JPH0747005B2 - Bathtub apron system - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to bathtub apron systems, and more particularly to a preformed first shape that matches the shape of a first bathtub and a second bathtub shape. A modular bathtub apron that is preferably cut to form different shaped aprons that fit.

Bathtubs, including hydrotubs, sauna baths and the like, have a variety of shapes and sizes. Also, such a bathtub
It is constructed in various shapes so as to be installed in a corner of a room or one wall or separately from the wall. Conventional baths are preformed or cast into a desired shape from a variety of materials including enameled cast iron or steel or plastic or other materials that can provide a robust bath structure.

The bathtub may be preformed with a skirt or apron to give the finished appearance, or molded without such a skirt or apron, which are installed after the bath is installed on site. The present invention relates to a bathtub that is manufactured without the skirt or apron at the location where the skirt or apron is attached after the bathtub has been installed at the desired location.

In those tubs manufactured without skirts or aprons, the prior art is that each shape of tub has its own specially shaped apron to accommodate the particular tub shape used with it. It had to be provided. Thus, when a new bathtub design was developed, a specially designed apron for it was also needed. For example, in the past, specially designed corner bathtubs required aprons of their own shape, and conventional oval bathtubs that were installed stand-alone or against a wall were the second newly molded apron. Needed.

Accordingly, there is a desire for a bathtub apron system in which a single preformed apron fits into at least two different shaped bathtubs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the present invention provides a bathtub apron system for use in either one of differently shaped bathtubs. A bath apron system includes a substantially flat central portion having first and second ends and a first portion of the central portion.
And an inwardly curved portion, each having an end extending from the second end. The outwardly curved portions extend from the ends of the inwardly curved portions to form opposite outer ends of the apron. The outwardly curved portion is removable from the inwardly curved portion in position to form a second shaped apron that fits into the second shaped bath.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub apron system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub apron system in which a single preformed bathtub apron is used to fit at least two different shaped bathtubs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub apron system that reduces the costs and the amount of material required for manufacturing and installation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more clearly and more apparent herein.

Accordingly, the invention encompasses the features of constructions, combinations of elements and arrangements of components illustrated in the constructions set forth below, and the scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a full understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in the following description.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bathtub apron system and a bathtub configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the bathtub and apron system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the bathtub apron system of the present invention showing use in a second shape bathtub.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bathtub shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the apron shown in FIG. 1 showing that the apron can be cut to form a second shape apron.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is first made to FIGS. 1-3, which illustrates a bathtub apron system, generally indicated at 10, of the construction according to the invention. The bathtub apron system 10 is shown in use with a first shape bathtub 12. Bathtub 12 is designed as a corner bathtub with substantially right-angled side walls 13a and 13b for installation in a corner of a room. When installed in such a corner, the unfinished front surface 14 of the bathtub 12 is exposed.

The front rim 16 of the bathtub 12 has a substantially planar or flat central portion 18
And inwardly curved portions 20 and 22 extending therefrom. Each of the inwardly curved portions 20 and 22 extends to an outwardly curved portion 24 and 26, respectively. Bathtub 12 is formed of a suitable material such as glass fiber reinforced acrylic, plastic, enamel steel or cast iron or other materials used in forming bathtubs, water baths and the like.

To cover the exposed front of the bathtub 12, the bathtub apron system 40 is generally shaped like the rim 16 of the bathtub 12.
Having 40. Apron 40 has a central portion 42 that is substantially flat. The central portion 42 has inwardly curved end portions 44 and 44 similar to the inwardly curved portions 20 and 22 of the rim 16 of the bathtub 12.
Terminate at 46. The inwardly curved portions 44 and 46 are attached to the rim 16
Outwardly extending to respective outwardly curved portions 48 and 50 that substantially correspond to the shape of outwardly curved portions 24 and 26 of the.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the apron 40 is preferably formed from a thermoformed acrylic sheet that can be reinforced with a glass fiber material 202. The material may be PVC or the like.

After the bathtub 12 has been installed in the desired position on site,
A preformed apron 40 is inserted and attached.
The apron 40 has an upper end 54 which fits under the tongue 16a extending downwardly of the rim 16, as best shown in FIG. Pressure sensitive attachment means such as Velcro® are used to releasably connect the strip 60 to the apron 40.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5 which show differently shaped bathtubs 80 whose outer shape is oval in appearance. The apron 40 shown in FIG. 1 does not fit in the bath 80 because of its outwardly curved portions 48 and 50. However, the inventor has found that if the outwardly curved portions 48 and 50 are cut or otherwise removed in such a manner, the remaining apron will fit into the elliptical bath 80. Thus, FIG. 4 shows an apron system 10 with the outwardly curved portions 48 and 50 removed.
Indicates. As shown in Figure 5, a modified apron 40
Fits easily under the lip of bathtub 40 and provides it with a fully finished look.

In the thermoforming process, the die used will leave a suitable die line or mark that can be used as a guide to cut the outwardly curved portions 48 and 50. A saw or similar cutting tool can easily cut the portion of the apron to be removed.

When bathtub 80 is installed against a wall, only one modified apron 40 is needed. The kick strip 96 provides a finished look. However, when the bathtub 80 is installed as a stand-alone, a second apron 40 'is used to provide a fully finished and enclosed look around it. A second kick strip 96 'is required when the first and second modified aprons 40 and 40' are utilized. Also, a flexible trim strip 100 is provided for mating inwardly curved ends 46 and 46 'and 4'.
Used to hide seams on both sides with 4 & 44 '.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a bathtub apron system in which only one apron needs to be preformed for two different shaped bathtubs. The end of the apron is the second
Can be suitably cut at the stamping line to provide an apron that has been modified to fit a bath of the shape. The cost of stamping is reduced, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

Therefore, it will be understood that the above objectives apparent from the above description will be effectively achieved, and that modifications can be made in the above configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The above description set forth in the accompanying drawings is to be construed as illustrative and not limiting.

Also, it is understood that the following claims cover all the general and specific features of the invention described herein and all statements of the scope of the invention which may be said to be in between as a matter of language. It should be.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A bathtub apron system for use with either one of two differently shaped bathtubs, the substantially flat central portion having first and second ends.
An inwardly curved portion each having ends extending from the first and second ends of the central portion, and an outwardly curved portion extending from each end of the inwardly curved portion. The apron fits into one of the two different shaped bathtubs, and the outwardly curved portion comprises a second shaped apron that fits into the other of the two different shaped bathtubs. A bathtub apron system, which is removable from the inwardly curved portion at a predetermined position for forming. 2. The bathtub according to claim 1, wherein an end of the inwardly curved portion is provided with a mark for confirming a position where the outwardly curved portion should be removed. Apron system for. 3. The bath apron system according to claim 1, further comprising a kick plate and a connecting means for connecting the kick plate to the apron, the apron having no bottom. 4. The bathtub apron system according to claim 1, wherein one of the two differently shaped bathtubs is a corner bathtub and the other is an elliptical bathtub. 5. The bathtub apron system of claim 2, wherein the indicia is applied by a tool used to form the apron system. 6. The bathtub apron system according to claim 1, wherein the apron is formed of a thermoformed acrylic plate. 7. The bathtub apron system according to claim 6, wherein the acrylic plate is reinforced with a glass fiber material. 8. The second shaped apron forms a substantially elliptical half, and the second shaped apron is a second apron.
2. The bathtub apron system of claim 1, wherein the apron system for bathtubs forms an elliptical apron that encloses the elliptical bathtub when joined to an apron similar to the apron of shape.