AU2006100929A4

AU2006100929A4 - Grab Rail Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2006100929A4
Application number: AU2006100929A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kent Smith
Original assignee: CON SERV CORP AUSTRALIA Pty LT
Current assignee: CON-SERV Corp AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2006-10-31
Publication date: 2006-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-31

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant Actual Inventors Address for Service: Invention Title: The following statement is a performing it, known to us: Con-Serv Corporation Australia Pty Ltd Kent SMITH CULLEN CO Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Australia Grab Rail Assembly full description of this invention, including the best method of N 2

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Technical Field SThe present invention relates generally to grab rails and, in particular, to grab rail assemblies of the type which include a base which is securable relative to a support structure, and a grab rail which is pivotally connected to the base.

c' Background Art SA grab rails are usually secured relative to some sort of support structure so

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that a person can hold on to the grab rail and steady themselves relative to the support structure. They can be installed in various places where it is desired to provide a means for people to steady themselves, however they are typically installed in vehicles and in buildings.

Grab rail assemblies are known which include a base which is securable relative to a support structure such as a wall, and a grab rail which is pivotally connected to the base such that grab rail is able to be pivoted relative to the base between a vertical stowed position and a horizontal deployed position.

A hook or the like is sometimes used to prevent the grab rails of such grab rail assemblies from inadvertently moving from the vertical stowed position.

Although this method of maintaining the grab rail in the vertical stowed position works well enough, it would nevertheless be desirable to provide an alternative means of maintaining the grab rail in the vertical stowed position.

Disclosure of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustrations, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a grab rail assembly comprising a base securable to a support structure, a grab rail pivotally 3

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connected to the base such that the grab rail is able to pivot relative to the base abetween a first position and a second position, and a locking mechanism which is 0 associated with the base and which is operable to lock the grab rail relative to the 0 base.

By locking the grab rail relative to the base, the locking mechanism is able to (i limit or completely prevent pivotal movement of the grab rail relative to the base Owithout the need to use a hook to secure the grab rail relative to the support structure.

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The base may be any suitable size and shape. Preferably, the base includes a mounting member that is securable to a support structure, and a housing member which is secured to the mounting member and which is pivotally connected to the grab rail. The housing member preferably conceals the mounting member. A mounting screw preferably secures the housing member relative to the mounting member.

The grab rail may be any suitable size and shape. It is preferred that the grab rail includes a U-shaped member having a pair of parallel arms, and a transverse member that extends between the parallel arms.

Preferably, the grab rail extends vertically from the base when the grab rail is in the first position, and horizontally from the base when the grab rail is in the second position.

The locking mechanism may be any suitable type of locking mechanism.

The locking mechanism may be operable to lock the grab rail relative to the base when the grab rail is in the first position or the second position. In a particular preferred form, the locking mechanism includes a rotatable member, and a locking member operable to lock the rotatable member relative to the base such that the grab rail is locked relative to the base. The rotatable member is preferably a pivot which is secured to the grab rail. The rotatable member may include a groove for receiving the locking member. The locking mechanism preferably includes a button for operating the locking member. The locking mechanism may also include a compression spring for biasing the locking member to lock the rotatable member relative to the base.

Brief Description of the Illustrations ID 4

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In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into Spractice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the 0 accompanying illustrations, in which: 0 Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of a grab rail assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; SFigure 2 is an isometric section view of a portion of the grab rail assembly O which shows the mounting screw which secures the housing member relative to the mounting member of the base; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the grab rail assembly when the grab rail is in the vertical stowed position; Figure 4 is an isometric section view of the locking mechanism of the grab rail assembly when the grab rail is in the position depicted in figure 3; Figure 5 is an isometric view of the grab rail assembly when the grab rail is positioned between the vertical stowed position and the horizontal deployed position; Figure 6 is an isometric section view of the locking mechanism of the grab rail assembly when the grab rail is in the position depicted in figure Figure 7 is an isometric view of the grab rail assembly when the grab rail is in the horizontal deployed position; and Figure 8 is an isometric section view of the locking mechanism of the grab rail assembly when the grab rail is in the position depicted in figure 7; and Figure 9 is another isometric section view of the locking mechanism of the grab rail assembly when the grab rail is in the vertical stowed position.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the figures, a grab rail assembly 30 includes a base 31 which is able to be secured relative to a support structure such as a wall, for example. The base 31 includes a T-shaped mounting member 32 which includes an upper portion 33, a lower portion 34, and a middle portion 35 which connects the upper portion 33 to the lower portion 34. Both the upper portion 33 and the lower portion 34 have a wedgeshaped profile. The upper portion 33 includes a plurality of openings 36, and the lower portion 34 includes a single opening 36. The openings 36 are for receiving

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screws, nails, bolts and the like which may be used to secure the mounting member 32 Oto the support structure.

0 The base 31 also includes a housing member 37 which includes a cover plate 0 38. A skirt 39 extends around the perimeter of the cover plate 38, and a protruding portion 40 extends from the cover plate 38. The housing member 37 is placed on top cI of the mounting member 32 such that the cover plate 38 covers the front of the Omounting member 32, and such that the skirt 39 covers the sides of the mounting member 32. The upper portion 33 of the mounting member 32 is received by a channel 41 in an upper portion 42 of the skirt 39, and the lower portion 34 of the mounting member 32 is positioned adjacent to a lower portion 43 of the skirt 39. A mounting screw 44 is screwed into a threaded opening 45 in the lower portion 43 of the skirt 39 until the screw 44 abuts against the lower portion 34 of the mounting member 32. In this way, the housing member 37 is secured relative to the mounting member 32.

The grab rail assembly 30 also includes a grab rail 50 which includes a Ushaped member 51 having a pair of parallel hollow arms 52, and a transverse member 53 extending between the parallel arms 52. An end plug 54 is inserted into an end of one of the arms 52, and a pivot 55 is secured to an end of the other arm 52 such that the pivot 55 is perpendicular with respect to the arms 52. The pivot 55 includes a first cylindrical portion 56, and a second cylindrical portion 57 which extends from and is coaxial with the first cylindrical portion 56. The diameter of the second cylindrical portion 57 is less than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 56.

The second cylindrical portion 57 of the pivot 55 is inserted into an end of a circular opening 58 which extends through the protruding portion 40 of the housing member 37 so that the grab rail 50 is able to pivot relative to the base 31. The diameter of the opening 58 is slightly larger than the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 57 so that the second cylindrical portion 57 is able to slide into the opening 58. The diameter of the opening 58 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 56 of the pivot 55 so that the first cylindrical portion 56 cannot be inserted into the opening 58.

A circular recess 59 surrounds each end of the openings 58 in the protruding ID 6

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portion 40, and a respective friction washer 60 is seated in each recess 59. An end of a the first cylindrical portion 56 of the pivot 55 which is adjacent to the second

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cylindrical portion 57 abuts against one of the friction washers A shaft 61 of a tensioning bolt 62 is inserted into the other end of the opening 58 so that the shaft 61 extends through a central opening 63 in the pivot 55. The NI central opening 63 extends through the first cylindrical portion 56 and the second Ocylindrical portion 57 of the pivot 55. A head 64 of the tensioning bolt 62 abuts

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against the other friction washer 60. A tensioning nut 65 is screwed on to a threaded end 66 of the tensioning bolt shaft 61 so that the nut 65 and the bolt 62 secure the grab rail 50 to the protruding portion 40. The tensioning nut 65 is received by a circular recess 67 in an end of the first cylindrical portion 56 of the pivot 55. A locking screw 68 is screwed into an end of the tensioning nut 65 so that the locking screw 68 is able to prevent inadvertent loosening of the tensioning nut 65. The tensioning nut 65 is covered by an end cap 69.

A cylindrical portion 70 of a locking member 71 is received by a circular opening 72 which extends from the opening 58 in the protruding portion 40 through to the side of the housing member 37 which faces the mounting member 32. The cylindrical portion 70 is able to slide back and forth within the opening 72. The locking member 71 also includes a flange 73 which is secured to the cylindrical portion 70, and which includes a pair of circular openings 74.

Two cylindrical openings 80 extend through the protruding portion 40 from the bottom 81 of a rectangular recess 82 in the protruding portion 40 through to the side of the housing member 37 which faces the mounting member 32. A respective stud 83 extends through each opening 80. A respective screw 84 is inserted into each opening 74 in the flange 73. Each screw 84 is screwed into a threaded opening 85 of a respective one of the studs 83 such that the studs 83 are thereby secured to the locking member 71. A threaded end 86 of each stud 83 is screwed into a respective threaded opening 87 in a rectangular release button 88 so that the button 88 is thereby secured to the studs 83. The release button 88 is received by the rectangular recess 82 in the protruding portion 40. Also, the threaded end 86 of each stud 83 extends through a respective opening 89 in a friction plate 90 which rests against the underside of the I7

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button 88.

A compression spring 91 is received by a circular recess 92 at the bottom of O the rectangular recess 82. The compression spring 91 extends through a rectangular O opening 93 in the friction plate 90 and presses against the underside of the button 88 so that the locking member 71 is biased towards the pivot 55. The second cylindrical ,I portion 57 of the pivot 55 includes a longitudinally extending groove 94 and a Slongitudinally extending groove 95 that are each able to receive an end 96 of the Scylindrical portion 70 of the locking member 71.

OThe pivot 55, locking member 71, studs 83, release button 88, friction plate (N 10 90, and the compression spring 91 form part of a locking mechanism 97.

The grab rail 50 is able to be pivoted relative to the base 31 between a vertical stowed position which is depicted in figure 3, and a horizontal deployed position which is depicted in figure 7. Referring to figure 4, when the grab rail 50 is in the vertical stowed position, the spring 91 pushes the release button 88 away from the recess 82 so that the end 96 of the cylindrical portion 70 is forced into the groove 94 of the pivot 55. When the end 96 is inserted into the groove 94, the pivot 55 is locked in position relative to the base 31 and is unable to rotate relative to the base 31.

Also, because the pivot 55 is secured to the grab rail 50, the grab rail 50 is locked relative to the base 31 in the vertical stowed position. Pressing the button 88 so that the end 96 is moved out of the groove 94 unlocks the pivot 55 relative to the base 31 so that the pivot 55 is able to be rotated relative to the base 31 and so that the grab rail is able to be pivoted relative to the base 31.

Referring to figure 6, when the grab rail 50 is pivoted relative to the base 31 and is positioned between the vertical stowed position depicted in figure 4, and the horizontal deployed position depicted in figure 8, the end 96 of the locking member 71 is located between the grooves 94, 95 and abuts against the outside of the pivot so that the grab rail 50 is able to freely pivot relative to the base 31.

Referring to figure 8, when the grab rail 50 is in the horizontal deployed position, the spring 91 pushes the release button 88 away from the recess 82 so that the end 96 of the cylindrical portion 70 is forced into the groove 95 of the pivot When the end 96 is inserted into the groove 95, the pivot 55 is locked in position 8

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relative to the base 31 and is unable to rotate relative to the base 31. Also, because the a pivot 55 is secured to the grab rail 50, the grab rail 50 is locked relative to the base 31

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in the horizontal deployed position. The end plug 54 rests against the cover plate 38 when the grab rail 50 is the horizontal deployed position. Pressing the button 88 so that the end 96 is moved out of the groove 95 unlocks the pivot 55 relative to the base ri 31 so that the pivot 55 is able to be rotated relative to the base 31 and so that the grab O rail 50 is able to be pivoted relative to the base 31.

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Referring to figure 9, a threaded opening 98 extends through the protruding portion 40 from the opening 72 therein to the rear of the housing member 37. A stop screw 99 is screwed into the opening 98 such that the screw 99 extends into the opening 72. When the grab rail 50 is in the vertical stowed position, the end of the stop screw 99 which is located inside the opening 98 abuts against a surface 100 of a stepped end of the pivot 55. This prevents the grab rail 50 from being pivoted relative to the base 31 beyond the vertical stowed position and hitting the base 31 or the support structure that the base 31 is secured to. Referring to figure 1, a locking screw 101 is also screwed into the threaded opening 98.

Throughout the specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, that reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Claims

2. The grab rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a O rotatable member, and a locking member operable to lock the rotatable member relative to the base such that the grab rail is locked relative to the base.
3. The grab rail assembly of claim 2, wherein the rotatable member is a pivot which is secured to the grab rail.
4. The grab rail assembly of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the rotatable member includes a groove for receiving the locking member. A grab rail assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.