US3793654A

US3793654A - Combination bathtub and water and space heating unit

Info

Publication number: US3793654A
Application number: US00162434A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Roberts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-07-14
Filing date: 1971-07-14
Publication date: 1974-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-26

Abstract

The invention relates to the combination of a conventional bathtub, and a combined space heating and water heating unit mounted directly above the bathtub to provide hot water for use with the bathtub, and to provide heated air for heating the room in which the bathtub is located. The combined water and space heating unit is enclosed in an insulated enclosure and includes an opening to allow the passage of hot air to the bathroom, and an exhaust fan for conducting exhaust air from the bathroom to the vent.

Description

[451 Feb. 26, 1974 3,010,116 11/1961 Cowley 4/146 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-Dona1d B. Massenberg [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to the combination of a conventional bathtub, and a combined space heating and water heating unit mounted directly above the bathtub to provide hot water for use with the bathtub, and to provide heated air for heating the room in which the e 6m W n Sea M m m aim c d w e S m m m r. Wes C W t O dh fi ew nm g r .m et m n .IWI mmwu a n mo m mxo and e 3 eO m 9 S m S m b m dcnd m E w mwm irflm 3w c '5 11 mm 6 l h o .mmmm 5b." one? M m mw w bh.m. mh 999999 677777 HHHHHH9 444444 4/179 A47k 3/00, F24h 6/00 O v United States Patent Roberts i 1 COMBINATION BATI'ITUB AND WATER I AND SPACE HEATING UNIT [76] Inventor: Helm Roberts, 217 N. Upper St.,

Lexington, Ky. 40507 [22] Filed: July 14, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 162,434

[51] Int. [58] Field of Search....... 4/145, 146, 148, 151, 152,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1961 Altman et al.........

Raiche Kysor... Andriul COMBINATION BATIITUB AND WATER AND SPACE HEATING UNIT The present invention relates to the combination of a bathtub and a water heater, and more particularly to the provision of a water heater which additionally provides heated air to the bathroom, and which is mounted directly above the bathtub so as to maximize available floor space.

The greatest demand for hot water in a house is at the bathtub. Accordingly, the subject invention provides an arrangement which places the source of hot water immediately adjacent the bathtub. In addition, the heat conveyed by the water heater is utilized for heating the bathroom, whereby greater efficiency and economy of fuel is achieved.

The heating unit is enclosed within an insulated housing, having at least one louver for conveying hot air to the bathroom space, and additionally including an ex haust fan for exhausting air from the bathroom. In a construction of the heating unit wherein a gas immersion heater is employed, a three-purpose vent or flue is provided in communication with the enclosure, the vent being in the form of two concentric pipes, the inner pipe of which is employed for exhausting the spent gas fumes, while the space between inner and outer pipes is used for combustion air and is connected to the exhaust fan mounted in the enclosure. In addition to providing hot water to the bathroom, the water heater may be similarly connected through conventional plumbing to other portions of the house.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved arrangement for a bathtub and a water heating unit which additionally functions as a space heating unit.

It is a further object of this invention to provide the combination of a bathtub having mounted thereover a water and space heating unit to achieve reduced cost of operation and efficiency in the use of available floor space.

Other objects and advantages of the subject invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective, partial sectional view illustrating the combined bathtub and water and space heating unit of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial secitonal view illustrating the duct interconnection between the exhaust and and the flue pipe, and between the gas immersion heater and the flue pipe; and

FIG. 2a is a partial plan view of the flue pipe.

Basically, the present invention relates to the combination of a bathtub and a heating unit mounted directly above the bathtub for providing hot water for the house, and for providing hot air for heating the bathroom. One of the primary considerations in mounting the water heating unit directly over the bathtub is that space is always available above the bathtub, and by utilizing such space, no floor area need be taken up by the heating unit. Furthermore, the dimensions of the bathtub are of standard size, and accordingly, the combined water and space heating unit may be readily prefabricated in a factory and readilyinstalled in a bathroom. Another prime consideration is that plumbing is always run to the bathroom, whereby no significant modifications to the plumbing system within the house are required. In addition, one of the primary considerations in mounting the water heater in extreme close proximity to the bathtub is that normally the greatest demand for hot water is at the shower faucet of the bathtub. In addition, hot water from the heating unit may be readily distributed through conventional piping to other required locations within the house. Also, the prefabrication of the water and space heating unit enables the provision of a finished surface for the tub ceiling.

Turning to FIG. 1, the invention comprising the combination of a bathtub l0 and a water and heating unit, generally designated by numeral 11, mounted above the bathtub and connected thereto by a network of water supply and drain pipelines, generally designated by numeral 12. Although not shown in detail, the combination of the bathtub and water and space heating unit are mounted within a bathroom including walls 13 (which are shown partially in section) and floor 14, with portions of the plumbing network 12 being mounted within the interior walls of the bathroom. Preferably the water and heating unit 11 is mounted directly against the ceiling of the bathroom to achieve maximum height between the tub 10 and unit 11. The bathtub 10 is of conventional construction including a main drain l5.

