Shower Vanity

Abstract

A shower vanity for use with a wall having spaced apart framing members. The vanity includes a housing dimensioned to be recessed between two adjacent framing members in the wall and the housing is attached to the framing members by fasteners. The housing includes an open front forming a cavity dimensioned to contain bathing products. Two mirrored doors are slidably mounted to the housing which cover the housing front when closed and provide access to the bathing products when opened.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/792,708 filed Apr. 18, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shower vanity for containing bathing products.

II. Description of Related Art

People often use a variety of different bathing products while showering. These bathing products include, for example, shampoo, hair conditioner, soap, soap gels, shaving supplies and the like.

Previously, there have been no convenient devices for storing such bathing products within the shower. Consequently, such bathing products were simply left on the floor of the shower which provides an unsightly appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a shower vanity which overcomes the previously known disadvantages of storing bathing products within a shower.

In brief, the shower vanity of the present invention comprises a housing which is dimensioned to be recessed between two adjacent framing members, oftentimes called studs. Such studs are often spaced at 16 inches on center so that preferably the housing has a width of less than about 14⅜ inches.

The housing includes an open front and forms a cavity which is dimensioned to receive the bathing products. Optionally, one or more shelves extend laterally across the interior cavity of the housing.

The housing also includes a front mounting flange which extends outwardly from the open front of the housing. This mounting flange includes portions which flatly about against the shower wall.

At least one fastener, and preferably six fasteners, extend through the housing and into the framing member to secure the housing to the framing member. The fasteners may extend through the housing mounting flange or, alternatively, through the interior of the housing and into the framing member.

Two mirrored doors slide in a track on opposite sides of the housing. The door is movable between an open position and a closed position. In its closed position, the door extends across and covers the open front of the housing thus obscuring the bathing products contained within the housing cavity from view. Conversely, upon sliding the housing door to its open position, access to the bathing products contained within the interior cavity of the housing is enabled. The doors are also preferably removable for easy cleaning.

Preferably, the housing and flange are of a two piece plastic construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention installed within a shower;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention and with parts removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the doors in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a shower vanity 10 is illustrated installed in a wall 12 of a shower. The wall 12, furthermore, includes a plurality of vertically extending and spaced apart framing members 15 which support the wall.

The framing members 15, oftentimes called studs, are typically spaced apart from each other on 16 inch centers. Since the framing members are oftentimes constructed of 2×4 lumber, the spacing 16 between framing members 15 is approximately 14⅜ inches.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shower vanity 10 includes a generally rectangular housing 14 having a pair of spaced apart sides 20, a top 22 and a bottom 24. The housing sides 20, top 22 and bottom 24 thus form a cavity 26 having an open front 27 and which is dimensioned to receive bathing products.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a mounting flange 30 extends outwardly from the open front of the housing cavity 26 around the entire periphery of the housing 14. When the housing 14 is installed within a shower as illustrated in FIG. 1, this outwardly extending flange 30 flatly abuts against the shower wall 12.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, the shower vanity 10 is dimensioned to be recessed between two adjacent framing members 15 and so that at least a portion of its front flange 30 flatly abuts against the shower wall 12. Consequently, the spacing between the sides 20 of the housing 14 is preferably less than about 14 inches so that the housing may be positioned between two adjacent framing members 15 when the framing members 15 are mounted on about 16 inch centers.

Similarly, the width of conventional 2×4 framing members is approximately 3¾ inches. Consequently, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the depth 32 (FIG. 3) of the housing cavity 26 is preferably less than about 3¾ inches.

With reference now particularly to FIG. 1, one or more shelves 34 optionally extend transversely between the sides 20 of the housing 14. The shelf 34 not only provides additional support for the housing 14, but also enables more convenient storage of the bathing products within the housing cavity 26. The bottom of the housing 14 tapers downwardly so that the housing cavity is self draining.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, two doors 40 are laterally slidably mounted on opposed upper and lower tracks 41 and 43, respectively, to opposite sides 20 of the housing 14. These doors slide between a closed position illustrated in FIG. 4 and an open position illustrated in FIG. 5. In their closed position (FIG. 4) the doors overlie and cover the open front 27 of the housing 14. Conversely, in their open position (FIG. 5) access to the interior cavity 26 of the housing 14 is provided thus providing access to the bathing products contained within the housing cavity 26.

Although the doors 40 may be constructed of any desired material, preferably, the doors are mirrored on their outer surface and include handles to facilitate opening and closing the doors. Consequently, when the doors 40 are in their closed position (FIG. 4) the doors 40 obscure the bathing products contained within the housing cavity 26 from sight.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the housing 14 and flange 30 are preferably of a one piece plastic construction. Such construction is not only relatively inexpensive, but also exhibits long term durability and ease of cleaning. Any conventional manufacturing process, such as vacuum molding, may be used to form the housing 14 with its flange 30.

With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a bezel 50, preferably made by injection molding, is attached to the front of the housing to overlie and cover the housing mounting flange 30. Any conventional means may be used to attach the bezel 50 to the housing 14, e.g. a snap fit,

With reference again to FIG. 1, in order to install the shower vanity 10 within the wall 12 of the shower, an opening between two adjacent framing members 15 is first formed dimensioned to receive the housing 14. The housing 14 is then positioned within the opening so that at least a portion of the flange 30 flatly abuts against the shower wall 12. Appropriate sealants, such as silicone, are preferably provided between the mounting flange 30 and the shower wall 12 in order to prevent water leakage.

Once the housing is positioned within the wall opening, the housing 14 is attached to the framing members 15 by appropriate fasteners 52. Preferably, these fasteners 52 extend through the mounting flange 30 and directly into the framing members 15. After installation of the housing, the bezel 50 is attached across the open front of the housing and the installation is completed.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple and yet effective shower vanity for containing bathing products.

Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shower vanity for use with a wall having spaced apart framing members comprising:

a housing dimensioned to be recessed between two adjacent framing members in the wall, said housing having an open front and forming a cavity dimensioned to contain bathing products,

said housing having a front mounting flange which extends outwardly from said open front of said housing, said mounting flange dimensioned to flatly abut against the wall,

a plurality of fasteners extending through said housing and into said framing member which secure said housing to said framing member.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said fasteners extend through said housing mounting flange.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising opposed upper and lower tracks secured to said housing, and a door slidably mounted in said tracks so that said door is laterally slidably movable between a closed position in which said door overlies and covers said open front of said housing, and an open position enabling access to bathing products contained in said housing.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said door includes a mirrored front.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising opposed upper and lower tracks secured to said housing and a pair of doors slidably mounted to said tracks so that said doors are laterally slidably movable between a closed position in which said doors overlie and cover said open front of said housing, and an open position enabling access to bathing products contained in said housing.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said door and said mounting flange are a three piece construction.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said housing and said flange are constructed of plastic.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a shelf extending laterally across said housing cavity.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said shelf and said housing are a one piece construction.

10. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein a width of said housing is less than fourteen inches.

11. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastener comprises a screw.

12. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a bezel attached to said housing and overlying said mounting flange.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 and comprising a door slidably mounted to said bezel so that said door is movable between a closed position in which said door overlies and covers said open front of said housing, and an open position enabling access to bathing products contained in said housing.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said door includes a mirrored front.

15. The invention as defined in claim 12 and comprising a pair of doors slidably mounted to opposite sides of said bezel so that said doors are movable between a closed position in which said doors overlie and cover said open front of said housing, and an open position enabling access to bathing products contained in said housing.