U.S. patent application number 10/047338 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for shower curtain assembly.
Invention is credited to Greaves, Judy.
Application Number | 20030131405 10/047338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21948386 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030131405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greaves, Judy |
July 17, 2003 |
Shower curtain assembly
Abstract
A shower curtain assembly which includes a shower curtain having
a plurality of straps, each of the straps using a hook and loop
structure (e.g. VELCRO.TM.) for securing the straps to a main body
of the shower curtain to thereby form a plurality of loops for
hanging the shower curtain on a curtain rod. The shower curtain
assembly of the present invention also includes a shower curtain
liner that employs a hook and loop structure for securing the liner
to the shower curtain.
Inventors: |
Greaves, Judy; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEINBERG & RASKIN, P.C.
1140 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 15th FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10036-5803
US
|
Family ID: |
21948386 |
Appl. No.: |
10/047338 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 2201/02 20130101;
A47K 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/558 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/08; A47K
003/14 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A shower curtain assembly comprising: a shower curtain having a
front and rear surface; a plurality of spaced straps extending from
an upper latitudinal edge of said shower curtain, each of said
plurality of straps having a section of fabric arranged on a front
surface of said strap, each section of fabric defining a loop
structure of a hook and loop pair; and a plurality of spaced
sections of fabric arranged on a front surface of said shower
curtain, each of said plurality of spaced sections of fabric
defining a hook structure of a hook and loop pair and each of said
plurality of spaced sections of fabric corresponding in position to
one of said straps; whereby each section of fabric on each of said
plurality of straps may be selectively placed in face to face
abutment with one of said sections of fabric on said front surface
of said shower curtain to thereby form a loop for hanging said
shower curtain on a shower rod.
2. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 1, further
comprising: a shower curtain liner secured to said rear surface of
said shower curtain by a hook and loop structure.
3. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 2, wherein said
shower curtain is provided with a plurality of sections of fabric
arranged on said rear surface of said shower curtain; each of said
plurality of sections of fabric arranged on said rear surface of
said shower curtain defining a loop structure of a hook and loop
pair.
4. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 3, wherein said
shower curtain liner has a front and rear surface; and said shower
curtain assembly further comprises: a plurality of sections of
fabric arranged on a front surface of said shower curtain liner,
each of said plurality of sections of fabric arranged on said front
surface of said shower curtain liner defining a hook structure of a
hook and loop pair, each of said plurality of sections of fabric
arranged on said front surface of said shower curtain liner
arranged in a position that corresponds in position to one of said
plurality of sections of fabric arranged on said rear surface of
said shower curtain; whereby each of said plurality of sections of
fabric arranged on said front surface of said shower curtain liner
can be placed in face to face abutment with a corresponding one of
said plurality of sections of fabric arranged on a rear surface of
said shower curtain to thereby selective secure said shower curtain
liner to said shower curtain.
5. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 1, further
comprising a valence selectively secured to said shower curtain by
a hook and loop structure.
6. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 2, further
comprising a valence selectively secured to said shower curtain by
a hook and loop structure
7. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 4, further
comprising a valence selectively secured to said shower curtain by
a hook and loop structure
8. A shower curtain assembly comprising: a shower curtain having a
front and rear surface; a plurality of spaced straps extending from
an upper latitudinal edge of said shower curtain, each of said
plurality of straps having a section of fabric arranged on a front
surface of said strap, each section of fabric defining a loop
structure of a hook and loop pair; a plurality of spaced sections
of fabric arranged on a front surface of said shower curtain, each
of said plurality of spaced sections of fabric defining a hook
structure of a hook and loop pair and each of said plurality of
spaced sections of fabric corresponding in position to one of said
straps; a plurality of sections of fabric arranged on a rear
surface of said shower curtain, each of said plurality of sections
of fabric arranged on said rear surface of said shower curtain
defining a loop structure of a hook and loop pair; a shower curtain
liner having a front and rear surface; a plurality of sections of
fabric arranged on a front surface of said shower curtain liner,
each of said plurality of sections of fabric arranged on said front
surface of said shower curtain liner defining a hook structure of a
hook and loop pair, each of said plurality of sections of fabric
arranged on said front surface of said shower curtain liner
arranged in a position that corresponds in position to one of said
plurality of sections of fabric arranged on a rear surface of said
shower curtain; a valence having a front and rear surface; a
plurality of spaced sections of fabric arranged on said rear
surface of said valence, each of said sections of fabric arranged
on said rear surface of said valence defining a hook structure of a
hook and loop pair and each of said sections of fabric arranged on
said rear surface of said valence corresponding in position to one
of said sections of fabric arranged on a plurality of spaced
sections of fabric arranged on a front surface of said shower
curtain; and a plurality of spaced sections of fabric arranged on a
front surface of said valence, each of said sections of fabric
arranged on said front surface of said valence defining a loop
structure of a hook and loop pair and each of said sections of
fabric corresponding in position to one of said straps.
9. A shower curtain assembly comprising: a shower curtain; a shower
curtain liner secured to said shower curtain by means of a hook and
loop structure.
10. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 9, wherein said
shower curtain is provided with a plurality of sections of fabric
arranged on a rear surface of said shower curtain; each of said
plurality of sections of fabric arranged on said rear surface of
said shower curtain defining a loop structure of a hook and loop
pair.
11. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 10, wherein said
shower curtain liner has a front and rear surface; and said shower
curtain assembly further comprises: a plurality of sections of
fabric arranged on a front surface of said shower curtain liner,
each of said plurality of sections of fabric arranged on said front
surface of said shower curtain liner defining a hook structure of a
hook and loop pair, each of said plurality of sections of fabric
arranged on said front surface of said shower curtain liner
arranged in a position that corresponds in position to one of said
plurality of sections of fabric arranged on said rear surface of
said shower curtain; whereby each of said plurality of sections of
fabric arranged on said front surface of said shower curtain liner
can be placed in face to face abutment with a corresponding one of
said plurality of sections of fabric arranged on a rear surface of
said shower curtain to thereby selective secure said shower curtain
liner to said shower curtain.
12. A shower curtain assembly comprising: a shower curtain; a
plurality of spaced straps extending from an upper latitudinal edge
of said shower curtain, each of said plurality of straps having a
first mating structure arranged on a front surface of said strap;
and a plurality of spaced second mating structures arranged on a
front surface of said shower curtain and adapted to be coupled to
said plurality of first mating structures; whereby each strap may
be formed into a loop for hanging said shower curtain on a shower
rod by coupling each of said plurality of second mating structures
to a corresponding one of said first plurality of mating
structures.
13. The shower curtain assembly according to claim 12, wherein said
shower curtain is provided with a plurality of third mating
structures and said shower assembly further comprising: a shower
curtain liner having a plurality of fourth mating structures
arranged on a front surface of said shower curtain each one of said
fourth mating structures corresponding in position to one of said
plurality of third mating structures and adapted to be coupled to a
corresponding one of said plurality of third mating structures;
whereby said shower curtain liner is selectively secured to said
shower curtain by coupling each of said plurality of fourth mating
structures to a corresponding one of said first plurality of third
mating structures.
14. A shower curtain assembly comprising: a shower curtain; a
shower curtain liner structured and arranged to be selectively
directly coupled to said shower curtain.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a shower curtain assembly,
and in particular, a shower curtain assembly which includes a
shower curtain having a plurality of straps, each of the straps
using a hook and loop structure (e.g. VELCRO.TM.) for securing the
straps to a main body of the shower curtain to thereby form a
plurality of loops for hanging the shower curtain on a curtain rod.
The shower curtain assembly of the present invention also includes
a shower curtain liner that employs a hook and loop structure for
securing the liner to the shower curtain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional shower curtains are generally secured to a
shower curtain rod through the use of a plurality of rings, each of
the shower curtain rings being adapted to pass through a
corresponding hole provided along a latitudinal edge of the shower
curtain. Each of the rings are passed through said corresponding
hole in the shower curtain and then placed around the shower
curtain rod. The rings are then secured in a closed position around
the shower curtain rod to thereby retain the shower curtain on the
curtain rod. The rings are usually provided with a snap fit closure
(e.g. a ball and orifice type arrangement) which enables the rings
to be selectively altered from a open position which enables the
ring to be inserted through shower curtain to a closed position
which securely retains the shower curtain on the curtain rod.
[0003] The above described process of securing the curtain to the
curtain rod can be manually intensive and rather time consuming
since each individual ring must be fed through the curtain,
arranged around the curtain rod and then closed. In addition, it is
often difficult to open and close the snap fit closures of the
individual rings since the rings are manufactured so that, once
they are closed, they remain in the closed position. As a result,
it often requires a significant degree of manual effort to open and
close the rings. It is also noted that each time the shower curtain
is removed from the curtain rod, e.g. to be cleaned, the above
process must be repeated in its entirety.
[0004] Often, especially with fabric shower curtains, a synthetic
liner is used in conjunction with the shower curtain. Such liners
are adapted to be arranged on an interior side (i.e. the side
adjacent the interior of the shower) of the shower curtain. The
liner functions to retain water within the shower stall thereby
preventing water from escaping onto the surrounding floor and at
the same time maintains the shower curtain dry. The liner is
secured to the shower curtain rod in the same manner as the shower
curtain itself. That is, the liner is provided with a plurality of
holes arranged along one latitudinal edge thereof. The shower
curtain rings are passed through the liner and then arranged around
the shower curtain rod before being secured in the closed position.
Thus, in those cases where a liner is being employed, each ring
must be fed through both the shower curtain and the liner before
the ring is placed around the curtain rod and secured. It is
appreciated that this process is particularly labor intensive.
[0005] Since the liner is directly adjacent the interior of the
shower stall, it has a tendency to accumulate soap scum and mildew
and thus it would be desirable if the liner could be easily removed
from the shower curtain to be cleaned. However, the structure of
conventional liners, shower curtains and rings makes the removal of
the liner and/or curtain from the shower curtain labor intensive
and time consuming.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a shower curtain assembly that overcomes the shortcomings
of conventional shower curtains, shower curtain liners and ring
assemblies discussed above.
[0007] It is further object of the present invention to provide a
shower curtain that can be easily mounted and removed from a shower
curtain rod.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
shower curtain and liner assembly that can be easily mounted and
removed from a shower curtain rod.
[0009] In view of the foregoing objectives, the present invention
provides a shower curtain assembly including a shower curtain
having plurality of straps extending from a latitudinal edge of the
curtain body, each of the straps having a section of fabric thereon
defining a hook structure of a hook and loop structure (e.g.
VELCRO.TM.). The shower curtain also includes a plurality of
sections of fabric arranged along said latitudinal edge of the
curtain body, each of the plurality of sections of fabric defining
a loop structure of a hook and loop structure. Each of straps are
arranged so that when the strap is arranged around a curtain rod,
the hook structure on the strap is placed in face to face abutment
with a corresponding loop structure on the body of the curtain to
thereby forming a loop (or ring) for hanging the shower curtain on
the curtain rod.
[0010] An interior side of the shower curtain according to the
present invention is also provided with a plurality of sections of
fabric each of which define a loop structure of a hook and loop
pair. The shower curtain assembly according the present invention
further includes a shower curtain liner which has a plurality of
sections of fabric each of which define a hook structure of a hook
and loop pair. Each of the sections of fabric on the shower curtain
liner are adapted to be placed in face to face abutment with a
corresponding section of fabric defining the loop structure on the
interior side of the shower curtain. In this manner, the shower
curtain liner can be selectively secured to the interior side of
the shower curtain.
[0011] The shower curtain assembly of the present invention may
further include a valence which also employs a hook and loop
structure to secure the valence to the shower curtain.
[0012] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and
many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood
by reference to the following detailed description when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shower curtain assembly
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a exploded view of the shower curtain assembly
shown in FIG. 1 detailing the hook and loop structure which secures
the shower curtain liner to the shower curtain as well as the hook
and loop structure which functions to define the ring for mounting
the shower curtain on the curtain rod;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the shower curtain assembly according to present invention which
includes a valence;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a exploded view of the shower curtain assembly
shown in FIG. 4 detailing the hook and loop structure which secures
the shower curtain liner to the shower curtain, the hook and loop
structure which functions to define the ring for mounting the
shower curtain on the curtain rod and the hook and loop structure
which functions to secure the valence to the shower curtain;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the various
views, FIGS. 1-3 show a shower curtain assembly 10 in accordance
with the present invention which is adapted to be hung on a
conventional shower curtain rod 12.
[0021] Shower curtain assembly 10 includes a shower curtain 14 and
a shower curtain liner 16. Shower curtain 14 has a front surface 18
and a rear surface 20. Shower curtain liner 16 likewise has front
and rear surfaces, 22 and 24 respectively. As shown, both the
shower curtain 14 and shower curtain liner 16 are generally
rectangular in shape and have a length that corresponds to a length
of shower curtain rod 12. The shower curtain 14 may be constructed
from a fabric or synthetic material. The shower curtain liner 16 is
preferably constructed from a synthetic material so that the
curtain liner 16 effectively retains moisture within the shower
stall and also enables the curtain liner 16 to be easily cleaned.
The shower curtain 14 and shower curtain liner 16 may be produced
in various colors and/or patterns as desired.
[0022] As best seen in FIG. 1, shower curtain 14 is provided with a
plurality of spaced fabric straps 26, each fabric strap 26
extending from the rear surface 20 of the shower curtain at an
upper latitudinal edge 28 of the shower curtain. As shown in FIG.
2, each fabric strap 26 has a section of fabric 30 arranged on a
front surface 32 of the strap. Each one of the sections of fabric
30 define a hook structure of a hook and loop pair (e.g.
VELCRO.TM.). The shower curtain is provided with a plurality of
spaced sections of fabric 34 arranged on the front surface 18 of
the shower curtain. Each section of fabric 34 defines a loop
structure of a hook and loop structure. Each section of fabric 34
is arranged near the upper latitudinal edge of the shower curtain
14 and in a position corresponding to one of straps 26 so that when
the strap 26 is folded over towards the front surface 18 of the
shower curtain 14, the section of fabric 30 on the strap 26 is
placed in face to face abutment with the section of fabric 34 on
the front of the shower curtain. In this manner each on of the
straps 26 can be selectively formed into a ring or loop for hanging
the shower curtain 14 on the shower curtain rod 12 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0023] It is understood that the relative positions of the hook and
loop structure on the straps 26 and on the front surface 18 of the
shower curtain 14 could be reversed. That is, the hook structure
could be provided on the front surface 18 of the shower curtain 14
and loop structure could be arranged on the individual straps.
[0024] As best seen in FIG. 2, the shower curtain liner 16 is
provided with a plurality of spaced sections of fabric 36 arranged
on the front surface 22 of the liner adjacent an upper latitudinal
edge 38 thereof. Each section of fabric 36 defines a hook structure
of a hook and loop pair. The shower curtain 18 is further provided
with a plurality of spaced sections of fabric 40 which are arranged
on a rear surface 20 of the shower curtain adjacent an upper
latitudinal edge 28 thereof. Each section of fabric 40 defines a
loop structure of a hook and loop pair and each section of fabric
40 is arranged in a position corresponding to a position of one of
said plurality of spaced sections of fabric 36. In this manner,
when the front surface 22 of the shower curtain liner 14 is placed
in face to face abutment with the rear surface 20 of the shower
curtain 16, each section of fabric 36 is placed in face to face
abutment with a corresponding section of fabric 40. In this manner,
the shower curtain liner 16 may be selectively secured to the
shower curtain 14. It is understood that the relative positions of
the hook and loop structure could be reversed. That is, the spaced
sections of fabric 36 could be the loop structure and then each
section of fabric 40 could be the hook structure of the hook and
loop pair.
[0025] A sectional view of the shower curtain assembly 10 according
to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a
synthetic layer 42, e.g. a plastic strip, may be arranged between
the rear surface 20 of the shower curtain 14 and the sections of
fabric 40. The synthetic layer 42 promotes a secure attachment of
the various fabric sections to the curtain 14. In the embodiment
shown, each section of fabric 40 is secured to the shower curtain
using stitching. However each section of fabric 40 may be secured
to the curtain 14 using other techniques known in the art.
[0026] A synthetic layer 44 may be provided between the front
surface 22 of the shower curtain liner 16 and the fabric section 36
which helps to promote a secure attachment of the fabric 36 to the
shower curtain liner 16. In the embodiment shown, each section of
fabric 36 is secured to the shower curtain liner 16 using
stitching. However each section of fabric 36 may be secured to the
curtain 14 using other techniques known in the art. As shown,
synthetic layers 42 and 44 do not extend the length of the shower
curtain but rather are only located in the region where the various
fabric sections are secured.
[0027] FIGS. 4-6 shows another embodiment of the shower curtain
assembly 10 of the present invention. The shower curtain assembly
10 of this embodiment is similar to the shower curtain assembly of
FIGS. 1-3 except that the shower curtain assembly 10 of FIGS. 4-6
further includes a valance 46.
[0028] The valence 46 includes a front surface 48 and a rear
surface 50. The valence 46 is provided with a plurality of spaced
sections of fabric 52 arranged on the rear surface 50 of the
valence adjacent an upper latitudinal edge 56 of the valence. Each
section of fabric 52 defines a hook structure of a hook and loop
pair. Each section of fabric 52 is arranged in a position which
corresponds to one of the sections of fabric 34 on the front
surface 18 of the shower curtain 14. In this fashion, the valence
46 can be secured to the front of the shower curtain 14 by aligning
each of the sections of fabric 52 with a corresponding one of the
sections of fabric 34 and placing the sections of fabric in face to
face abutment to complete the hook and loop pair.
[0029] The valence 46 is further provided with a plurality of
sections of fabric 54 arranged on a front surface 48 of the
valence. Each of the sections of fabric 54 define a loop structure
of a hook and loop pair. Each section of fabric 54 is arranged in a
position which corresponds to one of the sections of fabric 30 on
one of the straps 26. In this fashion, each strap 26 may be folded
over so that the section of fabric 30 on the front surface thereof
is placed in face to face abutment with a corresponding one of the
sections of fabric 54 on the front of the valence to thereby form a
hoop or ring for hanging the curtain assembly 10 on the curtain rod
12. The valence may be made of a fabric and/or synthetic material.
However, the valence 46 is preferably made from the same material
as the shower curtain 14.
[0030] Thus, the shower curtain assembly of the present invention
enables a shower curtain to be easily hung on a conventional shower
curtain rod without the need to use conventional shower curtain
rings. Further, the straps employing the hook and loop structure of
the curtain according to the present invention enable the shower
curtain to be selectively hung on and removed from the shower
curtain rod as desired. The shower curtain may thus be easily
removed from the shower curtain rod to be cleaned or replaced as
desired.
[0031] The shower curtain liner employed in present invention
enables the easy attachment of the liner to the shower curtain
through the use of hook and loop structures. Moreover the need for
use of shower curtain rings to hang the shower curtain liner is
eliminated. Since the shower curtain liner can easily be removed
from the shower curtain without the need to remove the enter shower
curtain assembly the shower curtain liner can be selectively
removed from the curtain for cleaning and then reattached to the
curtain after the liner has been cleaned. In addition, the shower
curtain liner may be replaced with a new liner and the new liner
simply attached to the shower curtain.
[0032] Moreover, the valence of the shower curtain assembly
according to the present invention provides a decorative accent to
the assembly and may be easily attached to and removed from the
remainder of the assembly as desired. Through the use of the hook
and loop structure, the user may selectively attach and remove the
valence as desired to alter the visual impression of the
assembly.
[0033] Although all of the embodiments of the invention disclosed
above employ the use of hook and loop fasteners it is possible that
other techniques for securing a first structure to a second
structure could be employed within the scope of the invention. For
example the shower liner could be selectively secured to the shower
curtain using snaps or buttons as long as the shower curtain liner
was directly secured to the shower curtain thereby obviating the
need to use rings to hang the liner on the curtain rod. Likewise
the shower curtain straps could be secured to body of the shower
curtain to form the loops for hanging the shower curtain by
utilizing using snaps or buttons. However, the use of hook and loop
fasteners does have advantages over the use of snaps and buttons.
For example, hook and loop fasteners are much easier to use,
especially by the elderly and/or individuals that may have
difficulty manipulating snaps and/or buttons. Further, use of snaps
and/or buttons may cause the shower curtain liner to tear after
repeated removal and reattachment to the shower curtain whereas the
use of hook and loop fasteners would obviate such difficulties.
[0034] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the teachings hereof.
Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention can be varied
from the detailed description above within the scope of the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *