to said bathtub/shower unit drain whereby waste water is disposed of.