Abstract:
An adjustable mounting block for use in positioning tub/shower control units in a tub/shower enclosure is disclosed. A self adhesive adjustable height block may be used to position a control unit in an enclosure opening from the back side by a sole installer who can then finish the installation from the finished side subsequently without unwanted movement.

Description:
This invention relates to installation supports for tub and/or shower enclosures and the proper and secure installation therein of desired plumbing fixtures. More particularly this invention relates to mounting blocks for positioning and securing faucet sets, tub spouts and shower heads in proper operational position in prefabricated tub and shower enclosures such as those currently made from fiber glass reinforced resins and the like. 
   PRIOR ART 
   In the plumbing art various fixtures for positioning and mounting faucets sets and other devices have consisted of brackets, frames, and the like which are generally fixed to the building framing, such as the studs, forming the walls of the bathroom in which the fixtures are to be installed. As more complete off site manufactured tub and shower enclosures have become popular it has not always been convenient or easy to install the water controls in the desired location in the prefab enclosure relative to the building structure. These prior art mounting devices have been complicated, expensive to manufacture and difficult or time consuming to use and often requiring an assistant. 
   OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
   Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a universal mounting block for positioning and securing plumbing fixtures in the desired location in a bathroom. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a universal mounting block for mounting plumbing fixtures that is simple to use, economical to manufacture, and readily adaptable to a variety of installation situations. 
   It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a mounting block that can be simply and easily used by one person to accurately position and secure faucets, spouts and shower heads in wall enclosures without attachment to other wall structure. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide mounting means for positioning objects relative to a surface that is simple and easy to manufacture and use and readily adjustable to a variety of applications. 
   These and other and further objects of the present invention are obtained in one embodiment in which a support block includes a base member, having a self adhesive on the bottom thereof, carries an adjustable telescoping mounting block therein which is selectively secured to a pipe by a suitable arcuate strap and adjustably positioned relative to said base member by a pair of adjusting screws. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational plan view taken from the back side of an installation, of the blocks of the present invention used to mount a single handle tub/shower valve assembly; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation taken on line  2 — 2  of the of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation of one of the blocks of  FIG. 1  shown in fully extended position; 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  shown in the closed position; and 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the block of  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  there is shown, from the back side, a single handle tub/shower valve  10  mounted so that the handle extends through a hole  12  cut in the tub/shower wall  14  by two blocks  16  according to the present invention. Third and fourth blocks  16  are shown adjacent the tub spout pipe  20  and the shower head pipe  22  respectively. The blocks  16  have a self adhesive layer  18  on the bottom (see  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ) which allows the blocks to adhere to the back surface of the tub enclosure  14 . The blocks are placed adjacent the hole  12  and holes  24  and  26  so as to support the valve, tub spout, and shower head respectively. The left and right hand blocks  16  carry thereon the hot and cold water pipes  30  and  32  while the upper and lower blocks  16  carry the shower and tub supply lines  34  and  36 . 
   As may be seen more clearly in  FIGS. 3–5  the blocks  16  include a base member  40  and a telescoping body member  42  that is moved in and out of base member  40  by two screws  44 . Base member  40  has in the upper surface a half circle groove  41  to fit a pipe to be supported such as  46 . Body member  42  has in the upper surface a similar half circle groove  43  sized to fit the pipe  46  to be supported. A semicircular strap  48  is secured about the pipe to be supported to body member  42  by screws  50 . 
   As may be seen in  FIG. 2  the screws  44  are adjusted to space the pipes  30 .  32 ,  34 , and  36  from the tub wall  14  the desired distance so as to position the handle  52  the desired distance into the shower enclosure. The blocks  16  are shown with body members  42  essentially fully retracted into the base members  40  but in other cases the spacing required may be greater in which case the body member  42  will be extended the desired distance up to the maximum as shown in  FIG. 3  by the turning of screws  44 . 
   In addition to the self adhesive  18  on the bottom of the blocks  16  the valve assembly  10  in a typical installation will be clamped to the wall  14  in the hole  12  by the mounting screws  56  used to fasten the interior finish escutcheon or ring  58  to the valve body  10 . The blocks  16 , however, ensure that there will be no play or other movement of the valve assembly  10  relative to the tub or shower enclosure especially during the installation process. 
   In actual use the blocks  16  will first be clamped on to the hot and cold water supply pipes and also the tub/shower pipes in the desired locations adjacent the faucet valve being used as described in connection with  FIGS. 3–5 . The usual protective masking tape is removed from the self adhesive coating on the bottom of blocks  16  and the pipe and valve assembly is then centered in the previously cut holes in the tub/shower enclosure. The self adhesive coated blocks  16  will hold the assembly in the selected location which allows the plumber to attach the interior finish hardware such as the escutcheon  58 , tub spout  60  and shower head  62  to securely lock the assembly in place without the need of a helper. 
   If during this installation it is noted that the valve  10  or the tub/shower pipes extend too far into the interior of the tub/shower enclosure simple adjustment of the screws  44  of the blocks  16  will correct the situation. 
   While I have shown and described the universal blocks as being used with a single handle valve assembly for tub/shower application they are equally useful with dual or multiple handle tub/shower faucet valve assemblies and shower only installations. 
   In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1–5  the blocks  6  have an overall length of approximately four inches; a closed height of about two inches and a depth of approximately one and one-half inches. Obviously other specific dimensions may be employed for particular applications. 
   While there are given above certain specific examples of this invention and its application in practical use, it should be understood that they are not intended to be exhaustive or to be limiting of the invention. On the contrary, these illustrations and explanations herein are given in order to acquaint others skilled in the art with this invention and the principles thereof and a suitable manner of its application in practical use, so that others skilled in the art may be enabled to modify the invention and to adapt and apply it in numerous forms each as may be best suited to the requirement of a particular use.