Body-contoured tub

Abstract

A body contoured tub has a reclining surface that is molded to receive a user's reclining or recumbent body. In a first embodiment, the tub's interior contours are defined in a body measurement process that determines the users body contours, and then a custom fabricated tub is made to support the user's reclining body in a manner that permits extended use of the tub without excessive pressure anywhere on the user's body. In a second embodiment, the tub's interior contours are defined using representative body contours for a selected group of intended users of the tub.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION [0001] This application is related to, and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application no. 60 / 752,947, also entitled Body Contoured Tub, and filed Dec. 23, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is directed generally to a method for making a custom-molded, body supporting unit adapted to be incorporated into a bath tub. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method for making a custom-molded, body supporting unit including obtaining a profile of the user in a desired reclined position, using the profile to form an initial form and then finalizing the form during personal fitting of the form to the person. Most specifically, the present invention is directed to a method for making and providing a custom or a semi-custom body contoured tub that can be substituted for a generally conventional tub. The...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a semi-custom body contoured soaking tub can be structured using essentially the same process as is used in the formation of the custom body-contoured tub. However, instead of basing the tub's contour on the body profile of a specific individual, the tub is molded using a form that is an average for a group of people. For example, one tub may be configured to best accommodate a person with a height of, for example, 4′10″ to 5′3″. Another tub can be configured to more comfortably accommodate a person from 5′4″ to 5′8″. While such a semi-custom tub does not provide quite as great a support of an individually contoured, fully custom tub, it also does not have the costs associated with a fully custom tub. For a wide range of users, the semi-custom tub, in the appropriate size range, will provide very comfortable and satisfactory support.

[0018] In either the fully custom or the semi-custom configuration, the contoured body soaking tub in accordance with the subject invention provides individual comfort and support that is simply not available in a conventional bathtub. In either configuration, the body-contoured tub of the present invention provides support to the user's body which is comfortable, secure and relaxing. The body-contoured tub includes a generally planar forward floor portion that is intended to provide easy ingress and egress, as well as use as a shower, if desired. The tub's planar forward floor transitions into an inclined support surface upon which the tub's user can be seated. The rear wall of the body-contoured tub is, as its name suggests, contoured to closely fit and support the torso of the user, from the nape of the neck to the lower spine and buttocks. The entire back of the tub's occupant will thus be fully and comfortably supported while still providing a stable seated position.

Problems solved by technology

These are certainly effective in promoting healing but are not intended primarily for the relaxation that one may desire at the end of a busy day.

The overall shape of such a conventional home bathtub is not particularly comfortable.

Such a position is not comfortable for even relatively short periods of time.

It is typically not intended for substitution for a conventional tub and has a size which requires a large amount of space, something that the majority of bathrooms do not have.

A further difficulty with presently available tubs, which are not intended for body soaking is that the water in the tub tends to cool rather rapidly.

There are several ways that this can be rectified, such as by draining and refilling but these are typically not convenient.

Such refilling is also expensive and wastes water.

A tub which is not able to blend in well with the other bathroom fixtures will not be readily accepted.

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