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Adjustable shower rod assemblyRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, With Movable Closure, Flexible TypeAdjustable shower rod assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070174956, Adjustable shower rod assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This Application claims the benefit on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/752,579 filed on Dec. 20, 2005. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/752,579 are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] Shower curtain rod assemblies which include a linear shower rod that suspends a shower curtain are well known. Recently, linear shower rods have been modified to include a curved shower rod which extends outwardly from the shower enclosure to provide a user with more space within the shower enclosure while bathing or showering. Some of these types of curved shower rods are fixedly mounted to the shower enclosure, which can have the drawback of taking up needed space outside of the shower enclosure. Other shower rods can be adjustable so that a user can retract the shower rod toward or into the shower enclosure during non-use of the shower. Still other shower rods can be dismounted and remounted in a manner that provides more space outside the shower enclosure during non-use of the shower. [0003] Unfortunately, many of these types of shower curtain rod assemblies are cumbersome and can include complex mechanisms that are inconvenient or difficult to use. Further, movement of the shower rod from one position to another can take an excessive amount of time, which can be a disincentive for the user to change the shower rod positioning. SUMMARY [0004] The present invention is directed toward a mounting assembly for mounting a non-linear curtain rod to a surface. In one embodiment, the mounting assembly includes a rod receiver assembly, a surface mount and a locking mechanism. The rod receiver assembly receives the curtain rod. The surface mount mounts onto the surface. The surface mount rotatably supports the rod receiver assembly for rotation about a first axis that is non-parallel to the surface. The locking mechanism moves from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the rod receiver assembly is rotatable. Rotation of the rod receiver assembly causes rotation of the curtain rod. In the locked position the rod receiver assembly is simultaneously inhibited from rotating in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction about the first axis. [0005] In another embodiment, the locking mechanism selectively moves between an extended position and a retracted position. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is biased toward the extended position. Further, in one embodiment, the locking mechanism moves between a plurality of different locked positions. In one such embodiment, two of the locked positions are approximately 180 degrees apart from one another. The locking mechanism can include a locking pin that extends through a portion of the rod receiver assembly when the locking mechanism is in the locked position. Further, in one embodiment, the locking pin does not extend through the portion of the rod receiver assembly when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position. In certain embodiments, the locking pin is spring-loaded. [0006] In one embodiment, the first axis is substantially orthogonal to the surface. In certain embodiments, the rod receiver assembly includes a rod receiver and a receiver housing. The rod receiver attaches to the curtain rod. The receiver housing supports the rod receiver. In this embodiment, the rod receiver pivots relative to the receiver housing. For example, the rod receiver can pivot relative to a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The rod receiver assembly can include a pin aperture that receives a portion of the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in the locked position. Conversely, in certain embodiments, the pin aperture does not receive the portion of the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position. [0007] In another embodiment, the mounting assembly includes a rod receiver, a receiver housing and a surface mount. The rod receiver is pivotably secured to the curtain rod. The receiver housing supports the rod receiver so that the rod receiver pivots relative to the receiver housing about a first axis that is non-orthogonal to the surface. The surface mount mounts onto the surface. The surface mount supports the receiver housing to allow rotation of the receiver housing about a second axis that is non-parallel to the surface. [0008] The present invention is also directed toward a method for movably positioning a curtain rod relative to a surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shower enclosure and an adjustable shower rod assembly having features of the present invention, the adjustable shower rod assembly being shown in a first position; [0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shower enclosure and the adjustable shower rod assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 shown in a second position; [0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the adjustable shower rod assembly including a surface mount and a locking mechanism; [0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the adjustable shower rod assembly including the mounting assembly and a portion of a shower rod; [0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of the adjustable shower rod assembly including a mounting assembly; [0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the mounting assembly; [0016] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mounting assembly; and [0017] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a portion of the mounting assembly illustrated in FIG. 7A. DESCRIPTION [0018] The present invention is directed toward an adjustable shower rod assembly 10 (also sometimes referred to herein as "rod assembly") for supporting a curtain 12. Although the description provided herein pertains particularly to shower and bath curtains, it is recognized that the rod assembly 10 can equally be used with other types of curtains 12 where changing the amount of space on either side of the curtain 12 may be desired. [0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the rod assembly 10 in a first position. The rod assembly 10 can be moved so that the curtain 12 moves to a plurality of different positions as described in greater detail below. The design of the rod assembly 10 can vary. In this embodiment, the rod assembly 10 includes an arcuate or otherwise at least partially curved shower rod 14 and a mounting assembly 16 that secures the shower rod to a surface 18. The surface 18 can be any type of support structure, such as one or more walls of a shower enclosure, bathroom or other type of support structure (sometimes generally referred to herein as a "shower enclosure"). In the first position, the rod assembly 10 allows one taking a shower to have more room inside the shower because the shower rod 14 is curved away from the interior of the shower enclosure of the shower. Continue reading about Adjustable shower rod assembly... Full patent description for Adjustable shower rod assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable shower rod assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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