Expanding shower curtain
This invention is directed toward a shower curtain hanger, which can be produced economically and installed easily without assembly. The hanger is of a simple design that attaches rotably to the shower curtain rod with an elongated portion which pushes the shower curtain away from the user due to a weighted portion which hangs below the rod, on the tub side of the shower curtain. Because the device hangs directly from the shower curtain support rod it is simple to install, does not interfere with a user's ability to get into the shower and leave the tub quickly, and does not pose a danger should the user fall against the curtain or have to push his/her way out through the curtain. An alternate embodiment becomes the unified panel 80.
This invention relates to a curtain-supporting device, particularly for preventing a shower curtain from blowing inwardly against a person taking a shower and for associated hygienic reasons. Additionally, the supporting device holds the curtain in an outward displacement, effectively enlarging the showering area and providing more un-interfered room.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONUse of a shower curtain support device minimizes the need for skin contact with a shower curtain. Particularly with shower curtains in hotels, the wish to avoid touching the shower curtains is not merely worrisome. It has been established that the “soap scum” accumulated on vinyl shower curtains over time contain significant microbial populations, including potential opportunistic pathogens. A study published by Kelley et al, in Applied Environmental Microbiology, July 2004, pp. 4187-4192 concludes that the potential opportunistic pathogens harboured in shower curtains can threaten patients in a hospital environment. More generally, any consistent exposure to sources of infection, such as shower curtains, constitutes a public health problem. While exposure can be minimized by regular cleaning or by changing shower curtains, that is often a matter out of the control of the shower user.
A number of shower curtain supports, control devices and adapters have been made which provide supporting frames or arms mounted to a shower rod to hold the curtain away from the shower. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,504 (Steiner), which teaches a set of frames that hold a curtain at its exterior and rely upon such things as Velcro to be attached to the curtain prior to use. The present invention does not require any modification of a standard shower curtain. And, as many people know, Velcro does not work well in moist environments. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 6,996,862 (Shippy), which teaches a device that protrudes into the enclosed area and does not function well when objects operate nearby. Shippy's device may work well to provide room very near the top of a shower curtain. But, it does not appear to be capable of resisting the curtain flapping caused by air movement into the enclosed space. Nor does it function as a curtain hanger. With these and similar arrangements, the devices are overly restrictive in their construction, and/or require additional customized equipment to function at all.
We have found that extending the vertical dimension of a device to the full desired shape of the shower area, from within the interior of the space enclosed by the curtain itself, while locating the center-of-mass of the curtain assembly so as to maximize inertial leverage, provides unexpected benefits in this particular field. Not only does it dramatically simplify the overall workings of the curtain assembly while being well-suited for any type of rod or basin, it also provides a way to form the curtain into an exact shape, during use. This benefit is further applied to a novel configuration which becomes essential a unitary item which may be placed over a typical curtain rod to function immediately.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the invention to restrain a shower curtain from swinging in upon a user of a shower. It is another object of the invention that its function is performed along essentially the entire vertical length of the shower curtain, without the need for additional rods, means of attachment, counterweights, or support. It is another object of the invention that such restraint can be accomplished using only four units of the invention. It is also an object of this invention that the device be quickly mounted on top of the shower curtain rod. It is further an object of this invention that a user of the invention be able to quickly and easy slide the shower curtain open and closed when entering and exiting the shower, without having to remove or adjust any device serving to deflect the shower curtain. It is an additional object of the invention that the device be inexpensively manufactured due to its simple design.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims may be regarded as the invention.
It should also be understood that, while the summary and description of the invention refer to showers for the sake of clarity, the invention itself captures other potential exploitations of its functionality, including but not limited to hospital bed curtains, window treatments, lamp shades, and any application which benefits by overcoming legitimate concerns regarding mobility, physical contact, fire, UV damage, ventilation, or safety.
- 10 Shower Curtain Hanger
- 20 Upper End
- 30 Shower Curtain Rod
- 40 Catch
- 50 Shower Curtain
- 60 Central Length
- 70 Lower End
- 80 Unified Panel
The invention, shown in
The hanger 10 itself, shown in
An alternate embodiment, shown in
In this alternate embodiment, the entire unified panel may be molded as a single piece of moldable material, or co-molded as an arrangement of the preferred embodiment in plurality, within or against one or more pieces of moldable material.
Claims
1. A curtain hanger comprising
- i) an upper end that is curved in the form of a hook so as to rest upon a curtain rod or curved rail, and broadened so as to cover at once a segmental length of said rod or said rail,
- ii) a lower end that is weighted so as to hang in a position essentially vertical to said hook while in use, and so as to provide maximum inertial leverage against swinging,
- iii) a means for fastening a curtain proximally below said upper end,
- iv) and a slender body that is bowed so as to press said curtain away from an enclosed or covered area.
2. A drape comprising
- i) a flexible panel,
- ii) a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid vertical ribs spaced horizontally within or against said panel, and bonded to said panel with an adhesive, or as a molded unit,
- iii) a plurality of hooks, or other means for slidable fastening, integrated with and spaced along the upper periphery of said panel,
- iv) a center-of-mass located distally to said hooks, or to said other means for slidable fastening, and located along the lower periphery of said panel, so as to provide maximum inertial leverage against swinging,
- wherein said drape can be supported from a curtain rod or curved rail, also wherein said ribs bow away from an area covered or enclosed within, and wherein said center-of-mass rests in a position that is essentially vertical to said hooks, or to said other means for slidable fastening.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 27, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 28, 2008
Inventor: Lowell A. Dalton (Oro Valley, AZ)
Application Number: 11/712,139
International Classification: A47K 3/08 (20060101); A47K 3/14 (20060101);