Abstract:
Movable and fixed, wall-mounted support apparatus for holding cleaning supplies used to clean an/or disinfect fitness equipment. Each support apparatus may include one or more individual recessed support surfaces for supporting and removably mounting containers holding cleaning liquid, such as spray bottles, and at least one towel holder. Additional cleaning supplies may be stored in an interior compartment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention generally relates to apparatus for holding cleaning supplies. More specifically, the invention relates to apparatus for holding devices and supplies, such as (e.g.) spray bottles and towels, for use in cleaning and/or disinfecting fitness, exercise or therapeutic (e.g., physical therapy and/or occupational therapy facilities and/or equipment) facilities or equipment, or for use in automotive cleaning applications (e.g., car wash and automotive detailing facilities), or other applications.  
         [0002]     Facilities such as health clubs and fitness centers often employ personnel charged with cleaning and/or disinfecting fitness-related equipment, tanning booths, mats, therapeutic-related equipment, etc. Given clientele volume and staffing-related costs, many such health clubs and fitness centers request self-cleaning by customers of equipment used. Spray bottles with cleaning and/or disinfectant solution and/or towels are often provided in centrally-located common areas for this purpose, typically on shelves and/or towel racks. The location of such cleaning supplies may not always be convenient for customers located in different or remote locations throughout a health club or fitness center. Also, cleaning fluid may be located in one area, and towels in another, which may also be inconvenient as typically both will be used by a cleaning customer.  
         [0003]     These problems are not limited to health clubs and similar facilities, as they occur in other environments such as automotive cleaning applications, theraperutic applications, etc., and the present invention may advantageously be used in such environments, as well.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide apparatus for conveniently holding such cleaning supplies, including movable apparatus for enhanced convenience.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a support apparatus is provided for holding cleaning supplies used to clean and/or disinfect equipment. Such equipment may include fitness equipment, equipment used in physical or occupational therapy, automotive cleaning equipment, or other equipment where such support apparatus may be advantageously employed. In this embodiment, the support apparatus includes a storage closet for holding cleaning items, and two or more individual recessed support surfaces, such as circular trays, located on an upper portion of the storage closet for supporting and removably mounting containers holding cleaning liquid, such as spray bottles. Preferably, the recessed trays, which may also be located inside the storage closet, have a substantial depth sufficient to prevent inserted spray bottles from toppling during typical movement of the support apparatus. At least one towel holder, such as a towel bar, may also be included, may be attached to the storage closet, and may be located to circumnavigate a periphery of the support apparatus. The storage closet is preferably mobile, and may include caster wheels for this purpose.  
         [0006]     In an alternative embodiment, a wall-mounted support apparatus is provided for holding cleaning supplies used to clean and/or disinfect equipment. The support apparatus of this embodiment may include at least one recessed support surface for supporting and removably mounting a container holding cleaning liquid, and at least one towel holder. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, can be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top and side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged top and side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged parts view of the rear of  FIG. 2 , detailing an example of how this support apparatus embodiment may be mounted to a wall surface;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged top and side perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged parts view of the rear of  FIG. 4 , detailing an example of how this support apparatus embodiment may be mounted to a wall surface. 
     
    
       [0013]     The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
       DEFINITION OF CLAIM TERMS  
       [0014]     The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed and are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.  
         [0015]     “Automotive cleaning applications” means applications involving vehicle washing or vehicle detailing.  
         [0016]     “Fitness equipment” means equipments for personal fitness including, but not limited to, exercise machines, tanning salon equipment, or other machines, equipment, surfaces or things that may be found in a health club or fitness center (e.g., exercise balls, exercise mats, etc.).  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to these preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.  
         [0018]     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention is designated generally by reference numeral  10 . Support apparatus or closet  10  is moveable, and is designed to hold cleaning equipment such as spray bottles  12  and towels which may be draped over towel holder  15 . Support apparatus  10  may be rolled on caster wheels  17 . A compartment with walls  19  may be provided for storing additional fitness cleaning items, such as additional spray bottles of cleaning fluid and/or additional towels or other items (e.g., cleaning fluid, etc.). The storage compartment may be accessible using slideable or hingeable door  22 , for example, having handle  23 .  
         [0019]     Recessed support areas or support cups  25  having circumferential walls  25   a  and a circular base  25   b  may be built into cart top  27  to store spray bottles  12 . In this manner, during movement of support apparatus or cart  10 , spray bottles  12  will remain in position on the cart and will not topple.  
         [0020]     Towel rail  15  may be attached to compartment walls  19  by any convenient means, such as threaded fasteners or adhesives. For this purpose, towel support bars  26  may be provided, which attach an upper portion of compartment walls  19  to towel bar  15 .  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2-3  (single cup) and  4 - 5  (double cup) illustrate alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are fixed in place and may be attached to a surface such as a wall. Referring first to  FIGS. 2-3 , an alternative support apparatus  20  is shown, which includes a single support cup  25  and a towel bar  15 . In this embodiment, upper  31  and curvilinear side  32  surfaces form the support apparatus  20 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , support apparatus  20  includes a rear planar surface  33  which may be provided with pins or fasteners. Pins or fasteners  37  may slide into communicating and fixed relationship with apertures  39  of wall-mounted bracket  40 , as shown, to maintain support apparatus  20  in fixed position on a wall or other surface. Bracket  40  may be wall-mounted using, e.g., fasteners  36 . Of course, other convenient fastening means such as adhesives or Velcro® may also be employed.  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , support apparatus  30  is shown, which is similar to support apparatus  20  except that it can accommodate two spray bottles using two support cups  25 .  
         [0023]     It is currently preferred that the support apparatus of the present invention be fabricated out of inexpensive materials. For example, support apparatus  10 ,  20 ,  30  may be made of injection-molded plastic. Towel bar  15  may be inexpensively fabricated from plastic or from chrome-plated metal.  
         [0024]     All dimensions given here are exemplary only, to assist the public in making and using the invention, and are not intended to limit the claims presented below. As examples, referring back to  FIG. 1 , each separate compartment wall  19  forms a trapezoid which may have base lengths of 14.5 and 11.5 inches, respectively, and a height of 23 inches. Door  22  may have a height of 13 inches and a width of 10 inches. Support cups  25  may have a diameter of 3.75 inches and a height of about 2.5-4 inches. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the wall-adjacent height of support apparatus  20  may be 10 inches, and its width may be 8 inches. Referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary height of support apparatus  30  is 10 inches and an exemplary width is 14 inches.  
         [0025]     Of course, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that an infinite variety of alternative embodiments of the support apparatus of the present invention may be provided, consistent with the principles of the present invention (e.g., moveable support closets or carts  10  with differential towel bar configurations, towel bars that are located at the base of the cart, vertical towel bars, alternative numbers of support cups, alternative supports for spray bottles such as metal clasps or other attachment mechanisms, etc.).  
         [0026]     The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the foregoing drawings, written description and claims, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. It is contemplated that these or other future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.