Patent · US Expired

Bathtub unit with improved user features

US4706311A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
15References
7Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 15, 1986
Grant dateNov 17, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA47K3/003
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A bathtub unit (1) is provided which is set into wall recesses which may form a shower stall if desired. The tub unit includes a raised seat (12) at one end and a downwardly recessed tub (13) at the other end. The front wall of the seat is recessed rearwardly (16) to provide heel room for the user, and the seat top is provided with a drain run (18) which discharges into the tub. A plurality of foot holds (28) are spaced along the longitudinal side walls of the tub, and in the present embodiment comprise vertically extending tapered recesses (29, 30) provided with foot stops (31). Hand rails (32) are disposed along the longitudinal tub edges above the foot holds, with the rails having projections (34) spaced therealong. The user can work himself down into or up from the tub in a step-by-step manner by utilizing one or the combination of foot holds and hand rails.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.