Bath and shower assist means

Abstract

Assist means to aid users of bath and shower facilities; said means having installation independent of the typical screw type wall fasteners. Assist means comprising a horizontal grip bar having longitudinal, lateral, and vertical restraints. The longitudinal restraints consist of compressible means rotatively attaching to each extremity of the grip bar. Said lateral restraints comprise tensile means, suction cups, or like means, securing the grip bar to an enclosure wall parallel to the bar. During installation the grip bar is rotated about its longitudinal axis, causing the compressible means at each extremity to forcefully engage an enclosure wall. The vertical restraints connect to the grip bar and to lower compressible means that secure said restraints to the rim of a bathtub. A tub entry-exit bar and lift bar attaching to said grip bar provide safe assistance for the user.

1 . Bath and shower assist means to aid users and thereby prevent slips and falls in the shower and bathtub; said assist means comprising grip means, vertical support means, fitting means, release means, holding means, retaining means, entry means, and lift means selectively merged into a composite installation to meet the needs of the user.
 a) said vertical support means comprising tubular sections connecting to grip means and lift means through fitting means, and engaging the rim of a bathtub through retaining means;   b) said fitting means comprising fittings geometrically shaped and directionally oriented, compatible with tubular means connecting tensile means grip means, lift means to grip means and vertical support means, entry means to said grip means, and grip means to said vertical support means said fitting means having release means decoupling said lift means and entry means from said fitting means;   c) said entry means comprising a tubular section having a horizontal arm transitioning to a vertical leg; said horizontal arm removably coupling to grip means and spanning the width of the bathtub; said vertical leg engaging the bathtub rim through rim bracket; said entry means having mobility along tubular section of grip means;   d) said lift means comprising a tubular section having a horizontal arm transitioning to a vertical leg; said horizontal arm removably coupling to said vertical support means; said vertical leg removably coupling to said tubular section of grip means.;   e) said holding means comprising tensile means and rim bracket; said tensile means connecting to said rim bracket and engaging surface of said bathtub; said rim bracket engaging bathtub rim and having a vertical projection receiving said tubular section of said entry means extending downward; said vertical projection securing said tubular section on bathtub rim along with said tensile means;   f) said tensile means comprising suction means as suction cups, vacuum cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said tensile means and a surface parallel to the face of said tensile means when a compressive force, traversing the longitudinal axis of said tensile means, causes said tensile means to grip said parallel surface;   g) said retaining means comprising said retaining cover and said tensile means engaging bathtub rim; said retaining cover having a vertical projection receiving tubular section of said vertical support means and securing said vertical support means on bathtub rim jointly with said tensile means;   h) said release means comprising operable mechanism mounting in said fittings to couple and decouple tubular sections from said fittings.   
   
   
       2 . The grip means set forth in  claim 1  comprising first compressible means, grip bar section, tensile means, fitting means, revolution counter, second compressible means, covering means, and sealing means, integrated for installation in bath and shower facilities;
 a) said first compressible means having first threaded means fixedly attaching to said first compressible means; said first threaded means projecting from first face of said first compressible means; second face of said first compressible means engaging a wall surface upon experiencing an axial force traversing the longitudinal axis of said first compressible means;   b) said grip bar section comprising a tubular section, extending along common longitudinal axis between said first and second compressible means and passing through a circular opening in a component of said fitting means; said grip bar section having a first insert with second threaded means fixedly attaching in first extremity of said section and a second insert having second engaging means fixedly attaching in opposite extremity of said grip bar section; said first and second inserts mating with said first threaded means of said first compressible means and with said first engaging means of said second compressible means respectively; mating of said threaded and engaging means of said compressible means with said inserts of said grip bar section giving said grip bar section rotatability during installation and removal;   c) said second compressible means having first engaging means fixedly attaching to said second compressible means and projecting from first face of second compressible means along a longitudinal axis common to said first and second compressible means; longitudinal axis of said compressible means being coincident with longitudinal axes of said first engaging means and said first threaded means; the second face of said second compressible means engaging a wall surface when experiencing said axial force traversing said common longitudinal axis.   d) said tensile means comprising a plurality of suction cups, vacuum cups, or like means; each unit of said tensile means connecting to tensile bracket means and engaging a parallel wall surface; said bracket having an opening encircling the outer circumference of said grip bar section; said tensile brackets having mobility along said grip bar section and being removable therefrom;   e) said revolution counter comprising a circular segment bracket engaging the circumference of said grip bar section to monitor the number of revolutions applied to said section during installation; said circular segment bracket having an indicator; said indicator aiding in tracking the number of revolutions of said grip bar section.   f) said covering means and sealing means comprising an escutcheon encircling said tubular means, enclosing said compressible and tensile means, having a pliable seal attaching to the circumferential periphery of said escutcheon; said seal providing a moisture barrier engaging a wall parallel to said covering means.   
   
   
       3 . The first and second compressible means set forth in  claim 2  comprising disks, covered with or constructed of compressible material, suction cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said compressible means and a parallel surface when said axial compressive force acts along the longitudinal axis common to said compressible means and said section. 
   
   
       4 . The grip bar section set forth in  claim 2 , having a multiplicity of said tensile means and said bracket means connecting to said grip bar section; said bracket means having mobility along longitudinal axis of said grip bar section; said bracket means, coupling to said tensile means, being movable from a first fixed position to a second fixed position on said bar, said grip bar section being a tubular bar formed of material having structural strength and rigidity. 
   
   
       5 . The first and second threaded means set forth in  claim 2  comprising studs and tubular inserts having mating threads for mutual engagement and rotation of aforesaid grip bar section; said first and second threaded means converting rotational energy applied to said grip bar section into an axial compressive force traversing the longitudinal axis of said grip bar section. 
   
   
       6 . The tensile means set forth in  claim 2  comprising suction means as suction cups, vacuum cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said tensile means and a surface parallel to face of said tensile means when a compressive force, traversing the longitudinal axis of said tensile means, causes said tensile means to grip said external surface. 
   
   
       7 . The first and second engaging means set forth in  claim 2  comprising studs and tubular inserts respectively; each means having a smooth mating surface for mutually engaging and thereby accommodating the rotation of said grip bar section. 
   
   
       8 . Bath and shower assist means to aid users and thereby prevent slips and falls in the shower and bathtub; said assist means comprising, first compressible means, grip bar section, tensile means, revolution counter, second compressible means, and covering means and sealing means, vertical support means, fitting means, release means, holding means, retaining means, entry means, and lift means integrated into a composite installation to meet the needs of the user;
 a) said first compressible means having first threaded means fixedly attaching to said first compressible means; said first threaded means projecting from first face of said first compressible means; second face of said first compressible means engaging a wall surface upon experiencing an axial force traversing the longitudinal axis of said first compressible means;   b) said grip bar section comprising a tubular section, extending along common longitudinal axis between said first and second compressible means and passing through a circular opening in a component of said fitting means; said grip bar section having a first insert with second threaded means fixedly attaching in first extremity of said section and a second insert having second engaging means fixedly attaching in opposite extremity of said grip bar section; said first and second inserts mating with said first threaded means of said first compressible means and with said first engaging means of said second compressible means respectively; mating of said threaded and engaging means of said compressible means with said inserts of said grip bar section giving said grip bar section rotatability during installation and removal;   c) said second compressible means having first engaging means fixedly attaching to said second compressible means and projecting from first face of second compressible means along a longitudinal axis common to said first and second compressible means; longitudinal axis of said compressible means being coincident with longitudinal axes of said first engaging means and said first threaded means; the second face of said second compressible means engaging a wall surface when experiencing said axial force traversing said common longitudinal axis.   d) said tensile means comprising a plurality of suction cups, vacuum cups, or like means; each unit of said tensile means connecting to tensile bracket means and engaging a parallel wall surface; said bracket having an opening encircling the outer circumference of said grip bar section; said tensile brackets having mobility along said grip bar section and being removable therefrom;   e) said revolution counter comprising a circular segment bracket engaging the circumference of said grip bar section to monitor the number of revolutions applied to said section during installation; said circular segment bracket having an indicator; said indicator aiding in tracking the number of revolutions of said grip bar section;   f) said covering means and sealing means comprising an escutcheon encircling said tubular means, enclosing said compressible and tensile means, having a pliable seal engaging the circumference of said escutcheon; said seal providing a moisture barrier engaging a wall parallel to said covering means;   g) said vertical support means comprising tubular sections connecting to grip means and lift means through fitting means, and engaging the rim of a bathtub through retaining means;   h) said fitting means comprising fittings geometrically shaped and directionally oriented with longitudinal axis of tubular means, connecting tensile means to grip means, lift means to grip means and vertical support means, entry means to said grip means, and grip means to said vertical support means; said fitting means having release means decoupling said lift means and entry means from said fitting means;   i) said entry means comprising a tubular section having a horizontal arm transitioning to a vertical leg; said horizontal arm removably coupling to grip means and spanning the width of the bathtub; said vertical leg engaging the bathtub rim through rim bracket; said entry means having mobility along tubular section of grip means;   j) said lift means comprising a tubular section having a horizontal arm transitioning to a vertical leg; said horizontal arm removably coupling to said vertical support means; said vertical leg removably coupling to said tubular section of grip means;   k) said holding means comprising tensile means and rim bracket; said tensile means connecting to said rim bracket and engaging surface of said bathtub; said rim bracket engaging bathtub rim and having a vertical projection receiving said tubular section of said entry means extending downward; said vertical projection securing said tubular section on bathtub rim along with said tensile means;   l) said tensile means comprising suction means as suction cups, vacuum cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said tensile means and a surface parallel to the face of said tensile means when a compressive force, traversing the longitudinal axis of said tensile means, causes said tensile means to grip said parallel surface;   m) said retaining means comprising said retaining cover and said tensile means engaging bathtub rim; said retaining cover having a vertical projection receiving tubular section of said vertical support means and securing said vertical support means on bathtub rim jointly with said tensile means;   n) said release means comprising operable mechanism mounting in said fittings to couple and decouple tubular sections from said fittings   
   
