U.S. patent application number 16/860235 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-28 for portable, free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly for bathtub and shower enclosures.
The applicant listed for this patent is Richard John Schmidt. Invention is credited to Richard John Schmidt.
Application Number | 20210330132 16/860235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004938356 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210330132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schmidt; Richard John |
October 28, 2021 |
PORTABLE, FREE-STANDING, GRAB BAR/HANDRAIL ASSIST ASSEMBLY FOR
BATHTUB AND SHOWER ENCLOSURES
Abstract
A portable, free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly for
placement within the confines of a bathtub or shower enclosure
comprising a plurality of rigid non-corrodible pipes inserted into
a plurality of non-corrodible molded corner fittings. The entire
assembly is designed to be non-corrodible in a wet environment and
quickly, tool-free, assembled and easily placed within the confines
of a bathtub or shower enclosure without the need for fasteners to
secure it.
Inventors: |
Schmidt; Richard John;
(Longwood, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schmidt; Richard John |
Longwood |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004938356 |
Appl. No.: |
16/860235 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/281 20130101;
A47K 3/125 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/12 20060101
A47K003/12; A47K 3/28 20060101 A47K003/28 |
Claims
1. A portable, free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly for
placement within the confines of a bathtub or shower enclosure
comprising a plurality of rigid non-corrodible pipes inserted into
a plurality of rigid non-corrodible fittings, each fitting with at
least two openings at 90 degree angles from each opening, to form a
stable base, and likewise with at least three upright rigid
non-corrodible pipes inserted into at least three rigid
non-corrodible fittings at the top and at the base, each fitting
with at least two openings at 90 degree angles from each opening,
and within which, at the top, two rigid non-corrodible pipes are
inserted, one running front to back, and one running laterally
across from the top left rearward fitting to the top right rearward
fitting, and thus forming an "L" shaped grab bar/handrail at the
top of the assembly, and with two capped short non-corrodible rigid
pipes inserted into the rearward left and right top corner fittings
for added support against an enclosure wall, and likewise, with two
capped short non-corrodible rigid pipes inserted into the two base
left-side corner fittings for added support upon an enclosure floor
surface.
2. The portable, free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly
as recited in claim 1 in which all of the non-corrodible components
can be easily and quickly assembled for immediate use, or easily
and quickly disassembled when no longer needed, without requiring
tools; hardware; or fasteners of any kind, or special skills for
assembly.
3. The portable, free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly
recited in claim 1 in which the length of rigid pipes assembled
parallel to each other can be of variable length to allow for
differences in length and width of bathtub and shower enclosures,
and the variable height of individuals utilizing the assembly.
4. The portable, free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly
recited in claim 2 wherein all of the materials incorporated in the
assembly are made from compatible rigid PVC plastic to include the
option of gluing/cementing the components together for permanent
bonding, if so desired.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a grab bar/handrail assembly for
assisting the support of individuals, and in particular, to assist
in a bathtub/shower enclosure.
[0002] Grab bars/handrails are often located within a bathtub or
shower enclosure to assist an individual with stepping into or out
of a bathtub or shower, and can be especially helpful to an elderly
or infirm individual. Grab bars/handrails can also be helpful for
anyone while standing; moving around; or sitting in a bathtub or
shower environment where a wet floor can make it possible to slip
and fall. Grab bars/handrails are typically installed onto a wall,
or multiple walls, of an enclosure by means of fasteners or screws
tapped into wall studs. Reference e.g. U.S. Pat. #20090211017.
These typical grab bars require tools; hardware; suction cups or
fasteners; and often require a professional installer or a skilled
handyman for proper installation.
[0003] Numerous grab bar/handrail inventions have come forward.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,323 to DiVito et al. is an example of a bathtub
handrail that incorporates a molded plastic body and clamping arm
that attaches to a bathtub by means of a number of components, some
of which are metal.
[0004] Another example of a grab bar/handrail can be found in U.S.
Pat. #20090205125 to Forrest which discloses an injection molded
plastic assembly that attaches to a bath wall by means of a
fastener such as a lag screw.
[0005] Another example of a handrail can be found in U.S. Pat.
#20050160526 to Korn disclosing a removable bathtub rail for
children that utilizes horizontal and vertical anchors with suction
cups.
[0006] Previous grab bar/handrail devices suffer from a number of
disadvantages. One important disadvantage is that they often
require a skilled person to drill holes through tile and walls, and
into wall studs in order to secure them properly. Another
disadvantage of prior art involves the utilization of corrodible
parts and/or fasteners. Still another undesirable feature of prior
art can be its permanence, that is, the difficulty in removing the
device when no longer needed or desired, and the cost associated
with any needed repairs to wall surfaces.
[0007] It was in an effort to provide solutions to the problems
associated with prior art that the present invention evolved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is a primary object of this novel invention to provide a
grab bar/handrail assist assembly for use within bathtub and shower
enclosures that is portable and free-standing.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
grab bar/handrail assist assembly that does not require the use of
fasteners; suction cups; tools; or hardware to assemble; install;
or to make it usable.
[0010] It is yet another object of this novel invention to provide
an economical solution to the need for a grab bar/handrail assist
assembly, that precludes the need for any special skills to
assemble; install; or to remove and disassemble when no longer
needed or desired.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a grab bar/handrail assist assembly that is composed of
non-corrodible parts in its entirety.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a light-weight and easily manageable grab bar/handrail assist
assembly that is also structurally strong; durable; and easily kept
clean.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the portable,
free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly 10 in accordance
with the present novel invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 discloses a perspective view of the portable,
free-standing, grab bar/handrail assist assembly as it would appear
when set upon the floor 16 of a shower enclosure with the grab
bar/handrail bars 12 at the top of the assembly set against the
shower enclosure wall 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] The detailed embodiment of the novel invention is disclosed
herein relative to a bathtub/shower enclosure. It should be
understood, however, that the present invention may be used outside
of a bathtub or shower enclosure to assist an individual near a
toilet, or wherever grab bar/handrail assistance might be needed.
Thus, the details disclosed herein should not be considered
limiting, ie. to a bathtub or shower enclosure.
[0016] With reference to FIG. 1, we have there shown an overall
perspective view of the grab bar/handrail assist assembly 10.
[0017] The grab bar/handrail assist assembly 10 includes a
plurality of rigid non-corrodible pipes: la; 1b; 1c; 2a; 2b; 2c;
3a; 3b; 3c; 7a; 7b; 7c; 7d. We prefer to use 1.25'' PVC, furniture
grade, pipes. Also included are a plurality of non-corrodible rigid
molded corner fittings. We prefer to use 1.25'' PVC furniture grade
fittings. Fittings 4a; 4b; 4c, are identical 4-way fittings with
openings at 90 degree angles from each opening. Fittings 5a; 5b are
identical 90 degree elbow fittings. Fittings 6a; 6b are identical
3-way fittings with openings at 90 degree angles from each opening.
Also included are a plurality of molded end caps, 8a; 8b; 8c; 8d.
Again, we prefer to use 1.25'' PVC furniture grade end caps.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1, the various rigid pipes and
fittings shown in grab bar/handrail assist assembly 10 are easily
connected together to form a finished free-standing, portable, grab
bar/handrail assist assembly. The base is formed by inserting rigid
pipe 1a into fittings 4a and 5a. Rigid pipe 1b, which is of equal
length to 1a, is inserted into fittings 4b and 6a. Rigid pipe 2a is
inserted into fittings 4a and 4b. Rigid pipe 2b, which is of equal
length to pipe 2a, is inserted into fittings 5a and 6a. Finally,
rigid pipe 7a is inserted into fitting 4a, and rigid pipe 7b, which
is of equal length to pipe 7a, is inserted into fitting 4b. To
finish the base, end cap 8a is pushed onto rigid pipe 7a, and end
cap 8b is pushed onto rigid pipe 7b.
[0019] With reference again to FIG. 1, the height of the present
invention is determined by the length of upright rigid pipes 3a;
3b; and 3c, which are of equal lengths. Rigid pipe 3a is inserted
into fittings 4a and 5b. Rigid pipe 3b is inserted into fittings 4b
and 4c. Rigid pipe 3c is inserted into fittings 6a and 6b.
[0020] Referring again to FIG. 1, the top portion of the present
invention is formed by inserting rigid pipe 1c, which is of equal
length to pipes 1a and 1b, into fittings 4c and 6b. Accordingly,
rigid pipe 2c, which is of equal length to pipes 2a and 2b, is
inserted into fittings 4c and 5b. Finally, rigid pipe 7c is
inserted into fitting 4c, and then rigid pipe 7d, which is of equal
length to rigid pipe 7c, is inserted into fitting 6b. To finish the
present invention, end cap 8c is pushed onto rigid pipe 7c and end
cap 8d is pushed onto rigid pipe 7d.
* * * * *