Abstract:
An apparatus for securing bathroom accessories including a housing operatively arranged to engage a shower head pipe, the housing including an opening and a locking member rotatably secured to the housing, the locking member operatively arranged to close the opening of the housing. An apparatus for securing bathroom accessories including a first substantially c-shaped member, a second substantially c-shaped member fixedly secured to the first substantially c-shaped member, a resilient member arranged between the first substantially c-shaped member and the second substantially c-shaped member. The resilient member is operatively arranged to surround a shower head pipe and prevent the first substantially c-shaped member and the second substantially c-shaped member from slipping.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention broadly relates to securement devices, and more particularly, to lockable devices for securing bathroom storage and organizers to shower head pipes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hanging bathroom accessories exist for providing bathroom storage and organization. Some accessories provide a convenient place to hang a bath towel or robe. Other accessories provide a convenient place to neatly organize shampoos, conditioners, body washes, loofahs, and other bathing necessities, such as bars of soap. Some hanging bathroom accessories are securable to flat surfaces, such as walls and doors, using suction cups. Other hanging bathroom accessories are arranged to hang on shower heads, doors, and walls. Such hanging bathroom accessories are typically sealed to be protected against rust and/or deterioration. Additionally, such hanging bathroom accessories are typically slip-resistant so that they do not inadvertently veer from their desired hanging position. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,764 (F.S. Briles) discloses a shower pipe hanger which is arranged to be secured to a bent portion of a pipe. As described and shown in  FIG. 5  of the patent, the hanger includes separate upper and lower body sections which are interengaged about the pipe. Unfortunately, the upper and/or the lower body sections can become misplaced since they are not integral. The shower pipe hanger disclosed in the &#39;764 patent does not include an integral locking member which is simply rotatable about the pipe. 
         [0004]    United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0188880 (Yang et al.) discloses a shelving system configured as a shower caddy or organizer. The shower caddy disclosed includes an openable loop mechanism which is securable to a shower head pipe to support the weight of the caddy. The openable loop mechanism is closed by means of hinges or a pivot connection. The caddy also discloses a resilient member on at least a portion of an inner periphery of the loop mechanism shaped to fit snugly around a standard shower head pipe. The resilient member prevents movement between the pipe and the caddy. Unfortunately, the caddy does not include an integral locking member which is simply rotatable about a pipe. Additionally, the caddy does not include a resilient member which can accommodate pipes having a variety of angles and widths. 
         [0005]    United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0224011 (Chang) discloses a shower caddy attachment device which is securable only to a linear portion of a shower head pipe. The attachment device has a lower clamp that is pivotally connected to the hook or loop surrounding the pipe. Unfortunately, the attachment device does not include an integral locking member which is simply rotatable about a pipe. Additionally, the attachment device cannot be secured to angled pipes. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a long felt need for a securement device that is easily securable to a shower pipe and includes an integral locking member that simply rotates about the pipe. There is also a long-felt need for a securement device that can be effectively secured to most pipes regardless of pipe angle or pipe width. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is an apparatus for securing bathroom accessories including a housing operatively arranged to engage a shower head pipe, the housing including an opening and a locking member rotatably secured to the housing, the locking member operatively arranged to close the opening of the housing. 
         [0008]    The present invention is also an apparatus for securing bathroom accessories including a first substantially c-shaped member, a second substantially c-shaped member fixedly secured to the first substantially c-shaped member, and a resilient member arranged between the first substantially c-shaped member and the second substantially c-shaped member. The resilient member is operatively arranged to surround a shower head pipe and prevent the first substantially c-shaped member and the second substantially c-shaped member from slipping. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for securing bathroom accessories including a housing operatively arranged to engage a shower head pipe, the housing including an outer member, an inner member and a resilient member arranged between the outer member and the inner member and a locking member rotatably secured to the housing. The locking member is concentric with the housing. 
         [0010]    It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a securement device that is easily securable to a shower pipe and includes an integral locking member that simply rotates about the pipe. 
         [0011]    It is a general object of the present invention to provide a device that secures to most shower head pipes regardless of pipe angle and/or width as it exits from the shower wall. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the invention to provide a device which relies on the position of its offset rubber contact surfaces and weight for securing bathroom storage devices and organizers. 
         [0013]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a left perspective view of an apparatus of the present invention, showing the device securing a bathroom accessory; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  is a right perspective view of an apparatus shown in  FIG. 1A , showing the device securing the bathroom accessory shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a partial exploded elevational perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded elevational perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a right side elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top plan elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the apparatus in an unlocked position; and, 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 9  with the shower head pipe partially surrounded by the resilient member of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspect. The present invention is intended to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0029]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0030]    Adverting now to the figures,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show perspective views of apparatus  100  secured to shower head pipe  1 . Shower head pipe  1  is shown exiting wall  3  at a downward angle. It should be appreciated that shower head pipe  1  could be any type of pipe, for example, an s-shaped extension shower arm, a straight arm, or a bent arm. As discussed below, apparatus  100  is structured to be securable to any shower head pipe regardless of the angle at which the pipe exits a shower wall. Additionally, as discussed below, apparatus  100  is arranged to be securable around most pipes. Apparatus  100  is shown supporting typical shower caddy  2 ; apparatus  100  is in the locked position. Apparatus  100  broadly includes outer member  101 , locking member  102 , leg  103 A, leg  103 B, and pin  104 . 
         [0031]    Pin  104  connects legs  103 A and  103 B between aperture  105  and aperture  106 . Aperture  105  is arranged within leg  103 A and aperture  106  is arranged within leg  103 B. In a preferred embodiment, apertures  105  and  106  are substantially similar and parallel to accommodate pin  104 . In a preferred embodiment, apertures  105  and  106  are circular. Pin  104  is a typical slotted screw; however, it should be appreciated that any suitable screw is contemplated. Pin  104  is offset from shower head pipe  3  so that shower caddy  2  can hang vertically regardless of the bend in shower head pipe  3 . 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, outer member  101 , locking member  102 , leg  103 A and leg  103 B are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. Pin  104  is made of any suitable metal. As shown in  FIG. 1B , when apparatus  100  is in the locked position, outer member  101  is still open proximate opening  110 D. Apparatus  100  further includes inner member  109 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of apparatus  100  as it appears in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Resilient member  108  surrounds shower head pipe  3 . Inner diameter ID of resilient member  108  is arranged to engage shower head pipe  3 . Once apparatus  100  is secured around shower head pipe  3 , the downward force applied by apparatus  100  prevents apparatus  100  from moving or slipping around or along shower head pipe  3 . In the locked position, locking member  102  prevents apparatus  100  from disengaging with shower head pipe  3 . Resilient member  108  is arranged between outer member  101  and inner member  109 . Resilient member  108  is preferably made of rubber; however, any suitable alternative can be used. 
         [0034]    Apparatus  100  is shown in  FIG. 3A  with pin  104  removed from apertures  105  and  106 . To secure apparatus  100  to shower caddy  2 , shower caddy  2  includes through-bore  2 A proximate the top of caddy  2  to receive pin  104 . Once through-bore  2 A of shower caddy  2  is aligned with apertures  105  and  106 , pin  104  can be slid through through-bore  2 A of shower caddy  2  and secured. In  FIG. 3A , in order to arrange apparatus  100  around shower head pipe  3 , locking member  102  is rotated clockwise approximately 90 degrees in the direction shown. The direction of rotation of locking member  102  is also shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3B  shows an exploded view of apparatus  100  without pin  104 . As described above, resilient member  108  is arranged between outer member  101  and inner member  109 . Apparatus  100  includes openings  110 A,  110 B,  110 C and  110 D. Opening  110 A is arranged within outer member  101 . Opening  110 B is arranged within inner member  109 . Opening  110 C is arranged within resilient member  108 . Opening  110 D is arranged within locking member  102 . As shown, opening  110 D is not aligned with openings  110 A,  110 B and  110 C because locking member  102  is rotated in the locked position. When locking member  102  is rotated clockwise approximately 90 degrees (as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ), opening  110 D is aligned with openings  110 A,  110 B and  110 C. When openings  110 A,  110 B,  110 C and  110 D are aligned, apparatus  100  can be positioned around shower head pipe  3 . 
         [0036]    Plurality of protrusions  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  118 , preferably seven protrusions, are arranged within outer member  101  to penetrate plurality of holes  119 ,  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  124  and  125  in resilient member  108 ; there are preferably seven holes within resilient member  108 . Plurality of protrusions  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  118  are arranged to engage plurality of hollow members  126 ,  128 ,  129 ,  130 ,  131 ,  132  and  133  within inner member  109 . Plurality of hollow members  126 ,  128 ,  129 ,  130 ,  131 ,  132  and  133  are correspondingly shaped to receive plurality of protrusions  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  118 . Preferably, plurality of protrusions  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  118  are cylindrical and plurality of hollow members  126 ,  128 ,  129 ,  130 ,  131 ,  132  and  133  each include a cylindrical recess to accommodate plurality of protrusions  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  118  which are cylindrical. Both outer member  101  and inner member  109  are preferably made of ABS plastic. Outer member  101  is securable to inner member  109  with resilient member  108  there between by ultrasonic welding, preferably. It should be appreciated that outer member  101  and inner member  109  could be secured by any other suitable means. 
         [0037]    Preferably, locking member  102  is rotatably secured to outer member  101  via a tongue and groove mechanism. Locking member  102  includes extension  136  which is slidable along arcuate channel  137  within outer member  101 . Extension  136  and arcuate channel  137  limit the rotation of locking member  102  with respect to outer member  101 . As locking member  102  is rotated clockwise 90 degrees, extension  136  slides upward along arcuate channel  137 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , resilient member  108  is angled with respect to longitudinal axis A. Inner contour  101 A of outer member  101  and inner contour  140  of inner member  109  are also angled with respect to longitudinal axis A. Resilient member  108  has outer contour  134  which is substantially planar in the plane which is perpendicular with respect to longitudinal axis A. Resilient member  108  also has inner contour  135 . Preferably, inner contour  135  of resilient member  108  has offset contact surfaces. In other words, preferably, inner contour  135  is not substantially planar in the plane which is perpendicular with respect to longitudinal axis A. The offset contact surfaces of resilient member  108  are formed by angled planar surface  108 A and substantially U-shaped lip  108 B (see  FIG. 8 ). U-shaped lip  108 B is oriented in substantially the same way as outer member  101  and inner member  109 . In other words, the “open” portion of U-shaped lip  108 B is aligned with openings  110 A and  110 B. Angled planar surface  108 A forms opening  110 C whereas U-shaped lip  108 B is nonexistent proximate opening  110 C. Adverting back to  FIG. 3B , the bottom half of angled planar surface  108 A of resilient member  108  is angled towards locking member  102 ; whereas the top half of angled planar surface  108 A is angled away from locking member  102 . The bottom of inner contour  101 A of outer member  102  is also angled towards locking member  102 ; whereas the top of inner contour  101 A of outer member  102  is angled away from locking member  102 . Similarly, the bottom of inner contour  140  of inner member  109  is angled toward locking member  102 ; whereas the top of inner contour  140  of inner member  109  is angled away from locking member  102 . The top and bottom halves of angled planar surface  108 A are preferably planar. U-shaped lip  108 B protrudes rearwardly from angled planar surface  108 A (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a left side elevational view of apparatus  100  assembled. Locking member  102  includes gripping surface  102 A arranged around the outer circumference. Gripping surface  102 A facilitates the rotation of locking member  102  with respect to outer member  101 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a right side elevational view of apparatus  100  assembled. Locking member  102  is in the locked position because opening  110 D is not visible. Openings  110 A,  110 B and  110 C are aligned. Angled planar surface  108 A of resilient member  108  is shown forming opening  110 C; angled planar surface  108 A is arranged above and below opening  110 C. Resilient member  108  further includes border  108 C which is arranged along the contact surface between resilient member  108  and outer member  101  and the contact surface between resilient member  108  and inner member  109 . Referring to  FIG. 3B , border  108 C engages contour  101 A of outer member  101 . Accordingly, border  108 C and contour  101 A are angled in substantially the same fashion. Referring back to  FIG. 5 , U-shaped lip  108 B is shown protruding rearwardly or rightwardly from angled planar surface  108 A Inner member  109  is shown to the right of resilient member  108 . Inner member  109  includes angled portion  109 A. Angled portion  109 A and resilient member  108  are angled in substantially similar fashion. U-shaped lip  108 B forms angles X and Y with respect to angled planar surface  108 A. Angle X is preferably greater than 90 degrees and angle Y is preferably less than 90 degrees. Shower head pipe  3  rests along inner contour  135  of resilient member  108 . Due to the angles created by U-shaped lip  108 B and angled planar member  108 A, shower head pipe  3 , regardless of the angle of the pipe, can be secured within apparatus  100 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a top down view of apparatus  100 .  FIG. 7  is a bottom up view of apparatus  100 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  shows a rear elevational view of apparatus  100  without pin  104 . The engagement of protrusion  111 , hole  119 , and hollow member  126  is shown. Similarly, the engagement of protrusion  112 , hole  120 , and hollow member  128  is shown. The engagement of protrusion  113 , hole  121 , and hollow member  129  is shown. The engagement of protrusion  114 , hole  122 , and hollow member  130  is shown. The engagement of protrusion  115 , hole  123 , and hollow member  131  is shown. The engagement of protrusion  116 , hole  124 , and hollow member  132  is shown. The engagement of protrusion  118 , hole  125 , and hollow member  133  is shown. The distinction between angled planar member  108 A and U-shaped lip  108 B is shown. The offset contact surfaces of U-shaped lip  108 B are shown; the top curved section is angled upward and rearwardly from angled planar surface  108 A whereas the bottom curved section is angled downward and inwardly toward angled planar surface  108 A. Opening  110 C is shown formed within angled planar member  108 A. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows a front elevational view of apparatus  100  with locking member  102  in the unlocked position. When locking member  102  is unlocked, apparatus  100  can receive shower head pipe  3  via openings  110 A,  110 B,  110 C and  110 D. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , when locking member  102  is in the unlocked position, shower head pipe  3  is removable from apparatus  100  via openings  110 A,  110 B,  110 C and  110 D. Angled planar surface  108 A of resilient member  108  are bendable to allow shower head pipe  3  to pass. 
         [0045]    In a preferred embodiment, outer member  101 , locking member  102 , resilient member  108  and inner member  109  are substantially c-shaped. In other words they are substantially circular with an opening. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, outer member  101 , locking member  102 , resilient member  108  and inner member  109  are concentric. 
         [0046]    Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  pipe 
           2  typical shower caddy 
           2 A through-bore 
           3  wall 
           100  device 
           101  outer member 
           102  locking member 
           103 A leg 
           103 B leg 
           104  pin 
           105  aperture 
           106  aperture 
           108  resilient member 
           108 A angled planar surface 
           108 B U-shaped lip 
           108 C border 
           109  inner member 
           110 A opening 
           110 B opening 
           110 C opening 
           110 D opening 
           111  protrusion 
           112  protrusion 
           113  protrusion 
           114  protrusion 
           115  protrusion 
           116  protrusion 
           118  protrusion 
           119  hole 
           120  hole 
           121  hole 
           122  hole 
           123  hole 
           124  hole 
           125  hole 
           126  hollow member 
           128  hollow member 
           129  hollow member 
           130  hollow member 
           131  hollow member 
           132  hollow member 
           133  hollow member 
           134  outer diameter 
           135  inner diameter 
           136  extension 
           137  arcuate channel 
         X angle 
         Y angle