PLATE FOR CONCEALING AN INLET OF AN OVERFLOW PIPE IN A BATHTUB

Abstract

A plate is provided for concealing an inlet of an overflow pipe in a bathtub. The plate includes a flange extending along a first portion of a perimeter of a back surface of the plate and not extending along a second portion of the perimeter, such that an opening is provided between the second portion of the perimeter and a surface of the bathtub. The second portion of the perimeter is dimensioned so the overflow water is capable of passing through the opening. The plate farther includes a plurality of inclined surfaces to define a plurality of slots where each slot is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to a normal direction to obstruct a view of the surface of the bathtub through the plate. The inclined surfaces are arranged such that the slots accommodate an air flow through the plate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bathtubs, and more particularly, to a plate for concealing an inlet of an overflow pipe in a bathtub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Overflow plates are provided in bathtubs, to conceal a surface of the bathtub behind the overflow plate and to prevent water in the bathtub from rising above a threshold level when a user is taking a bath and thereby prevent an overflow of water. The overflow plate directs water which exceeds this threshold level into an overflow pipe, so that the water does not overflow from the rim of the bathtub. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0204468 to Gunn discloses such an overflow plate 20 (FIG. 3) with overflow openings 40, 42 through which overflow water is received to be directed into an overflow pipe. The overflow plate 20 also features apertures 46, 48, 54 for passing fasteners to secure the overflow plate 20 to the bathtub surface. Although Gunn discloses a conventional overflow plate, this plate has inherent shortcomings, such as having openings through which an unsightly buildup of mold may be visible on the bathtub surface behind the overflow plate.

Other conventional overflow plates have been designed, such as an overflow plate 8 in U.S. Pat. No. 2,113,043 to Ehrhorn. As with the overflow plate disclosed in Gunn, the overflow plate disclosed in Ehrhorn has inherent shortcomings, such as openings 14 in the overflow plate 8 through which the unsightly buildup of mold may also be visible on the bathtub surface behind the overflow plate.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an overflow plate for a bathtub which conceals the buildup of mold on the surface of the bathtub behind the overflow plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a plate is provided for concealing an inlet of an overflow pipe in a bathtub. The plate includes a flange extending along a first portion of a perimeter of a back surface of the plate and not extending along a second portion of the perimeter of the back surface, such that an opening is provided between the second portion of the perimeter and a surface of the bathtub when the plate is mounted to the surface of the bathtub, The second portion of the perimeter is dimensioned such that the overflow water is capable of passing through the opening and through the inlet of the overflow pipe. The plate further includes a plurality of inclined surfaces within the plate to define a plurality of slots where each slot is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to a normal direction to an outer surface of the plate to obstruct a view of the surface of the bathtub or the pipe inlet behind the plate. The inclined surfaces are arranged such that the slots accommodate an air flow through the plate.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a plate is provided including a flange extending along a first portion of a perimeter of a back surface of the plate and not extending along a second portion of the perimeter of the back surface. The plate is capable of forming an opening between the second portion of the perimeter and a bathtub surface. The plate further includes a plurality of inclined surfaces within the plate to define a plurality of slots between the inclined surfaces where each slot is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to a normal direction to an outer surface of the plate to obstruct a view through the plate, and the inclined surfaces are arranged such that the slots accommodate an air flow through the plate.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is presented for providing a plate to conceal an inlet of an overflow pipe in a bathtub. The method includes extending a flange around a first portion of a perimeter of a back surface of the plate, such that the flange does not extend around a second portion of the perimeter of the back surface of the plate, and such that an opening is capable of being formed between the second portion of the perimeter and a surface of the bathtub. The method further includes forming a plurality of inclined surfaces in the plate to define a plurality of slots between the inclined surfaces, where each slot is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to a normal direction to an outer surface of the plate to obstruct a view through the plate and the inclined surfaces are arranged such that the slots accommodate an air flow through the plate,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a plate mounted to a surface of a bathtub according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the plate illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the plate illustrated in FIG, 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the plate illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the plate illustrated in FIG. I;

FIG. 6A is a front plan view of an alternate plate to be mounted to the surface of the bathtub illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a front plan view of an alternate plate to be mounted to the surface of the bathtub illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for providing a plate to conceal an inlet of an overflow pipe in a bathtub according o the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing particular features of different embodiments of the present invention, number references will be utilized in relation to the figures accompanying the specification. Similar or identical number references in different figures may be utilized to indicate similar or identical components among different embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plate 10 for concealing an inlet 12 of an overflow pipe 14 in a bathtub 16. The overflow pipe 14 may be L-shaped behind a surface 28 of the bathtub 16. Although FIG. 1 depicts that the plate 10 is mounted to the surface 28 of a bathtub 16, the plate 10 is not limited to this application and may be mounted to the surface of any container which holds liquid and includes an overflow pipe to prevent an overflow of liquid from a top of the container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back surface 22 of the plate 10, which includes a flange 18 extending along a first portion 20 or upper portion of a perimeter of the back surface 22 and does not extend along a second portion 24 or a lower portion of the perimeter of the back surface 22, such that an opening 26 (FIG. 1) is provided between the second portion 24 of the perimeter and a surface 28 of the bathtub 16 when the plate 10 is mounted to the surface 28 of the bathtub 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a pair of prongs 58 extends from the second portion 24 of the perimeter across the opening 26 to engage the surface 28 of the bathtub 16, while allowing overflow water 30 to pass up behind the plate 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second portion 24 of the perimeter is dimensioned such that the opening 26 allows overflow water 30 in the bathtub 16 to pass behind the plate 10 and through the inlet 12 of the overflow pipe 16.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the plate 10 includes inclined surfaces 32 within the plate 10 to define slots 34, where each slot 34 is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces 32. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the inclined surfaces 32 are disposed at an angle 36 relative to a normal direction 38 to an outer surface 40 of the plate 10, to obstruct any practical line of sight through the plate 10, and thus conceal the surface 28 of the bathtub 16 behind the plate 10. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the inclined surfaces 32 are disposed at the angle 36 to obstruct a line of sight 41 that is parallel to the normal direction 38. Additionally, the inclined surfaces 32 disposed at the angle 36 are configured to obstruct all other practical lines of sight of a user in the bathtub 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle 36 is in a range between 25 and 45 degrees, and more specifically is 35 degrees, for example. However, the angle 36 is not limited to this exemplary range, and may be any angle, provided that the line of sight 41 through the plate 10 is obstructed. Furthermore, although FIGS. 3-4 illustrate that the inclined surfaces 32 are aligned in a downward orientation (toward a base of the plate), the inclined surfaces and slots may be disposed in any orientation (vertical, horizontal, diagonally, etc.) and the inclined. surfaces will obstruct a view of the overflow pipe 14 and the bathtub surface 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inclined surfaces 32 are arranged so that the slots 34 accommodate an air flow 42 from outside the plate 10 to within the plate 10, as the overflow water 30 is passed up between the plate 10 and the bathtub surface 28. As the overflow water 30 passes up between the plate 10 and the bathtub surface 28, the flow rate of overflow water 30 between the plate 10 and the bathtub surface 28 is accommodated by the air flow 42 through the slots 34. Thus, the air flow 42 from outside the plate 10 to within the plate 10 maximizes the flow rate of overflow water 30 between the plate 10 and the bathtub surface 28 and out through the overflow pipe 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plate 10 includes a first group 44 of the inclined surfaces 32 and the slots 34 of the plate 10 which extend from a first side 46 to a second side 48 of the plate 10. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plate 10 includes a second group 56 of the inclined surfaces 32 and the slots 34 of the plate 10 Which extend between a first fastener opening 50 and a second fastener opening 50 in the plate 10. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a pair of fasteners 52 are provided, that are configured to pass through the fastener openings 50 in the plate 10 and into a pair of respective openings 54 in the bathtub surface 28, to secure the plate 10 the bathtub 16. Although FIG. 3 depicts that the plate 10 includes two fastener openings 50, the plate design is not limited to this arrangement and may have one fastener opening or more than two fastener openings, as discussed below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the plate 10, at an angle in line with the inclined surfaces 32 and the slots 34, so that the area behind the plate 10 is visible and the slots 34 do not obstruct a line of sight through the plate 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4, When the plate 10 is mounted to the surface 28 of the bathtub 16, the line of sight 41 of a user in the bathtub 16 will be obstructed by the inclined surfaces 32 and thus the user will not be able to see through the slots 34, in the manner depicted in FIG. 5.

Although the plate 10 discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 has a square face (with rounded edges) and a pair of fastener openings 50, the plate design is not limited to this design. FIG. 6A illustrates an alternate embodiment of a plate 10′ with a circular face that includes inclined surfaces 32′ within the plate 10′ to define slots 34′, where each slot 34′ is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces 32′. The plate 10′ includes a first group 44′ of the inclined surfaces 32′ and the slots 34′ of the plate 10′ which extend from a first side 46′ to a second side 48′ of the plate 10′. Additionally, the length of the inclined surfaces 32′ and the slots 34′ increase from an end 33′ of the plate 10′ toward the center of the plate 10′. Although the plate 10′ of FIG. 6A is illustrated as being mounted to the bathtub surface 28 such that the inclined surfaces 32′ and slots 34′ are horizontally oriented, the plate 10′ may be structured such that the inclined surfaces 32′ and slots 34′ are vertically or diagonally oriented, provided that the flange 18 extends along the first portion 20 of the back surface 22 perimeter and does not extend along the second portion 24 of the back surface 22 perimeter, such that the opening 26 is provided between the second portion 24 of the perimeter and the bathtub surface 28. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the plate 10′ includes a second group 56′ of the inclined surfaces 32′ and the slots 34′ of the plate 10′ which extend between a fastener opening 50′ and a first or second side 46′, 48′ of the plate 10′. FIG. 6B illustrates an alternate embodiment of a plate 10″ with a square face (with rounded edges) that features three fastener openings 50″ and inclined surfaces 32″ and slots 34″ between each of the openings 50″. Those elements of the plates 10′, 10″, illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and not discussed herein, are similar to the equivalent-numbered elements of the plate 10 discussed above, without prime notation, and require no further discussion herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method 100 for providing the plate 10 to conceal the inlet 12 of the overflow pipe 14 in the bathtub 16. The method 100 begins at 101 by extending 102 the flange 18 along the first portion 20 of the perimeter of the back surface 22 of the plate 10, such that the flange 18 does not extend along the second portion 24 of the perimeter of the back surface 22 of the plate 10, and such that the opening 26 is capable of being formed between the second portion 24 of the perimeter and the surface 28 of the bathtub 16. The method 100 further includes forming 104 inclined surfaces 32 in the plate 10 to define slots 34 between the inclined surfaces 32, where each slot 34 is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces 32. The inclined surfaces 32 are disposed at the angle 36 relative to the normal direction 38 to the outer surface 40 of the plate 10 to obstruct a line of sight 41 through the plate 10. The inclined surfaces 32 are arranged such that the slots 34 accommodate an air flow 42 through the plate 10.

This written description uses examples to disclose embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments of the invention. The patentable scope of the embodiments of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A plate for concealing an inlet of an overflow pipe in a bathtub, said plate comprising:

a flange extending along a first portion of a perimeter of a back surface of the plate and not extending along a second portion of the perimeter of the back surface, such that an opening is provided between the second portion of the perimeter and a surface of the bathtub when the plate is mounted to the surface of the bathtub, said second portion of the perimeter is dimensioned such that the overflow water is capable of passing through the opening and through the inlet of the overflow pipe; and

a plurality of inclined surfaces within the plate to define a plurality of slots where each slot is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces, said inclined surfaces being disposed at an angle relative to a normal direction to an outer surface of the plate to obstruct a view of the surface of the bathtub or the pipe inlet behind the plate, said inclined surfaces being arranged such that the slots accommodate an air flow through the plate.

2. The plate of claim 1, wherein a first group of the inclined surfaces of the plate and the plurality of slots extend from a first side to a second side of the plate.

3. The plate of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one fastener opening in the plate, Wherein said at least one fastener opening is configured to receive at least one fastener, to secure the plate to the bathtub.

4. The plate of claim 3, wherein a second group of the inclined surfaces of the plate and the plurality of slots extend between a first fastener opening and a second fastener opening in the plate.

5. The plate of claim 1, further comprising at least one prong extending from the second portion of the perimeter across the opening to engage the surface of the bathtub.

6. The plate of claim 1, wherein the inclined surfaces and the slots are disposed at an angle between 25 and 45 degrees relative to the normal direction.

7. The plate of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the perimeter is in an upper portion of the back surface of the plate and the second portion of the perimeter is in a lower portion of the back surface of the plate such that the opening is provided between the lower portion of the back surface of the plate and the surface of the bathtub.

8. A plate comprising:

a flange extending along a first portion of a perimeter of a back surface of the plate and not extending along a second portion of the perimeter of the back surface, such that the plate is capable of forming an opening between the second portion of the perimeter and a bathtub surface; and

a plurality of inclined surfaces within the plate to define a plurality of slots between the inclined surfaces where each slot is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces, said inclined surfaces being disposed at an angle relative to a normal direction to an outer surface of the plate to obstruct a view through the plate, and said inclined surfaces being arranged such that the slots accommodate an air flow through the plate.

9. The plate of claim 8, wherein a first group of the inclined surfaces of the plate and the plurality of slots extend from a first side to a second side of the plate.

10. The plate of claim 8, further comprising:

at least one fastener opening in the plate, wherein said at least one fastener opening is configured to receive at least one fastener, to secure the plate to the bathtub.

11. The plate of claim 10, wherein a second group of the inclined surfaces of the plate and the plurality of slots extend between a fastener opening and a first side or a second side of the plate.

12. The plate of claim 8, further comprising at least one prong extending from the second portion of the perimeter across the opening, said at least one prong being capable of engaging the bathtub surface.

13. The plate of claim 8, wherein the inclined surfaces and the slots are disposed at an angle between 25 and 45 degrees relative to the normal direction.

14. The plate of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the perimeter is in an upper portion of the back surface of the plate and the second portion of the perimeter is in a lower portion of the back surface such that the plate is capable of forming the opening between the lower portion of the back surface and the bathtub surface.

15. A method for providing a plate to conceal an inlet of an overflow pipe in a bathtub, said method comprising:

extending a flange around a first portion of a perimeter of a back surface of the plate, such that the flange does not extend around a second portion of the perimeter of the back surface of the plate, such that an opening is capable of being formed between the second portion of the perimeter and a surface of the bathtub; and

forming a plurality of inclined surfaces in the plate to define a plurality of slots between the inclined surfaces, where each slot is disposed between consecutive inclined surfaces, said inclined surfaces being disposed at an angle relative to a normal direction to an outer surface of the plate to obstruct a view through the plate and said inclined surfaces being arranged such that the slots accommodate an air flow through the plate.