Walk-In Tub Door Assembly

Abstract

A walk-in tub includes a tub frame having a door frame provided in one or more of the walls of the tub frame. The tub further includes a door hingedly connected to the door frame and adapted for movement between an open position into the interior cavity of the tub and a closed position aligned with the door frame. A sealing face is provided on the door frame facing the interior cavity of the tub. A seal is disposed around a perimeter of the door for sealing the door against the sealing face when the door is in the closed position. A latching mechanism on the door is operable between a latching position and an unlatching position and includes a slidable latching pin that is slidable to engage a pin receiver in the latching position when the door is locked and disengage from the pin receiver in the unlatching position when the door is unlocked.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A door assembly for a walk-in tub, the door assembly comprising:
 a door having a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity therebetween, the door being adapted for movement between an open position opening into an interior cavity of the walk-in tub and a closed position;   a hinge for hingedly connecting the door to the walk-in tub, the hinge being adapted for moving the door between the open position and the closed position;   a seal disposed around a perimeter of the door for sealing the door against the walk-in tub when the door is in the closed position; and   a latching mechanism disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the latching mechanism operable between a latching position and an unlatching position.   
     
     
         2 . The door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism includes at least one latching pin that is slidable to engage a corresponding pin receiver in the latching position and disengage from the pin receiver in the unlatching position. 
     
     
         3 . The door assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the latching pin has a tapered end for partially engaging the pin receiver when the door in a partially closed position to urge the door to the closed position by fully engaging the pin receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a handle operative for moving the latching mechanism between the latching position and the unlatching position. 
     
     
         5 . The door assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the handle is rotatably connected to the latching mechanism by one or more rods. 
     
     
         6 . The door assembly of  claim 5 , wherein rotational movement of the handle causes a substantially linear movement of the rods. 
     
     
         7 . The door assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the rods actuate the at least one latching pin between the latching position and the unlatching position. 
     
     
         8 . The door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the seal includes a first portion connected to the door and a second portion extending away from the door. 
     
     
         9 . The door assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the seal has a plurality of hollow cavities that are compressible when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The door assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, in the open position, the door extends away from a door frame and into the interior cavity of the walk-in tub. 
     
     
         11 . A walk-in tub comprising:
 a tub frame having a plurality of walls extending from a floor to define an interior cavity of the tub;   a door frame extending through one or more of the walls, the door frame adapted for providing a doorway for ingress into the interior cavity of the tub and egress from the interior cavity of the tub;   a sealing face provided on the door frame and facing the interior cavity of the tub;   a door having a first portion and a second portion defining a cavity therebetween, the door being adapted for movement between an open position away from the door frame and into the interior cavity of the tub and a closed position toward the door frame and away from the interior cavity of the tub;   a hinge for hingedly connecting the door to the doorway, the hinge being adapted for moving the door between the open position and the closed position;   a seal disposed around a perimeter of the door for sealing the door against the sealing face when the door is in the closed position; and   a latching mechanism disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the latching mechanism operable between a latching position and an unlatching position.   
     
     
         12 . The walk-in tub of  claim 11 , wherein the latching mechanism includes at least one latching pin that is slidable to engage a corresponding pin receiver in the latching position and disengage from the pin receiver in the unlatching position. 
     
     
         13 . The walk-in tub of  claim 12 , wherein the pin receiver is provided on the door and the door frame. 
     
     
         14 . The walk-in tub of  claim 12 , wherein the latching pin has a tapered end for partially engaging the pin receiver when the door in a partially closed position to urge the door to the closed position by fully engaging the pin receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The walk-in tub of  claim 13 , wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a handle operative for moving the latching mechanism between the latching position and the unlatching position. 
     
     
         16 . The walk-in tub of  claim 15 , wherein the handle is rotatably connected to the latching mechanism by one or more rods. 
     
     
         17 . The walk-in tub of  claim 16 , wherein rotational movement of the handle causes a substantially linear movement of the rods. 
     
     
         18 . The walk-in tub of  claim 14 , wherein the rods actuate the latching pin between the latching position and the unlatching position. 
     
     
         19 . The walk-in tub of  claim 11 , wherein the seal includes a first portion connected to the door and a second portion extending away from the door. 
     
     
         20 . The walk-in tub of  claim 19 , wherein the second portion of the seal has a plurality of hollow cavities that are compressible when the door is in the closed position.