Patent Application
20170367544
This invention relates generally to the field of domestic housewares. More particularly, this invention relates to an assembly for storing and using a towel in an area where towels can are commonly found.
In many areas of a home, one would commonly expect to find towels for a variety of useful purposes. For example, in a kitchen, one would expect to find towels near each sink. Towels are clearly useful for drying dishes, pots and pans and even drying one's hands.
Commonly, towels are left lying on the counter in a kitchen or put away in a drawer somewhere. When there are more than one in residence in a home, towels will be predictably missing or misplaced or taken to another unknown location. Countless number of hours are spent looking for missing towels, which add to the frustration and stress of daily living with others. When one's hands are wet, frenzy sometimes occurs in the search for the relief of a drying towel. Again, adding to the frustration and stress of modern living.
As any couple knows, living together can cause many stresses. Scurrying around attempting to find a towel to dry one's wet hands is an added stress that can be readily eliminated using the structure according to the disclosure herein.
In order to maintain a neat and orderly kitchen or any area where towels might be found, one would ordinarily put the towel in a location hidden from view. When, there are more than a single resident in a home, this can leave the remaining residents in search of the towel's hiding place. While the hiding the towel from view makes the kitchen or a similar location seem tidy, the functionality of having a towel in close proximity to the sink is negated. Again, these kinds of stresses can adversely affect a relationship and have deleterious effect on one's health.
What is needed is a simple, inexpensive and effective structure that would allow a kitchen or other similar area, to remain neat and tidy, while keeping the functionality of having a towel in close proximity and readily visible to all individuals in the household. Applicant herein has created an assembly which is easy to install, requiring no more than simple hand tools, and meets the needs of all of the parties in the household. It might even be thought of as a relationship saving device.
The assembly of the instant disclosure comprises a suspended towel assembly. The towel assembly is suspended from a structure convenient to a sink or a location where towels are commonly found. The towel assembly is suspended from a wall, a ceiling, a cabinet door or from any similar structure. The towel assembly includes an elastic cord having one end being anchored at the suspension structure. The other end of the elastic cord is connected to a towel. A connection member is used to create a secure connection between the towel and the elastic cord.
In accordance with the disclosure, the objects and advantages of the suspended towel assembly will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art and those familiar with domestic relations in a family or roommate setting. Additionally, other objects and advantages will be understood and appreciated upon the use of the suspended towel assembly in accordance with this disclosure and upon a thorough reading of the disclosure herein.
In accordance with the above as will be further appreciated from a reading the description below, the suspended towel assembly comprises:
A suspended towel assembly, the assembly comprising:
In exemplary embodiment, the suspended towel assembly is suspended from an overhead cabinet door. In another exemplary embodiment, the suspended towel assembly is suspended from a lower cabinet door. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the elastic cord is hidden from view until the assembly is put into use.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the suspended towel assembly includes a decorative member. The decorative member attaches at the connection point wherein the attachment member secures the towel to the elastic cord. Additionally, in yet another exemplary embodiment, a decorative member defines a tube-like member being ornamental as well as functional in nature and covering the substantial length of the elastic cord.
For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:
The disclosure herein will now be described with respect to
The elastic cord 14 has a proximal end and a distal end. As illustrated, the proximal end is anchored to the inside of an overhead cabinet door at anchor point 18, defining an overhead cabinet embodiment. Also, as illustrated, the distal end of the elastic cord 14 is connected to the towel 12. In this illustration, the assembly 10 is tucked away neatly and is easily found upon a desire to use the towel.
The next illustration shows the assembly 10 in its expanded condition ready for use. During use, the user pulls the towel 12, thereby expanding the elastic cord 14, so that the user can bring the towel into close proximity with the objects of usage. This allows the user to dry dishes, utensils, his/her hands and the like. Once the user completes his/her task, the towel 12 is released allowing it to return to its original and normal unexpanded condition in the earlier described illustration.
A second exemplary embodiment is also illustrated in
The disclosure herein will now be described with respect to
The elastic cord 34 has a proximal end and a distal end. As illustrated, the proximal end is anchored to the inside of an overhead cabinet door at anchor point 38, defining a lower cabinet embodiment. Also, as illustrated, the distal end of the elastic cord 34 is connected to the towel 32. In this illustration, the assembly 30 is tucked away neatly and is easily found upon a desire to use the towel.
The next illustration shows the assembly 30 in its expanded condition ready for use. During use, the user pulls the towel 32, thereby expanding the elastic cord 34, so that the user can bring the towel into close proximity with the objects of usage. This allows the user to dry dishes, utensils, his/her hands and the like. Once the user completes his/her task, the towel 32 is released allowing it to return to its original and normal unexpanded condition in the earlier described illustration.
A second exemplary embodiment of the lower cabinet embodiment 30 is also illustrated in
With respect to
Additional embodiments of the suspended towel assembly are within the contemplation of the invention herein. For example, while not shown, the anchoring point of the suspended towel assembly in an exemplary embodiment is the ceiling of the rooms in which it is desired to use the suspended towel assembly. In fact, there is virtually no limitation to where the anchoring point exists. As long as the assembly remains anchored and suspended, it is believed to be within the scope of the disclosure herein.
With particular reference to
It will, of course, be appreciated that within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein, other structures may be used for creating a secure connection between the towel 12 and the elastic member 14. In no way, is it intended that the description of the electrical clip herein be considered as the exclusive means for creating the secure connection.
With particular reference to
Under Option 2, a push pin 70 is provided as illustrated in
As shown in
Additionally within the spirit and scope of the invention, the elastic court 14 made similarly be covered with a decorative member. Although not shown, it is contemplated that a tube-like member having a pleasant and decorative style may be slid over the elastic member 14 to provide a decorative effect without interfering with the functionality of the elastic member 14.
It will be noted that the various features and elements and functionality of
While the foregoing detailed description has described, in detail, several embodiments of the suspended tell assembly in accordance with the invention herein, it will be appreciated that these embodiments are not limiting of the invention. In fact, there are virtually and infinite number of embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of this invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.
