GB2025497A - Improvements relating to curtains and other sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

A curtain 18 has elongate magnet means 26 at a free region thereof such as a free transverse edge and/or one or more longitudinal free edges. The magnet means can be disposed in a hem or hems. The invention is particularly applicable to shower or bath curtains. The curtain can be in the nature of a roller blind with the magnet means in a hem at its free transverse edge. Or the curtain can be in the nature of a horizontal draw-curtain with the magnet means in a hem at its free transverse edge and additionally in a hem at one or both longitudinal edges. In combination with a bath tub or shower cubicle, the magnet means of the curtain engages with magnetic material at a rim or sill of the bath tub or shower cubicle. Also disclosed is a curtain in the nature of a blind of opaque material intended to exclude light, having magnet means as described above. The invention is also described with reference to a panel of sheet material with elongate magnet means at a pair of opposite free edges, usable for example for double glazing.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to curtains and other sheet material This invention relates to curtains and other sheet material and is applicable particularly though not excusively to curtains for showers, bath tubs and the like (herein referred to as shower curtains).

According to one of its aspects the invention provides a shower curtain having elongate magnet means at a free region thereof.

That free region may be its transverse free edge. Or it may be one or more longitudinal free edges. Or it may be a free central region.

Or it may be a combination of the foregoing.

Preferably the magnet means is disposed in a hem or hems of the curtain. And the magnet means is preferably flexible magnet strip material such as is commercially available. The curtain is preferably waterproof or water resistant thin material, whether woven or continuous, such as is commonly used for shower curtains.

In one preferred form the curtain is in the nature of a roller blind having the magnet means in a hem at its free transverse edge. In another preferred form it is a horizontal-draw curtain having the magnet means in a hem at its free transverse edge and in a hem at one or both longitudinal edges.

According to a second of its aspects the invention provides in combination a shower curtain as described above, suspension means therefor, and a bath tub or shower cubicle having a transverse rim or sill consisting of or fitted with magnetic material, the arrangement and relative proportions being such that when the curtain is drawn magnet means in a transverse region of the curtain engages with the magnetic material at the rim or sill to hold or help hold at least that region of the curtain in position. Lateral guide means may be provided laterally of the tub or cubicle to guide and help retain lateral edges of the curtain, the curtain being in the form of a roller blind.

And magnetic material may be at an elongate vertical region laterally of the tub or cubicle to engage a lateral edge of the curtain, the latter being a horizontal draw curtain having magnet means in a hem at that lateral edge. The magnetic material will generally be the material of which the tub or cubicle is made (e.g.

cast iron or pressed steel sheet) or a bar of mild steel if the tub or cubicle is of synthetic plastics (and in this case the mild steel bar may be fitted to the underside of the rim or sill so as to be concealed, leaving the forces of magnetic attraction to act through the thickness of the plastic).

According to a third one of its aspects, the invention provides a curtain in the nature of a blind of opaque material intended to exclude light having magnet means as described above; and the combination of such a curtain with suspension means therefor and a window region fitted with magnetic material to engage a transverse edge or preferably three free edges of the blind.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides sheet material in the nature of thin panels having elongate magnet means at a pair of opposite free edges thereof. The panels may be of transparent plastics (or glass) for double glazing. Preferably the magnet means is at all four edges of the panel. Desirably it is adhered thereto. It may be doubled with a layer of readily compressible material (e.g.

soft sponge like synthetic rubber) to help accommodate unevenness of a substrate. And there is also provided the combination of such a panel with a window having magnetic material at or near the periphery thereof, the magnet means engaging with the magnetic material and the panel together with the window providing double glazing.

And, according to a further aspect the invention provides combinations of such sheet material as described above in which the magnetic material is with the curtain or panel (as the case may be) and the magnet means itself is with the tub rim, shower sill or window region (or as the case may be).

