CN114052455A

CN114052455A - Shower mat and hook assembly and method for hanging shower mat

Info

Publication number: CN114052455A
Application number: CN202110268234.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 特雷弗·赫尼; 凯西·赫尼
Original assignee: Kai XiHeni; Te LeifuHeni
Current assignee: Kai XiHeni; Te LeifuHeni
Priority date: 2020-08-08
Filing date: 2021-03-12
Publication date: 2022-02-18
Also published as: US20220042235A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for hanging a shower mat in its deployed position firmly and freely swinging, using hanging hooks and holes placed on those hooks in the shower mat; one preferred embodiment includes a bathroom mat having a top surface and a bottom surface having a high friction gripping material or suction cup, side edges, a top edge with at least two holes spaced apart a distance such that the weight of the bathroom mat is evenly distributed on two hooks; the shower pad may have antibacterial and anti-mildew properties that may be incorporated into the material used to make the shower pad, and the suction cups of the hooks are pushed tightly against the wall to increase the suction force as the hooks move downward. The invention also discloses a shower pad and hook assembly.

Description

Shower mat and hook assembly and method for hanging shower mat

Cross reference to related patent applications

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application 17158206 filed on 26/1/2021, which is a continuation-in-part and co-pending with U.S. patent application 16988625. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to bathtubs and shower stalls and in particular to a flexible bath mat having novel means associated therewith whereby it can be supported on the inside wall or outside surface of the side wall of a bathtub when not in use in a flat condition where it can be dried by a dripping action.

Background

Bathtubs and showers are often equipped with rubber or plastic safety cushions to prevent the bather from slipping therein and from causing any possible injury. After use, the pad is typically wet on the bottom of the tub or on the shower floor, with the result that the pad may quickly become contaminated with bacteria, mildew and/or mildew or deteriorate, creating an unsightly appearance.

Various solutions have been proposed for hanging shower mats aimed at drying the mat when not in use. In one arrangement, a frame containing a suitable linkage is secured to a wall of the bath and the pads are pivotally connected to the linkage whereby the linkage and associated pads swing to an inoperative position when not in use. In another arrangement the mat is provided with a plurality of suckers and/or magnets whereby the mat is adapted to grip the wall of the bath tightly.

While these arrangements are satisfactory for their intended purpose, they tend to have certain disadvantages, such as manufacturing costs, cumbersome design and in the case of grasping the mat on the side wall of the bath, the mat does not dry as effectively as when hanging freely; thus, the pad tends to deteriorate when placed on the side wall of the tub.

Three prior patents appear to be most relevant to the present invention. US 3,408,663 essentially comprises a mat having a hanging device integrally connected to one end of the mat whereby the mat may hang freely from a towel rack or other suitable support adjacent a bath or shower. The suspension device includes a pair of keyhole slots provided adjacent one end of the pad, and a pair of straps integrally formed with and extending from the end of the pad in alignment with the keyhole slots, a head or button member provided at the end of each strap, whereby when not in use, the pad can be hung from a towel rack for drying by winding the strap around the rack and inserting the button member into the slot.

US 4512044 includes an improved portable shower and bath mat that includes a non-absorbent pad having a non-slip bottom surface and a channeled bottom surface and a plurality of drain holes through the pad to allow water to drain through the pad to the channel of the bottom surface of the pad and into the shower or bath tub.

US 3020562 comprises an elastomeric bath mat having novel means associated therewith whereby the mat can be supported on the inner surface of the outside wall of a bath tub when not in use in a flat unfolded condition, where it is substantially invisible, and which can be automatically dried by the action of a dripping water.

Although reference is made to sports pads, patent application US20140138508 is also relevant. It includes a base plate or mounting portion connected to a clip or fixed portion that gently but firmly co-applies a compressive force across the width of the exercise mat. The securing portion ("clip") may include one or more clips, clamps, or cams positioned along the width of the pad.

All of these patents or applications are designed to hang from a shower door, towel rack, or other object already in the shower area. Instead, the invention uses a hook or similar device mounted in the shower area, wherein an aperture in the shower pad is positioned to pass over the hook. The advantage of this method is that more air flow is provided around the shower pad to make the shower pad dry better to prevent mould and to prevent mould build-up in the gaps between the use of the shower pad. The present invention also takes advantage of antibacterial and mould resistant properties that may be incorporated into the materials used to make the shower pad.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shower mat hanger assembly for hanging the mat freely from a set of hooks or the like to facilitate drying of the mat when not in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved shower pad drying system that allows the shower pad to hang freely, as opposed to folding over a towel rack while drying.

Another object of the shower pad of the present invention is to have antibacterial and anti-mould properties which can be included in the material used for making the shower pad.

