US2549506A

US2549506A - Handgrip for bathtubs

Info

Publication number: US2549506A
Application number: US699449A
Authority: US
Inventors: Moore Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-09-26
Filing date: 1946-09-26
Publication date: 1951-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1968-04-17

Description

April 17, 1951 T. MOORE 2,549,506-

HANDGRIP FOR BATH TUBS Filed Sept", 26, 1946 INVENTOR. Thom a; Moor 6 BY FTT'DRNEY Patented Apr. 17, 1951 UNITED STATES BATENT OFFICE 2,549,506 7 I Q I HANDGRIP FORBATHTUBS Thomas Moore," Clinton, Iowa 7 Application September 26, 1946, Serial No. 699,449

'1 Claim. (01. 4 1s5 My invention pertains to an auxiliary device usable with bath tubs.

An object of my invention is to provide a hand grip for baths tubs which is mounted adjacent to the bath tub, and which, therefore, provides especially, means for getting out of the bath tub without slipping, and providing an arrangement for obtaining a firm grip whereby the bath tub occupant can safely and readily remove himself therefrom.

A further object of my invention is to provide adjustable features for regulating the arrangement as to height, and to provide an arrangement which can be used on either built in tubs or the leg type of tub.

A further object of my invention is to provide a very simple arrangement having no protruding parts, and which requires a minimum number of points for securingthe same adjacently to the bath tub.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the hand grip as attached to a built in type of tub,

Figure 2 is a forward elevation of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side view of the arrangement as attached'to a leg type of bath tub,

Figure 4 is a detail, and

Figure 5 is a further slight modification.

I have used the character in to designate a built in type of bath tub, and the character ll the top ledge thereof. Since this top ledge is relatively smooth and has no projections, it is many times difficult for obese or older people to safely get out of a bath tub without injury, and even to enter the same.

I have used the character IE to designate a pair of internally threaded hollow cylindrical sleeves, which are attached to the base flanges l3 which flanges 13 are secured by means of the counter-sunk screws l4 to'the fioor. l5 adjacent to the bath tub. It will be noted that there are a pair of the members l2, and threadably engaged therewith are the further vertically positioned side Wall 24 of the tub l0.

2 short stub pipes 22 which abut at 23 against the Inserted within the members I8 at the lower ends thereof are the plugs 25 which are attached at 26 to the rubber bumpers 21, similar bumpers 28 being attached at the termination of the pipes 22.

It will now be noted that the hand. grip as above described is sturdy in construction, and will allow the graspment thereof by a person leaving the bath tub thereby rendering the person safe from injury by slipping or otherwise falling. This arrangement allows any lateral strains to be imparted to it, and when entering the tub the pressure is usually downwardly against the rim II, and when leaving the tub the abutment of the pipeportions l8 and 22 provide the maximum strength for safety purposes.

Any adjustment for the height of bath tub can be regulated by merely turning the sleeves l2 along the threads until the desired height is obtained, and Figure 3 illustrates the use of the same arrangement with a leg type bath tub, in which this type of bath tub is indicated by the character 29 having the legs 30, and the curved upper rim 3|. It will be noted that in this structure the sleeves l2 are turned until the upper portions l6 are extending to the necessary higher elevation, and for this use a longer pair of pipes 32 are threadably engaged at the same points 2|, and clamped onto the pipes 32 at 33 are the clamps 34 which threadably receive bolts 35 for abutment at 36 against the inner portions of the rim 3|. This also provides a rigidified structure for the same purpose as above described.

In the event that the adjustment is not used, in some cases the sleeves l2 and the portions Hi can be welded together solidly, although the adjustable method is the preferred one.

As a further modification, the portion I6 and the sleeves I2 need notbe threaded at all, the portion it merely being closely and slidably engaged within the members [2, this arrangement still providing the same principles as outlined above and being as substantial as the same and furthermore also providing the adjustment necessary readily. This structure will also be stable since the pressure will always be downwardly or laterally.

Figure 5 illustrates a modification wherein the vertical tubular portions 18 receive the plugs 31 to which are attached suction cups 38 which rest upon the ledge ll. cups will tend to grip the surface of the tub, although the suction cup type is merely a modification and need not be used.

In this type of structure the I It will be noted that the only attachments made to external frameworks adjacent to the bath tub are by means of the screws through the flanges l 3, thus rendering the apparatus easy ofinstallation, etc.

It will now be seen that I have provided the various advantages mentioned in the objects of my invention with further advantages being readily apparent.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claim any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date DeCamps Nov. 5, 1907 Number