Patent Publication Number: US-2023142478-A1

Title: Shower Canopy

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to shower curtains. The present invention relates more specifically to outwardly expanded shower canopies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When taking a shower, it is important to have a shower curtain for multiple reasons. Shower curtains prevent water from leaving the bathtub shower. Additionally, shower curtains provide privacy by shielding the person in the shower from view. Many designs of shower curtains exist, but the structure and shape of shower curtains are generally the same. One issue with existing shower curtains is the limitation of physical space bounded by the shower curtain. As housing spaces get smaller and bathrooms become more compact, it can be frustrating and uncomfortable to accidentally touch the shower curtain. The shower curtain can stick to the skin, giving an unpleasant feeling. Touching can also displace the shower curtain, causing water to splash outside the showering area. Touching the shower curtain can also be a reminder that the shower is enclosed in a tight space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention represents a shower curtain canopy. The present invention comprises curved spines, which support the shower canopy outside the showering area. The present invention includes a center cord and magnetic weights to secure the position of the shower canopy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a front elevation view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a side elevation view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is an illustration showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention deployed on a bathtub. 
         FIG.  7    is an illustration showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention deployed on a bathtub. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a uniquely designed shower curtain. The present invention provides a shower canopy that allows the user a wider range of motion during the process of a shower. The present invention provides a shower canopy that curves outward. In addition, the present invention provides a shower canopy that fastens to the sides of the bathtub. Furthermore, the present invention provides the user a showering experience in a more cavernous space. 
     The present invention provides a uniquely designed shower canopy. The present invention provides a shower canopy that allows the user a wider range of motion during the process of a shower. The present invention provides a shower canopy that curves outward. In addition, the present invention provides a shower canopy that fastens to the sides of the bathtub. Furthermore, the present invention provides a weighted base to assist the firm positioning of the shower canopy. The present invention comprises a set of vertical spines, a set of side fasteners, a center cord, a set of weights, a shower curtain, and a lower skirt. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a shower canopy  100 . The shower canopy  100  includes a shower curtain  101 . The shower curtain  101  prevents water from splashing outside the shower area. The shower curtain  101  also provides privacy during the shower process. The shower curtain  101  operates similarly to a standard shower curtain. The upper half of the shower curtain  101  is curved due to the embedded curved spines  102 . The lower half of the shower curtain  101  contains straight spines  103 . The straight spines  103  help the canopy  100  avoid obstacle, such as a sink or toilet. In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the lower half of the shower curtain  101  contains curved spines, similar to the curved spines  102  of the upper half of the shower curtain  101 . The shower canopy  100  hangs from top fasteners  108 , which connect to a shower curtain rod. 
     The curved spines  102  and straight spines  103  are rigid or semi-rigid skeletal components that assist the form and shape of the shower canopy  100 . In Embodiment 1, five spines are spaced evenly along the shower curtain  101 . In alternate embodiments, any number of spines can be used. In Embodiment 3, the spines are spaced unevenly. In Embodiment 1, the curved spines  102  are contained in the top half of the shower curtain 1 , and the straight spines are contained in the bottom half of the shower curtain. In Embodiment 4, the spines extend along the entire length of the shower curtain  101  without a gap. The curved spines  102  in the upper section of the shower curtain  101  extend the shower curtain  101  outside the shower area. 
     Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a lower skirt  104  attached near the bottom of the shower curtain  101 . The lower skirt  104  is an additional flap connected to the interior of the shower curtain  101 . The lower skirt  104  is used to prevent water from splashing or exiting the bathtub area. When the present invention is mounted with a bathtub, the lower skirt  104  will hang inside the bathtub, and the lower end of the shower curtain  101  will hang outside the bathtub. A set of weights  105  are connected to the lower skirt  104  and the shower curtain  101 . In Embodiment 1, the weights are connected near the lower corners of the lower skirt  104  and the shower curtain  101 . The weights  105  provide the ability to mount and position the lower skirt  104  and the shower curtain  101 . The weights  105  prevent the lower skirt from loosening and moving from the desired position. 
     The center cord  106  is an elastic cord or rope within the shower curtain. The center cord  106  is found within the center of the shower curtain. More specifically, the center cord  106  is a horizontal elastic rope that is used to assist the positioning the shower curtain. The center cord can be of any material such as a rope. The center cord further comprises of a set of side fasteners  107 . The side fasteners  107  assist the attachment of the center cord into a fixed position. The set of side fasteners are found on the two ends of the center cord  106 . The side fasteners  107  can be of any fastening material such as suction cups, hooks, straps, etc. In Embodiment 1, the set of side fasteners  107  are suction cups. The side fasteners  107  are used to secure the two ends of the center cord  106  to the walls of the bathroom or shower, securing the position of the shower canopy  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 - 7   , the shower canopy  100  is installed around the wall of a bathtub  109 . In a first configuration, the set of weights  105  attached to the lower skirt  104  connect to the inner surface of the bathtub  109 . The set of weights  105  attached to the shower curtain  101  connect to the outer surface of the bathtub  109 . In Embodiment 1, the weights  105  are magnetic, and the weights  105  attach magnetically to the bathtub  109 . In Embodiment 5, the weights  105  use a section cup to attach the bathtub  109 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , Embodiment 4 of the present invention includes a shower canopy  100 . The curved spines  102  extend along the length of the shower curtain  101 . The center cord  106  crosses around the curved spines  102 . 
     To use the present invention, the user will first install the top fasteners  108  to a horizontal pole, such as a shower curtain rod, located above the top edge of a bathtub  109 . After the top fasteners are installed, the user will install the shower canopy  100  onto the top fasteners  108  by mean of the holes found on the top edge of the shower curtain  101 . Once the top set of fasteners  108  and the shower curtain  101  is installed onto the horizontal pole, the user will spread the shower canopy  100  along the edge of the bathtub  109 . In addition, the user will ensure that the bottom edge of the shower curtain  101  is laid on the exterior space of the bathtub. The user will use the center cord  106 , the set of weights  105 , and the set of side fasteners  107  to assist with securing and positioning the shower canopy  100  into a desirable position. The user will then have addition space during a showering process within a bathtub  109 . The shower canopy&#39;s  100  curved form and shape caused by the set of vertical spines  102  allow for more space for the user during a showering process inside of a bathtub  109 . 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.