Vertically adjustable shower caddy and method for tensioning same

Abstract

A vertically adjustable shower caddy system comprising a tension pole, a number of shelves and a number of securing element for attaching and reattaching the shelves and accessories to the tension pole. The tension pole is installed using an integrated tensioning mechanism allowing extension of the top and bottom extremities as to apply tension to the bath or shower floor and ceiling. The securing element uses clips that are opened and closed when attaching and reattaching the shelves to the tension pole rail. Repositioning a shelf to a new location on the tension pole therefore does not require the removal of the tension pole from a shower stall or bathtub/shower area, thereby saving a user a significant amount of time and effort.

Claims

1. An adjustable shower caddy pole the adjustable shower caddy pole comprising: an elongated hollow structural pole having a first and a second extremity end; a first vertically extendable arm received in the hollow structural pole, the first vertically extendable arm having a vertical length, at least two sides, and a first gear strip with a first series of continuous teeth protruding from at least one of the sides of the first vertically extending arm, wherein at least one of the sides is free from having teeth; the first gear strip extending a substantially portion of the vertical length of the first vertically extendable arm; the hollow structural pole comprising: a first tensioning member having a top surface, a bottom surface and an inner surface having a first spiraling gear with a second series of continuous teeth which complementary mates with corresponding teeth of the first gear strip, the inner surface of the first tensioning member being disposed about and surrounding the first vertically extendable arm; the first gear strip being received in a vertical portion of the first spiraling gear; wherein rotation of the entire first tensioning member about the first vertically extendable arm outwardly extends the first vertically extendable arm and wherein counter rotation of the entire first tensioning member inwardly retracts the first vertically extendable arm.

2. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1, further comprising a second vertically extendable arm received in the hollow structural pole, the second vertically extendable arm having a second gear strip extending longitudinally; the hollow structural pole further comprising: a second tensioning member having a top surface, a bottom surface and an inner surface with a second spiraling gear complementary with the second gear strip; the second gear strip being received in a vertical portion of the second spiraling gear; wherein rotation of the second tensioning member about the hollow structural pole outwardly extends the second vertically extendable arm and wherein counter rotation of the second tensioning member inwardly retracts the second vertically extendable arm.

3. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1, wherein either the top or the bottom surface of the first tensioning member abuts on the first extremity of the elongated hollow structural pole.

4. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1, wherein the hollow structural pole further comprises: a first retaining element having a first lip; and a second retaining element having a second lip; the first tensioning member having a third and a forth lip; the first extremity of the elongated hollow structural pole being mounted to one of the first and second retaining elements; the first and second lips rotatably receiving the third and fourth lips.

5. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1, further comprising a second vertically extendable arm received in the hollow structural pole, the second vertically extendable arm having a second gear strip; the hollow structural pole further comprising: a third retaining element having a fifth lip; a fourth retaining element having a sixth lip; a second tensioning member having a seventh and a eighth lip, and an inner surface with a second spiraling gear complementary with the second gear strip; and the second extremity being mounted to one of the third and fourth retaining elements; the fifth and sixth lips rotatably receiving the seventh and eight lips; the second gear strip being received in a vertical portion of the second spiraling gear; wherein rotation of the second tensioning member about the third and fourth retaining element outwardly extends the second vertically extendable arm and wherein counter rotation of the second tensioning member inwardly retracts the second vertically extendable arm.

6. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 4, wherein the first lip is on an inner surface of the first retaining element, the second lip is on an inner surface of the second retaining element, the third and fourth lips on an outer surface of the first tensioning member.

7. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 5, wherein the sixth lip is on an inner surface of the third retaining element, the seventh lip is on an inner surface of the fourth retaining element, the third and fourth lips on an outer surface of the second tensioning member.

8. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the elongated hollow structural pole is shaped to favor installation in corner spaces.

9. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1, wherein the first vertically extendable arm has a securing head, the securing head being configured to abut on one of an upper horizontal surface and a lower horizontal surface of a bathroom, a shower stall or a bathtub shower.

10. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1 wherein a cross-section of the elongated hollow structural pole has a triangular shape with rounded edges.

11. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 1, wherein the elongated hollow structural pole has a first longitudinal rail for mounting shelves and accessories.

12. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 11, wherein the elongated hollow structural pole has a second longitudinal rail for receiving a securing element of the shelves and accessories.

13. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 11, wherein shelves and accessories are slideable along the first longitudinal rail.

14. The adjustable shower caddy pole of claim 12, wherein the securing element comprises a dual mechanism having a laterally engaging side attachment element and a clip, wherein the laterally engaging side attachment element releasably secures the securing element to the structural pole and the clip is moved upwardly or downwardly to adjust the height of the securing element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical adjustable shower caddy.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front elevation closed up view of the upper portion of the of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 7 along A-A axis.

(10) FIG. 9 is FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical adjustable shower caddy of FIG. 7 along A-A axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) A novel vertical adjustable shower caddy will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

(12) Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a vertically adjustable shower caddy 100 in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown. In the present embodiment, the shower caddy 100 comprises a main structural pole 110, an upper extendable arm 120, a lower extendable arm 130, both the upper and lower extendable arms 120, 130 being operatively interconnected to the main structural pole 110 using tensioning mechanisms 300, 400. The shower caddy 100 is adapted for installation in a home bathroom shower stall or adjacent a bathtub/shower area.

(13) In the present embodiment, going from top to bottom, the shower caddy 100 generally comprises a top head 140 having an anti-slipping membrane 142 on the its top outer surface, a top extendable arm 120, a upper tensioning mechanism 300 interconnecting the upper extendable arm 120 with the main structural pole 110 having a rail system 262 for operatively mounting several storage compartments and accessories 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, a lower tensioning mechanism 400 interconnecting the main structural pole 110 and a lower extendable arm 130 and a lower head 150, also preferably an anti-slipping membrane located thereunder 152. The main structural pole 110 is generally hollow to receive the upper and lower extendable arms 120, 130. In the present embodiment, the main structural pole 110 has a triangular shape to be conveniently received in either a bath or shower corner.

(14) Now referring to FIGS. 4-6 in the present embodiment, the shower caddy 100 is shown having interconnecting components comprising the upper tensioning mechanism 300 and upper extendable arm 120 operatively inserted within the main structural pole 110. The main structural pole 110 comprises an inner and outer surfaces 112, 114, with upper and lower retaining elements 170 and 180 on both its respective ends, upper and lower tensioning mechanism 300 and 400, mounted on either upper and lower retaining elements 172, 182. Now referring to the upper tensioning mechanism, the lower mechanism being similar in the opposite direction.

(15) Now referring to FIGS. 7-9, in the present embodiment, the upper tensioning mechanism 300 comprises a tensioning element 310 rotatably mounted on the main structural pole 110. The upper and lower extremities of the tensioning element 310 respectively have annular hooks 314 and 312 for retaining the tensioning element 310 through the upper retaining element 172 and lower recess 176 of the upper retaining element 172 and upper retaining element 170. The tensioning element 310 act as an infinite screw. As the tensioning element is rotated the upper extendable arm 120 is extended or retracted from the main structural pole 110. The extension and retraction of the extendable arm 120 is a result of the interaction between a spiraling gear 320 of the tensioning element 310 and complementary mating gear strip 160 located on at least one side of the upper extendable arm 120.

(16) In another embodiment, the shower caddy system 100 also comprises one or more self-draining shelves 220, 230, 240, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. By way of example, FIG. 1-5 illustrates shelves 220, 230 and 240 that are shaped for placement in the corner of a shower stall or bathtub/shower area as exemplified by the 90 degrees angle between the left 244 and right 242 supporting shelf members.

(17) More particularly, the shelf 220 includes a, elliptical-shaped frame 246 having left 244 and right 242 supporting shelf members, a lowered curved front section 248 and a securing element 250. The securing element 250 has a dual attachment mechanism. The first mechanism is a laterally engaging side attachment element 252, substantially engaging the rail system of the main structural pole 110. The laterally engaging side attachment element 252, releasably secures the securing element to the rail system 262 by engaging a recess through the second rail arm. Therefore, the first securing mechanism is used for mounting the shelves 220, 230, 240 and other components accessories 200, 210 to the rail system 262 of the main structural pole 110. The second securing mechanism, is a clip 254 that is moved upwardly and downwardly to vertically secure the securing mechanism at a desired height.

(18) In another embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the shower caddy system 100 is provided with one or more securing elements 250 for attaching the shelves 220, 230, 240 to the main structural pole 110 rail system (i.e., one securing mechanism 250 is provided for each shelf 220, 230, 240 to be attached to the main structural pole 110 via its rail system). The securing mechanism 250 also facilitates the removal and the reattachment of the shelves 220, 230, 240, for example, at another point on the main structural pole 110, as further explained hereinbelow.

(19) In use, the shower caddy system 100 may be installed according to the following steps. Once assembled, as described above, the main structural pole 110 may be secured in a shower stall or adjacent a bathtub/shower area. More particularly, the upper and lower extendable arm 120, 130 may be tensioned using the tensioning mechanisms 300, 400 temporarily increasing or decreasing the length of the shower caddy 100 and thereby allowing a user to secure the shower caddy 100 between the ceiling and floor of a shower stall or between the ceiling and the tub of the bathtub/shower area of a bathroom. Once the shower caddy 100 is positioned, the upper and lower extendable arm 120, 130 may be tensioned using the tensioning mechanisms 300, 400 to increase the tension and secure the shower caddy 100. The shower caddy 100 is secured in place via an interference or friction fit with the ceiling and shower stall floor or bathtub.

(20) According to one embodiment, a first location 260 on the main structural pole 110 is selected for placement of a first shelf 240, and a first securing mechanism 250 is secured to the rail system 262 of the main structural pole 110 at the first location 260, as illustrated in FIG. 3. More particularly, the first portion 255 of the clip 254 is moved from its second position (vertically locking the securing mechanism to the rail system) to its first position (unlocking and allowing free movement of the securing mechanism along the rail system 262), so that the clip 254 is open. The clip 254 is then placed around the main structural pole 110 at the first location 260, with the first portion engaging one side of the rail system 262 and the second portion engaging the opposite side of the rail system 262.

(21) According to one embodiment, with the securing mechanism 250 of the present invention, there is no need to remove the entire shower caddy 100 to move one or more of the shelves 220, 230, 240. More particularly, repositioning a shelf 220, 230, 240 to a new location on the main structural pole 110 does not require the removal of the main structural pole 110 from the shower stall or bathtub/shower area, and thereby saves a user a significant amount of time and effort. To vertically reposition a shelf 220, 230, 240, the shelf 220, 230, 240 is lifted along the rail 262 after having first disengaged the clip 254 locking member until it is disengaged from its associated rail element. More particularly, the first portion 255 of the clip 254 is moved from its second position (vertically locking the securing mechanism to the rail system) to its first position (unlocking and allowing free movement of the securing mechanism along the rail system 262), so that the clip 254 is open.

(22) According to one embodiment, to invert the position of the shelves along the main structural pole 110, the shelves 220, 230, 240 may be removed from the rail 262 by lifting the clip 254 and laterally displacing the side attachment element 252 thus disengaging the securing mechanism from the rail and allowing removal of the individual shelf 220, 230, 240 or components accessories from the main structural pole. As such, a shelf 220, 230, 240 may then be moved from its initial position to a second position along the main structural pole 110. The securing mechanism 250 is secured to the main structural pole 110 the new location by engaging the first rail arm and laterally displacing the side attachment element 252 to engage the second rail arm thus mounting the securing mechanism 250 to the rail system 262 and then lowering the clip 254 to is locked position and vertically selecting the position of the shelf and securing mechanism 250.

(23) While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.