Patent Application
20190290078
The present invention relates generally to fixtures in a restroom. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bathroom fixture that may include various features in different configurations, including a toilet paper holder, a paper towel holder, or an air blower-style hand dryer having in various combinations: a shelf, a basket for placement of items, a beverage holder, a hook for hanging items, a dispenser for hand sanitizer, a video screen, a USB port, and a mobile phone charging pad or station.
A common problem for sports fans, concertgoers, and other people who attend shows or go to bars is the lack of a place to place various articles when they use the restroom in a public venue. If a person is attending a concert, and purchases a beverage, for instance, and they subsequently visit the restroom on the way back to their seats, in many cases, there are few acceptable options for placing the beverage down while using the facilities. Similarly, people who visit a public restroom do not typically have a secure place to set down purses, mobile phones, or other items that they are carrying on their person.
Many attempts have been made to address this issue. The following references disclose various efforts to provide a place to set down a beverage or other items in a bathroom setting, and these references are hereby incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,429—Bathroom Utility Holder
A bathroom utility holder for supporting a roll of toilet paper for use and in a substantially concealed position. A removable cover facilitates refilling the holder and additionally provides an ashtray and a support for a drinking glass and toothbrushes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,885—Flush Valve Mounted Beverage Holder and Associated Method
An apparatus and method for a flush valve mounted holder having a closed bottom and an open top, the closed bottom configured to replace the cover of a flush valve having a flush valve cover in a commercial sanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet, the holder comprising a base positioned to form the closed bottom of the holder, the base having threads positioned thereon for connecting to the flush valve, to thereby mount the holder on the flush valve in place of the flush valve cover, and a body connected to the base and positioned to form the open top of the flush valve mounted holder, the body having a shape suitable for holding at least one item for a person. The holder is preferably configured so that the body includes an outer wall extending vertically upwardly from the base to form a hollow cylinder including an inner cavity having a floor and a mouth opening having a mouth rim, the hollow cylinder, mouth opening and inner cavity being suitably dimensioned for receiving a beverage container therein, to thereby define a beverage container holder. The invention also encompasses a method of advertising including the step of connecting an advertisement to a flush valve assembly of a commercial sanitary fixture such as a urinal or toilet by replacing an original part of the flush valve assembly with a functionally equivalent part bearing said advertisement.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,005—Public Restroom Shelf
The present invention is a rectangular shelf having a top side and a bottom side which includes a hexagonal-shaped valve receiving cap for being installed to a conventional urinal or toilet in a public restroom.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,889—Flush Valve Mounted Holder
A holder adapted for mounting on a flush valve housing, said holder including a body having a lower portion and an upper portion; a connector having a side wall forming at least part of the lower portion of said body, said connector dimensioned to engage the flush valve housing and having a flange adapted to make frictional contact therewith; a holder having a side wall forming at least part of the upper portion of said body, said holder providing a receptacle for holding an item; at least a first support forming a division between said connector and said holder to support an item placed in said holder; and one or more threaded fasteners positioned on the lower portion of said body to enhance the frictional contact.
US Publication No. 20020162934—Urinal Coaster
A urinal coaster affixed to an upper portion of a plumbing fixture of a urinal. The coaster includes a planar section affixed to a top of the plumbing fixture by an elastomeric attachment section surrounding the upper portion of the plumbing fixture. A beverage container may be positioned on top of the planar section.
US Publication No. 20040177434—Flush Valve Mounted Holder
A flush valve mounted drink holder constructed of plastic and configured for mounting on the flush valve of a commercial urinal or toilet. The device is cylindrical in shape with a closed top and an open bottom. The top surface is substantially flat and provides a suitable surface for resting a beverage. The open bottom allows the device to fit over a flush valve with the device's cylindrical walls fitting snugly around the outer edge of the valve, thereby, providing stability to the device. The device is secured to the flush valve's hexagonal bolt via an adhesive square and is installed by simply sliding it onto a flush valve.
US Publication No. 20060231717—Holder for Beverage-Containing Vessel that is adapted for wall mounting in lavatories and public restrooms
A holder for a cup, glass, can, bottle or other beverage containing vessel. The holder is arranged to be permanently secured to a vertical surface in a lavatory or public restroom and is an integral unit including a cylindrically shaped chamber, a mounting plate and a neck portion securing the two together. The mounting plate has an inner surface arranged to confront the vertical surface in the lavatory or public restroom to mount the holder in place. The chamber has a bottom wall and is arranged to receive the cup, glass, can, bottle or other beverage containing vessel therein. The bottom wall includes plural apertures therein.
US Publication No. 20080098514—Urinal Flush Valve Beverage Rest Holder
A drink beverage coaster is specifically meant to attach to a urinal flush valve top cap. It attaches itself by a vertical wall or a plurality of individual walls that extend 90 degrees away from the underside of the top coaster part that conform around the urinal flush valve top cap, and attached to the side edges of the top cap via an elastic spongy material attached on the inner sides of the vertical walls, that not only conforms to the shape of the urinal flush valve top cap, but when it is put over a top cap, the top cap pushes against the spongy material applying force against the spongy material that in turn applies force against the inner side of the downward vertical walls which then apply pressure back to the elastic spongy material which applies the pressure back to the top cap sides. When laying a beverage, whether a bottle, can or glass on the chrome top cap, or plumbing apparatus, a drink is prone to fall off on the floor because the surface is not large enough, flat enough and is too slippery to accommodate a beverage container. The drink beverage coaster fits over the top cap via it's spongy material thus allowing for easy removal for maintenance of the flush valve and may be put back on easily to accommodate those who have a beverage in hand at the urinal allowing one to rest their drink on the beverage rest for hands free operation of said bodily functions at the urinal without losing one's drink.
Publication No. 20110204194—Beverage Container Receptacle and Method of Installing the Same
A beverage container receptacle adapted for installation relative to fixed first and second structures. The receptacle includes a container-holding first part having a container rest and a periphery that defines a void in which is received a portion of the fixed first structure that extends along a first axis. The periphery at least partially surrounds the first axis, and the receptacle is supported by the first structure when it is installed relative thereto. The receptacle also includes a receptacle-retaining second part slidably positioned relative to the first part. The second part is adapted for movement relative to the first structure received in the void and toward engagement with the second structure. The receptacle is adapted for being supported against angular movement in at least one direction about the first axis through the engagement of the second part with the second structure. Also, a method for installing a beverage container receptacle including the steps of: receiving a portion of a fixed first structure having a first axis in a void defined in a first part of the receptacle and at least partially surrounding the first axis with a periphery of the void; supporting the receptacle through the first structure; slidably moving a second part of the receptacle relative to the first part toward engagement with a fixed second structure; and supporting the receptacle against rotation in at least one direction about the first axis through engagement between the second part and the second structure
Each of the above-referenced devices has disadvantages, and none of these devices include the novel and unique features of the present invention. None of these devices include the combinations of features disclosed and claimed herein, and none provide a modular assembly, wherein the attachable components are interchangeable, and may be arranged by a user in any desired configuration.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a first embodiment of a bathroom fixture includes a toilet paper holder having a horizontally oriented rod for securing a roll of toilet paper thereon (as is well-known in the art), and may include other features, including a shelf for holding items, a beverage holder, a hook for hanging purses (or the like), a basket for holding items, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder, and/or a video screen.
In one preferred embodiment, the beverage holder includes a base defining a hole therein, so that the beverage holder does not retain liquid or trash in a bottom portion thereof. Optionally, the beverage holder may include a pivoting lid, so that the lid may alternate between an open and a closed position. The beverage holder lid may also include a spring loaded mechanism, in order to bias the lid toward a closed position.
Other embodiments include a paper towel holder or a blower-style hand dryer having a housing and a combination of the following components attached thereto: a basket and/or a shelf for holding personal items, a beverage holder, a hook, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder, and a video screen. It should be understood that any combination of the components may be used, while others may be excluded, as desired.
