Abstract: A method of making a safe egress bathtub providing safe egress by reducing slide forces extended on a user's feet upon a slippery bathtub floor, wherein the formed bathtub has a limited rectangular footprint, and an optimized floor space is formed with a substantially planar base with a length and width that define the limited rectangular footprint and a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall integral with and extending substantially vertically upwards from the substantially planar base. Each of the front, back, first side wall and second side wall have minimal wall thicknesses to define the optimized floor space and the front wall has a substantially planar inwardly, cantilevered upper apron deck in a substantially parallel relation to the substantially planar base.

Abstract: A method of making a safe egress bathtub providing safe egress by reducing slide forces extended on a user's feet upon a slippery bathtub floor, wherein the formed bathtub has a limited rectangular footprint, and an optimized floor space is formed with a substantially planar base with a length and width that define the limited rectangular footprint and a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall integral with and extending substantially vertically upwards from the substantially planar base. Each of the front, back, first side wall and second side wall have minimal wall thicknesses to define the optimized floor space and the front wall has a substantially planar inwardly, cantilevered upper apron deck in a substantially parallel relation to the substantially planar base.

Abstract: A floor support structure for a bathtub or a shower tray floor, taking the form of a separate element to be used in conjunction with a traditional bathtub or shower tray floor, or as a unitary shower tray floor formed with the support structure integrated therein. The supports include a hollow plastic shell having a lower surface for lying on a planar subfloor, an upper surface contoured to the desired shape and a peripheral sidewall extending there between. Preferably, a drain hole is formed in the plastic shell which also interconnects the upper and lower surfaces thereby defining a hollow interior cavity. The cavity is filled with expandable thermoplastic foam beads which are expanded in place with steam in order to substantially fill the interior cavity thermally bonding the beads together and to the shell interior wall. The expanded foam bead is capable of being compressed without substantial permanent set.

Abstract: A decorative surround for a tub, shower or the like is formed with three decorative polymeric panel members. A kit and method of installation for a home owner or others with little installation experience can enhance a bathroom and can be assembled and installed in an easy, quick and secure manner.

Abstract: A rapid elevation floor system for a pool at least partially filled with pool water, including a raisable floor for disposing over the bottom of the pool. The raisable floor is combined of a plurality of modular floor elements, at least some of which include a ballasting receptacle. The ballasting receptacle is adapted to receive and discharge a volume of a flotation fluid lighter than the pool water, enabling the pool water to occupy any part of the volume when unoccupied by the flotation fluid. When the raisable floor is disposed beneath the surface of the pool water, the amount of the flotation fluid contained in the raisable floor is adjusted to render the specific weight of the raisable floor as equal to, or as slightly greater than the specific weight of the pool water, such that pumping of the flotation fluid into the ballasting receptacle(s) urges a rapid elevation of the raisable floor.

Abstract: A tub assembly is provided with a tub and a surround wall. The surround wall is spaced from a nail flange on the tub by a desired distance with a simple wall fastener. The wall fastener clips onto the nail flange, and has a forward face spaced from the nail flange by a desired distance. The forward face provides a stop and securement surface for the surround wall. The wall fastener includes a clip portion that clips onto the nail flange, and has a plurality of discrete clip portions. The clip portions can be broken away from the wall fastener at locations which will be aligned with a wall stud. In this manner, the wall fastener can be quickly clipped onto the nail flange of the tub once the tub is installed. The surround wall can then be simply adhered to a forward face of the wall fastener, such that the entire tub assembly can be easily and properly assembled.

Abstract: A surround includes a first piece including a basin, a second piece having a second piece back wall and a second piece side wall attaching to the second piece back wall for being disposed horizontally atop the first piece, and a third piece having a third piece back wall and a third piece side wall attaching to the third piece back wall for being disposed horizontally atop the second piece back wall and the second piece side wall, wherein the first piece, the second piece and the third piece form a package wherein one of the second piece or the third piece is disposed about the basin and an other of the second piece or the third piece nests behind the one of the second piece or the third piece.

Abstract: A bathtub ledger strap for use with the installation of a bathtub, such ledger strap being of generally planar construction for attachment to a ledger stud in a position corresponding to a wall stud, such ledger strap having a top portion, a mid portion and a lower portion disposed along its length with such portions having apertures/slots for adjusting the height and level of the ledger stud on a corresponding wall stud using screws and levering means and for permanently attaching the rim of the bathtub to the ledger strap and corresponding wall stud after the ledger stud is at the desired height and level state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for joining a sub-shell for static reinforcement of a bathtub to a bathtub and a bathtub produced using said methods. This invention also relates to the section of sanitary and bath equipment made of plastic materials.

Abstract: The bracket is to be installed to the inner face of the peripheral rim of a bathtub, to attach the latter to the inner peripheral edge portion of a fixed casing. The bracket has a rigid head portion which is fixedly attached to the inner rim of the bathtub, and a downwardly depending arcuate resilient foot which carries at its lower end a foot. When installing the bathtub inside the casing and more particularly inside the casing peripheral edge portion, the tub is downwardly displaced until its rim comes into downward abutment against the casing peripheral edge portion, the bracket slidingly abutting against the casing peripheral edge portion with a corresponding resilient foot deformation, allowing the foot to slide under the casing peripheral edge portion and to snap itself thereunder for preventing vertical displacement of the bathtub relative to the casing peripheral edge portion. Indeed, the casing peripheral edge portion is then wedged between the bracket foot and the bathtub rim.

Abstract: Apparatus for the fixation and support of the rims of bath and shower tubs relative to a wall of a construction in a manner decoupled from structure-borne noise. The apparatus includes a fixing element secured to the wall and has a support surface for a rim of a tub. A fixing screw is screwed into the fixing element and a first insulating material is arranged between the wall and the tub rim. A second insulating material is arranged between the support surface and the tub rim while a third insulating material is secured to an end of the fixing screw and contacts against the inner side of the tub rim.

Abstract: A support system for bath or shower tubs which are preferably provided with a rim, in particular a preferably extending rim has at least one upper horizontal strut (10, 12, 14, 16) to which at least one vertical strut (20-30) is secured, with an element for vertical adjustment being provided at the vertical strut. Insulating elements are provided for the decoupling of structure-borne noise and vibrations.

Abstract: A bathtub adapted to be secured in an opening defined by a tiled horizontal surface. The tub includes a sump portion having a bottom wall and an upstanding wall having a lower edge joined to said bottom wall and an upper edge. An essentially flat horizontal planar surface extends outwardly from the upper edge of the sidewall. The horizontal planar surface has a finished appearance and a selected thickness so that the planar surface rests flush with the tiled horizontal surface.

Abstract: An elastomeric seal used in molding articles is disclosed. The seal has a first lateral cross-sectional dimension larger than the opening of a seal groove and at least a second lateral cross-sectional extending beyond the opening of a seal groove which is smaller than the lateral cross-sectional dimension at the opening of the seal groove. The elastomeric seal is releasably retained in the seal groove and provides an improved molding cavity for molding articles such as sanitary fixtures, i.e., tubs, whirlpools, spas, etc. Also disclosed, is a molding apparatus including the elastomeric seals useful in molding sanitary fixtures.

Abstract: An elastomeric mold seal for use in a molding apparatus having first and second molding members. The first molding member includes a seal groove therein. The molding apparatus is adapted to receive an article for molding one side thereof having an upstanding rim including a lip, a vertical wall and horizontal wall. The mold seal is formed from an elastomeric material having an essentially L-shaped cross-section including an enlarged head sized to be retained in said seal groove and a leg having an end depending therefrom. The seal includes a recessed portion including an essentially horizontal ledge and an essentially vertical surface. The ledge engages the lip of the rim, the essentially vertical surface engages the vertical wall of the rim and the end of the leg engages the horizontal wall of the rim when the article is being molded in the molding apparatus.

Abstract: An improved bathing tub construction includes a support frame, a molded tub enclosure cooperative with the frame and retained on the frame by means of a rigid tub assembly member which is constructed to cooperate with removable vertical panels and also with a flexible trim member to provide aesthetic and safety coverage of the seams defining the tub construction.

Abstract: An improved bathtub, having a wall form and an adjoining base form, both of which are an integral part and made from the same material as the bathtub. The wall form extends lengthwise the full extent of the upper back bathtub planar surface and at right angles along the end planar surfaces, then at right angles down both ends of the bathtub front wall to the floor level, where, at right angles, the base form is joined at each end of the bathtub. The bathtub wall form provides the following: a secure means of attaching the bathtub to the structural wall members, an improved tapering wall or flange that eliminates the bulge where drywall and the upper flange of the bathtub meet, a means of holding the drywall edge away from the planar surface of the bathtub, and a wall tile groove. The base form provides a unique method of sliding the floor covering up and into the lower portion of the front bathtub wall, thus eliminating the normal cut or abutted joint found at the base of the bathtub front wall.

Abstract: A moisture barrier unit (17) to be interposed between a bath fixture (11) such as a tub (11') and an underlayment (13) such as particle board (13') wherein the moisture barrier unit (17) includes: a resilient member (18) which rests on a sub-support (12) such as a subfloor (12') and is compressed between the tub (11') and the particle board (13'); and a waterproof flange member (20) which covers a portion of the block member (18) and the particle board (13') such that the moisture barrier unit (17) will serve to prevent water from contacting either the particle board (13') or the subfloor (12') when the conventional caulk bead (16) becomes cracked.

Abstract: A modular bathing cabinet is disclosed which is adapted to be easily transported to and assembled at the location of final use. The bathing cabinet may be in the form of either a shower stall or a bathing tub, and it includes a base, and an upright enclosure which includes a pair of opposite side sections which are of generally L-shape in cross-section and which are joined to each other along a vertical junction line in the back wall of the enclosure. Each of the side sections includes a plurality of horizontal reinforcing metal straps fixed along the outside surface, and the reinforcing straps of the side sections are bolted together to form a secure and rigid interconnection along the vertical junction line. Also, the straps are directly connected to the vertical wall studs of the building, to further rigidify the structure.

Abstract: A splashboard assembly for mounting upon a countertop and against a vertical wall. The assembly includes a splashboard and a clip. The clip has an upper and lower portions, and can couple the splashboard to the countertop adjacent said vertical wall. The lower portion has a fastening arrangement for fastening the lower portion to the countertop. The upper portion has support devices for supporting the splashboard. The clip has a section for biasing the splashboard against said vertical wall with respect to said countertop. One, or more, clips are first attached to the countertop edge. When the countertop is in place, the splashboard is snapped onto the clips. A decorative end cap may also be provided to cover any exposed end of the splashboard.

Abstract: A method of installation, in sealed relationship against at least one vertical wall, a bathing vessel of the type having a sump to contain water therein and a water drain outlet, the bathing vessel including a horizontal rim extending away from the sump and a horizontal rim extending away from the sump and a depending skirt formed around the horizontal rim, positioned relative to a sealing strip assembly, is disclosed.

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 joint for a plastic bathtub includes a tub support member that has two channels. The first receives a flange of the bathtub. The support member has its second channel receiving fasteners which affix the support member to a wall. A trim molding is then snap fitted over the second channel to conceal the fasteners and to provide for an aesthetically appealing joint appearance. End caps have fingers which are received in the second channel and are caulked in place to conceal the open end of the joint.

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 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.