US3002630A - Toothbrush rack - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1961 R. E. HEISSER 3,002,630

TOOTHBRUSH RACK Filed May 24, 1960 Fig. 4

Robert E. He/sser INVIJNZ-"LIK.

BY W

ire States Patent 3,002,630 TOOTHBRUSH RACK Robert E. Heisser, Celina, Ohio (R0. Box 23, Boyne City, Mich.) Filed May 24, 1960, Ser. No. 31,386 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-65) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in toothbrush racks or hangers for use particularly, although not necessarily, in hotels, motels, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising a holder which may be readily disposed of for replace ment, thus promoting sanitation.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide novel means for removably mounting the disposable holder on a wall or other suitable supporting surface.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a sanitary, disposable toothbrush holder of the aforementioned character which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush rack constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket;

FIGURE 3 is a view in front elevation of the device, showing a toothbrush mounted thereon;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken sub stantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the holder before it is folded.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a bracket of plastic or other suitable material which is designated generally by the reference character 6. The bracket 6 which may also be of any desired dimensions, comprises a horizontally elongated, generally rectangular plate 7. The back of the plate 7 is provided with an adhesive or cement coating 8 for securing said plate on a wall or other suitable supporting surface, as indicated at 9.

Formed integrally with the longitudinal marginal portions of the plate 7 is a pair of forwardly convergent flanges 10. Immediately adjacent to the flanges 10, the front portion of the plate 7 has formed therein longitudinal rabbets 11. The rabbets 11, in turn, have formed therein upwardly and downwardly facing grooves or channels 12 which are open at both ends.

Removably mounted on the bracket 6 is a holder which is designated generally by the reference numeral 13. The holder 13 includes a general y rectangular card, sheet or panel 14 of suitable foldable material, preferably waxed cardboard. The sheet 14 is scored on its longitudinal center from end to end to provide a fold line 15. The longitudinal marginal portions of the sheet 14 are scored in a similar manner, as indicated at 16, to provide foldable flaps or flanges 17.

The sheet 14 has formed therein at spaced points a series of openings or slots 18 which intersect the fold or score line 15. The slots 18 include reduced or narrowed intermediate portions 19. The upper end portions of the slots 18 are covered by a removable protec- 3,002,630 Patented Oct. 3, 1961 tive strip 20 of suitable material, preferably tissue paper, which is adhesively secured on the sheet 14 or, in the case of a waxed cardboard holder, heat-pressed into the wax on one side of the fold or scored line 15. One end portion of the protective strip 20 projects beyond the sheet 14 for providing a pull tab 21.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the flaps 17 are folded on the scored lines 16 to an acute angle to the sheet 14. The sheet 14 is then folded to a V-shape on the scored center line 15 thereof. The flaps 17 are then inserted in the grooves 12 from one end thereof with the longitudinal marginal portions of the sheet 14 abutting the convergent flanges 10. In this manner the holder 13 is removably mounted on the bracket 6. The protective strip 20 is then removed for fully exposing the slots 18. To mount a conventional toothbrush as indicated at 22 on the holder, the usual relatively narrow neck portion 23 of said brush is inserted edgewise in one of the slots 18. After passing the narrow intermediate portion 19 of the slot, the brush is turned degrees and is thus retained in the slot in an obvious manner. The sheet or card 14 is slightly tensioned when it is mounted on the bracekt 6 and frictionally engages the flanges 10. Also, the flanges 10 retain the flaps 17 in the grooves or channels 12.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A toothbrush rack comprising a bracket including a plate for mounting on a wall, a pair of spaced, opposed, forwardly convergent flanges on said plate, said plate having rabbets therein adjacent the flanges, said rabbets having oppositely opening grooves therein spaced from and opposed to the flanges, and a removable holder on the bracket, said holder including a generally V-shaped card engaged between the flanges, and inturned flaps on the card slidably engaged in the grooves, said card having slots therein traversing its apex portion for the reception of toothbrushes, said slots including restricted intermediate portions for retaining the toothbrushes therein.

2. Atoothbrush rack comprising a vertical wall plate having upwardly and downwardly opening grooves therein, convergent flanges on the plate in vertically spaced, opposed relation to and spaced from the grooves, and a holder removably mounted on the plate and including a generally V-shaped, resilient card having certain of its marginal portions engaged under tension between the flanges and comprising inturned flaps engaged in the grooves, said card further comprising means for mounting a toothbrush thereon.

References Cited in the file of this: patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 448,359 Nichols Mar. 17, 1891 1,972,532 McMillan Sept. 4, 1934 2,059,858 Ernst Nov. 11, 1936 2,161,855 Copell June 13, 1937 2,460,230 Makrianes Ian. 25, 1949 2,639,081 Metzger May 18, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS H-19.924 Germany May 3, 1956

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