GB2153667A - Bathtub with covered recess - Google Patents

Abstract

A bathtub has a recess (12), e.g. containing an overflow valve (10) for a whirlpool bath; a drainage channel (16) at the bottom of the recess allows any water entering the recess to drain back into the bath. A cover is provided (Fig. 2) which is flush with the inner surface of the bath when it is in position; the cover is hinged by pins fitting at the inner top (23) of the recess, to allow access when desired to the valve (10) or other contents of the recess. The cover allows a user of the bath to lie safely against the device contained in the recess. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bathtub with covered recess The invention relates to a bathtub having a novel form of recessed cavity with a cover therefor, for use especially in whirlpool baths, and in particular, for use as a recessed overflow means.

In the prior art, overflow devices have projected from the bathtub wall. Such overflow devices thus present an obstruction and danger to a bathtub user.

By the present invention, the overflow means is recessed behind a movable cover which, when in place, forms a flush portion of the wall of the bathtub.

Thus according to the invention I provide a bathtub having a recess in its inner wall surface, a drainage channel being formed in the lowest part of the recess and draining into the bathtub, and a cover overlying the recess and shaped so as to be, when in place, flush with the surface of the adjacent wall of the bathtub but without obstructing the drainage channel.

The secondary drainage channel is provided so that any water entering the covered recess will readily drain therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a bathtub of my invention, showing the recess without the cover; Figure 2 is a similar perspective view as that of Figure 1 but with the cover in place; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the entire bathtub showing the placement of the recess and cover.

In the illustrated embodiment, an overflow valve of conventional construction is designated by the numeral 10. The overflow valve is shown in a recess or cavity 12 of a bathtub wall 14. The recess 12 has a drain channel or groove 16 formed at the lower surface wall 17 thereof. The recess 12 is further provided with a hinged cover 20 which overhangs the recess. The in-place cover 20 lies flush with the adjacent bathtub wall 14 and permits a user to lie comfortably against the bathtub wall and cover 20, if desired, when the cover 20 is in place -- especially important in whirlpool bathtubs and other bathtubs where the entire wall area of the tub may be used by one or more persons.

The cover 20 is hinged at its upper end 21 by hinge pins 23, to allow access to the overflow valve 10. The drain channel 16 is not obstructed by the in-place cover 20.

The recessed area 12 may contain apparatus such as valves, soap dishes, fluid jets, etc. in addition to the overflow valve shown in Figure 1.

1. A bathtub having a recess in its inner wall surface, a drainage channel being formed in the lowest part of the recess and draining into the bathtub, and a cover overlying the recess and shaped so as to be, when in place, flush with the surface of the adjacent wall of the bathtub but without obstructing the drainage channel.

2. A bathtub as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cover is hingedly mounted on the bath tub.

3. A bathtub a claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the recess contains an overflow valve.

4. A bathtub as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bathtub is a whirlpool bath.

5. A bathtub as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as shown in, the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Bathtub with covered recess The invention relates to a bathtub having a novel form of recessed cavity with a cover therefor, for use especially in whirlpool baths, and in particular, for use as a recessed overflow means. In the prior art, overflow devices have projected from the bathtub wall. Such overflow devices thus present an obstruction and danger to a bathtub user. By the present invention, the overflow means is recessed behind a movable cover which, when in place, forms a flush portion of the wall of the bathtub. Thus according to the invention I provide a bathtub having a recess in its inner wall surface, a drainage channel being formed in the lowest part of the recess and draining into the bathtub, and a cover overlying the recess and shaped so as to be, when in place, flush with the surface of the adjacent wall of the bathtub but without obstructing the drainage channel. The secondary drainage channel is provided so that any water entering the covered recess will readily drain therefrom. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a bathtub of my invention, showing the recess without the cover; Figure 2 is a similar perspective view as that of Figure 1 but with the cover in place; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the entire bathtub showing the placement of the recess and cover. In the illustrated embodiment, an overflow valve of conventional construction is designated by the numeral 10. The overflow valve is shown in a recess or cavity 12 of a bathtub wall 14. The recess 12 has a drain channel or groove 16 formed at the lower surface wall 17 thereof. The recess 12 is further provided with a hinged cover 20 which overhangs the recess. The in-place cover 20 lies flush with the adjacent bathtub wall 14 and permits a user to lie comfortably against the bathtub wall and cover 20, if desired, when the cover 20 is in place -- especially important in whirlpool bathtubs and other bathtubs where the entire wall area of the tub may be used by one or more persons. The cover 20 is hinged at its upper end 21 by hinge pins 23, to allow access to the overflow valve 10. The drain channel 16 is not obstructed by the in-place cover 20. The recessed area 12 may contain apparatus such as valves, soap dishes, fluid jets, etc. in addition to the overflow valve shown in Figure 1. CLAIMS

1. A bathtub having a recess in its inner wall surface, a drainage channel being formed in the lowest part of the recess and draining into the bathtub, and a cover overlying the recess and shaped so as to be, when in place, flush with the surface of the adjacent wall of the bathtub but without obstructing the drainage channel.

2. A bathtub as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cover is hingedly mounted on the bath tub.

3. A bathtub a claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the recess contains an overflow valve.

4. A bathtub as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bathtub is a whirlpool bath.

5. A bathtub as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as shown in, the accompanying drawing.