Title:
SHOWER CURTAIN HOLDER
United States Patent 3639919
Abstract:
A holder for a pair of bathroom shower curtains comprising a pair of flexible seal strips permanently adhered to a bathroom wall and extending downwardly from adjacent the shower curtain rod. A pair of corner blocks permit the strip to be bent and extend across the top of the tub. Each strip has a keyhole slot extending for its entire length. The outer edge of each curtain contains a cord which is pressed into the seal strip slot to make permanent waterproof connections between the outer edges of the curtains and the bathroom walls and tub. An extension provides overlapping of the inner edges of the curtains where they meet to prevent leakage between them.
US Patent References:
Shower curtain
Wittrup - November 1956 - 2771945
Shower shield for bathtub
Aarnio - December 1956 - 2774973
Folding shower door
Collins - August 1959 - 2897514
Folding shower door
Collins - August 1959 - 2897515
Shower closure
Skuda - March 1962 - 3025532
Shower curtain
Wittrup - November 1956 - 2771945
Shower shield for bathtub
Aarnio - December 1956 - 2774973
Folding shower door
Collins - August 1959 - 2897514
Folding shower door
Collins - August 1959 - 2897515
Shower closure
Skuda - March 1962 - 3025532
Application Number:
05/068900
Publication Date:
02/08/1972
Filing Date:
09/02/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
4/608
International Classes:
A47K3/38; A47K3/28; A47K3/14
Field of Search:
4/153,149,154,155 160/349 24/243
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Artis, Henry K.
Claims:
I claim
1. A bathroom shower curtain holder comprising a pair of elongated flexible seal strips permanently mounted on the bathroom walls and extending vertically downwardly from beneath the opposite ends of the shower curtain rod at the opposite ends of the bathtub, said strips extending across the top of the tub to adjacent the inner edge of the tub, each of said strips having a keyhole slot formed therein, a pair of shower curtains each having its outer edge permanently secured to an elongated flexible cord, said cords being substantially equal in length to said strips, said cords being mounted within said keyhole slots to provide a substantially permanent waterproof connection between the outer edges of said curtains and the adjacent bathroom walls and top of said tub.
2. The structure described in claim 1, and a corner block secured to the bathroom wall and the top of said tub adjacent each of the corners between said wall and tub, said strips being bent to extend across the outer faces of said corner blocks.
3. The structure described in claim 2, each of said corner blocks having a pair of perpendicular back edges engageable with said wall and the top of said tub and a somewhat concave angularly directed front face engageable with said strip.
4. The structure described in claim 3, each of said seal strips having a flat back, a layer of waterproof pressure sensitive adhesive composition covering said back for the entire length of said strip, and a covering layer of paper disposed over said adhesive composition, said paper adapted to be removed and said adhesive composition used to secure said strips to said walls, corner blocks and tub.
5. The structure described in claim 4, each of said corner blocks having a layer of waterproof pressure sensitive adhesive composition covering each of said straight sides, a covering layer of paper disposed over said adhesive composition, said paper adapted to be removed and said adhesive composition used to secure said corner blocks to said walls and tub.
6. The structure described in claim 1, and an extension disposed beneath and extending parallel to the curtain rod from which said curtains are suspended, the inner edge of one of said curtains being slidably suspended from said extension and an adjacent portion of said curtain being fixedly attached to said extension, the remainder of said curtain being slidably suspended from said rod, the other of said curtains being entirely slidably suspended from said rod, and means suspending said extension from said rod for sliding movement with said shower curtain to which it is attached, so that said extension and the inner edge of the curtain suspended therefrom substantially overlap the inner edge of the other of said curtains to prevent water from passing between the inner edges of said curtains.
7. The structure described in claim 6, said extension having an elongated longitudinal slot formed therein, and a pair of hooks mounted for sliding movement within said slot, the inner edge of one of said curtains being slidably suspended from said hooks.
