Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Shower – Convenience accessories
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-03-06
Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Shower
Convenience accessories
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195816
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a shower curtain retaining system, and more particularly to a shower curtain retaining system for retaining the bottom portion of a shower curtain inside a bathtub enclosure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a shower curtain retaining system which employs a retaining means that prevents the bottom portion of the shower curtain from falling outside the bathtub when the shower curtain is forced outward.
2. Prior Art
Shower curtain retaining systems for retaining a shower curtain are well known in the art. Typically, a prior art shower curtain retaining system comprises a retaining means for engaging and retaining either vertical end of a shower curtain to a respective bathtub enclosure wall in order to prevent the inadvertent escape of shower spray. U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,806 to Armstrong is typical of prior art retention system which comprise some type of vertical connecting means for holding the marginal vertical edge portion of a hanging shower curtain in contiguity with a bathtub enclosure wall to prevent shower spray from splashing outwardly between the shower curtain and the enclosure wall. Unfortunately, such prior art retention systems still permit water to spray out from the bathtub when the bottom portion of the shower curtain is inadvertently forced over the lip of the bathtub.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,132 to Greenblatt partially addresses this problem of shower spray by providing a shower curtain with a plurality of magnets attached along the lower portion of the shower curtain. The magnets tether the lower portion of the shower curtain to the inner surface of the bathtub and prevents its movement when the shower curtain is inadvertently forced outward. However, the magnets of the Greenblatt system substantially inhibit lateral side-to-side movement of the shower curtain by the user since the magnets function as stationary retainers that anchor the shower curtain to interior surface of the shower enclosure. The user must first detach the magnets from the inner surface of the bathtub before the shower curtain may be moved aside.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a shower curtain retaining system that effectively retains the lower portion of the shower curtain inside the bathtub when the shower curtain is forced outward over the lip of the bathtub, while also permitting uninhibited lateral side-to-side movement of the shower curtain.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In brief summary, the present invention overcomes and substantially alleviates the deficiencies in the prior art by providing a shower curtain retaining system that retains the shower curtain inside the bathtub enclosure while permitting uninhibited lateral movement of the shower curtain. In the preferred embodiment, the shower curtain retaining system according to the present invention comprises a first retaining strip which includes a plurality of hook members laterally spaced along the strip. The fastening strip is attached to the bottom portion of a shower curtain on the side closest the inner surface of the bathtub. A retaining strip is provided along the inner surface of the bathtub in a generally opposite and raised location relative the fastening strip attached to the shower curtain. A rail member, preferably comprising a thin cable or wire which is laterally spaced along and attached to the retaining strip by a plurality of posts that extend outwardly from the strip.
Preferably, the method of mounting the shower curtain retaining system is to attach the fastening strip laterally along the lower portion of the shower curtain on the side closest to the bathtub so that the hook members are oriented upward. Once the fastening strip is attached, the retaining strip is laterally attached along the inner surface of the bathtub in a generally opposite and raised location relative to the fastening strip on the side closest to the shower curtain. Any conventional means of attachment may be used to attach the fastening and retaining strips to the shower curtain, for example, adhesive bonding, fasteners, magnet or the like. Alternatively, the strips could be made integral with the shower curtain. Although the preferred arrangement is to have the fastening strip attached to the shower curtain in a lower orientation relative to the retaining strip attached to the inside surface of the bathtub, alternative arrangements could include attaching the fastening strip to the inner surface of the bathtub and the retaining strip to the shower curtain in similar orientation as the preferred arrangement with the hook members facing downward rather than upward.
In operation, the shower curtain retaining system of the present invention prevents the lower portion of the shower curtain from falling over the lip of the bathtub due to the interaction of the fastening strip with the retaining strip when the shower curtain is forced outward over the lip of the bathtub. When the shower curtain is forced outward, the lower portion of the shower curtain slides upward along the inner surface of the bathtub until the hook members of the fastening strip engage the rail member of the retaining strip. Each hook member of the fastening strip forms a hooked shaped curved portion which defines a retention area adapted to securely engage the rail member therein. As the lower portion of the shower curtain is forced outward over the lip of the bathtub the lower portion of the shower curtain is concurrently raised upward along the inner surface of the bathtub until one or more of the hook members engage the rail member of the retaining strip. This secure engagement between the retaining strip and the fastening strip prevents the lower portion of the shower curtain from slipping over the lip of the bathtub and allow shower spray to escape the bathtub enclosure. The force of the shower curtain being moved outward will cause the hook members to remain engaged to at least a portion of the rail member until the shower curtain is no longer forced outward and is allowed to fall back down to its original at-rest position. This fastener/retention strip arrangement also permits uninhibited lateral movement of the shower curtain since the present invention does not depend upon stationary retainers to retain the shower curtain inside the bathtub enclosure.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a shower curtain retaining system that retains the lower portion of the shower curtain within the enclosure of the bathtub, while also permitting uninhibited lateral movement of the shower curtain.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shower curtain retaining system that prevents the bottom of the shower curtain from being forced over the lip of the bathtub.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an easy method of affixing a shower curtain retaining system to a bathtub and shower curtain.
Another further object of the present invention is to provide a shower curtain retaining system that prevents the escape of shower spray from the bathtub enclosure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shower curtain retaining system that does not inhibit the lateral movement of the shower curtain along the bathtub.
These and other objects of the present invention are realized in a presently preferred embodiment thereof, described by way of example and not by way of limitation, which provides for a shower curtain retaining system that retains the lower portion of a shower curtain within the confines of the bathtub enclosure, while also permitting free lateral movement of the shower curtain.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3500481 (1970-03-01), McKwane
patent: 3808610 (1974-05-01), Mortensen
patent: 3879806 (1975-04-01), Armstrong
patent: 4088174 (1978-05-01), Edwards
patent: 4197616 (1980-04-01), Panuski
patent: 4258443 (1981-03-01), Baus
patent: 4361914 (1982-12-01), Oliver
patent: 4594741 (1986-06-01), Payne
patent: 4887324 (1989-12-01), Cairns
patent: 5023964 (1991-06-01), Unsworth
paten
Fetsuga Robert M.
Greensfelder Hemker & Gale, P.C.
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