Full Bathtub Overflow Stopper and Bubble Bath Diffuser
Described is a device and method for blocking or impeding the flow of fluid through the overflow drain of a bathtub. A device may include a stopper configured to wrap around the lower/underside of a variety of shaped overflow drain cover plate(s) and be removably held in place by a suction cups attached to the bathtub wall on either side of the overflow cover plate. The device takes the form of a stopper comprised of a flexible, elongated body of cloth material configured to cover the overflow opening. The same device may also be used as a method for diffusing bubble bath as a bathtub fills with water by pouring bubble bath onto the center of the body of the device, attaching the suction cups to a variety of designed faucets and placing the flexible, elongated body into the flow of the water thereby creating a churning of the water as the bubble bath mixes with the water flowing into the bathtub.
This nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefit of one prior filed provisional application: No. 61108377 submitted Oct. 24, 2008 by inventor Jennifer K. Brooks.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTThis invention was not made under a federally sponsored research and development and therefore, the inventor claims all rights to the invention.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIXNot applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis document relates generally to an invention for blocking or impeding the flow of water through an overflow drain of a bathtub.
Most bathtubs have a drain system which includes an overflow drain located on the wall of the tub, usually 4-8 inches from the top edge of the bathtub. The overflow opening acts to receive water above a certain height in the tub to prevent the overflow of water from the bathtub's edge. Typically, the overflow opening cover is equipped with cut-outs on its lower periphery that allow entrance of overflow water into the overflow opening. By draining water above a height set by the location of the cut-outs on the cover, the bathtub is prevented from overflowing.
Some people (having different shapes, sizes and needs) prefer to take a bath in a nearly full bathtub, with the water level above the overflow openings, and accordingly desire to block the overflow drain.
This document also relates to an additional use of the invention for diffusing bubble bath through the water flowing out of the faucet and into the bathtub and therefore, creating more bubbles.
Some faucets are high above the bathtub or the water does not have enough pressure to churn the water enough to create lots of bubbles. Once the bathtub's water level is above the floor surface of the bathtub there is only the water pressure to churn the bubble bath and so few additional bubbles are created thereafter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is a device of blocking or impeding the flow of water through the lower opening of the overflow drain of a bathtub. The device may include a elongated bodied, cloth material stopper to be removably held in place by suction cups on each side of the overflow drain.
The body of the invention may be one of a elongated body. The elongated body comprises the stopper. The stopper may be formed of cloth material. At the ends of each elongated body may be a suction cup internally attached to the elongated body.
The invention is a method for blocking or impeding the flow of water through the overflow drain opening of the bathtub, the overflow drain comprising an overflow drain opening in a wall of a bathtub and a cover plate over the overflow drain opening, the cover plate comprising at least one overflow opening in one of an annular skirt and a domed portion. The method of using the device may include wrapping the elongated bodied, cloth material stopper around the lower front portion of the overflow drain's cover plate and removably securing in place with the suction cups to the side of the bathtub next to the overflow drain.
The invention is a device for diffusing bubble bath while filling a bathtub with water. The device may include an elongated bodied, cloth material diffuser removably secured by suction cups to each side of the faucet.
The invention is a method for diffusing bubble bath while filling a bathtub with water. The method of using the device may include applying bubble bath to the middle of the elongated bodied, cloth material diffuser, turning on the water, removably securing the suction cups to either side of the faucet and lowering the elongated bodied, cloth material diffuser into the stream of water.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.
The first embodiment of the invention is directed towards a bathtub assembly for increasing a capacity of the bathtub. The bathtub assembly includes a plate covering a drain opening in the tub except for the at least one overflow opening in the lower portion thereof. The elongated, flexible body of the invention acts as a sealing member when engaged to the underside of the lower portion of the cover plate overflow opening and attached to the wall of the bathtub of either side of the cover plate. When engaged to the plate, the stopper portion of the invention prevents or impedes fluid from exiting the tub through the drain opening. The invention can be quickly engaged and disengaged from the plate and does not protrude into the bathing area of the tub.
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The implementations and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical applications and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. Accordingly, any components of the present invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible components and not as a limitation. Similarly, any steps or sequence of steps of the methods of the present invention indicated herein are given as examples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations.
Claims
1. A device for blocking or impeding the flow of water through at least one overflow opening of a bathtub with the device comprising: a stopper made to be removably held in place by a suction cup attachment, the stopper comprising a body configured to cover at least one overflow opening.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is one of an elongated body.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the elongated body is comprised of washable, cloth material.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the suction cup attachment is a tack enclosed in each free end of the elongated body of claim 2 and a suction cup attached to an external portion of the tack.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopper is formed of a material which absorbs water and stops or impedes the flow of said water through at least one opening of the overflow drain.
6. A method for blocking or impeding the flow of water through an overflow drain, the overflow drain comprising an overflow drain opening in a wall of a bathtub and a cover plate over the overflow drain opening, the cover plate comprising at least one overflow opening in one of an annular skirt and a domed portion, the method comprising: covering the at least one overflow opening with a stopper; and removably holding the stopper in place by a suction cup attachment to either side of the overflow drain cover plate.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein covering the at least one overflow opening comprises covering the at least one overflow opening with a stopper having a flexible, elongated body of cloth material removably held in place by a suction cup attachment comprised of an enclosed tack and a suction cup attached to external portion of the tack.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising securing the stopper with the suction cups on either side of the overflow drain cover plate.
9. A device for diffusing bubble bath while filling a bathtub with water with the device comprising a diffuser body made to be removably held in place by a suction cup attachment.
10. The device of claim 10, wherein the body is one of an elongated body.
11. The device of claim 11, wherein the elongated body is comprised of washable, cloth material.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 23, 2009
Publication Date: May 6, 2010
Inventor: Jennifer Katherine Brooks (Canton, GA)
Application Number: 12/605,182
International Classification: E03C 1/244 (20060101);