   
       9 . The first and second compressible means set forth in  claim 8  comprising disks, covered with or constructed of compressible material, suction cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said compressible means and a parallel surface when axial force traverses the longitudinal axis common to said compressible means and said grip bar section. 
   
   
       10 . The first and second threaded means set forth in  claim 8  comprising studs and tubular inserts having mating threads for mutual engagement and rotation of aforesaid grip bar section; said first and second threaded means converting rotational energy applied to said grip bar section into said axial force traversing the longitudinal axis of said grip bar section. 
   
   
       11 . The tensile means set forth in  claim 8  comprising suction means as suction cups, vacuum cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said tensile means and surface parallel to face of said tensile means when a compressive force, traversing the longitudinal axis of said tensile means, causes said tensile means to grip said parallel surface. 
   
   
       12 . The first and second engaging means set forth in  claim 8  comprising studs and tubular inserts respectively; each engaging means having a smooth surface for mutually engaging and aiding the rotation of aforesaid grip bar section. 
   
   
       13 . The assist means set forth in  claim 8  comprising compressible means, grip bar section, tensile means, revolution counter, and covering means and sealing means, vertical support means, fitting means, release means, holding means, retaining means, entry means, and lift means constructed for installation on a free-standing bathtub;
 a) said first compressible means having first threaded means fixedly attaching to said first compressible means; said first threaded means projecting from first face of said first compressible means; second face of said first compressible means engaging a wall surface upon experiencing an axial force traversing the longitudinal axis of said first compressible means;   b) said grip bar section comprising a tubular section, extending along common longitudinal axis between said first and second compressible means and passing through a circular opening in a component of said fitting means; said grip bar section having a first insert with second threaded means fixedly attaching in first extremity of said section and a second insert having second engaging means fixedly attaching in opposite extremity of said grip bar section; said first and second inserts mating with said first threaded means of said first compressible means and with said first engaging means of said second compressible means respectively; mating of said threaded and engaging means of said compressible means with said inserts of said grip bar section giving said grip bar section rotatability during installation and removal;   c) said grip bar section, comprising a tubular section, spanning between said parallel vertical support means; said grip bar section removably coupling to said support means through fitting means;   d) said revolution counter comprising a circular segment bracket engaging the circumference of said grip bar section to monitor the number of revolutions applied to said section during installation; said circular segment bracket having an indicator; said indicator aiding in tracking the number of revolutions of said grip bar section;   e) said holding means comprising tensile means and rim bracket; said tensile means connecting to said rim bracket and engaging surface of said bathtub; said rim bracket engaging bathtub rim and having a vertical projection receiving said tubular section of said entry means extending downward; said vertical projection securing said tubular section on bathtub rim along with said tensile means;   f) said entry means comprising a tubular section having a horizontal arm transitioning to a vertical leg; said horizontal arm removably coupling to grip means and spanning the width of the bathtub; said vertical leg engaging the bathtub rim through rim bracket; said entry means having mobility along tubular section of grip means;   g) said lift means comprising a tubular section having a horizontal arm transitioning to a vertical leg; said horizontal arm removably coupling to said vertical support means; said vertical leg removably coupling to said tubular section of grip means;   h) said covering means and sealing means comprising an escutcheon encircling said tubular means, enclosing said compressible and tensile means, having a pliable seal engaging the circumference of said escutcheon; said seal providing a moisture barrier engaging a wall parallel to said covering means.   
   
   
       14 . The compressible means set forth in  claim 13  comprising disks, covered with or constructed of compressible material, suction cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said compressible means and ceiling surface when said compressive force acts along longitudinal axis common to said compressible means and said vertical support means. 
   
   
       15 . The first and second threaded means set forth in  claim 13  comprising studs and tubular inserts having mating threads for mutual engagement and rotation of aforesaid grip bar section; said first and second threaded means converting rotational energy applied to said grip bar section into an axial compressive force traversing the longitudinal axis of said grip bar section. 
   
   
       16 . The tensile means set forth in  claim 13  comprising suction means as suction cups, vacuum cups, or like means capable of expelling air trapped between face of said tensile means and a tub surface parallel to the face of said tensile means when a compressive force, traversing the longitudinal axis of said tensile means, causes said tensile means to grip said parallel surface.