Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting a hand held liquid dispensing device which affords a storage capability for the device as well as affords the filling of containers and buckets. In a preferred manner the apparatus provides for the support of two dispensing devices and the filling of two containers or one container and a bucket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a support for a hand held dispensing device. More particularly, it relates to a support for a hand held liquid dispensing device which includes a container support and facilitates the filling of a container as well as affords connection to a dispensing hose for filling a bucket.  
         [0002]     The prior art does not provide a support or holder for hand held liquid dispensing devices. There is a need for such an apparatus. The type of hand held liquid dispensing devices concerned with in this invention are those which are attached to a hose and a container with liquid concentrate. Such a device is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/956,294 filed on Sep. 19, 2001, which teachings are incorporated herein by reference. This type of dispenser dispenses cleaning, disinfectants and similar types of materials. After use, it is desirable to have a place to store the dispenser. It would also be desirable to have a storage apparatus which would also allow for the filling of containers and buckets with diluted concentrate while the dispenser is being stored.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a hand held liquid dispensing device. The apparatus includes a first support member for receiving a nozzle portion of the dispensing device. There is a second support member for holding a container, the first and second support members are spaced from each other in substantial axial alignment and connected to a frame member for connection to a supporting structure.  
         [0004]     In a preferred embodiment, the first support member includes a cavity.  
         [0005]     In another preferred embodiment, there are two oppositely disposed first support members connected to the frame member.  
         [0006]     In one aspect, the first support member is defined by a platform having a cavity for placement of a dispenser nozzle therein and the second support member is defined by a foot portion, the foot portion supported by the frame and pivotally connected to the frame member.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, there are two oppositely disposed second support members connected to the frame member. The frame member is defined by a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending essentially at right angles to the first portion with the second portion connected to the two oppositely disposed second support members.  
         [0008]     In still another aspect, the invention provides a combined hand held dispenser device and apparatus for supporting the device.  
         [0009]     The objects of the invention therefore are: 
        Providing an apparatus for storing and supporting a hand held liquid dispensing apparatus;     b) Providing an apparatus for storing and supporting a hand held liquid dispensing apparatus which is easily utilized;     c) Providing an apparatus of the foregoing type which facilitates the filling of containers;     d) Providing an apparatus of the foregoing type which can accommodate two dispensing devices; and     e) Providing an apparatus of the foregoing type which can be economically manufactured.        
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the support for dispensing device of the invention as well as two dispensing devices;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the support for a dispensing device showing the filling of a bucket;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the support for a dispensing device;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the support for a dispensing device without any attachments;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the support for a dispensing device;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the support for a dispensing device; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front view with a portion shown in phantom illustrating the supporting structure for the dispensing device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the support apparatus generally  10  is illustrated in conjunction with a dispensing device  12 . The dispensing device was previously referred to above as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/956,294 filed on Sep. 19, 2001. The support apparatus  10  includes a platform  14  and a back wall  16 , as well as cavities  18  which receive the spout  22  of the dispensing device  12 . There are also foot portions  25  and  27  which are pivotally attached to a frame  30  for purposes of supporting containers such as bottle  33 . These foot portions  25  and  27  have indentations  35  so as to accommodate the bottoms of a bottle such as  33 . As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is a hose  40  which is attached to the dispensing tube of dispenser  12  for the purpose of filling bucket  38 .  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , it is seen that the frame  30  includes a portion  42  extending essentially at a right angle to the vertical portion  46  of frame  30 . This portion  42  supports the foot portions  25  and  27  which they are pivotally attached to frame  30 . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , frame  30  includes an additional U-shaped portion  44  supporting the platform  14  as by contact with the projections  48 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , there is connected to the frame  30  a cross-bar member  50  extending behind the wall  16  through which mounting screws  52  can be inserted, such as through the holes  53  as seen in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0024]     Operation  
         [0025]     A better understanding of the support apparatus  10  will be had by a description of its operation. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , support apparatus  10  is mounted to a wall such as by the mounting screws  52 . Dispensing devices  12  are supported by the support apparatus, such as by the placement of spouts  22  in the cavities  18 . Water supply hoses (not shown) are connected to the connectors  54  such as by means of complementary disconnect devices (not shown). When it is desired to fill bottle  33 , it is placed on foot portion  27 . The bottle  33  can then be easily filled from the dispensing device  12  with a solution of the concentrate from the dispenser bottle  55  and the water. In the instance where it is desired to fill the bucket  38 , the foot portion  25  is pivoted to an away position such as shown in  FIG. 2 . This affords a direct path for the hose  40  which is connected to the dispensing tube  15  of the dispensing device  12 . In those instances where two bottles  33  are desired to be filled, foot portion  25  will assume a similar position as shown for foot portion  27 . In a like manner, it will be supported by the frame portion  42 .  
         [0026]     It will thus be seen that there now is provided a supporting apparatus for dispensing devices, such as  12 , in a manner that they are not only conveniently supported in an out-of-the-way position, but at the same time afford ease of filling of either a bottle  33  or a bucket  38 .  
         [0027]     The preferred materials for fabricating platform  14 , as well as foot portions  25  and  27  is polypropylene. However, other materials such as acetyl resins and glass filled polypropylene could also be employed. Frame member  30  is composed of a steel bar with frame portion  42  being welded thereto as is portion  44  and the bar member  50 . The preferred material for composing frame  30  is steel. However, other materials such as stainless steel and nylon could also be utilized.  
         [0028]     While the support apparatus  10  has been illustrated for use with the foot portions  25  and  27  which could support two bottles  33  and alternatively provide for a connection support to the hose  40 , it is readily apparent that the support apparatus could be designed for supporting only a single dispensing device and a single container  33  placed on foot portion  27 . When it is desired to fill a bucket  38  foot portion  27  is moved to an upright position with connection to the hose  40  to the dispensing tube  15 . All such and other modifications within the spirit of the invention are meant to be within its scope, as defined by the appended claims.