Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Docket No. 0184-261CAPT
PATENT
COMBINATION SHELVING UNIT AND NIGHT LIGHT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of shelving units,
specifically to
shelving units configured to store toilet rolls, more specifically to shelving
units incorporating
night lights.
BACKGROUND
U.S. Patent No. 4,564,148 (Wentworth) discloses a toilet dispensing system. A
toilet
paper dispenser includes a roll-storing chamber adapted for incorporation
behind a room wall
and a pair of facing guides for feeding rolls, one at a time, to an exposed
position at least
partially in front of the wall. To this end, the chamber has a front wall
formed with an opening
in a lower portion thereof commensurate with an aperture in the room wall.
Each of the facing
guides includes a vertical channel within the chamber and a horizontal channel
contiguous
therewith and extending to a point outside the chamber. The channels are sized
and spaced to
accommodate spindle ends projecting beyond the end faces of a toilet paper
roll to be
dispensed. The end portions of the horizontal channels are formed to support a
roll in the
exposed use position. One or both of the horizontal channels may be formed
with an open
segment that allows insertion and removal of the spindle.
U.S. Patent No. 4,098,469 (McCarthy) discloses a toilet paper roll holder. A
toilet
paper holder having an elongated extended chute of suitable dimensions for
holding a plurality
of rolls of toilet paper in vertical stacked relation, the rolls being mounted
on a hollow core
which are substantially horizontal in said stacked relation and a chute having
front, back, side,
bottom and top walls. The front wall is provided with an opening near the
bottom to permit the
insertion and removal of rolls of toilet paper and the side walls near the
opening are provided
.. with substantially horizontal grooves for receiving the hinge pins of a
door adapted to close the
opening. A removable spindle is provided for extending through the hollow core
of the
lowermost roll to hold it in position. The device of the present invention
provides for the
storage of toilet paper at the site of use, provides a decorative and pleasing
appearance
permitting the toilet paper to be hidden from view when not in use. In
addition, the device of
.. this invention permits the easy removal of sheets of toilet paper when
needed but at the same
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time is adapted to provide a braking action on the roll in use to prevent
accidental unwinding of
the sheet of toilet paper from the roll.
U.S. Patent No. 5,570,938 (Butler) discloses a toilet paper roll holder. A
holder for
storing multiple rolls of toilet paper in a box-like enclosure mounted to a
wall, either to the
surface of the wall or in a recess. The enclosure is provided with a tilt-out
front panel and an
integral floor having multiple rods affixed orthogonally to the floor for
receiving the open
central cores of toilet paper rolls. The entire assembly comprising the front
panel, the floor and
rods tilt out as a unit to provide access the stored toilet paper rolls.
U.S. Patent No. 6,302,350 (Burrell et al.) discloses a toilet tissue
dispenser. A toilet
tissue dispenser comprising a housing. An upper front door in the housing
lifts upwardly, so
that multiple toilet paper rolls can be stacked into the housing. The housing
has a lower front
notch opening, to allow the lowest toilet paper roll to be removed therefrom.
U.S. Patent No. 4,124,259 (Harris) discloses a toilet paper holder. A toilet
paper holder
constitutes a free-standing portable cabinet with half disc-shaped projections
extending from
the front edges of the sides. A roll of toilet paper is rotatably mounted
between the projections.
The cabinet stores spare rolls of toilet paper and is closed by a hinged door.
U.S. Patent No. 7,407,237 (Bright) discloses a combined magazine rack and
toilet
paper holder. A storage unit for use in the bathroom combines a magazine rack
with a toilet
paper roll storage area. A door selectively conceals or provides access to the
toilet paper
storage area. In addition, a sliding plate provides the support surface for
additional elements
such as a coffee cup.
U.S. Design Patent No. 257,082 (Williams) illustrates a combined storage
cabinet and
paper roll dispenser. The ornamental design for a combined storage cabinet and
paper roll
dispenser, is shown and described.
