Adjustable shower enclosure rod assembly
A rod assembly for supporting a curtain between a first surface and a second surface includes a first attachment assembly, a second attachment assembly and a rod. Each attachment assembly attaches to a respective surface and includes an angularly adjustable section receiver. The rod includes a first rod section and a second rod section. The first rod section is attached to the first section receiver and includes a first curved section positioned distally from the first section receiver. The second rod section is attached to the second section receiver and includes a second curved section positioned distally from the second section receiver. In one embodiment, the second curved section is slidably connected to the first curved section in a male-female relationship so that a length of the rod is adjustable. The first rod section can include a locking mechanism that is adapted to contact the second rod section to frictionally secure the first rod section and the second rod section to one another. The locking mechanism can slidingly move to adjust the length of the rod.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/860,373, filed Nov. 21, 2006, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted.
BACKGROUNDShower curtain rod assemblies (also sometimes referred to herein as a “rod assembly”) which include a linear shower rod that suspends a shower curtain are well known. Recently, linear shower rods have been modified to include a curved shower rod which extends outwardly from the shower enclosure to provide a user with more space within the shower enclosure while bathing or showering. Some of these types of curved shower rods are fixedly mounted to the shower enclosure, which can have the drawback of taking up needed space outside of the shower enclosure. Other shower rods can be adjustable so that a user can retract the shower rod toward or into the shower enclosure during non-use of the shower. Still other shower rods can be dismounted and remounted in a manner that provides more space outside the shower enclosure during non-use of the shower.
Unfortunately, many of these types of shower curtain rod assemblies are cumbersome and can include complex mechanisms that are inconvenient or difficult to use and/or install for different sized shower enclosures. For instance, some shower rod assemblies require altering the materials of the shower rod, such as by cutting or sawing components of the shower rod.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed toward a rod assembly for supporting a curtain between a first surface and a second surface. In one embodiment, the rod assembly includes a first attachment assembly, a second attachment assembly and a rod. The first attachment assembly attaches to the first surface and includes an angularly adjustable first section receiver. The second attachment assembly attaches to the second surface and includes an angularly adjustable second section receiver. In certain embodiments, the rod includes a first rod section and a second rod section. The first rod section is attached to the first section receiver. Further, the first rod section includes a first curved section positioned distally from the first section receiver. The second rod section is attached to the second section receiver. In addition, the second rod section includes a second curved section positioned distally from the second section receiver. In one embodiment, the second curved section is slidably connected to the first curved section so that a length of the rod is adjustable.
In some embodiments, substantially the entire length of at least one of the rod sections is curved. The curved sections can be connected to one another in a male-female relationship. The first rod section can include a locking mechanism that is adapted to contact the second rod section to frictionally secure the first rod section and the second rod section to one another. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a set screw. The second curved section can include a slot. The locking mechanism can slidingly move along the slot to adjust the length of the rod. In certain embodiments, the section receivers pivot in a side-to-side motion. The rod can be rotatable relative to the attachment assemblies by at least approximately 90 degrees.
In another embodiment, the rod assembly includes a first end, a second end and a curved middle section. The first end is attached to the first section receiver. The second end is attached to the second section receiver. The middle section is positioned between first end and the second end. In one embodiment, the middle section is adjustable to change a length of the rod for attachment to the first section receiver and the second section receiver.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
The present invention is directed toward an adjustable shower enclosure rod assembly 10 (also referred to herein as a “rod assembly”) for adjustably supporting a curtain 12 such as a shower curtain. The design of the rod assembly 10 can vary, as provided herein. Although the rod assembly 10 described herein is particularly well-suited for supporting a shower curtain 12, it is recognized that the rod assembly 10 can equally support one or more curtains 12 used for other purposes. As one non-exclusive example, the rod assembly 10 can support a curtain 12 used to partition off one portion of a room from another, or to hide one area, such as a closet, the rest of a room. It is understood that the rod assembly 10 provided herein can be utilized in any suitable situation where support of a curtain 12 between two surfaces is required.
The support structure 15 can be part of a shower enclosure, closet or any other suitable structure. In the embodiment illustrated in
The shape of the rod 14 can vary to suit the design requirements of the rod assembly 10 and the support structure 15. For example, in one embodiment, the rod 14 can have a curved design with a substantially consistent radius of curvature. In an alternative embodiment, the rod 14 can have a curved design with a varying radius of curvature. Still alternatively, the rod 14 can be substantially linear. In another embodiment, the rod 14 can include substantially linear portions separated by angled connector regions such as acute, right or obtuse angles. In yet another embodiment, the rod 14 can combine linear portions and curved regions.
The rod 14 includes two or more rod sections 22, 24 that are movable relative to one another prior to being secured to the attachment assemblies 16. In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The first proximal end 226F and the second proximal end 226S are adjacent to and are each coupled to respective attachment assemblies 216 (only one attachment assembly 216 is illustrated in each position 200A, 200B shown in FIG. 2), which are in turn each secured to respective surfaces 15A, 15B of the support structure 15 (illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the first rod section 222 and the second rod section 224 slidingly move relative to one another in a telescoping manner. Thus, an adjustment can be made to an overall length of the rod 214 according to the dimensions of the support structure 15, without the need to permanently alter or disfigure the rod 214, such as by sawing or otherwise shortening one or more rod sections 222, 224. With this design, the rod 214 can be used on multiple occasions with different support structures 15 having varying dimensions from one another, or in different horizontal and/or vertical positions within a given support structure 15.
In the extended position 200A, the shower rod 214 is relatively lengthy to accommodate larger shower enclosures, for example. In this extended position 200A, the second rod section 224 is inserted within the first rod section 222 to a lesser extent than when the shower rod 214 is in the retracted position 200B. In the retracted position 200B illustrated in
In this embodiment, the first attachment assembly 416A includes a first surface mount (not shown in
Somewhat similarly, the second attachment assembly 416B includes a second surface mount 434B, a second section receiver (not visible in
In certain embodiments, the proximal ends 426F, 426S of the shower rod 414 can include a hollow (female) region that is attached to the respective first section receiver 436A or second section receiver of the respective attachment assembly 416A, 416B.
Additionally, in one embodiment, the first receiver retainer 538A can rotate in a clockwise and/or a counterclockwise direction relative to the first surface 515A, as illustrated by arrow 582. For example, the first receiver retainer 538A, and thus the rod 514, can rotate at least 90 degrees relative to the first surface 515A. In one embodiment, the first receiver retainer 538A, and thus the rod 514, can rotate at least 90 degrees relative to the first surface 515A. It is understood that the second receiver retainer 438B can behave in a substantially similar manner as the first receiver retainer 538A. By selectively rotating the first receiver retainer 538A, the orientation of the rod 514 changes so that the curvature of the rod 514 can either extend inwardly toward the shower enclosure (shown in
The stabilizer 1048 (illustrated in
With one or more of the designs provided herein, the telescoping nature of the shower rod 14, combined with the pivoting attachment assemblies 16A, 16B, provides easier assembly and installation, as well as greater versatility for different sized shower enclosures. Further, in various embodiments, the curved shower rod 14 provides increased space within the shower enclosure during showering.
While the particular adjustable shower enclosure rod assembly 10 as shown and disclosed herein is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of the methods, construction or design herein shown and described.
Claims
1. A rod assembly for supporting a curtain between a first surface and a second surface, the rod assembly comprising:
- a first attachment assembly that attaches to the first surface, the first attachment assembly including an angularly adjustable first section receiver;
- a second attachment assembly that attaches to the second surface, the second attachment assembly including an angularly adjustable second section receiver; and
- a rod including (i) a first rod section that is attached to the first section receiver, the first rod section including a first curved section positioned distally from the first section receiver, and (ii) a second rod section that is attached to the second section receiver, the second rod section including a second curved section positioned distally from the second section receiver, the second curved section being slidably connected to the first curved section so that a length of the rod is adjustable.
2. The rod assembly of claim 1 wherein substantially the entire length of at least one of the rod sections is curved.
3. The rod assembly of claim 1 wherein substantially the entire length of each of the rod sections is curved.
4. The rod assembly of claim 1 wherein the curved sections are connected to one another in a male-female relationship.
5. The rod assembly of claim 1 wherein the first rod section includes a locking mechanism that is adapted to contact the second rod section to frictionally secure the first rod section and the second rod section to one another.
6. The rod assembly of claim 5 wherein the locking mechanism includes a set screw.
7. The rod assembly of claim 5 wherein the second curved section includes a slot, and wherein the locking mechanism slidingly moves along the slot to adjust the length of the rod.
8. The rod assembly of claim 1 wherein the section receivers pivot in a side-to-side motion.
9. The rod assembly of claim 1 wherein the rod is rotatable relative to at least one of the surfaces by at least approximately 90 degrees.
10. The rod assembly of claim 1 wherein the rod is rotatable relative to at least one of the surfaces by at least approximately 180 degrees.
11. A rod assembly for supporting a curtain between a first surface and a second surface, the rod assembly comprising:
- a first attachment assembly that attaches to the first surface, the first attachment assembly including an angularly adjustable first section receiver;
- a second attachment assembly that attaches to the second surface, the second attachment assembly including an angularly adjustable second section receiver; and
- a rod including (i) a first end that is attached to the first section receiver, (ii) a second end that is attached to the second section receiver, and (iii) a curved, middle section positioned between first end and the second end, the middle section being adjustable to change a length of the rod for attachment to the first section receiver and the second section receiver.
12. The rod assembly of claim 11 wherein the middle section includes an intersection between a first rod section and a second rod section, the rod sections being connected to one another in a male-female relationship.
13. The rod assembly of claim 12 wherein the first rod section includes a locking mechanism that is adapted to contact the second rod section to frictionally secure the first rod section and the second rod section to one another.
14. The rod assembly of claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism includes a set screw.
15. The rod assembly of claim 13 wherein the second rod section includes a slot, and wherein the locking mechanism slidingly moves along the slot to adjust the length of the rod.
16. The rod assembly of claim 11 wherein the section receivers pivot in a side-to-side motion.
17. The rod assembly of claim 11 wherein the rod is rotatable relative to at least one of the surfaces by at least approximately 90 degrees.
18. The rod assembly of claim 11 wherein the rod is rotatable relative to at least one of the surfaces by at least approximately 180 degrees.
19. The rod assembly of claim 11 wherein the rod is adapted to be attached to the attachment assemblies when the attachment assemblies are positioned in a non-parallel manner with one another.
20. A rod assembly for supporting a curtain between a first surface and a second surface, the rod assembly comprising:
- a first attachment assembly that attaches to the first surface, the first attachment assembly including an angularly adjustable first section receiver that pivots in a side-to-side motion;
- a second attachment assembly that attaches to the second surface, the second attachment assembly including an angularly adjustable second section receiver that pivots in a side-to-side motion; and
- a rod including (i) a continuously curved first rod section that is attached to the first section receiver, the first rod section including a first curved section positioned distally from the first section receiver, the first rod section including a locking mechanism, and (ii) a continuously curved second rod section that is attached to the second section receiver, the second rod section including a second curved section positioned distally from the second section receiver, the second curved section being slidably connected to the first curved section in a male-female relationship so that a length of the rod is adjustable, wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to contact the second rod section to frictionally secure the first rod section and the second rod section to one another.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 3, 2007
Publication Date: May 22, 2008
Inventor: David Heaslip (Costa Mesa, CA)
Application Number: 11/906,947
International Classification: A47K 3/00 (20060101);