SHOWER CURTAIN RING
The device for supporting a shower curtain includes a support rod with a first curvature, a hook attached to the support rod, and a sheath body with a second curvature. The sheath body can be opened and closed independent from the support rod. The first curvature matches the second curvature so that the support rod is at least partially housed within the sheath body. The sheath body further includes a plurality of notches radially arranged according to the second curvature. The invention further includes a plurality of wheel cams with each wheel cam being rotatably mounted around the support rod and positioned within a corresponding notch of the sheath body. When installed on a curtain rod, the wheel cams contact the surface of the curtain rod so that wheel cams can roll over any ridge or junction on the curtain rod.
See Application Data Sheet.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENTNot applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTORNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to a curtain ring. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device with a component to attach to a curtain rod and another component to support the curtain. The present invention further relates to a curtain ring that passes over a junction in the curtain rod.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98Conventional shower curtains are intended to be temporary. The constant exposure to moisture and frequent opening and closing of the shower curtain can quickly wear on a shower curtain. The assembly to support a shower curtain must be durable to withstand the frequency of shower curtain replacement.
Curtain rings are known mechanical devices. Shower curtain rings are specialized type of curtain ring to be easily opened and closed. A shower curtain ring must attach to a curtain rod and support a replaceable curtain. Some known shower curtain rings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,954, issued to Herrera on 4 Aug. 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,848, issued to Ho on 28 Feb. 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,675, issued to Hodgdon on 17 Oct. 2017, and US Publication 20120291243, published for Baines on 22 Nov. 2012.
Prior art curtain rings encounter problems with some types of curtain rods. In particular, there are curtain rods that are comprised of two telescoping tubular members so as to adjust to any length needed for installation. One telescoping tubular member fits within another telescoping tubular member with a larger diameter so as to create a ridge at the junction of the two tubular members. The ridge is formed by the thickness of the telescoping tubular member with the larger diameter. That ridge is an obstacle to sliding curtain rings back and forth along the curtain rod. The curtain rings must pass over this ridge in order to open and close the curtain. The curtain rings pass over this ridge in both directions. Sliding the curtain ring from the larger diameter to the smaller diameter does not impede the movement of the curtain ring, but sliding the curtain from the tubular member with the smaller diameter to the tubular member with the larger diameter will impede movement. Additional force is required to overcome the ridge. The additional force is applied by pulling the curtain harder, putting more wear on the curtain and curtain rod. Prior art curtain rings are smooth rings or rings with beads or protrusions. These prior art solutions attempt to reduce the extra force needed for the curtain to pull the ring over the ridge by incorporating surfaces with less friction, such as smooth surfaces or reducing surface area of the ring in contact with the curtain rod.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for supporting a shower curtain on a curtain rod.
It is an object of the present invention to provide embodiments of a shower curtain ring.
It is another object of the present invention to provide embodiments of the device for supporting a shower curtain with separate components for connecting to the curtain rod and connecting to the shower curtain.
It is another object of the present invention to provide embodiments of the device for supporting a shower curtain to further reduce the force needed to pass over a ridge on the curtain rod.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide embodiments of the device for supporting a shower curtain with wheel cams to roll over any ridge on the curtain rod.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide embodiments of the device for supporting a shower curtain with a sheath to align the wheel cams to roll over any ridge on the curtain rod.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention include a device for supporting a shower curtain, such as a curtain ring. The device has separate components to engage the curtain rod and shower curtain. There is not a single ring to attach to the curtain rod and hold the shower curtain. The device includes a support rod with a first curvature, a hook attached to the support rod, and a sheath body with a second curvature. The sheath body can be comprised of a first sheath portion and a second sheath portion in hinged connection with the first sheath portion. The sheath body attaches to the curtain rod. The hook attaches to the curtain. The sheath body has an opened configuration so that the curtain rod can be fit into the sheath body and a closed configuration with the sheath body locked around the curtain rod.
In some embodiments, the first sheath portion is comprised of a plurality of notches. Each notch is radially arranged along the first sheath portion. There can be a plurality of wheel cams, and each wheel cam is rotatably mounted around the support rod and positioned within a corresponding notch of the first sheath portion. The wheel cams contact the curtain rod so that the wheel cams roll along the curtain rod. Instead of sliding a smooth surface or bead protrusion, the wheel cams roll tangent to the cylindrical surface of the curtain rod.
