Patent Application
20220369868
The present disclosure relates to a securing apparatus and, more particularly relates, to an apparatus for securing shower curtains along with towels, wet garments, facecloth and the like.
Curtains are used in residencies, hotels etc., and these are supported (or secured) by conventional hanging implements. The common hanging implements for hanging the curtains include curtain rods, rail, and glide systems. However, a curtain secured using such an aforementioned hanging implement tends to sag between two securing points of the curtain, as the curtain may be hung at different heights along its width. In an example, the shower curtains may be secured onto the curtain rods secured in a bathroom. Typically, the shower curtain is secured onto to a curtain rod located above the shower head. The shower curtains are often used to prevent spilling of water outside a bathtub. However, the person may hang the towel on the curtain rod which he/she may use for drying the body post showering. The towels hung on the curtain rod may move or swell inwardly due to the movement of the shower curtain. This causes the towel to be wet while showering and hence most people find unpleasant. To eliminate the aforementioned limitation, separate hanging implements can be secured in the bathroom to hang the shower curtains and the towels. However, using separate hanging implements for the curtains and the towels in the bathroom, requires additional space and is relatively expensive.
Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive apparatus and/or a device for simultaneously securing the curtains and the towels, and which can lessen the towel drying time and can facilitate space saving in addition to providing other technical advantages.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for securing a shower curtain and an article.
In an embodiment, an apparatus for securing a shower curtain and an article is disclosed. The apparatus includes a clip member. The clip member includes a first part and a second part. Each of the first part and the second part includes a proximal portion forming a clamp, a central portion and a distal portion. The clip member further includes a connecting member fastened to a protuberance of each of the first part and the second part at the central portion thereof. The apparatus includes a support member. The support member includes a first segment configured on an outer surface between the central and distal portions of the second part, a second segment extending at an angle beyond the distal portion of the second part and a third segment mounted onto the second segment. Further, the apparatus includes a hook member. The hook member includes a shank member extending from the third segment and positioned perpendicular to the third segment, and an engagement portion extending from the shank member. The engagement portion is adapted to be positioned on a rod member, thereby securing the apparatus on the rod member. The apparatus secured onto the rod member enables a user to simultaneously secure the shower curtain through the hook member and the article to the clip member.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for securing a shower curtain and an article is disclosed. The apparatus includes a clip member. The clip member includes a first part and a second part. Each of the first part and the second part includes a proximal portion forming a clamp, a central portion and a distal portion. The clip member further includes a connecting member fastened to a protuberance of each of the first part and the second part at the central portion thereof. The connecting member mounted between the first and second parts is configured to exert mechanical energy for operating the clip member between a closed position, and an open position for clamping and unfastening the article respectively. The apparatus includes a support member. The support member includes a first segment configured on an outer surface between the central and distal portions of the second part, a second segment extending at an angle beyond the distal portion of the second part and a third segment mounted onto the second segment. Further, the apparatus includes a hook member. The hook member includes a shank member extending from the third segment and positioned perpendicular to the third segment, and an engagement portion extending from the shank member. The engagement portion is adapted to be positioned on a rod member, thereby securing the apparatus on the rod member. The apparatus secured onto the rod member enables a user to simultaneously secure the shower curtain through the hook member and the article to the clip member. The apparatus secured to the rod member is oriented at an angle away from the shower curtain when the shower curtain is secured to the hook member, thereby creating a space between the shower curtain secured to the hook member and the article secured to the clip member.
The following detailed description of illustrative embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a specific device or a tool and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers:
The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.
Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, although many of the features of the present disclosure are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present disclosure is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present disclosure.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for securing a shower curtain and an article simultaneously. In an embodiment, the apparatus (i.e. the hook and clip assembly) includes a clip member, a hook member and a support member. The clip member includes a first part and a second part. Further, each of the first part and the second part includes a proximal portion forming a clamp, a central portion and a distal portion. The clip member is configured with indentations on an outer surface proximate to the distal portion of the first part. The indentations provide gripping to a user for operating the clip member for clamping and unfastening the article. Further, the clip member includes a connecting member that is fastened to a protuberance of each of the first part and the second part at the central portion thereof. The connecting member may be a spring (e.g., torsion spring). The connecting member mounted between the first and second parts is configured to exert mechanical energy for operating the clip member between a closed position and an open position for clamping and unfastening the article (such as towels or wet garments) respectively. The clip member is configured with a plurality of teeth on an interior surface along a length of the distal portion of each of the first part and the second part. The plurality of teeth enhances the clamping of the article between the first part and the second part.
Further, the support member is mounted onto an outer surface of the second part. More specifically, the support member includes a first segment configured on the outer surface between the central portion and the distal portion of the second part, a second segment extending at an angle ‘α’ beyond the distal portion of the second part and a third segment mounted onto the second segment. The hook member includes a shank member mounted to the third segment and an engagement portion extending from the shank member. The engagement portion is adapted to be positioned on a curtain rod for securing the apparatus on the curtain rod. The apparatus positioned on the curtain rod enables the user to simultaneously secure the shower curtain through the hook member and the towel to the clip member. Further, the third segment acts as a stopper for the shower curtain that is secured to the hook member, thus preventing the descent of the shower curtain towards the clip member. Furthermore, the support member and the clip member are oriented away from the shower curtain when the hook member is secured to the rod member, thereby creating a space between the shower curtain secured to the hook member and the article secured to the clip member.
Various embodiments of a hook and clip assembly for securing shower curtains and towels are described with reference to
The hook and clip assembly 102 (e.g., four hook and clip assembly) positioned over the curtain rod 104 is configured to secure the shower curtain 106 and the towel 108 (as shown in
The clip member 110 further includes a connecting member 212 (exemplary depicted to be “a torsion spring”). The connecting member 212 is fastened to a protuberance 214 of each of the first part 202 and the second part 204 at the central portion 208 thereof. More specifically, one end of the connecting member 212 is connected to the protuberance 214 of the first part 202, and another end of the connecting member 212 is connected to the protuberance 214 of the second part 204. The connecting member 212 is configured to exert mechanical energy for operating the clip member 110 between a closed position (see, 216 of
In an embodiment, the clip member 110 may be a unitary body i.e. the first part 202, the second part 204 and the connecting member 212 may be integrally connected and configured to operate between the closed position 216 and the open position 226.
Further, an outer surface 218 proximate to the distal portion 210 of each of the first part 202 and the second part 204 is configured with indentations 224 to provide gripping to the user for operating the clip member 110 to the open position 226. Additionally, the clip member 110 includes a plurality of teeth 220 configured on an interior surface 222 along a length of the distal portion 210 of each of the first part 202 and the second part 204. The plurality of teeth 220 on the interior surface 222 enhance clamping of the article 108 between the first part 202 and the second part 204.
Further, the support member 112 includes a third segment 312 configured on the second segment 304. In other words, the third segment 312 is mounted on a top surface 310 of the second segment 304. For the purposes of illustration, the third segment 312 is bisected angularly at one corner in
Further, the hook member 114 includes a shank member 306 and an engagement portion 308. The shank member 306 is mounted onto the third segment 312 via conventional fastening means. It should be noted that the shank member 306 is perpendicular to the third segment 312. In an embodiment, the shank member 306 may be mounted onto the top surface 310 and extend through an aperture (not shown in Figures) configured in the third segment 312. In this configuration, the aperture may be positioned co-axially with the mounting area of the shank member 306 for allowing the shank member 306 to extend therethrough. Further, the engagement portion 308 extends from the shank member 306 and is adapted to be hung on the curtain rod 104, thereby snuggly securing the apparatus 102 onto the curtain rod 104. The engagement portion 308 of the hook member 114 conforms to an open form or an inverted U-shape profile. In one configuration, the hook member 114 may be of closed form (e.g., loop hangers). In an embodiment, at least the engagement portion 308 and the shank member 306 may be configured with decorative elements, thus improving the aesthetic appearance of the apparatus 102. In another embodiment, the support member 112 may include internal threads or a slot (not shown in FIGS.) for enabling mounting of the hook member 114. In yet another embodiment, the hook member 114 affixed to the support member 112 may enable the clip member 110 to freely rotate relative to the hook member 114 through 360 degrees.
