US 7,441,285 B2Granted

Removable tub grip

AssigneeMoen Incorporated

InventorsDouglas A. Kemp, Alan Bauer

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The invention is for a tub grip for a bathtub that assists bathers in entering and exiting a bathtub. The tub grip is sturdy and easy to attach and remove for those that may suffer from loss of strength and dexterity due to advanced age, injury, illness, or other medical condition. In addition, the tub grip is constructed to resist wear and tear and provide its users with a substantial service life. One embodiment of the invention comprises a locking member, a first arm assembly, a clamp assembly, a second arm assembly, and, at least one locking plate. The first and the second arm assemblies and the locking plate are mounted on the locking member, whereas the clamp assembly is attached to the locking member. The locking member comprises a plurality of teeth, to which the locking plate is selectively engageable.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A removable tub grip for mounting on an exposed wall of a bathtub, said tub grip comprising:

a first arm assembly for contacting a first side of said exposed tub wall, a second arm assembly for contacting a second side of said exposed tub wall;
a ratcheting mechanism;
and
a handle assembly,
wherein at least a portion of said handle assembly is operable to be positioned above and between said first side and said second side of said exposed tub wall when said first arm assembly contacts said first side and said second arm assembly contacts said second side;
wherein said first arm assembly is fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said second arm assembly is operable to move toward said first arm assembly via said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said ratcheting mechanism restricts movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allows movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein said handle assembly is discrete and fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism
wherein said ratcheting mechanism includes a locking member and a locking plate;
wherein said locking member includes a plurality of teeth;
wherein said locking member includes a spring mounted on said locking member and in communication with said locking plate;
wherein said locking plate selectively engages said teeth to restrict movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allow movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
and
wherein said spring urges said locking plate toward said first arm assembly.

12 more elements

A removable tub grip for mounting on an exposed wall of a bathtub, said tub grip comprising:

a first arm assembly for contacting a first side of said exposed tub wall, a second arm assembly for contacting a second side of said exposed tub wall;
a ratcheting mechanism:
a locking plate release mechanism;
and
a handle assembly,
wherein at least a portion of said handle assembly is operable to be positioned above and between said first side and said second side of said exposed tub wall when said first arm assembly contacts said first side and said second arm assembly contacts said second side;
wherein said first arm assembly is coupled to said second arm assembly by said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said first arm assembly is fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism:
wherein said second arm assembly is operable to move toward said first arm assembly via said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said ratcheting mechanism restricts movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allows movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein said handle assembly is discrete and fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said ratcheting mechanism includes a locking member and a locking plate:
wherein said locking member includes a plurality of teeth;
wherein said locking plate selectively engages said teeth to restrict movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allow movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein said locking plate release mmmechanism is operable to disengage said locking plate from said teeth to allow movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly;
wherein said locking plate release mechanism includes a release lever and a guide wire having a first end portion and a second end portion;
and
wherein said first end portion is coupled to said release lever and said second end portion is coupled to a hook extending from said locking plate.

15 more elements

A removable tub grip for mounting on an exposed wall of a bathtub, said tub grip comprising:

a first arm assembly for contacting a first side of said exposed tub wall, a second arm assembly for contacting a second side of said exposed tub wall;
a ratcheting mechanism;
and
a handle assembly,
wherein at least a portion of said handle assembly is operable to be positioned above and between said first side and said second side of said exposed tub wall when said first arm assembly contacts said first side and said second arm assembly contacts said second side;
wherein said first arm assembly is coupled to said second arm assembly by said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said first arm assembly is fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said second arm assembly is operable to move toward said first arm assembly via said ratcheting mechanism;
and
wherein said ratcheting mechanism restricts movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allows movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly,;
wherein said handle assembly is discrete and fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism
wherein said ratcheting mechanism includes a locking member and a locking plate;
wherein said locking member includes a plurality of teeth;
wherein said locking plate selectively engages said teeth to restrict movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allow movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
and
wherein said plurality of teeth form a first row of teeth on a top surface of said locking member and a second row of teeth on a bottom surface of said locking member.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.