Other embodiments include the first curvature matching the second curvature so that the support rod is housed within the first sheath portion. The support rod is curved, and the first sheath portion is also curved to match so that the support rod fits inside the first sheath portion. The second sheath portion can be comprised of a slot aligned with the support rod so as to pass the support rod through the second sheath portion. As the sheath body moves between the opened and closed configuration, the support rod can pass through the second sheath portion.
Additional versions of the invention include the hook being a single hook portion or double hook portion. The hook can extend generally downward radially from the support rod, while still being made integral with the support rod.
The method for preparing a shower for use includes assembling the curtain rod, the device as the curtain ring, and the shower curtain. The method includes setting a curtain rod in place, installing the device on the curtain rod, and installing a curtain on the hook. The step of installing the device comprises the steps of: placing the sheath body in the opened configuration, passing the curtain rod between a first sheath locking end and a second sheath locking end, and placing the sheath body in the closed configuration so as to encircle the curtain rod with the sheath body. The step of installing the curtain comprises passing the hook member through a corresponding hole of the curtain. In some embodiment, the method further includes rolling the wheel cams along the curtain rod so as to place the curtain relative to the curtain rod. When the curtain rod has a ridge, the step of rolling the wheel cams further comprises the step of driving the wheel cams over the ridge.
Embodiments of the device 10 include a support rod 20 with a first curvature 20A, a hook means 30, a sheath body 40, and a plurality of wheel cams 50. The support rod 20 has a first support rod end 22, and a second support rod end 24 opposite the first support rod end 22. The hook means 30 is attached to the second support rod end 24. The sheath body 40 with a second curvature 40A can be comprised of a first sheath portion 42 attached to the first support rod end 22, and a second sheath portion 44 in hinged connection with the first sheath portion 42.
The sheath body 40 has an opened configuration with the first sheath locking end 42A separated from the second sheath locking end 44A as shown in
The opened configuration corresponds to the device 10 being installed on a curtain rod. The device 10 is opened to fit the curtain rod because the separation between the first sheath locking end 42A and the second sheath locking end 44A. The closed configuration corresponds to the device 10 locked on the curtain rod. The device 10 encircles the curtain rod, and the first sheath locking end 42A and the second sheath locking end 44A are locked together. The first sheath hinged end 42B is in hinged connection with the second sheath hinged end 44B. The first sheath locking end 42A is removably fastened to the second sheath locking end 44A. Embodiments include a fastening means 60 for friction fit, snap fit, adhesive, magnet engagement between the first sheath locking end 42A and the second sheath locking end 44A. Various structures, including locking shoulders, protrusions, and male/female connectors may be placed on the first sheath locking end 42A and the second sheath locking end 44A, respectively.
Embodiments of the hook means 30 are shown in
The wheel cams 50 are shown in
Embodiments also include a device 10 with a mounting means 58 for the first sheath portion 42 to the support rod 20.
Embodiments of the present invention include the method for preparing a shower for use. The method is shown in
As seen in
The method for preparing the shower for use further comprises rolling the wheel cams 50 along the curtain rod 1 so as to place the curtain 2 relative to the curtain rod 1. The curtain 1 now moves with a device 10 so that the user can set the position of the curtain 2 for use to block water from spraying out of the shower or for use to create an opening for a user to enter the shower. In some embodiments, the curtain rod 1 has a ridge 4. The ridge 4 is usually an obstacle to a prior art curtain ring. In the present invention, the method includes driving the wheel cams 50 over the ridge 4 so as to place the curtain 2 relative to the curtain rod 1. The ridge 4 no longer inhibits the placement of the curtain 2.
The present invention provides a device for supporting a shower curtain on a curtain rod. In some embodiments, the device is a shower curtain ring with separate components for connecting to the curtain rod and connecting to the shower curtain. In particular, the device has a sheath body to lock to the curtain rod and a hook means to hang the shower curtain. The different components can be manipulated separately for easier assembly. All of the devices can be locked onto the curtain rod. Then, the curtain can be hung from the devices. The devices do not have to re-opened to hang the curtain or opened for both attaching to the curtain rod and hanging the curtain.
