Abstract:
A shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a mount for mounting the shower curtain road on a first end thereof, and a moveable mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof. The shower curtain is moveable from a first position to a second position to increase the volume of space enclosed by the shower curtain.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a shower curtain rod and more particularly to a shower curtain rod which is extendable and retractable to fit above and in cooperation with a shower or bathtub. The show curtain rod is intended to be used to support a shower curtain to prevent water from splashing out of the enclosure bordered by the shower curtain as the curtain is draped into a bath tub below the curtain rod. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the construction of most bathrooms, it is common to position a shower nozzle mounted on the wall in an enclosure above a bath tub to thereby provide the option of a shower for the resident using the bathroom facility. In defining such enclosures, splashing water out of the enclosure is limited by the use of a sliding door, typically a translucent plastic or shatter proof glass, or more conveniently, a shower curtain. The shower curtain is ordinarily constructed and arranged to drape loosely from a set of eyelets or curtain rings which slide along the curtain rod. A set of such rings is normally mounted slidably on the shower curtain rod which is positioned normally at the height of the sprinkler head or other nozzle. The shower curtain is draped in the bath tub below so that water is not splashed out of the bath tub. Because the bath tub is below the shower nozzle, the bath tub functions to collect water which drains from the bath tub during the shower. 
     Many bath tubs, indeed most bath tubs, are constructed with a straight exposed side. Straight side bath tubs are constructed so that they can be positioned immediately below a straight shower rod. In the use of a straight shower rod, the drape of the shower curtain is fairly well defined by the support provided overhead by the shower rod. Since the shower rod is straight, the bath tub itself defines a companion or parallel, perhaps slightly inset, opening where the loosely hanging shower curtain can be directed. In that event, the shower curtain is positioned so that all of the splashed water is maintained in the bath tub. In a rectangular bath tub, this is accomplished through the use of a straight shower curtain rod. A straight shower curtain rod is typically provided with a central straight portion having a length approximately equal to that of the bath tub and which also includes offset end rod portions which enable connection with the tile wall which surrounds the bath tub. In that construction, the bath tub is positioned below the rod so that the shower curtain can drape in the tub. Straight shower curtain rods typically have a straight length portion with end portions which approximately conforms to the length or profile of the bath tub when viewed from above. 
     While functional, and even generally effective, straight shower curtain rods have the significant drawback of limiting the space available inside the shower. Particularly for larger persons or for those who prefer to have more space available to them in the shower, the relatively narrow width of the bathtub does not provide enough room for them to shower comfortably. To address this point one approach has been to form curved shower curtain rods. The curvature of the shower curtain rod increases the volume of space available to a user behind the shower curtain. But these too have the drawback of significantly reducing the amount of space in the bathroom outside of the shower. Further, for many applications, particularly with essentially square bathtubs, the curved shower rods are unsightly and the shower curtains do not hang from them in an aesthetically pleasing manner. 
     The present invention endeavors to overcome the problems of the prior art and provide shower curtain rod which is extendable in an outward direction from the bathtub to create more space when in use, but which may be returned to the retracted position when not in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a first end thereof, and a moveable mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a moveable first mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a first end thereof, and a moveable second mount for mounting the shower curtain rod on a second end thereof. In all aspects of the present invention, the shower curtain is moveable from a first position to a second position to increase the volume of space enclosed by the shower curtain. 
     Additional aspects of the instant invention may include the moveable mount having a track and a sliding mount. The track may include a stop which runs in a track formed on a surface of the sliding mount to prevent the movement of the shower curtain rod beyond a predetermined position. Further, the sliding mount may run in slots formed in a rail portion of the track, the rail portion having an angle to a flat surface of the track where the track is mounted to a side wall of a shower. In addition, the rail portion may be substantially parallel to a flat surface of the track where the track is mounted to a side wall of a shower. In one aspect of the present invention the shower curtain rod assembly may include an end cap connected to an end of the sliding mount for preventing the sliding mount from moving beyond a predetermined point. Further, the shower curtain rod may be rotatably mounted to a hinged mount and to the sliding mount. Lastly, in all configurations, the shower curtain rod assembly may include an electric motor system so that the shower curtain may be automatically moved away from a shower, once a user begins to shower. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a method of increasing a volume of space defined by a shower curtain and a bathtub, the method includes a step of providing a shower curtain rod assembly having a shower curtain rod, a first mount connecting a first end of a shower curtain rod to a first wall surface, and a second mount connecting a second end of the shower curtain rod to a second wall surface. One or both of the first and second mounts may be used to slidably connect the shower curtain rod to the wall surfaces. The method also includes a step of applying pressure to one or both ends of the shower curtain rod, wherein the application of pressure moves a slidable portion of one or both of the first and second mounts in relation to a track portion of the slidable mount(s) such that the shower curtain rod moves away from the bathtub and the shower curtains original position. 
     The method may also include a step of applying pressure on the shower curtain rod to return the shower curtain rod to its original position. Further, upon application of pressure to the second end of the shower curtain rod, a sliding mount portion of the second mount may slide along a track portion of the second mount. The track portion may include a stop preventing movement of the sliding mount portion beyond a predetermined point. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is a method of preventing water from splashing out of a bathtub. The method includes a step of providing a shower curtain rod assembly including a shower curtain rod, a first mount connecting a first end of a shower curtain rod to a first wall surface, and a second mount connecting a second end of the shower curtain rod to a second wall surface. A further step of the method includes attaching a shower curtain to the shower curtain rod so that the shower curtain remains inside the bathtub when applying pressure to one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod, wherein the application of pressure moves a slidable portion of one or both of the first and second mounts in relation to a track portion of the slidable mount such that the shower curtain rod moves away from the bathtub and the shower curtain&#39;s original position. 
     Further aspects of this method may include application of pressure to one or both of the first and second ends of the shower curtain rod which may cause a sliding mount portion of one or both of the first and second mounts to slide along a track portion of the mount(s). The sliding mount portion includes may include at least one hook for attaching an end of the shower curtain. The portion of the shower curtain attached to the sliding mount prevents water from splashing out of the bathtub following movement of the shower curtain rod away from the bathtub and the shower curtain&#39;s original position. The track portion may include a stop preventing movement of the sliding mount portion beyond a predetermined point. And the method may include a step of applying pressure on the shower curtain rod to return the shower curtain rod to its original position. 
     In this text, the terms “comprising,” “comprise,” “comprises” and other forms of “comprise” can have the meaning ascribed to these terms in U.S. Patent Law and can mean “including,” “include,” “includes” and other forms of “include.” 
     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components are identified by the same reference numerals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       In the following detailed description of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, incorporated herein by reference, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shower and shower curtain rod according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a shower and shower curtain rod according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a top view of a track according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of a track according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   c  is a rear perspective view of a track according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   d  is a cross-section view of a track according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a sliding mount according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   a  is an end view of the sliding mount of  FIG. 4  and a perspective view of an end cap according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a shower curtain rod track according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a profile view of a connector for the shower curtain rod of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a hinged mount according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a top view of a shower and shower curtain rod according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7   b  is a top and a perspective view of a track according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a shower and shower curtain rod according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a shower and shower curtain rod according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a motor for use with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a sliding mount to be used with the motor depicted in  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a shower curtain rod having a flat wire attached according to one aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the shower  10  is comprised of a tub  12 , a shower head  14  and two side walls  16 . The shower head  14  is mounted to one of the side walls  16 . Also mounted in the shower  10  is a retractable shower curtain rod  11 . The retractable shower curtain rod  11  is comprised of a curtain rod  20  having a fixed length that is connected to a hinged mount  18  at a first end of the curtain rod  11  and a sliding mount  24  attached at a second end of the curtain rod  11 . As used herein, a fixed-length curtain rod is either a single piece curtain rod that is the desired length or at least a two-piece curtain rod whose length is capable of being adjusted by a user to obtain a desired length and then locked in place to maintain the desired curtain rod length. The sliding mount  24  is disposed or rests on a track  22  that is attached to the side wall  16  of the shower  10 .  FIG. 2  provides a top view of the retractable shower curtain rod  11  of the first embodiment installed in a shower  10 . 
     By application of force to the curtain rod  20  in a direction away from the shower  10 , the volume of space behind the shower curtain can be increased. The curtain rod  20  rotates on the hinge mount  18 . The rotation of the curtain rod  20  moves the sliding mount  24  along the track  22  in the direction of the curtain rod  20 . Movement of the curtain rod  20  is indicated throughout the figures with double-headed arrows. 
     This combination provides a retractable shower curtain rod  11  that results in the volume of a shower being increased when the retractable shower curtain rod  11  is extended and, at the same time, allows the shower curtain rod  20  to appear in its traditional location with a vertically oriented shower curtain when in the retracted position. 
       FIGS. 3   a - 6  provide further details of one advantageous combination of elements operable in the manner of the retractable shower curtain rod  11  disclosed above. 
       FIGS. 3   a - 3   d  provide alternate views of the track  22 . The track includes a base  102  which mounts flush to the side walls  16  of a shower. Traversing the track  22  are two bolt holes  104 , which as shown in  FIG. 3   a , are countersunk to allow the head of a bolt inserted therein to be recessed away from an exterior surface of the track  22 . A close-up view of this feature is shown in  FIG. 3   d . The track  22  also includes a stop  106 , which prevents the sliding mount  24  from extending beyond a predetermined point or from being pulled off of the track  22 . The track  22  also includes a “T-shaped” rail portion  112  where slots  108  in the top and bottom of the rail portion  112  receive portions of the sliding mount  24 , allowing the sliding mount  24  to move back and forth between the retracted and extended positions. The “T-shaped” rail portion  112  is formed in the track  22  at an angle to the flat base  102 . This angle eases movement of the sliding mount  24  along the track  22 . Because the curtain rod  20  is a fixed-length, the angled rail  112  allows the sliding mount  24  to move away from the shower side wall  16  as the retractable shower curtain rod moves away from the shower. That is, the angled rail portion  112  compensates for the additional length of the curtain rod  20  that is needed when moving the retractable shower curtain rod  11  away from the shower  10 . 
       FIG. 3   b  shows a perspective view of the track  22  having a pyramid-shaped portion  110  in cross-section. The pyramid cross-section provides a larger contact surface that promotes surface stability when mounted. At the end of the pyramid section is the “T-shaped” rail portion  112  in which the sliding mount  24  rests. The “T-shape” of the rail portion  112  prevents the sliding mount  24  from being pulled out of the slots  108  or off of the track  22 . Another feature of the track  22  is the cut-out  114  which limits the amount of sliding friction acting on the sliding mount  24  when moved. 
       FIG. 4  is a profile view of the sliding mount  24 . As can be seen, the sliding mount  24  has a cross-sectional profile which essentially conforms to the “T-shaped” rail portion  112  of the track  22 . As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the cross-sectional shape of the rail portion  112  can be any shape that allows a complimentary-shaped sliding mount  24  to slide back and forth on and which also prevents the sliding mount  24  from being pulled off of or away from the track  22 . Furthermore, as can be seen in  FIG. 4 , formed in an interior portion of the sliding mount  24  is a track  116 . This track  116  mates with the stop  106  allowing the sliding mount  24  to move along the track  22  until the stop on the track  22  impacts a distal end of the track  116 . On a distal end of the sliding mount  24  is a hook  119  for hanging a towel or the like. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, additional hooks may be included on any element or component of the retractable shower curtain rod assembly. 
       FIG. 4   a  shows a side view of the sliding mount  24  and a perspective view of an end cap  30  which is placed on the end of the sliding mount  24 . The end cap  30  prevents the sliding mount  24  from being pushed onto the track  22  beyond the end of the sliding mount  24 . In the top and bottom of the end cap  30  are holes  31  which conform to and slide over projections  118  formed on the sliding mount  24  to secure the cap  30  to the sliding mount  24 . 
     Formed on the sliding mount  24  is an eye  120 . The eye  120  mates with a second eye  122  formed on the curtain rod  20  shown in  FIG. 5 . This is preferably a pinned connection which allows movement of the curtain rod  20  with respect to the sliding mount  24  when moved to the retracted or extended position. On the opposite end of the curtain rod  20  is another eye  124  which mates up with an eye  126  formed on the hinged mount  18 . As shown in  FIG. 5   a , the underside of the eye  124  may have a clip-fitting  128  for insertion into the eye  126 . The pin portion  129  of the clip fitting  128  allows the curtain rod  20  to rotate about the eye  126 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the hinged mount  18  includes two holes  130  for securing the hinged mount  18  to the sidewalls  16 . 
     Depicted in  FIG. 7   a  is a second embodiment of the present invention that is similar to the first embodiment disclosed above, however, instead of using a track  22  with an angled rail portion  112  and a hinged mount  18  to mount the retractable shower curtain rod  11  to a shower, two tracks  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 7   b , having rail portions  112  that are not angled and are instead substantially parallel to the shower side walls  16  and the flat base  102 , are used to mount the retractable shower curtain rod  11 . In this embodiment the tracks  22  and sliding mounts  24  allow both sides of the curtain rod  20  to slide away from the shower in a manner similar to the operation of a drawer. Therefore, a retractable shower curtain rod  11  according to this embodiment permits a user to increase the volume of the shower more than that increased by the first embodiment. 
     In a third embodiment of the present invention that is similar to the first embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , instead of using a track  22  with an angled rail portion  112  and a hinged mount  18  to mount the retractable shower curtain rod  11  to a shower, a hinged mount  18  and a track  22  with a rail portion that is not angled and is instead substantially parallel to the shower side walls  16  and the flat base  102 , as depicted in  FIG. 7   b , are used. With this embodiment, however, an extendable/collapsible curtain rod  21 , which uses a hinge  26  at the point of connection between the curtain rod  21  and the sliding mount  24  is used. The combination of the extendable/collapsible curtain rod  21  and hinge  26  permits the curtain rod  21  to extend or elongate when the shower curtain is moved away from the shower and to collapse or retract when the shower curtain is moved back toward the shower. In this embodiment, application of a force to the curtain rod  21  in a direction away from the shower causes the curtain rod to rotate on the hinge mount  18 . The rotation of the curtain rod  21  moves the sliding mount  24  along the track  22  in the direction of the curtain rod  21 . At the same time, the hinge  26  allows for rotation of the sliding mount  24  in relation to the curtain rod  21 . Because the sliding mount  24  is moving in a direction parallel to the side walls  19  of the shower, the length of the curtain rod  21  must be increased to compensate for the shortening horizontal distance  29  between the hinged mount  18  and the hinge  26  as the curtain rod  20  moves away from the shower. Consequently, a curtain rod  21  that is capable of extending or elongating and retracting or collapsing is used. 
     In a fourth embodiment of the present invention that is similar to the third embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , instead of using an extendible/collapsible or retractable curtain rod, a fixed-length curtain rod  20  may be used in combination with a track  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 7   b , having a rail portion  112  that is substantially parallel to the shower sidewalls  16  and the flat base  102  and a hinged mount  18 . In this embodiment, however, in addition to the curtain rod  20  connecting to the sliding mount  24  with a hinge  26 , the sliding mount  24  itself connects to the track  22  with a hinged connection  27 . Therefore, in this embodiment, the combination of the three hinged connections (hinged mount  18 , hinge  26  and hinged connection  27 ) allows the fixed-length curtain rod  20  to be moved in a direction away from the shower upon application of a forced to the curtain rod  20  in a direction away from the shower. This is possible because the hinged connection  27  between the sliding mount  24  and the track  22  allows the sliding mount  24  to pull or move away from the shower side wall  16  to compensate for the shortening horizontal distance  29  between the hinged mount  18  and the hinge  26  as the curtain rod  20  moves away from the shower. 
     In all of the disclosed embodiments, an electric motor system may be used to drive the retractable curtain rod  11 . As depicted in  FIG. 10 , the motor  200  comprises a drive motor  202 , a gear  204 , which may be a helical gear or a spur gear, and a water or splash resistant shell  206 . The motor  200  attaches to the track  22 . To drive the motor, a battery pack, which is connected to the motor, is also attached to the track  22 . When a motor is used, the typical sliding mount  24  is replaced with a sliding mount  24  that, as depicted in  FIG. 11 , has a rack or a track with teeth  208  that meshes with the teeth on the motor gear  204 . Therefore, when the motor is activated and rotates, the gear  204  in combination with the rack  208  convert rotary motion into linear motion, moving the sliding mount  24  and hence the curtain rod away from and back toward the shower. 
     The electric motor system operates as follows. A trigger cable that is connected to the battery pack connects to a microprocessor. Connected to the microprocessor is an adhesive flat wire. As depicted in  FIG. 12 , the adhesive flat wire  300  is attached to the curtain rod  302  along the length of the curtain rod  302 . The last several inches of the flat wire is an integrated pressure switch  304 . Pressure from a shower curtain ring that is placed in contact with the portion of the flat wire  300  that comprises the integrated pressure switch  304 , triggers or activates the switch that operates the electric motor. Consequently, once a person is in the shower and the shower curtain is closed, the electric motor, now activated by pressure from the shower curtain ring, operates to move the retractable shower curtain rod away from the shower, thereby increasing the volume of the shower for the user. When an embodiment of the invention having only one sliding mount  24  is used, only one electric motor system is needed. When an embodiment of the instant invention having two sliding mounts  24  is used, two electric motor systems may be used. 
     Lastly, in order to increase the ease at which the sliding mount(s)  24  slide back and forth along the track  22 , bearings, wheels, rollers or any other type of sliding mechanism, may be used in the sliding mounts  24  or on the track  22 . 
     Having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention defined by the above paragraphs is not to be limited to particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.