US008424129B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Henderson et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,424,129 B2
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`(54) BATH SPOUT COVER
`
`(75) Inventors: Scott Henderson, Brooklyn, NY (US);
`Janet Villano, Brooklyn, NY (US);
`Ellen Diamant, New York, NY (US);
`Elizabeth Zack, Brooklyn, NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Skip Hop, Inc., New York, NY (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC 154(b) by 633 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 12/511,652
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 29, 2009
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0023979 A1
`
`Feb. 3, 2011
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A47K 17/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`USPC ............................................................ .. 4/661
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ..... .. 4/661, DIG. 18;
`239/602; 150/156; D23/256; 248/743;
`24/30.5 R, 30.5 P
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`D173,979 S
`2/1955 Crenshaw
`3,063,190 A 11/1962 Adelson
`3,327,280 A *
`6/1967 Levine et a1. ............... .. 439/135
`3,623,638 A 11/1971 Henning etal.
`D245,804 S
`9/1977 Cone
`4,353,139 A 10/1982 Wainwright et al.
`RE31,541 E *
`3/1984 Wood ........................ .. 24/16 PB
`D282,563
`2/1986 Beene
`S
`11/1987 Shinn-Hsiung
`D292,603
`S
`
`4,709,429 A 12/1987 Lerner et al.
`4,821,960 A
`4/1989 Goldman
`4,957,446 A *
`9/1990 Belsky ........................ .. 439/134
`D313,460 S
`1/1991 Boucher et al.
`D316,896 S
`5/1991 Fukoka
`D326,312 S
`5/1992 Frankel
`D326,313 S
`5/1992 Frankel
`5,125,577 A
`6/1992 Frankel
`5,337,956 A
`8/1994 Crutcher
`D353,184 S
`12/1994 Formgren
`D354,550 S
`1/1995 Munoz
`5,482,078 A
`1/1996 Yeh
`D370,037 S
`5/1996 Berggreen
`D378,232 S
`2/1997 Frankel
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2007-107358
`4/2007
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`JP
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Of?ce, Notice of Allowability for a
`Design Application, U.S. Appl. No. 29/341,036, Nov. 13, 2009.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * Huyen Le
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm *Stephen J. Weyer, Esq.;
`Terry L. Wright, Esq.; Stites & Harbison, PLLC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A bath spout cover is provided that includes a body structure
`having an upper portion, two opposing side portions, and a
`front portion; a receiving area de?ned between the upper
`portion, the two opposing side portions, and the front portion;
`a strap spanning the two opposing side portions, said strap
`being adjustable on at least one of the side portions of the
`body structure; and at least one aperture de?ned by one of the
`side portions of the body structure, said aperture for receiving
`an end of the strap. Further provided are methods for securing
`a bath spout cover to a bath spout.
`
`19 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`22
`
`SKIP HOP 2002-01
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`IPR2016-00536
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`US 8,424,129 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`12/1999 Yamazaki
`134172706 S
`9/2000 Br1sc0e
`6,119,286 A
`11/2000 Goodwin etal.
`D434,258 s
`3/2001 Black et 31‘
`6,205,598 B1
`10/2002 Sie?<en
`D465,009 s
`1 /200 5 Gieson et a1‘
`])501,040 S
`12/2006 shofstall
`11533’640 S
`7,150,437 B 1 * 12/2006 Teeters 11111111111111111111111111 11 248/70
`2007/0018014 A1
`1/2007 Finell
`2007/00225 29 A1
`2/2007 Thome et a1,
`2007/0047617 A1
`3/2007 Thorne et al.
`2007/0130688 A1
`6/2007 Thorne et al.
`2007/0277891 A1 12/2007 Frankel
`
`http://WWW.t0tsafe.com/proddetailasp
`
`Internet Website, http://WWW.neXtag.com/baby-faucet-cover/prod
`t html M 3 2010
`ucs'
`’
`a“ ’
`'
`Internet
`Website,
`T’PIOdIZOIZ, Mar 3, 2010
`http://WWW.greatbabyproducts.com/BabyiBathiFaucetfSpouti
`C0verip/kelg-5288Thtrn (accessed Mar. 29, 2012).
`http://WWW.greatbabyproducts.com/BabyiBathiFaucetfSpouti
`Coverip/kelg-52886htrn (accessed Mar. 29, 2012).
`http://WWW.totsafe.com/proddetail.asp?pr0d:20l2 (accessed Mar.
`29, 2012)
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`SKIP HOP 2002-02
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`IPR2016-00536
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of3
`
`US 8,424,129 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`18
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`32
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`28
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`24
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`24
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`9
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`FIG. 2
`
`29
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`34
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`22
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`SKIP HOP 2002-03
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of3
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`US 8,424,129 B2
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`SKIP HOP 2002-04
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`|PR2016—00536
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`SKIP HOP 2002-04
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 23, 2013
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`Sheet 3 of3
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`US 8,424,129 B2
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`//L//1c \c\
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`29
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`FIG. 6
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`US 8,424,129 B2
`
`1
`BATH SPOUT COVER
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to a cover
`for a bath spout and a method of securing a bath spout cover
`to a bath spout. In particular, the presently-disclosed subject
`matter relates to a bath spout cover and a method for securing
`a bath spout cover that make use of an adjustable strap for
`securing the cover to a bath spout.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Covers for bath spouts are routinely used to not only pro
`vide a decorative appearance to bath spouts, but also to pro
`tect individuals, including children, from personal injury.
`Accidents frequently occur in bathtubs as a result of slipping
`on a Wet surface or simply as a result of children playing in a
`bathtub. These accidents often cause pain and personal injury
`due to the individual hitting his or her head, or other portions
`of their body, against the bath spout. To that end, numerous
`protective covers have been designed and manufactured for
`bath spouts.
`The majority of the protective covers that are currently
`available for bath spouts are formed from plastics, such as
`poly-vinyl chloride, and are able to protect individuals from
`pain and injury that may otherWise occur after the individual
`strikes their head or other body part against the bath spout.
`HoWever, these plastic bath spout covers are routinely manu
`factured as solid or in?atable sleeves that slide over a particu
`lar bath spout and have limited or no adjustability, thus mak
`ing them dif?cult to install and remove, and also making them
`inconvenient for storage and drying after use. Alternative
`designs have produced bath spout covers that are relatively
`easily installed, but frequently fall off and, consequently, fail
`to provide su?icient protection for individuals. In any event,
`knoWn covers for bath spouts are either dif?cult to install and
`remove, or can not be adequately secured to a bath spout to
`provide a requisite degree of protection. Furthermore, none of
`the knoWn bath spout covers suf?ciently provide a means to
`easily store the bath spout cover after use, Which is of great
`importance in drying the bath spout cover and preventing
`mold and mildeW formation.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`The presently-disclosed subject matter includes bath spout
`covers and methods of securing a bath spout cover to a bath
`spout.
`In one exemplary embodiment, a bath spout cover is pro
`vided that comprises a body structure having an upper por
`tion, tWo opposing side portions, and a front portion that
`de?nes a receiving area. An adjustable strap spans the tWo
`opposing side portions, and an end of the strap is received by
`at least one aperture, Which is de?ned by one of the side
`portions of the body structure. In some exemplary embodi
`ments, a second aperture, Which is de?ned by the other side
`portion of the body structure, is provided for receiving the
`other end of the strap. The tWo opposing side portions and the
`front portion of the body structure further de?ne an open
`bottom of the bath spout cover such that the bath spout cover
`is easily positioned on a bath spout and the bath spout is
`received by the receiving area.
`To secure the bath spout cover to a bath spout, the strap
`spanning the tWo opposing side portions is typically posi
`tioned under the bath spout. In some exemplary embodi
`ments, the strap is permanently attached to one of the side
`
`2
`portions of the body structure and is detachable from the other
`side portion of the body structure such that one end of the
`strap remains attached to the bath spout cover While it is
`positioned on bath spout. Alternatively, in some embodi
`ments, the strap is detachable from each side portion of the
`body structure such that the body structure can be ?rst posi
`tioned on a bath spout and then the strap can be attached to
`each side portion of the body structure.
`Depending on Whether one or both ends of the strap are
`detachable from the body structure, an exemplary bath spout
`cover of the presently-disclosed subject matter is secured to a
`bath spout by adjusting the strap on either one or both side
`portions of the body structure. In some exemplary embodi
`ments, the strap includes a plurality of ridges that are posi
`tioned at predetermined intervals along the length of the strap
`such that When the strap is adjusted on one or both side
`portions of the body structure, the ridges engage the apertures
`in the side portions of the body structure to thereby secure the
`cover to the bath spout. In some embodiments, the end of the
`strap extends in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitu
`dinal axis of the strap to secure the strap in the aperture and
`prevent the cover from easily falling off of the spout.
`In other exemplary embodiments of the presently-dis
`closed bath spout cover, one or more additional features can
`be included to facilitate the use and the aesthetic appearance
`of an exemplary bath spout cover. In some embodiments, the
`top portion of an exemplary bath spout cover includes an
`opening that is adapted to ?t over a bath spout shoWer diverter
`and a hooked portion for hanging the bath spout cover. Fur
`ther, in some embodiments, in order to provide a more aes
`thetically-pleasing bath spout cover and to enhance the cov
`er’s appeal to children, an exemplary bath spout cover can be
`provided in the shape of an animal, such as a Whale, Where
`certain features of the bath spout cover resemble various
`anatomical features of the particular animal.
`Further provided, in some embodiments of the presently
`disclosed subject matter, is a method for securing a bath spout
`cover to a bath spout. An exemplary method for securing a
`bath spout cover to a bath spout includes taking a bath spout
`cover in accordance With the present invention; positioning
`the bath spout cover on the bath spout such that the bath spout
`is located in the receiving area; and pulling the strap through
`at least one aperture in a side portion of the body structure to
`thereby secure the bath spout cover to the bath spout.
`The presently-disclosed bath spout covers and methods of
`securing a bath spout cover to a bath spout alloW a bath spout
`cover to be easily attached to and removed from a variety of
`different bath spouts, but yet still alloW for the secure attach
`ment of the cover to a particular spout. Further, the presently
`disclosedbath spout covers can be fabricated from a variety of
`elastomeric materials to thereby provide a spout cover formed
`from a soft deformable material that provides an additional
`level of protection to an individual, such as a child.
`
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of an exemplary bath spout
`cover in accordance With the presently-disclosed subject mat
`ter.
`FIG. 2 is a bottom vieW of an exemplary bath spout cover.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective vieW of an exemplary bath spout
`cover similar to FIG. 1, but further illustrating the strap
`detached from one side of the bath spout cover.
`FIG. 4 is a top vieW of an exemplary bath spout cover, and
`shoWing the bath spout cover attached to a bath spout With a
`bath spout shoWer diverter being positioned in the opening of
`the top portion of the bath spout cover.
`
`60
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`65
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`SKIP HOP 2002-06
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`IPR2016-00536
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`US 8,424,129 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 5 is a left side vieW of an exemplary bath spout cover;
`the opposite side being nearly a mirror image.
`FIG. 6 is perspective vieW of an exemplary bath spout
`cover illustrating the bath spout cover attached to a bath
`spout.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The presently-disclosed subject matter includes bath spout
`covers and methods of securing a bath spout cover to a bath
`spout. In particular, the presently-disclosed subject matter
`includes bath spout covers and methods of securing a bath
`spout cover to a bath spout that make use of an adjustable
`strap for securing the cover to a bath spout.
`FIG. 1 includes a perspective vieW of an exemplary bath
`spout cover in accordance With the presently-disclosed sub
`ject matter. In this exemplary embodiment, a bath spout cover
`10 is provided that comprises a body structure 12 having an
`upper portion 14, tWo opposing side portions 16,18, and a
`front portion 20; a receiving area de?ned by the upper portion
`14, the tWo opposing side portions 16,18, and the front por
`tion 20; a strap 24 spanning the tWo opposing side portions
`16,18; and, at least one aperture 30 de?ned by one of the side
`portions 16 of the body structure 12 for receiving an end 26 of
`the strap 24.
`Referring noW to FIG. 2, the tWo opposing side portions
`16,18 and the front portion 20 of the body structure 12 further
`de?ne an open bottom of the bath spout cover 10. By includ
`ing an open bottom in the bath spout cover 10, an open
`con?guration for the bath spout cover 10 is provided that
`allows the bath spout cover 10 to be suitably received by the
`receiving area 22 of the bath spout cover 10. For example, by
`providing an open bottom in the bath spout cover 10, the bath
`spout cover 10 can simply be placed over a particular bath
`spout such that the spout is positioned Within the receiving
`area 22. Alternatively, depending on the desired con?guration
`of the strap 24 of an exemplary bath spout cover 10 and the
`siZe and shape of a particular bath spout, the bath spout cover
`10 can be slidably disposed onto a bath spout such that the
`bath spout is positioned Within the receiving area 22 and the
`strap 24 is positioned under the bath spout While the strap 24
`is attached to both sides portions 16, 18 of the body structure
`12.
`As noted, a variety of con?gurations are possible for the
`straps of the presently-disclosed bath spout covers. Referring
`noW to FIG. 3, in one exemplary embodiment, the strap 24 is
`permanently attached to one side portion 16 of the body
`structure 12, but is detachable from the other side portion 18
`of the body structure 12. Of course, to the extent it may be
`desired, the strap can be permanently attached to the other
`side portion 18 the body structure 12 and detachable from the
`side portion 16 of the body structure 12 Without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the presently-disclosed subject
`matter. In some embodiments of the presently-disclosed sub
`ject matter, the strap 24 is detachable from both sides portions
`16, 18 ofthe body structure 12.
`Depending on Whether one or both ends of the strap are
`detachable from the body structure, an exemplary bath spout
`cover 10 of the presently-disclosed subject matter is secured
`to a bath spout by adjusting the strap 24 on either one or both
`side portions 16,18 of the body structure 12. In exemplary
`embodiments Where the strap is permanently attached to one
`side portion 16 of the body structure 12, as illustrated in FIG.
`3, the ?rst end 26 of the strap 24 is received by the aperture 30
`de?ned in the side portion 16 of the body structure 12 and is
`in a ?xed position. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the other end 28 of
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`the strap 24, Which is detachable from the other side portion
`18 of the body structure 12, is received by a second aperture
`32 in the other side portion 18 of the body structure 12. The
`other end 28 of the strap 24 is then pulled through the second
`aperture 32 to thereby tighten and secure the bath spout cover
`12 to the bath spout 40. Alternatively, in exemplary embodi
`ments Where both ends 26, 28 are detachable from the side
`portions 16, 18 of the body structure 12, the ends 26, 28 of the
`strap 24 can be received by both of the apertures 30, 32 and
`pulled through the apertures 30, 32 to thereby adjust the strap
`24 on each side portion 16, 18 of the body structure 12.
`After the strap 24 is pulled through one or both of the
`apertures 30, 32, the strap 24 can be maintained in an adjusted
`position to thereby secure an exemplary bath spout cover 10
`to a bath spout. In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated
`in FIG. 2, to maintain the strap 24 in an adjusted position, the
`strap 24 comprises a plurality of ridges 29 positioned at
`predetermined intervals along the length of the strap 24.
`When such a strap 24 is adjusted on one or both side portions
`16,18 of a bath spout cover 10, the ridges 29 are pulled
`through the apertures 30, 32 and engage the apertures 30, 32
`on the exterior of the side portions 16, 18 to thereby hold the
`strap 24 in an adjusted position and secure a bath spout cover
`10 to a bath spout. Of course, to the extend it may be desired,
`various other means, such as snaps, buckles, or the like, can be
`employed as a means to maintain the strap 24 in an adjusted
`position Without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`presently-disclosed subject matter.
`In some exemplary embodiments, the ends 26, 28 of the
`strap 24 extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the
`longitudinal axis of the strap 24. For example, as illustrated in
`FIG. 6, an end 28 of the strap 14 can extend in a direction that
`is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strap 24 such
`that the end 28 of the strap 24 extends doWnWard and aWay
`from the upper portion 14 of the body structure 12. By pro
`viding ends 26, 28 of the strap 24 that are perpendicular to the
`longitudinal axis of the strap 24, the ends 26, 28 of the strap 24
`can be readily grasped by a user such that the strap can be
`easily adjusted. Further, the perpendicular ends 26, 28 of the
`strap 24 also prevent the strap from sliding back through the
`apertures 30, 32 in the side portions 16, 18 of the body
`structure 12 and thereby further prevent the cover from easily
`falling off of a bath spout.
`Referring noW to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment of a
`bath spout cover 10, the top portion 14 of the body structure
`12 de?nes an opening 34 that is adapted to ?t over a bath spout
`shoWer diverter 42 of a bath spout 40. The opening 34 is
`typically a substantially circular opening such that an exem
`plary bath spout cover 10 can be placed over a variety of
`different bath spouts and a user can easily access a shoWer
`diverter 42 Without removing the bath spout cover 1 0 from the
`bath spout 40. In some exemplary embodiments, an elongated
`void 35 extends from the opening 34 toWard the back of the
`bath spout cover 10. When a bath spout cover 10 is secured
`onto a bath spout 40, the elongated void 35 decreases in Width
`Without substantially affecting the diameter of the opening 34
`and Without affecting a user’s access to a shoWer diverter 42.
`Further, in some embodiments, the elongated void 35
`enhances the adjustability of an exemplary bath spout cover
`10 such that the bath spout cover 10 is able to accommodate
`bath spouts of varying siZes and shapes.
`Referring noW to FIG. 6, the top portion of an exemplary
`bath spout cover 10 can further comprise a hooked portion 36
`for hanging the bath spout cover. By including a hooked
`portion 36, the bath spout cover 10 can be readily be hung
`over a toWel bar or the like such that the bath spout cover 10
`
`SKIP HOP 2002-07
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`US 8,424,129 B2
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`5
`can hang and dry When not in use, and thereby decrease the
`likelihood of mold and mildew formation.
`An exemplary bath spout cover 10 is typically fabricated
`from a deformable material, such as an elastomeric material,
`in order to provide an additional level of protection for indi
`viduals. Various elastomeric material can be used in accor
`dance With the presently-disclosed subject matter and include
`elastomeric materials such as rubbers, plastics, or the like. In
`some embodiments, the body structure is fabricated from an
`elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic rubber or ther
`moplastic elastomer. In some embodiments, both the body
`structure and the strap are comprised of an elastomeric mate
`rial. By fabricating an exemplary bath spout cover 10 from a
`suitable elastomeric material, an exemplary bath spout cover
`10 can be provided that is not only resistant to mold and
`mildeW formation, but that is also capable of being cleaned in
`a standard dishWasher Where the bath spout cover 10 may be
`exposed to elevated temperatures. In some embodiments, to
`further enhance the resistance of an exemplary bath spout
`cover 10 to mold and mildeW formation, an anti-fungal agent
`can be added to the elastomeric material during fabrication.
`In some embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject
`matter, an exemplary bath spout cover 10 is advantageously
`composed of a thermoplastic rubber, a thermoplastic elas
`tomer, or both such that an exemplary bath spout cover is
`provided that has a Shore A hardness in the range of 55 to 95,
`and preferably in the range of 75 to 85. In some embodiments,
`an exemplary bath spout cover 10 is provided that is com
`prised of a thermoplastic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer
`such that the bath spout cover 10 has a Shore A hardness of
`about 80.
`In order to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the presently
`disclosed bath spout covers and to increase the appeal of the
`covers for children, an exemplary bath spout cover 10 of the
`presently-disclosed subject matter can be provided in the
`shape of an animal, such as an alligator, ?sh, elephant, or the
`like, and the various features of the bath spout cover can be
`shaped to resemble the various anatomical features of the
`particular animal. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in one
`exemplary embodiment, a bath spout cover 10 is provided in
`the shape of a Whale. In this exemplary embodiment, the top
`portion 14 of the bath spout cover 10 de?nes an opening 34
`that forms a bloWhole of the Whale and the ends 26, 28 of the
`strap 24 form the ?ns of the Whale. Further, in this exemplary
`embodiment, the top portion 14 of the bath spout cover 10
`also comprises a hooked portion 3 6 for hanging the bath spout
`cover 10, Which forms the tail of the Whale.
`Further provided in some embodiments of the presently
`disclosed subject matter are methods for securing a bath spout
`cover to a bath spout. In one exemplary implementation of a
`method of securing a bath spout cover to a bath spout, a bath
`spout cover is ?rst taken that comprises a body structure
`having an upper portion, tWo opposing side portions, and a
`front portion; a receiving area de?ned betWeen the upper
`portion, the tWo opposing side portions, and the front portion;
`a strap spanning the tWo opposing side portions, said strap
`being adjustable on at least one of the side portions of the
`body structure; and at least one aperture de?ned by one of the
`side portions of the body structure for receiving an end of the
`strap. The bath spout cover is then positioned on a bath spout
`such that the bath spout is located in the receiving area of the
`bath spout cover, and the strap is then pulled through at least
`one aperture in a side portion of the body structure to thereby
`secure the bath spout cover to the bath spout. In some imple
`mentations, the body structure can include a second aperture
`in a side portion of the body structure such that the strap can
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`be pulled through tWo separate apertures to thereby secure the
`bath spout cover to the bath spout.
`In some implementations of the presently-disclosed meth
`ods of securing a bath spout cover to a bath spout, a bath spout
`cover is provided Where the strap includes a plurality of ridges
`positioned at predetermined intervals along the length of the
`strap. In these exemplary implementations, pulling the strap
`causes at least one of the ridges to engage at least one aperture
`in the bath spout cover to thereby secure the cover to the
`spout.
`One of ordinary skill in the art Will recogniZe that addi
`tional embodiments are also possible Without departing from
`the teachings of the presently-disclosed subject matter. This
`detailed description, and particularly the speci?c details of
`the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, is given prima
`rily for clarity of understanding, and no unnecessary limita
`tions are to understood therefrom, for modi?cations Will
`become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this
`disclosure and may be made Without departing from the spirit
`or scope of the presently-disclosed subject matter.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A bath spout cover, comprising:
`a body structure having an upper portion, tWo opposing
`side portions, and a front portion;
`a receiving area de?ned betWeen the upper portion, the tWo
`opposing side portions, and the front portion;
`a strap spanning the tWo opposing side portions, said strap
`being adjustable on at least one of the side portions of the
`body structure, and said strap including a plurality of
`elongated ridges positioned at predetermined intervals
`along the length of the strap; and
`at least one aperture de?ned by one of the side portions of
`the body structure, said apcr'turc for receiving an end of
`the strap;
`Wherein said ridges extend in a direction perpendicular to
`the longitudinal axis of the strap and have a height that is
`greater than a height of the at least one aperture such that,
`upon pulling the strap through the at least one aperture,
`the ridges engage the at least one aperture to thereby
`hold the strap in an adjusted position.
`2. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the tWo oppos
`ing side portions and the front portion de?ne an open bottom
`of the bath spout cover for receiving a bath spout in the
`receiving area.
`3. The bath spout cover of claim 1, further comprising a
`second aperture de?ned by the other side portion of the body
`structure, said second aperture for receiving the other end of
`the strap.
`4. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the strap is
`permanently attached to one of the side portions of the body
`structure and is detachable from the other side portion of the
`body structure.
`5. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the strap is
`detachable from each side portion of the body structure.
`6. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the strap is
`adjustable on each side portion of the body structure.
`7. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the end of the
`strap extends in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitu
`dinal axis of the strap.
`8. The bath spout cover of claim 7, Wherein the end of the
`strap has a length that is greater than the height of the ridges.
`9. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the upper
`portion de?nes an opening adapted to ?t over a bath spout
`shoWer diverter.
`10. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the upper
`portion further comprises a hooked portion for hanging the
`bath spout cover.
`
`SKIP HOP 2002-08
`
`IPR2016-00536
`
`

`
`US 8,424,129 B2
`
`7
`11. The bath spout cover of claim 1, wherein the body
`structure is comprised of an elastomeric material.
`12. The bath spout cover of claim 11, Wherein the strap is
`comprised of an elastomeric material.
`13. The bath spout cover of claim 1, Wherein the bath spout
`cover is in the shape of an animal.
`14. The bath spout cover of claim 13, Wherein the animal is
`a Whale.
`15. The bath spout cover of claim 14, Wherein the upper
`portion of the bath spout cover de?nes an opening forming a
`bloWhole of the Whale, and Wherein the ends of the strap form
`the ?ns of the Whale.
`16. The bath spout cover of claim 14, Wherein the upper
`portion of the bath spout cover further comprises a hooked
`portion for hanging the bath spout cover, said hooked portion
`forming a tail of the Whale.
`17. A method of securing a bath spout cover to a bath spout,
`comprising:
`taking a bath spout cover comprising a body structure
`having an upperportion, tWo opposing side portions, and
`a front portion; a receiving area de?ned betWeen the
`upper portion, the tWo opposing side portions, and the
`front portion; a strap spanning the tWo opposing side
`
`15
`
`20
`
`8
`portions, said strap being adjustable on at least one of the
`side portions of the body structure and said strap includ
`ing a plurality of elongated ridges positioned at prede
`termined intervals along the length of the strap and
`extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudi
`nal axis of the strap; and at least one aperture de?ned by
`one of the side portions of the body structure for receiv
`ing an end of the strap, the at least one aperture having a
`height that is less than a height of the ridges;
`positioning the bath spout cover on the bath spout such that
`the bath spout is located in the receiving area; and
`pulling the strap through the at least one aperture such that
`said ridges engage the at least one aperture and such that
`the bath spout cover is secured to the bath spout.
`18. The method of claim 17, Wherein the body structure
`further comprises a second aperture de?ned by the other side
`portion of the body structure, said second aperture for receiv
`ing the other end of the strap.
`19. The method of claim 18, Wherein the pulling the strap
`comprises pulling the strap through both apertures to secure
`the bath spout cover to the bath spout.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`SKIP HOP 2002-09
`
`IPR2016-00536