1. A bathroom shower curtain holder comprising a pair of elongated flexible seal strips permanently mounted on the bathroom walls and extending vertically downwardly from beneath the opposite ends of the shower curtain rod at the opposite ends of the bathtub, said strips extending across the top of the tub to adjacent the inner edge of the tub, each of said strips having a keyhole slot formed therein, a pair of shower curtains each having its outer edge permanently secured to an elongated flexible cord, said cords being substantially equal in length to said strips, said cords being mounted within said keyhole slots to provide a substantially permanent waterproof connection between the outer edges of said curtains and the adjacent bathroom walls and top of said tub.
2. The structure described in claim 1, and a corner block secured to the bathroom wall and the top of said tub adjacent each of the corners between said wall and tub, said strips being bent to extend across the outer faces of said corner blocks.
3. The structure described in claim 2, each of said corner blocks having a pair of perpendicular back edges engageable with said wall and the top of said tub and a somewhat concave angularly directed front face engageable with said strip.
4. The structure described in claim 3, each of said seal strips having a flat back, a layer of waterproof pressure sensitive adhesive composition covering said back for the entire length of said strip, and a covering layer of paper disposed over said adhesive composition, said paper adapted to be removed and said adhesive composition used to secure said strips to said walls, corner blocks and tub.
5. The structure described in claim 4, each of said corner blocks having a layer of waterproof pressure sensitive adhesive composition covering each of said straight sides, a covering layer of paper disposed over said adhesive composition, said paper adapted to be removed and said adhesive composition used to secure said corner blocks to said walls and tub.
6. The structure described in claim 1, and an extension disposed beneath and extending parallel to the curtain rod from which said curtains are suspended, the inner edge of one of said curtains being slidably suspended from said extension and an adjacent portion of said curtain being fixedly attached to said extension, the remainder of said curtain being slidably suspended from said rod, the other of said curtains being entirely slidably suspended from said rod, and means suspending said extension from said rod for sliding movement with said shower curtain to which it is attached, so that said extension and the inner edge of the curtain suspended therefrom substantially overlap the inner edge of the other of said curtains to prevent water from passing between the inner edges of said curtains.
7. The structure described in claim 6, said extension having an elongated longitudinal slot formed therein, and a pair of hooks mounted for sliding movement within said slot, the inner edge of one of said curtains being slidably suspended from said hooks.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a holder for bathroom shower curtains.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art known to the inventor comprises means for temporarily securing a shower curtain to the walls adjacent to the bathtub, in which the device must be disassembled and reassembled each time the shower is used. No means is provided for a permanent leakproof installation. There is also no means for preventing leakage around the top of the tub or in the area where the shower curtains meet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a holder for bathroom shower curtains which is an improvement over the prior art because it provides a permanent leakproof installation of the outer edges of a pair of slidably mounted shower curtains adjacent to the opposite ends of a bath tub.
The invention also provides means for preventing leakage around the top of the tub and means for preventing leakage in the area where the center portions of the shower curtains meet. Another advantage of the invention is that it is simple to install and economical to manufacture.
The invention differs from and therefore solves a basic problem in the prior art in that the specially designed curtains which must be used with the invention permit easy access between the two sliding curtain halves without disturbing their attachment to the walls. Yet, these curtain-to-seal strip attachments can easily be separated (for cleaning or replacement) without the use of cumbersome accessory parts.
It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a shower curtain holder having all of the advantages and benefits set forth above and described hereinafter in this specification. The invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by the invention.
While I have shown in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the same are susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of my shower curtain holder in use;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the seal strip;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the outer edge of one of the shower curtains;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial elevational view taken from the inside, showing the extension and related parts in use;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the lower left hand corner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial isometric view of an alternative embodiment using suction cups as attachment means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises an elongated seal strip 10. The seal strip 10 is preferably formed of medium soft, relatively flexible plastic or elastomeric material which may be extruded. The back 11 of the seal strip 10 is substantially flat and is preferably covered with a coating of a suitable pressure sensitive waterproof mastic adhesive composition 12, although other types of adhesive may also be used. The adhesive composition is preferably covered with a manually removable paper layer 13.
The front 14 of the seal strip 10 is slightly concave and is provided with a centrally disposed keyhole slot 15, the entrance walls of which are preferably outwardly diverging, while the interior 15a of the slot is substantially circular in cross section. Both corners or shoulders of the front 14 of the strip 10 are preferably somewhat round.
In use, the strip 10 is applied to the vertical walls of the bathroom adjacent to the opposite ends of a conventional shower curtain rod 16. The strip 10 extends vertically downwardly in a straight line from adjacent the rod 16 to the top of the tub 17. Drops of waterproof sealant may be placed in each tile joint crossing under the strip to further insure against leakage.
A pair of substantially triangular corner blocks 18 which may be formed of the same material as the strip 10 are mounted in overlying relationship to the two corner joints where the top of the tub 17 abuts against the wall. Each of the corner blocks 18 has two straight perpendicular back edges which meet at a rounded corner and a concave front edge. The two straight edges of the corner blocks 18 may be coated with pressure sensitive adhesive composition or other suitable attaching composition or means may be used. The lower ends of the two strips 10 are bent along an arc and adhered to the arcuate front surfaces of the corner blocks 18 and preferably beyond slightly over the upper edges of the tub 17.
A pair of sheet shower curtains 19 may be formed of any suitable material, which is customarily thin waterproof plastic. The outer vertical edge of each of the curtains 19 contains within its seam an elongated string, bar or cord 20, which may be formed of vinyl or other suitable material. The edge of the curtain 19 may be looped around the cord 20 and secured to itself and/or the cord 20 with adhesive composition or the like. Other suitable adhesive or mechanical attaching means may also be used. The cord 20 has a circular cross section substantially corresponding to the cross section of the interior 15a of the keyhole slot 15 formed in the strip 10.
The cords 20 may accordingly be manually inserted by being pressed into the slots 15 after the strips 10 have been installed. The cords 20 extend for substantially the entire length of the strips 10. The cords 20 are preferably sufficiently resilient so that they can be bent to extend around the arcuate fronts of the corner blocks 18.
After installation, the cords 20 are securely held within the slots 15 by the inherent resilience of the strips 10 to provide a substantially permanent waterproof and leakproof connection between the outer vertical edges of the curtains 19 and the adjacent bathroom walls and the top of the tub 17. It is impossible for any water to pass between the outer edges of the curtains 19 and the bathroom walls or the top of the tub.
The upper edges of the shower curtains 19 are suspended from a plurality of conventional hooks 21, which are slidably mounted on the shower curtain rod 16. In order to prevent water leakage in the area where the inner edges of the curtains 19 meet, the curtain rod 16 is provided with an extension 22. The extension 22 is preferably formed of relatively hard plastic, metal or other suitable material.
The extension 22 is provided with an elongated horizontally directed slot 23, from which are suspended a pair of sliding rings 24. The sliding rings 24 are slidably movable along the entire length of the slot 23. A fixed ring 24a is attached to the outer end of the extension 22. The inner end of the slot 23 may be provided with an arcuate recess for removably receiving one of the sliding rings 24.
The extension 22 is slidably suspended by a pair of hooks 25 from the curtain rod 16. The lower portions of the hooks 25 have ridges which lock into complementary recesses formed in the sides of the extension 22 above the slot 23. The inner portion of the upper edge of one of the shower curtains 19 is slidably suspended from the extension 22 by being secured to the sliding rings 24 and the fixed ring 24a. The remaining portion of that curtain 19 and the entire upper edge of the other curtain 19 are slidably suspended from the rod 16 by conventional hooks 21. When the inner edges of the curtains 19 are drawn together, the conventional hook 21 adjacent to the inner edge of one of the curtains 19 may be moved into a position adjacent to the innermost hook 25 which holds the extension 22. When this is done, the inner edges of the curtains 19 overlap for a substantial distance, in order to prevent water from accidentally passing out between them. The overlap should, of course, preferably be directed away from the direction of water from the shower head.
