Bathtub enclosure

Abstract

A bathtub enclosure is configured to install within a bathtub area. The bathtub enclosure includes an intermediate support rod and an upper support rod configured to span between a first wall and a second wall, and a canopy configured to be positioned atop of and attached to the intermediate support rod and the upper support rod. The intermediate support rod is configured to be positioned at a forward location relative to the bathtub at a first height, and the upper support rod is configured to be positioned at a rearward location relative to the bathtub at a second height that is greater than the first height. The enclosure may include two front panels defining an opening for entry into the bathtub area. The front panels and canopy may include graphics related to a children's theme, such as a fairytale castle, an airplane hangar, or a jungle with animals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bathtub enclosure configured to install within a bathtub area, the bathtub area comprising a bathtub having a front side, a first wall bordering a side of the bathtub, and a second wall opposing the first wall, the bathtub enclosure comprising:
 an intermediate support rod configured to span between the first wall and the second wall, the intermediate support rod configured to be positioned at a forward location relative to the bathtub at a first height;   an upper support rod configured to span between the first wall and the second wall, the upper support rod configured to be positioned at a rearward location relative to the bathtub at a second height greater than the first height; and   a canopy configured to be positioned atop of and attached to the intermediate support rod and the upper support rod.   
     
     
         2 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a front panel configured to be attached to the canopy and drape in front of the bathtub. 
     
     
         3 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of front panels. 
     
     
         4 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 3 , wherein at least two of the front panels are configured to define an opening suitable for entry into the bathtub area. 
     
     
         5 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 4 , wherein the bathtub area further comprises a shower curtain rod, and the bathtub enclosure further comprises a liner attached to the shower curtain rod, the liner configured to be exposed through the opening between the front panels. 
     
     
         6 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 2 , wherein the front panel is configured to be stationary relative to the intermediate support rod. 
     
     
         7 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a front panel configured to be attached to the intermediate support rod. 
     
     
         8 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 7 , wherein the front panel is configured to be non-stationary relative to the intermediate support rod. 
     
     
         9 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a front flap secured to the front edge of the canopy. 
     
     
         10 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein the first height of the intermediate support rod is approximately equal to the height of a shower curtain rod in the bathtub area. 
     
     
         11 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate support rod is positioned in front of the shower curtain rod. 
     
     
         12 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein the difference in height (H) and depth (D) between the upper support rod and the intermediate support rod forms a pitch angle α of approximately 45 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . A bathtub enclosure configured to install within a bathtub area, the bathtub area comprising a bathtub having a front side, a first wall bordering a side of the bathtub, a second wall opposing the first wall, and a shower curtain rod spanning between the first wall and the second wall, the bathtub enclosure comprising:
 an upper support rod configured to span between the first wall and the second wall; and   a canopy configured to be positioned atop of and attached to the upper support rod and the shower curtain rod;   wherein the upper support rod is configured to be positioned at a rearward location relative to the bathtub at a height greater than the height of the shower curtain rod.   
     
     
         14 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 13 , further comprising a front panel attached to the shower curtain rod. 
     
     
         15 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 14 , further comprising a liner attached to the shower curtain rod. 
     
     
         16 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 14 , wherein the front panel is non-stationary relative to the intermediate support rod. 
     
     
         17 . The bathtub enclosure according to  claim 14 , wherein the canopy and the front panel comprise graphics related to a central theme.