Ergonomic grab bar assembly for bathtubs

Abstract

A grab bar assembly for use with a bathtub includes a substantially planar base having a top, bottom and lateral edges. The grab bar assembly also includes a coupling assembly extending downward from the base for attachment to an upstanding wall of the bathtub and an armrest connected to and extending laterally from the base. The armrest is positioned above and running along the bathtub wall. Finally, the grab bar assembly includes a handgrip extending upwardly from the base. The handgrip includes at least one support arm and a substantially triangular shaped handle having a forward surface, rearward surface and a bottom surface. The handle extends from the at least one support arm along the bottom surface.

1 . A grab bar assembly for use with a bathtub, comprising: 
 a substantially planar base having a top, bottom and lateral edges;    a coupling assembly extending downward from the base for attachment to an upstanding wall of the bathtub;    an armrest connected to and extending laterally from the base, the armrest being positioned above and running along the bathtub wall; and    a handgrip extending upwardly from the base.    
   
   
       2 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the grab bar assembly is made entirely from polymers.  
   
   
       3 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a forward edge and a rearward edge, and both the forward edge and the rearward edge include coupling members for selective attachment of the armrest.  
   
   
       4 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the forward and rearward edges include recesses shaped to receive complementary projections extending from the armrest.  
   
   
       5 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein each recess includes a connection pin downwardly extending substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the corresponding complementary projection is inserted within each recess.  
   
   
       6 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein each connection pin is angled in a direction toward the recess opening to facilitate insertion of each corresponding complementary projection.  
   
   
       7 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the armrest includes a first end having a series of projections shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the coupling members.  
   
   
       8 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the armrest includes a rounded second end.  
   
   
       9 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the armrest includes an upper concave surface shaped and dimensioned for supporting an arm of an individual.  
   
   
       10 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the handgrip includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a substantially triangular shaped handle extending from the first and second support arms.  
   
   
       11 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly includes: 
 a first downwardly extending panel; and    a second downwardly extending panel including a slide member shaped and positioned within a recess formed in the base for movement therein.    
   
   
       12 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the first downwardly extending panel, the handgrip and the base are integrally formed.  
   
   
       13 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the first downwardly extending panel is coupled to the second downwardly extending panel via a plastic screw mechanism including: 
 an enlarged, contoured gripping member in the form of a handwheel; and    a threaded screw pin extending through an aperture in the downwardly extending panel to engage the second downwardly extending panel.    
   
   
       14 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the distance between thread coils on the threaded screw pin is greater than or equal to 18 threads per inch.  
   
   
       15 . A grab bat assembly for use with a bathtub, comprising: 
 a substantially planar base having a top, bottom and lateral edges;    a coupling assembly extending downwardly from the base for attachment to an upstanding wall of the bathtub;    a handgrip extending upwardly from the base, wherein the handgrip includes: 
 at least one support arm; and  
 a substantially triangular shaped handle having a forward surface, rearward surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the handle extends from the at least one support arm along the bottom surface.  
   
   
   
       16 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 15 , further comprising an armrest connected to and extending laterally from the base.  
   
   
       17 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the forward surface and rearward surface are each connected to the bottom surface at angles measuring approximately 50 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the grab bar assembly is made entirely from injection molded plastics.  
   
   
       19 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one support arm, the forward surface and the rearward surface are hollow.  
   
   
       20 . The grab bar assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the handle includes bubbled and textured gripping surfaces.