PLATE FOR CONCEALING AN INLET OF AN OVERFLOW PIPE IN A BATHTUB
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.
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 INVENTIONOverflow 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 (
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 INVENTIONIn 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,
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:
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.
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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.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2013
Publication Date: Aug 14, 2014
Inventor: Frank H. Gay (Orlando, FL)
Application Number: 13/764,861
International Classification: E03C 1/244 (20060101);