WO 2002/074,148 (Krivulin) discloses a dual toilet roll dispenser. The
invention is a
toilet paper dispenser designed to hold two rolls of toilet paper. The
dispenser has a housing
containing a primary roll support and a secondary roll support. The secondary
roll support is
disposed parallel to and vertically above the primary roll support. The
secondary roll support is
connected to a release mechanism operative to lower the secondary roll support
into a position
to dispense toilet paper from its roll of toilet paper when the primary roll
of toilet paper is
exhausted. A roll guard prevents access to the secondary roll until the
release mechanism has
been activated. The release mechanism is automatically activated and released
by a user-
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controlled trigger mechanism, preferably a lever, so that a user exhausting
the primary roll of
toilet paper may access the secondary roll without interfering with the
dispenser.
None of the above cited documents, alone or in combination satisfy the need
for a
combination toilet roll holder, dispenser and night light.
BRIEF SUMMARY
It is an object of the invention to provide a combination shelving unit and
night light.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a combination
shelving
unit and night light, said shelving unit comprising: an upper horizontal
planar surface; a lower
horizontal planar surface;
three vertical supporting members attached to and extending vertically between
said
upper horizontal planar surface and said lower horizontal planar surface; one
or more shelves
connected to and extending horizontally from one or two of said three vertical
supporting
members; a planar transparent, translucent, or opaque cover extending
vertically between and
attached to said upper horizontal planar surface and said lower horizontal
planar surface,
creating a voided space between said three vertical supporting members, said
upper horizontal
planar surface and said lower horizontal planar surface; a night light; and a
power source
connected to said night light.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better
understood
with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in
conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like
symbols.
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most
significant
digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that
element is first
introduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most
significant
digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that
element is first
introduced.
FIGs. lA and 1B illustrate top perspective views of the combination shelving
unit and
night light 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
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FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate bottom perspective views of the combination
shelving unit
and night light 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the combination shelving unit
and night
light 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate top perspective views of the combination corner
shelving
unit and night light 402 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate bottom perspective views of the combination corner
shelving unit and night light 402 in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the combination corner shelving
unit and
night light 402 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIGs. 7A and 7B illustrate aspects of the night light 204 in accordance with
one
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a top front perspective view of the combination shelving
unit and
night light 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate top front perspective views of the combination
corner
shelving unit and night light 402 in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Devices and methods for carrying out the invention are presented in terms of
embodiments depicted within the FIGS. However, the invention is not limited to
the described
embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other
embodiments of
the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the
invention, and that
any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is
envisioned that other
styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated
into the teachings
of the present invention, and the configurations shall be shown and described
for purposes of
clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a bathroom shelving unit providing
a
combination of shelves and night light. The shelving unit has two generally
vertically
extending support members spaced horizontally from one another, with a
plurality of shelves
extending generally horizontally from a first or outer side of the vertically
extending support
members. The space between the inner or second sides of the support members
houses a night
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light and is enclosed by a transparent or translucent cover. The distance
between the shelves is
configured to accommodate a toilet roll.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is provided a corner
bathroom
shelving unit providing a combination of shelves and night light. The corner
shelving unit also
has two generally vertically extending support members spaced horizontally
from one another,
with a plurality of shelves extending generally horizontally from a first or
outer side of one of
the vertically extending support members. The space between the inner or
second sides of the
support members houses a night light and is enclosed by a transparent or
translucent cover. The
distance between the shelves is configured to accommodate a toilet roll.
The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly
pointed
out in the specification. The present invention now will be described more
fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in
conjunction
with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or
particular
embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may,
however, be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments
set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of
illustration only and so that
this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full
scope of the invention
to those skilled in the art.
FIGs. lA and 1B illustrate perspective views of combination shelving unit and
night
light 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. lA shows the combination shelving unit and night light 102 comprised of
an
upper surface 104, a lower surface 106 and a back 112. Means of attachment to
of the back 112
of the shelving unit to the wall can be provided by appropriately placed
attachment members
116. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment members 116 are a series of
screws, typically
wood screws of sufficient length to extend through the back 112 of the
shelving unit and dry
wall, and tiles when present, into a stud.
A first vertical supporting member 122 and a second vertical supporting member
124
can be seen extending between the upper surface 104 and the lower surface 106.
In this
embodiment, the first vertical supporting member 122 and second vertical
supporting member
124 are illustrated as being configured in a curved or semi-circular form.
The first vertical supporting member 122 and second vertical supporting member
124
forming a void between them. A transparent, translucent or opaque cover 110 is
affixed to a
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front surface of the combination shelving unit and night light 102 so as to
enclose the voided
compartment. In the illustrated embodiment, the transparent, translucent or
opaque cover 110 is
attached to the front of the unit via a front framed section 108.
The transparent, translucent or opaque cover 110 is typically fabricated from
some
.. form of polymeric plastic. For example, transparent polymers can be
selected from the group
including, but not limited to: polycarbonates; PMMA/acrylic; polyethylene
terephthalate
(PET); amorphous copolyester (PETG); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); liquid silicone
rubber
(LSR); cyclic olefin copolymers (COC); polyethylene (PE); ionomer resin;
transparent
polypropylene (PP); fluorinated ethylene polypropylene (FEP); styrene methyl
methacrylate
.. (SMMA); styrene acrylonitrile resin; clear polystyrene; and methyl
methacrylate acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (MABS). The transparent, translucent or opaque cover 110 may
have a
texture or patterned surface, and in some embodiments tempered, reinforced or
frosted glass
can be used as the cover.
One or more shelves 114 extend generally horizontally in an outward direction
from
.. the first vertical supporting member 122 and second vertical supporting
member 124. In the
illustrated embodiment, the shelves 114 are semi-circular in shape, partially
cooperating with
the semi-circular first vertical supporting member 122 or second vertical
supporting member
124 and partially open on the outermost edge.
FIG. 1B shows that the shelf spacing 120, which is the vertical distance
between the
shelves, is configured to accommodate a toilet roll 118.
FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate alternative perspective views of combination
shelving unit
and night light 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2A shows the positioning of a night light 204 affixed to the underside of
the
upper surface 104 of the shelving unit within the voided area between the
first vertical
supporting member 122, the second vertical supporting member 124 and the
transparent,
translucent or opaque cover 110.
Also present in this embodiment of the invention is a toilet roll holder 202.
In this
embodiment, the toilet roll holder 202 is attached to the bottom of the
shelving unit.
FIG. 2B shows the positioning of a night light 204 fixed to the underside of
the lower
surface 106.
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Also present in this embodiment of the invention is a toilet roll holder 202.
In this
embodiment, the toilet roll holder 202 is attached to the top of the shelving
unit.
This perspective view shows how the upper surface 104 and lower surface 106
are
connected by the front framed section 108. In this embodiment, the semi-
circular shelves 114
extend between the back 112 and the front framed section 108 and are partially
encompassed
by either the semi-circular first vertical supporting member 122 or the semi-
circular second
vertical supporting member 124. The non-encompassed section of the semi-
circular shelves 114
are sized and configured to receive a toilet roll 118.
In both of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2B the
night
light 204 and toilet roll holder 202 could be positioned proximate to each
other, in that both can
be located attached to or abutting the upper surface 104 or the lower surface
106.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a combination shelving unit and night light
102 in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Each of the first vertical supporting member 122 and the second vertical
supporting
member 124 comprise an inner surface 308 and an outer surface 306.
This particular figure shows how the inner surfaces 308 of the first vertical
supporting
member 122 and the second vertical supporting member 124 create a voided area
310 bounded
in the rear by the back 112 of the unit and the transparent, translucent or
opaque cover 110 at
the front.
The outer surfaces 306 of the first vertical supporting member 122 and second
vertical
supporting member 124 attach to and support the shelves 114.
This embodiment of the invention shows the location of a battery, which can be
either
a standard non-rechargable battery, or it can be a rechargeable battery 302,
as illustrated.
A charging port 304 may be present, and is generally indicated on the upper
surface
104 in this figure. The charging port 304 may take the form of a 2- or 3-pin
socket to recharge
the battery when a rechargeable battery 302 is installed in the unit.
In an alternative embodiment, the charging port 304 may be a USB-type port for
charging devices, including but not limited to USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C. In yet
another
embodiment, the charging port 304 may be a wireless charging pad or station.
Typically, the
power supply for these embodiments would be supplied by directly connecting
the shelving
unit to the hydro supply rather than via a battery or rechargeable battery
302.
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FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of a combination corner shelving
unit and
night light 402 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4A shows the combination corner shelving unit and night light 402 is
comprised
of an upper surface 104, a lower surface 106, a first vertical supporting
member 122, a rear
wall abutment edge 404 and a side wall abutment edge 412. Means of attachment
to of the rear
wall abutment edge 404 and the side wall abutment edge 412 of the shelving
unit to the wall
can be provided by appropriately placed attachment members 116. In the
illustrated
embodiment the attachment members 116 are a series of screws, typically wood
screws of
sufficient length to extend through the rear wall abutment edge 404 and the
side wall abutment
edge 412 of the shelving unit and dry wall, and tiles when present, into a
stud.
The first vertical supporting member 122, the rear wall abutment edge 404 and
the side
wall abutment edge 412 can be seen extending between the upper surface 104 and
the lower
surface 106. In this embodiment, the first vertical supporting member 122 is
illustrated as being
configured in a curved or semi-circular form.
The first vertical supporting member 122 and the side wall abutment edge 412
forming
a void between them. A transparent, translucent or opaque cover 110 is affixed
to a front
surface of the combination corner shelving unit and night light 402 so as to
enclose the voided
compartment. In the illustrated embodiment, the transparent, translucent or
opaque cover 110 is
attached to the front of the unit via a front framed section 108.
One or more shelves 114 extend generally horizontally in an outward direction
from
the first vertical supporting member 122 and rear wall abutment edge 404. In
the illustrated
embodiment, the shelves 114 are semi-circular in shape, partially cooperating
with the semi-
circular first vertical supporting member 122 and partially open on the
outermost edge.
FIG. 4B shows that the shelf spacing 120, which is the vertical distance
between the
shelves, is configured to accommodate a toilet roll 118.
FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate alternative perspective views of combination corner
shelving unit and night light 402 in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 5A shows the positioning of a night light 204 affixed to the underside of
the
upper surface 104 of the shelving unit within the voided area between the
first vertical
.. supporting member 122, the side wall abutment edge 412 and the transparent,
translucent or
opaque cover 110.
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Also present in this embodiment of the invention is a toilet roll holder 202.
In this
embodiment, the toilet roll holder 202 is attached to the bottom of the
shelving unit.
FIG. 5B shows the positioning of a night light 204 fixed to the underside of
the lower
surface 106.
Also present in this embodiment of the invention is a toilet roll holder 202.
In this
embodiment, the toilet roll holder 202 is attached to the top of the shelving
unit.
This perspective view shows how the upper surface 104 and lower surface 106
are
connected by the front framed section 108. In this embodiment, the semi-
circular shelves 114
extend between the rear wall abutment edge 404 and the front framed section
108 and are
partially encompassed by either the semi-circular first vertical supporting
member 122. The
non-encompassed section of the semi-circular shelves 114 are sized and
configured to receive a
toilet roll 118.
In both of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGs. 5A and 5B the
night
light 204 and toilet roll holder 202 could be positioned proximate to each
other, in that both can
be located attached to or abutting the upper surface 104 or the lower surface
106.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a combination corner shelving unit and
night light 402
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
The first vertical supporting member 122 comprises an inner surface 308 and an
outer
surface 306.
This particular figure shows how the inner surface 308 of the first vertical
supporting
member 122 create a voided area 310 bounded at the rear by the rear wall
abutment edge 404,
and to the side by the side wall abutment edge 412, and at the front by the
transparent,
translucent or opaque cover 110.
The outer surface 306 of the first vertical supporting member 122 attaches to
and
support the shelves 114.
This embodiment of the invention shows the location of a battery, which can be
either
a standard non-rechargable battery, or it can be a rechargeable battery 302.
A charging port 304 may be present, and is generally indicated on the upper
surface
104 in this figure. The charging port 304 may take the form of a 2- or 3-pin
socket to recharge
the battery when a rechargeable battery 302 is installed in the unit.
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In an alternative embodiment, the charging port 304 may be a USB-type port for
charging devices, including but not limited to USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C. In yet
another
embodiment, the charging port 304 may be a wireless charging pad or station.
In one
embodiment, the power supply for these embodiments could be supplied by
directly connecting
the shelving unit to the hydro supply rather than via a battery or
rechargeable battery 302.
In an alternative embodiment, the rechargeable battery 302 would constantly be
kept
charged via connection to an external power source, provide a means of light
and ability to
recharge devices such as cell phones in the event of a power outage.
As illustrated herein, showing a power cable 606 wired into the combination
corner
shelving unit and night light 402 to power the night light 204 and charging
port 304 when
present. The power cable 606 terminating at one end in a plug 604 configured
for connection
into a wall socket 602.
FIGs. 7A and 7B illustrate a typical night light 204 affixed to a front framed
section
108 of a shelving unit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7A shows a power supply 702 to the night light 204 which may be provided
by
either a battery, a rechargeable battery 302 or a hydro or external power
source. The on/off
switch in this embodiment is a motion detector 704.
FIG. 7B shows a power supply 702 to the night light 204 which may be provided
by
either a battery, a rechargeable battery 302 or a hydro or external power
source. The on/off
switch in this embodiment is a manual switch 706.
In both of the embodiments described above, the night light 204 can be
situated within
the voided area 310, either attached to the underside of the upper surface
104; or to the upper
side of the lower surface 106; or to the underside of the lower surface 106.
The on/off switch
can be located at any convenient and suitable position on the shelving unit.
When the on/off
switch is a motion detector 704, the detector must be located in a position
that can be activated
by a user's motion.
The above embodiment of the invention relates to either a combination shelving
unit
and night light 102 or a combination corner shelving unit and night light 402.
FIG. 8 illustrates a combination shelving unit and night light 102 similar to
the
embodiment described in FIG. 3.
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This figure shows an embodiment having an external power source, a
rechargeable
battery 302, a night light 204 having either an on off switch or a dimmer
controller 806, a clock
804, and a USB charging port 802. The USB charging port 802 can be configured
to receive a
USB-A, USB-B, or USB-C connection. The combination shelving unit and night
light 102.
As illustrated herein, the combination shelving unit and night light 102 has a
power
cable 606 wired into the shelving unit to power the night light 204 and USB
charging port 802
when present. The power cable 606 terminating at one end in a plug 604
configured for
connection into a wall socket 602.
FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate embodiments of the invention having digital clocks
804.
FIG. 9A shows a combination corner shelving unit and night light 402 with a
clock 804
positioned at the top of the front framed section 108.
FIG. 9B shows a combination shelving unit and night light 102 with a clock 804
positioned at the top of the front framed section 108.
The specific positioning of the clock 804 on the combination corner shelving
unit and
night light 402 or combination shelving unit and night light 102 can be on any
suitable and
convenient outer surface and is not limited to the positions illustrated.
It is also within the scope of protection being sought for the combination
shelving unit
and night light 102 and combination corner shelving unit and night light 402
to additionally
comprise a toilet roll holder 202 (not shown).
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention
have been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended
to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments
described were
chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and its practical
application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize
the invention and
various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular
use
contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of
equivalents are
contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended
to cover the
application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of
the claims of the
present invention.
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