US-12622550-B2 - Shower curtain with assistance panel

Abstract

A shower curtain for use in an area including a shower that includes a shower space sized for receiving a subject for showering and a dry space outside the shower space. The shower curtain comprises a sheet adapted to hang between the shower space and the dry space to limit water exiting the shower space and entering the dry space. The sheet has an opening sized and shaped to permit an assistant positioned in the dry space to reach through the opening into the shower space to assist the subject. The shower curtain includes a panel attached to the sheet selectively movable between a closed position in which the panel covers the opening to limit water exiting the shower space through the opening and an open position in which the opening is accessible by the assistant to reach into the shower space to assist the subject.

Inventors

• Leslie Dawn Anderson

Assignees

• Leslie Dawn Anderson

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240520

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A shower curtain for use in an area including a shower, said area including a shower space sized for receiving a subject for showering and a dry space outside the shower space, said shower curtain comprising: a sheet adapted to hang between the shower space and the dry space to limit water entering the dry space from the shower space, the sheet including a foot end and an opening defined by an edge, the opening being sized and shaped to permit an assistant positioned in the dry space to reach through the opening into the shower space to assist the subject, the edge including a lower edge portion extending along a bottom of the opening spaced from the foot end of the sheet by a distance of 10 inches to 29 inches; and a panel attached to the sheet, the panel being selectively movable between a closed position in which the panel covers the opening to limit water passing through the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered allowing the assistant to reach through the opening to assist the subject in the shower space, the panel being selectively retainable in the closed position and selectively retainable in the open position.
2. 2 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 1 wherein the panel is pivotably attached to the sheet permitting the panel to pivot relative to the sheet when moving the panel between the closed position and the open position.
3. 3 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 2 wherein the opening and the panel are generally rectangular.
4. 4 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower edge portion is spaced from the foot end of the sheet by a distance of 12 inches to 16 inches.
5. 5 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 3 wherein: the edge defining the opening includes an upper edge portion extending along a top of the opening; and the panel is attached to the sheet adjacent to the upper edge portion.
6. 6 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 5 wherein: the edge defining the opening also includes a left edge portion extending along a left side of the opening and a right edge portion opposite the left edge portion extending along a right side of the opening; the panel includes a left margin and a right margin opposite the left margin; and the shower curtain further comprises: a plurality of fastener connectors divided into a left connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the left edge portion and a right connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the right edge portion; a plurality of fasteners, each fastener of said plurality of fasteners being adapted to connect to each fastener connector of said plurality of fastener connectors, said plurality of fasteners being divided into a left fastener group positioned in the left margin of the panel to fasten the left margin of the panel to the sheet adjacent to the left edge portion and a right fastener group positioned in the right margin of the panel to fasten the right margin of the panel to the sheet adjacent to the right edge portion.
7. 7 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 6 wherein: each fastener connector of said plurality of fastener connectors comprises a female magnetic button; and each fastener of said plurality of fasteners comprises a male magnetic button.
8. 8 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 5 wherein: the edge defining the opening includes a left edge portion extending along a left side of the opening, a right edge portion opposite the left edge portion extending along a right side of the opening, and a lower edge portion extending along a bottom of the opening; the panel includes an end margin; and the shower curtain further comprises: a plurality of fastener connectors divided into a left connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the left edge portion, a right connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the right edge portion, a bottom connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the lower portion of the edge, and a top connector group positioned on the sheet above the upper portion of the edge; and a plurality of fasteners, each fastener of said plurality of fasteners being adapted to connect to each fastener connector of said plurality of fastener connectors, said plurality of fasteners being divided into a left fastener group positioned in the left margin of the panel to fasten the left margin of the panel to the sheet adjacent to the left edge portion, a right fastener group positioned in the right margin of the panel to fasten the right margin of the panel to the sheet adjacent to the right edge portion, and a bottom fastener group positioned in the end margin of the panel; and the panel is selectively retainable in an open position by fastening the bottom fastener group to the top connector group.
9. 9 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 6 wherein: each fastener connector of the plurality of fastener connectors comprises a slide fastener connector; and each fastener of the plurality of fasteners comprises a slide fastener.
10. 10 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 3 wherein the opening has a width of 30 inches to 40 inches and a height of 20 inches to 30 inches.
11. 11 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 10 wherein the width is 36 inches and the height is 24 inches.
12. 12 . A method for using a shower curtain adapted to assist in showering for use in an area including a shower, said area including a shower space sized for receiving a subject for showering and a dry space outside the shower space, said shower curtain comprising (i) a sheet adapted to hang between the shower space and the dry space to limit water exiting the shower space and entering the dry space, the sheet including a foot end and an opening sized and shaped to permit an assistant positioned in the dry space to reach through the opening into the shower space to assist the subject, the opening is defined by an edge including a lower edge portion extending along a bottom of the opening, wherein the lower portion of the edge is spaced 10 inches to 29 inches above the foot end, and (ii) a panel attached to the sheet, the panel being selectively movable between a closed position in which the panel covers the opening to limit water entering the dry space from the shower space and an open position in which the opening is uncovered allowing the assistant to reach through the opening to assist the subject, the panel being selectively retainable in the closed position and selectively retainable in the open position, said method comprising: guiding the subject from the dry space and into the shower space; positioning the shower curtain to hang between the shower space and the dry with the panel selectively retained in the closed position; extending an arm around the shower curtain to turn on the water in the shower space; moving the panel from the closed position to the open position; reaching through the opening into the shower space to assist the subject with showering; moving the panel from the open position to the closed position; extending an arm around the shower curtain to turn off the water in the shower space; repositioning the shower curtain to allow movement between the shower space and the dry space; and guiding the subject from the shower space and into the dry space.
13. 13 . A shower curtain for use in an area including a showerhead mounted above a bathtub, the area including a wet space containing the showerhead and a portion of the bathtub sized for receiving a subject for showering and a dry space outside the shower space, said shower curtain comprising: a sheet adapted to separate the wet space from the dry space to limit water entering the dry space from the wet space, the sheet including a foot end and an opening sized and shaped to allow an assistant positioned in the dry space to reach through the opening into the wet space to assist the subject, the opening being defined by an interior edge including a lower edge portion extending along a bottom of the opening and spaced 10 inches to 29 inches above the foot end; and a panel attached to the sheet, the panel being selectively movable relative to the sheet between a closed position in which the panel covers the opening to limit water passing through the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered allowing the assistant to reach through the opening to assist the subject, the panel being selectively retainable in the closed position and selectively retainable in the open position.
14. 14 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 13 wherein the panel flexes relative to the sheet allowing the panel to move between the closed position and the open position.
15. 15 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 14 wherein the opening and the panel are generally rectangular.
16. 16 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 15 wherein the panel extends downward from the sheet and is configured to overlap the bottom of the opening, a left side of the opening, and a right side of the opening.
17. 17 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 16 wherein: the edge defining the opening includes a left edge portion extending along the left side of the opening and a right edge portion opposite the left edge portion extending along the right side of the opening; the panel has a left margin and a right margin opposite the left margin; and the shower curtain further comprises: a plurality of fastener connectors including a left connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the left edge portion and a right connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the right edge portion; a plurality of fasteners, each fastener of said plurality of fasteners being adapted to connect to each fastener connector of said plurality of fastener connectors, said plurality of fasteners including a left fastener group positioned in the left margin of the panel to fasten the left margin of the panel to the sheet adjacent to the left edge portion and a right group positioned in the right margin of the panel to fasten the right margin of the panel to the sheet adjacent to the right portion.
18. 18 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 17 wherein: each fastener connector of said plurality of fastener connectors comprises a female magnetic button; and each fastener of said plurality of fasteners comprises a male magnetic button.
