US2870456A - greensides - Google Patents

Description

Jan; 19-59 L. A. GREENSIDES BATH TUB AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed Jan. 18, 1957 INVENTOR. LgWRENCE A. GREENS/0E5 ATTORNEY United States Patent BATH TUB AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Lawrence A. Greensides, Aurora, Colo. Application January 18, 1957,'Serial No. 634,989

1 Claim. (Cl. 4-173) This invention relates to a bath tub installation and an attachment therefor, and in particular relates to apparatus for use with bath tubs which results in the liquid which is fed to the bath tub being circulated throughout the bathing recess formed therein and which results in substantial elimination of the noise and splashing usually encountered when filling a bath tub with liquid.

In connection with modern day bath tubs it is recognized that there have been many improvements, particularly in regard to the appearance thereof. However, the water inlet, including the hot and cold valves and the faucet, is the same as it was many years ago. Liquid flowing from the faucet creates a distasteful noise and splashing and furthermore the temperature of the incoming water really only affects the temperature of any liquid already accumulated in the bathing recess at a localized area adjacent the faucet or front end of the tub or, in other words, to have the liquidin the tub at a substantially uniform temperature as opposed to a hot front end and a cold back end it is necessary to manually circulate or otherwise mix the liquid in the tub. Obviously these are objectionable features and the present invention is designed to overcome same by means of either a permanent bath tub installation or an attachment therefor.

It is thus an object of this invention to provide apparatus for use in connection with a bath tub which overcomes the defects and objections previously enumerated.

It is another object of this invention to provide an attachment for modern day bath tub installations which is inexpensive and simple in construction and which may be readily attached to the faucet and wall of the bathing recess to provide a means for substantially eliminating splashing and noise of water as it enters the tub, especially after some liquid has already accumulated in the recess, and to insure circulation of the incoming water so that the water in the tub will be of substantially uniform temperature throughout.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described in the preceding paragraph which may be installed as a permanent installation and form an integral part of the bath tub.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein preferred embodiments have been illustrated, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagramatic sectional view illustrating the invention in the form of a permanent installation;

Figure 2 is a top view showing the present invention in the form of an attachment; and

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 with the tub thereof broken away in section.

In Figure 1, there is depicted a modern day bath tub T which includes the bathing recess B and the drain D. Of course, the tub is flush with the wall W of the bathroom and the usual faucet, hot and cold water control valves (not necessary with the present installation) would be exposed from this wall W. In Figures 2 and 3 there is illustrated a similar bath tub T positioned flush with the bath room wall W and in this instance there would be a bathing recess B and the usual faucet F and the hot water control valves V and V1, the latter being of the type that normally would be included in the installation of bath tub T. In connection with bath tubs T and T, when a person desires to bathe, the drains D and D thereof are closed in the usual manner and valves V and V1 are operated so that water at a desired temperature will flow from faucet F. In a matter of seconds water accumulates in the bottom of recesses B and B and from then on the incoming water splashes and makes substantial noise as it fills up within the recesses. Of course, there is noise and splashing instantaneously (the faucet is a substantial distance from the recess bottom), that is, when the water first strikes the bottom surface of the bathing recess, but such noise and even splashing increases after some water accumulates in the recess. Furthermore, once a person commences his bath, it generally is necessary to again have water enter the recesses from the faucets, either to cool or heat the liquid already contained within the recesses B and B. Assuming that hot water is added, in variably the increasing of temperature of the liquid already in the recesses is localized to an area adjacent the front end of the tub and either the bather has to be satisfied with this discomfort or has to manually circulate the water so the entire liquid within the recess is heated and at a substantially uniform temperature. As stated, the present designs overcome these problems.

Referring first to Figure 1, which shows the present invention as a permanent installation, numeral 1 represents a pipe manifold having outlets 2 communicating with reduced orifices which are formed in the original molding of the tub, thus providing liquid jet outlets for feeding Water to the recess B. Communicating with the manifold]. is a liquid line 4 which is the outlet from a commercially available mixing valve V2,the hot water inlet to the mixing valve being shown at 5 and the cold water inlet being shown at 6. Numeral 7 merely represents a mixing valve dial and control arm which is available in the bathroom interior and the bather utilizes this dial and control arm to open or close the water line 4 and to regulate and control the temperature of the incoming water. It is to be understood that all pipes and liquid lines including the manifold 1 and the control valve V2 will not be exposed in the bathroom, thus creasing a streamlined modern effect, as is desirous in present day installations. It will also be noted that jet outlets 3, which preferably enter the recess B immediately adjacent the bottom thereof, cause the water entering recess B to flow in a like path which is counterclockwise when viewed as in Figure l, but, of course, this would be reversed. Thus, the incoming water is well circulated to maintain a relatively constant mixed temperature throughout; Of course, the number of jet outlets 3 may be varied as desired, but there should be at least one on each side of the tub T. By referring above and hereinafter to jet outlets immediately adjacent the recess bottom is meant adjacent the point where the vertical recess wall begins its gradual upward taper from the sharp curve of the recess bottom.

Considering Figures 2 and 3, there is shown tubing 10 which may be a rubber, plastic or metal tubing. One end of this tubing terminates in a rubber or plastic nipple 11 designed to fit over the outlet of faucet F and the other end of the tubing 10 terminates in horizontal tubing 12, this joint being in the nature of an inverted T joint providing liquid communication between tubing 16 and 12. The tubing 12 is contoured as shown in Figure 2 whereby its legs 13 form a substantially inverted U and the U tubing 10 provide a combined manifold or liquid line 14 for incoming liquid. Secured to the manifold 14 by a suitable bonding means at the bends of the U are rubber or plastic suction cups 115 and they are designed to engage the two front corners of the interior surface of the bath tub recess B and to maintain the manifold supported and positioned Within the tub. The legs 13 terminate in closed ends 16 having fluid communication with outlet tips 17 that are pivotally mounted thereon so they may be adjusted to direct the outgoing water flowing therethrough in any direction desired and preferably in a like path (clockwise as viewed in Figure 2), and here again the number of these outlets 17 may be varied to provide more than one on each side of the tub by merely extending the length of legs 13 along the sides of the recess. The tips have reduced orifices to provide jet-like water outlets and these outlets together with the legs 13 are preferably positioned immediately adjacent the bottom of recess B.

In operation of both embodiments of the invention water being ejected or discharged into the recesses B and B from the jet nozzles (which are immediately adjacent the recess bottom) does not splash nor is there any appreciable noise associated therewith, especially when some water accumulates within the recess and the level thereof passes the height of the nozzles. Furthermore, due to the position of the nozzles the incoming Water is properly circulated to maintain the liquid throughout the recesses at a relatively constant tempera ture. It should be mentioned that newly constructed and installed tubs may readily incorporate the teachings of Figure 1 and as to the portable attachment of Figures 2 and 3, this may be utilized with most any tub at a minimum expense. As to the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, it will be obvious that it is simple to attach and detach to present installations.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of this invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples thereof and that various changes relative to material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

An attachment for a bath tub having a bathing recess of substantial depth formed therein providing a bottom surface and end and side walls upstanding therefrom, the tub having associated therewith adjacent the end wall the usual liquid faucet, comprising a liquid supply line for carrying liquid from the faucet into the recess, said line being detachably connectable with the faucet and having connected therewith a pair of liquid jet discharge nozzles, means to detachably secure the line to the interior surface of the tub recess adjacent the front corners and bottom surface thereof whereby a nozzle may be positioned immediately adjacent the recess bottom along each side wall of the recess, said nozzles being further positioned to discharge liquid from said line into said recess and direct same in a like circulatory path, said line including a first tube detachably connectable to the faucet and arranged to extend therefrom vertically downwardly in the recess to immediately adjacent the bottom surface, and a second tube in the form of a substantial U with the legs thereof being arranged for positioning in a common horizontal plane along the sides of the recess immediately adjacent the bottom surface and terminating in said nozzles, said means to detachably secure the line comprising at least one suction cup carried by the second tube of the line and engageable with said interior surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 953,529 Higgins Mar. 29, 1910 1,962,793 Vogel June 12, 1934 2,100,186 Hagopian Nov. 23, 1937 2,502,052 Landon et al. Mar. 28, 1950 2,575,636 Patch Nov. 20, 1951 2,705,329 Exton-Porter Apr. 5, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 105,590 Great Britain Apr. 16, 1917

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