ANTI-SWAY SHOWER CADDY

Abstract

A shower caddy includes a clamp assembly including a first portion configured to be positioned on a pipe, a fastener configured to restrict movement of the first portion with respect to the pipe, and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion; and a shelf assembly coupled to the second portion of the clamp assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shower caddy systems that are generally configured to hold shower and bath accessories.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Conventional shower caddies that are supported by a pipe connected to a shower head tend to rotate and lose their center of balance when heavy objects are placed in the baskets to either side of a vertical plane extending downward from the pipe. Some models use rubber grips or suction cups to help control the tilting, but if the objects placed in the baskets are sufficiently heavy, in the end, even these designs are likely to tilt.

It would be desirable to have a shower caddy that resists tilting when supporting an uneven load, without the need to couple the lower portion of the shower caddy to a wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides a shower caddy including a clamp assembly including a first portion configured to be positioned on a pipe, a fastener configured to restrict movement of the first portion with respect to the pipe, and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion; and a shelf assembly coupled to the second portion of the clamp assembly.

In another aspect the invention provides a clamp assembly configured to be mounted to a pipe. The clamp assembly includes a first portion configured to be positioned on a pipe, a fastener configured to restrict movement of the first portion with respect to the pipe, and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a shower caddy constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and mounted to a pipe connected to a shower head.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a clamp assembly of the shower caddy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another isometric view of the clamp assembly of the shower caddy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a shower caddy constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a shower caddy 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and mounted to a pipe 12 connected to a shower head 14. The shower caddy includes a shelf assembly 16 coupled to a clamp assembly 18, also called a gripper or gripper assembly. In this embodiment, the shelf assembly includes a plurality of baskets 20, 22 and 24 connected to a rod 26. The baskets are configured to hold a variety of bathing accessories 28, 30, 32 and 34. While three baskets are shown in this embodiment, the invention is not limited to any particular number of baskets or shelves, or by any particular basket shape or configuration of baskets or shelves.

In this embodiment, the rod extends along an axis 36 that extends downward from a point that is substantially aligned with the pipe 12. The clamp assembly includes several elements that are more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which are isometric views of the clamp assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamp assembly 18 includes a generally U-shaped member 38, also referred to as a first member, and a resilient material 40 positioned along at least a portion of an internal surface 42 defined by the generally U-shaped member 38. In one embodiment, the resilient material can be a layer of rubber. The resilient material can be affixed to the interior surface of the U-shaped member by an adhesive positioned between the U-shaped member and the resilient material. The U-shaped member and resilient material can be sized to fit over a pipe.

When the shower caddy is mounted to a pipe 12, the pipe extends through the U-shaped member and makes contact with the resilient material. Fastening means, which can include screws 44 and 46, are used to secure the U-shaped member to the pipe. Additional screws, not shown in this view, can be included on the opposite side of the U-shaped member. By including screws on both sided of the U-shaped member, the clamp assembly can be easily centered on the pipe, with a balanced fastening force on each side. In one embodiment, the fastening means comprises rubber tipped Allen screws. However other well known fastening devices such as bolts, screws, clamps, adhesives, etc. can also be used.

The clamp assembly further includes a second member 48 that is structured and arranged to be coupled to the U-shaped member 38. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the second member 48 is also a generally U-shaped member and includes two ends 50, 52 that are configured to be pivotally coupled to the first U-shaped member. End 50 includes a first slot 54 that is configured to receive a pin or bolt 56. End 52 includes a second slot 58 that is configured to receive a pin or bolt 60. The first and second slots are oriented such that the second U-shaped member can be positioned on the pins or bolts 56 and 60, and pivotally coupled to the pins. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the slots are angled upward such that when the clamp is mounted on a pipe, the pins are positioned at the ends of the slots. In one embodiment, the pins or bolts can be threaded into the first U-shaped member such that the pins can be tightened to restrict pivotal movement of the second U-shaped member.

The rod can be coupled to the second U-shaped member, for example by welding, or by a fastener 62 that extends through the rod and engages a protrusion, not shown, that extends from the second U-shaped member and into the rod.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shower caddy clamp assembly can include rubber tipped Allen type screws that can be tightened against the water pipe holding the shower head. Once in place, the caddy is secured to the pipe and prevented from slipping off of the pipe, or rotating about the axis of the pipe.

