HINGED GLIDE HOOKS

Abstract

A shower curtain hook includes a hoop portion, a lower portion, a hinge coupling a first end of the hoop portion to a first end of the lower portion, and a clasp for coupling a second end of the lower portion to a second end the hoop portion. The lower portion can be generally V-shaped or generally U-shaped.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/448,242 filed Mar. 2, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shower curtain hooks.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Glide hooks for slidably attaching a shower curtain to a rod have been in the market for many years. One well-known type of hook employs a spring concept similar to that of a safety pin, wherein a portion of the hook is depressed into the interior area of the hook and allowed to spring back to engage another portion of the hook.

When one opens the hook to put it over a tension rod, the sharp edge of the depression portion of the hook can and frequently does scratch the finish on the shower rod. As a result, given normal humid bathroom conditions, this scratch can cause a rust line on the rod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a shower curtain hook includes a hoop portion, a lower portion, a hinge coupling a first end of the hoop portion to a first end of the lower portion, and a clasp for coupling a second end of the lower portion to a second end the hoop portion.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a glide hook constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the glide hook of FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hinge assembly of the glide hook of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the glide hook of FIG. 1 in combination with a curtain rod and a shower curtain.

FIG. 5 illustrates the clasp of the guide hook of FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 6 illustrates the clasp of the guide hook of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a shower curtain hook 10 (also referred to as a glide hook) includes a hoop (or upper) portion 12 and a lower portion 14. A first end 16 of the hoop (or upper) portion is coupled to a first end 18 of the lower portion by a hinge 20. The lower portion is generally V-shaped or U-shaped and includes side portions 22 and 24. A second end 26 of the lower portion 14 is removably coupled to a second end 28 of the hoop portion by a clasp 30. Rollers 32 are positioned on the hoop portion to allow for easy movement of the hook along a shower rod. The components of the hook 10 lie substantially in a plane coincident with the drawing sheet. This plane is referred to herein as the plane of the hook.

FIG. 2 illustrates the glide hook of FIG. 1 in an open position. In this position, the end 26 of the side portion 22 is separated from the second end 28 of the hoop portion. The hinge provides a pivot point that allows the hook to be opened and positioned on a curtain rod, and also allows a curtain eyelet to be engaged by the hook. A protrusion 34 is shown to be positioned on a generally planar surface of the second end of the hoop portion. A depression is provided in a generally planar portion of the end 26 of the ascending portion. The generally planar portions of the ends 26 and 28 are substantially parallel to each other when the clasp is closed. Then the protrusion 34 engages the depression to hold the clasp in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hinge assembly of the glide hook of FIG. 1. The hinge allows the lower portion to swing away from the hoop portion to facilitate placement of the hook on a curtain rod and to facilitate the placement of shower curtain eyelets on the hook. The clasp can be engaged without the need to force a portion of the hook into the interior region of the hook. This reduces the possibility of scratching the rod when the hook is being installed.

The hinge includes a pin, stud, rivet or other fastening device 26 connecting first and second generally planar surfaces 28, 30 of the ends of the hoop portion and the lower portion. The generally planar surfaces 28, 30 lie in adjacent planes that are substantially parallel to or co-planar with the plane of the hook. The generally planar surfaces 28, 30 are configured to slide with respect to each other to allow of opening of clasp, as the hoop portion and/or the lower portion pivot around the fastening device.

By constructing the hinge of two generally planar surfaces that are held together but allowed to slide with respect to each other, the components of the hook remain in substantially the same plane when the hook is opened and closed. Thus, the protrusion and depression in the clasp will engage when the clasp is closed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the glide hook of FIG. 1 in combination with a curtain rod 42 and a shower curtain 44. The hook is threaded through an eyelet 44 in the shower curtain. In this view, the clasp is hidden by the curtain rod.

FIG. 5 illustrates the clasp of the guide hook of FIG. 1 in the open position. This view shows the protrusion 34 in a generally planar surface of an end 28 of the hoop portion. A similar generally planar surface is formed in the 26 of the lower portion. In another embodiment, the protrusion could be in a generally planar surface of the end 26 and the depression could be in the generally planar surface of the end 28.

FIG. 6 illustrates the clasp of the guide hook of FIG. 1 in the closed position. When the clasp is closed, the generally planar surfaces of the ends 26 and 28 are positioned adjacent to each other and the protrusion engages the depression.

As can be seen from the figures, the second end of the lower portion moves away from the second end the hoop portion when the clasp opens. Stated another way, the second end of the lower portion moves in a direction away from an interior area of the hook when the clasp opens. Thus no part of the lower portion protrudes into the interior region of the hook when the hook is being mounted on a rod.

As shown in the figures, the glide hook can have a hinge on one side of the lower portion and a clasp on the other side. However, other arrangements are possible. For example, the lower portion need not be V-shaped or U-shaped and the hinge could be located near the bottom of the hook or along the same side of the hook as the clasp. In order to install the glide hook, one opens the clasp, places the hook over the rod, and then closes the hinged hook.

The hook can be constructed of a corrosion resistant material such as, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, coated steel, plastic, etc.

While the described embodiment shows a particular type of hinge and clasp, the invention is not limited to any particular type of hinge or clasp. Other known types of hinges or clasps can be utilized in various embodiments of the hook. In addition, the placement of the hinge is not limited to the location illustrated in the drawings. The hinge can be positioned to allow the lower portion to swing away from hoop portion, thereby opening the hook to facilitate placement of a curtain rod, while reducing the probability of scratching the rod.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for the purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shower curtain hook comprising:

a hoop portion;

a lower portion;

a hinge coupling a first end of the hoop portion to a first end of the lower portion; and

a clasp for coupling a second end of the lower portion to a second end the hoop portion.

2. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein:

the first end of the hoop portion includes a first generally planar surface;

the first end of the lower portion includes a second generally planar surface; and

the hinge is structured to allow sliding movement between the first and second generally planar surfaces.

3. The shower curtain hooks of claim 2, wherein the hinge comprises:

a fastener passing through the first and second generally planar surfaces.

4. The shower curtain hook of claim 3, wherein the fastener comprises:

a pin, rivet or stud.

5. The shower curtain hook of claim 2, wherein the first and second generally planar surfaces lie in planes parallel to or coplanar with a plane of the hook.

6. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises:

a protrusion on a generally planar portion of the second end of the hoop portion; and

a depression in a generally planar portion of the second end of the lower portion.

7. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises:

a depression in a generally planar portion of the second end of the hoop portion; and

a protrusion on a generally planar portion of the second end of the lower portion.

8. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is generally V-shaped or generally U-shaped.

9. The shower curtain hook of claim 8, wherein the hinge couples a first side of the lower portion to the hoop portion.

10. The shower curtain hook of claim 9, wherein the clasp couples a second side of the lower portion to the hoop portion.

11. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein the second end of the lower portion moves away from the second end the hoop portion when the clasp opens.

12. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein no part of the lower portion protrudes into an interior region of the hook when the hook is being mounted on a rod.