GB2127680A

GB2127680A - Toothbrush holder

Info

Publication number: GB2127680A
Application number: GB08322290A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kwaun Peng Koh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-08-18
Filing date: 1983-08-18
Publication date: 1984-04-18
Also published as: GB8322290D0; GB2127680B

Abstract

Toothbrush holders arranged in rows on opposite sides of a bathroom fitting (10) adapted for wall mounting stationary part (15) relative to which a movable part (16) can hinge about a pivot pin (20). The movable part (16) is biased by a spring (22) to adopt a limit stop, open position shown in dotted lines and is releasably held in its closed position by a latch (24) biased by a spring (26) to rock about a pin (25) in the upper wall (23) of the stationary part (15). Each holder provides, when closed an elongated box-like individual enclosure for a toothbrush (14), the latter standing on the free end of its handle in a tubular, lower portion (17) of the movable part (16). <IMAGE>

Description

1

GB 2 127 680 A 1

SPECIFICATION Toothbrush holder

This invention relates to an improved toothbrush holder.

5 Toothbrush holders are in the form of brackets, either fixed to a wall or forming part of a bathroom cabinet, which present either a row of holes or a row of slots into which toothbrushes can be inserted so that their handles hang downward 10 from their bristled heads. Known toothbrush holders have the disadvantages that toothbrushes located in them are not isolated from one another, so that they can contaminate each other, and the holes or slots cannot be suitably dimensioned for 15 widely different shapes and sizes of toothbrush. The insertion and removal of toothbrushes, when it is possible, may not be easy, which discourages the use of the holder or can lead to damage. Additionally the toothbrushes in the holder are 20 exposed to view, and worn toothbrushes with spread bristles are unsightly.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush holder which is easy to use because the toothbrush does not hang in it by its 25 head and which will equally easily accept toothbrushes of different dimensions or states of wear. A toothbrush in the holder of the invention is isolated from adjacent toothbrushes, giving improved hygene.

30 According to the present invention there is provided a toothbrush holder comprising an elongated housing comprising two parts hinged together about a transverse axis, said parts being relatively angularly movable to gain access to the 35 interior of the housing, the two parts co-operating, when the housing is closed, to provide an elongated enclosure for a toothbrush which is unobstructed throughout the length of the housing interior.

40 A releasable catch is preferably provided to hold said parts in a closed position, the catch being located on one of said parts at a position remote from the hinge releasably to engage the other part when the housing is closed. Relative 45 angular movement of said parts to the open position is preferably limited by a stop and spring means is preferably provided biasing said parts to the open position. The two parts are preferably hinged together in the region of one end of the 50 housing by a pivot pin which is preferably surrounded by the intermediate portion of a spring having two arms which respectively bear against said parts.

One of said parts is preferably of channel 55 section and is adapted to be mounted in an upright position to remain stationary and the other part preferably has a tubular portion with a closed end near the hinge and an outer wall co-extensive with the channel and adapted to form therewith a 60 box-like enclosure when the housing is closed.

The toothbrush holder in accordance with the invention may form one compartment of an assembly of similar compartments arranged side-by-side, in which case a single pivot pin may be

65 common to all said compartments.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wall-70 mounted bathroom fitting incorporating a plurality of toothbrush holders in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the fitting taken on the line II—II of Figure 3, 75 Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the line III—III of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 illustrates two components of one of the holders.

Figures 1—3 illustrate a box-like bathroom 80 fitting 10 adapted by lugs 11 on one end wall to be mounted upright on a wall by means of two hooks (not shown). The central part 12 of the fitting may accommodate a toothpaste dispenser (not shown) or may be used for any other desired 85 purpose. Flanking either side of the central part 12 of the fitting 10 are two rows of toothbrush holders 13 each holder providing, when closed, an elongated, upright, box-like enclosure for a respective toothbrush 14.

90 Each holder comprises a stationary, channel-section part 15 integral with the fitting 10 and opening laterally therefrom and received in the part 15a movable part 16 which has a tubular lower portion 17 closed at its lower end 18 (see 95 Figure 4) and an outer wall 19 which is coextensive with the part 15. The two parts 15 and 16 of each holder are hinged together by a pivot pin 20, a common pin 20 extending through aligned holes in the lateral walls of both parts 15 100 and 16 of each of the three holders on each side of the fitting 10 so that the parts 16 of the holders are individually angularly movable relative to the associated channel 15 as shown on the left-hand side of Figure 1 and in broken lines in Figure 3. 105 The bottom of each part 16 is shaped to have a nose 21 which acts as a stop limiting the angular opening movement of the part 16 by abutting the inner wall of the associated channel 15. Each part 16 is urged to its open position by a respective 110 spring 22 which surrounds the associated pivot pin 20 within the part 16 and has two arms respectively in abutment with the part 16 and the associated part 15.

To hold each part 16 in its closed position 115 against the action of the associated spring 22 there is provided on the top wall 23 of each channel 1 5 a latch 24 which rocks about a pivot pin 25 and is biased by a respective spring 26 so that a lip 27 depending from its outer end will 120 locate over the upper, free end of the associated part 16 releasably to hold the same in its closed position against the action of the associated spring 22. As may be seen from Figure 1 common pivot pins 25 may support all three of the latches 125 24 on each side of the fitting 10.

When it is desired to remove a toothbrush 14 or put it away the latch 24 of one of the holders is depressed against the action of its spring 26 so that the lip 27 of the latch releases the part 16 of

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GB 2 127 680 A 2

the holder allowing it to spring open to its limit stop position under the influence of its spring 22. When the toothbrush 14 has been removed or inserted the holder is reclosed by pushing the part 5 16 against the action of the spring 22 until its upper edge is engaged by the associated latch 24. There is no need to depress the latch 24 at this time as its lip 27 is shaped to cam over the upper edge of the part 16, after which it is returned to 10 the locking position by the spring 26.

The interior of each holder is unobstructed throughout its length so that there is no difficulty in inserting toothbrushes of different shapes, sizes and conditions. The toothbrush 14 stands on the 15 free end of its handle instead of hanging by its head so that the shape or condition of the head is immaterial. Toothbrushes in different holders are isolated from one another and, when the holders are closed, concealed behind the outer walls of the 20 parts 16 of the holders. Even if these walls are transparent (so that one can see whether or not a closed holder is occupied by a toothbrush) the holder will present a neater and tidier appearance than a row of exposed toothbrushes, e.g. slotted 25 into a bracket.

Claims

1. A toothbrush holder comprising an elongated housing comprising two parts hinged together about a transverse axis, said parts being relatively 30 angularly movable to gain access to the interior of the housing, the two parts co-operating, when the housing is closed, to provide an elongated enclosure for a toothbrush which is unobstructed throughout the length of the housing interior.

35

2. A toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein a releasable catch is provided to hold said parts in a closed position, the catch being located on one of said parts at a position remote from the hinge releasably to engage the other part when

40 the housing is closed.

3. A toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein relative angular movement of said parts to the open position is limited by a stop and wherein spring means is provided biasing said

45 parts to the open position.

4. A toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the two parts are hinged together in the region of one end of the housing by a pivot pin which is surrounded by the intermediate portion of

50 a spring having two arms which respectively bear against said parts.

5. A toothbrush holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of said parts is of channel section and is adapted to be mounted

55 in an upright position to remain stationary and the other part has a tubular portion with a closed end near the hinge and an outer wall co-extensive with the channel and adapted to form therewith a boxlike enclosure when the housing is closed.

60

6. A toothbrush holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims forming one compartment of an assembly of similar compartments arranged side-by-side.

7. A toothbrush holder as claimed in claim 6 as

65 appendant to claim 4, wherein a single pivot pin is common to all said compartments.

8. A toothbrush holder substantially as described in the Description with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1984. Published by the Patent Office. 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.