Collapsible grab bars for bath tubs and/or showers

Abstract

A walk-in bathing environment is used by people who may have trouble getting in and out of standard bathtubs or showers. Grab bars are positioned in and around the bathing environments to aid in entering the environments, exiting the environments, sitting, standing, and otherwise moving relative to the bathing environment. The grab bars may be placed on the walls, top, external, or generally on and around the bathing environment such that a user can grab the one or more grab bars in order to provide support for moving relative to the bathing environment. The grab bars are connected to the environment such that they can be moved between a use and a non-use configuration, such that the bars are extending from a portion of the housing only when desired by the user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of, bathtubs, walls, walk-in bathtubs, showers, spas, or other bathing environments. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the use of collapsible grab bars for use with walk-in bathtubs or showers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It can be difficult for many to get in and out of a regular height bathtub, and even harder for the elderly and those with disabilities. For some people, it is simply impossible. Wet slippery surfaces and high walls can and do cause accidents and injuries. In fact, statistics show that most accidents in the home occur in the bathroom.

Walk-in bathtubs and showers provide environments that attempt to alleviate the issues of getting in and out of regular bathtubs. A user can simply step over the low threshold, onto the slip resistant floor of the tub, shut the door, sit down on the comfortable chair height seat, and fill the bathtub with calming water.

Furthermore, to aid in entering, exiting, or using the bathtub or shower, grab bars may be included and strategically placed in or around the bathtub or shower. These grab bars, which can be one or a plurality of bars, can be angled or otherwise oriented to provide the user with ease of sitting or standing with the least amount of effort. This is also true for entering and exiting of the tub, as the grab bars can provide a surface for stabilization.

However, as the bars extend from a surface of the bathtub or shower, they can create obstacles or obstructions when not in use. The bars extend away from the bathtub or shower surface and can injure a user if a fall or slip were to occur.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a grab bar that can be selectively provided for use when needed, but that can be moved to a non-use position in which the grab bar is out of a user's way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed generally towards one or more grab bars for use with walk-in bathtubs and/or showers. The bathtubs and/or showers may be referred to as a bathing environment of the walk-in sort. A walk-in bathing environment is used by people who may have trouble getting in and out of standard bathtubs or showers. Therefore, the bathing environments of the walk-in sort may include a door or other threshold in which a user does not need to step over in order to enter the tub or other environment.

Grab bars are positioned in and around the bathing environments to aid in entering the environments, exiting the environments, sitting, standing, and otherwise moving relative to the bathing environment. The grab bars may be placed on the walls, top, external, or generally on and around the bathing environment such that a user can grab the one or more grab bars in order to provide support for moving relative to the bathing environment.

The invention contemplates the use of a collapsible type grab bar or a plurality of collapsible type grab bars for use with a walk-in bathing environment. The collapsible grab bars may take many forms, including but not limited to, sliding grab bars, folding grab bars, or the like. Sliding grab bars are movable to extend in and out of a grab bar housing in a manner such that the grab bars move between a useable and non-use configuration. When in a use configuration, the grab bars extend generally away from the housing such that a user is able to grab a portion of the bar to provide support, such as for standing up from a seat of the bathing environment or for entering or exiting through a door of the bathing environment. In a non-use configuration, the bar may be slid such that a majority or substantial portion of the bar is at or below the top threshold of the grab bar housing such that the grab bar is hidden away. In such a configuration, the grab bar will not extend to an area within or outside of the walk-in bathing environment to aid in mitigating the amount of surfaces for getting in the way of a user of the bathing environment.

Other varieties of grab bars include folding type grab bars wherein the grab bar is foldable between a use and a non-use configuration. The grab bar can be rotated about the grab bar housing generally between a 90° angle of movement to place the grab bar in a use or non-use configuration. For example, in a non-use configuration, the grab bar can be housed substantially within a recess of the grab bar housing such that it does not extend outwardly therefrom. However, in a use configuration, the grab bar can be rotated and locked in place such that it is rotated approximately 90° from the non-use configuration to allow a use to be able to grab a bar and use said bar in moving relative to the bathing environment. For example, when a user is done with their bathing and wishes to exit the bathing environment, they may fold down one or more grab bars such that the user can pull himself or herself up and provide a more stabilized surface for exiting the bathing environment.

