US3059374A - Molded plastic soap basket - Google Patents

Description

@ 23 w62 J. J. BERNAY MOLDED PLASTIC SOAP BASKET www 3,059,374 MOLDED PLASTIC SOAP BASKET Josef J. Bernay, 1138 South Point View, Los Angeles 35, Calif. Filed May 10, 1961, Ser. No. 109,170 8 Claims. (Cl. 4528) This invention relates to shower and bath accessories, and particularly to a molded plastic holder for soap and other articles adapted to hang from the shower head water pipe or the shower door or curtain rod.

It is desirable to provide in a bath enclosure or shower space a facility for holding bathing articles, such as soap, washcloths, -shampoo bottles, bathing caps, and the like whereby such articles are conveniently at hand and are conveniently placed or stored when not in use.

Heretofore the usual facility provided for such use has been limited to a small soap dish, sometimes built into the wall or left to rest on a ledge or the floor of the tub or shower. Typically, articles capable of hanging must be draped over faucet handles or the shower curtain rod. Generally, the prior art soap dishes, whether built in or not, have not been versatile. If they drain freely, they usually hold only one bar of soap safely and are usually diicult to clean. It is obviously unsafe and inconvenient to place such articles on the oor of the enclosure and many serious accidents result each day from broken shampoo bottles or wet soap on the oor of a shower room.

The prior art practices have been generally thus limited to inadequate soap dishes because, at least in part, it is generally quite expensive to build a more adequate and versatile facility. The enclosure walls must be watertight and the facility must be readily drained and cleanable with respect particularly to soap residue.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a facility for holding and storing bath and shower articles, particularly soap, shampoo bottles and washcloths for greater convenience and safety.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a facility which is versatile and readily installed firmly by an unskilled person.

It is another object to provide such a facility which is manufactured of plastic and therefore safe, strong and inexpensive to produce in quantity.

Briey, these and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a bath and shower articles holder which may be suspended from a shower head water pipe. In one embodiment of the invention, a molded plastic strap member is adapted to be suspended at its middle portion from the water pipe and has a pair of spaced downwardly hanging side members. A plastic soap basket is disposed between the lower spaced ends of the side members of the strap member. The lower ends of the strap members and the adjacent ends of the soap basket have pressure-operated plastic mating fasteners so that the soap basket may be readily attached or removed for cleaning. A second holding means may be disposed between the spaced straps above the soap basket and may be a walled tray for holding bottles or additional soap. It also has a pair of pressure operated fasteners mating with another pair on the side members of the hanging strap member.

Where the strap member is folded over the water pipe, a collar-like element is provided about or at least partially about the two side members so that by sliding it upwardly the middle portion of the strap member is pressed inwardly to securely bind the water pipe. The collar member may also include a hook so that alternatively the assembly may be hung over the shower door or curtain rod.

Other objects and advantages and further details of the linvention will become apparent and be best understood 'ice from a consideration of the drawing presented by way of example only and in which:

FIG. l is a front elevation view of an example of the hanging facility of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating some details of the fastening means between the upper basket and the hanging straps;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to `the details of FIGS. l and 2 there is shown a molded plastic holder 1t) for bathing articles. The holder 1t) includes a strap member 12 having or including a pair of symmetrically downwardly extending side portions 14 and 16 and a middle portion 1S. The middle portion 18 is adapted to be effectively wrapped over a length of horizontally extending shower head water pipe 20. The actual ends 22, 24 of the side portions 14 and 16 respectively are horizontally spaced by a soap dish 26. The side portions 14, 16 are horizontally separated at a region between their ends 22, 24 and the middle portion 18 by an upper basket 27.

The upper portions -of the strap member 12 particularly those near to and including the middle portion 18 include reinforcing portions 28 and 30 which are shown in cross-section in FIG. 3. The reinforcing portions 28, 30 are flared outwardly to provide rigidity to the strap member 12 and to provide additional gripping friction for a sliding collar member 32 which tits snugly at least partially around the upper portions of the strap member 12 just below the water pipe 20. The flared reinforcing portions 28, 30 are tapered outwardly and upwardly so that when the sliding collar member 32 is pushed upwardly, the upper portions of the strap member 12 and the middle portion 18 securely bind and grip the water pipe 20. The sliding collar member 32 includes a hook member 34, not shown in FIG. 3, which projects rearwardly from the sliding collar member and is formed appropriately for alternatively hanging and suspending the assembly 10 over a shower door or curtain rod. The hook member 34 and the lower soap dish 26 may extend equally rearwardly from the strap member 12 to provide a positive vertical alignment with the shower wall 36.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 may be referred to for additional disclosure of the details of the upper basket 27. Its side panels 38, 40 and its bottom panel 42 are in this example formed integrally with the side portions 14, 16 of the hanging strap member 12. The bottom panel 42 slopes downwardly, rearwardly and toward its center where a drainage opening 44 is provided which may be in either the bottom panel or the back panel of the upper basket. (See FIG. 8 and FIG. l.) The bottom panel 42 includes a plurality of ribs 46 whose bottoms follow the sloping surfaces of the bottom panel 42 while their tops all lie in a common horizontal plane so that bottles or other objects may be supported on an effectively level surface. This ribbed structure also provides drainage of the upper basket 27 even though objects such as soap might otherwise permit water to stand in the bottom of the basket. Each of the ribs 46 is tapered downwardly and its rear portion 4S to permit drainage from the sides of the basket to the drainage hole 44 near the center.

A rear panel 59 is separable from the sides and front and bottom of the upper basket 27 for purposes of cleaning the basket and for ease'in manufacturing in quantity. The back portion 50 includes a reinforcing rib 52 along its top edge. Referring particularly to the exploded View of FIG. 6, a pressure operated fastening means 54 is illustrated. A pair of partially open-sided holes 56, 58 are formed through the integrally formed side 38 and the side portion 14 of the strap member l2. The partially opened side of the holes 56, 58 is exposed toward the rear of the basket 27. A pair of mating pin members 6%, 62 are formed with the back member 50 and extend horizontally outwardly therefrom parallel to the horizontal length of the back member 59. YThe vertical spacing between the pin members 60, 62 is substantially equal to that of the holes 56, 58. The length of the pin members 6d, 62 protruding horizontally outwardly from the back member 59 is substantially equal to the horizontal length of the holes S6, 58. Thus, the resilient plastic pin members 6h, 62 and the holes 56, 58 may be readily pressure mated and the back member 50 will thus be iirmly secured to the remaining portions of the upper basket 27. Relative horizontal or axial motion of the pin members 6b, 62 with respect to the holes 56, 58 is precluded by a capping member 64 which terminates and extends between the pin members 60, 62.

Referring to FIG. the soap dish 26 is shown substantially in plan view. Its bottom panel 66 is slotted to provide drainage from articles such as bars of soap. Hook members 68, 70 are formed integrally with the dish 26 on which articles which are conveniently hung when not in use may be temporarily or permanently supported. Such hangable articles may include washcloths, bathing caps or the like. Toward each side of the bottom panel 66 is disposed a slotted opening 72 for receiving the end such as end 24 of the side portion 16 of the hanging strap member 12. The end 24 and the siotted'opening 72 comprise a mated pair of pressure operated fastening means for securely supporting the soap dish 26 by and between the ends 22, 24 of the lower end portions 14, 16. The end 24 may include a slight head portion 74 which may be pushed through the slotted opening 72 4but which eX- tends slightly horizontally across the inside surface of the bottom panel 66 of the soap dish 26. Thus, as is shown particularly clearly in FIG. 7, the side portions 14, 16 of the hanging strap member 12 eliectively wrap around the ends of the soap dish 26 and project upwardly inwardiy through the slotted openings 72 to securely hold the soap Vdish and to space the lower ends of the hanging strap member 12.

Referring to FIG. 8 an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which an integrally formed upper basket 27 is supported by and between a pair of lower end portions 16', 14'. In this example the upper basket 27 is molded in one piece with a back panel 76, a front portion 78, a bottom panel 80 and a pair of side portions 82, 84. The'side panels 82, 84 are formed with a vertical channel 86 which has a depth and width for snuggly holding the portion 16-of the hanging strap member against any horizontal component of motion with respect to a side panel 82. The strap portion 1'6 has a horizontally extending arm member S8 which is eiectively woven through a plurality of slot openings 9i) in the side panel 82. The arm member 88 is terminated by an end portion 92 which projects inwardly through a slotted opening 94 and has lip portions 96 which hold the arm 88 securely in place with respect to the upper basket 27'. Thus the upper basket in this example is secured against any vertical, horizontal or rotational motion with respect to the strap portions 16. Symmetrical counterparts of the arm 88 and slotted openings 90 and 92 as well as other components are illustrated on the opposite side of the upper basket 27 in the figure. Y

There have thus been disclosed and described a number of embodiments and features of a molded plastic hanging :which are conveniently facility for holding shower and bath articles. While specific examples of the invention have been disclosed for the purposes of presenting as clearly as possible a cornplete understanding of the invention, the various embodiments shown are not intended as a limitation upon the scope of the invention itself which is to be measured only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A molded plastic facility for holding shower and oath articles in a shower or bath enclosure comprising: a hanging support member having a middle portion and two side members depending therefrom adapted to be hung from a substantially horizontally disposed length of water pipe and extending from one wall of said enclosure to the shower head, adjustably binding means connected with said middle portion of said hanging support member for securely gripping said water pipe, said hanging support member including two extended side members depending substantially vertically and symmetrically from said middle portion, each of said side members having a lower end which ends are mutually spaced, a first pressure operated mating fastener means disposed on each of said ends, a plastic utility holder for bath and shower articles disposed between said spaced lower ends of said side members and having at each of its ends a pressure operated fastener means for mating with said iirst fastener means.

2. A plastic shower room utility basket of the character adapted to hang from the shower head water pipe or curtain rod comprising: a hanging member having a pair of side members extending symmetrically downwardly from the middle portion of said hanging member and having articles whichV are conveniently hook suspended when not in use.

ments to removably hold said soap dish lby said hanging strap member, at least one holder extension attached to said soap dish for hooking bath and Ashower articles hook-suspended when not in use, a plastic walled ftray holder for bottles and the like disposed between said spaced side members with its end walls disposed adjacently to said side members at predetermined regions thereon which are disposed between said ends of sai-d side members and said binding means, each of said end walls of said walled trayholder having a iirst plastic pressure operated mating tray fastener member and each of said side members having in said predetermined region a second plastic pressure operated tray fastener member for mating with one of said lirst t-ray fas-tener members for removably securing said walled tray holder by said hanging member.

4. A molded plastic facility for holding bath and shower articles and being of the character to hang from the shower head feed pipe, cu-rtain rod or shower door, comprising: -a hanging strap member having a middle portion and a pair of side members extending symmetrically downwardly from said middle portion of said hanging member and having horizontally spaced ends, an 1adjustably binding means portion of said hanging member disposed in said middle portion for gripping the shower head water pipe near its protrusion from the shower room wall, a plastic soap dish disposed between said spaced ends and having its ends disposed adjacently thereto, said spaced ends each forming a plastic pressure operated lirst mating male `fastener element, said plastic soap dish having at each of its said ends a pressure operated female second mating fastener element adapted to mate with one of -said iirst fastener elements to removably hold said soap dish by said hanging member, at least one holder extension disposed on said soap dish for supporting bathing articles which are conveniently hook suspended when not in use, a plastic, walled tray holder for bottles and the like disposed between said spaced side members with its end walls disposed adjacently to said side members at predetermined regions thereon which are disposed between respective ones of said ends of said side members and said binding means, each of said end walls of said walled tray holder including a iirst plastic pressure operated mating tray fastener member and each of said side members including in said predetermined region a second plastic pressure operated tray -fastener member for mating with one of said rs-t tray fastener members for securing said walled tray holder by said hanging member.

5. A molded plastic shower room utility ba-sket for holding shower and bath articles and being of the character adapted to depend from and be supported by 'the shower head water pipe contiguously to the shower room wall, said basket comprising: a plastic supporting strap member having a first lower end, a middle portion, and a second lower end, said strap being eiectively folded over the water pipe with side portions extending symmetrically downwardly from said middle portion to said lower ends, gripping means Vfor binding said strap securely to said water pipe including a slidably adjusting collar element disposed at least partially about said side portions below and contiguously to said pipe whereby forced sliding of said collar element controls the gripping of said pipe by said strap, said collar element also including a hook extension adapted for hanging said utility basket from a curtain rod or shower door, said lower ends of said side portions being horizontally spaced, a plastic soap dish disposed between said spaced ends and having its ends disposed adjacently thereto, said spaced ends each forming a pressure operated first mating fastener element, said plastic soap dish including at each of its said ends a pressure operated second mating fastener element adapted to mate with one of said rst yfastener elements to removably hold said soap dish by said hanging member, said soap dish comprising at least one holder extension for supporting bathing articles which are conveniently hook suspended when not in use, a plastic walled tray holder for bottles and the like disposed between said spaced side members with its end walls disposed adjacently to said side members and predetermined regions thereof which are disposed between said ends of said side members and `said collar element, each of said end walls of said walled tray holder having a rst plastic pressure operated mating tray fastener member and each of said side members having in said predetermined region .a second plastic pressure operated ftray fastener member for mating with one of said iirst tray fastenermembers for removably securing said walled tray holder by said supporting strap member.

6. A molded plastic facility for holding bath and shower articles and being of the character to hang from the shower head water pipe or curtain rod comprising: a hanging strap member having a pair of -side members extending symmetrically downwardly from lthe middle portion of said hanging strap member and having horizontally spaced ends and an adjustably binding means portion of said hanging strap member disposed in said middle portion for gripping the shower head water pipe near its protrusion from the shower room wall; a plastic soap dish disposed between said spaced ends and having its respective ends disposed adjacently thereto, said spaced ends each forming a pressure operated rst mating Afastener element; -a pressure operated second mating fastener element included at each of said ends of said soap dish adapted -to mate with one of said i-rst fastener 'elements -to removably hold said soap dish by said hanging strap member; a plastic walled tray holder for bottles and the like disposed between said spaced side members with its end walls, front wall and bottom panel all formed integrally with said spaced side members at predetermined regions thereof which regions are disposed between said. ends of said side members 'and said binding means; a -rst plastic pressure operated mating tray fastener member disposed in each said region; a rear panel of said walled tray holder adapted to extend between said spaced side members; and, -disposed at its ends adjacently to said side members, a second plastic pressure operated tray fastener member for mating with one of `said first tray fastener members for removably securing said back panel of said walled tray holder to said hanging member lthereby to form the fourth substantially enclosing wall of said walled tray holder.

7. A molded plastic shower room utility basket for holding shower and bath articles and being of the character adapted to depend from and be supported by the shower head water pipe contiguously to the shower room wall, said basket comprising: a plastic supporting strap member having a iirst lower end, a middle portion and a second lower end; said strap member being effectively folded over the water pipe with side portions extending symmetrically downwardly from said middle portion to said lower ends; gripping means for binding said strap member securely to said water pipe including a slidably adjusting collar element disposed at least partially about said side portions below and contiguously to said pipe whereby forced sliding of said collar element controls the gripping of said pipe by said strap member; said collar element also including a hook extension for alternative ly hanging said utility basket from a curtain rod or shower door; said lower ends of said strap member being horizontally spaced; a plastic soap dish disposed between said spaced ends and having its ends disposed adjacently thereto; said spaced ends each forming a pressure operated first mating fastener element; a pressure operated second mating fastener element disposed at each said ends of said plastic soap dish adapted to mate with one of said iirst fastener elements to hold said soap dish by said hanging member; at least one holder extension disposed on said soap dish for supporting bathing articles which are conveniently hook suspended when not in use; a plastic walled tray holder for bottles and the like disposed between said side portions with its end walls disposed adjacently to said side portions of said strap member at predetermined regions of said side portions which regions are disposed between said ends of said side portions and said collar element.

8. A molded plastic shower room utility basket for holding shower and bath articles and being of the character adapted to depend from and be supported by the shower head water pipe contiguously to the shower room wall, said basket comprising: a plastic supporting strap member having a irst lower end, a middle portion and a second lower end; said strap member being effectively folded over the water pipe with'side portions extending symmetrically downwardly from said middle portion to said lower ends; gripping means for binding said strap member securely to said Water pipe including a slidably adjusting collar element disposed at least partially about said side portions below and contiguously to said pipe whereby forced sliding of said collar element controls the gripping of said pipe by said strap member; said collar element also including a hook extension for alternatively hanging said utility basket from a curtain rod or shower door; said lower ends of said strap member being horizontally spaced; a plastic soap dish disposed between said spaced ends andV having its ends disposed adjacently thereto; said spaced ends each forming a pressure operated first mating fastener element; a pressure operated second mating fastener element disposed at each Said ends of said plastic soap dish adapted to mate with one of said irst fastener elements to hold said soap dish by said hanging member; at least one 20 holder extension disposed on said soap dish for supporting bathing articles which are conveniently hook suspended when not in use; a plastic walled tray holder for bottles and the like disposed between said side portions with its end walls disposed adjacently to said side portions of said strap member at predetermined regions of said side portions which regions are disposed between said ends of said side portions and said collar element, said walled tray holder having bottom, front, and rear portions, said bottom and front portions being formed integrally with said side members and said end walls; a first plastic pressure operated mating tray -fastener member disposed on each of said side portions in said predetermined region thereof; and a second plastic pressure operated tray fastener member disposed at each end of said rear portion adjacently to Said side portion for mating with a respective one of said rst tray fastener members for securing said rear portion of said walled tray holder to said supporting strap member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,968 Hassloch Mar. 31, 1959 2,896,363 Litzaw July 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 156,075 Switzerland July 31, 1932 598,397 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1948

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