Patent Publication Number: US-2011047693-A1

Title: Shower rod

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a shower rod and, more particularly, to a curved shower rod. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Curved shower rods are often used because they provide more room in a bathtub/shower enclosure than straight shower rods. Due to their shape, curved shower rods are more difficult to handle than straight shower rods and require significantly larger packaging than straight shower rods. As a result, curved shower rods are significantly more expensive to handle, package, and ship than straight shower rods. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a shower rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the shower rod includes a flexible hollow tube. The tube is operable to be bent into a curved shape. The shower rod further includes a flexible support. The support is operable to be disposed in the tube and bent into a curved shape. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the shower rod includes a flexible hollow tube. The tube has a pair of ends. The tube is generally straight in a pre-installed state and generally curved in an installed state. The shower rod further includes a flexible support. The support is operable to be disposed in the tube. The support is generally straight in a pre-installed state and generally curved in an installed state. The shower rod further includes a pair of brackets. Each bracket is operable to be attached to one end of the tube and to a supporting surface in an installed state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  are views of a shower rod in an installed state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention— FIG. 1A  is a perspective view,  FIG. 1B  is a front elevational view, and  FIG. 1C  is a top plan view; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  are views of an exemplary embodiment of a tube for use in the shower rod of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C— FIG. 2A  is a front elevational view,  FIG. 2B  is a top plan view, and  FIG. 2C  is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line  2 C- 2 C in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are views of an exemplary embodiment of a support for use in the shower rod of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C— FIG. 3A  is a front elevational view,  FIG. 3B  is a top plan view, and  FIG. 3C  is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line  3 C- 3 C in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  are views of an exemplary embodiment of a bracket for use in the shower rod of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C— FIG. 4A  is an enlarged front elevational view,  FIG. 4B  is an enlarged rear elevational view,  FIG. 4C  is an enlarged left side elevational view, and  FIG. 4D  is an enlarged top plan view; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are views of the shower rod of  FIGS. 1A-1C  in an assembled, but uninstalled, state— FIG. 5A  is a front elevational view,  FIG. 5B  is a top plan view, and  FIG. 5C  is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line  5 C- 5 C in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  are views of a shower rod according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention— FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the shower rod in a partially assembled, but uninstalled, state and  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the shower rod in a completely assembled, but uninstalled, state; and 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  are views of exemplary embodiments of a support and a connector for use in the shower rod of FIGS.  6 A- 6 B— FIG. 7A  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the support and the connector in an assembled, but uninstalled, state and  FIG. 7B  is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view of the support and the connector of  FIG. 7A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a shower rod. An exemplary embodiment of a shower rod  10  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . The shower rod  10  includes a flexible tube  12 , a flexible support  14  disposed in the tube  12 , and a pair of brackets  16  attached to the tube  12 . 
     The tube  12  is operable to be bent into a curved shape. The tube  12  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 2A-2C . The tube  12  has sides  18  extending between ends  20 . The tube  12  has a length x t . Additionally, the tube  12  has a first width y t1  and a second width y t2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first width y t1  of the tube  12  is greater than the second width y t2  of the tube  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first width y t1  of the tube  12  is substantially greater than the second width y t2  of the tube  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, the tube  12  is hollow and has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube  12  is hollow and has a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape. However, the tube  12  could have other shapes, including, but not limited to, a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and a generally circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube  12  has a generally constant cross-sectional shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube  12  is plastic. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube  12  is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). In an exemplary embodiment, the tube  12  is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, the tube  12  could be manufactured from other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube  12  is a unitary component. However, the tube  12  could include multiple portions assembled together to form the tube  12  (as will be described in greater detail below). 
     The support  14  is operable to be bent into a curved shape. The support  14  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 3A-3C . The support  14  has sides  22  extending between ends  24 . The support  14  has a length x s . Additionally, the support  14  has a first width y s1  and a second width y s2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first width y s1  of the support  14  is greater than the second width y s2  of the support  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first width y s1  of the support  14  is substantially greater than the second width y s2  of the support  14 . In an exemplary embodiment, the support  14  is solid and has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the support  14  is solid and has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, the support  14  could have other shapes, including, but not limited to, a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape and a generally circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the support  14  has a generally constant cross-sectional shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the support  14  is metal. In an exemplary embodiment, the support  14  is steel. In an exemplary embodiment, the support  14  is carbon steel 1010. However, the support  14  could be manufactured from other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the support  14  is a unitary component. However, the support  14  could include multiple portions assembled together to form the support  14  (as will be described in greater detail below). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the length x s  of the support  14  is less than the length x t  of the tube  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first width y s1  of the support  14  is less than the first width y t1  of the tube  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, the second width y s2  of the support  14  is less than the second width y t2  of the tube  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second width y s2  of the support  14  is substantially less than the second width y t2  of the tube  12 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the tube  12  includes a pair of generally C-shaped channels  26  extending along an interior of the sides  18  of the tube  12 . Each channel  26  is operable to receive one side  22  of the support  14 . However, the tube  12  could include other structure for receiving the sides  22  of the support  14 . Moreover, the tube  12  may not include any structure for specifically receiving the sides  22  of the support  14  and the fit between the tube  12  and the support  14  could retain the support  14  in the tube  12 . 
     Each bracket  16  is operable to be attached to one end  20  of the tube  12 . Additionally, each bracket  16  is operable to be attached to one of two opposed supporting surfaces, such as opposed walls of a bathroom or a shower/tub enclosure. The bracket  16  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 4A-4D . In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  16  includes a base portion  28  and a raised portion  30 . The raised portion  30  has an angled end  32 . The angled end  32  enables the base portion  28  to be attached to the supporting surface with the base portion  28  parallel to the supporting surface and the angled end  32  parallel to the end  20  of the tube  12 . However, the raised portion  30  of the bracket  16  could have a straight end and the tube  12  could have an angled end. Moreover, the bracket  16  may not include any raised portion and the tube  12  could have an angled end that abuts the base portion  28  of the bracket  16 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  16  includes a first pair of openings  34  and a second pair of openings  36 . The openings  34  enable the bracket  16  to be attached to one end  20  of the tube  12  using screws (not shown) that extend through the openings  34  and into the channels  26  in the tube  12 . The openings  36  enable the bracket  16  to be attached to the supporting surface using screws (not shown) that extend through the openings  26  and into the supporting surface. However, any attachment mechanism sufficient to attach the bracket  16  to one end  20  of the tube  12  and the bracket  16  to the supporting surface could be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket  16  has a non-circular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  16  has a generally elliptical shape. However, the bracket  16  could have other shapes, including, but not limited to, a generally rectangular shape and a generally circular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  16  is a unitary component. However, the bracket  16  could include multiple portions assembled together to form the bracket  16 . 
     Prior to being assembled, the tube  12  and the support  14  are generally straight. To assemble the shower rod  10 , the support  14  is completely disposed in the tube  12 . More specifically, one side  22  of the support  14  is inserted into each channel  26  of the tube  12  and the support  14  is slid into the tube  12  until the support  14  is completely disposed in the tube  12 . Each bracket  16  is then attached to one end  20  of the tube  12 . The shower rod  10  is now assembled. After being assembled, the tube  12  and the support  14  are still generally straight. A length of the assembled shower rod  10  is greater than a distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the assembled shower rod  10  will be installed. The assembled shower rod  10  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 5A-5C . 
