FIELD
The present invention relates generally to storage devices and, more specifically, to a tension rod storage kit especially useful in a bathroom in a shower stall or proximate a bathtub.
BACKGROUND
This invention addresses the well-known problem of storage of items, primarily in a bathroom, either in a shower stall or proximate a bathtub. While tension rods are generally known, they are limited in their load bearing capacity.
For example, Umbra's Tension Rod Shelf discloses a vertical tension rod arranged to frictionally secure to the floor and ceiling that comprises a plurality of storage shelves, see https://www.umbra.com/products/tension-rod-shelf.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,000 (Samelson) discloses a tension rod with suction cups that are mounted to each respective end of the tension rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,485,383 (Worden et al.) discloses a tension-mounted pole that comprises a plurality of shelves vertically positioned along the tension-mounted pole. The tension pole is arranged between a floor and ceiling, e.g., the base of a bathtub and the ceiling.
There is a long-felt need for a tension rod storage device that includes additional support means beyond the tension rod itself. The abovementioned patents all rely solely on the tension rod's force to secure shelves or hanging articles and fail to disclose additional attachment means to accommodate heavier loads placed on a tension rod. What is needed, then, is a tension rod storage kit that solves this problem and provides a means of storing items above floor level in a shower stall or above a bathtub.
SUMMARY
The present invention broadly comprises a tension rod storage kit, comprising a tension rod having a first end and a second end, a first suction cup fixedly secured to the first end of the tension rod, a second suction cup fixedly secured to the second end of the tension rod, a first C-shaped clip arranged to clamp onto the rod, the clip having a first threaded partial through-bore therein, a second C-shaped clip arranged to clamp onto the rod, the clip having a second threaded partial through-bore therein, a shelf having a first and second aperture therein, a third suction cup having a male threaded member operatively arranged to pass through the first aperture of the tray and threadingly engage the first threaded partial through-bore of the first C-shaped clip to secure the tray to the tension rod, a fourth suction cup having a male threaded member operatively arranged to pass through the second aperture of the tray and threadingly engage the second threaded partial through-bore of the second C-shaped clip to secure the tray to the tension rod, a first suction cup former positioned between the third suction cup and the tray and arranged to receive the male threaded member of the third suction cup and to bend the third suction cup into a more concave shape, and, a second suction cup former positioned between the fourth suction cup and the tray and arranged to receive the male threaded member of the fourth suction cup and to bend the fourth suction cup into a more concave shape.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a storage solution device for a shower stall or bathroom that provides increased stability.
A secondary object of the present invention is to provide a tension rod storage kit that includes a tension rod and a storage tray with multiple suction cup securement means to enhance load bearing capacity.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tension rod storage kit that includes a tension rod and a storage tray and optionally also includes a storage pouch which is removable attachable to the tension rod.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the disclosure, in view of the drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tension rod storage kit of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the tension rod storage kit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the tension rod storage kit shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a left elevational view of the tension storage rod shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a right elevational view of the tension storage rod kit shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the tension storage rod kit shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tension storage rod kit shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the storage tray of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the storage tray of the invention shown in FIG. 1, shown with both tray suction cups attached;
FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the storage tray of the invention shown in FIG. 1, shown with both tray suction cups attached;
FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the storage tray of the invention shown in FIG. 1, shown with both tray suction cups removed;
FIG. 12 is a front view of the storage tray of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the storage tray of the invention shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 14A is a left side exploded view of the storage tray, second C-shaped clip, and the second tray suction cup, of the invention shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 14B is a front view of the second C-shaped clip shown in FIG. 14A;
FIG. 14C is a left side sectional view of the second C-shaped clip taken generally along line 14C-14C in FIG. 14B;
FIG. 14D is a front sectional view of the second C-shaped clip taken generally along line 14D-14D in FIG. 14C;
FIG. 15 is a left side exploded view of the storage tray, second C-shaped clip, and the second tray suction cup, of the invention shown in FIG. 14A;
FIG. 16 is a top view of the second tray suction cup of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the second tray suction cup shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the second tray suction cup shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of the second tray suction cup and second tray suction cup former shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, taken generally along line 19-19 in FIG. 16;
FIG. 20A is a bottom perspective view of the second tray suction cup of the invention;
FIG. 20B is a bottom perspective view of the second suction cup former of the invention;
FIG. 21A is a top perspective view of the second tray suction cup shown in FIG. 20A;
FIG. 21B is a top perspective view of the second suction cup former shown in FIG. 20B;
FIG. 22A is a side sectional view of the second tray suction cup and second suction cup former, shown in the process of attaching to a surface, which view is taken generally along line 19-19 in FIG. 16;
FIG. 22B is a side sectional view of the second tray suction cup and second suction cup former, shown in the process of attaching to a surface, which view is similar to that of FIG. 22A;
FIG. 22C is a side sectional view of the second tray suction cup and second suction cup, shown fully attached to a surface, which view is similar to that of FIGS. 22A and 22B;
FIG. 23 is a front partial cross-sectional view of the tension rod of the invention shown in FIG. 1; and,
FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of area 24 in FIG. 23 to illustrate spring 96 and pin 98.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects. It should be appreciated that, although the tension rod storage kit of the present invention finds particular application in a shower stall, bathroom or proximate a bathtub, that the invention likely has applications in other locations as well. For example, the invention could be used anywhere where a tension rod could provide a storage solution, such as in a closet or workshop, etc. As is well known, a key benefit of a telescoping tension rod is that it may be adjusted to be secured to two parallel walls of varying space therebetween.
Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.
It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims.
Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of storage tension rod kit 10. Storage tension rod kit 10 comprises tension rod 20, first suction cup 21, second suction cup 22, tray 30, storage pouch 40, and a plurality of hooks: first rod hook 23, second rod hook 24, and third rod hook 24. Tension rod 20 comprises large diameter tension rod tube 26 and small diameter tension rod tube 28. Small diameter tension rod tube 28 is configured to threadably engage large diameter tension rod tube 26 internally. As seen in the drawing the tray and pouch are removably secured to the tension rod, as are the hooks.
FIG. 2 is a front view of storage tension rod kit 10. This view clearly shows the rod hooks and the pouch suspended from the tension rod.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of storage tension rod kit 10. Tray 30 comprises first tray suction cup 31 and second tray suction cup 32. First tray suction cup 31 is threadably attached to tray 30 through first tray aperture 33, engaging first C-shaped clip 83 (shown in FIGS. 9, 12-14). Second tray suction cup 32 is threadably attached to tray 30 through second tray aperture 34, engaging a second C-shaped clip 84 (shown in FIGS. 9, 12-14). This view broadly illustrates that the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides four separate attachment means for the storage device: two suction cups at opposite ends of the tension rod and two suction cups at the rear of tray 30. (It should be appreciated that the tray could be securable to a surface, such as a wall, via a single suction cup, or via more than two suction cups.)
FIG. 4 is a left elevational view of storage tension rod kit 10 showing tray 30, first suction cup 21, and pouch 40.
FIG. 5 is a right elevational view of the storage tension rod kit 10 showing tray 30, second suction cup 21, and pouch 40.
FIG. 6 is a top view of storage tension rod kit 10. Tray 30 has a plurality of tray drainage holes 35 arranged on tray 30 top surface. These drainage holes obviously function to drain water from the tray when the storage unit is installed in a shower stall. The tray also includes larger apertures 35′ and 35″ (shown in FIG. 9) which function both as drainage apertures and also as apertures that may hold items frequently used in a bathroom, such as a razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of storage tension rod kit 10. This view illustrates more clearly how tray 30 is secured to the tension rod.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of storage tension rod kit 10 tray 30. This view illustrates more clearly the plurality of tray drainage holes 35 in tray 30.
FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of tray 30. Tray 30 further comprises tray wall 27, first large tray aperture 35′, second large tray aperture 35″, first C-shaped clip 83, first C-shaped clamp 83′, first tray aperture 33, second C-shaped clip 84, second C-shaped clamp 84′, second tray aperture 34. First C-shaped clip 83 is threadably secured through first tray aperture 33. Second C-shaped clip 34 is threadably secured through second tray aperture 34. These clamps/clips function to secure the tray to the tension rod.
FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of tray 30. Tray 30 has a plurality of reinforcement dividers on its rear surface of tray wall 27; first reinforcement divider 85, second reinforcement divider 86, third reinforcement divider 87, and fourth reinforcement divider 88. First tray suction cup 31 and second tray suction cup 32 are threadably secured through first tray aperture 33 and second tray aperture 34, respectively, and are discussed further infra. The plurality of reinforcement dividers add additional strength to tray 30 and assist with making flush contact to a surface that the tray suction cups adhere to.
FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of tray 30 without first tray suction cup 31 and second tray suction cup 32, shown in FIG. 10. First tray aperture 33 and second tray aperture 34 have an elongated shape, allowing tray 30 to be slideably adjustable when adhered to a surface.
FIG. 12 is a front view of tray 30 showing first C-shaped clamp 83′ and second C-shaped clamp 84′ of first C-shaped clip 83 and second C-shaped clip 84, respectively (shown in FIG. 13). First C-shaped clamp 83′ and second C-shaped clamp 84′ are operatively arranged to frictional attach to tension rod 20. In a preferred embodiment, first C-shaped clamp 83′ and second C-shaped clamp 84′ frictionally clamp to large diameter rod tube 26. In an alternative embodiment, first C-shaped clamp 83′ and second C-shaped clamp 84′ may be configured to attach to either large diameter rod tube 26 or small diameter rod tube 28.
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the storage tension rod kit 10 tray 30. First C-shaped clip 83 and second C-shaped clip 84 comprise first C-shaped clip female threaded partial through-bore 83″ and second C-shaped clip female threaded partial through-bore 84″, respectively. C-shaped clip female threaded partial through-bore 83″ and second C-shaped clip female threaded partial through-bore 84″ are operatively arranged to accept and threadably secure a male thread member that is fixedly secured to first tray suction cup 31 and second tray suction cup 32 (illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14D).
The following description should be read in view of FIGS. 1-13 described supra, in addition to FIGS. 14A-14D. FIG. 14A is a left side exploded view of tray 30, second C-shaped clip 84, and second tray suction cup 32. Second tray suction cup includes threaded portion 39. Second tray suction cup former includes central aperture 69 (shown in FIGS. 16, 20B, 20D, and 22A-22C). Central aperture 69 of the second suction cup former is operatively arranged to accept threaded portion of second tray suction cup 39 to threadably engage second C-shaped clip 84. FIG. 14B is a front view of second C-shaped clip 84. FIG. 14C is a left side sectional view of second C-shaped clip 84 taken generally along line 14C-14C in FIG. 14B, showing second C-shaped clip female threaded partial through-bore 84″ that is operatively arranged to threadably engage threaded portion 39 of the second tray suction cup. FIG. 14D is a front sectional view of second C-shaped clip 84 taken generally along line 14D-14D in FIG. 14C.
FIG. 15 is a left side exploded view of tray 30, second C-shaped clip 84, and second tray suction cup 32. Threaded portion 39 of second tray suction cup 32 is shown passing through second tray aperture 34 (shown in FIG. 13) and arranged to threadably engage second C-shaped clip 84, described in further detail supra.
The following description should be read in view of FIGS. 16-19. FIG. 16 is a top view of second tray suction cup 32. FIG. 17 is a side view of second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 38. Threaded portion 39 of the second tray suction cup 32 is shown passing through central aperture 69 of the second suction cup former (shown in FIGS. 16, 20B, 20D, and 22A-22C). Second tray suction cup 32 includes outer circular surface 61. FIG. 18 is a bottom view of second tray suction cup 32. Outer circular surface 61 of second tray suction cup 32 is arranged to make contact and adhere to a surface, e.g., a shower or bathtub wall. FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 38 taken generally along line 19-19 in FIG. 16. Inner raised disk portion 65 of second tray suction cup 32 is arranged to contact the inner surface of second tray suction cup former 38 and is discussed in further detail in view of FIGS. 20A-22C, infra.
The following description should be read in view of FIGS. 20A-21B. FIG. 20A is a bottom view of second tray suction cup 32. FIG. 20B is a bottom view of second tray suction cup former 38. Second tray suction cup former 38 includes inner first annular surface 67, inner second annular surface 68, central aperture 69, cup portion 71, outer frustroconical surface 74, outer raised first rib 75, outer raised second rib 76, outer raised third rib 77, first outer channel 78, and second outer channel 79.
FIG. 21A is a top perspective view of second tray suction cup 32. Second tray suction cup 32 includes threaded portion 39, outer circular surface 61, inner annular surface 62, inner raised circular rib 63, outer raised circular rib 64, inner raised disk portion 65, and inner channel 66.
FIG. 21B is a top perspective view of second tray suction cup former 38. Second tray suction cup former 38 includes central aperture 69, outer first annular surface 72, outer second annular surface 73, and outer frustroconical surface 74.
The following description should be read in view of FIGS. 20A-22C and in further view of the above description of FIGS. 20A-21B. These views illustrate how the suction cup former functions in combination with the suction cup to attach the tray to a surface. In these views, clip 84 has been removed for clarity, but it should be appreciated that clip 84 would threadably secure to threaded portion 39, and rotating clip 84 in a clockwise direction would pull the suction cup rightwardly, thereby “forming” the suction cup. Once fully formed into its most concave position the suction force of the cup is maximized.
FIG. 22A is a side sectional view of second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 38 taken generally along line 19-19 in FIG. 16. In this view the suction cup is shown flush against a wall surface and has not yet been “formed”.
FIG. 22B is a side sectional view of second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 38, taken generally along line 19-19 in FIG. 16, shown as clip 84 (not shown) has begun to be rotated about threaded portion 39, thereby pulling suction cup 32 into a more concave position.
Finally, FIG. 22C is a side sectional view of second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 38, taken generally along line 19-19 in FIG. 16 shown as clip 84 (not shown) has been fully rotated about threaded portion 39, thereby pulling suction cup 32 into its maximum concave position.
To ensure second tray suction former 38 is secured to second tray suction cup when threaded portion 39 of second tray suction cup 32 is inserted through central aperture 69 of second suction cup former 38, the plurality of channels and ridges, mentioned supra, of both second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 38 interlock. In view of FIGS. 22A-22C the following description may also be referred to as the interlocking portions of second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 39. Outer raised third rib 77 of second suction cup former 38 is operatively arranged to contact outer circular surface 61 of second tray suction cup 32. Outer raised first rib 75 of second suction cup former 38 and outer raised second rib 76 second suction cup former 38 form first inner channel 78 of second suction cup former 38. Outer raised second rib 76 of second suction cup former 38 and outer raised third rib 77 of suction cup former 38 form second inner channel 79 of second suction cup former 38. Inner raised circular rib 63 of second tray suction cup 32 and outer raised rib 64 of second tray suction cup 32 form inner channel 66 of second tray suction cup 32. First inner channel 78 of second suction cup former 38 is operatively arranged to accept inner raised circular rib 63 of second tray suction cup 32. Second inner channel 79 of second suction former 32 is operatively arranged to accept outer raised circular rib 64 of second tray suction cup 32. Inner channel 66 of second tray suction cup 32 is operatively arranged to accept outer raised second rib 76 of second suction cup former 38. Inner second annular surface 68 of second suction cup former 38 contacts the top surfaces of outer raised circular rib 64 of second tray suction cup 32 and inner raised circular rib 63 of second tray suction cup 32 when second tray suction cup 32 and second tray suction cup former 38 are interlocked. It should be appreciated that first tray suction cup 31 and first tray suction cup former 36 are structurally and functionally identical to the second tray suction cup and the second tray suction cup former described above.
As threaded portion of second tray suction cup 39 is threadably tightened within second C-shaped clip female partial through-bore 84″ (illustrated by FIG. 15), inner raised disk portion of second tray suction cup 65 and inner annular surface of second tray suction cup 62 are pulled in the direction of outer frustroconical surface of second suction cup former 74 and inner first annular surface of second tray suction cup former 67. The interlocked portions of second tray suction cup 32, described supra, remain securely interlocked and do not move when threaded portion of second tray suction cup 39 is tightened. In FIG. 22B, second tray suction cup 32 is partially tightened, creating second tray suction cup vacuum chamber 101 between the bottom surface of second tray suction cup and surface 99, e.g., a shower or bathtub wall. In FIG. 22C, second tray suction cup 32 is fully tightened, creating a maximum vacuum and maximum suction force between the bottom surface of the second tray suction cup and surface 99, e.g., a shower or bathtub wall, increasing the adherence to said surface. It should be appreciated that first suction cup 21 and second suction cup 22 may comprise suction cup formers that may be identical to second tray suction cup former 38 and interact together in accordance with the above described manner.
Referring now to FIG. 23, this drawing shows tension rod 20, large diameter tension rod tube 26, and small diameter tension rod tube 28. Large diameter tension rod tube 26 further comprises second threaded rod insert 94 that is operatively arranged to threadably accept a threaded member of second suction cup 22 and tension rod spring 96, fixedly secured internally to the internal portion of second threaded rod insert 94. Small diameter tension rod tube 28 further comprises first threaded rod insert 92 that is operatively arranged to threadably accept a threaded member of first suction cup 21 and pin 98, that is fixedly secured to tension rod spring 96. Both large dimeter tension rod tube 26 and small diameter tension rod tube 28 have bushing 95 that lines the inner wall of each respective tube. Large diameter tension rod tube 26 twists and rides along spring 96 until it reaches the end of spring 96. Spring 96 is coiled at that end to keep pin 98 from disengaging from the spring.
FIG. 24 is a partial internal view of tension rod 20 shown in FIG. 23. Pin 98 is fixedly secured to small diameter tension rod tube 28.
It should be appreciated that the embodiment as shown is only one of a number of possible embodiments of the claimed invention.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 tension rod storage kit
20 tension rod
21 first suction cup
22 second suction cup
23 first rod hook
24 second rod hook
25 third rod hook
26 large diameter tension rod tube
27 wall of tray 30
28 small diameter tension rod tube
30 tray
31 first tray suction cup
32 second tray suction cup
33 first tray aperture
34 second tray aperture
35 plurality of tray drainage holes
35′ first large tray aperture
35″ second large tray aperture
36 first tray suction cup former
37 threaded portion of first tray suction cup
38 second tray suction cup former
39 threaded portion of second tray suction cup
40 storage pouch
41 outer circular surface of first tray suction cup
42 inner annular surface of first tray suction cup
43 inner raised circular rib of first tray suction cup
44 outer raised circular rib of first tray suction cup
45 inner raised disk portion of first tray suction cup
46 inner channel of first tray suction cup
47 inner first annular surface of first suction cup former
48 inner second annular surface of first suction cup former
49 central aperture of first suction cup former
51 cup portion of first suction cup former
52 outer first annular surface of first suction cup former
53 outer second annular surface of first suction cup former
54 outer frustroconical surface of first suction cup former
55 outer raised first rib of first suction cup former
56 outer raised second rib of first suction cup former
57 outer raised third rib of first suction cup former
58 first outer channel of first suction cup former
59 second outer channel of first suction cup former
61 outer circular surface of second tray suction cup
62 inner annular surface of second tray suction cup
63 inner raised circular rib of second tray suction cup
64 outer raised circular rib of second tray suction cup
65 inner raised disk portion of second tray suction cup
66 inner channel of second tray suction cup
67 inner first annular surface of second suction cup former
68 inner second annular surface of second suction cup former
69 central aperture of second suction cup former
71 cup portion of second suction cup former
72 outer first annular surface of second suction cup former
73 outer second annular surface of second suction cup former
74 outer frustroconical surface of second suction cup former
75 outer raised first rib of second suction cup former
76 outer raised second rib of second suction cup former
77 outer raised third rib of second suction cup former
78 first outer channel of second suction cup former
79 second outer channel of second suction cup former
83 first C-shaped clip
83′ first C-shaped clamp
83″ first C-shaped clip female threaded partial through-bore
84 second C-shaped clip
84′ second C-shaped clamp
84″ second C-shaped clip female threaded partial through-bore
85 first reinforcement divider
86 second reinforcement divider
87 third reinforcement divider
88 fourth reinforcement divider
92 first threaded rod insert
94 second threaded rod insert
95 bushing
96 tension rod spring
98 pin
99 wall surface
101 second tray suction cup vacuum chamber
Patent Application
20210401212
