Hygienic Toothbrush Holder

Abstract

A hygienic toothbrush holder with a structural plane having a top surface and a bottom surface and having at least one variable size opening and at least one fastener opening. The fastener opening is capable of removable attachment to a plurality of fixtures with the at least one variable size opening and the at least one fastener opening are disposed on said structural plane. Furthermore the present invention teaches the use of tubular inserts having openings on both ends for unobstructed air circulation. The invention may be mounted onto a wall fixture, attached directly to a support surface or set on a support stand.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims prior of a U.S. Patent No. 61/962,816 filed on Nov. 18, 2013, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hygienic toothbrush holder. The present invention also relates to a utility adapter that effectively extends the use of bathroom fixtures. The device also reduces vanity top clutter and promotes overall family harmony, as everyone's oral hygiene devices are securely tucked away in their own individual niches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toothbrush handles have evolved into larger sizes to facilitate easier manipulation in brushing different areas of the mouth. Varieties now include arthritic handles, handles that hide bristle motors and batteries, as well as a multitude of visually stimulating handles taking on shapes that appeal to younger brushers. As a result, a great number of these handles no longer fit the traditional wall mounted toothbrush holders or the newer counter top holders. Consequently, toothbrushes often wind up placed haphazardly in unhygienic locations.

To demonstrate that there is a present and unfulfilled need for an apparatus embodied by the present invention, one need only go online to see the numerous attempts to find a solution to store the displaced toothbrushes. The present solutions introduce aesthetically pleasing approaches, all of which fail to address the problems that are addressed by the present invention. Current research reveals some of the better attempts at a solution in a form of toy like toothbrush holders, placed randomly on the working surface of sink vanities. While they promise to accommodate multi-sized toothbrushes, they are often instable, allow unhygienic contact between the brushes, and frequently take up too much space on the counter top. Also, these make the wall fixture, which may already be installed, appear useless and out of place.

The present invention therefore, introduces the solution embodied in the hygienic tooth brush holder. This holder may be mounted onto an existing fixture by a sink, which securely holds any size brush, while still providing a utility space for a rinsing glass. The solution described in the present invention does not sacrifice hygiene by keeping significant distance between each individual toothbrush. The brushes are also held in such a fashion as allow them to dry properly in unobstructed air. For the first time a toothbrush holder can be truly hygienic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,030 discloses a toothbrush holder adapter having, an elongated body, an insertion member extending downwardly from a first end of the body to be inserted into a hole of a standard toothbrush holder and an opening at a second end of the body for receiving at least a portion of a toothbrush handle. The insertion member preferably includes extensions or fins to engage the interior of the opening of a standard toothbrush holder.

A U.S. Pat. No. 8,651,290 discloses a device and method to organize a plurality of toothbrushes to promote sanitary toothbrush drying and storing. This device allows the user to insert a toothbrush into the holder after use. The user will align the bristles of the toothbrush so that the bristle portion of the brush is facing down and plumb relative the horizon to allow the toothbrush to air-dry. The holder can be configured with multiple receiver members to store multiple toothbrushes while preventing cross-contamination. One embodiment features a toothbrush holder affixed to a wall while a second embodiment features a freestanding toothbrush holder. This device may also incorporate a cup holder, or a loop portion with an aperture disposed therein, The base of the holder may take various shapes and sizes. The holder may be flush-mounted, or may feature a mounting offset between the mounted surface and the receiver plate to aid in securing the toothbrush.

Yet another device described in Pub. No.: US 2005/0279663, demonstrates a toothbrush holder assembly for storing and sanitizing a toothbrush. The assembly comprises a holder compartment and a support platform. In use, a disinfectant solution is poured into the holder compartment and the toothbrush head is immersed in the disinfectant solution. The assembly can be adapted for mounting on a wall or on a horizontal surface.

Therefore, it is apparent that there are various implements are known in the art, all of which fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Hygienic Toothbrush Holder is an attachment that connects to existing wall mounted toothbrush fixtures. It consists of a wing extension that attaches to the original holder by two or more screws. The screws pass through the existing fixture holes (where the toothbrush would normally fit, or air openings) into the wing extension. This holds the Hygienic Toothbrush Holder firmly in place. The new holder now extends laterally past the original fixture holder on both the left and right sides. In each extended area are two variable size openings, two on the right and two on the left. There may be more openings, if desired. Each variable size opening, carries a tubular 3½″ long insert. The diameter of the inserts is sufficient to accommodate all modern toothbrush handles. Each insert has a stop, at its bottom, to prevent the toothbrush from slipping through. Also each insert is removable for easy cleaning. The design of this holder retains each brush in an upright position for proper separation so they do not touch each other, and to allow for adequate drying. Similar designs can be manufactured to accommodate six to eight toothbrushes simultaneously. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of storing toothbrushes hygienically.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a way to toothbrushes in size and in number not supported by existing devices.

It is another object of the present invention to create an adapter to extend the utility of an existing wall fixture and to leave the vanity counter tops uncluttered.

Yet another objective is to provide a device that permits easy removal of toothbrush holders for easy cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the present invention having a fixture cutout.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment shown in FIG. 2 but with multiple variable sized openings.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of shown in FIG. 1 having multiple variably sized openings.

FIG. 5 is showing an assembly of the present invention together with tubular inserts, a fixture and extensions.

FIG. 6 is showing the present invention demonstrating different permutations of the variable sized openings.

FIGS. 7A, 7B demonstrate a tubular insert having flange forming an opening into a hollow orifice, which in turns leads to a second opening.

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the will fixture showing how a soap dish fixture can double as a toothbrush holder when combined with the device embodied in the present invention.

FIG. 9 demonstrates how a device can be mounted onto a wall with a bracket.

FIG. 10 is an exploded diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an embodiment of the present invention as a sink vanity stand.

FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing conversion between embodiments mounted on a wall or fixture, to a stand mounted embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be hunted thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a toothbrush holder designed to accommodate a plurality of different toothbrush handles. Shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 are similar embodiments of the present invention having components a hygienic toothbrush holder 10, a structural plane 20, a top surface 30, a bottom surface 35, a variable size opening 40, and fastener openings 50.

The hygienic toothbrush holder 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a structural plane 20, having a top surface 30 and a bottom surface 35. The structural plane 20 is preferably a flat surface shaped as a rectangle, with the longer sides 21 facing a wall and fixture 60 (FIGS. 5 and 6), and with shorter sides 22 being substantially perpendicular to the fixture 60. The structural plane 20 may be made of a plurality of materials, such as but not limited to wood, metal, metallic alloy, aluminum, iron, stone, a material derived from composites or a resins, rubber, ivory, or porcelain.

The top and bottom surfaces 30 and 35 are preferably machined or sanded to perfect smoothness or even reflective sheen. Alternatively, these surfaces 30 and 35 can take on diverse texture and coatings, such as but not limited to wave, sandpaper, small scale gravel, enamel, paint or die. The structural plane 20 need not be as rectangle but may be shaped as a circle, a square, an ellipse, a parallelogram, or any other shapes. The thickness 42 it ay preferably be between 1/16 of an inch and ¼ of an inch to provide sufficient rigidity and structural strength. The width 43 may be between 1.5 inches and 4 inches.

FIGS. 1 and 4 demonstrate the existence of at least one variable size opening 40 disposed or situated within the structural plane 20. FIG. 1 shows two variable size openings 40 along each short side 22. In FIG. 4, one short side 22 contains four variable size openings 40, while the other side 22 contains two additional variable size openings 40. Any number and placement of variable sized openings 40 can be possible. The inner wall 43 of the variable size opening 40 may be sloping, making the variable sized opening conical. Such conical inner wall 43 may be desirable to introduce traction with a tubular insert 70 (FIG. 5), or to accommodate a conical insert (not shown).

The at least one fastener opening 50 is shown in a single row with two sections of fastener openings 50, with four such openings in each section. This configuration is optimal for fitting multiple sizes and shapes of bathroom fixtures 60. Additional fastener openings 50 can be created to accommodate a greater number and styles of fixtures. The fastener openings 50 accept fasteners 55 (FIG. 5) and may be smooth bored or threaded so that the fastener 55 may be secured within such a fastener veiling 50 and removed if required. The fastener 55 may be secured by the thread within the opening 50, or by using a nut secured to the portion of the fastener 55 that clear the combined thickness of the fixture 60 and the structural plane 20. The present invention may also utilize pin fasteners, male to female connectors and snap connectors. FIG. 1 also shows a fastener opening 41 within a recess 45, designed to accept extension sections 160. The fastener opening 41 and 50 may be of the same or different diameters.