Therefore, according to some aspects of the present invention, a walk-in bathing environment is provided. The walk-in bathing environment includes a housing having an entrance for providing access to an interior of the housing. A door may be positioned at the entrance for selectively allowing entrance and for aiding in holding an amount of water therein. One or more grab bars can be operatively connected to the housing, with the grab bars being movable between a use configuration and a non-use configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a walk-in bathtub.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a walk-in bathtub.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grab bar in a non-use configuration according to some aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the grab bar of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the grab bar of FIG. 3 in a use configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the grab bar of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional exploded view similar to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the grab bar of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a grab bar in a non-use configuration according to additional aspects of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of the grab bar of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the grab bar of FIG. 9 in a use configuration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective exploded view of the grab bar of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing aspects of the grab bar of FIG. 11.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figures represented herein are not limitations to the various embodiments according to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustration of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a bathing environment 10, which is shown to be a walk-in type bathtub. While a bathtub is shown as the bathing environment 10, it should be appreciated that other types of bathing environments, including other types of bathtubs, showers, saunas, or other environments are included to be used with the aspects of the invention. The walk-in bathtub 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 comprises a fiberglass shell that is made of sheets of fiberglass lying on top of one another and finished with a gel coating. An entrance 16 is formed within the housing 12 and is closed off or accessed by a door 14 positioned at the entrance. The door 14 also comprises a fiberglass material and is hingeably attached to the housing 12 at the entrance 16 such that it is open and closable. The door 14 will include a seal (not shown) to ensure that water added to the interior of the housing 12 does not leak or otherwise disperse through the entrance 16 when the door is closed, such as shown in FIG. 1. Further aspects of the housing 12 include an interior wall 20 and an exterior wall 24, and a bathtub top surface 28 extending generally between the interior 20 and exterior 24 walls. As shown in the figure, access panels 24, 26 may be included on the external or internal walls to provide access to the interior of the housing walls such that pipes, electronics, or other internal components of the bathtub 10 can be accessed. Still other components such as jets, control panels, user interfaces, faucets, showerheads, curtains, and the like may be included with the bathing environments.

FIG. 2 shows a generally top planar view of a bathtub as similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The bathtub 10 shown in FIG. 2 includes many of the same components thereof, and includes a view of a top surface 28 generally connecting the interior wall 20 and exterior wall 22 of the housing 12. Additional components shown in FIG. 2 include a seat 18, a drain 32, and a floor 34 of the housing 12. The floor and/or seat may include a non-slip finish such that the finish will mitigate slippage by a user when the bathtub includes water added therein. Additional aspects may include a seat cushion on or around the seat 18 to provide comfort for the user of the bathtub 10. Furthermore, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a grab bar 30 is included at the interior wall 20 of the housing 12. The grab bar 30 shown in the figures is a substantially U-shaped member comprising a rigid material, such as metal, plastic, or the like. The grab bar is angled on the interior wall of the housing 12, to aid in use thereof. For example, the grab bar 30 may be ergonomically angled to provide the user of the bathtub 10 in ease of sitting or standing with the least amount of effort. Furthermore, while it is not shown, additional grab bars can be positioned throughout the interior and/or exterior of the housing 12, such as in or on the interior wall 20, or the bars can be added as well as to the top surface 28 of the bathtub or shower or other bathing environment. Additional grab bars can provide additional stability when entering or exiting the walk-in type bathtub.

FIGS. 3-8 show exemplary aspects of a type of collapsible or movable grab bar 40 that may be used at one or more of the locations of the grab bar in and around a bathing environment 10, such as a walk-in bathtub or shower. It is to be appreciated that the grab bar assembly 40 shown in the figures can be used throughout the bathing environment 10, or could just be used selectively in certain places. For example, the grab bar 40 shown in the figures may be used on the top wall of a bathtub and/or shower, while other types of grab bars, such as other types of collapsible or movable bars, or even fixed and rigid grab bars may be utilized, e.g., the angled grab bar. However, the invention is not to be limited to the use of only one type of grab bar at the locations, and is contemplated that any combination or use of any of the type grab bars herein disclosed can be used at any location on and around a bathing environment.

The grab bar assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 3-8 is a movable grab bar assembly that includes a bar 44 that is slidable relative to a housing 42 to provide a grab bar that can be positioned in a use and non-use configuration. The grab bar assembly 40 includes a housing 42 which includes a recessed portion 43 and a flange portion 47. The recessed portion 43 can fit within the flange portion 47 of the housing 42 and can be integrally formed there a part of, or can be a separate piece that is combined with the flange portion of the housing 42. The recessed portion 43, which may also be a seat portion 43, includes a first aperture 50 and a second aperture 52 therethrough. The flanged portion 47 of the housing 42 and the recessed portion 43 can comprise generally any rigid or semi-rigid material, including but not limited to, a metal material, a ceramic material, a plastic material, a rubber material, composite material, or some combination thereof. The components are shown to be elongated with the recessed portion 43 being a generally oval type shape that is nestled within an aperture 45 of the housing 42. Thus, according to some aspects of the inventions, the housing 42 may be positioned with the recessed portion 43 nestled into and adhered to the housing 42 such that the recessed portion 43 and housing 42 include a water tight bond and/or seal therebetween. The housing component 42 and recessed portion 43 can then be positioned through or in an aperture of the housing 12 of the bathing environment 10. For example, an aperture can be positioned on the top wall 28 of the housing 12 of the bathing environment 10, with the housing of the grab bar 40 positioned therein in a water tight and sealed configuration.

A bar 44 is included with the grab bar assembly 40 shown in the figures. The bar 44 includes a substantially elongated midsection with first and second legs 46, 48 extending therefrom. For example, as is shown in the figures, the legs 46, 48 extend in a downward manner from the centralized elongated tubing of the bar 44. The bar 44 is shown to be formed from a substantially circular tube formed in a generally U-shaped configuration, but it is to be appreciated that generally any shape or configuration of a grab bar may be included. Furthermore, the bar 44 can comprise generally any rigid material, including but not limited to, steel or other metals, plastic, rubber, composites, or the like. Furthermore, if a steel tubing is used to form the bar 44, a rubber or other non-slick material or coating may be added to portions of the bar 44 to provide additional comfort and grip for use of the bar by an individual. Additional aspects and/or variations may include bends or recessed portions in or on the elongated portion of the bar 44, in which said portions aid in the grip of the bar during use thereof. Said bends or recessed portions can be formed to coincide with a grip of the bar to provide greater support of the bar.

The bar 44 is positioned with the grab bar assembly such that the first leg 46 is inserted into the first aperture 50 of the recess 43, and the second leg 48 being positioned generally within the second aperture 52 of the recessed portion 43. As shown in FIG. 3, the bar can be lowered or otherwise moved such that the elongated portion of the bar 44 is housed substantially within the recessed portion 43 of the housing 42. This can be known as a non-use configuration of the grab bar assembly 40, wherein the bar will not be used or intended to be used by an individual. The bar being substantially within the recessed portion provides that the bar not be an obstruction or otherwise extend into a portion of the bathing environment 10. The bar can be maintained in this position in a variety of ways. For example, it is contemplated that the bar include a coating, ring, cover, or otherwise be sized such that the bar is friction fit within the apertures 50, 52 of the recessed portion 43 to hold the bar in place in the non-use configuration, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. O-rings or other members could surround the legs such that, when in contact in the apertures 50, 52 of the housing, the bar will be held in place. Furthermore, inserts can be inserted into the apertures 50, 52 to further increase the friction therein to hold the bars in place in the non-use configuration. Other types or devices may be utilized to hold the bar in place, such as snaps, hooks, latches, spring members, or the like.

When a user needs to use a grab bar 40 of the like shown in FIGS. 3-8, the bar can be moved from the non-use configuration, such as that shown in FIG. 3, to a use configuration, such as that shown in FIG. 5. Moving the bar in the direction of the arrow 54 away from the housing 42 as shown in FIG. 4 will move the bar from a non-use to a use configuration. For example, the bar 44 can be slid, pulled, or otherwise moved in an upward manner to slide the legs 46, 48 of the bar 44 relative to the apertures 50, 52 of the housing 42. The sliding of the bar 44 in a manner as described will extend the bar away from the housing 42 of the grab bars 40 to allow a user to be able to grab and/or interact with the grab bar 44. Thus, the bar can be moved a distance such that a user can grab at least a portion of the elongated portion of the bar 44 with a hand. Therefore, the distance may be such that a hand or a portion thereof is able to come between a portion of the elongated section of the bar 44 and the housing 42.

The bar can be maintained in the use configuration such that a user is able to utilize the bar. For example, the bar can be friction fit such that when extended outwardly a set distance, a portion of the leg of the bar 44 can include a surface that will become friction fit within the apertures 50, 52 of the recessed portion 43. Furthermore, a spring loaded member can be included with one or more of the legs 46, 48 to extend once passed through the apertures 50, 52 in order to maintain the bar in a use configuration wherein it is extended away from the housing 42.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that the bar can be operated with the use of actuators or other members. An actuator, for example a linear actuator, pneumatic actuator, or the like, can be activated via an electronic connection between a button and power source to extend a rod of the actuator, which can be connected to one or more of the legs of the bar 44. The extension of the actuator will extend the bar out from the non-use configuration to the use configuration and will maintain the bar at the distance set by the extension. When the bar is to be moved to a non-use configuration, activation of the actuator can withdraw the rod of the actuator, which will move the bar 44 towards the housing end back into the recess thereof. Therefore, it is to be appreciated that the collapsible grab bar assembly 40 as shown can be utilized can moved in many ways, and is not to be limited to the configuration shown in the figures.

FIGS. 9-13 show a grab bar assembly 60 including additional aspects of the invention. While the grab bar assembly 40 included a bar that can be described as being slid relative a housing to move the bar between a use and a non-use configuration, the grab bar assembly 60 as shown in FIGS. 9-13 includes a collapsible grab bar assembly in which a bar 72 is rotated relative a housing 62 to move said bar 72 between the use and non-use configurations.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the grab bar assembly 60 with a bar 72 in a substantially non-use configuration. The bar 72 is positioned such that it is substantially within a recessed portion 64 of the housing 62, and therefore will not substantially extend outward of the recessed portion beyond a flange portion 66 of said housing 62. The housing 62 includes a recessed portion 64 generally extending away from the outwardly extending flange portion 66. The housing 62 can comprise generally any rigid or substantially rigid material, including, but not limited to ceramics, Plexiglas, fiberglass, metals, plastic, composites, rubber, or some combination thereof. Furthermore, the recessed portion 64 and flange 66 can comprise a single, integrally manufactured component, or can comprise separate pieces that are then attached to one another. In addition, a first and second block member 68, 70 is included in the recessed portion 64 and positioned on or at a floor 65 of the housing 62. The first and second blocks 68, 70 can comprise a substantially rigid material as has been described, and are shown to be components with groove members. For example, the first block 68 includes a first vertical groove 74 and a first horizontal groove 76. The second block 70 includes a second vertical groove 78 and a second horizontal groove 80. According to some aspects of the invention, the blocks will be generally or substantially identical to one another, including the position and size of the grooves.

The bar 72 for use with the grab bar assembly 60 is similar to that previously disclosed in that it is a substantially U-shaped member including an elongated portion and first and second legs 73, 75 extending generally therefrom. The elongated portion may be substantially horizontal with the legs extending at generally 90° therefrom. However, additional configurations of the bar may be included and considered part of the invention, as has previously been disclosed. The bar 72 also should be comprised a substantially circular tube member, but it is to be appreciated to comprise any shape, composition, and/or size.

