William R Rankin

US Patent:

39901203, Nov 9, 1976

Filed:

Sep 10, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/611922

Inventors:

William A. Rankin - Evanston IL

International Classification:

A47K 312

US Classification:

4185R

Abstract:

A body-encircling safety ring is supported from at least one side wall of a shower bath installation so as to allow a person showering free use of both hands while preventing a fall in any direction. The preferred support for the safety ring is a horizontal rod anchored at the desired level to a side wall of the shower installation. The preferred form of safety ring comprises two mating semi-circular halves with each half having an ear formation on one end allowing it to be supported in cantilever fashion in various positions along the horizontal rod. Spring-actuated locking means are mounted in the ear formations for cooperating with recesses spaced along a groove extending lengthwise of the rod so as to allow the semi-circular halves to be positioned as desired on the rod. Short transverse escape grooves will be provided adjacent both ends of the rod communicating at right angles with the longitudinal groove so as to allow one of the semi-circular halves to be tilted upwardly and thereby to permit a bather to step into or out of the opened safety ring. In use both ring halves will be closed and locked horizontally around the body of the bather.