Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02946632 2016-10-27
"TOWEL RACK"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of present invention relates generally to bathroom fixtures,
and, more particularly, to a towel rack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional towel bars are generally mounted permanently to a wall.
In its simplest form, a towel bar is a bar connected at each end to a mounting
member, wherein the mounting members are then connected to the wall so as to
locate the bar about two to three inches, or so, from the wall. One problem
with
conventional towel bars is that they are intended, at best, to only hang a
single
unfolded bath towel. At best, two bath towels may be hung on a single bar in a
folded or bunched-up state.
For example, 80% or more of standard bath towels are 27 inches or
30 inches wide and a standard bath sheet width is 35 inches. However,
approximately 80% or more of standard towel bars are only 18 inches to 24
inches
long. These dimensions have not been purposefully engineered of designed to
correspond to standard towel widths. As such, in order to hang a 27 inch towel
without being bunched up, an oversized 30 or 36 inch bar is required. However,
most towel bars are not long enough to accommodate a standard towel without
the
towel having to be folded into itself, bunched-up or overlapped, therefore
greatly
reducing the ability to dry quickly and encouraging mildew growth. Two 27 inch
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towels do not fit on a 36 inch towel bar without folding them in half or
needing to
bunch them. Hanging a multiple towels bunched or folded will not allow them to
dry
as quick as would being stretched fully and draped once over a bar, as air
could not
circulate as freely around the towel.
Standard towel bars, as described above, also take up a great amount
of wall space. Most household bathrooms have limited wall space and usually
have
one or two towel bars. Households with more than two family members have to
stack towels over one another on bars due to limited wall and towel bar space
or
use hooks to hang towels which cause the towels to bunch together from the
hook
and prevent the full surface of the towel to be open for drying. This presents
a
problem of unpleasant smell as a wet towel is more susceptible for mildew,
mold
and bacteria than a dry towel.
Finally, some home owners prefer to display towels in different and
unique ways, for esthetic reasons. However, a simple straight towel bar does
not
provide many different options to visually display a towel in different or
unique
configurations.
Accordingly, what is needed is a towel rack that takes up less area of
a wall than a standard towel rack, still supports a standard bath towel in an
unfolded
configuration, provides greater air flow through and around a hanging towel
and
provides a home owner or user with different and additional display
configurations.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a towel rack
having a width and comprising a wall mounting bracket and a towel support
frame.
The wall mounting bracket is for fastening the towel rack to a wall. The towel
support frame is supported by the wall mounting bracket and defines a
perimeter
thereabout and a plane therebetween. The length of the perimeter is longer
than
the width of the towel rack. The towel support frame may be secured in a
drying
configuration so as to orient said plane substantially perpendicular to the
wall.
When in the drying configuration, a towel may be positioned on the towel
support
frame substantially around said perimeter.
In another embodiment, the towel rack comprises a wall mounting
bracket, a towel support frame, pivoting means and position locking means. The
towel support frame is supported by the wall mounting bracket which, in turn,
fastenes the towel rack to a wall. The pivoting means to allow the towel
support
frame to pivot within the wall mounting bracket between a drying configuration
and a
display configuration. The position locking means to releasably secure the
towel
support frame in either the display configuration or the drying configuration.
Various embodiments of the pivoting means are provided, including a
clamp which may loosely support the towel support frame and a void in the wall
mounting bracket, through which the towel support frame may be positioned.
Various embodiments of the position locking means are provided, including a
clamp
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which may tightly fasten around the towel support frame in a friction fit and
a
polygonal fitting on the towel support frame that may be biased into a
corresponding
polygonal socket on the wall mounting bracket in a mated arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a towel rack according to an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the towel rack of
the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of a wall mount bracket having a partial
cutaway view of the socket according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 is a front view of the wall mount bracket of Fig. 3 having a
proximal member provided therein;
Figure 5 is an isometric view of the wall mount bracket of Fig. 4 having
a biasing means provided therein, the proximal member being in a locked
position;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of the wall mount bracket of Fig. 4 having
a biasing means provided therein, the proximal member being in an adjustable
position;
Figure 7 is a side view of a towel rack according to another
embodiment of the invention, the towel support frame being in a drying
configuration;
Figure 8 is a side view of .a towel rack of Fig. 7 showing the towel
support frame being in a display configuration;
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Figure 9 is an isometric view of a wall mount bracket according to
another embodiment described herein;
Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of a towel rack according to
another embodiment of the invention; and
Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of additional embodiments of
the towel rack, shown with the towel support frame in the drying configuration
and
illustrating a towel hung about the perimeter thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of
example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary
for
carrying the invention into effect. Reference is to be had to the Figures in
which
identical reference numbers identify similar components. The drawing figures
are
not necessarily to scale and certain features are shown in schematic or
diagrammatic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Referring to the figures, embodiments of a towel rack 10 for hanging a
towel T thereon are shown. The towel rack 10 preferably comprises a wall mount
bracket 12 and a towel support frame 14 connected thereon. Wall mount bracket
12 facilitates mounting of the towel rack 10 to a wall A in a conventional
manner
(e.g. via screws). Wall mount bracket may therefore be provided with screw
openings 120
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Having reference to Fig. 1, the towel support frame 14 may be
provided in a variety of shapes including but not limited to an oval,
rectangle, square
or any other polygonal shape (e.g. triangle as shown in Fig. 10). The
embodiment
of the towel rack 10 provided in Fig. 1 shows the towel support frame 14
having a
substantially oval shape. The towel support frame 14 comprises a proximal
section
or proximal member 16 in which a portion thereof engages the wall mount
bracket
12, at least one intermediate section or intermediate member 17, 17', and a
distal
section or distal member 18 spaced from the proximal member 16 by means of the
at least one intermediate member 17, 17'. The terms proximal member 16 and
distal member 18 are used for convenience, to designate the spatial
relationship of
said members 16,18 relative to the wall mount bracket 12. These members 16,
17,
18, may also be referred to as a first member 16 second member 17 and third
member 18.
Towel support frame 14 may also be constructed of one continuous
unit, rather than discrete members, in which case the towel support frame 14
will
have a proximal section 16, at least one intermediate section 17,17' and a
distal
section 18, rather than discrete members. As such, it will be understood that
when
referring to proximal, intermediate or distal "members", the invention will
also
encompass embodiments where the towel support frame 14 is a single unit having
proximal, intermediate and distal sections.
The proximal member 16, intermediate member(s) 17, 17', and distal
member 18 define a plane P therebetween. The length (or radius of curvature)
of
the at least one intermediate member 17, 17' substantially determines the
amount
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of space D between the proximal member 16 and distal member 18, such as when
the various components 16, 17, 17', 18 are assembled into the towel support
frame
14. When D is equal to zero, the towel support frame 14 substantially
simulates a
bar style towel rack as is known in the art. Benefits of the present
embodiment may
be realized when D is at least a size so that, when a towel is hung
substantially
around the perimeter R of the plane P, the surfaces of the towel are not in
contact,
thereby allowing air more easily to flow therebetween.
A towel T may be hung about the perimeter R of the plane P (e.g. see
FIGS. 11-12). Advantageously, upon hanging a towel T about the perimeter R of
the plane P, air is able to flow more easily past adjacent surfaces of the
towel T as
compared with traditional bar, or hook style towel racks, where such adjacent
surfaces are more likely to be bunched or clumped together. More
advantageously,
towel rack 10, with proximal member 16, intermediate member(s) 17, 17', and
distal
member 18, provides a perimeter R about which a towel T may be supported; said
perimeter R having a width W that is less than half the length of the overall
perimeter R. For example, if the length of each of the proximal and distal
members
16, 18 is the conventional 24 inches, and the length of the intermediate
members
17, 17' is 1 inch, then the perimeter R of the towel support frame 14 will be
approximately 50 inches, while the width W of the towel rack 10 will be only
24
inches. Advantageously, a towel rack 10 with such dimensions will be able to
support a large unfolded bath towel (with a width of up to 50 inches) along
the
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perimeter R, while only requiring 24 inches of width along a wall A or other
structure
upon which the towel rack 10 is mounted.
The towel rack 10 is preferably provided with pivoting means 100, to
allow the towel support frame 14 to pivot along the longitudinal axis L of the
proximal member 16, about a pivot point within wall mount bracket 12.
Preferably
towel rack 10 can pivot between a drying configuration (Fig. 7) wherein the
plane P
of the towel support frame 14 is substantially perpendicular to a wall A, and
a
display configuration (Fig. 8) wherein the plane P of the towel support frame
14 is
substantially parallel to the wall A.
Position locking means 110 are preferably provided to releasably
secure towel support frame 14 at the display configuration, the drying
configuration,
or at additional pivotable positions therebetween. Advantageously, the
embodiments provided herein allow a towel support frame 14 to pivot providing
for
multiple configurations in which to hang and display a towel T. Furthermore,
the
distance between the wall A and the distal member 18 of the towel support
frame 14
decreases as the angle of the towel support frame 14 changes from any position
other than being substantially perpendicular to the wall, providing the user
to
increase space in a bathroom when the towel moved to the display position
(e.g.
when the towel T is dry).
Various preferred embodiments of the pivoting means 100 and
position locking means 110 are shown by having reference to Figs. 2 ¨ 6.
Figure 2
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is an exploded view of the embodiment of the towel rack 10 in Fig. 1. The
towel
rack 10 comprises a wall mount bracket 12 having a wall surface engagement end
20 for fastening the wall mount bracket 12 to a wall, and an attachment end 21
for
accepting the proximal member 16 of the towel support frame 14 therethrough.
The
proximal member 16 preferably comprises a center section 24 for slidably
connecting through the attachment end 21 of the wall mount bracket 12. The
center
section 24 preferably comprises a polygonal fitting 26 for engaging a
corresponding
polygonal socket 40 (see Fig. 3) for releasably securing the towel support
frame 14
at various angles relative to the wall mount bracket 12 (and any wall A on
which the
towel rack 10 is mounted).
Preferably, the proximal member 16 further comprises a first end 16a
and a second end 16b extending in opposing directions along the longitudinal
axis L
of the proximal member's center section 24. More preferably, the towel support
frame 14 further comprises a first intermediate member 17 having a first end
17a
and a second end 17b and a second intermediate member 17' having a first end
17a' and a second end 17b'. The first and second intermediate members 17,17'
preferably have a substantially similar cross section as the first and second
ends of
the proximal member 16 and the distal member 18. The area of the cross section
of
the first and second intermediate members 17,17' are preferably sized to
accept the
first end and the second end 16a,16b of the proximal member 16 therein. In a
similar manner, a distal member 18 is preferably provided having a center
section
19, first end 18a and a second end 18b extending along distal member's
longitudinal axis L' and sized to engage the second ends 17b, 17b' of the
first and
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second intermediate members 17,17' therein. The length of the proximal member
16 and the distal member 18 may be similar.
The distance between the first and second ends 16a,18a,16b,18b of
the proximal member 16 and the distal member 18 dictate any expansion and
contraction of the towel support frame 14. The towel support frame 14 is in
its
smallest position (with the smallest perimeter R) when the first intermediate
member
17 and the second intermediate member 17' are adjacent the center sections 19,
24
respectively. The towel support frame 14 is in its largest position (with the
greatest
perimeter R) when the first intermediate member 17 and the second intermediate
member 17' are only placed over the ends 16a,16b,18a,18b. Towel support frame
size locking means 200 is preferably provided to selectively and securably
lock the
towel support frame 14 in a desired sized configuration. Towel support frame
size
locking means 200, preferably comprises conventional buttons 202 mounted on
flexible tabs 203 and a series of corresponding opening or holes 204 suitable
to
accept buttons 202 therein and lock the towel support frame 14 in a desired
size.
Figure 3 provides a partial cutaway view of the wall mount bracket 12
of the embodiment of Fig. 1. The wall mount bracket 12 comprises a wall
surface
engagement end 20 for securing the wall mount bracket 12 to a wall A and an
attachment end 21 opposite the wall mount bracket 12 for connecting the towel
support frame 14 thereon. In the present embodiment the attachment end 21
comprises a void V therethrough for accepting the center section 24 therein. A
first
portion 46 of the attachment end 21 may have a circular cross section of a
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diameter for allowing the center section 24 to slidably connect thereto. A
second
portion 48 of the attachment end 21 may be a polygonal socket 22, having a
cross
section in the shape of a polygon for accepting the polygonal fitting 26 in a
mating
configuration and thereby preventing the towel support frame 14 from pivoting
about
the attachment end 21 (i.e. when the fitting 26 is mated with the socket 22).
The wall mount bracket 12 may also comprise a light source 42 for
creating an esthetically pleasing glow about the towel rack and towel hanging
therefrom. The light source 42 may act as a nightlight in a bathroom to
replace a
traditional night light. The light source 42 may have an on and off switch or
it may
have a motion sensor to react to movement in a room within the parameters of
the
motion sensor. A battery compartment 44 may be provided to accept a power
source, such as a battery, for powering the light source 42. The wall mount
bracket
12 may also comprise an air flowing apparatus such as a fan for assisting
ambient
air to flow past the surface of the towel hanging therefrom.
Having reference to Fig. 4, a cutaway view of the wall mount bracket
12 having the proximal member 16 located therein is provided. The center
section
24 slidably engages the first portion 46 of the attachment end 21 and the
polygonal
fitting 26 slidably engages the second portion 48 of the attachment end 21.
Preferably, an 0-ring fitting 50 having an inner diameter and an outer
diameter is
provided and friction fit into the end of the first portion 46 of the
attachment end 46.
The inner diameter of the 0-ring fitting 50 is sized to allow the center
section 24 to
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slide therethrough but prevents the polygonal fitting 26 from sliding out or
through.
The 0-ring fitting 50 allows the proximal member 16 to be displaced within the
attachment end 21 to disengage the polygonal fitting 26 from the polygonal
socket
22 for pivoting the proximal member 16 and the towel support frame 14.
In operation, and having reference to Figs. 5 and 6, a biasing means
60 having a first end 62 and a second end 64 is provided. The biasing means 60
may be a spring or any other apparatus known in the art. In the present
embodiment the first end 62 engages the inner surface of the 0-ring fitting
50. The
biasing means 60 slidably fits over the diameter of the center section 24
where the
second end 64 engages the polygonal fitting 26. The biasing means 60 is
naturally
biased for exerting a force against the polygonal fitting 26 thereby assisting
in
maintaining engagement between the polygonal fitting 26 and the polygonal
socket
end 22.
Fig. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the pivoting means 100 when
shows the proximal member 16 being displaced within the attachment end 21.
Pivoting means 100 of this embodiment comprises center section 24 and void V
of
the attachment end 21. In Figure 6, the biasing means 60 is compressed between
the 0-ring fitting 50 and the polygonal fitting 26. The center section 24 is
displaced
through the 0-ring fitting 50 and out of the attachment end 21. The polygonal
fitting
is displaced out of the polygonal socket end 22 and is positioned within the
first
portion of the attachment end 21 adjacent the polygonal socket end 22 wherein
the
proximal member 16 may pivot the towel support frame 14 into different
positions
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relative to the wall mounting bracket 12 and any wall A. Upon locating the
desired
position of the towel support frame 14, relative to the bracket 12 and any
wall A, the
biasing means 60 exerts a force on the proximal member 16 and the polygonal
fitting 26 re-engages with the polygonal socket end 22 thereby securably
supporting
the towel support frame 14 in the new orientation. As such, biasing means 60,
polygonal fitting 26 and polygonal socket 48 comprise the position locking
means
110 of this embodiment.
Having reference to Figs. 7 and 8, an alternate embodiment of
pivoting means 100 and position locking means 110 is illustrated. As in the
other
embodiments, the towel rack 10 comprises wall mount bracket 12 and a towel
support frame 14. However, in the present embodiment, the wall mount bracket
12
further comprises a clamp 70 shaped to engage the proximal member 16 of the
towel support frame 14 in a friction fit when said clamp is tightened and in a
pivoting
configuration when clamp is loosened. Thus, in this embodiment, clamp 70
functions as both the pivoting means 100 and position locking means 110. The
clamp 70 may be tightened about the proximal member 16 with a clamp tightener
72. The clamp tightener 72 may be a screw or bolt wherein it engages two arms
74a, 74b of the clamp 70 to releasably secure the towel support frame 14 in
the
desired position.
Having reference to Fig. 9, another embodiment of a wall mount
bracket 12 is provided. This embodiment of the wall mount bracket 12 comprises
a
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wall surface engagement member 20, at least one bracket clamp 90 connected
thereto for holding an extension member 92. The extension member 92 comprises
an attachment end 21. The extension member 92 engages the at least one bracket
clamp 90 for adjusting the positioning of the attachment end 21 relative to
the wall
mount bracket 12. The attachment end 21 in the present embodiment comprises
the polygonal socket 22 configuration as described above, but one skilled in
the art
would understand that any style of an attachment end such as the clamp
embodiment (Figs. 7 and 8) could also be substituted on this embodiment of
wall
mount bracket 12.
Having reference to Fig. 10, another embodiment of a towel rack 10 is
provided. The towel rack 10 comprises yet another embodiment of a wall mount
bracket 12. The wall mount bracket 12 comprises a pair of wall engagement
surface ends 12a, 12b for abutting to two planer intersecting walls. The pair
of wall
engagement surface ends 12a, 12b provide convenient means to secure the towel
rack 10 to the corner of a room such as a bathroom, allowing a user more
options
for locating the towel rack 10.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various
modifications to the invention as described herein will be possible without
falling
outside the scope of the invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" is
used in
its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The
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indefinite article "a" before a claim feature does not exclude more than one
of the
features being present.
