Tub design with protected door track

Abstract

A tub has a tub wall that has an upper surface. An outer portion of the upper surface extends vertically upward of an inner portion. A door track is mounted on the inner portion to protect users from the door track.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a tub having an upper wall with an outer flat surface and lower inner surface mounting a door track.

[0002] Tub and shower enclosures generally include a wet wall, from which a showerhead and faucet extend, a back wall, and a dry wall that opposes the wet wall. The three walls form a u-shaped enclosure. The fourth side is left open for entry and exit into the enclosure. Typically, a shower door or curtain is positioned along the fourth side.

[0003] Shower enclosures that have a shower door positioned along the fourth side must have a door track mounted to an upper wall of the tub to guide the shower door. However, the door tracks provide an uneven surface when a user rests an arm on the tub when reaching in. For example, when cleaning the tub or bathing a child, a user often must lean on the track, which is uncomfortable.

[0004] A tub that provides a smooth upper wall surface for user support and protects the user from the door track would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A tub or shower enclosure has a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. Together the three pieces form a U-shaped assembly. The open fourth side of the enclosure is used for entering and exiting the tub and shower enclosure.

[0006] The fourth side has a tub upper wall that extends partially upward. The tub upper wall has an outer side that spaced toward the bathroom and an inner side that is adjacent the tub. Extending between the outer side and the inner side is an upper side that has an outer portion and an inner portion.

[0007] The outer portion extends vertically upwardly above the inner portion. A door track is mounted on the inner portion. The outer portion provides a surface upon which the user can rest an arm when reaching into the tub, without requiring one's arm to rest on the door track. A center portion connects the outer portion to the inner portion. The center portion can have a slope between the outer portion and the inner portion or no slope.

[0008] These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tub enclosure of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of a tub wall and door track of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of a tub wall and door track of the present invention; and

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a benefit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure 10 for a tub or shower. The enclosure 10 has a back wall 12, a first side wall 14 and a second side wall 16. The first side wall 14 is a wet wall. That is, it receives the shower and tub faucet, showerhead, etc. The second side wall 16 is a dry wall, the wall opposing the wet wall in the enclosure 10. Together the three pieces form a U-shaped assembly. The open fourth side 18 of the enclosure 10 is used for entering and exiting the tub and shower enclosure 10.

[0014] The fourth side 18 has a tub wall 20 that extends partially upward. An upper area 22 is left open for entering and exiting the tub and shower enclosure 10. The tub wall 20 has an outer side 24 that faces the bathroom and an inner side 26 (See FIGS. 2 and 3) that is the fourth side of a tub. Extending between the outer side 24 and the inner side 26 is a top or upper side 28. The upper side 28 has an outer portion 30 and an inner portion 32. As shown, shower doors 100 slide on track 34.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a section of a first embodiment of the upper side 28 of tub wall 20. The outer portion 30 extends vertically above the inner portion 32. Door track 34 is mounted on the inner portion 32. A center incline 36 connects the outer portion 30 to the inner portion 32. The outer portion 30 provides a surface upon which the user 110 (See FIG. 4) can rest an arm when reaching into the tub, while protecting the user from resting on the door track 34. FIG. 2 shown the center portion 36 having a slope between the outer portion 30 and the inner portion 32. The slope provides access between outer portion 30 and the door track 34 for easier cleaning purposes.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment where the center portion 36 has no slope. The door track 34 can be positioned adjacent the center portion 36 leaving no gap between the outer portion 30 and the door track 34, or a minimal gap is left which can be filled with caulk to prevent dirt and debris from entering the space between the outer portion 30 and the door track 34.

[0017] Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

Claims

1. A tub comprising: a tub having an upper side with an outer portion and an inner portion, wherein said inner portion being vertically lower than said outer portion; and a door track mounted inwardly of said outer portion.

2. The tub enclosure of claim 1, wherein said door track is mounted on said inner portion.

3. The tub enclosure of claim 1, wherein a center portion connects said outer portion and said inner portion.

4. The tub enclosure of claim 3, wherein said center portion has an incline.

5. The tub enclosure of claim 3, wherein said center portion has no incline.