Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – With user access means in side of the tub
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-11
2001-08-14
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
With user access means in side of the tub
C004S584000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272698
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention disclosed herein relates generally to an insert to be placed in a cut-out section of an exposed wall of a bathtub. This insert, when properly positioned in the cutout section of the tub wall, will effectively lower the tub wall to permit easy access to the interior of the tub for those who are physically challenged by the height of the wall of the typical bathtub.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The idea of placing an insert in the wall of a bathtub is not entirely original. The bathtub remodeling industry has at least one other product. It is known as the Bathcrest insert and is fairly represented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,846, issued May 16, 2000 to Peterson. This insert, generically characterized as a bathtub walk-through insert is designed to be positioned and bonded into an opening cut from the exposed sidewall of a bathtub. The Bathcrest insert is generally U-shaped with a web that will rest on the bottom of the opening cut into the side of the tub.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Notwithstanding the benefits and advantages afforded by the insert of the prior art, there are design and structural modifications and improvements that need to be made in the product of the prior art to improve its function and facilitate its installation. Those modifications and improvements are embodied in the insert described herein. Specifically, what is disclosed and claimed in this specification is a bathtub sidewall insert for facilitating access to the interior of said tub wherein said insert comprises: a generally U-shaped step-saddle having an elongated step-plate; a pair of generally parallel end plates extending upwardly from the ends of said step-plate; and a pair of generally rectangular housings attached to the bottom of said step-plate for extending to the floor to distribute the weight of said step saddle and the weight of anyone using it, onto the bathroom floor. This disclosure also relates to the method of modifying an existing bathtub to facilitate access to the interior of said tub by creating an opening by cutting through an external sidewall of the bathtub, said opening extending for a predetermined length of said sidewall and from the top of said sidewall to a predetermined distance above the bottom of said bathtub, said opening being generally U-shaped; positioning in said opening a generally U-shaped insert having a step saddle with an elongated step-plate to cover the bottom edge of said opening, a pair of generally parallel end plates extending from the ends of said step-plate to cover the sides of said opening and a pair of generally rectangular housings attached to the bottom of said step-plate and extending to rest directly on the floor to support the weight of the step saddle and the weight of anyone standing, sitting or stepping on it.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4561160 (1985-12-01), Nicol et al.
patent: 5628851 (1997-05-01), Lawler
patent: 6061846 (2000-05-01), Peterson
patent: 6212704 (2001-04-01), Peterson
Phillips Charles E.
Willmann Neal O.
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