Patent Publication Number: US-8108956-B2

Title: Fastener concealment cap for grab bar assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a grab bar for use in a bath or shower, and more particularly to a concealment cap which cover fasteners which mount the grab bar. 
     Luxury showers and tubs are becoming increasing popular. Many hotels install some sort of grab bar to provide a hand hold when for entrance and exit of the shower or tub. Conventional grab bars are typically fastened to the wall with threaded installation fasteners. Each grab bar installation fastener is often covered by a cap for aesthetic and corrosion reasons. With highly contoured grab bars, the caps are often difficult to install without fasteners of their own. 
     SUMMARY 
     A grab bar assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: a grab bar comprising a recessed area, the recessed area comprising an aperture within the recessed area, a first pocket, a second pocket and a third pocket, the second pocket and the third pocket adjacent a step surface having a detent; and a cap receivable within the recessed are, the cap comprising a first tab, a second tab, and a third tab which correspond respectively with the first pocket, the second pocket and the third pocket, the cap comprising a locking tab located generally adjacent the second tab and the third tab, the locking tab comprises a protrusion receivable within the detent. 
     A grab bar assembly according to another exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: a grab bar comprising a recessed area, the recessed area comprising an aperture within the recessed area, a first pocket, a second pocket and a third pocket, the second pocket and the third pocket adjacent a step surface having a first rib; and a cap receivable within the recessed are, the cap comprising a first tab, a second tab, and a third tab which correspond respectively with the first pocket, the second pocket and the third pocket, the cap comprising a keyhole slot protrusion located generally adjacent the second tab and the third tab, the keyhole slot protrusion engageable with the first rib. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  is a general view a tub and shower surround having a grab bar assembly according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the grab bar assembly; 
         FIG. 3A  is an expanded top view of a contoured cap which is “snap” fit onto the grab bar to complete the shape thereof, 
         FIG. 3B  is an expanded bottom view of a contoured cap which is “snap” fit onto the grab bar to complete the shape thereof, 
         FIG. 3C  is an expanded inner view of the contoured cap; 
         FIG. 3D  is a side sectional view of the contoured cap fitted to the grab bar to complete the shape thereof, 
         FIG. 4A  is an expanded top view of another contoured cap which is “snap” fit onto the grab bar to complete the shape thereof, 
         FIG. 4B  is an expanded bottom view of another contoured cap which is “snap” fit onto the grab bar to complete the shape thereof, and 
         FIG. 5  is an expanded inner view of another contoured cap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an exemplary tub or shower  10  with a grab bar assembly  20  of the present invention. The grab bar assembly  20  in one non-limiting embodiment is of an organic or highly contoured non-linear design manufactured of molded plastic or other moldable material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the grab bar assembly  20  generally includes a grab bar  22  which receives a first mount fastener  24 A through a first aperture  26 A and a second mount fastener  24 B through a second aperture  26 B. While the second mount fastener  24 B and second aperture  26 B are not shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that these features substantially correspond to the first mount fastener  24 A and first aperture  26 A, and are associated with the end of the grab bar assembly  20  near the cap  30 B. The apertures  26 A,  26 B are located within a recessed area  28 A,  28 B which are covered by a respective contoured cap  30 A,  30 B which are “snap” fit onto.the grab bar  22  to complete the shape thereof. As each cap  30 A,  30 B is essentially equivalent, only one need be describe in detail herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , the grab bar  22  includes a first pocket  32  on one side of the aperture  26 A along an edge of the recessed area  28 A. A second pocket  34  and a third pocket  36  are located on an opposite side of the aperture  26 A adjacent an edge  38  of the grab bar  22  ( FIG. 3B ). The first pocket  32 , the second pocket  34  and the third pocket  36  define a generally triangular relationship. The second pocket  34  and the third pocket  36  are located adjacent a step surface  40  in an underside  42  of the grab bar  22 . A detent  44  is located within the step surface  40  ( FIG. 3B ). 
     The cap  30 A includes a first tab  46 , a second tab  48  and a third tab  50  which correspond with the first pocket  32 , the second pocket  34  and the third pocket  36 . A locking tab  54  is located generally intermediate the second tab  48  and the third tab  50 . The locking tab  54  includes a protrusion  56  ( FIG. 3C ) which is receivable within the detent  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D , the cap  30 A is assembled into the recessed area  28 A to cover the aperture  26 A, the first tab  46 , the second tab  48  and the third tab  50  are slid into the respective first pocket  32 , second pocket  34  and third pocket  36 . As the tabs  46 ,  48 ,  50  are slid into the respective pockets  32 ,  34 ,  36 , the locking tab  54  operates a flexible beam such that the locking tab  54  flexes to lock the protrusion  56  into the detent  44  and provide a snap fit. The interface through the tabs  46 ,  48 ,  50  engagement with the respective pockets  32 ,  34 ,  36  requires the locking tab  54  to flex until the protrusion  56  engages with the detent  44 . That is, the tabs  46 ,  48 ,  50  and respective pockets  32 ,  34 ,  36  position the cap  30 A and operate to react the flex of the locking tab  54  such that the interaction of the protrusion  56  with the detent  44  locks the cap  30 A within the recessed area  28 A. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , another cap  60 A includes tabs  46 ′,  48 ′,  50 ′ which engage with the respective pockets  32 ′,  34 ′,  36 ′ generally as described with regard to the  FIG. 3  embodiment. The cap  60 A includes a locking tab  62  having a first keyhole slot  62 A and a second keyhole slot  62 B. The keyhole slots  62 A,  62 B respectively engage a first rib  64 A and a second rib  64 B to generate opposing forces or a “snap” fit which locks the cap  60 A within the recessed area  28 A′. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another locking tab  70  includes a single protrusion  72  having both a first and a second keyhole slot  72 A,  72 B which may alternatively or additionally be utilized. It should be understood that separate positions ( FIG. 4B ) may be more preferred for more rigid materials while the embodiment of  FIG. 5  may be more preferred for relatively more flexible materials. 
     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.