Bathing Safety System and Method

Abstract

A bathing safety system and method is disclosed. The bathing safety system may include, for example, a first rod extending horizontally a length of a bathing enclosure; a second rod arranged vertically extending from a front edge of the bathing enclosure and having a first end adapted for engaging the first rod; a third rod arranged horizontally extending a width of the bathing enclosure and having a first end adapted for engaging the first rod; an attachment mechanism disposed at the front edge of the bathing enclosure and adapted for engaging a second end of the second rod; and a plurality of wall anchors securing first and second ends of the first rod to opposing walls, and for securing a second end of the third rod to another wall of the bathing enclosure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to a bathing safety system, and more particularly to a bathing safety system for a bathtub and/or shower.

BACKGROUND

Elderly or handicapped persons may need special provision for getting in and/or out of, and standing in, a bathtub or shower. In one example, walk-in bathtubs and showers can be useful to elderly or handicapped persons, as they are easy to enter and exit without obstacle. However, not all homes are equipped with walk-in bathtubs or showers, and further not all walk-in bathtubs and showers are equipped to help an elderly or handicapped person to stand in the bathtub or shower. Therefore, if the need arises it may be necessary to, for example, remove the standard bathtub/shower enclosure from an existing bathroom and replace it with, for example, a walk-in bathtub or shower. This requires extensive renovation of the person's bathroom, which is inconvenient and expensive, and even then it is not equipped or designed to help the elderly or handicapped person to stand in the bathtub or shower. Therefore, new approaches are needed for providing safe access to, and while using, standard bathtub and/or shower enclosures.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a bathing safety system is provided. The bathing safety system may include, for example, a first rod extending horizontally a length of a bathing enclosure; a second rod arranged vertically extending from a front edge of the bathing enclosure and having a first end adapted for engaging the first rod; a third rod arranged horizontally extending a width of the bathing enclosure and having a first end adapted for engaging the first rod; an attachment mechanism disposed at the front edge of the bathing enclosure and adapted for engaging a second end of the second rod; and a plurality of wall anchors securing first and second ends of the first rod to opposing walls, and for securing a second end of the third rod to another wall of the bathing enclosure area. The bathing enclosure may include a bathtub with a shower component, or just a shower enclosure. The one or more of the first, second, and third rods may be adjustable in length. The one or more of the first, second, and third rods may be telescopic. The one or more of the first, second, and third rods may be secured at their desired length using one or more securing mechanism. The one or more securing mechanism may include a thumbscrew. The second and third rods each engage with the first rod in a substantially T-configuration. The second rod may engage the first rod via first connector and the third rod may engage the first rod via a second connector. The first connector and second connector may each include a hollow sleeve, wherein the first rod may be slidably engaged therethrough. The plurality of wall anchors may include a mounting plate and an engagement mechanism attached thereto. The engagement mechanism may include at least one of a rod or bracket. The rod may be of a shape and size to fit in a hollow end portion of the first and/or third rods. The bracket may include a U-shaped bracket. The first and/or third rods may include one or more ends structured to engage with the U-shaped bracket. The attachment mechanism may include an adjustable clamp. The adjustable clamp may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the clamp and a tightening mechanism for tightening the adjustable clamp in position once adjusted to the correct size and location. The adjustable clamp further may include a U-clamp having a first portion and a second portion, wherein top portions of each of the first portion and a second portion overlap and are moveable with respect to one another. The first portion and second portion of the U-clamp may include a U-channel structured for receiving an adjustment screw from an opposing one of the first portion and second portions.

In another embodiment, a method of installing a bathing safety system is provided. The method may include, installing wall anchors on walls of a bathing enclosure area; connecting a first end of a second rod to a portion of a first rod via a first connector; connecting a first end of a third rod to a portion of the first rod via a second connector; securing ends of the first rod between first and second wall anchors installed on opposing walls of the bathing enclosure area; fitting an attachment mechanism onto a front edge of the bathing enclosure and to a second end of the second rod; securing a second end of the third rod to a third wall anchor installed on another wall of the bathing enclosure area; and adjusting one or more of the first rod, second rod, third rod, and attachment mechanism into their desired positions and securing in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a bathing safety system installed in a bathtub/shower enclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view, of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of an example of a bathtub clamp of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example of a bathtub clamp of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of an example of a bathtub clamp of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of another example of the bathtub clamp of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of another example of the bathtub clamp of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 8A shows a plan view of an example of a wall anchor of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 8B shows a side view of an example of a wall anchor of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 9A shows a plan view of another example of a wall anchor of the bathing safety system;

FIG. 9B shows a side view of another example of a wall anchor of the bathing safety system; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of installing the bathing safety system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is generally related to bathtub and/or shower fixtures. Specifically, the invention relates to a bathing safety system and method for installing in a bathtub and/or shower enclosure

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a bathing safety system and method is provided. Namely, a bathing safety system is provided that can be easily fitted into a standard bathtub/shower enclosure, wherein the bathing safety system provides grab bars for assisting users (e.g., elderly and handicapped persons) when entering and/or exiting the bathtub/shower enclosure, and to help maintain balance while standing in the bathtub/shower enclosure. Accordingly, the bathing safety system disclosed herein avoids the inconvenience and cost of renovating a person's bathroom with, for example, a walk-in bathtub or shower.

FIGS. 1, 2A-B, and 3 illustrate examples of bathing safety system 100 installed in a bathtub/shower enclosure 150, wherein bathing safety system 100 is used to assist, for example, elderly or handicapped persons to access and/or stand in a bathtub/shower enclosure 150. Bathtub/shower enclosure 150 may be any standard bathtub/shower enclosure. Bathing safety system 100 may include, for example, a first rod 110, a second rod 112, a third rod 114, an attachment mechanism 116 (e.g., an adjustable clamp), and multiple wall anchors 118.

First rod 110 is arranged horizontally with respect to bathtub/shower enclosure 150 and spanning the length of bathtub/shower enclosure 150. Further, first rod 110 is installed at the upper portion of bathtub/shower enclosure 150, as shown in FIG. 1. Namely, the two ends of first rod 110 may be secured to the inside walls of bathtub/shower enclosure 150 via a pair of wall anchors 118, such as wall anchors 118a and 118b. The two ends of first rod 110 may be secured to wall anchors 118a and 118b, respectively, by, for example, fitting each end of first rod 110 onto an extension 120, e.g., a solid peg, or alternatively a bracket, e.g., a U-shaped bracket, of each respective wall anchor 118. Additionally, the length of first rod 110 may be adjustable so that it can be fitted into any sized bathtub/shower enclosure 150. In one example, first rod 110 may be a telescoping rod that may include a first internal rod 122 that may be slidably fitted inside, for example, a first exterior hollow rod 124. Once adjusted to a desired length, a securing mechanism 126, e.g., thumbscrew fastener or any other type of suitable fastener may be used to secure and fix the length of first rod 110.

Second rod 112 may be arranged vertically with respect to bathtub/shower enclosure 150 and spans the distance from a front edge of the bathtub portion of the bathtub/shower enclosure 150 up to first rod 110. Namely, one end of second rod 112 is secured to the front edge of the bathtub portion of the bathtub/shower enclosure 150 via attachment mechanism 116 (e.g., an adjustable clamp), while the opposite end of second rod 112 may be secured to a mid-portion of first rod 110 in a T-fashion, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. In one example, one end of second rod 112 is secured to attachment mechanism 116 by a weld, or other securing mechanism, such as a nut and bolt, pressure fitting, or other suitable mechanism, and the opposite end of second rod 112 may be connected to first rod 110 via a first connector 128. For example, first connector 128 may be a hollow sleeve that is, for example, attached to the end of second rod 112 and is of a diameter, such that first rod 110 may be slidably fitted therethrough. Once in a desired position, second rod 112 may be secured and fixed to first rod 110 using securing mechanism 126, e.g., thumbscrew fastener or any other type of suitable fastener used in conjunction with first connector 128. Additionally, the length of second rod 112 may be adjustable so that it may be fitted into any sized bathtub/shower enclosure 150. In one example, second rod 112 may be a telescoping rod that includes a second internal rod 130 that may be slidably fitted inside a second exterior hollow rod 132. Once adjusted to the desired length, securing mechanism 126, e.g., thumbscrew fastener or any other type of suitable fastener may be used to secure and fix the length of second rod 112.

Attachment mechanism 116 may be, in one example, an adjustable clamp assembly that is designed for clamping to the front edge of the bathtub portion of the bathtub/shower enclosure 150 for the purpose of securing one end of second rod 112 to bathtub/shower enclosure 150. Attachment mechanism 116 may include various brackets, fasteners, and pads for adjusting attachment mechanism 116 to fit on any sized bathtub edge in a non-damaging fashion. More details of examples of bathtub clamp 116 are shown with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7.

Third rod 114 is arranged horizontally with respect to bathtub/shower enclosure 150 and spanning a width of bathtub/shower enclosure 150. Namely, a first end of third rod 114 may be secured to first rod 110 in, for example, a T-fashion, while an opposite second end of third rod 114 is secured to the inside wall of bathtub/shower enclosure 150 via another wall anchor 118, such as wall anchor 118c, as shown in FIG. 1. Third rod 114 is secured to wall anchor 118c by, for example, fitting a hollow portion of the second end of third rod 114 onto extension 120 of wall anchor 118c.

Wall anchors 118 (e.g., wall anchors 118a, 118b, 118c) can be screwed, bolted, adhered, or otherwise secured to the inside walls of bathtub/shower enclosure 150. More details of examples of wall anchors 118 are shown with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Additionally, while wall anchors 118 are shown secured to the inside walls of bathtub/shower enclosure 150, this is but one example of the position of bathing safety system 100. In other example, first rod 110 and third rod 114 can be positioned above the upper edge of bathtub/shower enclosure 150. In this example, the wall anchors 118 are secured to the walls above bathtub/shower enclosure 150.

In one example, the first end of third rod 114 that is secured to first rod 110 is secured to first rod 110 via a second connector 134. In one example, second connector 134 may be a hollow sleeve that is, for example, attached to the first end of third rod 114 and is of a diameter, such that first rod 110 may be slidably fitted therethrough. Once in the desired position, third rod 114 can be secured and fixed to first rod 110 using securing mechanism 126, e.g., thumbscrew fastener or any other type of fastener. Additionally, the length of third rod 114 may be adjustable so that it can be fitted into any sized bathtub/shower enclosure 150. In one example, third rod 114 may be a telescoping rod that includes a third internal rod 136 that may be slidably fitted inside a third exterior hollow rod 138. Once adjusted to the desired length, securing mechanism 126, e.g., thumbscrew fastener or any other type of suitable fastener may be used to secure and fix the length of third rod 114.

In operation, once bathing safety system 100 is secured within a bathtub/shower enclosure, such as bathtub/shower enclosure 150, first rod 110, second rod 112, and third rod 114 provide grab bars for assisting persons (e.g., elderly and handicapped persons) when entering and/or exiting the bathtub/shower enclosure, and while standing in the bathtub/shower enclosure. Additionally, first rod 110 may serve as a shower rod for holding a shower curtain or a separate shower rod (not shown) can be installed alongside bathing safety system 100.

In one example first rod 110, second rod 112, and third rod 114 may include tubular rods in the range of about ¾ inch to about 1 inch in diameter and may be made of steel (e.g., stainless steel), aluminum, PVC, or other suitable material.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate a side view and a plan view, respectively, of an example of attachment mechanism 116 of bathing safety system 100. In one example attachment mechanism 116, includes an adjustable U like clamp, U-clamp 140. The adjustable clamping action may implemented via one or more adjusting mechanisms 142, such as a bolt passing through one portion 140a of U-clamp 140 and then threading into another portion 140b of U-clamp 140, for example, into a U-channel 141 that is formed in the opposite portion 140b of U-clamp 140. Adjusting mechanisms 142, may alternatively include any suitable mechanism that secures attachment mechanism 116 to the edge of the bathtub/shower enclosure 150, e.g., by pressure, suction, or mechanical force. Attachment mechanism 116 may further include pads 144 attached to inner surfaces of clamp U-clamp 140, to help prevent attachment mechanism 116 from slipping from position and/or from scratching the bathtub when attachment mechanism 116 is mounted thereto. Pads 144 may be made of, for example, rubber, silicone, or other suitable material. Attachment mechanism 116 may further include a clamp extension rod 146 secured to a top surface of U-clamp 140 and extending vertically for engaging with a bottom end of second rod 112. Clamp extension rod 146 may engage with the bottom end of second rod 112 to secure second rod 112 to attachment mechanism 116. In one example, clamp extension rod 146 is received into a bottom portion of second exterior hollow rod 138, e.g., the portion opposite of where second internal rod 136 is received by second exterior hollow rod 138. Clamp extension rod 146 may be welded, mechanically attached, or otherwise secured to top surface of U-clamp 140 and may be made of any suitably rigid material such as steel, aluminum, rigid synthetic material, or the like, and may be in the range of about 6 inches in length and of a diameter to fit into second exterior hollow rod 138. Attachment mechanism 116 may further include a top plate 148 for attaching clamp extension rod 146 to the top surface of U-clamp 140 and for connecting portions 140a and 140b of U-clamp 140 together. Top plate 148 may further include one or more adjustment slots 150 formed therein. Adjustment slots 150 are formed to receive one or more tightening mechanisms 152, e.g., one or more nut and bolts. In one embodiment the one or more tightening mechanisms 152 extend through adjustment slots 150 and through a top portion of portions 140a and 140b of U-clamp 140 where the top portion of portions 140a and 140b overlap. Once adjusted to the proper size by adjustment mechanisms 142, tightening mechanisms 152 may then be secured, e.g., tightened, securing portions 140a and 140b of U-clamp 140 to maintain position. In a like fashion, tightening mechanism 152 may be loosened to allow bathtub clap 140 to be loosened and adjusted.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate a side view and a plan view, respectively, of another example of attachment mechanism 116 of bathing safety system 100. In this example of attachment mechanism 116, the attaching action is implemented via a plurality of adjustment mechanisms 142 e.g., 2 to 4, passing through one of portions 140a or 140b of U-clamp 140 and then threading into respective standoffs 154 that are preferably affixed to an opposite one of portions 140a or 140b of U-clamp 140.

