US20160135650A1

US20160135650A1 - Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner

Info

Publication number: US20160135650A1
Application number: US14/544,015
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrea Kimberly Ramey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-14
Filing date: 2014-11-14
Publication date: 2016-05-19

Abstract

A Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner comprising: a drape of fabric with the dimensions of a bathtub and/or shower stall, utilizing commercially known Velcro to maintain the drape in position. The fabric hook and loop fasteners on the upper flap(s) of the drape form two parallel, aligned rows; a row on the outer border and a row on the inner border of the upper flap of the drape that fasten when the fabric hook and loop fasteners are pressed together. The outer border of the upper flap(s) of the drape fold(s) over a horizontal rod and aligns with the fabric hook and loop fasteners on the inner border of the upper flap of the drape, holding the drape in position on a horizontal rod. The outer and inner borders of the right and left flaps are lined vertically with fabric hook and loop fasteners that align and fasten when pressed together, holding the drape open and or closed at the inner border of the right and left lower flaps; when closed, preventing the splashing of water from a bathtub and or shower stall while in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a means of preventing the splashing of water out of a shower stall that is in use. The strategically placed fabric hook and loop fasteners trademarked as Velcro: allow the drape to be easily positioned in place on a shower rod; and facilitates the opening and closing of the drape.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The problem of keeping water inside of the shower stall during a shower has commonly been solved using a shower curtain and or shower curtain liner. Shower curtains and liners have to be changed periodically due to the build-up of mold, soap scum, and other undesired residues. Shower curtains and liners are often positioned on a shower rod using hooks, rings, clamps, rods and other time consuming, frustrating fasteners. The press and go shower drape and liner use strategically placed fabric hook and loop fasteners to facilitate quick and easy positioning of the drape on the shower rod, and to effectively prevent the leakage of water from the bathtub and shower stall.

BACKGROUND ART/DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Detachable Shower Liner, U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,244 issued Mar. 21, 2005 to Handley describes a detachable shower liner allowing for fast removal and replacement of the shower liner. The invention does not use fabric hook and loop fasteners to position a drape in place over a horizontal shower rod.
Hook Free Curtain and fixture thereof, U.S. Patent No. 20080178423 issued Jul. 31, 2008 to Patel describes a hook free curtain and fixture thereof featuring snap on or clip on curtain fixtures comprising a said “male portion” and said “female portion” that interlock securely in place. The purpose of the hook free curtain and fixture thereof is to secure shower curtains, drapes and other items that need securing with minimal assembly.
Hanging Products, U.S. Pat No. 7296609 issued Aug. 23, 2005 to Zahner describes hanging products used for suspending an item from a rod with a ring having a gap, the ring having a moveable member for opening and closing the gap.
Shower Curtain, U.S. Pat No. 20060200901 filed Sep. 14, 2006 by Beyda describes a shower curtain for mounting over an outer rim of a bathtub in order to prevent billowing of shower curtains inward toward the bather.
Fabric attaching clip, U.S. Pat. No. 7219405 issued Jul. 11, 2005 to Nevens describes a clip for fabric attachments specifically, a clip for swaging tablecloths or mounting ornamental decorations on a given fabric.
Curtain rod and attachment system, U.S. Pat. No. 5570490 issued, Nov. 5, 1996 to Walsh describes a curtain rod attachment system used in combination with fabric hook and loop attachment systems. The invention does not use fabric hook and loop fasteners to position a drape in place over a horizontal shower rod.
Readily attachable and detachable coverings for surfaces, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,755, issued Jan. 9, 1996 to Maiming describes an easily attached and detached covering for large surfaces using hook and loop fasteners. The invention does not use fabric hook and loop fasteners to hold a drape in position over a horizontal shower rod.
Drapery System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,912, issued May 5, 1992 to Gary describes a drapery system that allows for fast hanging and removal of drapes using strips of VELCRO. The invention does not use fabric hook and loop fasteners to hold a drape in position over a horizontal shower rod.
Shower Curtain Fastening System, U.S. Pat No. 20060185072, issued Aug. 24, 2006 to Dyckow describes a kit used in a shower enclosure with a shower curtain functioning by snapping several components together in order for them to interact and hold the shower curtain in place. This invention does not utilize fabric hook and loop fasteners as a component for fastening the shower curtain in place.
Drape and Method of Making Same, U.S. Pat No. 20130180670, issued Jul. 18, 2013 to Judkins describes a drape made from a series of strips of material organized side by side and attached in a specific manner. The Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner defines drape as a piece of cloth having a lining stitched into the reverse side of the fabric, intending to obscure.
DRAPE U.S. Pat No. 20130056011, issued Mar. 7, 2013 to Taub and Butsch describes the DRAPE as a pouch formed from sheet material, the purpose of the DRAPE is to catch medical instruments in jeopardy of falling to the floor preventing contamination.
Shower Curtain Holder, U.S. Pat No. 3,934,636 issued, Jan. 27, 1976 to Simmons describes a shower curtain holder which effectively holds the curtain close to the front wall of the shower.
Easy Curtain U.S. Pat No. 6,098,699 issued, Aug. 8, 2000 to Junius describes a shower curtain and rod assembly that is a convenient, simple and easy way to remove and replace a shower curtain and or liner.
Shower Curtain Apparatus U.S. Pat No. 6,163,899 issued Dec. 26, 2000 to Leonard describes a curtain apparatus with a flexible pocket assembly comprising but not limited to a transparent front portion and hook reception channels designed to serve as a curtain apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the invention; the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner, replaces the standard shower curtain and or shower curtain liner which utilizes: hooks, rings, clamps, rods and/or any other time consuming, complicated, fastening device.
The Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner is made from a uniform piece of fabric that is designed to open at the right and left lower flaps. The fabric length and width are designed to fit the height and width of the standard bathtub and shower stall with the option to customize the design and dimensions of the body of the drape. Functionally, the upper flap and or flaps of the drape are folded over a horizontal shower rod. The two parallel rows of fabric hook and loop fasteners, lined horizontally on the upper flap; specifically the fabric hook and loop fasteners lined horizontally on the outer border of the upper flap and the fabric hook and loop fasteners lined horizontally on the inner border of the upper flap align and fasten, holding the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner in place on a horizontal shower rod. The vertical fabric hook and loop fasteners at the inner borders of the right and left lower flaps of the drape function to close the drape while the shower stall is in use, preventing the leakage of water from the bathtub and shower stall. In addition, the vertical fabric hook and loop fasteners at the inner and outer borders of the right and left lower flaps can be fastened, holding the lower flaps of the drape in an open position. Aesthetically, the fabric hook and loop fasteners may vary in color, size, shape and pattern depending on the desired decorative and or ornamental design.
The Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner, is manufactured from fabrics such as: burlap, cotton, hemp, latex, linen, nylon, recycled materials and fabrics, spandex, silk, vinyl, water-proof plastic and wool. The, fabric hook and loop attachments function as fasteners. The, fabric hook and loop fasteners are commercially known as Velcro. The fabric hook and loop fasteners will be adhered to the drape using a variety of techniques for example: glued, adhesive pads, heat sealed, stitched.
The Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner, has a plurality of applications; the primary function being to prevent the splashing of water out of a bath or shower stall during a shower.
The, fabric hook and loop fasteners function: to keep the drape in place on a horizontal shower rod; to close the opening of the drape and to keep the drape open.
The Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner, is easily installed. The upper flap of the drape is folded over a horizontal rod and positioned in place when the outer and inner horizontally positioned fabric hook and loop fasteners of the upper flap align and fasten by being pressed together, placing the horizontal shower rod between the horizontally aligned fabric of the upper flap of the drape.
The Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner, is unique in the ease with which it is positioned in place over the width of a horizontal shower rod. The Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner eliminate the time consuming, frustrating techniques often employed by shower curtain hooks, rings, clamps, rods and other types of fasteners. In addition, the fabric hook and loop fasteners have an aesthetic value, being used for decorative and ornamental purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the body of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flap open (one uniform flap) and the right and left lower flaps closed.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the body of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flaps (multiple flaps) open. The right and left lower flaps are closed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the body of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flap folded in position over the horizontal shower rod. The right and left lower flaps are closed.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the body of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flap folded in position over the shower rod and the right and left lower flaps folded back, in the open position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded front view of the, fabric hook and loop fasteners aligning; functioning to fasten the drape in position.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the, fabric hook and loop fasteners completely aligned, functioning to fasten the drape in position.

FIG. 7 is a top angled view of the body of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner. The upper flap is open (one uniform flap) and the right and left lower flaps are closed. This is the first step in positioning the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner on a horizontal shower rod.