It is another object of the invention to securely adhere the hooks to the wall so that the mat does not fall off. The hook device of the present invention has a hinge that rotates so that when the hinge is pulled from an upper position to a lower position, the suction cup is fixed to the wall and forces air to be expelled between the suction cup and the wall, thereby creating in effect a vacuum that forces the air to be expelled and form a tight seal. This prevents the usual situation with suction cups: when air acts under the rim of the suction cup or vacuum cup, the seal can break and the suction cup can fall off.

In view of these and other objects, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention includes the parts and combinations hereinafter set forth and claimed, wherein it is understood that several of the necessary elements including the present invention may be changed in structure, proportion and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the inventors have illustrated in the accompanying drawings means for putting the invention into practice, rather than limiting its useful application to the specific construction of which it has been a subject of illustration for explanatory purposes.

The present invention solves the above problems by providing a shower mat and hook assembly that securely and freely swings the shower mat in its deployed position by means of hanging hooks and holes in the bathroom mat placed on these hooks.

The shower pad and hook assembly according to the present invention comprises:

a. a shower pad with antibacterial and mildew resistant properties to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria or mold, the shower pad having holes therein located within 10% of the length of the shower pad from the top edge of the shower pad and each at an equal distance from the side edge of the shower pad; the shower tray having top and bottom surfaces, side edges and a top edge;

b. a hook comprising a hook base and a hinge, the hinge allowing the hook to rotate, for example, more than 80 degrees, particularly 180 degrees, wherein the hook is sized to receive the aperture in the shower pad, the hook being sufficiently sized to space the shower pad from a wall, for example, more than 1 inch (e.g., 1 to 3 inches, particularly 2 inches), the hook base comprising a suction cup, wherein the suction cup is connected to the hook base by a post that securely secures the suction cup to the wall when the post is pulled down;

whereby, when placed on the hook, the aperture of the shower pad allows the shower pad to hang straight down, and the hook base allows the shower pad to hang away from the wall for drying.

In a preferred embodiment, the shower tray and hook assembly comprises a bathroom tray having a top surface and a bottom surface, side edges, top edges with a high friction gripping material or suction cup, wherein at least two holes are spaced a distance apart from each other such that the weight of the bathroom tray is evenly distributed on the two hooks. In order not to damage the bathroom mat, the holes may be reinforced with, for example, additional material. In one embodiment, the additional material is in the form of eyelets or grommets. The shower pad may have antibacterial and anti-mould properties which may be included in the material used to make the shower pad.

Hooks or similar retaining devices provide a variety of hanging solutions that enable the holder and mat to be hung from a shower wall, shower wall or door or other structure, wherein the hook base is long enough to space the mat from the wall to allow free flow of air on all sides of the shower mat.

In one embodiment, the hook base has a hole for a screw, and the hook base has a second hook of a different design for hanging on a towel rack or shower door, or shower head.

When hanging on a door or fixed to a wall, this hanging solution enables the mat to be spaced from the door or wall to allow air to flow along both sides and dry. The pad dries in its normally expanded shape, avoiding curling or cracking.

The invention also includes the use of a hook having a hinge member that secures the suction cup to the wall for a tight fit. The hinge is moved from the upper position to the lower position to secure the suction cup to the wall, thereby forming a tight seal.

The present invention also alleviates the above problems by providing a method of drying a shower pad.

The method for drying a shower mat according to the present invention comprises:

a. providing a shower pad with antibacterial and mildew-resistant properties to inhibit the propagation of bacteria or mold, wherein holes are arranged in the shower pad, said holes being located within 10% of the length of the shower pad from the top edge of the shower pad, and each hole being at an equal distance from the side edge of the shower pad; the shower pad further having top and bottom surfaces, side and top edges;

b. providing a hook comprising a hook base and a hinge, the hinge allowing the hook to rotate, for example, more than 80 degrees, particularly 180 degrees, wherein the hook is sized to receive the aperture in the shower pad, the hook being sufficiently sized to space the shower pad from a wall, for example, more than 1 inch (e.g., 1 to 3 inches, particularly 2 inches), the hook base containing a suction cup, wherein the suction cup is connected to the hook base by a post that securely secures the suction cup to the wall when the post is pulled down;

In one aspect of the method, the bottom surface is made of a high friction gripping material or has a suction cup, and the hole is reinforced with additional material (e.g., in the form of an eyelet or grommet).

In another aspect of the method, the hook base has a hole for a screw.

In another aspect of the method, the hook base has a second hook of a different design for hanging on a towel rack or shower door, or shower head.

Description of the reference numerals

Thickness measurement of L1 shower pad

Length of body of L2 shower pad

Width of body of L3 shower pad

The D1 holes 26 (e.g., two holes 26 as shown) are spaced apart from each other by a distance

The D2 hole 26 is spaced a distance from the side edge of the main body of the shower tray

Distance between D3 hole 26 and top edge of the body of the shower tray

10. Shower mat

20. Shower pad body

22. Top surface of shower mat

24. Bottom surface of shower pad

25. Periphery of shower mat

Side edge of shower mat

Top edge of shower mat

26. Holes in shower mats for placing on hooks

28. Suction cup

30. Hook

32. Hook hinge

34. Hook base

35. Pin about which the hook rotates

37. L-shaped cavity convenient to move

39. Suction cup on hook base

41. Base of the second hook component

43. Cover part capable of passing over towel rack or shower head top

45. Second hook

47. Post on suction cup that moves into hook base to secure suction cup to wall

49. A third bore having a different orientation than bore 26

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower tray having an aperture depending from a hook according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line L2 in fig. 1, showing the thickness L1 of the shower pad.

Fig. 3 is a top view showing lines L2 and L3 and distances D1, D2, and D3.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the hook.

Fig. 5 is a view of the shower hook base with the hinge in an upper position prior to engaging the suction cup.

Fig. 6 is a view of the shower hook base with the hinge in an intermediate position for engaging the suction cup.

FIG. 7 is a view of the hinge with the hook in the lower position for engagement with the suction cup.

Fig. 8 is a view of a second hook having a cover portion at one end that passes over a towel rack and a hook at the other end.

Fig. 9 is another view of a secondary hook having a cover portion at one end that passes over a towel rack, a base of a secondary hook member, and a hook at the other end.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a third bore according to another embodiment of the present invention oriented differently than the bores described above.

Detailed Description

The above figures show the components of a preferred embodiment of the invention: a shower mat 10 comprising an aperture 26 for hanging the shower mat 10, and a hook 30, the hook 30 being attached to a surface such that the aperture in the mat will fit over the hook.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower pad 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the shower tray 10 has a body 20 with a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24 extending outwardly to a perimeter 25. The bottom surface 24 may be a high friction gripping material or a suction cup. Perimeter 25 includes side edges 25a and top edges 25b. The body 20 is generally shaped to fit over and substantially cover a shower or pipe (rectangular, oval, etc.) and includes at least two apertures 26 spaced from a perimeter 25, as will be described in more detail below. The holes 26 are also spaced apart a distance so that the width of the shower mat 10 can be evenly distributed over the hooks 30 when hanging. The hook 30 may be included in the shower tray 10 or separately arranged, as will be described in more detail below. The holes 26 may be reinforced with additional material, for example in the form of eyelets or grommets, or inserts with hole attachment.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shower pad 10 taken along line L2 in fig. 1. In this embodiment, the bottom surface includes suction cups 28, but in other embodiments, bottom surface 24 may be in the form of any high friction/non-slip material or structure such as silicone, soft foam, rubber, or the like. The suction cup 28 may be in the form of a cup or suction trough, or the shower pad 10 may be lined with a material to suck the entire shower pad 10 into place.

As shown in fig. 2, the body 20 having the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 24 also has a thickness 1L. In some embodiments, 1L may be between 1 and 3mm, in this example, a thickness of 1L of about 2.1mm (without the suction cup 28).

The purpose of the shower pad 10 of the present invention is to have antimicrobial and mold resistant properties that may be incorporated into the material used to make the shower pad 10.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the shower tray 10 showing the location of the apertures 26 relative to the main body 20. As shown in fig. 3, line L2 measures the length of the body 20, and line L3 measures the width of the body 20. In some embodiments, L2 may be between 27 and 32 inches and L3 may be between 12 and 17 inches, in this example L2 is about 30 inches and L3 is about 15 inches. However, in other examples, L2 and L3 may vary within an appropriate range. For the purposes of this application, "about" is defined herein to mean +/-10% of a given measurement.

Fig. 3 also shows apertures 26, each aperture 26 being laterally spaced from each other by a distance D1, from side edge 25a by a distance D2, and from top edge 25b by a distance D3. In some embodiments, D1 is about 11.5 inches, D2 is about 2 inches, and D3 is about 1.3 inches. In other embodiments, these distances may be greater or less than the examples provided, so long as the holes 26 are located in the upper 10% of the pad 10.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hook 30 aligned with the shower pad aperture when the shower pad 10 is hung for drying. As shown in fig. 4, the hook 30 includes a hook portion 32, the hook portion 32 being connected to a base portion 34 by a hinge 32. However, in other embodiments, the hook 30 may be connected to the hook base 34 without the hinge 32. The hook 30 is sized and adapted to fit through the aperture 26 of the shower pad 10 and support the weight of the shower pad 10. The size of the holes 26 may be between about 5mm and 10mm, in this embodiment 8 mm. However, in other embodiments, the apertures 26 may have larger or smaller dimensions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In this embodiment, the hook base 34 of the hook 30 is in the form of a suction cup for securing to a shower wall, but in other embodiments the hook base 34 may be secured to a wall or mounting surface using other means (e.g., a strong adhesive, an aperture for receiving a nail, etc.). In one example (not shown), the base 34 is in the form of a second hook that can be hung from a towel bar or other similar structure.

