SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR BATH BAR

MONTAGE DE SCELLEMENT DE BARRE DE PREHENSION POUR LE BAIN

English Abstract

A grab bar is disclosed for use in a bathing area. The grab bar includes a
longitudinal bar extending to a leg that includes a base configured to be
secured to a
wall. The leg includes a hole, and a fastener is receive in the hole and
extends
through the base to the wall. A seal is supported by the base and surrounds
the hole
to seal the grab bar relative to the wall. An insert is arranged in the hole
for
reinforcement and is in an interference relationship to the leg to provide a
seal there
with. A flexible washer is arranged between the fastener and the insert or leg
to seal
a head of the washer relative to the leg.

French Abstract

La présente divulgation présente une barre de préhension pour enceinte de bain. Cette barre de préhension comprend une barre longitudinale se prolongeant en un pied qui inclut une base configurée pour être fixée à un mur. Le pied comporte un trou, et un élément de fixation est reçu dans ce trou et s'étend à travers la base jusqu'au mur. Un joint d'étanchéité est supporté par la base et entoure le trou pour assurer l'étanchéité de la barre de préhension par rapport au mur. Une garniture est aménagée dans le trou comme renfort et gène le rôle du pied pour assurer l'étanchéité. Une rondelle souple est placée entre l'élément de fixation et la garniture ou le pied pour sceller la tête de la rondelle par rapport au pied.

Claims

CLAIMS
1. A grab bar for use in a bathing area comprising:
a longitudinal bar extending to a leg that includes a base configured to be
secured
to a wall, the leg having a hole;
a fastener received in the hole and extending through the base; and
a seal supported by the base and surrounding the hole; and
an insert received in the hole in an interference relationship providing a
seal
between the leg and the insert, the fastener extending through the insert.
2. The grab bar according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a recess
around the
hole, and the seal disposed in the recess.
3. The grab bar according to claim 2, wherein the seal is an elastomeric o-
ring.
4. The grab bar according to claim 2, comprising an adhesive securing the seal
within the recess.
5. The grab bar according to claim 1, comprising a flexible washer arranged
between
a head of the fastener and the insert, the fastener extending through the
washer, the
washer in abutment with the fastener and the insert to provide a seal there
between.
6. The grab bar according to claim 1, wherein the leg is plastic and the
insert is
metallic.
7. The grab bar according to claim 1, wherein the insert is metallic and
includes a
body disposed in the hole and flange extending from the body, the flange
arranged
beneath a head of the fastener.
8. The grab bar according to claim 7, comprising a flexible washer arranged
between
the head and the flange, the fastener extending through the washer, the washer
in
abutment with the fastener and the insert to provide a seal there between.
9. The grab bar according to claim 8, wherein the leg includes a cavity
exposing the
head, and comprising a cover secured to the leg and enclosing the cavity and
the head.
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Description

CA 02621795 2008-02-20
SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR BATH BAR
BACKGROUND
This disclosure relates to an arrangement for sealing a plastic bath bar or
grab bar relative to a wall in a bathing area, such as a shower enclosure or
near a
bath tub.
Grab bars are used in bathing areas, such as showers, to provide a stable
structure for a person to grasp. Typically, the grab bar is secured to a wall
that is
exposed to moisture or running water. The grab bar includes one or more legs
that
are secured to the wall using multiple fasteners. The walls typically are not
impervious to moisture such that they become damaged when exposed to water.
The fasteners that secure the grab bar to the wall create areas that are
susceptible to
water penetration. For example, water often flows into the wall past the heads
of the
fasteners or behind the legs where they meet the wall.
What is needed is a sealing arrangement the prevents water from flowing
into the wall.
SUMMARY
A grab bar is disclosed for use in a bathing area. The grab bar includes a
longitudinal bar extending to a leg that includes a base configured to be
secured to a
wall. The leg includes a hole, and a fastener is receive in the hole and
extends
through the base to the wall. A seal is supported by the base and surrounds
the hole
to seal the grab bar relative to the wall. An insert is arranged in the hole
for
reinforcement and is in an interference relationship to the leg to provide a
seal there
with. A flexible washer is arranged between the fastener and the insert or leg
to seal
a head of the washer relative to the leg.
These and other features of the disclosure can be best understood from the
following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example grab bar assembly.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a leg of the grab bar.
Figure 3 is a cross-section view of the grab bar secured to a wall.
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CA 02621795 2008-02-20
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A grab bar assembly 10 is shown in Figure 1. The assembly 10 includes
opposing front and rear sides 11, 13. The assembly 10 includes a bar 14 having
opposing legs 15 that extend from the front side 11 to the rear side 13. The
bar 14
extends along a longitudinal direction L. The bar 14 and legs 15 are molded as
a
single, unitary member that is formed by a molding process, such as gas-
assisted
injection molding. In one example, the bar 14 is constructed from a plastic
material,
such as polypropylene, having an approximately 30% glass filler. Polypropylene
has good chemical resistance to bathroom spray cleaners, for example. The legs
15
are secured to a wall 12 by fastening elements 30, such as '/4 inch lag
screws, best
shown in Figure 3.
In the example, each leg 15 includes a cavity 16 that has a hole 18 for
receiving the fastening element 30. In one example, an insert 20 is disposed
within
the cavity 16 and aligned with the hole 18 to reinforce the legs 15 so that
the area
does not crack the plastic grab bar during installation or use, thus,
weakening the bar
14. Referring to Figure 2, the insert 20 includes a body 22 having a diameter
D1. A
flange 24 extends radially outwardly from the body 22 and acts as a washer
against
which a head of the fastening element 30 abuts during installation. In one
example,
the hole 18 includes a diameter D2 that is smaller than the diameter D1. The
insert
20 can be separately installed into the hole 18 in an interference fit in one
example,
or the bar 14 can be molded about the insert 20 when it is formed. This
provides a
water-tight sea] between the insert 20 and leg 15 in area B (Figure 3). In one
example, the insert 20 is constructed from a brass material. The insert 20
includes
chamfered edges 26 to prevent stress risers and cracking of the leg 15 during
installation as the fastening element 30 is screwed into the wall 12.
A resilient washer 28 is provided between the fastening element 30 and the
insert 20 to provide a seal in area C. In one example, the resilient washer 28
can be
constructed from a nylon material.
The cavity 16 includes an edge 34. An aesthetic cover 32 is installed over
the cavity 16 to enclose the fastening element 30 and provide an aesthetically
pleasing appearance. The cover 32 includes a perimeter 36 that locates the
cover 32
relative to the bar 14 with the perimeter 36 in abutting relationship the edge
34. In
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CA 02621795 2008-02-20
the example shown, the bar 14 includes first and second slots 29, 31. The
cover 32
includes first and second tabs 33, 35 that are respectively received by the
first and
second slots 29, 31. In the disclosed example, the cover 32 is generally flush
with
the exterior surface of the front side 11 of the bar 14.
Each of the legs 15 includes a generally planar base 46 or surface having an
annular recess 38. A seal 40, such as an o-ring, is received by the recess 38.
The
seal 40 can have a circular, quadrangular or other cross-sectional shape. An
adhesive 48 can be used to securely retain the seal 40 within the recess 38.
The seal
40 surrounds the hole 18 to prevent water from migrating past the seal 40 at
surface
42 (Figures 2 and 3) into the wall 12 in area A.
The bar 14 can be assembled with the seal 40 and insert 20 retained relative
to the bar 14. A single fastening element 30 is used to secure each leg 15 of
the bar
14 to the wall 12 in the example. A flexible washer 28 is used between the
head of
the fastening element 30 and the insert 20. The cover 32 is arranged over the
cavity
16 to complete assembly of the bar 14.
Although example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary
skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within
the
scope of the claims. For that reason, the following claims should be studied
to
determine their true scope and content.
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Representative Drawing