# US 8,783,474 B2 · Grab bar rollaway shelf

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,783,474 B2
- Document ID: US8783474B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/506,351
- Filed: 2012-04-13
- Published: 2013-10-17
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2012-04-13
- Applicants: Jeffrey G. Kuhlman
- Inventors: Jeffrey G. Kuhlman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783474B2

## CPC

- A47B 96/027: {Cantilever shelves}
- A47B 96/02: Shelves (movable shelves coupled to doors A47B96/16)
- A47K 10/04: Towel racks; Towel rails; Towel rods; Towel rolls, e.g. rotatable
- B60N 3/02: of hand grips or straps
- A47B 46/005: {by displacement in a vertical plane; by rotating about a horizontal axis}
- A47F 5/0087: {movable around an axis}
- E04F 11/1802: {Handrails mounted on walls, e.g. on the wall side of stairs}
- A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B)
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B)

## Abstract

A grab handle mechanism includes a rotatable shelf so that when the grab bar is not used by a person who needs assistance walking it can be rolled on top of the bar camouflaging the bar and can be used for shelving. In addition the shelf can be rotated from a first position above the grab bar where it is disposed in a horizontal plane and camouflages the grab bar to a second position below the grab bar where the shelf is again disposed in a horizontal plane so the grab bar can be used by a person requiring its use for assistance. The shelves can be glass or plastic or other material. In an alternate embodiment instead of a shelf, a basket with a latched lid can be used so that when turned below the bar for use of the bar the contents of the basket do not spill out.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A grab handle mechanism, comprising:
a grab bar adapted to be attached to a vertical surface; and
a shelf having an upper surface and a lower surface and rotatably attached to and mounted onto the grab bar, said shelf being rotatable about said bar, while remaining attached to said grab bar, from a first position above the grab bar where it is disposed in a horizontal plane to a second position below the grab bar where the shelf is again disposed in a horizontal plane,
said shelf is securely and rotatably attached to said grab by one or more clips, each of said clips having a first end attached to said lower surface of said shelf and a second end firmly and rotatably mounted onto a circumferential perimeter of said grab bar to rotate said shelf about and substantially encircle the perimeter of said grab bar when the shelf is rotated between the first position and the second position,
wherein when said shelf is disposed in said first position each of said clips support the weight of the shelf above said grab bar and defining a space between the lower surface of said shelf and the perimeter of said grab bar such that items can be placed onto the upper surface of said shelf when said shelf is disposed in said horizontal plane, and
wherein when said shelf is disposed in said second position each of said clips holds the weight of the shelf in a suspended manner below said grab bar whereby said shelf does not interfere with said grab bar perimeter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said one or more clips attach to the shelf by either screws, bolts or an adhesive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said one or more clips are made of a variety of materials including but not limited to metal, rubber and plastic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said shelf is a basket with a top cover that can be fastened so that when the shelf is rotated from the first position in to the second position contents inside the basket do not spill out of the basket.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the shelf has a top cover that can be fastened to enclose the shelf so that when the shelf is rotated from the first position in to the second position contents inside do not spill out.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said shelf is made of glass.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said shelf is made of plastic.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein decorative items are affixed to the upper surface of the shelf to provide for a more decorative camouflage for the grab bar.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The mechanism according to claim 8 wherein the decorative items include small vases, picture frames and statues.