SHOWER SHELF

Abstract

A shelf designed to be used in a bathing setting, such as in a shower stall that includes a first section and a second section joined together to from an outer corner with an obtuse angle and an inner corner. The shelf is outfitted with one or more holes, cutouts, prongs, catches, hooks etc. to allow for items to be placed on the shelf or suspended from the shelf. The shelf is meant to be placed on the edges of the containment wall of a shower structure such that one side of the structure is on the edge of a wall that is approximately perpendicular to another side of the containment wall. Bathing articles can be suspended from the shelf, fed through the holes of the shelf or simply placed on top of the shelf.

Claims

1. A shelf for use in an irregular inner corner comprising: a substantially flat piece of material having a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and the second section are joined together to form an outer corner having an obtuse angle.

2. The shelf in claim 1 wherein the obtuse angle is 92.0 degrees.

3. The shelf of claim 1 wherein the obtuse angle is equal to or between 91.0 degrees and 93.0 degrees.

4. The shelf in claim 1 wherein the outer corner is rounded.

5. The shelf in claim 2 wherein the outer corner is rounded.

6. The shelf in claim 3 wherein the outer corner is rounded.

7. The shelf in claim 1 wherein the first section and the second section are joined together to form an inner corner having a right angle.

8. The shelf in claim 2 wherein the first section and the second section are joined together to form an inner corner coming together at a right angle.

9. The shelf in claim 3 wherein the first section and the second section are joined together to form an inner corner coming together at a right angle.

10. A shelf for use in an irregular inner corner comprising: a substantially flat piece of water-resistant material having a first section and a second section; wherein the first section and the second section are joined together to form an inner corner having a right angle and an outer corner having an obtuse angle; wherein the inner and outer corners are rounded; and wherein at least one of the sections features at least one cutout.

11. A shelf for use in a prefabricated shower having an irregular corner comprising: a substantially flat piece of material having a first section and a second section wherein the first section and the second section are joined together to form an outer and an inner corner, wherein the outer corner has an obtuse angle.

12. The shelf in claim 11 wherein the obtuse angle is 92.0 degrees.

13. The shelf of claim 11 wherein the obtuse angle is equal to or between 91.0 degrees and 93.0 degrees.

14. The shelf in claim 11 wherein the outer corner is rounded.

15. The shelf in claim 12 wherein the outer corner is rounded.

16. The shelf in claim 13 wherein the outer corner is rounded.

17. The shelf in claim 11 wherein the inner corner has a right angle.

18. The shelf in claim 12 wherein the inner corner has a right angle.

19. The shelf in claim 13 wherein the inner corner has a right angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the shelf in a shower stall; and

[0023] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the shelf in a shower stall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 there is shown a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed shelf. The shower shelf is constructed of a substantially flat, rigid panel 11, with a first section 12 and a second section 13. The first section 12 and the second section 13 intersect to form an outer corner 14 and an inner corner 30. In the preferred embodiments of this shelf, the first section 12 is longer than second section 13. The panel 11 can include one or more holes 15 or cutouts 16 to facilitate the storage of bathing articles. A skilled artisan should be able to appreciate that a variety of attachment means can be used to attach various articles to the shelf including hooks, prongs, pegs, nails, catches, and even hook and loop fasteners.

[0025] In further detail, still referring to FIG. 1, the angle of the outer corner 14 at which the first section 12 and the second section 13 come together is generally not a right angle. Since most shower stalls do not have right angles at each corner, the first section 12 and the second section 13 will generally come together at an angle to form an outer corner 14 that has an angle of more than 90 degrees. In the preferred embodiments, the angle is within one degree of 92 degrees. In the preferred embodiment and best mode of the shelf, the outer corner 14 has an angle of 92.0 degrees and the inner corner 30 has an angle of 90.0 degrees.

[0026] In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, the outer corner 14 is rounded to make it easier to install the shelf into the corresponding inner corner of a shower structure. In another preferred embodiment, the other corners of the shelf are also rounded to reduce the chances of a user accidentally contacting the edge of the device and possibly suffering a minor injury.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the use of the shower shelf in a shower stall 18. Typically, a shower stall will have at least two containment walls each with a flange located at the upper end of each wall. FIG. 2 illustrates a shower stall 18 with a first containment wall 19 and a second containment wall 21 having a first flange 20 and a second flange 22 at the upper end of each wall respectively. To install the shelf in a shower stall 18, the first section 12 of the panel 11 is placed on the first flange 20 of the first containment wall 19. Similarly, the second section 13 of the panel 11 is placed on the second flange 22 of the second containment wall 21. By doing so, the user will orient the panel 11 such that the outer corner 14 fits into a corner of the shower stall 18 where the first containment wall 19 and the second containment wall 21 meet. If desired, the shower shelf can include an adhesive (not shown) that allows the panel to be secured to the flanges 20 and 22 of the containment walls 19 and 21. However, the panel 11 acts to distribute the weight of the articles placed upon it allowing the panel 11 stay in place without an adhesive. In addition, in preferred embodiments, the shelf is reversible, i.e., it functions identically regardless of which surface is facing upwards.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, the shorter second section 13 of the panel 11 can be placed on the flange 22 of the containment wall 21 closest to the shower head. Doing so will facilitate placing bathing articles or other objects on the shelf above head level, without having to navigate around the shower head. Bathing articles can be placed directly on the rigid panel 11 or they can be suspended in the holes 15 such that part but not all of the article passes through said holes and the shelf thus supports the article. For example, FIG. 3 shows an electric toothbrush 23 suspended from a hole 15 in the panel 11. In addition, the cutouts 16 can be used in a similar manner. FIG. 3 shows a razor 24 suspended from a cutout 16 located near an edge of the panel 11. In addition, the cutouts 16 can be used as hooks from which to hang certain articles, such as a loofah or a wash cloth. For example, FIG. 3 shows a loofah 25 suspended from a protrusion in the panel defined by the cutout 16. As discussed above, other attachment means can be added to the shelf to facilitate securing bathing articles to or on the shelf including, but not limited to hooks, prongs, pegs, nails, catches, and even hook and loop fasteners.

[0029] The substantially flat rigid panel can be made of any water-resistant material suitable for use in a shower including any number of polymers or plastics including an acrylic polymer. Ideally, the panel 11 is constructed from a material that is also resistant to mold, mildew and/or stains. In addition, the texture of the panel 11 can be important in that the panel should be constructed of a material that provides a surface smooth enough for a user to wipe it clean. On the other hand, the panel 11 may not be completely smooth as a rougher surface will provide additional friction to help hold bathing articles in place once placed on the panel 11.

[0030] The dimensions of the shelf can be varied according to particular applications and other needs, including but not limited to shipping and manufacturing costs. A particular embodiment is approximately 22 inches long at its longest point and is 9 inches wide at its widest point. Another embodiment of the shelf designed to be used in a bathroom sink setting is considerable shorter to accommodate the smaller space. In addition, the inventor contemplates an embodiment in which the width is substantially less than 9 inches. Furthermore, to reduce shipping costs, the width of the device need not be uniform in that the edges can be thicker than the central portions of the shelf, thus substantially decreasing the weight of the shelf.

[0031] In addition, while this disclosure refers to the two sections of the shelf being joined together or meeting to form inner and outer corners, there is no specific need for the first section or the second section to be made separately and joined together. The sheet of material will generally be made of a plastic or polymer that will be produced as one piece.

[0032] Reference throughout the specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0033] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

[0034] It is understood that the above described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode, is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing description.

[0035] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.