CURTAIN HOOK WITH TOP ATTACHMENT

Abstract

We provide a shower curtain hook with a top ornament. In one embodiment, the ornament is permanently attached to the top of the hook, oriented so that when the hook bears a curtain the ornament stands perpendicular to the axis of the rod. In a preferred embodiment the top of the hook includes a connector that mates with and allows attachment of an ornament.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of curtain hooks.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Curtains are customarily supported by rods. This is usually the case for shower curtains, window curtains, and other areas where curtains might be used. A curtain may depend from a rod through the use of a pocket through which the curtain rod travels. In other instances the top of the curtain includes a plurality of holes through which rings are placed. These rings are then threaded onto the rod.

[0005] In a common arrangement, the curtain depends from the rod through the use of a plurality of hooks. A common hook for this use is shown in FIG. 6. Hooks may be of varying shapes, sizes, and materials. Often hooks are sold separately from other hardware, allowing a user to customize the appearance of a bathroom or other space where the curtain is displayed. Unfortunately, to date the options for ornamenting shower curtain hooks have been limited, and in many cases the ability to change hooks is limited by the sometimes arduous task of changing all of the hooks in their entirety.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments are presented herein that provide a shower curtain hook with a top ornament. In one embodiment, the ornament is permanently attached to the top of the hook, oriented so that when the hook bears a curtain the ornament stands perpendicular to the axis of the rod. In a preferred embodiment the top of the hook includes a connector that mates with and allows attachment of an ornament. This attachment may be permanent or temporary, allowing a user to select and, in some cases, exchange ornaments. In this preferred embodiment the ornament will typically stand perpendicular to the long axis of the rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a curtain hook 1 and an example of a top ornament 3, where the hook and ornament are in an unconnected state. The hook 3 includes a slot 5 for insertion and connection of the ornament.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows front views of two different combinations of curtain hook 1 and examples of a top ornament 3, where the ornaments are different. They are shown in the context of a shower curtain rod, which is presented in phantom. In FIG. 2 the hook and ornament are connected.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows additional examples of connected hooks and ornaments. FIGS. 4 and 5 show left and right side views, respectively, of FIG. 3.

[0010] FIG. 6 shows an example of a prior art shower curtain hook.

[0011] FIGS. 7-13 show hooks with different examples of attached ornaments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] We provide a shower curtain hook with a top ornament. Hooks and ornaments may be made of the same or different materials. Typical materials include metal, ceramic, plastic, wood, resin, or bakelite. Hook materials should be sufficiently strong to hold a curtain to be hung from the rod.

[0013] Although the word "ornament" has been used to describe the item on top of the hook, those skilled in the art will understand that the top item need not be ornamental from a design perspective. Although in some embodiments the ornament has a design function, in others the ornament may provide an advertisement, a warning, or other useful information. Samples of ornaments having a design function are shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-13.

[0014] In some embodiments the hook and ornament may be constructed as a single unitary piece. In another the hook and ornament may be constructed as separate pieces and then welded or otherwise joined prior to sale and distribution. The joining may be intended to be permanent or temporary.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the hook and ornament may be distributed as two pieces in a single package, to be joined prior to use. This provides a significant advantage in the shipping, distribution, and sale of the items, because they are able to be placed in a smaller package than if they were shipped and sold in constructed form. Optionally, the hooks and the ornaments may be sold separately, allowing a purchaser to select separate hooks and ornaments as desired, or to purchase a single hook and combine it with different ornaments. This might be useful, for example, in a seasonal display.

[0016] As previously noted, hooks and ornaments may be joined through welding or adhesive. In a preferred embodiment, the hook and ornament include mating connectors. For example, these may be slot and groove type connectors, hook and loop connectors, peg and hole connectors, or screw and threaded bore connectors. The hook-based connector should be disposed on the hook to allow the ornament, when attached, to be situated at an angle that is perpendicular to or approximately perpendicular to the long axis of the rod upon which the hook will be placed. Typically when the connector is placed on the top of the hook, it is oriented to account for the displacement of the hook that results when the hook is placed on a rod having a circular cross-section, then the weight of a curtain is applied to the hook. This may be calculated, for example, by estimating the weight of a shower curtain and determining how it will be distributed across a plurality of hooks.

[0017] Embodiments of the invention enjoy significant advantages over other ornamented shower curtain hooks, In particular, their counterweight design allows ideal display of the ornament, Second, in embodiments of the invention the ornament is displayed atop the curtain rod, not in front of it, allowing ease of visibility and maximum enjoyment. Further, the use of a top connector permits easy access to the hook and ornament for removal, cleaning, and replacement of the ornament without the need to disturb the hook or the curtain,

[0018] Embodiments of the invention may be manufactured by methods know to those of skill in the art for working the materials that are chosen for the hook and ornament. For example, plastic components may be made by injection molding. Metal components may be made by pressing or molding. The embodiments of the invention are not limited by the methods of preparation of the components.

[0019] Those skilled in the art will recognize many other aspects and advantages of the invention. Those will be encompassed by the following claims,

Claims

1. A shower curtain hook, comprising: a hook, said hook including a first curved portion for allowing the hook to hang from a shower curtain rod and a second curved portion for allowing the hook to support a shower curtain; a connector atop the hook; an ornament, said ornament adapted to connect to said hook at said connector, wherein said connector is oriented atop said hook such that, when the hook hangs from the rod, a curtain hangs from the hook, and said ornament is connected to said hook at the connector, the ornament will stand perpendicular to the long axis of the shower curtain rod.

2. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein said ornament is a decorative ornament.

3. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein said connector is selected from the group consisting of a slot and groove connector, hook and loop connector, peg and hole connector, and screw and threaded bore connector,

4. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein said ornament is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, plastic, wood, resin, and Bakelite.

5. The shower curtain hook of claim 1, wherein said ornament is in the shape of a warning sign.

6. A kit for creation of a shower curtain hook, said kit comprising: a hook, said hook including a first curved portion for allowing the hook to hang from a shower curtain rod and a second curved portion for allowing the hook to support a shower curtain; a connector atop the hook; an ornament, said ornament adapted to connect to said hook at said connector, wherein said connector is oriented atop said hook such that, when the hook hangs from the rod, a curtain hangs from the hook, and said ornament is connected to said hook at the connector, the ornament will stand perpendicular to the long axis of the shower curtain rod.