Towel Rack Device

Abstract

A towel rack device comprises a mechanism for supporting the towel rack device. A support member is operably connected to the mechanism for supporting the towel rack device. A mechanism for hanging an article is operably connected to the support member. A guard is operably connected to the towel rack. The guard is configured to extend substantially the length of the article. In some implementations, the towel rack device may be attached to a ledge. In some implementations, the towel rack device may be free standing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to towel rack devices.

BACKGROUND

When a person has a wet towel or cloth, he or she often hangs the wet article to dry. Often times, the wet article is hung on a towel rack which generally are attached to walls, doors, or cabinets. When a wet article is hung on a towel rack, the wet article may contact the wall, door, or cabinet. Sometimes, the wet article may damage the wall, door, or cabinet. For example, if the wet article comes in contact with paint on a surface next to the towel rack, the paint may bubble or become discolored.

There is thus a need for a towel rack that lessens the possibility of wet articles damaging the wall, door, or cabinet on which the towel rack is mounted.

SUMMARY

This application describes a towel rack device and a method for making the towel rack device.

In accordance with one implementation, a towel rack device comprises a mechanism for attaching the towel rack device to a ledge. A support member is operably connected to the mechanism for attaching the towel rack device to the ledge. A mechanism for hanging an article is operably connected to the support member. A guard is operably connected to the towel rack. The guard extends substantially the length of the article.

In accordance with another implementation, a towel rack device comprises a mechanism for supporting the towel rack device. A support member is operably connected to the mechanism for supporting the towel rack device. A mechanism for hanging an article is operably connected to the support member. A guard is operably connected to the towel rack and the guard extends substantially the length of the article.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the detailed description are exemplary, but not restrictive of the towel rack device or the method for making the towel rack device.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are discussed below, one or more implementations are illustrated. It is understood that the storage device is not limited to the implementations depicted in the drawings herein, but rather it is defined by the claims appended hereto and equivalent structures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of the towel rack device.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the towel rack device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the towel rack device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a cutaway side view of the towel rack device of FIG. 1 attached to a door.

FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the towel rack device of FIG. 1 attached to a door with a towel hanging thereon.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective view of the storage device of FIG. 1 attached to a door with a towel hanging thereon.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of the towel rack device.

FIG. 7 is cutaway side view of the towel rack device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of the towel rack device.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming subject matter, the towel rack device will now be further described by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary implementations taken in conjunction with the above-described accompanying drawings. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the towel rack device. Descriptions of specific implementations and applications are provided only as non-limiting examples and various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the towel rack device. Thus, the towel rack device is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the towel rack device have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present application.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a towel rack device 100 has a mechanism 102 for attaching the towel rack device 100 to a door 402. The mechanism 102 may be used for attaching the towel rack device 100 to a cabinet or other object that has a ledge on which the towel rack device 100 may be supported. In the figures, the mechanism 102 is a bracket. In alternative implementations, the mechanism 102 may be a screw, a nail, a bolt, a hook-and-loop fastener, glue, epoxy, or any other suitable mechanism for attaching the towel rack device 100 to the door 402. A support member 104 is operably connected to the mechanism 102 for attaching the towel rack device 100 to the door 402. At least one mechanism 106 for hanging an article 404 is operably connected to the support member 104. As shown, mechanism 106 is a hook. An optional cover 108 may be present on the mechanism 106. If more than one mechanism 106 is present, additional support members 110, 112 may be present. In some implementations, mechanism 106 is a rod, a ring, a beam, or any other suitable mechanism for hanging an article 404. In some implementations, when the mechanism 106 is a rod, the rod may look like the optional second mechanism 118 for hanging an article, described below. Article 404 may be a towel, as shown, a cloth, a rag, or any other material capable of being hung on mechanism 106 to dry.

The towel rack device 100 may have an optional second mechanism 114 for hanging an article which is operably connected to the support member 104. The second mechanism 114 may be operably connected to the support member 104 through support member 116. As shown, the optional second mechanism 114 is a rod. In some implementations, the optional second mechanism 114 may be a hook, a ring, a beam, or any other suitable mechanism for hanging an article. An optional cover 118 may be present on the mechanism 114.

A guard 120 is operably connected to the towel rack device 100. The guard 120 is configured to extend substantially the length of the article 404 so that the article 404 does not rest against the door 402. Instead, the article 404 may contact the guard 120 at 406 instead of contacting a surface of the door 402.

FIG. 5 shows another implementation of a towel rack device. Towel rack device 500 has a mechanism 502 for attaching the towel rack device 500 to a door 504. The mechanism 502 may be used for attaching the towel rack device 100 to a cabinet or other object that has a ledge on which the towel rack device 500 may be supported. As shown, the mechanism 502 is a bracket. In some implementations, the mechanism 502 may be a screw, a nail, a bolt, a hook-and-loop fastener, glue, epoxy, or any other suitable mechanism for attaching the towel rack device 500 to the door 504. A support member 506 is operably connected to the mechanism 502 for attaching the towel rack device 500 to the door 504. At least one mechanism 508 for hanging an article 510 is operably connected to the support member 506. As shown, mechanism 508 is a rod and the mechanism 508 is connected to the support member 506 by support member 512. An optional cover 514 may be present on the mechanism 508. If more than one mechanism 508 is present, additional support members may be present. In some implementations, mechanism 508 is a hook, a ring, a beam, or any other suitable mechanism for hanging an article 510. In some implementations, when the mechanism 508 is a hook, the hook may look like hook 106 shown in FIGS. 1-4. Article 510 may be a towel, as shown, a cloth, a rag, or any other material capable of being hung on mechanism 508 to dry.

A guard 516 is operably connected to the towel rack device 500. The guard 516 is configured to extend substantially the length of the article 510 so that the article 510 does not rest against the door 504. Instead, the article 510 may contact the guard 516 at 518 instead of contacting a surface of the door 504.

FIGS. 6-7 shows yet another implementation of a towel rack device. Towel rack device 600 is similar to the towel rack 100 but has an adjustable guard 602. The adjustable guard 602 permits a user to manually adjust the length of the guard 602.

Adjustable guard 602 has a top portion 604 and a bottom portion 606. The top portion 604 is operably connected to the bottom portion 606 via a fastener 608. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the fastener 608 is a wing nut. In some implementations, the fastener 608 may be a nut, a bolt, a dowel, a lug, a pin, a rivet, a screw, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap-lock mechanism, a press-fit mechanism, a bracket-type mechanism, a slide-and-lock mechanism, a twist-and-lock or other friction-fit mechanism, a tongue-and-groove mechanism, a buckle mechanism, a joint, or any other suitable mechanism for securing the top portion 604 to the bottom portion 606. In some implementations, the adjustable guard 602 comprises at least one telescopic member comprising an inner and outer portion; the inner and outer portions may be adjustably positioned with respect to each other.

When the towel rack device 600 is attached to a door 702, a cabinet or other object that has a ledge on which the towel rack device 600 may be supported, the length of the adjustable guard 602 may be changed by loosening or removing the fastener 608. In some implementations, the length of the adjustable guard 602 may be changed by disconnecting the top portion 604 from the bottom portion 606, determining a suitable length for the guard 602, and then reconnecting the top and bottom portions 604, 606 via the fastener 608.

FIG. 8 shows another implementation of the towel rack device. Towel rack device 800 is configured to be free standing, e.g., the towel rack device need not be attached to a door, wall, or cabinet, and may incorporate a stand that supports the towel rack device 800. Towel rack device 800 has at least one mechanism 806 for hanging an article operably connected to a support member 804. As shown, mechanism 806 is a hook. An optional cover 808 may be present on the mechanism 806. If more than one mechanism 806 is present, additional support members 810, 812 may be present. In some implementations, mechanism 806 is a rod, a ring, a beam, or any other suitable mechanism for hanging an article. In some implementations, when the mechanism 806 is a rod, the rod may look like the optional second mechanism 814 for hanging an article, described below. The article may be a towel, a cloth, a rag, or any other material capable of being hung on mechanism 806 to dry.

The towel rack device 800 may have an optional second mechanism 814 for hanging an article which is operably connected to the support member 804. The second mechanism 814 may be operably connected to the support member 804 through support member 816. As shown, the optional second mechanism 814 is a rod. In some implementations, the optional second mechanism 814 may be a hook, a ring, a beam, or any other suitable mechanism for hanging an article. An optional cover 818 may be present on the mechanism 814.

A guard 820 is operably connected to the towel rack device 800. The guard 820 is configured to extend substantially the length of the article. If the towel rack device 800 is placed near a door, wall, or other object, the guard 820 serves to protect the door, wall, or other object from becoming wet from a wet article. The guard 820 may be operably connected to an optional lip 822. The optional lip 822 may collect moisture dripping from articles hanging on the towel rack device 800.

Towel rack device 800 may be operably connected to a stand 824. The stand 824 may have a base 826. In some implementations, the base 826 is not present. In some implementations, the base 826 may be present but it does not have the appearance of the base 826 shown in FIG. 8. In some implementations, the base 826 may be a plurality of bases. In some implementations, the base 826 may be a plurality of bases that are not connected to each other.

As shown, the base 826 is operably connected to two support pieces 828. In some implementations, less than two support pieces 828 may be present. In some implementations, more than two support pieces 828 may be present. In some implementations, each support piece 828 may be operably connected to its own base instead of the base 826 shown in FIG. 8. In some implementations, the support pieces 828 may be positioned or angled so that the support pieces 828 may support the towel rack device 800 with or without the need for a base 826. Non-limiting examples may be where a plurality of support pieces 826 are present and positioned to act as a two-legged, three-legged, four-legged, or five-legged stand for the towel rack device 800.

The towel rack device 800 may be attached to the stand 824 by a mechanism 830 for attaching the towel rack device 800 to the stand 802. In some implementations, the mechanism 830 may be a nut, a nail, a bolt, a dowel, a lug, a pin, a rivet, a screw, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap-lock mechanism, a press-fit mechanism, a bracket-type mechanism, a slide-and-lock mechanism, a twist-and-lock or other friction-fit mechanism, a tongue-and-groove mechanism, a buckle mechanism, a joint, glue, epoxy, or any other suitable mechanism for attaching the towel rack device 800 to the stand 802. In FIG. 8, the stand 824 is operably attached to the guard 820. In some implementations, the stand 824 may be operably attached to the support member 804. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that there are other locations where the stand 824 may be operably connected to the towel rack device 802.

As shown in the figures and as described above, the guards 120, 516, 602 serve to protect the surface on which the towel rack device is attached or near from being damaged from a wet article hanging on the towel rack device. Non-limiting examples of materials that may be used for the guard are plastic, Plexiglas, glass, metal, rubber, mirror, fiberglass, any other material suitable for the purposes described herein, or combinations of these materials. The dimensions of the guards 120, 516, 602, 820 should be such that the purposes described herein are satisfied. As non-limiting examples, the lengths of the guards may be approximately 6½ inches to approximately 36 inches, approximately 12 inches to approximately 72 inches, approximately 3 inches to approximately 80 inches. The widths of the guards 120, 516, 602, 830 may be substantially the same width or a little wider than the widths of the towel rack devices 100, 500, 600, 800. In some implementations, the width of the guard is narrower than the width of the towel rack device. In some implementations, the guard 120, 516, 602, 830 may be located in between the support members 104, 506, 804. In some implementations, the guard 120, 516, 602, 830 may be located in the middle of the towel rack device 100, 500, 600, 800. In some implementations, the length of the guard may extend to substantially the bottom of what it is attached to or of what it is standing on. The guard may be located at any location and have a length and width suitable to serve the purposes described in this disclosure.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosures in this application. As a non-limiting example, additional components may be added to those described above, or components may be removed or rearranged. As another non-limiting example, although FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 show the towel rack devices 100, 500, 600 attached to a door, the towel rack devices may be attached to cabinets, stands, or other objects that have features amenable to hanging the towel rack devices. In some implementations, the mechanisms 102, 502 for attaching the towel racks to a door may not be present. In some implementations, the towel racks 100, 500, and 600 may be attached directly to a door, cabinet, or wall. As yet another non-limiting example, a lip configured to collect moisture dripping from articles hanging on the towel rack devices 100, 500, 600 may be operably connected to the guard 120, 516, 602. In some implementations, the lip may look like the lip 822 in FIG. 8. Non-limiting examples of materials that may be used for the lip are plastic, Plexiglas, glass, metal, rubber, mirror, fiberglass, any other material suitable for the purposes described herein, or combinations of these materials.

Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A towel rack device comprising:

a mechanism for attaching the towel rack device to a ledge;

a support member operably connected to the mechanism for attaching the towel rack device to the ledge;

a mechanism for hanging an article, wherein the mechanism for hanging the article is operably connected to the support member;

a guard operably connected to the towel rack device, wherein the guard extends substantially the length of the article.

2. The towel rack device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for attaching the towel rack to the ledge comprises a bracket.

3. The towel rack device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for hanging the article comprises a hook.

4. The towel rack device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for hanging the article comprises a rod.

5. The towel rack device of claim 1, wherein the article comprises a towel or cloth.

6. The towel rack device of claim 1, wherein the guard is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of plastic, Plexiglas, glass, metal, rubber, mirror, and fiberglass.

7. The towel rack device of claim 1, wherein the guard is adjustable.

8. The towel rack device of claim 1, further comprising a lip operably connected to the guard, the lip configured to collect moisture from the article hanging on the mechanism for hanging the article.

9. The towel rack device of claim 1, wherein the guard is approximately 12 inches to approximately 72 inches in length.

10. A towel rack device comprising:

a mechanism for supporting the towel rack device;

a support member operably connected to the mechanism for supporting the towel rack device;

a mechanism for hanging an article, wherein the mechanism for hanging the article is operably connected to the support member;

a guard operably connected to the towel rack device, wherein the guard extends substantially the length of the article.

11. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for supporting the towel rack device comprises a mechanism for attaching the towel rack device to a ledge.

12. The towel rack device of claim 11, wherein the mechanism for attaching the towel rack device to the ledge comprises a bracket.

13. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for supporting the towel rack comprises a stand.

14. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for hanging the article comprises a hook.

15. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for hanging the article comprises a rod.

16. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the article comprises a towel or cloth.

17. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the guard is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of plastic, Plexiglas, glass, metal, rubber, mirror, and fiberglass.

18. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the guard is adjustable.

19. The towel rack device of claim 10, further comprising a lip operably connected to the guard, the lip configured to collect moisture from the article hanging on the mechanism for hanging the article.

20. The towel rack device of claim 10, wherein the guard is approximately 12 inches to approximately 72 inches in length.