Bathtub and shower threshold

Abstract

A threshold for a bathtub or shower base assembly includes a slope configured to direct water away from an exterior toward an interior of the tub or assembly. The slope declines as it extends inwardly, thereby preventing water from leaking. The slope includes an outer portion that is higher than an inner portion, and a surface in between that faces upwardly and inwardly. The slope is disposed along an axial length of an outer side of the tub or base assembly. The slope is disposed outwardly of a horizontally flat surface which, in a tub, may be configured for supporting a sliding door.

1 . A bathing unit apparatus, comprising: 
 a reservoir;    a threshold having an outer edge and an inner edge; and    a slope included in the threshold and configured to direct water away from the outer edge toward the inner edge.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slope comprises a run-off surface facing upwardly and inwardly.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the run-off surface is substantially flat.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold comprises a substantially horizontal surface between the slope and the inner edge.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the slope comprises an outer portion with a height between 0.25 inch to 1 inch from the substantially horizontal surface.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the slope comprises a transverse span between 0.5 inch to 3 inches.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the slope comprises an angle between 5 to 85 degrees with respect to the substantially horizontal surface.  
   
   
       8 . A bathing unit assembly for use in connection with a shower enclosure, comprising: 
 a bottom floor;    an inner side portion adapted to be disposed adjacent an inner wall of the shower enclosure;    a front side portion adapted to be disposed adjacent to a front wall of the shower enclosure;    a rear side portion adapted to be disposed adjacent to a rear wall of the shower enclosure; and    a threshold portion including an outer edge, an inner edge and a slope configured to direct water from the outer edge toward the inner edge.    
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the slope comprises a run-off surface facing upwardly and inwardly.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the run-off surface is substantially flat.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the threshold comprises a substantially horizontal surface between the slope and the inner edge.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the slope comprises an outer portion with a height between 0.25 inch to 1 inch from the substantially horizontal surface.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the slope comprises a transverse span between 0.5 inch to 3 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the slope comprises an angle between 5 to 85 degrees with respect to the substantially horizontal surface.  
   
   
       15 . A slope for use in connection with an existing bathing unit threshold, comprising: 
 a length;    an outer portion disposed substantially along the length and having a first height;    an inner portion disposed substantially along the length and having a second height that is less than the first height; and    a slope descending from the outer portion to the inner portion.    
   
   
       16 . A method for preventing leakage from a bathing unit area, comprising: 
 providing a threshold disposed adjacent to an outer side of the area;    providing the threshold with a slope that declines as it extends inwardly;    receiving water with the threshold; and    directing the water away from an exterior of the area and toward an interior of the area with the slope.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bathing unit comprises a bath tub.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the bathing unit comprises a shower base assembly.