Patents by Inventor Houston E. Lay
Houston E. Lay has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20260093015Abstract: A bathtub closure system may include a step configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub and a plug. The step may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity configured to facilitate ingress and egress into the bathtub, and a first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface less than an entire height of the first side panel or extending downward from the second top surface less than an entire height of the second side panel. The plug includes a body and a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step. The plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2024Publication date: April 2, 2026Inventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Houston E. Lay
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Patent number: 11896173Abstract: A bathtub closure system may include a step configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub and a plug. The step may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity configured to facilitate ingress and egress into the bathtub, and a first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface less than an entire height of the first side panel or extending downward from the second top surface less than an entire height of the second side panel. The plug includes a body and a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step. The plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Safeway Safety Step, LLCInventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Houston E. Lay
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Publication number: 20230023727Abstract: A bathtub closure system may include a step configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub and a plug. The step may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity configured to facilitate ingress and egress into the bathtub, and a first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface less than an entire height of the first side panel or extending downward from the second top surface less than an entire height of the second side panel. The plug includes a body and a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step. The plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Houston E. Lay
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Patent number: 11540672Abstract: A bathtub closure system may include a step configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub and a plug. The step may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity configured to facilitate ingress and egress into the bathtub, and a first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface less than an entire height of the first side panel or extending downward from the second top surface less than an entire height of the second side panel. The plug includes a body and a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step. The plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: SAFEWAY SAFETY STEP, LLCInventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Houston E. Lay
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Publication number: 20210393086Abstract: A bathtub closure system may include a step configured to be retrofit onto a bathtub and a plug. The step may include a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity configured to facilitate ingress and egress into the bathtub, and a first attachment recess extending downward from the first top surface less than an entire height of the first side panel or extending downward from the second top surface less than an entire height of the second side panel. The plug includes a body and a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step. The plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Brian Muldoon, Houston E. Lay
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Publication number: 20190216268Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity can be configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub. The bathtub closure system can include a closure, where the closure can be coupled with the step and can cooperate with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the closure is in a closed position. The bathtub closure system can include a support portion, where the support portion can be co-molded with the step and have a substantially U-shaped configuration extending in a generally downward direction from the step to support the step during use.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Brian Muldoon, Houston E. Lay
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Publication number: 20180116469Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity can be configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub. The bathtub closure system can include a closure, where the closure can be coupled with the step and can cooperate with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the closure is in a closed position. The bathtub closure system can include a support portion, where the support portion can be co-molded with the step and have a substantially U-shaped configuration extending in a generally downward direction from the step to support the step during use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Brian Muldoon, Houston E. Lay
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Publication number: 20150335206Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity can be configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub. The bathtub closure system can include a closure, where the closure can be coupled with the step and can cooperate with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the closure is in a closed position. The bathtub closure system can include a support portion, where the support portion can be co-molded with the step and have a substantially U-shaped configuration extending in a generally downward direction from the step to support the step during use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Lance Middleton, Brian Muldoon, Houston E. Lay