COMBINATION OF TOILET PAPER HOLDER AND DOOR HOOK HANGER

Present invention discloses a first single apparatus capable of serving as a toilet-tank-mounted toilet paper holder or a door hook hanger for a standard interior door, a second single apparatus capable of performing a clamping action and serving as a universal door hook hanger, and a third single apparatus capable of serving as a toilet-tank-mounted toilet paper holder or a universal door hook hanger for any door having a thickness not greater than that of standard interior door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1shows an elevation view of the first preferred embodiment of the toilet paper holder1of present invention. Toilet paper holder1comprises of a hook section2in the form of an up-side-down U hook2, and a holder section3in the form of a horizontal J hook3. U hook2comprises of a short vertical back plate4, a long vertical front plate5, and a horizontal top plate6integrally connected to top edges of back plate4and front plate5. The holder section3comprises of a horizontal bar7having a fixed end8integrally connected to a bottom edge9of front plate5, and a short vertical end plate10integrally connected to a free end11of horizontal bar7. End plate10rises straightly upward and slightly above horizontal bar7. Horizontal bar7has a longitudinal length slightly greater than that of the central hollow core of a toilet paper roll (not shown), and preferably a cross section with a relatively circular profile at top. Horizontal bar7receives toilet paper roll by inserting the central hollow core of toilet paper roll through end plate10, and end plate10serves as a stopper for preventing toilet paper roll from slipping out of horizontal bar7during storing or dispensing of toilet paper roll.

InFIG. 1, it is important to note that size of U hook2, i.e. size of the opening12of U hook2, is predetermined to be equivalent to door thickness of a standard interior door rather than wall thickness of a toilet tank. As previously discussed, it is found that such an over-sized U hook2(with respective to toilet tank wall) can be securely mounted onto toilet tank. Bar7and end plate10also form a horizontal J hook capable of hanging object such as garment or bath towel. As a result, the toilet paper holder1ofFIG. 1is capable of not only serving as a toilet-tank-mounted toilet paper holder for storing and dispensing toilet paper, but also serving as a door hook hanger for hanging garment or bath towel to a standard interior door.

Toilet paper holder1ofFIG. 1is provided with the following features, which are not clearly shown inFIG. 1, but are essential for using toilet paper holder1as a door hook hanger for a standard interior door:

(1). Top plate6is a relatively thin plate, and is placed immediately adjacent to top edge of door without clearance when U hook2is hung over top edge of door. As a result, top plate6does not hit against a door jamb upon attempted closing of door. (2). Back plate4is a relatively thin plate so that door is capable of being fully closed when U hook2is hung over the door with back plate4facing the closing direction of door. (3). Front plate5is a relatively thin plate so that door is capable of being fully closed when U hook2is hung over the door with front plate5facing the closing direction of door. (4). Toilet paper holder1is capable of hanging an object on either closing or opening side of door without preventing door from being fully closed.

FIG. 2shows an elevation view of the second preferred embodiment of the toilet paper holder13of present invention. Toilet paper holder13ofFIG. 2is identical to toilet paper holder1ofFIG. 1with one exception. The exception is that short vertical back plate14of U hook15is provided with a thread hole16for engaging to a tread bolt17. Thread bolt17is provided with an elongated thread stem18and a turning knob19. Thread hole16is preferably reinforced by a boss20integrally connected to and projected outwardly from an outer surface21of short vertical back plate14. Thread hole16is preferably reinforced because back plate14is preferably a thin plate. As a result, boss20increases the strength of thread engagement between thread hole16and thread bolt17. However, thread hole16can be installed without reinforcement or boss20if back plate14is provided with sufficient thickness. It is also commonly acknowledged in the field that, technically, a thread bolt is able to engage to a non-threaded through hole located in a relatively thin plate. Therefore, thread hole16and boss20may be replaced by a single non-threaded through hole for engaging to thread bolt17under conditions that back plate14is a relatively thin plate, and a reduced strength of such an engagement is acceptable.

By providing thread hole16and thread bolt17as described above, U hook15is capable of performing a clamping action when U hook15is hung over a door having thickness smaller than the size or opening22of U hook15. Clamping action is performed by engaging thread bolt17to thread hole16, and turning and forcibly tightening thread bolt17against door when door is positioned in internal space23of U hook15between front plate24and back plate14. By performing such a clamping action, toilet-tank-mounted toilet paper holder13ofFIG. 2may serve as a universal door hook hanger for various doors/walls having thickness smaller than thickness of a standard interior door, i.e. the predetermined size of U hook15.

Clearly, there is no need to engage thread bolt17to thread hole16for performing the clamping action when U hook15is hung over a standard interior door. In another word, holder13ofFIG. 2is capable of serving as a door hook hanger for hanging object on either opening or closing side of a standard interior door without performing the clamping action.

It is important to note that, when U hook15is hung over a door having thickness smaller than that of standard interior door, holder13ofFIG. 2may only serve as a door hook hanger for hanging object on the closing side of door. This is because front plate24of U hook15on the closing side of door needs to be positioned immediately adjacent to door without clearance after performing the clamping action. Otherwise, front plate24may hit against a door transom upon attempted closing of door, and thus prevents door from being fully closed.

FIG. 3shows an elevation view of the third preferred embodiment of the toilet paper holder25of present invention. Toilet paper holder25ofFIG. 3is identical to toilet paper holder1ofFIG. 1with one exception. The exception is that a thread hole26is provided in a front plate27of U hook28in lieu of a back plate29of U hook28. Thread bolt30is provided with an elongated thread stem31and a turning knob32. Thread hole26is preferably reinforced by a boss33integrally connected to and projected outwardly from the outer surface34of front plate27. However, if front plate27is provided with sufficient thickness, thread hole26can be directly installed at front plate27without reinforcement or boss33. It is also commonly acknowledged in the field that, technically, a thread bolt is able to engage to a non-threaded through hole located in a relatively thin plate. Therefore, thread hole26and boss33may be replaced by a single non-threaded through hole for engaging to thread bolt30under conditions that front plate27is a relatively thin plate, and a reduced strength of such an engagement is acceptable.

By providing thread hole26and thread bolt30as described above, U hook28is capable of performing a clamping action by engaging thread bolt30to thread hole26, and turning and forcibly tightening thread bolt30against door when U hook28is hung over top edge of door.

Clearly, U hook28has a size equivalent to thickness of a standard interior door, so that thread bolt30does not need to be engaged to thread hole26for performing the clamping action when U hook28is hung over a standard interior door. In another word, holder25ofFIG. 3is capable of serving as a door hook hanger for hanging object on either opening or closing side of a standard interior door without performing the clamping action.

It is important to note that, when U hook28is hung over a door having thickness smaller than that of standard interior door, holder25ofFIG. 3may only serve as a door hook hanger for hanging object on the opening side of door. This is because back plate29of U hook28on the closing side of door needs to be positioned immediately adjacent to door without clearance after performing the clamping action. Otherwise, back plate29may hit against a door transom upon attempted closing of door, and thus prevents door from being fully closed.

FIG. 4shows an elevation view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the toilet paper holder35of present invention. Toilet paper holder35is a combination of toilet paper holder13(FIG. 2) and toilet paper holder25(FIG. 3), in which, identical thread holes36and37are provided in short vertical back plate38and long vertical front plate39respectively. Thread bolt40is provided for engaging to one of thread holes36and37for performing the clamping action. Thread holes36and37are preferably reinforced by bosses41and42respectively, which project outwardly from U hook43. However, thread hole36or37can be directly installed at back plate38or front plate39without reinforcement (boss41or boss42) if back plate38or front plate39is provided with sufficient thickness. It is also commonly acknowledged in the field that, technically, a thread bolt is able to engage to a non-threaded through hole located in a relatively thin plate. Therefore, thread hole36and reinforcing boss41, or thread hole37and reinforcing boss42may be replaced by a single non-threaded through hole for engaging to thread bolt40under conditions that back plate38or front plate39is a relatively thin plate, and a reduced strength of such an engagement is acceptable.

By providing thread hole36, thread hole37, and thread bolt40as described above, U hook43is capable of performing a clamping action by engaging thread bolt40to one of thread holes36and37, and turning and forcibly tightening thread bolt40against door when U hook43is hung over top edge of door.

By performing the clamping action, holder35ofFIG. 4is capable of serving as a door hook hanger for hanging object on either opening or closing side of a door, which has a thickness smaller than that of standard interior door.

For example, if it is desirable to use holder35for hanging object on the opening side of door, clamping action is performed by engaging thread bolt40to thread hole37at front plate39, so that back plate38of U hook43on the closing side of door can be positioned immediately adjacent to door without clearance after performing the clamping action. Otherwise, back plate38may hit against a door transom upon attempted closing of door, and thus prevents door from being fully closed.

For another example, if it is desirable to use holder35for hanging object on the closing side of door, clamping action is performed by engaging thread bolt40to thread hole36at back plate38, so that front plate39of U hook43on the closing side of door can be positioned immediately adjacent to door without clearance after performing the clamping action. Otherwise, front plate39may hit against a door transom upon attempted closing of door, and thus prevents door from being fully closed.

Clearly, U hook43has a size equivalent to thickness of a standard interior door, so that thread bolt40does not need to be engaged to any of thread holes36and37for performing the clamping action when U hook43is hung over a standard interior door. In another word, holder35ofFIG. 4is capable of serving as a door hook hanger for hanging object on either opening or closing side of a standard interior door without performing the clamping action.

Under condition that thread holes36and37are reinforced by bosses41and42respectively, thread holes36and37shall be adequately distanced from top edges44and45of back plate38and front plate39respectively. As a result, thread holes36and37are at a height below that of a door transom when U hook43is hung over top edge of door, so that boss41or42on the closing side of door can't possibly hit against the door transom upon attempted closing of door, and thus enables door to be fully closed.

Clearly, toilet paper holder35ofFIG. 4is capable of serving as a door hook hanger for hanging object on either opening or closing side of a door, which has a thickness not greater than that of a standard interior door. Therefore, toilet paper holder35ofFIG. 4is considered the most versatile toilet paper holder among all the toilet paper holders as disclosed by present invention.

It is understood that the above preferred embodiments of present invention are intended for demonstrating the scope of present invention. Therefore, they may be subjected to variations or modifications without exceeding the scope of present invention. For example, referring toFIG. 2,3or4, the stern end of thread bolt (17,30or40) may be provided with a means for detachably connecting to a snap-on or screw-on cap made of soft material after thread bolt being rotated into the internal space of U hook through the responding thread hole (16,26,36or37), so that soft end cap makes a larger area contact with door surface when thread bolt is forcibly tightened against door during the clamping action. As a result, thread bolt can't possibly shift position or damage door surface when it is forcibly tightened. Such a snap-on or screw-on cap is not shown inFIG. 2,3or4for purpose of simplifying demonstration of the scope of present invention, but is considered within the scope of present invention.