As shown in the figures, the bar 72 is positionable in and communicable with the grooves of the first and second blocks 68, 70. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the legs 73, 75 of the bar 72 are positioned generally within the horizontal grooves 76, 80 of the blocks. In such a configuration, the bar 72 is in a non-use configuration with the elongated portion of the bar 72 below or substantially below the flange 66 of the housing 62. However, it is to be appreciated that any portion of the bar may extend beyond the flange in some embodiments, as the grooves may not necessarily be horizontal or vertical, and instead, be at some angle therebetween. The shape and size of the grooves of the blocks can communicate with the shape and size of the legs of the bar 72 to hold the bar 72 in place in the non-use configuration. The grooves need not be the same size, arc, shape, or otherwise to mate exactly with the bar, and instead, can be of any shape or type to communicate with the portions of the bar. For example, as is shown best in FIG. 10, the grooves being cut into the block will provide a lip that at least partially envelopes the bar legs 73, 75 to hold the bar in the manner wherein it is shown to be on its side within the recessed portion 64 of the housing 62. However, when the bar 72 is to be used, it can be rotated relative to the blocks 68, 70 to a use configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the bar has been rotated relative to the grooves of the blocks to move from a generally non-use configuration to a use configuration. The grooves of the blocks are shown to be substantially 90° relative to one another. For example, as shown with the first block 68, the vertical groove 74 is substantially 90° from the horizontal groove 76. This provides two extremes for the exemplary case for the bar 72 to move and to be held in place. For example, when the bar is rotated to position the legs 73, 75 and the vertical grooves 74, 78 of the block 68, 70, the bar will extend generally 90° relative to the floor 65 of the housing 62 wherein the elongated portion of the bar 72 will be extending outwardly of the housing 62 such that a user is able to grasp and use the bars for stabilization or other movement. The grooves in the blocks will aid in holding the bar 72 in the use configuration as shown in the figures such that a user can have confidence that the bar will not collapse during use of said bar. As has been noted, while the grooves may be positioned at 90° angles from one another, other angles, limits, extremes, etc., may be included, as well as additional grooves to be able to hold the bar in place somewhere between the outer extremes. It is to be appreciated that modifications can be made to hold the bar at generally any angle or location to be best used by a user.

Therefore, the lip of the grooves may be slight enough to be overcome with some force to move the bar from the horizontal position to the vertical position. Furthermore, the bar may be slid in the direction of the elongated section of the bar 72 to move the bar generally from the groove, wherein it can then be rotated and aligned with the next groove and slid back into communication with the second groove in order to be held in place thereat. For example, when the bar 72 is in the non-use configuration and held within the groove 76, 80, the bar may need to be slid away from the grooves in order to move to the use configuration. Thus, the entire bar can be slid such that the legs 73, 75 will have some clearance from the grooves 76, 80, and then the bar 72 can then be rotated towards the vertical groove 74, 78. Once generally aligned with the vertical groove 74, 78, the bar can be slid into communication therewith, wherein the bar will be held therein at a use configuration. Additional means and methods of moving the bar between the non-use and use configuration and holding thereat are considered to be included as part of the invention.

Still additionally, it is contemplated that the bathing environments used with the grab bars of the invention could include a plate or cover that is selectively covering the bars. For example, when the bars, which could include generally any type of collapsible bar, are in the non-use configuration, the plate or cover could be extended to cover the bar so that it is essentially hidden from sight. The plate or cover could comprise a fiberglass or similar material that is similar to that of the bathing environment so as to blend in to aid in hiding the location of the collapsible bar. However, according to some aspects, the plate or cover comprises a decorative material such as metal, fiberglass, wood, faux material, composite or the like and could even be engraved or otherwise decorated to cover the bar in the collapsed position.

