MXPA99008805A - Improved system for fixing side panels to the support structure of bath tubs and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The system comprises a plurality of fixing plates (50), each comprising a series of holes (52) positioned close together in the front face of the plate (50) and perpendicular thereto to receive a fixing screw (53) inserted in a respective through hole (31) provided in the facing panel, and adjustable connection units (5) each arranged to fix a respective said plate (50) to the support structure (2) in such a manner that the front face of the plate (50) faces the inner face of the facing panel.

Description

SYSTEM FOR FIXING SIDE PANELS TO THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF A TUB AND S I MILARES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to bath tubs and similar equipment, such as whirlpool tubs, hot tubs, etc. More specifically, the invention relates to the installation of accessory elements in such tubs, typically finishing panels. As it is known, one of the techniques that are frequently used today for the installation of similar vats provides the use of a metal structure in the form of a parallelepiped of horizontal design, whose lower part is equipped with an adjustable support footrest in the floor and in the upper part which is provided with an opening in which the bowl of the tub is accommodated. The perimeter shelf that surrounds the mouth of the tub cavity is supported against an upper peripheral frame of the structure in such a way that the edge of the perimeter of the shelf, which is bent, covers the frame. In addition, to hide the support structure, finishing panels are used which are limiting the structure in the following manner: the upper edge of each single panel is inserted from the bottom back of the respective portion of the falling down lip of the tub; - the upper part of the support structure facing the panel is provided with push members which are pre-positioned to maintain said upper edge of the panel elastically loaded towards and against said portion of the lip descending folded; and - attached to the lower part of the support structure are metallic bodies, or permanent magnets, which correspond, in the face portion of the panel, with permanent magnets, or respective metallic ß-bodies. 10 The widespread use of the above-described fastening technique has revealed that it is unsatisfactory in terms of the safety of use of well-equipped tubs. A first disadvantage common to all types of tubs, whether or not they are equipped with pumping units or other devices É | 15 electrically operated, is due to the fact that the connection of the panels effected by said magnetic type means is stable and secure with respect to thrusts directed towards the tub, but offers little resistance with respect to the forces in the opposite direction. It can happen substantially, as, in fact, it has been found in practice, that the panels detach themselves relatively easily from their own support structure, which can involve serious situations of seriousness, in particular if there is a child , or an elderly or disabled person in the vicinity. Another typical disadvantage of those tubs that are equipped with electrically operated devices is that the common restriction means of a mechanical nature which provide the use of screws results in many electrically conductive bridges through which electrical current can reach the face external of the panels in the event of rupture or malfunction, for example the presence of an exposed electrical cable. The object of the present invention is to remedy the above disadvantages within the context of a simple and rational constructive solution. The objective is achieved due to a fixing system having the aspects described and claimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The system of the present invention comprises a plurality of anchoring plates, each having a series of holes placed on the front face of the plate and at right angles thereto, very close together, capable of accommodating a screw of fastener inserted in a respective side-to-side hole provided in the face panel, and adjustable joint assemblies each capable of securing said respective plate to the support structure, such that the front face thereof is turned towards the internal face of the face panel. In a particular modality, the system of the present invention provides the traditional elastic pushing members capable of acting against the internal face of the upper edge of the panels connected to the support structure of a tub in combination with said anchor plates which are placed to join the said panels to the base of said support structure. In a particular embodiment, said holes of said plates are blind holes. Due to the aforementioned means, all the objectives of the invention are achieved: - first, by the fact that the panels are limiting in a bilateral and safe manner with the support structure of the tub, and - second, because it is avoided the creation of any electric bridge, whatever it may be for current passage outside the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAMETERS In order to better understand the constructive characteristics and merits of the invention, reference is made hereinafter to the figures of the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view divided into separate sections which shows a common bath tub equipped with a system according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a sectional perspective view showing one of the push members associated with the upper edges of the concealment panels of the tub supporting structure. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the thrust member shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of one of the joint assemblies associated with the bottom edges of said concealment panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAMETERS Figure 1 shows in summary a bath tub 1, a support structure 2 for the bath tub 1, and one of the concealment panels 3 of the said structure 2. The tub 1 shown in FIG. Figure 1 is an ordinary bath tub, although it is possible to adopt the means according to the present invention for other types of tubs, for example, whirlpool tubs. As is conventional, tub 1 includes a bowl 10, a ledge 1 1 of flat perimeter, and a marginal edge 12 which is bent (see Figures 1 to 3). The support structure 2 of the tub 1 includes a base frame 20 which is peripherally provided with a series of posts 22 which are fitted at the bottom with footrests 21 adjustable on the floor while supporting a molding 23 at the top (see Figure 2) against which the said shelf 1 1 rests. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the upper edge 30 of each single panel 3 is bent backward, first towards its own internal face, namely towards the structure 2, and secondly upwards, to make available a seat for use by the said edge 12 folded.

The following are provided for fixing the panels 3 to the structure 2: a superior series of elastic push members 4 and a lower series of adjustable joint assemblies 5. Specifically, each thrust member 4 (see Figures 2 and 3) includes: a cylindrical rod 40 which is easily accommodated within a hole 220 from side to side transversely drilled in the respective post 22 and which has, in a end, an enlarged head 41 and, at the opposite end, a threaded part 42; - an opposite washer 43 which is threaded on said rod 40 and abuts against rod 22; a compression spring 44 which is threaded into said rod 40 and falls between said head 41 and said washer 43, as well as - an anti-loosening nut 45 which is tapped into said threaded part 42 and is on the side of the post 22 which is seated against the one occupied by the washer 43. These organs 4, known per se, have the function of constantly maintaining the upper edge 30 of the panels 3 by pushing elastically towards and against the downward edge 12 turned downwards from the tub 1. According to the present invention - see Figures 1 and 4 in particular - each simple joining assembly 5 includes a plate 50 in the shape of a disc facing the inner face of the respective panel 3 and a flat, elongated bracket 51 placed back of it which is bent backwards in one step. The plate 50 is made of a material of poor electrical conductivity, for example a relatively rigid synthetic resin. This plate has a plurality of identical, closely spaced orthogonal blind holes 52 which are distributed according to circumferential concentric series, with the holes of a series being interleaved with those of the respective internal and external series adjacent thereto in order to minimize the separation between the said holes 52. Associated with the latter is a self-tapping screw which equals, in panel 3, with a respective side-by-side hole 31 (see Figure 1). In the assembly process of the panels 3 blocking the panels against the plates 50 does not present any problem whatsoever due to the relevant number of blind holes 52, besides being very close to each other, it allows the almost automatic centering of the screws 53 of self-tapping with one of the holes 52, even if the bracket 51 is not oriented precisely in relation to the hole 31 due to error or the presence of obstructing elements behind it. The same plate 50 is equipped at the rear with a threaded coaxial tail 54 which is tapped into a threaded side-to-side hole 55 at one end of the bracket, and associated with said tail 54 is a lock nut 56 .

On the other hand, the hole 55 can be smooth internally, in which case a nut and safety nut assembly for adjusting and locking the tail 54 will be required. Finally, at the opposite end of the bracket 51, an eyelet is provided. 57 of adjustment which passes over a set screw 58 threaded in the structure 2, and locked there by means of the nut shown as 59. The merits and advantages of the invention, as well as their modalities in use are clearly understandable from the above and an examination of the attached figures.

Claims (7)

1. REVIVAL NAME IS 1. A system for fixing the side panels of concealment of bath tubs to their support structures of bath tubs, characterized in that it includes a plurality of anchor plates, each with a series of holes placed in the face of the plate and at right angles thereto, together closely, capable of accommodating a fastening screw inserted in a respective side-by-side hole provided in the facade panel, and adjustable joint assemblies each capable of fixing such a respective plate to the support structure, in such a way that the front face thereof is turned toward the inner face of the facade panel. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes secondary means that are capable of constantly maintaining the upper edge of the panels by pushing elastically towards and against the inner face of the upper perimeter edge of the tub descending , such secondary means operating in combination with said anchor plates, which are placed before joining said panels to the base of said support structure. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said screw is a self-tapping screw. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said holes are blind holes. 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said joining assemblies each include a threaded tail which originates from the rear face of said plate, which faces the tub and which is accommodated, with the possibility of axial adjustment, inside a conjugate side to side hole that is provided in a bracket capable of being attached to the support structure. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the connection of said bracket to the support structure is entrusted to an adjusting eye which is provided in the part of the bracket that is opposite the bracket. occupied by said hole from side to side conjugate and where locking or threaded members are associated with said eyelet opening. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said anchor plates are made of an electrically insulated material.
2. REIVI NDICATIONS 1. A system for fixing the side panels of concealment of bath tubs to their support structures of bath tubs, characterized in that it includes a plurality of anchoring plates (50), each with a series of holes ( 52) placed on the front face of the plate and at right angles thereto, together closely together, capable of accommodating a fastening screw (53) inserted in a respective side-by-side hole (31) provided in the front panel, and adjustable joint assemblies each capable of fixing said respective plate to the support structure, in such a way that the front face thereof is turned toward the inner face of the front panel. The system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes secondary means (4) that are capable of constantly maintaining the upper edge (30) of the panels (3) by springing elastically towards and against the inner face of the edge (12) of the upper folded perimeter of the tub (1), such secondary means (4) operating in combination with the said anchor plates (50), which are placed before joining said panels (3) the base of said support structure (2).
3. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said screw (53) is a self-tapping screw.
4. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said holes (52) are blind holes.
5. 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said joining assemblies each include a threaded tail (54) which originates from the rear face of said plate (50), which faces the tub (1) and which is accommodated, with the possibility of axial adjustment, inside a conjugate side-to-side hole (55) that is provided in a bracket (51) capable of being joined to the support structure (2). The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the connection of said bracket (51) to the support structure is entrusted to an adjusting eye (57) which is provided in the part of the bracket (51) which is opposite to that occupied by said hole (55) from side to side conjugate and where threaded locking members (58,59) are associated with said eyelet opening. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said anchoring plates (50) are made of an electrically insulated material.