Optionally, the fixture may also include a video screen, preferably with audio capabilities (one or more speakers), which may be used to show advertising, a sporting event, a concert, or any other content that may be of particular interest at the specific venue where the bathroom fixture is located.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The present invention, in a first embodiment shown in
The bathroom fixture 10 may further include a basket 24 on an upper portion of the fixture 10, as shown (or affixed to the fixture in any desired manner). The basket 24 preferably has sides 26 to contain items that may be placed therein, and is preferably made from a mesh material that will not retain liquids. The basket 24 may be used for placement of items, such as a mobile phone, car keys, a wallet, or any other item that a person may want to put down during a bathroom break. A hook 28 for hanging purses, hats, or the like, may be disposed on the bathroom fixture 10 in any desired position. Additionally, a shelf may also be attached to the bathroom fixture, either along with the basket 24, or instead of the basket 24, and may serve the same purpose. Optionally, the bathroom fixture 10 may also include a hand sanitizer dispenser holder 30, as shown, to hold a hand sanitizer dispenser 32 either within said housing, or attached thereto in any desirable manner. It should be understood that a hand sanitizer dispenser 32 may be integrally formed with the housing 20, if desired.
In one preferred embodiment, a beverage holder 34 is positioned on the bathroom fixture 10, allowing a person to place a beverage into the beverage holder 34 while using the facilities. The beverage holder 34 may be of any suitable type, and preferably defines a hole 36 within the base member 38 thereof, so that the beverage holder 34 does not retain liquid or trash. In one embodiment, the beverage holder 34 may include an upper ring to add support to the cup, can or bottle, while such a container is disposed within the beverage holder 34. Additionally, an optional beverage holder lid may be disposed over the top of the beverage holder 34, in order to prevent trash or other refuse from collecting in the beverage holder when it is not in use otherwise. The lid may be attached to the beverage holder 34 in a pivoting relationship, so that the lid may alternate between an open and closed position, and further, the lid may be spring loaded to bias the lid into a closed position when the beverage holder 34 is not in use.
In one embodiment, the fixture 10 may be modular in nature, so that the toilet paper holder 14 and housing 20 may be mounted to a wall, and the other components may be removably attached thereto, and may be interchangeable with respect to the housing 20. In other words, it is contemplated that the fixture 10 may be in the form of a kit, where the toilet paper holder 14 (or paper towel holder 40) is mounted to a wall, and the basket 24, hook 28, shelf, beverage holder 34 and/or video screen 42 may be removably attached at various locations around the housing, as in any desired configuration. The connections between the housing and the other components may be snap fit mechanisms 44, as shown in
Additionally, one embodiment of the bathroom fixture may be adapted to be mounted over an existing toilet paper holder, paper towel holder or air blower-style hand dryer. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the housing 20 is open, and the mounting surface 12 includes a lip extending inwardly (or outwardly) from the rear portion of the side walls and/or a lip extending downwardly (or upwardly) from the upper surface for mounting purposes. In this embodiment, the fixture 10 may simply be mounted on a wall so that the toilet paper holder 14, paper towel holder or hand dryer is positioned inside the housing, and the toilet paper, paper towels or blown air may be fed through an opening on a bottom portion of the fixture 10. In this way, it is not necessary to remove an existing toilet paper holder, paper towel holder, or hand dryer in order to mount this embodiment of the bathroom fixture 10.
A video screen 42 may be attached to the fixture 10, as well, and may be used to show advertising, live sports or concert feeds, or any other desired content, as shown in
As shown in
It should be understood that any of the above-referenced components may be employed in any desired combination, and that the snap-fit or interchangeable nature of the components may be applied to any embodiment shown and/or described herein in any desired configuration. Additionally, any of the above fixtures may also include a recharging station (such as an electrical outlet, USB receptacle, etc.), so that a user may plug in a telephone charger, whether it be a standard electrical outlet, a USB port, a docking station, or any other means for charging a telephone, tablet, e-cigarette device, or any other rechargeable electronic device. In another embodiment, the basket or the top surface of the housing may include a charging pad, so that a user may set their phone onto the charging pad and charge it. Additionally, any or all of the components described herein, including the basket, shelf, hand sanitizer dispenser holder, hook, charging stations and beverage holder may simply be added to an existing housing for a toilet paper holder, a paper towel holder, or a blower-style hand dryer.
It is contemplated that the paper towel holder and the toilet paper holder may also include hands-free feeders with a motion sensor, as is commonly found in public restrooms today. In this embodiment, when the motion sensor detects motion, an electric motor feeds a pre-set length of a paper towel or a pre-set length of toilet paper through the bottom portion of the housing, so that the user need not touch any part of the housing to obtain paper towels or toilet paper. Similarly, a motion sensor may be used in conjunction with the embodiment that includes the blower-style hand dryer, so that the hand dryer only operates upon detection of hand motion adjacent the air outlet port.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
