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Retractable shower expander assemblyRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, With Movable Closure, Flexible TypeRetractable shower expander assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060070177, Retractable shower expander assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/616,330 filed on Oct. 6, 2004. REFERENCES CITED [0002] TABLE-US-00001 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 699,786 A 5/1902 Campbell 2,185,305 A 1/1940 Marchand 160/126 2,188,163 A 1/1940 Sherman 160/327 2,212,326 A 8/1940 Piker 4/558 2,232,194 A 2/1941 Zogby 160/349.1 2,239,630 A 4/1941 Tendrian et al. 160/330 2,303,502 A 12/1942 Rous 24/334 2,313,421 A 3/1943 Dalton, Jr. 4/558 2,454,434 A 11/1948 Cunningham 160/40 2,500,350 A 3/1950 Endres 4/148 2,573,985 A 11/1951 Porter 2,608,250 A 8/1952 Meyer 160/349.2 2,613,368 A 10/1952 Rosenbaum 4/608 2,668,298 A 2/1954 Kimmons 4/608 2,751,150 A 6/1956 Buccicone 235/98 A 2,771,945 A 11/1956 Wittrup 160/124 2,774,974 A 12/1956 Zaloga 2,840,160 A 6/1958 Tichenor 160/349.1 2,862,211 A 12/1958 Shabarman et al. 2,878,487 A 3/1959 Foote 3,104,014 A 9/1963 Piette 3,418,665 A 12/1968 Long 3,872,520 A 3/1975 Tyconik 4/154 4,070,735 A 1/1978 Canaday 24/304 4,771,517 A 9/1988 Bonanno 4,754,504 A 7/1988 Cellini 4/160 4,825,481 A 5/1989 Lonberger 4/608 5,023,964 A 6/1991 Unsworth 4/558 5,031,257 A 7/1991 Jeffery 4/610 5,033,132 A 7/1991 Greenblatt 4/608 5,083,330 A 1/1992 Dusar 5,097,541 A 3/1992 Annand 4/558 5,216,766 A 6/1993 Lang 5,339,884 A 8/1994 Angerman 160/330 5,345,623 A 9/1994 Dearman 4/608 5,345,624 A 9/1994 Brown, III 4/610 5,345,992 A 9/1994 Turner 160/330 5,351,739 A 10/1994 Levy 160/124 5,402,842 A 4/1995 Ruggiero 5,421,393 A 6/1995 Wolfe 160/349.1 5,447,244 A 9/1995 Mentzer 211/123 5,495,628 A 3/1996 Logan 5,543,196 A 8/1996 Robinson et al. 5,651,407 A 7/1997 Perez 160/330 5,673,962 A 10/1997 Maieli et al. 296/164 5,771,504 A 6/1998 Steiner 4/558 5,787,954 A 8/1998 Herrera 5,809,589 A 9/1998 Johnson 4/609 5,901,769 A 5/1999 Farley 5,947,603 A 9/1999 Tilman 383/64 5,950,255 A 9/1999 Thompson 4/557 5,974,603 A 11/1999 Frazier 4/558 6,032,306 A 3/2000 Gummin 4/610 6,038,749 A 3/2000 Eberhardt 6,041,454 A 3/2000 Summerford 4/558 6,049,920 A 4/2000 Mochizuki 6,098,699 A 8/2000 Junius 6,163,899 A 12/2000 Leonard 6,192,965 B1 2/2001 Hinds 160/330 6,289,967 B1 9/2001 Moore 160/330 6,394,168 B1 5/2002 Zoboski 6,488,070 B1 12/2002 Cox 160/84.01 6,565,144 B1 5/2003 Crean 296/168 6,845,525 B2 1/2005 Bathurst 4/608 FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to shower compartments, shower stalls, or tub enclosures and more specifically relates to a retractable shower expander assembly to both expand the shower curtain and increase the usable interior area of shower compartments, stalls, or tub enclosures and then retract the shower curtain to conserve space outside of the shower compartment, shower stall, or tub enclosure and be more aesthetically pleasing when not in use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Since the invention of the bathtub, and more particularly the apparatus used for holding a shower curtain to cover and protect the bathing area from water leakage, little has changed to increase the amount of space needed to shower and thereby improve the comfort level for the user. Various attempts in the past have been made, such as the curved shower rod, that permanently extends the shower curtain outside of the access opening. That device is used in some hotels for the convenience of the guests. However, that invention has limitations for use in the home as it takes away usable space from the bathroom outside of the shower stall or tub enclosure and can be less aesthetically pleasing. This severely limits the practical appeal and broader application for that invention. Yet another drawback is that the curved shower rod requires that it be permanently mounted or affixed to the shower stall or tub enclosure walls. In many homes this application may prove difficult or not feasible to retrofit. Further, the curved shower rod is limited in the amount of increased shower area that it can provide. [0005] A standard size tub having a shower stall or tub enclosure, and having a shower curtain to cover the access opening is very limited in size and comfort, as is the case in most homes over twenty or thirty years old. The demand for larger size accommodations for bathing is relatively new in homes today, and therefore most older homes and even many of the newer ones that still employ a standard size tub or shower area would benefit greatly from increased area in the shower stall or tub enclosure. A small shower stall or tub enclosure with a typical tension bar and shower curtain severely limits the movement of the users upper torso and impedes their forward and backward movement within the shower area because of the nature of the shower environment which causes the shower curtain to billow in or attach itself to the users body when it is wet. This lack of usable area inside of a shower and the limitations of the tub and shower due to their size greatly detracts from the comfort level of the user. [0006] Also, with persons having disabilities, or the elderly, the small shower environment is even more limiting in comfort and scope of use while showering. For many, getting into a small shower stall or tub enclosure and then positioning and repositioning oneself inside while showering is problematic and extremely difficult for many in this state, as tub seats, hand rails and other equipment are usually necessary in the tub or shower environment to assist the handicapped or the elderly. These items tend to come into contact with the shower curtain when wet from the shower environment and the shower curtain will either stick to the equipment or to the user. [0007] However, it can be very impractical to alleviate this situation, either because of the small size of the existing bathroom or that it is cost prohibitive to remodel or enlarge a small tub or shower enclosure in many of these cases. It is the intent of the present invention to particularly address the many disadvantages and drawbacks of a typical small shower stall or tub enclosure and provide relief in the form of increasing the usable space inside the shower stall or tub enclosure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention provides a retractable shower expander assembly that is portable and can be retrofitted to an existing shower curtain and tension bar or provided as a complete assembly in combination with a shower curtain and a tension bar. The retractable shower expander assembly projects the shower curtain outwardly with a pushing force through the access opening of the shower stall or tub enclosure having a tub or base pan and selectively maintains that position during the use of the shower so as to effect an increase of usable space within the shower stall or tub enclosure by at least 50% or more. When retracted the shower curtain is pushed inwardly to conserve space in the bathroom and to be more aesthetically pleasing when hanging straight in the access opening and not in use. [0009] In one aspect of the invention, the retractable shower expander assembly includes a shower expander rod to which a shower curtain is attached by hooks. The shower expander rod is joined at the two right-angle ends in a telescoping manner through the apertures of the two expander ports. The expander ports are fixedly and usably held in place against the two end walls of the shower stall or tub enclosure by a tension rod. [0010] In another aspect of the invention the telescoping and retracting means of the two right-angle ends of the shower expander rod can be sleeves that recess inside of each other and compact together inside of the expander ports so as not to extend into the shower area. [0011] The present invention may include another variation on the telescoping and retracting process of the shower expander rod. The two expander ports each having a roller assembly insert with oval rollers on spacers, housed inside each of the two expander ports and corresponding to the oval shape of the shower expander rod having two right-angle ends, would serve as a guide and support through which the oval shower expander rod ends telescope or retract while in use. [0012] In yet another aspect, the retractable shower expander assembly may include a means of permanently mounting or affixing two roller bracket assemblies to the opposing end walls directly outside of the shower stall or tub enclosure near the top. The roller bracket assemblies herein are similar in function to the aforementioned expander ports having oval rollers, and also having an oval shower expander rod, but different in design. In this configuration there would be no need for the tension rod, as the roller bracket assemblies would not require tension or outwardly force to hold them in place. Instead, the roller bracket assemblies would be held in place by screws or other fasteners on the outside walls of the shower stall or tub enclosure. The shower expander rod would remain in the same usable area and position, and function in the same telescoping and retractable manner as the other retractable shower expander assembly embodiments, as stated supra, within the access opening of the shower stall or tub enclosure. [0013] Other applications of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art when contemplating the following description of the best or preferred mode in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The descriptions herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views throughout, and wherein: [0015] FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a shower stall or tub enclosure having the retractable shower expander assembly according to the present invention in the retracted or closed position with a shower curtain; [0016] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of a shower stall or tub enclosure having the retractable shower expander assembly according to the present invention in the expanded or operable position with a shower curtain; [0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the retractable shower expander assembly in the retracted or closed position; [0018] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the retractable shower expander assembly in the expanded or operable position; [0019] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of the preferred embodiment of the retractable shower expander assembly in a shower stall or tub enclosure in the expanded or operable position; Continue reading about Retractable shower expander assembly... Full patent description for Retractable shower expander assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Retractable shower expander 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Retractable shower expander assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Bathtub device Next Patent Application: Portable disposable shower system for non-ambulatory patients Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Retractable shower expander assembly patent info. 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