Bathtub apron assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9486113-B2
Application number	US-201414206566-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 12, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Nov 8, 2016
Grant date	Nov 8, 2016

Abstract

An apron assembly may be designed for a bathtub having an above-floor drain. The apron assembly may include an apron attached to an upper surface of the bathtub, an apron extension which snaps onto a bottom portion of the apron, and an apron cover that snaps onto a front surface of the apron extension.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apron assembly for a bathtub having an above-floor drain, the apron assembly comprising:
an apron coupled to an upper surface of the bathtub, wherein a bottom end of the apron includes a lip extending outwardly relative to the bathtub in a lateral direction from the bottom end of the apron;
an apron extension configured to couple to the lip of the apron in a snap-fit fashion; and
an apron cover configured to couple directly to a front surface of the apron extension in a snap-fit fashion;
wherein the apron extension includes a receiving pocket for receiving the lip to couple the apron extension to the apron.

2. The apron assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wedge piece configured to be coupled to a basin of the bathtub, a rear surface of the apron, and a rear surface of the apron extension; and
an undersupport member configured to be coupled to a bottom surface of the basin and to provide a clearance for the above-floor drain.

3. The apron assembly of claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of a basin of the bathtub extends below the apron when the apron is coupled to the upper surface of the bathtub.

4. The apron assembly of claim 1 , wherein the apron extension is made from an extruded polymeric material.

5. The apron assembly of claim 2 , wherein fasteners are not used to couple the apron to either of the apron extension and the wedge piece.

6. The apron assembly of claim 2 , wherein the apron extension is made from an extruded polymeric material.

7. The apron assembly of claim 2 , wherein a bottom surface of a basin of the bathtub extends below the apron when the apron is coupled to the upper surface of the bathtub.

8. An apron assembly for a basin having an above-floor drain, the apron assembly comprising:
an apron having a height less than or equal to a height of the basin, as measured between a bottom surface of the basin and a rim of the basin, and a lip extending outwardly relative to the basin in a lateral direction from a bottom portion of the apron; and
an apron extension configured to couple to the lip when the apron is coupled to the basin;
wherein the apron extension includes a receiving pocket for receiving the lip to couple the apron extension to the apron.

9. The apron assembly of claim 8 , further comprising an undersupport member configured to be coupled to a bottom surface of the basin;
wherein the undersupport member provides a clearance between the basin and a floor when the bathtub is mounted to the floor sufficient to enable coupling of the basin to an above-floor drain.

10. The apron assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron extension is made from an extruded polymeric material.

11. The apron assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron is integrally formed with the rim of the basin.

12. The apron assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron extension is configured to couple to the apron in a snap-fit fashion.

13. The apron assembly of claim 8 , further comprising an apron cover configured to couple to a front surface of the apron extension in a snap-fit fashion.

14. The bathtub assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron assembly conceals an exterior of the basin from view.

15. A bathtub assembly, comprising:
a basin which is at least partially defined by a bottom wall and a side wall, wherein the basin includes a rim; and
an apron assembly comprising:
an apron configured to couple to a portion of the rim, and
an apron extension configured to couple to a bottom portion of the apron;

wherein the apron includes a lip extending outwardly relative to the basin in a lateral direction from the bottom portion of the apron; and
wherein the apron extension includes a receiving pocket for receiving the lip to couple the apron extension to the apron.

16. The bathtub assembly of claim 15 , wherein the apron extension is configured to couple to the apron in a snap-fit fashion.

17. The bathtub assembly of claim 16 , wherein the apron assembly conceals an exterior of the basin from view.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Zimbric Luke Benjamin

Classifications

• A47K3/16

  Devices for fastening baths to floors or walls; Adjustable bath feet {; Lining panels or attachments therefor} · CPC title

• A47K3/161 Primary

  Bathtub aprons · CPC title