Grab Bar Attachment System

Abstract

A method and apparatus related to a system for attaching a grab bar into existing framing using, for example, a transition board is described. The transition board is attached to a grab bar wall via securing mechanisms that ensure the transition board is properly secured to the grab bar brackets. The securing mechanisms are located in an under channel of the transition board. The transition board with the grab bar attached is then securely installed by securing the transition board to wall studs through the transition board and the wall, resulting in a secure installation.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 088,923, filed on Dec. 8, 2014.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus related to a system for attaching a grab bar into existing framing using, for example, a transition board.BACKGROUND[0003]Grab bars form an important part of modern-day housing adaptations for safety and are especially necessary in bathrooms and any other areas of a house or office to provide support for those with disabilities or age related limitations. A recent report published in the Journal of the American Planning Association forecasts that 28 percent of households will have at least one disabled resident by 2050. In 2000, 35 million Americans were 65 or older, representing 12 percent of the population. That number is expected to climb to 86 million by 2050, with seniors composing 21 percent of the population, according to U.S. Census Bureau p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a problem in the installation of grab bars in existing housing structures. The traditional method of attaching grab bars to framing is difficult and risky, as there is often no existing framing or the framing is not viable for attachment. Additionally, the integrity of interior wood framing is often unknown, making it hard to determine if the framing is structurally sound for attachment. The patent aims to provide an improved apparatus and method for securely attaching grab bars to walls.

Problems solved by technology

Grab bars are often installed after a building is constructed, which present special challenges since securing the grab bar in a code compliant manner to a wall is extremely important.

If a grab bar fails while in use and it separates from the wall to which it is attached, serious injury can result.

It is difficult to attach a grab bar to existing framing because the probability of finding viable framing to mechanically fasten a grab bar during installation is very low, as 90% of a framed five foot section of a wall along the bathtub long wall, for example, is just empty space.

It requires the builder to search for the framing and often requires penetration into the tile as stud finders do not have the accuracy to penetrate the structure of the tiled wall.

Even if framing is found and a suitable stud is located, the builder is never certain if the screw has sunk into the belly of the wood framing.

The risk of catching the framing on the edge of the stud is very real, which creates a splintering effect behind the wall, giving the builder a false positive that a code compliant installation has occurred.

If this occurs, the grab bar has the potential to pull away from the framing when grabbed with enough force.

Nevertheless, in older housing units, this may not be the case.

Conventional guessing as to the location of the framing when one stud has been successfully discovered may not lead the builder to find additional studs where they should be located.

To complicate the installation further, the integrity of interior wood framing is never truly known.

The existing framing may have been previously compromised due to other non-code compliant renovations, water rot, termite damage etc. and would no longer be considered structural.

The weakness of this legacy systems lies from using the holes 160a-160h and the corresponding holes in the right mounting bracket to probe for framing that will secure the grab bar 110 to the wall 150.

If the framing is found, there is no way of verifying if the installer has sunk the screw into the “belly” of the stud or if the screw has “splintered” on the side of the stud.

Other times, the second point of attachment does occasionally cross another stud, but the bar must be placed at an angle or needs to go into a position that is not optimal for the client.

To further complicate the installation, many of the grab bars have only a few holes in the flange on the point of attachment, which limits the location of a fastener and puts the installer at risk of “splintering” the framing upon installation.

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