U.S. patent application number 12/037245 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for bath accessory assembly.
Invention is credited to Earl David Forrest.
Application Number | 20090211016 12/037245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40548183 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090211016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forrest; Earl David |
August 27, 2009 |
BATH ACCESSORY ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A bath accessory assembly includes a bar and a seal. The bar
includes at least one mounting surface having a groove and a
plurality of tabs disposed about a sidewall of the groove. The seal
is received within the groove of the mounting surface.
Inventors: |
Forrest; Earl David;
(Asheboro, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Masco Corporation
21001 Van Born Road
Taylor
MI
48480
US
|
Family ID: |
40548183 |
Appl. No.: |
12/037245 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/576.1 ;
211/105.1; 248/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 17/022 20130101;
A47K 3/003 20130101; A47K 2201/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/576.1 ;
211/105.1; 248/251 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/022 20060101
A47K003/022; A47H 1/14 20060101 A47H001/14 |
Claims
1. A bath accessory assembly, comprising: a bar having at least one
mounting surface that includes a groove and a plurality of tabs
disposed about a side wall of said groove; and a seal received
within said groove.
2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bar is a grab
bar.
3. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bar includes at
least two mounting surfaces positioned on opposite ends of said
bar.
4. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one
mounting surface includes an inner flange and an outer flange, and
said groove is disposed between said inner flange and said outer
flange.
5. The assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said side wall is an
inner side wall of said groove.
6. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said groove is
generally round shaped.
7. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of
tabs are disposed about said side wall of said groove over a range
of 360 degrees.
8. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a mid-point of said
seal sits below said mounting surface where said seal is received
within said groove.
9. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said seal is an
o-ring.
10. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said seal is
received over said plurality of tabs and within said groove to
create a friction fit.
11. A bathtub assembly, comprising: a tub wall; a bar mounted to
said tub wall and having at least one mounting surface that
includes a groove and a plurality of tabs disposed about a side
wall of said groove; and a seal received within said groove.
12. The assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said tub wall is a
portion of a tub surround.
13. The assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said plurality of
tabs are disposed about said side wall of said groove over a range
of 360 degrees.
14. The assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said seal is an
o-ring.
15. A method for retaining a seal on a bath accessory, comprising
the steps of: a) forming a groove within at least one mounting
surface of the bath accessory; b) disposing a plurality of tabs on
a side wall of the groove; and c) receiving a seal within the
groove.
16. The method as recited in claim 15, comprising the step of: d)
mounting the bath accessory to a tub wall of a bathtub.
17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said bath accessory
is a grab bar.
18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the groove is
generally round shaped.
19. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said step b)
includes the step of: forming the plurality of tabs integrally with
the side wall; and equidistantly spacing the plurality of tabs over
a range of 360 degrees.
20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said step c)
includes the step of: receiving the seal over the plurality of tabs
and within the groove in an interference fit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This disclosure generally relates to a bath accessory, and
more particularly to a method of retaining a seal on a bath
accessory.
[0002] Bathtubs and/or showers are typically surrounded by tub
walls that provide an aesthetic surface capable of withstanding the
relatively damp environment of the bathtub/shower. For example,
some bathtubs may include a tub surround that is positioned within
a recess built around a bathtub or shower. It is well known to
provide a modular tub/shower unit that includes a tub portion at
the bottom and two or more wall portions. The tub surround is
inserted into the wall recess to form a completely waterproof
surround. The fully enclosed waterproof structure is highly
advantageous in that it prevents the escape of water into the wall
cavity despite the shower spraying water onto the surrounding
walls. Alternatively, the bathtub/shower may include tub walls
covered with bath tiles or the like that prevent the escape of
moisture into the wall cavity.
[0003] One problem with walls of these types is that of mounting a
grab bar, assist bar, handrail or other bath accessory which must
pierce the tub wall. Piercing the tub wall creates waterproofing
difficulties and the potential for damage to the aesthetic
surface.
[0004] Grab bars are known that include mounting surfaces having a
seal positioned between the mounting surface and the tub wall.
Typically, the seal is retained to the mounting surface of the bath
accessory with an adhesive. Disadvantageously, adhesives are
cumbersome to apply and may weaken over time. A weakened adhesive
may allow moisture to escape between the seal and the tub wall and
damage the wall cavity.
[0005] In addition, known bath accessory seals are designed with
pressure sensitive tape that is difficult to remove from the
mounting surface of the bath accessory. The seal may cause
contamination of the mounting surface. Additional chemicals and/or
energy may be required to remove the seal from the mounting surface
prior to recycling the bath accessory components.
[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved method
of retaining and removing a seal relative to a mounting surface of
a bath accessory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A bath accessory assembly includes a bar and a seal. The bar
includes a mounting surface having a groove and a plurality of tabs
disposed about a sidewall of the groove. The seal is received
within the groove of the mounting surface.
[0008] A bathtub assembly includes a tub wall, a bar mounted to the
tub wall, and a seal. The bar includes at least one mounting
surface having a groove and a plurality of tabs disposed about a
sidewall of the groove. The seal is received within the groove of
the mounting surface.
[0009] A method for retaining a seal on a bath accessory includes
forming a groove within at least one mounting surface of the bath
accessory, disposing a plurality of tabs on a sidewall of the
groove, and receiving a seal within the groove of the mounting
surface.
[0010] The various features and advantages of this disclosure will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed
description can be briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example bathtub assembly;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an example bath accessory assembly that
mounts to a tub wall of the bathtub assembly illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3A illustrates an example mounting surface of the bath
accessory assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 3B illustrates another example mounting surface;
[0015] FIG. 3C illustrates the retention of a seal to an example
mounting surface;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example bath
accessory assembly; and
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates the retention of a seal to a mounting
surface of the example bath accessory assembly illustrated in FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a bathtub assembly 10 having a tub
portion 12 and at least one tub wall 14. In this example, the tub
wall 14 is a portion of a tub surround which may be formed of
multiple molded portions that are inserted to surround the tub
portion 12. In another example, the tub wall 14 includes bath
tiling. A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of
this disclosure would understand that the tub wall could include
any type of surface. A shower head 16 directs water into the
bathtub assembly 10.
[0019] A bath accessory assembly 18 is mountable to one of the tub
walls 14 of the bathtub assembly 10. Although the examples
illustrated herein are shown and described with respect to mounting
a bath accessory assembly 18 to a tub wall 14 of a bathtub assembly
10, the bath accessory assembly 18 is also mountable to any other
surface, such as a wall of a standup shower, for example. In one
example, the bath accessory assembly 18 is a grab bar. In another
example, the bath accessory assembly 18 is an assist bar, towel
bar, handrail, or the like.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an example bath accessory assembly 18
that is mountable within a bathtub assembly 10. The bath accessory
assembly 18 includes a bar 20 and seals 38. It should be understood
that the term "bar" as used herein may include any round,
non-round, or any other shaped bars and components. That is, the
bath accessory assembly 18 may include any design, size and
shape.
[0021] The bar 20 includes mounting surfaces 22 for mounting the
bath accessory assembly to a tub wall 14. In one example, the bar
20 and the mounting surfaces 22 are plastic pieces that are
integrally molded as a single piece assembly. In another example,
the bar 20 and the mounting surfaces 22 are separate pieces that
may be connected to assemble the bath accessory assembly 18.
[0022] In this example, the bar 20 includes two mounting surfaces
22 positioned at opposite ends 19, 21 of the bar 20. However, the
bar 20 may include a multitude of mounting surfaces 22 for mounting
the bath accessory assembly 18 relative to a tub wall 14 of the
bathtub assembly 10. Each mounting surface 22 includes an
associated seal 38 for sealing the mounting surface 22 relative to
the tub wall 14. Fasteners 24 are utilized to securely mount the
bath accessory assembly 18 relative to holes 11 within the tub wall
14.
[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates an example mounting surface 22 of the
bar 20. The mounting surface 22 includes an inner flange 26 and an
outer flange 28. A groove 30 is disposed between the inner flange
26 and the outer flange 28. In this example, the mounting surface
22 includes an oval shape. However, it should be understood that
the mounting surface 22 may include any shaped surface. The inner
flange 26 and the groove 30 are generally round shaped, in this
example.
[0024] The groove 30 includes an inner sidewall 32 and an outer
sidewall 34 that is positioned radially outward relative to the
inner sidewall 32. A plurality of tabs 36 are annularly disposed
about the inner sidewall 32 of the groove 30, in one example. The
tabs 36 protrude from the inner sidewall 32 in a direction toward
the outer sidewall 34. In another example, the tabs 36 protrude
inwardly from the outer sidewall 34 in a direction toward the inner
sidewall 32 (See FIG. 3B).
[0025] In this example, the mounting surface 22 includes four tabs
36 disposed over a range of 360.degree.. However, the sidewall 32
of the groove 30 may include any number of tabs 36. The tabs 36
receive and secure the seal 38 within the groove 30, as is further
discussed below.
[0026] In the illustrated example, the tabs 36 are generally
half-moon shaped. However, the tabs 36 may include any design and
shape adequate to retain the seal 38 within the groove 30. The tabs
36 protrude toward the outer sidewall 34 to reduce the
cross-sectional area of the groove 30, in one example. In another
example, the tabs 36 protrude toward the inner sidewall 32 to
reduce the cross-sectional area of the groove 30.
[0027] The tabs 36 are integrally molded with one of the side walls
32, 34, for example. However, in another example, the tabs 36 are
formed by thermally or mechanically deforming the material of one
of the inner flange 26 and the outer flange 28. A deformation 50 is
formed in the mounting surface 22 to form the tabs 36 as a result
of the thermal or mechanical deformation (See FIG. 3C). The
deformation 50 sandwiches the seal 38 within the groove 30.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, the seal 38 is received over the
plurality of tabs 36 and into the groove 30 to assemble the bath
accessory assembly 18. In one example, the seal 38 is positioned
within the groove 30 in an interference fit. Once assembled, the
bath accessory assembly 18 may be mounted to a tub wall 14, for
example, to substantially reduce the risk of moisture escaping
behind the tub wall 14.
[0029] The groove 30 is formed to a depth DP such that a midpoint M
of the seal 38 rests below the outer surface 40 of the mounting
surface 22 (See FIG. 5). This ensures adequate retention of the
seal 38 within the groove 30. Advantageously, no adhesive is
required to retain the seal 38 within the groove 30 of the mounting
surface 22. The seal 38 is also selectively removable from the
mounting surface 22 to recycle the components of the bath accessory
assembly 18 more easily.
[0030] The foregoing description shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary
skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would
recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of
this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be
studied to determine the true scope and content of the
disclosure.
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