Additionally, the device of the present invention further reduces the force needed to pass over a ridge on the curtain rod. The smooth surface of a ring is the prior art curtain ring that must be yanked in order to pass over a ridge on the curtain rod. That ridge is a common feature of many curtain rods. The telescoping tubular members are widely available and used, so curtain rings must be able to account for this disruptive feature. Although prior art curtain rings disclose reducing the contact between the ring and the ridge, the ring must still be yanked with force to pass the ridge. Less force than the smooth ring and the full contact with the thickness of the ring is needed by reducing contact surfaces. However, there is still a relatively large amount of force to yank even beaded or banded rings. The present invention further reduces the amount of force needed to pass a ridge on the curtain rod. Instead of overcoming friction, the present invention can roll over ridge. Less force is required to roll, rather than yanking. There is less force and less chance of damage from relatively violent motions to jump a ring over a ridge. Embodiments of the present invention disclose wheel cams, a particular mounted relationship and arrangement of the wheel cams, and alignment to the curtain rod. The wheel cams can roll over any ridge for placement of the curtain.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated structures, construction and method can be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A device for supporting a shower curtain, comprising:
- a support rod with a first curvature, said support rod having a first support rod end, and a second support rod end opposite said first support rod end;
- a hook means attached to said second support rod end;
- a sheath body with a second curvature, said sheath body being comprised of a first sheath portion attached to said first support rod end, and a second sheath portion in hinged connection with said first sheath portion,
- wherein said first sheath portion has a first sheath locking end, and a first sheath hinged end opposite said first sheath locking end,
- wherein said first sheath portion is comprised of a plurality of notches, each notch being radially arranged along said first sheath portion,
- wherein said second sheath portion has a second sheath locking end, and a second sheath hinged end opposite said second sheath locking end, and
- wherein said second sheath portion is comprised of a slot aligned with said support rod so as to pass said support rod through said second sheath portion; and
- a plurality of wheel cams, each wheel cam being rotatably mounted around said support rod and positioned within a corresponding notch of said first sheath portion,
- wherein said sheath body has an opened configuration with said first sheath locking end separated from said second sheath locking end, and
- wherein said sheath body having a closed configuration with said first sheath locking end removably fastened to said second sheath locking end.
2. The device for supporting, according to claim 1, wherein said hook means comprises:
- an attachment rod being made integral with said second support rod end and extending radially outward from said support rod; and
- a first hook portion being made integral with said attachment rod.
3. The device for supporting, according to claim 2, further comprising: a second hook portion 36 being made integral with said attachment rod.
4. The device for supporting, according to claim 3, wherein said second hook portion is arranged on a side of said attachment rod opposite said first hook portion.
5. The device for supporting, according to claim 1, wherein said first sheath hinged end is in hinged connection with said second sheath hinged end.
6. The device for supporting, according to claim 1, wherein said slot extends from said second sheath hinged end to said second sheath locking end.
7. The device for supporting, according to claim 1, wherein each wheel cam has a respective wheel surface aligned with each other so as to define a contact curvature.
8. The device for supporting, according to claim 1, further comprising: a mounting means for said first sheath portion to said support rod.
- being radially arranged along said first sheath portion
9. The device for supporting, according to claim 8, wherein said mounting means for said first sheath portion to said support rod is position between respective notches.
10. The device for supporting, according to claim 1, further comprising: a fastening means 60 for said first sheath locking end to said second sheath locking end.
11. A method for preparing a shower for use, comprising the steps of:
- setting a curtain rod in place;
- installing said device, according to claim 1, on said curtain rod;
- wherein the step of installing comprises the steps of:
- placing said sheath body in said opened configuration;
- passing said curtain rod between said first sheath locking end and said second sheath locking end; and
- placing said sheath body in said closed configuration so as to encircle said curtain rod with said sheath body; and
- installing a curtain on said hook means.
12. The method, according to claim 11, wherein said curtain is comprised of a plurality of holes, and wherein the step of installing said curtain comprises the step of passing said hook member through a corresponding hole of said curtain.
13. The method, according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:
- rolling said wheel cams along said curtain rod so as to place said curtain relative to said curtain rod.
14. The method, according to 13, wherein said curtain rod is comprised of a ridge, and wherein the step of rolling said wheel cams further comprises the step of driving over said ridge so as to place said curtain relative to said curtain rod.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2019
Publication Date: Apr 29, 2021
Inventor: Patrick GWEN (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 16/665,253