TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure is related to providing improved and increased access to handicap restroom facilities, and in particular providing an ability to almost instantly install handrails in a toilet stall.
BACKGROUND
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure. Accordingly, such statements are not intended to constitute an admission of prior art.
Restroom facilities are required for use in either public or private places. A restroom can include stalls wherein a toilet fixture is shielded by partition walls, providing the person using the toilet fixture with privacy. Stalls are provided with handrails affixed to the walls of the stall, thereby permitting a person to lift him or herself onto and off of the toilet fixture. Such handrails are provided, for example, in handicap-equipped stalls, permitting a person using a wheelchair to move from the wheelchair to the toilet fixture and back to the wheel chair.
Restrooms can be required in public places to meet standards or building codes required by law. A minimum number or percentage of stalls to be equipped with handrails can be mandated. Refurbishing an older building to new building codes can require installation of handrails to conform with handicap accessibility requirements.
Whether a building and the facilities therein adequately serve the population of the building depends upon the demographics of the building. Demographics can change. The United States includes a Baby Boom generation that, as it ages, will increase a share of the public that will have special needs. A building that was adequate while the Baby Boomers were middle aged can be inadequate as the generation reaches advanced ages. Wherein a single handicap stall out of three might have been sufficient at one point, it can be advantageous to make all three stalls equipped for increased accessibility as the demographics change.
Further, behavior patterns show that some able-bodied persons prefer to use stalls with handrails, in particular, where cleanliness is an issue. in such a situation, a person with special needs may find the stalls equipped with handrails to frequently be in use while other non-equipped stalls are open.
A building can meet minimum requirements for accessibility, but a special use of the building can create shortages in restroom accessibility. A convention attracting a large number of attendees using wheelchairs can cause shortages and long lines in the restroom for the few handrail equipped stalls. A commercial building rededicated to an association assisting and frequented by individuals in wheelchairs, based upon the increased demand for handicap equipped stalls, can be deficient in handrail equipped stalls.
Not every stall can be equipped with handrails attached only to the partition walls. Partition walls may not include sufficient structural strength to be used to support a person being repositioned to and from a toilet fixture. The hardware used to position the partition walls may not be configured for the added weight that use of handrails requires. Some stalls are narrow. A building owner may not want permanent handrails installed to every stall for a single upcoming event in light of the space that the handrails will take up in the narrow stalls when the building returns to a normal usage where the originally installed handicap access stalls is sufficient.
SUMMARY
Handrails provide for increased accessibility to a restroom stall, permitting a user to apply weight to the handrail. A retrofitable handrail includes an attachment member connecting the retrofitable handrail to a top of a partition wall of the restroom stall, a support member connected to the attachment member, and a handrail member connected to the support member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates in cross-section an exemplary retrofitable handrail with a single handrail member installed to a restroom stall, in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates the retrofitable handrail of FIG. 1 in a schematic view, in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary retrofitable handrail for use in side by side stalls, in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of attachment hardware that can be used to attach a handrail to support members of a retrofitable handrail, in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary adjustable support member of a retrofitable handrail, in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary retrofitable handrail made of tubes with a floor support member, in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary adjustable floor support member, in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary additional embodiment for a hanging support and an associated attachment member, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary retrofitable handrail configured to provide handrails in two adjacent stalls, with support members that closely follow the shape of the partition wall, in accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates in cross-section an exemplary retrofitable handrail installed to a restroom stall. Configuration 10 includes a retrofitable handrail 12 including hanging support 40 installed to a restroom stall partition wall 20. Hanging support 40 includes support member 41, attachment member 42 securing hanging support 40 to a top 22 of partition wall 20, and handrail member or handrail 60 secured to end 46 of support member 41 with handrail bracket 50. According to one embodiment, attachment member 42 can include gripping bracket 48 attached to end 44 of attachment member 42 and gripping bracket 49 attached to support member 41. One or both of gripping brackets 48 and 49 can be adjustable to provide a clamping function to the top 22 of the partition wall 20. In another embodiment, a suction device or suction devices can be used in place of or in addition to the gripping brackets in order to secure the retrofitable handrail to the partition wall.
FIG. 2 illustrates the retrofitable handrail of FIG. 1 in a schematic view. The exemplary embodiment of configuration 10 includes retrofitable handrail 12 including two hanging supports 40 and hand rail 60, handrail 12 being attached to partition wall 20. Each hanging support 40 includes an attachment member 42. Handrail 60 is attached to each of the hanging supports 40 with handrail brackets 50. A handrail 60 can be a straight bar as illustrated in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, a handrail can be curved, for example with ends of the bar curving toward the partition wall. Exemplary handrail 60 is illustrated with an end cap 64 installed to first end 62 and end cap 68 installed to second end 66.
Retrofitable handrail 12 can more stable if a support or bracket proximate to handrail member 60 comes into contact with partition wall 20. Wherein handrail 60 is straight, the hanging support 40 can come into contact with the partition wall or a bracket or tab can otherwise extend from retrofitable handrail 12 to contact the partition wall 20 near handrail 60 to stabilize the handrail. In another embodiment, wherein the handrail member is curved, the end can come into contact with the partition wall to provide stability.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary retrofitable handrail for use in side by side stalls. Retrofitable handrail 112 is installed to partition wall 120 and includes hanging support 140, a first handrail 160A, and a second handrail 160B. Hanging support 140 includes a first support member 141A and a second support member 141B. Handrail bracket 150A attaches handrail 160A to first support member 141A at end 146A. Handrail bracket 150B attaches handrail 160B to second support member 141B at end 146B. Hanging support 140 further includes curved section 142 which comes into contact with top 122 of partition wall 120. Curved section 122 can optionally include brackets or can be fitted to grip or located to top 122 and prevent hanging support 140 from shifting. According to one embodiment including two sets of support members on either side of a partition wall, two curved sections 122 can be first and second attachment members, connecting or resting upon to the top of wall 122, and support members on either side of wall 122 can be first, second, third, and fourth support members.
FIG. 4 illustrates in cross-section an exemplary embodiment of attachment hardware that can be used to attach a handrail to support members of a retrofitable handrail. Handrails can be attached to support members according to a number of attachment methods. Examples are provided herein for brackets that can be used to attach the handrail to a support member, but these examples are intended to be non-limiting exemplary embodiments. Configuration 200 includes support member 220, handrail 260, and handrail bracket 250. Exemplary handrail bracket 250 includes first bracket half 251 and second bracket half 252 joined at hinge 253 by and exemplary rivet. First bracket half 251 includes a countersunk hole for bolt 270, which fastens handrail bracket 250 to support member 220 with washer 272 and nut 274. Second bracket half 252 is secured around handrail 260 with screw 276 configured to secure bracket joint 254 and further to securingly press against handrail 260. According to one embodiment, handrail 260 includes a hole to match with screw 276 to further secure the handrail—screw 276 can fastened to the matching hole in handrail 260 to prevent forward and backward movement of the handrail within the bracket. The bracket configuration of FIG. 4 is exemplary, a number of bracket configurations or attachment methods are envisioned for attaching the handrail to the support member, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular examples provided herein. Hinge 253 and screw 276, enabling adjustment of or interchangeable handrails, permit increased flexibility of installation, retrofitting, or adjustment of the handrail based upon a need of a particular restroom facility instead of providing a handrail as a one size fits all configuration.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary adjustable support member of a retrofitable handrail. Partition walls can have different heights. By using an adjustable support member, the handrail of a retrofitable handrail can be configured to a desired height. Configuration 300 includes support member 340 including a first portion 342 and a second portion 344. Support member 340 further includes hole 341 for attachment of a handrail. Second portion 344 includes two through-holes 346. First portion 342 includes several through-holes 348. Bolts 350 can be fitted to through-holes 346, and first portion 342 and second portion 344 can be vertically adjusted, such that bolts 350 go through two through-holes 348 and the associated handrail is set to a desired height. Washers 352 and nuts 354 are used to fasten bolts 350 and secure first portion 342 to second portion 344. Use of multiple through-holes and bolts to permit adjustment of the length of support members is one exemplary method to adjust height of retrofitable handrails. In another embodiment, adjustable support members with push pin adjustments or one portion of the support member threaded into another portion of the support member can be used to provide handrails at a customized height. A number of methods to adjust height of the handrails are envisioned, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular examples provided herein. Features disclosed and illustrates in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be used on a retrofitable handrail configured for a single stall or a retrofitable handrail configured for adjoining stalls.
FIGS. 1-5 illustrate support members made of solid bars. These exemplary solid bars can be square, rectangular, round, or any other shape in cross section. The support members, handrails, and other components of the retrofitable handrail can be made of steel, aluminum, other metals, or polymers. The selected material should include sufficient structural strength to ensure that the handrail will hold up to extended use in a restroom. The material should be easy to clean and resilient to cleaning products typically used in restrooms. In another embodiment, support members can be made of hollow or tubular members.
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary retrofitable handrail made of tubes with a floor support member. Configuration 400 includes retrofitable handrail 412 including hanging support 440 including support member 441, floor support member 442, and handrail 460. In embodiments wherein a partition wall 420 cannot provide sufficient structural strength to support handrail 460, a retrofitable handrail 412 can be provided with a floor support member 442 providing some or all of the weight support for the retrofitable handrail 412 through contact with the floor. Support member 441 and floor support member 442 can be a one piece member. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, a two-piece configuration wherein the floor support member 442 includes a thin section 444 that can be inserted within an end 443 of support member 441 is provided to permit a modular design. Floor support member 442 can be provided as an optional construction. Floor support member 442 includes a rubber stopper 448 fitted to end 446 of floor support member 442. Handrail 460 includes handrail bracket 450. Handrail bracket 450 includes weld joint 452 wherein the bracket is welded to the support member 441. Hanging support end 449 can attach to top 422 of partition wall 420, the retrofitable handrail 412 getting some structural support from the partition wall 420, or end 449 can be suspended above top 422 with the floor support 446 providing all of the structural strength to retrofitable handrail 412.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary adjustable floor support member, in accordance with the present disclosure. Configuration 500 includes a floor support member 540 including a first portion 542 and a second portion 543. Both first portion 542 and second portion 543 are tubular, and the second portion 543 is sized to be fitted inside of first portion 542. The portions are vertically adjustable, wherein first portion 542 has a single through-hole 544, and second portion 543 has a plurality of through-holes 545, and bolt 550 can be inserted through through-hole 544 and a selected one of through-holes 545 to select an overall length of floor support member 540 to select a height of an associated handrail. Bolt 550 is fastened in place with washer 552 and nut 554. The method of selecting or setting the height of floor support member 540 is a non-limiting example, and other embodiments such as spring loaded push-pins being set to a one of a plurality of holes can be used to extend or compress the floor support member and adjust its length, such as are used in known adjustable canes or walker devices, are envisioned. An exemplary rubber stopper 548 is illustrated on the end of second portion 543.
FIG. 8 illustrates an additional embodiment for a hanging support and an associated attachment member. Configuration 600 includes hanging support 640 including attachment member 642. Attachment member 642 includes a hooked section of the hanging support 640, the hooked section including angled member 645, rear support 644, and weld 643. By including angled member 645, the support member 640 will naturally seat by gravity against top 622 of partition wall 620. Rear support 644 aligns with top 622 of partition wall 622. Adjustable fastening member 649 can include a threaded adjustment feature to permit the fastening member to be tightened against wall 620. The weight of support member 640 can be carried by direct contact between top 622 and attachment member 642. In the alternative, some or all of the weight can be carried by fastening member 649 being sufficiently tightened.
FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary retrofitable handrail configured to provide handrails in two adjacent stalls, with support members that closely follow the shape of the partition wall. Configuration 700 includes a retrofitable handrail including a hanging support 740 configured to fit closely to a profile of partition wall 720. Hanging support 740 includes a first support member 741, a second support member 742, and an attachment member 743, each configured to fit closely to partition wall 720. Handrail 761 is attached to support member 741 by handrail bracket 751, and handrail 762 is attached to support member 742 by handrail bracket 752. Construction of the various portions of configuration 700 can include welds, fasteners, or any other construction methods known in the art.
Wherein a restroom stall includes a partition wall on one side and a cinder block or otherwise permanent wall on the other side, the disclosed retrofitable hand rail can be installed on the partition wall, and a traditional handrail including fasteners affixing the handrail to the permanent wall can be utilized.
A retrofitable handrail can include two support members. A retrofitable handrail can include a single support member, for example, for use in a restroom stall that is particularly cramped. Such an embodiment can include a small handrail or a handrail embodied as a curved handle. Such an embodiment could benefit from fasteners securing the handle to the partition wall for increased stability. In another embodiment, three of more support members can be used to provide a longer handrail or to distribute the weight of the handrail over a wider section of partition wall. A handrail with a ninety degree bend can be used to provide a handrail in a restroom stall with unusual geometry.
The disclosed retrofitable handrail is easy to install and can serve as a portable or installed as needed handicap handrail system for use in public restrooms. Whereas many handicap restroom stalls require greater space to accommodate the use of wheelchairs, the disclosed device can create normally sized stalls with increased accessibility for people using canes or walkers.
According to one embodiment, the retrofitable handrail can be configured to hold a minimum of 450 pounds of weight applied to the handrail member.
The retrofitable handrail disclosed herein can be fastened to the partition wall with a screw, bolt, or other fastening method. In another embodiment, the retrofitable handrail can be configured to be applied to the partition wall without any fasteners, such that the retrofitable handrail is stably held to the wall by gravity or by gravity and an adjustable gripping member that does not include any fasteners that penetrate the surface of the partition wall. In such an embodiment, the restroom can be quickly retrofitted by hanging the retrofitable handrail upon the partition wall or locating the attachment member or members of the retrofitable handrail to the top of the partition wall.
The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications of those embodiments. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20140124724
