CA2510535C

CA2510535C - Toilet tank accessory rack

Info

Publication number: CA2510535C
Application number: CA 2510535
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ouyang Huei
Original assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp
Current assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp
Priority date: 2005-06-23
Filing date: 2005-06-23
Publication date: 2008-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-23
Also published as: CA2510535A1

Abstract

A toilet tank accessory rack has a fixing element and a holding element.
The fixing element is assembled on a wall near a toilet tank of a toilet, and forms first assembling portions thereon. The holding element forms second assembling portions for corresponding to and locking with the first assembling portion. At least a storing chamber is provided on a side of the holding element for storing articles, such as shampoo, washing foam, books and magazines, where a user may conveniently fetch them while defecating or washing.

Description

SPECIFICATION
TOILET TANK ACCESSORY RACK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a rack, and particularly to a toilet tank accessory rack which is assembled on a toilet tank of a toilet and holds articles, in order to increase the space in a bathroom for holding articles.

2. RELATED ART
[0002] Toilets are always being improved for making defecating and urinating more convenient. No matter earlier squat pans, seat style toilets, or trendy toilets which automatically flush, they are all designed for facilitating defecating and urinating. Nowadays people are used to reading newspapers or magazines while defecating. So it is popular to reserve newspapers or magazines in a bathroom.

[0003] However, it is rare to provide a book shelf or specified place for storing newspapers or magazines in a small bathroom. Generally, people simply place the books, magazines, and newspapers on the cover of toilet tank where people can easily reach while sitting on the toilet. In this case, the bathroom appears untidy.

[0004] In the prior art, some toilets provide an articles holding room on a cover of the toilet tank thereof. For instance, such a design is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5862536, as shown in Fig. 5. In U.S. Patent No. 5862536, an article holding room 80 is integrated with the tank 8 and is oriented at a rear thereof for reserving magazines and newspapers.

[0005] However, the article holding room 80 of U.S. Patent No. 5862536 is disposed behind the user while sitting on the toilet. The user has to turn laterally and put his hand behind him to get magazines or books; thus it is inconvenient for the user and is contrary to ergonomic trends.

[0006] Moreover, the article holding room 80 of U.S. Patent No. 5862536 is integrated with the tank 8, complicating assembly and usage for users and is inapplicable for ordinary toilet tanks.

[0007] In addition, the article holding room 80 of U.S. Patent No.
5862536 is bare, tending to retain dirt. Once liquid in a shampoo bottle spills, the article holding room 80 is uneasy to clean.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet tank accessory rack which is directly assembled on a toilet tank and stores articles, such as shampoo, washing foam, books and magazines, where a user may conveniently fetch them while defecating or washing.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet tank accessory rack which simplifies assembly/disassembly and facilitates cleaning.

[0010] The toilet tank accessory rack of the present invention comprises a fixing element and a holding element. The fixing element is assembled on a wall near a toilet tank of a toilet, and forms first assembling portions thereon. The holding element forms second assembling portions for corresponding to and locking with the first assembling portion. At least a storing chamber is provided on a side of the holding element for storing articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011 ] Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a toilet tank accessory rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.
[0013] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a toilet tank accessory rack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the toilet tank accessory rack of Fig.
3 assembled on a toilet.
[0015] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a toilet tank in U.S. Patent No.
5862536.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a toilet tank accessory rack 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixing element 2 assembled on a wall near a toilet tank of a toilet and a holding element 3 assembled near the toilet tank. The fixing element 2 includes a pair of support plates 20, 21 horizontally opposing to each other.
A connecting plate 22 connects the support plates 20, 21. A plurality of fixing holes 220 is defined in the connecting plate 22 for accommodating screws (not shown) to retain to a wall. The support plates 20, 21 respectively form first assembling portions for assembling onto the holding element 3.
The first assembling portions comprise a plurality of positioning notches 201, 211 respectively defined in opposite ends of the support plates 20, 21. A
hook 221 is formed on an end of the connecting plate 22 for locking an open side of the toilet tank.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 2, the holding element 3 includes a rectangular frame 30. A slot 31 is defined in the rectangular frame 30 for hitching the toilet tank. Storing chambers are disposed on opposite sides of the rectangular frame 30. The storing chambers are small rectangular rank portions 32, 33 which respectively and integrally extend from opposite sides of the rectangular frame 30. The small rectangular rank portions 32, 33 respectively define upward openings 321, 331 for storing articles, such as shampoo, washing foam, books and magazines. Second assembling portions are formed on the rectangular frame 30 for corresponding to and locking with the first assembling portion of the fixing element 2. The second assembling portions comprise inverted-L shaped clasps 34 extending from the rectangular frame 30 for anchoring the positioning notches 201, 211.
Notably, the positioning notches 201, 211 and the inverted-L shaped clasps 34 are arranged to be compliant to toilet tanks of different types.
[0018] Referring to Fig. 3, a toilet tank accessory rack 1' in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixing element 2' and a holding element 3'. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that art pictures 4' are provided on the rectangular frame 30' of the holding element 3' and correspond to a front and lateral sides of the toilet tank. The art pictures 4' may be all kinds of flower patterns or animal pictures or other designs.
[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, the toilet tank accessory rack 1' of the second embodiment is mounted on a toilet 5'. Fig. 4 clearly shows that small rectangular rank portions 32', 33' are arranged on opposite sides of the holding element 3' for storing articles, such as shampoo, washing foam, books and magazines. The toilet tank accessory rack is separate relative to the toilet and may be easily assembled on different toilet tanks. Therefore, the toilet tank accessory rack of the present invention can be employed extensively. On the other hand, the toilet tank accessory rack is separate relative to the toilet and may be easily disassembled for cleaning.
[0020] In addition, the art pictures 4' on front and lateral sides of the holding element 3' increase aesthetic appeal and decorate the bathroom, which further increase the utility of the present invention.
[0021 ] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.

Claims

1. A toilet tank accessory rack comprising:

a fixing element assembled on a wall near a toilet tank of a toilet, and forming first assembling portions thereon; and a holding element assembled near the toilet tank, and forming second assembling portions for corresponding to and locking with the first assembling portion, at least a storing chamber being provided on a side of the holding element, and wherein the holding element includes a rectangular frame defining a slot therein for hitching the toilet tank, and wherein storing chambers are disposed on opposite sides of the rectangular frame.

2. The toilet tank accessory rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing element includes a pair of support plates horizontally opposing to each other and a connecting plate connecting the support plates, and wherein the first assembling portions comprise a plurality of positioning notches respectively defined in opposite ends of the support plates.

3. The toilet tank accessory rack as claimed in claim 2, wherein a hook is formed on an end of the connecting plate for locking an open side of the toilet tank.

4. The toilet tank accessory rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storing chambers are small rectangular rank portions which respectively and integrally extend from opposite sides of the rectangular frame, the small rectangular rank portions respectively defining upward openings.

5. The toilet tank accessory rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein second assembling portions comprise inverted-L shaped clasps extending from the rectangular frame.

6. The toilet tank accessory rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein art pictures are provided on the rectangular frame and correspond to a front and lateral sides of the toilet tank, and wherein the art pictures may be all kinds of flower patterns and animal pictures.

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