Abstract:
A wall mounted pivoting and locking support rail assembly providing improved support to assist elderly and physically challenged persons with safely using a bathtub or shower area. The present invention mounts to the wall like a conventional grab bar, however, it adds an additional rail handle with the ability to pivot outward from the wall, and lock in one of several angular positions to extend support outward from the wall, and more to the centre of a shower or tub. This outward support is invaluable to assist with elderly and disabled persons to safely enter, use, and exit from the bathtub without dangerous reaching.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a pivoting and locking wall mounted support rail assembly which improves support to assist elderly and disabled persons while entering into, moving within, or exiting from a bathtub or shower area. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Entering and moving safely within a typical bathtub area may be a difficult process for some elderly and disabled persons. Particularly, traversing the bath tub outer threshold can cause a loss of balance 
         [0005]    Use of a bathtub requires several tasks that require balance, namely, entering bathtub and stepping over tub outer wall, maintaining stability while standing in the tub, working the shower controls, balancing while using the hand shower, lowering to a seated position on a bath board or shower seat, raising to a standing position from the bath board or shower seat, lowering to sit on the floor of the tub, and subsequently regain a standing position. This all occurs in an area that is wet, slippery, and typically without assistance, or well located hand rail support. 
         [0006]    There are numerous prior art devices to assist with bathtub mobility and safety. These include; Wall mounted grab bars, tub side mounted support rails, floor to ceiling poles alongside the tub, bath sitting boards, shower seats, and transfer benches. 
         [0007]    There are numerous issues with the current devices 
         [0008]    Wall mounted grab bars typically force a user entering the tub to reach across to the grab bar on the far wall—This reaching can cause a loss of balance before the support is at hand. When in the bathtub, the user must twist to the side to keep the support at hand. This takes away the use of one or both hands to maintain balance while the hands are needed for tasks such as washing, adjusting water controls, etc 
         [0009]    Tub side mounted support rails are typically a little low in height to be of value, are not always secure, and can prevent the use of shower curtain or rigid shower doors 
         [0010]    Floor to ceiling poles mounted alongside the tub can assist with entry, and mobility to start a bath, however, they are not available when the shower curtain or doors are closed. 
         [0011]    Bath sitting boards and shower seats do not help while the user is standing, and are bulky, and cumbersome to remove for additional persons using the bathtub or shower who do not need these devices. Furthermore, they are not secured in their position, and as a result can move at the instant when secure support is required. 
         [0012]    None of the above prior art devices allow the user to lean forward on the support while adjusting the shower controls. None have the ability to easily move the hand rail support to where it is optimal, and move it again when it may be in the way for the next manoeuvre, or the next occupant. Further, many of the above devices have handrail support at only one height, which may not be optimal for all movement tasks. 
         [0013]    Clearly, the present devices do not address full safety of the user of a bath or shower area. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    Turning now to the present invention, it has a pivoting and locking rail that locks in numerous angular positions to provide optimal support for different activities in the bathtub—i.e. showering, adjusting controls, seating, entering, exiting, 
         [0015]    When the pivoting rail is swung out, it places support in the middle of the tub that permits both vertical and lateral loads. This permits users to lean on the rail for balance, and where appropriate, have more free use of their hands. 
         [0016]    The pivoting and locking rail locks and unlocks easily—lift the pivot rail assembly to unlock it, hold it up to rotate it freely, and lower at any time to find the nearest agular locking position. 
         [0017]    The pivoting rail stores out of the way along the wall when not in use to permit full enjoyment of the bathtub by other users not needing such support. 
         [0018]    The complete system has three height levels of support to help with low tasks such as lowering down to sit on the floor of the tub, to mid level activities, such as transitional phase of standing up from a seating position, to high activities such as standing support. 
         [0019]    The advantageous three point securement to the wall ensures that the rail will not get loose with time as might happen with two point securement 
         [0020]    The angular locking feature is fully able to handle shower water on it and through it without consequence. 
         [0021]    The ambidextrous nature of the locking feature permits installation in both directions—with pivot rail vertical tube on the left or the right side 
         [0022]    The top pivot collar assembly has dual tapered bore feature that allows for uneven walls and slight angular installation errors. 
         [0023]    The guide sleeve inside the top pivot collar prevents wear marks on pivot tube of pivot rail assembly and dampens lateral sliding sounds. 
         [0024]    The system attaches to wall using known methods. 
         [0025]    Other objects, features and versions of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description which, when interpreted with the listed drawings together disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are intended for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (8 DRAWING SHEETS ATTACHED, 10 FIGURES) 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention as would be mounted on a wall, with the pivot rail assembly in the “stored along wall” angular position 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention as would be mounted on a wall, with the pivot rail assembly in the “90 degree pivoted outward” angular position 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the grab bar assembly 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the pivot rail assembly 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the pivot collar assembly 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a partial section view “A-A” of a portion of the pivot rail assembly as held within the pivot collar assembly 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the bottom of the pivot rail assembly 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the grab bar assembly 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective/section view “C-C” of the grab bar assembly 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective/section view “B-B” of the main assembly 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    Referring now the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention showing the wall mounted pivoting support rail  6 , as a complete system, as it would be installed on a typical wall such as the long wall alongside a bathtub. 
