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US20040107495A1 - Lining - Google Patents

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Publication number
US20040107495A1
US20040107495A1 US10/469,942 US46994204A US2004107495A1 US 20040107495 A1 US20040107495 A1 US 20040107495A1 US 46994204 A US46994204 A US 46994204A US 2004107495 A1 US2004107495 A1 US 2004107495A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
lining
lining according
chambers
fluid
resilient member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/469,942
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Viggo Pleym
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NORTUB AS
Original Assignee
NORTUB AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NORTUB AS filed Critical NORTUB AS
Assigned to NORTUB AS reassignment NORTUB AS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PLEYM, VIGGO
Publication of US20040107495A1 publication Critical patent/US20040107495A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/001—Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00 ; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation
    • A47K3/002—Non-slip mats for baths
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/22—Resiliently-mounted floors, e.g. sprung floors

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a lining for hard surfaces, such as in bathtubs or pools, wherein the lining is divided into chambers by means of inner walls and arranged to contain at least one fluid.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,676 (Levine) describes an inner lining for bathtubs which divided into sections with cushion elements, the cushion elements being filled with air so that the lining becomes comfortable to sit on during bathing.
  • the cushion elements can in one embodiment be filled with a resilient and compressible material, e.g., cotton and mohair, but in another embodiment of a spongy or blown rubber, instead of air.
  • Each section comprises three pockets which communicate with each other by means of a channel between each cushion element to facilitate for the section to lie flatly when inflated with air.
  • Each cushion element is provided with a small air valve in a corner of the cushion element.
  • the cushion elements on the bottom and on the back rest are flexibly joined by means of flexible rubber strips or bands. No fluid communication is present between the sections.
  • the sections with cushion elements cover only the bottom and the back rest of the bathtub.
  • the side walls consist of a flexible lining wall without cushion elements.
  • the invention according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,563 is a cushioned liner for a bathtub, with a cushioned back portion which is constituted by flexible water-filled cushions which are conformed to the back portion of the bathtub, and with left and right cushioned side portions which are constituted by left and right flexible water-filled cushions conformed to the side portions of the bathtub.
  • the liner comprises an elongate water-filled top cushion which is conformed to a top rim of the bathtub and which connects the water-filled cushions on the back portion and on the left and right side portions, passages for water between the top cushion and the top ends of the water-filled cushions on the back portion and the left and right side portions, and a water supply tube which on one end is connected to the top cushion and which on the other end is adapted for connection with the water spigot of the bathtub for filling the cushions with water.
  • the elongate top cushion and left and right cushions are fixedly connected for defining an open, elongate liner.
  • means for connecting the ends so that the liner defines a closed ring which fits into the bathtub when the ends are connected.
  • Means for draining the cushions of water are also arranged.
  • the water-filled cushions does not contain resilient members. Thus, there is a danger for stepping on hard bathtub surfaces, and thus it does not represent a satisfactory solution.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,132 discloses an interior insert for a bathtub with a bath compartment having opposite side walls, end walls, a bottom and a drain opening in the bottom of the liner which can be closed.
  • the interior insert comprises a thin liner which is shaped for conforming to a bathing compartment of a bathtub, with opposite sidewalls, end walls and a bottom covering at least partially the bottom of the bathtub.
  • the thin liner can be inflated and has a resilient thickness when being inflated.
  • the outside of the liner will generally be in contact with or co-operate with the interior surface of the bath compartment of the bathtub.
  • the liner can be comprised of a plurality of inflatable subcells which are in air communication with each other.
  • the surface of the lining can be made of a material which provides friction for a person in the bathtub.
  • An important object of the liner according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,132 is to keep the bathtub clean and be adapted to be disposable.
  • the liners according to the above US patents are not arranged for permanent installation, and will easily be movable against the bathtub and get displaced in relation to the surface of the bathtub in case of movement in the liner which occur when using a bathtub with such liners.
  • none of the liners according to said US patents is arranged for control of the amount of fluid in the liner beyond that they either are inflatable or that they can be filled with water.
  • a lining for hard surfaces such as in bathtubs and pools, wherein the lining is divided into chambers by means of inner walls and adapted to contain at least one fluid.