FIGS. 2 and 3 demonstrate another embodiment of the structural plane 20. Shown in these figures are a hygienic toothbrush holder 10, a structural plane 20, a top surface 30, a bottom surface 35, variable size openings 40, the fastener opening 41, recess 45, the fastener openings 50 and a cutout 140. The purpose of the cutout 140 is to form a slot around a fixture 60. As will be shown in later figures, some wall fixtures do not have a flat underside, but rather form a wedge that is thickest at its attachment point with the wall 61 and thinnest at the outer edge 62 (FIG. 5). This is especially true with earthenware or assembled fixtures, as the underside provides additional structural rigidity or a mount point (not shown) for the rest of the fixture 60. The cutout 140 therefore accommodates such variable, thickness or a mount point. The structural plane 20, shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, can be converted into the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by providing a knockout section a by perforating an outline of a cutout 140. Such perforated or etched line can be used to create variable sized cutouts 140 to snugly fit around different models and types of fixtures 60.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an attachment of a structural plane 20 onto a typical fixture 60. The fixture shown is the type designed to serve as a storage for toothbrushes and a rinsing cup. However, any other type of fixture can be used as well. Shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are a hygienic toothbrush holder 10, a structural plane 20, a top surface 30, a bottom surface 35, variable size openings 40, fastener openings 41, recesses 45, fastener openings 50, a fixture 60, a tubular insert 70, a flange 80, an opening 90, a hollow orifice 100, a utility space 130, a cutout 140, and an extension section 160.

As will be further illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the tubular inserts 70 have a flange 80, which forms an opening 90 into the hollow orifice 100 of the tubular insert 70. The tubular inserts 70 are shown inserted within the variable size opening 40. The flange 80 in FIG. 6 clearly demonstrates how it catches the lip 81 of the variable sized opening 40 to prevent the tubular insert 70 from falling through. In particular, the variable size opening 80A is substantially square, yet the flange 80 of a substantially tubular insert 70 is still able to be housed within such opening. FIG. 5 shows the variable sized openings 40 and the tubular inserts 70 as being substantially the same size. However, both the opening and the inserts 40 and 70 respectively can vary in size and shape as demonstrated in FIG. 6. In addition, there is no requirement for tubular inserts 70 to be tubular. Instead, tubular inserts 70 may be shaped as rectangular cuboids as shown.

The tubular inserts 70 are shown with cross sectional diameter 83 being uniform throughout the length of the insert 70. Therefore the flange 80 is required to catch the lip 81 of the top surface 30 in order to keep the tubular insert 70 in a suspended state. Alternatively, the cross sectional diameter 83 can be shorter or narrower at the bottom 72, which would make the insert 70 conical. A conical tubular insert (not shown) need not have a flange 80. Instead, the wider top section 73 can eventually wedge itself within the variable size opening 40. Some friction between the tubular insert 70 and the lip 81 may be desirable in cases where a toothbrush handle snugly fits inside the hollow orifice 100. The friction will prevent a user from pulling out the entire insert 70 together with his or her toothbrush.

FIGS. 5 and 6 demonstrate the difference between the toothbrush openings 63 of a conventional fixture and the variable size openings 40 of the present invention. Toothbrush openings 63 are too small to accommodate an ergonomic handle. On the other hand, the variable size opening 40 can be made into various shapes designed for specific types of brushes. For example the biggest opening 80B in FIG. 6, may be used for a power toothbrush.

Still in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fasteners 55 are used to attach the structural plane 20 to the underside 65 of the fixture 60. Installation does not require any drilling or modification of an existing fixture since the fastener 55 uses and existing opening 63 to access the fastener opening 50 of the structural plane 20. A washer 56 may be used in instances where the opening 63 is especially wide. The underside mounting is preferred, since it leaves the utility space 130 unobstructed. The flexibility of having multiple fastener openings 50 is used to accommodate a variety of different fixtures having different utilities without having to drill or otherwise customize either the fixture 60 or the structural plane 20.

In FIG. 5, a user wishing to gain additional toothbrush storage may attach extension sections 160 to the structural plane 20. The extension sections 160 may be attached with a fastener 55 though the fastener opening 41 in the recess 45, and an analogous opening on the tongue 162 of the extension section 160. The presence of the tongue 162 is not required, but is preferred as it makes the connection with the structural plane 20 entirely flush.

The tubular insert 70 is preferably between 2 inches and 3.5 inches in length 76 and about ¾ of an inch to 1.5 inches in diameter. As shown in earlier figures, the cross-section 83 may be elliptical, triangular, rectangular or a combination of such shapes. As seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the tubular insert 70 contains a hollow orifice 100 for admitting a handle of a toothbrush. The toothbrush may be inserted handle first or bristles first. The hollow orifice 100 preferably contains the opening 90 and the second opening 110. This configuration enables air to circulate and to flow freely from one open end to the other. Having two substantially open ends also assists in cleaning the insert 70. The stop 120 serves to secure a toothbrush in a suspended state within the tubular insert 70 without abstracting the air flow. The stop may be located at the second opening 110 or anywhere along the length of the hollow orifice 100. There may be one or several stops 120 or the second opening 110 may simply contain a perforated cover. The tubular insert 70 can be made from any natural or manmade materials and may be rigid or flexible.

FIG. 8 demonstrates how a present invention can be used to turn a soap dish 60 into toothbrush holder without modifying or customizing the soap dish. The utility surface 130 of the soap dish 60 would not have openings for toothbrushes. However, frequently soap dishes conic with drainage openings 64, which can be used to mate the fixture 60 with the structural plane 20 using a fastener. The existence of multiple fastener openings 50 enables a user to avoid modifying or customizing the structural plane 20 to adapt it to the fixture 60.

FIG. 9 shows how the device embodied in the present invention can be adopted to mount directly onto a wall. The utility area 130 may be just a flat surface as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The utility areas in FIGS. 1-4 may also be indented to provide for a setup where the structural plane 20 is mounted above the fixture 60 (to the top surface of the fixture 60). The indentation would then provide the utility surface 130. In FIG. 9, the utility surface 130 is shown as to raised surface to keep moisture on any rinsing cup away from the stored brushes. The rear long side 22 reveals a connector 190 that is able to slide onto the wall bracket 180 with rails 192. The wall bracket 180 is shown as fastened to a support structure such as a wall with fasteners 185. The precise configuration of the connector 190 and the wall bracket 180 may vary in shape and appearance. The embodiment that is shown in FIG. 9 with raised utility surface 130 may be installed on a fixture 60 if the surface 130 is not raised, or may alternatively be mounted directly onto a wall using the bracket 180 and the connector 190. Essentially the same structural plane component 20 may be mounted on a support stand, as demonstrated on FIG. 12, with the fastener openings 50 being used to attach the structural plane 20 to the support stand 170 (FIGS. 11 and 12). The same structural plane 20 with inserts 70 and utility surface 130 may be used to be mounted directly onto a wall with a bracket 180. This demonstrates the universal application of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded diagram of the present invention. Shown are a hygienic toothbrush holder 10, a structural plane 20, a top surface 30, a bottom surface 35, variable size openings 40, fastener openings 41, recessed areas 45, fastener openings 50, fasteners 55, washers 56 a fixture 60, a tubular insert 70, a bottom end 72 and a top portion 73, a flange 80, a utility space 130, a cutout 140, an extension section 160, and an attachment tongue 162. While the embodiment having the cutout 140 is shown, and embodiment as pictured in FIGS. 1 and 4 can similarly be attached to the fixture 60. The surfaces 30 and 35 of the structural plane 20 and of the extension section 160 may be the same or different, or may be the same or different colors.

FIGS. 11 and 12 demonstrate the embodiment of the present invention as mounted on a support stand. The structural plane 20 may be assembled as part of the support stand 170, having permanent legs 172 and other structural features 173. As such, the present invention does not sacrifice the hygienic value of the tubular inserts 70 as the opening 90 and the second opening 110 are unobstructed in either embodiment, allowing free and unobstructed circulation of air. In FIG. 12 the stand 170 may be attached to the structural plane 20 with fasteners 55, with male female connecters, or with bracket and rail engagement or with any other coupling mechanism.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hygienic toothbrush holder comprising:

a structural plane having a top surface and a bottom surface;

at least one opening, said at least one opening haying a plurality of sizes;

at least one fastener opening; wherein said at least one fastener opening is capable of removable attachment to a plurality of fixtures;

wherein said at least one opening, and said at least one fastener opening are disposed on said structural plane; and

at least one tubular insert having a stop; said tubular insert having an opening into a hollow orifice; said hollow orifice having a second opening; wherein said tubular insert is capable of being inserted into said at least one opening; and

wherein said tubular insert, is capable of being retained in a suspended state within said opening.

2. (canceled)

3. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 1, further comprising a utility space on said top surface.

4. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 1, wherein said stop removably holds a toothbrush in a suspended state within said tubular insert.

5. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 1, wherein said structural plane further comprises a cutout, said cutout being disposed along a long side of said structural plane; and wherein said cutout forming a slot around a wall fixture.

6. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 1, wherein said structural plane further comprises a cutout, said cutout being disposed along a long side of said structural plane; wherein said cutout forming a slot along a longer side of said structural plane; wherein said slot surrounds a wall fixture; and wherein said structural plane is mounted on said wall fixture with fasteners connecting to an aperture on said wall fixture and said fastener opening.

7. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 6,

wherein said at least one fastener opening aligning with at least one opening of said wall fixture.

8. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 1, further comprising an extension section; said extension section having said at least one opening; and wherein said extension section is capable of being attached to said structural plane.

9. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 1, further comprising an extension section; said extension section having said at least one opening; and wherein said extension section is capable of being attached to said structural plane.

10. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 1, capable of removably connecting to a support stand; said support stand coupled with said structural plane with fasteners mounted into said at least one fastener opening.

11. A hygienic toothbrush holder comprising:

a structural plane having a top surface and a bottom surface;

at least one opening, said at least one opening having a plurality of sizes;

wherein said at least one opening is disposed on said structural plane;

at least one tubular insert; said at least one tubular insert having a flange forming an opening into a hollow orifice; said hollow orifice comprising a second opening; wherein said tubular insert is capable of being inserted into said at least one opening; and wherein said flange is capable of catching onto said top surface to retain said tubular insert in a suspended state; and

a wall bracket; wherein said structural plane contains at least one connector for removably attaching to said wall bracket.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 11, further comprising at least one fastener opening disposed on said structural plane; wherein said at least one fastener opening can be used to attach said structural plane to a wall fixture by a fastener joining, an aperture in said wall fixture to said at least one fastener opening.

15. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 11, wherein said tubular insert further comprises a stop; said stop retaining an object in a suspended state within said hollow orifice.

16. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 11, further comprising a utility space on said top surface.

17. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 11, further comprising an extension section; said extension having said at least one opening; wherein said opening haying a plurality of sizes: and wherein said extension section is capable of being attached to said structural plane.

18. The hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 14, capable of removably connecting to a support stand; said support stand coupled to said structural plane with fasteners mounted into said at least one fastener opening.

19. A universal hygienic toothbrush holder comprising:

a structural plane having a top surface and a bottom surface;

at least one opening, said at least one opening having a plurality of sizes;

wherein said at least one opening is disposed on said structural plane; and

a support stand for said structural plane;

at least one tubular insert; said tubular insert having a flange forming an opening into a hollow orifice; said hollow orifice comprising a second opening; wherein said tubular insert is capable of being inserted into said at least one opening; and wherein said flange is capable of catching onto said top surface to retain said tubular insert in a suspended state within said at least one opening.

20. The universal hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 19, wherein said opening into said hollow orifice and a sidewall of said tubular insert having a plurality of sizes.

21. The universal hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 19, wherein said tubular insert further comprises a stop for retaining an object in a suspended state within said hollow orifice.

22. The universal hygienic toothbrush holder of claim 19, further comprising an extension section; said extension section having said at least one opening; and wherein said extension section is capable of being attached to said structural plane.