TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER

Abstract

A toothbrush holder includes a mounting frame or bracket provided on a wall-facing side with at least one coupling element for connecting the frame to a wall surface. The toothbrush holder further includes a plurality of fingers extending away from the frame on a side thereof opposite the coupling element. The fingers are spaced from each other to define a plurality of toothbrush-receiving slots. The toothbrush holder additionally comprises a cover member swingably mounted to the frame for pivoting between a closed position and an open position. Partitions are connected to the fingers and to the frame so as to define a plurality of toothbrush-head-receiving compartments. Each of the compartments is provided with at least one of the apertures so as to enable drainage from the respective compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toothbrush holder. Toothbrush holders are of various types, including cup-shaped devices that sit on a counter top and cantilevered brackets that are attached to a wall. Each are preferably designed with the aim of separating the brush heads of multiple toothbrushes from one another for sanitary purposes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved toothbrush holder of the wall-mounting type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved toothbrush holder that is more compact than conventional designs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush holder that is attractive.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush holder that is inexpensive.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the descriptions and drawings herein. Although every object of the invention is attainable by at least one embodiment of the invention, there is not necessarily any single embodiment that achieves all of the objects of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toothbrush holder in accordance with the present invention comprises a mounting frame or bracket provided on one side (a wall-facing side) with at least one coupling element for connecting the frame to a wall surface. The toothbrush holder further comprises a plurality of fingers extending away from the frame on a side thereof opposite the coupling element. The fingers are spaced from each other to define a plurality of toothbrush-receiving slots. The toothbrush holder additionally comprises a cover member swingably mounted to the frame for pivoting between a closed position and an open position. The cover member in the closed position cooperates with the frame and the fingers to define a space enclosing bristled heads of toothbrushes inserted into the toothbrush-receiving slots. The cover member in the open position alternately allows insertion and removal of toothbrushes from respective ones of the toothbrush-receiving slots.

The coupling element on the wall facing side of the frame or bracket typically takes the form of one or more slots, open at a lower end, for receiving the heads of respective nails or screws that are fastened to the wall surface. Other types of coupling elements are within the purview of the invention, including adhesive strips, hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro™), suction cups, screws, bolts, hooks, etc.

Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, the fingers have upper surfaces that slope downwardly from free ends of the fingers towards the frame. The fingers are joined to each other at a lower end to form a generally semi-circular area adjacent the frame. This area may be a formed as a concavity or cup-shaped surface on an upper side. The fingers are preferably provided at a lower end, proximate the frame and in the concavity or cup-shaped surface, with apertures for drainage of water from the concavity or cup-shaped surface and accordingly from the upper surfaces of the fingers.

The toothbrush holder may further comprise a plurality of partitions each connected to a respective one of the fingers and to the frame so as to define a plurality of toothbrush-head-receiving compartments. Each of the compartments is provided with at least one of the apertures so as to enable drainage from the respective compartment.

More specifically, the fingers may take the form of thin arcuate panels concave on an upper side and convex on a lower side. The partitions are typically planar panels extending perpendicularly to the fingers.

Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, the cover member comprises a section of a hemisphere with a section of a cylindrical collar along one edge. The frame has a major portion or section of a semi-cylindrical flange juxtaposed or adjacent to the collar section when the cover member is in the closed position. A hinge may be connected on one side to the collar section and on another side to the flange. In addition, the collar section and the flange may be provided with cooperating snap-lock elements on ends opposite the hinge

Pursuant to a further feature of the present invention, the toothbrush-receiving slots have outer end portions away from the frame and inner end portions proximate the frame, where the outer end portions are wider than the inner end portions.

Pursuant to an additional feature of the present invention, the frame includes a substantially planar plate, the fingers being attached to the plate along one side thereof. The plate is formed with a pair of rails on a side opposite the fingers, and the frame includes a connector member receiving the rails on one side and is provided with the coupling element(s) on an opposite side.

An embodiment of a toothbrush holder in accordance with the present invention comprises a mounting frame provided on one side with at least one coupling element for connecting the frame to a wall surface and further comprises a plurality of fingers extending away from the frame on a side thereof opposite the at least one coupling element. The fingers are spaced from each other to define a plurality of toothbrush-receiving slots and have upper surfaces that slope downwardly from free ends of the fingers towards the frame. The fingers are provided at a lower end, proximate the frame, with apertures for drainage of water from the upper surfaces. More particularly, the fingers are integral with each other at their lower ends and form a concave surface which in turn is provided with the drainage apertures.

As discussed above, the toothbrush holder may include a plurality of partitions each connected to a respective one of the fingers and to the frame so as to define a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments being provided with one of the toothbrush-receiving slots and a respective one of the apertures. The partitions divide the concave surface into a plurality of drainage surfaces continuous with respective ones of the fingers. Preferably, the fingers are thin arcuate panels concave on an upper side and convex on a lower side, the partitions being planar panels extending perpendicularly to the fingers.

This embodiment of a toothbrush holder optionally includes a cover member hingedly secured to the frame so as to pivot between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the cover member cooperates with at least the frame and the fingers to define a space enclosing bristled heads of toothbrushes inserted into the toothbrush-receiving slots. Where the toothbrush holder includes the partitions, the cover member cooperates with the frame, the fingers and the partitions to define multiple compartments enclosing the bristled heads of respective toothbrushes inserted into respective ones of the toothbrush-receiving slots. In the open position the cover member allows alternate insertion and removal of toothbrushes from respective ones of the toothbrush-receiving slots.

As discussed above, the cover member may be a section of a hemisphere. Where a section of a cylindrical collar is provided along one edge of the cover member, the frame has a major part of a semi-cylindrical flange juxtaposable to the collar section when the cover member is in the closed position.

This embodiment of the invention may include other features discussed above including a hinge, a cover lock, toothbrush-receiving slots of tapering widths, and a slidably removable connector member as part of the frame.

A toothbrush holder in accordance with the present invention is more compact and streamlined than the prior toothbrush holder. Concomitantly, the present toothbrush holder requires less material to manufacture. The holder is made from few parts that are easily injection molded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, top and left-side isometric view of a toothbrush holder in accordance with the present invention, showing the holder in an opened configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front, top and right-side isometric view of the toothbrush holder in the open configuration, showing toothbrushes inserted into the holder.

FIG. 3 is a front side elevational view of the toothbrush holder of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the open configuration.

FIG. 4 is a front side elevational view similar to FIG. 3, showing the holder with inserted toothbrushes.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the toothbrush holder of FIGS. 1-4, in the open configuration.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing toothbrushes in the holder.

FIG. 7 is a bottom, rear, right-side isometric view of the toothbrush holder of FIGS. 1-6, in the open configuration.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing toothbrushes in the holder.

FIG. 9 is a bottom, rear, left-side isometric view of the toothbrush holder of FIGS. 1-8, showing toothbrushes in the holder, which is in the open configuration.

FIG. 10 is a bottom, rear and right-side isometric view of the toothbrush holder of FIGS. 1-9, in a closed configuration.

FIG. 11 is a top, front, and right-side isometric view of the closed configuration of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top, front, and right-side isometric view similar to FIG. 11, showing toothbrushes in the holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A toothbrush holder 10 comprises a mounting frame or bracket 12 provided on a wall-facing or -contacting side 14 with two coupling elements 16 (FIGS. 8 and 9) in the form of downwardly open, vertically extending slots for connecting the frame to a wall surface. Coupling slots 16 receive the heads of respective nails or screws (not illustrated) that are fastened to the wall surface.

The toothbrush holder 10 further comprises a plurality of fingers 18 that extend away from frame 12 on a side thereof opposite wall-mounting coupling slots 16. Fingers 18 are spaced from each other to define a plurality of toothbrush-receiving slots 20.

Toothbrush holder 10 additionally comprises a cover member 22 swingably mounted to frame 12 for pivoting between a closed position shown in FIGS. 10-12 and an open position shown in FIGS. 1-9. Cover member 22 cooperates in the closed position with frame 12 and fingers 18 to define a space (not separately enumerated) enclosing bristled heads 124-126 of toothbrushes 127-129 (FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 12) inserted into the toothbrush-receiving slots 20. Cover member 22 when in the open position alternately allows insertion and removal of toothbrushes 127-129 from respective ones of the toothbrush-receiving slots 20.

Fingers 18 have upper surfaces 24 that slope downwardly from free ends 26 of the fingers towards frame 12. Fingers 18 are joined to each other at a lower end to form a generally semi-circular hub 28 adjacent frame 12. Hub 28 has a concavity or bowl-shaped surface 30 on an upper side. Fingers 12 are preferably provided at a lower end, proximate frame 12 and in the hub area 28 of fingers 18, with apertures 32 for draining water from concavity or cup-shaped surface 30 and accordingly from upper surfaces 24 of fingers 18.

Toothbrush holder 10 further comprises a plurality of partitions 34 each connected to a respective finger 18 and to frame 12 (via an elongate hub element 35) so as to define a plurality of toothbrush-head-receiving compartments 36. Each compartment 36 is provided with at least one aperture 32 so as to enable drainage from the respective compartment.

Accordingly, each compartment 36 has a respective toothbrush-receiving slot 20 and a respective aperture 32. Partitions 34 divide concave or bowl-shaped surface 30 into a plurality of drainage surfaces continuous with upper surfaces 24 of two adjacent fingers 18. Compartments 36 together form a composite space that encloses bristled heads 124-126 of toothbrushes 127-129, which are inserted into toothbrush-receiving slots 20. In the open position, cover member 12 allows alternate insertion and removal of toothbrushes 127-129 from the respective toothbrush-receiving slots 20.

Fingers 18 are thin arcuate panels concave on an upper side (surfaces 24) and convex on a lower side. Partitions 34 are planar panels extending perpendicularly to the fingers 18 and at various angles (45°, 90°, 45°) relative to frame 12.

Cover member 22 comprises a major portion of a half hemisphere with a section of a cylindrical collar 38 along one edge. Frame 12 is formed with a major portion of a semi-cylindrical flange 40 juxtaposed or adjacent to the collar section 38 when cover member 22 is in the closed position (FIGS. 9-12). A hinge 42 is connected on one side to collar section 38 and on another side to flange 40. In addition, collar section 38 and flange 40 are provided with cooperating snap-lock elements 44 and 46 on ends opposite the hinge.

Toothbrush-receiving slots 20 have outer end portions 48 away from frame 12 and inner end portions 50 proximate frame 12, where outer end portions 48 are wider than inner end portions 50.

Frame 12 includes a substantially planar plate 52, to which fingers 18 are attached along one side thereof. Plate 52 is formed with a pair of rails 54 (FIGS. 7, 9, 10) on a side opposite fingers 18. Frame 12 includes a connector member 56 (FIGS. 8 and 9) in the form of a hollow right-rectangular prism comprising a pair of nearly semi-circular parallel plates 58 and 60 joined to one another by a circular-section sidewall 62. Two sockets 64 and 66 are formed on plate 58 for slidably receiving rails 54, while screw-receiving coupling slots 16 are formed in plate 60.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A toothbrush holder comprising: a mounting frame provided on one side with at least one coupling element for connecting said frame to a wall surface; a plurality of fingers extending away from said frame on a side thereof opposite said at least one coupling element, said fingers being spaced from each other to define a plurality of toothbrush-receiving slots; and a cover member swingably mounted to said frame for pivoting between a closed position and an open position, said cover member in said closed position cooperating with said frame and said fingers to define a space enclosing bristled heads of toothbrushes inserted into said toothbrush-receiving slots, said cover member in said open position allowing alternate insertion and removal of toothbrushes from respective ones of said toothbrush-receiving slots.

2. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 1 wherein said fingers have upper surfaces that slope downwardly from free ends of said fingers towards said frame.

3. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 2 wherein said fingers are provided at a lower end, proximate said frame, with apertures for drainage of water from said upper surfaces.

4. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 3, further comprising a plurality of partitions each connected to a respective one of said fingers and to said frame so as to define a plurality of toothbrush-head-receiving compartments, each of said compartments being provided with a respective one of said apertures.

5. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 4 wherein said fingers are thin arcuate panels concave on an upper side and convex on a lower side, said partitions being planar panels extending perpendicularly to said fingers.

6. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 5 wherein said compartments are each defined on a lower side by upper surfaces of adjacent ones of said fingers and by the respective one of said toothbrush-receiving slots.

7. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 1 wherein said cover member comprises a section of a hemisphere with a section of a cylindrical collar along one edge, said frame having a section of a cylindrical flange juxtaposed or adjacent to said section of a semi-cylindrical collar when said cover member is in said closed position.

8. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 7 wherein a hinge is connected on one side to said section of a semi-cylindrical collar and on another side to said section of a semi-cylindrical flange.

9. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 8 wherein said section of a semi-cylindrical collar and said section of a semi-cylindrical flange are provided with cooperating snap-lock elements on ends opposite said hinge.

10. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 1 wherein said toothbrush-receiving slots have outer end portions away from said frame and inner end portions proximate said frame, said outer end portions being wider than said inner end portions.

11. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a substantially planar plate, said fingers being attached to said plate along one side thereof, said plate being formed with a pair of rails on a side opposite said fingers, said frame including a connector member receiving said rails on one side and provided with said at least one coupling element on an opposite side.

12. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling element is a slot for receiving a fastener on said wall surface.

13. A toothbrush holder comprising: a mounting frame provided on one side with at least one coupling element for connecting said frame to a wall surface; and a plurality of fingers extending away from said frame on a side thereof opposite said at least one coupling element, said fingers being spaced from each other to define a plurality of toothbrush-receiving slots, said fingers having upper surfaces that slope downwardly from free ends of said fingers towards said frame, said fingers being provided at a lower end, proximate said frame, with apertures for drainage of water from said upper surfaces.

14. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 13, further comprising a plurality of partitions each connected to a respective one of said fingers and to said frame so as to define a plurality of compartments, each of said compartments being provided with one of said toothbrush-receiving slots and a respective one of said apertures.

15. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 13 wherein said fingers are thin arcuate panels concave on an upper side and convex on a lower side, said partitions being planar panels extending perpendicularly to said fingers.

16. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 13, further comprising a cover member hingedly secured to said frame for pivoting between a closed position and an open position, said cover member in said closed position cooperating with said frame and said fingers to define a space enclosing bristled heads of toothbrushes inserted into said toothbrush-receiving slots, said cover member in said open position allowing alternate insertion and removal of toothbrushes from respective ones of said toothbrush-receiving slots.

17. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 16 wherein said cover member comprises a section of a hemisphere with a section of a cylindrical collar along one edge, said frame having a section of a cylindrical flange juxtaposed or adjacent to said section of a cylindrical collar when said cover member is in said closed position.

18. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 17 wherein a hinge is connected to said section of a cylindrical collar on one side and said section of a cylindrical flange on another side.

19. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 18 wherein said section of a cylindrical collar and said section of a cylindrical flange are provided with cooperating snap-lock elements on ends opposite said hinge.

20. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 13 wherein said toothbrush-receiving slots have outer end portions away from said frame and inner end portions proximate said frame, said outer end portions being wider than said inner end portions.

21. The toothbrush holder defined in claim 13 wherein said frame includes a substantially planar plate, said fingers being attached to said plate along one side thereof, said plate being formed with a pair of rails on a side opposite said fingers, said frame including a connector member receiving said rails on one side and provided with said at least one slot on an opposite side.