BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to shower curtain rings for hanging a shower
curtain and, in particular, to a novel shower curtain ring construction which facilitates
the hanging and replacement of a shower curtain.
[0002] Generally, shower curtain rings have been used to hang shower curtains on a curtain
rod to prevent water from leaving a shower or bath enclosure. Heretofore, shower curtain
rings have been primarily of two closed designs. The first type of closed design is
a one-piece metal hook which only permits the displacement of the hook onto or away
from a shower curtain and curtain rod by exerting considerable pressure on two ends
of the metal hook. A second type of closed ring is an injection molded one-piece plastic
ring having an interlocking construction comprised of an elongated bayonet projection
that is received into an opening formed in the opposing portion of the ring. Both
of these types of shower curtain rings are less than completely satisfactory because
they are often difficult to engage and disengage from the shower curtain and the curtain
rod. Also, molded plastic rings are easily broken due to the force needed to open
the rings sufficiently for replacement and removal. Accordingly, an improved shower
curtain ring having a construction which facilitates replacement and removal of a
shower curtain is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, an improved shower
curtain ring is provided including elongated tubing having a first end and a second
end, the tubing having a substantially circular cross-section. A first connector is
secured within the first end of the elongated tubing and a second connector is secured
within the second end of the elongated tubing. The first connector and the second
connector are constructed and arranged to be releasably interconnected to each other
to form with the tubing an essentially circular shower curtain ring for supporting
a shower curtain and for facilitating the hanging or removal of a shower curtain from
a curtain rod. another embodiment, in accordance with the present invention, an elongated
tube is provided with a one-piece connector. The connector is adapted to be releasably
inserted into both ends of the tubing to form a shower curtain ring for supporting
the shower curtain and for facilitating the hanging and removal of a shower curtain.
[0004] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved closed
loop type shower curtain ring for facilitating the hanging of a shower curtain on
a curtain rod.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved multi-piece shower
curtain ring construction.
[0006] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved shower curtain
ring which facilitates the hanging of a shower curtain.
[0007] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will
in part be apparent from the specification.
[0008] The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of
elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter
set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a two-piece shower curtain ring constructed in accordance
with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the two-piece shower curtain ring depicted in FIG. 1
when hanging a shower curtain from a curtain rod;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a three-piece shower curtain ring construction in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the three-piece shower curtain ring depicted in FIG.
4 when hanging a shower curtain from a curtain rod; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Reference is made to FIGS. 1-3 wherein a two-piece shower curtain ring, generally
indicated at 10, is depicted. The shower curtain ring includes an elongated tubing
12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16 and a plastic connector, generally indicated
as 18.
[0011] Tubing 12 is formed of thermoplastic/polyvinyl chloride although other materials,
such as polyurethane, can be used. Moreover, by utilizing a scented polymer, the shower
curtain ring can be used to impart a pleasant scent to the bathroom enclosure. In
an exemplary embodiment, in order to be compatible with the eyelet size of most commercially
available shower curtains, the outer diameter of the tubing is 3/8", although this
also may vary.
[0012] Connector 18 includes a body 26 and a first arm 20 and a second arm 22 each projecting
from body 26. Body 26 includes two raised annular shoulders 25 and an annular recess
27 positioned between shoulders 25 so that the eyelet 29 of a shower curtain 19 can
be positioned in recess 28. The width of recess 27 should be sufficient to receive
a shower curtain therein. First arm 20 and second arm 22 have substantially circular
cross-sections approximating the inner diameter of tubing 12. First arm 20 and second
arm 22 each have a single annular notch 24, respectively, disposed therein. First
arm 20 and second arm 22 are adapted to be secured within first end 14 and second
end 16 of tubing 12 by a friction fit between the inner walls of the tubing and the
outer surface of arms 20 and 22. In a preferred embodiment, connector 18 is injection
molded from polypropylene. However, there are various materials, such as metal, plastic,
or polyurethane, which can be formed into the shape of and used as connector 18.
[0013] In operation, either first arm 20 or second arm 22 is inserted into one of the ends
of tubing 12. The shower curtain ring tubing 12 is then inserted into the eyelet 29
of a shower curtain 19 and wrapped around a curtain rod 23. Next, the free arm of
the connector 16 is inserted into the free end of the tubing to complete the shower
ring. When it is desired to remove the shower ring it is only necessary to remove
an arm from the end of the tubing.
[0014] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a three-piece shower curtain ring, generally indicated at 30,
like reference numerals being utilized to depict like elements described above. Shower
curtain ring 30 includes an elongated tubing 12 having a first end 14 and a second
end 16, a female connector 40 and a male connector 36. Male connector 36 is inserted
in second end 16 and female connector 40 is inserted in first end 14. Male connector
36 and female connector 40 can be made of metal, polypropylene, or the like.
[0015] Male connector 36 is formed with a body having a central portion 44 having a diameter
greater than the inner diameter of tubing 12. An arm 38 has a diameter less than the
inner diameter of tubing 12 forming a shoulder 46 with the larger diametered body
44. Arm 38 is formed with an annular recess 50 providing annular flanges 48 having
a truncated conical shape on arm 38. Flanges 48 have a diameter greater than or equal
to the inner diameter of tubing to form a friction fit with the inner surface of tubing
12. A post 42 extends from body central portion 44 and has a diameter less than central
portion 44.
[0016] A female connector 40 is disposed within tubing 12 at end 14. Female connector 40
is formed with an annular recess 54 providing annular flanges 56,58 forming truncated
cones having a diameter equal to or greater than the inner diameter of tubing 12 to
provide a friction fit with tubing 12. In an exemplary embodiment, an adhesive can
also be used to prevent connectors 36 and 40 from being disengaged from tubing 12.
[0017] Female connector 40 includes a blind hole 46 adapted to receive and secure, by way
of friction fit, post 42 of connector 36. By placing either connector 40 or connector
36 through an eyelet 29 of a shower curtain 19 and around a shower curtain rod, and
thereafter coupling post 42 of male connector 36 to female connector 40, an improved
releasable shower curtain ring is constructed for supporting a shower curtain around
the curtain rod.
[0018] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent
from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes
may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description
shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0019] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of
the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements
of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
1. A shower curtain ring, comprising:
an elongated tubing having a first end and a second end, said elongated tubing
having a substantially circular cross-section, and an inner diameter and an outer
diameter, said outer diameter greater than said inner diameter;
first connector means secured within said first end of said elongated tubing, and
second connector means secured within said second end of said elongated tubing; and
said first connector means and said second connector means constructed and arranged
to be releasably interconnected to form a shower curtain ring for supporting a shower
curtain.
2. A shower curtain ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first connector means includes
at least one truncated conical shape having a diameter equal to or greater than said
inner diameter of said elongated tubing.
3. A shower curtain ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second connector means includes
a truncated conical shape having a diameter thereof equal to or greater than said
inner diameter of said elongated tubing.
4. A shower curtain ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated tubing is thermoplastic/polyvinyl
chloride.
5. A shower curtain ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first interconnecting means
includes an opening and said second connector means includes a post adapted to be
releasably inserted in said opening.
6. A shower curtain ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first connector means and
said second connector means are each made from the group consisting of rubber, metal,
plastic or polyurethane.
7. A shower curtain ring, comprising:
an elongated tubing having a first end and a second end, said elongated tubing
having a substantially circular cross-section and an inner diameter and an outer diameter,
said outer diameter greater than said inner diameter;
interconnecting means for connecting said first and said second ends of said elongated
tubing, said interconnecting means being constructed and arranged to be releasably
secured to said first end of said elongated tubing and said second end of said elongated
tubing to form a shower curtain ring.
8. A shower curtain ring as claimed in claim 7, wherein said interconnecting means has
a body and two arms extending therefrom, said arms being adapted to be releasably
inserted and secured in the respective ends of said elongated tubing.
9. A shower curtain support as claimed in claim 8, wherein said body includes a recess
for allowing a shower curtain to remain in the recess.
10. A shower curtain ring as claimed in claim 9, wherein said elongated tubing is thermoplastic/polyvinyl
chloride.