US3476254A - Soap bar holder - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 4, 1969 w'. J. GAI-'.FNEY

soAP BAR HOLDER Filed Jan. 17, 196e United States Patent O 3,476,254 SOAP BAR HOLDER William J. Gaifney, 7444 Blaisdell Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55423 Filed Jan. 17, 1968, Ser. No. 698,606

Int. Cl. A47f 7/00 U.S. Cl. 211-13 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for holding three bars of soap having a pair of spaced apart end walls, each end wall having oppositely faced, somewhat I-shaped edge portions and a generally horizontal serrated upper edge between the I -shaped portions. The end walls upper edge portions are connected by a generally horizontally extending, serrated top member while the respective generally l-shaped edge portions of the end walls that are faced in the` same direction are connected together by a generally J-shaped support member. The support members are integrally joined to opposite side edges of top member.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a holder for holding a plurality of soap bars or similar articles; and more particularly for supporting a pair of soap bars in oppositely upwardly inclined positions and a third bar in a generally flat horizontal condition.

The holder includes a pair of spaced brackets (end walls) each having oppositely faced, somewhat J-shaped edge portions together with a top member extending between the brackets. Support members that are generally J-shaped extend between the brackets whereby a pair of bars of soap may be supported that are shorter than the spacing between the brackets.

In many households, as well as other places, one member of the household may prefer to use a different bar of soap (brand or otherwise) than the other members. Further, it is desirable that the holder may be merely set on, for example, a wash basin, and the desired bar of soap easily grasped and removed therefrom. In order to achieve the above as well as obtain other advantages, this invention has been made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the soap bar holder of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 2 2 of FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional View generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 3--3 of FIGURES l and 2; said view additionally showing in dotted lines; three bars of soap being held by lthe holder.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus of this invention includes a pair of vertical parallel brackets (end walls) generally designated 10. Each bracket has a somewhat I -shaped edge portion respectively designated 11 and 12, a horizontally extending serrated upper edge portion, 13 extending between the upper ends of edge portions 11 and 12, a reversely inclined edge portion 14 terminated at the opposite end of portion 11, and a reversely inclined edge portion 15 terminating at the opposite end of portion 12. Each of portions 11, 12 includes a nearly vertically extending surface 11a, 12a respectively, surfaces 11a, 12a diverging away from one another in a downward direction and from the vertical in the order of magnitude by only a few degrees. Portions 11, 12 each include curved portions 11b, 12b respectively that at the juncture with the respective portion 11a, 12a extends downwardly and outwardly at relatively small radii of Mice curvature; and thence at much greater radii or curvature, extend upwardly in an outwardly direction, but predominately outwardly. The vertical height H of portions 11a, 12a is about 2 or 3 more times greater than the horizontal dimension W that portions 11b, 12b extend outwardly from portions 11a, 12a respectively (see FIGURE 2). Further dimension W is considerably less than the corresponding dimension of edge portion 13.

I oined to edge portions 13 of the brackets to extend therebetween is a serrated top member 20, the serrations thereof in longitudinal cross section being of the same size and shape as those of brackets 10. A somewhat J- shaped support member 21 having an upper surface of nearly the same cross sectional configuration as that of edges 12 is joined to brackets 10 adjacent edge portions 12 such that edge portions 12 project outwardly and upwardly relative member 21 to provide ribs. The upper transverse edge of support member 21 is joined to the adjacent edge of serrated member 20. Likewise, a second support member 22 of the same construction as member 21, but oppositely faced, is joined to brackets 10 adjacent edge portions 11 such that portions 11 effectively form a ribbed continuation of the upper and outer surfaces of member 21. Thus each of support members 21, 22 have nearly vertical wall portions that diverge slightly outwardly of one another in a downward direction, and that in a horizontal plane extend perpendicular to the brackets. Further these support members have lower wall portions curved in a manner corresponding to the curvature of the respective edge 11b, 12b. The upper transverse edge of member 22 is joined to the adjacent transverse edge of top member 20. The opposite transverse edge of member 22 is joined to the depending ange 23 that extends between brackets 10 adjacent edge portions 14 and is inclined downwardly and inwardly at about the same angle. A depending flange 24 is likewise joined to the brackets adjacent edge portions 15 but is inclined at an opposite angle relative ange 23, the lower edges of bracket 10 and anges 23, 24 being in the same plane to abut against a wash basin surface 25 or the surface of another object.

Advantageously, each of members 21, 22 has ribs 27, 28 respectively that are located in planes parallel to brackets 10 to extend upwardly and outwardly of said members the same distance that edge portions 11, 12 respectively extend away from the corresponding nonribbed surfaces of said members. The soap holder of the invention may be made as a completely integrally formed unit, for example out of plastic material. In such a case, edge portions 14, 15 may be vertical or diverge slightly in a downward direction as well as the flanges 23, 24.

If desired, a perforation may be provided in the lowermost portion `of each support member between each adjacent pair of ribs, and each rib and the adjacent bracket for the drainage of water.

In using the apparatus of this invention, a rst bar of soap 30 is positioned to have one of its longitudinally elongated edge surface bear against the upwardly and outwardly curved edge portions 11b and the corresponding parts of ribs 28,'while an upper edge portion bears against the upper parts of edge portions 11a and the corresponding generally vertical portions of ribs 2S. Thus, bar 30 is supported in an inclined condition with only small areas of the soap bearing against the holder whereby the bar is spaced from the surfaces of member 22. Likewise, a second bar of soap 32 is supported by edge portions 12a, 12b and ribs 27 while a third bar 3-1 in a horizontal condition bears against the upper parallel edges of the serrations of the top member 20. At the same time any one of the three bars may be readily grasped and removed from the holder, the ribs spacing the upper portion of bars 30,

32 a small distance away from the respective support members to facilitate grasping the soap bar.

It is to be understood that ribs 27, 28 may be eliminated; however, for small bars of soap, or larger bars that have been partially used, a substantial surface area of the bar may abut against the surface of the respective support member and hinder drying of such an area of the soap. Further, by providing the support members, bars of soap shorter than the spacing between the brackets may be supported by the holder.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for bars of soap or similar articles comprising a pair of spaced end brackets having opposite first and second generally vertically upwardly extending edge portions, a third edge portion extending adjacent to the lower part of the first edge portion and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the second edge portion, a fourth edge portion extending adjacent to the lower part of the second edge portion and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the first edge portion, a first support member having a first Wall portion extending between the brackets first edge portions and extending upwardly at about the same angle as the first edge portions and a second Wall portion extending between the brackets third edge portions and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the brackets first edge portions, and a second support member having a third wall portion extending between the brackets Second edge portions and extending upwardly at about the same angle as the second edge portions and a fourth wall portion extending between the brackets fourth edge portions and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the brackets second edge portions, said first and third edge portions being adapted for abutting against a first bar of soap and the second and fourth edge portions being adapted for abutting against a second bar of soap.

2. The holder of claim 1 further characterized in that each of the brackets have a fifth upper edge portion at a substantially higher elevation then the third and fourth edge portions extending generally horizontally between the first and second edge portions, said fifth edge portions being of horizontal lengths for supportingly engaging a third bar of soap.

3. The holder of claim 2 further characterized in that there is provided a fifth generally horizontally extending wall portion extending between said fifth edge portions, said fifth wall portion being serrated and having serration peaks extending from one bracket to the other.

4. The holder of claim 2 further characterized in that said brackets are parallel, that said first and third edge portions are somewhat I-shaped in configuration and that said second and fourth edge portions are of a somewhat J- shaped configuration.

5. The holder of claim 4 further characterized in that said first support member wall portions are integrally joined and somewhat I-shaped in cross section in a plane parallel to the planes of the brackets, and that there is provided means integrally joined to said brackets and support members for supportingly engaging a third bar of soap.

l6. The holder of claim 5 further characterized in that each support member includes a somewhat J-shaped rib in a plane parallel to the brackets and having a surface portion of substantially the same size and shape as the first and third edges and the second and fourth edges respectively of the brackets, and that the horizontal dimension of a third edge portion is substantially less than each of the corresponding dimensions of said means and the vertical dimension of said first edge portion.

7. A holder for bars of soap or similar articles comprising a pair of spaced end brackets having opposite first and second generally vertically upwardly extending edge portions, a third edge portion extending adjacent to the lower part of the first edge portion and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the second edge portion and a fourth edge portion extending adjacent to the lower part of the second edge portion and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the first edge portion, and means connected to said brackets for retaining said brackets in substantially spaced, generally parallel relationship, said means including a member for supporting a third bar of soap in a generally horizontal flat condition.

8. The holder of claim 7 further characterized in that said means include a support member that is somewhat J- shaped in cross section in a plane parallel to said brackets joined to said first and third edge portions.

9. The holder of claim 7 further characterized in that the brackets have upper edge portions, and that the member for holding said third bar of soap is joined to said upper edge portions and is serrated in cross section in a plane parallel to said brackets.

10. The holder of claim 7 further characterized in that said means include somewhat J-shaped, oppositely faced support members extending between said brackets, said support members have lower portions extending upwardly and predominately outwardly of one another.

11. The holder of claim 10 fur-ther characterized in that said support members include upper portions spaced from one another that diverge in a downward direction and have upper edges joined to said member for supporting said third bar of soap.

12. The holder of claim 10 further characterized in that each bracket has a fifth and sixth terminal edge portion respectively joined to said third and fourth edge portion to extend to a substantially lower elevation than said third and four-th edge portion, said fifth and sixth edge portions converging in a downward direction.

13. A holder for bars of soap or similar articles comprising a pair of spaced end brackets each having opposite first and second generally vertically upwardly extending edge portions, a third edge portion extending adjacent to the lower part of the first edge portion and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the second edge portion, a fourth edge portion extending adjacent to the lower part of the second edge portion and upwardly and predominately outwardly in a direction away from the first edge portion, an upper edge portion joining the first and second edge portions, a fifth edge portion joined to the third edge portion remote from the first edge portion and extending downwardly from the third edge portion and a sixth edge portion joined to the fourth edge portion remote from the second edge portion and extending downwardly from the fourth edge portion, said upper edge portion being at a substantially higher elevation than the third and fourth edge portions, and means connected to said brackets for retaining said brackets in substantially spaced, generally parallel relationship, said first and third edge portions being adapted to support a first bar of soap, the second and fourth edge portions being adapted to support a second bar of soap and the upper edge portions being of horizontal lengths for supportingly engaging a third bar of soap.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said upper edge portions are serrated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 660,264 10./ 1900 Storm 211-42 X 1,239,392 9/1917 Hessong 211-13 1,917,735 7/1933 Roberts Q11--13 2,175,753 10/ 1939 Guthmann 211-13 DAVID H` BRQWN, Primary Examiner

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