JP2005007011A

JP2005007011A - Handrail for bathtub

Info

Publication number: JP2005007011A
Application number: JP2003176050A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoichi Matsuda; 陽一松田; Kiyoshi Takamatsu; 潔高松
Original assignee: Richell Corp
Current assignee: Richell Corp
Priority date: 2003-06-20
Filing date: 2003-06-20
Publication date: 2005-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-20
Also published as: JP4229375B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handrail for a bathtub, having a fixing mechanism more endurable against long-term use than a conventional fixing mechanism, and lengthening the service life of a product. <P>SOLUTION: In the handrail for the bathtub, a mounting body part fitted and fixed to an upper edge part of a bathtub side wall and installing a handrail member, is formed in a side cross-section of downward substantially U shape having an outside plate and an inside plate mutually opposed in substantially parallel; and has a pressing plate for pressing an inner wall surface of the bathtub side wall, so as to sandwich the bathtub side wall between the inside plate and the outside plate abutting on an outer wall surface of the bathtub side wall, a pressing plate supporting screw member penetrating through the inside plate on one end side, and substantially vertically installed to the pressing plate on the other end side, a nut part threadedly engaging the screw member received from one end side thereof, and a handle storing the nut part inside and installed on the inside plate so as to be integrally rotatable with the nut part. The nut part has a female screw hole having a shaft length determined to be the maximum projecting length or more on one end side of the screw member penetrating through the inside plate, and fixed inside the handle by integral molding with the handle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明が属する技術分野】
本発明は、浴槽の側壁に着脱可能に取り付けられる浴槽用手摺に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年の住宅では、高齢者対策としてバリアフリー構造が求められており、浴槽においても高い側壁を跨いで入るのは高齢者にとって困難であることから、側壁を低めにし、手摺りが取り付けられている浴槽の設置が増加している。
【０００３】
しかしながら、新たに建築したり改築される住宅の場合以外では、浴槽を取り替えるのは容易でなく、既存の浴槽に高齢者対策を簡便に施せるものが求められる。そこで従来から、浴槽の側壁に簡単に設置できる着脱可能な浴槽用手摺が用いられている。
【０００４】
この浴槽用手摺としては、例えば、浴槽側壁の上縁部に嵌め込んで固定できる取付部に、把持部を有する手摺部材が装着されたものが一般的である。このような浴槽用手摺では、取付部が浴槽側壁に固定された状態において把持部が浴槽側壁上縁の上方に位置付けられ、浴槽を跨ぐときにこの把持部に掴まって体を支えることのできる構成となっている（例えば、特許文献１，特許文献２参照）。
【０００５】
このような浴槽用手摺の取付部の浴槽側壁への固定機構としては、例えば図５（ａ）に示すような、側断面形状が下向きコの字形状の本体部１００を浴槽側壁３００の上縁部に嵌めて、その互いに略平行に対面する外足板１０１と内足板１０２との間の浴槽側壁３００を挟持することによって本体部１００を浴槽に固定する構成のものが簡便なものとして挙げられる。
【０００６】
これは、外足板１０１を浴槽側壁３００の外壁面３０１に当接させ、内足板１０２にナット１０５とネジ棒１０４を介して支持されている押圧板１０３で浴槽側壁３００の内壁面３０２を押圧することによって浴槽側壁３００を外足板１０１と押圧板１０３とで挟持するものである。
【０００７】
この押圧板１０３にはネジ棒１０４が他端側で垂直に固定されていると共に、このネジ棒１０４の一端側が、内足板１０２を貫通状態で回転可能に取り付けられているナット１０５に螺合しており、このナット１０５に連結ピン１０７を介してハンドル１０６が固定されている。このハンドル１０６の内部には、ナット１０５から突出するネジ棒１０４の一端側を受け入れるための空洞部１０９が形成されている。
【０００８】
従って、図５（ｂ）に示すように、ハンドル１０６を回すことによって、ナット１０５が回転し、これに螺合するネジ棒１０４が相対的に水平方向に移動させられ、それに伴って押圧板１０３の外足板１０１に対する間隔が変化する。即ち、押圧板１０３を外足板１０１に対して最大間隔となる状態にしておいて本体部１００を浴槽側壁３００の上縁部に嵌めてから、押圧板１０３が浴槽側壁の内壁面３０２に当接して適度な押圧状態が得られるまでハンドル１０６を回しつづけるだけで、手摺の浴槽への装着が完了し、またハンドル１０６を逆回しにして押圧板１０３の押圧状態を緩めるだけで速やかに取り外せる。
【０００９】
このような浴槽用手摺の固定機構であれば、着脱が簡便であると共に、浴槽内の突出部はハンドル１０６の高さ分だけであり、ハンドル１０６を回転させてもその突出量は変わらないため、比較的幅の狭い浴槽においても使用に支障はない。
【００１０】
【特許文献１】
実用新案登録第２５４７４８７号公報
【特許文献２】
特開２００２−２０９７８１号公報
【００１１】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記のような固定機構では、ハンドルをナットに固定しなければならず、通常それは連結ピン１０７などの小さい連結部品によるしかなかった。従って、ナットを回転させるための負荷がどうしてもこの連結部品にかかってしまうため、この連結部品に最も故障や破損が生じやすく、ガタついたりまた連結部品が折れてしまえばハンドルは空回りして手摺の装着ができなくなるなど、長期の使用に耐えない危険性があった。
【００１２】
また、ハンドル内に空洞部１０９などのような水が溜まり易い空間が形成されていると、この溜まった水がナットやネジなどの金属部品周りに錆を生じ易くする原因となり、部品および固定機構自体の寿命を短くする問題もあった。
【００１３】
本発明の目的は、上記問題点に鑑み、従来より長期の使用に耐える固定機構を備え、製品寿命の長期化が可能な浴槽用手摺を提供することにある。本発明は、特に錆びにくく故障し難い固定機構を備えた浴槽用手摺の提供を目的とする。また本発明は、着脱操作がよりスムーズに行える浴槽用手摺の提供を目的とする。
【００１４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため、請求項１に記載の発明に係る浴槽用手摺は、互いに略平行に対面する外板と内板とを有すると共に側断面形状が下向き略コの字状で浴槽側壁の上縁部に嵌められて浴槽側壁に固定される取付本体部と、該取付本体部に装着される手摺部材とを備えた浴槽用手摺において、前記取付本体部は、浴槽側壁の外壁面に当接する外板との間で浴槽側壁を挟持するように浴槽側壁の内壁面を押圧する押圧板と、一端側で前記内板を貫通すると共に他端側で前記押圧板に対して略垂直に取り付けられた押圧板支持用ネジ部材と、該ネジ部材をその一端側から受け入れて螺合するナット部と、該ナット部を内部に収容して該ナット部と一体に回転できるように前記内板に取り付けられたハンドルとを有し、前記ナット部が、予め定められた軸長の雌ネジ孔を有すると共に前記ハンドルとの一体成形によりハンドルの内部に固定されており、前記雌ネジ孔の軸長が、前記内板を貫通した前記ネジ部材の一端側の最大突出長以上に定められていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１５】
また、請求項２に記載の発明に係る浴槽用手摺は、請求項１に記載の浴槽用手摺において、前記取付本体部は、外板と内板の上部同士が互いに分離可能に連結される連結部を有し、該連結部が、外板と内板の間隔を調節するために両板の上部同士の連結位置を変更可能な連結調節機構を有するものである。
【００１６】
さらに請求項３に記載の発明に係る浴槽用手摺は、請求項２に記載の浴槽用手摺において、前記連結調節機構が、前記外板と内板の上部に各々延設されて互いに上下に重なる外板連結板および内板連結板と、これら連結板に前記間隔方向へ所定間隔で列設された複数個のネジ孔と、前記両連結板が重なった状態で互いに合致した上下のネジ孔に螺合固定される連結ボルトとを備えていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１７】
また、請求項４に記載の発明に係る浴槽用手摺は、請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載の浴槽用手摺において、前記手摺部材は、前記取付本体部が浴槽側壁に固定された状態で該取付本体部に装着された際に浴槽側壁の上縁部よりも上方に位置する把持部を有し、前記取付本体部が、前記把持部の高さ位置を調節可能に前記手摺部材を装着する装着部を外板に備えているものである。
【００１８】
また、請求項５に記載の発明に係る浴槽用手摺は、請求項１〜４のいずれか１項に記載の浴槽用手摺において、前記内板に固定される浴槽内用取っ手をさらに備えているものである。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の浴槽用手摺は、浴槽側壁の上縁部に嵌められて固定され取付本体部が、互いに略平行に対面するように上部で一体となる外板と内板とで側断面形状下向き略コの字状に構成されたものであり、浴槽側壁の外壁面に当接する外板との間で浴槽側壁を挟持するように浴槽側壁の内壁面を押圧する押圧板が、内板を貫通する一端側がハンドル内部に収容されているナット部に受け入れられて螺合されるネジ部材の他端側に取り付けられて支持されるものであるが、内板を貫通したネジ部材の一端側の最大突出長以上に定められた軸長の雌ネジ孔を有するナット部が、ハンドルとの一体成形によりハンドル内部の固定されているものである。
【００２０】
従って、本発明の浴槽用手摺においては、ハンドル内部に一体成形により固定されているナット部がハンドルと一体に回転するものであり、従来のようなハンドルとナットを連結するピン部材などのナットを回転させる際に負荷が集中して破損が生じ易い介在部品が必要ないため、ハンドルとナット部との間にガタツキが生じたり両部材の連結が断絶してハンドルが空回りする故障も避けられる。
【００２１】
さらに、内板を貫通して突出する押圧板支持用ネジ部材の一端側を受け入れて螺合するナット部は、ハンドル内部に一体成形により収容固定されたものであるので、ハンドル内部に形成される空間はナット部の雌ネジ孔だけであって、従来のナット周辺にネジ部材を受け入れるための空洞部などのようなナット部やネジ部材等の金属部品に容易に錆を生じせしめる水が溜まり易い大きな空間が形成されることもない。
【００２２】
なお、ハンドル内部へのナット部の一体成形による収容固定は、例えば、合成樹脂製のハンドルを射出成形法などの金型を用いて形成する際に、予め金型内に所定のナット部材をセットしておいて成型品に埋め込まれるインサート成形法を利用することによって簡便に得ることができる。この場合、所定軸長の雌ネジ孔を備えたキャップナット部材を用いるのが簡便であるが、これに限らず、例えば、円筒状ナット部材など、その雌ネジ孔内を塞ぐことなく開口端がハンドルの成形樹脂部材で塞がれることによって実質的にキャップナット形状が得られ、ハンドル内に形成される空間が雌ネジ孔のみで済むように成形可能なものであれば利用可能である。
【００２３】
このように、本浴槽用手摺は、取付本体部の固定機構を構成するハンドルやナット部、ネジ部材等に故障や錆びなどが生じ難い長期の使用に耐えるものであり、従来よりその寿命の長期化が実現できるものである。
【００２４】
しかも、本浴槽用手摺においては、ナット部に形成された雌ネジ孔は、その軸長が押圧板支持用ネジ部材の内板を貫通して突出する一端側の最大突出長以上に設定されているため、ネジ部材は突出部全体が雌ネジに接して螺合できるので、ネジ部材のナット部に対する螺進退は常に滑らかに進行し、浴槽側壁を押圧挟持するためのハンドル回転による押圧板の移動調整は非常にスムーズに行われる。
【００２５】
また本発明では、押圧板への押圧支持用ネジ部材の取り付けは、押圧板に対して垂直に固定されるものに限らない。これは、浴槽によっては側壁の厚みが均一でなく、浴槽側壁の上縁部で外壁面と内壁面とが平行でないものがあるためである。そこで、押圧板は押圧支持用ネジ部材に対して若干首振りできるような取付状態とすることによって、押圧板は外板に対して平行な対面状態に固定されることなく傾動できるため、厚みが均一でない浴槽側壁に対しても外板と押圧板との間で良好に押圧挟持でき、常に取付本体部の浴槽側壁上縁部への安定した固定状態が確保できる。
【００２６】
なお、取付本体部を浴槽側壁に固定する際に、外板を浴槽側壁外壁面に当接させて押圧板で浴槽側壁内壁面を押圧するという機構が採用されるのは、一般的な浴槽では、側壁が中空で内壁面に比べて外壁面側が強度的に弱いものが多いためである。
【００２７】
しかし、外壁面が押圧挟持に充分対応できる強度を持つものであれば外壁面側を押圧板で押圧することも可能となる。このような場合、本発明の浴槽用手摺では、取付本体部は下向きコの字形状であり、向きを変えて浴槽側壁上縁部に嵌めるだけで、外板を浴槽側壁の内壁面に当接させた状態で押圧板を浴槽側壁外壁面に押圧させ、取付本体部の浴槽側壁への固定が行えるので、浴槽側壁の内外いずれの側からの押圧挟持による固定できるものであり、内壁面に対してのみ押圧を行う機構に限定されるものではない。
【００２８】
また、このようなどちら側からも押圧できる機構であることから、取付部本体に装着される手摺部材や取っ手なども、実際の固定向きに応じて外板と内板のどちらでも装着できるようなものとしておいても良い。
【００２９】
以上のような構成を備えた本浴槽用手摺では、下向き略コの字形状の取付本体部を嵌めることのできる厚みを有する浴槽側壁であれば、押圧板の位置を調節して側壁幅の異なる各種浴槽に対応して固定することができる。
【００３０】
下向き略コの字形状の取付本体部の構成としては、例えば一枚金属板をコの字状に折り曲げて外板と内板とを連続的に設ける一部材構成が最も簡便である。しかしながら、取付本体部の外板と内板との間隔が適用可能な浴槽側壁厚みの最大限度となるため、より広範に各種厚みの浴槽に対応させるためには、例えば、互いに外板と内板の間隔の異なる取付本体部を製造しておき、数種の浴槽用手摺製品を選択可能に用意しておけば良い。
【００３１】
あるいは、取付本体部自身に外板と内板の間隔を調整できる構成を備えておけば、共通の部品で製造された１種の浴槽用手摺製品でありながら広範な厚みの異なる各種浴槽に適用でき、設計、製造も簡便となる。
【００３２】
即ち、取付本体部を、外板と内板とを互いに分離可能に連結される連結部を備えた構成とし、この連結部に、外板と内板の上部同士の連結位置を変更できる連結調節機構を設けておけば良い。この連結調節機構としては、例えば、外板と内板の上部に各々延設されて互いに上下に重なる外板連結板および内板連結板に、複数個のネジ孔を前記間隔方向へ所定間隔で列設し、両連結板が重なった状態で互いに合致した上下のネジ孔に連結ボルトを螺合することによって両連結板同士を連結するものが簡便な構成としてあげられる。
【００３３】
このような連結調節機構では、外板連結板と内板連結板とを上下に重ねた状態で前記間隔方向に沿って外板と内板とが互いに近接する方向に摺動させて上下のネジ孔を合致させて連結ボルトを螺合固定すれば、取付本体部の前記間隔を狭く調整でき、比較的厚みの薄い浴槽側壁に対してハンドル回転による押圧板の移動距離が適度に小さくて済むように設定しておくことができるので、浴槽用手摺の着脱操作を容易にすることができる。さらに、押圧板の移動距離を極力小さくすることによって、取付本体部の浴槽側壁固定状態において、入浴の邪魔になるような浴槽内壁面から湯船内側への内板およびハンドルの突出分も少なく抑えられることになる。
【００３４】
逆に、両連結板を、外板と内板とが互いに離反する方向に摺動させて上下のネジ孔を合致させ連結ボルトで螺合固定すれば、取付本体部の前記間隔を広めに調整でき、比較的厚みの大きい浴槽側壁に対する浴槽用手摺の着脱操作を容易にすることができる。
【００３５】
また、本発明における外板と内板の連結は、上記のような外板連結板と内板連結板とを直接連結する構成に限らず、例えば、別体の第３の連結板を介して外板と内板とを連結するあるいは外板連結板と内板連結板とを連結するという構成も可能である。
【００３６】
また、本浴槽用手摺において取付本体部に装着される手摺部材としては、種々のものが挙げられるが、入浴者が浴槽内に跨ぎ入る際に掴まって体を支えられるように、取付本体部が浴槽側壁に対して取付固定が完了した状態において浴槽側壁上縁部の上方に位置付けられる把持部を備えたものが簡単な設計でありながらも手摺として効果的な構成である。
【００３７】
この場合、把持部を支持し取付本体部へ装着される手摺部材の支持部は、浴槽外で浴槽に蓋を被せるのに邪魔にならないものであることが好ましい。それには、取付本体部の手摺部材装着部を浴槽側壁の外側に位置する外板に設けるのが好適である。また、この装着部は、実際に手摺の必要な入浴者に応じて掴まりやすいように把持部の高さ位置を調節できるものとするのが望ましい。
【００３８】
さらに、手摺部材の装着は、一つの部材を装着する構成に限らず、例えば、入浴者が両手で掴まれるように二つの手摺部材を取り付ける場合もある。この様な場合、装着部を取付本体部の外板だけでなく、取付本体部の頭頂部、即ち、外板と内板の連結板やその上に別の装着部を取り付けて手摺部材を装着する構成も考えられる。
【００３９】
従って、手摺部材が使用状態で装着されたままでは風呂蓋を閉められないこともあるため、手摺部材の装着部自体を移動できる構成とする、あるいはまた取付本体部に複数箇所の装着部を設け、装着箇所を選択できる構成としても良い。
【００４０】
また、内板に浴槽内用取っ手をさらに備えておけば、入浴者は体の一部を湯船から出すことなく入浴中も体を支えることができる。この取っ手も、向きや位置が変更できるように内板に複数箇所の取付部を設ける構成としても良い。
【００４１】
【実施例】
本発明の一実施例として、金属製キャップナットをインサート成形により内部に収容固定してなるナット部を有するハンドルを用いた浴槽用手摺を図１〜図３に示す。
【００４２】
図１は、本実施例による浴槽用手摺の概略全体構成図であり、（ａ）は側面図、（ｂ）は正面図である。図２は、本浴槽用手摺の固定機構を説明する取付本体部の断面模式図である。図３は、本浴槽用手摺を上方から見た平面図である。
【００４３】
本浴槽用手摺は、互いに略平行に対面するように上部が連結された外板１と内板２とで側断面形状が下向き略コの字状に構成される取付本体部１０が浴槽側壁の上縁に嵌められて浴槽側壁に固定されるものであり、この取付本体部１０が浴槽側壁に固定された状態で浴槽側壁の上縁部よりも上方に把持部２５が位置するように手摺部材２３の支持部２４が外板１に設けられた装着部２１に装着されるものである。
【００４４】
本実施例における取付本体部１０の固定機構は、浴槽側壁の外壁面に当接する外板１と、該外板１との間で浴槽側壁を挟持するように浴槽側壁の内壁面を押圧する押圧板３とによって主に構成される。この押圧板３には、一端側で内板２を貫通する押圧板支持用ネジ部材４の他端側が内板２に対面する押圧板裏面に略垂直に取り付けられている。これによって押圧板３は、その表面側が外板１と対面状態で内板２に支持されるものである。
【００４５】
また、内板２の外側には、ハンドル６がリング状の係止部材８を介して回転自在に取り付けられている。係止部材８は、幅広の内側外周部が内板２の内面に当接係止する状態で、ネジ部材４の一端側が貫通する内板２の貫通孔内周に内側から挿通されており、貫通孔から突出している外側部分にハンドル６が嵌合して固定ピン７で固定されている。
【００４６】
よって、ハンドル６は、内板２面に対して直交する方向を回転軸中心として回り、ハンドル６と共に回転する係止部材８によって軸方向への移動が規制されるものである。即ち、ハンドル６は常に内板２に接したまま回転し、湯船内側への突出分としてのハンドル高さはこれ以上増えることはない。
【００４７】
このハンドル６の内部に一体成形により収容固定されているナット部５は、内板２を貫通して突出するネジ部材４の一端側を受け入れて螺合する雌ネジ孔９が形成されており、ハンドル６が回されるとこれと一体に回転し、螺合するネジ部材４を相対的に螺進退させて押圧板３を外板１に対して近接方向或いは離反する方向へ移動させる。
【００４８】
従って、取付本体部１０を浴槽側壁の上縁部に嵌めこみ、外板１を浴槽側壁の外壁面に当接させた状態でハンドル６を回すことによって、押圧板３を浴槽側壁の内壁面に向けて移動させることができ、押圧板３を該内壁面に当接させ、外板１との間で浴槽側壁を挟持するように押圧するまでハンドル６を回すだけで、取付本体部１０の浴槽側壁への取付固定が完了する。また、ハンドル６を逆向に回せば、押圧板３は前記内壁面から離反する方向へ移動させられて挟持固定状態が解除され、取付本体部１０を浴槽側壁から取り外すことができる。
【００４９】
本実施例の浴槽用手摺においては、ナット部５はハンドル６の内部に一体成形によって固定されており、ハンドル６と一体に回転するものであるため、従来のハンドルとナットを連結ピンで連結させていた場合のようにハンドルを回してナットを回転させる際に負荷が集中して破損が生じ易い介在部品がなく、ハンドル６とナット部５との間にガタツキが生じたり両部材の連結が断絶してハンドル６が空回りする故障も避けられる。
【００５０】
また本実施例においては、ナット部５が、内板２を貫通したネジ部材４の一端側の最大突出長以上の軸長に設定されている雌ネジ孔９を備えたキャップナット形状を有するものであるため、ネジ部材４の突出部分は全てナット部６の雌ネジ孔９内で受け入れられ、ハンドル６の内部にナット周辺でネジ部材４を受け入れるための空洞部などのような水が溜まり易い空間はない。従って、本実施例の浴槽用手摺では、従来このような水が溜まる空間があることによって、ナット部５やネジ部材４等の金属部品を錆を生じさせ易くしていた原因が排除されるものとなる。
【００５１】
以上のように、本実施例による浴槽用手摺においては、取付本体部１０の固定機構を構成するハンドル６、ナット部５およびネジ部材４等が従来のものに比べて故障や錆びなどが生じ難い長期の使用に耐えるものであり、浴槽用手摺製品自体の寿命の長期化に寄与するものである。
【００５２】
さらに本浴槽用手摺では、ナット部５に形成された雌ネジ孔９は、その軸長がネジ部材４の内板２を貫通して突出する一端側の最大突出長以上に設定されているため、ネジ部材４は突出部全体が雌ネジに接して螺合できるので、ネジ部材４のナット部５に対する螺進退は常に滑らかに進行する。よって浴槽側壁を押圧挟持するためのハンドル６の回転による押圧板３の移動調整は、非常にスムーズに行われる。
【００５３】
なお、本実施例では、ネジ部材４の他端側の押圧板３への取り付けは、ビスＢを介したものとした。このビスＢは、そのビス頭が押圧板３のほぼ中央部に形成されている凹部内に位置するように押圧板３をネジ部材４の他端部にビス止めしており、押圧板３はネジ部材４に対して若干首振りできるような緩みを有するものとした。このため、取付対象である浴槽側壁の上縁部厚みが均一でなく断面略テーパ形状であっても、押圧板３はその形状に応じて傾動しつつ浴槽側壁内壁面に当接でき、外板１との間で良好に押圧挟持できる。
【００５４】
また、浴槽側壁の断面テーパ形状の傾斜角度が比較的大きな場合にも良好な押圧挟持状態がより容易に得られるように、外板１の浴槽壁面対面側に、別の固定用板を若干の首振り傾動ができるように取り付ける構成としても良い。
【００５５】
また、本実施例においては、外板１と内板２にそれぞれその上部直交方向に延設された外板連結板１Ｘおよび内板連結板２Ｙとが上下に重ねられた状態で連結されることによって側断面下向きコの字形状に取付本体部１０が構成されるものであり、外板連結板１Ｘと内板連結板２Ｙとの連結位置を変更して外板１と内板２の間隔を調節するための連結調節機構を備えた。
【００５６】
図２、図３に示すように、外板連結板１Ｘと内板連結板２Ｙとにはそれぞれ同じ所定間隔で複数個のネジ孔（１１，１２）が外内板の間隔方向に列設されており、両連結板（１Ｘ，２Ｙ）が重なった状態で互いに合致した上下のネジ孔（１１，１２）に連結ボルト１３が螺合固定されることによって外板１と内板２とが連結されるものである。
【００５７】
本実施例における連結調節機構とは、これら外板連結板１Ｘと内板連結板２Ｙとで上下に合致させるネジ孔を変更することによって、外板１と内板２との間隔を調節するものである。
【００５８】
即ち、外板１と内板２とが互いに近接する方向に外板連結板１Ｘと内板連結板２Ｙとを相対的にスライドさせて、両連結板の重なり領域がより大きくなる状態で上下のネジ孔（１１，１２）を合致させて連結ボルト１３で螺合固定すれば、外内板間隔は狭く調節でき、逆に外板１と内板２とが互いに離反する方向に外板連結板１Ｘと内板連結板２Ｙとを相対的にスライドさせて、両連結板の重なり領域がより小さくなる状態で上下のネジ孔（１１，１２）を合致させて連結ボルト１３で螺合固定すれば、外内板間隔は広く調節できる。
【００５９】
このような連結調節機構により、本浴槽用手摺は、様々な厚みの各種浴槽側壁に対して広範に適用可能となり、予め固定対象となる浴槽の側壁厚みに応じて外板１と内板２との間隔をその厚みより若干大きい程度に設定しておけば、押圧板３を浴槽内壁面に当接させるまでの移動距離は最小限で済み、ハンドル４の回転による浴槽用手摺の浴槽側壁への固定および取り外しの着脱操作が容易となるだけでなく、押圧板３の移動距離を極力小さくすることによって、取付本体部１０の浴槽側壁固定状態において、入浴の邪魔になるような浴槽内壁面から湯船内側への内板２およびハンドル６の突出分も少なく抑えられる。
【００６０】
以上の構成を備えた取付本体部１０の外板１には、手摺部材２３の支持部２４を装着する装着部２１が形成されている。本実施例の手摺部材２３においては、外形略卵型のリング形状を有する把持部２５を二本の互いに平行な棒状の支持部２４で上方に斜めに支えてなるものとした。
【００６１】
一方、装着部２１は、この二本の支持部２４をそれぞれ掛止し、装着固定するものである。掛止手段としては、例えば、図４の背面図に示すように、掛止ボルト２７を装着部２１に形成された貫通孔を介して支持部２４に形成された掛止ネジ孔２６に螺合させるネジ止め機構が利用できる。本実施例では、掛止ネジ孔２６を、支持部２４の高さ相当の長尺方向に亘って所定間隔毎に複数個設けておき、装着部２１の貫通孔に合致される掛止ネジ孔２６を変更することによって把持部２５の高さ位置を調節できるものとした。
【００６２】
また、本実施例においては、取付本体部１０の内板２に浴槽内用取っ手２２を取り付けた。この取っ手２２は、入浴者が湯船から体の一部を出すことなく掴めるものであり、入浴中も体を支え姿勢を良好に保つことができる。
【００６３】
また、取付本体部１０の浴槽側壁の表面に当接する領域、即ち外板１の内側面や外板連結板１Ｘの下側面、押圧板３の表面側等に、ゴムや樹脂などからなる滑り止めシートＳを貼り付けてある。この滑り止めシートＳの介在により、取付本体部１０の固定状態がより確実になると共に、金属板部材の当接、押圧による浴槽側壁表面への傷付が防止できる。
【００６４】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の浴槽用手摺によれば、取付本体部を固定するためにハンドルを回すと内部に収容されたナット部も一体に回転するものであるため、回転運動の負荷が集中して破損し固定機構に支障を生じさせうるような連結ピンなどの介在部品がないだけ故障が少ないとともに、ハンドル内部に水が溜まるような空洞部がない分、ナット部やネジ部材等の金属部品に錆が生じにくいため、従来にくらべて各部材、機構が長期の使用に耐え、製品の寿命が長期化が可能となるという効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一本実施例による浴槽用手摺の概略全体構成図であり、（ａ）は側面図、（ｂ）は正面図である。
【図２】本浴槽用手摺の固定機構を説明する取付本体部の断面模式図である。
【図３】本浴槽用手摺を上方から見た平面図である。
【図４】本浴槽用手摺の背面図である。
【図５】従来技術による浴槽用手摺の固定機構の一例を示す断面模式図であり、（ａ）は押圧板移動前状態、（ｂ）は押圧板移動後の浴槽側壁の押圧挟持状態を示す模式図である。
【符号の説明】
１：外板
１Ｘ：外板連結板
２：内板
２Ｙ：内板連結板
３：押圧板
４：押圧板支持用ネジ部材
Ｂ：ビス
５：ナット部
６：ハンドル
７：固定ピン
８：掛止部材
９：雌ネジ孔
１０：取付本体部
１１，１２：ネジ孔
１３：連結ボルト
２１：装着部
２２：浴槽内用取っ手
２３：手摺部材
２４：支持部
２５：把持部
２６：掛止ネジ孔
２７：掛止ボルト
Ｓ：滑り止めシート[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a handrail for a bathtub that is detachably attached to a side wall of the bathtub.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent housing, barrier-free structure is required as a countermeasure for the elderly, and it is difficult for elderly people to enter the bathtub across the high side walls, so the side walls are lowered and handrails are attached. The installation of bathtubs is increasing.
[0003]
However, except in the case of a newly constructed or renovated house, it is not easy to replace the bathtub, and an existing bathtub is required that can easily take measures against the elderly. Therefore, a removable bathtub handrail that can be easily installed on the side wall of the bathtub is conventionally used.
[0004]
As this handrail for bathtubs, what attached the handrail member which has a holding part to the attaching part which can be fitted and fixed to the upper edge part of the bathtub side wall is common, for example. In such a handrail for bathtubs, the gripping part is positioned above the upper edge of the bathtub side wall in a state where the mounting part is fixed to the bathtub side wall, and the body can be supported by gripping the gripping part when straddling the bathtub. (For example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
[0005]
For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), as the mechanism for fixing the attachment part of the bathtub handrail to the bathtub side wall, the main body part 100 whose side cross-sectional shape is a downward U shape is used as the upper edge of the bathtub side wall 300. A configuration in which the main body 100 is fixed to the bathtub by sandwiching the bathtub side wall 300 between the outer foot plate 101 and the inner foot plate 102 facing each other substantially parallel to each other is given as a simple one. It is done.
[0006]
This is because the outer foot plate 101 is brought into contact with the outer wall surface 301 of the bathtub side wall 300, and the inner wall surface 302 of the bathtub side wall 300 is moved by the pressing plate 103 supported by the inner foot plate 102 via the nut 105 and the screw rod 104. By pressing, the bathtub side wall 300 is sandwiched between the outer foot plate 101 and the pressing plate 103.
[0007]
A screw rod 104 is vertically fixed to the pressing plate 103 at the other end, and one end of the screw rod 104 is screwed into a nut 105 that is rotatably attached to the inner foot plate 102. A handle 106 is fixed to the nut 105 via a connecting pin 107. A hollow portion 109 for receiving one end of the screw rod 104 protruding from the nut 105 is formed inside the handle 106.
[0008]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the handle 106 is rotated, the nut 105 is rotated, and the screw rod 104 that is screwed to the nut 105 is relatively moved in the horizontal direction. The distance from the outer foot plate 101 changes. That is, after the pressing plate 103 is placed at the maximum distance from the outer foot plate 101 and the main body 100 is fitted to the upper edge of the bathtub side wall 300, the pressing plate 103 contacts the inner wall surface 302 of the bathtub side wall. By simply turning the handle 106 until it comes into contact and an appropriate pressing state is obtained, the mounting of the handrail into the bathtub is completed, and the handle 106 can be rotated backward to loosen the pressing state of the pressing plate 103 and quickly removed.
[0009]
Such a handrail fixing mechanism for a bathtub is easy to attach and detach, and the protruding portion in the bathtub is only the height of the handle 106, and the protruding amount does not change even if the handle 106 is rotated. Even in a relatively narrow bathtub, there is no hindrance to use.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
Utility Model Registration No. 2547487
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-209781 A
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the fixing mechanism as described above, the handle has to be fixed to the nut, which is usually only by a small connecting component such as the connecting pin 107. Therefore, since the load for rotating the nut is inevitably applied to this connecting part, this connecting part is most likely to fail or break, and if the rattling or the connecting part breaks, the handle will be idle and the handrail will There was a risk that it could not be used for a long time, such as being unable to wear it.
[0012]
Further, if a space such as the cavity 109 where water easily collects is formed in the handle, this accumulated water is likely to cause rust around metal parts such as nuts and screws. There was also a problem of shortening the lifetime of itself.
[0013]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a handrail for a bathtub provided with a fixing mechanism that can withstand long-term use and capable of extending the product life. An object of the present invention is to provide a handrail for a bathtub provided with a fixing mechanism that is particularly resistant to rust and failure. Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the handrail for bathtubs in which attachment / detachment operation can be performed more smoothly.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a bathtub handrail according to the invention described in claim 1 has an outer plate and an inner plate facing each other substantially parallel to each other, and has a substantially U-shaped side section in a downward direction. In a bathtub handrail comprising an attachment main body portion that is fitted to the upper edge portion and is fixed to the bathtub side wall, and a handrail member that is attached to the attachment main body portion, the attachment main body portion contacts the outer wall surface of the bathtub side wall. A pressing plate that presses the inner wall surface of the bathtub side wall so that the bathtub side wall is sandwiched between the outer plate and the outer plate in contact with the outer plate, and the inner plate penetrates the inner plate at one end side and is attached substantially perpendicular to the pressing plate at the other end side. A screw member for supporting the pressed plate, a nut portion for receiving and screwing the screw member from one end thereof, and housing the nut portion therein so that the nut plate can be rotated integrally with the nut portion. An attached handle, and the nut portion is predetermined. And is fixed to the inside of the handle by integral molding with the handle, and the axial length of the female screw hole is the maximum on one end side of the screw member passing through the inner plate. It is characterized by being defined to be longer than the protruding length.
[0015]
The bathtub handrail according to the invention described in claim 2 is the bathtub handrail according to claim 1, wherein the mounting main body is connected so that the upper portions of the outer plate and the inner plate are separably connected to each other. And a connecting adjustment mechanism capable of changing the connecting position between the upper parts of both plates in order to adjust the distance between the outer plate and the inner plate.
[0016]
Furthermore, the handrail for bathtubs according to the invention described in claim 3 is the handrail for bathtubs according to claim 2, wherein the connection adjusting mechanisms are respectively extended on top of the outer plate and the inner plate and overlap each other. An outer plate connecting plate and an inner plate connecting plate, a plurality of screw holes arranged in the connecting plate at a predetermined interval in the connecting direction, and upper and lower screw holes that match each other in a state where the connecting plates overlap each other. And a connecting bolt to be screwed and fixed.
[0017]
Moreover, the handrail for bathtubs concerning the invention of Claim 4 is the handrail for bathtubs of any one of Claims 1-3, The said handrail member has the said attachment main-body part fixed to the bathtub side wall. The handrail member having a grip portion positioned above the upper edge portion of the bathtub side wall when mounted on the mounting body portion in a state, and the mounting body portion being capable of adjusting a height position of the grip portion. The outer plate is provided with a mounting portion for mounting.
[0018]
Moreover, the handrail for bathtubs concerning the invention of Claim 5 is further equipped with the handle for bathtubs fixed to the said inner board in the handrail for bathtubs of any one of Claims 1-4. Is.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The handrail for bathtub of the present invention is fitted and fixed to the upper edge of the bathtub side wall, and the mounting main body is substantially parallel with the outer plate and the inner plate at the top so that the mounting main body faces substantially parallel to each other. A pressing plate that presses the inner wall surface of the bathtub side wall so as to sandwich the bathtub side wall with the outer plate that contacts the outer wall surface of the bathtub side wall penetrates the inner plate. One end is received and supported by the other end of the screw member that is received and screwed into the nut portion accommodated inside the handle, but the maximum protrusion on the one end side of the screw member that penetrates the inner plate A nut portion having a female screw hole having a shaft length determined to be longer than the length is fixed inside the handle by integral molding with the handle.
[0020]
Therefore, in the handrail for bathtubs of the present invention, the nut portion fixed by integral molding inside the handle rotates integrally with the handle, and a nut such as a pin member for connecting the handle and the nut as in the prior art is used. Since there is no need for intervening parts that are likely to be damaged due to the concentration of loads when rotating, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of rattling between the handle and the nut portion or the failure of the connection between the two members to cause the handle to idle.
[0021]
Furthermore, the nut portion that receives one end of the screw member for supporting the pressing plate projecting through the inner plate and is screwed therein is housed and fixed inside the handle by integral molding, and thus is formed inside the handle. The space is only the female screw hole of the nut portion, and water that easily causes rust in the metal parts such as the nut portion and the screw member such as a hollow portion for receiving the screw member around the conventional nut easily collects. A large space is not formed.
[0022]
For example, when a synthetic resin handle is formed using a mold such as an injection molding method, a predetermined nut member is set in the mold in advance. It can be easily obtained by using an insert molding method embedded in a molded product. In this case, it is convenient to use a cap nut member provided with a female screw hole having a predetermined axial length, but the opening end is not limited to this, for example, a cylindrical nut member or the like without blocking the inside of the female screw hole. Any material can be used as long as the cap nut shape can be obtained substantially by closing the handle with the molded resin member of the handle and the space formed in the handle can be formed only by the female screw hole.
