Abstract
A method for hanging a shower mat securely and free flowing in its unrolled position, utilizing hanging hooks, and holes in the bathmat that are placed over those hooks, a preferred embodiment comprises a bathmat having a top surface and a bottom surface with high friction gripping material or suction cups, side edges, a top edge, with at least two holes spaced a distance apart so that the weight of the bathmat is evenly distributed across the two hooks, the shower mat may have antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, which may be included in the material used to manufacture the shower mat, and the hooks suction cups are pushed tightly against the wall for increased suction with the downward movement of the hook.
Claims
1. A method for drying shower/bath mats comprising: a. a shower mat with antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, meaning to inhibit bacteria or mildew from multiplying, and holes within the shower mat, the holes placed within 10% of the shower/bath mat's length from the shorter edge of the shower/bath mat, and each hole being equal distance from a side edge of the shower/bath mat, which is the longer side of the shower/bath mat; a top surface and a bottom surface with suction cups, side edges, and a top edge which is the shorter edge of the shower bath mat; b. hooks comprising a base and a hinge, which allows the hook to rotate 180 plus degrees, with the hooks sized to hold the holes in the shower/bath mat, the hook having a size that can space the mat more than one inch from a wall, the hook having a base and a hinge, the base containing a suction cup, with the suction cup connected to the base with a post that secures the suction cup tightly on the wall as the post is pulled down; whereby the shower/bath mat holes when placed over the hooks allow the mat to hang straight down, the hook base allowing the mat to hang away from the wall to facilitate drying.
2. The method of claim 1 where the holes are reinforced with extra material such as an eyelet or grommet.
3. The method of claim 1 where the base has holes for screws.
4. The method of claim 1 where a second hook with a top section that fits over a towel rack or shower door, or shower head, and a bottom section which inserts into the shower/bath mat holes, the top and bottom sections connected by a connecting element.
5. The method of claim 1 where the holes placed within 10% of the shower/bath mat's length from the longer edge of the shower/bath mat, and each hole being equal distance from the longer edge of the shower/bath mat; a top surface and a bottom surface with suction cups, side edges, which are the shorter edges of the shower/bath mat, and a top edge which is the longer edge of the shower bath mat.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower/bath mat with holes hanging from hooks according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a sectioned view taken along lines L2 in FIG. 1 and shown thickness L1 of the shower/bath mat.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing lines L2 and L3, and distances D1, D2 and D3.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hook.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a view of the shower/bath hook base with hinge in the up-position before engaging the suction cup.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a view of the shower/bath hook base with hinge in the mid-position toward engaging the suction cup.
[0056] FIG. 7 is a view of the hinge with the hook in the downward position, engaging the suction cup.
[0057] FIG. 8 is a view of the second hook for the second embodiment, which has on one end a rounded section to go over a towel rack and a hook on the other end.
[0058] FIG. 9 is a view of the shower/bath mat with additional holes along the longest side so that the longest end can be parallel to the floor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] The above-described drawing figures illustrate components of the preferred embodiment of this method invention, a shower/bath mat 10 that that includes holes 26 for hanging the shower/bath mat 10, and a hook 30 that is attached to a surface so that the holes in the mat will fit over the hook.
[0060] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shower/bath mat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the shower/bath mat 10 has a main body 20 having a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24 that extend outwardly to a perimeter 25. The bottom surface 24 may be a high friction gripping material or suction cups. The perimeter 25 includes side edges 25a and a top edge 25b. The main body 20 is generally shaped to fit in and substantially cover a shower/bath or tube (rectangular, oval etc.) and includes at least two holes 26 being spaced a distance from the perimeter 25 described in greater detail below. The holes 26 are also spaced a distance apart so that the width of the shower/bath mat 10 may be evenly distributed on the hooks 30 while hanging. The hooks 30 may be included with the shower/bath mat 10 or separately and are described in greater detail below. The holes 26 may be reinforced with extra material or an insert with hole attachment.
[0061] FIG. 2. is a sectional view of the shower/bath mat 10 taken along lines L2 in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the bottom surface includes suction cups 28, but in other embodiments the bottom surface 24 may be in the form of any high-friction/non-slip material or structures such as silicone, soft-foam, rubber etc. The suction cups 28 may be the form of cups or suction channels, or the shower/bath mat 10 may be lined with material to suction the entire shower/bath mat 10 in place.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 2 the main body 20 having the top surface 22 and bottom surface 24 further has a thickness 1.1. In some embodiments 1.1 may be between 1 and 3 mm, in this example, the thickness 1.1 is approximately 2.1 mm (not including the suction cups 28).
[0063] An object of the present invention for the shower/bath mat 10 is to have antibacterial and mildew resistant properties, which may be included in the material used to manufacture the shower/bath mat 10.
[0064] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the showerbath mat 10, showing the placement of the holes 26 relative to the main body 20. As FIG. 3 illustrates, a line 1.2 measures the length of the main body 20, and a line 1.3 measures the width of the main body 20. In some embodiments, 1.2 may be between 27-32 inches, and 1.3 may between 12 and 17 inches, In this example, 1.2 is approximately 30 inches, and 1.3 is approximately 15 inches. However in other examples, 1.2 and 1.3 may vary within an appropriate range. For the purpose of this application, “approximately” is hereby defined to mean +/−15% of the given measurement.
[0065] FIG. 3 further shows the holes 26 each laterally spaced a distance D1 From each other, a distance D2 from the side edges 25a and spaced a distance D3 from the top edge 25b. In some embodiments D1 is approximately 11.5 inches, D2 is approximately 2 inches, and D3 is approximates 1.3 inches. In other embodiments these distances may be greater or less that the provided examples, as long as holes 26 are located in the upper 10% of the mat 10.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hook 30, which align with the shower/bath mat holes when hanging the shower/bath mat 10 to dry. As shown in FIG. 4 the hook 30 includes a hook portion 32 connected to a base portion 34 by a hinge 32. However, in other embodiments the hook 30 may be connected to the hook base 34 without the hinge 32. The hooks 30 are sized and adapted to fit through the holes 26 of the shower/bath mat 10 and support the weight of the shower/bath mat 10. The dimension of the holes 26 may be approximately between five and 10 mm, this embodiment 8 mm. However, in other embodiments the holes 26 may have larger or smaller dimensions, as deemed suitable by those in the art.
[0067] In this embodiment, hook base 34 of the hook 30 is in the form of a suction cup for securing to a shower/bath wall, but in other embodiments the hook base 34 may be secured to a wall or mounting surface using other means, e.g, a strong adhesive, apertures for receiving nails, etc. In one example, (not shown) the base 34 is in the form of a second hook which may be hung from a towel bar or other similar structure.
[0068] The hook 30 may be lightweight and constructed of plastic, vinyl or other material known to those skilled in the art. In this embodiment, each hook 30 is 9.7 grams, but on other embodiments' the hooks 30 may weigh more or less than this.
[0069] FIG. 5 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the up position. The hinge has a pin 35 that the hook rotates around, an L shaped space 37, post 47 that connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39, and that retracts into the hook base as the hinge is pulled down.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the middle. The hinge has a pin 35 that the hook rotates around, an L shaped space 37, post 47 that connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39, and that retracts into the hook base as the hinge is pulled down.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a view of the hook base with the hook in the middle. The hinge has a pin 35 that the hook rotates around, an L shaped space 37, post 47 that connects the hook base 34 and the suction cup 39, and that retracts into the hook base as the hinge is pulled down.
[0072] FIG. 8 is a view of the second hook, which has an overlay section 43 to go over a towel rack or the top of a shower, a base 11 and a bottom hook 45 to hold the shower/bath mat.
[0073] FIG. 9 is a view of the third embodiment, showing the two extra holes in the long of the shower/bath mat, so that the long side can hang parallel to the floor.
[0074] As used in this application the words “a”. “an” and one are defined to include one or more of the referenced items unless specifically stated otherwise. Also the terms “have,” “include,” “contain” and similar items are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise.
