AU663444B2 - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

AU663444B2 – Tub with inflatable seal door
– Google Patents

AU663444B2 – Tub with inflatable seal door
– Google Patents
Tub with inflatable seal door

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Info

Publication number
AU663444B2

AU663444B2
AU63100/94A
AU6310094A
AU663444B2
AU 663444 B2
AU663444 B2
AU 663444B2
AU 63100/94 A
AU63100/94 A
AU 63100/94A
AU 6310094 A
AU6310094 A
AU 6310094A
AU 663444 B2
AU663444 B2
AU 663444B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
seal
door
tub
inflatable
deflate
Prior art date
1991-06-18
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.)

Ceased

Application number
AU63100/94A
Other versions

AU6310094A
(en

Inventor
Anthony M. August
John M Bloemer
Todd D. Dannenberg
Thomas C. Jorsch
Anton J. Koler
Peter W. Swart
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.)

Kohler Co

Original Assignee
Kohler Co
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.)
1991-06-18
Filing date
1994-05-13
Publication date
1995-10-05

1994-05-13
Application filed by Kohler Co
filed
Critical
Kohler Co

1994-07-21
Publication of AU6310094A
publication
Critical
patent/AU6310094A/en

1995-10-05
Application granted
granted
Critical

1995-10-05
Publication of AU663444B2
publication
Critical
patent/AU663444B2/en

2012-06-18
Anticipated expiration
legal-status
Critical

Status
Ceased
legal-status
Critical
Current

Links

Espacenet

Global Dossier

Discuss

Classifications

E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS

E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS

E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES

E06B7/00—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows

E06B7/16—Sealing arrangements on wings or parts co-operating with the wings

E06B7/22—Sealing arrangements on wings or parts co-operating with the wings by means of elastic edgings, e.g. elastic rubber tubes; by means of resilient edgings, e.g. felt or plush strips, resilient metal strips

E06B7/23—Plastic, sponge rubber, or like strips or tubes

E06B7/2318—Plastic, sponge rubber, or like strips or tubes by applying over- or under-pressure, e.g. inflatable

