Accessible bathtub

Abstract

Bathtubs and methods for making a bathtubs are disclosed. A bathtub may include a shell, a first door, and a second door. The shell defines a bathing well. A portion of the edge of the shell defines a door opening. The first door is coupled to a first side of the door opening. The second door is coupled to a second side of the door opening opposite the first side of the door opening. The first and second doors are movable into a closed position blocking the door opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bathtub comprising:
 a shell defining a bathing well, a portion of an edge of the shell defining a door opening;   a first door coupled to a first side of the door opening; and   a second door coupled to a second side of the door opening opposite the first side of the door opening, the first and second doors movable into a closed position blocking the door opening.   
     
     
         2 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the first door is an inward-swinging door and the second door is an outward-swinging door. 
     
     
         3 . The bathtub of  claim 2 , wherein a lip for the first door prevents the first door from opening outward and a lip for the second door prevents the second door from opening inward. 
     
     
         4 . The bathtub of  claim 3 , wherein the lip for the first door interfaces with the lip for the second door in the closed position to seal a junction between the doors. 
     
     
         5 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , wherein the first door provides access to a foot well and the second door provides access to a seat. 
     
     
         6 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat integral to the shell, the seat comprising a front central portion, front side portions, and a back portion, the front central portion extending in an upwardly sloped direction from the back portion, and the front side portions extending in a downwardly sloped direction from the back portion. 
     
     
         7 . The bathtub of  claim 6 , wherein a portion of the shell behind the seat extends up from the back portion of the seat in a backwardly sloped direction, forming an inclined seat back. 
     
     
         8 . The bathtub of  claim 6 , wherein a portion of the shell beneath the seat extends down from the front central portion and front side portions of the seat in a backwardly sloped direction, forming a foot well with a recess under the seat for a bather's heels. 
     
     
         9 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second latches operable to secure the first and second doors, respectively, in the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The bathtub of  claim 9 , wherein, in the closed position, the first door interferes with releasing the second latch, so that the second door is not openable unless the
 first door is opened.   
     
     
         11 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising a door handle attached to the second door, the door handle movable to secure the first and second doors in the closed position by securing the first door between the door handle and a lip for the second door. 
     
     
         12 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising a metal frame disposed beneath the shell, the metal frame comprising adjustable legs. 
     
     
         13 . The bathtub of  claim 1 , further comprising structural members bonded to the shell. 
     
     
         14 . The bathtub of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the structural members is disposed between the shell and a layer of fiber-reinforced polymer and bonded to the layer of fiber-reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         15 . The bathtub of  claim 13 , wherein the structural members comprise one or more of a wood structural member, a foam structural member, and a honeycomb structural member. 
     
     
         16 . The bathtub of  claim 13 , wherein the structural members comprise one or more panels supporting the shell. 
     
     
         17 . A bathtub comprising:
 a shell defining a bathing well, a portion of an edge of the shell defining a door opening;   first and second doors movable into a closed position blocking the door opening;   a first hinge coupling the first door to the door opening, the first hinge enabling the first door to open into the bathing well;   a second hinge coupling the second door to the door opening, the second hinge enabling the second door to open away from the bathing well; and   first and second latches operable to secure the first and second doors, respectively, in the closed position.   
     
     
         18 . The bathtub of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more structural members disposed between the shell and a layer of fiber-reinforced polymer and bonded to the shell and the layer of fiber-reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         19 . A method for making a bathtub, the method comprising:
 forming a shell, the shell defining a bathing well, a portion of an edge of the shell defining a door opening;   bonding structural members to the shell;   coupling a first door to the door opening using an interior hinge;   coupling a second door to the door opening using an exterior hinge; and   moving the first and second doors into a closed position blocking the door opening.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming the shell comprises applying shell material to a mold and removing a portion of the mold with the shell.