US20080190873A1

US20080190873A1 - Movable drying rack for bath tub mounting

Info

Publication number: US20080190873A1
Application number: US10/743,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Reinhold Rockel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-23
Filing date: 2003-12-23
Publication date: 2008-08-14

Abstract

A movable drying rack for hanging and drying various items over a bathtub and adapted for easy attachment onto a bathtub edge, and also easy removal for storage, comprising of at least one drying bar positioned outwardly and over the bathtub edge and retained parallel to the bathtub edge, a pair of spaced arms connected to both outward ends of the drying bar(s), the spaced arms including an inverted U-shaped section, engageable with the bathtub edge.

Description

FIELD

The present invention is related to a movable drying rack which may be used on most any household bathtub. More specifically this invention relates to a portable removable drying rack easily attachable to and removable from a bathtub edge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of adaptable drying racks are already known. These adaptable drying racks are adapted to be used over bathtubs as commonly found in the bathrooms of most households everywhere. Inventor is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,909 entitled “Hanger Device” issued to Churchill, on Feb. 6, 1962. Churchill discloses a drying rack attachment device having a single rod for use over a bathtub. This device is hooked over a shower curtain rod with an opposite end resting onto the opposing bathroom wall. Inventor is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 3,163,295 entitled “Bathroom Drying Rack” issued to Standard on Dec. 29, 1964. Standard discloses a drying rack attachment with a plurality of rods for use over a bathtub, and also is hooked onto a shower curtain rod and having an opposite end resting onto the opposing bathroom wall. Inventor is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,904 entitled “Tub Grab Bar” issued to Doczy et al. in Aug. 26, 1997. Although this unit is a hand bar for supporting a persons weight getting into or out of a bathtub and is not used for drying items, it does use the bathtubs edge for mounting.
Generally, the prior art drying racks are for use overtop of a bathtub or shower enclosure and not for attachment to the bathtub edge. Although these prior devices function adequately for drying clothes they are often too high for quick and easy placement and removal, thus restricting their widespread practical use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the user with a more convenient movable drying rack for use on the side or edge of a bathtub.
Another object of the present invention, is to provide a movable drying rack for use on the side or edge of a bathtub, where the bathtub edge may have varying widths.
Yet another object of the present invention, is to provide a movable drying rack for use on the side or edge of a bathtub, where there may be a shower door frame on the bathtub edge.
The invention comprises a pair of elongate cross-bar sections or rods having a length less than the length of an average bathtub edge and is positioned in use parallel to the bathtubs edge by means of two elongated arms having inverted U-shaped opening on their lower portions that accommodate a bathtub edge. On their upper sections, these arms include an elongated narrowing area for spaced attachment of a pair of drying rods therebetween.
As well, on the lower inverted U-shaped openings the arms may include a pair of spring actuated clamps, where depending on the bathtub edge width the drying rack will remain in place with screw-less attachment to the bathtub edge. These spring actuated damps may be attached to either side of the inverted U-shaped portion.
The movable drying rack comprises at least one lineal cross-bar where on each of its two ends there are two arms, affixed at a substantially 90 degree angle. Each arm has a top and a bottom section, where on the end of each bottom section, there is inverted U-shaped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment and accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the movable drying rack mounted on a bathtub edge.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the movable drying rack.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the movable drying rack.

FIG. 4 is a left side end elevation view of the movable drying rack.

FIG. 5 is a right side end elevation view of the invention showing the movable drying rack with a spring clamp on the lower arm outside portion.

FIG. 6 is a right side end elevation view of the invention showing the movable drying rack with a threaded thumbscrew on the lower arm outside portion.

FIG. 7 is a right side end elevation view of the invention showing a slotted relieve for accepting a lower shower door frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The movable drying rack is generally referred to as 10. As shown in FIG. 1 shown in a perspective view, where 12 is an upper cross-bar, and 14 is the lower cross-bar, and 16 is the left side elongated inverted U-shaped arm and 18 is the right side elongated inverted U-shaped arm.
Elongated arms 16 and 18, have top sections 16 a and 18 a, adjacent the upper cross-bar 12. The bottom sections of elongated arms 16 and 18, have inner elongated portions 16 b and 18 b and outer elongated portions 16 c and 18 c, which contact the bathtub rim 20. In between each inner 16 b and 18 b elongated portions, and outer elongated portions 16 c and 18 c, there are openings 16 d and 18 d, that accepts the bathtub rim 20. In alternate mounting, as shown on the right arm 18 in FIG. 5, the inner and outer elongated portions 16 b and 18 b may pivot to releasably clamp the arms 16 and 18 to the bathtub rim 20. Outer elongated portions 16 b and 18 b may include a spring 22 and pivot on a pin 22 a. As shown on the right arm 18 in FIG. 6, the inner and outer elongated portions 16 b and 18 b may include a thumbscrew 24 to releasably clamp the arms 16 and 18 to the bathtub rim 20. As shown on the right arm 18 in FIG. 7, above openings 16 d and 18 d, there are relieve spaces 16 e and 18 e, to accept shower door frame that may be mounted onto the bathtub rim 20.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A movable drying rack adapted for mounting over an existing bathtub and onto said bathtub outer rim, comprising:

(a) at least one elongate bar positioned outwardly and over said bathtub outer rim and retained substantially parallel to said bathtub rim;

(b) a pair of spaced arms connected to both outward ends of said elongate bar, said spaced arms including an inverted U-shaped section, engageable with said bathtub outer rim and;

(c) said elongate bar located at a horizontal elevation above that of said bathtub outer rim.

2. A movable drying rack adapted for mounting over an existing bathtub and onto said bathtub outer rim, comprising:

(a) at least one elongate bar positioned outwardly and over said bathtub and retained substantially parallel to said bathtub outer rim;

(b) a pair of spaced arms connected to both outward ends of said elongate bar, said spaced arms including an inverted U-shaped section, engageable with said bathtub outer rim;

(c) said elongate bar located at a horizontal elevation above that of said bathtub outer rim, and;

d) an adjustable bathtub rim engaging portion included as a lower part of each said arm, said adjustable engaging portion being positioned substantially perpendicular to said bathtub.

3. A movable drying rack of claim 2, where said adjustable bathtub rim engaging portion on said arms is a spring loaded lever.

5. A movable drying rack of claim 2, where said adjustable bathtub rim engaging portion on said arms is a threaded thumbscrew.

6. A movable drying rack of claim 2, where said inverted U-shaped section has a slotted relieve thereabove for accepting a lower shower door frame mounted on said bathtub rim.