Instead of using adhesive composition to attach the strips to the bathroom walls, the back of the strip may be provided with a plurality of spaced suction cups. FIG. 6 of the drawings shows such an alternative embodiment of the invention in which a strip 30 is provided with a continuous series of spaced hemispherical recesses 31 which act as suction cups. In order to prevent water from passing under the strip at tile joints, the opposite side edges of the strip 30 may be provided with integral thin leaflike extensions 31 which protrude downwardly beyond the back of the strip 30.
It should be noted that with both embodiments of the invention the seal strips are permanently affixed to the bathroom walls and tub and the means for connecting the curtains to the seal strips is built into the curtain edges. The device is not designed to be used with conventional shower curtains. The waterproof connections between the outer edges of the curtains and the walls and tub are permanent, rather than temporary. This connection is not broken when the shower is used, since the curtains are opened and closed at the center, rather than from the outer edges. Once the seal strips are mounted and the curtains attached, the installation is permanent and is not disturbed or changed in any way when the shower or tub is used. At the user's discretion, however, the curtain may be easily removed from the seal strip to facilitate cleaning the adjacent area or replacing the curtain.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a holder for bathroom shower curtains.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art known to the inventor comprises means for temporarily securing a shower curtain to the walls adjacent to the bathtub, in which the device must be disassembled and reassembled each time the shower is used. No means is provided for a permanent leakproof installation. There is also no means for preventing leakage around the top of the tub or in the area where the shower curtains meet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a holder for bathroom shower curtains which is an improvement over the prior art because it provides a permanent leakproof installation of the outer edges of a pair of slidably mounted shower curtains adjacent to the opposite ends of a bath tub.
The invention also provides means for preventing leakage around the top of the tub and means for preventing leakage in the area where the center portions of the shower curtains meet. Another advantage of the invention is that it is simple to install and economical to manufacture.
The invention differs from and therefore solves a basic problem in the prior art in that the specially designed curtains which must be used with the invention permit easy access between the two sliding curtain halves without disturbing their attachment to the walls. Yet, these curtain-to-seal strip attachments can easily be separated (for cleaning or replacement) without the use of cumbersome accessory parts.
It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a shower curtain holder having all of the advantages and benefits set forth above and described hereinafter in this specification. The invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by the invention.
While I have shown in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the same are susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of my shower curtain holder in use;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the seal strip;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial isometric view of the outer edge of one of the shower curtains;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial elevational view taken from the inside, showing the extension and related parts in use;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the lower left hand corner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial isometric view of an alternative embodiment using suction cups as attachment means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises an elongated seal strip 10. The seal strip 10 is preferably formed of medium soft, relatively flexible plastic or elastomeric material which may be extruded. The back 11 of the seal strip 10 is substantially flat and is preferably covered with a coating of a suitable pressure sensitive waterproof mastic adhesive composition 12, although other types of adhesive may also be used. The adhesive composition is preferably covered with a manually removable paper layer 13.
The front 14 of the seal strip 10 is slightly concave and is provided with a centrally disposed keyhole slot 15, the entrance walls of which are preferably outwardly diverging, while the interior 15a of the slot is substantially circular in cross section. Both corners or shoulders of the front 14 of the strip 10 are preferably somewhat round.
In use, the strip 10 is applied to the vertical walls of the bathroom adjacent to the opposite ends of a conventional shower curtain rod 16. The strip 10 extends vertically downwardly in a straight line from adjacent the rod 16 to the top of the tub 17. Drops of waterproof sealant may be placed in each tile joint crossing under the strip to further insure against leakage.
A pair of substantially triangular corner blocks 18 which may be formed of the same material as the strip 10 are mounted in overlying relationship to the two corner joints where the top of the tub 17 abuts against the wall. Each of the corner blocks 18 has two straight perpendicular back edges which meet at a rounded corner and a concave front edge. The two straight edges of the corner blocks 18 may be coated with pressure sensitive adhesive composition or other suitable attaching composition or means may be used. The lower ends of the two strips 10 are bent along an arc and adhered to the arcuate front surfaces of the corner blocks 18 and preferably beyond slightly over the upper edges of the tub 17.
A pair of sheet shower curtains 19 may be formed of any suitable material, which is customarily thin waterproof plastic. The outer vertical edge of each of the curtains 19 contains within its seam an elongated string, bar or cord 20, which may be formed of vinyl or other suitable material. The edge of the curtain 19 may be looped around the cord 20 and secured to itself and/or the cord 20 with adhesive composition or the like. Other suitable adhesive or mechanical attaching means may also be used. The cord 20 has a circular cross section substantially corresponding to the cross section of the interior 15a of the keyhole slot 15 formed in the strip 10.
The cords 20 may accordingly be manually inserted by being pressed into the slots 15 after the strips 10 have been installed. The cords 20 extend for substantially the entire length of the strips 10. The cords 20 are preferably sufficiently resilient so that they can be bent to extend around the arcuate fronts of the corner blocks 18.
After installation, the cords 20 are securely held within the slots 15 by the inherent resilience of the strips 10 to provide a substantially permanent waterproof and leakproof connection between the outer vertical edges of the curtains 19 and the adjacent bathroom walls and the top of the tub 17. It is impossible for any water to pass between the outer edges of the curtains 19 and the bathroom walls or the top of the tub.
The upper edges of the shower curtains 19 are suspended from a plurality of conventional hooks 21, which are slidably mounted on the shower curtain rod 16. In order to prevent water leakage in the area where the inner edges of the curtains 19 meet, the curtain rod 16 is provided with an extension 22. The extension 22 is preferably formed of relatively hard plastic, metal or other suitable material.
The extension 22 is provided with an elongated horizontally directed slot 23, from which are suspended a pair of sliding rings 24. The sliding rings 24 are slidably movable along the entire length of the slot 23. A fixed ring 24a is attached to the outer end of the extension 22. The inner end of the slot 23 may be provided with an arcuate recess for removably receiving one of the sliding rings 24.
The extension 22 is slidably suspended by a pair of hooks 25 from the curtain rod 16. The lower portions of the hooks 25 have ridges which lock into complementary recesses formed in the sides of the extension 22 above the slot 23. The inner portion of the upper edge of one of the shower curtains 19 is slidably suspended from the extension 22 by being secured to the sliding rings 24 and the fixed ring 24a. The remaining portion of that curtain 19 and the entire upper edge of the other curtain 19 are slidably suspended from the rod 16 by conventional hooks 21. When the inner edges of the curtains 19 are drawn together, the conventional hook 21 adjacent to the inner edge of one of the curtains 19 may be moved into a position adjacent to the innermost hook 25 which holds the extension 22. When this is done, the inner edges of the curtains 19 overlap for a substantial distance, in order to prevent water from accidentally passing out between them. The overlap should, of course, preferably be directed away from the direction of water from the shower head.
Instead of using adhesive composition to attach the strips to the bathroom walls, the back of the strip may be provided with a plurality of spaced suction cups. FIG. 6 of the drawings shows such an alternative embodiment of the invention in which a strip 30 is provided with a continuous series of spaced hemispherical recesses 31 which act as suction cups. In order to prevent water from passing under the strip at tile joints, the opposite side edges of the strip 30 may be provided with integral thin leaflike extensions 31 which protrude downwardly beyond the back of the strip 30.
It should be noted that with both embodiments of the invention the seal strips are permanently affixed to the bathroom walls and tub and the means for connecting the curtains to the seal strips is built into the curtain edges. The device is not designed to be used with conventional shower curtains. The waterproof connections between the outer edges of the curtains and the walls and tub are permanent, rather than temporary. This connection is not broken when the shower is used, since the curtains are opened and closed at the center, rather than from the outer edges. Once the seal strips are mounted and the curtains attached, the installation is permanent and is not disturbed or changed in any way when the shower or tub is used. At the user's discretion, however, the curtain may be easily removed from the seal strip to facilitate cleaning the adjacent area or replacing the curtain.