Patent Application
20120145660
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of curtain rods and more specifically relates to a curtain support rod for supporting a curtain in a window archway.
2. Description of the Related Art
An arched window can add architectural beauty and attractiveness to a home, but it can be difficult to dress because of its arched shape. If privacy is not an issue, leaving the arched windows bare can bring in more light and provide a beautiful view. However, in cases where privacy is desired and direct sunlight is not convenient to the occupants, one may dress the window with an appropriate window treatment. Hanging curtains over an arched window allows the occupant to control how much natural light is present in the room.
Since decorating an arched window can be a challenge, many people leave the curved part of the arched window uncovered, hang horizontally oriented curtain rods just below the arch, and then hang the curtains. Unfortunately this may look unattractive and detract from the look of the arched window. Another possibility is to use curved rods which follow the shape of the arched window. Window treatments which conform to the arch of a window may improve the appearance of an arch window on the interior and exterior of the home.
Unfortunately, arched curtain rods are often difficult to install due to their inherent shape. It may require effort and patience to properly install an arched shaped rod in an arched window frame. The challenge of installing the arched rod may prevent many people from even attempting to install an arched rod. Therefore a need exists for an arched rod which is user-friendly and easy to install, so that any user is able to install the curtain rod just with a few easy steps.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2006/0201636; 5,205,337; 4,825,611; 5,678,704; 5,765,619; and 5,407,162. This prior art is representative of curtain rods. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a curtain support rod for supporting a curtain in a window archway should be inexpensive, easy, uncomplicated and quick to install, operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable arch rod system to support a curtain in a window archway and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the instillation and form of the rod for supporting a curtain in window archway art, the present invention provides a novel Arch Rod System. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a support rod for supporting a curtain in a window archway.
An arch curtain rod apparatus for supporting a curtain or drapery in a curved shaped window archway is disclosed herein comprising: a flexible rod, a center attacher, a first mounting end, and a second mounting end. The flexible rod is bendable so as to conform to the shape of a curved shaped window archway. The center attacher serves to attach the flexible rod to an apex of the curved shaped window archway. The flexible rod further comprises a first mounting end and a second mounting end which serve to provide attachment points for the flexible rod to the two sides of the curved shaped window archway.
A kit is also described herein including at least one flexible rod, at least one center attacher, a first mounting end, a second mounting end, a set of fasteners, and a user instruction manual.
A preferred method of use is further disclosed herein comprising the following steps: attaching a center attacher to an apex of a curved shaped window archway; hanging a curtain over a flexible rod; bending the flexible rod so as to conform a shape of the flexible rod to the curved shaped window archway; attaching the flexible rod to the center attacher and thereby attaching the flexible rod to the apex of the curved shaped window archway; and attaching a first mounting end and a second mounting end of the flexible rod to the sides of the curved shaped window archway.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an Arch Rod System. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, Arch Rod Systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a curtain rod device and more particularly to a curtain support rod for supporting a curtain in a window archway.
Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in
Arch curtain rod apparatus 110 for supporting curtains 120 or drapery in curved shaped window archway 130 preferably comprises flexible rod 140. Flexible rod 140 preferably is bendable so as to conform to the shape of curved shaped window archway 130. Flexible rod 140 is preferably made of flexible and bendable material and comprises a shaft with a diameter. The diameter of the shaft preferably measures ½ inch.
Flexible rod 140 preferably measures 61 inches in length and thereby can accommodate a window that is 60 inches wide. However, it should be appreciated that other lengths and diameters will fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein, and that any references to sizes, lengths, and weights are exemplary, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way. Flexible rod 140 preferably comprises fiberglass. However, flexible rod 140 may be made of any suitable and bendable material, such as bendable plastic or non-plastic material. Flexible rod 140 is preferably made of one piece or may comprise two telescopically engaged parts so that flexible rod 140 is extendable or retractable and thereby is adaptable to various sized curved shaped window archways 130.
Flexible rod 140 further comprises first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 which serve to provide attachment points for flexible rod 140 to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130. First mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 preferably each comprise horizontally oriented rubber stopper 220 which serves to secure flexible rod 140 in a desired position. Alternatively, first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 may each comprise vertically oriented rubber stopper 230 which also may serve to secure flexible rod 140 in position. As a third alternative, first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 may comprise mounting plate 240 comprising apertures 250 for fasteners 260 so as to facilitate the attachment of flexible rod 140 to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130. A fourth alternative to secure flexible rod 140 to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130 is to pass first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 through two screw eye hooks 210 situated at two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130.
Arch curtain rod apparatus 110 for supporting a curtain 120 or drapery in a curved shaped window archway 130 further comprises center attacher 150 which serves to attach flexible rod 140 to apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130. Center attacher 150 preferably comprises screw cup hook 200 which may be screwed into apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130. Screw cup hook 200 preferably is of sufficient diameter to hold flexible rod 140 after flexible rod 140 is passed through screw cup hook 200. Alternatively, center attacher 150 may comprise screw eye hook 210 which is screwed into apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130 and which is of sufficient diameter to hold flexible rod 140 after flexible rod 140 is passed through screw eye hook 210. User may therefore bend flexible rod 140 so as to conform flexible rod 140 to the shape of curved shaped window archway 130 and after that pass flexible rod 140 through screw cup hook 200 or screw eye hook 210 so as to attach flexible rod 140 to apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130. However, center attacher 150 may comprise any suitable hardware, such as safety cup hooks, ceiling hooks, eye bolts, etc.
Referring now to
After attaching center attacher 150 to apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130, curtain 120 or other drapery may by hung over flexible rod 140. Flexible rod 140 then may be bent so as to conform to the shape of curved shaped window archway 130. After that flexible rod 140 may be attached to center attacher 150, and to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130. Arch Rod Systems 100 therefore comprises a curtain rod that affords individuals the ability to hang curtains 120 from an arch window. Due to the flexibility of flexible rod 140, the curtain rod and the curtains 120 conform to the shape of curved shaped window archway 130 and thereby ensure a perfect look.
Referring now to
After bending flexible rod 140 so as to conform the shape of flexible rod 140 to curved shaped window archway 130, flexible rod 140 may be attached to center attacher 150 and thereby to apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130. After that, flexible rod 140 may be snapped into place just by bending flexible rod 140 and holding flexible rod 140 into curved shaped window archway 130 and after that releasing flexible rod 140 so that first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 of flexible rod 140 push against sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130. Flexible rod 140 is thereby held in place by center attacher 150 and the pressure of flexible rod 140 against sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130.
First mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 thereby provide attachment points for flexible rod 140 to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130. First mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 preferably each comprise horizontally oriented rubber stopper 220 which serves to secure flexible rod 140 in a desired position. After releasing flexible rod 140 each of horizontally oriented rubber stoppers 220 is pushed against one of two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130 due to the inherent outward bending pressure of flexible rod 140. Since horizontally oriented rubber stopper 220 is made of soft rubber material, horizontally oriented rubber stopper 220 therefore remains in the position in which it was placed adjacent each of two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130 and therefore secures flexible rod 140 in the desired position.
Alternatively, first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 may each comprise vertically oriented rubber stopper 230 which also may serve to secure flexible rod 140 in position. However, horizontally oriented rubber stopper 220 and vertically oriented rubber stopper 230 may be made of any suitable material which may hold flexible rod 140 in the desired position.
As a third alternative, first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 may comprise a mounting plate 240 comprising apertures 250 for fasteners 260 so as to facilitate the attachment of flexible rod 140 to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130. Mounting plate 240 may comprise a metal plate which is molded to flexible rod 140. Fasteners 260 preferably comprise screws which may be guided through apertures 250 of mounting plate 240 and which may be used to attach flexible rod 140 to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130. A fourth alternative to secure flexible rod 140 to two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130 may be to pass first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 through two screw eye hooks 210 which be installed at two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130.
Referring now to
After attaching center attacher 150 to apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130, curtain 120 or other drapery may by hung over flexible rod 140. Flexible rod 140 then may be bent so as to conform to the shape of curved shaped window archway 130. After that flexible rod 140 may be attached to center attacher 150, and to the two sides 190 of curved shaped window archway. Dressing an arched window is therefore made easy and may be accomplished in a few easy steps. There is no need to use a straight rod, hang the curtain rods and curtains 120 just below the arch, and leave the curved part of the arched window uncovered. Arch Rod Systems 100 therefore comprises a curtain rod that affords individuals the ability to hang curtains 120 over an arch window covering the complete arched portion of the window and providing privacy and adequate protection from sunlight.
Referring now to
A preferred method of use 400 is further disclosed herein comprising the following steps: step one 401 attaching center attacher 150 to apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130; step two 402 hanging curtain 120 over flexible rod 140; step three 403 bending flexible rod 140 so as to conform a shape of flexible rod 140 to curved shaped window archway 130; step four 404 attaching flexible rod 140 to center attacher 150 and thereby attaching flexible rod 140 to apex 180 of curved shaped window archway 130; and step five 405 attaching first mounting end 160 and second mounting end 170 of flexible rod 140 to sides 190 of curved shaped window archway 130.
Arch Rod Systems 100 may be sold as kit 300 comprising the following parts: at least one flexible rod 140; at least one center attacher 150; first mounting end 160; second mounting end 170; a set of fasteners 260; and a user instruction manual. Arch Rod Systems 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/422,553, filed Dec. 13, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61422553 | Dec 2010 | US |