The hook 30 may be lightweight and may be made of plastic, vinyl, or other materials known to those skilled in the art. In this embodiment, each hook 30 is 9.7 grams, but in other embodiments, the weight of the hook 30 may be greater or less than this weight.

Fig. 5 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the upper position. The hinge has a pin 35 about which the hook rotates, an L-shaped cavity 37, a post 47, which post 47 connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39 and retracts into the hook base when the hinge is pulled down.

Fig. 6 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the middle. The hinge has a pin 35 about which the hook rotates, an L-shaped cavity 37, a post 47, which post 47 connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39 and retracts into the hook base when the hinge is pulled down.

Fig. 7 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the middle. The hinge has a pin 35 about which the hook rotates, an L-shaped cavity 37, a post 47, the post 47 connecting the hook base 34 and suction cup 39 and retracting into the hook base when the hinge is pulled down.

Fig. 8 is a view of a second hook having a cover portion for riding over a towel rack or shower top, a base, and a bottom second hook for holding a shower tray.

Fig. 9 is another view of a secondary hook having a cover portion 43 across the top of the towel rack or shower, the base 34 of the secondary hook member at one end, and a secondary hook 45 at the other end that holds a shower mat.

Fig. 10 is a top view of a third aperture 49 according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the third aperture 49 may be at least one aperture (two apertures as shown) and may be oriented differently than the horizontal aperture 26 as shown (e.g., perpendicular to the aperture 26) so that the shower mat may hang vertically and horizontally.

The terms "a," "an," and "an" as used herein are defined to include one or more of the referenced item, unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms "having," "including," "containing," and similar terms are also defined as meaning "including," unless specifically stated otherwise. The values provided herein for use with respect to thickness, width, length, distance, dimensions, etc., are for illustrative purposes only and are not limited thereto.

Claims

1. A shower pad and hook assembly, comprising:

b. a hook comprising a hook base and a hinge allowing the hook to rotate, wherein the hook is sized to receive the aperture in the shower tray, the hook being sufficiently sized to space the shower tray from a wall, the hook base comprising a suction cup, wherein the suction cup is connected to the hook base by a post that securely secures the suction cup to the wall when the post is pulled down;

2. The shower pad and hook assembly according to claim 1 wherein the bottom surface is made of a high friction gripping material or has a suction cup and the aperture is reinforced with additional material.

3. The shower tray and hook assembly of claim 1 wherein the additional material is in the form of perforations or grommets.

4. The shower pad and hook assembly of claim 1 wherein the hook base has holes for screws.

5. The shower tray and hook assembly of claim 1 wherein the hook base has a second hook of a different design for hanging on a towel rack or shower door, or shower head.

6. The shower pad and hook assembly of claim 1 wherein the hinge allows the hook to rotate more than 80 degrees.

7. The shower pad and hook assembly of claim 6 wherein the hinge allows the hook to rotate 180 degrees.

8. The shower pad and hook assembly of claim 1, wherein the hook is of a size sufficient to space the shower pad more than 1 inch from a wall.

9. The shower pad and hook assembly of claim 8 wherein the hook is of a size sufficient to space the shower pad from a wall by 1 to 3 inches.

10. The shower pad and hook assembly of claim 9 wherein the hook is of sufficient size to space the shower pad from a wall by 2 inches.

11. A method for drying a shower pad, comprising:

b. providing a hook comprising a hook base and a hinge allowing the hook to rotate, wherein the hook is sized to receive the aperture in the shower tray, the hook being sufficiently sized to space the shower tray from a wall, the hook base containing a suction cup, wherein the suction cup is connected to the hook base by a post that securely secures the suction cup to the wall when the post is pulled down;

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the bottom surface is made of a high friction gripping material or has a suction cup, and the hole is reinforced with additional material.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the additional material is in the form of an eyelet or grommet.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the hook base has holes for screws.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the hook base has a second hook of a different design for hanging on a towel rack or shower door, or shower head.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the hinge allows the hook to rotate more than 80 degrees.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hinge allows the hook to rotate 180 degrees.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the hook is of a size sufficient to space the shower tray more than 1 inch from a wall.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the hook is of a size sufficient to space the shower tray from a wall by 1 to 3 inches.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the hook is of a size sufficient to space the shower tray 2 inches from a wall.