FIGS. 8A-8B show a plan view and a side view of an example of wall anchor 118 of bathing safety system 100. In this example, wall anchor 118 may include a U-shaped bracket 156 attached to a mounting plate 158. U-shaped bracket 156 may be formed on, or attached to, mounting plate 158 by, for example, welding or other suitable mechanism or process. In this example, one or more ends of, first rod 110 and/or third rod 114 are structured to attach to U-shaped bracket 156. In one embodiment, the ends of, for example, first rod 110 and/or third rod 114 that attach to wall anchor 118 having bracket 156, may include an insertion piece 160 that engages U-shaped bracket 156 to hold first rod 110 and/or third rod 114, for example, in place when installed.

FIGS. 9A-B show a plan view and a side view of another example of wall anchor 118 of bathing safety system 100. In this example, wall anchor 118 may include extension 120 that is attached to mounting plate 158. Extension 120 may be formed on or attached to mounting plate 158 by, for example, welding or other suitable mechanism or process. In this example, one or more ends of, first rod 110 and/or third rod 114, for example, are structured to attach to extension 120. In one embodiment, the applicable ends of, for example, first rod 110 and/or third rod 114 that attach to wall anchor 118 may include a hollow portion that is of a sufficient diameter to accept insertion of extension 120 to hold first rod 110 and/or third rod 114, for example, in place when installed.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method 1000 of installing bathing safety system 100. Method 1000 may include, but is not limited to, the following steps, which may be performed in any order.

At a step 1010, wall anchors 118 are preferably installed on the inside walls of bathtub/shower enclosure 150 or on the walls above bathtub/shower enclosure 150. For example, wall anchors 118a and 118b are installed on opposing front and back walls at an upper portion of bathtub/shower enclosure 150 or on the walls above bathtub/shower enclosure 150; namely, wall anchor 118a on one of the front or back walls and wall anchor 118b on the opposing front of back wall as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, wall anchor 118c is installed on a side wall (e.g., opposite the front edge of the bathtub) at an upper portion of bathtub/shower enclosure 150, as shown in FIG. 1, or on the wall above bathtub/shower enclosure 150.

At a step 1012, first connector 128 on one end of second rod 112 is installed onto first rod 110. Namely, one end of first rod 110 is inserted into first connector 128 on one end of second rod 112. Then, second rod 112 is slid to about the mid-portion of first rod 110.

At a step 1014, second connector 134 on one end of third rod 114 is installed onto first rod 110. Namely, one end of first rod 110 is inserted into second connector 134 on one end of third rod 114. Then, third rod 114 is slid to about the mid-portion of first rod 110, proximal to second rod 112 (as shown in FIG. 1).

At a step 1016, first rod 110 is secured between two wall anchors 118. For example, using the telescoping feature of first rod 110, the length of first rod 110 is adjusted to be slightly shorter than the distance between wall anchor 118a and wall anchor 118b. Then, one end of first rod 110 is fitted onto, for example, wall anchor 118b. Then, using the telescoping feature of first rod 110, the length of first rod 110 is adjusted to span the full distance between wall anchor 118a and wall anchor 118b and the other end of first rod 110 is fitted onto wall anchor 118a. Then, the length of first rod 110 is secured and fixed by securing, e.g., tightening, all applicable securing mechanism 126 of first rod 110.

At a step 1018, attachment mechanism 116 is fitted onto the front edge of the bathtub portion of the bathtub/shower enclosure 150, for example, with adjustment mechanisms 142 and tightening mechanisms 152 of bathtub clamp 116 in a loosened state. Using the telescoping feature of second rod 112, one end of second rod 112 is fitted onto, for example, clamp extension rod 146 to secure second rod 112 to attachment mechanism 116.

