US20030131405A1

US20030131405A1 - Shower curtain assembly

Info

Publication number: US20030131405A1
Application number: US10/047,338
Authority: US
Inventors: Judy Greaves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-15
Filing date: 2002-01-15
Publication date: 2003-07-17

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™) 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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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™) 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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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™). 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.

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.

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.

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

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: [0013]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shower curtain assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [0014]
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; [0015]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line [0016] 3-3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the shower curtain assembly according to present invention which includes a valence; [0017]
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; [0018]
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line [0019] 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the various views, FIGS. [0020] 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.
As best seen in FIG. 1, [0022] 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™). 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.
It is understood that the relative positions of the hook and loop structure on the [0023] 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.
As best seen in FIG. 2, the [0024] 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.
A sectional view of the [0025] 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.
A [0026] 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.
FIGS. [0027] 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.
The [0028] 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.
The [0029] 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.
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. [0030]
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. [0031]
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. [0032]
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. [0033]
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. [0034]

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 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:

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.