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US 11,445,863 B2Granted
Bathtub door systems and methods
AssigneeSafeway Safety Step, LLC
InventorsChristopher Brian Stafford, Michael Anthony Serraino, Bruce R. Slattery
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments described herein include a bathtub that can include a U-shaped step saddle associated with a door assembly. The door assembly can include a hinge coupled with the U-shaped step saddle such that the door assembly can be transitioned between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly can include a catch and a latch to secure the door in the closed position.
Claims20
A retrofit bathtub comprising:
- (a) a bathtub body having a sidewall, the sidewall having a substantially U-shaped cutout;
- (b) a substantially U-shaped step saddle, the substantially U-shaped step saddle being sized to fit the substantially U-shaped cutout, the substantially U-shaped step saddle having;
- (i) a step plate, the step plate having a top surface and being substantially horizontal when positioned in the substantially U-shaped cutout;
- (ii) a first end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from a first end of the step plate;
- and
- (iii) a second end plate extending in a generally vertical direction form the second end of the step plate,
- wherein the substantially U-shaped step saddle defines a recess having a bottom surface and a maximum recess thickness, the bottom surface of the recess being below the top surface of the step plate;
- (c) a door assembly, the door assembly having;
- (i) at least one hinge coupled with the first end plate;
- (ii) a door, the door having a substantially planar configuration, wherein the door is coupled with the at least one hinge such that the door is pivotable about the at least one hinge, wherein the door has a maximum door thickness, the maximum recess thickness being greater than the maximum door thickness;
- (iii) a first open position, wherein the door extends into an interior of the retrofit bathtub in the first open position;
- (iv) a second closed position, wherein the door is substantially parallel with the sidewall of the bathtub body in the second closed position and the door extends into the recess, wherein the top surface of the step plate remains uncovered;
- (v) a latch, the latch being movably coupled to the door;
- (vi) a catch, the catch being positioned on the second end plate, wherein the catch cooperates with the latch to secure the door in the second closed position;
- and
- (vii) a seal, the seal being positioned between the door and the recess in the second closed position.
13 more elements
A retrofit bathtub comprising:
- (a) a bathtub body having a sidewall, the sidewall having a substantially U-shaped cutout;
- (b) a substantially U-shaped step saddle, the substantially U-shaped step saddle being sized to fit the substantially U-shaped cutout, the substantially U-shaped step saddle having;
- (i) a step plate, the step plate having a top surface and being substantially horizontal when positioned in the substantially U-shaped cutout;
- (ii) a first end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from a first end of the step plate;
- (iii) a second end plate extending in a generally vertical direction form the second end of the step plate;
- and
- (iv) a strike plate, the strike plate being positioned on the second end plate,
- wherein the substantially U-shaped step saddle defines a recess having a bottom surface and a maximum recess thickness, the bottom surface of the recess being below the top surface of the step plate;
- (c) a door assembly, the door assembly having;
- (i) at least one hinge coupled with the first end plate;
- (ii) a door, the door having a substantially planar configuration, wherein the door is coupled with the at least one hinge such that the door is pivotable about the at least one hinge, wherein the door has a maximum door thickness, the maximum recess thickness being greater than the maximum door thickness;
- (iii) a first open position, wherein the door extends into an interior of the retrofit bathtub in the first open position;
- (iv) a second closed position, wherein the door is substantially parallel with the sidewall of the bathtub body in the second closed position and the door extends into the recess, wherein the top surface of the step plate remains entirely uncovered;
- (v) a magnet, the magnet being positioned on the second end plate, wherein the magnet cooperates with the strike plate to secure the door in the second closed position;
- and
- (vi) a seal, the seal being positioned between the door and the recess in the second closed position.
13 more elements
A method for providing a door assembly for a bathtub to be retrofit, the method comprising:
- providing the bathtub having a sidewall, the sidewall having a substantially U-shaped cutout removed from the bathtub;
- providing a substantially U-shaped step saddle, the substantially U-shaped step saddle being sized to fit the substantially U-shaped cutout, the substantially U-shaped step saddle having;
- (a) a step plate, the step plate having a top surface and being substantially horizontal when positioned in the substantially U-shaped cutout;
- (b) a first end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from a first end of the step plate;
- and
- (c) a second end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from the second end of the step plate,
- wherein the substantially U-shaped step saddle defines a recess having a bottom surface and a maximum recess thickness, the bottom surface of the recess being below the top surface of the step plate;
- providing a door assembly, the door assembly having;
- (a) at least one hinge coupled with the first end plate;
- (b) a door, the door having a substantially planar configuration, wherein the door is coupled with the at least one hinge such that the door is pivotable about the at least one hinge, wherein the door has a maximum door thickness, the maximum recess thickness being greater than the maximum door thickness;
- (c) a first open position, wherein the door extends into an interior of the bathtub in the first open position;
- (d) a second closed position, wherein the door is substantially parallel with the sidewall of the bathtub in the second closed position and the door extends into the recess, wherein the top surface of the step plate remains entirely uncovered;
- (e) a latch, the latch being movably coupled to the door;
- (f) a catch, the catch being positioned on the second end plate, wherein the catch cooperates with the latch to secure the door in the second closed position;
- and
- (g) a seal, the seal being positioned between the door and the recess in the second closed position;
- positioning the substantially U-shaped step saddle in the substantially U-shaped cutout;
- and
- coupling the substantially U-shaped step saddle with the bathtub.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.