GB2091996A

GB2091996A - Improvements in or relating to baths

Info

Publication number: GB2091996A
Application number: GB8103329A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BARGUSS PETER CHARLES
Current assignee: BARGUSS PETER CHARLES
Priority date: 1981-02-03
Filing date: 1981-02-03
Publication date: 1982-08-11

Abstract

This invention relates to baths and particularly to a lid or cover therefor to enable the bath water heat to be contained and for the purpose of privacy in certain circumstances. The cover comprises a panel 1 with hinge means along one edge at 3 to enable the cover to be hinged to a wall adjacent the bath 2 or the bath itself, and has cut- outs 4 and 7 to be beneath the bath taps 5 and 6 at one end and to fit around the bath occupant at the other end, respectively. Two or more panels may be arranged in a framework: one being fixed and one or more being slideable in the framework which may be channelled for this purpose.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to baths The present invention relates to baths and in particular to a lid or cover for bath so as to enable the bath water heat to be retained and for the purpose of privacy in certain circumstances.

According to the invention there is provided a cover comprising a panel or panels with hinge means along one of the edges thereof to enable the cover to be hinged to a wall above the bath or to the bath itself, cut-outs being provided at one end to accomodate an occupant and at the other end at a position beneath the usual taps in use.

If desired the panel or panels may be contained in a framework and if several panels are provided one of them may be relatively fixed and the framework may be of channelled formation, one or more of the panels being arranged to slide within the channels so as to cover and uncover selected areas of the bath.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference will now be made to the acconpanying drawings showing two embodiments thereof by way of example and in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment in which the cover comprises a single panel of material, Figure 2 shows another view of an arrangement in which the cover comprises a plurality of panels one of which is relatively fixed and two of which are relatively slideable in a channel-section framework, and Figure 3 shows a section through a frame member.

Referring now to the drawings Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment in which a bath cover is in the form of a single panel 1 hinged to a bath 2 along one edge thereof ar 3 or if desired to an adjacent wall, and contains cut-outs at 4 to be below the position of taps 5, 6 when in use, and at 7 to allow the bather to be covered from chest level downwards by the end of the panel.

The panel may be made from a suitable plastics material e.g. polished polystyrene and is preferably opaque or may be translucent or even transparent if desired.

According to Fig. 2 there is provided a frame work 8 which is made up of members having double channels 9 and 10 enabling end panels 11 and 1 2 to be able to slide with respect to a relatively fixed central panel 1 3.

Suitable materials for such framework are aluminium or rigid plastics. The sliding panels may be arranged below the level of fixed panel 1 3 or above it as shown.

As in Fig. 1 cut-outs are provided at 1 4 for ingress of water and at 1 5 to pass around the bather's body respectively. Similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 1 the panels may be transparent, translucent or opaque and may have different finishes as between the fixed and sliding panel members if desired.

When the cover is closed down above the surface of the bath, the panel or panels trap the heat and enable the water.temperture to be retained for a long period and when in use it provides great comfort for the occupant and diminishes the need for topping up with hot water during bathing, thus saving fuel. The presence of the cover enables the bath to be warmed more easily and to a certain extent it improves the cosmetic appearance. Another advantage is that the cover can offer a degree of privacy e.g. where the bathroom is shared by other members of the family.

Other suitable materials for the panel or panels is fibreglass, glass or aluminium for example and may be offered as original equipment with a bath suite in matching colour or, as referred to above it may be transparent or translucent and made from any appropriate material.

The hinges are advantageously of the lift-off variety which will enable the cover to be quickly fitted or detached when not required.

Moreover when fitted it can be hinged into an upper position where it may be retained against the wall of the bathroom by a suitable fixing device shown at 1 6 in Fig. 1.

If desired the panel or panels may be ribbed or fluted for rigidity or it may be patterned and particularly if made from plastics materials may incorporate formed-in hinges and handles. If desired the panel or panels may be covered with replaceable decorative materials e.g. that known under the Registered Trade Marks "FABLON" or "CONTACT" which are self-adhesive and easily applied materials which are resistant to the effects of water vapour and condensation and are easily cleanable.