[0023]
In this way, this bathtub handrail can withstand long-term use where the handle, nut, screw member, etc. that constitute the fixing mechanism of the mounting main body are less likely to fail or rust. Can be realized.
[0024]
In addition, in the handrail for the bathtub, the axial length of the female screw hole formed in the nut portion is set to be equal to or greater than the maximum protruding length on one end side that protrudes through the inner plate of the pressing plate supporting screw member. Therefore, since the screw member can be screwed with the entire protruding portion in contact with the female screw, the screw member advances and retracts smoothly with respect to the nut portion, and the pressing plate moves by rotating the handle to press and hold the bathtub side wall. Adjustment is very smooth.
[0025]
Moreover, in this invention, attachment of the screw member for a press support to a press plate is not restricted to what is fixed perpendicularly | vertically with respect to a press plate. This is because the thickness of the side wall is not uniform depending on the bathtub, and the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface are not parallel at the upper edge of the bathtub side wall. Therefore, the pressure plate can be tilted without being fixed in a facing state parallel to the outer plate by setting the pressure plate so that it can be slightly swung with respect to the pressure support screw member. Even a non-uniform bathtub side wall can be pressed and held well between the outer plate and the pressing plate, and a stable fixed state to the upper edge of the bathtub side wall of the mounting body can always be secured.
[0026]
In addition, when fixing an attachment main-body part to a bathtub side wall, the mechanism of making an outer plate contact a bathtub side wall outer wall surface and pressing a bathtub side wall inner wall surface with a press plate is adopted in a general bathtub. This is because the side wall is hollow and the outer wall surface side is weaker in strength than the inner wall surface.
[0027]
However, it is possible to press the outer wall surface with a pressing plate as long as the outer wall surface has a strength that can sufficiently cope with pressing. In such a case, in the bathtub handrail of the present invention, the mounting main body portion has a U-shaped downward shape, and the outer plate is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the bathtub side wall only by changing the direction and fitting to the upper edge of the bathtub side wall. In this state, the pressing plate is pressed against the outer wall surface of the bathtub side wall, and the mounting main body can be fixed to the bathtub side wall, so that it can be fixed by pressing from either the inner or outer side of the bathtub side wall. It is not limited to a mechanism that performs only pressing.
[0028]
In addition, since it is a mechanism that can be pressed from either side, a handrail member or handle mounted on the mounting body can be mounted on either the outer plate or the inner plate depending on the actual fixing direction. It can be left as it is.
[0029]
In the bathtub handrail having the above-described configuration, the side wall width is different by adjusting the position of the pressing plate as long as it is a bathtub side wall having a thickness capable of fitting a substantially U-shaped attachment main body portion downward. It can be fixed corresponding to various bathtubs.
[0030]
As a configuration of the mounting body portion having a substantially U-shape downward, for example, a one-member configuration in which a single metal plate is bent into a U-shape and an outer plate and an inner plate are continuously provided is the simplest. However, since the distance between the outer plate and the inner plate of the mounting main body portion is the maximum limit of the applicable bathtub side wall thickness, in order to more widely correspond to various thickness bathtubs, for example, the outer plate and the inner plate are mutually connected. The attachment main-body part from which the space | interval differs may be manufactured, and several types of handrail products for bathtubs should just be prepared so that selection is possible.
[0031]
Alternatively, if the mounting body itself has a configuration that can adjust the distance between the outer plate and the inner plate, it can be applied to various types of bathtubs with a wide range of thicknesses, even though it is one type of handrail product for bathtubs manufactured with common parts. It can be designed and manufactured easily.
[0032]
That is, the mounting main body is configured to include a connecting portion that connects the outer plate and the inner plate so as to be separable from each other. A mechanism should be provided. As the connection adjusting mechanism, for example, a plurality of screw holes are provided at predetermined intervals in the interval direction in the outer plate connecting plate and the inner plate connecting plate that are respectively extended on top of the outer plate and the inner plate and overlap each other. A simple configuration is one in which the connecting plates are connected to each other by screwing connecting bolts into upper and lower screw holes that are aligned with each other in a state where the connecting plates overlap.
[0033]
In such a connection adjustment mechanism, the outer plate connecting plate and the inner plate connecting plate are stacked in the vertical direction, and the outer plate and the inner plate are slid in the direction of approaching each other along the interval direction. If the connecting bolts are screwed and fixed with the holes aligned, the distance between the mounting main body portions can be adjusted narrowly, and the travel distance of the pressing plate by rotating the handle on the relatively thin bathtub side wall can be appropriately reduced. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the attaching / detaching operation of the bathtub handrail. Furthermore, by making the moving distance of the pressing plate as small as possible, in the state where the bathtub side wall of the mounting main body is fixed, the protrusion of the inner plate and the handle from the bathtub inner wall surface to the inside of the bathtub can be suppressed. It will be.
[0034]
On the contrary, if both the connecting plates are slid in the direction in which the outer plate and the inner plate are separated from each other, the upper and lower screw holes are matched and screwed and fixed with connecting bolts, the spacing between the mounting body parts is adjusted to be wide. It is possible to facilitate the attachment / detachment operation of the handrail for the bathtub with respect to the bathtub side wall having a relatively large thickness.
[0035]
Further, the connection between the outer plate and the inner plate in the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the outer plate connecting plate and the inner plate connecting plate are directly connected as described above, for example, via a separate third connecting plate. A configuration in which the outer plate and the inner plate are connected or the outer plate connecting plate and the inner plate connecting plate are connected is also possible.
[0036]
In addition, there are various handrail members that can be attached to the mounting main body in the handrail for the bathtub, but the mounting main body is supported so that the bather can grab and support the body when entering the bathtub. In the state where the mounting and fixing with respect to the bathtub side wall is completed, the one provided with the grip portion positioned above the upper edge of the bathtub side wall is an effective configuration as a handrail although it has a simple design.
[0037]
In this case, it is preferable that the support portion of the handrail member that supports the grip portion and is attached to the attachment main body portion does not get in the way of covering the bathtub outside the bathtub. For this purpose, it is preferable to provide the handrail member mounting portion of the mounting main body portion on the outer plate located outside the bathtub side wall. In addition, it is desirable that the mounting portion can adjust the height position of the gripping portion so that it can be easily gripped according to a bather who actually needs a handrail.
[0038]
Furthermore, the mounting of the handrail member is not limited to the configuration in which one member is mounted. For example, two handrail members may be attached so that the bather can be grasped with both hands. In such a case, the mounting part is mounted not only on the outer plate of the mounting body part, but also on the top of the mounting body part, that is, the connecting plate of the outer plate and the inner plate, or another mounting part is mounted on it and the handrail member is mounted It is also possible to use a configuration that does this.
[0039]
Therefore, since the bath lid may not be closed when the handrail member is mounted in use, the mounting portion itself of the handrail member can be moved, or a plurality of mounting portions are provided on the mounting main body portion. It is good also as a structure which can select a mounting location.
[0040]
Further, if the inner plate is further provided with a bathtub handle, the bather can support the body during bathing without taking a part of the body out of the bathtub. This handle may also be configured to have a plurality of attachment portions on the inner plate so that the orientation and position can be changed.
[0041]
【Example】
As an embodiment of the present invention, a bathtub handrail using a handle having a nut portion in which a metal cap nut is housed and fixed therein by insert molding is shown in FIGS.
[0042]
FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a handrail for a bathtub according to the present embodiment, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a front view. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mounting main body for explaining the fixing mechanism of the handrail for the bathtub. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the handrail for the bathtub as viewed from above.
[0043]
The handrail for a bathtub has an attachment main body 10 having a substantially U-shaped side cross-section of an outer plate 1 and an inner plate 2 whose upper portions are connected so as to face each other substantially parallel to each other. The handrail member is fitted to the upper edge and fixed to the bathtub side wall, and the grip 25 is positioned above the upper edge of the bathtub side wall in a state where the mounting body 10 is fixed to the bathtub side wall. 23 support portions 24 are attached to the attachment portion 21 provided on the outer plate 1.
[0044]
The fixing mechanism of the mounting body 10 in the present embodiment is configured to press the inner wall surface of the bathtub side wall so as to sandwich the bathtub side wall between the outer plate 1 contacting the outer wall surface of the bathtub side wall and the outer plate 1. Mainly constituted by the plate 3. On the pressing plate 3, the other end side of the pressing plate supporting screw member 4 penetrating the inner plate 2 on one end side is attached substantially perpendicularly to the back surface of the pressing plate facing the inner plate 2. As a result, the pressing plate 3 is supported by the inner plate 2 with its front side facing the outer plate 1.
[0045]
A handle 6 is rotatably attached to the outside of the inner plate 2 via a ring-shaped locking member 8. The locking member 8 is inserted from the inner side into the through hole inner periphery of the inner plate 2 through which one end side of the screw member 4 penetrates in a state where the wide inner outer peripheral portion is in contact with and locked to the inner surface of the inner plate 2. A handle 6 is fitted into an outer portion protruding from the through hole and fixed by a fixing pin 7.
[0046]
Therefore, the handle 6 rotates around the direction perpendicular to the inner plate 2 surface as the center of the rotation axis, and the movement in the axial direction is restricted by the locking member 8 that rotates together with the handle 6. That is, the handle 6 always rotates while in contact with the inner plate 2, and the height of the handle as a protrusion to the inside of the bathtub does not increase any more.
[0047]
The nut portion 5 housed and fixed inside the handle 6 by integral molding is formed with a female screw hole 9 for receiving and screwing the one end side of the screw member 4 protruding through the inner plate 2. When the handle 6 is rotated, the handle 6 rotates integrally therewith, and the screw member 4 to be screwed is relatively moved forward and backward to move the pressing plate 3 in a direction close to or away from the outer plate 1.
[0048]
Accordingly, the pressing plate 3 is attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub side wall by fitting the mounting body 10 into the upper edge of the bathtub side wall and turning the handle 6 with the outer plate 1 in contact with the outer wall surface of the bathtub side wall. The bathtub of the mounting body 10 can be moved by simply turning the handle 6 until the pressing plate 3 is brought into contact with the inner wall surface and pressed so as to sandwich the bathtub side wall with the outer plate 1. The mounting and fixing to the side wall is completed. Further, if the handle 6 is turned in the opposite direction, the pressing plate 3 is moved in a direction away from the inner wall surface to release the clamping and fixing state, and the attachment main body 10 can be removed from the bathtub side wall.
[0049]
In the bathtub handrail of the present embodiment, the nut portion 5 is fixed to the inside of the handle 6 by integral molding, and rotates integrally with the handle 6. Therefore, the conventional handle and nut are connected by a connecting pin. When the nut is rotated by turning the handle as in the case where the handle is turned, there are no intervening parts that are likely to be damaged due to the concentrated load, and there is a backlash between the handle 6 and the nut portion 5 or the connection between the two members is broken. Thus, a trouble that the handle 6 is idle can be avoided.
[0050]
Further, in this embodiment, the nut portion 5 has a cap nut shape having a female screw hole 9 set to an axial length equal to or longer than the maximum protruding length on one end side of the screw member 4 penetrating the inner plate 2. Therefore, the protruding portions of the screw member 4 are all received in the female screw hole 9 of the nut portion 6, and water such as a hollow portion for receiving the screw member 4 around the nut is easily collected inside the handle 6. There is no space. Therefore, in the handrail for bathtubs of the present embodiment, the reason why the metal parts such as the nut portion 5 and the screw member 4 have been easily rusted by the presence of such a space in the conventional water is eliminated. It becomes.
[0051]
As described above, in the handrail for bathtubs according to the present embodiment, the handle 6, the nut portion 5, the screw member 4 and the like constituting the fixing mechanism of the mounting main body portion 10 are less likely to fail or rust than the conventional one. It withstands long-term use and contributes to the extension of the life of the handrail product for bathtubs.
[0052]
Furthermore, in the handrail for a bathtub, the female screw hole 9 formed in the nut portion 5 has an axial length that is set to be longer than the maximum protruding length on one end side that protrudes through the inner plate 2 of the screw member 4. Since the screw member 4 can be screwed with the entire protruding portion being in contact with the female screw, the screw advancement and retraction of the screw member 4 with respect to the nut portion 5 always proceeds smoothly. Therefore, the movement adjustment of the pressing plate 3 by the rotation of the handle 6 for pressing and holding the bathtub side wall is performed very smoothly.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the screw member 4 is attached to the pressing plate 3 on the other end side via a screw B. The screw B is screwed to the other end portion of the screw member 4 so that the screw head is located in a recess formed in the substantially central portion of the pressing plate 3. The screw member 4 has a slack that allows it to swing slightly. For this reason, even if the upper edge part thickness of the bathtub side wall which is an attachment object is not uniform, and the cross-section is a substantially taper shape, the press plate 3 can contact | abut to the inner wall surface of a bathtub side wall, inclining according to the shape, 1 can be pressed and held well.
[0054]
In addition, another fixing plate is slightly placed on the opposite side of the bath wall surface of the outer plate 1 so that a good pressing and clamping state can be more easily obtained even when the inclination angle of the tapered section of the bathtub side wall is relatively large. It is good also as a structure attached so that a head can be tilted.
[0055]
Further, in this embodiment, the outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 are connected to each other with the outer plate connecting plate 1X and the inner plate connecting plate 2Y extending in the upper orthogonal direction being stacked one above the other. The mounting main body 10 is formed in a U-shape with a side cross-section facing downward, and the connection position between the outer plate connecting plate 1X and the inner plate connecting plate 2Y is changed so that the interval between the outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 is increased. A connection adjustment mechanism for adjusting was provided.
[0056]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of screw holes (11, 12) are arranged in the outer plate connecting plate 1X and the inner plate connecting plate 2Y at the same predetermined intervals in the interval direction of the outer and inner plates. The outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 are connected to each other by screwing and fixing the connecting bolts 13 into the upper and lower screw holes (11, 12) that coincide with each other with the two connecting plates (1X, 2Y) overlapping. It is what is done.
[0057]
The connection adjustment mechanism in the present embodiment adjusts the distance between the outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 by changing the screw holes that are vertically matched between the outer plate connecting plate 1X and the inner plate connecting plate 2Y. It is.
[0058]
That is, the outer plate connecting plate 1X and the inner plate connecting plate 2Y are relatively slid in the direction in which the outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 are close to each other, so that the overlapping region of both connecting plates becomes larger in the up and down direction. If the screw holes (11, 12) are matched and screwed and fixed with the connecting bolt 13, the distance between the outer and inner plates can be adjusted narrowly, and conversely the outer plate connecting plate in the direction in which the outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 are separated from each other. If 1X and the inner plate connecting plate 2Y are relatively slid, the upper and lower screw holes (11, 12) are matched and screwed and fixed with the connecting bolt 13 in a state where the overlapping area of both connecting plates becomes smaller. The outer and inner plate spacing can be adjusted widely.
