Reusable Grab Bar Wall Anchor With Rotatable Mounting Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional anchor assemblies for grab bars in bathrooms often fail to align with wall studs, leading to inconsistent projection dimensions and difficulty in reusing the anchors, as they can fall behind the wall during installation, requiring different configurations for various types of grab bars.
Innovation Solution
A versatile anchor assembly featuring a vertical support beam, flange arm assembly, spring, and rotatable mounting plate that allows for adjustable installation without special tools, enabling secure mounting of multiple grab bar types with consistent projection dimensions and allowing for easy removal and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anchor assemblies are used for grab bar mounting, then installation can be completed, but the projection dimension becomes inconsistent and the anchor cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor assembly is divided into separate components: a mounting plate that remains on the wall and an anchor body that can be removed and reused. The mounting plate includes a flange with pre-drilled holes that stays attached to the wall structure, while the anchor body can be extracted from the wall for future use at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body is designed to be temporarily inserted into the wall during installation, used to secure the grab bar, and then recovered for future reuse. The mounting plate remains permanently attached to the wall while the anchor portion can be removed and reused at different locations.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional anchor assemblies are used, then mounting can be performed, but components fall behind the wall during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate with flange is pre-assembled with the anchor body before insertion into the wall. The flange extends beyond the wall surface and includes a retention mechanism that prevents the entire assembly from falling behind the wall during installation and use.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange acts as an intermediary component that bridges the anchor body and the wall structure. It provides a larger surface area that can be secured to the wall while preventing the anchor components from falling behind the wall surface during installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different anchor configurations are used for various grab bar types, then specific mounting requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with multiple hole locations arranged in different patterns on the flange, allowing a single anchor assembly to accommodate various grab bar types and mounting configurations. The plate can be rotated or repositioned to align different hole patterns with the grab bar mounting holes, providing universal compatibility without requiring multiple specialized anchors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The anchor assembly ensures consistent projection dimensions, prevents components from falling behind the wall, and allows for the use of a single anchor with various grab bars, enhancing installation ease and reducing costs by eliminating the need for multiple anchor configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is attached to the vertical support beam and cooperates with the arm portion to hold the arm in place during installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A grab bar or other accessory is attached to a wall with at least one anchor assembly. The anchor assembly can be removed and repeatedly used as needed. The anchor assembly includes a vertical support beam, an arm having a hub portion and an arm portion, and a mounting plate that is supported by the arm. The arm portion is received within a slot formed within the vertical support beam. A spring is attached to the vertical support beam and cooperates with the arm portion to hold the arm in place during installation. The mounting plate includes a plurality of hole locations spaced radially outwardly from a center opening. The mounting plate is rotatable to position the plurality of hole locations at one of many different desired mount positions for a variety of grab bars.