Bathtub support member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9820619-B2
Application number	US-201514966773-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 11, 2015
Priority date	Dec 11, 2015
Publication date	Nov 21, 2017
Grant date	Nov 21, 2017

Abstract

A support member for a bathtub comprises a base and a plurality of flexible elements. The base includes an upper surface configured to be coupled to a bathtub. The plurality of flexible elements extend laterally outward from a side of the base and are configured to engage a lower portion of the bathtub.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A support member for a bathtub, comprising:
a base including an upper surface configured to be coupled to a bathtub; and
a plurality of flexible elements extending laterally outward from a side of the base a first distance and configured to engage a lower portion of the bathtub;
wherein the plurality of flexible elements are spaced apart from each other a second distance that is less than the first distance; and
wherein the plurality of flexible elements are each configured to flex in response to the support member being coupled to the bathtub so as to adapt to a shape of the lower portion of the bathtub.

2. The support member of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a grid-like structure located opposite the upper surface.

3. The support member of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of feet extending from the base and configured to engage a fixed structure for mounting the bathtub.

4. The support member of claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the base is complementary to a lower surface of the bathtub.

5. The support member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible elements are each spaced laterally apart from each another.

6. The support member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible elements extend laterally outward from opposite sides of the support member.

7. The support member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible elements have a shape that is complementary to a shape of the lower portion of the bathtub.

8. The support member of claim 1 , wherein the support member is configured to be adhesively bonded to the lower portion of the bathtub at the upper surface of the base.

9. The support member of claim 1 , further comprising a drain aperture disposed in the base and configured to communicate with a drain opening of the bathtub.

10. A bathtub assembly, comprising:
a bathtub; and
a support member coupled to a lower portion of the bathtub;
wherein the support member comprises a plurality of flexible elements extending laterally outward a first distance and are spaced apart from each other a second distance that is less than the first distance, wherein the plurality of flexible elements are configured to engage the lower portion of the bathtub; and
wherein the plurality of flexible elements are each configured to flex in response to the support member being coupled to the lower portion of the bathtub to adapt to a shape of the lower portion of the bathtub.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of flexible elements extend laterally outward from a side of the support member.

12. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the bathtub is a thermoformed, polymeric bathtub.

13. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of flexible elements are each spaced laterally apart from each another.

14. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of flexible elements have a shape that is complementary to a shape of the lower portion of the bathtub.

15. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the support member is adhesively bonded to the lower portion of the bathtub.

16. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the support member comprises a base including an upper surface that is complementary to a lower surface of the bathtub.

17. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the base includes a grid-like structure located opposite the upper surface.

18. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the support member further comprises a drain aperture disposed in the base, the bathtub further comprises a drain opening, and the drain aperture of the base is configured to communicate with the drain opening of the bathtub.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Cohen Benjamin S
• Tempas Jeffrey F
• Jaeckels James N
• Wojahn Darren R
• Narasimhan Santosh R
• Dwyer Adam W
• Tatem Logan M

Classifications

• A47K3/16

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

• A47K3/02 Primary

  Baths (combined with showers A47K3/20) · CPC title

• E03C1/22

  Outlet devices mounted in basins, baths, or sinks (stoppers A47K1/14) · CPC title

• A47K3/1605

  Hard foam bathtub supports · CPC title