When needed the cover or plate would be removed, moved, or otherwise manipulated to allow access to the grab bar, such as by allowing a user to move the bars from the non-use to the use configuration. Therefore, the bars would only be accessible or accessed when needed, and the bathing environment, such as a wall, bathtub, spa, sauna, or the like, could be utilized and configured to look in different configurations.

The cover or plate could me slid into a portion of the housing or wall to provide access/cover for the grab bars, such as by having a portion of the cover on rails or grooves. The cover could be electronically configured to open/close, such as by sliding, rotating, tilting, or some combination, by the use of actuators or other members. Still other means of selectively accessing the grab bars via the cover or plate are contemplated.

It is to be further appreciated that the terms of the application are not to be limiting and all-inclusive. For example, while the terms use and non-use have been used in relation to the grab bars, it is to be appreciated that the bars could be used in their collapsed manner, such as by attaching an anchor, rope, or other device thereto to aid in use of the tether or other device. The bars could also be maintained in their extended configuration even when not in use. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that additional holding and moving mechanisms could be used to move the bars between a generally extended and retracted or housed position.

The general description of the present invention as well as exemplary embodiments has been set forth as shown and described. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will recognize and will be able to practice additional variations in the system described which fall within the teachings of the invention. For example, variations in the size, shape, and movement of the various components can be considered part of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bathing environment, comprising: a housing having an entrance for providing access to an interior of the housing;a door positioned at the entrance of the housing; andgrab bar assembly operatively connected to the housing and including a non-telescoping grab bar comprising an elongated portion with legs extending therefrom, said at least one grab bar being movable between a use configuration and a non-use configuration;said elongated portion of the grab bar being at or below a surface of the housing when in the non-use configuration;said grab bar being sized such that the grab bar creates a friction fit with first and second apertures of the at least one grab bar assembly when the grab bar is in the use and non-use configurations.

2. The bathing environment of claim 1, wherein said grab bar extends outwardly from the housing when in the use configuration.

3. The bathing environment of claim 1, wherein said grab bar is slidably connected to said housing to move between the use and non-use configurations.

4. The bathing environment of claim 3, wherein said at least one grab bar assembly comprises a grab bar housing with a recessed portion, and wherein said grab bar is at least partially within the recessed portion in the non-use configuration.

5. The bathing environment of claim 4, wherein the grab bar is moved relative to the first and second apertures to move between the non-use configuration wherein the grab bar is at least partially within the recessed portion, and the use configuration wherein the grab bar is at least partially extending outwardly from the grab bar housing.

6. A grab bar assembly for use with a bathing environment, the grab bar assembly comprising: a housing including a recessed portion; anda non-telescoping grab bar comprising an elongated portion with legs extending therefrom operatively connected to the housing such that the grab bar can be moved between a non-use configuration wherein the elongated portion of the grab bar is positioned at least partially within the recessed portion with the elongated portion generally at or below a surface of the housing and a use configuration wherein the grab bar is extended away from the housing;said grab bar being sized such that the grab bar creates a friction fit with first and second apertures of the housing when the grab bar is in the use and non-use configurations.

7. The grab bar assembly of claim 6, wherein said grab bar is slidably connected to said housing to move between the use and non-use configurations.

8. A walk-in bathtub, comprising: a housing having an entrance for providing access to an interior of the housing;a door positioned at the entrance of the housing; andat least one grab bar assembly comprising a grab bar housing with a recessed portion, and a non-telescoping grab bar comprising an elongated portion with legs extending therefrom operatively connected to the grab bar housing such that the grab bar can be moved between a non-use configuration wherein the elongated portion of the grab bar is positioned at least partially within the recessed portion and a use configuration wherein the grab bar is extended away from the grab bar housing;said grab bar being sized such that the grab bar creates a friction fit with first and second apertures of the grab bar housing when the grab bar is in the use and non-use configurations.

9. The walk-in bathtub of claim 8, wherein said grab bar is slidably connected to said grab bar housing to move between the use and non-use configurations.