It will be apparent that the invention has been described only by way of example and that various modifications may be made to the specific details referred to without in any way departing from i -cope.

1. A cover for a bath comprising a panel or panels with hinge means along one edge thereof to enable the cover to be hinged to a wall above the bath or to the ..th itself, cutouts being provided at the eno to accommodate an occupant at one end and to be located beneath the bath tap or taps at the other end.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel or panels is/are contained within a framework.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least two panels are provided and the framework is channelled, one of said panels being fixed within said framework and one or more further panels being arranged to slide within the channels of the framework so as to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to baths The present invention relates to baths and in particular to a lid or cover for bath so as to enable the bath water heat to be retained and for the purpose of privacy in certain circumstances. According to the invention there is provided a cover comprising a panel or panels with hinge means along one of the edges thereof to enable the cover to be hinged to a wall above the bath or to the bath itself, cut-outs being provided at one end to accomodate an occupant and at the other end at a position beneath the usual taps in use. If desired the panel or panels may be contained in a framework and if several panels are provided one of them may be relatively fixed and the framework may be of channelled formation, one or more of the panels being arranged to slide within the channels so as to cover and uncover selected areas of the bath. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference will now be made to the acconpanying drawings showing two embodiments thereof by way of example and in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment in which the cover comprises a single panel of material, Figure 2 shows another view of an arrangement in which the cover comprises a plurality of panels one of which is relatively fixed and two of which are relatively slideable in a channel-section framework, and Figure 3 shows a section through a frame member. Referring now to the drawings Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment in which a bath cover is in the form of a single panel 1 hinged to a bath 2 along one edge thereof ar 3 or if desired to an adjacent wall, and contains cut-outs at 4 to be below the position of taps 5, 6 when in use, and at 7 to allow the bather to be covered from chest level downwards by the end of the panel. The panel may be made from a suitable plastics material e.g. polished polystyrene and is preferably opaque or may be translucent or even transparent if desired. According to Fig. 2 there is provided a frame work 8 which is made up of members having double channels 9 and 10 enabling end panels 11 and 1 2 to be able to slide with respect to a relatively fixed central panel 1 3. Suitable materials for such framework are aluminium or rigid plastics. The sliding panels may be arranged below the level of fixed panel 1 3 or above it as shown. As in Fig. 1 cut-outs are provided at 1 4 for ingress of water and at 1 5 to pass around the bather's body respectively. Similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 1 the panels may be transparent, translucent or opaque and may have different finishes as between the fixed and sliding panel members if desired. When the cover is closed down above the surface of the bath, the panel or panels trap the heat and enable the water.temperture to be retained for a long period and when in use it provides great comfort for the occupant and diminishes the need for topping up with hot water during bathing, thus saving fuel. The presence of the cover enables the bath to be warmed more easily and to a certain extent it improves the cosmetic appearance. Another advantage is that the cover can offer a degree of privacy e.g. where the bathroom is shared by other members of the family. Other suitable materials for the panel or panels is fibreglass, glass or aluminium for example and may be offered as original equipment with a bath suite in matching colour or, as referred to above it may be transparent or translucent and made from any appropriate material. The hinges are advantageously of the lift-off variety which will enable the cover to be quickly fitted or detached when not required. Moreover when fitted it can be hinged into an upper position where it may be retained against the wall of the bathroom by a suitable fixing device shown at 1 6 in Fig. 1. If desired the panel or panels may be ribbed or fluted for rigidity or it may be patterned and particularly if made from plastics materials may incorporate formed-in hinges and handles. If desired the panel or panels may be covered with replaceable decorative materials e.g. that known under the Registered Trade Marks "FABLON" or "CONTACT" which are self-adhesive and easily applied materials which are resistant to the effects of water vapour and condensation and are easily cleanable. It will be apparent that the invention has been described only by way of example and that various modifications may be made to the specific details referred to without in any way departing from i -cope. CLAIMS

3. A cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least two panels are provided and the framework is channelled, one of said panels being fixed within said framework and one or more further panels being arranged to slide within the channels of the framework so as to cover and uncover selected areas of the bath.

4. A cover for a bath substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig.

1 of the accompanying drawings.

5. A cover for a bath substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A bath provided with a cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.