US 11,896,173 B2 · Bathtub systems and methods

Abstract

A bathtub closure system may include a step configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub and a plug. The step may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity configured to facilitate ingress and egress into the bathtub, and a first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface less than an entire height of the first side panel or extending downward from the second top surface less than an entire height of the second side panel. The plug includes a body and a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step. The plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A retrofit bathtub closure system comprising:

(a) a step operably configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub, the step comprising;
(i) a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform, wherein the first side panel has a first top surface, the second side panel has a second top surface;
and
(ii) a first attachment recess defined by the step, the first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface or extending downward from the second top surface;
and
(b) a plug, the plug comprising;
(i) a body having a first side, a second side, and a bottom portion;
and
(ii) a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step;
wherein the plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess, and wherein a fastener, securable within a top surface of the first attachment member, secures the first attachment member to the first attachment means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

17/960,428Filed 5 Oct 2022 · continuation

Priority

28 Apr 2014

Published

US 2023/0023727 A126 Jan 2023

Granted

13 Feb 2024

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

A47K 3/006
Baths; Showers; Appurtenances therefor: doors to get in and out of baths more easily
A47K 3/001
Baths; Showers; Appurtenances therefor: accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00; Insertions, e.g. for babies;…
A47K 3/02
Baths; Showers; Appurtenances therefor: baths
A47K 3/122
Separate seats or body supports: seats

Family

Application61/985,098Us provisional application · filed 28 Apr 2014

Application62/006,510Us provisional application · filed 2 Jun 2014

Application62/007,098Us provisional application · filed 3 Jun 2014

Application62/012,879Us provisional application · filed 16 Jun 2014

Application62/031,622Us provisional application · filed 31 Jul 2014

Application14/698,668Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Apr 2015

Application14/815,549Parent of this continuation · filed 31 Jul 2015

Application15/804,936Parent of this continuation · filed 6 Nov 2017

Application16/365,216Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Mar 2019

Application17/466,487Parent of this continuation · filed 3 Sep 2021

US 2023/0023727 A1Pre-grant publication · published 26 Jan 2023

US 11,540,672 B2Parent of this continuation

Application14/815,549Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2015/0305573 A1Published application

US 2015/0335206 A1Published application

US 2018/0116469 A1Published application

US 2019/0216268 A1Published application

US 2021/0393086 A1Published application

US 11,896,173 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Bathtub systems and methods

Life of this patent

Bathtub systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19