At a step 1020, the free end of third rod 114 is secured to wall anchor 118c. For example, using the telescoping feature of third rod 114, the length of third rod 114 is adjusted to reach wall anchor 118c and the free end of third rod 114 is fitted onto wall anchor 118c. Then, the length of third rod 114 is secured and fixed by securing, e.g., tightening, all applicable securing mechanism 126 of third rod 114.

At a step 1022, second rod 112 and third rod 114 are set (by sliding) to their desired positions along the length of first rod 110, attachment mechanism 116 is set to its desired position along the front edge of the bathtub portion of bathtub/shower enclosure 150, and all fastening mechanisms (e.g., securing mechanism 126, adjustment mechanisms 142, and tightening mechanisms 152) of bathing safety system 100 are tightened and secured.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.

Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, parameters, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments, ±100% in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.

The foregoing detailed description of embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. The term “the invention” or the like is used with reference to certain specific examples of the many alternative aspects or embodiments of the applicant's invention set forth in this specification, and neither its use nor its absence is intended to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the claims. This specification is divided into sections for the convenience of the reader only. Headings should not be construed as limiting of the scope of the invention. The definitions are intended as a part of the description of the invention. It will be understood that various details of the present invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, as the present invention is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter.

Claims

1. A bathing safety system, comprising:

a. a first rod extending horizontally a length of a bathing enclosure;

b. a second rod arranged vertically extending from a front edge of the bathing enclosure and having a first end adapted for engaging the first rod;

c. a third rod arranged horizontally extending a width of the bathing enclosure and having a first end adapted for engaging the first rod;

d. an attachment mechanism disposed at the front edge of the bathing enclosure and adapted for engaging a second end of the second rod; and

e. a plurality of wall anchors securing first and second ends of the first rod to opposing walls, and for securing a second end of the third rod to another wall of the bathing enclosure.

2. The bathing safety system of claim 1 wherein the bathing enclosure comprises a bathtub with a shower component.

3. The bathing safety system of claim 1 wherein the bathing enclosure comprises a shower enclosure.

4. The bathing safety system of claim 1 wherein one or more of the first, second, and third rods are adjustable in length.

5. The bathing safety system of claim 4 wherein the one or more of the first, second, and third rods are telescopic.

6. The bathing safety system of claim 4 wherein the one or more of the first, second, and third rods are fixed at their desired length using one or more securing mechanism.

7. The bathing safety system of claim 6 wherein the one or more securing mechanism comprise a thumbscrew.

8. The bathing safety system of claim 1 wherein the second and third rods each engage with the first rod in a substantially T-configuration.

9. The bathing safety system of claim 1 wherein the second rod engages the first rod via a first connector and the third rod engages the first rod via a second connector.

10. The bathing safety system of claim 9 wherein the first connector and second connector each comprise a hollow sleeve, wherein the first rod is slidably engaged therethrough.

11. The bathing safety system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of wall anchors comprises a mounting plate and an engagement mechanism attached thereto.

12. The bathing safety system of claim 11 wherein the engagement mechanism comprises at least one of a rod and bracket.

13. The bathing safety system of claim 12 wherein the rod is of a shape and size to fit in a hollow end portion of the first and/or third rods.

14. The bathing safety system of claim 12 wherein the bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket.

15. The bathing safety system of claim 14 wherein the first and/or third rods comprise one or more ends structured to engage with the U-shaped bracket.

16. The bathing safety system of claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an adjustable clamp.

17. The bathing safety system of claim 16 wherein the adjustable clamp comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the clamp and a tightening mechanism for tightening the adjustable clamp in position once adjusted to the correct size and location.

18. The bathing safety system of claim 17 wherein the adjustable clamp further comprises a U-clamp having a first portion and a second portion, wherein top portions of each of the first portion and a second portion overlap and are moveable with respect to one another.

19. The bathing safety system of claim 18 wherein one of the first portion and second portion of the U-clamp comprises a U-channel structured for receiving an adjustment screw from an opposing one of the first portion and second portions.

20. A method of installing a bathing safety system, comprising:

a. installing wall anchors on walls of a bathing enclosure area;

b. connecting a first end of a second rod to a portion of a first rod via a first connector;

c. connecting a first end of a third rod to a portion of the first rod via a second connector;

d. securing ends of the first rod between first and second wall anchors installed on opposing walls of the bathing enclosure area;

e. fitting an attachment mechanism onto a front edge of the bathing enclosure and to a second end of the second rod;

f. securing a second end of the third rod to a third wall anchor installed on another wall of the bathing enclosure area; and

g. adjusting one or more of the first rod, second rod, third rod, and attachment mechanism into their desired positions and securing in place.