Tissue box holder

Abstract

A holder, mountable in homes, motor vehicles, and the like, including an elongated strap insertable through a pair of opposed walls on a tissue box so as to lie against the bottom thereof, with the opposite end portions of the strap projecting beyond the opposed walls. A first end of the strap incorporates an elongated mounting aperture, the second projecting portion of the strap includes a series of longitudinally spaced holes therein for selectively receiving a retaining pin for a releasably locking of the box on the strap.

Description

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in holders for tissue boxes and the like with the holder of the invention being particularly adapted for use in substantially any environment, including homes, mobile homes, trailer homes, campers, boats, automobiles, and the like.

Holders for tissue boxes and the like are generally known as exemplified by the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,214,059; 3,292,889; 3,285,559; 3,288,416; and 2,836,386.

However, the holder of the present invention is considered, notwithstanding its simplicity, to constitute a significant improvement over the prior art devices in both its adaptability for use at any point where a mounted tissue box is desired, and for the specific provision of an adjustable retainer for a positive retention of the mounted tissue box, regardless of the orientation of the holder strap.

Basically, the holder consists of an elongated strap, of metal or plastic, incorporating sufficient rigidity so as to retain a tissue box thereon even when horizontally oriented and supported solely at one end. The strap is of a length so as to extend through and beyond the tissue box lengthwise thereof. A first end of the strap, which projects beyond the received box, includes an elongated slot for engagement with a mounting screw or the like which secures the strap to a support structure. The support structure can be a building or vehicle wall, ceiling, or the like. The second end portion of the strap, projectible beyond the second side of the box, includes a series of holes therethrough, at least one of which is exposed with the exposed hole closest to the corresponding wall of the box receiving an elongated enlarged head pin therethrough to preclude removal of the mounted box. The head of the pin will normally be clamped between the strap and the support structure to preclude an accidental removal thereof, the strap incorporating a slight degree of resiliency so as to enable a proper insertion of the pin.

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 drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tissue box holder mounted on a vertical wall in a home, mobile home, or the like.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional detailed view taken substantially on a plane passing along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holder or mounting strap with the retaining pin removed therefrom; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the holder mounted within an automobile utilizing the rear view mirror bracket as a retention means for the strap.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the holder comprising the present invention. This holder 10 is adapted to mount and positively retain a conventional tissue box 12 either longitudinally or crossways thereon.

The holder 10 consists basically of a flat elongated relatively rigid strap 14 having full-length parallel sides 16 and rounded opposed ends 18 and 19. The first end 18 constituting the mounting end of the strap 14 has the end portion adjacent thereto provided with an elongated mounting slot 20. This slot is adapted to receive a mounting bolt or screw 22 therethrough for a fixing of the strap to a suitable support structure, such as a building wall 24. In such an installation, the strap 14 will depend vertically from the mounting screw 22 as will be best appreciated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The elongated slot 20 allows for such adjustment as may be necessary on the mounting screw 22.

The second end portion of the strap 14, inwardly from the end 19 thereof for a substantial portion of the length of the strap 14, has a series of longitudinally aligned openings or apertures 26 therethrough. These apertures are adapted to receive the elongated shank 28 of a retaining pin 30 which also includes an enlarged flat head 32. The head 32 is, of course, of a size too large to pass through the shank receiving aperture 26.

In use, the tissue box 12 is mounted on the mounting strap 14 by an insertion of the second free end portion of the strap 14 through a pair of opposed box walls, whether these be the end walls or the side walls, in a manner so that the central portion of the strap 14 lies adjacent the bottom 34 of the box. The slots through which the strap 14 is inserted can be preformed prior to an insertion of the strap or can be formed by an actual forcing of the strap therethrough. Once mounted in this manner, the dispensing top 36 of the box is orientated outward for removal of the tissue therethrough.

In order to effect a positive retention of the mounted tissue box 12, the elongated shank 28 of the retaining pin 30 is inserted through one of the strap openings 26 corresponding to the desired uppermost position of the tissue box. As will be noted with the longitudinally oriented tissue box 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the length of the box is such so as to require utilization of the outermost aperture 26. A box of shorter length will enable the utilization of one of the inwardly spaced openings 26. In mounting the retainer or retaining pin 30, the strap 14 is slightly outwardly flexed to enable an insertion of the pin from the rear thereof with the fully received pin having the enlarged head 32 thereof clamped between the strap 14 and the surface of the support 24 to preclude accidental removal of the pin and provide for a positive retention of the tissue box 12 until a replacement thereof is desired.

FIG. 4 is of interest in illustrating a utilization of the holder 10 installed in an automobile in an overhead position with the mounting end 18 received under the rear view mirror bracket 38 and the bracket mounting bolt 40 engaged through the mounting slot 20 (not shown). For purposes of compactness, the tissue box 12 is installed transversely on the strap 14 with the retainer 30, installed from above the strap 14 so as to retain the head against the automobile head liner, positioned in one of the inwardly spaced openings 26 so as to snugly retain the box 12 against the bracket 38.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the unique provision and utilization of the adjustable retainer allows for use of the holder in any position, whether vertical, horizontal, inverted, or the like. Further, the retainer or retaining pin, while positively and safely locking the tissue box onto the holder strap, does so in a manner which allows for a simple removal and replacement of the box as desired.

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.

Claims

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A tissue box holder for use in the home, automobile, or the like, said holder comprising a flat elongated strap having an elongated central portion and opposed end portions, said strap being selectively insertable through a pair of opposed walls of a tissue box with the central portion of the strap received along the bottom of the box and the opposed end portions projecting beyond said opposed walls of the box, one of said projecting end portions comprising a mounting end engageable with a support structure for a mounting of the holder thereon, with the strap extending along a surface of the support structure, the second of said projecting end portions including a laterally projecting box retainer projecting from said strap and precluding withdrawal of the box therefrom, said retainer being longitudinally adjustable along said strap and selectively removable from said strap so as to allow for a mounting and removal of a tissue box, said retainer comprising a pin with an enlarged head, the second of said end portions having a series of pin receiving holes therethrough for a selective reception of said pin, with the head of the pin being arranged clamped between the strap and the surface of the support structure.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein said strap has parallel opposed elongated sides and rounded ends.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said mounting end includes an elongated slot therethrough for the selective reception of a mounting screw.