Bathtub closure systems and methods

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity can be configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub. The bathtub closure system can include a closure, where the closure can be coupled with the step and can cooperate with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the closure is in a closed position. The bathtub closure system can include a support portion, where the support portion can be co-molded with the step and have a substantially U-shaped configuration extending in a generally downward direction from the step to support the step during use.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A bathtub closure system comprising:
 (a) a step, the step comprising;
 (i) a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub; and 
 (ii) a first attachment recess defined by the step; and 
   (b) a plug, the plug comprising;
 (i) a body having a first side, a second side, and a bottom portion; and 
 (ii) a first attachment member affixed to the body and corresponding to the first attachment recess defined by the step; 
   
       wherein the plug cooperates with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the first attachment member is mated with the first attachment recess and the body of the plug is positioned at least partially within the cavity defined by the step. 
     
     
         2 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity defined by the first side panel, the second side panel, and the elongated platform is substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second attachment recess defined by the step, wherein the first attachment recess is defined by the first side panel and the second attachment recess is defined by the second side panel. 
     
     
         4 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 3 , further comprising a second attachment member corresponding to the second attachment recess. 
     
     
         5 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 4 , wherein the first attachment recess and the second attachment recess are substantially semi-circular in shape, and the first attachment member and the second attachment member have a corresponding semi-circular shape. 
     
     
         6 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 4 , further comprising a first fastener configured to secure the first attachment member in the first attachment recess and a second fastener configured to secure the second attachment member in the second attachment recess. 
     
     
         7 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 6 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are threaded fasteners that urge the plug in a generally downward direction against the step when tightened. 
     
     
         8 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 7 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener have a substantially vertical orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener that secures the first attachment member to the first attachment recess. 
     
     
         10 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 9 , wherein the actuation of the fastener compresses the plug against the seat to form a substantially watertight seal. 
     
     
         11 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the step is molded with the bathtub. 
     
     
         12 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is positioned substantially entirely within the cavity defined by the step. 
     
     
         13 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the plug further comprises an inset handle for placement of the plug relative to the step. 
     
     
         14 . A bathtub closure system comprising:
 (a) a step saddle, the step saddle comprising;
 (i) a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a substantially U-shaped cavity, wherein the substantially U-shaped cavity is configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub; 
 (ii) a first cavity defined by the first side panel; and 
 (iii) a second cavity defined by the second side panel; 
   (b) a plug, the plug comprising;
 (i) a body having a first side, a second side, and a bottom portion, wherein the body of the plug is shaped to correspond to the substantially U-shaped cavity defined by the step saddle; 
 (ii) a first projection, extending from the first side of the plug, corresponding to the first lateral cavity defined by the bathtub; 
 (iii) a second projection, extending from the second side of the plug, corresponding to the second lateral cavity defined by the bathtub; 
   (c) a first fastener configured to secure the first projection to the first cavity; and   (d) a second fastener configured to secure the second projection to the second cavity;   
       wherein the plug cooperates with the step saddle to form a substantially watertight seal when the first projection is seated in the first lateral cavity, the second projection is seated in the second lateral cavity, and the body of the plug is positioned in the substantially U-shaped cavity defined by the bathtub. 
     
     
         15 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are threaded fasteners having a substantially vertical orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the plug is substantially entirely retained within the U-shaped cavity defined by the step saddle. 
     
     
         17 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity have a substantially semicircular configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the first projection and the second projection have a substantially semicircular configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The bathtub closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the step saddle is integrally molded with the bathtub. 
     
     
         20 . A bathtub closure system comprising:
 (a) a step means, the step means being associated with a bathtub, the step means defining a cavity means, wherein the cavity means facilitates ingress and egress into the bathtub, and the step means defining an attachment recess means;   (b) a plug means, the plug means configured to engage the step means, the plug means having an attachment member means corresponding to the attachment recess means, wherein the attachment member engages the attachment recess to couple the step means with the plug means to create a substantially watertight seal in the bathtub.