Toy holder for bathtub
A holder device has a base plate with a rear face for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub or shower and a receptacle on the front of the base, sized and configured for placement of toys and bath accessories therein. Drain holes are provided in the bottom of the receptacle to prevent water accumulation, reduce mildew and promote drying of the articles placed therein. In one embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from ceramic and is installed as a permanent fixture with the surrounding wall tile, similar to a wall mounted soap dish. In another embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from a moldable material, such as a plastic composition, and is installed to an existing wall surface with an adhesive backing. In this embodiment, a bead of caulking may be applied about the edge of the base plate to seal the adhesive from contact with water.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a holder device for a bathtub or shower and, more particularly, to a wall mounted receptacle for holding toys and other bath accessories in a bathtub or shower.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, children do not enjoy bathing in a bathtub unless they have toys to entertain themselves during an otherwise uncomfortable and annoying process. Often, toddlers and young children like to play with boats, rubber ducks and other floating toys while they soak in the tub and have their hair shampooed. When the tub is drained, the toys usually end up on the floor of the tub. A parent or older child may be next to use the bathtub or shower and find the toys scattered around the tub to be a nuisance. Accordingly, toy receptacles are desirable for gathering toys in a bathtub so that the tub has a neat appearance and is enjoyable for others to use. Receptacles for storing toys in a bathtub are also useful for allowing the toys to dry after a child's bath.
Various toy and accessory holding devices have been proposed in the past. Most of these devices are made to hang or attach to the wall of the bathtub or the plumbing fixtures. Because they are not securely fixed in place, the holders eventually become dislodged and full into the bathtub or onto the bathroom floor. Most people find this to be a nuisance and, for this reason, the holders are not used for long.
There remains a need for a toy and bath accessory holder device which is aesthetically appealing, easy to install and clean, and which remains fixed to the wall surface in a bathtub or shower so that toys and other bath accessories can be conveniently gathered and stored therein without displacing the holder device from its fixed mounted position.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTIONConsidering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for holding toys and/or bath accessories in a bathtub or shower, and wherein the device is adapted to be fixedly mounted to a wall.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is esthetically appealing and easy to clean.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is formed of ceramic or other like material for installation with bathroom tile as a permanent fixture in a bathtub or shower.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holding device which is manufactured to match surrounding bathroom wall tile in a bathtub or shower.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is manufactured of plastic or other moldable material and which is adapted to be removably, yet fixedly mounted to a wall surface, such as a tile surface, in a bathtub or shower.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a toy and bath accessory holder device which is easy to install by a homeowner without the need for any special skills.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a holder device and includes a base plate with a rear face for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub or shower and a receptacle on the front of the base, sized and configured for placement of toys and bath accessories therein. Drain holes are provided in the bottom of the receptacle to eliminate water that accumulates in the receptacle, thereby reducing mildew and promoting drying of the articles placed therein. In one embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from ceramic and is installed as a permanent fixture with the surrounding wall tile, similar to a wall mounted soap dish. In another embodiment, the holder device is manufactured from a moldable material, such as a plastic composition, and is installed to an existing wall surface with an adhesive backing. In this embodiment, a bead of caulking may be applied about the edge of the base plate to seal the adhesive from contact with water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to
Referring to
The toy and accessory holder device 10a, as depicted in
While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A holder device for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub comprising:
- a base plate including a rear face for mounting engagement with the wall surface and a front face;
- a receptacle integrally formed with said base plate and including a wall structure extending outwardly from said front face of said base plate, and said wall structure and said front face surrounding an interior chamber sized for holding articles which are removably placed within said interior chamber; and
- at least one drain opening formed in a bottom of said wall structure for draining water from said interior chamber.
2. The holder device as recited in claim 1 wherein said wall structure includes sidewalls, a front wall and said bottom extending outwardly from said front face of said base plate and said receptacle having an open top communicating with said interior chamber for placement and removal of the articles therein.
3. The holder device as recited in claim 2 wherein said base plate and said receptacle are integrally formed as a unitary, one piece structure.
4. The holder device as recited in claim 3 wherein said holder device is manufactured of ceramic.
5. The holder device as recited in claim 3 wherein said holder device is manufactured from plastic.
6. The holder device as recited in claim 5 wherein said rear face of said base plate is provided with an adhesive material for bonding attachment to the wall surface.
7. The holder device as recited in claim 6 wherein said adhesive material is an adhesive membrane bonded to said rear face and having an outer adhesive surface adapted for bonding engagement with the wall surface, and said outer adhesive surface of said membrane being covered with a removable protective film prior to installation.
8. A holder device for mounting to a wall surface in a bathtub comprising:
- a base plate including a rear face and a front face;
- a receptacle integrally formed with said base plate and including a wall structure extending outwardly from said front face of said base plate, and said wall structure and said front face surrounding an interior chamber sized for holding articles which are removably placed within said interior chamber;
- at least one drain opening formed in a bottom of said wall structure for draining water from said interior chamber; and
- an adhesive material on said rear face of said base plate for bonding attachment to the wall surface.
9. The holder device as recited in claim 8 wherein said adhesive material is an adhesive membrane bonded to said rear face and having an outer adhesive surface adapted for bonding engagement with the wall surface, and said outer adhesive surface of said membrane being covered with a removable protective film prior to installation.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 31, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 3, 2006
Inventor: Kimberly Dellarocca (Lighthouse Point, FL)
Application Number: 11/046,615
International Classification: A47K 3/00 (20060101);