Referring now to
Referring back to
Further, the user can secure the shower curtain 106 by traversing the aperture of the shower curtain 106 along a length of the engagement portion 308 and the shank member 306. Thus, the hook member 114 receives and/or holds up the shower curtain 106. The third segment 304 acts as the stopper and/or gathering point for the shower curtain 106 as explained above. More specifically, the apertures of the shower curtain 106 rest on the third segment 312, thereby preventing further descent of the shower curtain 106 towards the clip member 110. Thus, the support member 112 prevents intervention to the clip member 110 by the drapery 106 secured at the hook member 114.
The apparatus 102 secured onto the curtain rod 104 is oriented at an angle ‘β’ (e.g., 45 degree) away from the shower curtain 106 when the shower curtain is rested on the third segment 312 of the support member 112. In other words, the apparatus 102 buttresses up against the shower curtain 106 when the shower curtain 106 is secured to the hook member 114, thus enabling the support member 112 and the clip member 110 (or the apparatus 102) to be oriented at an angle ‘β’ (e.g., 45 degree) away from the shower curtain 106. It should be noted that the angle of orientation ‘β’ is due to mounting angle of the first segment 302 and the angle ‘α’ of the second segment 304. In this scenario, the engagement portion 308 hung on the curtain rod facilitates the shank member 306 to be positioned perpendicular and/or align to a vertical position due to gravity and the structural configuration of the apparatus 102. This enables the support member 112 and the clip member 110 to be angled (e.g., 45 degree) away from the shower curtain 106.
Furthermore, the clip member 110 oriented away from the shower curtain 106 is used to clamp the towel 108 in a lengthwise manner i.e. hanging towels from top to bottom. As shown in
In one scenario, the clip member 110 of all the four hook and clip assembly 102 can be used for clamping the towel 108. In addition, the plurality of teeth 220 on the interior surface 222 enhances the clamping of the towel 108 as explained above. Further, the position of the hook and clip assembly 102 over the curtain rod 104 can be manually adjusted by moving it along the length of the curtain rod 104 in order to prevent sagging of the towel 108 hanging in lengthways. As such, hanging the towel 108 in the lengthways increases surface area of the towel 108, thus resulting in decrease in drying time of the towel 108. Similarly, the article 108 such as the wet garments can also be clamped by the clip member 110 for drying. In one embodiment, the shower curtain 106 can also be securely clamped by the clip member 110.
Referring now to
Various embodiments disclosed herein provide numerous advantages. More specifically, the embodiments disclosed herein provide a hook and clip assembly for securing shower curtain along with the towels, wet garments and the like. The hook and clip assembly of the present invention is easy to install and use. Further, the hook and clip assembly of the present invention is inexpensive and space saving, as it has the ability to secure the shower curtain and the towel at the same time. The hook and clip assembly mitigates the use of individual fixtures for the towels and the curtains. Moreover, this apparatus clamps the towel in lengthwise which provides maximum opportunity for drying. Further, proximity of this device allows the towel to dry over a shower mat and the device can be hung in reverse and pointing inward toward shower and can hold facecloth or puff.
Various embodiments of the disclosure, as discussed above, may be practiced with steps and/or operations in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations, which are different than those which, are disclosed. Therefore, although the disclosure has been described based upon these exemplary embodiments, it is noted that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions may be apparent and well within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Although various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are described herein in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.