     The assembled shower rod  10  (including the tube  12  with the support  14  completely disposed therein and the brackets  16  attached thereto) is next attached to the opposed supporting surfaces. First, one bracket  16  is attached to one supporting surface. The shower rod  10  is then bent so that the other bracket  16  can be attached to the opposed supporting surface. The shower rod  10  is now installed. After being installed, the tube  12  and the support  14  are generally curved. A length of the installed shower rod  10  is less than the distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the shower rod  10  has been installed. The installed shower rod  10  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
     Another exemplary embodiment of a shower rod  100  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 6-7 . The shower rod  100  includes a flexible tube  120 , a flexible support  140  disposed in the tube  120 , a pair of brackets  160  attached to the tube  120 , and a connector  380  connecting portions of the tube  120  and the support  140 . 
     The tube  120  is similar to the tube  12  described above. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the tube  120  includes a first tube portion  120 A and a second tube portion  120 B (whereas the tube  12  is a unitary component). The tube  120  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
     The support  140  is similar to the support  14  described above. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the support  140  includes a first support portion  140 A and a second support portion  140 B (whereas the support  14  is a unitary component). The support  140  is shown in detail in FIGS.  6 A and  7 A- 7 B. 
     The bracket  160  is the same as the bracket  16  described above. The bracket  160  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
     The connector  380  is operable to connect the first tube portion  120 A to the second tube portion  120 B to form the tube  120 . Additionally, the connector  380  is operable to connect the first support portion  140 A to the second support portion  140 B to form the support  140 . The connector  380  is shown in detail in FIGS.  6 A and  7 A- 7 B. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector  380  includes a first connector portion  380 A and a second connector portion  380 B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connector portion  380 A is snap fit to the second connector portion  380 B with the first support portion  140 A and the second support portion  140 B pressed between the first connector portion  380 A and the second connector portion  380 B. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the first tube portion  120 A and the second tube portion  120 B are clearance fit over the first connector portion  380 A and the second connector portion  380 B. However, any connector sufficient to connect the first tube portion  120 A to the second tube portion  120 B and the first support portion  140 A to the second support portion  140 B could be used. 
     Prior to being assembled, the tube  120  and the support  140  are generally straight. To assemble the shower rod  100 , the first support portion  140 A is connected to the second support portion  140 B using the first connector portion  380 A and the second connector portion  380 B. The first support portion  140 A and the second support portion  140 B are then disposed in the first tube portion  120 A and the second tube portion  120 B. More specifically, the first support portion  140 A and the second support portion  140 B are slid into the first tube portion  120 A and the second tube portion  120 B, respectively, until the support  140  is disposed in the tube  120 . Each bracket  160  is then attached to one end of the tube  120 . The shower rod  100  is now assembled. After being assembled, the tube  120  and the support  140  are still generally straight. A length of the assembled shower rod  100  is greater than a distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the assembled shower rod  100  will be installed. The partially and completely assembled shower rod  100  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
     The assembled shower rod  100  (including the tube  120  with the support  140  disposed therein and the brackets  160  attached thereto) is next attached to the opposed supporting surfaces. First, one bracket  160  is attached to one supporting surface. The shower rod  100  is then bent so that the other bracket  160  can be attached to the opposed supporting surface. The shower rod  100  is now installed. After being installed, the tube  120  and the support  140  are generally curved. A length of the installed shower rod  100  is less than the distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the shower rod  100  has been installed. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the shower rod  100  shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , the tube  120  includes two tube portions  120 A and  120 B and the support  140  includes two support portions  140 A and  140 B. In other exemplary embodiments of the shower rod  100 , the tube  120  and the support  140  include three or more portions. Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment of the shower rod  100  shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , the connector  380  includes two connector portions  380 A and  380 B. In other exemplary embodiments of the shower rod  100 , the connector  380  is a unitary component or includes three or more portions. Further, in other exemplary embodiments of the shower rod  100 , a connector for the tube  120  is separate from a connector for the support  140 . 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that the present invention provides a shower rod including a flexible hollow tube and a flexible support operable to be disposed in the tube. The tube and the support are operable to be bent into a curved shape. In a pre-installed state, the tube and the support are generally straight. In an installed state, the tube and the support are generally curved. Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skill in the art upon reading and understanding this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the following claims in light of their full scope of equivalents.