Bath Fixture Mounting Brackets for Flush Stud Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bath accessories, such as grab bars and seats, are difficult to install directly to studs within a bathing system due to the need for mounting flanges and hardware attachments, which complicates the installation process and results in unsightly decorative flanges when bolting is required.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a first mounting bracket attached to a structural wall and a second mounting bracket that cooperates with the accessory to facilitate easy installation on a stud wall, eliminating the need for flanges and hardware attachments by aligning the system wall and accessory through socket head screws and L-shaped extensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting flanges and hardware attachments are used to install bath accessories to studs, then the accessory can be securely mounted, but the installation process becomes complicated and requires unsightly decorative flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support for secure mounting to studs, includes built-in mounting holes for direct accessory attachment, and eliminates the need for separate decorative flanges. The bracket combines the mounting surface, attachment mechanism, and aesthetic finish into one unified element that simplifies installation while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the unnecessary decorative flange component from traditional mounting systems. By designing the bracket with built-in mounting capabilities and integrated attachment holes, the solution extracts and eliminates the redundant aesthetic cover element, allowing direct attachment of accessories through the bracket itself without requiring separate decorative elements.
2Reliability
If traditional mounting flanges and hardware attachments are used to install bath accessories, then the accessory can be mounted, but the installation process requires multiple components and hardware attachments
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket consolidates multiple components into one: the mounting surface, the attachment mechanism with built-in holes, and the structural support element all become integrated into a single bracket component. This merging reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and installed, while maintaining secure mounting capability.
3Productivity
If accessories are installed after the bathing system is installed, then the bathing system can be completed first, but it becomes difficult to attach the grab bar or other accessory to studs through the bathing system wall
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are pre-installed on the bathing system walls during the initial bathing system installation. This preliminary action positions the brackets with their mounting holes and attachment features already in place, so that when accessories need to be installed later, the brackets are ready to receive them without requiring penetration of the finished wall or complex retrofitting procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A bathing system assembly has; an accessory such as a grab bar, a seat or the like; a first mounting bracket affixed to a structural wall; and a second mounting bracket attaching the accessory to a bath wall. The second mounting bracket cooperates with the first mounting bracket for easy installation of the bath wall and accessory to the structural wall, e.g., stud wall. The bathing system wall including the accessory and the second mounting bracket is manipulated by an installer so that the second mounting bracket and the first mounting bracket cooperate to support the wall and the grab bar. Because the accessory is attached directly to the second mounting bracket, flanges and attachment means for hardware are eliminated. The accessory may be attached to the second mounting bracket through the bath wall at a first location and attached to the first mounting bracket at a second location.