Splashguard

Abstract

The invention is a splashguard for placement on and over a bathtub rim which can hold items or providing a play-area for children while preventing water from splashing out of the bathtub. The splashguard includes a planar shelf that connects to the bathtub's rim with one set of releasable and reusable fasteners and a flap that extends downward along the bathtub's inner sidewall from the forward edge of the shelf and further secures the splashguard to the inner sidewall with another set of releasable and reusable fasteners. To prevent water from spilling over the cantilevered rearmost edge of the planar shelf, a wall is provided around the back and sides of the shelf. The splashguard allows for a space between the ends of the splashguard and at least one of the walls at an end of the bathtub, allowing uninterrupted accessibility to the bathtub.

Claims

1. A splashguard for placement on and over a rim and an inner sidewall of a bathtub, respectively, comprising: a shelf comprising a substantially planar surface with a topside, an underside, a forward edge, a rearmost edge, and a pair of side edges extending between the forward edge and the rearmost edge, wherein the shelf has a shelf width between the forward edge and the rearmost edge, wherein the underside of the shelf is comprised of a first set of mounts and a frame extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the frame comprises at least one lateral wall and at least one longitudinal wall and wherein the shelf has a shelf length between the pair of side edges; a wall attached to the pair of side edges and the rearmost edge at a lower end of the wall, and wherein the wall extends upward from the lower end to a top end of the wall at a height above the topside of the shelf, and wherein the wall has an interior-side wall length between the pair of side edges at least as great as the shelf length; a flap attached to the forward edge of the shelf at an upper end of the flap, wherein the flap comprises a front face and a back face, wherein the back face of the flap is comprised of a second set of mounts, and wherein the flap extends downward by a flap width from the upper end to a bottom end of the flap; a first set of fasteners connected to the first set of mounts, wherein the first set of fasteners releasably connect the underside of the shelf to the rim of the bathtub, and wherein the frame is positioned between adjacent fasteners in the set of fasteners; and a second set of fasteners connected to the second set of mounts, wherein the second set of fasteners releasably connect the flap to the sidewall of the bathtub.

2. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein the height of the wall is greater than one-half the shelf width, wherein a portion of the planar surface of the shelf extends past the rim of the bathtub, and wherein at least a portion of the wall is cantilevered over the rim of the bathtub.

3. The splashguard of claim 2, wherein the height of the wall is less than the shelf width, wherein the wall is further comprised of a back wall and a pair of side end walls, wherein the back wall extends from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end and the second end connect to back portions of the pair of side end walls, wherein the forward edge is further comprised of a convex radius of curvature on the topside of the shelf, and wherein the rearmost edge and the side edges are each comprised of a concave radius of curvature on the topside of the shelf, wherein the flap extends downward from the convex radius of curvature, wherein the back wall extends upward from the concave radius of curvature at the rearmost edge, and wherein the side end walls extend upward from the concave radius of curvature at the side edges.

4. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein the comprised of a back wall and a pair of side end walls, and wherein the frame extends downward from at least one of the side end walls.

5. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein the underside of the shelf is spaced a first distance from the rim of the bathtub by the first set of fasteners, and wherein the frame extends downward to the rim of the bathtub at least as far as the first set of mounts.

6. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein the flap has a flap length at least as long as the shelf length, and wherein the flap width is greater than the height of the wall plus the first distance.

7. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein the underside of the shelf is further comprised of a first set of standoffs protruding downward from the underside of the shelf, wherein the first set of mounts are integrally formed as part of the first set of standoffs, and wherein the frame is further comprised of a set of lateral walls and a set of longitudinal walls around at least some of the mounts in the first set of mounts.

8. The splashguard of claim 7, wherein the back face of the flap is spaced a second distance from the inner sidewall of the bathtub by the second set of fasteners, wherein the back face of the flap further comprises a second set of standoffs protruding backward from the back face of the flap toward the inner sidewall of the bathtub, and wherein the second set of mounts are integrally formed as part the second set of standoffs.

9. The splashguard of claim 8, wherein the front face of the flap is further comprised of a plurality of drainage channels extending downward by a third distance from the upper end at the forward edge toward the bottom end, wherein a portion of the planar surface of the shelf extends past the inner sidewall into the bathtub, and wherein the flap is cantilevered over the rim into the bathtub.

10. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein the first set of fasteners and the second set of fasteners are selected from the group of releasable and reusable fasteners consisting of suction cups, magnets, micro-suction gel tape segments, branched nano tube gel tape segments, and any combination thereof.

11. A splashguard for placement on and over a rim and an inner sidewall of a bathtub between opposite bathtub ends, comprising: a shelf comprising a substantially planar surface with a topside, an underside, a forward edge, a rearmost edge, and a pair of side edges extending between the forward edge and the rearmost edge, wherein the shelf has a shelf width between the forward edge and the rearmost edge, and wherein the shelf has a shelf length between the pair of side edges; a wall attached to the pair of side edges and the rearmost edge at a lower end of the wall, wherein the wall extends upward from the lower end to a top end at a height above the topside of the shelf, wherein the height of the wall is less than the shelf width and is greater than one-half the shelf width, and wherein the wall has an interior-side wall length between the pair of side edges substantially equal to the shelf length; a flap attached to the forward edge of the shelf at an upper end of the flap, wherein the flap extends downward by a flap width from the upper end to a bottom end of the flap, wherein the flap has a flap length at least as long as the shelf length, and wherein the flap width is greater than the height of the wall; and a first set of fasteners, wherein the first set of fasteners releasably connect at least one of the underside of the shelf to the rim of the bathtub and the flap to the sidewall of the bathtub.

12. The splashguard of claim 11, further comprising a first set of mounts permanently attached to at least one of the underside of the shelf and the back face of the flap, wherein the first set of fasteners are connected to at least one of the underside of the shelf and the back face of the flap through the first set of mounts.

13. The splashguard of claim 12, further comprising a second set of fasteners and a second set of mounts, wherein the first set of fasteners are connected to the underside of the shelf through the first set of mounts and releasably connect the shelf to the rim of the bathtub, and wherein the second set of fasteners are connected to the flap through the second set of mounts and releasably connect the flap to the sidewall of the bathtub.

14. The splashguard of claim 13, wherein the underside of the shelf is further comprised of a frame extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the topside of the shelf is spaced a first distance from the rim of the bathtub by the first set of fasteners, and wherein the frame is further comprised of a set of lateral walls and a set of longitudinal walls around at least some of the mounts in the first set of mounts.

15. The splashguard of claim 11, wherein the top end of the wall has a wall length greater than the interior-side wall length, wherein the flap length is substantially equal to the wall length at the top end of the wall, and wherein the flap is further comprised of a lip protruding backward at each side of the flap.

16. A splashguard for placement on and over a rim and an inner sidewall of a bathtub between opposite bathtub ends, comprising: a shelf comprising a substantially planar surface with a topside, an underside, a forward edge, a rearmost edge, and a pair of side edges extending between the forward edge and the rearmost edge, wherein the shelf has a shelf width between the forward edge and the rearmost edge, wherein the shelf has a shelf length between the pair of side edges, and wherein the shelf is further comprised of a frame with a set of lateral walls and a set of longitudinal walls extending downward from the underside of the planar surface; a wall attached to the pair of side edges and the rearmost edge at a lower end of the wall, wherein the wall extends upward from the lower end to a top end at a height above the topside of the shelf, and wherein the wall has an interior-side wall length between the pair of side edges at least as great as the shelf length; a flap attached to the forward edge of the shelf at an upper end of the flap, wherein the flap extends downward by a flap width from the upper end to a bottom end of the flap; a first set of mounts permanently attached to at least one of the underside of the shelf and the back face of the flap; a first set of fasteners connected to the first set of mounts, wherein the first set of fasteners releasably connect at least one of the underside of the shelf to the rim of the bathtub and the flap to the sidewall of the bathtub.

17. The splashguard of claim 16, further comprising a second set of fasteners and a second set of mounts, wherein the first set of fasteners are connected to the underside of the shelf through the first set of mounts and releasably connect the shelf to the rim of the bathtub, and wherein the second set of fasteners are connected to the flap through the second set of mounts and releasably connect the flap to the sidewall of the bathtub.

