Toiletry item stand

Abstract

A toiletry item stand includes a body having a first leg, a second leg, an upper portion, and an item receiving channel defined between the first and second legs. Each of the first leg and second leg terminate at a surface engagement section configured to engage a support surface upon which the toiletry item stand is placed, the surface engagement sections being separated by the item receiving channel. The item receiving channel includes an item receiving socket defined adjacent the upper portion and an item entry passage defined below the item receiving socket, the item entry passage being smaller in width than the item receiving socket. The toiletry item stand is operable to receive a portion of a toiletry item in the item receiving socket and thereby suspend a portion of the toiletry item above the support surface when the toiletry item stand is placed on the support surface.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A toiletry item stand, comprising:
 a body having a first leg, a second leg, an upper portion, and an item receiving channel defined between the first and second legs;   each of the first leg and second leg terminating at a surface engagement section configured to engage a support surface upon which the toiletry item stand is placed, the surface engagement sections being separated by the item receiving channel;   the item receiving channel including an item receiving socket defined adjacent the upper portion and an item entry passage defined below the item receiving socket, the item entry passage being smaller in width than the item receiving socket;   the toiletry item stand being operable to receive a portion of a toiletry item in the item receiving socket and thereby suspend a portion of the toiletry item above the support surface when the toiletry item stand is placed on the support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The stand of  claim 1 , further comprising an engagement material, disposed about a periphery of the item receiving socket, the engagement material being operable to engage the portion of the toiletry item in the item receiving socket, the engagement material differing from a material from which the body is formed. 
     
     
         3 . The stand of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement material includes a thickness, and wherein the thickness of the engagement material is greater than a thickness of the body adjacent the engagement material. 
     
     
         4 . The stand of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement material is more pliable than is a material from which the body is formed. 
     
     
         5 . The stand of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement material includes a series of teeth formed therein. 
     
     
         6 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the toiletry item comprises a toothbrush. 
     
     
         7 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the toiletry item comprises a disposable razor. 
     
     
         8 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the toiletry item held in the item receiving socket is larger in diameter than is the width of the item entry passage. 
     
     
         9 . A toiletry item and support stand, comprising:
 a toiletry item;   a support stand having a body having a first leg, a second leg, an upper portion, and an item receiving channel defined between the first and second legs;   each of the first leg and second leg terminating at a surface engagement section configured to engage a support surface upon which the toiletry item stand is placed, the surface engagement sections being separated by the item receiving channel;   the item receiving channel including an item receiving socket defined adjacent the upper portion and an item entry passage defined below the item receiving socket, the item entry passage being smaller in width than the item receiving socket;   a portion of the toiletry item being held within the item receiving socket, and a portion of the toiletry item being suspended above the support surface when the toiletry item support stand is placed on the support surface.   
     
     
         10 . The stand of  claim 9 , further comprising an engagement material, disposed about a periphery of the item receiving socket, the engagement material engaging the portion of the toiletry item in the item receiving socket to more securely hold the toiletry item, the engagement material differing from a material from which the body is formed. 
     
     
         11 . The stand of  claim 10 , wherein the engagement material is more pliable than is a material from which the body is formed. 
     
     
         12 . The stand of  claim 10 , wherein the engagement material includes a series of teeth formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The stand of  claim 9 , wherein the toiletry item comprises a toothbrush. 
     
     
         14 . The stand of  claim 9 , wherein the toiletry item comprises a disposable razor. 
     
     
         15 . A method for supporting a portion of a toiletry item above a surface, comprising:
 positioning a toiletry item relative to a toiletry item stand, the toiletry item stand including a body having a first leg, a second leg, an upper portion, and an item receiving channel defined between the first and second legs, the item receiving channel including an item receiving socket defined adjacent the upper portion of the body and an item entry passage defined below the item receiving socket;   positioning a surface engagement section of the first leg and the second leg on a support surface with the surface engagement sections being separated by the item receiving channel;   passing a first portion of the toiletry item through the item entry passage and into the item receiving socket;   moving the toiletry item longitudinally within the item receiving socket and positioning a second portion of the toiletry item within the item receiving socket; and   resting a tail end of the toiletry item upon the support surface and suspending a head end of the toiletry item above the support surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the body of the toiletry item stand includes an engagement material disposed about a periphery of the item receiving socket, and wherein positioning the second portion of the toiletry item within the item receiving socket includes engaging the second portion with the engagement material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the engagement material is more pliable than is a material from which the body is formed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the engagement material includes a series of teeth formed therein. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the toiletry item comprises a toothbrush. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the toiletry item comprises a disposable razor.