Toothbrush holder
An elongated “L” shaped toothbrush holder that consist of a back plate (10) with two holes (12) for securing to the wall or flat surface. The toothbrush holder has abase (14) that has 12 holes that go from top, into, and threw the bottom of base (14) for letting the toothbrush handles go into the top of base (14) and threw the bottom of base (14). Holding the toothbrush in a vertical fashion. The base (14) has four notches that will hold toothbrushes vertically when clipped into the notchs, holding the bristles of the toothbrush off the base (14).
This application refers to the benefit of U.S. Design Pat. No. D425,349 by the present inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to Toothbrush Holders, specifically to such holders that hold toothbrushes of varied design handles in a vertical fashion.
2. Prior Art
The present invention relates to toothbrush holders, more directly towards the holding of toothbrushes in a vertical fashion.
In recent years, the toothbrush manufacturing industry have begun manufacturing toothbrushes with a variety of designed handles, some toothbrushes having large handles, with some toothbrushes having small handles.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,978,003, D478,230, and 6,497,236 the toothbrush holder is a vase like holder made of plastic, clay, or of glass, in which the toothbrush handle is put inside the vase and held in a vertical position.
A need has come about for an invention to be of a mount on the wall toothbrush holder, that can hold the various design toothbrushes in a vertical fashion. My U.S. Pat. No. D425,349 has such a design.
The object of the present invention is to keep toothbrushes readily available for use when needed. The toothbrush holder, holds toothbrushes vertical, holding the bristles of the toothbrush up and off the base of the holder. Allowing the toothbrush to air dry, helping in the elimination of bacteria build up on the bristles.
Originally toothbrushes were made of one size fits all. The toothbrush holders of past were made to hold toothbrushes of one size and style handles, allowing the bristles to touch the surface of the holder.
Therefore, inventors were limited to make a toothbrush holder with a hole that was rectangle in shape and no more than four holes in the holder. Holding no more than four toothbrushes.
Several types of toothbrush holders have come about since the invention of the varied designs of toothbrushes, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,802,255, D347,736, D358,486, 5,742,972, 4,672,706, 6,990,706, 6,983,507.
With the invention of today's toothbrushes came the invention of toothbrush holders, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. D478,230, 6,497,236, D481,572, that hold toothbrushes in a clay, ceramic, glass, or plastic vase.
Therefore, the vase style toothbrush holder collects water runoff from the toothbrush handle and bristles, that begin and does accumulate in the bottom of the case. With the build up of residue from the users mouth, comes the build up of bacteria in the vase. Making the toothbrush unsanitary for use in the mode it was designed for. The user of the toothbrush holder vase would remove the toothbrushes, wash out and sanitize the vase, eliminating the bacteria build up.
The advantage of this invention, is that it has a place where the user can put his or hers toothbrushes securely and ready for use with out a slimy build up of bacteria on the handle.
The consumer at this point, need not have to look about the sink, the medicine cabinet, or flip around threw a drawer, looking for his or hers toothbrush.
The intent of this invention, is that it is invented so one could mount the Toothbrush Holder on a wall, a door of a medicine cabinet, or a flat porous or non porous surface.
With the vase or suction cup toothbrush holder, U.S. Pat. Nos. D498,958, and 6,279,742. The consumer is limited in putting the suction cup and vase holder in a limited place.
The disadvantage of the suction cup toothbrush holder, is that when the suction cup loses it's suction the unit falls to the floor or the nearest surface under it. The surface for the suction cup to work, must be of smooth flat non porous surface. Working then, for short periods of time.
The consumer would then pick it up, wetting the suction cup, put it back on the surface it fell from or on a new surface they choose.
With the glass, clay, ceramic, metal or plastic vase, the consumer is limited to where one can put the vase. If the vase is put in a unsafe location the vase may fall and break, leaving the consumer without a place to put his or hers toothbrush.
The consumer of the vase type toothbrush holder must put the vase on the back of the sink or in the medicine cabinet, not letting air get to the vase to dry the bristles of the toothbrush. The consumer may put the vase in the shower on a shower caddy, U.S. Pat. Nos. D496,549, D485,462, D485,104, D475,560.
The disadvantage of putting toothbrushes in a shower, is that in the shower one has soap, dirty water, shampoo, and hair gels being used and flung about the shower as one washes themselves.