Yet other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, several preferred embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a shower cubicle in perspective fitted with a curtain; Figure 2 and 3 are sections respectively taken on the line Il-Il and Ill-Ill of Fig. 1; Figure 4 shows in broad outline a bath tub and surrounding area fitted with a curtain; Figure 5 illustrates one form of ceiling box for accommodating the curtain; Figure 6 is a section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 4 showing on a much enlarged scale details of the ceiling box and of the magnetic attachment of the curtain to the bath tub rim; Figures 7(a) and (b) illustrate the support for the roller blind ends; and Figures 8 and 9 illustrate optional structural details for concealed mounting of the ceiling box and side guides respectively.

Throughout the drawings like elements are designated by like reference numerals.

Turning to Figs. 1 to 3 there is shown a shower cubicle 10 of generally conventional outline having a tray 12, walls 13, 14 and 15, and an open front 16. The front 16 is closable by a curtain 18 in the form of a roller blind which extends across it between channels 17 in side walls 13 and 15. The curtain is secured at one end to a roller 20 pivotally mounted in a header box 22 which extends across the top of the open front 16. The box has a slot 24 defined by inclined lips 25 (more clearly shown in Fig. 6) through which the curtain 18 extends. A conventional spring (not shown) urges the roller 20 to wind up the curtain 18 about it within the box 22 and the curtain can be held in the extended position by conventional releasable ratchet means (also not shown). An elongate magnet strip 26 is secured to the curtain 18 at its free lower transverse edge 28 being trapped in a hem.

The magnet strip 26 extends the full width of the curtain and its cross section is such that it cannot pass through the slot 24.

The cubicle 10 including its tray 12 is made of synthetic plastics i.e. of nonmagnetic material. It has a hollow sill 30 at the bottom of its open front 16 and a mild steel (i.e.

ferromagnetic) bar 32 extends the full length of the underside of the sill 30.

When the shower is not in use, the curtain can remain wound round its roller 20, except for a portion extending through the slot 24 to the magnet strip 26. Thus the strip 26 prevents the curtain from passing entirely into the box 22.

When it is desired to curtain off the shower cubicle, the curtain is drawn down and unrolled against the force of the spring until its free end is adjacent the sill 30 of the tray, when magnetic attraction of the magnet strip 26 and M.S. bar 32 (acting through the thickness of the plastic) hold its free end to the sill 30. The shower curtain is then secured against flapping, being held at its upper and lower transverse egdes, and with its lateral edges located in the channels 17. When it is desired to open the shower cubicle, it is simple to break the magnetic joint between bar and magnet strip and allow the curtain to roll up.

The inclined lips 25 of the slot 24 in box 22, by reason of their shape and inclination, contact the curtain and wipe off most of the adhering water and soap as the curtain passes between them.

Figs. 4 to 7 show a curtain assembly for screening off part of a bath tub 40. The box 22, roller 20, curtain 18, and magnet strip 26 are similar to those of Figs. 1 to 3. The box 22 is secured to a ceiling 42 and disposed with its slot 24 vertically above the rim 44 of the bathtub 40. If the bathtub is nonmagnetic, a ferromagnetic bar 32 is provided under its rim. Thus, the curtain 18 can be drawn down and held against the rim of the bathtub. The rim 44 has an outer raised portion 46 and an inner lower portion 48 beneath which the bar 32 is located. Consequently, when the curtain is secured thereto, water running down the inside of the curtain passes over the inner portion 48 and thence to the interior of the bathtub.In this embodiment there are no lateral channels, so the magnetic securing of the lower end is especially necessary for preventing flapping of the curtain and is here particularly useful.

Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrammatic representations of generally conventional means for mounting roller 20 by its shaft 50 in brackets 52 and 54.

Figs. 8 and 9 show details for concealed mounting with the box 22 recessed within a channel 60 defined by joists 62 and hence with the box 22 flush with the ceiling. A channel 17 for one peripheral edge of curtain 18 is recessed in wall 64. so as also to be substantially flush with the wall.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above possess the enormous advantage that in use of the shower the curtain cannot flap about and hence cannot wrap itself around or otherwise clammily inconvenience a person using the shower.

These embodiments have been described by way of example only, and much variation is possible within the scope of the inventive concept.

Thus, for example, the magnet strip can be a succession of spaced individual magnets disposed to be akin to a strip (naturally so oriented as to engage with the magnetic material substrate, and in particular the strip can be of reinforced magnetic force by being compound, viz a pair of magnet strips appropriately conjoined.

Claims (27)

1. A curtain having elongate magnet means at a free region thereof.

2. Curtain according to claim 1 wherein that free region is its free transverse edge.

3. A curtain according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein that free region is or includes one or more longitudinal free edges.

4. Curtain according to any preceding claim wherein that free region is or includes a free central region.

5. Curtain according to any preceding claim wherein the magnet is disposed in a hem or hems of the curtain.

6. Curtain according to any preceding claim wherein the magnet means is a flexible magnet strip material.

7. Curtain according to claim 1 being in the nature of a roller blind having the magnet means in a hem at its free transverse edge.

8. Curtain according to claim 1 being a horizontal-draw-curtain having the magnet means in a hem at its free transverse edge and in a hem at one or both longitudinal edges.

9. Curtain according to any preceding claim wherein the curtain is a shower curtain or bath curtain of waterproof or water resistant thin material.

10. The combination of a curtain accord into any preceding claim, suspension means for the curtain, and a bath tub or shower curtain having a transverse rim or sill consist ing of or fitted with magnetic material, the arrangement and relative proportions being such that when the curtain is drawn magnet means in a transverse region of the curtain engages with the magnetic material at the rim or sill to hold or help hold at least that region of the curtain in position.

11. Combination according to claim 10 having laterial guide means laterally of the tub or cubicle to guide and help retain lateral edges of the curtain, the curtain being in the form. of a roller blind.

12. Curtain according to claim 10 having magnetic material at an elongate vertical region laterally of the tub or cubicle to engage a lateral edge of the curtain, the latter being a horizontal draw curtain having magnetic means in a hem at that lateral edge.

13. Combination according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the tub or cubicle is of synthetic plastics having a mild steel bar fitted to the underside of the rim or sill so as to be concealed, leaving the forces of magnetic attraction to act through the thickness of the plastics.

14. A curtain in the nature of a blind of opaque material intended to exclude light, having magnet means as described in any of claims 1 to 8.

15. The combination of a curtain according to claim 14 with suspension means therefor a window region fitted with magnetic material to engage a free transverse edge of the blind.

16. The combination of a curtain according to claim 15 wherein the window region is fitted with magnetic material to engage three free edges of the blind, namely the free transverse edge and two free lateral edges.

17. A panel of sheet material having elongate magnet means at a pair of opposite free edges thereof.

18. A panel according to claim 17 made of transparent plastics or glass for double glazing.

19. A panel according to claim 17 or claim 19 wherein the magnet means is at all four edges of the panel.

20. A panel according to any of claims 17 to 19 wherein the magnet means is adhered to the panel.

21. Panel according to any of claims 17 to 20 wherein the magnet means is doubled with a layer of readily compressible material to help accommodate unevennesses of a substrate.

22. The combination of a panel according to any of claims 17 to 21 and a window having magnetic material adhered to the periphery thereof, the magnet means engaging the magnetic material and the panel together with the window providing double glazing.

23. The combination of a curtain or panel with a tub, shower or window (as the case may be) according to any of claims 10, 11, 1 3, 1 5, 16 or 22, modified in that the magnetic material is with the curtain or panel and the magnet means is with the tub, shower sill or window region (as the case may be).

24. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein the magnet means is a succession of spaced individual magnets disposed to be akin to a strip.

25. A shower curtain or bath curtain substantially as shown in and hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. The combination of a shower cabinet with a curtain substantially as shown in and hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

27. The combination of a bath curtain and bath tub substantially as shown in and hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 4 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.