Grab bar assembly for shower and bathtubs
OwnerWayne Schlabachinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This present invention discloses an easy to install and repositionable grab bar assembly that provides support for users while using a shower, bathtub, spa or the like. The grab bar assembly is comprised of a grab bar, a back plate with slots and anchoring elements to secure the assembly to a wall surface. The grab bar assembly is attached to the wall surface by placing the backplate against the wall surface so as to align the slots to pre-drilled holes in the wall surface. The anchoring elements and other securing components are then tightened to secure the grab bar assembly to the wall. The slot-based design enables an individual to slide the grab bar as required by the user.
Claims20
A safety bar comprising:
- a backplate having first and second edges and top and bottom edges, two slots disposed along each of the top and bottom edges and running generally parallel to the top and bottom edges, each of the two slots having a length equal to at least twenty percent of a length of the top and bottom edges;
- a plurality of anchoring elements with at least one anchoring element for each of the two slots, wherein each of the plurality of anchoring elements has a width approximately equal to a width of each of the two slots;
- and
- a grab bar secured to the backplate and spaced inwardly from each of the first and second edges and the top and bottom edges, wherein the grab bar is comprised of a gripping surface;
- and
- wherein the back plate and the grab bar are slidable relative to the wall on the plurality of anchoring elements when in use.
A bathtub safety stall installation comprising:
- a bathtub enclosure having a bathtub, a faucet and at least one wall adjacent the bathtub;
- a backplate having first and second edges and top and bottom edges, two slots disposed along each of the top and bottom edges and running generally parallel to the top and bottom edges, each of the two slots having a length equal to at least twenty percent of a length of the top and bottom edges, wherein the backplate is secured to the at least one wall by a plurality of anchoring elements with at least one anchoring element for each of the two slots, each of the plurality of anchoring elements having a width approximately equal to a width of each of the two slots;
- and
- a grab bar secured to the backplate and spaced inwardly from each of the first and second edges and the top and bottom edges, wherein the grab bar is comprised of a gripping surface;
- and
- wherein the back plate and the grab bar are longitudinally adjustable in position relative to the at least one wall adjacent the bathtub on the plurality of anchoring elements when in use during bathing or showering.
A method of using a safety grab bar comprising the steps of:
- providing one of a bathtub, a shower or a spa;
- installing a safety grab bar, wherein the safety grab bar is comprised of a backplate having a first edge, a second edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, at least two slots disposed along each of the top and bottom edges and running generally parallel to the top and bottom edges, each of the two slots having a length equal to at least twenty percent of the top or bottom edges, wherein the backplate is secured to a wall by a plurality of anchoring elements with at least one anchoring element for each of the two slots, wherein the at least one anchoring element has a width approximately equal to a width of one of the two slots, and a grab bar secured to the backing plate and spaced inwardly from each of the first and second edges and the top and bottom edges, wherein the grab bar is comprised of a gripping surface;
- entering the one of bathtub, shower or spa and gripping the safety grab bar;
- and
- sliding the safety grab bar relative to the wall to a position comfortable for a user;
- and
- readjusting the safety grab bar relative to the wall to a second position comfortable for the user without adjusting the plurality of anchoring elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.