Towel holder

Abstract

A towel holder has at least one bracket, a first towel bar, and a movable second towel bar, such that when a towel is threaded around the first towel bar and the second towel bar, the towel is retained in a generally fixed position relative to the towel holder.

1 . A towel holder, comprising:
 at least one bracket;   a first towel bar coupled to the at least one bracket; and   a second towel bar operably associated with the first towel bar, the second towel bar being moveable relative to the first towel bar between a first position generally adjacent to the first towel bar and a second position spaced apart from the first towel bar;   wherein, the first towel bar and the second towel bar impart a gripping force on a towel when the towel is wrapped around the first towel bar and the second towel bar.   
   
   
       2 . The towel holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two opposing brackets; and   a groove disposed on an inner portion of each bracket, the grooves being adapted to receive the ends of the second towel bar;   wherein the second towel bar is slidingly movable within the grooves relative to the first towel bar.   
   
   
       3 . The towel holder according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a spring operably associated with the second towel bar, the spring being configured to bias the second towel bar toward the first towel bar.   
   
   
       4 . The towel holder according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a retaining means for releasably retaining the second towel bar in a position spaced away from the first towel bar.   
   
   
       5 . The towel holder according to  claim 3 , wherein the spring pushes the second towel bar toward the first towel bar. 
   
   
       6 . The towel holder according to  claim 3 , wherein the spring pulls the second towel bar toward the first towel bar. 
   
   
       7 . The towel holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an extension rod disposed at each end of the second towel bar, each extension rod being pivotally coupled to a bracket, whereby the second towel bar pivots relative to the brackets.   
   
   
       8 . The towel holder according to  claim 7 , wherein the pivotal motion of the second towel bar is restricted by contact with the first towel bar. 
   
   
       9 . The towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the first towel bar is a straight rod and the second towel bar is a straight rod. 
   
   
       10 . The towel holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the first towel bar has a generally circular shape and the second towel bar has a generally circular shape. 
   
   
       11 . A towel holder, comprising:
 a bracket member;   a first towel ring coupled to the bracket member; and   a second towel ring operably associated with the first towel ring, the second towel ring being pivotally movable relative to the first towel ring between a first position generally adjacent to the first towel ring and a second position spaced apart from the first towel ring;   wherein, the first towel ring and the second towel ring impart a gripping force on a towel when the towel is wrapped around the first towel ring and the second towel ring.   
   
   
       12 . The towel holder according to  claim 11 , wherein the second towel ring is disposed behind the first towel ring. 
   
   
       13 . The towel holder according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a connector for coupling the second towel ring to the first towel ring.   
   
   
       14 . The towel holder according to  claim 13 , wherein the connector attaches to the first towel ring by clipping on to the first towel ring. 
   
   
       15 . The towel holder according to  claim 13 , wherein the first towel ring passes through apertures in the connector. 
   
   
       16 . A towel holder, comprising:
 a pair of brackets;   a first towel bar extending between the brackets;   a second towel bar slidingly carried by the brackets, the second towel bar having means for retaining the second towel bar in proximity to the brackets.   
   
   
       17 . The towel holder according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for retaining the second towel bar in proximity to the brackets is upper extension portions and lower extension portions, the upper extension portions being disposed above the brackets and the lower extension portions being disposed below the brackets. 
   
   
       18 . The towel holder according to  claim 16 , wherein the upper extension portions and the lower extension portions all extend beyond the brackets. 
   
   
       19 . The towel holder according to  claim 16 , wherein the length of the second towel bar is adjustable. 
   
   
       20 . The towel holder according to  claim 19 , wherein the second towel bar is an adjustable, spring-loaded, telescoping bar.