PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR SHOWER AND/OR TUB

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective shield for a shower and/or tub and shower structure in which a panel is removably attached to the walls of the shower structure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/058,697 filed Jun. 4, 2008 the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a removable protective shield to attach to walls of the shower for providing protection from water from a shower that can cause damage to the walls of the shower structure over time.

2. Description of Related Art

Various splash guards and shields for sinks or tubs have been described. U.S. Pat. No. 1,526,941 describes a water skirting member or guard extending from a sink. A cement wall is permanently attached to an edge of the guard.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,388 describes a bathtub splash guard assembly including a sheet member with a plurality of rigid rod members. The sheet member prevents water from splashing over an edge of the tub.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,791,696 describes a shower bath shield in which a curtain of waterproof flexible material is mounted upon a spring roller. The lower margin of the curtain extends into the bathtub or rests against the side of an adjacent wall. The shield maintains water from the shower within the bath tub.

It is known that water from a shower can cause damage to the walls of the shower structure over time. It is desirable to provide a removable protective shield to attach to walls of the shower for providing protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective shield for a shower and/or tub and shower structure in which a panel is removably attached to the walls of the shower structure. The panel can be formed from either plastic or fiberglass. Indicia can be printed or embossed on the panel.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a front view of protective shield in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a rear view of the protective shield shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a rear view of the protective shield in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the protective shield attached to a wall of a shower beneath the shower head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a shower protective shield 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Panel 12 has sufficient size to cover walls of the shower when in use. For example, panel 12 can have a size of about 4′×4′ for covering a shower and tub structure or a size of about 30″×4′ and 42″×4′ for covering a shower. Panel 12 forms a protective shield for covering sidewalls of the shower stall or shower and tub structure. Panel 12 can be formed of, for example, plastic or fiberglass.

Attachment members 14 are positioned along edges 15 of panel 12. For example, attachment members 14 can be suction cups 17 having a suitable size to hold the weight of panel 12. Panel 12 can be formed of a selected color. For example, panel 12 can be formed of a color to match tile of the shower of shower and tub structure. In one embodiment, a plurality of rows 20 of attachment members 14 can be used along positions of panel 12. Rows 20 of attachment members 14 can provide additional support for attachment of panel 12 to a wall of the shower or shower and tub structure. Alternatively, one of rows 20 of attachment members 14 can be attached within or adjacent a corner of a wall of the shower or shower and tub structure to allow panel 12 to extend around more than one wall and a corner of the shower or shower and tub structure.

Referring to FIG. 1, indicia 16 can be printed or embossed on panel 12 on rear surface 13 of panel 12, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, indicia 16 can represent a favorite pet, poetry, scripture, or any individually created design. Indicia 16 can be printed or embossed in a color of choice such as gold.

During use, panel 12 can be attached on wall 30 below the shower head 32, as shown in FIG. 4. Panel 12 can also be attached on walls 34 of the shower which are adjacent to wall 30 including the shower head. Panel 12 can be used to protect the walls of the shower and/or the walls of a tub and shower structure.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A protective shield for a shower or shower and tub structure comprising:

a panel having a sufficient size to cover one or more walls of said shower or shower and tub structure, and

attachment means for removably attaching said panel to said one or more walls of said shower or shower and tub structure.

2. The protective shield of claim 1 wherein said attachment means are positioned adjacent side edges of said panel.

3. The protective shield of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises suction cups having a size to hold a weight of said panel.

4. The protective shield of claim 1 wherein said panel is formed of fiberglass.

5. The protective shield of claim 1 wherein said panel is formed of plastic.

6. The protective shield of claim 1 wherein said panel is formed of a color to match a color of the one or more walls of said shower or shower and tub structure.

7. The protective shield of claim 1 further including indicia printed or embossed on a rear surface of said protective shield.

8. The protective shield of claim 2 further comprising one or more rows of said attachment means between said attachment means positioned adjacent side edges of said panel.

9. A method for protecting one or more walls of a shower or shower and tub structure comprising the steps of:

providing a shield comprising a panel having a sufficient size to cover said one or more walls of said shower or shower and tub structure and removably attaching said panel to said one or more walls of said shower or shower and tub structure.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said panel is removably attached using suction cups having a size to hold a weight of said panel.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said panel is formed of fiberglass.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said panel is formed of plastic.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said panel is formed of a color to match a color of the one or more walls of said shower or shower and tub structure.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said panel is formed of a color to match a color of the one or more walls of said shower or shower and tub structure.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said panel is attached with attachment means positioned adjacent side edges of said panel.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising one or more rows of said attachment means between said attachment means positioned adjacent side edges of said panel.