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

A47K3/006—Doors to get in and out of baths more easily

Description

-1- This invention relates to bathing structures having a side wall door to facilitate access. More particularly it relates to an inflation system which prevents an inflatable door seal from deflating when water is present in the tub.
Bathtubs with side doors are known. A key problem with such tubs is sealing the door when water is in the tub. Gaskets were therefore placed around the doorway. For example, see U.S. patents 3,423,769 and 3,863,275. In the former patent, a seal is disposed on the doorway edge and connected by a tube in the structure forming the doorway. In the later patent, a seal is attached to a door with a source of air in the door.
In providing air inflatable seals for such doors, it is desirable to have the inflatable seal placed on the door itself (rather than the doorway structure) so that it is not exposed to contact as a person enters or exists through the doorway of the bathing structure. Also, for aesthetic and other reasons, to minimize vandalism and for safety reasons, it is desired to conceal the supply tube which delivers air or another fluid liquid) to such an inflatable seal. This is a problem as air compressors “cannot easily be placed in the door and because the door must pivot.
Another problem in the art is controlling inflation and deflation of such a seal (especially when water is in the tub). Thus, it can be seen that an improved inflatable door system is needed.
The present invention provides a system for inflating and deflating a fluid inflatable seal in a door which closes a doorway in a tub having an enclosure defined by at least one side wall, a bottom wall and an upwardly open interior cavity with said doorway in said side wall, said assembly comprising: sensor means for sensing the level of water in said cavity, means to inflate said inflatable seal operatively connected to said 2 -2sensor means, and means to deflate said inflatable seal operatively connected to said sensor means.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration and not limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bathing enclosure with a system for inflating and deflating an inflatable seal door in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the inflatable seal door and a latching means; Figure 3 is an enlarged view in cross section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2 (after assembly), but showing the door in a latched position in a doorway; Figure 4 is an enlarged view in cross section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2 (after assembly), with the door cover in place; Figure 5 is a view in front elevation, partially fragmented, and partially in vertical section; Figure 6 is a view in horizontal section showing the inflatable seal in a non-inflated condition; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the inflatable seal in an inflated condition; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a seal inflating and deflating control system of this invention.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a door with inflatable seal rindicated generally at 10 is shown in conjunction with a tub 11. The Stub is defined by the usual side walls such as front wall panels 13 and 16, a rear wall 14, side walls 12 and 15, as well as a bottom wall The tub 11 preferably includes a back rest 17. A doorway 18 is provided between the front wall panels 13 -nd 16 in which a door 10 is pivotally mounted. The door 10 includes a central body portion 22 over which are placed front and i l MAM/1274t -3back panels 24 and 25, respectively, as well as a top cover Referring specifically to Figure 5, the hinging of the door 10 is illustrated. Figure 5 shows a support post 31 secured in a vertical tubular pocket 36 that is formed in the doorway 18. As the tub 11 is composed of fiberglass, the post 31 is bonded to the housing 36 such as with the use of resinous plastic or adhesive. Support post 31 extends upwardly and into sleeve 33 .,hich in turn is connected to the door body 22 by the bracwcz 32 (see Figure 2).
I i- Inn= 4-ian>c .1na 1 A- Q nr i n O
II
ii ii n j cc.’ C C
L’C
end of sleeve 33. This provides the pivotal attachment of the door 10 to the doorway 18. An air feed line 40 is connected at one end to an air compressor 42 through line 62 which is shown in Figure 8. For purposes of clarity, line 62 is not shown in’Figure 5. Air feed line extends under the spill level 19 of doorway 18 and continues upwardly through the hinge structure afforded by the post 31 and the sleeve 33. This feed line 40 then extends to and is connected to the inflatable seal 27 as seen in Figures 2 and 4. As best seen in Figure 4, the inflatable seal 27 is secured to door body portion 22 by the screw 71 which passes through flange 35 cf cover and is housed in a channel 29 of the body portion 22. The seal 27 can be purchased from the Presray Corporation of Pawling, New York as Model PR 6648.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, is seen that the seal in its deflated state is in a substantially U-shape as it is doubled back on itself. When expanded with air, it will extend as shown in Figure 7. However, due to the close proximity of the doorway 18, it will not extend to its fullest extendable length, but will engaged the adjacent surface of the doorway 18 as shown in Figure 6 in dotted lines.
Figure 8 illustrates the electrical controls for filling and deflating the inflatable seal 27. When
W
-4considered in conjunction’with Figure 5, it is seen that there are two electrode sensors 46 and 47 which are placed below the spill level 19 of the doorway 18. These sensors are of the capacitive type and are connected by the lines 48 and 50 to a capacitive type circuit as shown schematically at 44. This circuit 44 controls the activation and deactivation of the air compressor 42 as well as the deflation of the seal 27. It includes a water level detector circuit 52 and a door seal exhaust circuit 53. Suitable electrical power is provided to the air compressor 42 and to the capacitive type circuit 44. Door seal exhaust circuit 53 provides a 24 volt DC power to the solenoid exhaust valve 59.
As illustrated in Figures 5 and 8, the sensors 46 and 47 are positioned sufficiently apart to prevent any inadvertent splashing from activating the water level detector circuit 44. This circuit is activated when the water level in the tub 11 reaches a level so that both sensors 46 and 47 are activated which completes the circuit to the compressor 42 such as through line 49.
This is effected by providing in a control signal in circuit 52 and a closing of the relay contacts 57 as well .tit of L as completing the circuit through the pressure switch so that the air compressor 42 pumps air through the line It 62 to the line 40 which connects with the inflatable seal t 0 l 27. Electrical power is provided to circuit 52, such as cby line 54. The pressure switch 55 deactivates the air compressor 42 through line 61 when the pressure in the line 40 reaches approximately 15 psig. which is sufficient to maintain a seal. A check valve 64 and pressure relief valve 66 are provided in the line 62.
It will be appreciated that once the sensors 46 and 47 are activated, the water level detector circuit 52 remains activated and only the pressure switch 55 which ,s set at 15 psig. to maintain a seal will control the activation or deactivation of the air compressor 42. If a leak were to occur in the’seal’ 27 or in’ the system, the pressure switch 55 would turn on the air compressor 42 to reinflate the seal 27. The water level detector circuit 52 remains in the previously indicated activates state until the water in the tub 11 is emptied and the water level drops below the sensors 46 and 47. When this happens, the water level circuit 52 is opened and the door bladder exhaust circuit 53 is activated. This activates the two way solenoid exhaust valve 59. This circuit 53 is a timed circuit which activates the solenoid valve 59 so a to exhaust the line 40 to atmosphere through line 67. The door seal exhaust circuit 53 remains activated for about to 20 seconds or for a sufficient time to exhaust the system at which time it deactivates, and the solenoid returns the exhaust valve 59 to a closed state. The **,**system is then ready for another filling cycle as previously described.
Figure 3 illustrates a latching mechanism generally 75 for securing the door 10 the doorway 18. A plunger 76 is suitably positioned in a guide block 77 and is biased therein by the spring 79 positioned over the reduced section 74 of the plunger 76. As seen in Figure 2, guide block 77 is formed as a portion of the door body 22 and is in effect a :ompartment for housing the spring 79 and the plunger 76. A bent rod 80 has one leg thereof K. positioned in an aperture 81 of the plunger 76 and is secured on an upper surface 83 of the body portion 22 by the integral friction and slotted clip 82. The opposing end of the bent wire 80 is positioned under a clip 86 which is fastened to the button 84. It is activated by the downward movement of button 84 compressing the spring in the recess 87. This moves the clip 86 downwardly and against the rod 80 to deflect it to the broken line showing in Figure 3. In this position, the plunger 76 is retracted from the latch plate 89 in the doorway 18. It will be seen that the latch mechanism 75 is easily
FT
6activated by merely pressing down on the button 84 at the top of the door 10. This provides easy activation by an elderly or handicapped person.
An important feature of the door 10 with the inflatable seal 27 is the fact that the air supply feed tube 40 is positioned through the hinge structure as represented by the post 31 and the sleeve 33. This allows for a concealed connection of the line to the seal 27 without bending or twisting of the air tube 40 when the door is pivoted. It also permits the source of the compressed air such as the compressor 42 to be concealed inside the structure of the tub such as wall panel 13 as is also true of the air feed tube 40. This obviates also any unintentional disconnection of the air feed tube While a through-the-hinge connection of the air feed tube 40 has been described in conjunction with the detector system for inflating and maintaining inflation of the seal member when there is water in the bathing enclosure 11, it should be understood that any similar *connection can be advantageously employed with such a system. The same is true with respect to the latching mechanism 75. Further, while a particular inflatable seal 27 has been described for use with the air feed tube 40 and the connection through the hinge, it will be appreciated that any similar type of inflatable air seal tube 27 which will provide a positive seal at a relatively low pressure can also be advantageously employed. In addition, other fluids such as water, oil or gases could be employed in place of air to inflate seal 27. All C, such and other modifications within thp spirit of the invention are meant to be in the scope of the invention.
.1 MAM/1274t

Claims (3)

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor means is constructed and arranged with respect to said means to inflate and deflate said inflatable seal so that said seal remains inflated when ,I there is at least a predetermined level of water in said tub. ,c The system of claim 1 or claim 2, including pressure responsive means operatively connected to said means to inflate said inflatable seal to stop inflation of said seal at a predetermined point.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, including means operatively associated with said sensor means to deflate said seal when a level of water in said cavity is below a predetermined level. The system of claim 4, wherein said means operatively associated with said sensor means to deflate said seal is operatively connected with a timing circuit to remain actuated for only a predetermined time.

6. A system for inflating and deflating a fluid inflatable i seal in a door said system being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanyin.: arawlngs. 1 DATED this TENTH day of MAY 1994 KOHLER CO. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON MAM/1274t Tub with Inflatable Seal Door Abstract For a tub which provides access through a side door, an inflatable seal is employed with the fluid connection to the seal being provided through the door hinge structure. A system is provided in conjunction with sensors (46,47) for sensing the water level in the tub so as to activate the source of pressurized fluid (42) to the seal (27) as well as to deflate the seal (27) at a desired time. C Fig. 8 i i c (t i f MAM/1274t

AU63100/94A
1991-06-18
1994-05-13
Tub with inflatable seal door

Ceased

AU663444B2
(en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

US07/716,864

US5163187A
(en)

1991-06-18
1991-06-18
Tub with inflatable seal door

US716864

1991-06-18

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

AU18362/92A
Division

AU652058B2
(en)

1991-06-18
1992-06-18
Tub with inflatable seal door

Publications (2)

Publication Number
Publication Date

AU6310094A

AU6310094A
(en)

1994-07-21

AU663444B2
true

AU663444B2
(en)

1995-10-05

Family
ID=24879766
Family Applications (2)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

AU18362/92A
Ceased

AU652058B2
(en)

1991-06-18
1992-06-18
Tub with inflatable seal door

AU63100/94A
Ceased

AU663444B2
(en)

1991-06-18
1994-05-13
Tub with inflatable seal door

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

AU18362/92A
Ceased

AU652058B2
(en)

1991-06-18
1992-06-18
Tub with inflatable seal door

Country Status (6)

Country
Link

US
(1)

US5163187A
(en)

EP
(2)

EP0654242B1
(en)

AU
(2)

AU652058B2
(en)

CA
(1)

CA2071433C
(en)

DE
(2)

