Snap fit access panel for tub

Abstract

A tub surround includes an access opening that has a removable panel that is snap fit to a wall of the tub surround. The snap fit connection ensures that the removable panel can be repeatedly removed with little risk of separation of the securing structure.

1 . A tub comprising: 
 a forward facing skirt, and a tub defined laterally inwardly of said forward facing skirt, said forward facing skirt having an access opening for providing access to plumbing; and    a removal panel for covering said access opening, and said removable panel being attached directly to said forward facing skirt with a snap fit connection.    
     
     
         2 . The tub as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said snap fit connection is provided by at least one resilient snap member provided on said panel.  
     
     
         3 . The tub as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein there are a pair of spaced resilient snap members formed on said removable panel.  
     
     
         4 . The tub as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said spaced snap members are vertically spaced.  
     
     
         5 . The tub as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein a vertically lower snap member includes a leg for being secured behind a portion of said forward facing skirt, and a vertically upper snap member includes a curved upper surface for snapping behind an upper portion of said forward facing skirt.  
     
     
         6 . The tub as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said snap fit connection includes a snapping member having a leg extending at an angle from a base wall at a vertically lower position, and a curved surface extending from said base wall, said curved surface being formed to snap behind a surface of said forward facing skirt.  
     
     
         7 . The tub as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said forward facing skirt includes laterally inwardly extending wall portions, and vertically extending portions extending vertically from said laterally inwardly extending portions, said vertically extending portions defining said access opening, and said snap fit connection snapping behind said vertically extending portion.  
     
     
         8 . A tub comprising: 
 a forward facing skirt, and a tub defined laterally inwardly of said forward facing wall, said forward facing skirt having an access opening for providing access to plumbing;    a removal panel for covering said access opening, and said removable panel being attached to said forward facing skirt with a snap fit connection; and    said snap fit connection including a vertically lower snap member including a leg for being initially secured behind a portion of said forward facing skirt, and a vertically upper snap member including a curved upper surface for facilitating snapping movement behind an upper portion of said forward facing skirt.    
     
     
         9 . The tub as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said forward facing skirt includes laterally inwardly extending wall portions, and vertically extending portions extending vertically from said laterally inwardly extending portions, said vertically extending portions defining said access opening, and said snap fit connection snapping behind said vertically extending portion.  
     
     
         10 . A method of attaching a panel to an access opening in a tub skirt comprising the steps of: 
 (1) providing a tub having an access opening, and providing a panel for closing or exposing said access opening to provide access to plumbing behind said panel and within said access opening, said panel including a vertically lower clip and a vertically upper clip;    (2) inserting said vertically lower clip behind a wall of the tub, and pivoting said panel such that said vertically upper clip snaps behind said wall to secure said panel within said access opening.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said vertically upper clip has a curved upper surface.