Retrofit Bathtub Door

Abstract

Provided is an installation process and product designed to retrofit an existing bathtub by cutting and removing a section of the existing sidewall of the bathtub and adding a generally U-shaped structure featuring an operational and watertight and sealable door. The surface of the U-shaped structure may also feature a skid resistant tread plate on its top surface to help prevent a user from slipping and/or falling. The door may also feature a handle for ease in opening and closing the door and a latch to secure the door in a closed position.

1 . A method of modifying an existing bathtub, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating an opening by cutting through an external sidewall of the bathtub, the opening extending for a predetermined length of the sidewall and from the top of the sidewall to a predetermined distance above the bottom of the bathtub, the opening being generally U-shaped; and   positioning in the opening an insert, the insert comprising:   a. a generally U-shaped step-saddle having an elongated step-plate to cover the bottom edge of the opening;   b. a pair of generally parallel end plates extending from the ends of the step-plate to cover the sides of the opening;   c. a pair of generally rectangular housings attached to the bottom of the step-plate and extending to rest directly on the bathroom floor, thus supporting said insert; and   d. a door, the door being affixed to the step-saddle and having a closed and open position.   
   
   
       2 . A bathtub insert comprising:
 a. a retrofit frame configured to cover an opening in a sidewall of a bathtub;   b. a door, the door configured for attachment to the frame, wherein the door is movable from an open position to a closed position;   c. a handle, the handle being attached to and moveable relative to the frame, wherein the handle is configured to secure the door in the closed position.   
   
   
       3 . The bathtub insert of  claim 2 , wherein the retrofit frame has a substantially U-shaped configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The bathtub insert of  claim 2  further comprising a latch, wherein the latch is coupled with the frame and is configured to retain the handle in the closed position. 
   
   
       5 . The bathtub insert of  claim 2  further comprising at least one handle magnet and at least one first frame magnet, wherein the at least one handle magnet and the at least one first frame magnet are configured for engagement to secure the handle when the handle is in the closed position. 
   
   
       6 . The bathtub insert of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one handle magnet is embedded in the handle. 
   
   
       7 . The bathtub insert of  claim 2  further comprising a seal, wherein the seal is positioned on the frame and is configured to prevent leakage when the door is in the closed position. 
   
   
       8 . The bathtub insert of  claim 7  further comprising a channel in the frame, wherein the seal is positioned within the channel. 
   
   
       9 . The bathtub insert of  claim 2  further comprising at least one door magnet and at least one frame magnet, wherein the at least one door magnet and the at least one second frame magnet are configured for engagement to secure the door against the frame when the door is in the closed position. 
   
   
       10 . The bathtub insert of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one door magnet is embedded in the door. 
   
   
       11 . The bathtub insert of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one handle magnet and at least one first frame magnet, wherein the at least one handle magnet and the at least one frame magnet are configured for engagement to secure the handle when the handle is in the closed position. 
   
   
       12 . A bathtub sidewall insert, comprising:
 a. a generally U-shaped step-saddle having an elongated step-plate to cover the bottom edge of the opening;   b. a pair of generally parallel end plates extending from the ends of the step-plate to cover the sides of the opening;   c. a pair of generally rectangular housings attached to the bottom of the step-plate and extending to rest directly on the bathroom floor, thus supporting said insert; and   d. a door, the door being affixed to the step-saddle and having a closed and open position.   
   
   
       13 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 12  further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is configured to secure the door to the step-saddle. 
   
   
       14 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 13  further comprising at least one handle magnet and at least one first step-saddle magnet, wherein the at least one handle magnet is configured to engage the at least one first step-saddle magnet when the door is in the closed position. 
   
   
       15 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 14  further comprising at least one door magnet and at least one second step-saddle magnet, wherein the at least one door magnet is configured to engage the at least one second step saddle magnet when the door is in the closed position. 
   
   
       16 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 15  further comprising a seal, wherein the seal is positioned between the door and the step-saddle when the door is in the closed position to prevent leakage. 
   
   
       17 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one handle magnet is embedded in the handle. 
   
   
       18 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one door magnet is embedded in the door. 
   
   
       19 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one door magnet comprises a plurality of magnets arranged along the periphery of the door. 
   
   
       20 . The bathtub sidewall insert of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one handle magnet comprises a plurality of magnets arranged along the length of the handle.