DE69206201T2
(en)

ES
(2)

ES2080382T3
(en)

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Assignee
Title

US5351345A
(en)

1992-07-08
1994-10-04
Siltech Products Incorporated
Bath tub having side access

EP0662300B1
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1994-01-07
1999-08-04
Arjo, Inc.
Side entry bathtub

US6076204A
(en)

1994-08-11
2000-06-20
Research Foundation Of State University Of New York
Modular bathing unit

US6485029B1
(en)

2000-10-11
2002-11-26
The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
Inflatable sealing device

DE10122005B4
(en)

2001-01-11
2008-04-30
Gustav Kerle

Device for closing a sanitary wet area

CA2471653C
(en)

2002-01-11
2009-10-27
Matthew James Longman
Bathtub having sliding access door for the disabled and elderly

DE102006000877A1
(en)

2006-01-04
2007-07-05
Artweger Gmbh & Co.
Bathing or showering device has bolting device provided with first sensor that determines condition of bolting device and controllable sealing device is added to siphon

GB2457229A
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2008-02-05
2009-08-12
Paul Anthony Turner
Flood defence apparatus

EP2418988A4
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2009-04-15
2014-10-29
Safety Tubs Company Llc
Door assembly for walk-in bathtub

US9254066B2
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2009-04-29
2016-02-09
Aquatic Co.
Accessible bathtub and drain

US8239979B2
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2009-08-11
2012-08-14
Axcess Innovations Inc.
Modular easy access bathing enclosure

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2009-10-21
2014-10-21
Kohler Co.
Wall-entry bathtub

AT509236B1
(en)

2010-01-11
2011-12-15
Artweger Gmbh & Co Kg

SHUTTER AND SAFETY ARRANGEMENT FOR A BATH AND / OR SHOWER

FR2962895B1
(en)

2010-07-26
2014-07-18
Jorge Goncalves

METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SEALED DOOR WITH INFLATABLE JOINT THAT FITS AN EXISTING BATHTUB

DE202015100347U1
(en)

2015-01-26
2015-03-13
Duravit Ag

Locking device for a bathtub door

CN109068899A
(en)

2016-05-31
2018-12-21
奈波图恩公司
Bathtub with door and draining

US10881251B2
(en)

2017-01-12
2021-01-05
Kohler Co.
Walk in bath

USD842972S1
(en)

2017-01-12
2019-03-12
Kohler Co.
Walk in bath

US11060345B2
(en)

2018-04-18
2021-07-13
Elizabeth Page
Temporary water barrier to prevent flooding through residential and commercial doors

US20210219787A1
(en)

2020-01-17
2021-07-22
Donald H. Clarke
Accessible Tub and Shower

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Sloan George C
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US4706413A
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1991-04-30
Anthony Prisco
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EP0457093B1
(en)

1990-05-17
1994-02-23
Mobil-Bad Ag
Seatbath insert for existing bath tubs, particularly for physically disabled

1991

1991-06-18
US
US07/716,864
patent/US5163187A/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1992

1992-06-17
CA
CA002071433A
patent/CA2071433C/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1992-06-18
AU
AU18362/92A
patent/AU652058B2/en
not_active
Ceased

1992-06-19
ES
ES92110422T
patent/ES2080382T3/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1992-06-19
EP
EP94120410A
patent/EP0654242B1/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1992-06-19
EP
EP92110422A
patent/EP0519510B1/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1992-06-19
ES
ES94120410T
patent/ES2119058T3/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1992-06-19
DE
DE69206201T
patent/DE69206201T2/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1992-06-19
DE
DE69226538T
patent/DE69226538T2/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1994

1994-05-13
AU
AU63100/94A
patent/AU663444B2/en
not_active
Ceased

Also Published As

Publication number
Publication date

ES2080382T3
(en)

1996-02-01

ES2119058T3
(en)

1998-10-01

DE69226538D1
(en)

1998-09-10

DE69206201T2
(en)

1996-07-18

EP0654242A2
(en)

1995-05-24

US5163187A
(en)

1992-11-17

DE69226538T2
(en)

1999-03-18

DE69206201D1
(en)

1996-01-04

CA2071433C
(en)

1994-10-18

CA2071433A1
(en)

1992-12-19

AU1836292A
(en)

1992-12-24

EP0519510A1
(en)

1992-12-23

EP0654242B1
(en)

1998-08-05

AU6310094A
(en)

1994-07-21

EP0654242A3
(en)

1995-11-08

AU652058B2
(en)

1994-08-11

EP0519510B1
(en)

1995-11-22

Contact information