U.S. patent application number 13/864404 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for moisture and heat management system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sarah O. Vulich, Thomas J. Vulich. Invention is credited to Sarah O. Vulich, Thomas J. Vulich.
Application Number | 20130276847 13/864404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49378980 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130276847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vulich; Thomas J. ; et
al. |
October 24, 2013 |
MOISTURE AND HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
A bathtub tent enclosure comprising a flexible supporting frame
encased in fabric that opens in a figure-eight configuration and is
adjustable in size to fit over a variety of sizes of water
receptacles. The enclosure adheres to the bathtub or other water
receptacle or a surface surrounding the bathtub or other receptacle
with suction cups that are attached to adjustable-length cords.
Fabric curtains overlap in the front and include adjustable-length
cords that allow the curtain opening to be adjusted to a user's
desired setting, from overlapping to fully open. The back of the
enclosure includes a continuous sheet fabric curtain. The enclosure
can be collapsed by holding the tent flat and twisting the flexible
supporting frame over itself until it forms three overlapping
continuous loops that lay flat, and can be inserted into a round
fabric case for storage when not in use.
Inventors: |
Vulich; Thomas J.; (Reno,
NV) ; Vulich; Sarah O.; (Reno, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vulich; Thomas J.
Vulich; Sarah O. |
Reno
Reno |
NV
NV |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49378980 |
Appl. No.: |
13/864404 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61635139 |
Apr 18, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/125 ;
135/124; 4/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/405 20130101;
A47K 3/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/125 ;
135/124; 4/558 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/00 20060101
A47K003/00 |
Claims
1. An enclosure for use over a water receptacle comprising, a
supporting frame, and at least one panel made of flexible
material.
2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel made of
flexible material is fabric.
3. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the supporting frame is
flexible.
4. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising at least one
curtain made of a flexible material.
5. The enclosure of claim 4, wherein the at least one curtain made
of a flexible material is made of fabric.
6. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising, at least one
non-elastic adjustable-length cord, and at least one cord lock.
7. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein the flexible supporting frame
opens in a figure-eight configuration.
8. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein the flexible supporting frame
is made of steel.
9. The enclosure of claim 2, further comprising at least one
suction cup attached to the supporting frame, configured to anchor
the enclosure to the water receptacle.
10. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein the enclosure is
self-erecting.
11. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the fabric is comprised of a
waterproof material.
12. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the fabric is comprised of a
material chosen from polyester, nylon, or treated nylon.
13. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the fabric curtains and
fabric panels are comprised of a material that is semi-transparent.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/635,139, titled BATHTUB TENT ENCLOSURE,
filed Apr. 18, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many homes built in the late 1990's and early 2000's have
spacious master bathrooms with large soaking tubs that are separate
from the shower. These are very attractive, but the user is
typically colder than expected due to a large bathroom area
dissipating the warmth and vapor created by hot water. Many of
these bathrooms do not even have a door, which provides an open
feeling, but also limits privacy.
[0003] The bathtub tent enclosure disclosed herein is a moisture
and heat management system that solves these problems by providing
an attractive, easy to set up enclosure over the bathtub, hot tub,
small pool, or other water receptacle designed for bathing or
swimming. The enclosure forms a microclimate that contains warmth
and vapor from the hot water within the receptacle, thus creating
an optimal bathing environment and alleviating the need to continue
adding hot water to the receptacle. The enclosure can provide
different levels of privacy based on the types of materials (such
as opaque, semi-transparent and/or sheer fabrics) or closure
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure relates to a bathtub tent enclosure
for retaining heat and hot water vapor while bathing. The enclosure
provides an inexpensive method of creating an optimal bathing
environment at home.
[0005] The bathtub tent enclosure is a self-erecting tent that, in
the preferred embodiment, uses a figure-eight steel wire or plastic
frame to support fabric panels. The enclosure is designed for use
with a bathtub, hot tub, small pool, or other water receptacle
designed for bathing or swimming.
[0006] The enclosure may be of varying sizes for use with various
water receptacles, and in some embodiments the enclosure is of an
adjustable size. For example, the enclosure may be adjustable for
approximate length of bathtub opening between 60'' and 72''. The
enclosure can be secured in or around a surface of a water
receptacle with suction cups on adjustable length cords. Desired
cord length may be set with cord-locks on the cords. As an example,
the height of the enclosure may vary between 46'' and 49'' as the
length is adjusted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present
invention with curtains open.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of the present
invention with curtains closed.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts a typical opening procedure for the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a left perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention configured over a bathtub with the curtains
open.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a left perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention configured over a bathtub with the curtains
closed.
[0015] FIG. 9 is front view of the fabric case according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Various embodiments of the disclosed bathtub tent enclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein
like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies
throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does
not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally,
any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be
limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments
for the appended claims. It is understood that various omissions
and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances
may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover
applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or
scope of the claims attached hereto. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the
purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0017] In some embodiments, the enclosure may be comprised of
hydrophobic, quick-drying, waterproof, water-resistant, or
mildew-resistant fabrics. Examples of possible fabrics that may be
used include polyester, nylon, treated nylon or other similar
fabrics. The entirety of the tent may be transparent or
semi-transparent, or some portions of the tent may be transparent
or semi-transparent and other portions may be opaque. Fabrics with
different densities can provide varied ability to maintain heat and
moisture. The interior portion of the tent fabric could employ an
insulating layer made of a flexible synthetic film, such as MYLAR,
which can direct heat back to the water/tub area.
[0018] The fabrics used to construct the tent enclosure may vary to
provide the optimal combination of warmth, ventilation, and
privacy. For example, the curtain portion of one embodiment of the
tent may be comprised of a transparent fabric and the sides and
back may be comprised of on opaque fabric. Many combinations of
fabric can be used to construct the bathtub tent enclosure.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, the tent
utilizes a flexible supporting frame 102 as its support structure.
The frame 102 may be comprised of steel, wire, fiberglass, carbon
fiber, aluminum, plastic or other similar materials. The frame 102
is enclosed in a fabric channel 104, and, as such, the frame is not
visible to the user. Alternatively, the enclosure may use a
shock-connected sectional pole system, wherein the frame is
comprised of rods that are semi-detachable but connected by an
inner shock-cord so that they can be disconnected and folded.
[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the preferred
embodiment, the enclosure further comprises at least one fabric
panel 118, at least one fabric curtain 116, at least one elastic
cord 114, at least one non-elastic adjustable-length cord 110, and
at least one cord lock 112. The enclosure may be used with the
fabric curtains 116 in an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, or in
a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, there
may be an additional fabric curtain 116 located at the back of the
enclosure. The at least one fabric panel 118 is located at the left
and right sides of the enclosure, as shown in FIG. 4. The enclosure
may have the same appearance from the left side as from the right
side.
[0021] The bathtub tent enclosure can be stored in a round fabric
case 106, as depicted in FIG. 9. The tent enclosure, when
collapsed, can also include a strap to hang the tent from a wall
adjacent to the tub or from a shower curtain rod. The enclosure
may, in some embodiments, include a separate strap with a snap,
VELCRO, hook and loop, button, or other mechanism to hold the
enclosure in a collapsed position. Upon removal from the case 106,
the tent structure self-erects as the frame 102 is unfolded, as
illustrated in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the flexible supporting
frame 102 opens in a figure-eight configuration as it self-erects.
In an alternative embodiment, the tent structure can be assembled
by a user using a shock-connected sectional pole system, by
inserting the shock-connected poles into the fabric channel 104 to
assemble the enclosure.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 7, once the enclosure is erected, the
user places the enclosure over their bathtub or other water
receptacle and uses suction cups 108 or other anchoring means, the
non-elastic adjustable-length cord 110, and the cord-locks 112 to
secure it to a smooth surface in or around the tub. Elastic cord
114 and cord-locks 112 may be used to adjust the tent for use with
tubs of various sizes as needed. In an alternative embodiment, the
tent structure can simply be placed on top of the tub without any
suction cups or other means to anchor the tent to the tub. FIG. 7
shows the enclosure in place over a bathtub with the curtains 116
in an open position; FIG. 8 shows the enclosure in place over a
bathtub with the curtains 116 in a closed position.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the enclosure from a
top view. As a further embodiment, the tent structure could include
a hook or other means of attachment at the peak of the enclosure to
allow the enclosure to be suspended from a ceiling above the tub
and then placed in contact with the outer rim of the tub.
[0024] Referring again to FIG. 7, non-elastic cord 110 and
cord-locks 112 may be used to adjust the opening in the fabric
curtain 116 for entry and exit. When closed, the curtain fabrics
overlap to contain heat and vapor from the hot water within the
bathtub. The curtain fabric may also or in the alternative include
other components to secure the curtains in a closed position, such
as hook and loop closures, buttons or snaps, among other
things.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 8, the curtains 116, when closed, are
designed in such a way that they may also lessen the visibility of
the bathtub and user from elsewhere in the bathroom, both because
the fabric may be semi-transparent, and because it is typically
darker inside the tent than the surrounding room. The user in the
bathtub can see out quite clearly, as it is typically lighter in
the surrounding room than inside the tent. The tent further may
include fabric panels 118 around the sides and back of the tent, as
shown in FIG. 4, which assist in containing the heat and vapor from
the hot water within the bathtub when the tent is in use.
[0026] Removal and storage of the tent is the reverse of the
opening procedure shown in FIG. 6. The fabric used in the preferred
embodiment is quick-drying, so the tent can be left in place to dry
and then collapsed.
[0027] As an additional feature, the enclosure may include a
temperature-sensitive material or temperature sensing device to
indicate the relative heat or temperature of the air inside the
enclosure. The material or temperature sensing device may indicate
when a specific level is reached, but could also have different
colors or lights to show as temperature is increasing or declining.
For example, the tent fabric itself may be of a temperature
sensitive material that changes color with the increase or decrease
in temperature. The temperature sensor could also be affixed
somewhere on the interior or exterior portion of the fabric.
[0028] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily
recognize various modifications and changes that may be made
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *