DOUBLE TENSION CURTAIN ROD ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A curtain rod assembly according to example embodiments may include a first rod, a second rod, a collar assembly attached to the first end of the second rod and a second collar attached to the second end of the second rod. The first collar assembly and the second collar assembly may be attached to the first rod and the length of the second rod may be independently adjustable with respect to the length of the first rod. At least one of the first and second collar assemblies may be configured to be adjustably positioned on the first rod. At least one of the first and second collar assemblies may include a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the at least one of the first and second collar assemblies with respect to the first rod.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/366,355, filed Jul. 23, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to curtain rods, and in particular, double shower curtain rods with individually adjustable lengths.

BACKGROUND

Shower curtain rods are configured to hold a shower curtain and/or shower curtain liner within a shower stall or bath-tub enclosure to minimize water egress from the shower or bath from a shower head. While shower curtain rods are typically designed to carry shower curtain hooks bearing a shower curtain along a single span, the shower curtain rod is often employed to also carry decorative shower curtains on shower curtain hooks and function as a towel or clothing rack such as for drying towels and keeping them within easy reach. Traditional double shower curtain rods are fixed in length and have a static relationship between the two rods.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to shower curtain rods, and in particular, a shower curtain rod assembly including two shower curtain rods whose lengths are independently adjustable.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide a curtain rod assembly including a first rod extending between a first end and a second end, a second rod extending between a first end and a second end, a collar assembly attached to the first end of the second rod and a second collar attached to the second end of the second rod. The first collar assembly and the second collar assembly may be attached to the first rod and the length of the second rod may be independently adjustable with respect to the length of the first rod. At least one of the first and second collar assemblies may be configured to be adjustably positioned on the first rod. At least one of the first and second collar assemblies may include a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the at least one of the first and second collar assemblies with respect to the first rod. The locking mechanism may include a threaded fastener or a gasket. The first and second collar assemblies may be configured to be slideable along the length of the first rod. The second rod may include first and second portions where the second portion is slidably received within the first portion, where the first and second collar assemblies may be attached to the first portion of the second rod, and where the second portion of the second rod may be extended from the first portion of the second rod independent of the location of the first and second collar assemblies.

Further embodiments of the present invention may provide a curtain rod assembly including a first rod extending between a first end and a second end, a second rod extending between a first end and a second end, where the first end of the second rod is attached to the first rod with a first collar assembly and where the second end of the second rod is attached to the first rod with a second collar assembly. The length of the first rod may be adjustable in length and the length of the second rod may be adjustable in length independent of the length of the first rod. The first rod may include a first portion and a second portion where the second portion may be at least partially received within the first portion. The second rod may include a first portion and a second portion where the second portion may be at least partially received within the first portion. The second collar assembly may be adjustable along the length of the first rod between the first end and the second end. The first collar assembly may be adjustable along the length of the first rod between the first end and the second end. The second collar assembly may be adjustable along the length of the second rod between the first end and the second end. At least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly may include a locking mechanism to fix the position of the at least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly relative to the first curtain rod.

Still further embodiments of the present invention may provide a curtain rod assembly including a first curtain rod, a second curtain rod, and first and second collar assemblies securing the first curtain rod to the second curtain rod. At least one of the first and second collar assemblies may be slidable along the length of the first curtain rod and the second curtain rod may extend between the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly. At least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly may include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include a threaded fastener or a gasket. The first curtain rod may have an adjustable length and the second curtain rod may have a length that is adjustable independent of the length of the first rod. The first curtain rod may include first and second ends each secured to a respective wall. The cross section of the first curtain rod may include at least one flat face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a curtain rod assembly according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a collar assembly according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a collar assembly according to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a collar assembly according to still another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a collar assembly according to yet another example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a shower curtain rod assembly according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The terms top, bottom, side, up, down, upwards, downwards, vertical, horizontal, and the like as used below do not imply a required limitation in all embodiments of the present invention but rather are used herein to help describe relative direction or orientation in the example embodiments illustrated in the figures.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a curtain rod assembly including two rods that are independently adjustable in length. Curtain rods of embodiments of the present invention may be used to enhance functional characteristics and improve ornamental appearance. Shower curtain rod assemblies according embodiments of the present invention may be configured for use with a shower stall, bath tub, or other enclosure. Further embodiments of curtain rods of the present invention may be configured for use with drapery or wall hangings among other possible uses.

Shower curtain rods are typically designed to span at least a portion of at least one side of a shower or bath tub at a height elevated from the top of the side(s) of the shower stall threshold or bath tub. Shower curtain rods hold a shower curtain in place to provide privacy to an occupant of the shower and minimize water escape from the shower when in use. Shower curtains suspended from shower curtain rods may be functional and decorative.

A functional aspect of a shower curtain may include a curtain that is suspended from a shower curtain rod with the bottom of the shower curtain retained within the bath tub or shower stall. The material used may be substantially impermeable to water and the curtain may shed water down the curtain and into the bath tub or shower stall for proper draining. The material may also include or have applied to it a decorative pattern to enhance the appearance of the shower curtain and possibly to provide additional privacy through an opaque, semi-opaque, or translucent design and material.

The decorative and functional aspects of a shower curtain may be separate such as in the case of decorative shower curtains and shower curtain liners. Decorative shower curtains may be made of materials that are not suitable for properly shedding water as necessary for proper function of a shower curtain. When such a material is used for the shower curtain, a shower curtain liner may be situated between the shower curtain and the shower stall or bath tub. A shower curtain liner may be made of any appropriate material that is substantially impermeable to water. Shower curtains with shower curtain liners are often supported on a single shower curtain rod with shower curtain hooks that ride along the shower curtain rod, each penetrating an eyelet of both the shower curtain and the shower curtain liner such that they are joined together for movement along the shower curtain rod.

It may be desirable for the shower curtain liner to be retained within the bath tub or shower stall along the bottom of the shower curtain liner such that water from the shower is properly directed into the bath tub or shower stall during use. Conversely, it may be desirable for the decorative shower curtain to remain outside of the bath tub or shower stall to maintain a pleasing aesthetic appearance and to preclude the decorative shower curtain from being exposed to moisture inside the bath tub or shower. To this end, it may be desirable to have separate shower curtain rods for the shower curtain and for the shower curtain liner respectively.

Another function that a shower curtain rod may serve is to support a towel or bath robe either during use of the shower or when a towel is hung up to be dried. This may be particularly applicable when a towel rod configured to hold towels is not within easy reach of the shower. A user of the shower may want a towel to be readily accessible when a shower ends such that water is not carried outside of the bath tub as the user reaches or walks to get a towel, or optionally, the user may want to remain in the privacy and warmth of the bath tub or shower stall while reaching for and using a towel or robe with which they may dry off and/or cover themselves.

A disadvantage of using a single shower curtain rod to serve multiple functions is that one function may impede another. For example, if a towel is hung over the top of a shower curtain rod, it may be difficult to easily move the shower curtain between an open position and a closed position. Also, a user may wish to operate a decorative shower curtain separately from a shower curtain liner which may not be possible with a single shower curtain rod as the two are typically affixed to the same shower curtain hooks.

Shower curtain rods may also be configured to be adjustable in length to accommodate shower stalls or bath tubs of different sizes. Shower curtain rods are typically attached to a wall on either side of a cove configured to accommodate a bath tub or two opposing walls of a shower stall. These distances may vary from bathroom to bathroom necessitating a shower curtain rod that can be adjusted to appropriately fit the application. Shower curtain rods may, for example, be telescopic incorporating a first section that has a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, and a second portion that has a second outer diameter, where the second outer diameter is configured to be received within the first inner diameter of the first portion. This configuration may allow the shower curtain rod to be adjustable as the second portion slides within the first portion.

Example embodiments of the present invention provide for a shower curtain rod assembly that may include two shower curtain rods that may be independently adjustable along their length to suit the functionality desired by the user.

FIG. 1 depicts a shower curtain rod assembly according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The example embodiment includes a first shower curtain rod 110 configured to apply pressure at both ends 120, 130 to opposing walls of a bath tub or shower stall (not shown). The shower curtain rod 110 includes first and second portions 112 and 114. The outer diameter of the second portion 114 is sized to be received within the inner diameter of the first portion 112 such that the shower curtain rod 110 may be adjustable along its length to accommodate showers and bath tubs of different sizes. The first portion 112 of the shower curtain rod 110 may be configured with a gasket or bearing assembly at the end 113 that receives the second portion 114 of the shower curtain rod 110. The gasket or bearing assembly (not shown) may aid the shower curtain rod 110 in maintaining a set length when installed in a shower or bath tub. The ends 120, 130 of the first shower curtain rod 110 may be made of any of a variety of materials, but preferably include a soft or relatively higher friction portion at the side of the end 120, 130 that is placed in contact with the opposing walls of the shower or bath. Optionally, the ends 120, 130 may be configured to be received in separate brackets that are mounted to the wall in the location where the end will be situated.

The depicted example embodiment may further include first and second collar assemblies 140, 150 attached to the first shower curtain rod 110. The collar assemblies 140, 150 may be of a variety of configurations as will be described further below. The first collar assembly 140 may be moveable along the length of the first shower curtain rod 110 or it may be in a fixed location. The first collar assembly 140 may optionally be integrally attached to the first end 120 of the first shower curtain rod 110. The second collar assembly 150 may be movable along the length of the shower curtain rod 110. The second collar assembly 150 may be sized to fit on either the first portion 112 or the second portion 114 of the shower curtain rod 110, or the second collar assembly 150 may be configured to fit on both the first portion 112 and the second portion 114.

According to the example embodiment of FIG. 1, a second shower curtain rod 160 extending between a first end 170 and a second end 180 may be connected to the first shower curtain rod 110 by the first and second collar assemblies 140, 150. The second shower curtain rod may include first and second portions 162, 164 similar to the first shower curtain rod 110 wherein the second portion 164 of the second shower curtain rod 160 is configured to be received within the first portion 162 of the second shower curtain rod 160. The second portion 164 of the second shower curtain rod 160 may be received through the end 163 of the first portion 162 which may include a gasket or bearing assembly as noted above with respect to the first shower curtain rod 110. The length of the second shower curtain rod 160 may be adjustable according to a user's preference, independent of the length of the first shower curtain rod 110. The first collar assembly 140 may be movable along the length of the second shower curtain rod 160 or may optionally be integrally attached to the first end 170 of the second shower curtain rod 160. The second collar assembly 160 may be movable along the length of the second shower curtain rod 160 or may optionally be integrally attached to the second end 180 of the second shower curtain rod 160. The first and second collar assemblies 140, 150 hold the second shower curtain rod 160 substantially parallel to the first shower curtain rod 110.

It should be appreciated that according to the depicted embodiment, the maximum length of either of the first shower curtain rod 110 or the second shower curtain rod 160 is the total length of the first portion (112 or 162) and the second portion (114 or 164) minus a percentage of overlap or engagement length required between the first and second portions for stability. Also, the minimum length of either of the first shower curtain rod 110 or the second shower curtain rod 160 is substantially the same as the longest of the first portion (112 or 162) or the second portion (114 or 164).

The collar assemblies 140, 150 may be embodied in various forms as depicted in FIG. 2 through FIG. 5. FIG. 2 depicts an example embodiment of a collar assembly that may be used as either or both of the first collar assembly 140 and the second collar assembly 150. The illustrated embodiment includes two rings 210 and 220 configured for attachment to the first and second shower curtain rods 110, 160 and a stand-off 230 connecting the two rings 210, 220. The opening 215 in the first ring 210 may be configured to accommodate of the first portion 112 of the first shower curtain rod 110 or the second portion 114 of the first shower curtain rod 110. Optionally, the opening 215 may be configured to accommodate both the first portion 112 and the second portion 114 for additional adjustability along the length of the first shower curtain rod 110. The opening 225 in the second ring 220 may similarly be configured to accommodate either the first portion 162, the second portion 164, or both portions of the second shower curtain rod 160. Embodiments of the collar assemblies may also include set-screws 240, 250 or similar locking mechanisms to fix the location of the collar assemblies along the length of a shower curtain rod. The set-screws 240, 250 may also hold the collar assemblies 200 at a desired rotational position with respect to either or both of the shower curtain rods to which they are attached. Another locking mechanism may include a gasket or insert, such as a rubber gasket, positioned within one or both openings 215, 225. The insert or gasket may engage the shower curtain rod with sufficient friction to substantially lock the position of the collar assembly 200 with respect to the shower curtain rod. In such an embodiment, the frictional force between the shower curtain rod and the gasket or insert may be overcome by a user when adjusting the position of the collar assembly on the shower curtain rod, but is sufficient to hold the position of the collar assembly on the shower curtain rod during normal use. This arrangement may allow for the second shower curtain rod to be fixed by the user at a desired rotational position with respect to the first shower curtain rod. Still another locking mechanism configured to hold the second shower curtain rod at a fixed rotational position with respect to the first shower curtain rod may include a shower curtain rod that has at least one flat face with a corresponding flat face in the opening of a collar assembly. The complementary flat faces may preclude the shower curtain rods from rotating within the openings of the collar assemblies. Such an embodiment may include a first shower curtain rod that is of a square or hexagonal shape with a collar assembly that includes a square or hexagonal shaped opening, respectively. An alternative to the aforementioned locking mechanism may include a keyway along the shower curtain rod and a key within the collar assembly, or vice versa.

Another embodiment of a collar assembly is depicted in FIG. 3. The illustrated collar assembly 300 is similar in function to the collar assembly of FIG. 2 with two rings 310, 320; however, the rings each include gaps 315, 325. A threaded fastener 340, 350 may be configured to pass through flanges at the respective gaps 315, 325 such that the gaps may be reduced and the rings 310, 320 tightened around shower curtain rods as the threaded fasteners 340, 350 are tightened. This may fix the location of the collar assemblies both along the length of the shower curtain rods and angularly. The example embodiments of collar assemblies 200, 300 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be used as both the first and second collar assemblies of curtain rod assemblies according to example embodiments of the present invention, or the depicted collar assemblies may be used as only the first or second collar assembly.

A further example embodiment of a collar assembly is illustrated in FIG. 4 which depicts a collar assembly 400 configured for attachment at the first end of the first shower curtain rod and the first end of the second shower curtain rod. The collar assembly 400 may differ from the collar assembly of FIG. 2 as the recesses 415 and 425 may not pass completely through the collar assembly 400, but instead serve as pockets for receiving the first ends of the first and second shower curtain rods. The collar assembly 400 may be attached to a wall of the bath or shower by any known attachment means, such as with threaded fasteners received through openings 440 and 450 in the collar assembly 400 and secured to a wall. Fastening both the first ring 410 and second ring 420 to a wall of the shower or bath sets the rotational position between the first shower curtain rod and the second shower curtain rod at their respective first ends such that a locking mechanism (e.g., set screws 240, 250 of FIG. 2) may not be necessary.

Another example of a collar assembly according to embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 which depicts a collar assembly 500 configured to attach to the first or second end of the second shower curtain rod. The collar assembly 500 includes a ring 510 and an end-cap 520. The ring 510 may have an opening 510 while the end cap 520 may only have a recess 525 to accommodate the first or second end of the second shower curtain rod. The collar assembly 500 may further include a locking mechanism such as the set screws 240, 250 of FIG. 2 to fix the collar assembly 500 position along the first shower curtain rod and to fix the angular position between the first and second shower curtain rods.

Embodiments of the present invention may include two or more collar assemblies according to the desired function and required support. The second shower curtain rod may be arranged to hold towels, clothing, or a decorative shower curtain that is not intended to span the entire shower stall or bath tub. Embodiments of the present invention may also be configured for use with drapery. Further, while embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated with respect to a straight shower curtain rod, embodiments of the present invention may also be used with curved shower curtain rods as illustrated in FIG. 6. The curtain rod assembly 600 of FIG. 6 depicts a first shower curtain rod 610, including first and second portions 612, 614, that is curved and a second shower curtain rod 660 including first and second portions 662, 664, that has a substantially congruent curve. The collar assemblies 640, 650 of the depicted embodiment may be similar to the collar assemblies illustrated in FIG. 2, 3, or 5. As illustrated, the second shower curtain rod 660 of the shower curtain rod assembly 600 may be located anywhere along the length of the first shower curtain rod 610 when the appropriate collar assemblies are used.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A curtain rod assembly comprising:

a first rod extending between a first end and a second end;

a second rod extending between a first end and a second end;

a first collar assembly attached to the first end of the second rod; and

a second collar assembly attached to the second end of the second rod;

wherein the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly are attached to the first rod and wherein the length of the second rod is independently adjustable with respect to the length of the first rod.

2. A shower curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second collar assemblies is configured to be adjustably positioned on the first rod.

3. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second collar assemblies includes a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the at least one of the first and second collar assemblies with respect to the first rod.

4. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism includes a threaded fastener.

5. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism includes a gasket.

6. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein both of the first and second collar assemblies are configured to be slidable along the length of the first rod.

7. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second rod includes first and second portions, wherein the second portion is slidably received within the first portion, wherein the first and second collar assemblies are attached to the first portion of the second rod, and wherein the second portion of the second rod may be extended from the first portion of the second rod independent of the location of the first and second collar assemblies.

8. A curtain rod assembly comprising:

a first rod extending between a first end and a second end; and

a second rod extending between a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end of the second rod is attached to the first rod with a first collar assembly;

wherein the second end of the second rod is attached to the first rod with a second collar assembly;

wherein the length of the first rod is adjustable in length; and

wherein the length of the second rod is adjustable in length, independent of the length of the first rod.

9. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first rod comprises a first potion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is at least partially received within the first portion.

10. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second rod comprises a first potion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is at least partially received within the first portion.

11. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second collar assembly is adjustable along the length of the first rod between the first end and the second end.

12. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first collar assembly is adjustable along the length of the first rod between the first end and the second end.

13. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second collar assembly is adjustable along the length of the second rod between the first end and the second end.

14. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly includes a locking mechanism to fix the position of the at least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly relative to the first curtain rod.

15. A curtain rod assembly comprising:

a first curtain rod;

a second curtain rod; and

first and second collar assemblies securing the first curtain rod to the second curtain rod;

wherein at least one of the first and second collar assemblies is slidable along the length of the first curtain rod, and

wherein the second curtain rod extends between the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly.

16. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly includes a locking mechanism.

17. The curtain rod assembly of claim 16, wherein the locking mechanism includes a threaded fastener.

18. The curtain rod assembly of claim 16, wherein the locking mechanism includes a gasket.

19. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the first curtain rod has an adjustable length, and wherein the second curtain rod has a length that is adjustable independent of the length of the first curtain rod.

20. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the first curtain rod includes first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends are each secured to a respective wall.

21. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the cross-section of the first curtain rod comprises at least one flat face.