Along with the dirty water, soaps, and shampoos is bacteria and germs that one washes from themselves that get onto the shower walls and anything that is in the shower. Such as the shower caddy and the toothbrush holder vase and the toothbrushes it may hold.
Having the toothbrush in the shower, one has exposed the toothbrush to water and bacteria, Therefore, not allowing the toothbrush to properly air dry.
With the invention I propose, the standing of toothbrushes in a vertical position. The bacteria and waters from using the toothbrush are not being collected in a vase. Instead, the bristles are being held into the air allowing the bristles to drip and air dry, virtually eliminating the build up of bacteria.
In so, the toothbrush holder I propose is designed so that the consumer can pull the toothbrushes out of the holder and clean the toothbrush holder with a wipe of a cloth or sponge like cleaning devise.
The toothbrush holder is designed so the consumer can put the holder near to or over their sink, away from the splash of water or dirty soapy water.
The shower caddy, U.S. Pat. No. D485,104, will hold toothbrushes in a vertical fashion threw holes that are circular, allowing the bristles of a toothbrush to rest on the surface around the holes. Thus allowing the build up of bacteria on the bristles of the toothbrush.
Therefore, with the build up of bacteria on the bristles, the consumer would have to sterilize the toothbrush before use to eliminate the bacteria that may cause gum disease.
The manufacturing of the toothbrush holder can be done in an inexpensive manor. With the use of air injected plastics, the toothbrush holder can be manufactured in quantity so as one could purchase the product with little expenditure.
The toothbrush holder can be produced in a variety of colors to match the decor of the consumers bathroom or room the consumer may wish to display the toothbrush holder.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGESThe objects and advantages before mentioned in the closures, described in my patent. Can now be present are;
(a) To provide a one place for storing toothbrushes.
(b) To hold toothbrushes in a vertical fashion.
(c) To hold more than four toothbrushes.
(d) Easily mounts on walls or flat surface.
(e) no messy bacteria build up.
(f) Will not slip off walls or flat surface.
(g) Allows toothbrushes to air dry.
(h) Easily wipes clean.
(i) Inexpensive to manufacture.
(j) Manufactured in a variety of colors.
Other objects of the present invention is that it will hold other teeth cleaning instruments the consumer can purchase at the pharmacy, drugstore, or retail outlet. Such as dental picks, dental mirrors, and dental floss picks U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,379. Along with toothbrushes of children, young adult, older adult, denture cleaning toothbrushes and the toothbrush of the family pet cat or pet dog.
The object of the present invention is to have a secure wall mounted toothbrush holder, that will hold toothbrushes from childrens to adult to denture cleaning toothbrushes. Holding the toothbrushes in a vertical fashion, with the bristles up off the base allowing the bristles to air dry. Helping in the elimination of bacteria BUILD UP ON THE BRISTLES.
- 10. Back
- 10A. Right/Left back ends
- 10B. Top of back
- 10C Back of back
- 12. Mounting holes
- 14. Base
- 14A. Right/Left base ends
- 14B Front end of base
- 16. ¼ inch diameter circular hole
- 18. ½ inch by ⅝ inch rectangle hole
- 20. ½ inch by 5/16 inch outside diameter hole, with a 7/16 inch center point
- 22. Three sided ¼ inch by ¼ inch by ¼ inch cut
- 24. ¼ inch by ⅜ inch rectangle hole
- 26. Three sided ¼ inch by 5/16 inch by ¼ inch cut
- 28. 7/16 inch by ¼ inch outside diameter hole, with a ⅜ inch center point
- 30. Center point of base and back
A mount on the wall or flat surface air injected one piece molded plastic “L” shaped device. Measuring in length of six and one half inches and a width of one and nine sixteenth inches across the bottom of base 14, from the front of base 14B to the back of back 10C. With a width of one and seven sixteenth inches across the top of base 14, from the front of base 14, known as 14B, to the front of the back 10.
With the back 10 of the “L” shape having a height of one and three sixteenth inches from the bottom of base 14 along the back of back 10C to the top of back 10, known as 10B, a length of six and one half inches. With the back 10 having a thickness of one eight inch and the base 14 having a thickness from, the bottom of base 14 to the top of base 14 from one eight inch to five sixteenth inch going the length and the width of base 14.
There are two holes 12, with a inside measurement of one eight inch in diameter in the back 10 of the toothbrush holder that go from the front of back 10, into, and threw the back of back 10C. The holes of back 10 have a center point from the right/left ends 10A, of one inch. With a center point from the top of back 10, known as 10B, at one inch along the top 10B from the right/left ends 10A down towards base 14, of one half inch. The base 14 and the back 10 are of one mold.
The base has sixteen cut outs that consist of twelve design holes that go from the top, into, and threw the bottom of base 14. With four cuts that are three sided cuts along the front edge 14B of base 14, that go from the top, into and threw the bottom of base 14.
The base 14, is designed to hold toothbrushes snugly in a vertical fashion, keeping the bristles of the toothbrush off the base 14. With the handles of the toothbrushes penetrating the base 14, from the top, into, and threw the bottom of base 14.
The toothbrush holder has a center point 30 from the outside edge of the back 10A and from the outside edge of the base 14A. The center point 30 is three and one fourth inch from the right edge 10A and 14A and three and one fourth inch from the left edge 10A and 14A.
From the center point 30 of the back 10 and the base 14 to the right edge 10A and 14A and from center point 30 to the left edge 10A and 14A are identical in shape and measurement. For each respected part, back 10 and base 14, all measurements will be from the right outside ends 10A and 14A, and from the left outside ends 10A and 14A. Therefore, all measurements will be referred to as from the right/left outside ends 10A or 14A. Such as from the right/left end 14A along the top of base 14 towards center point 30, or along the front of back 10 towards the center point 30. Measurements going from the back 10 to the front of base 14, will be referred to as from the front of back 10 towards the front of base 14B.
From the right/left end 14A along the top of base 14 at the base of the front of the back 10, go one eight inch towards center point 30. Beginning at one eight inch, there is the first hole 18 on both the right and left ends of base 14. The hole 18 goes along the front of the back 10, for a width of one half inch. The hole 18 turns 90° towards the front of the base 14B to a length of five eighths inch in a straight line. Stopping there, turning 90° and going back towards the end of base 14A for one half inch, stopping at one eight inch from the outside end 14A. The hole 18 turns another 90° towards the point of origin five eighths inch stopping at the point of origin at the base of back 10 and one eight inch from the outside end 14A of base 14. Hole 18 is rectangle and goes from the top, into and threw the bottom of base 14. Hole 18 will hold denture toothbrushes like American fare, BUTLER G.U.M., and Oral-B cross action.
Going along the top of base 14 from the outside right/left ends 14A towards center point 30, one and one half inch and three eighths inch from the front of the back 10. Is the center point of a circular hole 16, that has a inside diameter measurement of one fourth inch. The hole 16 goes from the top, into and threw the bottom of base 14. The hole 16 is for children toothbrushes, such as Oral-B Barbie and dental mirrors and dental picks.
Going along the top of base 14 from the outside right/left ends 14A to a beginning point of seven eighths inch from the right/left ends 14A and five eighths inch from the front of the back 10, is the beginning point of hole 20. Going from point of origin towards center point 30 of the base 14, one half inch in a straight line. Turning 90° towards the front of the base 14B, go in a straight line five sixteenth inch. From the end of the five sixteenth line go back towards the outside end 14A with an outward curve that curves outward towards the front of base 14B, about one half inch. Stopping about five sixteenth inch across from point of origin. From there going at a 90° angle in a straight line to the point of origin. The center point of hole 20 from the center of the half inch straight edge to the center point of the curve edge has a inside measurement of about seven sixteenth inch. The hole 20 goes from the top, into, and threw the bottom of base 14. Hole 20 holds toothbrushes such as ORAL-B, Gum, REACH, Crest, Aquafresh.
From the outside edge of the right/left ends 14B, go one and five eighths inch and five eighths inch from the front of the back 10, to a beginning point. At the beginning point in a straight line go towards center point 30 of base 14 one half inch. From there turn 90° towards front of base 14B about five sixteenth inch in a straight line. At five sixteenth inch turn 90° towards base ends 14A. Going in an outward curve, that curves outwardly towards the front of the base 14B about one half inch, to a point five sixteenth inch across from the point of origin. Turning 90° towards the front of the back 10, go in a straight line towards the front of the back 10, stopping at the point of origin. The center point of hole 20, from the center point of the half inch straight edge to the center point of the half inch curve edge has a inside measurement of about seven sixteenth inch with the hole 20 going from the top, into, and threw the bottom of the base 14.
From the outside edge of the right/left ends 14A going towards the center point 30 of base 14, go one eight inch and from the front of the base 14B going towards the front of the back 10, go one eight inch for a beginning point. Starting at the beginning point, go towards the front of the back 10 in a straight line one fourth inch. Turning 90° towards the center point 30 in a straight line three eighths inch. Turning 90° towards the front of the base 14B in a straight line one fourth inch, stopping. Turning 90° towards the outside ends 14A three eighths inch to the point of origin. The hole 24 goes from the top, into and threw the bottom of the base 14. Hole 24 is rectangle in shape. Hole 24 is made to hold toothbrush like ORAL-B barbie, dental floss flossers, pet teeth cleaning toothbrush, and dental mirrors.
From the outside edge of the right/left ends 14A along the front end of the base 14B, go seven eighths inch along the front end 14B to a beginning point. Turning 90° towards the front of the back 10, go one fourth inch in a straight line. Turning 90° towards center point 30 of the base 14, go about one fourth inch in a straight line. Turning 90° towards the front of the base 14B in a straight line, stopping at the edge of the front of the base 14B. This three sided notch 26 goes from the top, into, and threw the bottom of the base 14. Notch 26 is used to hold toothbrushes right below the bristles such as Colgate, BATMAN, SPIDERMAN, BRATZ, crest and Mentadent.
From the outside edge of the right/left end 14A of the base 14 go along the front end 14B of the base 14, to a beginning point of two and one eight inch. This is the beginning point, turn 90° towards the front of the back 10, one fourth inch in a straight line. Turning 90° towards the center point 30 of the base 14, about five sixteenth inch. Turning 90° and in a straight line go back towards the front edge 14B of the base 14 one fourth inch stopping at the front of the base 14B. This three side notch 26 goes from the top, into, and threw the bottom of the base 14. This notch 26 is made to hold toothbrushes with bigger than usual neck below the bristles, such as Aquafresh, Colgate, and battery powered toothbrushes like Crest BRATZ and SONIC.
Going from the outside edge of the right/left ends 14A to a beginning point of two and nine sixteenth inches and from the front edge 14B of the front of the base 14 towards the front of the back 10 one eight inch to a beginning point. From the beginning point go towards the center point 30 in a straight line about seven sixteenth inch. Turning 90° go towards the front of the back 10 one fourth inch in a straight line. Turning 90° going in a outside curvature line, with the outside curve towards the front of the back 10, about seven sixteenth inch, stopping at about one fourth inch across from the point of origin. Turning 90° in a straight line go towards the point of origin, stopping at point of origin. This hole 28 goes from the top, into and threw the bottom of the base 14. Hole 28 is made to hold toothbrushes such as Crest, DENTAX, REACH and some childrens toothbrushes.
On the front of the back 10 are two hole 12 that is one eight inch in diameter. The holes 12 is located one inch from the right/left ends 10A towards center point 30. The holes 12 having a center point at one inch from right/left ends 10A and one half inch from the top of back 10B. The hole 12 goes from the front, into, and threw the back of the back 10C. Hole 12 is used for the securing of the toothbrush holder.
Claims
1. An elongated “L” shaped mount on the wall or device of flat surface toothbrush holder that is of a smooth flat surface, with a base that can be from one eight inch in thickness to five sixteenth inch in thickness and six and one half inches in length and one and nine sixteenth inches inches in width from the front of base along the bottom of the base to the back of the back plate, consisting of twelve holes that go from the top of the base, into and threw the bottom of the base and four three sided notches in the edge of the base. With the back plate being one inch in height from the top of the base to the top of the back plate, that consist of two holes that go from the front, into and threw the back of the back plate.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 27, 2006
Publication Date: May 29, 2008
Inventor: Wesley Eugene Adkins (Commerce City, CO)
Application Number: 11/604,616
International Classification: A47B 81/02 (20060101);
