IP Library Granted Patent US 9,486,113
Granted Patent B2
US 9,486,113 · App. 14/206,566 · Granted Nov 8, 2016

Bathtub apron assembly

Inventor: Luke Benjamin Zimbric (Saukville, WI)
Assignee: KOHLER CO.
A47K3/161A47K3/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,486,113
App. No.
14/206,566
Granted
Nov 8, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apron assembly may be designed for a bathtub having an above-floor drain. The apron assembly may include an apron attached to an upper surface of the bathtub, an apron extension which snaps onto a bottom portion of the apron, and an apron cover that snaps onto a front surface of the apron extension.

Claims (33)

1. An apron assembly for a bathtub having an above-floor drain, the apron assembly comprising:

an apron coupled to an upper surface of the bathtub, wherein a bottom end of the apron includes a lip extending outwardly relative to the bathtub in a lateral direction from the bottom end of the apron;

an apron extension configured to couple to the lip of the apron in a snap-fit fashion; and

an apron cover configured to couple directly to a front surface of the apron extension in a snap-fit fashion;

wherein the apron extension includes a receiving pocket for receiving the lip to couple the apron extension to the apron.

2. The apron assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a wedge piece configured to be coupled to a basin of the bathtub, a rear surface of the apron, and a rear surface of the apron extension; and

an undersupport member configured to be coupled to a bottom surface of the basin and to provide a clearance for the above-floor drain.

3. The apron assembly of claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of a basin of the bathtub extends below the apron when the apron is coupled to the upper surface of the bathtub.

4. The apron assembly of claim 1 , wherein the apron extension is made from an extruded polymeric material.

5. The apron assembly of claim 2 , wherein fasteners are not used to couple the apron to either of the apron extension and the wedge piece.

6. The apron assembly of claim 2 , wherein the apron extension is made from an extruded polymeric material.

7. The apron assembly of claim 2 , wherein a bottom surface of a basin of the bathtub extends below the apron when the apron is coupled to the upper surface of the bathtub.

8. An apron assembly for a basin having an above-floor drain, the apron assembly comprising:

an apron having a height less than or equal to a height of the basin, as measured between a bottom surface of the basin and a rim of the basin, and a lip extending outwardly relative to the basin in a lateral direction from a bottom portion of the apron; and

an apron extension configured to couple to the lip when the apron is coupled to the basin;

wherein the apron extension includes a receiving pocket for receiving the lip to couple the apron extension to the apron.

9. The apron assembly of claim 8 , further comprising an undersupport member configured to be coupled to a bottom surface of the basin;

wherein the undersupport member provides a clearance between the basin and a floor when the bathtub is mounted to the floor sufficient to enable coupling of the basin to an above-floor drain.

10. The apron assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron extension is made from an extruded polymeric material.

11. The apron assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron is integrally formed with the rim of the basin.

12. The apron assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron extension is configured to couple to the apron in a snap-fit fashion.

13. The apron assembly of claim 8 , further comprising an apron cover configured to couple to a front surface of the apron extension in a snap-fit fashion.

14. The bathtub assembly of claim 8 , wherein the apron assembly conceals an exterior of the basin from view.

15. A bathtub assembly, comprising:

a basin which is at least partially defined by a bottom wall and a side wall, wherein the basin includes a rim; and

an apron assembly comprising:

an apron configured to couple to a portion of the rim, and

an apron extension configured to couple to a bottom portion of the apron;

wherein the apron includes a lip extending outwardly relative to the basin in a lateral direction from the bottom portion of the apron; and

wherein the apron extension includes a receiving pocket for receiving the lip to couple the apron extension to the apron.

16. The bathtub assembly of claim 15 , wherein the apron extension is configured to couple to the apron in a snap-fit fashion.

17. The bathtub assembly of claim 16 , wherein the apron assembly conceals an exterior of the basin from view.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2014
From: ZIMBRIC, LUKE BENJAMIN
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 032475/0314 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61793529 · Mar 15, 2013
Related Publication 20140259362A1 · Sep 18, 2014