US2644954A - Guard for bathtubs and shower stalls - Google Patents

Description

July 14, 1953 H. E; JUMPER GUARD FOR BmrruBs AND SHOWER-- STALLS Z'Sh eetS-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1. 1950 Herman E. Jumper uvmvron H;- 5, JUMPER cum: FOR BATHTUBS mn'saowm smug July 14, 1953" 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 1, 1950 Herman E. Jumper v uvmvrox.

BY WW6;

Patented July 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATEN t I g t 1 2,644,954 1 euaimionnarnronsaimsnowea STALLS: I, e. J 1

Herman E. Jumper, Poi-t= (llinton, Ohio} 7 5 I 1, ies'qjsiiaiivaizaos'z, s GCIalms; (cir iesy j ff- Ihis 'invention relates to new' and useful provem'ents and structural refinementsrin guards for bath tubs and showerstalls, and the principal object of the invention is to afford secure footing for the bather on the bottom of a tub or floor of a shower and, in addition, to afford haid rails which the bather may grasp while moving around or getting in and out of the tub or shower.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction, in its de-' pendable and safe operation, and in its adaptability for use in bath tubs or showers of different sizes and types.

With the above more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and constructionof parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention in situ in a bath tub, the latter being shown by dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the invention, intended for use in a bers 14, each consisting ofa transversely extending bigh-t portion 16 and a pair of transversely spaced uprights I8 which have laterally offset upper ends, as indicated at 20.

The frame I2 also includes a pair of longitudinally extending hand rails 22 which constitute continuations of the offset portions 20- of V the uprights [8, as shown.

The entire frame 12 is intended to be positioned in a bath tub 24 with the bight portions 16 of the end members I4 resting on the bottom of the tub, while the hand rails 22 are disposed above the upper longitudinal edges of the tub so that they my be conveniently grasped a batlier.

It'is to be notedthat by virtue of the offset por ,tions" 20 of -the uprights [8, the hand bars or rails f22gare located 'directly'above the side walls of the tub, and thereby do not interfere with th'e bathers movements.

Suitable sleeves 26 of rubber, orv the like, may

be provided on the handrails- 22 to prevent the bather's fingers from slipping, and if desired, an

upwardly extending brace 28 may be secured to one of the end members I4 and may be provided at its upper end with an apertured ear 30 for fastening to a wall, or the like, whereby to prevent the entire frame |2 from shifting in the tub.

A rubber mat 32, or the like, of an elongated configuration extends between and is secured to V the bight portions I6 ofthe end members H of g mat 32 in place but, at the same time, to facilitate expeditious removal of the mat when cleaning or replacement thereof is desired.

Finally, it is to be noted that the mat 32 is provided at one endpthereof with an opening 42 'whereby'access may be had to the drain plug 44 of the tub.

Referring now to the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 and designated generally by the reference character 50, the same is intended to be used in a shower stall and comprises a frame 52 including U-shaped end members 54, each consisting of a transverse bight portion 56 and a pair of uprights 58 which have inwardly arcuate upper portions 60. The bight portions 56 are intended to rest on the floor of a shower stall, and the frame 52 also in-' cludes a pair of longitudinal hand rails 62, constituting continuations of the arcuate portions 60 of the uprights 58. Needless to say, the uprights 58 are sufllciently long so that the'rails 62are disposed at proper height for grasping when the user is in a standing position, and suitable gripping sleeves 64 are provided on the hand rails, as shown.

Moreover. a rubber mat *66 is secured to the bight portions 56 by' the studs 68 which are similar to the aforementioned studs 38, and the mat is provided with an opening 10 in register with the drain I2 of the shower.

It is believed thatthe advantages and use of 3 the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that minor changesin the details and construction of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed.

members affording bight portions adapted to-be positioned on the bottom of a bath tub or the 3. The device as defined in claim 1 together with a pair of cushioning sleeves provided on the respective hand rails.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein upper end portions of said uprights are inwardly arcuate.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 together with a brace provided on said frame for securingto a support; I

6. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein offset, whereby said hand rails are disposed laterally trom= said end members.

floor of a shower stall and pairsoi uprights extending therefrom, a pair of horizontal.hand rails extending longitudinally between said end" members and connected to upper ends of said,

uprights, and a mat extending between and sesaid bight portions.

HERMAN E. JUNIPER.

I References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date D. 149,403 Brecher Apr. 2'7, 1948 $916,041 Shepherd Mar. 23, 1909 1,241,002 Neuens Sept. 25, 1917 1,790,504 Jackson Jan. 27, 1931

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