Mirrored Shower Curtain

Abstract

A shower curtain comprising one or more affixed mirror panels to increase reflection images available to the bathroom user. In the preferred embodiment, a lightweight, removable three-panel full-length mirror is suspended with magnets from the external surface of the shower curtain to create a hinged tri-fold mirror system such that the user can selectively fold and unfold the panels off the main curtain to achieve multiple targeted reflections for personal care and enhanced viewing without occupying valuable bathroom space. In the preferred embodiment, all three mirror panels have respective magnetic contact points with the main curtain so the three-panel mirror lays flat atop the fabric curtain when all magnetic contact points are engaged. Alternative embodiments of the mirrored shower curtain may utilize shorter mirror panels, for example, when the intended use is home haircare.

Claims

1. A curtain comprising: a main curtain made from flexible sheet material; and, at least one mirror panel affixed to at least one side of the main curtain; wherein the mirror panel(s) are suspended from the main curtain to provide at least one mirror panel image to assist the user with personal care and image viewing.

2. The curtain of claim 1 whereby the main curtain comprises a shower curtain.

3. The curtain of claim 1 whereby the mirror panel(s) may be angularly adjusted to target selected angle(s).

4. The curtain of claim 1 whereby at least one mirror panel lays flat atop the main curtain's front or back side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mirrored shower curtain, suspended over a shower/tub within a bathroom setting, with one of the three-panel mirror's side panels in a folded position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a backside view of the mirrored shower curtain's three-panel mirror removed from the main fabric curtain, and unfolded, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the mirrored shower curtain's main fabric curtain, with the three-panel mirror removed, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the mirrored shower curtain, suspended from a shower curtain rod, with the three-panel mirror's two side panels in folded positions, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the mirrored shower curtain with the three-panel mirror unfolded and laying flat against the main fabric curtain, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Although the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a specific preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, it is not intended to be limited thereto. It should be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications, which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art, can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims for the invention described herein. It should also be understood that the various identified components of the mirrored shower curtain disclosed herein are merely terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer to another and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure.

[0020] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings (FIGS. 1-5), in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0021] As seen in FIG. 1 of the non-limiting preferred embodiment, the mirrored shower curtain 11 is suspended from a straight shower curtain rod 12 with rings 13 threaded through the curtain's rust-resistant metal grommets 29 that are placed at intervals along top edge 14 of the main fabric curtain 15. Other embodiments can utilize varying suspension methods and accessories for the curtain including, but not limited to, fabric slits instead of grommets, a curved or multi-angle shower rod, tracking system(s) and clotheslines instead of rods; no grommets; a fold-over top edge of the curtain wrapped around the circumference of a curtain rod; and other suspension methods for shower curtains and curtains hung in other locations.

[0022] In the non-limiting preferred embodiment, main fabric curtain 15 is of conventional length and width and extends from curtain rod 12 to below, and outside, the top of tub front wall 16. In the non-limiting preferred embodiment shown, the main fabric curtain is made from 2-ply heavy-duty polyester fabric, though other embodiments can include variations including, but not limited to, alternative curtain materials and sizes, curtains that include or function as shower liners, shorter curtains that don't provide the shower enclosure, and one-ply curtains. Other embodiments can also be suspended in alternate locations. Other embodiments can also include reinforcement mechanisms or means at specific locations in, or on, the main curtain to support the additional weight of the mirror panel(s) and any adhesive materials or mechanisms.

[0023] In the non-limiting preferred embodiment, a full-length three-panel mirror 17 is suspended from the external-facing surface 28 of the main fabric curtain 15 by five neodymium magnets 18 sewn into the interior of the 2-ply fabric curtain 15 and five corresponding neodymium magnet mates 27 attached to the back sides 26 of mirror 17's three-panels 21, 22, and 23; the magnet mates 27 are permanently attached to the panel back sides 26 with high temperature epoxy resin. In the non-limiting preferred embodiment, the three-panel mirror 17 is suspended from the external-facing surface 28 of the main curtain 15 by aligning the magnet mates 27 (on the back sides 26 of three-panel mirror 17) with the corresponding interior magnets 18 in the fabric curtain 15.

[0024] Other embodiments may have any number, size, shape, and placement of mirror panel(s) including, but not limited to, those designed for limited head/neck viewing, and can simply include one or more mirror panel(s). Other embodiments may also achieve one or more full-length panel image, for example, using more than one panel per full-length image, to facilitate packaging in smaller boxes. Other embodiments may also include mirror panels affixed to the interior-facing, exterior-facing, or both sides of the curtain.

[0025] In the non-limiting preferred embodiment shown, the three-panel mirror has a first side panel 21, a center panel 23, and second side panel 22; each panel is made from fogless break-resistant acrylic mirror, though other embodiments may use alternative reflective surface materials. In the non-limiting preferred embodiment shown, center panel 23 is located intermediately between side panels 21 and 22; side panels 21 and 22 are affixed to opposing linear edges 25 of the center panel 23 with four metal hinges 24 affixed with screws 30 to the panels' rear sides 26 (FIG. 2). The hinges 24 allow side panels 21 and 22 to be independently articulated along unique axes and placed in folded positions to selectively achieve targeted reflections with various positions and angles made by the three panels 21, 22, and 23, while one or more panel(s) remain affixed to the main fabric curtain 15.

[0026] Other embodiments can include reflective surface panels affixed to each other using alternative mechanisms to hinges for maneuvering the panels to achieve the desired views. Other embodiments may include varying number, type, and placement of magnets, various adhesion methods, and no magnets at all; other embodiments can also include other mechanisms to temporarily affix the mirror panel(s) to the curtain including, but not limited to, Velcro. Other embodiments may also permanently affix one or more the reflective surface panel(s) to the main curtain. Other embodiments may also include no mechanisms that affix the reflective surfaces to each other.

[0027] In the non-limiting preferred embodiment, center panel 23 has more magnets 27 than side panel 21 and side panel 22; these magnets 27 correspond with the magnets 18 in the main fabric curtain 15 and create a stronger bond between center panel 23 and main curtain 15, as side panels 21 and 22 will be folded off main fabric curtain 15 more often than center panel 23. When bathroom layouts permit, as in FIG. 1, just one panel 21, may be pulled/folded off main fabric curtain 15 for a folded position that complements the vanity mirror 31 image to achieve angles needed for backside viewing. In the non-limiting preferred embodiment, when all mirror panels 21, 22, and 23 are unfolded, the three-panel mirror 17 lays flat atop main fabric curtain 15, as seen in FIG. 5.

[0028] In the non-limiting preferred embodiment, the entire three-panel mirror 17 is removable from main fabric curtain 15 to allow for washing of the fabric curtain 15. Other embodiments may include one or more mirror panels permanently affixed to the curtain with glue or other adhesion materials.

[0029] While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific preferred embodiment, it should be understood that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art and may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0030] In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. It should also be understood that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements subsequently made to this invention by those skilled in the art are also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.