Shower curtain incorporating entertainment system

A shower curtain is provided with two pockets adapted to receive spaced apart stereo speakers and a third pocket adapted to receive a personal entertainment system. The third pocket is provided with a clear inside window pane facing the inside of the shower and adapted for finger-touch control through the window pane. A closure system integral with the shower curtain is provided for external access to the pockets. In one embodiment, the closure system for access to the pockets is a tongue-in-groove fastening arrangement that provides external access to a personal entertainment system as well as a channel through which wires run to couple the entertainment system to the speakers.

BACKGROUND

This case relates broadly to a shower accessory. More particularly, this case relates to a shower curtain incorporating an entertainment system that may be operated from inside a shower while being protected from water damage.

2. State of the Art

It is supposed that the idea of music in the shower is almost as old as the idea of a warm shower itself. It is well known that it is common for people to sing in the shower. In modern showers, the combined effects of ceramic tile and water have an interesting, pleasant affect on musical sound waves.

In recent years, it has been possible to obtain a waterproof musical appliance such as a radio, tape player, or even a CD player. These devices are not only waterproof but they are also battery powered, thereby eliminating the possibility of electrical shock from power cords running through water. Typical among these devices is the “shower head radio” described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,818. See also the devices described in the patents cited in U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,818.

Most of the shower audio devices are located beneath the shower head and if they even are stereo, the speakers are so close to each other that the stereo effect is lost.

One of the most significant innovations in audio technology was the personal stereo, in particular the Sony Walkman which appeared in the late 1970s and was promptly copied by almost every audio manufacturer throughout the world. More recently, digital technology has replaced the traditional personal stereo with the MP3 Player. The extremely successful Apple iPod is ubiquitous in most major cities of the world and has radically changed the way people acquire and listen to audio. Through the use of many popular accessories, the iPod has become not only a personal stereo, but a car stereo and a home or office stereo.

SUMMARY

An apparatus is provided for adapting a personal entertainment system for use in a shower.

In one embodiment a shower curtain is provided with spaced apart stereo speakers and a pocket adapted to receive a personal entertainment system such as iPod (trademark of Apple), and iPhone or ITouch (trademarks of Apple), an iPAD (trademark of Apple), or the like.

According to one aspect, a shower curtain is provided with a pocket having a clear inside window (facing the inside of the shower) for holding the personal entertainment system. The clear inside window is preferably adapted for finger-touch control through the window. A closure system is provided for external access to the pocket.

In one embodiment, the pocket is sized to fit an iPAD or similar device, and the pocket is provided with an internal sub-pocket sized to fit an iPod or similar device.

In one embodiment, the closure system for access to the pocket is a zip-lock (i.e., plastic tongue-in-groove) fastening arrangement.

In one embodiment, a zip-lock fastening arrangement not only provides external access to a personal entertainment system located on a shower curtain but provides a channel through which wires are run to speakers.

According to one aspect, when the shower curtain is extended so as to close a tub area, the speakers are spaced sufficiently apart to achieve a true stereo effect.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the Figures generally, a shower curtain10according to the invention has an upper edge12, a lower edge14, two side edges16and18, inside surface20, and an outside surface22. The outside and/or inside surfaces are optionally provided with designs and graphics (not shown). The edges are generally straight, although they need not be. A plurality of eyelets24are arranged just below (i.e., adjacent) the upper edge12in an optionally reinforced area25of the shower curtain. These eyelets24are designed to either directly receive a curtain rod, or to receive means (e.g., hooks or loops) which couple the curtain10to curtain rod.

The curtain10as shown is provided with three pockets or compartments30,40,50. Pocket30is adapted to contain a first speaker32while pocket40is adapted to contain a second speaker42and a battery pack (not shown). Pocket50is adapted to contain personal entertainment system52such as iPod, IPhone or ITouch (trademarks of Apple), an iPAD (trademark of Apple), or the like. System52is coupled to speakers32and42via one or more wires55.

In one embodiment, pockets30,40,50are formed by sewing or welding plastic panels to the inside or outside of the curtain10(as discussed in more detail with reference to pocket50). In one embodiment, the pockets may be closed by a closure system60which extends from the top of compartment30, along the reinforced area25near the top of curtain10to the top of compartment40, then down the side of the curtain near edge18, and then inward toward the middle of the curtain10and over pocket50. Closure system60is adapted to provide a protected channel62in which wires55run.

One embodiment of a closure system60is seen inFIG. 3A. InFIG. 3A, the closure system60is seen to include a first wall10awhich is part of the main panel of curtain10, and a second wall10b(flap or panel) which is integral with (e.g., by sewing, welding/heat-sealing, or otherwise) but extends away from wall10a. A first closure mechanism (rib or tongue)64ais formed along wall10a, and a second closure mechanism (double rib or groove)64bis formed along wall10bfacing the first closure mechanism. The closure mechanisms may be said to form a “zip-lock”. In one position (not shown), the closure mechanisms64aand64bare adapted to mate with each other securely and form a closed channel62. In another position, the closure mechanisms can be uncoupled from each other (as seen inFIG. 3A), thereby providing an opening62ato channel62. When in the opened position, wires55may be inserted into the channel.

It will be appreciated that at locations away from pockets30,40,50, channel62is a small channel, as wall10bis short. On the other hand depending upon the construction of the pockets,30,4050, wall10bcan be long.

In one embodiment, pockets30and40are formed by providing a long wall10bwith closure mechanism64b. With a long wall10b, channel62effectively becomes a pocket along the horizontal width and the vertical length of wall10b.

Turning toFIG. 3B, pocket50is formed by providing a long wall10bwith closure mechanism64b. However, unlike the arrangement shown inFIG. 3, wall10ais cut away below closure mechanism64auntil the bottom of the pocket50. In addition, a clear waterproof inside window pane or wall70(facing the inside of the shower) is attached on four sides (top, bottom and both sides) to wall10a, so that together with wall10b, window pane70forms a pocket for the entertainment system52. The clear inside window pane70is preferably adapted for finger-touch control of entertainment system52therethrough.

In one embodiment, pocket50may include a sub-pocket50a(as seen inFIG. 4). Sub-pocket50amay be formed by providing vertical walls75a,75band a flap that is parallel to wall10band window pane70. The vertical walls75a,75bmay extend either off of wall10bor window pane70, and the flap (not shown) is attached to the vertical walls75. A bottom wall75cmay also be provided. The top of sub-pocket50ais open. In this manner pocket50may be sized (e.g., 9 inches by 11 inches) to closely receive an iPAD or similar device, while sub-pocket50amay be sized (e.g., 4 inches by 6 inches) to closely receive an iPOD, IPhone, ITouch, or similar device. Of course, other size pockets may be utilized.

As seen inFIG. 4, a user's hand80may be used to open pocket50by separating wall10bfrom wall10a(i.e., opening closure mechanism64b,64a).

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that speakers32,42placed in the pockets30,40of the shower curtain10can be connected to the personal entertainment system52in pocket50(or50a) by running wires in channel62from entertainment system52to speaker42and from speaker42to speaker32. Alternatively, entertainment system52can have one wire connected to speaker42and another wire directly connected to speaker32. In addition, a battery pack (not shown) may be placed, if desired, in pocket30or40. Activation of entertainment system52can cause audio to be produced inside the shower by the speakers. At the same time, because of the construction of the shower curtain, the speakers32,42, and the entertainment system52are protected from shower water.

In one embodiment, a power switch (not shown) is provided adjacent a jack (not shown) connected to wires55, with the jack is adapted to connect to the entertainment system52. The power switch is adapted to fit in pocket50with the entertainment system.

In one embodiment, a tab53is provided adjacent pocket50. The tab53(FIG. 4) may be held by a user to prevent the curtain10from pushing outward when manipulating the entertainment system52. The tab53may be located just below pocket50, or to one side of pocket50, or even on the clear exterior wall of the pocket50.

In one embodiment the shower curtain is approximately 71 inches (wide) by 73 inches (long) and pocket50is substantially centrally located on the curtain10. The shower curtain is optionally made of waterproof or water resistant material (e.g., a polyester, nylon, or other fabric), or other material treated with an agent to make it waterproof or water resistant. The speakers are optionally of a water-resistant or waterproof design, and are also optionally slim (e.g., one inch thick or less) and relatively small (e.g., 5.5 inch square or smaller), although thicker and larger speakers and amplifier may be utilized if desired. As will be appreciated, the pockets accommodating the speakers may be of any desired size.

Turning toFIG. 5, another embodiment of a fastening arrangement or closure system at a pocket location is shown. InFIG. 5, the closure system160is seen to include a first wall110awhich is part of the main panel of curtain, and a second wall110b(flap or panel) which is integral with (e.g., by sewing, welding/heat-sealing, or otherwise) but extends away from wall110a. A first closure mechanism164ais formed along wall110a, and a second closure mechanism164bis formed along wall110bfacing the first closure mechanism. First closure mechanism164ais shown to include an arm section165awhich is welded or stitched to wall110a, a series of protrusions166adefining one or more valleys167a, and a track portion169a. Second closure mechanism164blikewise includes an arm section165bwhich is welded or stitched or otherwise attached to wall110b, a series of protrusions166bdefining one or more valleys167b, and a track portion169b. The closure mechanisms may be said to form a “zip-lock”, and a zip-lock zipper may be used to ride on the track portions169a,169band over the closure mechanisms164a,164bto force one or more protrusions166ainto one or more valleys167b, and one or more protrusions166binto one or more valleys167a. In one position (not shown), the closure mechanisms164aand164bare adapted to mate with each other securely and form a closed channel162. In another position, the closure mechanisms can be uncoupled from each other thereby providing an opening162ato channel162a. When in the opened position, one or more wires may be inserted into the channel.

One embodiment of a channel fastening arrangement for a shower curtain is seen inFIG. 6. In particular, curtain210is seen with a fastener261having a first and second closure mechanisms264a,264b. The fastener includes a base210athat is fastened by welding, stitching or otherwise to the curtain210, and from which the first and second closure mechanisms extend. First closure mechanism264ais shown to include an arm section265aextending from base210a, a series of protrusions266adefining one or more valleys267a, and a track portion269a. Second closure mechanism264blikewise includes an arm section265bextending from the base210a, a series of protrusions266bdefining one or more valleys267b, and a track portion269b. The closure mechanisms may be said to form a “zip-lock”, and a zip-lock zipper may be used to ride on the track portions269a,69band over the closure mechanisms264a,264bto force one or more protrusions266ainto one or more valleys267b, and one or more protrusions266binto one or more valleys267a. In one position (not shown), the closure mechanisms264aand264bare adapted to mate with each other securely and form a closed channel262. In another position, the closure mechanisms can be uncoupled from each other thereby providing an opening262ato channel262a. When in the opened position, one or more wires may be inserted into the channel.

The curtain is generally used as follows. In one embodiment, either prior to hanging the curtain on a rod, or after the curtain is hung on a curtain rod, (e.g., a shower rod), pockets50and40are opened, if not already opened, and channel62(162) (262) is opened if not already open. An entertainment system52is placed into pocket50(or pocket50a) and a speaker is placed into pocket40, and a wire55(with appropriate jacks, if required) connecting the two is placed into the channel62(162) (262) via channel opening62a(162a) (262a). The closure mechanism64a,64b(164a,164b) (264a,264b) is closed (e.g., “zipped”) to seal the wire55in the channel62(162) (262), and closure mechanism at the top of pockets40and50is also preferably closed.

In another embodiment, one or more speakers are provided in pockets40,30and wires55(typically terminating in jacks) are provided in channel62in conjunction with the curtain10at the point of sale. If desired, a battery pack (not shown) for powering the speakers may also be provided at the point of sale. Thus, after purchase, the purchaser/user of the curtain need only hang the curtain on a rod, open pocket50(or pocket50a), place the entertainment system52into the pocket50(or50a), and connect the wire (jack) into the entertainment system52. If a power switch is provided, the power switch can be turned on.

Once in place, the entertainment system52is used by touching appropriate keys or screen locations (not shown) of the entertainment system52through the window pane70.

In one embodiment, if not already provided at point of sale, a second speaker may be placed into pocket30, and a wire connecting speaker42to speaker32or connecting entertainment system52to speaker32is run through the channel62(162) (262). The closure mechanism64a,64b(164a,164b) (264a,264b) is closed.

In one embodiment, if not already provided at point of sale, batteries for powering the speaker(s)42,32may be placed in one of pockets40,30and electrically coupled to the speakers.

There have been described and illustrated herein embodiments of a shower curtain for use with an amplifier and speakers, as well as related methods. While particular embodiments have been described, it is not intended to be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while a shower curtain has been disclosed, it will be appreciated that the concept of mounting speakers and an entertainment system inside some other type of curtain is within the breadth of this disclosure. Further, while a shower curtain of a certain size has been disclosed it will be appreciated that the shower curtain could be smaller or longer in length or height, although it will typically have at least dimension of at least 60 inches. Likewise, the pockets can be of different sizes. Also, while a particular closure system has been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other closure systems could be utilized. By way of example only, and not by way of limitation, it will be appreciated that two separated tongue-and-groove mating element groupings could be provided and the channel for the wires could be between the two groupings. Also, by way of example only, and not by way of limitation, a zipper could be provided as mating element. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the claims.