Patent Publication Number: US-2010123065-A1

Title: Foldable Detachable Curtain Rods

Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows the unfolded position of the set of rods. Each section, or rod, is made of circular, rectangular, triangular, or any other shapes. Inside of each rod is empty. The diameter or dimension of each rod is slightly smaller than the previous one, so it can fit inside of the previous section. One or multiple hooks can be attached to near one end of each rod.  FIG. 2  shows folded position of the rods. This system looks in some way similar to a multiple section “telescope”. There is a stopping device to prevent the next rod from falling out when the system is unfolded.  FIG. 3  shows one end of the set of rods is attached to the original long rod through a clinching device. The long rod below the set of foldable rods is attached to the wall.  FIG. 4  shows the other end of the set of rods is attached to one single wheel, which is the only device sliding on the original long rod to minimize friction. There is another control rod attached to the wheel so a human hand can hold on to it to fold and unfold the curtain through the system.  FIG. 5  (A) (foldable rods on top of the long fixed rod) and  FIG. 5  (B) (foldable rods below the original long rod) show the cross section of the system. For shower curtain, there are two set of hooks on both sides. One hook on each side is attached to one small rod or section. For window curtains, only one hook on one side is necessary.  FIG. 6  shows the overview of the system, where the foldable rods are above the original long fixed rod.  FIG. 7  shows the multiple rods below the original fixed long rod. One or more “notches” needs to be with each section of the rod to prevent the sliding wheel from falling over the long fixed rod, in case the foldable rods are in circular shape ( FIG. 8  shows the cross sections). In  FIG. 9  a special device is attached to the end of each short rod to prevent it from completely falling out of the previous section. The system can work with the foldable rods only, with one end directly attached to the wall, without the original long fixed rod ( FIG. 10 ). 
    
    
     FIGURE DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1 : the unfolded position of the shower curtain system. A hook or ring is attached to the right end of each section of the rod. 
       FIG. 2 : folded position of the shower curtain system. Each small section can be inserted into the previous section, and stopped by the attached hook or ring at the right end. 
       FIG. 3 : a device clinches the fixed long rod to the section to the left end of the multiple rods. The multiple rods or small pipes can be positioned above or below the long fixed rod, or without any long fixed rod. 
       FIG. 4 : A wheel, rolling on the long fixed rod, can be attached to the small rod or pipe at the right end of the multiple rods or pipes, or to each small section. 
       FIGS. 5(A)  and (B) show the cross section of the system. Please notice the multiple small rods or pipes can be located above or below the long fixed rod. The small pipes can be of any shapes in cross section—circle, star, rectangular . . . etc. 
       FIG. 6 : the entire system is displayed. The multiple pipes are above the long fixed rod. There is a wheel at the right end, but it is possible to install more than one wheel. 
       FIG. 7 : the multiple pipes are below the long fixed rod. 
       FIG. 8 : The cross section of the small pipes can be specially designed, so each small pipe or rod will not rotate and fall off the long fixed rod. 
       FIG. 9 : when the multiple pipes or small rods are unfolded, special devices, as shown, are needed to prevent the pipe from falling off the previous pipe. 
       FIG. 10 : the system can be installed without the long fixed rod.