US20040182806A1

US20040182806A1 - Adjustable curtain rod

Info

Publication number: US20040182806A1
Application number: US10/389,601
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Figueroa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-17
Filing date: 2003-03-17
Publication date: 2004-09-23

Abstract

An adjustable curtain rod (10) which has a first rod (12A) having a threaded first rod shaft (12AA) longitudinally positioned therein. The first rod (12A) may optionally further have a first end cap (14A) securely positioned at a distal end thereof. The first rod (12A), preferably further has a first rod plate (12AB) securely and perpendicularly positioned inside the first rod (12A). The first rod plate (12AB) having the first rod shaft (12AA) securely affixed at an inner distal end thereto extending outwardly therefrom. A second rod (12B) has a threaded second rod cylinder (12BA) therethrough having a complimentary configuration to the threaded first rod shaft (12AA). The first rod (12A) having a slightly larger diameter then the second rod (12B) telescoping therein. A user positions the adjustable curtain rod (10) in a shower or tub stall and rotates the first rod (12A) and second rod (12B) in opposite directions thus exerting extreme pressure on the opposite walls, thus, securely holding the adjustable curtain rod (10) in place during use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable curtain rod. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable curtain rod having a threaded adjustment means.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous innovations for an adjustable curtain rod have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,287, invented by, Wise, titled, Shower curtain rod, an improved shower curtain rod. It is adapted for use with a enclosure defined by left and right end walls, and a back splash wall defining a bath tub enclosure above a bath tub. The bath tub is oval or elliptical and fits in an oval and elliptical hole in a horizontal deck. The shower curtain rod of the present disclosure has ends connected with a curving middle portion which ends are anchored at end fittings. There is, between the two ends, a curving portion which conforms with an oval or elliptical bath tub shape.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,297, invented by, Christensen, et al., titled, Adjustable shower curtain rod, a shower curtain support rod assembly which mounts between opposing bathtub stall walls which, when installed, allows a shower curtain to be slidably movable in an inward and outward direction with respect to the longitudinal edge of the bathtub, thereby creating more space for a shower taker. When a shower is not in progress, the shower curtain can be slid inward thereby creating more space in the remaining bathroom area.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,870, invented by, Hertel, titled, Shower curtain rod attachment, a one-piece, multi-functional gripping connector is disclosed, to be used as a shower curtain rod attachment in conjunction with a standard shower curtain and curtain rod assembly, to allow the end or ends of the curtain to be turned inward, thereby preventing water from spraying out of the shower enclosure. The sole point of support for the attachment is its connection to the shower curtain rod. The invention is comprised of a single sheet of strong, flexible, elastic material, such as PETG thermoplastic, which is formed into an open-sided, open-ended, tubular shape having rounded edges, and which is also notched and bent 90-degrees at the mid-point to form an elbow configuration. Installation is by hand, without use of tools, and will not damage existing surfaces. Removal of the shower curtain rod is not required. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed, which provide illustrations of the invention's multi-functional aspects.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,419, invented by, Zinger, titled, Shower curtain rod assembly, a Shower Curtain Rod Assembly includes a stem-to-stem, double-Y shaped shower curtain rod with an integral split-track extending along almost the entire length of its bottom surface, shower curtain clips and screw-type endcaps. The shower curtain rod is suspended between two side walls of a shower or bathtub enclosure by unscrewing the endcaps. Rubber or plastic endcap pads prevent the shower curtain rod from slipping and protect the side walls from damage from preasure mounting. Shower curtain clips include an elongated base, a stem and ring-type clamps for suspending shower curtain(s) from the shower curtain rod. The base can thereby be inserted into the split-track and rotatingly secured. Conventional shower curtain(s) can be secured using the ring-type clamps. This allows the shower curtain to be moved to optimal positions for redirecting water into a shower or bathtub basin, to enhance the bathroom decor when the shower is not in use and to move the shower curtain out of the way while the basin is being cleaned.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,766, invented by, Lang, titled, Shower curtain rod attachment, a shower curtain rod attachment which prevents water from spraying or splashing out of a shower enclosure while showering. The shower curtain rod attachment supports the leading edge of the shower curtain such that the shower curtain is parallel to the front surface of the shower enclosure. The arm of the shower curtain rod attachment attaches to the front of the shower enclosure with a hook, a clip, a suction cup, or other suitable device when the shower is in use. After showering, the arm is detached from the shower enclosure wall and allowed to rotate downward. The shower curtain can then be slid along the curtain rod to open the shower enclosure. A slit in the tube of the shower curtain rod attachment allows the device to be installed over an existing curtain rod without the need of removing the curtain rod. No tools or special skills are needed.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,759, invented by, Poore, titled, Shower curtain rod unit, a dual curtain rod unit for installation between opposite walls of a shower stall, the unit having an outer rod, a substantially bow-shaped inner rod of uninterrupted, substantially smooth outer surface construction over its entire functional length, a keying shaft on each end portion of the inner rod, a pair of end plates adapted for attachment to opposite walls of a shower stall, a first socket in a forward portion of each of the end plates for receiving and supporting the ends of the outer rod, and a keying socket in a rearward portion of each of the end plates for receiving and supporting the keying shafts of the inner rod in a mating, sliding fit, non-rotative manner with the bow of the inner rod facing toward the outer rod, the keying sockets being the only points of attachment of the inner rod, thus allowing for the uninterrupted surface thereof along its entire functional length for permitting slide hangers mounted thereon to slide without significant resistance.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,896, invented by, Farkas, titled, Four-sided shower curtain rod frame assembly, a rectangular frame of shower curtain bars with shower curtains for a bathtub in a room away from or adjacent one or more walls. This rectangular frame comprises two longer conformable horizontal bars above the longer sides of the bathtub at about the height of the showerhead, which longer bars are fastened at their ends to two parallel vertical support means, such as walls and/or posts, beyond the opposite ends of the bathtub; and two parallel shorter telescopic horizontal bars above the ends of the bathtub and attached between the two longer parallel bars. At least the ends of the two shorter parallel bars have reduced cross-sections and are resiliently urged into facing holes in the facing sides of the longer bars. At least the longer bars or the posts, or both, are telescopic with drilled radial aligned holes through their telescoping sections for insertion of the ends of reduced cross-section of the orthogonal telescoping bars for seating and supporting these orthogonal bars, as well as for locking the seating bars and/or posts into their fixed length positions. The vertical supporting means include flanged sockets for the ends of the longer bars and/or for the ends of the vertical telescopic posts, which flanged sockets are anchored, such as by screws, to the walls, and/or floor and ceiling. Curtain means of horizontal bars are hung on the rectangular frame to completely surround the inside edges of the bathtub with adjacent vertical edges of the curtains overlapping each other.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,345, invented by, Hehl, et al., titled, Shower curtain rod assembly, a curtain rod assembly for a shower curtain comprises at least two rail sections of identical profile and each formed with an upwardly open longitudinally extending channel, a downwardly open longitudinally extending channel, and between these channels with an upwardly, downwardly, and laterally closed longitudinally extending passage. A coupling element has one half snugly longitudinally engaged in one of the ends of one of the passages and another half snugly longitudinally engaged in one of the ends of the other of the passages so as longitudinally to join these two sections. A plurality of shower-curtain hooks can slide along the downwardly open channel and a ceiling unit has a headpiece slidable along the upwardly open channel and an upwardly extending rod that is secured to the ceiling. Two wall mounting members are each secured to a wall and have a portion engaged snugly longitudinally in the other end of the passage of a respective rail. A valance strip of bendable material is engaged over the entire front side of both of the sections with its bent-over upper lip engaging over the upper edges of the rail sections and its bent-under lower lip engaging under the lower edges of these rails so as completely to cover them.

In U.S. Patent, D415,014, invented by, Bruton, titled, Shower curtain rod and in U.S. Patent, D379,297, invented by, Shires, titled, Shower curtain rod, an ornamental design as shown.

The above patented inventions differ from the present invention because they fail to describe or claim at least one combination of the following features depicted in the present invention: threaded first rod shaft and complimentary threaded second rod cylinder.

Numerous innovations for an adjustable curtain rod have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The types of problems encountered in the prior art are adjustable curtain rods do not exert enough outward pressure on the opposite walls and often fall down during use.

In the prior art, unsuccessful attempts to solve this problem were attempted namely: spring loaded telescoping rods. However, the problem was solved by the present invention because the internal threaded adjustment means allows a user to exert extreme pressure on the opposite walls, thus, holding the adjustable curtain rod in place during use.

Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited in the field of home improvement.

The present invention solved a long felt need for an adjustable curtain rod that is capable of exerting extreme pressure at opposite distal ends.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable curtain rod having a first rod with a threaded first rod shaft therein and a second rod having a second rod cylinder therethrough.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide the first rod having a first rod plate securely affixed therein.

In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the adjustable curtain rod having a first end cap and second end cap securely positioned at opposite distal ends thereof.

The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

List of Reference Numerals Utilized in the Drawings

10—adjustable curtain rod (10)

12A—first rod (12A)

12AA—first rod shaft (12AA)

12AB—first rod plate (12AB)

12B—second rod (12B)

12BA—second rod cylinder (12BA)

14A—first end cap (14A)

14B—second end cap (14B)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an adjustable curtain rod ([0033] 10).
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable curtain rod ([0034] 10) along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 which is a top perspective view of an adjustable curtain rod ([0035] 10) and FIG. 2 which is a cross sectional view of an adjustable curtain rod (10) along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. The adjustable curtain rod (10) comprises a first rod (12A) comprising a threaded first rod shaft (12AA) longitudinally positioned therein. The first rod (12A) further comprises a first end cap (14A) securely positioned at a distal end thereof. The first rod (12A) further comprises a first rod plate (12AB) securely and perpendicularly positioned inside the first rod (12A). The first rod plate (12AB) having the first rod shaft (12AA) securely affixed at an inner distal end thereto extending outwardly therefrom.
The adjustable curtain rod ([0036] 10) further comprises a second rod (12B) comprising a threaded second rod cylinder (12BA) therethrough having a complimentary configuration to the threaded first rod shaft (12AA). The first rod (12A) having a slightly larger diameter then the second rod (12B) telescoping therein. The second rod (12B) further comprises a second end cap (14B) securely positioned at a distal end thereof. The first end cap (14A) and second end cap (14B) function to disperse the outward pressure exerted from the adjustable curtain rod over a larger area which aids in the holding power.
The first rod ([0037] 12A), first rod shaft (12AA) and the second rod (12B) are preferably manufactured from a longitudinally stiff material. The longitudinally stiff material is selected from a group consisting of metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, fiberglass, fiberglass composite, epoxy, epoxy composite, wood, and wood composite.
A user positions the adjustable curtain rod ([0038] 10) in a shower or tub stall and rotates the first rod (12A) and second rod (12B) in opposite directions thus exerting extreme pressure on the opposite walls, thus, securely holding the adjustable curtain rod (10) in place during use.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above. [0039]
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an adjustable curtain rod, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. [0040]
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. [0041]
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. [0042]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable curtain rod (10) comprising:

A) a first rod (12A) comprising a threaded first rod shaft (12AA) longitudinally positioned therein; and

B) a second rod (12B) a comprising a threaded second rod cylinder (12BA) therethrough having a complimentary configuration to the threaded first rod shaft (12AA), the first rod (12A) having a slightly larger diameter then the second rod (12B) telescoping therein.

2. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the first rod (12A) further comprises a first end cap (14A) securely positioned at a distal end thereof.

3. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the second rod (12B) further comprises a second end cap (14B) securely positioned at a distal end thereof.

4. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the first rod (12A), first rod shaft (12AA) and the second rod (12B) are manufactured from a longitudinally stiff material.

5. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 4, wherein the longitudinally stiff material is selected from a group consisting of metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, fiberglass, fiberglass composite, epoxy, epoxy composite, wood, and wood composite.

6. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the first rod (12A) further comprises a first rod plate (12AB) securely and perpendicularly positioned inside the first rod (12A), the first rod plate (12AB) having the first rod shaft (12AA) securely affixed at an inner distal end thereto extending outwardly therefrom.

7. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the first end cap (14A) and second end cap (14B) are manufactured from a pliable material.

8. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 7, wherein the pliable material is selected from a group consisting of rubber, rubber composite, plastic and plastic composite.

9. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 8, wherein the pliable material is lightweight.

10. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the first end cap (14A) and second end cap (14B) are light rubber cups.