US3733622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Access panel for plumbing fittings
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-13
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1992-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A supporting frame for an access panel covering bath or shower fittings includes horizontal bars which are fixed directly to wall studs. Vertical bars are mounted for lateral adjustment on the horizontal bars to accommodate various center distances found in plumbing fittings. The access panel proper attaches to the frame in such a manner that it may be adjusted into flush relationship with tiled or painted walls of varying thicknesses.
Inventors
- 👤 J Searles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:31
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/04; E03C1/042; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6966; Y10T137/6969; Y10T137/698
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A plumbing fitting access panel structure comprising a pair of fixed vertically spaced substantially horizontal mounting frame bars attachable at their ends to a pair of upright wall studs, said fixed bars having substantially horizontal longitudinal slots, a pair of substantially vertical laterally spaced and laterally adjustable frame bars arranged in crossing relation to the fixed bars, clamping bolts carried by said adjustable bars and extending through said slots of the fixed Bars and adapted to secure the adjustable bars in selected laterally adjusted positions to accommodate the center spacing of plumbing fixtures, plural vertically spaced individually operable access panel positioning screws on the adjustable bars and projecting forwardly thereof, a generally flat access panel engageable with the outer end of the positioning screws, and fastener screws carried by said access panel and engaging threaded openings in said vertical adjustable bars and attaching the panel thereto with the panel abutting said positioning screws.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A plumbing fitting access panel structure comprising a pair of fixed vertically spaced substantially horizontal mounting frame bars attachable at their ends to a pair of upright wall studs, said fixed bars having substantially horizontal longitudinal slots, a pair of substantially vertical laterally spaced and laterally adjustable frame bars arranged in crossing relation to the fixed bars, clamping bolts carried by said adjustable bars and extending through said slots of the fixed Bars and adapted to secure the adjustable bars in selected laterally adjusted positions to accommodate the center spacing of plumbing fixtures, plural vertically spaced individually operable access panel positioning screws on the adjustable bars and projecting forwardly thereof, a generally flat access panel engageable with the outer end of the positioning screws, and fastener screws carried by said access panel and engaging threaded openings in said vertical adjustable bars and attaching the panel thereto with the panel abutting said positioning screws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The structure of claim 1, and said plural positioning screws being three in number on each adjustable bar including a pair near the ends of each adjustable bar and a single positioning screw near the longitudinal center of each adjustable bar and between said fixed bars, said positioning screws having heads which project forwardly for contact with said access panel, said access panel and said adjustable bars having clearance openings for projecting parts of laterally spaced plumbing fittings in a wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 2, and said fastener screws arranged close to the clearance openings in the access panel and said adjustable bars to allow concealment of the fastener screws and clearance openings by manual knobs on said fittings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 1, and said fixed horizontal and adjustable vertical bars comprising relatively thin plate-like members forming a shallow supporting grid for the access panel within a wall opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure of claim 1, and said access panel comprising a shallow pan-like rectangular body engageable within a wall opening adjacent plumbing fittings and adapted to be positioned flush with the exterior face of the wall surrounding the wall opening by adjustment of said positioning screws.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 5, and said pan-like rectangular body having a shallow marginal flange engaging in said wall opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure of claim 5, and said shallow pan-like body having an inwardly directed marginal flange adapted to engage said exterior wall face around a wall opening while said body is in contact with said positioning screws.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The structure of claim 1, and said access panel comprising an outwardly open shallow pan-like body engageable within the wall opening adjacent to plumbing fittings, and a plurality of wall tiles mounted and secured within the pan-like body and having their front faces disposed in a common plane and said plane adapted to coincide with an adjacent wall facing through manipulation of said positioning screws and fastener screws.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |