Sanitary fixture proxy
The present invention provides methods and devices for protecting sanitary fixtures such as bathtubs and sinks during new construction. The methods and devices generally include pre-installing a sanitary fixture proxy that allows plumbing hookups to be performed before the sanitary fixture is installed. By allowing the basic plumbing process to be performed before the fixture is in place, the number of fixtures damaged during construction is greatly reduced.
The field of the invention is sanitary fixtures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDuring the course of construction on houses it is common for the contractors to damage sanitary fixtures, particularly bathtubs. One reason why bathtubs get damaged is because they are typically installed early in the construction process and thereafter subjected to abuse by contractors. Plumbing is a relatively early step and in order for plumbing to be done, the fixtures need to be in place. Fixtures having porcelain, acrylic, and other surfaces are easily damaged by heavy tools being dropped on them, building materials and other equipment being stored in them, and waste material being dumped in them.
Many types of covers and liners have been employed to protect fixtures, albeit with a modicum of success. U.S. Pat. No. 2,119,210 to Hall (May 1938) teaches a bathtub cover in which part of the cover is removed after construction and part of the cover remains. A problem with this type of cover, however, is that it requires extra work on the part of contractors. First, the non-removable portion must be fastened to rough framing, and then some time later, the removable portion of the cover must be removed. Not only that, the seam between the removable and non-removable portions will have to be covered after the removable portion is removed.
Another type of removable protective cover is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,460,167 to Benjamin (August 1969). The '167 patent describes a cover made of a, presumably light, flexible sheet of plastic. Because the cover overlays the tub, there remains, however, the possibility that the tub will still be damaged. U.S. Pat. No. 2,642,580 to Gibb (June 1953) addresses that problem by teaching a heavy protective cover constructed of plywood or sheet metal pieces connected by hinges. While this type of cover may have provided improved protection to a tub, tubs could still get damaged, and moreover, such covers are heavy, cumbersome to install and remove, and problematic to dispose of.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,970,733, 5,009,059, and 5,037,363, all to Cocciadiferro et al. in the early 90's, address methods and devices for protecting the finish on a sanitary fixture. These patents involve installing a removable protective covering over substantially all the finished surfaces of a sanitary fixture, prior to delivering the fixture to the installation site. Again, damage to a tub remains possible and additional damage may be caused by the cover itself rubbing on the tub during transportation.
While most tub covers involve removable liners that are placed over a tub, the tub cover described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,419,801 to Uphues (April 1947) is an ornamental enclosure that is not removed once a tub is installed. Instead, the tub is placed within the ornamental enclosure and the enclosure provides at least some degree of protection. This solution, however, has its problems too. First, there is additional cost and effort associated with providing an ornamental enclosure. Second, the tub enclosure of the '801 patent is likely to inhibit the process of plumbing the tub.
There is a need for methods and devices that can make it cost effective to replace or modify existing systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides methods and devices for protecting sanitary fixtures such as bathtubs and sinks during new construction. The methods and devices generally include pre-installing a sanitary fixture proxy that allows plumbing hookups to be performed before the sanitary fixture is installed. By allowing the basic plumbing process to be performed without the fixture in place, the number of fixtures damaged during construction is greatly reduced.
Other aspects include an installed sanitary fixture assembly comprising a pre-installed sanitary fixture proxy having at least one pre-installed pipe fitting coupling the sanitary fixture proxy with a sanitary fixture.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring first to
A sanitary fixture proxy (sometimes referred to herein as just the “proxy”) is a functional stand-in or a replacement for a sanitary fixture (sometimes referred to herein as just the “fixture”) during construction (i.e. new construction). Although depicted in the figures as a proxy for a bathtub, a proxy can be used for a sink, a toilet, a bidet, or any other fixture that can be easily damaged during construction. A proxy performs certain functions of the fixture that it temporarily replaces. For example, a proxy receives pipes for hot and cold water and receives a drain pipe. A proxy also simulates the associated fixture's position with relation to the walls and floors. A contractor is therefore able to finish walls and flooring without the need to have the fixture in place. Though a proxy is temporary replacement, a proxy is permanently installed. Permanently installed means that the proxy is not removed when the fixture is installed. Moreover, in order to remove the proxy, the fixture would have to be removed and the proxy would have to be decoupled from the plumbing.
The body of the tub proxy 100 consists of an upper deck 110, an apron 120, and a recessed bathing area 160, all of which are constructed of a polished thermoplastic or acrylic. An advantageous proxy is formed from a mold in most cases, however, it should be recognized that a proxy may be made of non-molded materials including materials that are not susceptible to holding water (e.g. plywood).
The upper deck 110 provides support for a similarly situated upper deck of the fixture. In
Drain 150 is also a dual sided coupling that connects on one end to a pipe that drains to a sewer of septic tank and on the other end to a pipe that connects to the drain of the sanitary fixture. Such connections should be substantially water tight and may utilize various o-rings, gaskets, and other sealing methods and devices.
The shape of a proxy is preferred to approximate that of the fixture for which it is the proxy. In other words, the proxy of a tub is shaped like the tub, the proxy of a sink is shaped like a sink, and so on. This is so because a proxy that closely approximates its associated fixture is contemplated to provide relatively more support than another shape. The approximation of the fixture, however, is not a requirement, and a proxy's shape and size can therefore have little or no resemblance to its associated fixture. A proxy is generally sized and dimensioned to be substantially enclosed or completely covered by a fixture so that none of the proxy is visible once the fixture is in place.
Referring now to
The proxy is preinstalled before installing the sanitary fixture. Preinstalled as used herein means installation before the actual fixture is installed. Thus, a preinstalled proxy means that the proxy is put in place and connected to plumbing before the fixture, and a preinstalled pipe fitting means that the pipe fitting is in place before the fixture is installed. The order of installation is important because protection of a fixture is dependent upon installation of a proxy in the early stages of construction and subsequent installation of a fixture after the possibility of damage has been minimized.
In
Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a sanitary fixture proxy have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
Claims
1. A method of protecting a sanitary fixture during home construction, comprising:
- providing a sanitary fixture proxy having at least one preinstalled pipe fitting;
- permanently installing the sanitary fixture proxy prior to installing the sanitary fixture; and
- installing the sanitary fixture over the sanitary fixture proxy.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of permanently installing the sanitary fixture proxy further comprises a step of plumbing the sanitary fixture proxy.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising a step of plumbing the sanitary fixture by connecting to the sanitary fixture proxy.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sanitary fixture is a bathtub.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sanitary fixture is a sink.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sanitary fixture proxy approximates a size and shape of the sanitary fixture.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of installing further comprises substantially enclosing the proxy with the fixture.
8. A method of protecting a sanitary fixture, comprising:
- installing a non-removable sanitary fixture proxy prior to installing a sanitary fixture.
9. A sanitary fixture assembly for use during home construction, comprising:
- a preinstalled sanitary fixture proxy having at least one preinstalled pipe fitting coupling the sanitary fixture proxy to a sanitary fixture.
10. The sanitary fixture assembly of claim 9, further comprising a silicone layer between substantially all contacting surfaces of the proxy and the fixture.
11. The sanitary fixture assembly of claim 9, wherein the proxy is at least partially comprised of a thermoplastic.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 25, 2003
Publication Date: May 11, 2006
Inventor: Kenny Roberts Jr. (Medina, OH)
Application Number: 10/513,980
International Classification: A47K 3/16 (20060101); A47K 3/00 (20060101);