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.

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.

Abstract: A bathing unit is particularly designed for home use, and includes a bathtub with an access opening in one side for easy ingress and egress, and a vertically sliding door to close the access opening. The bathing unit has a unique, combination door guide and grab bar arrangement, an adjustable control console, and a power door lock, all of which permit the bather to readily operate the door by himself, and to adjust the water temperature, flow and whirlpool from a seated position within the bathtub. The bather can receive total bathing and whirlpool therapy in private, without the need for an assistant. The combination door guide and grab bar arrangement includes a pair of support rods located on either side of the access opening, which function both as a track on which the door smoothly and easily glides, and also as vertical grab bars, which greatly facilitate entering and exiting the bathtub, and do not interfer with the operation of the door.

Abstract: An arrangement for bathing invalids, or others with impaired ambulatory ability, comprises an enclosure having a bathtub with upstanding walls which form a stall. The bathtub includes a seat having an anatomical contour and a lateral opening adjacent the seat to permit invalid ingress and egress. A door with a generally wedge-shaped contour mates with and selectively closes the bathtub opening, and includes a seal compressed between the opening lip and the door to form a seal which is sufficiently leakproof to permit immersal bathing of a seated invalid. The door is slideably mounted on a hingeless track assembly, which vertically translates the door into the closed position and pivots the door as it is raised into a horizontal, overhead storage position. Shower heads are mounted on the walls of the stall to provide both shower and immersal bathing for hygiene and therapy.