US2074234A - Bathtub - Google Patents

Description

RPMUELLER BATHTUB March 16,1937.

' Filed Dec. 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 16, 1937. R. MUELLEI BATHTUB Filed Dec. 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 ,111,111, 'fIII/II/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII a Patented Mar. 16, 1937 UNITED- STATES PArEa a 6 Claims.

The present invention relatesto bath tubs and particularly to those of the apron type.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a tub having a sunken or depressed portion in its bottom forming a mat receivingrecess so constructed as to permit the drainage of water from the recesses when the tub is emptied.

A further object is the formation of foot receiving openings in the lower portion of the apron to permit the user to stand closer to the tub proper when either'manipulating the faucets or bathing a child seated in the tub.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention will now be more particularly described, reference being had to the drawings in which: 7

Figure 1 is atop planview of a tub illustrating one embodiment of the mat receiving recess.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 isa top plan view of a tub illustrating a modified form of mat receiving recess.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a tub illustrating a further embodiment of the mat receiving recess.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a tub showing a pairof foot receiving openings.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a pair of foot receiving openings provided with interior wall elements forming blind pockets.

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a foot opening with a pivoted cover plate partly raised, and

Figure 11 is a view showing a modified form of cover plate.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is disclosed the preferred form of the invention wherein the numeral l0 designates the tub proper, which may be of any desired material, the form of tub here shown being the usual metal enameled tub characterized by the usual side and end walls II and [2 respectively and the outer apron l3.

The walls of the tub extend downwardly to the bottom I 4, to which they are joined by the curved sections [5, said sections forming an inwardly turned substantially horizontal rim extending completely around the tub.

55 The tub bottom I4 is sunken or depressed preferably from the edges of the bottom sections [5 to form a mat receiving. recess l6, within which a non-slip mat I1 is adapted to be retained. This mat may be formed of any anti-slip material such as rubber, rubber composition, or abrasive 5 containing composition.

As shown, the recess 46 is bounded on three sides by an end wall i8 and opposed side walls 19. The other end of the recess adjacent the waste or drain outlet 29 of the tub is open to permit water to drain from the recess when the tubis emptied. In this preferred form of the invention the bottom surface of the recess is substantially flush and merges with the bottom of the tub at the drainage end thereof. The marginal sections l5 slope downwardly as at 2|, to also merge with the drainage end of the bottom. In order to prevent the mat I! from slipping longitudinally. of the recess, in the direction of the drain outlet, I have provided spaced abutments 22' rounded. at 20 their inner ends as at 23 and sloping downwardly at their outer ends to the level of the tub bottom. With this arrangement the mat is retained in the recess, but the water is permitted to readily pass from the recess to the drain outlet. 2

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 there is illustrated a modified form of mat receiving recess. In these views the bottom M of the tub I0 is provided with a recess 24 the base 25 of which slopes gradually toward the drainage end of the tub and merges with the bottom M at the point 26. This form will also position the mat in the bottom and readily permit the water to drain from the recess and tub.

In Figure 6 is disclosed a mat receiving recess 21 similar in formation to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, but with the abutments eliminated. These may be supplied in this form if desired as well as in that shown in Figures 4 and 5. The mat, however, may be used without any abutments although it may slip toward the drain pipe 2|) if pressure is applied in that direction.

It will be observed that the outer wall or apron I3 of the tub stands substantially vertical, and since there is an appreciable distance between the inner and outer walls of the tub, one leaning over and using the tub must necessarily stand back a considerable distance in a rather awkward position. To overcome this difficulty I have formed a pair of spaced openings 28 in the lower portion of the apron so that a person standing by the tub is enabled to stand closer, by reason of the toes of the feet projecting through the openings.

In one embodiment, shown in Figures 8 and 9,

I prefer to secure to the inner face of the apron,

pocket elements 29. These elements are adapted to entirely encompass the contour of the openings and form therewith blind foot receiving pockets. With this arrangement any dust accumulating in these pockets may be easily swept out.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 7, and 10, I have eliminated the pocket elements 29 and have provided cover plates 30 pivoted to the lower end of the apron to swing into and out of a position to entirely close the openings 28. Each cover plate is formed adjacent its lower extremity with an extension 3|, and a suitable bolt or other fastening means 32 pivotally connects the cover plate to the apron. Preferably a knob or handle 33 projects outwardly from the face of the cover plate so that the latter may be easily grasped and moved from one position to the other.

In Figure 11 I have shown a further arrangement for closing the openings 28. In this connection I have provided sliding cover plates 34 of right angular formation. Each plate comprises a horizontal floor engaging flange 35 and a vertical apron engaging portion 36. By grasping the handle 31 each of these cover plates may be slid with respect to the lower portion of the apron to conceal or expose its respective opening 28. While no means have been disclosed, it is to be understood that either the flange 35 or the portion 36 may be positively connected to the floor or apron in such a manner as to permit the cover plate to slide with respect to the apron.

In Figures 1 and 3 there is disclosed an opening 38 in the flat horizontal portion of the tub between the apron and side wall of the tub proper. This constitutes a hand hold and is adapted to be used in conjunction with the usual hand hold mounted in the wall of the room (not shown).

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a bath tub having a bottom recess constructed to receive and retain a removable non-slip mat and which will permit water to entirely drain from the tub. Furthermore, by

providing the openings in the lower portion of the apron one is enabled to stand much closer to the tub than in the usual apron type of tub construction.

Such variations from the construction herein shown and described as are within the skill of a mechanic may, of course, be made without departing from the range of my invention.

I claim:

1. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, said recess having a portion thereof merging with the surface of the bottom to permit drainage of water from the recess.

2. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, said recess being open adjacent the drainage end of the tub to permit drainage of water from the recess.

3. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, said recess having a portion thereof merging with the surface of the bottom to permit drainage of water from the recess, and an abutment located at the point where the recess merges with the surface of the bottom and adapted to prevent slippage of the mat from the recess.

4. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, said recess being open adjacent the drainage end of the tub to permit drainage of water from the recess, and an abutment located at the open end of the recess to prevent slippage of the mat from the recess.

5. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, said recess sloping gradually toward the drainage end of the tub to permit drainage of water from the recess.

6. A bath tub having a mat receiving recess formed in its bottom, said recess being inclined longitudinally of the tub with one end thereof merging with the surface of the bottom to permit drainage of water from the recess.

ROBERT MUELLER.

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