Toilet paper holder mounted adjustable bathroom shelf

Abstract

A bathroom shelf, with adjustable tabs to fit on toilet paper dispensers, that rests on the toilet paper roller and over the toilet paper roll. The shelf does not require any tools or additional hardware to install.

Claims

1. An adjustable shelf for storing items, the adjustable shelf is configured to be mounted on an existing toilet paper holder and does not require any tools or additional hardware to install, comprising: a planar top surface for storing the items thereon, a back wall, a right side wall and a left side wall, wherein the back wall and each side wall extends downwardly from the top surface at a generally perpendicular angle; wherein each side wall has a horizontal slot formed therein and a bottom surface that is configured to rest on a roller of the existing toilet paper holder; a pair of adjustable tabs extending downwardly below the bottom surfaces of the side walls, wherein a first adjustable tab from said pair of adjustable tabs has a first threaded post protruding therefrom that is inserted within the horizontal slot of the right side wall to slidably mount the first adjustable tab to the right side wall; wherein a second adjustable tab from said pair of adjustable tabs has a second threaded post protruding therefrom that is inserted within the horizontal slot of the left side wall to slidably mount the second adjustable tab to the left side wall; wherein each threaded post has an adjustment knob screwed on a distal end thereof to hold each adjustable tab securely in place; wherein the adjustable tabs provide tension to hold the shelf firmly between the toilet paper roller and a back of the existing toilet paper holder or a bathroom wall; wherein when the adjustable shelf is placed on the existing toilet paper holder the back wall is configured to extend substantially below the existing toilet roll holder to prevent the shelf from flipping forward when the shelf has the items placed thereon.

2. The adjustable shelf of claim 1, wherein each threaded post has a proximal end opposite the distal end of each threaded post; wherein each proximal end of each threaded post is generally co-planar with an interior surface of the respective adjustable tabs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description thereof, which is presented in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the drawing figures.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable shelf, viewed from the front left. This view is also offered as the front-page view.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable shelf, viewed from the front.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable shelf installed on a wall mounted toilet paper holder.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable shelf installed on a wall mounted toilet paper holder with a toilet paper roll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIGS. 1-2 show the shelf assembly 1 that provides a place to put items taken into a bathroom. According to the invention, the shelf assembly 1, is comprised of a left support side 10, a back-stabilizing side 20, a right support side 30, and top 40.

(7) The left support side 10, is the point of attachment for adjustable tab 60, which slides in the recessed area 11. Recessed area 11 provides an upper guide ridge 14 for the top of the tab 63 to move along, and a lower guide edge 13 for the tabs middle ledge 62 to move along. The adjustable tab 60 is held in place by tightening the adjustment knob 80 on threaded post 64, which is an integral part of tab 60, and moves within slot 12. Adjustment of the adjustable tab 60 is accomplished by resting the bottom edge 13 of left side 10, and the bottom edge 33 of right side 30, on the roller of the existing toilet paper roller, and sliding the assembly 1 so that the back side 20 is against the bathroom wall or vertical back of the existing toilet paper holder. Adjustment knob 80 is loosened on the threaded post 64 so that the adjustable tab 60 can be moved in slot 12 until the front edge of the tab 61 is against the back of the existing toilet paper roller. To be properly installed the adjustable tab 60 must be between the existing toilet paper roller and the bathroom wall or vertical back of the toilet paper holder, and the adjustment knob 80 tightened on threaded post 64. An installed assembly can be seen depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(8) Back side 20 is a stabilizing element that helps prevent the shelf from tipping forward when the shelf assembly is correctly installed on the existing toilet paper roller.

(9) The right support side 30, is the point of attachment for adjustable tab 70, which slides in the recessed area 31. Recessed area 31 provides an upper guide ridge 34 for the top of the tab 73 to move along, and a lower guide edge 33 for the tabs middle ledge 72 to move along. The adjustable tab 70 is held in place by tightening the adjustment knob 90 on threaded post 74, which is an integral part of tab 70, and moves within slot 32. Adjustment of the adjustable tab 70 is accomplished by resting the bottom edge 33 of right side 30, and the bottom edge 13 of left side 10, on the roller of the existing toilet paper roller, and sliding the assembly 1 so that the back side 20 is against the bathroom wall or vertical back of the existing toilet paper holder. Adjustment knob 90 is loosened on the threaded post 74 so that the adjustable tab 70 can be moved in slot 32 until the front edge of the tab 71 is against the back of the existing toilet paper roller. To be properly installed the adjustable tab 70 must be between the existing toilet paper roller and the bathroom wall or vertical back of the toilet paper holder, and the adjustment knob 90 tightened on threaded post 74. An installed assembly can be seen depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(10) Top 40 provides the assembly's surface where items can be placed that have been brought into the bathroom

(11) The parts of the assembly consisting of sides 10 and 30, back 20, and top 40 can be made out of any material that provides sufficient rigidity to be stable when in use, for example plastics, wood, metal or any composite material. A contemplated material and process are to produce parts 10,30,20 and 40 as one piece through a plastic injection molding process.

(12) The adjustable tabs, 60 and 70, and integrated threaded posts, 64 and 74, can be made out of any material that provides sufficient strength and rigidity to allow the adjustment knobs 80 and 90 to securely hold the adjustable tabs 60 and 70 in place. Examples of materials for the tab include: plastics, wood, metal or any composite material. Materials for the threaded post 64 and 74, could for example be made of plastic, metal or any composite material.

(13) Adjustment knobs, 80 and 90, can be made out of any material that provides sufficient strength and rigidity to allow the adjustment knobs to be secured on threaded posts, 64 and 74, to securely hold adjustable tabs, 60 and 70, in place.

(14) FIG. 3 shows the shelf assembly 1 mounted on an existing toilet paper holder 2, consisting of the toilet paper holder posts 4 and roller 5, with the correct placement of the adjustable tabs 60 and 70 behind the roller, and the back 20 against the bathroom wall or back of the existing toilet paper holder.

(15) FIG. 4 shows the shelf assembly 1 mounted on an existing toilet paper holder 2, consisting of the toilet paper holder posts 4, roller 5, and a toilet paper roll 3 to provide a view of the shelf assembly 1 as it would look when installed.

(16) Many specific details contained in the above description merely illustrate some preferred embodiments and should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, many other variations are possible within the spirit of the present invention.