Adjustments may be made to the angle from the wall to the basket assembly by the pivotal coupling between the first and second U-shaped members. In the example of FIG. 2, the clamp assembly is mounted to a substantially horizontal pipe having a central axis 64. In the example of FIG. 3, the clamp assembly is mounted to a pipe having a central axis 66 that tilts downward. In either example, the position of the lower portion of the clamp assembly can be adjusted to provide a substantially vertical orientation of the shelf assembly.

When mounted to a pipe, the first portion is coupled to the pipe in a fixed manner, while the second portion can pivot in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the first portion. The pivot pins can be tightened to fix the orientation of the basket assembly, or the second portion of the clamp assembly can be allowed to hang from the pins, without being rigidly fixed to the pins.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another shower caddy 70 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and mounted to a pipe 72 connected to a shower head 74. The shower caddy includes a shelf assembly 76 coupled to a clamp assembly 78, also called a gripper or gripper assembly. In this embodiment, the shelf assembly includes a plurality of baskets 80, 82 and 84 connected to wires 86 and 88. The baskets are configured to hold a variety of bathing accessories 90 and 92. While three baskets are shown in this embodiment, the invention is not limited to any particular number of baskets or shelves, or by any particular basket shape or configuration of baskets or shelves.

In this embodiment, the wires extend downward from the bottom of the clamp assembly and on opposite sides of an axis 94. The clamp assembly is substantially the same as the clamp assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, except that the lower U-shaped portion of the clamp assembly is connected to two wires 86 and 88.

The shower caddy and clamp assembly may be made of any suitable materials, such as metal, plastic, and the like. For example, the components of the clamp and shelf assembly of the caddy may be made of stainless steel or other types of materials that resist corrosion.

In various embodiments, the invention provides an anti-sway shower caddy that resists forward and backward movement with respect to the pipe and also resists side-to-side movement of the shelf assembly.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shower caddy comprising: a clamp assembly including a generally U-shaped first portion configured to be positioned on a pipe, a fastener configured to restrict movement of the first portion with respect to the pipe, and a second generally U-shaped portion having first and second ends, each pivotally coupled to the first portion; anda shelf assembly coupled to the second portion of the clamp assembly.

2. The shower caddy of claim 1, further comprising: a resilient material positioned along an internal surface of the first portion.

3. The shower caddy of claim 2, wherein: the fastener secures the resilient material to the pipe.

4. The shower caddy of claim 2, wherein the resilient material comprises: a rubber layer.

5. The shower caddy of claim 1, wherein the first portion further comprises: a first pin extending from a end of the first portion and a second pin extending from a second end of the first portion; andwherein the second portion includes a first slot configured to receive the first pin and a second slot configured to receive the second pin.

6. The shower caddy of claim 5, wherein the first and second slots are angled upward such that when the clamp assembly is mounted on a pipe, the pins are positioned at an end of the slots.

7. The shower caddy of claim 1, wherein the shelf assembly is coupled to the second generally U-shaped member.

8. The shower caddy of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a rubber tipped screw.

9. (canceled)

10. The shower caddy of claim 1, wherein the second portion can pivot in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the first portion.

11. The shower caddy of claim 1, wherein the shelf assembly comprises: a rod; anda plurality of baskets coupled to the rod.

12. The shower caddy of claim 1, wherein the shelf assembly comprises: first and second wires; anda plurality of baskets coupled to the first and second wires.

13. A clamp assembly configured to be mounted to a pipe, the clamp assembly comprising: a first generally U-shaped portion configured to be positioned on a pipe, a fastener configured to restrict movement of the first portion with respect to the pipe, and a second generally U-shaped portion having first and second ends, each pivotally coupled to the first portion, wherein the second portion can pivot in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the first portion.

14. The clamp assembly of claim 13, further comprising: a resilient material positioned along an internal surface of the first portion.

15. The clamp assembly of claim 14, wherein: the fastener secures the resilient material to the pipe.

16. The clamp assembly of claim 14, wherein the resilient material comprises: a rubber layer.

17. The clamp assembly of claim 13, wherein the first portion further comprises: a first pin extending from a first end of the first portion and a second s in extending from a second end of the first portion; andwherein the second portion includes a first slot configured to receive the first pin and a second slot configured to receive the second pin.

18. The clamp assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and second slots are angled upward such that when the clamp assembly is mounted on a pipe, the pins are positioned at an end of the slots.

19. The clamp assembly of claim 13, wherein the fastener comprises a rubber tipped screw.

20. (canceled)