         [0037]    The main assembly  6 , comprises three major components, namely, the grab bar assembly  1 , the pivot rail assembly,  10 , and the pivot collar assembly  20 . These three major components are combined in place, secured on a wall surface to achieve the working main assembly. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  shows the pivot rail assembly  10 , located in its rotational position for storing the pivot rail assembly  10  alongside the wall. This position is advantageous both for storing the pivot rail assembly  10 , out of the way, along the wall, as well as, for actual use of the pivot rail assembly  10  in this position, to benefit from the higher gripping levels of the pivot rail assembly  10 . 
         [0039]    By comparison,  FIG. 2  shows the pivot rail assembly  10 , in one of the available locked rotational positions whereby the pivot rail assembly  10 , is situated at approximately 90 degrees outward from the wall. The pivot rail assembly  10 , as described in the preferred embodiment, is also able to pivot and lock at additional angular positions, including 45, 135 and 180 degrees to the wall. Additional in-between locking angular positions could be achieved by modification to the preferred embodiment by those skilled in the art. The mechanism for locking is described later in this text. 
         [0040]    The illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 2  shows the main pivot tube  11 , of the pivot rail assembly  10 , supported above the left side of the grab bar assembly  1 . Alternatively, it should be noted that the ambidextrous design of the grab bar assembly  1 , is such that it will permit the system to have the main pivot tube  11 , of the pivot rail assembly  10 , supported above the right side of the grab bar assembly  1 , by inverting the grab bar assembly  1 , as is described further on in this text. 
         [0041]    Turning now to better describe the major sub assemblies,  FIG. 3  shows the grab bar assembly  1 , which comprises two wall flanges  3 , fastened onto ends of cross member  2 , such that cross member  2  is held essentially parallel to a wall when installed. Wall flanges  3 , have apertures  7 , through which fasteners (not shown) may be installed to secure the grab bar assembly  1 , to a wall. Toothed collar  4  is secured within a mating notch in the outer surface of cross member  2  by permanent means such as welding, adhesive, or fasteners. It is located such that its central vertical axis intersects with the central horizontal axes of the cross member  2 , and wall flange  3 . 
         [0042]    The elements of grab bar assembly  1 , may be constructed of a strong corrosion resistant material such as high strength reinforced plastic, or more favourably, steel with a corrosion resistant finish, or an aluminum alloy, or most favourably, stainless steel, which is both strong, and corrosion resistant through it&#39;s entire depth, even in moving mating areas where a protective surface finish may wear off over time 
         [0043]    Continuing with major assemblies,  FIG. 4  shows the pivot rail assembly  10 , which comprises u-rail  12  which is permanently fastened onto pivot tube  11  by permanent means such as welding, adhesive or fasteners (not shown). The u-rail  12  provides strength due to it&#39;s closed loop design, however alternative embodiments such as a wider “D” shape, “B” shape or other profiles could be attached to the pivot tube  11 . The cross section of the u-rail could favourably be circular, oval, or oblong. A grooved collar  14 , is installed coaxially into the bottom end of the pivot tube  11 , and secured by means such as welding, adhesive or fasteners (not shown). A limit bushing  15  is held in place coaxially to the grooved collar  14  central axis to the bottom end of the grooved collar  14 , by means of a screw  16 . The top end of the pivot tube  11 , is sealed by means of the top cap  13 , which forms a liquid and vapour tight seal which is important in a bathtub and shower environment. Top cap  13  may be fabricated from a lightweight corrosion resistant material such as plastic. The elements of pivot rail assembly  10 , may be constructed of a strong corrosion resistant material such as high strength reinforced plastic, or more favourably, steel with a corrosion resistant finish, or an aluminum alloy, or most favourably, stainless steel, which is both strong, and corrosion resistant, even in moving mating areas where a protective surface finish may wear off over time 
         [0044]    The final major assembly, shown in  FIG. 5 , is the pivot collar assembly  20 . It comprises guide collar  23 , which is held by and attached to spacer  22  which is attached to wall plate  21  by permanent means such as welding or fasteners (not shown). Wall plate  21  has apertures  35  to permit screws to mount the pivot collar  20  to a wall. The pivot collar assembly is most favourably fabricated from a corrosion resistant material such as plastic or stainless steel. In the case of stainless steel, the inner bore  25  of guide collar  23  may be lined with a guide sleeve  24  to provide a more resilient surface to interface with the outside surface of the pivot tube  11  (not shown) of the pivot rail assembly  10  (not shown) 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  better illustrates the makeup of the pivot collar assembly  20 , by means of a section view “A-A”. Pivot tube  11  is held coaxially within the bore of guide collar  23 . Guide sleeve  24  may be held by a press fit, or within a groove  26  within the bore of guide collar  23 . There is advantageously a small amount of diametrical clearance between the outside diameter of pivot tube  11 , and the inside diameter of guide sleeve  24  to permit to permit free rotational pivoting, as well as free up and down axial motion of pivot tube  11  within the pivot collar assembly  20 . Advantageously, the bore  25  surface is tapered somewhat outward in each direction from the middle of the bore  25 . This permits the pivot collar assembly  20  to accommodate some degree of angular error of installation, yet still maintain free motion of pivot tube  11 . 
         [0046]    Moving now to the method of pivot and locking,  FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the lower end of the pivot rail assembly  10 . The grooved collar  14  is shown situated in the lower end of pivot tube  11 , and secured with permanent means such as welding. The grooved collar has eight grooves  17 , which are spaced at equal angles about the bottom shoulder face  18  of the grooved collar  14 . A tapered stem  30  further protrudes from the bottom shoulder face  18  of the grooved collar  14 . The bottom surface  31  of the grooved collar  14  has a centrally located aperture (not shown) that is threaded to receive screw  16 . 
         [0047]    Limit bushing  15  has a minor diameter  32 , and tapered head  33 , that provides a shoulder  34 . The limit bushing  15  has an aperture (not shown) coaxially located through its entire length, to permit the clearance passage of the screw  16 . 
         [0048]    Moving now to  FIG. 8 , this shows a partial perspective view of the toothed collar on the grab bar assembly.  FIG. 8  shows a plurality of teeth  8 , located on the top surface and the bottom surface of the toothed collar  4  arranged in a circular pattern in with equal angles between them. Having teeth  8 , located on the top and bottom surface of the toothed collar  4 , permits the grab bar assembly  1  to be used with the toothed collar  4  located on the left or the right side as most advantageous for the particular need. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  shows a partial perspective section view “C-C” of the grab bar assembly  1 , with the section cut through the middle of the toothed collar  4 . From this view we can see the major bore  42 , the minor bore  9 , and resulting shoulders  41 A, and  41 B. 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  shows a partial perspective section view “B-B” of the locking interface between the bottom end of the pivot rail assembly  10  and the toothed collar  4 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  10 , the pivot rail assembly  10  is installed into the toothed collar  4  by first removing the screw  16 , of the limit bushing  15 , and setting the tapered stem  30 , of the grooved collar  14 , into the top major bore  42  of the toothed collar  4 . The minor diameter  32  of the limit bushing  15  is then inserted up through the bottom of the toothed collar  4 , and held in place against the bottom surface  31  of the tapered stem  30  of the grooved collar  14  by screw  16  engaging into threaded hole (not shown) of grooved collar  14 . 
         [0052]    The bottom end of the pivot rail assembly  10 , is held coaxially within the toothed collar  4 , by the tapered stem  30 , centering itself within the major bore  42  of the toothed collar  4 , as well as the minor diameter  32  of the limit bushing  15  centering itself within the minor bore  9  of the toothed collar  4 . This arrangement allows the pivot rail assembly  10  to rotate coaxially about the toothed collar  4 , and move a limited amount of up and down axial motion within the toothed collar  4 . When the pivot rail assembly  10  is allowed to move down, the teeth  8  of the toothed collar  4 , will fit up inside of the grooves  17  of the grooved collar  14 . This will prevent the pivot rail assembly  10  from pivoting, thereby locking the rotational position of the pivot rail assembly  10  relative to the toothed collar  4  on the grab bar assembly  1 . At this point the user may apply a lateral load or downward load to the pivot rail assembly  10 , without it moving. The load force is taken by the teeth  8  of the toothed collar  4 , and the pivot rail assembly  10 , is also restrained at its top by the pivot collar assembly  20  which prevents lateral movement, yet permits axial movement when the user wishes to lift the pivot rail assembly  10 , to unlock it. 
         [0053]    In order to unlock the pivot rail assembly  10 , to permit free rotation, the user must lift the pivot rail assembly  10  upward, thereby lifting the grooved collar  14  such that the teeth  8  of the toothed collar  4  are no longer in the grooves  17  of the grooved collar  14 . At this point the pivot rail assembly  10  may be freely rotated coaxially about the tooth collar  4 , and guided at the top by the pivot collar assembly  20 . The pivot rail assembly  10 , is prevented to lifting right out of the toothed collar  4 , by the shoulder  34  of the limit bushing  15  hitting against the shoulder  41  of the toothed collar  4 . 
         [0054]    Although the invention has been described relating to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various modifications, additions, and alterations may be made to the invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.