Foldable Detachable Curtain Rods

Abstract

The set of foldable rods (or pipes) can be used for shower or window curtains. Most of the existing curtains are attached to one long fixed rod through many contacting devices, causing lots of friction and potential damages to the system and also to the human body. The new foldable system is composed of many shorter rods or pipes. Each rod or pipe is slightly smaller in diameter to fit into the previous section (rod or pipe). One hook (for window curtain) or two hooks (for shower curtain) are attached to each section (rod or pipe). There is only one wheel connecting the original long rod (fixed to the wall). So the friction between the foldable rods and the original long rod is minimized (but more wheels can be attached to the multiple pipes). One end of the rods is attached to the long fixed original rod through a clinching device. The other end of the rods is attached to the single wheel.

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the unfolded position of the set of rods. Each section, or rod, is made of circular, rectangular, triangular, or any other shapes. Inside of each rod is empty. The diameter or dimension of each rod is slightly smaller than the previous one, so it can fit inside of the previous section. One or multiple hooks can be attached to near one end of each rod. FIG. 2 shows folded position of the rods. This system looks in some way similar to a multiple section “telescope”. There is a stopping device to prevent the next rod from falling out when the system is unfolded. FIG. 3 shows one end of the set of rods is attached to the original long rod through a clinching device. The long rod below the set of foldable rods is attached to the wall. FIG. 4 shows the other end of the set of rods is attached to one single wheel, which is the only device sliding on the original long rod to minimize friction. There is another control rod attached to the wheel so a human hand can hold on to it to fold and unfold the curtain through the system. FIG. 5 (A) (foldable rods on top of the long fixed rod) and FIG. 5 (B) (foldable rods below the original long rod) show the cross section of the system. For shower curtain, there are two set of hooks on both sides. One hook on each side is attached to one small rod or section. For window curtains, only one hook on one side is necessary. FIG. 6 shows the overview of the system, where the foldable rods are above the original long fixed rod. FIG. 7 shows the multiple rods below the original fixed long rod. One or more “notches” needs to be with each section of the rod to prevent the sliding wheel from falling over the long fixed rod, in case the foldable rods are in circular shape (FIG. 8 shows the cross sections). In FIG. 9 a special device is attached to the end of each short rod to prevent it from completely falling out of the previous section. The system can work with the foldable rods only, with one end directly attached to the wall, without the original long fixed rod (FIG. 10).

FIGURE DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1: the unfolded position of the shower curtain system. A hook or ring is attached to the right end of each section of the rod.

FIG. 2: folded position of the shower curtain system. Each small section can be inserted into the previous section, and stopped by the attached hook or ring at the right end.

FIG. 3: a device clinches the fixed long rod to the section to the left end of the multiple rods. The multiple rods or small pipes can be positioned above or below the long fixed rod, or without any long fixed rod.

FIG. 4: A wheel, rolling on the long fixed rod, can be attached to the small rod or pipe at the right end of the multiple rods or pipes, or to each small section.

FIGS. 5(A) and (B) show the cross section of the system. Please notice the multiple small rods or pipes can be located above or below the long fixed rod. The small pipes can be of any shapes in cross section—circle, star, rectangular . . . etc.

FIG. 6: the entire system is displayed. The multiple pipes are above the long fixed rod. There is a wheel at the right end, but it is possible to install more than one wheel.

FIG. 7: the multiple pipes are below the long fixed rod.

FIG. 8: The cross section of the small pipes can be specially designed, so each small pipe or rod will not rotate and fall off the long fixed rod.

FIG. 9: when the multiple pipes or small rods are unfolded, special devices, as shown, are needed to prevent the pipe from falling off the previous pipe.

FIG. 10: the system can be installed without the long fixed rod.

Claims

1. The system is divided to many small sections or rods. Each rod is slightly smaller than the previous one, so it can be fitted into the previous section. One or more hooks can be attached to one end of each small section. There is only one wheel (or each section may or may not have a wheel attached to it) sliding on the original long rod below the multiple section rods to reduce friction, but more wheels can be attached if necessary. The other end of the multiple section rods is attached to the original long rod through a clinching device. The foldable rods are detachable to the original long rod fixed to the walls. The foldable rods can be above or below the long fixed rod attached to the walls at both ends. The hooks can also be rings, if the foldable rods are below the original long rod. The cross section of the foldable rods can be of any shape—circular, triangular, rectangular, star, shell... etc.