METHOD OF INSTALLING A SHOWER ROD MOUNTING BRACKET

Abstract

A bracket for mounting a curved shower rod on a previously installed straight shower rod. The bracket includes a body having a first member that defines a first bore for receiving an end of the curved shower rod therein, and a second member defining a second bore for receiving a portion of the straight shower rod therein. The first member extends outwardly from the second member at an angle. The second member comprises first and second regions that are movable away from each other to capture a portion of the straight shower rod between them. A securement mechanism locks the first and second regions together to prevent the bracket from disengaging from the straight shower rod. A second mounting bracket is similarly engaged on an opposite end of the straight shower rod and receives a second end of the curved shower rod therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/980,408, filed Dec. 29, 2010, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to bath fixtures. More particularly, the invention relates to shower rods. Specifically, the invention relates to a mounting bracket that is engageable with a previously installed straight shower rod and is configured to retain an end of a curved shower rod therein.

2. Background Information

Shower curtains are supported by shower rods that extend between opposing side walls of a bathtub enclosure. For many years, the typical shower rod has taken the form of an elongated tubular member that is substantially straight. Recently, however, it has become fashionable to use a curved shower rod. The curved rods tend to let more light into the bathtub enclosure, makes the bathroom more aesthetically appealing, and allows more room in the shower.

If a homeowner wishes to change the appearance of the bathroom by including a curved shower rod, they can simply remove the straight shower rod and install a curved rod. This operation can be problematic because the type of bracket used to install straight shower rods are not generally suitable for installing curved rods. The homeowner may well have to drill new holes for installing fasteners for the curved rod bracket. If the bathtub enclosure is tiled, repairing the old holes is extremely problematic and unsightly. If the job is not done correctly, there is the risk that moisture could enter through the old bracket holes and lead to the tiles separating from the backer board. If the bathtub enclosure is a prefabricated vinyl material then, once again, making a new set of screw holes creates problems down the road. Additionally, if the homeowner is renting his home, the landlord could object to or prohibit the homeowner from making this type of renovation.

There is therefore a need in the art for a quick and simple way of mounting a curved shower rod in a bathtub enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention comprises a bracket for mounting a curved shower rod on a previously installed straight shower rod. The bracket includes a body having a first member that defines a first bore for receiving an end of the curved shower rod therein, and a second member defining a second bore for receiving a portion of the straight shower rod therein. The first member extends outwardly from the second member at an angle. The second member comprises first and second regions that are movable away from each other to capture a portion of the straight shower rod between them. A securement mechanism locks the first and second regions together to prevent the bracket from disengaging from the straight shower rod. A second mounting bracket is similarly engaged on an opposite end of the straight shower rod and receives a second end of the curved shower rod therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bathtub enclosure with one side wall removed for clarity and showing the shower rod mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention and showing an end of each of a straight shower rod and a curved shower rod engaged therewith;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket exploded outwardly away from a straight shower rod while being engaged with an end portion of a curved shower rod;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket with the curved rod separated therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mounting bracket;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the mounting bracket;

FIG. 7 is bottom view of the mounting bracket;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the mounting bracket with an end of a curved rod engaged in a first member thereof, and with a second member thereof in an opened position ready to be engaged with a portion of a straight shower rod;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the mounting bracket engaged with the ends of each of the straight and curved shower rods; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional top view of the mounting bracket and ends of the shower rods taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, there is shown a mounting bracket for a shower rod in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 10. FIG. 1 shows a bathtub enclosure 12 having one side wall removed for the sake of clarity. Enclosure 12 includes a straight shower rod 14 extending between a first wall 16 and an opposed second wall (not shown). Shower rod 14 is disposed a distance above the center of a front wall 18 of a bathtub 20 and is generally parallel thereto. A first end 14a of straight rod 14 is secured by a standard ring bracket 22a to first wall 16. A second end 14b of rod 14 is secured by a second standard ring bracket 22b to the second wall. Ring brackets 22a, 22b are fixedly secured to the first and second walls by fasteners 23 (FIG. 10). Alternatively, ring brackets 22a, 22b may be secured to first and second walls by an adhesive or some other permanent securement method or may be secured by a semipermanent method such as by a compressive force supplied by spring disposed within rod 14.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, mounting bracket 10 is configured to engage the existing installed shower rod 14. Furthermore, mounting bracket 10 provides a way for securing a curved shower rod 60 in enclosure 12 without having to disassemble and remove the existing straight shower rod 14. Existing rod 14 may then be employed for other purposes such as hanging towels 66 and other useful items. Curved rod 60 may take any one of a variety of configurations that includes an arcuate or curved section. Bracket 10 is capable of engaging a wide variety of different configurations of curved rod 60. Curved rod 60 may also be configured to telescope or otherwise adjust so that it can be expanded to fit into different size shower stalls. So, for instance, rod 60 may be able to be adjusted to have a length of between sixty inches and seventy two inches.

Mounting bracket 10 is a unitary one-piece component molded from a suitable material such as polyvinyl chloride. Bracket 10 comprises a body having a first member 24 and a second member 26 that are substantially coplanar. Preferably, both of first member 24 and second member 26 are substantially tubular in configuration. As will be further described herein, first member 24 is configured to engage a curved shower rod 60 and second member 26 is configured to engage a previously installed straight shower rod 14. Since first and second members 24, 26 are coplanar, curved shower rod 60 is retained by bracket 10 in such a manner that it is substantially coplanar with straight shower rod 14.

First member 24 includes a wall 24a that is substantially circular in cross-sectional shape and has a first end 24b and a second end 24c. Wall 24a defines a tubular first bore 28 therein that extends between the first and second regions 24b, 24c. As shown in FIG. 7, first end 24b of wall 24a includes a beveled edge 30. First member 24 is of a first diameter D1 (FIG. 5).

Second member 26 includes a wall 26a having a first end 26b and a second end 26c. Wall 26a defines a longitudinal bore 30 therein that extends from first end 26b to second end 26c. As shown in FIG. 10, second member 26 has a longitudinal axis “Y” that extends between first and second ends 26b, 26c. The longitudinal axis “Y” will be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the straight rod 14 when mounting bracket 10 is engaged therewith. In accordance with another feature of the present invention, second member 26 defines a longitudinally aligned slot 34 (FIG. 4) that extends between first and second ends 26b, 26c thereof. Slot 34 is in operational communication with second bore 32. Second member 26 further defines a living hinge 36 therein. Living hinge 36 is disposed opposite slot 34 and effectively divides second member 26 into a first side “B” and a second side “C” (FIG. 1). Preferably, living hinge 36 is formed by cutting a generally U-shaped rectangular notch into the interior wall of second member 26. The notch preferably has a width of around 0.25″. Because of slot 34 and hinge 36, first side “B” of second member 26 is rotatable away from second side “C” thereof about hinge 36. This enables the user to increase the size of slot 34 between first and second sides “B”, “C” and thus the size of second bore 32 therein. It will be understood that the notch of hinge 36 may be formed in a narrower V-shape rather than the wider U-shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, it has been found that the U-shaped notch gives greater flexibility to second member 26 when rotating first and second sides “B”, “C” away from each other. Any other types of hinge may be utilized on second member 26 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the wall 26a of second member is of a substantially uniform thickness except proximate first and second ends 26b, 26c. At each of first and second ends 26b, 26c, the wall is of an increased thickness in the regions disposed on either side of slot 34. The regions of increased thickness form a pair of opposing feet 38, 40, each of which includes a substantially planar bottom face 42, 44 (FIG. 3) and complementary inner faces 46, 48. Inner faces 46, 48 preferably are disposed at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y” and are positioned a distance “W” apart from each other when bracket 10 is not engaged with rod 14 and is in the at-rest position (FIGS. 5 & 6). In other words, slot 34 has a width “W” when mounting bracket 10 is in an at-rest position. It will be understood that while feet 38, 40 preferably are provided only at first and second ends 26b, 26c of second member 26, they may, alternatively, extend for substantially the entire length of second member 26 and be disposed on either side of slot 34.

Each foot 38 defines an aperture 50 (FIG. 4) and each foot 40 defines an aperture 52 (FIG. 4). Apertures 50, 52 are disposed at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y” and are aligned one with the other. FIG. 9 shows that each aperture 50 preferably is internally threaded.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, first member 24 is disposed at an angle relative to second member 26. Angle A″ (FIG. 10) is between 15° and 25° relative to the longitudinal axis “Y” and, preferably, angle “A” is 21.5° relative thereto. Bracket 10 is molded so that an aperture 56 is defined in the area where second end 24c of first member 24 intersects wall 26a of second region 26. In this instance, first bore 28 of first member 24 is in communication with second bore 32 of second member 26. It will be understood, however, that wall 26a may be substantially continuous between first and second ends 26b, 26c (apart from slot 34) and there is no communication between first bore 28 and second bore 32.

Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that first end 24b of first member 24 extends longitudinally outwardly for a distance beyond first end 26b of second member 26. Furthermore, second end 26c of second member 26 extends longitudinally outwardly for a distance beyond second end 24b of first member 24. Preferably, first member 24 is around six inches long and second member 26 is around two and a half inches long. It will be understood, however, that second member 26 could be longer than first member, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Mounting bracket 10 is used in the following manner. As indicated previously, it should be understood that bracket 10 is designed to be engaged with a previously installed straight shower rod 14 that is mounted in bathtub enclosure 12 and is secured between first wall 16 and the opposing second wall. When the user wishes to install a curved shower rod 60, mounting bracket 10 is engaged with straight rod 14. This is accomplished by grasping first region “B” of bracket 10 and pulling it outwardly away from second region “C” thereof. This movement, illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 8 causes first region “B” to rotate away from second region “C” about living hinge 36. The movement causes the width of slot 34 to increase from width “W” (FIG. 5) to a width “W1” (FIG. 3). As is evident when comparing FIGS. 5 and 3, width “W1” is substantially larger than width “W”.

Once slot 34 has expanded in width to a sufficient degree to allow straight shower rod 14 to pass therethrough, bracket 10 is moved toward rod 14 so that rod 14 enters second bore 32 thereof. It will be understood that the second bore 32 will have to be of a width that is at least as wide as the diameter of the straight rod 14 that is to be received therethrough. Once straight rod 14 has passed through slot 14, first region “B” is released. Width “W1” of slot 34 decreases once again to width “W” and a portion of straight rod 14 becomes encircled by and trapped between first and second regions “B”, “C” as shown in FIG. 9. If mounting bracket 10 is not positioned adjacent one of the first and second ends 14a, 14b of rod 14, it may be slid along rod 14 until it is in the correct location. The one of the first and second ends 14a, 14b is therefore received in the second bore 32 of bracket 10. It should also be noted that bracket 10 may be rotated around the circumference of rod 14 to properly orient bracket 10. Preferably, bracket 10 is oriented so that slot 34 therein is adjacent a lowermost region of rod 14 that is opposed to the top of sidewall 18 of bathtub 20.

At this point, mounting bracket 10 is engaged with straight shower rod 14 but is not securely retained thereon. In order to securely retain mounting bracket 10 in place, a securement mechanism must be engaged. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a fastener 54 is inserted into each pair of aligned apertures 50, 52 in both pairs of feet 38, 40 at each end of second member 26. Fasteners 54 are rotated so that threads on the exterior surface thereof become threadably engaged with the threads in aperture 50. Fasteners 54 are engaged with second member 26 to prevent slot 34 from expanding after the portion of the straight shower rod 14 is captured within the second bore 32. When fastener 54 is so engaged, mounting bracket 10 is fixedly secured to rod 14 and is not removable therefrom unless the securement mechanism is disengaged, i.e., unless fastener 54 is unscrewed. It will be understood that other types of securement mechanisms can be utilized on mounting bracket 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, some type of clamping mechanism can be used to bring first region “B” toward second region “C”. It should be noted that faces 46, 48 do not have to contact each other when mounting bracket 10 is engaged on straight rod 14. It is only necessary that first and second regions “B”, “C” be brought close enough to each other to narrow slot 34 to a point that it is smaller than the diameter of rod 14.

Curved rod 60 may be engaged with bracket 10 prior to bracket 10 being engaged on rod 14 or after bracket 10 has been engaged therewith. FIG. 4 shows an end 60a of curved rod 60 being inserted into first bore 28 of first member 24. Thus, end 60a of rod 60 is received in the first bore 28 of bracket 10. End 60a is slid inwardly for a distance of around three inches so that rod 60 has sufficient purchase in bracket 10. The curvature of typical curved rods starts approximately four inches from either end. Thus, the end 60a of curved rod 60 that is engaged with bracket 10 is substantially straight and is not curved.

Once rod 60 has been engaged with bracket 10 and bracket 10 has been engaged with rod 14, a second bracket 10b (FIG. 1) is engaged with the second end 14b of rod 14 in the same manner as has been described above. It should be noted, however, that a second end 60b of curved rod 60 preferably is engaged with the second bracket 10b prior to that bracket being engaged with second end 14b of rod 14. Additionally, it should be noted that brackets 10a and 10b are engaged on straight shower rod 14 in such a manner that they are mirror images of each other. It should also be noted that the first members 24 thereof extend outwardly away from the interior of enclosure 12 to ensure that the curvature of curved rod 60 is such that it extends outwardly beyond the front wall 18 of bathtub 20. Additionally, because first and second members 24, 26 are coplanar, straight shower rod 14 and curved rod 60 are retained in coplanar relationship with each other. It should be understood, however, that bracket 10 may be otherwise designed so that straight shower rod 14 and curved shower rod 60 may be held in offset relationship with each other, i.e., that may be held a spaced distance vertically away from each other by vertically offsetting the first and second members 24, 26 relative to each other on the body of bracket 10.

Once both brackets 10, 10b have been secured to the first and second ends 14a, 14b of rod 14, then a shower curtain 62 can be suspended from rod 60 by a plurality of rings 64 or hooks (not shown). Straight rod 14 can be used in any manner desired by user, but a suitable use for rod 14 is as a place to hang towels 66 and items such as shower caddies (not shown) thereon.

Should the user desire to ensure that mounting bracket 10 not be able to slide longitudinally along straight rod 14, or rotated circumferentially about the same, an adhesive strip or other type of movement retarding mechanism is engaged with bracket 10 prior to installation of the same. This is shown in FIG. 8 where an adhesive strip 57 is applied to first region “B”.

It should be noted that while it is disclosed that first and second regions “B”, “C” of second member 26 are molded as a unitary piece and are secured together along a living hinge 36, it will be understood that the two sections “B”, “C” may, alternatively be separate components that are joined together by a separate hinge.

One of the advantages of bracket 10 is that it can be used to install a curved shower rod 60 without removing the previously installed straight shower rod 14 and thereby running the risk of damaging the first wall 16 and second wall of the enclosure 12. Another advantage of bracket 10 is that it is not fixedly secured to straight rod 14 itself. If it is later decided to remove curved rod 60, straight rod 14 has not been damaged by the installation of curved rod 14 such as by drilling screws into the same. Additionally, the installation of bracket and later removal thereof, if desired, is quick and easy and is accomplished with the use of a single screwdriver.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A method of mounting a curved shower rod in a bathtub enclosure comprising:

providing a straight shower rod that is already installed between two opposed walls of a bathtub or shower enclosure a distance vertically above a floor surface or bathtub surface;

engaging a first mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod;

engaging a first end of the curved shower rod in the first mounting bracket;

engaging a second end of the curved shower rod in a second mounting bracket; and

engaging the second mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod; such that the second mounting bracket is spaced a distance from the first mounting bracket.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of providing the straight shower rod further includes:

securing a first end and a second end of the straight shower rod to the walls using a pair of installation brackets.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein the first mounting bracket is engaged with the straight shower rod a distance inwardly from one or the other of the first and second ends thereof and the first mounting bracket is then moved to a first position adjacent a first one of the pair of installation brackets.

4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the step of moving the first mounting bracket to the first position includes sliding the first mounting bracket along an exterior circumferential surface of the straight shower rod.

5. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein the step of engaging the second mounting bracket on the straight shower rod further includes moving the second mounting bracket along the exterior circumferential surface of the straight shower rod to a second position adjacent a second one of the pair of installation brackets.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein the steps of moving the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket along the straight shower rod includes sliding the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket longitudinally along the straight shower rod.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket with the curved shower rod with includes:

inserting an end of the curved shower rod into a bore of a first member of the respective one of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket.

8. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the step of engaging the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket on the straight shower rod includes changing a diameter of a bore defined in a second member of the respective one of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket.

9. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein the step of changing the diameter of the bore defined in the second member includes moving a first section of the second member away from a second section of the second member so as to increase the size of a slot defined in the second member.

10. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the step of moving the first section of the second member away from the second section thereof includes rotating the first section about an axis extending along a hinge which joins the first and second sections together.

11. The method as defined in claim 9, wherein the step of engaging the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket with the straight shower rod further includes moving the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket toward the straight shower rod so that a length of the straight shower rod enters the slot after the slot has been increased in size.

12. The method as defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of moving the first section of the second member back toward the second section thereof after the length of the straight shower rod enters the bore of the second member so as to reduce the size of the slot.

13. The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of securing the first second and second sections together after the slot has been reduced in size.

14. The method as defined in claim 13, wherein the step of securing includes passing a fastener through an aligned first hole in the first section and a second hole in the second section.

15. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising:

rotating the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket about an exterior circumferential surface of the straight shower rod so as to position the slot in the second member thereof in a location opposed to the floor surface or the bathtub surface of the enclosure.

16. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the first end of the curved shower rod in the first mounting bracket occurs after the step of engaging the first mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod.

17. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the first end of the curved shower rod in the first mounting bracket precedes the step of engaging the first mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod.

18. A method of installing a curved shower rod comprising:

providing a pair of installation brackets;

providing a pair of mounting brackets;

installing a straight shower rod to a first wall and a second wall of a bathtub or shower enclosure using the pair of installation brackets;

engaging a first one of the pair of mounting brackets onto the straight shower rod at a first location;

engaging a first end of a curved shower rod with the first one of the pair of mounting brackets;

engaging a second end of the curved shower rod with a second one of the pair of mounting brackets; and

engaging the second one of the pair of mounting brackets onto the straight shower rod at a second location, where the second location is spaced from the first location.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising:

moving the first one of the pair of mounting brackets to a position inwardly of a first one of the installation brackets; and

moving the second one of the pair of mounting brackets to a position inwardly of a second one of the installation brackets.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising:

detachably securing the first one of the pair of mounting brackets to the straight shower rod; and

detachably securing the second one of the pair of mounting bracket to the shower rod.

21. The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising:

positioning the curved shower rod laterally adjacent the straight shower rod.