Movable drying rack for bath tub mounting
A movable drying rack for hanging and drying various items over a bathtub and adapted for easy attachment onto a bathtub edge, and also easy removal for storage, comprising of at least one drying bar positioned outwardly and over the bathtub edge and retained parallel to the bathtub edge, a pair of spaced arms connected to both outward ends of the drying bar(s), the spaced arms including an inverted U-shaped section, engageable with the bathtub edge.
The present invention is related to a movable drying rack which may be used on most any household bathtub. More specifically this invention relates to a portable removable drying rack easily attachable to and removable from a bathtub edge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVarious types of adaptable drying racks are already known. These adaptable drying racks are adapted to be used over bathtubs as commonly found in the bathrooms of most households everywhere. Inventor is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,909 entitled “Hanger Device” issued to Churchill, on Feb. 6, 1962. Churchill discloses a drying rack attachment device having a single rod for use over a bathtub. This device is hooked over a shower curtain rod with an opposite end resting onto the opposing bathroom wall. Inventor is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 3,163,295 entitled “Bathroom Drying Rack” issued to Standard on Dec. 29, 1964. Standard discloses a drying rack attachment with a plurality of rods for use over a bathtub, and also is hooked onto a shower curtain rod and having an opposite end resting onto the opposing bathroom wall. Inventor is also aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,904 entitled “Tub Grab Bar” issued to Doczy et al. in Aug. 26, 1997. Although this unit is a hand bar for supporting a persons weight getting into or out of a bathtub and is not used for drying items, it does use the bathtubs edge for mounting.
Generally, the prior art drying racks are for use overtop of a bathtub or shower enclosure and not for attachment to the bathtub edge. Although these prior devices function adequately for drying clothes they are often too high for quick and easy placement and removal, thus restricting their widespread practical use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the user with a more convenient movable drying rack for use on the side or edge of a bathtub.
Another object of the present invention, is to provide a movable drying rack for use on the side or edge of a bathtub, where the bathtub edge may have varying widths.
Yet another object of the present invention, is to provide a movable drying rack for use on the side or edge of a bathtub, where there may be a shower door frame on the bathtub edge.
The invention comprises a pair of elongate cross-bar sections or rods having a length less than the length of an average bathtub edge and is positioned in use parallel to the bathtubs edge by means of two elongated arms having inverted U-shaped opening on their lower portions that accommodate a bathtub edge. On their upper sections, these arms include an elongated narrowing area for spaced attachment of a pair of drying rods therebetween.
As well, on the lower inverted U-shaped openings the arms may include a pair of spring actuated clamps, where depending on the bathtub edge width the drying rack will remain in place with screw-less attachment to the bathtub edge. These spring actuated damps may be attached to either side of the inverted U-shaped portion.
The movable drying rack comprises at least one lineal cross-bar where on each of its two ends there are two arms, affixed at a substantially 90 degree angle. Each arm has a top and a bottom section, where on the end of each bottom section, there is inverted U-shaped.
Advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment and accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;
The movable drying rack is generally referred to as 10. As shown in
Elongated arms 16 and 18, have top sections 16a and 18a, adjacent the upper cross-bar 12. The bottom sections of elongated arms 16 and 18, have inner elongated portions 16b and 18b and outer elongated portions 16c and 18c, which contact the bathtub rim 20. In between each inner 16b and 18b elongated portions, and outer elongated portions 16c and 18c, there are openings 16d and 18d, that accepts the bathtub rim 20. In alternate mounting, as shown on the right arm 18 in
Claims
1. A movable drying rack adapted for mounting over an existing bathtub and onto said bathtub outer rim, comprising:
- (a) at least one elongate bar positioned outwardly and over said bathtub outer rim and retained substantially parallel to said bathtub rim;
- (b) a pair of spaced arms connected to both outward ends of said elongate bar, said spaced arms including an inverted U-shaped section, engageable with said bathtub outer rim and;
- (c) said elongate bar located at a horizontal elevation above that of said bathtub outer rim.
2. A movable drying rack adapted for mounting over an existing bathtub and onto said bathtub outer rim, comprising:
- (a) at least one elongate bar positioned outwardly and over said bathtub and retained substantially parallel to said bathtub outer rim;
- (b) a pair of spaced arms connected to both outward ends of said elongate bar, said spaced arms including an inverted U-shaped section, engageable with said bathtub outer rim;
- (c) said elongate bar located at a horizontal elevation above that of said bathtub outer rim, and;
- d) an adjustable bathtub rim engaging portion included as a lower part of each said arm, said adjustable engaging portion being positioned substantially perpendicular to said bathtub.
3. A movable drying rack of claim 2, where said adjustable bathtub rim engaging portion on said arms is a spring loaded lever.
5. A movable drying rack of claim 2, where said adjustable bathtub rim engaging portion on said arms is a threaded thumbscrew.
6. A movable drying rack of claim 2, where said inverted U-shaped section has a slotted relieve thereabove for accepting a lower shower door frame mounted on said bathtub rim.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 23, 2003
Publication Date: Aug 14, 2008
Inventor: Reinhold Rockel (Salmon Arm)
Application Number: 10/743,177