FIG. 8 is a front angled view of the Body of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner. The upper flap is being folded over the shower rod and the right and left lower flaps are closed. This is the second step in positioning the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner on a horizontal shower rod.

FIG. 9 is a front angled view of the body of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner. The upper flap is completely folded over the shower rod. The fabric hook and loop fasteners of the upper and lower borders of the upper flap of the drape are completely aligned, positioning the drape in place on the shower rod. The right and left lower flaps are closed. The third step in positioning the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner on a horizontal shower rod.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2 the body of the drape (1), manufactured from materials / fabrics selected from but not limited to burlap, cotton, hemp, latex, linen, nylon, recycled fabrics, spandex, silk, vinyl, water proof plastic, and wool, includes the upper flap and or flaps (2), the right lower flap (6) and left lower flap (7) of the drape. The dimensions for the width, length and thickness of the fabrics employed will vary according to the area needed to be draped by the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner.
In accordance with FIG.'s 6 and 7 the fabric hook and loop fasteners (12) are manufactured from but not limited to: commercially known Velcro, cotton, nylon, polyester, silk, spandex, recycled fabrics, and wool. The fabric hook and loop fasteners can be decorated strip, circle, and or square pieces. The fabric hook and loop fasteners have an additional ornamental and or decorative purpose, adding to the aesthetic value of the Press and Go Shower Drape and Liner.
In accordance with FIG. 3 the upper flap(s) of the drape fold(s) over the length of a horizontal shower rod, then fastens in place when the fabric hook and loop fasteners are aligned and pressed together on the inner(5) and outer(4) borders of the upper flap(s).
In accordance with FIG. 7, step 1, the upper flap of the drape is held parallel to the horizontal shower rod, then, in accordance with FIG. 8, step 2, the outer border of the upper flap (4) of the drape is folded into position over the horizontal shower rod in the direction of the shower stall/bathtub, lastly, in accordance with FIG. 9 step 3 the outer border (4) and the inner border (5) of the upper flap of the drape are held in position over the shower rod when the fabric hook and loop fasteners are aligned and pressed together.
In accordance with FIG. 3 the right lower flap (6) and left lower flap (7) of the drape close at the midline when the vertically placed fabric hook and loop fasteners on the inner border of the right flap (8) and the inner border of the left flap (10) align and are pressed together.
In accordance with FIG. 4 the drape is maintained in the open position when: the inner border of the right lower flap (8) is folded back and the fabric hook and loop fasteners of the outer border of the right lower flap (9) and inner border of the right lower flap (8) align and are pressed together in order to fasten; and the inner border of the left lower flap (10) is folded back and the fabric hook and loop fasteners of the outer border of the left lower flap (11) and inner border of the left lower flap(10) align and are pressed together in order to fasten.

REFERENCES

U.S. Pat No. 20060260040 issued on Nov. 23, 2006 to Schmidt
U.S. Pat No. 20130117927 issued on May 6, 2013 to Woodruff
Shower Curtain Apparatus U.S. Pat No. 6,163,899 issued Dec. 26, 2000 to Leonard
Easy Curtain U.S. Pat No. 6,098,699 issued, Aug. 8, 2000 to Junius
Shower Curtain Holder, U.S. Pat No. 3,934,636 issued, Jan. 27, 1976 to Simmons
DRAPE U.S. Pat No. 20130056011, issued Mar. 7, 2013 to Taub and Butsch
Drape and Method of Making Same, U.S. Pat No. 20130180670, issued Jul. 18, 2013 to Judkins
Shower Curtain Fastening System, U.S. Pat No. 20060185072, issued Aug. 24, 2006 to Dyckow
Magnetic Drying Apparatus, U.S. Pat No. 20080120865, issued May 29, 2008 to Smith
Shower Curtain Lock, U.S. Pat No. 20110197353, issued Aug. 18, 2011 to Pierce
Interlocking Magnetic Coupling Members, U.S. Pat. No. 8,525,626 issued Sept. 13, 2013 to Davis, Fairorth and Tait
Magnetically Held Curtain, U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,326 filed Jul. 13, 1938 by Piken
Shower Curtain, U.S. Pat No. 20060200901filed Sep. 14, 2006 by Beyda
Hanging Products, U.S. Pat No. 7,296,609 issued Aug. 23, 2005 to Zahner
Hook Free Curtain and fixture thereof, U.S. Patent No. 20080178423 issued Jul. 31, 2008 to Patel
Magnetically Attractable Fastening Device, U.S. Patent No. 20090283197 issued Nov. 19, 2009 to Gorodisher
Detachable Shower Liner, U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,244 issued Mar. 21, 2005 to Handley
Fabric Attaching Clip, U.S. Patent No. 7219405 issued Jul. 11, 2005 to Nevens
Curtain Rod and Attachment System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,490 issued Nov. 5, 1996 to Walsh
Readily Attachable and Detachable Coverings for Surfaces, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,755 issued Jan. 9, 1996 to Manning
Drapery System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,912 issued May 5, 1992 to Gary

FIGS. 1 to 9

REFERENCE NUMBERS/LABELS FOR FIGS. 1-9:

1—Body of the Drape
2—Upper Flap of the Drape
3—Lower Flaps of the Drape
4—Outer border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape
5—Inner border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape
6—Right Lower Flap of the Drape
7—Left Lower Flap of the Drape
8—Inner border of the right lower flap of the drape 9—Outer border of the right lower flap of the drape
10—Inner border of the left lower flap of the drape
11—Outer border of the left lower flap of the drape
12—Fabric Hook and loop fastener aligned and pressed together
12(a)—Fabric Hook Fastener
12(b)—Fabric Loop Fastener
13—Shower Head
14—Shower Rod
15—Shower Stall/Bathtub

Claims

1. A press and go shower drape and liner with a plurality of applications and dimensions of length and width comprising, a textile/fabric, and or water-proof plastic drape with 1 or more fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned horizontally along the width of the: Outer border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape and Inner border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape, 1 or more fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned vertically along the length of the: Outer border of the right lower flap of the drape and Outer border of the left lower flap of the drape, 1 or more fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned vertically along the length of the: Inner border of the right lower flap of the drape and the Inner border of the left lower flap of the drape at the opening of the drape, said fabric hook and loop fasteners functioning to fasten the drape: in a horizontal position on a horizontal rod; in a closed vertical position at the Inner border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner border of the left lower flap of the drape, and in an open position at the Inner and Outer border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner and Outer border of the left lower flap of the drape.

2. A press and go shower drape and liner with a plurality of applications functionally utilizing the mechanism of fabric hook and loop fasteners to fasten the press and go shower drape and liner: horizontally along the width of the: Outer border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape and Inner border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape; in a closed vertical position at the Inner border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner border of the left lower flap of the drape; and in an open position at the Inner and Outer border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner and Outer border of the left lower flap of the drape.

3. A press and go shower drape and liner with a plurality of applications comprising an upper flap of one uniform piece of drape functioning as a uniform flap that folds horizontally over the width of a horizontal rod and is fastened in place by aligned fabric hook and loop fasteners: the fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned horizontally along the width of the Outer border of the upper flap of the Drape align and fasten with the fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned horizontally along the Inner border of the upper flap of the Drape.

4. The press and go shower drape and liner of claim 3, wherein said drape, with a plurality of applications comprising an upper flap divided into multiple pieces of drape functions by using multiple flaps that fold horizontally over the width of a horizontal rod and are fastened in place by aligned fabric hook and loop fasteners: fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned horizontally along the width of the Outer border of the upper flaps of the drape align and fasten with fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned horizontally along the Inner border of the upper flaps of the drape.

5. The functionality of the press and go shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said drape is closed at the right and left lower flaps of the drape by aligned fabric hook and loop fasteners: fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned vertically along the length of the Inner border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner border of the left lower flap of the drape align and fasten the drape in the closed position.

6. The functionality of the press and go shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said drape is held in an open position by fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned vertically along the length of the Inner border of the right lower flap of the drape aligning with fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned vertically along the length of the Outer border of the right lower flap of the drape; and fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned vertically along the length of the Inner border of the left lower flap of the drape aligning with fabric hook and loop fasteners positioned vertically along the length of the Outer border of the left lower flap of the drape.

7. The press and go shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said drape is selected from the group of textiles and fabrics consisting essentially of: burlap, cotton, hemp, latex, linen, nylon, recycled fabrics, spandex, silk, vinyl, water proof plastic, and wool.

8. The press and go shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said fabric hook and loop fasteners as they relate to the function as fasteners may be individual strips, round dots and or squares selected from the group consisting essentially of: cotton, nylon, polyester, silk, spandex, recycled fabrics, and wool.