Assist structure for shower or bath

Abstract

This document discusses, among other things an assist structure that includes a mount structure configured to mount above a shower or bath wall, and a support structure configured to couple to the mount structure, extend downward over the shower or bath wall, and contact the shower or bath wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A assist structure comprising:
 a mount structure configured to mount above a shower or bath wall; and   a support structure configured to couple to the mount structure, extend downward over the shower or bath wall, and contact the shower or bath wall.   
     
     
         2 . The assist structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a hand hold structure configured to support to a human shower occupant. 
     
     
         3 . The assist structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer coupled to the support structure, the spacer configured to contact the shower or bath wall. 
     
     
         4 . The assist structure of  claim 1 , wherein the mount structure includes a rail configured to install against a wall above the shower or bath wall, and the support structure is configured couple to the rail. 
     
     
         5 . The assist structure of  claim 4 , wherein the rail provides a secure mounting connection to hold the support structure without penetration of the shower or bath wall. 
     
     
         6 . The assist structure of  claim 5 , wherein the mount structure includes a mounting plate configured to couple to the mount structure, the support structure being coupled to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         7 . The assist structure of  claim 6 , wherein the mounting plate is slidably coupled to the mount structure. 
     
     
         8 . The assist structure of  claim 7 , wherein the mounting plate is selectively securable to the mount structure to prevent sliding of the mounting plate with respect to the mount structure. 
     
     
         9 . The assist structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a first member coupled to the mount structure and extending downward over the shower or bath wall, a second member coupled to the mount structure and extending downward over the shower or bath wall, and a first crossbar extending between the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         10 . The assist structure of  claim 9 , further comprising a second crossbar extending between the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         11 . The assist structure of  claim 9 , further comprising a first spacer coupled to the first member at an intersection of the first crossbar with the first member, and a second spacer coupled to the second member at an intersection of the first crossbar with the second member. 
     
     
         12 . The assist structure of  claim 11 , wherein the first spacer includes a suction cup. 
     
     
         13 . The assist structure of claim I, further comprising a suction cup coupled to the support structure. 
     
     
         14 . The assist structure of  claim 13 , wherein the suction cup includes a threaded member and the support structure includes a threaded hole, the threaded member being configured to screw into the threaded hole to secure the suction cup to the support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The assist structure of  claim 14 , wherein the support structure includes a shelf or basket. 
     
     
         16 . A assist kit for providing a hand support to a shower or bath occupant without puncturing a waterproof surface, the kit comprising:
 a mount structure configured to mount to a wall above a waterproof shower or bath surface; and   a support structure including:   a first portion configured to couple to the mount structure;   a second portion extending downward from the first portion;   a wall-facing portion coupled to the second portion, the wall-facing portion configured to contact a waterproof shower or bath surface;   a hand hold structure coupled to the second portion of the support structure, the hand hold structure configured to support a shower or bath occupant;   wherein when the kit is installed in a shower or bath the hand hold structure is supported by the wall above the shower or bath surface without puncturing the waterproof shower or bath surface.   
     
     
         17 . The assist kit of  claim 16 , wherein the mount structure and the support are a unitary structure. 
     
     
         18 . The assist kit of  claim 17 , wherein the mount structure includes a rail having a top lip and a bottom lip that together define a side profile, and a mounting plate sized and shaped to securely fit within the side profile, the mounting plate being slidably coupled to the rail under the top lip and the bottom lip. 
     
     
         19 . A method of installing an assist structure in a bath or shower stall comprising:
 installing a mounting member to a wall above the bath or shower stall;   coupling a support structure to the mounting member; and   positioning a lower part of the support structure in the bath or shower stall without making a hole in the bath or shower stall.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein installing a mounting member to a wall above the bath or shower stall includes mounting a rail to the wall, and the method includes slidably coupling the support structure to the rail and fixing the support structure with respect to the rail to prevent sliding; and wherein positioning the lower part of the support structure to the shower stall includes coupling the support structure to the bath or shower stall with a suction cup.