Patents by Inventor Torbett B. Guenther

Torbett B. Guenther has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6318941
    Abstract: A fastening anchor assembly and manual method for fastening an object to a hollow wall. In most embodiments a generally U-shaped mounting strap of the assembly has a central bight and parallel first and second legs extending longitudinally from the bight through a first mounting hole in the wall. A strap foot portion or separate mounting flange extends perpendicularly to the legs for engaging the wall exterior side surface. One or two anchoring blades are operably pivotally coupled to the strap for swinging motion in a single plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the blades and strap and between a collapsed position nested adjacent the strap and a swung-out expanded position wherein the blade(s) clamp-engage the wall interior surface while the leg feet or flange clamp-engages the wall exterior surface. The position and orientation of the now wall-hidden blade remains visibly indicated to the installer by the orientation of the strap exposed to view of the installer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 6112344
    Abstract: A grab bar is mounted on a wall by a pair of hangers. Each hanger is generally L-shaped with the inner leg thereof inserted through a hole in the wall to extend upwardly along the inner surface of the wall and the outer leg projecting away from the outer surface of the wall. The grab bar is mounted on the outer legs of the hangers. The grab bar is tubular and has internal support members in the form of washers to which the outer legs of the hangers are secured. Screws extending through the wall secure the inner legs of the hangers to the inner surface of the wall. Flanges on the outer legs of the hangers are pressed against the outer surface of the wall by the same screws that secure the inner legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignees: Torbett Guenther, Dolores Guenther
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 6038714
    Abstract: A grab assembly includes a grab bar and a mounting flange for each end of the grab bar. Each mounting flange has an annular projection. The ends of the grab bar extend into and are secured to the projections. An annular cover is sleeved over the projection of each mounting flange to conceal the flange with a tight fit so that there is no gap. The invention is also applicable to a center support for the grab bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignees: Torbett B. Guenther, Dolores Guenther
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 5765812
    Abstract: A modular support rail assembly that includes a rail having an open end with an internal wall surface and an elbow with facility at one end for mounting to a support, such as a building wall, and an opposing end with an internally threaded opening. An insert construction is disposed within the open end of the rail, and a fastener extends through the insert into the internally threaded opening in the elbow. An expansible ring is carried by the insert structure within the open end of the rail, and is responsive to compression of the insert structure upon tightening of the fastener to expand radially outwardly against and frictionally engage the internal wall surface of the rail. The rail is thereby firmly fastened to the elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignees: Torbett B. Guenther, Dolores Guenther
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 5577275
    Abstract: A grab bar assembly for installation into openings in opposed wall sections of a tub/shower wall that includes a cup-shaped pocket having one end for receipt into one of the wall section openings and a second open end with a radially outwardly projecting flange for engaging an opposing surface of the wall section surrounding the opening. A grab bar has a closed first end slidably received into the pocket. The second end of the grab bar is received into the second wall surface opening, and has a radially outwardly projecting flange for abutment with an opposing surface of the wall sections surrounding the second opening. A screw adjustably extends through the first end of the pocket into abutment with the closed end of the grab bar, so that the grab bar is captured in compression between the pocket and associated screw at one end, and the radially extending flange at the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignees: Torbett B. Guenther, Dolores Guenther
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 5475880
    Abstract: A foldable bathtub seat that includes a plurality of elongated parallel generally rectangular slats interconnected by hinges such that the slats are foldable to a configuration in which the slats are in stacked facing engagement parallel to each other and unfoldable to a configuration in which the slats are in a planar array. A rider at one end of each of the slats cooperates with a track affixed to a wall adjacent to the bathtub rim such that the slats are foldably and unfoldably supported by the bathtub rim while extending across the rim. In the unfolded configuration, the coplanar slats form a transfer seat supported along one end by the track affixed to the wall, and along the other end by the wall-remote edge of the bathtub rim. In the folded configuration, the seat may be readily removed for full access to the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignees: Torbett B. Guenther, Dolores Guenther
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 5467486
    Abstract: A shower/tub seat that includes a pair of inverted U-shaped hangers adapted to be removably received over a horizontal bar affixed to a shower/tub wall so as to have inner hanger legs adjacent to the wall and outer hanger legs remote from the wall. A platform is pivotally mounted to the lower ends of the outer hanger legs so as to pivot between a vertical position adjacent to the outer hanger legs and a horizontal position for use. The platform has an end edge adjacent to the wall that engages the wall and the lower ends of the inner hanger legs in the horizontal position of the platform so as to hold the platform in horizontal position and support the weight of a person or objects placed on the platform. A pair of adjustable abutment feet are mounted on the lower ends of the inner hanger legs for adjusting horizontal orientation of the seat within the shower stall or over the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignees: Torbett B. Guenther, Dolores Guenther
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 5275518
    Abstract: A plastic fastener for mounting a hand rail to a thin wall such as a tub or shower wall is provided for which comprises a rigid anchor bar having a substantially flat bearing surface to engage a back surface of the wall and which has an arcuate length for installation in narrow spaces. The plastic fastener is molded in a flat condition and comprises a fastening head integrally connected to the anchor bar by a flexible strap. The anchor bar has a transverse slot to define a rigid block and an interconnecting flexible hinge. The plastic fastener includes a bolt adapted to extend through an opening in the fastening head and to be threaded into an opening in the anchor bar as the plastic fastener is bent about the flexible hinge to form a fastener assembly. The fastener assembly is mounted to the wall so that the anchor bar is inserted through an opening in the wall to extend behind the wall as the fastening head is maintained within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: C. D. Sparling Company
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 5193786
    Abstract: A modular hand rail comprises a tubular length of material attached to at least one elbow section. The assembly is easily mounted to a wall to aid elderly or disabled persons in moving about. Use of different colors or materials provides in an aesthetically pleasing appearance, flexibility in design and aids the user in delineating the gripping portion in areas of little or no light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: TPI of Alter Park
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 4415141
    Abstract: A wall bar comprising a length of tubular material the ends of which said length extend at an angle to the adjacent portions. The ends have integral flattened portions lying in a plane intersected by the inclined portions and defining an obtuse angle with the axis of the inclined portions. The flattened portions are adapted to engage a wall and be attached thereto. A cover plate is provided for each end and has an elongated opening such that the cover plate may be telescoped over the flattened portion to mount the plate on the bar after the flattened portion has been formed and the plate can be placed in position over the flattened portion after the flattened portion has been attached to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: C. D. Sparling Company
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 4343052
    Abstract: A toilet support for use with a toilet bowl, comprising a pair of first arm portions, mounted on the toilet bowl for pivotal movement. A pair of second arm portions are mounted on said first arm portions and moveable generally axially of the first arm portions. The ends of the second arm portions are joined to one another by a connecting portion such that said first and second arm portions can be moved about the pivot and axially relative to one another such that in a first position the connecting portion of the second arm portions engages the edge of the toilet bowl and in another position the first and second arm portions are extended axially relative to one another such that the connecting portion can engage the floor adjacent the bowl and forwardly thereof. The first and second arm portions can be locked in any set axial position relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: C. D. Sparling Company
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 4193586
    Abstract: A hand rail for use on a wall comprising a length of tubular material including a central portion and end portions extending from the bent portions at an obtuse angle and engaging the wall. The end portions have free ends defining a plane which is at an acute angle to the plane of the central portion and end portions. The ends of said end portions engaging the wall are fastened to the wall at the ends of the end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: C. D. Sparling Company
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther