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US 2007/0033728 A1Published application
Snap fit access panel for tub
AssigneeMasco Corporation
InventorThomas Sisk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tub surround includes an access opening that has a removable panel that is snap fit to a wall of the tub surround. The snap fit connection ensures that the removable panel can be repeatedly removed with little risk of separation of the securing structure.
Claims11
A tub comprising:
- a forward facing skirt, and a tub defined laterally inwardly of said forward facing skirt, said forward facing skirt having an access opening for providing access to plumbing;
- and
- a removal panel for covering said access opening, and said removable panel being attached directly to said forward facing skirt with a snap fit connection.
A tub comprising:
- a forward facing skirt, and a tub defined laterally inwardly of said forward facing wall, said forward facing skirt having an access opening for providing access to plumbing;
- a removal panel for covering said access opening, and said removable panel being attached to said forward facing skirt with a snap fit connection;
- and
- said snap fit connection including a vertically lower snap member including a leg for being initially secured behind a portion of said forward facing skirt, and a vertically upper snap member including a curved upper surface for facilitating snapping movement behind an upper portion of said forward facing skirt.
1 more element
A method of attaching a panel to an access opening in a tub skirt comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing a tub having an access opening, and providing a panel for closing or exposing said access opening to provide access to plumbing behind said panel and within said access opening, said panel including a vertically lower clip and a vertically upper clip;
- (2) inserting said vertically lower clip behind a wall of the tub, and pivoting said panel such that said vertically upper clip snaps behind said wall to secure said panel within said access opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.