Shower curtain ring

Abstract

The device for supporting a shower curtain includes a support rod with a first curvature, a hook attached to the support rod, and a sheath body with a second curvature. The sheath body can be opened and closed independent from the support rod. The first curvature matches the second curvature so that the support rod is at least partially housed within the sheath body. The sheath body further includes a plurality of notches radially arranged according to the second curvature. The invention further includes a plurality of wheel cams with each wheel cam being rotatably mounted around the support rod and positioned within a corresponding notch of the sheath body. When installed on a curtain rod, the wheel cams contact the surface of the curtain rod so that wheel cams can roll over any ridge or junction on the curtain rod.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for supporting a shower curtain, comprising:
 a support rod with a first curvature, said support rod having a first support rod end, and a second support rod end opposite said first support rod end;   a hook means attached to said second support rod end;   a sheath body with a second curvature, said sheath body being comprised of a first sheath portion attached to said first support rod end, and a second sheath portion in hinged connection with said first sheath portion,   wherein said first sheath portion has a first sheath locking end, and a first sheath hinged end opposite said first sheath locking end,   wherein said first sheath portion is comprised of a plurality of notches, each notch being radially arranged along said first sheath portion,   wherein said second sheath portion has a second sheath locking end, and a second sheath hinged end opposite said second sheath locking end, and   wherein said second sheath portion is comprised of a slot aligned with said support rod so as to pass said support rod through said second sheath portion; and   a plurality of wheel cams, each wheel cam being rotatably mounted around said support rod and positioned within a corresponding notch of said first sheath portion,   wherein said sheath body has an opened configuration with said first sheath locking end separated from said second sheath locking end, and   wherein said sheath body having a closed configuration with said first sheath locking end removably fastened to said second sheath locking end.   
     
     
         2 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 1 , wherein said hook means comprises:
 an attachment rod being made integral with said second support rod end and extending radially outward from said support rod; and   a first hook portion being made integral with said attachment rod.   
     
     
         3 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 2 , further comprising: a second hook portion  36  being made integral with said attachment rod. 
     
     
         4 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 3 , wherein said second hook portion is arranged on a side of said attachment rod opposite said first hook portion. 
     
     
         5 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first sheath hinged end is in hinged connection with said second sheath hinged end. 
     
     
         6 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 1 , wherein said slot extends from said second sheath hinged end to said second sheath locking end. 
     
     
         7 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 1 , wherein each wheel cam has a respective wheel surface aligned with each other so as to define a contact curvature. 
     
     
         8 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a mounting means for said first sheath portion to said support rod.
 being radially arranged along said first sheath portion   
     
     
         9 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 8 , wherein said mounting means for said first sheath portion to said support rod is position between respective notches. 
     
     
         10 . The device for supporting, according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a fastening means  60  for said first sheath locking end to said second sheath locking end. 
     
     
         11 . A method for preparing a shower for use, comprising the steps of:
 setting a curtain rod in place;   installing said device, according to  claim 1 , on said curtain rod;   wherein the step of installing comprises the steps of:   placing said sheath body in said opened configuration;   passing said curtain rod between said first sheath locking end and said second sheath locking end; and   placing said sheath body in said closed configuration so as to encircle said curtain rod with said sheath body; and   installing a curtain on said hook means.   
     
     
         12 . The method, according to  claim 11 , wherein said curtain is comprised of a plurality of holes, and wherein the step of installing said curtain comprises the step of passing said hook member through a corresponding hole of said curtain. 
     
     
         13 . The method, according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
 rolling said wheel cams along said curtain rod so as to place said curtain relative to said curtain rod.   
     
     
         14 . The method, according to  13 , wherein said curtain rod is comprised of a ridge, and wherein the step of rolling said wheel cams further comprises the step of driving over said ridge so as to place said curtain relative to said curtain rod.