In an example embodiment, the
flange 10 has one or more openings 90 for accommodating fasteners 92 for fastening the
flange and tubular member (e.g., for fastening the
grab bar) to a structure such as a wall, as for example shown in FIG. 6. In example embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
flange covers 94 that extend over the flange 10, so as to cover the flange, may be used. The flange cover may be installed over the tubular member prior to the bucking, or from the opposite end of the tubular member after buckling. As can be understood, if flanges are connected to both ends of the tubular member in accordance with the example embodiment herein, the flange covers must be placed over the tubular member at least prior to the bucking of the second end portion of the tubular member. In an example embodiment, each flange cover has an opening 96 having a
diameter larger than the outer surface
diameter of the tubular member but smaller than the outer surface
diameter of the buckled section of the tubular member. A such, the flange cover can be axially retained by the its corresponding buckled section of the tubular member. If the flange cover opening has a diameter greater than the diameter of the buckled section of the tubular member, the cover will be axially retained by the flange. The flange cover should have an appropriate area to cover its corresponding flange. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flange cover 94 has a radially extending surface 98 from which extends an axially extending surface 100. With this example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the radially extending surface 98 covers the flange 10, while the axially extending surface 100 surrounds the flange 10.