Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Insulated handle – Bar-type handle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-08-21
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Insulated handle
Bar-type handle
C016S438000, C016S430000, C016S901000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276027
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to an ambulatory assistance device, and more particularly to an ambulatory assistance device such as a grab bar or the like which may be pivoted between an in-use position and a non-in-use stored position.
As is known to persons who design and equip facilities which are usable by the general public, it is highly desirable and oftentimes necessary to provide ambulatory assistance devices. Although these devices are probably most commonly used by persons having ambulatory handicaps, these devices may also be used by anyone who requires or merely feels the need for ambulatory assistance.
One device which is known to persons in the art for providing this type of assistance is commonly referred to as a grab bar device. While some of the prior devices are arranged such that the device may swing or pivot aside when it is not in-use, none of these devices provide a grab bar device or the like which may swing or pivot between a non-in-use position and an in-use position wherein the device will maintain its selected position or orientation without the use of an auxiliary locking mechanism or which requires the user to move the device through some other locking motion.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides an ambulatory assistance device such as a grab bar device or the like which can swing or pivot between a non-in-use position and an in-use position. The present invention acts to maintain its selected position or orientation without relying upon an auxilary locking mechanism or a friction device, or requiring the user of the device to move it through a secondary locking motion. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ambulatory assistance device such as a grab bar or the like which may be moved between a non-in-use position and an in-use position and which will retain the selected position or orientation without relying upon an auxiliary locking mechanism or a friction device, or requiring the user of the device to move it through a secondary motion in order to lock it in the selected position.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ambulatory assistance device that is easy to assemble and readjust for torsional springs of various torque strengths.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ambulatory assistance device wherein the biasing springs are adjustable to increase or decrease torque to accommodate various sizes of grab bars.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ambulatory assistance device such as a grab bar or the like which may be easily moved between a non-in-use position and an in-use position by the user of the device. Other and more detailed objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the disclosure contained herein.
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patent: 1964410 (1971-07-01), None
Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Mah Chuck Y.
Peavey Enoch E.
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