Removable tub grip
The invention is for a tub grip for a bathtub that assists bathers in entering and exiting a bathtub. The tub grip is sturdy and easy to attach and remove for those that may suffer from loss of strength and dexterity due to advanced age, injury, illness, or other medical condition. In addition, the tub grip is constructed to resist wear and tear and provide its users with a substantial service life. One embodiment of the invention comprises a locking member, a first arm assembly, a clamp assembly, a second arm assembly, and, at least one locking plate. The first and the second arm assemblies and the locking plate are mounted on the locking member, whereas the clamp assembly is attached to the locking member. The locking member comprises a plurality of teeth, to which the locking plate is selectively engageable.
1. A removable tub grip for mounting on an exposed wall of a bathtub, said tub grip comprising:
a first arm assembly for contacting a first side of said exposed tub wall, a second arm assembly for contacting a second side of said exposed tub wall;
a ratcheting mechanism; and
a handle assembly,
wherein at least a portion of said handle assembly is operable to be positioned above and between said first side and said second side of said exposed tub wall when said first arm assembly contacts said first side and said second arm assembly contacts said second side;
wherein said first arm assembly is fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said second arm assembly is operable to move toward said first arm assembly via said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said ratcheting mechanism restricts movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allows movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein said handle assembly is discrete and fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism
wherein said ratcheting mechanism includes a locking member and a locking plate;
wherein said locking member includes a plurality of teeth;
wherein said locking member includes a spring mounted on said locking member and in communication with said locking plate;
wherein said locking plate selectively engages said teeth to restrict movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allow movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly; and
wherein said spring urges said locking plate toward said first arm assembly.
2. The removable tub grip of claim 1 further comprising a clamp assembly,
wherein said clamp assembly is connected to said ratcheting mechanism, and
wherein actuating said clamp assembly causes said second arm assembly to move toward said first arm assembly.
3. The removable tub grip of claim 2 wherein said clamp assembly is operable to convert a rotational force into an increased linear force for moving said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly.
4. The removable tub grip of claim 2 , wherein said clamp assembly includes a lever coupled to a cam in contact with said first arm assembly,
wherein said cam is configured to redirect and multiply a force placed on a portion of said lever distal to said cam to route said lever, and
wherein said force used to actuate said lever is redirected to displace said second arm assembly in a linear manner toward said first arm assembly.
5. The removable tub grip of claim 1 , wherein said handle assembly includes a first handle and a second handle,
wherein said first handle is located above and connects a first pair of vertical posts, and
wherein said second handle is located above and connects a second pair of vertical posts.
6. The removable tub grip of claim 1 , wherein a length of said locking member is substantially greater than a height of said locking member.
7. The removable tub grip of claim 1 , wherein a length of said locking member is substantially greater than a width of said locking member.
8. The removable tub grip of claim 1 , wherein a height of said locking member is greater than a width of said locking member.
9. The removable tub grip of claim 1 , further comprising a locking plate release mechanism,
wherein said locking plate release mechanism is operable to disengage said locking plate from said teeth to allow movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly.
10. The removable tub grip of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of teeth is a tooth having a first edge portion and a second edge portion.
11. The removable tub grip of claim 10 , wherein said tooth has a characteristic angle defined by an intersection of said first edge portion and said second edge portion at a peak of said tooth.
12. The removable tub grip of claim 10 , wherein said tooth has a characteristic angle defined as an angle between said first edge portion and a line passing through a valley where two adjacent teeth meet.
13. The removable tub grip of claim 12 , wherein said characteristic angle is 70 degrees.
14. The removable tub grip of claim 10 , wherein said tooth has a characteristic angle defined as an angle between said second edge portion and a line passing through a valley where two adjacent teeth meet.
15. The removable tub grip of claim 14 , wherein said characteristic angle is 30 degrees.
16. A removable tub grip for mounting on an exposed wall of a bathtub, said tub grip comprising:
a first arm assembly for contacting a first side of said exposed tub wall, a second arm assembly for contacting a second side of said exposed tub wall;
a ratcheting mechanism:
a locking plate release mechanism; and
a handle assembly,
wherein at least a portion of said handle assembly is operable to be positioned above and between said first side and said second side of said exposed tub wall when said first arm assembly contacts said first side and said second arm assembly contacts said second side;
wherein said first arm assembly is coupled to said second arm assembly by said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said first arm assembly is fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism:
wherein said second arm assembly is operable to move toward said first arm assembly via said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said ratcheting mechanism restricts movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allows movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein said handle assembly is discrete and fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said ratcheting mechanism includes a locking member and a locking plate:
wherein said locking member includes a plurality of teeth;
wherein said locking plate selectively engages said teeth to restrict movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allow movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein said locking plate release mmmechanism is operable to disengage said locking plate from said teeth to allow movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly;
wherein said locking plate release mechanism includes a release lever and a guide wire having a first end portion and a second end portion; and
wherein said first end portion is coupled to said release lever and said second end portion is coupled to a hook extending from said locking plate.
17. A removable tub grip for mounting on an exposed wall of a bathtub, said tub grip comprising:
a first arm assembly for contacting a first side of said exposed tub wall, a second arm assembly for contacting a second side of said exposed tub wall;
a ratcheting mechanism; and
a handle assembly,
wherein at least a portion of said handle assembly is operable to be positioned above and between said first side and said second side of said exposed tub wall when said first arm assembly contacts said first side and said second arm assembly contacts said second side;
wherein said first arm assembly is coupled to said second arm assembly by said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said first arm assembly is fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said second arm assembly is operable to move toward said first arm assembly via said ratcheting mechanism; and
wherein said ratcheting mechanism restricts movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allows movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly,;
wherein said handle assembly is discrete and fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism
wherein said ratcheting mechanism includes a locking member and a locking plate;
wherein said locking member includes a plurality of teeth;
wherein said locking plate selectively engages said teeth to restrict movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allow movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly; and
wherein said plurality of teeth form a first row of teeth on a top surface of said locking member and a second row of teeth on a bottom surface of said locking member.
18. The removable tub grip of claim 17 , wherein said locking plate has an aperture through which said locking member extends,
wherein an upper flat portion of said aperture is operable to engage said first row of teeth, and
wherein a lower flat portion of said aperture is operable to engage said second row of teeth.
19. A removable tub grip for mounting on an exposed wall of a bathtub, said tub grip comprising:
a first arm assembly for contacting a first side of said exposed tub wall, a second arm assembly for contacting a second side of said exposed tub wall;
a ratcheting mechanism; and
a handle assembly,
wherein at least a portion of said handle assembly is operable to be positioned above and between said first side and said second side of said exposed tub wall when said first arm assembly contacts said first side and said second arm assembly contacts said second side;
wherein said first arm assembly is fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said second arm assembly is operable to move toward said first arm assembly via said ratcheting mechanism;
wherein said ratcheting mechanism restricts movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allows movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein said handle assembly is discrete and fixed relative to said ratcheting mechanism
wherein said ratcheting mechanism includes a locking member and a locking plate;
wherein said locking member includes a plurality of teeth;
wherein said locking plate selectively engages said teeth to restrict movement of said second arm assembly away from said first arm assembly and allow movement of said second arm assembly toward said first arm assembly;
wherein each of said plurality of teeth is a tooth having a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
wherein said tooth has a characteristic angle defined by an intersection of said first edge portion and said second edge portion at a peak of said tooth; and
wherein said characteristic angle is 100 degrees.