US2700474A - Bathroom appliance - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 25, 1,955 A, E VlSK 2,700,474

BATHROOM APPLIANCE Filed Oct. 29, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l Zmventor //berf f. l Vifk gg y H? (Ittomeg Jan. 25, 1955 A E, VlSK 2,700,474

BATHROOM APPLIANCE Filed Ost. 29, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :inventor E IJO zberff. l/ffk l /v/y Gttorncg Jan. 25, 1955 A E- V|SK 2,700,474

BATHROOM APPLIANCE Filed Oc.. 29, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent() BATHROOM APPLIANCE Albert E. Visk, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application October 29, 1948, Serial No. 57,339

Claims. (Cl. 211-2) The present invention deals with an appliance design for installation in a bathroom and which is intended to be used for multiple purposes.

At the present time every modern bathroom includes a towel rack which ordinarily takes the form of a bar that is spaced a slight distance from the bathroom wall and which is adapted to have towels hung therefrom. However, the towel racks which are now known are limited to this use alone.

With this condition in mind, the present invention has in View as its *.foremo'st objective, the provision of an appliance which is designed for installation in a bathroom and which partakes of the appearance of the conventional towel rack, and may be used as such, however, this appliance is also capable of being used for multiple additional purposes.

There are occasions when the occupant of a bathroom has need of a handgrip for aiding in the support of the person as when standing on one foot while the other is being dried, getting in and out of the bath tub or other reasons. With this thought in mind, the invention has as further object the provision of a bathroom appliance of the type indicated which includes a main bar defined by two sections each of which is pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane so that it may be swung into vertical position whereby it is adapted for use as a handgrip.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision in an appliance of the type aforesaid of releasable means for holding each bar section in a desired adjusted position. The need for such a means is obvious as it will either lock the bar sections in a horizontal or vertical position as occasion demands.

Very often mothers or other persons engaged in the bathing of infants have need for supporting a bathinette in a usable position. Such bathinettes are generally made from a flexible waterproof material, and when used are suspended from each end. With this thought in mind, the invention has as a further object the provision of a bathroom appliance of the character noted, and in which the bar sections are pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a horizontal plane whereby they are adapted to be swung outwardly into spaced parallel relation. In this position they are adapted to have a bathinette suspended therefrom.

Another somewhat more detailed object of the invention lies in the provision of a releasable locking means for holding the bars in a desired position into which they have been adjusted in the horizontal plane. Thus, the bars may either be locked in there normal position in which they function as a towel rack, or locked in their outwardly swung position.

After the infant is bathed, a drying operation is necessary. The mother or nurse usually avails of a drying board on which the infant is placed for this purpose. Obviously, this board should be placed in a position in which it is conveniently accessible. The appliance of the present invention particularly lends itself to this purpose because the bar sections in their outwardly swung position are adapted to support such a drying board.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in an appliance of the type indicated, of a drying board which includes retaining elements that are adapted to cooperate with the bar sections aforesaid in maintaining the board in position thereon.

'-Inasmuch as there are occasionswhen the drying board' vides for swinging movement ina vertical plane.

ICC

will not be used, it is desirable that it be supported in an out-of-the-way position in which it may be conveniently reached. Thus, a further object is to provide, in an appliance of the character aforesaid, a means for supporting the hoard in a vertical position against the wall to which the appliance is secured.

After the infant is bathed and dried, it is common practice to apply baby oil, powder, and perhaps other lotions, antiseptics, and the like. It is, therefore, desirable that provision be made for storing such materials in a convenient place. With this condition in mind, the invention has in View as a further object the provision, in an appliance of the type noted, of a drying board, the underface of which is provided with a series of pockets which are adapted for the storage ofthese materials. With the board in a horizontal position supported on the bar sections, and with the infant on the upper face thereof, the attendant may readily obtain any of the materials in the pockets on the underside.

There are many times when a bathroom is used for laundering personal articles of apparel, and itis, of course, necessary that they be suspended in condition for drying. The appliance of this invention is particularly adapted for such use because the bar sections when swung outwardly are adapted to support lines which are in the nature of clothes lines, and on which articles to be dried may be hung. With this use in mind, the invention has as a further object the provision, in an appliance of the type aforesaid, of bar sections which house one or more clothes lines in a reeled in condition, and which lines are adapted to be extended from one bar to the other when their use is required.

More in detail, the invention has as an object the provision, in an appliance of the character indicated, of a pair of complemental bar sections. One of these sections houses a plurality of reels on each of which a line is wound. One end of this line is anchored to the reel itself, while the other free end carries an enlargement. The other bar section is provided with means which c0- operate with these enlargements to detachably secure the ends of the lines thereto. A spring is associated with each reel, and normally retains the line taken up thereon.

Very often the articles which are to be dried are of a highly personal nature, and it is desirable that they be concealed. The drying board, above referred to, particularly lends itself to this purpose. Thus, a further object is the provision, in an appliance of the type aforesaid, of a drying board which includes means for suspending it from the free ends of the bar sections when the latter are in their outwardly swung position. In this position the board will at least partially conceal any garments that are suspended therebehind.

Various other detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent, and in part be hereinafter stated as a description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a bathroom appliance which has the general appearance of a towel rack, Iand which is capable of use as such. This appliance includes mechanism whereby it is adapted for use as a handgrip, a support for a bathinette, a support for a drying board, with toilet articles stored on the underside thereof, clotheslines, and means for supporting the board -in position shielding clothes hung from the lines.

For a full and more detailed understanding of the nvention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bathroom appliance designed in accordance with the precepts of `this invention.

Figure 2 is a View taken from the front and showing one of the bar sections in vertical section. As this view is taken on an enlarged scale, the ba-r section is broken away.

`Figure 3 is a view `similar to Figure 2 of the other bar section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed vertical section of the pivotal mounting for one of the bar sections which pro- Figure 5 is aview in front elevation showing'the bar sections in their outwardly swung position and supporting a -bathinette.

Figure 6 is a top plan view depicting lthe arrangement shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a -detailed showing ofoneofthe bar sections in position for use asa handgrip.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the barsections swung outwardly, land the clothes lines extended therebetween, and with .the board in shielding position.

Figure 9 is a top plan developing a fragment of each bar sectionin section, and showing a line stretched therebetween; and

Figure 10 is aview in front elevation showing the bar sections as .swung outwardly fand. supporting -a drying board.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like `reference characters denote corresponding parts, and rst more particularly to Figure 1, a ma-in supporting panel is represented at 1i). It is import-ant tonote that such a supporting panel is not an essential part of the invention because its .functionmay be performed by the `bathroom wall itself. It is illustrated in the drawing for the purpose of showing a unitary structure `to which the various otherelements are attached, and which, of course, could be anchored to the 'bathroom wall.

The panel'l is shown in Figure 1 ias in `a vertical position. One face of this panel engages the wall on which the appliance is mounted and extending outwardly from its free .side in a horizontal position are three `brackets referred to generally as B1, B2, and B3. The bracket B3 `assumes the central position illustrated and comprises a pedestal 11, `which may be secured to the panel 10, or directly to the .bathroom wall in any preferred manner, such as by the fastening elements illustrated at 12.V Outstanding from this pedestal 11 is a solid rod 13, which is cut away adjacent to its free end, and to provide oppositely -disposed sockets 14 and 15 for a purpose to be later described.

The bracket B1 is anchored to one endof the panely 10, Vor directly to the bathroom wall7 and the bracket B2 lis'anchored to the other end of the panel 10. If secured directlygto the :bathroom wall, the brackets B1 and B2 will ybe in properly spaced relation. rAs these brackets B1 and B2 are. substantialduplicates in mechanical structure, only one. of them is here -described in detail forA the purposes of this specification.

Upon referring now more particularly to Figure 4, it will ,be` noted that each of the brackets B1 and B2`comprisesl a cup-shaped base `member 16 from which extends an :annular flange 17 formed with a-series of openings 18, which are` designed for the. reception of they screw fasteners depicted at 19, in Figures Zand 3. This cup-shaped member 16 has an outer face plate 20` formed with a desired number of openings 21 which. are angularly spaced apart-a properdistance. Theseopenings 21v determine the positions in which the bar sections,- to be later described, vmay .'be. locked as they are swungin a vertical plane. Thus, purely by way of example, it is noted `that the lface plate is formed with four of the openings 21, with the openings spaced ninety degrees apart.

The face plate 20` is also formed with a central opening 22 inyvhich. is fitted a sleeveflike bushing 23.

lA ,U-,shapedgmember denedby an upper yleg-24, a bott-om lieg 25, and a -crosspiece 26 is rotatably` mounted on the face plate 20. This mounting is accomplished -in the following manner:` the crosspiece .26 is formed with an opening 27 in which is fitted a bushing 28. The-bushings23V and 2S have aligned openings which receive a pivot bolt 29 having a head 30` at one end and nuts 31.

at theother. lItis evident thatthe nuts 31 -rnay ybe tightened to maintain the crosspiece 26 in face to face engagement with the face plate 20 and still permit a pivotal movement.

. Thelleg24 is `formed with an aperture 32 and mounted on the underface of this leg `beneath this aperture, as-by a casing. 33, is a spring biased plunger 34. This plunger 34 passes throughan opening 35 formed in the crosspiece26, andxitsfree end takes the form of atrounded nose which is Iadapted for reception in any of the Iopenings 21. ,l A trigger 36 is connectedto this plungerand extends through the aperture 32 whereby it -rnay Abe conveniently reached so as'to Vwithdraw 'the plunger 35 from :any of theopenings 21 -in-which it may be Vreceivedmwhen oc`- casion-arises` to swing the bar `vsections, to be later described, in a vertical plane.

I The upperleg 24 is also'formed'with afcircul'ar'opening 37, while the bottom leg 25 is formed with a noncircular opening 38 that aligns with the opening 37. Purely by way of illustration, it is noted that this opening 38 is square, and its shape determines the number of positions into which lthe bar -sections now to *be described maybe swung in a horizontal plane.

As shown in .Figure 1, the bar section S1 is pivotally secured to the bracket B1 and the bar section S2 to the bracket B2. While there are differences in'construction in the bar sections S1 and S2, and the mechanism housed thereby, there is no difference in the manner .in which they are anchored to their respective brackets. Thus, each of these bar sections `includes a tubular sleeve 39 which is internally threaded and to which is secured a neck 40 that extends from a hub 41. The hub 41 has a lower end plate 42 which bears against the lower leg 25, and` which is formed with-an opening in alignment with the opening 38. The hub 41- also includes a -top plate 43 which bears against the underface of the topleg 24, and is formed with an .opening in` alignment with openings 37.V The hub 41 may also include intermediate bracing elements 44 which are formed with antopening in alignment with the otheropenings.

4A king-pin 45 passes through these aligned openings. At its lower end, the king pin 45 is formed'with a head 46which is square and complemental to the opening '38 into which it sadapted to be received. The upper-end of the king pin 45 is received in a spring retaining member 47 that is slidably fitted in the opening 37 of the leg 24, and an expansion coil spring 48 bears against the retainer 47 at-one end, and one of the partitions44 atthe other. The normal tendency of this spring vis to maintain the head 46 seated in the 'opening l38. Extending-upwardly from the retainer- 47 is an operating member in the form of a tab 49 which may be availed of to urge theking pin 4S downwardly against the influence of the spring ItV is evidentthat the mechanism so farvdescribed'provides for swinging either the barvsections S1 or .S21ina vertical plane about one of the bolts 29 as a pivot -or in a horizontal plane-about-one of the king pins 45 as a pivot. Moreover, provision is made for detachably locking'each bar section in a desired adjusted position.

`Referring nowY more particularly to Figure 2, thede tailed description of the bar section S1 will be described. This bar section S1 comprises a cylindrical'tube 50 which is externally threaded at one'end whereby itis adapted for connection to the sleeve 39, and an end plate 51xn1ay be clamped between the end `of the tube 50 and the neck 40. The free end of the tube 50 is internally threaded and screwed thereinto is a plug 52 formed with ka `noncircular socket 53. A shaft has one endl formed with an extension '55 that is complemental to, and received in, the socket 53 whereby it is held `against rotation,y and lits other end is anchored to the end plate-51.

vIt is intended that the bar `section S1 house; a..de.sir,ed number of lines `in areeled in condition. The 'particular number of lines `may, vary with any device, and is nota limitation of ,the invention. As the reel niechanismrassociated with each line is the same as very other line; only` one such reel is illustrated in Figure 2, and is'nowrdescribed.

A reel, which is referred in its entirety by the reference character R,\takes the form of a spool made up of. a cylindrical body 56 and end flanges 57 and' 58. These end anges are snugly received in the bore of the .tube

Si), while the cylindrical body 56 is disposed .about;the

shaft 54. Thus, the reel R is nicely mountedfor rota tion in the shaft section S1.

Coiled vabout the shaft 54is a spring 59, andone tend of this springv is anchored'to the shaft 54 as shown'at 60, while the other end is anchored to the end flange 5 8v as represented at 9. A linev 61 has one end anchored toV the end flange .57- as shown at 62, and thisrline extends through a slot formed in the vtube 5,0, ,the outer free end vof each line 6 1 carries anenlargement in theform of al ball 63. Thisballis sucientlylarge to-.prevent its paSSge;

through vthe, slot in .thetube 50.

Referring now more particularly to Figure. 3, the y301.11,y

strnctionof .the .barsection ..S,2wi11 be described. Thislbar moon-f4" section comprises a cylindrical tube 64 formed with a plurality of keyhole slots 65 which correspond in number to the number of lines 61. Each keyhole 65 is adapted to receive one of the balls 63 to detachably secure that end of the line to the bar section S2.

The outer free end of the tube 64 is closed by a plug 66, while the inner free end is screwed into the sleeve 39 of the bracket B2.

Upon referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that a bathinette is represented at 67, and is shown as having a plurality of loops 68 at each end. 'Ihese loops are adapted to suspend the sections S1 and S2.

A drying board is shown in Figures 5, 6, and and is designated 69. This board may be made from any appropriate material and at two of its corners, there is a suspension clip 70 which is adapted to fit over the free ends of the respective bar sections S1 and S2 in suspending the board 69 therefrom in the manner shown in Figure 8. At each end of the board 69, there is a small bracket 71 which provides a retaining ange for holding the board 69 in position on top of the bar sections as represented in Figure 10.

Either the panel 10, or the bathroom wall itself may be provided with a pair of tabs such as shown at 72 for supporting the board 69 in an out-of-the-way position against the wall when not in use.

Extending from one end of the board to the other on its underface is an elastic line 73 to which is secured, one edge of the fabric band 74. The opposite edge of this fabric may be secured to the board at the edges thereof. The ends of the fabric bands 74 are also secured to the edges of the board as indicated by the fastening elements 75. In order to partition the band 74 olf into a plurality of pockets, fastening elements are shown at 76. These may be either of the permanent and detachable type. The flexible line 73 permits access to each of the pockets of the band 74 that are dened by the fastening element 76.

Operation While the various methods `of using the appliance, hereinbefore described, is believed to be obvious, they are briefly outlined as follows:

In the position depicted in Figure l, the appliance is adapted for use as a towel rack. Towels may be hung over the bar sections S1 and S2 in a conventional manner.

When it is desired to use either of the bar Sections as a handgrip all that is necessary is to exert an outward pull on the trigger 36. This withdraws the plunger 34 from the opening 21 in which it is seated whereupon the bar section is swung upwardly into the position depicted in Figure 7. After it reaches this position, the spring which biases the plunger 34 will urge it into the proper opening 21 to lock the bar section in its vertical position.

When the appliance is to be used to support the bathinette 67, the tabs 49 of each of the brackets B1 and B2 are depressed. This withdraws the heads 46 from the openings 38 whereupon the bar sections S1 and S2 may be swung outwardly. As the outward movement begins, the operator releases these tabs 49, so that when they reach a position perpendicular with the wall, the spring 48 again fit the heads 46 in the openings 38 to lock the bar sections in this position. The loops 68 may now be slid over the bar sections in a well known manner to support the bathinette.

During this time the board 69 will have been supported in an out-of-the-way position against the wall by the members 72.- When the use of the board is required, it is simply lifted out and placed in a horizontal position on the bar sections. It will be held in this position by the flanges of the brackets 71. Whenever the user of the appliance has need of any of the materials held by the band 74, all that is necessary is to reach beneath the board, and the elastic band 73 provides the necessary access to these materials.

When it is desired to use the appliance for the purpose of hanging clothes to be dried, the bathinette 67, and the board 69 are removed. The user now grasps the ball 63 of one of the lines 62, and extends it outwardly against the influence of the spring 59 of the respective reel. The ball 63 is then fitted in the keyhole slot 65 of the bar section S2 whereby it will be retained in its properly extended position, and as many of these lines will be extended as required. The clothes are then hung thereon,

and if it is desired to conceal them, the board 69 may be y suspended from the outer ends of the bar section S1 and S2 as shown in Figure 8.

Whenever the lines 61 are not needed, all that is necessary is to remove the balls 63 from the keyhole `slot 65.

. it may be used for the storage of a bathinette when the lattler is not in use rather than for the purpose ofa towel rac The bathinette 67 is iirst suspended from the bar sections Sl and S2 in the manner illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Each of the brackets B1 and B2 is now rotated 90, during which movement, the bar sections S1 and S2 will rotate within the loops 68 with a sliding action. This one quarter revolution disposes the king pins 45 on a horizontal plane. The bar sections S1 and S2 may now be rotated on these pins 45 into a vertical position or one in which they are slightly inclined toward the wall.

The board 69 is now positioned in front of the bathinette 67 so as to function as a shield which conceals it.

While preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinafter set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction mechanisms, and devices illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combination of: a pair of complemental bar sections having closely adjacent inner ends and outer ends means for mounting the outer end of each bar section on a wall structure in spaced relation, said bar sections in one position being in substantial alignment to provide a towel rack, mechanism included as a part of said means providing for swinging movement of said bar sections in a vertical plane into spaced upright parallel positions, additional mechanism included as a part of said means providing for movement of said bar sections in a horizontal plane into spaced parallel relation, and locking devices associated with each of said mechanisms for maintaining said bar sections in adjusted positions.

2. ln a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combination of a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end of each bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, a bathinette, and means at each end of said bathinette for suspending said bathinette from said bar sections.

3. In a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combination of: a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end of each bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, a bathinette, and a pair of loops at each end of said bathinette adapted to be fitted over said bar sections to suspend said bathinette therefrom.

4. In a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combination of a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end of each bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, a drying board adapted to be supported from said bar sections, and means for retaining said board in position on said bar sections.

5. ln a bathroom appliance of the character described, the combination of: a pair of complemental bar sections, means for mounting one end of each bar section on a wall structure for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, a plurality of clotheslines extendin" between said arms when they are in an outswung position parallel to one another, a drying board, and hanger elements at two corners of said drying board for suspending said board in a vertical position from the freeends of said bar sections.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 100,297 Knowlton Mar. l, 1870 277,736 Iske May 15, 1883 288,183 Ohly Nov. 6, 1883 300,428 Zanger June 17, 1884 316,987 Martin et al. May 5, 1885 (Other references on following page) 1,740,653` Hunneman,-Jr Dec. 24, 1929

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