The present invention relates to a grab bar for use in a bath or shower, and more particularly to a grab bar which is readily assembled and installed.
Luxury showers and tubs are becoming increasing popular. Many hotels and motels install some sort of grab bar to provide a hand hold when for entrance and exit of the shower or tub.
Conventional support bars are typically constructed of a single piece of metal which has been bent to achieve a predetermined shape which cannot be modified to suit the application. While these bars work well, the bar must be mounted into studs or other strong support on the wall with a post. The secure attachment of the bar to the post may be relatively complicated and require additional components such as end caps.
A grab bar assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: a grab bar having a first aperture and a second aperture defined along an axis; a post which receives the grab bar; an insert which pass through the first aperture and abut the second aperture; and a fastener mounted through the post and the second aperture along the axis, the fastener receivable into the insert to retain the grab bar within the post.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Referring to
The grab bar section 26 includes a first aperture 40 and a second aperture 42 which are defined along an axis A. The first aperture 40 is a non-circular aperture which corresponds to an insert 44 while the second aperture 42 may be a circular aperture to receive the bar fastener 34. The first aperture 40 may be oval, rectangular, square or other shape which permits passage of the insert 44 which corresponds therewith. That is, the insert 44 may pass through the first aperture 40 but not the second aperture 42.
The first aperture 40 receives the insert 44 to readily align the insert 44 along axis A. That is, the shape of the first aperture 40 facilitates alignment of the insert 44 with the second aperture 42. The insert 44 may include a boss 48 or such like which fits within the second aperture 42 to further align the insert 44 therewith. The insert 44 defines a length such that the insert 44 fits just flush with the grab bar section 26 yet provides a receptor 49 for fastener 34. Receptor 49 may include a threaded or self-threading section for fastener 34. The length of insert 44 facilitates alignment of the insert 44 within the grab bar section 26. That is, the insert cannot fall into the grab bar section 26 but remains in perfect alignment along axis A to receive fastener 34.
Once the insert 44 is passed through the first aperture 40 to abut the second aperture 42, the grab bar section 26 is inserted within an opening 50 within the receiver section 37. The bar fastener 34 is then passed through the flange section 38 and the receiver section 37 to be received into the insert 44 in a threaded relationship. The insert 44 thereby facilitates assembly of grab bars with a blind post assembly. The insert 44 also facilitates usage of a reduced wall thickness grab bar section yet maintains a significant load carrying ability.
It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.
It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit from the instant invention.
Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The disclosed embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.