US3181702A

US3181702A - Hanger for use in combination with showers and the like

Info

Publication number: US3181702A
Application number: US267484A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raphaei Julius
Original assignee: AL RAY Mfg CO
Current assignee: AL RAY Mfg CO
Priority date: 1963-03-25
Filing date: 1963-03-25
Publication date: 1965-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-04

Description

May 4, 1965 J. RAPHAEL 3,181,702

HANGER FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH SHOWERS AND THE LIKE Filed March 25, 1963 INVENTOR. 701/05 RAP/V462 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. RAPHAEL May 4, l9 65 HANGER FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH SHOWERS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25. 1963 INVENTOR. t/Wl/fl WW /462 BY M May 4, 1965 J. RAPHAEL 3,181,702

HANGER FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH SHOWERS AND THE LIKE Filed March 25, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 07/4/06 MPAMAZ United States Patent Ofi 3,1813% Patented May 4, tees 3,181,702 HANGER FOR USE us CGMBENATION WITH SHGWERS AND THE LIKE Julius Raphael, Altadena, Caiif., assignor to Al-Ray Mfg. (30., Pasadena, Caliii, a partnership Filed Mar. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 267,484 Claims. (Cl. 211-119} The present invention relates to article holders, and more particularly to article holders for holding articles, such as bathsoap, shampoo, washcloths, bath-brushes, and the like in a shower stall.

There has long existed the need for the provision of a convenient manner of holding bath articles in a position readily accessible to the user of a shower. Conventional shower stalls do not provide shelves or receptacles for receiving articles, such as bottles of shampoo, bathbrushes, and the like. Also, it is common for the soapdish fitted in shower-equipped bathtubs to be installed at positions which are not conveniently reached by an adult using the shower. It is also common for shower stalls to have no towel and washcloth racks in their interior.

It is common for bathtubs and shower stall combina tions to be devoid of apparatus for hanging clothes over the bathtub in cases where wash-and-wear and drip-dry clothes are to be dried following laundering. A common expedient, therefore, is to hang drying cloths on hangers which are supported directly on a showerhead of the shower. Since the conventional showerhead angles downwardly from the wall to a nozzle fixture, the hangers en gaged thereon tend to bunch together, such that the damp garments are in contact with one another and rapid drying does not result. in order to achieve rapid drying, the garments should be spaced apart from each other for relatively dry air to circulate naturally between the garments.

The present invention provides simple, effective and economic apparatus for supporting bathers accessory articles in a position conveniently accessible to the bather, but out of the stream of a shot er jet. The invention also provides simple, effective and efficient apparatus for supporting garment hangers in spaced apart relation relative to one another in a shower stall for drip-drying of garments supported on the hangers.

Briefly stated the present invention provides apparatus for holding bathers articles. The apparatus comprises a rust-resistant framework including a substantially planar base having an upper end. Means are disposed at the base upper end for supporting the framework. A plurality of article support means extend from the base out of the plane of the base. The apparatus further includes means extended from the base for supporting a plurality of garment hangers in spaced apart relation laterally of each other at locations spaced from the base. As used herein, the term showerhead includes both the shower nozzle fixture and any piping supporting the fixture in spaced relation from a wall defining a boundary of the shower stall.

The above mentioned and other features of the present invention will be more fully understood from a review of the following description and explanation of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, such description being taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention including an article holder connected to a showerhead and a drip-dry attachment therefor;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation view of framework coupling means taken along line III-III of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the framework of the drip-dry accessory engaged with the framework of the article holder; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprising an article holder 11 and a dry-dry attachment or accessory 11 there for, is shown connected to a showerhead 12. The showerhead includes a nozzle fixture 13 and a length of piping 14 which extends from a wall 15 (see FIG. 2) defining a boundary of a shower stall in which the showerhead is installed. FIG. 1 shows piping 14 having a substantially horizontal portion 16 extending from the wall with the piping and a downwardly angled portion extending to the fixture. This method of supporting the article holder 10 is merely illustrative and it should be noted that it is within the scope of the present invention to adapt such a device for mounting to other supporting members, such as a shower door, for example.

Article holder 14) is comprised of a rust-resistant, substantially open, framework 20 preferably fabricated from lengths of chromium plated metal rod or tubular elements. The tubular elements may, and preferably do, have different diameters in various parts of the structure. The framework is substantially rigid and is preferably of generally planar configuration. The framework includes a pair of coplanar

side element portions

21 and 22 which converge extending upwardly to an upper end 23 of the framework. Extending downwardly from the upper end, the side portions diverge outwardly to inwardly opening knuckles 24 and 25 from which the side portions progress downwardly coplanar of one another in outwardly concave sections 26 and 27 to second concave inwardly knuckles 28 and 29. Below the second knuckles, the framework base sides extend parallel to one another in substantially vertical orientation and thenforwardly out of the plane of the framework base in parallel legs 30 and 31 to support a tubular towel or washcloth rack element 32 engaged between the cantilevered ends of portions 30 and 31. In a presently preferred embodiment of the in vention, rack 32 is comprised of a length of plastic tubing having soft rubber end caps 33 and 34 engaged over the opposite ends thereof to retain rack 32 in confining coils or return-bend eyelets 35 and 36 at the cantilevered ends of framework base rod portions 31 and 31, respectively. A washcloth or towel 37 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 engaged with rack 32.

A plurality of cross stay braces are provided transversely of framework base 21?. An upper stay brace 38 extends between knuckles 24 and 25 substantially coplanar with the plane of the base and has its opposite ends secured to the base at the respective knuckles. In connecting stay brace 33 to knuckles 24, 25, as well as in the other connections throughout the article holder and the drip-dry accessory, the connection preferably is by welding, although the connection may be made by brazing or by other conventional connecting means. A second or intermediate stay brace 39 extends transversely of the framework between the innermost sections of curved portions 26 and 27; stay brace 3% extends outwardly beyond curved portions 26 and 27 and has its opposite ends 40' disposed forwardly of the plane of framework base 29 and covered by soft rubber fittings 4ft. A third or lower stay brace 41 extends between knuckles 28 and 29 and has its opposite ends connected to the knuckles. Preferably, stay

braces

38, 39, and 41 are parallel and coplanar to each other and are fabricated from a tubular rod element of diameter smaller than the diameter of the rod element used in base 20.

The framework of article holder 10 defines a plurality of article supporting means. As used herein the term "where they cross these loops.'

article supporting meansincludes towelrack 32, the.

forwardly extending parallel portions of intermediate st ay brace 39, and central article. support means 42 and. 43

disposed adjacent the secondand third stay braces. Arti- 1 cle support means-'42 and 43 are fabricated from a pair of identical parallel legged loops 44 and 45 of chromium plated metal Wire or rod and from a' similar third loop 45 which is similar to loops 44 and 45 except that ,thelateral spacing between the parallel portions of loop 46 is greater than in loops 44 and 45. Loop 46 is disposed between loops 44 and 45 and the three loops'are disposed symmetrically with respect to a plane vertically bisecting the article 'holderperpendicular to the plane of base 20.

bathers article, such as a bar of soap 56 shown in dotted linesin FIG. 1.

' holder to a showerhead as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The ends of

side portions

21 and 22 terminate in a horizontal section 59' of framework base 26 at the upper end of the framework. Coupling means 60 are provided at the upper end of the frame for securing the article FIG. 3

' showing the coupling means in greater detail, illustrates that-the eoupling. means is fabricated from a

length Loops

44, 45, and 46 have'upper concave downwardly return-bend ends below which the loops are, exposed in vertical portions 44A, 45A, 46A (see FIG. '2) extendingto; below second stay brace 39. The vertical portions. are disposed parallel to and spaced from the plane of the framework base. *At theflocationbelowthe line of second stay brace39, loops'44-46 have portions 44B, 45B;

46B whichextend parallelly and horizontally into the planeiof the framework base, andihen downwardly substantially in the plane of the base in portions 44C, 45C,

of U-shaped extrusion 61 having a pair of depending legs 62 extending along lateral extents of the extrusion and depending therefrom. .The legs areconcave toward 7 each other and are laterally resilient and deformable relative to one another. .The legs define a cylindrical interior of the extrusion which .is engagable with the cylindrical exterior of show'erhead pipe 14 (see FIG. 1).

