Walk-in bathtub with minimal entry threshold

Abstract

A walk-in bathtub is disclosed with a minimal entry threshold height that provides enhanced convenience and safety for physically challenged and/or elderly users. The walk-in bathtub couples directly to a floor drain and does not include water jets or plumbing beneath the tub, thereby allowing the bottom of the tub to rest directly on the floor without being supported by a metal frame. The entry threshold height is less than four inches, preferably less than three inches, and more preferably less than two inches above the floor. The distribution of the tub weight over the floor surface makes it safer to use on weak or compromised floors. The reduced height of the tub allows it to easily pass through conventional doorways, and the reduced weight of the tub allows it to be easily carried and installed.

1 . A walk-in bathtub with minimal entry threshold height, the walk-in bathtub comprising:
 a watertight tub enclosure that is able to rest on a floor surface while the watertight tub enclosure is filled with water to a height above the waist of a user sitting on a seat located within the watertight tub enclosure;   a doorway in a side of the watertight tub enclosure with a threshold that extends no more than four inches above the floor surface; and   a door that forms a watertight seal with the doorway when the door is closed.   
   
   
       2 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 1 , further including a tub drain located in a bottom surface of the watertight tub enclosure, the tub drain being connectable to a corresponding floor drain located in the floor surface directly below the tub drain, so as to allow water contained in the watertight tub enclosure to drain through the tub drain and directly into the floor drain. 
   
   
       3 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the watertight tub enclosure is able to directly rest on the floor surface without requiring a metal supporting frame. 
   
   
       4 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising a water agitation system that is able to direct water into the watertight tub enclosure from at least one side, but not from below. 
   
   
       5 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 4 , wherein the water agitation system includes a water pump located beneath the seat. 
   
   
       6 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold is not more than three inches above the horizontal floor. 
   
   
       7 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold is not more than two inches above the horizontal floor. 
   
   
       8 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is integral with the watertight tub enclosure. 
   
   
       9 . The walk-in bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is removable from the watertight tub enclosure.