19. 19 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 18 wherein: the panel has a bottom margin; the plurality of fasteners further includes a bottom fastener group positioned in the bottom margin of the panel; the plurality of fastener connectors further includes a bottom connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the lower edge portion and a top connector group positioned on the sheet adjacent to the upper edge portion; and the panel is selectively retainable in the open position by fastening at least one fastener of the bottom fastener group to at least one fastener connector of the top connector group.
20. 20 . A shower curtain as set forth in claim 17 wherein: each fastener connector of the plurality of fastener connectors comprises a slide fastener connector; and each fastener of the plurality of fasteners comprises a slide fastener.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure is directed to a shower curtain, and more particularly to a shower curtain including an assistance panel allowing an assistant to reach through the shower curtain to assist a subject in showering. Conventional shower curtains hang from rods in bathrooms between a shower space and a dry space to limit water from leaving the shower space and entering the dry space. For persons who are able to shower without assistance, conventional shower curtains work well, allowing the subject to shower without concern about large amounts of water entering the dry space outside the shower space because the curtain limits water from leaving the shower space. But with a subject who needs assistance showering, such as a child, a patient, a person with a disability or medical condition, or a pet, conventional shower curtains have substantial drawbacks. When fully extended the shower curtain prevents most water from leaving the shower space, but an assistant cannot help the subject with showering. To assist with showering, the assistant sometimes slides the shower curtain open at one end allowing them to reach into the shower to help the subject. But with the shower curtain opened, even partially, water readily leaves the shower space and flows into the dry space of the bathroom. This often results in both the assistant and the dry space becoming wet due to shower overspray. Water also enters the dry space due to a child splashing or a pet shaking or deciding to leave the shower area altogether without a curtain acting as a mental and physical barrier. Shower assistance is commonly needed in settings, such as at home, in a hospital, in a skilled care facility, in a rehabilitation unit, or in any facility where assisted showering may occur. Moreover, with the shower curtain open, the shower space can become cold as cool air from the dry space of the bathroom flows into the shower space and air warmed by the shower flows out of the shower space into the dry space. This movement of air can make the subject in the shower cold and uncomfortable, making assistance more difficult, and prolonging the shower. Using a conventional shower curtain when an assistant is needed leads to more water entering the dry space. This causes several problems, including the time and cost associated with cleaning up the dry space, the increased chance of an assistant or subject falling in the dry space due to a wet floor, and an increased need for the assistant to change out of wet clothes or endure damp clothes after a shower assist. With a conventional shower curtain, facilities providing assisted showers and the assistants often need to purchase and launder additional towels to soak up water, purchase and use shoe covers to protect shoes from water damage, purchase and use waterproof clothing protectors (e.g., a disposable gown) to protect clothes from water, and use additional energy to heat showering spaces due to heat loss when the curtain is open. In view of the drawbacks discussed above, there remains a need for an improved alternative shower curtain adapted for assistance that (i) limits water leaving the shower space, (ii) minimizes cold air entering the shower space, (iii) allows the caregiver to remain dry, (iv) uses fewer towels for cleanup of the dry space, and (v) permits the shower curtain to remain in place both when assistance is needed and for everyday use when shower assistance is not needed. SUMMARY In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a shower curtain for use in an area including a shower. The area includes a shower space sized for receiving a subject for showering and a dry space outside the shower space. The shower curtain comprises a sheet adapted to hang between the shower space and the dry space to limit water exiting the shower space and entering the dry space. The sheet has an opening sized and shaped to permit an assistant positioned in the dry space to reach through the opening into the shower space to assist the subject. A panel attaches to the sheet. The panel is selectively movable between a closed position in which the panel covers the opening to limit water exiting the shower space through the opening and an open position in which the opening is accessible by the assistant to reach into the shower space to assist the subject. The panel is selectively retained in the closed position and the open position. In another aspect, the present disclosure includes a method for using a shower curtain adapted to assist in showering for use in an area including a shower, the area including a shower space sized for receiving a subject for showering and a dry space outside the shower space. The shower curtain comprises a sheet adapted to hang between the shower space and the dry space to limit water exiting the shower space and entering the dry space. The sheet has an opening sized and shaped to permit an assistant positioned in the dry space to reach through the opening in