18. The splashguard of claim 16, wherein the wall is further comprised of a back wall and a pair of side end walls, wherein the back wall extends from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end and the second end connect to back portions of the pair of side end walls, wherein the top end of the wall is further comprised of a top flange extending peripherally outward from the wall by a flange length and a top lip protruding downward from the top flange, wherein the pair of side end walls are each further comprised of a front flange extending peripherally outward from a front portion of the respective side end walls by the flange length and a side lip protruding backward from the front flange, wherein the wall length at the top of the wall is equal to the interior-side wall length plus the flange length for each front flange, and wherein the flap is further comprised of a lip protruding backward at each side of the flap.

19. The splashguard of claim 18, wherein the height of the wall is greater than one-half the shelf width, wherein the top end of the wall has a wall length greater than the interior-side wall length, wherein a portion of the planar surface of the shelf extends past the rim of the bathtub, wherein the back portions of the pair of side end walls and the back wall are cantilevered over the rim of the bathtub, wherein the flap width is greater than the one-half of the height of the wall, and wherein the flap has a flap length greater than the interior-side wall length and substantially equal to the wall length at the top end of the wall.

20. The splashguard of claim 16, wherein the first set of fasteners are connected to the underside of the shelf through the first set of mounts and releasably connect the shelf to the rim of the bathtub, and wherein the set of lateral walls and the set of longitudinal walls of the frame are positioned around at least some of the mounts in the first set of mounts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1A shows a front, upper perspective view of a splashguard according to the invention described herein.

(3) FIG. 1B shows a rear, lower perspective view of the splashguard from FIG. 1A with a detail exploded view of the splashguard with suction cup fasteners.

(4) FIG. 2A shows a topside perspective view of the splashguard from FIG. 1A as it is attached to a bathtub.

(5) FIG. 2B shows a front perspective view of the splashguard from FIG. 1A as it is attached to a bathtub.

(6) FIG. 3 shows a front, upper perspective view of an alternative splashguard according to the invention described herein.

(7) FIGS. 4A and 4B show top, plan views of alternative splashguards according to the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

(9) The splashguard 10 described herein provides a place for the children to play while helping to prevent water from being splashed onto the floor adjacent to the bathtub 100 and can also be a convenient place for holding items while bathing. Generally, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the splashguard has a shelf, a wall, and a flap. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the shelf is secured to the rim 110 of the bathtub with one set of fasteners while the flap is secured to the inner sidewall 120 of the bathtub by another set of fasteners. Suction cups are preferably used as the fasteners, but as explained below, other releasable and reusable fasteners could be used in place of the suction cups. It will also be appreciated that since the present invention allows for unobstructed accessibility to the bathtub between the splashguard and the end walls at either end of the tub, more permanent fasteners may be used for some installations, such as glue or some other adhesive epoxy that is preferably water-resistant or water-repellant.

(10) The shelf 12 has a planar surface 20 with a topside 20a, an underside 20b, a forward edge 22a, a rearmost edge 22b, and a pair of side edges 24a and 24b extending between the forward edge and the rearmost edge. The shelf width (W.sub.S) extends between the forward edge and the rearmost edge, and the shelf length (L.sub.S) extends between the pair of side edges. The topside of the shelf's planar surface functions as a play area or storage surface, and the underside of the shelf's planar surface faces the bathtub's rim and has a set of integral mounts 40a which hold the fasteners 18a that are used to releasably connect the shelf to the rim. The underside of the shelf is spaced by a distance (D.sub.S) from the rim of the bathtub by the fasteners but is preferably supported by a frame 42 around the fasteners and the mounts which provides support to the shelf so that it has rigidity and does not bend or bow when in use. The shelf's underside also preferably includes a set of integrally formed standoffs 50a that protrude downward from the underside of the shelf, and the shelf's integral mounts are formed as a part of the standoffs.

(11) The forward edge of the shelf is aligned with the bathtub's rim, and as described in detail be below, the flap extends downward from the forward edge. The rearmost edge and the pair of side edges are closed off by the wall as explained in more detail below. In comparison, there is no wall section above the flap so the front of the splashguard is open towards the interior of the bathtub. When the splashguard is attached to the bathtub, a portion of the shelf's forward section along the forward edge is positioned over and is attached to the bathtub's rim while the shelf's rearward section 36 extends past the bathtub's outer sidewall and is cantilevered over the rim as particularly shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The front portion of the shelf's forward section preferably extends slightly past the inner sidewall into the bathtub. As explained below, the attachment of the flap to the bathtub's inner sidewall allows for the cantilevering the shelf's rearward section over the rim and past the outer sidewall, and it prevents the splashguard from rocking on the rim.

(12) Although the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have a substantially rectangular shelf, it will be appreciated that the shelf can be formed in different shapes, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and described in more detail below. Generally, the forward edge of the shelf substantially matches the shape of bathtub rim and the flap preferably matches the shape of the inner sidewall to provide a good connection between the splashguard and the bathtub and optimize the space within the bathtub while reducing splashes from reaching the floor around the bathtub and allowing water to drain properly from the shelf surface back into the bathtub. The forward edge has a convex radius of curvature (R.sub.1) on the topside of the shelf, and the rearmost edge and the side edges each have a concave radius of curvature (R.sub.2) on the topside of the shelf. Apart from the curvature proximate to the edges, the planar surface of the shelf's topside is preferably flat and horizontal for holding items, and it may also be slightly angled downward from the rearmost edge to the forward edge to help direct water to the forward edge which it then pours over the flap and drains back into the bathtub. Additionally, some playtime friendly splashguards could have a shelf with a portion of the shelf having integrally molded design features, such as a simulated landscape or structures or a ramp for sliding toys into the bathtub similar to molded features in plastic play pools, such as disclosed in US. Design Pat. No. D222590 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(13) As indicated above, the wall 14 partially encloses the shelf. In particular, the shelf is partially surrounded along its rearmost edge and around its side edges by a back wall 32 and a pair of side end walls 34a and 34b, respectively. The back wall and side end walls extend upward from the concave radii of curvature at the rearmost edge and at the side edges, respectively, preventing water from spilling over the rearmost edge and the side edges of the shelf and directing water that is contained by the splashguard back into the bathtub. The wall attaches to the pair of side edges and the rearmost edge at its lower end 26b, and the wall extends upward to its top end 26a. The height (H) of the wall's top end as measured from the topside of the shelf is preferably less than the shelf width (H<W.sub.S) and is greater than one-half the shelf width (H>½*W.sub.S). The water that splashes onto the walls and the shelf during use drains back into the bathtub over the forward edge which is situated over the rim of the bathtub. To help direct the water from the shelf back into the bathtub, the flap is connected to the shelf along the forward edge and extends downward into the bathtub along the inner bathtub's sidewall.

(14) For the rectangular shelf of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the back wall extends between a pair of ends 32a and 32b that connect to corresponding back portions of the pair of side end walls. As evident from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the back wall can be curved so that it transitions into the side end wall sections. Generally, in each one of the embodiments, the wall has an interior-side wall length (L.sub.W) between the pair of side edges which is substantially equal to the shelf length. Additionally, the top end of the wall, including the back wall and the side walls, preferably has a top flange 44a that extends peripherally outward from the wall by a flange length (L.sub.f), and a top lip 46a protrudes downward from the top flange. The top flange and top lip can serve as a grip for users to grasp as they attach and remove the splashguard from the bathtub. Similarly, the pair of side end walls each preferably has a front flange 44b that extends peripherally outward from the side end walls' front portion 48 by the flange length, and a side lip 46b protrudes backward from the front flange. The flanges and lips are attached to each other and extend continuously around the entire periphery of the wall, from the front of the side walls up to the top end of the side walls and around the top end of the back wall, which helps provide additional strength and rigidity to the backsplash structure. Accordingly, the interior-side wall length plus the flange length for each front flange is equal to the total wall length for the top end of the wall (L.sub.W+2*L.sub.f=L.sub.T). The back wall and at least a portion of the side end walls extend past the bathtub's rim and are cantilevered over the rim to the exterior space adjacent to the bathtub.

