Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Convenience accessories
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-04-10
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Convenience accessories
C004S605000, C108S042000, C248S206400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212705
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a tray for bathtubs. More particularly, this invention relates to a tray with drainage holes and an incline feature to safely dispense any accumulated liquid on the tray.
BACKGROUND ART
Although taking a bath is usually uneventful, there are some inherent dangers. For example, if a child inadvertently changes the temperature setting of the running water, they may be scalded by hot water. Slipping and falling while exiting or entering the tub, due to splashed water on the floor or tube edge, may also occur. There is also a similar risk of slipping within the tub and hitting the spigot or faucet handles. Still yet another mishap that may occur is when the child gets soap in his or her eyes and then loses their balance attempting to reach for a towel or washcloth.
Despite these hazards, bathtub time is generally fun as the children can play with toys such as rubber ducks, balls, cups, bubble bath, and the like. In order for these items to be readily at hand, they are often placed on an edge of the bathtub or on the floor adjacent the bathtub. As the child happens to reach for one item, another item is often knocked off of the edge and onto the floor. This splashes water onto the floor and creates an area where the child may slip upon exiting the bathtub.
The prior art has presented several different ways to carry or store soap, towels, and like items with wire-frame caddies, trays, and the like. Examples of wire-frame caddies are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,053,954; D343,321; and D265,152. Although these caddies are effective in their stated purpose, they are not ideal for younger children who may stick their fingers between the wires and get them stuck. Moreover, the wire-frame caddies are not easily stored, present a somewhat unpleasant appearance, and are difficult to clean.
It is also known to provide trays associated with the bathtubs as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,955,093; 5,548,855; and 5,669,313. The trays disclosed are primarily for holding books or providing vanity mirrors for use by adults. No consideration in these disclosures is given for use of the trays by children who are inclined to splash water and play with toys while taking a bath. As such, no provision is made to accommodate the accumulation of excess water on the tray.
Thus, the need exists for a bathtub tray with a tilt feature and drain hole designed to keep water in the tub area and off of the floor for the safety of children taking a bath and those assisting.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray for use with a bathtub, wherein the bathtub has a minimum of two side edges.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, with a base which has an upwardly extending rim which contains water on the tray.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, wherein the rim has a channel underneath to allow grasping of the tray for installation onto and removal from the bathtub.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, wherein the tray is positionable upon the side edges of the tub for carrying bottles, toys, washcloths, and other items used while a child bathes.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, wherein the tray has drainage holes at predominantly one end thereof.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, wherein the tray has legs or other supporting features which impart an incline angle to the tray, and wherein the leg is preferably at an end of the tray opposite the drainage holes and supported by one of the side edges of the bathtub to direct any accumulated water held by the tray toward the drainage holes.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, in which the legs provide suction cups to prevent slippage of the tray from the edge of the bathtub.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, wherein the tray has upwardly extending ridges disposed near the drainage holes to direct any accumulated water toward and through the drainage holes.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a bathtub tray, as above, wherein the suction cups provided at one end of the tray may be employed to facilitate storage of the tray adjacent a wall near the bathtub.
These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed. In general, a bathtub tray includes a planar base having first and second opposed ends with one of the ends of the planar base having at least one drain hole therethrough. The supporting feature extends downwardly from the second end of the planar base for the purpose of tilting the tray toward the drainage hole. The planarbase has a length sufficient to span opposed edges of a bathtub such that the first end may be supported by one of the bathtub edges while the supporting feature is adapted to be supported by the other bathtub edge. This supporting feature, which imparts the tilt to the bathtub tray, inclines the planar base to direct any accumulated liquid on the planar base to the drainage hole.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the bathtub tray may include a rim extending upwardly from the planarbase to retain any accumulated liquid on the planar base and to direct the liquid toward the drainage hole. To ensure that the tray does not become easily removed from its position, the supporting legs may be provided with a suction cup adapted to be supported by the bathtub edge to further assist the elevating of the second end. Still another feature of the invention is the utilization of a ridge extending from the planar base and positioned adjacent the drainage holes to assist in the direction of accumulated water through the drainage hole. It will also be appreciated that the suction cups can be used to facilitate storage of the tray at a substantially parallel position to a vertical wall near the bathtub. The base may also be provided with two tilted surfaces, wherein the drain holes are placed at the convergence of the tilted surfaces.
A preferred exemplary bathtub tray incorporated in the concepts of the present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
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patent: 5669313 (1997-09-01), Cottingham
patent: 2216782 (1989-10-01), None
Nguyen Tuan
Recla Henry J.
Renner Kenner Greive Bobak Taylor & Weber
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