US4316294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bathtub
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-02-08
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Granted: 1982-02-23
•
Expires: 2000-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A bathtub comprising a body having an insulated interior, preferably wood or pressed wood fibers bonded together by a suitable adhesive, an exposed exterior covering of fiberglass, plastic or the like with a non-skid impervious surface. The body comprises a uniquely configurated concavity or well adapted to comfortably receive the body of any size person and to conserve water while entirely covering the body, with the exception of the head. The well comprises opposed peanut-shaped vertical sidewalls each having an inwardly extending non-splash lip. A contoured area between the sidewalls runs from the front to the back of the tub in the well. The front of the mentioned area comprises a vertical front end wall which merges into a generally horizontal front bottom area which accommodates a standing position by the user when the bathtub is used for showering. The horizontal front bottom area spans on the order of one-third the horizontal length of the well and merges with a declining intermediate bottom area which also spans on the order of one-third the horizontal length of the well beginning at the elevation of the horizontal front bottom area and ending at the lowest point in the well. The last area, which smoothly merges with the intermediate bottom area at the mentioned lowest point of the well to form a sitting region comprises an inclining combination bottom and rear wall area which spans on the order of about one-third of the horizontal length of the well and gradually decreases the depth of the well uniformly from its maximum point to the top edge of the bathtub.
Inventors
- 👤 Naomi G. Baldwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:02
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47K; A47K3/00; A47K3/001; A47K3/003; A47K3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
A bathtub comprising: main body means comprising wood insulation means and an exposed exterior; the exterior comprising a water receiving well and an impervious surface; the well comprising opposed peanut-shaped generally vertical sidewalls and an area between the sidewalls, said region being continuous and comprising seriatim a substantially vertical front end wall, a generally horizontal but slightly crested front bottom area spanning on the order of one-third the horizontal length of the well contiguously receiving and supporting the calves and feet of any sized user in an elevated posture, an intermediate bottom area smoothly merging with the front bottom area and spanning on the order of about the middle one-third of the horizontal length of the well contiguously receiving and supporting the thighs of the user, the intermediate bottom area gradually increasing the depth of the well to its maximum, the maximum depth comprising a concave sitting site contiguously receiving and supporting the buttocks of the user and an inclining combination bottom and rear wall area spanning on the order of about one-third the horizontal length of the well and gradually decreasing the depth of the well from its maximum at the sitting site where the combination bottom and rear wall area joins the intermediate bottom area to a location having zero depth, the combination bottom and rear wall area contiguously receiving and supporting the back, shoulders and head of the user; wherein the front bottom are comprises a slightly crested standing region for showering, and the intermediate bottom and combination bottom and rear wall areas descending to from a concave region accommodating receipt of the massive part of the body of any sized person and further comprising exposed gravity drain means accommodating flow of water down shallow indentations or grooves near the sidewalls of the showering region into the concave region thus preventing puddling of water and the forming of slick spots, and wherein the sidewalls comprise elevated inwardly directed anti-splash lips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
323 words
A bathtub comprising: main body means comprising wood insulation means and an exposed exterior; the exterior comprising a water receiving well and an impervious surface; the well comprising opposed peanut-shaped generally vertical sidewalls and an area between the sidewalls, said region being continuous and comprising seriatim a substantially vertical front end wall, a generally horizontal but slightly crested front bottom area spanning on the order of one-third the horizontal length of the well contiguously receiving and supporting the calves and feet of any sized user in an elevated posture, an intermediate bottom area smoothly merging with the front bottom area and spanning on the order of about the middle one-third of the horizontal length of the well contiguously receiving and supporting the thighs of the user, the intermediate bottom area gradually increasing the depth of the well to its maximum, the maximum depth comprising a concave sitting site contiguously receiving and supporting the buttocks of the user and an inclining combination bottom and rear wall area spanning on the order of about one-third the horizontal length of the well and gradually decreasing the depth of the well from its maximum at the sitting site where the combination bottom and rear wall area joins the intermediate bottom area to a location having zero depth, the combination bottom and rear wall area contiguously receiving and supporting the back, shoulders and head of the user; wherein the front bottom are comprises a slightly crested standing region for showering, and the intermediate bottom and combination bottom and rear wall areas descending to from a concave region accommodating receipt of the massive part of the body of any sized person and further comprising exposed gravity drain means accommodating flow of water down shallow indentations or grooves near the sidewalls of the showering region into the concave region thus preventing puddling of water and the forming of slick spots, and wherein the sidewalls comprise elevated inwardly directed anti-splash lips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bathtub according to claim 1 wherein the interior insultation means comprise a substantial mass of insulating wood contiguous with the concealed exterior surface of the impervious surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A bathtub according to claim 2 wherein the wood is hardwood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bathtub according to claim 2 wherein the interior insulation means comprises a substantial mass of bonded wood fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bathtub according to claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of the well comprises shaped fiberglass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bathtub according to claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of the well comprises a shaped layer of synthetic resinous material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A bathtub according to claim 1 further comprising an overflow drain contained within and not protruding outside the interior insulation means having an egress opening through the exterior surface at an elevated site in one of the sidewalls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A bathtub according to claim 1 further comprising main drain means contained within the interior insulation means and exposed through the exterior surface at the sitting site by which water in the well is caused to flow to the sewer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bathtub according to claim 1 wherein the combination bottom and rear wall area is gently indulating and contoured to comfortably accommodate all sizes of persons from a nearly reclining, adult to a seated small child fit the back, neck and head of an adult user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-02-22 | 1985-08-24 | 1986-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-22 | 1989-08-24 | 1990-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-08-24 | 1994-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |