Shower Curtain Configured to Allow Use of Technology Devices

Abstract

A curtain comprises a receptacle having an interior with an access. The access is sized to allow a hand-held technology device to be directed through the access into the interior. The access is positioned on one side of the curtain and has a closure positionable between an open position in which access into the interior is allowed and a closed position in which the access is sealed by the closure. The receptacle has a viewing panel with sufficient transparency to allow viewing into the interior of the receptacle. The viewing panel is located on a side of the curtain opposite the access, and a tab is formed on the side of the curtain opposite the access adjacent the viewing panel. A technology device may be placed in the receptacle and a touch screen display of a technology device may be viewed and operated through the viewing panel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/725,834, filed Nov. 13, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

This disclosure relate to a shower curtain is configured to allow use of technology devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an inside surface of a shower curtain configured to allow use of a technology device and including a receptacle or pocket for the device, which allows a screen of the device to be visible through a clear panel of the shower curtain.

FIG. 2 shows an outside surface of the shower curtain of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an inside surface of a shower curtain configured to allow use of a technology device and including a pocket for the device and pockets for speakers, wherein the clear panel of the shower curtain allows the device screen to be seen and operated and wherein the speakers are aimed into the shower.

FIG. 4 shows an outside surface of the shower curtain of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view (i.e., outside shower) of one embodiment of a device pocket.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view (i.e., inside shower—opposite the view of FIG. 5) of the device pocket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the device pocket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the device pocket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 shows a right side view of the device pocket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 shows a left side view of the device pocket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 shows an inside shower perspective view of the device pocket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 shows an outside shower perspective view of the device pocket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 shows an inside shower view of an alternate embodiment of the device pocket.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail view of a speaker pocket.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged detail view of an integral device pocket and speaker pocket with a conduit extending therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 show a shower curtain 20 with a receptacle or device pocket 22 for holding a technology device 24 (i.e., a MP3 player or smart phone, iPhone, Android, iPad). In FIGS. 1 and 3, a surface of the shower curtain that general faces the shower or is inside the shower is shown. In FIGS. 2 and 4, a surface of the shower curtain that general faces away from shower or is outside the shower is shown. The receptacle or device pocket 22 protects the device 24 from water in shower and allows a display of the device to be viewed by a user in the shower. Although a shower curtain is shown, the device may be used in connection with other curtains or where it is desired to hang such a device for convenience of the user (i.e., privacy curtain).

In FIG. 1, the curtain 20 has an opening defined by a window edge 40 which matches an outer contour 42 of the receptacle and is sized to receive the receptacle. The outer periphery 42 of the receptacle 22 or device pocket may be secured to the window edge 40. To secure the receptacle or device pocket 24 in the window edge opening 40 of the curtain, the receptacle or device pocket may be heat sealed to the curtain around its outer periphery 42. In an alternative configuration, the receptacle may be formed on the curtain (i.e., without securing the receptacle in the opening window edge) by securing a panel to the curtain. For instance, a panel may be affixed to the inside (shower side) of the curtain and function as the viewing panel. In this configuration, the access into the receptacle may be provided in the curtain on the outside (opposite of the shower side) of the curtain; and a flap and closure may be provided adjacent the access on the outside (opposite of the shower side) of the curtain. Alternatively, a panel may be affixed to the outside (opposite of the shower side) of the curtain, and the shower curtain (or a portion thereof) may function as the viewing panel. In this configuration, the flap and closure may be provided on the affixed panel or adjacent the access on the outside (opposite of the shower side) of the curtain.

FIGS. 5-12 provide additional detail of the receptacle or device pocket 22. The receptacle has a hollow interior 26 and an access 28 into the hollow interior. The access 28 is sized to allow the technology device to be directed through the access into the hollow interior of the receptacle. The access may be positioned on the side of the shower curtain that is outside of the shower (i.e., the side opposite the shower side). In this way, the device is always outside of the shower. The access 28 may have a closure 30. The closure may be positionable between an open position, in which the access to the hollow interior of the receptacle is allowed. The closure may be moved to a closed position in which the access is sealed by the closure. The closure may comprise a plastic zipper-like seal with a slider 32 to close and open the zipper-like seal. A flap 34 may be provided over the access. The flap 34 may extend over the closure 30 including over the slider 32 and zipper-like seal. The access closures may be sealed using the waterproof zipper and covered with the flap to prevent any direct exposure of water on the zipper and prevent steam or condensation from getting inside the pocket.

The receptacle may have a viewing panel 36 with sufficient transparency to allow viewing into the interior of the receptacle. For instance, with the technology device in the hollow interior of the receptacle, a user may view content on a display screen of the technology device through the viewing panel 36. The viewing panel of the receptacle may be located on the side of the curtain opposite of the access. In other words, a user may view content on the technology device through the viewing panel while in the shower. The viewing panel of the device pocket may be formed as a clear panel. The viewing panel may be formed to allow touch screens and other controls of the technology device to be operated as usual.

The device pocket 22 may be sized to allow the user to place a technology device in a vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) orientation in the device pocket. For instance, as shown in the drawings, the receptacle or device pocket may have a general “T”-shape. The general “T”-shaped may comprise a first portion 50 and a second portion 52 below the first portion. The first portion may have a length 54 that extends in the same direction and parallel to the opening of the access 28 and a width 56 perpendicular thereto. The second portion 52 may have a length 58 that extends in the same direction and parallel to the opening of the access 28 and a width 60 perpendicular thereto. By way of example, and not in any limiting sense, the length of the first portion of the receptacle may be 5.35 inches and the width of the first portion may be 3.25 inches. A length of the second portion maybe 3.35 inches, and a width of the first portion maybe 2 inches. Accordingly, technology device that is roughly 5 inches long and 3 inches wide may be arranged in a vertical configuration (portrait) with a portion of the technology device arranged in both the upper portion and lower portions of the receptacle. In a horizontal configuration (landscape), the device may occupy only the first portion of the receptacle. Other configurations of pockets may also be used. The size of the pocket may be formed as necessary depending upon the technology device intended to be used with the shower curtain.

FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of the receptacle or device pocket 62. In FIG. 13, elements corresponding to the elements of FIGS. 5-12 are like numbered. The device pocket or receptacle 62 includes a tab 64. The tab extends into the shower on the shower side of the curtain and allows the user positioned in the shower to grasp the tab while pressing on the viewing panel to operate the technology device. The tab provides a means for counter acting any the force applied by the user against the viewing panel while touching the touchscreen of the technology device. While the drawings show the tab formed integral with the receptacle or device pocket, the tab may be formed integral with the curtain in an area adjacent to the receptacle or device pocket. The tab may be a separate item affixed to the shower side of the curtain in an area adjacent to the receptacle or device pocket. The tab may also have shapes other than rectangular, and more than one tab may be provided depending upon the shape of the receptacle and the intended technology device to be used with the shower curtain.

In one embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), the device's own speakers are used to provide sound. In an alternate embodiment (FIGS. 3-4 and 15), one or more speakers 70 are provided in the shower curtain 20 in a spaced apart relationship from the technology device 24. For instance, a pocket opening with a window edge 72 may be provided in the shower curtain, and one or more pockets 74 may be heat sealed in the pocket opening window edge. An outer periphery 75 of the speaker pocket may match the pocket opening window edge 72. The pockets 74 may be sized for holding one or more speakers 70 or other electronics. FIG. 14 shows an exemplary configuration of a pocket 74 used for a speaker that may be heat sealed in such an opening 72. The speaker pocket 74 has an access 76 is sized to allow the speaker to be directed through the access into a hollow interior 78 of the speaker pocket. The speaker pocket access 76 may be positioned on the side of the shower curtain that is outside of the shower (i.e., the side opposite the shower side). In this way, the speaker 70 is always outside of the shower. The speaker pocket access 76 may have a closure 80. The speaker pocket closure 80 may be positionable between an open position, in which access to the hollow interior 78 of the speaker pocket 74 is allowed. The speaker pocket closure 80 may be moved to a closed position in which the speaker pocket access 76 is sealed by the closure. The speaker pocket closure 80 may comprise a plastic zipper-like seal with a slider 82 to close and open the zipper-like seal. A speaker pocket flap 84 may be provided over the access. The speaker pocket flap 84 may extend over the speaker pocket closure 80 including over the slider 82 and zipper-like seal. The speaker pocket access closure 80 may be sealed using the waterproof zipper and covered with the flap to prevent any direct exposure of water on the zipper and prevent steam or condensation from getting inside the pocket. Alternatively, the speaker pocket(s) may be formed by affixing a panel to the curtain. In one configuration, a panel may be affixed to the shower side of the curtain and access into the hollow interior of the speaker pocket may be provided on the opposite side of the curtain (outside the shower). In an alternate configuration, a panel may affixed to the outside of the curtain; and an access may be provided in the affixed panel or adjacent the affixed panel. The speaker may be positioned in the pocket and aimed into the shower or outward. Alternatively, the speaker may be sealed in the pocket (with no readily accessible access) in a more permanent arrangement. Because the curtain and panel is a relatively thin plastic material, sound from the speaker easily passes through the material to be heard in the shower. The speaker pocket protects the speaker from water. The speaker pocket access may be sealed using a waterproof zipper, which may also be covered with a flap to prevent any direct exposure of water on the zipper and prevent steam or condensation from getting inside the pocket. In this way, the speaker is always outside of the shower. Other pockets may be provided on the shower curtain to house other electronic devices such as amplifiers and or switches.

As shown in FIG. 15, the speaker pocket 74 may communicate with the device pocket 22 and may be formed integral with the device pocket with a conduit portion 90 extending therebetween allowing speaker wire 92 to pass between the speaker pocket and the device pocket. The speaker wires may have jacks 94 as necessary to allow the user to releasably connect the technology device to the speakers. The jacks 94 may be positioned in the device pocket. In the alternative, the conduit may be omitted and the wire may extend along the outside shower side of the curtain between the speaker pocket and the device pocket or receptacle.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages are achieved and attained. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain a practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the principles herein in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A curtain comprising a receptacle having a hollow interior with an access into the hollow interior, the access being sized to allow a hand-held technology device to be directed through the access into the hollow interior of the receptacle, the access being positioned on one side of the curtain and having a closure positionable between an open position in which access into the hollow interior of the receptacle is allowed and a closed position in which the access is sealed by the closure, the receptacle having a viewing panel with sufficient transparency to allow viewing into the interior of the receptacle, the viewing panel being located on a side of the curtain opposite the access, and a tab formed on the side of the curtain opposite the access adjacent the viewing panel.

2. A curtain according to claim 1, further comprising a speaker.

3. A curtain according to claim 2, wherein the speaker is disposed in a pocket formed in the curtain.

4. A curtain according to claim 3, wherein the pocket is formed on the same side of the curtain as the access.

5. A curtain according to claim 3, further comprising wire coupled to the speaker and extending to the receptacle.

6. A curtain according to claim 5, further comprising a mini-plug coupled to the wire and positioned in the receptacle.

7. A curtain according to claim 5, wherein the wire is disposed in a conduit extending between the pocket and the receptacle.

8. A curtain according to claim 3, wherein the pocket has a hollow interior and an access into the pocket hollow interior, the pocket access being sized to allow the speaker to be directed through the access into the pocket hollow interior, the pocket access having a closure positionable between an open position in which access into the hollow interior of the pocket is allowed and a closed position in which the pocket access is sealed by the closure.

9. A curtain according to claim 8, wherein the pocket access is located on the curtain on the side with the receptacle access.

10. A curtain according to claim 1, wherein said curtain is a shower curtain.

11. A curtain comprising:

a generally rectangular sheet of material with first and second sides, an upper edge, a lower edge and lateral side edges extending between the upper and lower edges;

an opening formed in the sheet and being defined by a window edge extending around the opening; and

a receptacle having an outer periphery, the receptacle outer periphery being secured to the window edge, the receptacle having an hollow interior with an access into the hollow interior, the access being sized to allow a hand-held technology device to be directed through the access into the hollow interior of the receptacle, the access being positioned on the second side of the curtain and having a closure positionable between an open position in which access into the hollow interior of the receptacle is allowed and a closed position in which the access is sealed by the closure, the receptacle having a viewing panel being positioned on the first side of the curtain, the viewing panel having sufficient transparency to allow viewing into the interior of the receptacle, and a tab positioned on the first side of the curtain adjacent the viewing panel.

12. A curtain according to claim 11 wherein the receptacle comprises a flap over the access.

13. A curtain according to claim 12 wherein the flap extends over the closure.

14. A curtain according to claim 11 wherein the receptacle hollow interior has first and second portions, and length and width dimensions of the first portion are different from length and width dimension of the second portion.

15. A curtain according to claim 11 wherein the receptacle hollow interior has first and second portions, and a length of the first portion extends generally parallel to the receptacle access and approximates the receptacle access, and a length of the second portion is less than the first portion length.

16. A curtain according to claim 11 wherein the receptacle is configured to allow a technology device placed in the receptacle to be viewed in a portrait or landscape configuration.

17. A curtain according to claim 11 wherein the receptacle is configured to allow a technology device with touch screen controls placed in the receptacle to be operated via the touch screen controls of the technology device.

19. A curtain according to claim 11, further comprising a speaker.

20. A curtain according to claim 11, wherein the speaker is disposed in a pocket formed in the curtain.

21. A curtain according to claim 20, wherein the pocket is formed on the same side of the curtain as the access.

22. A curtain according to claim 20, wherein the pocket has a hollow interior and an access into the pocket hollow interior, the pocket access being sized to allow the speaker to be directed through the access into the pocket hollow interior, the pocket access having a closure positionable between an open position in which access into the hollow interior of the pocket is allowed and a closed position in which the pocket access is sealed by the closure.

23. A curtain according to claim 20, further comprising at least one other opening in the sheet and the speaker pocket is secured in the opening.

24. A curtain according to claim 11, wherein the opening formed in the sheet closer in distance to the upper edge than to the lower edge.