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03/08/07 - USPTO Class 004 |  40 views | #20070050904 | Prev - Next | About this Page  004 rss/xml feed  monitor keywords

Shower curtain hooks

USPTO Application #: 20070050904
Title: Shower curtain hooks
Abstract: An improved shower curtain hook has two hook portions, wherein individual hook portions each extend through openings in a pair of aligned shower curtain sheets. The shower curtain hook has rollers that have a cylindrical outer surface to roll along a curtain rod as the shower curtain is moved between open and closed positions. At ends of the rollers there are curved surfaces, however, the central portion of the rollers is cylindrical. (end of abstract)



Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.l.p. - Philadelphia, PA, US
Inventor: Jeffrey Harwanko
USPTO Applicaton #: 20070050904 - Class: 004558000 (USPTO)

Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, With Movable Closure, Flexible Type

Shower curtain hooks description/claims


The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070050904, Shower curtain hooks.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a shower curtain hook of the type having two hook portions, and a plurality of rollers, and wherein the rollers have a cylindrical outer surface to roll along a curtain rod.

[0002] Shower curtain hooks are utilized to be slid along a curtain rod, and selectively open or conceal a shower area. One type of shower curtain has a pair of sheets. While many different types of hooks are known to support the shower curtain for sliding movement on the curtain rod, one type has a pair of opposed hook portion, with each hook portions supporting one of the two sheets.

[0003] Shower curtain hooks are known that have spherical rollers that roll along a curtain rod to reduce friction as the hooks and curtain move between a concealed and an open position. In the prior art, the rollers that have been utilized with dual hook curtain rods have been spherical. In addition, while some cylindrical rollers have been proposed for other type hooks, they have been separately mounted on a hook, and not positioned adjacent to other rollers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, a shower curtain hook has a pair of hook portions for extending through openings in two sheets of a shower curtain. The shower curtain hooks have a plurality of rollers with a cylindrical outer surface. The cylindrical outer surface contacts an outer surface of a curtain rod. The cylindrical outer surface provides a more consistent support of the hook on the curtain rod than the prior art spherical rollers. The plurality of adjacent rollers each are captured between two stops on the hook. Positioning these rollers adjacent to each other, and between the two stops, results in better support of the hook on the curtain rod. In addition, the particular cross-sectional shape of the rollers better accommodates the plurality of rollers between the two stops.

[0005] These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower curtain and curtain rod incorporating the inventive hooks.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the inventive hook.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the inventive hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0009] A shower environment 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1 having a curtain rod 22 with hooks 32 supporting a curtain 24 having two sheets 25 and 28. Sheet 25 is supported on a first hook portion 26 and sheet 28 is supported on a second hook portion 30 of the plurality of hooks 32. A leg portion 33 extends from the hook portions 26 and 30, and into a hoop portion 35. Stops 34 capture a plurality of rollers 36. The rollers 36 support the hooks 32 for easy sliding movement along the curtain rod 22.

[0010] As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, stops 34 and 38 capture a plurality of rollers 36. The rollers 36 each have a generally cylindrical radially outer surface 40 at a central location, and opposed ends 42 that extend along a curve. The cylindrical outer surfaces 40 better support the hooks 32 on the curtain rod 22, when compared to the spherical prior art rollers. In addition, the use of the cylindrical outer surfaces 40 with curved ends 42 result in more space to accommodate adjacent rollers 36.

[0011] As can be appreciated from FIG. 3, the plurality of rollers 36 are mounted onto the hoop portion 35, by being moved over the stop 34, and adjacent to the stop 38. The present invention thus provides a unique shower curtain hook, in which the hook portions are better supported on a curtain rod, and the roller members are better able to support the hooks, and to provide space for adjacent rollers 36.

[0012] Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.



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