U.S. patent application number 12/874897 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for double tension curtain rod assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ex-Cell Home Fashions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles Barrese.
Application Number | 20120017366 12/874897 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45492324 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120017366 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barrese; Charles |
January 26, 2012 |
DOUBLE TENSION CURTAIN ROD ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A curtain rod assembly according to example embodiments may
include a first rod, a second rod, a collar assembly attached to
the first end of the second rod and a second collar attached to the
second end of the second rod. The first collar assembly and the
second collar assembly may be attached to the first rod and the
length of the second rod may be independently adjustable with
respect to the length of the first rod. At least one of the first
and second collar assemblies may be configured to be adjustably
positioned on the first rod. At least one of the first and second
collar assemblies may include a locking mechanism for fixing the
position of the at least one of the first and second collar
assemblies with respect to the first rod.
Inventors: |
Barrese; Charles;
(Huntington, NY) |
Assignee: |
Ex-Cell Home Fashions, Inc.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
45492324 |
Appl. No.: |
12/874897 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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29366355 |
Jul 23, 2010 |
D650263 |
|
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12874897 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/558 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/02 20060101
A47H001/02 |
Claims
1. A curtain rod assembly comprising: a first rod extending between
a first end and a second end; a second rod extending between a
first end and a second end; a first collar assembly attached to the
first end of the second rod; and a second collar assembly attached
to the second end of the second rod; wherein the first collar
assembly and the second collar assembly are attached to the first
rod and wherein the length of the second rod is independently
adjustable with respect to the length of the first rod.
2. A shower curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein at
least one of the first and second collar assemblies is configured
to be adjustably positioned on the first rod.
3. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the first and second collar assemblies includes a locking
mechanism for fixing the position of the at least one of the first
and second collar assemblies with respect to the first rod.
4. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 3, wherein the locking
mechanism includes a threaded fastener.
5. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 3, wherein the locking
mechanism includes a gasket.
6. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein both of the
first and second collar assemblies are configured to be slidable
along the length of the first rod.
7. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second
rod includes first and second portions, wherein the second portion
is slidably received within the first portion, wherein the first
and second collar assemblies are attached to the first portion of
the second rod, and wherein the second portion of the second rod
may be extended from the first portion of the second rod
independent of the location of the first and second collar
assemblies.
8. A curtain rod assembly comprising: a first rod extending between
a first end and a second end; and a second rod extending between a
first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the second rod
is attached to the first rod with a first collar assembly; wherein
the second end of the second rod is attached to the first rod with
a second collar assembly; wherein the length of the first rod is
adjustable in length; and wherein the length of the second rod is
adjustable in length, independent of the length of the first
rod.
9. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first
rod comprises a first potion and a second portion, wherein the
second portion is at least partially received within the first
portion.
10. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second
rod comprises a first potion and a second portion, wherein the
second portion is at least partially received within the first
portion.
11. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second
collar assembly is adjustable along the length of the first rod
between the first end and the second end.
12. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first
collar assembly is adjustable along the length of the first rod
between the first end and the second end.
13. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second
collar assembly is adjustable along the length of the second rod
between the first end and the second end.
14. A curtain rod assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least
one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly
includes a locking mechanism to fix the position of the at least
one of the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly
relative to the first curtain rod.
15. A curtain rod assembly comprising: a first curtain rod; a
second curtain rod; and first and second collar assemblies securing
the first curtain rod to the second curtain rod; wherein at least
one of the first and second collar assemblies is slidable along the
length of the first curtain rod, and wherein the second curtain rod
extends between the first collar assembly and the second collar
assembly.
16. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein at least one of
the first collar assembly and the second collar assembly includes a
locking mechanism.
17. The curtain rod assembly of claim 16, wherein the locking
mechanism includes a threaded fastener.
18. The curtain rod assembly of claim 16, wherein the locking
mechanism includes a gasket.
19. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the first curtain
rod has an adjustable length, and wherein the second curtain rod
has a length that is adjustable independent of the length of the
first curtain rod.
20. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the first curtain
rod includes first and second ends, wherein the first and second
ends are each secured to a respective wall.
21. The curtain rod assembly of claim 15, wherein the cross-section
of the first curtain rod comprises at least one flat face.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part and claims
priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/366,355,
filed Jul. 23, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to curtain rods, and in
particular, double shower curtain rods with individually adjustable
lengths.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Shower curtain rods are configured to hold a shower curtain
and/or shower curtain liner within a shower stall or bath-tub
enclosure to minimize water egress from the shower or bath from a
shower head. While shower curtain rods are typically designed to
carry shower curtain hooks bearing a shower curtain along a single
span, the shower curtain rod is often employed to also carry
decorative shower curtains on shower curtain hooks and function as
a towel or clothing rack such as for drying towels and keeping them
within easy reach. Traditional double shower curtain rods are fixed
in length and have a static relationship between the two rods.
SUMMARY
[0004] Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to
shower curtain rods, and in particular, a shower curtain rod
assembly including two shower curtain rods whose lengths are
independently adjustable.
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a curtain
rod assembly including a first rod extending between a first end
and a second end, a second rod extending between a first end and a
second end, a collar assembly attached to the first end of the
second rod and a second collar attached to the second end of the
second rod. The first collar assembly and the second collar
assembly may be attached to the first rod and the length of the
second rod may be independently adjustable with respect to the
length of the first rod. At least one of the first and second
collar assemblies may be configured to be adjustably positioned on
the first rod. At least one of the first and second collar
assemblies may include a locking mechanism for fixing the position
of the at least one of the first and second collar assemblies with
respect to the first rod. The locking mechanism may include a
threaded fastener or a gasket. The first and second collar
assemblies may be configured to be slideable along the length of
the first rod. The second rod may include first and second portions
where the second portion is slidably received within the first
portion, where the first and second collar assemblies may be
attached to the first portion of the second rod, and where the
second portion of the second rod may be extended from the first
portion of the second rod independent of the location of the first
and second collar assemblies.
[0006] Further embodiments of the present invention may provide a
curtain rod assembly including a first rod extending between a
first end and a second end, a second rod extending between a first
end and a second end, where the first end of the second rod is
attached to the first rod with a first collar assembly and where
the second end of the second rod is attached to the first rod with
a second collar assembly. The length of the first rod may be
adjustable in length and the length of the second rod may be
adjustable in length independent of the length of the first rod.
The first rod may include a first portion and a second portion
where the second portion may be at least partially received within
the first portion. The second rod may include a first portion and a
second portion where the second portion may be at least partially
received within the first portion. The second collar assembly may
be adjustable along the length of the first rod between the first
end and the second end. The first collar assembly may be adjustable
along the length of the first rod between the first end and the
second end. The second collar assembly may be adjustable along the
length of the second rod between the first end and the second end.
At least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar
assembly may include a locking mechanism to fix the position of the
at least one of the first collar assembly and the second collar
assembly relative to the first curtain rod.
[0007] Still further embodiments of the present invention may
provide a curtain rod assembly including a first curtain rod, a
second curtain rod, and first and second collar assemblies securing
the first curtain rod to the second curtain rod. At least one of
the first and second collar assemblies may be slidable along the
length of the first curtain rod and the second curtain rod may
extend between the first collar assembly and the second collar
assembly. At least one of the first collar assembly and the second
collar assembly may include a locking mechanism. The locking
mechanism may include a threaded fastener or a gasket. The first
curtain rod may have an adjustable length and the second curtain
rod may have a length that is adjustable independent of the length
of the first rod. The first curtain rod may include first and
second ends each secured to a respective wall. The cross section of
the first curtain rod may include at least one flat face.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0008] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a curtain rod assembly according to an
example embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a collar assembly according to an example
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a collar assembly according to another
example embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a collar assembly according to still
another example embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a collar assembly according to yet
another example embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a shower curtain rod assembly according
to another example embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed,
these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout. The terms top, bottom, side, up, down,
upwards, downwards, vertical, horizontal, and the like as used
below do not imply a required limitation in all embodiments of the
present invention but rather are used herein to help describe
relative direction or orientation in the example embodiments
illustrated in the figures.
[0016] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a
curtain rod assembly including two rods that are independently
adjustable in length. Curtain rods of embodiments of the present
invention may be used to enhance functional characteristics and
improve ornamental appearance. Shower curtain rod assemblies
according embodiments of the present invention may be configured
for use with a shower stall, bath tub, or other enclosure. Further
embodiments of curtain rods of the present invention may be
configured for use with drapery or wall hangings among other
possible uses.
[0017] Shower curtain rods are typically designed to span at least
a portion of at least one side of a shower or bath tub at a height
elevated from the top of the side(s) of the shower stall threshold
or bath tub. Shower curtain rods hold a shower curtain in place to
provide privacy to an occupant of the shower and minimize water
escape from the shower when in use. Shower curtains suspended from
shower curtain rods may be functional and decorative.
[0018] A functional aspect of a shower curtain may include a
curtain that is suspended from a shower curtain rod with the bottom
of the shower curtain retained within the bath tub or shower stall.
The material used may be substantially impermeable to water and the
curtain may shed water down the curtain and into the bath tub or
shower stall for proper draining. The material may also include or
have applied to it a decorative pattern to enhance the appearance
of the shower curtain and possibly to provide additional privacy
through an opaque, semi-opaque, or translucent design and
material.
[0019] The decorative and functional aspects of a shower curtain
may be separate such as in the case of decorative shower curtains
and shower curtain liners. Decorative shower curtains may be made
of materials that are not suitable for properly shedding water as
necessary for proper function of a shower curtain. When such a
material is used for the shower curtain, a shower curtain liner may
be situated between the shower curtain and the shower stall or bath
tub. A shower curtain liner may be made of any appropriate material
that is substantially impermeable to water. Shower curtains with
shower curtain liners are often supported on a single shower
curtain rod with shower curtain hooks that ride along the shower
curtain rod, each penetrating an eyelet of both the shower curtain
and the shower curtain liner such that they are joined together for
movement along the shower curtain rod.
[0020] It may be desirable for the shower curtain liner to be
retained within the bath tub or shower stall along the bottom of
the shower curtain liner such that water from the shower is
properly directed into the bath tub or shower stall during use.
Conversely, it may be desirable for the decorative shower curtain
to remain outside of the bath tub or shower stall to maintain a
pleasing aesthetic appearance and to preclude the decorative shower
curtain from being exposed to moisture inside the bath tub or
shower. To this end, it may be desirable to have separate shower
curtain rods for the shower curtain and for the shower curtain
liner respectively.
[0021] Another function that a shower curtain rod may serve is to
support a towel or bath robe either during use of the shower or
when a towel is hung up to be dried. This may be particularly
applicable when a towel rod configured to hold towels is not within
easy reach of the shower. A user of the shower may want a towel to
be readily accessible when a shower ends such that water is not
carried outside of the bath tub as the user reaches or walks to get
a towel, or optionally, the user may want to remain in the privacy
and warmth of the bath tub or shower stall while reaching for and
using a towel or robe with which they may dry off and/or cover
themselves.
[0022] A disadvantage of using a single shower curtain rod to serve
multiple functions is that one function may impede another. For
example, if a towel is hung over the top of a shower curtain rod,
it may be difficult to easily move the shower curtain between an
open position and a closed position. Also, a user may wish to
operate a decorative shower curtain separately from a shower
curtain liner which may not be possible with a single shower
curtain rod as the two are typically affixed to the same shower
curtain hooks.
[0023] Shower curtain rods may also be configured to be adjustable
in length to accommodate shower stalls or bath tubs of different
sizes. Shower curtain rods are typically attached to a wall on
either side of a cove configured to accommodate a bath tub or two
opposing walls of a shower stall. These distances may vary from
bathroom to bathroom necessitating a shower curtain rod that can be
adjusted to appropriately fit the application. Shower curtain rods
may, for example, be telescopic incorporating a first section that
has a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, and a second
portion that has a second outer diameter, where the second outer
diameter is configured to be received within the first inner
diameter of the first portion. This configuration may allow the
shower curtain rod to be adjustable as the second portion slides
within the first portion.
[0024] Example embodiments of the present invention provide for a
shower curtain rod assembly that may include two shower curtain
rods that may be independently adjustable along their length to
suit the functionality desired by the user.
[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a shower curtain rod assembly according to an
example embodiment of the present invention. The example embodiment
includes a first shower curtain rod 110 configured to apply
pressure at both ends 120, 130 to opposing walls of a bath tub or
shower stall (not shown). The shower curtain rod 110 includes first
and second portions 112 and 114. The outer diameter of the second
portion 114 is sized to be received within the inner diameter of
the first portion 112 such that the shower curtain rod 110 may be
adjustable along its length to accommodate showers and bath tubs of
different sizes. The first portion 112 of the shower curtain rod
110 may be configured with a gasket or bearing assembly at the end
113 that receives the second portion 114 of the shower curtain rod
110. The gasket or bearing assembly (not shown) may aid the shower
curtain rod 110 in maintaining a set length when installed in a
shower or bath tub. The ends 120, 130 of the first shower curtain
rod 110 may be made of any of a variety of materials, but
preferably include a soft or relatively higher friction portion at
the side of the end 120, 130 that is placed in contact with the
opposing walls of the shower or bath. Optionally, the ends 120, 130
may be configured to be received in separate brackets that are
mounted to the wall in the location where the end will be
situated.
[0026] The depicted example embodiment may further include first
and second collar assemblies 140, 150 attached to the first shower
curtain rod 110. The collar assemblies 140, 150 may be of a variety
of configurations as will be described further below. The first
collar assembly 140 may be moveable along the length of the first
shower curtain rod 110 or it may be in a fixed location. The first
collar assembly 140 may optionally be integrally attached to the
first end 120 of the first shower curtain rod 110. The second
collar assembly 150 may be movable along the length of the shower
curtain rod 110. The second collar assembly 150 may be sized to fit
on either the first portion 112 or the second portion 114 of the
shower curtain rod 110, or the second collar assembly 150 may be
configured to fit on both the first portion 112 and the second
portion 114.
[0027] According to the example embodiment of FIG. 1, a second
shower curtain rod 160 extending between a first end 170 and a
second end 180 may be connected to the first shower curtain rod 110
by the first and second collar assemblies 140, 150. The second
shower curtain rod may include first and second portions 162, 164
similar to the first shower curtain rod 110 wherein the second
portion 164 of the second shower curtain rod 160 is configured to
be received within the first portion 162 of the second shower
curtain rod 160. The second portion 164 of the second shower
curtain rod 160 may be received through the end 163 of the first
portion 162 which may include a gasket or bearing assembly as noted
above with respect to the first shower curtain rod 110. The length
of the second shower curtain rod 160 may be adjustable according to
a user's preference, independent of the length of the first shower
curtain rod 110. The first collar assembly 140 may be movable along
the length of the second shower curtain rod 160 or may optionally
be integrally attached to the first end 170 of the second shower
curtain rod 160. The second collar assembly 160 may be movable
along the length of the second shower curtain rod 160 or may
optionally be integrally attached to the second end 180 of the
second shower curtain rod 160. The first and second collar
assemblies 140, 150 hold the second shower curtain rod 160
substantially parallel to the first shower curtain rod 110.
[0028] It should be appreciated that according to the depicted
embodiment, the maximum length of either of the first shower
curtain rod 110 or the second shower curtain rod 160 is the total
length of the first portion (112 or 162) and the second portion
(114 or 164) minus a percentage of overlap or engagement length
required between the first and second portions for stability. Also,
the minimum length of either of the first shower curtain rod 110 or
the second shower curtain rod 160 is substantially the same as the
longest of the first portion (112 or 162) or the second portion
(114 or 164).
[0029] The collar assemblies 140, 150 may be embodied in various
forms as depicted in FIG. 2 through FIG. 5. FIG. 2 depicts an
example embodiment of a collar assembly that may be used as either
or both of the first collar assembly 140 and the second collar
assembly 150. The illustrated embodiment includes two rings 210 and
220 configured for attachment to the first and second shower
curtain rods 110, 160 and a stand-off 230 connecting the two rings
210, 220. The opening 215 in the first ring 210 may be configured
to accommodate of the first portion 112 of the first shower curtain
rod 110 or the second portion 114 of the first shower curtain rod
110. Optionally, the opening 215 may be configured to accommodate
both the first portion 112 and the second portion 114 for
additional adjustability along the length of the first shower
curtain rod 110. The opening 225 in the second ring 220 may
similarly be configured to accommodate either the first portion
162, the second portion 164, or both portions of the second shower
curtain rod 160. Embodiments of the collar assemblies may also
include set-screws 240, 250 or similar locking mechanisms to fix
the location of the collar assemblies along the length of a shower
curtain rod. The set-screws 240, 250 may also hold the collar
assemblies 200 at a desired rotational position with respect to
either or both of the shower curtain rods to which they are
attached. Another locking mechanism may include a gasket or insert,
such as a rubber gasket, positioned within one or both openings
215, 225. The insert or gasket may engage the shower curtain rod
with sufficient friction to substantially lock the position of the
collar assembly 200 with respect to the shower curtain rod. In such
an embodiment, the frictional force between the shower curtain rod
and the gasket or insert may be overcome by a user when adjusting
the position of the collar assembly on the shower curtain rod, but
is sufficient to hold the position of the collar assembly on the
shower curtain rod during normal use. This arrangement may allow
for the second shower curtain rod to be fixed by the user at a
desired rotational position with respect to the first shower
curtain rod. Still another locking mechanism configured to hold the
second shower curtain rod at a fixed rotational position with
respect to the first shower curtain rod may include a shower
curtain rod that has at least one flat face with a corresponding
flat face in the opening of a collar assembly. The complementary
flat faces may preclude the shower curtain rods from rotating
within the openings of the collar assemblies. Such an embodiment
may include a first shower curtain rod that is of a square or
hexagonal shape with a collar assembly that includes a square or
hexagonal shaped opening, respectively. An alternative to the
aforementioned locking mechanism may include a keyway along the
shower curtain rod and a key within the collar assembly, or vice
versa.
[0030] Another embodiment of a collar assembly is depicted in FIG.
3. The illustrated collar assembly 300 is similar in function to
the collar assembly of FIG. 2 with two rings 310, 320; however, the
rings each include gaps 315, 325. A threaded fastener 340, 350 may
be configured to pass through flanges at the respective gaps 315,
325 such that the gaps may be reduced and the rings 310, 320
tightened around shower curtain rods as the threaded fasteners 340,
350 are tightened. This may fix the location of the collar
assemblies both along the length of the shower curtain rods and
angularly. The example embodiments of collar assemblies 200, 300
depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be used as both the first and second
collar assemblies of curtain rod assemblies according to example
embodiments of the present invention, or the depicted collar
assemblies may be used as only the first or second collar
assembly.
[0031] A further example embodiment of a collar assembly is
illustrated in FIG. 4 which depicts a collar assembly 400
configured for attachment at the first end of the first shower
curtain rod and the first end of the second shower curtain rod. The
collar assembly 400 may differ from the collar assembly of FIG. 2
as the recesses 415 and 425 may not pass completely through the
collar assembly 400, but instead serve as pockets for receiving the
first ends of the first and second shower curtain rods. The collar
assembly 400 may be attached to a wall of the bath or shower by any
known attachment means, such as with threaded fasteners received
through openings 440 and 450 in the collar assembly 400 and secured
to a wall. Fastening both the first ring 410 and second ring 420 to
a wall of the shower or bath sets the rotational position between
the first shower curtain rod and the second shower curtain rod at
their respective first ends such that a locking mechanism (e.g.,
set screws 240, 250 of FIG. 2) may not be necessary.
[0032] Another example of a collar assembly according to
embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 which
depicts a collar assembly 500 configured to attach to the first or
second end of the second shower curtain rod. The collar assembly
500 includes a ring 510 and an end-cap 520. The ring 510 may have
an opening 510 while the end cap 520 may only have a recess 525 to
accommodate the first or second end of the second shower curtain
rod. The collar assembly 500 may further include a locking
mechanism such as the set screws 240, 250 of FIG. 2 to fix the
collar assembly 500 position along the first shower curtain rod and
to fix the angular position between the first and second shower
curtain rods.
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention may include two or more
collar assemblies according to the desired function and required
support. The second shower curtain rod may be arranged to hold
towels, clothing, or a decorative shower curtain that is not
intended to span the entire shower stall or bath tub. Embodiments
of the present invention may also be configured for use with
drapery. Further, while embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated with respect to a straight shower curtain rod,
embodiments of the present invention may also be used with curved
shower curtain rods as illustrated in FIG. 6. The curtain rod
assembly 600 of FIG. 6 depicts a first shower curtain rod 610,
including first and second portions 612, 614, that is curved and a
second shower curtain rod 660 including first and second portions
662, 664, that has a substantially congruent curve. The collar
assemblies 640, 650 of the depicted embodiment may be similar to
the collar assemblies illustrated in FIG. 2, 3, or 5. As
illustrated, the second shower curtain rod 660 of the shower
curtain rod assembly 600 may be located anywhere along the length
of the first shower curtain rod 610 when the appropriate collar
assemblies are used.
[0034] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *