Patent Publication Number: US-11647870-B2

Title: Shower shelving system

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/184,032 filed Feb. 24, 2021, entitled “SHOWER SHELVING SYSTEM”, which claims one or more inventions which were disclosed in Provisional Application No. 62/985,714, filed Mar. 5, 2020, entitled “SHOWER SHELVING SYSTEM”. The benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention pertains to the field of storage. More particularly, the invention pertains to a shelving system for use in showers. 
     Description of Related Art 
     There are various products available to provide for storage within the bath or shower unit. Conventional shelving units are designed to hang off of the shower head supply arm. The conventional shelving units provide a small storage area and place an unsupportable load on the shower head supply arm that can lead to problematic damage of the wall. Shampoo bottles are often placed on the small storage area of conventional shelving units in a fashion that invariably causes interference with the shower stream and can sometimes cause the shelving unit to slide towards the user in the shower. Other variations of conventional shelving, such as in the tub wall and tub surround integrated shelving, or shelving integrated into the wall, are often narrow and limited in storage capacity. Integrated shelving is often in reach of small children and exposed to the wet environment of the tub without dry storage available. 
     Conventional shower caddies, a derivation of conventional shelving units, are also designed to hang off of the shower head supply arm and are attached to the wall through suction cups located on the shower caddy.  FIGS.  1 - 2    show a conventional shower system AA and a conventional shower storage system BB. The shower caddy consistently slides down the shower head supply pipe, or is inherently unbalanced such that the shower caddy biases to one side of the shower head supply arm due to the accompanying suction cups that invariably lose adhesive force over time. Conventional shower caddies also lack sufficient storage space that can lead to items on the caddy interfering with the shower stream in a manner that causes the water to spray and cause water damage outside the tub/shower unit. 
     Conventional curtain rods are adjustable two-piece rods that extend to allow tightening of the rod, through a tension force, between two opposite facing surfaces. Conventional curtain rods cannot sustain the tension force on the two surfaces over time and often slip down or damage the wall. Other conventional curtain rods use conventional brackets mounted to a wall that will only accept one rod in a recess of the bracket. The conventional brackets that support the conventional curtain rods are typically dedicated to supporting one or more shower curtain rods and lack the capacity to support any additional shelving. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,632, entitled “Shelving System” is a caddy for use in the bathroom, in which the caddy has an elongated tension rod with a telescoping section and an internal biasing elements which has a first end adjacent a first wall of the shower and a second end adjacent the second wall of the shower. Storage accessory units are mounted to the elongated tension rod. Simultaneously maintaining adequate tension perpendicular to two surfaces, which can get wet, while supporting a load across the length of the elongated tension rod is problematic and can result in collapse of the caddy, damage to the wall surface, as well as possible injury to the user during use of the shower. 
     Conventional shelving systems for the shower do not provide stable storage space with a large capacity or have mounting brackets that enable the bracket to support heavy loads. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a shelving system that provides stable storage space in the shower, has a large storage capacity, and is securely fastened to a wall to support heavy loads. A shelving system of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a shower bracket comprising a plate having a front face, a back face, and shaped to have an outer perimeter with a bottom surface. The bracket has a first side, at a first end, perpendicular to the bottom surface, a second side, at a second end opposite the first side, perpendicular to the bottom surface, and a top surface connected to the first side and the second side. The shower bracket of the shelving system also has a sectioner mounted to the front face of the plate. The sectioner has a bottom wall, with an outer surface, aligned with the bottom perimeter of the plate connected to the first side wall, having a surface, aligned with the first side of the outer perimeter, a second side wall, having a surface, connected to the bottom perimeter of the plate, opposite the first side wall, and aligned with the second side of the perimeter of the plate. The bottom wall extends longitudinally from the first end to the second end of the plate. The sectioner, extending out of the bottom wall, is a radially extending divider wall. A first recess is defined by the front face of the plate, the bottom wall of the sectioner, the first side wall of the sectioner and the radially extending divider. A second recess is defined by the front face of the plate, the bottom wall of the sectioner, the second side wall. A radially extending divider wall, adjacent to a truncated radially extending divider wall, extends from the bottom wall of the sectioner to further define the second recess into a first u-shaped slot and a second u-shaped slot. The first u-shaped slot is defined by the radially extending divider wall and the truncated radially extending divider wall and the second u-shaped slot is defined by the second wall of the sectioner and the truncated divider wall. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention comprises wet and dry storage shelving separated by a vapor barrier or a shower curtain. In this embodiment the wet shelf, located above and proximate to one side of the vapor barrier, or shower curtain, is positioned such that the water drains from items placed on the wet shelf. The wet shelf is preferably perforated, or wire formed, to drain to the same side of shower curtain and into tub or shower base. The dry storage area with a shelf, and/or one or more cylindrical rods, is located on the opposite side of the vapor barrier or shower curtain. 
     Some of the advantages associated with the embodiments of the present invention are the ease of installation, simplicity of design, the convenience of multiple rods (curtain, towel, etc.), and independence with regard to changing individual components with minimal encumbrance or cleaning individual components as most items can be independently detached. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention provide new storage comprising a drainable wet shelf, the aesthetic features of a dry shelf, and a drop shelf, having a rod retaining clip that prevents rod dislodgment, attachable to the wet shelf. The wet shelf wire rack enables a user to apply clothing hangers, or other hooked devices, to suspend items inside the vapor barrier or the shower curtain. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG.  1    shows a conventional shower system. 
         FIG.  1 A  shows a conventional shower storage system. 
         FIG.  2 A  shows a top view of a first embodiment of a shower bracket. 
         FIG.  2 B  shows a front view of the first embodiment of a shower bracket. 
         FIG.  2 C  shows a side view of the first embodiment of a shower bracket. 
         FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of a shower bracket. 
         FIG.  4    shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the shower system. 
         FIG.  5    shows a front view of the first embodiment of a first shower bracket of  FIG.  2 A  and a second shower bracket, a mirror image of the bracket of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  6    shows a top view of the first embodiment of the shower bracket. 
         FIG.  7    shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the shower system. 
         FIG.  8    shows a front view of the first embodiment of the shower system having a drop shelf. 
         FIG.  9    shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the shower system. 
         FIG.  10    shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the shower bracket. 
         FIG.  11    shows a front view of the second embodiment of the shower bracket. 
         FIG.  12    shows a front view of a second embodiment of the shower system. 
         FIG.  13    shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the shower system. 
         FIG.  14    shows a top perspective view of the second embodiment of the shower system. 
         FIG.  15    shows a front view of a third embodiment of the shower bracket. 
         FIG.  16    shows a side perspective view of the third embodiment of the shower bracket. 
         FIG.  17    shows a front-side perspective view of a third embodiment of the shower system. 
         FIG.  18    shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a shower bracket. 
         FIG.  19    shows a perspective view of the shower bracket having a first embodiment of a rod retention clip. 
         FIG.  20    shows a perspective view of the shower bracket having a second embodiment of a rod retention clip. 
         FIG.  21    shows a perspective view of the shower bracket having a third embodiment of a rod retention clip. 
         FIG.  22    shows a front view of a shower bracket of another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the Summary of the Invention above and in the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention. 
     The present invention and alternative embodiments provide for a solution to bath/shower stall storage, accessibility, and organization needs while helping to keep the water within the bath/shower stall to prevent water damage. 
       FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  2 C, and  3    show a bracket of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment, the shower bracket  100  comprises a plate  1  having a front face  3 , a back face  5 , and shaped to have a perimeter  11  with a bottom surface  9 , a first side surface  11   a , at a first end  20  perpendicular to the bottom surface  9 , a second side surface  11   c  at a second end  22  opposite the first side surface  11   a , perpendicular to the bottom surface  9 , and a top surface  2  connected to the first side surface  11   a  and the second side surface  11   c . Between the first side surface  11   a  and the top surface  2  is a first diagonal top portion  31  and between the second side surface  11   c  and the top surface  2  is a second diagonal top portion  33 . The top surface  2  can include a middle flat top portion  2   a  connected to the first diagonal top portion  31  and the second diagonal top portion  33 . 
     A sectioner  7  is mounted to the front face  3  of the plate  1  with the sectioner  7  having a bottom wall  17 , aligned with the bottom surface  9  of the plate  1 . The sectioner  7  includes a first side wall  13  having an outer surface  13   a , a top outer surface  13   b , an inner surface  13   c , and an exposed outer face  13   d , and a second side wall  15 , opposite the first side wall  13 , having an outer surface  15   a , an inner wall  15   b , and top outer surface  15   c , and an exposed outer face  15   d . The bottom wall  17  of the sectioner  7  including an inner wall  17   b , an exposed outer surface  17   a , and the bottom wall  17  extends longitudinally from the first end  20  to the second end  22  of the plate  1 . The first side surface  11   a  has an exposed outer surface  13   a  and the second side surface  11   b  has an exposed outer surface  15   a . Extending from the inner wall  17   b  of bottom wall  17  of the sectioner  7  is a radially extending divider wall  19  which has an exposed surface  19   a.    
     In this embodiment a first recess  21  is defined by the front face  3  of the plate  1 , the bottom wall  17  of the sectioner  7 , the inner surface  13   c  of the first side wall  13  of the sectioner  7  and a first inner surface  19   b  of the radially extending divider wall  19 . A second recess  23  is defined by the front face  3  of the plate  1 , the bottom wall  17  of the sectioner  7 , the inner side wall  15   b  of the second side wall  15 , a second inner surface  19   c  of the radially extending divider wall  19  and a truncated radially extending divider wall  25 , extending radially from the bottom wall  17  of the sectioner  7  to further define the second recess  23  into a first u-shaped slot  27  and a second u-shaped slot  29 . The truncated radially extending divider wall  25  has an exposed outer surface  25   b . The first u-shaped slot  27  is defined by the radially extending divider wall  19  and the truncated radially extending divider wall  25 , and the second u-shaped slot  29  is defined by the second side wall  15  of the sectioner  7  and the truncated divider wall  25 . 
     The shower bracket  100  can have a first retaining shoulder  35  along the length of the second inner surface  19   c  of radially extending divider wall  19 . The first retaining shoulder  35  projects from the second inner wall  19   c  and is connected to an inner wall  27   a  of the first u-shaped slot  27 . The first u-shaped slot  27  is defined by the inner wall  27   a , a rounded wall  27   b  and an inner wall  27   c  of the truncated radially extending divider wall  25 . The first retaining shoulder  35  is preferably aligned with a flat top surface  25   a  of the truncated radially extending divider wall  25 . 
     A second retaining shoulder  37 , opposite and aligned with the first retaining shoulder  35 , is perpendicular to the inner wall  15   b  of the second side wall  15 . The second retaining shoulder  37  is connected to an inner wall  29   c  of the second u-shaped slot  29 . The second u-shaped slot  29  is defined by the inner wall  29   c , a rounded wall  29   b  and inner wall  29   a  of the truncated radially extending divider wall  25 . The second retaining shoulder  37  projects from the second side wall  15  and is also aligned with the truncated radially extending divider wall  25 . The first retaining shoulder  35 , the second retaining shoulder  37 , and the flat top surface  25   a  of the truncated radially extending divider wall  25 , are all aligned along the same plane with each other. 
     While the first recess  21  is shown on the left side of the radially extending divider wall  19  of the sectioner  7  and the second recess  23  is shown on the right side of the radially extending divider wall  19 , this can be reversed, with the second recess  23  on the left side of radially extending divider wall  19  and the first recess  21  on the right side of the radially extending divider wall  19 , as shown in  FIG.  5   —see plate  100   b.    
       FIGS.  4 - 7 , and  9    show a shower system of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a shower system  200  comprises a first shower bracket  100   a , a second shower bracket  100   b , a mirror image of the first shower bracket  100   a , whereby the first shower bracket and second shower bracket  100   a ,  100   b  preferably include the features of shower bracket  100 . The shower system  200  further comprises fasteners  10   a - 10   d , a first shelf  230 , a second shelf  240 , a first cylindrical rod  250  and a second cylindrical rod  260 . The first shelf  230  longitudinally extends from a first end  230   a  to a second end  230   b  and is preferably J-shaped with a lip  230   c . Similarly, the second shelf  240  longitudinally extends from a first end  240   a  to a second end  240   b  and is also preferably L-shaped. The first cylindrical rod  250  longitudinally extends from a first end  250   a  to a second end  250   b . The second cylindrical rod  260  longitudinally extends from a first end  260   a  to a second end  260   b.    
     In an embodiment, the first end  230   a  of the first shelf  230  is inserted into the first recess  21  and received on the inner wall  17   b  of the first shower bracket  100   a , with the lip  230   c  being adjacent the first side wall  13  of the sectioner  7 . The second end  230   b  of the first shelf  230  is inserted into the first recess  21  and received on the inner wall  17   b  of the second shower bracket  100   b , with the lip  230   c  being adjacent the first side wall  13  of the sectioner  7 . The first end  240   a  of the second shelf  240  is received onto and across the first retaining shoulder  35 , the second retaining shoulder  37  and the flat top surface  25   a  of the truncated radially extending divider wall  25  of the first shower bracket  100   a . The second end  240   b  of the second shelf  240  is received on the first retaining shoulder  35 , the second retaining shoulder  37 , and the flat top surface  25   a  of the truncated radially extending divider wall  25  of the second shower bracket  100   b.    
     In this embodiment, the shower system  200  further includes the first end  250   a , of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received into the first u-shaped slot  27  of the first shower bracket  100   a  and the second end  250   b  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received into the first u-shaped slot  27  of the second shower bracket  100   b . The first end  260   a  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received into the second u-shaped slot  29  of the first shower bracket  100   a  and the second end  260   b  is received into the second u-shaped slot  29  of the second shower bracket  100   b.    
     The first shower bracket  100   a  and the second shower bracket  100   b  are mounted opposite each other to a wall  30  by fasteners  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d . The fasteners can be any one of or a combination of concrete screws, drywall screws, wooden screws, sheet metal screws, machine screws, collated screws, framing nails, finishing nails, box nails, common nails, brad nails, siding nails, flooring nails, joist hanger nails with masonry anchors, concrete anchors, drywall anchors, rivets, inserts, and retaining rings. 
     The shelves  230  and  240  may be a wet shelf, a wire shelf, an upper shelf, a lower shelf, cabinets, a drop down shelf, or a dry shelf. While the shelves are shown in the Figures to be of a certain width, the width of the shelves can be altered to accommodate different storage means. For example, the shelves may be of a width to accommodate folded towels of various sizes. 
     The cylindrical rods  250  and  260  may be a single bar, a double swing bar, a two-arm swivel bar, a miniature bar, a double metal bar, a wire bar, a wooden bar, an electric heated bar, a shower curtain bar. In some embodiments, the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  are rigid rods and in other embodiments the cylindrical rods are telescoping rods. 
       FIG.  8    shows a drop shelf  801  having an axially extending spine  803  attached through one or more hooks  805  to the longitudinally extending bar of the shelf  230  that is inserted into the first recess  21  and received on the inner wall  17   b  of the second shower bracket  100   b  of shower system  200 . The drop shelf  801  provides storage and storage access on the wet side of the shower/tub through one or more shelving units  807 ,  809  attached to the axially extending spine  803  and facing the wet side of the shower tub. The shelving units  807  and  809  are also capable of facing the dry side or with each of the shelving units  807 ,  809  facing opposite directions. In yet another embodiment, the drop shelf  801  can be double sided with shelving units  807 ,  809  on both sides, facing the wet side and the dry side. Drop shelf  801  is capable of attaching at any position along shelf  230 . In on embodiment, the drop shelf  801  is attached to and located at one end of shelf  230 . Hooks  805  of drop shelf  801  can be received by the longitudinally extending bars of the shelf  230  to connect to the drop shelf  801  to shelf  230 . In another embodiment, the drop shelf  801  can be placed adjacent one of the shower brackets, such that the spine  803  is parallel to the shower bracket. Drop shelf  801  can have a plurality of hooks  805  attached to the axially extending spine  803  to prevent movement, such as rotation, when the drop shelf  801  is connected to shelf  230 . Plexiglass or a white plastic backer with a flexible edge can be used to close a gap between an end wall and a shower curtain. 
     In another embodiment, the drop shelf  801  can have additional brackets which extend and contact the floor or the ledge of the tub or any other lip of a shower stall to add additional bracing to the drop shelf  801 . 
       FIG.  10    shows a bracket of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment, a shower bracket  400  comprises a plate  401  having a front face  403 , a back face  405  (not shown), a bottom surface  409 , a truncated first side surface  413  at a first end  420  perpendicular to the bottom surface  409 , a second side surface  415  at a second end  422  opposite the first truncated side surface  413 , perpendicular to the bottom surface  409 , and a top surface  449  connected to the first side surface  413  by a perpendicular median wall  470  and a top platform  460 . The perpendicular median wall  470  has an upper end  470   a , forming part of the top surface  449 , and a lower end  470   b . The tops surface  449  is also connected to the second side surface  415  through a diagonal portion  433 . 
     The front face  403  also includes a first channel  451  adjacent to the median wall  470  and intersecting the top surface  449  extending a length from top surface  449  to an end point  499  parallel to the top platform  460 . The end point  499  of the first channel  451  does not intersect with the bottom surface  409 . A second channel  453  is adjacent to the second side wall  415  and extends from the diagonal portion  433  to an end point  497  in parallel with the first channel  451 . The end point  497  of the second channel  453  is preferably aligned with end point  499  of the first channel  451 . 
     The shower bracket  400  also includes a first u-shaped slot  427  that is defined by the truncated first side surface  413  at the first end  420 , a truncated radially extending divider wall  425 , and a rounded wall  427   b . A second u-shaped slot  429  is defined by the median wall  470 , a rounded wall  429   b , and the truncated radially extending divider wall  425 . 
     It should be noted that while the first u-shaped slot  427  and the second u-shaped slots  429  are shown as being on the right side of the median wall  470  in  FIG.  10   , however, the first u-shaped slot  427  and the second u-shaped slots  429  can also be present on the left side of the median wall  470  of the plate  400   b  as shown in  FIG.  11   , in a mirror image. 
       FIGS.  12 - 14    show the shower system of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a shower system  500  comprises a first shower bracket  400   a , a second shower bracket  400   b , a mirror image of the first shower bracket  400   a , whereby the first shower bracket and the second shower bracket  400   a ,  400   b  preferably include the features of shower bracket  400 . The shower system  500  further comprises fasteners  10   a - 10   d , a shelf  230 , a first cylindrical rod  250  and a second cylindrical rod  260 . The shelf  230  is preferably J-shaped with a lip  230   c  and longitudinally extends from the first end  230   a  to a second end  230   b . The first cylindrical rod  250  longitudinally extends from a first end  250   a  to a second end  250   b . The second cylindrical rod  260  longitudinally extends from a first end  260   a  to a second end  260   b.    
     The first end  230   a  of longitudinally extending bar Z 0  is received within the second channel  453  and the longitudinally extending bar Z 1  of the first end  230   a  of J-shaped shelf  230  is received within the first channel  451  of the first shower bracket  400   a . The second end  230   b  of the longitudinally extending bar Z 0  is received within the second channel  453  and the and the longitudinally extending bar Z 1  of the first end  230   a  of J-shaped shelf  230  is received within the first channel  451  of the second shower bracket  400   b.    
     The first end  260   a  of the first cylindrical rod  260  is received within the first u-shaped slot  427  of the first shower bracket  400   a . The second end  260   b  of the first cylindrical rod  260  is received within the first u-shaped slot  427  of the second shower bracket  400   b . The first end  250   a  of the second cylindrical rod  250  is received within the second u-shaped slot  429  of the first shower bracket  400   a , and the second end  250   b  is received within the second u-shaped slot  429  of the second shower bracket  400   b.    
     In another embodiment (not shown in the Figures), the shower system  500  has a second shelf  240 , longitudinally extending, having a first end  240   a  and a second end  240   b . The first end  240   a  is received onto the platform  460  of the first shower bracket  400   a , and the second end  240   b  is received onto the platform  460  of the second shower bracket  400   b.    
       FIGS.  15 - 16    show a bracket of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment, a shower bracket  900  comprises a plate  901  having a front face  903 , a back face  905  (not shown), and shaped to have a perimeter with a bottom surface  909 , a first side surface  913   a  at a first end  920  perpendicular to the bottom surface  909 , a second side surface  915   a  at a second end  922  opposite the first side surface  913   a , perpendicular to the bottom surface  909 , and a top surface  902  connected to the first side surface  913   a  and the second side surface  915   a . Between the first side surface  913   a  and the top surface  902  is a first diagonal top portion  931  and between the second side surface  913   a  and the top surface  902  is a second diagonal top portion  933 . The top surface  902  can include a middle flat top portion  902   a  connected to the first diagonal top portion  931  and the second diagonal top portion  933 . 
     A sectioner  907  is mounted to the front face  903  of the plate  901  with the sectioner  907  having a bottom wall  917 , aligned with the bottom surface  909  of the plate  901 , connected to the first side wall  913  of the sectioner  907  aligned with the first side surface  913   a  of the plate  901  and a second side wall  915  aligned the second side surface  915   a  of the plate  901 . The first side wall  913  has an exposed outer surface  913   b , and an inner surface  913   c , and the second side wall  915  has an exposed surface  915   b . The bottom wall  917  has an exposed outer surface  917   a  and extends longitudinally from the first end  920  to a channel  990  adjacent to the second end  922  of the plate  901 . A radially extending divider wall  919 , proximate to the channel  990 , extends radially from the bottom wall  917  of the sectioner  907  and has an exposed surface  919   a . The sectioner  907  also has a horizontal wall  980 , perpendicular to the radially extending divider wall  919  and parallel to the bottom surface  909  of the plate  901  with a top surface  980   a  and a bottom surface  980   b.    
     In this embodiment, a first recess  921  is defined by the front face of the plate  903 , the bottom wall  917  of the sectioner  907 , and a first inner surface  919   b  of the radially extending divider wall  919 . A second recess  923  is defined by the front face  903  of the plate  901 , the top surface  980   a  of the horizontal wall  980 , and the second inner surface  919   c  of the radially extending divider wall  919 , adjacent to and perpendicular with the top surface  980   a . A third recess  960  is defined by the front face  903  of the plate  901 , the radially extending divider wall  919 , channel  990 , a first rounded aperture  965 , a second rounded aperture  970 , and the bottom surface  980   b  of the horizontal wall  980 . The first rounded aperture  965  is defined by the radially extending divider wall  919 , the channel  990 , and the bottom surface  980   b  of the horizontal wall  980 . The second rounded aperture  970  is defined by the bottom surface  980   b  of the horizontal wall  980 , the channel  990 , and the second side surface  915 . 
     While the first recess  921  is shown on the left side of the radially extending divider wall  919  of the sectioner  907  and the second recess  923  and the third recess  960  are shown on the right side of the radially extending divider  919 , this can be reversed, with the second and third recesses  923 ,  960  on the left side of radially extending divider wall  919  and the first recess  921  on the right side of the radially extending divider wall  919 , as shown in  FIG.  16   —see plate  900   b.    
       FIG.  17    shows a shower system of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the shower system  1000  comprises a first shower bracket  900   a , a second shower bracket  900   b , a mirror image of the first shower bracket  900   a , whereby the first shower bracket and second shower bracket  900   a ,  900   b  preferably include the features of shower bracket  900 . The shower system  1000  further comprises fasteners  10   a - 10   d , a first shelf  230 , a second shelf  240 , a first cylindrical rod  250  and a second cylindrical rod  260 . The first shelf  230  longitudinally extends from a first end  230   a  to a second end  230   b  and is preferably J-shaped with a lip  230   c . Similarly the second shelf  240  longitudinally extends from a first end  240   a  to a second end  240   b  and is also L-shaped. The first cylindrical rod  250 , as shown in  FIG.  7   , longitudinally extends from a first end  250   a  to a second end  250   b . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the second cylindrical rod  260  longitudinally extends from a first end  260   a  to a second end  260   b.    
     In an embodiment, the first end  230   a  of the first shelf  230  is inserted into the first recess  921  and received on the inner wall  917   b  of the first shower bracket  900   a , with the lip  230   c  being adjacent the first side surface  913   a  of the sectioner  907 . The second end  230   b , of the first shelf  230 , is inserted into the first recess  921  and received on the inner wall  917   b  of the second shower bracket  900   b  with the lip  230   c  being adjacent the first side surface  913   a  of the sectioner  907 . The first end  240   a  of the second shelf  240  is received onto the top surface  980   a  of the horizontal wall  980  of the first shower bracket  900   a . The second end  240   b , of the second shelf  240 , is received on the top surface  980   a  of the horizontal wall  980  of the second shower bracket  900   b.    
     In this embodiment, the shower system  1000  further includes the first end  250   a  of the first cylindrical rod  250  received in a first rounded aperture  965  of the first shower bracket  900   a . The second end  250   b  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received in the first rounded aperture  965  of the second shower bracket  900   b . The first end  260   a  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received in the second rounded aperture  970  of the first shower bracket  900   a , and the second end  260   b  is received in the second rounded aperture  970  of the second shower bracket  900   b . It should be noted that the ends  250   a ,  250   b ,  260   a ,  260   b  can pass through the channel  990  prior to being inserted into the first rounded aperture  965  or the second rounded aperture  970 . In this embodiment, shower system  1000 , through the first recess  921 , second recess  923 , the third recess  960 , and channel  990  enables independent assembly, or removal, of any of the longitudinal shelves  230 ,  240 , or the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260 . 
       FIG.  18    shows a bracket of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this embodiment, a shower bracket  1100  comprises a plate  1101  having a front face  1103 , a back face  1105  (not shown), and shaped to have an outer perimeter with a bottom surface  1109 , a first side surface  1113   b  at a first end  1120  perpendicular to the bottom surface  1109 , a second side surface  1115   b  at a second end  1122 . Between the first side surface  1113   b  and the top surface  1102  is a first diagonal portion  1131  and between the second side surface  1115   b  and the top surface  1102  is a second diagonal portion  1133 . The top surface  1102  can include a middle flat top portion connected to the first diagonal top portion  1131  and the second diagonal top portion  1133 . 
     A sectioner  1107  is mounted to the front face  1103  of the plate  1101 . The sectioner  1107  has a longitudinally extending divider wall  1160  that extends from the first side surface  1113   b , of the first side wall  1113 , to the second side surface  1115   b , of the second side wall  1115 . The longitudinally extending divider wall  1160  has top surface  1160   a , a bottom surface  1160   b , and an outer surface  1160   c . The first sectioner wall  1113  and the divider wall  1160  define a first retaining shoulder  1136  and the second sectioner wall  1115  and the divider wall  1160  define a second retaining shoulder  1137 . 
     The first recess  1121  of the shower bracket  1100  is defined by the front face  1103  of the plate  1101 , the first retaining shoulder  1136  at the first side surface  1113   b , and the second retaining shoulder  1137  at the second side surface  1115   b  of the longitudinally extending divider wall  1160 . 
     The first sectioner wall  1113   c  extends towards and is partially aligned with the bottom surface  1109  of the plate  1100 , defining a c-shaped arcuate  1130 . The second sectioner wall  1115   c  extends towards and is partially aligned with the bottom surface  1109  of the plate  1100 , defining a j-shaped arcuate  1150  (mirror image c-shaped arcuate). Between the c-shaped arcuate  1130  and the j-shaped arcuate  1150 , aligned with the bottom surface  1109  of the plate  100  is a u-shaped arcuate  1140 . Between the c-shaped arcuate  1130  and the u-shaped arcuate  1140  of the sectioner  1107  is a first channel  1135 . Between the u-shaped arcuate  1140  and the j-shaped arcuate  1150  of the sectioner  1107  is a second channel  1180 . 
     The c-shaped arcuate  1130  is further defined by a shoulder  1132 , a rounded bottom  1130   b , and an exposed outer surface  1130   a . The first channel  1135  is further defined by a wall  1135   a  of the c-shaped arcuate  1130  and wall  1135   b  of the u-shaped arcuate  1140 . The u-shaped arcuate  1140  is further defined by shoulders  1134 ,  1136 , a rounded bottom  1140   b , and an outer facing surface  1140   a . The second channel  1180  is further defined by a wall  1180   a  of the u-shaped arcuate  1140  and a wall  1180   b  of the j-shaped arcuate  1150 . The j-shaped arcuate  1150  is further defined by a shoulder  1142 , a rounded bottom  1150   b , and an outer surface  1150   a.    
     A bottom or second recess  1170  is defined by the bottom surface  1160   b  of the divider wall  1160 , the c-shaped arcuate  1130 , the first channel  1135 , the u-shaped arcuate  1140 , the second channel  1180 , and the j-shaped arcuate  1150 . 
     The first recess  1121  receives a shelf  230 ,  240  and the second recess  1170  receives cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  which can seat in c-shaped arcuate  1130 , u-shaped arcuate  1140  and j-shaped arcuate  1150  by passing through channels  1135 ,  1180 . 
       FIG.  22    shows a shower bracket  2200  of another embodiment. In this embodiment, the plate  2201  has a front face  2203 , a back face  2205 , a bottom surface  2209 , a first side surface  2211   a  connected to the bottom surface  2209 , a second side surface  2211   c  connected to the bottom surface  2209  and opposite the first side surface  2211   a  and a top surface  2202 . Between the first side surface  2211   a  and the top surface  2202  is a first diagonal top portion  2231  and between the second side surface  2211   c  and the top surface  2202  is a second diagonal top portion  2232 . 
     A sectioner  2207  is mounted to the front face  2203  of the plate  2201 . The sectioner  2207  has a first side wall  2213  having an outer surface  2213   a , a top outer surface  2213   b , an inner surface  2213   c  and an exposed outer surface  2213   d , and a second side wall  2215  with a top outer surface  2215   d . A bottom wall  2217  of the sectioner  2207  including an inner wall  2217   b , an exposed outer surface  2217   a , and the bottom wall  2217  extends longitudinally from the first side surface  2211   a  to the second side surface  2211   c  of the plate  2201 . The first side surface  2211   a  has an exposed outer surface  2213   a  and the second side surface  2211   b  has a radially extending wall  2215   b  with an exposed outer surface. Extending from the inner wall  2217   b  of bottom wall  2217  of the sectioner  2207  is the radially extending wall  2215   b.    
     In this embodiment, a first recess  2221  is defined by the front face  2203  of the plate  2201 , the bottom wall  2217  of the sectioner  2207 , the inner surface  2213   c  of the first side wall  2213  of the sectioner  2207  and the radially extending wall  2215   b  of the sectioner  2207 . A second recess  2230  and a third recess  2232  is defined by the top outer surface  2215   d  of the sectioner  2207 . 
     While the first recess  2221  is shown on the left side, adjacent the first side surface  2211   a , the first recess  2221  can also be located on the right side adjacent the radially extending wall  2215 . 
     In a shower system of an embodiment, a first shower bracket and a second shower bracket, which is a mirror image of the first shower bracket is mounted to the walls  30  of the shower opposite each other by fasteners  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d . The fasteners can be any one of or a combination of concrete screws, drywall screws, wooden screws, sheet metal screws, machine screws, collated screws, framing nails, finishing nails, box nails, common nails, brad nails, siding nails, flooring nails, joist hanger nails with masonry anchors, concrete anchors, drywall anchors, rivets, inserts, and retaining rings. 
     In this embodiment, the first shower bracket and the second shower bracket is bracket  2201 . As in  FIGS.  4 - 7  and  9   , the shower system further comprises fasteners  10   a - 10   d , a first shelf  230 , a first cylindrical rod  250  and a second cylindrical rod  260 . The first shelf  230  longitudinally extends from a first end  230   a  to a second end  230   b  and is preferably J-shaped with a lip  230   c . The first cylindrical rod  250  longitudinally extends from a first end  250   a  to a second end  250   b . The second cylindrical rod  260  longitudinally extends from a first end  260   a  to a second end  260   b.    
     In an embodiment, the first end  230   a  of the first shelf  230  is inserted into the first recess  2221  and received on the radially extending wall  2215   b  of the first shower bracket, with the lip  230   c  being adjacent the first side wall  2213  of the sectioner  2207 . The second end  230   b  of the first shelf  230  is inserted into the first recess  2221  and received on the radially extending wall  2215   b  of the second shower bracket, with the lip  230   c  being adjacent the first side wall  2213  of the sectioner  2207 . 
     In this embodiment, the shower system further includes the first end  250   a , of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received into the second recess  2230  of the first shower bracket and the second end  250   b  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received into the second recess  2230  of the second shower bracket. The first end  260   a  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received into the third recess  2232  of the first shower bracket  100   a  and the second end  260   b  is received into the third recess  2232  of the second shower bracket  100   b . In this embodiment, both the first cylindrical rod  250  and the second cylindrical rod  260  are preferably telescoping rods that include a tensioning means within the rod. The first and second cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  as well as the first shelf  230  are independently removeable from the shower brackets  2201 . 
     The first shelf  230  may be a wet shelf, a wire shelf, an upper shelf, a lower shelf, cabinets, a drop down shelf, or a dry shelf. 
     The cylindrical rods  250  and  260  may be a single bar, a double swing bar, a two-arm swivel bar, a miniature bar, a double metal bar, a wire bar, a wooden bar, an electric heated bar, a shower curtain bar. 
     A drop down shelf  801  can be attached to the first shelf  230 . 
     Alternatively, the shower bracket  2201  can be paired with any of the other shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100  of other embodiments. 
     For example, with the first shower bracket  2201  and the second shower bracket  100  in a shower system, the first end  230   a  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first recess  2221  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  230   b  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first recess  21  of the second shower bracket  100 . The first end  250   a  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received within the second recess  2230  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  250   b  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received by the first U-shaped slot  27  of the second shower bracket  100 . The first end  260   a  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the third recess  2232  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  260   b  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the second U-shaped slot  29  of the second shower bracket  100 . 
     In another example, with the first shower bracket  2201  and the second shower bracket  400 , in a shower system, the first end  230   a  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first recess  2221  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  230   b  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first and second channels  451 ,  453  of the second shower bracket  400 . The first end  250   a  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received within the second recess  2230  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  250   b  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received by the first U-shaped slot  427  of the second shower bracket  100 . The first end  260   a  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the third recess  2232  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  260   b  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the second U-shaped slot  429  of the second shower bracket  100 . 
     In another example, with the first shower bracket  2201  and the second shower bracket  900  in a shower system, the first end  230   a  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first recess  2221  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  230   b  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first recess  921  of the second shower bracket  900 . The first end  250   a  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received within the second recess  2230  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  250   b  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received by the first rounded aperture  965  of the second shower bracket  900 . The first end  260   a  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the third recess  2232  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  260   b  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the second rounded aperture  970  of the second shower bracket  900 . 
     In yet another example, with the first shower bracket  2201  and the second shower bracket  1100  in a shower system, the first end  230   a  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first recess  2221  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  230   b  of the first shelf  230  is received by the first recess  1121  of the second shower bracket  1100 . The first end  250   a  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received within the second recess  2230  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  250   b  of the first cylindrical rod  250  is received by the c-shaped arcuate  1130  of the second shower bracket  900 . The first end  260   a  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the third recess  2232  of the first shower bracket  2201  and the second end  260   b  of the second cylindrical rod  260  is received within the u-shaped arcuate  1140  of the second shower bracket  900 . 
     Because one of the shower brackets  2201  contains second and third recesses  2230 ,  2232  and the other bracket  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100  have a slot in which the end of a cylindrical rod can pass through, both telescoping and rigid rods can be used as either or both of the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260 . 
     The shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100 ,  2200  may be created by injection molding or an extrusion process. The shower bracket  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100 ,  2200  may be machined, forged, molded, formed or otherwise manufactured from plastic, metal, wood or other materials or combinations of materials. 
     In an embodiment, the shelves  230 ,  240  may be a wet shelf made of wireframe material for the shelf to allow water to drain into the tub or shower stall. The wireframe may be of perforated stainless steel, aluminum or other such material. The wet shelf must be stiff enough to span the distance between mounting brackets and support the applied loads without collapsing or otherwise deforming. It is also desirable to have a backstop to prevent articles from falling out off the shelf towards the dry shower floor. A short front lip aids in stiffening the front of the wet shelf and prevent items from falling into the tub or shower stall without hampering user accessibility. For these reasons the preferred cross-sectional shape of the wet shelf made of a drainable light-weight wireframe is that of a “J” shape or L-shaped with a lip. 
     The shape of the wet shelf allows for use of readily available wireframe closet shelving modified to provide a back stop and to provide the rigidity necessary to bridge between the shower brackets of the shower systems. The standard wire shelving can be cut without concern of wire spacing. The lip that is standard on the stock wire shelving is designed to extend downward in the typical installation. The lip faces upward and forms the short front stop on the wet shelf. 
     It is also preferable to position the wet shelf such that the wet shelf is completely located on the bath, or shower side, of the curtain rod to allow for wet articles to shed water without wetting the floor outside the tub or shower stall. The shower system may include an additional drop shelf  801 , as shown in  FIG.  8   , attached, or otherwise integrated into the shower system, to the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  or shelves  230 ,  240 . 
     The shelves  230 ,  240  may be a dry shelf. The dry shelf must be rigid enough to span the distance between the shower brackets and support the weight of articles placed upon the dry shelf. The dry shelf may be desirable for aesthetics as well as concealing the appearance of the wireframe wet shelf and curtain hangers. 
     In an embodiment, the shelves  230 ,  240  may be a single structure with an integral separating wall. One side of the wall may be a wet shelf as described above, while the other side of the structure may be a dry shelf as described above. In this embodiment, the shelf structures may be canted, with a short front lip, or flat without a lip. 
     In another embodiment, shower system  200 ,  500 , and  1000  can be comprised of shelves  230 ,  240 , being back-to-back. The interface between the back of the shelves  230 ,  240  is the boundary between the wet environment inside the shower tub, and the dry environment, opposite the wet environment. In this embodiment, the wet and dry environments are separated by a vapor barrier (not shown) that is attached to a cylindrical rod  250 ,  260  located below the shelves  230 ,  240 . In an example, shelf  230 , facing the wet environment, is perforated to allow moisture from one or more items located on the shelves  230 ,  240 , to drain into the wet environment without affecting the dry environment. 
     The shower bracket  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100 ,  2200  of the shower systems, space the various components to allow for clearance around the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  to allow curtain hangers to slide without interference. In an embodiment, cylindrical rod  250  is shower curtain bar and cylindrical rod  260  is a towel bar. The towel bar must also have adequate clearance to allow for the user to push a towel through the towel bar by hand. 
     The shower bracket  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100  of the shower systems, restrict movement of the supported cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  or shelves  230 ,  240  except for upward movement. Gravity and friction maintain the components of the shower systems in the desired positions of the slots or recesses of the shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100 . No fasteners are used to restrain the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  and shelves  230 ,  240 , allowing for ease of assembly, disassembly for cleaning, or replacement etc. 
     The cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  and shelves  230 ,  240  are each independent of other cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  and shelves  230 ,  240 . The cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  and shelves  230 ,  240  are fully supported by the shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100 ,  2200  of the shower systems. A user may utilize a plurality of cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  and a plurality of shelves  230 ,  240  mounted on the shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100  of the shower systems, or eliminate any of the aforementioned cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  or shelves  230 ,  240  without impacting the performance of the remaining cylindrical  250 ,  260  rods or shelves  230 ,  240 . 
     The recesses,  21 ,  23 ,  921 ,  923 ,  1121  or u-shaped slots  27 ,  29 ,  427 ,  429 , the first rounded aperture  965 , the second rounded aperture  970 , c-shaped arcuate  1130 , j-shaped arcuate  1150 , and u-shaped arcuate  1140 , in a shower bracket of an embodiment of the present invention, receiving shelves  230 ,  240  or cylindrical rods  250 ,  260 , independently allow for insertion or removal of any shelves  230 ,  240  or cylindrical rod  250 ,  260  without needing to remove any other item. The independence, and independent manipulation, of the shelves  230 ,  240  and cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  is convenient for cleaning of an individual component or changing the curtain. 
     It is possible that the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  will experience some inadvertent movements. To prevent dislodgement, the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  may be retained via a simple spacer that would slip or snap into the u-shaped slots  27 ,  29 ,  427 ,  429 , the first rounded aperture  965 , the second rounded aperture  970 , c-shaped arcuate  1130 , j-shaped arcuate  1150 , and u-shaped arcuate  1140  between the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260 . Another retaining means would be a simple clip consisting of two tight slots that would snap over both cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  simultaneously and fixing the position of the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  relative to the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  once the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  are received in the shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100 . The clips may be installed or removed by pushing the clips on, or off, with a sufficient force, whereby the sufficiency of force is that force which is needed to connect, or disconnect, the clip to the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260 . Additionally, the clips can be used with the second and third recesses  2230 ,  2232  of shower bracket  2200 . 
       FIGS.  19 - 21    show multiple embodiments of a clip  1903 ,  2003 , and  2103 , that prevents the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  from experiencing movement and dislodgement. The clips  1903 ,  2003 ,  2103  are preferably made of a rigid material. 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIG.  19   , the clip  1903  has a round hole  1907  at one end and a slot  1905  at the other end of the clip  1903 . The clip  1903 , through round hole  1907 , receives the first end of cylindrical rod  250  and a snap action slot  1905  on the other end of clip  1903  receives the first end of cylindrical rod  260 . The cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  are also secured at the second end by another clip  1903 ,  2003 , or  2103 . The clip  1903  simultaneously secures both cylindrical rod  250  and  260  and prevents movement of the rods in the shower bracket  900 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG.  20   , the clip  2003  is T-shaped with a first rounded surface aligned  2004  with the first aperture  965  and a second rounded surface  2005  aligned with the second aperture  970 , below the horizontal portion of the “T”. The vertical portion of the “T” is received within the channel  990 . The clip  2003  additionally has an optional bore  2007  to receive a fastener to mount the clip  2003  to channel  990 . A tab  2013  is used to dislodge the clip  2003  from the channel  990  of the shower bracket  900 . The clip  2003  provides a slidable means of affixing a retainer to the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  to prevent movement or dislodgement. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG.  21   , the clip  2103  has a hole  2107  which is slidably received by the ends of the cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  and is then snapped onto the shower bracket  900  via lip hook  2109 . The lip hook  2109  of clip  2103  connects the clip  2103  to the shower bracket  900  by the lip  2111  engaging the first aperture  965  and channel  990 , or the second aperture  970  and the channel  990 . Clip  2103  may have a tab  2113  that a user may apply a pulling or pushing force to help dislodge the clip  2103  from shower bracket  900 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, the shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100  can be sized to contain four, five, or six u-shaped slots for cylindrical rods  250 ,  260  beyond the embodiments discussed in the specification. Additionally recesses can be added to the shower bracket  2200 . Similarly, multiple grooves beyond  21 ,  23 ,  921 ,  923 , and  1121  may be created through the addition of shoulders similar to retaining shoulders  35  and  37 . The additional shoulders, similar to retaining shoulders  35  and  37  may be added into the radially extending divider walls  19 ,  919  such that the bracket  100  can support a plurality of shelves. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. In another example, shower brackets  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1100 ,  2200  are interchangeable such that the shower system  200 ,  500 , and  1000  can be comprised of shower brackets that are not mirror images. The first side of a wall may be shower bracket  100  while the opposite side of the wall may be shower bracket  100 ,  400 ,  900 ,  1000 , or  2200 . 
     The shower system may be installed in any shower stall, bathtub or shower opening containing at least two walls. In a first step, a shower bracket of any of the above discussed embodiments is fastened to the two walls opposite each other, such that at least the first recess in each of the shower brackets is aligned or the first recess of the first shower bracket is aligned with the first and second channels. Next, a first end of a first shelf is received by the first recess or the first and second channels of the first bracket and the second end of the shelf is received by the first recess or the first and second channels of the second bracket. Then, a first end of the first cylindrical rod is received by the first bracket. If the first bracket has a slot, the first end of the cylindrical rod is received within the slot and then seats in the aperture. If the first bracket has a recess, the first end of the cylindrical rod receives the first end. A second end of the first cylindrical rod is received by the recess or apertures of the second shower bracket. The steps associated with the first cylindrical rod was repeated for the second cylindrical rod. Optionally a clip can be inserted after any of the ends of the cylindrical rods are received by the apertures or recesses. Another shelf can optionally be received by first and second brackets.