Providing mobility support

Abstract

Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to providing mobility support to assist people in maneuvering. In aspects, a support structure is coupled to a base to secure the support structure in an upstanding position. A grab bar is coupled to the support structure. When the grab bar is lifted substantially vertically from the support structure, the grab bar may be decoupled from the support structure. When the grab bar is lifted such that a horizontal component of force is applied against the support structure, the grab bar resists decoupling from the support structure. Other aspects are described in the Detailed Description.

1 . A device for assisting a person to maneuver in a bathroom, the device comprising: 
 a support structure having a first and a second end, the first end adapted to couple to a base member to secure the support structure in a substantially vertical orientation; and    a pivotable grab bar adapted to couple to the second end of the support structure, the pivotable grab bar having a toolless decoupling mechanism to decouple the grab bar from the support structure, the pivotable grab bar being adapted to rotate within a set range while coupled to the support structure.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is adapted to be fastened to a floor of the bathroom via screws that extend into the floor.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a docking station adapted to extend into the floor, the docking stating including a hole adapted to receive the support structure.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is adapted to be fastened between a toilet and a bathtub and wherein the pivotable grab bar is adapted to extend to the toilet and the bathtub and to provide support to the person when getting on or off the toilet and in or out of the bathtub.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a plate with holes therein, the holes sized to receive fasteners to secure the base member to a floor of the bathroom.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the toolless decoupling mechanism comprises a weight of and a friction associated with the pivotable grab bar that must be overcome to decouple the grab bar from the support structure, the toolless decoupling mechanism adapted to increase the friction when a force upon the pivotable grab bar causes an increase in horizontal force on the support structure.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a height adjustment mechanism to adjust the height of the grab bar.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the set range comprises substantially zero degrees.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the set range comprises substantially one hundred and eighty degrees.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the set range comprises substantially three hundred and sixty degrees.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is adapted to be fastened to a wall of the bathroom via screws that extend into the wall.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the pivotable grab bar includes an hand hold end adapted to extends vertically when the pivotable grab bar is coupled to the second end of the support structure, the hand hold structured to provide a vertical gripping surface for a person sitting on a toilet next to the device.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an arm rest connected to the pivotable grab bar, the arm rest providing a surface for an arm of a person, the surface capable of supporting a substantial portion or all of a weight of the person.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the arm rest includes a rubberized surface.  
   
   
       15 . A method for installing one or more devices to assist a person in maneuvering in a bathroom, the method comprising: 
 securing a base member to a floor of the bathroom;    attaching a support structure to the base member to place the support structure in a substantially vertical orientation; and    providing a pivotable grab adapted to couple to the support structure, the pivotable grab bar having a toolless decoupling mechanism to decouple the grab bar from the support structure.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pivotable grab bar is adapted to rotate within a set range while coupled to the support structure.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising inserting a sleeve into the support structure, the sleeve structured to receive a portion of the pivotable grab bar to couple the grab bar to the support structure.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising inserting the portion of the grab bar into the sleeve.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising securing another support structure to a wall of the bathroom, the other support structure in a substantially vertical orientation, the other support structure adapted to couple to the pivotable grab or another pivotable grab bar having a structure of the pivotable grab bar.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein securing the base member to the floor of the bathroom comprises securing the base member to an area of the floor between a toilet and a shower such that the pivotable grab bar when coupled to the support structure is capable of reaching near or to the toilet and the shower.  
   
   
       21 . A device for assisting a person to maneuver near a bed, the device comprising: 
 a base member structured to abut next to a floor next to a foot of the bed,    a support structure having a first and a second end, the first end adapted to couple to a base member to secure the support structure in a substantially vertical orientation; and    a pivotable grab bar adapted to couple to the second end of the support structure, the pivotable grab bar having a toolless decoupling mechanism to decouple the grab bar from the support structure, the pivotable grab bar being adapted to rotate within a set range while coupled to the support structure    
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the base member includes a support surface upon which weight from the bed may be placed to provide additional stability to the device.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the base member is substantially under the bed and has a sufficient portion not under the bed to couple to the support structure.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the grab bar is structured to rotate in a range of motion around the foot of the bed to assist a person in rehabilitation exercises.