[0059]
By such a connection adjusting mechanism, the handrail for the bathtub can be widely applied to various bathtub side walls with various thicknesses, and the outer plate 1 and the inner plate 2 according to the side wall thickness of the bathtub to be fixed in advance. Is set to be slightly larger than the thickness thereof, the movement distance until the pressing plate 3 is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the bathtub is minimized, and the handrail for the bathtub is rotated to the side wall of the bathtub by the rotation of the handle 4. In addition to facilitating the attachment and detachment operation of fixing and detachment, the bathtub can be moved from the inner wall surface of the bathtub that obstructs bathing in the state where the side wall of the mounting body 10 is fixed by minimizing the moving distance of the pressing plate 3. The amount of protrusion of the inner plate 2 and the handle 6 to the inner side can also be suppressed.
[0060]
A mounting portion 21 for mounting the support portion 24 of the handrail member 23 is formed on the outer plate 1 of the mounting body portion 10 having the above configuration. In the handrail member 23 of the present embodiment, the gripping portion 25 having a substantially egg-shaped outer ring shape is diagonally supported upward by two parallel rod-shaped support portions 24.
[0061]
On the other hand, the mounting part 21 hooks and fixes the two support parts 24. As the latching means, for example, as shown in the rear view of FIG. 4, the latching bolt 27 is screwed into the latching screw hole 26 formed in the support part 24 through the through hole formed in the mounting part 21. A screwing mechanism can be used. In this embodiment, a plurality of latching screw holes 26 are provided at predetermined intervals over the longitudinal direction corresponding to the height of the support portion 24, and the latching screw holes that match the through holes of the mounting portion 21. By changing 26, the height position of the grip portion 25 can be adjusted.
[0062]
In this embodiment, the bathtub handle 22 is attached to the inner plate 2 of the attachment main body 10. The handle 22 can be held by the bather without taking out a part of the body from the bathtub, and can support the body and keep a good posture during bathing.
[0063]
Further, a slip stopper made of rubber, resin or the like on the surface of the mounting main body 10 that is in contact with the surface of the bathtub side wall, that is, the inner surface of the outer plate 1, the lower surface of the outer plate connecting plate 1 </ b> X, Sheet S is pasted. By the interposition of the anti-slip sheet S, the fixing state of the mounting main body 10 can be made more reliable, and damage to the bathtub side wall surface due to contact and pressing of the metal plate member can be prevented.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the handrail for bathtubs of the present invention, when the handle is turned to fix the attachment main body portion, the nut portion housed therein also rotates integrally, so that the load of the rotational motion is reduced. Since there are few intervening parts such as connecting pins that can be damaged due to concentration and cause troubles in the fixing mechanism, there are no cavities that collect water inside the handle, so there are no nuts, screw members, etc. Since rust is unlikely to occur in metal parts, each member and mechanism can withstand long-term use, and the product life can be extended.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a bathtub handrail according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a side view and (b) is a front view.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mounting main body for explaining a fixing mechanism of a handrail for a bathtub.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the handrail for a bathtub as viewed from above.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the handrail for a bathtub.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of a fixing mechanism of a handrail for bathtubs according to the prior art, in which FIG. 5A shows a state before moving the pressing plate, and FIG. 5B shows a pressing state of the bathtub side wall after moving the pressing plate. It is a schematic diagram.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: outer plate
1X: outer plate connecting plate
2: Inner plate
2Y: Inner plate connecting plate
3: Press plate
4: Screw member for supporting the pressing plate
B: Screw
5: Nut
6: Handle
7: Fixing pin
8: Hanging member
9: Female screw hole
10: Mounting body
11, 12: Screw hole
13: Connecting bolt
21: Wearing part
22: Handle for bathtub
23: Handrail member
24: Support section
25: Grasping part
26: retaining screw hole
27: Hook bolt
S: Anti-slip sheet

Claims

互いに略平行に対面する外板と内板とを有すると共に側断面形状が下向き略コの字状で浴槽側壁の上縁部に嵌められて浴槽側壁に固定される取付本体部と、該取付本体部に装着される手摺部材とを備えた浴槽用手摺において、
前記取付本体部は、浴槽側壁の外壁面に当接する外板との間で浴槽側壁を挟持するように浴槽側壁の内壁面を押圧する押圧板と、一端側で前記内板を貫通すると共に他端側で前記押圧板に対して略垂直に取り付けられた押圧板支持用ネジ部材と、該ネジ部材をその一端側から受け入れて螺合するナット部と、該ナット部を内部に収容して該ナット部と一体に回転できるように前記内板に取り付けられたハンドルとを有し、
前記ナット部が、予め定められた軸長の雌ネジ孔を有すると共に前記ハンドルとの一体成形によりハンドルの内部に固定されており、前記雌ネジ孔の軸長が、前記内板を貫通した前記ネジ部材の一端側の最大突出長以上に定められていることを特徴とする浴槽用手摺。A mounting main body having an outer plate and an inner plate facing each other substantially parallel to each other and having a substantially U-shaped side cross section downward and fitted to the upper edge of the bathtub side wall, and fixed to the bathtub side wall, and the mounting main body In a handrail for a bathtub provided with a handrail member attached to the part,
The mounting main body includes a pressing plate that presses the inner wall surface of the bathtub side wall so as to sandwich the bathtub side wall with the outer plate that abuts on the outer wall surface of the bathtub side wall, and penetrates the inner plate on one end side. A screw member for supporting the pressing plate that is mounted substantially perpendicularly to the pressing plate on the end side, a nut portion that receives the screw member from one end side thereof, and is screwed together; A handle attached to the inner plate so as to rotate integrally with the nut portion;
The nut portion has a female screw hole of a predetermined axial length and is fixed to the inside of the handle by integral molding with the handle, and the axial length of the female screw hole penetrates the inner plate. A handrail for a bathtub, wherein the handrail is defined to be longer than a maximum protruding length on one end side of the screw member.

前記取付本体部は、外板と内板の上部同士が互いに分離可能に連結される連結部を有し、該連結部が、外板と内板の間隔を調節するために両板の上部同士の連結位置を変更可能な連結調節機構を有することを特徴とする請求項１に記載の浴槽用手摺。The mounting main body has a connecting portion in which the upper portions of the outer plate and the inner plate are connected to each other so as to be separable from each other. The handrail for bathtubs according to claim 1, further comprising a connection adjusting mechanism capable of changing the connection position.

前記連結調節機構が、前記外板と内板の上部に各々延設されて互いに上下に重なる外板連結板および内板連結板と、これら連結板に前記間隔方向へ所定間隔で列設された複数個のネジ孔と、前記両連結板が重なった状態で互いに合致した上下のネジ孔に螺合固定される連結ボルトとを備えていることを特徴とする請求項２に記載の浴槽用手摺。The connection adjusting mechanism is arranged in the upper direction of the outer plate and the inner plate, and the outer plate connecting plate and the inner plate connecting plate that are vertically overlapped with each other, and these connecting plates are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval in the interval direction. The handrail for a bathtub according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of screw holes and a connecting bolt that is screwed and fixed to upper and lower screw holes that coincide with each other in a state in which the two connecting plates overlap with each other. .

前記手摺部材は、前記取付本体部が浴槽側壁に固定された状態で該取付本体部に装着された際に浴槽側壁の上縁部よりも上方に位置する把持部を有し、前記取付本体部が、前記把持部の高さ位置を調節可能に前記手摺部材を装着する装着部を外板に備えていることを特徴とする請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載の浴槽用手摺。The handrail member has a gripping portion positioned above the upper edge of the bathtub side wall when the mounting main body portion is fixed to the bathtub side wall in a state where the mounting main body portion is fixed to the bathtub side wall. The handrail for a bathtub according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer plate includes a mounting portion for mounting the handrail member so that the height position of the grip portion can be adjusted.

前記内板に固定される浴槽内用取っ手をさらに備えていることを特徴とする請求項１〜４のいずれか１項に記載の浴槽用手摺。The bathtub handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a bathtub handle fixed to the inner plate.