FAST DRAINING SYSTEM FOR WALK-IN BATHTUB

Abstract

A fast draining system may include a first two-way connector, a first water draining hole of a bathtub, and a plurality of connecting pipes. In one embodiment, the first two-way connector has a first connecting opening and a second connecting opening to connect with connecting pipes. The first two-way connector also has a top opening to align with the first draining hole of the bathtub. In a further embodiment, the fast draining system may include a second two-way connector to expedite the water draining process. The second two-way connector also has a first connecting opening, a second connecting opening to connect with the connecting pipes, and a top opening to align with a second water draining hole. Each of the water draining holes has a cover to retain the water in the bathtub.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/921,630, filed on Dec. 30, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a draining system for a walk-in bathtub, and in particular to a fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional bathtubs may have high sidewalls, which allow a bathtub to hold a large volume of water. Many individuals, particularly the elderly and those suffering from arthritis, debilitating injury, handicap, and/or general loss of mobility, may have trouble accessing a bathtub area due to the high step that is typically required to step into and out of a bathtub. For such persons, the sidewall of a bathtub may be an insurmountable hurdle. Even with the assistance of a health aide, many individuals may not be capable of safely stepping over the sidewall of a bathtub and into the bathtub to take a bath or shower. Consequently, these persons may forego taking a bath or shower altogether and settle for alternate bathing methods, such as sponge baths and the like. Many people, however, may not find such alternative bathing methods satisfactory.

Walk-in bathtubs comprise high tub walls with a high built in seat and a side door, allowing the user to walk into the tub from the side and sit down without having to climb down into a low bath tub. FIG. 1 shows a typical example of a walk-in bathtub in accordance with the prior art. Walk-in tubs are particularly suited for individuals who have physical limitations that make it difficult or dangerous to climb into and out of a regular, low bathtub or to stand up in a shower for extended periods of time. Such limitations might include physical disabilities or simply the reduced strength, balance and range of motion that typically occur with advancing age. Walk-in tubs are not only easier to enter and exit than conventional bathtubs, they also reduce the chances of slips and falls compared to conventional tubs and showers.

As stated above, most walk-in bathtubs have high sidewalls and they are able to contain more water as the bathtub is filled when the person is talking shower therein. For such amount of water, it may have to take a long time for the water to drain away. More importantly, users of the walk-in bathtub are usually elderly or injured people. If any emergent situation happens, the water in the walk-in bathtub has to drain as soon as possible to enable the user to leave the walk-in bathtub. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved bathtub draining system to quickly discharge the water in the walk-in bathtub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a main objective of the present invention to provide a fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub to expedite the water draining process.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide at least one two-way connector in the fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub to easily discharge the water in the walk-in bathtub no matter where the water outlet in the bathroom.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a second two-way connector along with a second water draining hole on the bathtub to further expedite the water draining process.

In one embodiment, a fast draining system may include a first two-way connector, a first water draining hole of a bathtub, and a plurality of connecting pipes. In one embodiment, the first two-way connector has a first connecting opening and a second connecting opening to connect with connecting pipes. The first two-way connector also has a top opening to align with the first draining hole of the bathtub. In a further embodiment, the fast draining system may include a second two-way connector to expedite the water draining process. The second two-way connector also has a first connecting opening, a second connecting opening to connect with the connecting pipes, and a top opening to align with a second water draining hole. Each of the water draining holes has a cover to retain the water in the bathtub.

When in use, the user can lift at least one cover of the water draining hole and the water would start draining along the water draining direction. If the user wishes to expedite the water draining process, he/she can lift both covers and so the water can be drained through both two-way connectors to speed up the water draining process. The bathtub has an overflow hole, so the water level will not exceed the overflow hole to avoid excessive water in the bathtub. It is noted that the draining water can easily go either water draining directions with appropriate connecting pipes to direct the water out of the bathroom to avoid reverse plumbing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art disclosing a conventional walk-in bathtub.

FIG. 2. illustrates an exploded view of fast water draining system for a walk-in bathtub in the present invention.

FIG. 3. illustrates a schematic view of the two-way connectors of fast water draining system in the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub in the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the two-way connector with a cap of the fast draining system in the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a venting pipe of the fast draining system in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

In a conventional plumbing system, the connector connecting to the drawing hole is a one-way connector. If the water outlet in the bathroom is located along with the water draining direction, namely the opening of the connector is toward the water outlet, using the one-way connector does not cause any problems. However, if the water outlet in the bathroom is located at the opposite side of the water draining direction, the user may have to do a “reverse plumbing” to direct the draining water in an addition U-shape pipe to the water outlet, which would increase the costs of the plumbing and cause waste of the materials.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a fast draining system may include a first two-way connector 110, a first water draining hole 210 of a bathtub, and a plurality of connecting pipes 300. In one embodiment, the first two-way connector 110 has a first connecting opening 111 and a second connecting opening 112 to connect with connecting pipes 300. The first two-way connector 110 also has a top opening 113 to align with the first draining hole 210 of the bathtub. In a further embodiment, the fast draining system may include a second two-way connector 120 to expedite the water draining process. The second two-way connector 120 also has a first connecting opening 121, a second connecting opening 122 to connect with the connecting pipes 300, and a top opening 123 to align with a second water draining hole 220. Each of the water draining holes 210 and 220 has a cover 211 and 221 respectively to retain the water in the bathtub.

When in use, the user can lift at least one cover of the water draining hole and the water would start draining along the water draining direction as shown in FIG. 2. If the user wishes to expedite the water draining process, he/she can lift both covers 211 and 221 so the water can be drained through both two-way connectors 110 and 120 to speed up the water draining process. The fast draining system further includes an overflow hole 410, so the water level will not exceed the overflow hole 410 to avoid excessive water in the bathtub. It is noted that the draining water can easily go either water draining direction A or direction B (with appropriate connecting pipes) to direct the water out of the bathroom without using reverse plumbing as stated above.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fast draining system only has one two-way connector 110 along with one water draining hole 210 and a plurality of connecting pipes 300. It is noted that the water is directed toward the water draining direction B so a cap 114 can be disposed on the second connecting opening 112 to prevent water from leaking from the second connecting opening 112. In still a further embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the two-way connector 110 has a venting pipe 115 to vent the bubbles.

Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.

Claims

1. A fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub comprising at least one two-way connector, at least one water draining hole of a bathtub, and a plurality of connecting pipes, wherein a first two-way connector has a first connecting opening and a second connecting opening to connect with connecting pipes, and a top opening to align with a first draining hole of the bathtub corresponding to the first two-way connector, and the water draining hole has a cover attached thereon, wherein when the cover is lifted to start the water draining process, the water starts to drain through the two-way connector and the connecting pipes to a water outlet in a bathroom, regardless of where the water outlet is located without reverse plumbing.

2. The fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub of claim 1, further comprising a second two-way connector that has a first connecting opening, a second connecting opening to connect with the connecting pipes, and a top opening to align with a second water draining hole.

3. The fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub of claim 1, wherein a cap is disposed at one of the connecting openings that is on an opposite side of the water outlet in the bathroom to prevent water leaking.

4. The fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub of claim 1, wherein the two-way connector has a venting pipe to vent the bubbles.

5. The fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub of claim 1, further comprising an overflow hole on the bathtub to control a water level therein to avoid excessive water in the bathtub.