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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to a bath accessory, and more particularly to a method of retaining a seal on a bath accessory.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

FIG. 1 illustrates an example bathtub assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example bath accessory assembly that mounts to a tub wall of the bathtub assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A illustrates an example mounting surface of the bath accessory assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B illustrates another example mounting surface;

FIG. 3C illustrates the retention of a seal to an example mounting surface;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example bath accessory assembly; and

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

In this example, the mounting surface 22 includes four tabs 36 disposed over a range of 360°. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.