Hollow decorative fastener for openings defined in shell of bathtub provided with an air massage system

Abstract

A fastener for use in air massage systems used with a bathtub that includes a shell having at least two layers with at least one hole being defined through the shell. The fastener, for instance in the form of a rivet, comprises a hollow body adapted to extend through the hole in the shell and a securing mechanism provided for anchoring the fastener in the hole and for retaining together the layers of the shell. The securing mechanism can comprise enlarged distal and proximal elements provided at opposed ends of the hollow body and adapted to be disposed against inner visible and outer hidden surfaces of the shell. The proximal element includes a decorative head adapted to at least partly overlie the visible surface of the shell.

1 . A fastener in combination with a bathtub provided with an air massage system, said bathtub comprising a shell defining a bathing cavity and having at least two juxtaposed layers defining opposed visible and hidden surfaces of said shell, a plurality of holes being defined through said shell such that pressurised air delivered by said air massage system is conveyed through said holes from said hidden surface to said visible surface and into said cavity, said fastener being provided for each of said holes and comprising a hollow body extending through said hole and securing means provided for anchoring said fastener in said hole and for retaining together said layers of said shell.  
   
   
       2 . The combination as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said securing means comprise enlarged distal and proximal elements provided at opposed ends of said hollow body and adapted to be disposed against inner visible and outer hidden surfaces of said shell.  
   
   
       3 . The combination as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said proximal element includes a decorative head at least partly overlying said visible surface of said shell.  
   
   
       4 . The combination as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said hollow body comprises a tubular member and said proximal element includes a head provided at a proximal end of said tubular member, said distal element comprising a deformable element adapted to displace from an insertion position to an anchoring position, wherein during installation said deformable element in said insertion position is inserted through said hole and, with said tubular member extending in said hole, is then deformed to said anchoring position, whereby when said deformable element is in said anchoring position, said head at least partly overlies said visible surface of said shell.  
   
   
       5 . The combination as defined in  claim 4 , wherein in said anchoring position, said deformed element has transverse dimensions greater than those of said hole and is located against said hidden surface of said shell, whereby said tubular member is securely held in position in said hole by said head and by said deformed element provided at opposed ends of said tubular member with said layers of said shell being imprisoned between said head and said deformed element.  
   
   
       6 . The combination as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said head is provided with a decorative surface at least on a visible portion thereof, said visible portion being opposite a hidden portion of said head adapted to contact part of said visible surface of said shell.  
   
   
       7 . The combination as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said visible portion of said head is generally rounded thereby substantially smoothly merging with said visible surface of said bathtub.  
   
   
       8 . The combination as defined in  claim 2 , further including a tool for installing said fastener to said shell, said tool including an elongated member adapted to extend into said fastener for inserting said fastener in said hole.  
   
   
       9 . The combination as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said tool also includes an enlarged portion slidable through said hole and adapted when pulled out of said fastener located in the hole to cause said distal element of said fastener to enlarge radially to transverse dimensions that are greater than those of said hole.  
   
   
       10 . The combination as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said enlarged portion of said tool is also adapted to radially expand said tubular member of said fastener within said hole.  
   
   
       11 . The combination as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a periphery of the hollow body cooperates with a periphery of an associated one of such holes such that the hollow body is captive in the hole.