GB2481260A - A grab rail suitable for use in a bath or shower - Google Patents
A grab rail suitable for use in a bath or shower Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2481260A GB2481260A GB1010345.5A GB201010345A GB2481260A GB 2481260 A GB2481260 A GB 2481260A GB 201010345 A GB201010345 A GB 201010345A GB 2481260 A GB2481260 A GB 2481260A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- grab rail
- grab
- rail
- section
- longitudinal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006351 engineering plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K17/00—Other equipment, e.g. separate apparatus for deodorising, disinfecting or cleaning devices without flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers; Holders for toilet brushes
- A47K17/02—Body supports, other than seats, for closets, e.g. handles, back-rests, foot-rests; Accessories for closets, e.g. reading tables
- A47K17/022—Wall mounted grab bars or handles, with or without support on the floor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/181—Balustrades
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F2011/1868—Miscellaneous features of handrails not otherwise provided for
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
Abstract
The rail 20 comprises an elongate body having two or more longitudinal parts 45, 50 which are preferably connected together by using a beads 46, 51 of one longitudinal part into a longitudinal slot 47, 52 of the other longitudinal part by using a snap connection. The longitudinal parts may form opposite halves of the body, which has preferably a square or rectangular cross section with rounded corners. The body may comprise a cavity for receiving a strengthening member, such as ribs 55, 60 and a gripping section using strips 49a, 49b, 54a and 54b, formed from material which is softer than the body part. There may additionally be grooves in the body for receiving materiel that is inserted into the grooves.
Description
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO GRAB RAILS
This invention relates to grab rails of the kind commonly mounted on walls or elsewhere in bathrooms or other situations where a hand-hold for steadying a user may be desirable, especially, but not exclusively, near baths and showers.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a grab rail comprising an elongate body having two or more longitudinal parts which are connectable together.
The parts may define opposite halves of the body. These parts can be connectable along corresponding longitudinal edges. This configuration gives significant production benefits. The parts may be mirror images of each other, or may be substantially identical parts which are securable together (for example by rotating one part with respect to the other).
The rail may have a non-circular cross section. Research has shown that a non-circular cross-section tends to be more comfortable and secure for a user to grip and hold.
Grab rails according to this invention may have any non-circular cross-section according to specific needs of users. * .S* * *
The grab rail may have a substantially square or rectangular cross-section, and may * ** have rounded or angled corners. Non-circular cross-sections, and in particular square * * * **** or rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, advantageously engage the joints of the human hand when gripping the rail as an open fist, thus enhancing the comfort of S..
the grip as aforesaid, and improving the safety hold of an off-balance or falling person on the rail.
Part or the whole of the rail may include the feature of a non-circular section. Therefore in some embodiments both circular and non-circular sections are present along the length of the rail.
Grab rails according to this invention may be made of any convenient material having sufficient strength for the intended use, and may be moulded from a thermoformed material such as engineering plastics.
The grab rail may have sections or inserts formed of resilient or friction-enhancing materials to increase the comfort and/or security of a user's grip on the rail. For this purpose one or more of the body parts may include one or more grooves or recesses for receiving an insert of different material. The insert may be formed by co-extrusion with the body part. In this way one or both of the parts may be formed to include a gripping section. The gripping section may be formed from material which is softer than the material of the part, such as a foam material. In one embodiment the main body part is formed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and gripping sections are formed from an elastomeric material. In other embodiments the gripping sections are formed from a soft PCV or rubber compound, or a thermoplastic elastomer. The material of the gripping section may have a hardness on the Shore A scale.
Luminous or high-visibility materials may be used for, or incorporated in, the grab rails according to this invention, or such materials may be provided as inserts within suitably : * shaped recesses in the rail. Such grip-enhancing and/or visibility-enhancing materials may be incorporated in the form of inserts, either by co-extrusion with the main body of the rail, or by subsequent insertion into suitably shaped recesses formed in the rail.
S S *
The body may comprise a longitudinal cavity for receiving a strengthening member.
The strengthening member may, for example, comprise a metal bar or rod.
End fittings for mounting the rail according to this invention on a wall or other surface will be shaped to suit the chosen rail cross-section and will be adapted for mounting on the wall or other surface by any convenient means, various such mountings being known in principle.
According to a second aspect there is provided a grab rail assembly including a grab rail as claimed in any preceding claim.
The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a grab rail assembly incorporating a grab rail formed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one end of the grab rail shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one body part of the grab rail of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a grab rail formed according to an alternative embodiment; S... * .
Figure 5 is an end elevation of the grab rail of Figure 4; and * .. * . S
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the grab rail end of Figure 5. *5S1
Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a grab rail assembly generally indicated 10. The assembly 10 comprises two linear grab rails 15, 20 and a corner piece 25. The ends of the corner piece are joined to one end of each grab rail by an intermediate bracket 30. 35. At the other end of each grab rail is an end bracket 40, 45. The brackets 30, 35, 40, 45 are securable to a surface such as a wall to fix the assembly firmly in position.
Referring now also to Figure 2 one end of the grab rail 20 is shown in more detail to illustrate its construction. The rail 20 has a generally square cross-section body with rounded corners. The section is provided by two elongate L-shape parts 45, 50 joined along their longitudinal edges.
One edge of each part 45, 50 is provided with a longitudinal bead 46, 51 and the other edge is provided with a longitudinal slot 47, 52. When the parts 45, 50 are fitted together the bead 46 snap engages in the slot 52 and the bead 51 snap engages in the slot 47. This forms a strong body structure.
Each part 45. 50 includes three longitudinal ribs 55, 60 which project into the interior of the assembted body.
Each of the parts 45, 50 is provided with two longitudinal grooves 48a, 48b, 53a, 53b.
The grooves accommodate longitudinal gripping strips 49a, 49b, 54a, 54b. In this embodiment the strips are co-extruded with the parts and are formed from a softer material. *.S. * I
Referring now to Figures 4 to 6 there is shown a grab rail 120 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The rail 120 is identical to the rail 20 shown in Figures 1 to 3. I...
* However, in this embodiment a cylindrical strengthening tube 165 is provided. The tube 165 is dimensioned so that it can be received in the interior cavity of the rail body and is I...
retained in a friction fit by the ribs 155, 160. The tube 165 adds longitudinal strength to the rail. In this embodiment the tube is a hollow metal cylinder. In other embodiments the strengthening member may be a solid rod, or a hollow tube formed from plastics material; and may have any suitable cross section including round or square.
Claims (14)
- CLAIMS1. A grab raN comprising an elongate body having two or more longitudinal parts which are connectable together.
- 2. A grab raN as claimed in Claim 1. In which the pats define opposite halves of the body.
- 3. Agrabrallasclaimedinanyof0aimlorClaimtlnwhlchthebodyhasanon-circular cross-section.
- 4. AgrabrailasclaimedinanyofCldmslto3lnwhichthebodyhasagenerally square cross-section.
- 5. A grab roll according to any of the Claims 1 to 4 of substantially square or rectangular cross-section wIth one or more corners rounded or angled.
- 6. A grab raIl as claimed In any of ClaIms 17 t? 19. In which the body comprises a longitudinal cavity for receiving a strengthening member. *..S
- 7. A grab rail according to any preceding claim incorporating resilient or friction-enhancing material. *
- S. S. S 5.5.& A grab rail as claimed in any preceding claim. in which the parts Include a glpplng section. *5 S * .. * ..
- 9. A grab rail as claimed in Claim 8. in which the gripping section Is formed from * material which is softer than the material of the part.
- 10. A grab rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body parts include one or more grooves for receiving an insert of different material.
- 11. A grab rail as claimed in Claim 10, in which the insert is formed by co-extrusion with the body part.
- 12. A grab rail as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the parts are formed from a thermoformed material.
- 13. A grab rail substantially as hereinbefore describe with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
- 14. A grab rail assembly including a grab rail as claimed in any preceding claim. *,S� * *S**.... * S * ** * . S *** ** S...S 0* 5*
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1010345.5A GB2481260A (en) | 2010-06-18 | 2010-06-18 | A grab rail suitable for use in a bath or shower |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1010345.5A GB2481260A (en) | 2010-06-18 | 2010-06-18 | A grab rail suitable for use in a bath or shower |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201010345D0 GB201010345D0 (en) | 2010-08-04 |
| GB2481260A true GB2481260A (en) | 2011-12-21 |
Family
ID=42582698
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1010345.5A Withdrawn GB2481260A (en) | 2010-06-18 | 2010-06-18 | A grab rail suitable for use in a bath or shower |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2481260A (en) |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH084236A (en) * | 1994-06-17 | 1996-01-09 | Toto Ltd | Handrail structure |
| JPH09296580A (en) * | 1996-04-30 | 1997-11-18 | Toto Ltd | Handrail |
| WO2002072975A1 (en) * | 2001-03-12 | 2002-09-19 | Brite Manufacturing Inc. | Handrail system, kit and method |
| WO2005006911A2 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2005-01-27 | Ruana Bruce M | Releasably attachable grip |
| US20070086852A1 (en) * | 2005-10-17 | 2007-04-19 | Goad Eugine W | Reinforced supporting connectors for tubular grab railings |
| US20080179578A1 (en) * | 2007-01-25 | 2008-07-31 | Mcginness William | Cantilevered Rail Support and Covering |
| GB2457571A (en) * | 2008-02-21 | 2009-08-26 | Liberty Hardware Mfg Corp | Grab bar with decorative insert |
-
2010
- 2010-06-18 GB GB1010345.5A patent/GB2481260A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH084236A (en) * | 1994-06-17 | 1996-01-09 | Toto Ltd | Handrail structure |
| JPH09296580A (en) * | 1996-04-30 | 1997-11-18 | Toto Ltd | Handrail |
| WO2002072975A1 (en) * | 2001-03-12 | 2002-09-19 | Brite Manufacturing Inc. | Handrail system, kit and method |
| WO2005006911A2 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2005-01-27 | Ruana Bruce M | Releasably attachable grip |
| US20070086852A1 (en) * | 2005-10-17 | 2007-04-19 | Goad Eugine W | Reinforced supporting connectors for tubular grab railings |
| US20080179578A1 (en) * | 2007-01-25 | 2008-07-31 | Mcginness William | Cantilevered Rail Support and Covering |
| GB2457571A (en) * | 2008-02-21 | 2009-08-26 | Liberty Hardware Mfg Corp | Grab bar with decorative insert |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201010345D0 (en) | 2010-08-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |