Method of installing a shower rod mounting bracket

Abstract

A bracket for mounting a curved shower rod on a previously installed straight shower rod. The bracket includes a body having a first member that defines a first bore for receiving an end of the curved shower rod therein, and a second member defining a second bore for receiving a portion of the straight shower rod therein. The first member extends outwardly from the second member at an angle. The second member comprises first and second regions that are movable away from each other to capture a portion of the straight shower rod between them. A securement mechanism locks the first and second regions together to prevent the bracket from disengaging from the straight shower rod. A second mounting bracket is similarly engaged on an opposite end of the straight shower rod and receives a second end of the curved shower rod therein.

1 . A method of mounting a curved shower rod in a bathtub enclosure comprising:
 providing a straight shower rod that is already installed between two opposed walls of a bathtub or shower enclosure a distance vertically above a floor surface or bathtub surface;   engaging a first mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod;   engaging a first end of the curved shower rod in the first mounting bracket;   engaging a second end of the curved shower rod in a second mounting bracket; and   engaging the second mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod; such that the second mounting bracket is spaced a distance from the first mounting bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the straight shower rod further includes:
 securing a first end and a second end of the straight shower rod to the walls using a pair of installation brackets.   
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the first mounting bracket is engaged with the straight shower rod a distance inwardly from one or the other of the first and second ends thereof and the first mounting bracket is then moved to a first position adjacent a first one of the pair of installation brackets. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the step of moving the first mounting bracket to the first position includes sliding the first mounting bracket along an exterior circumferential surface of the straight shower rod. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the step of engaging the second mounting bracket on the straight shower rod further includes moving the second mounting bracket along the exterior circumferential surface of the straight shower rod to a second position adjacent a second one of the pair of installation brackets. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the steps of moving the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket along the straight shower rod includes sliding the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket longitudinally along the straight shower rod. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket with the curved shower rod with includes:
 inserting an end of the curved shower rod into a bore of a first member of the respective one of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket.   
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the step of engaging the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket on the straight shower rod includes changing a diameter of a bore defined in a second member of the respective one of the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the step of changing the diameter of the bore defined in the second member includes moving a first section of the second member away from a second section of the second member so as to increase the size of a slot defined in the second member. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the step of moving the first section of the second member away from the second section thereof includes rotating the first section about an axis extending along a hinge which joins the first and second sections together. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the step of engaging the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket with the straight shower rod further includes moving the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket toward the straight shower rod so that a length of the straight shower rod enters the slot after the slot has been increased in size. 
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of moving the first section of the second member back toward the second section thereof after the length of the straight shower rod enters the bore of the second member so as to reduce the size of the slot. 
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of securing the first second and second sections together after the slot has been reduced in size. 
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the step of securing includes passing a fastener through an aligned first hole in the first section and a second hole in the second section. 
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 rotating the first mounting bracket or the second mounting bracket about an exterior circumferential surface of the straight shower rod so as to position the slot in the second member thereof in a location opposed to the floor surface or the bathtub surface of the enclosure.   
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging the first end of the curved shower rod in the first mounting bracket occurs after the step of engaging the first mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod. 
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of engaging the first end of the curved shower rod in the first mounting bracket precedes the step of engaging the first mounting bracket onto the already installed straight shower rod. 
     
     
         18 . A method of installing a curved shower rod comprising:
 providing a pair of installation brackets;   providing a pair of mounting brackets;   installing a straight shower rod to a first wall and a second wall of a bathtub or shower enclosure using the pair of installation brackets;   engaging a first one of the pair of mounting brackets onto the straight shower rod at a first location;   engaging a first end of a curved shower rod with the first one of the pair of mounting brackets;   engaging a second end of the curved shower rod with a second one of the pair of mounting brackets; and   engaging the second one of the pair of mounting brackets onto the straight shower rod at a second location, where the second location is spaced from the first location.   
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 moving the first one of the pair of mounting brackets to a position inwardly of a first one of the installation brackets; and   moving the second one of the pair of mounting brackets to a position inwardly of a second one of the installation brackets.   
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 detachably securing the first one of the pair of mounting brackets to the straight shower rod; and   detachably securing the second one of the pair of mounting bracket to the shower rod.   
     
     
         21 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 positioning the curved shower rod laterally adjacent the straight shower rod.