(15) The flap 16 is attached to the forward edge of the shelf at its upper end 28a and extends downward from the convex radius of curvature along the bathtub's inner sidewall to its bottom end 28b within the bathtub, below its rim. The flap has a front face 30a over which the water flows when it drains back into the bathtub, a back face 30b which faces the inner sidewall, and a lip 38 that protrudes backward at each side of the flap. The flap's back face has another set of integral mounts 40b which hold the fasteners 18b that are used to releasably connect the flap to the sidewall. To help with draining water from the shelf, the flap's front face preferably includes drainage channels 52 extending downward from the upper end at the forward edge by a distance (D.sub.D) that is partway toward the bottom end. The flap's back face is spaced by a distance (D.sub.L) from the bathtub's inner sidewall by the fasteners so that the flap is cantilevered over the rim into the interior space of the bathtub. Additionally, the back face preferably includes another set of standoffs 50b that protrude backward from the back face toward the inner sidewall, and the flap's integral mounts are formed as a part of the standoffs. The flap width (W.sub.F) between its upper end and its lower end is preferably greater than the height of the wall plus the distance that the shelf is spaced from the rim (W.sub.F>H+D.sub.S). The flap length (L.sub.F) is at least as long as the shelf length (L.sub.F≥L.sub.S) and is preferably equal to total wall length for the top end of the wall (L.sub.F=L.sub.T).

(16) The standoffs can be molded with or permanently attached to the shelf's underside and the flap's back face as particularly shown in FIG. 1B and thereby house the integral mount. As shown in the drawings, the standoffs protrude a distance from the underside and the back face toward the bathtub's rim and the bathtub's inner sidewall, respectively. The standoffs have sidewalls extending to a protruding face. The frame around the standoffs on the shelf's underside can be molded or otherwise attached to the underside. The frame around the mounts may extend a distance from the underside that is equivalent to the distance of the fastener within the mount so that the frame can also provide support to the splashguard when it is attached to the bathtub. The frame around the mounts preferably has a pair of longitudinal walls 42a on opposite sides of the mounts and a series of lateral walls 42b between the mounts. The longitudinal walls extend the entire length of the shelf and connect to the bottom flange around the sides and back of the shelf's underside and the lateral walls connect between the longitudinal walls. The bottom flange is formed by the bottom end of the back wall and side end walls that extend past the topside of the shelf by a distance below the underside to engage so that the bottom end of the side end walls touch the bathtub's rim. The frame's longitudinal walls and lateral walls similarly extend this distance so that they also touch the bathtub's rim and provide support along the entire length of the shelf.

(17) Given the space created by the fasteners and standoffs between the flap and the inner sidewall of the bathtub, it will be understood that the forward edge of the shelf and flap extended therefrom is along a different longitudinal plane than the inner sidewall of the bathtub and the inner bathtub rim. Accordingly, a gap exists between the side edges of the flap and the bathtub sidewall wherein water could splash there thru and over the rim of the bathtub, beneath the splashguard. The lip extends most or all of the distance (D.sub.L) between the flap and the inner sidewall which blocks block water from splashing into the space at the sides of the flap. The lip extending back from the flap connects with the side lip extending back from the side flanges of the side walls so that there is a continuous lip from the side ends of the flap up extending to and continuing around the entire wall.

(18) As generally described above, the flap may include drainage channels along the front face to further facilitate drainage from the planar surface into the bathtub basin. As shown in FIG. 1A, the drainage channels extend the channel length from the upper end towards their distal ends and include a recessed face between opposing channel walls spaced apart by a channel width with the recessed face being spaced from the front face of the flap by the recessed depth. Furthermore, the drainage channel on the front face of the flap may align with the standoff protruding on the back face of the flap. In such an embodiment, the drainage channel forms the negative on the front face of the flap to the standoff protruding on the back face of the flap with outer sides of the pair of sidewalls and protruding face being on the back face of the flap and inner sides of the pair of sidewalls and the recessed face being on the front face of the flap. However, it will also be appreciated that the drainage channel and standoff discussed herein do not necessarily align and could be positioned on the flap in alternating or non-alternating positions.

(19) The splashguard described herein is sized to fit most bathtubs and to provide easy entry and exit from the bathtub while the splashguard is connected thereto. In particular, the splashguard is designed to have a length that is less than the length of the bathtub and cover a portion of the bathtub's rim so that it will fit on most bathtubs and provide an uninterrupted accessibility space on at least one end.

(20) The splashguard is sized to only cover a portion of the bathtub's length and does not extend the entire length of the bathtub. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ends of the splashguard is spaced a distance from the end of the bathtub to allow a person to enter and exit the bathtub without necessarily stepping over or entirely removing the splashguard. In addition, the splashguard can be used with various bathtubs and sized where it does not require the end of the splashguard to flushly contact both sidewalls of the stall in which the bathtub is situated to prevent spilling, as seen in the prior art. Similarly, the splashguard can be used in free standing bathtubs that are not situated within a stall between two opposing walls where the splashguard is sized to have a length between opposing ends that is less than the length of the bathtub. Further, the space between the end of the splashguard and the end of the bathtub can also be used by a parent who may want to sit on the rim of the bathtub while they help a child wash their hair without having to remove the splashguard.

(21) Although the dimensions of the splashguard are not intended to be limiting, the preferred embodiment includes a wall length and a flap length that are approximately equal. Furthermore, the width of the splashguard between the forward edge and the rearmost edge is less than the length of the shelf. Further still, the splashguard can be manufactured to various lengths for particular uses. A larger splashguard may provide more space on one side of the bathtub for entry and exit on that side, whereas a smaller splashguard may provide sufficient space for entry and exit on both sides or for the parent to sit on either side of the bathtub's sidewall. A smaller splashguard that covers less than half the length of the tub may be used by adults who merely want a smaller surface to hold a book, candle or electronic device. Although the larger splashguard could also be used for holding these items, the larger splashguard with a length greater than half the length of the tub, such as shown in FIG. 2, is particularly beneficial for use with children wherein a larger playing surface will also result in a larger guard against splashes getting outside of the bathtub. In either case, it remains an aspect that the length of the splashguard is less than the length of the tub wherein the ends of the splashguard do not necessarily abut the sidewalls of the shower stall as described herein.

(22) The splashguard according the preferred embodiment is rectangular in shape as described above but it will be appreciated that the shape of the splashguard is not intended to be limiting. For example, the shape of the shelf portion may be curved and match the shape of a curved bathtub wherein the inventive aspect of the splashguard is the planar shelf, walls, and flap. In particular, the shelf may have a have an oval shape with the rearmost edge being cantilevered over the bathtub's rim and the straight edge extending along the rim as shown in FIG. 3. In such an embodiment, the curved rearmost edge includes a single vertical sidewall that prevents spilling onto the floor and the straight edge will include a flap that protrudes into the bathtub. Thus, the number of edges on the shelf and corresponding sidewalls is not intended to be limiting.

(23) Further still, the shape of the shelf could be altered to fit around uniquely shaped bathtubs. For example, a splashguard may include a curved forward edge and corresponding flap that mirrors the end of a curved bathtub as shown in FIG. 4A. Similarly, the forward edge may be a “U” shape with a multi-segmented flap that can be used on the end of a rectangular bathtub with an open end, such as shown in FIG. 4B. In such an embodiment the splashguard would be attached to the end of the bathtub as opposed to the side of the bathtub and could include additional sets of suction cups on each of the flap segments.

(24) Preferably, the splashguard is made out of silicone so it will not rot or collect bacteria but may also be made from other material types, such as plastic. In addition, the splashguard is made from a single molded piece product without any connecting fasteners that may tend to break or rust in wet environments. Accordingly, it is also preferred that the suctions cups that releasably connect the splashguard to the bathtub are molded within the single piece splashguard.

(25) The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, although suction cups are the preferred fasteners used for connecting the splashguard to the bathtub, it will be appreciated that there are numerous releasable and reusable fasteners that could be used in place of or in combination with the suction cups. For example, if it is desired to have a flap that is narrower than the diameter of the suction cups located at the underside of the shelf, it is possible that magnets could be used. The use of magnets to help secure splashguards to bathtubs is well-known and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,835 which is incorporated by reference herein. Similarly, one or both of the suction cup surfaces shown in FIG. 1B could use micro-suction gel tape segments which are sold under the brand names of Alien Tape and Monkey Tape, and/or branched nano tube gel tape segments which are sold under the brand name of Gecko Grip. For a shelf that has a flat underside, without any standoffs or framework, a line of gel tape could be placed on the underside so that it holds the underside tightly to the rim of the bathtub, and this gel tape could be beneficial for rims that are relatively narrow. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.