Abstract: The tambour door assembly (16), for a bathtub (10) having side access or other structures, has a plurality of tambour slats (76 or 401). Shafts (78 or 404) are mounted in the ends of the tambour slats. Rollers 82 are mounted on the shafts (78 or 404) and guided by door guide assemblies 64. A flexible water impervious membrane (86) is clamped to the tambour slats (76 or 401) by clamp plates (414) having a surface (416), that is an arc about an axis parallel to the long axis of the tambour slats, in contact with the membrane. The membrane (86) maintains a predetermined space or pitch between the shafts (78 or 404). Sprockets (92) mesh with the shafts (78 or 404) and transmit force from one tambour slat to another through the membrane (86). If desired a motor can be provided to rotate the sprockets (92) and open and close the tambour door (16).

Abstract: The bath tub (10) having side access has a main tub body (12), a door support, a tambour door assembly (16), a door seal 18 and a control system (20). The door support includes door guide assemblies (64). A tambour door (66) with a plurality of tambour slats (76 or 401) and a flexible impervious membrane (86) is guided by the door guide assemblies (64). The tambour door (66) is in a horizontal position under the floor (27) when it is open and in a vertical position closing the open side (28) of the main tub body (12) when it is closed. A seal (18) seals between the main tub body and the membrane (86). The seal (18) includes a tube (155) that is inflated to seal between the main tub (12) and the tambour door (66). The control system (20) closes the drain 46 when the tambour door (66) is closed and the seal (18) is inflated and the tambour door (66) is constrained in the closed position.