US20170027387A1

US20170027387A1 - Magnetically attachable bathroom accessory

Info

Publication number: US20170027387A1
Application number: US15/222,208
Authority: US
Inventors: Lakshmi Narayani Lakshmi Narasimhan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-28
Filing date: 2016-07-28
Publication date: 2017-02-02

Abstract

A bathroom accessory is provided. The bathroom accessory includes a bathtub clip secured to a basket. The bathtub clip includes a first bend and a second bend in the same direction. The first bend and the second bend form a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion and the second portion form a hook that extends across and around a tub edge such that the first portion rests against an outer sidewall edge of a bathtub. The basket is secured to the third portion and rests against an inner sidewall edge of the bathtub. At least one first magnet is secured to the first portion, at least one second magnet is secured to the second portion and at least one third magnet is secured to the third portion of the clip.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/197,679, filed Jul. 28, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bathroom accessories and, more particularly, to a magnetically attachable bathroom accessory.
Most bath toy storage bins are attached to the tub or the wall using suction cups. These suction cups become weak very quickly and the storage bins become unusable. Other models available occupy too much space inside the tub as they run across both the edges of the tub.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved magnetically attachable bathroom accessory that stays in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a magnetically attachable bathroom accessory comprises: a bathtub clip comprising a first bend and a second bend in the same direction forming a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion form a hook that extends across and around a tub edge such that the first portion rests against an outer sidewall edge of a bathtub; a basket secured to the third portion and configured to rest against an inner sidewall edge of the bathtub; and at least one magnet secured to one of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, a magnetically attachable bathroom accessory comprises: a bathtub clip comprising a first bend and a second bend in the same direction forming a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion form a hook that extends across and around a tub edge such that the first portion rests against an outer sidewall edge of a bathtub; a basket secured to the third portion and configured to rest against an inner sidewall edge of the bathtub; and a first magnet, a second magnet and a third magnet, wherein the first magnet is embedded within the first portion, the second magnet is embedded within the second portion and the third magnet is embedded within the third portion.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of an embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a detail section view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a bath toy storage basket that includes magnets embedded into the design, which enables the basket to attach to bath tubs that have galvanized steel inside. Due to the magnets, the basket is able to attach to the top edge and along the sides of the bath tub and stays in place even if lots of toys are loaded inside the bin. Further, the present invention occupies less space and has a handle for easy removal. The magnetic lip design can also be used to hold shampoo, soap and other toiletries inside the tub with higher magnetic strength to provide support for the heavier items.
The basket may be made of a polymer such as polypropylene or any other kid friendly plastic material. The basket may include many perforations to air dry the toys. The clip extends from the flat back of the basket to enable the basket to sit on top of the top edge of the bath tub with the string of magnets affixed to the bottom side. A handle enables one to easily move the basket to a different location. The present invention may be made in different designs including, but not limited to, a shelf, a cube or in animal shapes.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention includes a bathroom accessory. The bathroom accessory includes a bathtub clip 10 secured to a basket 18. The bathtub clip 10 includes a first bend and a second bend in the same direction. The first bend and the second bend form a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion and the second portion form a hook that extends across and around a tub edge such that the first portion rests against an outer sidewall edge of a bathtub 32. The basket 18 is secured to the third portion and rests against an inner sidewall edge of the bathtub 32. At least one first magnet 12 is secured to the first portion, at least one second magnet 12 is secured to the second portion and at least one third magnet is secured to the third portion.
In certain embodiments, the at least one first magnet 12 includes a plurality of first magnets 12, at least one second magnet 12 includes a plurality of second magnets 12, and the at least one third magnets 12 includes a plurality of third magnets 12. The first magnets 12, the second magnets 12 and the third magnets 12 may be embedded within the first portion, the second portion and the third portion respectively. The magnets 12 may be embedded within the bathtub clip 10 by using an insertion molding process. The embedded magnets 12 are out of sight and reach of children.
The basket 18 of the present invention includes a sidewall having an upper rim forming an opening into the basket 18. A plurality of apertures 24 may be formed through the sidewall to allow water to drain and the toys inside to dry. In certain embodiments, the basket 18 is releasably secured to the third portion of the basket clip 10. In such embodiments, an upper clip post 14 and a lower clip port 16 may protrude from the third portion. Each of the clip posts 14, 16 include a stem and a head. The clip posts 14, 16 fit within an upper keyhole slot 20 and a lower keyhole slot 22 formed through the sidewall of the basket 18. The clip posts 14, 16 releasably retain the bathtub clip 10 to the basket 18.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetically attachable bathroom accessory comprising:

a bathtub clip comprising a first bend and a second bend in the same direction forming a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion form a hook that extends across and around a tub edge such that the first portion rests against an outer sidewall edge of a bathtub;

a basket secured to the third portion and configured to rest against an inner sidewall edge of the bathtub; and

at least one magnet secured to one of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

2. The bathroom accessory of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets comprising at least a first magnet, a second magnet and a third magnet.

3. The bathroom accessory of claim 2, wherein the first magnet, the second magnet and the third magnet are embedded within the first portion, the second portion and the third portion respectively.

4. The bathroom accessory of claim 1, the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets embedded within each of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

5. The bathroom accessory of claim 1, wherein the basket comprises a sidewall comprising an upper rim forming an opening into the basket, and a plurality of apertures formed through the sidewall.

6. The bathroom accessory of claim 1, wherein the basket is releasably attached to the third portion of the basket clip.

7. The bathroom accessory of claim 6, wherein the third portion comprises a clip post comprising a stem and a head, and the basket comprises a keyhole slot sized to receive and retain the clip post.

8. A magnetically attachable bathroom accessory comprising:

a first magnet, a second magnet and a third magnet, wherein the first magnet is embedded within the first portion, the second magnet is embedded within the second portion and the third magnet is embedded within the third portion.