FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for locking a shower curtain to reduce the ability of water to exit the shower area.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Shower curtains, while effective, suffer from at least one drawback. The drawback is that shower curtains allow shower water to escape between the shower curtain and the shower wall. The shower water therefore collects on the floor area adjacent to the shower creating a dangerous situation for persons exiting the shower.

]0003] Given the foregoing, there is a need for a device for closing locking a shower curtain to an adjacent wall to reduce or prevent shower water from escaping the shower area.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, a shower curtain lock comprises a support member and locking member having a handle. The support member and locking member are joined at upper ends thereof to permit the locking member to rotate relative to the upper ends thereof, and away from the support member, for receipt of a shower curtain. Magnets incorporated in the support member and/or locking member provide means for the support member and locking member to attach to one another and maintain the shower curtain in place against a wall adjacent to a shower area. In one embodiment, either the support member or locking member incorporates a magnet while the opposite member is metallic. Alternatively, both the support member and locking member may incorporate magnets of opposite polarity. The handle provides a mechanism for rotating the locking member relative to the support member.

[0005] In practice, the shower curtain lock is attached to a wall adjacent to the shower area. Operation of the shower curtain lock comprises a. moving the locking member to disengage it from the support member; b. inserting a portion of the shower curtain between the support member and locking member; and c. allowing the locking member to re-engage the support member thereby retaining the shower curtain therebetween. [0006] Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of the shower curtain lock in a closed position according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0008] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the shower curtain lock in a closed position according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0009] Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the shower curtain lock in an open position according to the embodiments of the present invention

[0010] Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective side view of the shower curtain lock in an open position according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the shower curtain lock according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0012] Figs. 6a - 6b illustrate the shower curtain lock attached to a wall adjacent to a shower area and with a shower curtain held in place according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0013] Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention according to the embodiments of the present invention; and

[0014] Figs. 8a-8d illustrate individual components of the shower curtain lock embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. [0016] Figs. 1 -3 shows various views of a shower curtain lock 100 configured to maintain a shower curtain in place against a wall adjacent to a shower area to reduce or prevent water from escaping the shower area. The shower curtain lock 100 comprises a support member 110, locking member 120 and handle 130. The support member 110 and locking member 120 are joined, via a plastic clip 115, at an upper end 125 thereof allowing the locking member 120 to swing or rotate about a bendable area 119 at the upper end 125 of the locking member 120 (see Fig. 4). In one embodiment, the clip 115 may be molded over the upper ends of the support member 110 and locking member 120. Alternatively, the upper ends of the support member 110 and locking member 120 are inserted into clip 115. Adhesive may be used to maintain the clip 115 over the upper ends of the support member 110 and locking member 120. The locking member 120 may be rigid along its length and bendable near the bendable area 119 such that the locking member 120 is able to be pulled (i.e., rotated about the bendable end) away from or disengaged from the support member 110 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0017] In one embodiment, the locking member 120 retains a magnetic strip of material 121 which is attracted to metallic support member 110. The handle 130 may include an elevated perimeter 131 defining a cavity which encases the magnetic strip of material 121. Alternatively, the support member 110 may retain a magnetic strip of material and the locking member 120 may be a metallic material. In another embodiment, both the support member 110 and locking member 120 retain magnetic strips of material having opposite polarities. The use of magnetic members provides a simple system for the locking member 120 to attach securely to the support member 110 with a shower curtain therebetween.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 4, a handle 130 allows a user to disengage (overcome the magnetic attraction) the locking member 120 from the support member 110 allowing a user to position a shower curtain between the support member 110 and the locking member 120 for the reasons set forth below. In one embodiment, the handle 130 is integral with the locking member 120 and molded as a single plastic member with a cavity configured on an inner portion thereof to retain the magnetic strip 121. Alternatively, the handle 130 may be a separate piece attached to a backside of the locking member 120.

[0019] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the shower curtain lock 100. The support member 110 includes an adhesive protective backing 101, adhesive 102 (e.g., double sided tape of the type manufactured by 3M), galvanized metal layer 103 and powder coating 104. The locking member 120 includes a magnetic strip 121 and handle 130. [0020] In practice, as demonstrated in Figs. 6a and 6b, the shower curtain lock 100 is attached to a wall 150 adjacent to a shower area. Attachment is facilitated by removing the adhesive protective backing 101 on an external surface of the adhesive 102 thereby revealing the adhesive 102 which allows the shower curtain lock 100 to be attached to the wall 150. Alternatively, the shower curtain lock 100 may be attached to the adjacent wall 150 utilizing mechanical fasteners such as screws, hangers and bolts, or may be attached in other conventional ways. The shower curtain lock 100 may be positioned at various heights on the adjacent wall 150 but ideally it is positioned near the bathtub (if one is present) or near a floor if no bathtub is present. Indeed, if no bathtub is present multiple shower curtain locks 100 may be utilized in a vertical arrangement to capture multiple vertical portions of the shower curtain 155.

[0021] Once a person enters the shower area, the shower curtain 155 is closed in a conventional manner. The locking member 120 is then disengaged from the support member 110 by a user. The locking member 120 is preferably disengaged by means of the handle 130. Once the disengagement is complete, the user positions a portion of the shower curtain 155 between the locking member 120 and support member 1 10 and closes the locking member 120 thereby securing the shower curtain between the locking member 120 and support member 110. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic members 121 of the locking member 120 and/or support member 110 maintains the shower curtain 155 in place.

[0022] Now referring to Figs. 7 and 8a-8d, another shower curtain lock 200 is shown. The shower curtain lock 200 comprises a support member 210, locking member 220 and handle 230. In this embodiment, the locking member 220 is rigid. The rigidity allows the locking member 220 to rotate about the joining point between the locking member 120 and support member 210 via a hinge arrangement 240 comprising a hinge pin and hinge pin channel. In this instance, the handle 130 is shown as a single finger polygonal or circular loop. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other handle designs are conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Fig. 8a shows the locking member 220 with central hinge pin channel 221 at an upper end thereof and handle 130. Fig. 8b shows the support member 210 having a perimeter lip 211 defining a cavity 212 to retain a magnetic member 213 as shown in Fig. 8c. The support member 210 also includes a pair of outer hinge pin channels 214 defining a central space 215 to receive the central hinge pin channel 221 of the locking member 220. Once aligned the outer hinge pin channels 214 and inner hinge pin channel 221 are able to receive a hinge pin (not shown) thereby rotatably joining the locking member 220 and support member 210. Fig. 8d shows a hinge pin plug 216 of the type which may be used to maintain the hinge pin in place. Although not shown, the locking member 220 also includes a cavity on an inner portion thereof to retain a magnetic member. The magnetic member retained by the support member 210 and locking member 220 are of opposite polarities such that they attract. The shower curtain lock 200 may be made of plastic, composite, alloys or similar materials. An adhesive, such as dual sided tape, is again used to connect the shower curtain lock 200 to a wall adjacent to a shower area. In this embodiment, the support member 210 may include a cavity on a backside thereof to generally conceal the tape when the shower curtain lock is attached to the wall.

[0023] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention.