BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to a toilet accessory organizer that is configured to straddle a toilet.
Most toilet accessories are stored in floor containers. When stored on the floor these accessories tend to get in the way of sweeping and/or mopping. After use, and if not properly cleaned, these accessories may spread bacteria within the area.
SUMMARY
A toilet accessory organizer according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure includes a top plate received atop a toilet bowl between the toilet seat and the tank. A first accessory holder attached to the top plate, the first accessory holder operable to retain a toilet accessory. A second accessory holder attached to the top plate, the second accessory holder operable to retain a toilet accessory, the first accessory holder and the second accessory holder straddle the bowl.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that however the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
FIGS. 1A-1D is a perspective view of a toilet accessory organizer mounted to a toilet according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a top plate of the toilet accessory organizer according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a top view of a top plate of the toilet accessory organizer according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment.
FIG. 4A is an exploded view of a top plate of the toilet accessory organizer with example accessory holders.
FIG. 4B is a sectional front views of the top plate of FIG. 4A with the example accessory holders attached thereto via a bayonet interface.
FIG. 5 is a top view of a top plate of the toilet accessory organizer according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a top plate of the toilet accessory organizer according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a top view of a top plate of the toilet accessory organizer according to another disclosed non-limiting embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1A-1C schematically illustrate a toilet accessory organizer 20 that straddles a toilet bowl B. The organizer 20 straddles the toilet bowl B between the seat S and toilet tank T so as to not affect the functionality of the toilet seat S. Most toilets have an unused space on the toilet bowl B between the toilet seat S and toilet tank T as well as directly underneath the area between the top of the toilet bowl B and the floor F (FIG. 1B). This space can be, for example between about 0.5 - 4 inches. Typically, on most toilets, the toilet bowl B at the front and top is wider and in the shape of a round or elongated bowl that becomes smaller adjacent to the floor and forms more into a rectangular shape which hides the connection between the floor and toilet drain. The bowl becomes even more narrow toward the back of the toilet with most exposing the outline of the trap way, except on concealed trap ways and wall mounted toilets. It is in this spaces that the organizer 20 takes advantage.
The organizer 20 includes a top plate 22 and flanges 24, 26 that in one embodiment are perpendicular to the top plate 22 (FIG. 2). The top plate 22 may extend across the toilet bowl B in the space between the seat S and toilet tank T (FIGS. 1A-1D). In one embodiment, the top plate 22 may be maintained in position by, for example, gravity, adhesives, or other interface arrangement.
The flanges 24, 26 may be separate or integral with the top plate 22 to at least partially surround the bowl W. That is, the flanges 24, 26 and the top plate 22 may essentially form an inverted “U” shape (best seen in FIG. 2) that fits over and around the bowl B. In one embodiment, the flanges 24, 26 may be friction fit onto the toilet bowl B.
With reference to FIG. 3, the top plate 22 may include slots 40 which receive fasteners 42. The slots 40 permit the fasteners 42 to clamp the bowl B therebetween.
With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the flanges 24, 26 may provide an interface 44 to receive an accessory holder 48 that retain, for example, a toilet brush (FIG. 1B), a plunger (FIG. 1C), toilet paper roll (FIG. 1D), etc. The toilet accessory may fit in a cup, a holster, hanging, snap or friction type interfaces that facilitates ease of removal yet ready access. The accessory holder 48 may include bayonet type lugs 50 that are received into the interface 44. Various accessories may use the common interface, e.g., bayonet interface to permit use of one of a multiple of accessory holders 48 that are specific to a particular accessory.
With reference to FIG. 5, in another embodiment, the top plate 22 may include apertures tabs 60 with apertures 62 that receive the toilet bolts that affix the toilet seat S to the bowl B. That is, the tabs 60 are sandwiched between the seat S and the bowl B and the top plate 22 is retained therebetween by the bolts used to affix the toilet seat S to the bowl B.
With reference to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, the flanges 24A, 26A may at least partially wrap around an edge of the toilet bowl B to facilitate other fastener configurations.
With reference to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, the flanges 24B, 26B provide an extended open slots 70 for an underside mount arrangement. The flanges 24B, 26B at least partially wrap around an edge of the toilet bowl B to allow the top plate 22 to slide over the bowl B and utilizes the bolts that are used to affix the toilet seat S to the bowl B and/ or an additional nut to tighten to the underside of the bowl B through the extended open slots 70.
The toilet accessory organizer 20 maintains accessories together, off the floor, and close to the toilet to facilitate mopping and cleaning around the toilet.
Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specific illustrated components, the embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reason the appended claims should be studied to determine true scope and content.
Patent Application
20230346174
