A bathtub cover device

Abstract

A bathtub cover device 99 comprises a rigid sheet having a plurality of sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and forming a planar upper face. Each section is separated from a subsequent section by a hinge 8, 18, where

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bathtub cover device, in particular a device adapted to cover a bathtub from above; more particularly but not exclusively a cover that allows a user to work upon the device upon the bathtub. Background In many societies it is increasingly common to renovate and redecorate properties frequently, particularly in a domestic setting. Such renovations or redecorations may involve many factors, but frequently involve repainting of walls and ceilings, as well as other wall treatments such as tiling. Such wall treatments can be problematic for existing decorations and / or furniture, particularly when such furniture is fixed, such as bathroom furniture. For example it can be problematic to work over a bath. Prior Art GB 2 564 744 (STEPHENSON) discloses a device suitable for placement over a bath tub structure in use, said device including a first surface or body portion and one or more removable portions, wherein said one or more removable portions are located substantially at the periphery, circumference or edge of said first surface or body portion and selectively removable from the same. GB 2 363 779 (PARKER et al) discloses a protection product for an item of sanitary ware, comprising a rigid sheet material formed with lines of weakness forming fold lines along which the sheet may be folded to form in use at least one front panel, a least one side panel and at least one top panel, and the sheet being cut along at least one of the lines of weakness extending from each intersection of two lines of weakness to an edge of the sheet. GB 9 808 961 (CONROY) discloses a lightweight, portable platform assembly comprises a series of foldable elements interconnected by a series of hinges. The surfaces of each element are provided with non-slip material. The assembly may be used as a user support or fixture protector in domestic environments for example in or above a bath. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a bathtub cover device comprising a rigid sheet having a plurality of sections a forming a planar upper face, each section separated from a subsequent section by a hinge, wherein a first of the sections is arranged to hinge in a first direction in relation to the upper face, and a plurality of other sections are arranged to hinge in an opposed second direction in relation to the upper face. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a section arranged to hinge in the second direction, which section is located at an end, so as to accommodate the bath's end which may include taps, faucets, plug controls or similar. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a plurality of such sections, each of which may comprise a single such hinge and a plurality of such hinges. For example it may be envisaged that the device may comprise a plurality of sections that may be hinged upwards when the device is in place on a bath. In some embodiments of the device one or more section comprises a length adjustment section for the device, for example wherein the length adjustment is achieved by hinging a section up or down to shorten or elongate the device in use, respectively. In some such embodiments of the device the device comprises a plurality of such sections, such that the length may be adjusted by use or displacement of a preferred number of such sections. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a tap cover section, which is arranged to be used to cover a tap where a tap exists on the device, for example located at an end of the bathtub. In this way the tap cover may be wholly displaceable or hinged, so as to hinge upwards and allow space for the tap. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a handle flap section, which may be envisaged to flap away from a handle on the bath, for example located central to a side. In this way the handle flap may be hinged, so as to hinge upwards and allow space for the tap. Further embodiments may be wholly displaceable. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises resiliently deformable feet, which may improve the stability of the device in use. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises one or more stoppers, which may depend from the underside of the device to stop against the sides of the bath. These may be resilient studs, or hinged flaps. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a handle for manipulation of the device. In some such embodiments of the device the handle is recessed in an indentation, so as to avoid disturbing the upper face of the device for the purposes of the user. According to a further aspect of the present invention it may be envisaged that the device may be part of an apparatus further comprising a flexible sheet which may be silicone or other rubber, which may be used to cover the inner face of the bath in use. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a bathtub cover device 99 generally comprising a rigid sheet having a plurality of sections 1,2,3 forming a planar upper face. The upper face provides a substantially rectangular surface in use, with rounded corners, being 1800mm long when fully extended, and 800mm wide. Each section is separated from a subsequent section by hinges 8,18, wherein a first of the sections 1 is arranged to hinge in a first direction in relation to the upper face, and a plurality of other sections 3,4,5 are arranged to hinge in an opposed second direction in relation to the upper face. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a multisectional planar sheet formed in a rigid material such as aluminium or polymer or plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyester or polyethylene. The embodiment comprises three larger main body sections 1,2,3, extending from a first end, and five narrow adjustment sections 4 at the distal second end. At the first end there is also a tap cover section 5, located centrally on the edge of the first end, extending away from the edge. The tap cover section is shaped as a parallelogram, and comprises a hinge 8 on a side opposing the edge, with two sides splaying toward the edge. The narrow adjustment sections 4 are thin rectangular fillets each with two spaced apart hinges 8, and are hinged to lift towards the upper face. In this way it may be envisaged that the narrow adjustment sections may be hinged out of the way on a shorter bath, or flattened to cover the second end of a longer bath. The two main body sections 1,2 at the first end of the pictured embodiment are arranged with two spaced apart hinges 8 to hinge upwards, such that a user is enabled to accommodate the first end of the bath, and any sanitary ware at that end and / or access the bath or first end thereof. The second main body section 2 and the subsequent third body section 3 are hinged together by two spaced apart hinges 18, which are arranged to allow the sections to hinge downwards in relation to the upper face. In this way the second and third main body sections provide the required rigidity for the embodiment of the device shown in the Figures, such that a user is able to stand or kneel or work on the device. The second and third main body sections each comprise rigid perimeters, and share the hinges such that at the hinge there are two joined elongated rigid perimetric edges to support the user. The upper face of the second main body section includes a handle section 6, which pivots upwards away from the upper face, so as to enable a user to pull the device off the bath, and pivots downwards into an indentation 7 so as to allow a flat upper face for a work surface when the device is in use on a bath. The handle indentation comprises a notch to reach under the handle and dislodge it for use, wherein the handle folds down flat into the indentation and forms a substantially continuous surface with the indentation when folded down, so as to avoid snagging issues for the user when they are kneeling, standing or otherwise working on the upper surface of the embodiment. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A bathtub cover device comprising a rigid sheet having a plurality of sections a forming a planar upper face, each section separated from a subsequent section by a hinge, wherein a first of the sections is arranged to hinge in a first direction in relation to the upper face, and a plurality of other sections are arranged to hinge in an opposed second direction in relation to the upper face.

2. A bathtub cover device according to claim 1 wherein a section is arranged to hinge in the second direction is located at an end.

3. A bathtub cover device according to claim 2 comprising a plurality of such sections.

4. A bathtub cover device according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein one or more section comprises a length adjustment section for the device.

5. A bathtub cover device according to claim 4 comprising a plurality of such sections.

6. A bathtub cover device according to any preceding claim comprising a tap cover section.

7. A bathtub cover device according to any preceding claim comprising a handle flap section.

8. A bathtub cover device according to any preceding claim comprising resiliently deformable feet.

9. A bathtub cover device according to any preceding claim comprising one or more stoppers, depending from the underside of the device to stop against the sides of the bath.

10. A bathtub cover device according to claim 9 wherein the stopper comprises a hinged tab.

11. A bathtub cover device according to claim 9 wherein the stopper comprises a resiliently deformable stud.

12. A bathtub cover device according to any preceding claim comprising a handle for manipulation of the device.

13. A bathtub cover device according to claim 12 wherein the handle is recessed 5 in an indentation.

Images