GB2216782A - Adjustable bathboard support - Google Patents

Abstract

A bathboard (2) which is suitable for baths with non-parallel sides and which can accommodate baths of different widths has a locking bracket assembly (1) comprising a pair of brackets (3, 3') for engaging sides of a bath which the bathboard (2) spans in use. Each of the brackets (3, 3') is rotatably attached to the bathboard (2) and selectively locatable in one of a plurality of positions. A pair of elongate members (8) are rotatably attached to one another at a position substantially at one end of each elongate member (8), the other end of each elongate member (8) being slidably attached to a respective bracket (3, 3') such that rotation of the elongate member (8) with respect to the bracket (3, 3') is inhibited. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION BATHBOARD BRACKET ASSEMBLY The present invention is directed to a bracket assembly on a bathboard, which in use spans a bath allowing a user to be seated out of and above the bath whilst washing.

In the prior art, a typical bracket assembly for a bathboard consists of two brackets, each of which has a planar portion for engagement with the inner sides of the bath, and a portion for attaching the bracket to the bathboard. The bathboard is provided with two pairs of studs rigidly attached co-linearly to its under surface. The attaching portion of each bracket is provided with a slot through which passes a respective pair of the studs.

Wing nuts are then used to fix the brackets in place on the bathboard, the slot allowing the brackets to be adjusted in position towards and away from each other, so as to accommodate baths of different widths.

However, it is common nowadays for a bath to be provided which does not have its long sides parallel. The prior art bathboard locking bracket assemblies are not suitable for such a bath, since in these systems the planar portions of the brackets which engage with the sides of the bath are always parallel.

GB 290,128 discloses a bath set having brackets which are slidable towards and away from each other.

Whilst this system does show that it can accomodate baths having tapered sides, this apparently can only be achieved relocating locking bolts.

The present invention is directed to overcoming the above and other problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a bathboard having a locking bracket assembly, which comprises a pair of brackets for engaging sides of a bath which the bathboard spans in use, each of the brackets being rotatably attached to the bathboard and selectively locatable in one of a plurality of positions, and a pair of elongate members, rotatably attached to one another at a position substantially at one end of each elongate member, the other end of each elongate member being slidably attached to a respective bracket such that rotation of the elongate member with respect to the bracket is inhibited.

A bathboard with such a locking bracket assembly may be used with baths which have non-parallel sides and with baths of different widths, by sliding of one bracket towards and away from the other.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the locking bracket assembly and bathboard according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view from beneath of the assembled locking bracket assembly of the embodiment of Figure 1, shown in two extreme positions.

A bracket assembly 1 for use with a bathboard 2 is provided with a pair of brackets 3. Each bracket 3 has a planar gripping portion 4 on which is provided a pair of rubber discs 5. Each bracket is further provided with an elongate portion 6 which has an elongate slot 7. A pair of elongate adjustment members 8 are provided, slidable but not rotatable relative to the brackets, each with an aperture 9 and a slot 10.

The bathboard 2 has two studs 11 which are fixed to it, spaced along the central longitudinal line of the bathboard.

In use, each bracket 3 is mounted on the bathboard 2 with a stud 11 passing through a respective slot 7. Each adjustment member 8 is mounted on the elongate portion 6 of a respective bracket 3 with a stud 11 passing through an aperture 9 as indicated in Figure 1. A wing-nut 12 is provided for each stud 11 so that the adjustment members 8 and brackets 3 may be rigidly fixed with respect to one another, and with respect to the bathboard 2. The adjacent ends of the adjustment members 8 overlap and a third, non-fixed independent stud 13 passes through the slots 10. A third wing-nut 14 attaches to the stud 13 so as to lock the elongate adjustment members 8 together.

Adjustment of the width of bath spanned by the brackets 3 may be achieved by loosening one or both of the wing-nuts 12, sliding one or both of the brackets 3 towards or away from the other, and then re-tightening the wing-nuts 12. By this means, as in the prior art, different widths of baths may be accommodated, the rubber discs 5 frictionally engaging the sides of the bath so as to prevent sliding of the bathboard 2. The elongate portion 6 of each bracket is provided with a pair of longitudinal lips 15 which engage and retain the respective elongate member 8, allowing the bracket 3 to slide in and out of the elongate member 6, but not rotate relative to it.

In addition to being able to accommodate baths of different width, the present invention may be used in baths which do not have parallel sides as shown in figure 2. This may be achieved by loosening all three wing-nuts 12, 14, rotating each bracket 3 about an axis concentric with its respective stud 11 so that the planar portions 4 are positioned at the desired angle, relative movement of the stud 13 in the slots 10 allowing rotation of the brackets 3, sliding one bracket or both brackets 3 towards or away from the independent stud 13 so that the desired width is spanned, and then tightening all three wing-nuts 12, 14.

As also shown in Figure 2, the bathboard 2, which may be composed of a 14 to 16 gauge steel plate, has a circumferentially mounted steel tube 16 which provides extra strength and rigidity. In addition, the bathboard is provided with a plurality of drainage holes 17, which allow water to drain off it.

The bracket and bathboard assembly of the present invention therefore provides a safe and rigid locking system, which may be used with conventional baths of parallel sides of varying width, and with newer styles of bath, which may have sides which are not parallel. The distance between the planar portions 4 and the angle between them may be varied over a wide range, providing a versatile system which may be adjusted by the user so that the rubber discs 5 are able to engage the sides of the bath with maximum grip.

Claims (9)

1. A bathboard having a locking bracket assembly, which comprises a pair of brackets for engaging sides of a bath which the bathboard spans in use, each of the brackets being rotatably attached to the bathboard and selectively locatable in one of a plurality of positions, and a pair of elongate members, rotatably attached to one another at a position substantially at one end of each elongate member, the other end of each elongate member being slidably attached to a respective bracket such that rotation of the elongate member with respect to the bracket is inhibited.

2. The bathboard according to claim 1, wherein each bracket is slidable towards the other.

3. A bathboard according to claim 2, wherein each bracket is provided with an elongate slot through which passes a stud which is rigidly attached to the bathboard so as to allow sliding of the brackets with respect to one another.

4. A bathboard according to claim 3, wherein each stud passes through an aperture in the other end of each respective elongate member.

5. A bathboard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate members are attached to one another by means of a nut and bolt assembly, so that the elongate members may be rotated freely with respect to one another or may be restrained in a desired configuration.

6. A bathboard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate members and the brackets are composed of metal.

7. A bathboard according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elongate members are composed of metal and the brackets are composed of plastics.

8. A bathboard according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elongate members and the brackets are composed of plastics.

9. A bathboard, having a locking bracket assembly, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.