Hinged glide hooks

Abstract

A shower curtain hook includes a hoop portion, a lower portion, a hinge coupling a first end of the hoop portion to a first end of the lower portion, and a clasp for coupling a second end of the lower portion to a second end the hoop portion. The lower portion can be generally V-shaped or generally U-shaped.

1 . A shower curtain hook comprising:
 a hoop portion;   a lower portion;   a hinge coupling a first end of the hoop portion to a first end of the lower portion; and   a clasp for coupling a second end of the lower portion to a second end the hoop portion.   
     
     
         2 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end of the hoop portion includes a first generally planar surface;   the first end of the lower portion includes a second generally planar surface; and   the hinge is structured to allow sliding movement between the first and second generally planar surfaces.   
     
     
         3 . The shower curtain hooks of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge comprises:
 a fastener passing through the first and second generally planar surfaces.   
     
     
         4 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 3 , wherein the fastener comprises:
 a pin, rivet or stud.   
     
     
         5 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second generally planar surfaces lie in planes parallel to or coplanar with a plane of the hook. 
     
     
         6 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 1 , wherein the clasp comprises:
 a protrusion on a generally planar portion of the second end of the hoop portion; and   a depression in a generally planar portion of the second end of the lower portion.   
     
     
         7 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 1 , wherein the clasp comprises:
 a depression in a generally planar portion of the second end of the hoop portion; and   a protrusion on a generally planar portion of the second end of the lower portion.   
     
     
         8 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion is generally V-shaped or generally U-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 8 , wherein the hinge couples a first side of the lower portion to the hoop portion. 
     
     
         10 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 9 , wherein the clasp couples a second side of the lower portion to the hoop portion. 
     
     
         11 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the lower portion moves away from the second end the hoop portion when the clasp opens. 
     
     
         12 . The shower curtain hook of  claim 1 , wherein no part of the lower portion protrudes into an interior region of the hook when the hook is being mounted on a rod.