Abstract: This homogenized, multilayer sandwich structure has a total bending stiffness. The structure has two external skins each of a material having a modulus, a thickness and a width with contribution to the total moment of inertia. The structure also has a core of a foam material sandwiched between the two external skins, wherein the core has a modulus, a thickness and a width with contribution to the total moment of inertia. The external skins are fixed to the core, the strength of the structure being dependent on the core thickness via cubic power, as well as on the placement of the layers within the structure.

Abstract: A bathing vessel includes a base support having a base board that extends between a top, a bottom, first and second side edges, and first and second ends. Two legs are attached on the bottom of the base board, inboard from the respective first and second side edges. The base board is at least partially encapsulated in a polyurethane material.

Abstract: A wall system includes at least one starter piece having at least one mount interface configured to be attached to a wall structure. A plurality of panels includes at least a first panel and a second panel, and wherein the first panel is fit to the starter piece to cover a portion of the wall structure. An intermediate cleat is associated with the first panel, and a second panel is interlocked to the first panel by the intermediate cleat to cover another portion of the wall structure.

Abstract: A bathing vessel has a bottom, and a drain disposed in the bottom adjacent a blended area that is disposed between the side wall and the bottom. The side wall, the bottom wall, and the blended area are made of a first layer of rigid polyurethane material and a second layer of capping material attached to said first layer. A ratio of a density of the polyurethane backing adjacent the drain to a thickness of polyurethane backing is between 1-80:1. The side wall, the blended area and the bottom wall flex to absorb loads adjacent the drain.

Abstract: A tub assembly is provided with a tub and a surround wall. The surround wall is spaced from a nail flange on the tub by a desired distance with a simple wall fastener. The wall fastener clips onto the nail flange, and has a forward face spaced from the nail flange by a desired distance. The forward face provides a stop and securement surface for the surround wall. The wall fastener includes a clip portion that clips onto the nail flange, and has a plurality of discrete clip portions. The clip portions can be broken away from the wall fastener at locations which will be aligned with a wall stud. In this manner, the wall fastener can be quickly clipped onto the nail flange of the tub once the tub is installed. The surround wall can then be simply adhered to a forward face of the wall fastener, such that the entire tub assembly can be easily and properly assembled.

Abstract: A bathing vessel has a first and a second sandwiched wall, each wall having a first layer of polyurethane material, a second layer of polyurethane material attached to the first layer, a third layer of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material attached to the second layer, and a fourth layer of acrylic material attached to the third layer. A load element is disposed across and is integral with the first and second sandwiched walls. The load element distributes a load on one wall to an other wall and is visible to users of the bathing vessel. The load element is also a design element.

Abstract: A bathing vessel is made of a sheet of layered materials, which include a first layer of polyurethane material, a second layer of polyurethane material attached to the first layer, a third layer of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material attached to the second layer, and a fourth layer of acrylic material attached to the third layer. A first narrowed portion about which the sheet bends is provided. The bend defines a first wall and a second wall in the sheet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bathing vessel includes forming a base by contacting an incompletely cured polyurethane material with a wood-containing composite panel. The polyurethane material is then cured while in contact with the wood-containing composite panel to chemically bond the polyurethane material with the panel. At least one wall is then attached to extend vertically from the base. The wall is a multi-layer structure of layers of acrylic material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material and the polyurethane material.

Abstract: A wall structure for a composite tub includes a surface side for facing an interior of the tub, a polyurethane layer backing and attaching to the surface side, plumbing backing the polyurethane layer, and an encapsulation layer encapsulating the plumbing and backing and attaching to the polyurethane layer so that damage to the plumbing is minimized.

Abstract: A bathing vessel is made of a segmented sheet wall of layered materials that includes a first layer of polyurethane material, a second layer of polyurethane material attached to the first layer, a third layer of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material attached to the second layer, and a fourth layer of acrylic material attached to the third layer. The segmented sheet wall has a width a length and a first thickness. The segmented sheet wall has an integral first portion having a second thickness that is that is thinner than the first thickness. The first portion defines a first wall and a second wall in the segmented sheet wall and the first portion is corrugated.

Abstract: A tub enclosure includes a back wall and a first side wall attached to the back wall. The first side wall and the back wall establish an interior of the tub enclosure. An interior side of the first side wall extends past an interior side of the back wall to establish an offset between the first side wall and the back wall. A caulk joint extends along the offset between the back wall and the first side wall. The caulk joint is obscured from vision when viewed in a direction toward the interior.

Abstract: A method for installing an accessory for a bath includes attaching a first mounting bracket to a structure; placing the accessory on a first side of a system wall that is visible after installation; placing a second mounting bracket on a second side of the system wall that is not visible after installation; attaching the accessory to the second mounting bracket through the system wall; and attaching the second mounting bracket to the first mounting bracket.

Abstract: A method for installing an accessory for a bath includes attaching a first mounting bracket to a structure; placing the accessory on a first side of a system wall that is visible after installation; placing a second mounting bracket on a second side of the system wall that is not visible after installation; attaching the accessory to the second mounting bracket through the system wall; and attaching the second mounting bracket to the first mounting bracket wherein the system wall has a first portion that is both parallel to the structure and extends above the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket, and a second portion that is both parallel to the structure and extends below the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket.

Abstract: A bathing system assembly has; an accessory such as a grab bar, a seat or the like; a first mounting bracket affixed to a structural wall; and a second mounting bracket attaching the accessory to a bath wall. The second mounting bracket cooperates with the first mounting bracket for easy installation of the bath wall and accessory to the structural wall, e.g., stud wall. The bathing system wall including the accessory and the second mounting bracket is manipulated by an installer so that the second mounting bracket and the first mounting bracket cooperate to support the wall and the grab bar. Because the accessory is attached directly to the second mounting bracket, flanges and attachment means for hardware are eliminated. The accessory may be attached to the second mounting bracket through the bath wall at a first location and attached to the first mounting bracket at a second location.