GB2224459A

GB2224459A - Handle system for a bath

Info

Publication number: GB2224459A
Application number: GB8920676A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Clifford Fenna
Original assignee: CARRON PLASTICS
Current assignee: CARRON PLASTICS
Priority date: 1988-09-13
Filing date: 1989-09-13
Publication date: 1990-05-09
Also published as: GB8920676D0; GB8821418D0

Abstract

A handle system, which provides for removal and replacement of a handle to a bath without requiring access to the underside or unexposed side of the bath, comprises a handle having recesses 21 which receive corresponding projections 7 on the bath. The handle is secured in this position by the form of grub screws 3 projecting transversely through the handle into each recess to grip the projection inserted therein. Each projection is defined by a waisted bolt attached by a nut 5 forming a plug portion 24 and a serrated headed portion which is engaged by like serrations on the end of the respective grub screw. <IMAGE>

Description

Handle System for a Unit This invention relates to a handle system for a unit.

More specifically, the invention has particular application as a handle for fitted and plumbed in bath unit.

Certain baths are provided with side handles which are of particular use to the elderly and handicapped to assist in lowering and raising from the bath. Conventionally, these handles are inserted from the exposed side but are fixed in position by nuts applied from the underside. Once a bath has been fitted, the nearside handle may still be fitted, providing the side cover is not in place, but the farside handle cannot then be fixed without removal of the bath unit. If the farside handle deteriorates or breaks, replacement requires removal of the existing bath and replumbing, and perhaps even retiling and adjustment of associated fittings.

According to the present invention there is provided a handle system for a unit, which is suitable for fitment into premises, said system comprising a handle being provided with a recess, a projection from the unit, which projection is insertable into said recess and is securable therein by user-adjustable securing means which project through the handle into the recess.

Preferably, the projection is waisted with a separate base and head, the base of the projection forming a plug to the external aperture of the recess, and the head being provided with serrations against which the securing means obtains purchase.

Preferably, the securing means is a grub screw with serrated internal end, said serrations being inclined so as to purchase against the correspondingly inclined serrations on the head of the projection, said screw being user-adjustable by an Allen key.

Preferably, the projection is the head of a screw-threaded bolt, the bolt being inserted on unit production and secured by a nut on the underside of the unit, said nut and bolt arrangement allowing fixing to units of different material thickness.

Preferably, the unit is a bath.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a handle system for a unit according to the present invention, with the unit removed; and, Fig. 2 is a schematic cross section of the projection secured into the recess of the handle of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a handle 1 system for a unit 2, particularly a fitted bath unit 2. The handle 1 has two attachment points A, B.

The unit 2 is suitable for semi-permanent fitment particularly into domestic premises.

Each attachment point A, B is provided with an internal recess (one of which is shown in Fig. 2 at 11).

The unit 2 is provided with two apertures, into which screw threaded bolts 7 are inserted from the exposed side during unit produced; the bolts 7 are held in position by a nut 5 and washer 6 attached to the underside of the unit 2.

The portion of the bolt 7 which projects above the unit 2 forms a projection 21. The recesses 11 in attachment points A, B are of a size and configuration to receive the projections 21 and permit alignment of the handle 1 onto the unit 2. The handle 1 is secured to the unit 2 by securing means in the form of a grub screw 3 insertable through an aperture 14 in each attachment point A, B to project into each recess 11. The grub screw 3 is tightened by the fitter of the unit 2, by means of an Allen key (not shown), such that the internal end of each grub screw 3 urges against a projection 21.

Each projection 21 is waisted with a fixed head 23 and base 24. The waist 25 receives the end of the grub screw 3 and the underside of the head 23 is provided with inclined serrations 26, the internal end 31 of the grub screw 3 being provided with correspondingly inclined serrations, so as to purchase against the head 23 of the projection 21.

The base 24 of the projection 21 is of frustoconical form and forms a plug to the external opening 13 of each recess 11. The plug seals the external opening 13 and also retains the projection 21 in an upright position such that it will not move and the grip of the grub screw 3 is maintained.

The nut 5 and bolt 4 arrangement allows factory fitment of the bolts 7 to units 2 of different material thickness and the projection 21 insertion into existing apertures for conventional handle attachment provided in the conventional bath units.

The provision of a handle 1 which can be attached after unit 2 fitment allows for attachment or replacement or just mere change of handle 1 without the ripping out of the unit 2 and damage of associated fittings and surrounding tiling.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A handle system for a unit which is suitable for fitment into premises, said system comprising a handle being provided with a recess, a projection from the unit, which projection is insertable into said recess and securable therein by user-adjustable securing means which projects through the handle into the recess.

2. A handle system according to Claim 1, wherein the projection is waisted with a separate base and head.

3. A handle system according to Claim 2, wherein the base of the projection forms a plug to the external opening of the recess.

4. A handle system according to either Claim 2 or 3, wherein the head is provided with serrations against which the securing means obtains purchase.

5. A handle system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the securing means is a grub screw lying in an aperture in the handle and having a serrated internal end.

6. A handle system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the projection is the head of a screwthreaded bolt, the bolt being inserted on unit production and secured by a nut on the underside of the unit.

7. A handle system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the handle is provided with a first and a second recess and the unit has a first and a second projection for insertion into the first and second recess respectively.

8. A handle system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the unit is a bath.

9. A handle system for a unit as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.