Grab handle

Abstract

A grab handle attached to a chair, said grab handle comprising a fluid passageway and a fluid outlet for flow therethrough of a fluid. The grab handle may be used for washing and/or drying a person sitting in the chair, for example.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus comprising: 
 a grab handle attached to a bathing device, said grab handle comprising a fluid passageway and a fluid outlet for flow therethrough of a fluid.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said bathing device comprises a seat and a backrest, said backrest being bounded by planes on both sides thereof, and said fluid outlet is arranged with respect to said seat and said backrest to direct a fluid to flow therefrom to at least one of said seat and said backrest.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said grab handle is pivoted to said bathing device about a pivot axis extending between said planes, said grab handle comprising a first portion that extends generally along said pivot axis, a second portion that extends from said first portion generally transverse to said pivot axis, and a third portion that extends from said second portion generally parallel to said first portion, said grab handle comprising an angular position wherein said third portion is positioned above said seat and in front of said backrest and another angular position wherein said third portion is positioned above said backrest.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said grab handle is lockable at at least one angular position.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said first portion of said grab handle comprises a fluid connector that connects to a complementary fluid connector positioned on said pivot axis.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said fluid connector is rotationally connected to said complementary fluid connector.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said grab handle comprises an extension handle that extends from said grab handle.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said extension handle comprises a fluid passageway and a fluid outlet for flow therethrough of a fluid.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said grab handle is connected to a drive system, operative to rotate said grab handle about said pivot axis.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said drive system cooperates with a sensor to adjust operation of said grab handle.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluid outlet is rotatable.  
     
     
         12 . A bathing device comprising: 
 a seat and a backrest, said backrest being bounded by planes on both sides thereof; and    a grab handle pivoted to said bathing device about a pivot axis extending between said planes, said grab handle comprising a first portion that extends generally along said pivot axis, a second portion that extends from said first portion generally transverse to said pivot axis, and a third portion that extends from said second portion generally parallel to said first portion, said grab handle comprising an angular position wherein said third portion is positioned above said seat and in front of said backrest and another angular position wherein said third portion is positioned above said backrest.    
     
     
         13 . The bathing device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a pair of said grab handles pivoted to said bathing device on opposite sides of a centerline of said bathing device.  
     
     
         14 . The bathing device according to  claim 12 , wherein said grab handle comprises a fluid passageway and a fluid outlet for flow therethrough of a fluid.  
     
     
         15 . The bathing device according to  claim 14 , wherein said fluid outlet is arranged with respect to said seat and said backrest to direct a fluid to flow therefrom to at least one of said seat and said backrest.  
     
     
         16 . The bathing device according to  claim 14 , wherein said first portion of said grab handle comprises a fluid connector that connects to a complementary fluid connector positioned on said pivot axis.  
     
     
         17 . The bathing device according to  claim 16 , wherein said fluid connector is rotationally connected to said complementary fluid connector.  
     
     
         18 . The bathing device according to  claim 12 , wherein said grab handle comprises an extension handle that extends from said grab handle.  
     
     
         19 . The bathing device according to  claim 12 , wherein said extension handle comprises a fluid passageway and a fluid outlet for flow therethrough of a fluid.  
     
     
         20 . The bathing device according to  claim 12 , wherein said grab handle is lockable at at least one angular position.