Extending through one of the walls 13 are a primary gas supply pipe 16 and a main house water supply pipe 17. Gas pipe 16 includes a branch 16a which extends to the water and space heating unit 11, and a second branch 16b which extends to other portions of the house. The water supply pipe 17 conducts cold water and includes a branch 17a which extends to the water and space heating unit 11. Other branches extend to other bathroom fixtures and mother portions of the building.

Hot water from the water and space heating unit 11 is delivered via a hot water pipe 18 to a main line 18a having branches 18b, 180 for delivery to other portions of the house, as well as a branch 18d for delivery of hot water to the shower and bathtub portions of the tub l0 and for delivery to pipes 18a and 18f to other portions of the house. As illustrated, the bathtub fixtures include a shower l9 and bathtub supply 20 interconnected by conventional piping controlled by the suitable control handles 21.

Turning to the water and space heating unit 11, as shown unit 11 is mounted directly above the bathtub and basically comprises a hot water tank 30 which is mounted in an insulated enclosure 31. The enclosure includes at least two Iouvered

openings

32, 32, one of which includes a fan 32 for circulating hot air surrounding the tank 30 to the bathroom for heating same. A bulkhead B is provided for separating the space heater from the water heater pipes and controls.

The enclosure also includes an exhaust fan 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust fan 33 is connected via a suitable ducting 34 to a flue pipe 35 whereby exhaust air from the bathroom may be readily exhausted to the atmosphere externally of the house. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water and space heating unit 11 includes a gas immersion heater 36 having a duct 37 extending internally to tank 30 and in communication with the flue 35. Preferably, flue 35 comprises two concentric conduits, the inner conduit 35a being connected with the duct 37 for exhausting the spent gas fumes, while the outer conduit contains two spaces, 35b for combustion air, and 35c which is in communication with the ducting 34 leading from the exhaust fan 33 (see FIG.

an overflow into the bathtub drain.

As is readily apparent, the mounting of the water and space heating unit above the bathtub provides an efficient system for the provision of hot water, as well as maximization of the space within the bathroom. The hot air generated within the enclosure provides an available source of heating for the bathroom through louvered openings 32, with the louvers being adjustable and thermostatically controlled so as to control the amount of heat entering the bathroom area. In addition, the exhaust fan 33 provides a convenient means of ventilating the bathroom.

Although a preferred form of the invention has been described and illustrated, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations may be readily covered by one skilled in the art. For example, an electric heating system without ducts may be provided for heating unit 11, as well as modifications and variations of the louvered openings 32 and exhaust fan 33.

Having thus described the invention, it is not intended that it be so limited, as changes may be readily made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the abstract of the disclosure and the subject matter described above and shown in the drawings be interpreted as illustrative only, and not a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bathroom the combination of a bathtub and water and space heating unit, said heating unit being mounted above the bathtub, water supply means connected to said heating unit for providing cold water to said heating unit wherein the water is heated, said heating unit being connected to said bathtub by hot water supply and drain pipelines, said heating unit further being enclosed in an insulated housing enclosure having at least two openings, a first opening allowing air to be circulated from said bathroom, past said heating unit into said enclosure, and a second opening allowing air to be circulated out from said enclosure to said bathroom, said enclosure including at least a third opening having an exhaust fan therein, and a vent extending from said insulated enclosure and connected to said exhaust fan for exhausting air from said bathroom.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating unit comprises a water tank having immersion heating means.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said immersion heating means comprises a gas heater, with the exhaust of said gas heater being in communication with said vent.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said immersion heater comprises an electrical heating unit disposed within the water tank.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second opening includes a plurality of louvers.

6. In a bathroom, the combination of a bathtub and a water and space heating unit, said heating unit being mounted above said bathtub, water supply means connected to said heating unit for providing cold water to said heating unit wherein the water is heated, said heating unit being connected to said bathtub by hot water supply and drain pipelines, said heating unit being enclosed within an insulated enclosure from which extends a vent having three passageways leading to the atmosphere outside said bathroom; said enclosure including a first opening for allowing air from the bathroom to enter said enclosure; said enclosure including a second opening; a circulating fan mounted in said second opening in the insulated enclosure for forcing heated air from the interior of the enclosure to the bathroom, and gas immersion heating means disposed in said water and space heating unit and connected to one of said passageways in the vent, with combustion air from the atmosphere being provided in the second passageway in the vent to the gas immersion heating means, and an exhaust fan means being provided between the enclosure and said bathroom to exhaust air from the bathroom which is conducted to the atmosphere via the third passageway in the vent.