Abstract: A recirculating bathtub having a single manifold extending along each side of the tub to supply water from a pump and aspirated air to a plurality of tub inlets. Each manifold comprises integrally molded, preferably blow-molded, air and water conduits isolated from one another except at nozzle housings integrally formed in the water conduit and vented to the air conduit. A nozzle is positioned in each housing and is sealed in the housing to receive water from the water conduit and air from the air conduit. The integrally formed conduits and nozzle housings eliminate the need for clamped or welded joints, and it is unnecessary to drill or open the manifolds for nozzle installation or air passage. The pump and the manifolds are self-draining into the tub when the tub is emptied.

Abstract: A multi-sectioned, decorative panel for use in a bathtub surround or the like, the panel having an overall decorative pattern on the exposed surface thereof. The sections of the panel are retained in assembly with the overall decorative pattern of the sections in exact registry and alignment by means of an adhesive strip secured to the section edges and forming a hinge about which the panels can be folded for packaging and shipping and which remains in place during installation, so as to prevent misalignment of the panels, disruption of the overall decorative pattern, and any water leakage between the panel sections. The method of making the multi-sectioned panel is disclosed, as well as the method of installing the panel on a wall surface.

Abstract: A safety towel bar for a plastic wall surround panel for showers and tubs comprises a substantially flat plastic wall panel adhesively secured to a dry wall which is secured to a framework. A pair of laterally spaced rearwardly opening upright channels are integral with the panel and receive the ends of a towel bar, which are nested, supported and secured upon a pair of laterally spaced brackets secured to the dry wall and extend into the channels.

Abstract: A storage unit adapted for attachment to a plane support surface, such as a flush interior door. The unit is thermoformed to provide a pair of side rails spaced inwardly from planar edges and lying on either side of a central planar portion. The central planar portion is provided with vertically spaced horizontal ribs spanning the rails to provide shelf surfaces. The side rails extend from the top of the unit to the bottom, and the uppermost and lowermost ribs blend vertically into the upper and lower extremities of the unit to provide additional support when the plane edges and the plane central portions are adhesively secured to the support surface. The unit can be provided with sliding doors, towel bars, shelf retention means, and the like, if desired.

Abstract: A bracket for interconnecting a vertical post and a support element, typically a vertical post for supporting a guard rail surrounding a wooden, above-ground deck. The post can be either wooden or metal, and the identical bracket which connects the post to the deck can be simply inverted and utilized to inter-connect the post and the upper guard rail. The bracket supports the upstanding post at each end from adjacent vertical and horizontal surfaces of the deck structure and/or the handrail structure by means of integrally formed flanges and flange extensions which are in flat-wise contact with the respective surfaces on either side of a central recess which receives the post. The flanges and flange extensions, which are at right angles to one another, stabilize the post both vertically and laterally, particularly since they provide laterally spaced fastener locations beyond the confines of the post itself.

Abstract: A multi-part connector for use in constructing a wooden deck or the like. The connector comprises identical, stamped metal elements which cooperatively embrace the upper end of a vertical post and project above the post to cooperatively receive a lateral beam therebetween. The elements each have an inwardly directed flange which is either (1) partially embedded in the upper end of wooden post or (2) engages and centers a metallic pipe post between the elements. An additional apertured plate is provided for cooperation with the two elements for securing the elements together in spaced relation to the element flanges and in embracing relation to the pipe post without bolting or otherwise securing the elements to the post. In use with either a wooden post or a pipe post, the beam overlies and bears upon the flange to aid in retaining the connector elements in place. The method involves the steps of assembling the connector elements on the post and utilizing the beam to retain the elements in place.

Abstract: Both a tub surround kit and a method for installing a tub surround are disclosed. The kit comprises four wall panels for covering the back and two side walls surrounding a tub, and two corner panels for covering the joints between the back wall and the two side walls surrounding the tub. The two corner panels each include a pair of orthogonally disposed flanges which terminate in flared, flexible lips for overlapping adjunct edges of the four panels, thereby joining the four wall panels together. The back faces of the flanges of each of the corner panels are adhered or otherwise affixed to the wall corners so that the flared, flexible lip or each of the flanges is yieldably deformed around the edge of the adjacent panel in overlapping relationship.

Abstract: This invention provides a bracket for use in constructing wooden structures, typically a wooden deck for homes. The bracket is intended to interconnect two mutually perpendicular structural elements, such as beams and joists or post and railings. The bracket includes a central web portion, a pair of parallel flanges normal to the web and two support extensions lying in the plane of the web and, in effect, extending the width of the web to provide increased lateral stability. The extensions preferably are cut from the flanges but lie in the plane of the web. The flanges and the extensions have fastener openings in pre-determined patterns to facilitate interconnection of the structural elements by different types of fastners.

Abstract: A shower cabinet comprises a base, side and back panels upon the base and a door. The base construction which may be used in combination with the cabinet and door may be adapted for use in conjunction with other available shower cabinets and enclosures. The base includes an upper floor and a lower base plate, the base plate having a pair of selectively usable knockout drain discs formed therein providing normally closed openings adapted to selectively receive a drain assembly. The base plate has an upstanding side will therearound and an outer upstanding peripheral side flange defining therebetween an intermediate support shoulder adapted to receive and support the upstandng shower cabinet walls.

Abstract: A stall shower with back, end and front walls has its walls covered with three panels and a corner panel. Each panel overlies and is secured to the back wall and end walls. Each panel is uniform and has a right angular end flange terminating in an outturned sealing lip. The flanges of the end wall panels bear against, overly and are secured to the front walls. The flange of the back wall panel overlies and is secured to the free edge of one end wall panel. The corner panel includes a pair of right angular side plates terminating in outturned sealing lips. Said plates and lips bear against, overlap and are secured to the end of the other end wall panel and the back wall panel. Securing of the panels and flanges includes an adhesive.

Abstract: A louvered shutter of molded plastic adapted for mounting on a building wall and including a body and a peripheral flange, the improvement which comprises a corner reinforcing and mounting block, nested and secured within the internal corners of the shutter and secured thereto. Each corner block includes a honeycomb base and a pheripheral flange. The base defines a series of apertures to selectively receive a fastener which extends through the shutter corner, through an aperture in the corner block and into said wall.

Abstract: Wall paneling includes a pair of corner panels, a center panel, and pair of end panels, each of a molded unit construction. The corner panels have a pair of right-angular walls and the other panels are flat. Each of the end and center panels have upright marginal enlargements terminating in edge flanges. The inner enlargement of the end panels and both enlargements of the center panel adjustably overlap and receive therein a corresponding portion of a wall of a corner panel and are coplanar therewith respectively. The end panels extend at right angles to the center panels. Adhesive is interposed between the overlapped portions of the end and center panels and corresponding corner panel. Said paneling may be used for covering the end and back walls of tub enclosures.

Abstract: Wall paneling includes a pair of corner panels, a center panel, and a pair of end panels, each of a molded unit construction. The corner panels have a pair of right-angular walls and the other panels are flat. Each of the end and center panels have upright marginal enlargements terminating in edge flanges. The inner enlargement of the end panels and both enlargements of the center panel adjustably overlap and receive therein a corresponding portion of a wall of a corner panel and are coplaner therewith respectively. The end panels extend at right angles to the center panels. Adhesive is interposed between the overlapped portions of the end and center panels and corresponding corner panel. Said paneling may be used for covering the end and back walls of tub enclosures.

Abstract: A screen assembly comprises a hollow or semi-hollow frame with interconnected side and end sections. Each section has a hollow channel portion terminating in a continuous screen ledge intermediate its opposite sides providing a peripheral support. A series of longitudinally spaced projections extend from said ledge adapted to retainingly engage and extend through peripheral portions of a screen spanning said frame and bearing upon said screen ledge. A removable apertured strip overlies said screen and said screen ledge retainingly engaging said projections and screen. A continuous glass support ledge is laterally displaced and extends from the screen ledge, and is adapted to alternately support a glass defining a storm window; said strip overlying and retainingly engaging said glass.