Portable bathtub barrier

Abstract

A bathtub barrier ( 100, 300 ) is disclosed having a pair of extendable rod assemblies ( 110, 310 ) having pivotably nonskid end piece assemblies ( 112, 312 ) adapted to engage the sides of a bathtub, and a pliable panel ( 102, 302 ) interconnecting the rod assemblies. The rod assemblies include an inner tube ( 130 ) and an outer tube ( 150 ) that are slidably engaged, and a lead screw assembly ( 122, 322 ) that allows the user to selectively adjust the length of the rod assemblies to attach the barrier to the bathtub. The end piece assemblies include nonskid panels ( 111, 311 ) that may be made from EVA. An optional upper extension ( 200 ) may be removably attached to the rod assemblies, and may be adjustably positioned. An optional lower panel portion ( 405 ) may extend downwardly from the rod assemblies, and may include suction members ( 406 ) to attach the barrier to the bottom of the bathtub.

1 . A bathtub barrier comprising: 
 a first telescoping rod assembly and a second telescoping rod assembly, the first and second telescoping rod assemblies each having: i) an outer tube, ii) an inner tube disposed substantially within the outer tube, iii) a lead screw attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, iv) a nut attached to the other of the inner tube and the outer tube, the nut threadably engaging the lead screw such that when the inner tube is rotated with respect to the outer tube the inner tube will move axially relative to the outer tube, v) a hand wheel drivably attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, and vi) first and second nonskid end piece assemblies pivotably attached at opposite ends of the first and second rod assemblies;    a pliable panel having a first end that is attached to the first telescoping rod assembly and a second end that is attached to the second telescoping rod assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable panel comprises a mesh fabric.  
   
   
       3 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second nonskid end piece assemblies each comprise a ball connector that attaches to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, a support portion having a socket that pivotably engages the ball connector, and a nonskid panel attached to an outer face of the support portion.  
   
   
       4 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 3  wherein the nonskid panel comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate foam.  
   
   
       5 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 4 , wherein the nonskid panel includes a plurality of protrusions to improve the gripping functionality.  
   
   
       6 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the support portion further comprises a center recess on the outer face.  
   
   
       7 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a middle tube disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube, and wherein the middle tube is rotationally locked to the outer tube, and axially locked to the inner tube.  
   
   
       8 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the outer tube of the first and second rod assemblies further comprises a plurality of ventilation holes therethrough.  
   
   
       9 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the lead screw is formed from an acetal resin engineering plastic.  
   
   
       10 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising an upwardly extending upper panel assembly that is removably attachable to the first and second rod assemblies.  
   
   
       11 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 10 , wherein the upper panel assembly comprises a pair of upright poles that slidably receive adjustable hook assemblies, wherein the hook assemblies are positionable to engage the first and second rod assemblies.  
   
   
       12 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable panel further comprises a downwardly extending portion, and the bathtub barrier further comprises at least one suction-type connector attached to the downwardly extending portion.  
   
   
       13 . A bathtub barrier comprising: 
 a pair of rod assemblies, each rod assembly including: i) an inner tube slidably engaging an outer tube such that the combined length of the inner tube and the outer tube is adjustable; ii) a first end piece assembly attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube, and having a nonskid outer face; iii) a second end piece assembly attached to the other of the inner tube and the outer tube, and having a nonskid outer face; and iv) means for selectively adjusting the combined length of the inner tube and the outer tube;    a pliable panel connecting the pair of rod assemblies.    
   
   
       14 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 13 , wherein the pliable panel comprises a vinyl coated polyester panel that is resistant to mildew.  
   
   
       15 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 13 , wherein the means for selectively adjusting the combined length of the inner tube and the outer tube is a lead screw assembly.  
   
   
       16 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 15 , wherein the lead screw assembly comprises a lead screw disposed in the inner tube, and a nut attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube.  
   
   
       17 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 16 , further comprising a hand wheel disposed at one end of each of the pair of rod assemblies, the hand wheel attached to one of the inner tube and the outer tube.  
   
   
       18 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 13 , further comprising an upwardly-extending panel assembly that is removably attachable to the pair of rod assemblies.  
   
   
       19 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 18 , wherein the upwardly-extending panel assembly includes a pair of upright poles, a panel connecting the upright poles, and means for attaching the upright poles to the pair of rod assemblies.  
   
   
       20 . The bathtub barrier of  claim 13 , wherein the pliable panel includes a downwardly extending portion, and the bathtub barrier further comprises at least one suction-type connector attached to the downwardly extending portion.