BATHROOM FIXTURE

Abstract

A bathroom fixture includes a toilet paper holder, air blower style hand dryer, or paper towel holder, each having an outer housing, and which may further include additional components, such as a shelf for holding items, a beverage holder, a hook for hanging purses (or the like), a basket for holding items, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder, and/or a video screen and speaker for showing advertising and/or other audio/video content. The additional components may also include snap-fit attachments, so that they may be removably attached to the housing in any desired configuration, and so that the components are interchangeable with one another.

Claims

1. A wall fixture, said wall fixture comprising: a mounting surface; a housing connected to said mounting surface, said housing including a generally flat, horizontal surface on a top portion thereof with a first end and a second end, and two vertical surfaces disposed at either end of said horizontal surface; a toilet paper holder disposed within said housing; a basket attached to said horizontal surface of said housing; and a beverage holder attached to said housing.

2. The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, further including a hook member attached to said housing for hanging items.

3. The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, further including a video screen attached to said housing.

4. The wall fixture set forth in claim 3, wherein said video screen includes at least one speaker.

5. The wall fixture set forth in claim 4, wherein said video screen includes a motion sensor that activates said video screen when said motion sensor senses motion.

6. The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, wherein said basket and beverage holder are removably attached to said housing.

7. The wall fixture set forth in claim 6, further including a shelf that may be removably attached to said housing, and further, wherein said shelf may be used interchangeably with said basket.

8. The wall fixture set forth in claim 2, wherein said hook is removably attached to said housing.

9. The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a series of snap fit mechanisms, so that said basket, said beverage holder, and other components may be interchangeable with one another, and may be removably attached to said housing in any desired configuration.

10. The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, further including a USB port attached to said housing for recharging electrical devices.

11. The wall fixture set forth in claim 1, further including a hand sanitizer dispenser attached to said housing.

12. A wall fixture, said wall fixture comprising: a paper towel holder including a housing, said housing comprising a mounting surface on a rear side thereof, generally flat, horizontal upper surface on a top portion thereof with a first end and a second end, and two vertical surfaces disposed at either end of said horizontal surface, and wherein said housing defines an opening on a bottom portion thereof for dispensing paper towels; a basket attached to said horizontal upper surface of said housing; and a beverage holder attached to said housing.

13. The wall fixture set forth in claim 12, further including a hook member attached to said housing for hanging items.

14. The wall fixture set forth in claim 12, further including a video screen attached to said housing.

15. The wall fixture set forth in claim 14, wherein said video screen includes at least one speaker.

16. The wall fixture set forth in claim 15, wherein said video screen includes a motion sensor that activates said video screen when said motion sensor senses motion.

17. The wall fixture set forth in claim 12, wherein said basket and beverage holder are removably attached to said housing.

18. The wall fixture set forth in claim 13, wherein said hook is removably attached to said housing.

19. A wall fixture, said wall fixture comprising: a hand dryer that blows air, said hand dryer including a housing, said housing comprising a mounting surface on a rear side thereof, generally flat, horizontal surface on a top portion thereof with a first end and a second end, and two vertical surfaces disposed at either end of said horizontal surface, and wherein said housing defines an opening on a bottom portion thereof for dispensing paper towels; and a beverage holder attached to said housing.

20. The wall fixture set forth in claim 19, wherein said housing includes additional attachments selected from the group consisting of a basket, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder, a shelf, a video screen, a hook, and any combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture including a toilet paper holder, a beverage holder, a basket for holding items, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder, and a hook for hanging purses and the like;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture including a toilet paper holder, a beverage holder, a basket for holding items, and a hook for hanging purses and the like;

[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture having snap fit components including a toilet paper holder, a beverage holder, a basket for holding items, and a hook for hanging purses and the like, so that the snap fit components may be added to the toilet paper roll holder housing in any desired configuration by an end user;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture including a toilet paper holder, a beverage holder, a basket for holding items, a hook for hanging purses and the like, and a video screen capable of showing any desired audio/video feed, either through a wired connection or wirelessly;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture including a paper towel holder, a basket, a beverage holder and a hook for hanging purses and the like;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture including a paper towel holder, a basket, a beverage holder and a holder for a hand sanitizer dispenser; and

[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bathroom fixture including an air blower-style hand dryer, a basket, a beverage holder and a holder for a hand sanitizer dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention, in a first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, is a bathroom fixture 10 having a mounting surface 12 that may be mounted on a wall, such as the wall of a restroom stall, and includes a toilet paper holder 14 including a horizontal post 16 that is used to secure a roll of toilet paper 18 so that the roll may rotate about the post 16. In a preferred embodiment, the toilet paper holder 14 is disposed within a housing 20 having side walls and a pivoting door 22 that may alternate between an open position (for changing out a used toilet paper roll for a new roll) and a closed position. Many types of toilet paper holders 14 are currently available, and are well known in the art, so it should be understood that any type of suitable toilet paper holder may be used.

[0036] The bathroom fixture 10 may further include a basket 24 on an upper portion of the fixture 10, as shown (or affixed to the fixture in any desired manner). The basket 24 preferably has sides 26 to contain items that may be placed therein, and is preferably made from a mesh material that will not retain liquids. The basket 24 may be used for placement of items, such as a mobile phone, car keys, a wallet, or any other item that a person may want to put down during a bathroom break. A hook 28 for hanging purses, hats, or the like, may be disposed on the bathroom fixture 10 in any desired position. Additionally, a shelf may also be attached to the bathroom fixture, either along with the basket 24, or instead of the basket 24, and may serve the same purpose. Optionally, the bathroom fixture 10 may also include a hand sanitizer dispenser holder 30, as shown, to hold a hand sanitizer dispenser 32 either within said housing, or attached thereto in any desirable manner. It should be understood that a hand sanitizer dispenser 32 may be integrally formed with the housing 20, if desired.

[0037] In one preferred embodiment, a beverage holder 34 is positioned on the bathroom fixture 10, allowing a person to place a beverage into the beverage holder 34 while using the facilities. The beverage holder 34 may be of any suitable type, and preferably defines a hole 36 within the base member 38 thereof, so that the beverage holder 34 does not retain liquid or trash. In one embodiment, the beverage holder 34 may include an upper ring to add support to the cup, can or bottle, while such a container is disposed within the beverage holder 34. Additionally, an optional beverage holder lid may be disposed over the top of the beverage holder 34, in order to prevent trash or other refuse from collecting in the beverage holder when it is not in use otherwise. The lid may be attached to the beverage holder 34 in a pivoting relationship, so that the lid may alternate between an open and closed position, and further, the lid may be spring loaded to bias the lid into a closed position when the beverage holder 34 is not in use.

[0038] In one embodiment, the fixture 10 may be modular in nature, so that the toilet paper holder 14 and housing 20 may be mounted to a wall, and the other components may be removably attached thereto, and may be interchangeable with respect to the housing 20. In other words, it is contemplated that the fixture 10 may be in the form of a kit, where the toilet paper holder 14 (or paper towel holder 40) is mounted to a wall, and the basket 24, hook 28, shelf, beverage holder 34 and/or video screen 42 may be removably attached at various locations around the housing, as in any desired configuration. The connections between the housing and the other components may be snap fit mechanisms 44, as shown in FIG. 3, channel locking mechanisms, or any other type of removable fittings, so that the components may be added to the housing 20 in various configurations, as desired. It should also be understood that the entire fixture 10 may be integrally formed in any desired configuration.

[0039] Additionally, one embodiment of the bathroom fixture may be adapted to be mounted over an existing toilet paper holder, paper towel holder or air blower-style hand dryer. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the housing 20 is open, and the mounting surface 12 includes a lip extending inwardly (or outwardly) from the rear portion of the side walls and/or a lip extending downwardly (or upwardly) from the upper surface for mounting purposes. In this embodiment, the fixture 10 may simply be mounted on a wall so that the toilet paper holder 14, paper towel holder or hand dryer is positioned inside the housing, and the toilet paper, paper towels or blown air may be fed through an opening on a bottom portion of the fixture 10. In this way, it is not necessary to remove an existing toilet paper holder, paper towel holder, or hand dryer in order to mount this embodiment of the bathroom fixture 10.

[0040] A video screen 42 may be attached to the fixture 10, as well, and may be used to show advertising, live sports or concert feeds, or any other desired content, as shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the video screen 42 includes a motion sensor, which triggers the video screen 42 to activate and begin playing content for a pre-programmed amount of time. The video screen 42 may either be pre-programmed to play certain content that is stored on the device itself (similarly to an electronic picture frame that displays a slide show of pictures that are loaded into the memory), or the video screen 42 may receive real-time content through a wireless connection, or a direct connection, in any suitable manner. Additionally, the video screen 42 may include speakers, and may be battery operated, or may be connected to a power source and/or an external content source. It is contemplated that the video screen 42 may be used to show the game or concert that is currently happening in the venue in real time, so that the person in the bathroom stall may continue watching the game or concert without missing portions thereof by virtue of being temporarily in the restroom.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of a wall fixture 10 includes a paper towel holder 40, a beverage holder 34, a hook 28, a hand sanitizer dispenser holder 30, and/or any other of the components described herein, such as the video screen 42. It is contemplated that this embodiment may be advantageously placed adjacent a sink in a restroom, although the fixture 10 may be placed anywhere that a user may desire to put it.

[0042] It should be understood that any of the above-referenced components may be employed in any desired combination, and that the snap-fit or interchangeable nature of the components may be applied to any embodiment shown and/or described herein in any desired configuration. Additionally, any of the above fixtures may also include a recharging station (such as an electrical outlet, USB receptacle, etc.), so that a user may plug in a telephone charger, whether it be a standard electrical outlet, a USB port, a docking station, or any other means for charging a telephone, tablet, e-cigarette device, or any other rechargeable electronic device. In another embodiment, the basket or the top surface of the housing may include a charging pad, so that a user may set their phone onto the charging pad and charge it. Additionally, any or all of the components described herein, including the basket, shelf, hand sanitizer dispenser holder, hook, charging stations and beverage holder may simply be added to an existing housing for a toilet paper holder, a paper towel holder, or a blower-style hand dryer.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention, including a blower-style hand dryer having a basket, a beverage holder and a holder for a hand sanitizer dispenser. Additionally, a video screen may be included on the hand dryer embodiment, as well, if desired.

[0044] It is contemplated that the paper towel holder and the toilet paper holder may also include hands-free feeders with a motion sensor, as is commonly found in public restrooms today. In this embodiment, when the motion sensor detects motion, an electric motor feeds a pre-set length of a paper towel or a pre-set length of toilet paper through the bottom portion of the housing, so that the user need not touch any part of the housing to obtain paper towels or toilet paper. Similarly, a motion sensor may be used in conjunction with the embodiment that includes the blower-style hand dryer, so that the hand dryer only operates upon detection of hand motion adjacent the air outlet port.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.