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Wall-adaptable shower rod assemblyRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, With Movable Closure, Flexible TypeWall-adaptable shower rod assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070006378, Wall-adaptable shower rod assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/178,115, filed on Jul. 11, 2005, and entitled "Shower Rod Assembly", presently pending. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates to shower rods. More particularly, the present invention relates to curved shower rods. Additionally, the present invention relates to shower rod assemblies in which the complete assembly can be easily connected to walls without the need for special tools. The present invention also relates to shower rod assemblies that can be attached to walls having a various cants and parallelisms. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] Shower rods are often used for the support of shower curtains in the bathing environment. Typically, shower rods are formed so as to have a pair of rods in telescopic relationship so as to expand outwardly or inwardly to fit the dimensions between the walls at opposite ends of the bath tub. In certain circumstances, threaded connections are established between each of the rods such that rotation of the rods can create a compression fit between the walls. As a result, the shower rods can be supported by the forces exerted directly onto the wall by the rods. [0006] Curved shower rods are becoming increasingly popular. These curved shower rods tend to expand the space available within the bath or shower for convenience of the person taking a shower. These curved shower rods are affixed to opposing walls adjacent to the bath tub. As such, the wide arc of the shower rod will extend outwardly beyond the tub. The curved shower rod also allows the shower curtain to more easily nest at one end or the other in a space adjacent to the wall. This allows the shower curtain to be neatly folded and positioned when not in use. The inward curve of the shower rod further prevents leaks. [0007] Unfortunately, it is often difficult to install the curved shower rod onto the walls. In many circumstances, tools are required so as to properly affix the plates to the walls at opposite ends of the bath tub. Alignment of the plates so as to maintain a perfectly horizontal shower rod can be somewhat difficult. The curved nature of the shower rod makes visual alignment difficult. Additionally, the slight variations in the distance between the walls makes the use of a telescoping curved shower rod increasingly difficult. Under certain circumstances, the facing walls are not truly parallel to each other and are angularly offset from parallel. Additionally, under other circumstances, the walls are not entirely planar. As such, attachment of the shower rod can be more difficult. [0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shower rod that can be easily installed onto the walls adjacent to the bath tub. [0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a shower rod whereby installation of the shower rod can be carried out without tools. [0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shower rod assembly that minimizes the amount of assembly required by the user prior to installation. [0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shower rod which virtually assures that the plates at the end of the shower rod are maintained in a proper horizontal orientation. [0012] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shower rod that can be adapted to slight variations in the distance between the walls at the ends of the bath tub. [0013] It is a further object to provide a shower rod assembly that can adapt to variations in the flatness of the walls. [0014] It is still another objet of the present invention to provide a sower rod mounting assembly which allows the shower rod assembly to adapt to variations in the parallelism between the walls. [0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] The present invention is a shower rod assembly that comprises a first rod having a first end and a second end, a second rod telescopically connected to the first rod such that the first end of the second rod is received within the second end of the first rod, a first plate having a surface suitable for attachment to a wall and arranged so as to receive the first end of the first rod, and a second plate having a surface suitable for attachment to the wall. The second plate is suitable for receiving a second end of the second rod. [0017] The first plate is pivotally connected to the first end of the first rod. The second plate is also pivotally connected to the second end of the second rod. The first plate has a flap that supports a bracket extending outwardly from an opposite surface of the first plate. Similarly, the second plate has a flap that supports a bracket extending outwardly from an opposite surface of the second plate. A first plug is affixed onto the first end of the first rod. This first plug is pivotally connected to the first bracket. A second plug is affixed onto the second end of the second rod. This second plug is pivotally connected to the bracket of the second plate. The respective flaps are formed with the plates so as to have an edge portion integrally connected to the plate and other edge portions separated from the plate. The flap is suitably flexible so as to orient the bracket relative to an orientation of the wall. [0018] Each of the plugs has a longitudinal axis. Each of the plugs has a hole extending through the plug transversely to this longitudinal axis. Each of the brackets has a slot extending therethrough. This slot is aligned with the hole of the plug. A pin extends through the slot and the hole so as to pivotally connect the plug to the respective plate. The plug has an insert portion received within the respective ends of the rods. A shoulder formed on the plug. The ends of the respective rod abut this shoulder. Continue reading about Wall-adaptable shower rod assembly... Full patent description for Wall-adaptable shower rod assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Wall-adaptable 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Wall-adaptable shower rod assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Shower rod assembly Next Patent Application: Safety bar for a bathtub Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Wall-adaptable shower rod assembly patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 8.61378 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
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