Portable bathtub barrier

Abstract

A bathtub barrier (100, 300) is disclosed having a pair of extendable rod assemblies (110, 310) having pivotably nonskid end piece assemblies (112, 312) adapted to engage the sides of a bathtub, and a pliable panel (102, 302) interconnecting the rod assemblies. The rod assemblies include an inner tube (130) and an outer tube (150) that are slidably engaged, and a lead screw assembly (122, 322) that allows the user to selectively adjust the length of the rod assemblies to attach the barrier to the bathtub. The end piece assemblies include nonskid panels (111, 311) that may be made from EVA. An optional upper extension (200) may be removably attached to the rod assemblies, and may be adjustably positioned. An optional lower panel portion (405) may extend downwardly from the rod assemblies, and may include suction members (406) to attach the barrier to the bottom of the bathtub.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/724,147, filed Oct. 6, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety, and priority from the filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119.

BACKGROUND

Baby and small-child safety in a bathtub are serious concerns for parents and other caregivers of small children, due to a baby's natural curiosity, typical fearlessness, and the many opportunities for misadventure in a typical bathroom. In particular, when bathing a baby or small child in a regular bath tub, there is a concern that the youngster may be injured by impacting with the hard objects in the bath tub area—such as metal plumbing fixtures—and, in particular, the faucets and spigot. Of course, portions of the plumbing fixtures may also be hot to touch and, particularly, there is the risk that a small child may inadvertently (or intentionally) turn the hot water faucet, potentially resulting in a flow of hot water that could hurt or scald the child before the caregiver has time to intervene.

Prior art solutions addressing this problem include U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,218, to Holland, which discloses an adjustable safety gate having a frame portion and a rectangular gate portion that appears to be pivotable on the frame portion. However, this construction is complicated and is not easily portable, so it may be difficult to store and users may be disinclined to bring the device to other locations—for example, when traveling or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,505 discloses a bathtub safety guard that installs in a bathtub and includes two slidably connected gate sections. However, this device also is relatively bulky and, therefore, difficult to store and transport.

There remains a need for a bathtub barrier that provides a safety barrier within a bathtub to prevent small children from contacting fixtures within a bathtub.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A bathtub barrier is disclosed that is suitable for use in partitioning a bathtub, for example to prevent or discourage a small child or pet from accessing the side of the bathtub containing the fixtures. The bathtub barrier includes an upper telescoping rod assembly and a lower telescoping rod assembly, the telescoping rod assemblies each having an outer tube with an inner tube slidably disposed therein, such that the combined length of the inner and outer tubes can be selectively adjusted. An adjustment mechanism, such as a lead screw assembly is attached to the inner and outer tubes, for setting the desired combined length, that is, to bias the rod assemblies against the walls of the bathtub for removably installing the barrier. A hand wheel is provided to facilitate operation of the lead screw assembly. End piece assemblies are pivotably attached on either end of the rod assemblies, the end piece assemblies having a nonskid outer face for engagement with the sides of the bathtub. A pliable panel extends between the telescoping rod assemblies, providing an easily installable/removable barrier.

In one embodiment, the bathtub barrier includes a removable upper extension panel, that may attach to the rod assemblies, for example, with adjustable hook assemblies. In another embodiment, the bathtub barrier includes a lower panel portion that extends below the rod assemblies, and engages the bathtub floor, for example with suction cup type members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a bathtub barrier made according to the present invention, installed in a bathtub, which is shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bathtub barrier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the two telescoping rod assemblies for the bathtub barrier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention installed in a bathtub, wherein the bathtub barrier shown in FIG. 1 includes an upwardly extending portion;

FIG. 5 shows the upwardly extending portion of the barrier assembly shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a telescoping rod assembly for a bathtub barrier in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the telescoping rod assembly shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a bathtub barrier in accordance with the present invention, and including a bottom extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refer now to FIG. 1, which shows a bathtub barrier assembly 100 according to the present invention, installed in a bathtub 90 (shown in phantom) and ready for use. The barrier assembly 100 is positioned to define a portion of the bathtub 90 away from the fixtures 92 where a young child can be bathed, thereby protecting the child from impacting or inadvertently engaging the fixtures 92. Refer also to FIG. 2, showing the bathtub barrier assembly 100 in isolation. The bathtub barrier assembly 100 includes two plastic telescoping rod assemblies 110, and a flexible panel 102 that engages both of the rod assemblies 110. In the current embodiment the panel 102 is formed from a mesh fabric. The rod assemblies 110 include oppositely-disposed end piece assemblies 112 having soft rubber-like grip pads 111 (two grip pads visible) mounted on a pivotable support 1 13. The end piece assemblies 1 12 are pivotably attached at opposite ends of the rod assemblies 110. The grip pads 111 may be formed for example, from an elastic material that provides a gripping or slip-resistant interface with the bathtub 90 during use. An exemplary suitable material for the grip pads 111 is an ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”) or the like. The end piece assemblies 112 may then be biased against the sides of the bathtub 90 by inserting the rod assemblies 110 transversely across the bathtub 90 and adjusting the length of the rod assemblies 110 such that the rod assemblies are biased against the walls of the bathtub 90. In particular, the length of the rod assemblies 110 is adjusted by turning a knob or hand wheels 114 disposed at one end of the rod assembly 110.

The panel 102 of the currently preferred embodiment is about 16.5 inches wide and about 9 inches long and may be formed, for example, from a vinyl coated polyester that is resistant to mildew, stains, and moisture, that will not shrink, and is resistant to tearing. Panels of other sizes and/or materials are clearly contemplated by the present invention.

Refer now also to FIG. 3, which shows a cross-sectional view of the rod assembly 110 shown in FIG. 1. The grip pads 111 are mounted on the outer face of end pieces 112. The inwardly-facing side of the pivotable supports 113 includes a concave socket portion 116 defining a generally spherical volume for a ball and socket joint. A ball connector 120 (including a ball portion 117 for the ball and socket joint) and an insertable end section 118 are mounted at opposite ends of the rod assembly 110. The ball portion 117 may be compression fit into the socket portion 116 of the end piece assembly 112. Alternatively, the socket portion 116 may be formed in two parts and joined, for example by solvent or ultrasonic welding, after inserting the ball connector 120 to accommodate the ball portion 117. It will be appreciated that this ball and socket joint allows the grip pad 111 to swivel, for example, approximately +/−15 degrees, in any direction. This swivel action allows the grip pad 111 to accommodate nonparallel surfaces typical on the inner sides of the bathtub 90 (FIG. 1), and allows the barrier assembly 110 to be installed without being necessarily aligned perpendicular to the axis of the bathtub 90.

In the current embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the rod assemblies 110 includes a 0.500×13 double-pitch, double-start lead screw 122 and nut 124 assembly that provides a length adjustment between about 18.5 inches minimum to about 25.0 inches maximum. In the present embodiment, therefore, six and one-half turns of the hand wheel 114 changes the rod assembly 110 length by approximately one inch. Other lengths and/or screw pitches are clearly contemplated by the present invention.

The rod assembly 110 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is a three-tube construction including (1) an inner tube 130 having an expanded end section 132 that lockingly engages the nut 124; (2) a middle tube 140 that abuts the expanded end section 132 of the inner tube 130 at one end and abuts the hand wheel 114 at the opposite end; and (3) an outer tube 150, concentric with the inner tube 130 and middle tube 140, that lockingly engaging the ball connector 120 on the end of the rod assembly 110 opposite the hand wheel 114.

The middle tube 140 includes an elongate axial slot 144 that is slidably engaged by an inwardly-extending pin 152 attached to the outer tube 150 such that the middle tube 140 and the outer tube 150 are rotationally locked together but can move axially relative to each other, substantially for the length of the elongate slot 144. The inner tube 130 and hand wheel 114, however, are free to rotate with respect to the middle tube 140.

The lead screw 122 is attached to the outer tube 150 with an insertable tubular holding member 151 having a first locking pin 154 that engages the holding member 151 and the lead screw 122, and a second locking pin 156 that engages the holding member 151 and the outer tube 150. The second locking pin 156 also engages the ball connector 120 on one end of the tube assembly 110.

During use, typically the middle tube 140 and the outer tube 150 directly support the panel 102. Neither the middle tube 140 nor the outer tube 150 rotate when the hand wheel 114 is rotated. The inner tube 130 supports the lead screw nut 124 and the inner tube 130 is slidably disposed inside the telescoping middle tube 140. The inner tube 130 is attached to the hand wheel 114 with locking pin 131 such that when the hand, wheel 114 is turned, the nut 124 turns relative to the lead screw 122, moving the inner tube 130 axially. The middle tube 140, which is slidably retained between the expanded end section 132 and the hand wheel 114, therefore moves axially with the inner tube 130.

The length of the telescoping rod assembly 110 is most conveniently adjusted by gripping the rod assembly 110 at an intermediate location or at the end piece assembly 112 opposite the hand wheel 114 with one hand, and rotating the hand wheel 114 with the other hand. As the user rotates the hand wheel 114, the inner tube 130 rotates, causing the nut 124 to rotate on the lead screw 122, such that the inner tube moves axially (while rotating) with respect to the middle tube 140 and the outer tube 150. The middle tube 140 and outer tube 150 are rotationally locked, so that the middle tube 140 and outer tube 150 telescope axially without rotating.

Refer now to FIG. 4, which shows the barrier assembly 100 as described above, with an upper extension portion 200 that is removably attachable to the barrier assembly 100. The extension portion 200 is also shown in isolation in FIG. 5. It may be desirable in certain circumstances to have a bathtub barrier assembly that extends above the upper edge of the bathtub 90, for example for use with older children or pets, or to provide a visual barrier.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the extension portion is removably attachable to the barrier assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, to provide a wall or panel disposed generally above the barrier assembly 100. The extension portion 200 includes a pair of upright poles 210 that may be formed, for example, as a plastic tubular structure. An upper panel 202 is attached to and supported by the pair of upright poles 210. The upper panel 202 may be, for example, a light transparent weather resistant thermoplastic—for example, a product marketed under the trade name Plexiglass™. Alternatively, the upper panel 202 may be formed from a pliable mesh material similar to the material used for the panel 102 of the barrier assembly 100. The lower ends of the upright poles 210 each include a lower adjustable hook assembly 204 having a hook portion 208 that is sized to engage the lower telescoping rod assembly 110 of barrier assembly 100. The lower adjustable hook assembly 204 is preferably adjustable along the length of the respective pole 210 such that the upright poles 210 can be positioned to rest on the floor of the bathtub 90. The upright poles 210 may include non-slip foot pads (not shown), for example, formed from an EVA material similar to the grip pads 111, described above.

An upper hook assembly 206, adjustably disposed at an intermediate location along each pole 210, also includes a hook portion 208 that is adapted to engage the upper telescoping rod assembly 110 of barrier assembly 100. The lower and upper hook assemblies 204, 206 preferably include a locking mechanism, such as a locking thumb screw 205, for setting and locking the vertical position of the hook assemblies 204, 206 during use.

The assembly can be readily installed by placing the barrier assembly 100 in a desired position in the bathtub 90 and turning the respective hand wheels 114 until the telescoping rod assemblies 110 engage and grip the walls of the bathtub 90. The extension portion 200 may then be positioned such that the upright poles 210 rest on the floor of the bathtub 90 and the lower hook assemblies 204 adjusted to engage the lower rod assembly 110 and locked in position. The upper hook assemblies 206 may then be adjusted to engage the upper rod assembly 110 and locked in place. The device may be removed in the reverse order.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of a telescoping rod assembly 310 for a bathtub barrier such as that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the rod assembly 310, and FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken generally along a centerline of the rod assembly 310. This rod assembly 310 is a two-tube construction, wherein a cylindrical inner tube 330 is nested inside an outer tube 350. The inner tube 330 and the outer tube 350 have a plurality of apertures 304 that provide drainage and ventilation to the interior of the assembly 310.

The end piece assemblies 312 are similar to the end piece assemblies 112 described above, and include a pivotable support 313 with a socket 316 that is adapted to engage a ball-type connector 320 such that the support 313 can pivot through a defined solid angle. The socket 316 may include an annular portion 319 that is fixed to the support 313 after placement of the ball-type connector 320, to facilitate assembly. The support 313 includes a recessed center cavity 315 on a front face that receives a grip pad 311.

The grip pad 311 is a substantially circular disc that may include a plurality of protrusions 309, and is preferably solvent welded or otherwise adhered to the support 313. The center cavity 315 on the support 313 has been found to better distribute the load over the grip pad 311, further enhancing the gripping functionality of the rod assemblies 310. As seen most clearly in FIG. 6, the ball connector 320 may conveniently include a ball portion 317 shaped generally as three orthogonal circular discs, and an end portion 318 that is inserted into the tube assembly 310.

An adapter or holding member 351 is fixedly attached to one end of the outer tube 350, for example by solvent welding or ultrasonic welding, and receives the end portion 318 of one ball connector 320, on one end. The ball connector 320 may be fixedly attached with a locking pin 356 and/or welded to the holding member 351. One end of a lead screw 322 is inserted into the opposite end of the holding member 351. The lead screw 322 may be fixed to the holding member 351 with another locking pin 354 and/or welded thereto. In this embodiment, therefore, the lead screw 322 is fixedly attached to the outer tube 350. In contrast to the previous embodiment, however, the locking pins 354 and 356 are captured, and do not extend through the outer tube 350, and are therefore less susceptible to coming out unintentionally.

The ball connector 320 at the opposite end of the rod assembly 310 (on the left side of FIGS. 6 and 7) is fixedly attached to a hand wheel 314, for example with a locking pin 331. The locking wheel 314 is inserted into, and fixedly attached to one end of the inner tube 330, for example by solvent welding or ultrasonic welding. Therefore, turning the hand wheel 314 will cause the inner tube 330 to rotate. A nut insert 324 is fixedly attached to the opposite end of the inner tube 330, and threadably engages the lead screw 322. Therefore, rotating the hand wheel 314, will rotate the inner tube 330 and nut insert 324, such that the inner tube 330 (and right-side end piece 312) moves axially with respect to the outer tube 350 (and left-side end piece 312), such that the telescoping rod assembly 310 can be adjusted to tightly engage the sides of the bathtub 90 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a bathtub barrier 400, similar to the bathtub barriers disclosed above, including a pair of telescoping rod assemblies 310. In this embodiment the panel 402 that extends between the upper and lower rod assemblies 310 includes a lower portion 405 that extends below the lower of the rod assemblies 310. One or more suction-type attachment members 406 are attached to the lower portion 405 of the panel 402, for example with clips 408, that are attachable to the bottom of the bathtub 90 (FIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 the clips 408 extend through apertures 407 in the lower portion 405, and through apertures 409 in the attachment members 406. It will be appreciated that the lower portion 405 helps to prevent a small child's limbs from extending under the bathtub barrier 400, as well as more securely anchoring the bathtub barrier 400, to better withstand applied forces without slipping. Although the lower portion 405 shown in FIG. 8 is fixed to the panel 402, it will be readily appreciated that the lower portion could alternatively be formed as a separable portion, for example attaching by means of snaps, Velcro™ or the like.

Many of the described components of the rod assemblies, 110, 310 of the currently preferred embodiments may be conveniently formed from a conventional ABS plastic or the like. The lead screws 122, 322 and ball connectors 120, 320 are preferably made from a low-friction, wear-resistant plastic such as an acetal resin engineering plastic, for example, Delrin®, and the grip pads 311 may be made from an ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bathtub barrier comprising:

a first telescoping rod assembly and a second telescoping rod assembly, the first and second telescoping rod assemblies each having: i) an outer tube, ii) an inner tube disposed substantially within the outer tube, iii) a lead screw attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, iv) a nut attached to the other of the inner tube and the outer tube, the nut threadably engaging the lead screw such that when the inner tube is rotated with respect to the outer tube the inner tube will move axially relative to the outer tube, v) a hand wheel drivably attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, and vi) first and second nonskid end piece assemblies pivotably attached at opposite ends of the first and second rod assemblies;

a pliable panel having a first end that is attached to the first telescoping rod assembly and a second end that is attached to the second telescoping rod assembly.

2. The bathtub barrier of claim 1, wherein the pliable panel comprises a mesh fabric.

3. The bathtub barrier of claim 1, wherein the first and second nonskid end piece assemblies each comprise a ball connector that attaches to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, a support portion having a socket that pivotably engages the ball connector, and a nonskid panel attached to an outer face of the support portion.

4. The bathtub barrier of claim 3 wherein the nonskid panel comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

5. The bathtub barrier of claim 4, wherein the nonskid panel includes a plurality of protrusions to improve the gripping functionality.

6. The bathtub barrier of claim 3, wherein the support portion further comprises a center recess on the outer face.

7. The bathtub barrier of claim 1, further comprising a middle tube disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube, and wherein the middle tube is rotationally locked to the outer tube, and axially locked to the inner tube.

8. The bathtub barrier of claim 1, wherein the outer tube of the first and second rod assemblies further comprises a plurality of ventilation holes therethrough.

9. The bathtub barrier of claim 1, wherein the lead screw is formed from an acetal resin engineering plastic.

10. The bathtub barrier of claim 1, further comprising an upwardly extending upper panel assembly that is removably attachable to the first and second rod assemblies.

11. The bathtub barrier of claim 10, wherein the upper panel assembly comprises a pair of upright poles that slidably receive adjustable hook assemblies, wherein the hook assemblies are positionable to engage the first and second rod assemblies.

12. The bathtub barrier of claim 1, wherein the pliable panel further comprises a downwardly extending portion, and the bathtub barrier further comprises at least one suction-type connector attached to the downwardly extending portion.

13. A bathtub barrier comprising:

a pair of rod assemblies, each rod assembly including: i) an inner tube slidably engaging an outer tube such that the combined length of the inner tube and the outer tube is adjustable; ii) a first end piece assembly attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, and having a nonskid outer face; iii) a second end piece assembly attached to the other of the inner tube and the outer tube, and having a nonskid outer face; and iv) means for selectively adjusting the combined length of the inner tube and the outer tube;

a pliable panel connecting the pair of rod assemblies.

14. The bathtub barrier of claim 13, wherein the pliable panel comprises a vinyl coated polyester panel that is resistant to mildew.

15. The bathtub barrier of claim 13, wherein the means for selectively adjusting the combined length of the inner tube and the outer tube is a lead screw assembly.

16. The bathtub barrier of claim 15, wherein the lead screw assembly comprises a lead screw disposed in the inner tube, and a nut attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube.

17. The bathtub barrier of claim 16, further comprising a hand wheel disposed at one end of each of the pair of rod assemblies, the hand wheel attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube.

18. The bathtub barrier of claim 13, further comprising an upwardly-extending panel assembly that is removably attachable to the pair of rod assemblies.

19. The bathtub barrier of claim 18, wherein the upwardly-extending panel assembly includes a pair of upright poles, a panel connecting the upright poles, and means for attaching the upright poles to the pair of rod assemblies.

20. The bathtub barrier of claim 13, wherein the pliable panel includes a downwardly extending portion, and the bathtub barrier further comprises at least one suction-type connector attached to the downwardly extending portion.