US20120074148A1

US20120074148A1 - Bathroom toy caddy

Info

Publication number: US20120074148A1
Application number: US12/924,536
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald G. Stradt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-29
Filing date: 2010-09-29
Publication date: 2012-03-29

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for storing wet objects, drying these objects and quickly retrieving these objects when their use is desired. The apparatus includes a caddy with basket sides, a door, a hinge to permit opening of the door, a clasp to secure the door in a shut position and suction cups to attach the apparatus to a hard surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to containers for bathroom items, and more particularly to bath toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A typical bathroom has a wide variety of objects that need to be stored, organized and made accessible. A number of storage options exist for holding items that may be either dry or wet. Persons sitting in a bathtub, particularly children, often have objects floating with them. These objects have a need to be dried when not in use to remain sanitary and also to be easily retrieved for the next bath.
Accordingly, it is desirable to implement a container that permits these objects to be stored, dried and easily retrieved.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the disclosure, a bathroom caddy with a closeable door and suction cups permits objects to be stored, dried and easily retrieved. The suction cups permit mounting of the caddy to a hard surface, particularly a tiled bathroom wall. Openings in the sides of the caddy permit good airflow to dry stored objects. The closeable door in an open position permits these objects to fall by gravity into their desired location of use, particularly a child's bath. It should be appreciated that this caddy could be formed of any corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel, plastic or rubber-coated wire.
The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred features of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. Additional features of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a bathroom toy caddy in a closed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bathroom toy caddy in an open position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bathroom toy caddy according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes an enclosure with a door and suction cups.
FIG. 1 illustrates a caddy including door 1 in a shut position, suction cup 2, opening 3, basket sides 4, hinge 5 and clasp 6. In this embodiment, the caddy is formed as an open-top wire basket, with a hinged door at the bottom thereof. Door 1 in a shut position permits objects (e.g. bath toys) to be stored in the caddy. As shown in FIG. 1, the caddy advantageously has an oblong shape with one or more suction cups on a long side. Suction cup 2 permits the caddy to be attached to a suitable hard vertical surface (bathroom wall, bathtub enclosure, or the like). One or more suction cups are attached to the uppermost horizontal wire, so that the caddy hangs from that suction cup; other suction cups may be attached to a lower wire so that the caddy is substantially parallel to and substantially flush against the vertical surface.
A hinge 5 is provided at the lowermost horizontal wire, so that the bottom of the caddy forms door 1 which may swing downwards when clasp 6 is released. The hinge is advantageously installed on the same side of the caddy as the suction cups, so that the door in its open position is parallel to and substantially flush against the vertical surface. Opening 3 permits the introduction of items into the caddy. The door 1 forms the entire bottom side of the caddy, so that all the items in the caddy may easily fall out when the door is opened. Basket sides 4 permit drying of wet objects and confine objects in the caddy, while door 1 is in a shut position.
The caddy is made of materials suitable for use in a bathroom; that is, corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, plastic- or rubber-coated wire, aluminum, wood, chrome-plated or plastic-coated metal, or plastic. A non-corrosion-resistant material (e.g. steel wire or wire mesh) may be coated with plastic or paint. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the caddy enclosure is made of stainless steel wire, so that the caddy is rust-free, rigid, not fragile, and has relatively large openings in the sides and bottom so that water easily drains away from wet objects placed therein. Alternatively, the enclosure (the sides and/or the door) may be of plastic with holes therein to provide water drainage. A caddy of plastic may have the hinge formed integral with the bottom edge of one side and the corresponding edge of the door. The holes in the plastic may be arranged in a decorative pattern.
FIG. 2 illustrates a caddy including door 7 in an open position, hinge 8 and clasp 9. Door 7 in an open position permits items stored in the caddy to fall out of the caddy by gravity as a means of quick retrieval. Hinge 8 permits door 7 to transition from a shut position to an open position. Clasp 9 secures door 7 in a shut position to permit object storage in the caddy. Although the clasp may be formed in a variety of configurations, it is advantageous that it permit opening and closing of the door with one hand. In this embodiment, the clasp is a spring-metal clip secured around the lowermost horizontal wire, opening downward and providing a friction fit with the outermost wire of the door (that is, the wire forming the edge of the door opposite the hinge). In another embodiment, the caddy is formed of plastic, and the door secures to a side of the caddy by a plastic catch which releases when flexed.
While the disclosure has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is evident in view of the foregoing description that numerous alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a caddy including

a plurality of vertical sides having a plurality of openings, and

a door swingably connected to the bottom edge of one side by a hinge, and

a clasp, configured to secure said door in a closed position, and

a suction cup, attached to at least one of said sides for securing said caddy to a surface.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein

the suction cup is formed of plastic.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein

the suction cup is formed of rubber.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein

the caddy is formed of a corrosion-resistant material.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein

the corrosion-resistant material is plastic.

6. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein

the corrosion-resistant material is stainless steel.

7. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein

the corrosion-resistant material is aluminum.

8. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein

the corrosion-resistant material is wood.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein

the caddy is coated in a corrosion-resistant material

10. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein

the corrosion-resistant material is plastic.

11. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein

the corrosion-resistant material is paint.

12. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein

the corrosion-resistant material is rubber.

13. A caddy comprising:

an oblong basket having four sides, a bottom, and an open top;

a hinge connecting a first one of the sides to the bottom, so that the bottom forms a door configured to open downward;

at least one suction cup attached to the first side; and

a closing mechanism for securing an edge portion of the door opposite the hinge to a second side,

wherein the sides and bottom have openings therein to permit drainage of water from the interior of the basket.

14. A caddy according to claim 13, wherein the basket is formed of a corrosion-resistant material.

15. A caddy according to claim 14, wherein the basket is a wire basket of stainless steel wire.

16. A caddy according to claim 13, wherein the basket is formed of material with a corrosion-resistant coating.

17. A caddy according to claim 13, including a plurality of suction cups attached to the first side for attaching the first side substantially parallel to a vertical surface.

18. A caddy according to claim 13, wherein the closing mechanism comprises a clip of spring metal configured to provide a friction fit with the edge portion of the door opposite the hinge.

19. A caddy according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the sides and the bottom of the caddy is formed of plastic, the plastic having holes therein.

20. A caddy according to claim 19, wherein the hinge is formed integral with the first side and/or the bottom.