Bathtub door systems and methods

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include a bathtub that can include a U-shaped step saddle associated with a door assembly. The door assembly can include a hinge coupled with the U-shaped step saddle such that the door assembly can be transitioned between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly can include a catch and a latch to secure the door in the closed position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A bathtub comprising:
 (a) a bathtub body having a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines a substantially U-shaped cavity;   (b) a substantially U-shaped step saddle, the substantially U-shaped step saddle being sized to fit the substantially U-shaped cavity defined by the sidewall, the substantially U-shaped step saddle having;
 (i) a step plate, the step plate being substantially horizontal when positioned in the substantially U-shaped cavity of the sidewall; 
 (ii) a first end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from a first end of the step plate; and 
 (iii) a second end plate extending in a generally vertical direction form the second end of the step plate; 
   (c) a door assembly, the door assembly having;
 (iv) at least one hinge coupled with the first end plate; 
 (v) a door, the door having a substantially planar configuration, wherein the door is coupled with the at least one hinge such that the door is pivotable about the at least one hinge; 
 (vi) a first open position, wherein the door extends into an interior of the bathtub in the first open position; 
 (vii) a second closed position, wherein the door is substantially parallel with the sidewall of the bathtub in the second closed position; 
 (viii) a latch, the latch being movably coupled to the door; 
 (ix) a catch, the catch being positioned on the second end plate, wherein the catch cooperates with the latch to secure the door in the second closed position; and 
   (x) a seal, the seal being positioned on an interior surface of the door.   
     
     
         2 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one magnet positioned on the door. 
     
     
         3 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one magnet positioned on the substantially U-shaped step saddle. 
     
     
         4 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure coupled with the step plate. 
     
     
         5 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising a strike plate coupled with the substantially U-shaped step saddle and at least one magnet coupled with the door, where the strike plate and the at least one magnet cooperate to retain the door in the second closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel defined by the substantially U-shaped step saddle, wherein the channel is sized to mate with the seal such that the bathtub is substantially watertight in the second closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the step plate includes integral support bracing that extends in a generally downward direction to support the step plate. 
     
     
         8 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the step plate includes a tread. 
     
     
         9 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially U-shaped step saddle is selectively attachable to the bathtub. 
     
     
         10 . A bathtub comprising:
 (a) a bathtub body having a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines a substantially U-shaped cavity;   (b) a substantially U-shaped step saddle, the substantially U-shaped step saddle being sized to fit the substantially U-shaped cavity in the sidewall, the substantially U-shaped step saddle having;
 (i) a step plate, the step plate being substantially horizontal when positioned in the substantially U-shaped cavity of the sidewall; 
 (ii) a first end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from a first end of the step plate; 
 (iii) a second end plate extending in a generally vertical direction form the second end of the step plate; and 
 (iv) a strike plate, the strike plate being positioned on the second end plate; 
   (c) a door assembly, the door assembly having;
 (i) at least one hinge coupled with the first end plate; 
 (ii) a door, the door having a substantially planar configuration, wherein the door is coupled with the at least one hinge such that the door is pivotable about the at least one hinge; 
 (iii) a first open position, wherein the door extends into an interior of the bathtub in the first open position; 
 (iv) a second closed position, wherein the door is substantially parallel with the sidewall of the bathtub in the second closed position; 
 (v) a magnet, the magnet being positioned on the second end plate, wherein the magnet cooperates with the strike plate to secure the door in the second closed position; and 
 (vi) a seal, the seal being positioned on an interior surface of the door. 
   
     
     
         11 . The bathtub of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet includes a plurality of magnets embedded within the door. 
     
     
         12 . The bathtub of  claim 10 , further comprising a latch positioned on the door and a catch positioned on the second end plate. 
     
     
         13 . The bathtub of  claim 10 , wherein the strike plate is embedded in the second end plate. 
     
     
         14 . The bathtub of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially U-shaped step saddle is selectively attachable to the bathtub. 
     
     
         15 . The bathtub of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially U-shaped saddle is fixedly coupled to the bathtub. 
     
     
         16 . A method for providing a door assembly for a bathtub, the method comprising:
 providing the bathtub having a sidewall, wherein the sidewall defines a substantially U-shaped cavity;   providing a substantially U-shaped step saddle, the substantially U-shaped step saddle being sized to fit the substantially U-shaped cavity in the sidewall, the substantially U-shaped step saddle having;   (a) a step plate, the step plate being substantially horizontal when positioned in the substantially U-shaped cavity of the sidewall;   (b) a first end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from a first end of the step plate; and   (c) a second end plate extending in a generally vertical direction from the second end of the step plate;   providing a door assembly, the door assembly having;   (a) at least one hinge coupled with the first end plate;   (b) a door, the door having a substantially planar configuration, wherein the door is coupled with the at least one hinge such that the door is pivotable about the at least one hinge;   (c) a first open position, wherein the door extends into an interior of the bathtub in the first open position;   (d) a second closed position, wherein the door is substantially parallel with the sidewall of the bathtub in the second closed position;   (e) a latch, the latch being movably coupled to the door;   (f) a catch, the catch being positioned on the second end plate, wherein the catch cooperates with the latch to secure the door in the second closed position; and   (g) a seal, the seal being positioned on an interior surface of the door;   positioning the substantially U-shaped step saddle in the substantially U-shaped cavity in the side wall; and   coupling the substantially U-shaped step saddle with the bathtub.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a support structure coupled with the step plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the substantially U-shaped step saddle with the bathtub fixedly couples the U-shaped step saddle and the bathtub. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the door includes at least one magnet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step saddle includes at least one magnet.