Preferably the extrusion is fabricated from A.B.S.

(acrylonitrile-butadiens-styrene) plastic resin, although other'm aterials' may be used withfacility. 'A clip'memside opposite. from legs 62, the extrusion preferably being disposed with its U-shapedcross-section invertedwith The clip member is re- 46C to second-parallel and. horizontal portions 44D, 45D,

46D disposed perpendicular to the plane of framework base andbelow lowerstay brace 41.]1The lower hori-' zontal portions 44D-46D of loops 44-46 terminatein second return-bend portions which are concave'towardj the plane of the base. Lower ends 47;.and 48 of loops 44 and 45, respectively, are, disposed farther from the plane of the base thanthe end of loop 46and are angled upwardly slightly out of the. horizontal plane todefine retainer means for an article supported by the second horizontal portions of the respective loops: .The first and second horizontal portions of

loops

44, 45 and 46 define 'article supporting means 42 and 43. i In FIG. 1, the

respectiveportionsof loops

44, 45 and 46 referred to above her 63 is secured to the upper endof the extrusion on the respect to'the article holder. tained on the extrusion by fastening means 64, such as the rivets illustratedin FIG. 3... Between the fastening means on:the upper side of-the extrusion, the clip defines alateral extension 63' which provides journalling means tially immovable, relative to one another in view of the are not assigned character numerals in order to maintain clarity and understanding of the configuration of the,

framework. 7

Article retainer means 50 and 51 cooperate with article a 1 support means 42 and 43, respectively. Article retainerl means-50 is fabricated'from a closed loop of wire or rod:

similar to the wire or rod from which theabovedescribed structure is fabricated. Loop 59 has" a pair of returnbend ends- 52, 53 and parallel intermediate leg portions. Between the ends of the loop the legs of loop'50 are disposed vertically with respect to one another. The ex- .,tremities of return-bends 52, 53 of retainer means 50 are connected to stay brace 39 at locations on the stay brace spaced equidistantly about the'plane of symmetry of the framework. Portions of the legs adjacent the returnbend ends of the loop extend forwardly parallel to' the I plane of symmetry of' the framework and then parallel to the plane of base 20 across the forward extents of verticalportidns44A-46A of loops 44-46. The legs ofretainer-means 50 are also connected to loops 7 Retainer means 51 is fabricated intermediate portions of the legs of retainer means loop 51 are disposed in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the. plane'of framework base 20 andare connected to'the,

undersides of second horizontal portions 44D-46D of frorn'a closed loop of metallic rod or wire and has substantially parallel legs. ,extending between return-bend ends 54, '55 thereof. The

provision of first. cross brace 38. FIG. 4 illustrates an article holder 65,. according to a second-presently preferred'embodiment of the present invention wherein crossbraces 38 and 39 areomitted from the framework such that knuckles 24, -25 are. movable relative to one anotherinthe plane of the framework base. 7

"The articleholder accordingv to the present. invention includes means for positioning the article holder in a preselected position relative .to a wall of the shower stall adjacent to which the article'holder is disposed. As illustrated in'F-IGS. 1 and'2, a pair of suction cups 66 are secured to the frame work base and extend rearwardly from the base. to engage wall 15. When coupling means is engaged with showerhead 12, the engagement of the suction cups with the wall of the stall secures the article holder ina"predetermined' position, such that it does not swing laterally like a, pendulum with. respect to the showerhead, .The present inventionencompasses a drip-dry attachment accessory for the article holder described above.

' FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and'S .illustratedrip-dry accessory 11; structure of. the accessory is. independent of the varialoops 44-46. The ends of loop 51 are disposed upwardly with'respectto this horizontal plane at locations-spaced apart laterally and outwardly of loops 44-46. The first vertical and first horizontallportions of loops 44-66, in combination with stay brace 39 and first retainer means 50, define. an open lattice-work receptacle for anarticle,

such .as a bottle of shampoogThe. second horizontal portions of loops 44-46, in combination with the second .vertical portionsof the loops and retainer means loop 51, define a second upwardly openlattice-like receptacle for a tions in structure between articlev holders 10 and 65. The drip-dry accessory has a laterally extending arm 69 and a base framework 70. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, arm 69 preferably i-s'fabricated frorn'a single length of tubujlar rod or wire similar to the wire from which article holderfltl is fabricatedQ The arm has a hinged end defining a substantially vertical, hinge pin portion 71. The

arm extends forwardly of. the plane of article holder. 10 'in a horizontal portion 72' and then downwardly in an off-set or vertical portion 73 (allowing the arm toclear nozzle fitting-13 to a substantially. horizontally disposed garment hanger support section 74. The garment hanger support section is defined by a return-bend paral- ;lel legged portion of the wire or tubular member from ;j=which the arm is fabricated The lower leg 74-of the return-bend section extends upwardly and is secured to ,the 'upperleg ofthegarment hanger section, as at 75,

adjacent vertical off-set portion 73. The connection between the two legs of the garment hanger section is to assure structural rigidity of the arm. A plurality of garment hanger detent means, such as balls 76, are disposed at spaced apart locations along the elongate extent of garment hanger support section '74 of arm 69. Preferably balls 76 are secured to the upper extents of the lower one of the parallel legs of the return-bend garment hanger support section. When the arm is engaged within its supporting framework 70 and garment hang ers, each supporting a damp garment to be dried, are engaged with the arm, the balls or detent means assure that the hangers maintain a spaced apart relation one to another, even though the arm may deflect somewhat from the horizontal in response to the load disposed thereon. Preferably, the garment hanger support section of arm 69 is disposed forwardly of the forwardmost portions of article holder 14) to assure that the garments supported on the hangers do not come into contact with the article holder.

Accessory framework 7b is in the form of an open substantially planar framework having spaced apart ends '78 and 79. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, preferably the framework is fabricated from a pair of substantially parallel horizontal tubular elements 80, 81 having return-bend eyelet portions 82 at each of their opposite ends. The return-bend portions 82 extend forwardly from the horizontal elements and then back toward the central portions of the elements with the extreme ends of the rods being angled forwardly and inwardly toward the plane of symmetry of accessory framework '70. The plane of symmetry of the accessory framework preferably corresponds to the plane of symmetry of the article holder when the two frameworks are engaged. The projecting ends of the return-bend loops or eyelets are covered with soft rubber fittings 83. The upper and lower

horizontal elements

89 and 81 of accessory framework 79 are secured relative to one another by a hinge clip member 84, preferably farbricated from a length of heavy gauge sheet metal having opposite ends disposed rearwardly from the plane in which the

lateral elements

89 and 81 are disposed. The rearwardly eytending ends of pintle clip 84 define a pair of vertically spaced apart hinge bearings 85 and 86 (see FIG. 2) having apertures, such as aperture 87 in bearing 86, therethrough for receiving hinge pin portion 71 of the drip-dry accessory arm 69. Preferably, hinge clip member 84 is disposed symmetrical with the plane of symmetry of the accessory framework.

Arm positioning means are provided in framework 79.

i As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and S, the arm positioning means preferably takes the form of a circularly configured tubular element disposed concentric to hinge clip member 84 and preferably coplanar with elements 84) and 81. An off-set or recessed portion 89 of member 88 is provided at the upper extent thereof in the plane of symmetry of the accessory framework. Horizontal portion 72 of arm 69 is engageable in off-set 89 to maintain the arm in the plane of symmetry of the article holder and accessory framework to assure that eccentric loads are not'imposed upon the article holder. Preferably loop 88 is fabricated from a tubular element having the same diameter as the tubular element from which the upper stay brace 38 of article holder 19 is fabricated.

Accessory retaining means are provided for retaining the accessory framework 7 0 relative to article holders or 65. When accessory framework 79 is used in conjunction with article holder 19, a portion of the accessory retaining means is provided by a lower extent 943' of loop member 8%. The remainder of the article retaining means is provided by a pair of tubular members of framework 20. Referring to FIG. 1, a loop 91 of tubular structural material is secured to the forward side of framework base between stay braces 38 and 39. Loop 91 has an upper return-bend end 92 disposed above upper stay brace 39 and a lower return-bend end 93 disposed below second stay brace 39. Loop 91 also defines a portion of the upper article receptacle of the framework in conjunction with article retainer means 50. A second tubular element 94- is secured to the rear side of framework 29 and has a horizontal portion 95 disposed spaced apart from and parallel to stay brace 38 adjacent end 92 of loop element 91. Element 94 also has vertically disposed side portions 96 spaced laterally from the plane of symmetry of the article holder and extending downwardly to forwardly curved ends 96' which define additional article supporting means for the article holder.

It was noted above, that preferably the tubular element from which circular member 88 is fabricated has substantially equal dimensions horizontally of the plane of article holder base 29 as upper stay brace 38. Since a preferred form of connection of the tubular elements one to another in the present invention is through welding, the lateral distance between the rear and forward extremities of members 91 and 95, respectively, is less than the corresponding lateral dimension of stay brace 38.

Accessory framework 79 is engaged with the article holder substantially as shown in FIG. 1 with the eyelet or return-bend ends 82 of

members

88 and 81 engaged with

side portions

21 and 22 of article holder 19. The engagement of the side portions of the article holder within the eyelets is facilitated by deformation of rubber fittings 33 and by resilient deformation of the eyelets. Once engaged with the article holder, the accessory framework is moved toward the lower portion of the article holder such that lower portion 9b of circular member 33 is forcibly engaged between upper end 92 of loop member 91 and horizontal portion 95 of the member 94 (see FIG. 2) and is clamped therebetween.

It was noted above that the article holder has two embodiments. In FIG. 4 article holder 65 has no upper stay brace betwen knuckles 24 and 25. Accordingly, the

upper side portions

21 and 22 are movable toward and away from each other about the upper end of the framework by resilient deformation of the framework. Such deformation of side portion 22 relative to side portion 21 is indicated by dashed lines 97 in FIG. 4. In article holder 65 (shown in FIG. 4) the retaining means for the accessory framework is provided in the form of a detent means mounted on the upper side portions of the article holder framework adjacent knuckles 24 and 25, respectively. In the second presently preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, the detent means are provided by

metal balls

98 and 99 secured to side

portions

21 and 22, respectively, adjacent knuckles 24 and 2.5, respectively. To engage framework 70 of the dripdry accessory, knuckles 24 and 25 are moved toward each other against the resilient bias provided by the material from which the framework is constructed to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4. Eyelet or return-bend loop 82 at ends 79 of framework element 81 is engageable with the right uper side portion 22 of framework base 20 below ball 99; the eyelet at the adjacent end of element 86 is also engageable with article holder side portion 22. Similarly, eyelets 82 at end 78 of the framework base member 81 are engageable with side portion 21 below and above detent ball 93, respectively. Applied force between the knuckles is then relcased such that the side portions spring back into the positions illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 4, in which case the upwardly converging configuration of the side portions induces the accessory framework to slide upwardly. Such upward sliding movement of the accessory framework relative to the article holder framework is prevented by the presence of

de tents

98 and 99. Accordingly, the accessory framework is removably retained on the article holder framework.

In view of the above described structure, it is possible to sell the article holder and drip-dry accessory either as a unit, or to sell the article holder separately for addi- 7 tion of a wdrip dry accessory thereto at a later date. Similarly, the present invention encompasses a drip-dry accessory having its own showerhead coupling means and having a basic structure similar to that shown in FIG. 4. 'The foregoing description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, has presented simple, eflicient, and economic means for supporting and holding bathers" articles in position acces-sible to a bather. The invention further encompasses an accessory for such article holder which adapts the 8 garment hangers in spaced apart relation laterally of each other.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the coupling means 1 comprises a U-shaped extrusionhaving laterally resilient concave inwardly legs, and a clip member secured to the extrusion and journal-ling the frame- Work upper end in cooperation with the extrusion.

6. Apparatus, for positioning b-athers accessories in position accessible to a bather using a shower stall having article holder-for support of garment hangers for dripdrying washand-wear garments in a showerstall. V

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for holding ,bathers articles comprising a framework, the framework including a substantially planar base having an upper end, means at the baseupper end for supporting the framework, a plurality of article support means extended from the ;'base out of the plane thereof, and means removably secured to the base and extended from the base for supporting a plurality of garment hangers in spaced apart relation laterally of each other at locations spaced from the-base. V I V 2. Apparatus for holding bathers articles comprising a showerhead extended from a wall of the stall, the apparatus comprising a rust resistant substantially rigid open framework fabricated entirely from metal rods, the

- framework including a substantially planar open base an open framework, t-heframework including a substan the framework article suphaving an upper end, coupling means connected to the base upper endf or releasably coupling the framework to thenshowerhead. and comprising, a U-shaped extrusion having laterally'resilient legs concave inwardly of each other, at least one article sup-port means extended from the base out of the plane thereof, atcleast-one article retainer means connected tothe'base and cooperating with the article support means forretaining an article supported on the cooperating support means, and-means connected to the framework and eXtend-ingfrom the framework opposite from the article support and retainer ,meansfor securing the framework in a fixedposition be a 7 low "the-showerhead byengagement with the wall,

7. 'Anaocessory for abathers"article holder, the article holder positioningselected bathers. supplies in accessible position to a 'bather using a shower stall in which the article holder is disposed,rthe accessory having utility, in drying drip-dry garments hung in the shower stall, the

farticle holder comprising an openframework dependent from 'a' showerhead and including a pair of laterally means for maintaining the garment hangers in spaced apart relation later-ally line; 7

3. Apparatus for positioning bathers articles in position accessible'to a bat'her using a shower stall having a showerhead extended from a wall of the stall, the apparatus comprising a rust-resistant substantially rigid frameframework including a base having an upper work, the end, coupling means connected to thebase upper end for releasably coupling the framework to theshowerhead,

at least one article support means extended from the base 7 below the coupling means, at least one 'articleretainer means connected to the base of eachother regardless of the, def viation of the: arm means fronra horizontal reference and cooperating with the article support means for retaining an article supported on the cooperating support means, means connected to the framework and extending from the framework'opposite from the article" support and retainer means for securing the framework in a fixed position below the showerhead by engagement with the wall, and means extended from the framework base for supporting a plurality of garment hangers in spaced apart relation laterally of each other. e

4. Apparatus for positioning bathers articles in position'accessi'ble to a bather using a shower stall having a showerhead extended from ,a wall of the stall, the ap paratus comprising a rust resistant substantially rigid;

open framework, the framework including a substantially planar open connected to the base upper end' for releasably coupling the framework-to the showerhead, a plurality of article support means extended fronrthe base, out of'the plane a thereof below the coupling means, aplurality of article retainer means connected to the base and cooperating with article support means for retaining an article supported on the cooperating support means, means connectted to the framework and extending from the framework opposite from the article support and retainer means for securing the framework in a fixed position bel-owthe showerhead by engagement with the wall, and a movable arm extended substantially horizontally from the base 'below the coupling meansfor supporting a plurality of base having an upper end, coupling'means 1 spaced apart coplanar rod portions, an accessory retainin-g means, the accessory comprising a framework having laterally spaced apart ends,,a substantiallyrigid arm extendingisubstantially horizontallynormal to the accessory framework intermediate the ends thereof, a plurality of garment hanger detent means, spaced apart from each other alongthe arm remote from the accessory frame work the accessory framework including means for en gaging the holder between the spaced apart'art-icle holder rod portions, said meansfor engaging comprising a pair ofreturmbend elements extending from each end thereof and engageable with one of the rarticle holder rod portions at spaced apart locationstherealong, the accessory engaging theaccessory' retaining means when the accessoryis engagedwith the article holder.

8,] An accessory for a bathers article holder, the article holderv positioning select'ed bathers supplies in positions accessible to "a'bather, the accessory having utilityvin supporting. damp drip-dry garmentsfforudrying thereof,

the article holder comprising a resiliently deformable framework including a'pair of laterally spaced ap artcoplanar. and converging side portions, accessory retaining means on the framework, the accessory comprising a framework having laterallyspaced apartends, a substantially rigid arm extending substantially horizontally normal to the accessory framework intermediate the ends '60 thereof, 'a plurality of garment hanger detent means spaced apart from each other on the arm remote from the accessory/framework, the accessory framework inincluding' -means for engaging theholder between the spaced apart article holder side portions, said means for engagingcqmprising a pair of return bend elements extending from each end thereof and engageable with one,

V of the article holder side portions at spaced apart loca- :iti'ons'therealong, the side portions being deformable toward one another for engagement with the accessory retaining means comprising a projection on each side portion engaging one of each pair ofreturn-be'nd elements 'when the accessory is engaged with'the article holder.

9. An accessory for bathers article'holder, the article holder positioning selected bathers supplies in positions accessible toa bather using a shower stall having a showtially rigid arm extending substantially horizontally normal to the accessory framework intermediate the ends thereof, a plurality of garment hanger detent means spaced apart from each other on the arm remote from the accessory framework, the accessory framework including means for engaging the holder between the spaced apart article holder side portions, said means for engaging comprising a pair of return-bend elements extending from each end thereof and engageable with one of the article holder side portions at spaced apart locations therealong, the accessory being disposed transversely of the holder framework when engaged with the article holder, the article holder including a stay brace transversely thereof below the accessory between the side portions and spacing the side portions apart, the accessory including a depending loop element extended from its framework above the staybrace, the article holder framework having a pair of vertically disposed members extending upwardly from the stay brace to adjacent the accessory loop element on opposite sides of the loop element, the spacing between the pair of member adjacent the loop element being less than the corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the loop element, the pair of members being defonma-ble to accommodate and clamp therebetween the loop element when the accessory is engaged with the article holder.

10. Apparatus for supporting damp drip-dry garments in a shower stall having a showerhead extending from a wall of the stall, the apparatus comprising an open framework having an upper end, coupling means connected to the upper end for releasably coupling the framework to the showerhead adjacent the wall, means carried by the framework below the coupling means for engaging the Wall to maintain the framework in substantially parallel alignment with the wall, the framework including a substantially rigid arm extending from the framework sui stantialy horizontally from the wall, and a plurality of detent means spaced apart along the extent of the arm for maintaining a plurality of garment hangers engaged with the arm in spaced apart relation along the arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,604,400 Fischer Oct. 26, 1926 1,663,366 Berry Mar. 20, 1928 2,276,779 Isenberg Mar. 17, 1942 2,335,030 Rotheraine Nov. 23, 1943 2,526,285 Schuyler Oct. 17, 1950 2,671,706 Greengold Mar. 9, 1954 2,989,191 Eason June 20, 1961 3,055,509 Robbins Sept. 25, 1962 3,059,374 Bernay Oct. 23, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 615,038 Great Britain Dec. 31, 1948 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR HOLDING BATHERS'' ARTICLES COMPRISING A FRAMEWORK, THE FRAMEWORK INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR BASE HAVING AN UPPER END, MEANS AT THE BASE UPPER END FOR SUPPORTING THE FRAMEWORK, A PLURALITY OF ARTICLE SUPPORT MEANS EXTENDED FROM THE BASE OUT OF PLANE THEREOF, AND MEANS REMOVABLY SECURED TO THE BASE AND