Retrofit Tub Overlay

Abstract

Provided is an installation process and product designed to retrofit an existing bathtub by cutting and removing a section of the existing sidewall, inserting a generally U-shaped structure, and providing a removable covering to selectively close the void of the U-shaped structure to seal the bathtub.

1 . A method of modifying a bathtub, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating an opening in an external sidewall of the bathtub by cutting through the external sidewall of the bathtub, the opening extending along a length of the sidewall and a depth extending from the top of the sidewall to a distance above the bottom of the bathtub, wherein the opening has a first side, a second side, and a bottom edge;   providing an insert, the insert comprising a step-saddle having an elongate step-plate operable to cover the bottom edge of the opening, a pair of end plates extending from the ends of the step-plate that are operable to cover the first side and the second side of the opening, and an opening in the insert defined by the pair of endplates and the step plate;   positioning the insert over opening in the external sidewall of the bathtub;   attaching the insert to the external sidewall of the bathtub;   providing a removable covering operable to be placed over the insert; and   positioning the removable covering over the insert to substantially block the opening in the insert.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the removable covering completely covers the opening in the insert. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the removable covering, when positioned over the insert, covers the opening in the insert such that the external sidewall of the bathtub is sealed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the removable covering has a generally U-shaped configuration operable to overlay the insert. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a seal to facilitate attachment of the removable covering. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a connector to facilitate attachment of the removable covering. 
     
     
         8 . A method of modifying an existing bathtub, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a bathtub having a generally U-shaped step saddle, the step saddle defining a generally U-shaped void in a sidewall of the bathtub, wherein the step saddle comprises an elongated step-plate and a pair of end plates extending from the step plate to define the generally U-shaped void; and   positioning a removable covering over the step saddle to substantially block the generally U-shaped void defined by the step saddle in the sidewall of the bathtub.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the removable covering completely covers the void defined by the step saddle in the sidewall of the bathtub. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the removable covering substantially covers the generally U-shaped step saddle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the removable covering, when positioned over the step saddle, seals the bathtub. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step saddle comprises a seal to facilitate attachment of the removable covering. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step saddle comprises a connector to facilitate attachment of the removable covering. 
     
     
         14 . A method of modifying a bathtub, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating an opening in an external sidewall of the bathtub by cutting through the external sidewall of the bathtub, the external sidewall having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a space therebetween, the opening extending along a length of the sidewall and a depth extending from the top of the sidewall to a distance above the bottom of the bathtub, wherein the opening has a first side, a second side, and a bottom edge;   sealing off the space between the inner wall and the outer wall of the external sidewall;   providing a removable covering operable to be placed over the opening in the external sidewall; and   positioning the removable covering over the opening in the external sidewall to substantially block the opening.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of sealing off the space between the inner wall and the outer wall of the external sidewall comprises positioning an insert over the opening in the external sidewall of the bathtub. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insert is a generally U-shaped step saddle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the removable covering is selectively removable. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the removable covering is selectively removable from the external sidewall of the bathtub. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the opening in the external sidewall is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the removable covering is selectively removable.