Abstract: A support member for a bathtub comprises a base and a plurality of flexible elements. The base includes an upper surface configured to be coupled to a bathtub. The plurality of flexible elements extend laterally outward from a side of the base and are configured to engage a lower portion of the bathtub.

Abstract: A hydromassaging bathtub is formed by molding an outer shell having an outer finished surface with an acrylic component therein and a plurality of air jets forming through holes, and an inner reinforcing support shell having channels molded in at least some of the inner side walls thereof. The inner shell has floor supports molded in a bottom wall thereof. The outer shell is bonded in the inner shell with the channels sealingly bonded about the plurality of air jet forming through holes. The method comprises stacking the similar shells together for shipping to an assembling and distribution site and for storage whereby to provide several commercial advantages in the manufacture and distribution of the bathtubs.

Abstract: A system for providing an in-ground installation of a portable spa using a Spa Vault assembly.

Abstract: A bathtub rim assembly is disclosed that includes a support structure that is capable of engaging a rim of a bathtub to prevent substantial deformation and damage to a cantilevered ledge of the bathtub. The rim assembly further includes a skirt that obscures the support structure to maintain a unitary appearance of the overall bathtub assembly.

Abstract: A support structure for a spa includes a plastic base member which has an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion which are spaced apart. The base member defines a base pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a substantial portion of the base member. A pair of plastic side members and a pair of plastic end members are attached to the base member. The side members and the end members each have an inside wall portion and an outside wall portion which are also spaced apart which define a wall pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a portion of each of these members. The base member, side members and end members form a support structure adapted to receive and support a spa shell. Any type of insulating material may be placed into the insulating pockets of space. Accessory devices in the form of towel warmers and fold away steps are provided in openings in the support structure.

Abstract: Polymeric plumbing fixtures such as sinks, lavatories and tubs are disclosed that comprise a thermoformed or molded interior shell having a top side with a relatively smooth, polymeric surface; a polymeric reinforcing layer bonded to the underside of the shell; and a thermoformed or polymeric cap nestably engageable with the underside of the reinforced shell. The cap cooperates with the shell to encapsulate the reinforcing layer and the reinforcing layer bonds the cap the shell to form a unitary structure. The polymeric cap thereby provides an attractive, finished surface on the underside of the resultant fixture. The structural configuration disclosed herein is particularly preferred for use in making kitchen sinks. A method for making the subject fixtures is also disclosed.

Abstract: A curvilinear spa frame apparatus and method that provides support to a curvilinear spa shell design, including a frame comprising a top curvilinear rail, a bottom curvilinear rail, and one or more box sections aligned to be within the confines of the curvilinear spa shell providing stiffness for the completed frame. The box sections can include sheets that align with corresponding notches in the curvilinear spa frame increasing rigidity and facilitating alignment of the spa frame components during assembly.

Abstract: A hydrotherapy pool comprising an enclosure for receiving a patient and for holding a quantity of liquid sufficient for immersing the patient so that the patient receives hydrotherapy, the enclosure having a plurality of openings for facilitating entry and exit from the enclosure; a removable door for each opening; a water tight seal for each door for sealing the door to the enclosure so that water does not leak from the enclosure; and a filling and draining system for filling and draining the enclosure of water. A seating area at a first end of the pool. The pool may have three doors, the doors being disposed with respect to the patient when seated in the seating area facing the patient, to the right of the patient, and to the left of the patient.

Abstract: A sanitary device comprises a tub (2) arranged on feet (1), and a tub encasement (3). The tub encasement (3) takes the form of a supporting construction having a structure made up of panels. At least the panels (4) visible from inside a room consist of a hard integral polyurethane foam material and have a decorative coating.

Abstract: A spa construction wherein a spa shell is supported and reinforced by a matrix of interlocking horizontal and vertical members attached to a base grid. The matrix supports the spa shell through contact with only two regions of the spa—namely the bar top and footwell areas. The construction eliminates the necessity to encase the shell in structural foam and facilitates ready access to spa plumbing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mold inserts suitable for use with thermoformable sheets made of poly(methyl) methacrylate and other thermoplastic sheet material. The inserts become an integrated part of the thermoformed product, and are characterized by having at least one removable portion or plug. The plug(s) are removed during the thermoforming process, and allow the thermoformed sheet material to shrink without creating undesirable levels of stress in the sheet material. This prevents cracking or other failure of the sheet material.

Abstract: A bathtub for the elderly or physically infirm includes several important innovations, namely a narrow front wall at one end of the bathtub permitting easy access to the bathtub, a wide front platform at the other end of the bathtub, and a plurality of sockets in the top wall of the bathtub for mounting accessories on the bathtub. The accessories include a railing extending around the ends and rear of the bathtub, with a headrest at one end of the railing, an inverted U-tube for mounting proximate the center of the bathtub for use when entering or exiting the bathtub, a seat assembly which can be fixed in one position extending transversely of the bathtub or rotated outwardly to a non-use position, and a backrest for releasable mounting on the seat assembly, so that the seat assembly and the backrest can form a compact unit for storage under the platform.

Abstract: A bathtub comprising a bathtub body having two rows of spaced join posts at two lengthwise opposite edges of the bottom reinforced with crossing ribs, locating feet standing on the floor of a bathroom and fitting with the join posts of the bathtub body for supporting the bathtub body, a protective plate fixed vertically beside the lengthwise side of the bathtub body and having fixing posts fitting with locking tubes with which sidewise posts provided on the locating feet also fits so that the bathtub body may be positioned firmly, with hollow space under it being for easy affix of a drain tube with thee bathtub body.

Abstract: A molded article and the mold for making molded articles are disclosed. The molded article is a sanitary fixture, such as a whirlpool bathtub. The molded article comprises a rigid shell having a finish side and a non-finish side. A rigid material is coated on the rigid shell and integrally forms a leveling base on the bottom side of the rigid shell. Mounting pockets for attaching an apron and mounting areas for attaching a whirlpool motor may also be integrally formed in the rigid material coated on the rigid shell. The mold for manufacturing includes a plurality of cavities for forming leveling runners on the bottom side of the molded article. Additional cavities may be included in the mold for forming mounting areas and mounting pockets on the molded article.

Abstract: A bathtub apron system for use with either one of two differently shaped bathtubs. The bathtub apron system includes an apron having an essentially planar central section with first and second ends, and inwardly rounded sections extending respectively from the first and second ends of the central section. Outwardly rounded sections extend from the ends of the inwardly rounded sections to form the opposing outer edges of the apron. The outwardly rounded sections are removable at a predetermined position from the inwardly rounded sections to form a second shaped apron sized to fit a second shaped bathtub.

Abstract: A spacer for positioning between the underside of a water catchment basin, such as a bathtub or shower pan is disclosed. The upper surface of the spacer is contoured so as to receivingly engage the underside of the basin and has a thickness dimension so as to maintain the underside of the basin a fixed distance above a horizontal plane, such as a floor. The spacer may be affixed to the underside of the basin at the time of construction or alternatively, separately suppled for field use at the time the basin is installed. If the perimeter of the spacer corresponds to the smallest interior dimension of the basin, identical basins with identical spacers attached thereto can be stacked one on top of the other for shipping purposes. The spacer can also be provided with channel or cavity sections which facilitate the placement therein of air or water supply conduit for the basin, if desired.

Abstract: A reinforcing device for a bathtub consists of a bathtub body and a reinforcing base. The bathtub body has four feet beneath the bottom of the bathtub body. The reinforcing base has four basic holes corresponding to the four feet of the bathtub body. The four feet of the bathtub body are capable of being, respectively, inserted into the four basic holes of the reinforcing base. Each foot of the bathtub body and each basic hole of the reinforcing base are screwed up by a screw member, by which the reinforcing base is capable of being fastened with the bathtub body so as to increase the bearing strength and the durability of the bathtub body.

Abstract: For use with a building interior recess construction, such as, a stud pocket, a bathtub and alcove construction wherein there is provided a bathtub, and a back panel and a pair of side panels comprising a surround for said bathtub. First clip members are provided for fixedly engaging the bathtub to adjacent portions of the recess construction; and with there being second clip members also engaging said bathtub for cooperating with retainer elements carried on the back panel to assure of appropriate disposition of the developed surround with respect to the bathtub. The back panel contains at opposite ends forwardly directed, relatively shallow corner portions, each of which is provided with a vertically extending groove. Each side panel along one edge portion is provided with a tongue-like flange dimensioned for reliable and snug reception with the adjacent groove of the back panel.

Abstract: A collapsible bathtub adapted for placement on top of a mattress employs a horizontal flexible plastic rectangular sheet having two opposite sides and two opposite ends. First and second flexible plastic parallel side walls are integral with the sheet, each side wall having a collapsed position at which it is essentially coplanar with the sheet, each side wall having an erect position at which it extends vertically upwards from a corresponding one of the two sides of the sheet; First and second flexible plastic end walls disposed at right angles to said side walls are integral with said sheet.

Abstract: A floor support for a plastic bathtub has a top panel and integral ribs injected molded from PVC plastic. The panel has an upper contoured surface which matches the contour of the underside surface of the plastic bathtub. The depending support ribs provide for structural support and for seating legs which elevate the support above floor level. The top panel has a drain support section with an aperture therethrough to align with the aperture through the floor of the bathtub and provides a seat for the drain pipe. The floor support is solvent welded to the underside of the plastic bathtub to provide for a durable, rigid and lightweight tub.

Abstract: A tub assembly is provided wherein a bathtub assembly comprised of a bowl section having an apron extending downwardly therefrom and a pivotally mounted apron brace releasably secured to the bottom of the bowl in a first position to permit nestable stacking of one tub assembly within another for shipping and rigidly securable in a second position to provide lateral support to the apron.

Abstract: A bathtub comprising a body having an insulated interior, preferably wood or pressed wood fibers bonded together by a suitable adhesive, an exposed exterior covering of fiberglass, plastic or the like with a non-skid impervious surface. The body comprises a uniquely configurated concavity or well adapted to comfortably receive the body of any size person and to conserve water while entirely covering the body, with the exception of the head. The well comprises opposed peanut-shaped vertical sidewalls each having an inwardly extending non-splash lip. A contoured area between the sidewalls runs from the front to the back of the tub in the well. The front of the mentioned area comprises a vertical front end wall which merges into a generally horizontal front bottom area which accommodates a standing position by the user when the bathtub is used for showering.

Abstract: A bathtub of the type having a bottom and four sides is improved by providing a smooth continuous, horizontally extending planar surface extending outwardly from the top of the four sides. A skirt member extends downwardly from this planar surface for a short distance. Located within the skirt member is a retaining member which is capable of retaining an apron panel in a fixed alignment with the tub such that the apron panel is interchangeable with the left and right sides of the tub allowing the tub to be used interchangeably in installations which previously required either a right or left handed tub. Extending along the longitudinal axis of the bottom of the tub is a runner retaining member to which is attached one or more runners which suspend the tub above a supporting surface allowing both drain and inlet pipes to be located between the supporting surface and the tub.