US2465853A - Bathtub with contained shower curtain - Google Patents

Description

s. E. DALTON, JR

BATHTUB WITH CONTAINED SHOWER CURTAIN March 29, 1949.

Filed June 10, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ri g 3 W J f 2 W m J a .c L r a %7 ///////J// ///////4 w x 6 m? v m g g L 7 R /4/ l W z x March 29, 1949.

S. E. DALTON, JR v BATHTUB WITH CONTAINED SHOWER CURTAIN 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June lO, 1948 March 29, 1949.

s. E. DALTON, JR

BA'THTUB WITH CONTAINED SHOWER CURTAIN 3 Shets-Sheet 3 Fi1`d June 10, 1948 Patented Mar. 29, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Simon E. Dalton, Jr., Ventnor City, N. J.

Application June 10, 1948, Serial No. 32,065

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a bathtub and contained shower curtain and has for an object to provide a bathtub. and curtain, which curtain is in a rolled condition when not in use; but, on the other hand, may be readily and quickly and hydraulically raised to provide a protective shield when so desired.

The present invention is similar in several respects to the tub and curtain as illustrated in my patent of March 9, 1943, No. 2,313,421, in that there is a longitudinally extending chamber that houses the curtain, so that when the curtain is in use and the bottom is in the chamber, there is no possibility of the water that splashes on the curtain dropping or running to the floor.

However, in the patent above mentioned, the curtain was in the form of sections which were nested in rather a deep chamber, and the curtain had to be raised by hand; whereas in the present instance there is a relatively shallow longitudinally extending chamber in which is housed a roller curtain; and hydraulic means are used for elevating the curtain so that it is only necessary to manipulate a handle, which in turn is connected with a two-way valve to raise ormlower teles copic tubes to the ends of which are fastened the free ends of the curtain.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bathtub and contained shower curtain, the tub having a longitudinally extending relatively shallow chamber which houses the curtain roller; and two deeper wells at the opposite ends of the tub in which are mounted telescopic tubes to which the free ends of the curtain are secured, while surrounding these two sets of telescopic tubes are larger tubes which form tracks for the sides of the curtain, these telescopic tubes in turn being operated by the admitting of water to the telescopic tubes to extend the same, and liberating the water to allow the tubes to return to their normal position.

still another object of the invention is to provide a bathtub and contained shower curtain so that there is no possibility of the curtain, at its lower end, ever being outside the tub; and "also to provide a relatively simple means for elevating and lowerng the curtain by a mere manipulation of the hand. p Still another object of the invention is to provide a tub with a contained curtain, having a longitudinal chamber in which is housed a roller curtain, there being a bar at the free end of the curtain so that when the curtain is in its normal or housed condition, the chamber in the tub will be covered or sealed.

9 Claims. (CI. 4-149 With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain new and novel arrangements and combination of parts as will hereafter be more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings showing the preferred form and a modification,

Fig. 1 is a front view partly in section of the improved tub and shower curtain and showin the curtain in its elevated position,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, sectional view, similar to Fig. 1, and showing the curtain in its lower position, the front wall of the tub being shown in section,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing the curtain in its raised position. and the elevating means in section,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective showing a portion of the outer tube and the connecting bar attached threto,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective showing the manner of joining the well cover to which is secured the free end of the curtain, secured to one of the telescopic supports,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of two of the telescopic tubes,

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing a slightly modified form,

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatc view of the Operating valve,

Fig. 12 is a front view, partly in section, showing a slightly modified form wherein means are encased in a chamber for squeegeeing and disinfecting the curtain,

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional View showing the squeegeeing and disinfectng means as mounted in the supplemental chamber,

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing the squeegee and disinfectant means mounted in the supplemental chamber, and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective of the bracket, squeegee and wick for disinfecting the curtain.

Referring now more particularly to the several views, and for the moment, to Fig. 1, there is shown a bathtub I, positioned between the walis 2 and 3, although it will be understood, of course, the tub does not have to be set in between two walls. r

It will also be understood that the tub may be made in any desired manner, such as case, molded, stamped, laminated, or extrucled, or, in any other suitabl manner.

As also may be seen from Figs. 1 and there is formed in the front face i of the tub i at its top chamber 5, which chamber 5 is relativeiy shallow but deep enough to hold a roller shower curtain 6 to be mentioned hereafter.

In my former patent, No. 2, 313, 421, of March 9, 1943, the front wall of the tub was provided with a similar chamber, but in that instance, the chamber was approximately the depth er" the front wall of the tub, and in this chamber were sectionai parts of a curtain.

Besides the chamber 5 there may be seen a Vertical well E near the one end oi the front face i and a similar well 'i at' the other end of the fact of the tub i. rhe purpose of these two wells is each to house a set of telescopic tubes 8 and 9; and as the wells and tubes and other parts of these raising units are the same, a description of one will be a description oi the other.

Referring to the set 8 it will be noticed that there are the lower tubes &a and 827 and the uppermost one sc, which telescope one within the other so that they can be nested or housed, as shown in Fig. 2.

As also may be seen in Fig. e, at the upper end of the two sections &a and Sb may be seen the packing glands Hi so that when water is forced into these tubes &a and tb, it will not leak where the tubes interfit.

In Fig. 9, I have shown the tubes %a and %b on an enlarged scale and also have shown the packing glands lt. It will be noticed that these tubes slide one within the other and their extended position (see Figs. 1 and i) is limited by a stop ll at the top of an outer tube i& in which the set of telescopic tubes 8 are enclosed.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a slight modification of the section 8b, for instance, as an example, wherein at the inner end of the tube in there a small collar !3 that will impinge against a lug li above which end there may be ::eera similar packing gland !5. In other words, nr form of tube might be utilized 'to make up this telescopic set, and if the latter is used, it would not be necessary to have a stop at the top of the tube !2.

Extending through th set oi tubes i! may be seen the spring !E (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4) which is held at its lower end by a pin I?, which tends through the end of the tub, in line with the well 6; while the upper end of the spring -IB (see Fig. e) is Secured to an eyelet s which is mounted in a small circuiar plate which turn is Secured to a cap or seal 28, which is in the form of a bar, and extends the entire leng i of 'the tub and acts as a seal for the chamber in which the roller curtain 6 is mounted, the bar 20 being perforated as at 2l' to permit the escape of any moisture.

At `the upper end of the well E there will he noticed a collar 21 which is tightly fitte'd within the well 6 and in which coilar 2! is mounted trunnion 22 of the roller 6, so that this coiiar 2! with the trunnion 22 may be positioned before the outer tube 52 is fastened to the coliar zl.

As heretofore mentioned the arrangenent is duplicated in the well 'i and with the series oi tubes 9.

The outer tube H is split on its ihn-.er side at 23 so that the connection between the upper cap 20 and its plug or plate !8 may slide and be guided within the walls iorming tne track 23.

The curtain material u' wnicn is attacieo to the roller ii may be made of plastic or any of the well known materials tnat path curtains are made of, and its Iree end will be iastened throughout its upper edge to tne aiorementioned bar or cap 20.

In Fgs. 1 and. 11, I have shown a two-way valve zu with a hancle zo anu an niet hipe zu' that extends into the passageway Z' which runs the entire length 01' the Iont wall oi the tuo :a and has a port 28 extencling into th weil u, and, of course, a Iurtner port ze exteiung into the well '1.

''nus, when the valve 24 is turned, as shown in Fig. li, tne Water wi pass into me two respective weis b' ana i; ana, oi course, rorce tne telescopic tubes to tner extenueo position, as clearly shown n rug. i, tnus rasing Te seal na to WLhUn tne material Li' oI' tne curtain s attaciiea, so that the curtan is now in its protective position. On. the other nano', wnen the vave naiole ze s operated in the opposte (lli'ecton, tne Water 'suppy will be cut oI ana the spring n' ana smnar spring in the other set e wi telescope the tubes and tne water may pass out or the outiet 3:1.

.L'his telescopng of the tubes, oi' course, will lower the curtain so that it wil roll up on the roller 6 and the top bar or cap zu wll nt over the chamber 5, as may be seen in Fg. 6.

Thus, it will be seen that it is but a matter of a moment to elevate or lower the shower curtain by simply manpulating the valve hanaie 25 which may be positioned in any convenient place near the tub.

Also, as shown in Fig. 6, I provide a small drain 31 from the chamber 5 so that any water coilected in this chamber 5 will drain off into the main drain 32 of the tub i.

As also shown in Fg. 1, I may provide a strip or bar 33 that will be fastened to the stops ll which are mounted at the upper ends of the outer tubes !2, so as to brace these two tubes in which the respective telescopic tubes are mounted.

In Figs. 12 to 15 inclusve, I have shown a way of .keeping the chamber 5" and curtain material 6" in a sanitary condition, and I have shown the chamber 5' of slightly greater depth than the chamber 5 shown in the preferred form, although the arrangement for keeping the well sanitary can be carried out in the preferred form.

It Will be understood that otherwise the tub and the Operating mechanism are identical.

Referring now specically to Fig. 12, there will be seen the tub i' with the chamber '5' and the curtain material ii", together with the telescopic tubes 8' and 9' all of which parts are identical with those shown in the preferred form.

There is also the valve 2 'i' for admitting water to the tubes 8' and 9'.

However, as clearly seen in Fig. 14, I mount preferably a metal bracket 50 which is supported at its ends by the legs si, and in the top of the bracket 58 there is a central slot 52 through which the curtain material G" passes. This curtain 6" will be, of course, mounted on a roller bracket 53 similar in all respects to that shown in the preferred form.

Thus, when the bracket 50 is mounted within the chamber 5' and is lowered, the surplus water on the curtain will be removed by contact with the metal walls 54 and 55 defining the slot 52.

Mounted on the underside of the `'bra'cket 50 15 a wick 56 that is fed through the tube 51 from a small reservoir 58 that may be mounted on the top of the bracket 50. There may be a plurality of these oil reservoirs 58 so that the wick 55 will be saturated throughout its length. In this oil reservoir 58 may be used a pine oil or any other unobjectionable disinfectant.

Thus, when the curtain is elevated hydraulically it will probably be dry, but when being lowered, any surplus water will be removed; and also the lubricated wick 56, bearing against the curtain, will keep it in a sanitary condition. Also, the oil evaporating from the wick 56 will tend always to keep the well fresh.

It will be understood that this bracket is to be removable, so that if necessary ever to remove the curtain, it will be readily accessible.

It is also understood that I may use other means of wiping the curtain and supplying a disinfectant. The one shown is illustrative only of one way in which it may be accomplished.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the arrangement follows in general prin ciples the tub shown in my Patent No. 2,313,421, with an encased curtain; but in this present instance the chamber does not have to be nearly as deep, and hydraulic means are shown for elevating and lower-ing the curtain, so that it is only necessary to manipulate one handle to raise and lower the curtain.

I have also shown means wherein the greater part of any water on the curtain may be removed when the curtain is lowered and at the same t me a disinfectant may be wiped on to the curtain so that the well and the curtain will al- Wavs be kept in a sanitary condition.

Having thus descr bed my invention, what I cla m is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A ba htub hav ng an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curta n normally housed in said chamber, h drau ica ly operated elevating means located at the opoosite ends of said chamber. and the free end of the curtain connected to said hydraulically operated means. whereby an operation of said hy rau ic :means will ,ra se said curtain.

2. A bathtub having an open to chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, hydraul cally operated elevating means located at the opoosite ends of said chamber, the free end of the curtain connected to said hydraulically operated means, whereby an operation of said hydraulic means will raise said curtain, and mechanical means assoc ated with the hydraulic means for lowering said curtain.

3. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, hydraulically operated elevating means located at the opposite ends of said chamber, the free end of the curtain connected to said hydraulically .operated means, whereby an operation of said hydraulic means will raise said curtain, and spring means located within the hydraulic means for assistine in lowering said curtain.

4. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, elevating means for the curtain in the form of telescopic tubes located at the opposite ends of the said chamber, the free end of the curtain connected to the uppermost of the telescopic tubes, a water supply for said telescopic tubes,

means for supplying water to the tubes and for draining the water from said tubes, and spring means within said telescopic tubes for assisting in lowering th curtain.

5. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, a cap for the open top chamber, the free end of the curtain secured to said cap, elevating means for the cap in the form of telescopic tubes located at the opposite ends of said chamber, the cap connected to the uppermost of the telescopic tubes, a water pressure supply for said telescopic tubes, and a valve for admitting the water to the tubes and for dr-aining the same, whereby the curtain may be raised or lowered by manipulation of said valve.

6. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, a cap for the open top chamber, the free end of the curtain secured to said cap, elevating means for the cap in the form of sets of telescopic tubes located at the opposite end-s of said chamber, the cap connected to the uppermost of the tubes, a split tube for each set of telescopic tubes to thus form a track for the cap, a water pressure supply for the said sets of telescopic tubes, and a single valve for admitting water to the telescopic tubes and for draining the same, whereby the curtain may be raised or lowered by a manipulatlon of said valve.

7. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, a cap for the open top chamber, the free end of the curtain secured to said cap, wells formed in the tub at each end of said chamber, elevating means for the cap in the form of telescopic tubes located in said wells, the cap connected to the uppermost of the respective telescopic tubes, tracks for the cap in the form of tubes also located above the said wells, and a valve for admitting the water to the telescopic tubes and for draining the same, whereby the cap and the curtain may be raised or lowered by manipulation of said valve.

8. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, means mounted in the chamber having a restricted opening for squeegeeing the curtain, means also associated therewith for applying a disinfectant to said curtain, hydraulically operated elevating means located at the opposite ends of the chamber, and the free end of the curtain connected to said hydraulically operated means whereby an operation of said hydraulic means will raise and lower said curtain.

9. A bathtub having an open top chamber extending along the front face thereof, a roller shower curtain normally housed in said chamber, means mounted in the chamber having a restricted opening for squeegeeing the curtain, a wick associated with said squeegeeing means, reservoirs for disinfectant connected to said wick end and also mounted in said chamber, hydraulically operated elevating means located at the opposite ends of the chamber, and the free end of the curtain connected to said hydraulically operated means, whereby an operation of said hydraulic means will raise and lower said curtain and squeegee and disinfect the same.

SIMON E. DALTON JR.

No references cited.

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