Modern bathroom design favors a look with planer surfaces and configurations which minimize the visibility of unattractive space. Nowhere is this more noticeable than in the design of bathtubs and tub accessories. Traditional tubs had a shape matching their name, showing a curved exterior surface and exposed piping. Modern design provides more boxlike shape which hides piping and unattractive space beneath and around the bottom of the tub. A common way to provide this shape as part of a new tub system or often over the top of an older tub is to install a tub skirt. A tub skirt provides a flat, aesthetically pleasing front surface.
A tub skirt, while hiding unattractive space, also prevents access to this space. As a remedy, tub skirts have been provided with access openings. These openings provide access for cleaning or tub repair and to access motors and plumbing on Jacuzzi type tubs. When such activities are not occurring, the openings are covered. Common accessories used to cover these openings are decorative panels. U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,906 to Halloran discloses a skirt frame with a detachable panel. The panel is held in place with Velcro tabs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,898 to Kapp et al. discloses a skirt frame with a detachable panel. Velcro is used for attachment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,924 to Smith et al. discloses a skirt frame and mechanically attachable panel. These panels are attached by screws with caps.
Skirts are often provided without panels. In other cases, the panels provided with the skirts are not aesthetically pleasing and retrofitting is desired by the consumer. Common ways to attach aftermarket or retrofit panels in order to match new bathroom colors or the like is with velcro pads because they can be attached with an adhesive. However, velcro tends to lose holding force over time and cannot be cleaned easily. This lack of holding force is especially noticeable in Jacuzzi type tubs which include motors which vibrate the tub skirt slightly. Panels which are held in place with screws and caps are difficult to remove. Removal is a time consuming process. What is desired is a simple system which remains hidden from view, but can be used repeatedly without a loss in effectiveness.