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 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 has lateral walls extending below the bottom of the shelf and can also include a longitudinal wall to help support the shelf.

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, and wherein the shelf has a shelf length between the pair of side edges; 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 flap extends downward by a flap width from the upper end to a bottom end of the flap, and wherein the flap has a flap length at least as long as the shelf length; a first set of mounts connected to at least one of the back face of the flap and the underside of the planar surface; a first set of lateral walls extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the first set of lateral walls are separate from the first set of mounts, wherein the first set of lateral walls are position between the first set of mounts; a wall connected to the shelf at a lower end of the wall and extending upward from the lower end to a top end at a height above the topside of the shelf, wherein the wall is comprised of a back wall and a pair of side end walls, wherein the back wall is connected to the rearmost edge of the shelf at the lower end, and wherein the pair of side end walls are respectively connected to the pair of side edges of the shelf at the lower end; and 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 flap and the shelf to the inner sidewall and the rim of the bathtub, respectively.

2. The splashguard of claim 1, further comprising a second set of lateral walls extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the second set of lateral walls are positioned laterally of the most lateral mounts.

3. The splashguard of claim 2, wherein the second set of lateral walls are comprised of a lowermost edge of the side end walls extending down from the lower end below the underside of the shelf, and wherein a web thickness of the lateral walls is thinner than a diameter of the mounts.

4. The splashguard of claim 1, further comprising a pair of longitudinal walls on opposite sides of the first set of mounts, wherein the pair of longitudinal walls extend between and connect opposite ends of the lateral walls.

5. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein the first set of mounts are staggered with a front set of mounts and a back set of mounts.

6. The splashguard of claim 1, wherein a maximum flap width is greater than a minimum height of the back wall, wherein the flap length is longer than the shelf length, and wherein a maximum height of the back wall is greater than half the shelf width.

7. The splashguard of claim 1, further comprising a second set of mounts connected to and extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the second set of mounts are positioned more proximate to the back wall than the first set of mounts.

8. The splashguard of claim 7, further comprising a third set of mounts connected to and extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the third set of mounts are positioned adjacent to the back wall, and wherein the second set of mounts are positioned between the first set of mounts and the third set of mounts.

9. The splashguard of claim 1, further comprising a second set of mounts and a second set fasteners, wherein the wherein the first set of mounts extend downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the first set of fasteners releasably connect the underside of the shelf to the rim of the bathtub, wherein the second set of mounts are connected to and extend back from the back face of the flap, and wherein the second set of fasteners are connected to the second set of mounts and releasably connect the back face of the flap to the inner sidewall of the bathtub.

10. The splashguard of claim 9, 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 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, and wherein the flap extends downward by a flap width from the upper end to a bottom end of the flap; a wall connected to the shelf at a lower end of the wall and extending upward from the lower end to a top end at a height above the topside of the shelf; a first set of mounts connected to and extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the first set of mounts are staggered with at least one of the mounts not being aligned with a pair of mounts in a line; and a first set of fasteners, wherein the first set of fasteners releasably connect the underside of the shelf to the rim of the bathtub.

12. The splashguard of claim 11, further comprising a first set of lateral walls extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the first set of lateral walls are positioned between the first set of mounts.

13. The splashguard of claim 11, further comprising a second set of mounts and a second set fasteners, wherein the second set of mounts are connected to and extend back from the back face of the flap, and wherein the second set of fasteners are connected to the second set of mounts.

14. The splashguard of claim 11, wherein the wall is comprised of a back wall and a pair of side end walls, wherein back wall is connected to the rearmost edge of the shelf at the lower end, and wherein the pair of side end walls are respectively connected to the pair of side edges of the shelf at the lower end.

15. The splashguard of claim 11, wherein a maximum flap width is greater than a minimum height of the back wall, wherein the flap length is longer than the shelf length, and wherein the maximum height of the back wall is greater than one-half the shelf width.

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, 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, and wherein the height of the wall is greater than one-half the shelf width; a flap attached to the forward edge of the shelf at an upper end of the flap, wherein the flap has a flag length greater than the shelf length, wherein the flap extends downward by a flap width from the upper end to a bottom end of the flap, 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 the flap to the sidewall of the bathtub.

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

18. The splashguard of claim 16, wherein the wall is comprised of a back wall and a pair of side end walls, wherein back wall is connected to the rearmost edge of the shelf at the lower end, and wherein the pair of side end walls are respectively connected to the pair of side edges of the shelf at the lower end.

19. The splashguard of claim 18, wherein the height of the back wall is less than the flap width.

20. The splashguard of claim 16, wherein the first set of mounts are staggered with at least one of the mounts not being aligned with a pair of mounts in a line.

21. 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, and wherein the shelf has a shelf length between the pair of side edges; a first set of mounts connected to and extending downward from the underside of the planar surface; a first set of lateral walls extending downward from the underside of the planar surface, wherein the first set of lateral walls are separate from and positioned between the first set of mounts; 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; 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; 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 flap extends downward by a flap width from the upper end to a bottom end of the flap; a second set of mounts, wherein the second set of mounts are connected to and extend back from the back face of the flap; and a second set fasteners, wherein the second set of fasteners are connected to the second set of mounts.

22. The splashguard of claim 21, wherein the first set of mounts are staggered with at least one of the mounts not being aligned with a pair of mounts in a line, and wherein the height of the wall is greater than one-half the shelf width.

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.

(8) FIGS. 5A and 5B show lower perspective views of alternative splashguards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) 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.

(10) 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 and are attached to the splashguard using screws that extend through the suction cup for a secure connection, 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.

(11) 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. Accordingly, the thickness of the frame (T.sub.F) preferably creates the space between the underside of the shelf and the rim of the bathtub so they are equal (D.sub.S=T.sub.F). 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.

(12) 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.

(13) 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.

(14) 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 lowermost edges 26c of the back wall and the side end walls extend down from the lower end of the wall to below the underside of the shelf and contact the rim of the bathtub which blocks water from splashing underneath the splashguard. The height (H) of the wall's top end, i.e., the maximum height of the back wall, 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>*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.

(15) 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. For the rectangular shelf, the topmost edges 26d of the side end walls are preferably parallel to the lowermost edges and the plane of the shelf (A.sub.S). 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.

(16) 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 that are recessed by a depth (R.sub.D) and extend 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). It will be appreciated that there can be variances in the height of the wall and the width of the flap so the maximum width of the flap would be greater than any portion of the back wall without reference to the distance that the shelf is spaced from the rim, i.e., the maximum flap width is greater than a minimum height of the back wall. The flap length (L.sub.F) is at least as long as the shelf length (L.sub.FL.sub.S) and is preferably equal to total wall length for the top end of the wall (L.sub.F=L.sub.T).

(17) 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 with the shelf's underside or may be formed separately from the shelf and otherwise attached to the shelf's 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 that are separate from the mounts and extend between the mounts. The web thickness (T.sub.W) of the walls are preferably less than the diameter of the mounts (d.sub.M). 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.

(18) The frame helps to support the cantilevering of the back section of the splashguard over the rim of the bathtub with at least one of the front and back longitudinal walls resting on the rim of the bathtub as well as the lateral walls. In quantifying the depth of the shelf and the amount of cantilever that can be provided, the distance (D.sub.BW) that the back wall is positioned back from the flap's front face 30a is twice the distance (D.sub.M) that the underside mounts 40a are spaced back from the flap's front face (D.sub.BW>2*D.sub.M). The underside mounts and their corresponding fasteners are preferably staggered so the front set of mounts and their fasteners are not aligned with the back set of mounts and their fasteners. When considering the back set of mounts and fasteners, the relative distance from the flap to the back wall is more than twice the distance from the flap to these mounts and fasteners.

(19) 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 thickness of the lip (T.sub.L) 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. Preferably, the lip's thickness is greater than the drainage channels' recessed depth (L.sub.T>R.sub.D). Additionally, the lip's thickness is preferably equal to or greater than the thickness of the frame (T.sub.LT.sub.F). 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.

(20) 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.

(21) 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.

(22) 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.

(23) 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.

(24) 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.

(25) 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.

(26) 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 preferably made from a single molded piece without any connecting fasteners that may tend to break or rust in wet environments. As indicated above, it is possible to manufacture the splashguard in separate parts or subassemblies that may be connected with fasteners or may otherwise be fastened together to form the splashguard, such as with snap-fit connections. For example, the flap at the front of the shelf and the frame below the underside of the shelf may be separate parts that connect to the shelf. In the case of a separate frame structure, it may have the longitudinal walls with only the interior lateral walls between the mounts or it may also have exterior lateral walls which are positioned laterally of the most lateral mounts and that could serve as the lowermost edges of the side end walls. It will be appreciated that the frame structure could also include the mounts and the fasteners. In the case of a separate flap structure, it could be pivotally mounted to the shelf so it can rotate or it can be fixed in place. It may also be possible to have a back wall that rotates relative to the shelf. Further, it is possible that the splashguard could have a crease in the middle so it can fold.

(27) When considering splashguards made from multiple pieces, it will be appreciated that the longitudinal length of the shelf can be formed by telescoping sections. For example, the opposite sides with the side end walls and sections of the shelf could slide together over a center lower section of the shelf and could slide outward to expose the center lower section and increase the longitudinal length of the shelf. To ensure the water drains back into the tub and does not spill to the outside of the tub, the center lower section would preferably curve up to a center back section behind the back wall sections that slide with the shelf sections, and each side edge of the center lower section would curve up into a lip that engages the underside of respective shelf sections. Another type of telescoping splashguard could have the back wall extend further back from the forward edge of the shelf with overlapping front and back shelf sections and side wall sections.

(28) As particularly described above with reference to FIG. 1B, a staggered row of mounts 40a are used hold the fasteners 18a below the shelf and releasably connect the shelf to the bathtub's rim. Some bathtubs have a curved rim, and a single row of mounts may not effectively hold the splashguard to the rim. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, additional rows of mounts 40c, 40d can be added to the underside of the shelf. The user can place the suction cups in those mounts that align with the curvature of their bathtub's rim. The additional rows of mounts are preferably positioned more proximate to the back wall than the staggered row of mounts 40a with one set of mounts 40c being positioned adjacent to the back wall and the other set of mounts 40d being positioned therebetween. For the row of mounts that has the staggered orientation, at least one mount is not aligned with a line extending between a pair of other mounts. As with the splashguard shown in FIG. 1B, the splashguard shown in FIG. 5A has five (5) mounts and corresponding fasteners in each row. In comparison, the splashguard shown in FIG. 5B has a shorter length and incorporates only three (3) mounts and fasteners in each row. It will also be appreciated that the mounts and fasteners extending from the back face of the flap could also have a staggered orientation.

(29) 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. It will also be appreciated that suction cups could connect to the splashguard with other types of mounts or fasteners. For example, a suction cup with grooved posts could connect to the splashguard by sliding into a pair of rails below the underside of the shelf. 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.