ROTATABLE ESCUTCHEON WITH INTERMITTENT SCREW ACCESS

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to accessory mounts, illustratively for grab bars of the type typically used for bathtubs and showers.

[0002]In conventional grab bar assemblies, there is often primary and secondary flanges, and a post is mounted to the secondary flange via a set screw. In such a conventional design, an escutcheon is not needed. However, such a design requires additional components and material, and involves some risk as users may forego the proper installation process and drill through both flanges.

[0003]The present disclosure provides a means to hide mounting screws while maintaining the aesthetic of the design. A grab bar post is the component of the grab bar assembly that mounts to the wall. In one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, the grab bar post is too large for traditional installation, where the escutcheon can be slid around the post and onto the bar to provide access to mounting screws for installation on a wall. The present disclosure enables the escutcheon to be rotated about the axis of the grab bar post for intermittent access to the installation screws via a through-hole, notch, or opening in the escutcheon. In its final resting position, the escutcheon interlocks with the post such that the notch is closed for safety and protection of the user. This also eliminates the need for a screw cover or an additional component.

[0004]The illustrative grab bar includes a grab bar post having an integrated flange with several mounting holes to receive mounting hardware, such as screws, for assembly to the wall. An escutcheon, or decorative cover, hides the flange and screws mounted on the wall. The illustrative escutcheon can rotate freely about the post axis until it rotates to its final position where it snaps onto the post and is finally assembled to the grab bar assembly. The escutcheon illustratively has a notch, opening or through-hole via which mounting hardware, such as screws and the flange, can be accessed with a tool, such as a screwdriver. When the escutcheon is rotated about the post axis, the notch sequentially provides access to the individual mounting holes. An extrusion or protrusion between the flange and the post illustratively matches the notch in the escutcheon in size and shape such that when the escutcheon is fully assembled to the flange, the protrusion snaps into the notch. This also prevents rotation of the escutcheon after assembly. The protrusion may be disposed behind the grab bar to reduce visibility.

[0005]The present disclosure advantageously enables the post height and the grab bar diameter to be larger than the opening of the flange.

[0006]According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an accessory mounting assembly includes a post having a recess that receives an accessory. The post includes a flange having at least one first opening. The at least one first opening receives a respective fastener therein for fastening the post to a fixed structure. An escutcheon has a second opening therein. The escutcheon is rotatable about the post such that the at least one first opening of the flange is accessible through the second opening at a respective rotational position of the escutcheon.

[0007]According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a grab bar assembly includes a post having a recess to receive a grab bar. The post includes a body and a flange extending from a periphery of the body. The flange has at least one first opening. The at least one first opening receives a respective fastener therein for fastening the post to a fixed structure. A protrusion is attached to the body and/or the flange. An escutcheon has a second opening therein. The escutcheon is rotatable about the post such that the at least one first opening of the flange is accessible through the second opening at a respective rotational position of the escutcheon. At one rotational position of the escutcheon, the second opening receives the protrusion therein to thereby inhibit further rotation of the escutcheon.

[0008]According to yet another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a grab bar assembly includes a grab bar and a post having a recess receiving an end of the grab bar. The post includes a flange having a plurality of first openings disposed equidistant from a longitudinal axis of the post. Each first opening receives a respective fastener therein for fastening the post to a fixed structure. An escutcheon has a central through-hole through which the post extends. The escutcheon has a second opening therein. The escutcheon is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the post such that each of the first openings of the post is exposed through the second opening at a respective rotational position of the escutcheon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front, upper perspective view of an illustrative grab bar assembly of the present disclosure;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a rear, upper perspective view of the grab bar assembly of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a top view of the grab bar assembly of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the grab bar assembly of FIG. 1 along line 4-4;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an upper, perspective cross-sectional view of the grab bar assembly of FIG. 1 along line 5-5;

[0015]FIG. 6 is an upper, perspective cross-sectional view of the grab bar assembly of FIG. 1 along line 6-6;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a front, upper perspective exploded view of the grab bar assembly of FIG. 1; and

[0017]FIG. 8 is a rear, upper perspective exploded view of the grab bar assembly of FIG. 1.

[0018]Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, and such an exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments described herein enable one skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

[0020]Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, an illustrative grab bar assembly 10 of the present disclosure is shown for use in connection with a bath tub or shower. The grab bar assembly 10 illustratively includes a grab bar 12, posts 14a, 14b, ring-shaped escutcheons 16a, 16b, a mounting brace 18, a nut 20, a mounting bolt 21 and screws 22. Illustrative post 14b includes an annular flange 24b (FIG. 2) having screw through-holes or openings 26b, at least some of which may receive a screw 22 therethrough. Openings 26b may be located within flange 24b in a circular pattern (circumferentially spaced) wherein each of the openings 26b is equidistant from a longitudinal axis 27b of post 14b. The flange 24b may be a continuous ring or have gaps intermediate circumferentially spaced extensions supporting the openings 26b.

[0021]As shown in FIG. 4, illustrative post 14a includes a cylindrically-shaped recess 28a for receiving an end 30a of grab bar 12. Post 14a includes a screw hole 32a aligned with a screw hole 34a of grab bar end 30a. A screw 36a is screwed into screw holes 32a, 34a to secure post 14a to grab bar end 30a.

[0022]Similarly, illustrative post 14b includes a cylindrically-shaped recess 28b for receiving an end 30b of grab bar 12. Post 14b includes a screw hole 32b aligned with a screw hole 34b of grab bar end 30b. A screw 36b is screwed into screw holes 32b, 34b to secure post 14b to grab bar end 30b.

[0023]Post 14a illustratively includes an annular flange 24a (FIG. 7) and a protrusion 38a, that is aligned with grab bar 12. Openings 26a may be located within flange 24a in a circular pattern (circumferentially spaced) wherein each of the openings 26a is equivalent from a longitudinal axis 27a of post 14a. The flange 24a may be a continuous ring or have gaps intermediate circumferentially spaced extensions supporting the openings 26a. The size and shape of protrusion 38a substantially matches the size and shape of a notch or opening 40a in escutcheon 16a such that protrusion 38a may be snap fit into or snugly fit in notch 40a when escutcheon 16a is in a particular rotational position, as best shown in FIG. 1. Protrusion 38a may prevent or inhibit further rotation of escutcheon 16a when protrusion 38a is received in notch 40a.

[0024]An adapter plate 29 and a resilient gasket 31 may be positioned intermediate flange 24a and mounting brace 18. A threaded insert 33 may be supported by brace 18 and receive mounting bolt 21. Adapter plate 29 may include threaded openings 35 located in a circular pattern aligned with the openings 26a of flange 24a. Screws 23 may extend through at least some of the openings 26a of flange 24a and are received within the openings 35 of adapter plate 29. Adapter plate 29 may include openings 37 receiving protrusions 39 of the gasket 31 to retain the adapter plate 29 to the gasket 31.

[0025]Similarly, post 14b illustratively includes a protrusion 38b that may be substantially identical to protrusion 38a, and that is aligned with grab bar 12. The size and shape of protrusion 38b substantially matches the size and shape of a notch or opening 40b in escutcheon 16b such that protrusion 38b may be snap fit into or snugly fit in notch 40b when escutcheon 16b is in a particular rotational position. Protrusion 38b may prevent or inhibit further rotation of escutcheon 16b when protrusion 38b is received in notch 40b.

[0026]Escutcheon 16a illustratively includes a central opening or through-hole 42a (FIG. 7) through which post 14a is received. The notch 40a extends radially outwardly from the central opening 42a. Similarly, escutcheon 16b includes a central opening or through-hole 42b through which post 14b is received. The notch 40b extends radially outwardly from the central opening 42b.

[0027]During assembly, the grab bar 12 and the escutcheons 16a, 16b are attached to the posts 14a, 14b by the screws 32a, 32b before the posts 14a, 14b are secured to the drywall 44 (FIG. 3) in view of the screws 32a, 32b being inaccessible once the posts 14a, 14b have been secured to the drywall 44.

[0028]With reference to the installation of post 14b, screw holes to receive screws 22 may be drilled in the drywall 44 and in the stud 46 of wall 11 (FIG. 3). The grab bar assembly 10 may be manually placed on the wall such that screw holes 26b of post 14b are aligned with the screw holes drilled in drywall 44. Escutcheon 16b may be rotated to a position at which one of screw hole 26b is accessible and exposed through notch 40b, and one of screws 22 may then be screwed into that screw hole 26b and into the aligned screw hole that has been drilled in the drywall 44 and the stud 46. Escutcheon 16b may then be rotated to another position at which another one of screw hole 26b is accessible and exposed through notch 40b, and another one of screws 22 may then be screwed into that screw hole 26b and into the aligned screw hole that has been drilled in the drywall 44 and the stud 46.

[0029]The above-detailed process is repeated until the screws 22 have been screwed into each of the screw holes in the drywall 44 and the stud 46 and through the respective screw holes 26b. Finally, escutcheon 16b may then be rotated to the rotational position at which protrusion 38b is aligned with notch 40b. Escutcheon 16 is then pressed towards the drywall 44 so that protrusion 38b is snap fit into or is otherwise received in notch 40b. With protrusion 38b received in notch 40b, escutcheon 16b is inhibited from further rotation, and it is much less likely that some part of the user's body or some fabric is snagged or caught in notch 40b.

[0030]With reference to the installation of attachment of the other post 14a, intermediary mounting brace 18 and/or adapter plate 29 may be secured to the wall 11′ (FIG. 3). More particularly, the drywall 44 and tile 45 may be positioned intermediate the mounting brace 18 and the adapter plate 29. Post 14a may then be secured via screws 23 and circular pattern of openings 26a, 35 similar to the arrangement of post 14b.

[0031]As used herein, elements are said to be in a “circular pattern” when they are equidistant from a central axis, and as few as two such elements can be said to be in such a circular pattern. For example, the screw holes in the flange of the post may be equidistant from a central axis of the post.

[0032]While the above-detailed mounting arrangement, including posts 14a, 14b, are detailed for use in connection with a grab bar assembly 10, it should be noted that the mounting arrangement may be used to secure any device that is mounted to a wall by a circular pattern and concealed by a decorative escutcheon. These devices may include, for example, various shower accessories, such as a shower column, a slide bar, a light source, etc.

[0033]While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.