  • the lining can advantagously involve that at least two chambers are in fluid communication with each other and that at least one resilient member is arranged in at least one of the chambers.
  • the lining also comprises an outer layer of a resilient material which forms the surface of the lining layer opposite said hard surfaces.
  • An object of the lining according to the present invention includes that the number and extent of personal injuries which may occur in the case of falls when using normal bath apparatuses has been minimized.
  • a further object of the invention is that the lining is adapted for containing a controllable amount of fluid.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a cross section through one embodiment of a lining according to the invention, here with an external sheet.
  • the figure also shows schematically that fluid communication between the chambers can take place via apertures in inner walls between chambers in the lining.
  • fluid communication can take place in another way, for example via apertures in the walls and wih one-way valves associated in connection with the apertures.
  • FIG. 2 shows schematically an embodiment of the invention wherein fluid communication takes place via a channel system.
  • FIG. 3 shows schematically a lining according to the invention arranged in a bathtub.
  • FIG. 4 shows schematically a lining according to the invention arranged in a spa bathtub.
  • FIG. 5 shows schematically a lining according to the present invention arranged in a pool.
  • FIG. 6 shows schematically a lining according to the invention arranged on a floor.
  • FIG. 1 a cross section through a lining according to the present invention is shown.
  • the lining is particularly adapted for arrangement on hard surfaces 2 , such as in bathtubs, pools, spas or similar, but it can also be arranged, e.g., on floors in bathrooms.
  • the lining is divided into chambers 3 by means of inner walls 11 and adapted for containing at least one fluid 6 .
  • An inner layer 5 lies against hard surfaces 2 .
  • the lining according to the invention includes among other things that at least two of the strig 3 are in direct fluid communication with each other, and that at least one resilient member 7 is arranged in at least two of the chambers 3 .
  • at least one resilient member 7 may be arranged in each chamber 3 .
  • At least one resilient member 7 can in one embodiment comprise a capsule 7 a containing liquid, e.g., water or similar, and in a second variant a capsule 7 b containing air.
  • at least one resilient member comprises a capsule containing a gel.
  • at least one resilient member may comprise a body 7 d of a solid, resilient material, such as a spongy, soft polymer material, and in another further embodiment, at least one resilient member may also comprise a bag 7 e with granular material, e.g., sand or similar. Naturally, other materials with similar resilient properties can be used.
  • the resilient members are formed of rubber mats, as an example having a thickness of 5 cm.
  • said mats may have any suitable thickness.
  • Said resilient members can be attached to the inner side of the inner lining 5 .
  • the resilient members can also be attached in other suitable manners.
  • said resilient members 7 may “float freely” within said chamber/chambers 3 in the lining.
  • the resilient member 7 may be formed of a material or be of such a weight that these becomes weight neutral in relation to the fluid in which they are located.
  • the resilient members 7 may be of any suitable shape.
  • the lining includes further an outer layer 8 of a resilient material which forms the surface of the lining opposite said hard surfaces 2 , as appears from FIG. 1.
  • the surface can advantageously be smooth with regard to cleaning of the outer layer 8 in the bathtub, because it will be easy to access to the complete surface to be cleaned.
  • the lining according to the invention may advantageously be used for permanent installation in bath apparatuses such as, e.g., bathtubs.
  • Such a permanent installation of the lining can for example be designed as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the lining can for example be moulded into, glued or in other ways be attached to an external frame 9 of aluminium, glass fibre or other suitable composite materials, acryl or other suitable polymer materials, possibly combinations of different materials, with the desired impact resistance.
  • a sheet layer (not shown) in the interior, possibly also along the edges, in the frame 9 before the lining is arranged in the frame 9 .
  • the sheet layer can be glued onto, or in other ways be attached to the frame 9 .
  • the joining with the lining may further take place by heating and cooling of the frame 9 with the sheet layer and the lining for curing.
  • an internal protection for the inner layer 5 and the outer layer 8 can be arranged. This can be done for example by that the outer layer 8 and the inner layer 5 is formed of a double layer of the same kind of material or by at least two different kinds of materials, such as PVC. The material preferred depends among other things of the choice of material for the bath arrangement.
  • the side of the inner layer 5 which faces the inner side of the frame 9 can be embedded into the frame itself when it is moulded.
  • This solution involves that movements which create friction against the frame 9 itself are minimized, because the lining then is fastened to the frame 9 itself.
  • This solution can be favourable, among other things because the disadvantages which may occur if, e.g., the lining is fastened in the corners 9 a - 9 d of the bath apparatus, are avoided, as such a solution could involve that the lining may move against the frame 9 itself and get displaced in relation to the surface of the frame 9 in case of movement in the lining which takes place when a user utilises such a bathtub.
  • corner fasteners for the lining in order to retain it in place in the frame 9 , but then the frame should be completely smooth so that damages to the lining during movement relative to the frame 9 do not occur.
  • an external sheet 10 is advantageously arranged which is made of a material which exerts friction against skin, both in a wet and a dry state, above and under water, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the external sheet 10 may for example be made of a textile, or of a resilient polymer material. A combination between textile and polymer material is also appropriate, but it is also possible to use other materials with the same or similar properties.
  • At least two of the chambers 3 can be in direct fluid communication with each other.
  • fluid 6 in the lining will be able to yield by circulation between at least two chambers 3 , e.g., if the lining is exposed to pressure impact because the user steps onto a lining being arranged in a bathtub.
  • such fluid communication can take place through at least one wall 11 between two chambers 3 in one embodiment of the invention.
  • Fluid communication between the chambers 3 may readily take place via a first aperture 11 a and a second aperture 11 b arranged in at least one wall between the chambers 3 , as shown in FIG. 1.
  • a first one-way valve 12 a may be arranged in connection with the first aperture 11 a , which in case of an external pressure impact on the lining opens for fluid flow in a first direction
  • a second one-way valve 12 a may be arranged in connection with the second aperture 11 b , which in case of an external impact on the lining opens for fluid flow in a second, opposite direction. This involves that fluid(s) 6 in the lining may take place faster, which leads to a more appropriate distribution of the fluid(s) 6 in the lining.
  • transport of fluid 6 in the lining may take place by means of a channel system 13 for fluid communication between at least two chambers 3 .
  • This principle is illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • Fluid(s) 6 to be used in the lining can in principle be any fluid, and include any appropriate combination of fluids, but clearly, usable fluids in preferred embodiments are primarily water, a gel or air, but combinations of these may also be used.
  • the fluid 6 to be used in the lining is for example a liquid or a gel
  • the mass of a user and water in a bathtub would be sufficient for the liquid to be distributed in the complete lining, also in those portions of the lining which lie against the sides of the bathtub.
  • Chemical substances which impedes the formation of biological deposits and other kinds of scale formation within the lining may of course be added to the fluid(s) 6 .
  • a known example of this is adding algae biocide to water for avoiding formation of biological deposits.
  • an appropriate circulation system which provides for circulation of the fluid(s) 6 may be arranged.
  • a system may comprise required connection conduits to a forced circulation apparatus, e.g. a pump or a compressor (not shown).
  • a circulation apparatus such as a pump, it is possible to circulate and/or replace the fluid(s) 6 as required.
  • a lining according to the invention can be adapted for arrangement in bathtub 16 , for example as shown in FIG. 3.
  • a bathtub with a lining according to the invention should be soft and comfortable to sit in, and may have a shape and size as a common bathtub, but also other shapes of the bathtub 16 are possible, for example circular, semicircular or circle sector shaped base, or possibly rectangular or triangular base.
  • the external portion, or frame 9 be a moulded form, and might be made of an impact resistant material, may also be a conventional bathtub.
  • the inside of the frame 9 is attached to the portion of the lining which is convex or adapted to face the inside 2 of the frame 9 .
  • the lining contains fluid(s) 6 and resilient members which makes the bathtub soft to sit on, without coming into contact with hard surfaces 2 in the bathtub 16 .
  • the weakest part of the lining is often the part which is arranged to face the inside of the external form, or frame 9 .
  • This embodiment of the invention may be suitable as lining for spa 17 .
  • Air can be supplied to the spa for example through nozzles in the side walls of the spa (not shown) by means of a compressor or a pump controlled by an electrical motor, or in other appropriate ways.
  • the amount of air which is supplied to the spa 17 can be adjustable for individual adjustment of the amount of air flow.
  • FIG. 5 wherein a lining according to the invention is shown arranged in a pool 18 .
  • Examples of such embodiments of the invention are among other things exercise pools for convalescence purposes and for exercise of the elderly and the disabled, or pools for baby swimming. Circulation of water to the bath water in the pool 18 can also be considered, e.g., such as for swimming pools, among other things for hygienic reasons, or such as for spas, so that a massaging effect occurs on that part of the body which is immersed in the bath water of the pool 18 .
  • the lining according to the invention may of course also be adapted for arrangement on floors, for example as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the lining can be formed as mats 19 which is laid on a hard floor surface in a room, but there are also embodiments wherein the complete surface is covered, possibly also part of the walls of the room.
  • each chamber may constitute a closed cell without fluid communication with the other chambers.

Landscapes

  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Joints Allowing Movement (AREA)
  • Bathtubs, Showers, And Their Attachments (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
  • Electrically Driven Valve-Operating Means (AREA)
US10/469,942 2001-03-07 2002-03-05 Lining Abandoned US20040107495A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO2001.1149 2001-03-07
NO20011149A NO314283B1 (no) 2001-03-07 2001-03-07 Fôringslag
PCT/NO2002/000091 WO2002076275A1 (en) 2001-03-07 2002-03-05 Lining

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20040107495A1 true US20040107495A1 (en) 2004-06-10

Family

ID=19912226

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/469,942 Abandoned US20040107495A1 (en) 2001-03-07 2002-03-05 Lining

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20040107495A1 (no)
EP (1) EP1367926A1 (no)
JP (1) JP2004523321A (no)
CA (1) CA2439922A1 (no)
NO (1) NO314283B1 (no)
WO (1) WO2002076275A1 (no)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7454807B1 (en) 2005-03-08 2008-11-25 Perdum Mardan Massaging fluid filled bed
US20100122408A1 (en) * 2008-11-14 2010-05-20 Mehri Mafi Adjustable padded chair

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2264672A (en) * 1940-08-05 1941-12-02 Benjamin B Levine Tub cushion and lining
US3133292A (en) * 1962-08-06 1964-05-19 Hans G Spier Bathroom safety liner
US4051563A (en) * 1975-05-16 1977-10-04 Clarke Jr Joseph A Cushioned liner for a bath tub
US5044030A (en) * 1990-06-06 1991-09-03 Fabrico Manufacturing Corporation Multiple layer fluid-containing cushion
US5104699A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-04-14 Integra Development International Placemat with floating figurine
US5121962A (en) * 1989-10-13 1992-06-16 Spenco Medical Corporation Cushion for absorbing shock damping vibration and distributing pressure
US5797155A (en) * 1996-06-07 1998-08-25 Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. Wheelchair cushion with protectively encased self-adjusting reservoir means
US5839132A (en) * 1997-03-19 1998-11-24 Rooney; Todd D. Inflatable bathtub liner

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2264672A (en) * 1940-08-05 1941-12-02 Benjamin B Levine Tub cushion and lining
US3133292A (en) * 1962-08-06 1964-05-19 Hans G Spier Bathroom safety liner
US4051563A (en) * 1975-05-16 1977-10-04 Clarke Jr Joseph A Cushioned liner for a bath tub
US5121962A (en) * 1989-10-13 1992-06-16 Spenco Medical Corporation Cushion for absorbing shock damping vibration and distributing pressure
US5044030A (en) * 1990-06-06 1991-09-03 Fabrico Manufacturing Corporation Multiple layer fluid-containing cushion
US5104699A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-04-14 Integra Development International Placemat with floating figurine
US5797155A (en) * 1996-06-07 1998-08-25 Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. Wheelchair cushion with protectively encased self-adjusting reservoir means
US5839132A (en) * 1997-03-19 1998-11-24 Rooney; Todd D. Inflatable bathtub liner

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7454807B1 (en) 2005-03-08 2008-11-25 Perdum Mardan Massaging fluid filled bed
US20100122408A1 (en) * 2008-11-14 2010-05-20 Mehri Mafi Adjustable padded chair
US8262160B2 (en) 2008-11-14 2012-09-11 Mehri Mafi Adjustable padded chair

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002076275A1 (en) 2002-10-03
NO20011149L (no) 2002-09-09
NO314283B1 (no) 2003-03-03
JP2004523321A (ja) 2004-08-05
CA2439922A1 (en) 2002-10-03
NO20011149D0 (no) 2001-03-07
EP1367926A1 (en) 2003-12-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NORTUB AS, NORWAY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PLEYM, VIGGO;REEL/FRAME:014266/0755

Effective date: 20030919

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION