U.S. patent application number 11/355138 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for wall-adaptable shower rod assembly.
Invention is credited to Sean A. Moore.
Application Number | 20070006378 11/355138 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37637456 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070006378 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore; Sean A. |
January 11, 2007 |
Wall-adaptable shower rod assembly
Abstract
A shower rod assembly has a first rod has a first rod, a second
rod telescopically connected to the first rod, a first plate
suitable for attachment to a wall and receiving a first end of the
first rod, and a second plate having a surface suitable for
attachment to another wall and receiving the second end of the
second rod. A flap is formed on the first plate so as to have an
edge portion integrally connected to the plate and another edge
portion separated from the plate. A bracket is affixed to the flap
so as to connect pivotally with a plug in a respective end of one
of the rods.
Inventors: |
Moore; Sean A.; (Houston,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John S. Egbert;Egbert Law Offices
7th Floor
412 Main Street
Houston
TX
77002
US
|
Family ID: |
37637456 |
Appl. No.: |
11/355138 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11178115 |
Jul 11, 2005 |
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11355138 |
Feb 16, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/558 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/08 20060101
A47K003/08; A47K 3/14 20060101 A47K003/14 |
Claims
1. A shower rod assembly comprising: a first rod having a first end
and a second end; a second rod telescopically connected to said
first rod, said second rod having a first end received within said
second end of said first rod, said second rod having a second end;
a first plate having a surface suitable for attachment to a wall,
said first plate having a flap formed on an opposite surface of
said first plate, said flap having a structure thereon receiving
said first end of said first rod; and a second plate having a
surface suitable for attachment to another wall, said plate
receiving said second end of said second rod.
2. The assembly of claim 1, said structure being pivotally
connected to said first end of said first rod.
3. The assembly of claim 2, said structure being bracket extending
outwardly from said opposite surface of said first plate, the
assembly further comprising: a plug affixed onto said first end of
said first rod, said plug being pivotally connected to said
bracket.
4. The assembly of claim 2, said plug having a longitudinal axis,
said plug having a hole extending through said plug transversely to
said longitudinal axis, said bracket having a slot extending
therethrough, said slot being aligned with said hole, the assembly
further comprising: a pin extending through said slot and said hole
so as to pivotally connect said plug to said structure.
5. The assembly of claim 1, said flap having a first edge portion
that is integrally connected to said opposite surface of said first
plate, said flap having another edge portion that are separated
from said opposite surface of said first plate.
6. The assembly of claim 5, said flap having a generally
rectangular configuration, said first edge portion extending
outwardly forwardly of said opposite surface, said flap extending
in generally parallel relation to said opposite surface.
7. The assembly of claim 6, said another edge portion comprising a
first side edge portion, a second side edge portion and a bottom
edge portion, said first and second side edge portions extending in
generally parallel relation to each other.
8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first tape having
an adhesive on opposite sides thereof, said first tape affixed to
said surface of said first plate; and a second tape having an
adhesive on opposite sides thereof, said second tape affixed to
said surface of said second plate.
9. The assembly of claim 1, each of said first and second rods
being curved.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first bubble
level affixed to said first plate; and a second bubble level
affixed to said second plate.
11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first plug
affixed onto said first end of said first rod and pivotally
connected to said first plate; and a second plug affixed onto said
second end of said second rod and pivotally connected to said
second plate, said first plug having a diameter that is different
than a diameter of said second plug.
12. A shower rod assembly comprising: a first rod having a first
end and a second end; a second rod telescopically connected to said
first rod, said second rod having a first end received within said
second end of said first rod, said second rod having a second end,
each of said first and second rods being curved; a first plate
having a surface suitable for attachment to a wall, said first
plate having a flap formed on an opposite surface of said first
plate, said flap having a structure thereon receiving said first
end of said first rod; and a second plate having a surface suitable
for attachment to another wall, said second plate receiving said
second end of said second rod.
13. The assembly of claim 12, said first end of said first rod
being pivotally connected to said structure, said second end of
said second rod being pivotally connected to said second plate.
14. The assembly of claim 13, said structure comprising a bracket
extending outwardly from said flap of said first plate, the
assembly further comprising: a first plug affixed onto said first
end of said first rod, said plug being pivotally connected to said
bracket of said first plate.
15. The assembly of claim 12, said flap having a first edge portion
that is integrally connected to said opposite surface of said first
plate, said flap having another edge portion that are separated
from said opposite surface of said first plate.
16. The assembly of claim 15, said flap having a generally
rectangular configuration, said first edge portion extending
outwardly forwardly of said opposite surface, said flap extending
in generally parallel relation to said opposite surface.
17. The assembly of claim 16, said another edge portion comprising
a first side edge portion, a second side edge portion and a bottom
edge portion, said first and second side edge portions extending in
generally parallel relation to each other.
18. A mounting assembly for securing a shower rod to a wall
comprising: a plate having a surface suitable for attachment to the
wall; a flap formed on an opposite surface of said plate so as to
have a first edge portion integrally connected to said opposite
surface and another edge portion that is separated from said
opposite surface of said plate; a bracket affixed to said flap on a
side of said flap opposite said plate, said bracket suitable for
receiving an end of the shower rod.
19. The mounting assembly of claim 18, further comprising: a plug
pivotally connected to said bracket, said plug having a diameter
suitable for receiving the end of the shower rod.
20. The mounting assembly of claim 18, said flap having a generally
rectangular configuration, said first edge portion extending
outwardly forwardly of said opposite surface, said flap extending
in generally parallel relation to said opposite surface.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/178,115, filed on Jul. 11, 2005, and
entitled "Shower Rod Assembly", presently pending.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to shower rods. More
particularly, the present invention relates to curved shower rods.
Additionally, the present invention relates to shower rod
assemblies in which the complete assembly can be easily connected
to walls without the need for special tools. The present invention
also relates to shower rod assemblies that can be attached to walls
having a various cants and parallelisms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Shower rods are often used for the support of shower
curtains in the bathing environment. Typically, shower rods are
formed so as to have a pair of rods in telescopic relationship so
as to expand outwardly or inwardly to fit the dimensions between
the walls at opposite ends of the bath tub. In certain
circumstances, threaded connections are established between each of
the rods such that rotation of the rods can create a compression
fit between the walls. As a result, the shower rods can be
supported by the forces exerted directly onto the wall by the
rods.
[0006] Curved shower rods are becoming increasingly popular. These
curved shower rods tend to expand the space available within the
bath or shower for convenience of the person taking a shower. These
curved shower rods are affixed to opposing walls adjacent to the
bath tub. As such, the wide arc of the shower rod will extend
outwardly beyond the tub. The curved shower rod also allows the
shower curtain to more easily nest at one end or the other in a
space adjacent to the wall. This allows the shower curtain to be
neatly folded and positioned when not in use. The inward curve of
the shower rod further prevents leaks.
[0007] Unfortunately, it is often difficult to install the curved
shower rod onto the walls. In many circumstances, tools are
required so as to properly affix the plates to the walls at
opposite ends of the bath tub. Alignment of the plates so as to
maintain a perfectly horizontal shower rod can be somewhat
difficult. The curved nature of the shower rod makes visual
alignment difficult. Additionally, the slight variations in the
distance between the walls makes the use of a telescoping curved
shower rod increasingly difficult. Under certain circumstances, the
facing walls are not truly parallel to each other and are angularly
offset from parallel. Additionally, under other circumstances, the
walls are not entirely planar. As such, attachment of the shower
rod can be more difficult.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shower
rod that can be easily installed onto the walls adjacent to the
bath tub.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
shower rod whereby installation of the shower rod can be carried
out without tools.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
shower rod assembly that minimizes the amount of assembly required
by the user prior to installation.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
shower rod which virtually assures that the plates at the end of
the shower rod are maintained in a proper horizontal
orientation.
[0012] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a shower rod that can be adapted to slight variations in
the distance between the walls at the ends of the bath tub.
[0013] It is a further object to provide a shower rod assembly that
can adapt to variations in the flatness of the walls.
[0014] It is still another objet of the present invention to
provide a sower rod mounting assembly which allows the shower rod
assembly to adapt to variations in the parallelism between the
walls.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specification and appended claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is a shower rod assembly that
comprises a first rod having a first end and a second end, a second
rod telescopically connected to the first rod such that the first
end of the second rod is received within the second end of the
first rod, a first plate having a surface suitable for attachment
to a wall and arranged so as to receive the first end of the first
rod, and a second plate having a surface suitable for attachment to
the wall. The second plate is suitable for receiving a second end
of the second rod.
[0017] The first plate is pivotally connected to the first end of
the first rod. The second plate is also pivotally connected to the
second end of the second rod. The first plate has a flap that
supports a bracket extending outwardly from an opposite surface of
the first plate. Similarly, the second plate has a flap that
supports a bracket extending outwardly from an opposite surface of
the second plate. A first plug is affixed onto the first end of the
first rod. This first plug is pivotally connected to the first
bracket. A second plug is affixed onto the second end of the second
rod. This second plug is pivotally connected to the bracket of the
second plate. The respective flaps are formed with the plates so as
to have an edge portion integrally connected to the plate and other
edge portions separated from the plate. The flap is suitably
flexible so as to orient the bracket relative to an orientation of
the wall.
[0018] Each of the plugs has a longitudinal axis. Each of the plugs
has a hole extending through the plug transversely to this
longitudinal axis. Each of the brackets has a slot extending
therethrough. This slot is aligned with the hole of the plug. A pin
extends through the slot and the hole so as to pivotally connect
the plug to the respective plate. The plug has an insert portion
received within the respective ends of the rods. A shoulder formed
on the plug. The ends of the respective rod abut this shoulder.
[0019] So as to facilitate the ability to mount the shower rod into
a bath tub, a first tape is provided with adhesive on opposite
sides thereof. This first tape is affixed to the surface of the
first plate. A second tape also has adhesive on opposite sides
thereof. The second tape is affixed to a surface of the second
plate.
[0020] Each of the first rod and second rod are suitably curved. A
first bubble level is affixed to the first plate and a second
bubble level affixed to the second plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the assembled shower rod of
the present invention as secured to opposite walls adjacent to a
bath tub.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a straight shower rod
as secured to a plate in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a single plate and plug
arrangement prior to receiving a shower rod thereon.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the
installation of a rod onto the plug associated with the plate.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the
configuration of the pin and plug of the plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the shower rod assembly
10 in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention. The shower rod assembly 10 includes a first
rod 12 having a first end affixed to a plate 14. A second rod 16
has a first end telescopically received within a second end 18 of
the first rod 12. The second rod 16 has a second end that is
affixed to a plate 20 located opposite to the plate 14. The first
plate 14 has a surface that is suitable for attachment to the wall
22. The second plate 20 has a surface that is suitable for
attachment to the wall 24. The walls 22 and 24 are at opposite ends
of the bath tub 26.
[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 1, each of the rods 12 and 16 are
suitably curved. This curved shower rod assembly 10 serves to
increase the space available to a person within the bath tub 26.
The telescoping nature of the rods 12 and 16 facilitates the
ability of the assembly 10 to be installed onto walls 22 and 24
regardless of differences in length therebetween. Similarly, the
plates 12 and 20 have suitable pivotal connections so that minor
problems associated with the parallelism between the walls 22 and
24 can be accommodated. As will be described hereinafter, each of
the plates 14 and 20 can be secured to walls and can support the
respective ends of the rods 12 and 16 on a flap formed with the
plate. This flap is flexible in various orientations so as to
accommodate variations on the walls 22 and 24 and between the walls
22 and 24. The flap can be formed on one or both of the plates 14
and 20.
[0028] It should be noted that the assembly 10 of the present
invention is preferably associated with curved shower rods.
However, the assembly 10 of the present invention can also be used
in association with straight shower rods.
[0029] As can be seen FIG. 2, a plate 30 is secured to a straight
shower rod assembly 32. The straight shower rod assembly 32
includes a first rod 34 and a second rod 36 that are telescopically
connected together. A first end of the rod 34 is affixed onto a
plug 36 that is pivotally mounted to a surface 38 of the plate 30.
The surface 38 of plate 30 has a flap 39 formed thereon and
therethrough. An edge portion of the flap 39 is integrally
connected with surface 38. The other edge portions are separated
from surface 38. The flap 39 will extend in generally parallel
relation to the surface 38.
[0030] A transition section 40 will overlie the connection between
the rod 32 and the rod 34. Transition section 40 can be a polymeric
sleeve that is affixed over the first end 42 of the second rod 36
and the second end 44 of the first rod 34. As a result, the shower
curtain rings can more easily slide over the area at the junction
of the rods 34 and 36. It should be noted that the second rod 36
has a diameter that is greater than the first rod 34. This
facilitates the ability of the first rod 34 to telescope within the
second rod 36. A plug 46 is affixed into the second end 48 of the
second rod 36. Plug 46 has a pivotal connection 50 formed at an end
thereof. Pivotal connection 50 can be secured onto a corresponding
plate located opposite the plate 30.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates the plate 30 along with the plug 36.
Plate 30 has a surface 38. A bubble level 52 can be secured along
the top edge 54 of the plate 30. Bubble level 52 can be provided so
as assist the installer in ascertaining in a quick and reliable
manner whether the plate 30 has been installed in a level
condition. The bubble level 52 can be permanently affixed onto the
surface 38 of plate 30 or can be removably affixed thereto. A pair
of holes 56 and 58 are formed through the plate 30. Holes 56 and 58
allow the user, if desired, to install the plate 30 onto the wall
through the use of screws.
[0032] As can be seen in FIG. 3, a bracket 60 extends outwardly
from the flap 39 formed on surface 38 from plate 30. Bracket 60 has
a slot 62 extending vertically therethrough. As such, the pivotal
connection 64 of plug 36 can be received by the bracket 60. The
flap 39 has a top edge portion 39a that is integrally connected to
the surface 38 and extends slightly forwardly of the surface 38.
The flap 39 has free edge portions 39b, 39c and 39d which are
separated from the surface 38. The edge portion 39a is strongly
connected to the surface 38 so as to securely support the bracket
60 and the attached shower rod. If there is a lack of horizontal
parallelism between the walls 22 and 24, then the flap can flex
slightly such that edge portion 39b can flex outwardly while edge
portion 39d flex inwardly (or vice versa). The bottom edge portion
39c can also flex with respect to fixed edge portion 39a so as to
accommodate variations in vertical parallelism between the walls 22
and 24. Also, the flap can suitable flex in various orientations to
accommodate undulations in each of the walls 22 and 24.
[0033] The plug 36 includes an insert section 66 that can be placed
into the first end of the curved rod 12. A shoulder 68 is formed
along the plug 36 generally adjacent to the bracket 60. Shoulder 68
will abut the end of the first rod 34 when the first rod 34 is
installed onto the plug 36.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 1, it should be noted that plates 14
and 20 have generally identical configurations. The only difference
in configuration is that the plug that is associated with one of
the plates has a different diameter than the plug of the other
plate. The reason for this difference in diameter is to accommodate
the slight difference in diameter between the respective
telescoping rods 12 and 16. As can be seen in FIG. 1, since the
first end of the second rod 16 is received within the second end 18
of the first rod 12, the first rod 12 will have a greater interior
diameter than the second rod 16. As such, the plug that is inserted
into the first end of the first rod 12 will have a greater diameter
so as to properly fit within the interior of the rod 12 than the
diameter of the plug that is fit into the interior of the second
end of the rod 16.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates the manner in which a shower rod 70 is
affixed onto the outer surface of the plug 36. A similar
arrangement applies to the opposite end of the shower rod assembly
associated with the opposing plate. The plug 36 has a slightly
tapered outer diameter. When the plug 36 has its insert portion 66
inserted into the end of the shower rod 70, a friction fit
relationship will occur. The end of the shower rod 70 will abut the
shoulder 68 at the end of the insert portion 66.
[0036] The plate 30 has a surface 38 from which the bracket 60
extends. As can be seen, the pivotal connection 72 of the plug 36
is pivotally received about a pin 74 in the bracket 60. Because of
this pivotal connection, any difference in parallelism between the
respective walls 22 and 24 can be accommodated. Similarly, any
installation inaccuracy is also accommodated by this pivotal
connection.
[0037] The plate 30 has a surface 76 that faces opposite to the
surface 38. Surface 76 is suitable for attachment to a wall. A
double-sided adhesive tape 78 is secured to the surface 76. When a
paper layer that overlies one of the adhesive sides of the
double-sided tape 78 is removed, the plate 30, along with the
double-sided tape 78, will allow for an easy and quick attachment
to the wall of the bath tub. Another double-sided tape will be
secured to a corresponding surface of the opposite plate connected
to the opposite end of the shower rod assembly.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates the plate 80 as located at the opposite
end of the shower rod assembly. As can be seen, the plug 82 has an
insert portion 84 that can be fit into the second end of the second
telescoping rod. Shoulder 86 abuts the end of the rod. Bracket 88
extends outwardly of a surface 90 of the plate 80. Bracket 88
includes a slot extending therethrough. Similarly, the pivotal
connection 50 has a hole formed therethrough. Pin 92 is inserted
through slot of the bracket 88 and through hole of the pivotal
connection 50 so as to connect the plug 82 to the bracket 88. A
similar relationship occurs in association with the other plate 30.
A double-sided tape 94 is secured to a surface 96 of the plate 80.
This double-sided tape 94 facilitates the ability to quickly and
easily mount the plate 80 to the opposite wall.
[0039] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is
illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the
details of the illustrated construction can be made within the
scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit
of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by
the following claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *