EP1819261A2 - Shower curtain holder - Google Patents

Shower curtain holder

Info

Publication number
EP1819261A2
EP1819261A2 EP05815974A EP05815974A EP1819261A2 EP 1819261 A2 EP1819261 A2 EP 1819261A2 EP 05815974 A EP05815974 A EP 05815974A EP 05815974 A EP05815974 A EP 05815974A EP 1819261 A2 EP1819261 A2 EP 1819261A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shower curtain
shower
holder
curtain
counterweight
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05815974A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1819261A4 (en
Inventor
Patrick Raymond
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shower Bow Inc
Original Assignee
Shower Bow Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shower Bow Inc filed Critical Shower Bow Inc
Publication of EP1819261A2 publication Critical patent/EP1819261A2/en
Publication of EP1819261A4 publication Critical patent/EP1819261A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/28—Showers or bathing douches
    • A47K3/38—Curtain arrangements

Definitions

  • shower curtains are often used to retain the water within the confines of the bathtub.
  • a shower curtain hangs from a curtain rod located above the shower head. Because of the flow of water and air while showering, the shower curtain tends to swell inwardly, sometimes clinging to the body of the person taking the shower which most people find unpleasant.
  • the present invention provides a holder for retaining a shower curtain away from the person's body during a shower.
  • the invention can also provide a storage area for accessories such as soap trays, bottle holders, and sponge hooks.
  • a shower curtain holder comprises a body having a bowed shape and a hook at its upper end which is adapted to engage a shower curtain rod.
  • the holder is placed on the rod inside of the shower curtain. Its size and shape is such that the shower curtain is held away from the person taking the shower.
  • the holder includes a counterweight near or at its top to help in keeping the holder, and thus the curtain as well, away from the person within the shower.
  • Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a shower holder according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the shower holder
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of three different types of counterweight accessories that may be incorporated into the holder of Figs. 1 and 2. Detailed Description of the Invention
  • a shower curtain holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a loop 10 which is convex when viewed from the side.
  • the loop may be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic.
  • the holder also includes a pair of spaced apart hooks 12 and 14 which support the loop on the shower curtain.
  • a counterweight 15 is secured to the holder between hooks 12 and 14.
  • FIG. 2 A standard shower curtain arrangement is shown in phantom lines in Fig. 2.
  • the rod on which the curtain is hung is shown at 16 and the curtain itself at 18.
  • the hooks 12 and 14 of the curtain holder engage the shower rod 16.
  • the effect of the holder is to prevent the shower curtain from swelling inwardly against the person's body when the shower is turned on.
  • Counterweight 15 helps to retain the holder in its desired position with loop 10 serving to hold curtain 18 away from the person in the shower.
  • Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention employing the same principle.
  • the holder 24 is a single integral piece in the shape of a curved paddle, preferably made of a plastic material.
  • the holder 24 has a convex shape from the side, similar to Fig. 2, and includes a thickened upper section 26 which terminates in a hook 28.
  • the thickened section 26 functions as a counterweight and holds the portion of the holder 24 which engages the shower curtain 18 away from the person taking a shower.
  • Figs. 4, 5 and 6 Three different accessories are shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, respectively.
  • the counterweight is in the form of a waterproof radio.
  • the counterweight is in the form of a soap tray, and in Fig. 6 the counterweight provides two hooks on which towels, wash cloths or garments can be hung.
  • the counterweight can also be an empty tray that has very little inherent weight but is designed to accommodate whatever counterweight mass the user chooses to employ, such as water.
  • the counterweight serves the important function of holding the bowed portion of the holder (and thus the shower curtain as well) away from the person taking a shower.
  • the actual weight of the counterweight can vary over wide limits.
  • the counterweight may be between 1 A and 10 lbs.
  • the counterweight can assume many different forms. When configured as a tray, the materials placed in the tray (i.e., shampoo, soap, etc.) also serve as part of the counterweight.
  • the counterweight must be located near the top of the holder and on the surface of the holder facing the user.
  • the shower curtain holder will be approximately 18" wide and 36" long although obviously the dimensions are not a part of the invention.
  • the holder may be sold as separate parts in the form of a kit which can be assembled by the user after purchase.
  • the rods that constitute the bowed portion of the holder can also be retracted or removable. They may also vary in length to be customized to the preference of the user or the dimensions of the shower.
  • the shower curtain holder can be internal or integral to the curtain 18.
  • the loop 10 is stitched into the curtain 18 or embedded between two layers of the curtain 18. Hooks 12, 14, 28 can be used to secure the curtain 18 to the rod 16 and no additional shower curtain fasteners are required.
  • the counterweight 15, 26 can be exposed or also embedded in the fabric of the curtain 18. Multiple loops/holders 10, 24 can be used and spaced to retain the curtain on the rod 16.

Abstract

A shower curtain holder having a body with a bowed shape and a hook at its upper end which is adapted to engage a shower curtain rod. The holder is placed on the rod inside of the shower curtain. Its size and shape is such that the shower curtain is held away from the person taking the shower. The holder includes a counterweight near or at its top to help in keeping the holder, and thus the curtain as well, away from the person within the shower.

Description

SHOWER CURTAIN HOLDER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When showers are taken in bathtubs, shower curtains are often used to retain the water within the confines of the bathtub. Typically, a shower curtain hangs from a curtain rod located above the shower head. Because of the flow of water and air while showering, the shower curtain tends to swell inwardly, sometimes clinging to the body of the person taking the shower which most people find unpleasant.
The present invention provides a holder for retaining a shower curtain away from the person's body during a shower. The invention can also provide a storage area for accessories such as soap trays, bottle holders, and sponge hooks.
Summary of the Invention
A shower curtain holder comprises a body having a bowed shape and a hook at its upper end which is adapted to engage a shower curtain rod. The holder is placed on the rod inside of the shower curtain. Its size and shape is such that the shower curtain is held away from the person taking the shower. The holder includes a counterweight near or at its top to help in keeping the holder, and thus the curtain as well, away from the person within the shower.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the attached drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a shower holder according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the shower holder;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of three different types of counterweight accessories that may be incorporated into the holder of Figs. 1 and 2. Detailed Description of the Invention
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a shower curtain holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a loop 10 which is convex when viewed from the side. The loop may be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic. The holder also includes a pair of spaced apart hooks 12 and 14 which support the loop on the shower curtain. A counterweight 15 is secured to the holder between hooks 12 and 14.
A standard shower curtain arrangement is shown in phantom lines in Fig. 2. The rod on which the curtain is hung is shown at 16 and the curtain itself at 18. As is conventional, a multiplicity of hooks 20, retain shower curtain 18 on the rod 16.
Also as shown in Fig. 2, the hooks 12 and 14 of the curtain holder engage the shower rod 16. The effect of the holder is to prevent the shower curtain from swelling inwardly against the person's body when the shower is turned on. Counterweight 15 helps to retain the holder in its desired position with loop 10 serving to hold curtain 18 away from the person in the shower.
Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention employing the same principle. In this case, the holder 24 is a single integral piece in the shape of a curved paddle, preferably made of a plastic material. The holder 24 has a convex shape from the side, similar to Fig. 2, and includes a thickened upper section 26 which terminates in a hook 28. The thickened section 26 functions as a counterweight and holds the portion of the holder 24 which engages the shower curtain 18 away from the person taking a shower.
In place of the counterweight 15, functional accessories may be used to provide the counterweight, or additional counterweight. Three different accessories are shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, respectively. In Fig 4, the counterweight is in the form of a waterproof radio. In Fig. 5, the counterweight is in the form of a soap tray, and in Fig. 6 the counterweight provides two hooks on which towels, wash cloths or garments can be hung. The counterweight can also be an empty tray that has very little inherent weight but is designed to accommodate whatever counterweight mass the user chooses to employ, such as water.
The counterweight serves the important function of holding the bowed portion of the holder (and thus the shower curtain as well) away from the person taking a shower. The actual weight of the counterweight can vary over wide limits. For example, the counterweight may be between 1A and 10 lbs. As indicated in the specification and drawings, the counterweight can assume many different forms. When configured as a tray, the materials placed in the tray (i.e., shampoo, soap, etc.) also serve as part of the counterweight. The counterweight must be located near the top of the holder and on the surface of the holder facing the user.
It is contemplated that the shower curtain holder will be approximately 18" wide and 36" long although obviously the dimensions are not a part of the invention. For packaging and storage purposes, the holder may be sold as separate parts in the form of a kit which can be assembled by the user after purchase. The rods that constitute the bowed portion of the holder can also be retracted or removable. They may also vary in length to be customized to the preference of the user or the dimensions of the shower.
In another embodiment, the shower curtain holder can be internal or integral to the curtain 18. The loop 10 is stitched into the curtain 18 or embedded between two layers of the curtain 18. Hooks 12, 14, 28 can be used to secure the curtain 18 to the rod 16 and no additional shower curtain fasteners are required. The counterweight 15, 26 can be exposed or also embedded in the fabric of the curtain 18. Multiple loops/holders 10, 24 can be used and spaced to retain the curtain on the rod 16.
While there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or steps which perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is also to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they are merely conceptual in nature. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WE CLAIM:
1. A shower curtain holder for holding a shower curtain away from a person taking a shower, comprising: a body having a bowed shape, 5 a hook at the top of the body for engaging a shower curtain rod, and a counterweight for maintaining the body in a position where a shower curtain that engages the body is held away from a person in the shower when the hook engages a shower curtain rod.
2. A shower curtain holder according to claim 1, wherein the body is in the form 10 of an elongated wire.
3. A shower curtain holder according to claim 1 , wherein the holder is in the form of a paddle.
4. A shower curtain holder according to claim 1, wherein the counterweight is attached to the holder near the top of the holder.
"15 5. A shower curtain holder according to claim 4, wherein the counterweight is in the form of a receptacle adapted to retain bathing implements.
6. A shower curtain holder according to claim 1, further comprising a shower curtain integral with the body.
7. A shower curtain holder according to claim 6, wherein the hook solely 20 supports the shower curtain on the shower curtain rod.
EP05815974A 2004-10-22 2005-10-20 Shower curtain holder Withdrawn EP1819261A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US62147504P 2004-10-22 2004-10-22
US11/251,499 US20060085905A1 (en) 2004-10-22 2005-10-14 Shower curtain holder
PCT/US2005/038016 WO2006047327A2 (en) 2004-10-22 2005-10-20 Shower curtain holder

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1819261A2 true EP1819261A2 (en) 2007-08-22
EP1819261A4 EP1819261A4 (en) 2008-11-19

Family

ID=36204786

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05815974A Withdrawn EP1819261A4 (en) 2004-10-22 2005-10-20 Shower curtain holder

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20060085905A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1819261A4 (en)
JP (1) JP2008517661A (en)
AU (1) AU2005299703A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2584809A1 (en)
MX (1) MX2007004821A (en)
WO (1) WO2006047327A2 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9192267B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2015-11-24 Roman Tsibulevskiy Shower curtain technologies
US9510711B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2016-12-06 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US9949597B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2018-04-24 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US9955825B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2018-05-01 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US10292538B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2019-05-21 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US11083344B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2021-08-10 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101116599A (en) * 2006-08-03 2008-02-06 黄柏山 Shower curtain device
GB2449091A (en) * 2007-05-09 2008-11-12 Christopher Alan Lennan Purnel A device for restraining the movement of a curtain
DE202011101285U1 (en) 2011-05-31 2011-11-09 Guido Hofer Device for limiting the position of a curtain
US8898872B2 (en) 2011-09-21 2014-12-02 Patrick Raymond Space-creating shower curtain hook

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2936076A (en) * 1957-11-21 1960-05-10 Dan P Harris Bathroom rack
FR2514632A1 (en) * 1981-10-16 1983-04-22 Deveze Yves Shower curtain tension holder - consists of vertical section with one end hooked onto rail, and other end resting against inside of bath
US5007120A (en) * 1989-01-20 1991-04-16 Annand Charles A Shower curtain liner control device
US5097541A (en) * 1990-05-17 1992-03-24 Annand Charles A Shower curtain holding device
US5771504A (en) * 1996-07-11 1998-06-30 Steiner; Merill R. Shower curtain ribs

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2188163A (en) * 1939-02-13 1940-01-23 Sherman Jack Shower curtain holder
US3140557A (en) * 1961-08-08 1964-07-14 Harry J Albrycht Receptacle support
US3382507A (en) * 1965-10-08 1968-05-14 James R. Micheau Curtain position-retaining means
CA1008766A (en) * 1973-11-16 1977-04-19 William Tyconik Curtain support
US5201081A (en) * 1991-02-27 1993-04-13 Knight Tommy D Shower curtain support having combined anti billowing and handle means
US5345624A (en) * 1993-03-15 1994-09-13 Thomas G. Brown, III Adjustable shower curtain positioning arm
US5345623A (en) * 1993-11-16 1994-09-13 Dearman Timothy Charles Shower curtain deflector
US5809589A (en) * 1997-07-15 1998-09-22 Johnson; Robert E. Shower curtain retainer
US6032306A (en) * 1997-11-04 2000-03-07 Gummin; Mark A. Shower curtain control device
US6041454A (en) * 1999-09-11 2000-03-28 Summerford; Sharon Kay Shower curtain system
US20020108724A1 (en) * 2001-02-09 2002-08-15 Grahn Ronald J. Tubelike weights for shower curtain
US6591432B1 (en) * 2001-07-26 2003-07-15 Matthew J. M. Feinstein Anti-drift shower curtain having water-collecting pockets
US6550525B1 (en) * 2002-01-04 2003-04-22 Doreen A. Grisolia Sand-weighted shower curtain
US20060085904A1 (en) * 2004-10-14 2006-04-27 Igor Tsvok Shower curtain support device
US6996862B1 (en) * 2004-12-15 2006-02-14 Joseph Shippy Shower curtain deflector

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2936076A (en) * 1957-11-21 1960-05-10 Dan P Harris Bathroom rack
FR2514632A1 (en) * 1981-10-16 1983-04-22 Deveze Yves Shower curtain tension holder - consists of vertical section with one end hooked onto rail, and other end resting against inside of bath
US5007120A (en) * 1989-01-20 1991-04-16 Annand Charles A Shower curtain liner control device
US5097541A (en) * 1990-05-17 1992-03-24 Annand Charles A Shower curtain holding device
US5771504A (en) * 1996-07-11 1998-06-30 Steiner; Merill R. Shower curtain ribs

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2006047327A2 *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9192267B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2015-11-24 Roman Tsibulevskiy Shower curtain technologies
US9510711B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2016-12-06 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US9949597B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2018-04-24 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US9955825B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2018-05-01 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US10292538B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2019-05-21 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US11083344B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2021-08-10 Roman Tsibulevskiy Partition technologies
US11529025B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2022-12-20 Roman Tsibulevskiy Technologies for computing
US11882967B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2024-01-30 Roman Tsibulevskiy Technologies for computing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2008517661A (en) 2008-05-29
WO2006047327A2 (en) 2006-05-04
CA2584809A1 (en) 2006-05-04
MX2007004821A (en) 2007-09-11
WO2006047327A3 (en) 2007-04-19
AU2005299703A1 (en) 2006-05-04
EP1819261A4 (en) 2008-11-19
US20060085905A1 (en) 2006-04-27

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