CURTAIN LINER ATTACHMENT SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A curtain liner attachment system that includes a curtain and a liner. The curtain includes a mounting portion for engagement with a mounting structure, and a coupling portion that includes one or more fasteners. The liner also includes a coupling portion including one or more fasteners that are configured for engagement with the fasteners of the curtain.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to liner attachment systems for curtains, and, in particular, to liner attachment systems for curtains that facilitate the quick and easy removal and attachment of modular liner panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Curtains may include sections of material that cover areas such as windows, archways, doorways, and entrances, to name a few.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to use curtains having other functional properties, for example, light-blocking properties, thermally insulative properties, or fluid resistant properties, to name a few. For example, in the morning it may be desirable to have a curtain that blocks incoming light from a window or door, for example, so as not to disturb sleep. In cold weather, it may be desirable to trap heat in a room behind a curtain. In other situations, a curtain may be chosen to allow a desired amount of daylight into a room. Thus, it is desirable to have a curtain system that allows for interchangeability of liners to account for different situations.

Because the replacement of curtains for different situations may be costly and/or time-consuming, liner panels for curtains are available that can supplement or alter the performance properties of the curtain. Such liner materials may be suspended or otherwise disposed along an area independently of the curtain. For example, the liner is often hung on a separate rod from the curtain. Or, the liner is hung on the same rod as the curtain, but the liner is not affixed to the curtain. As a result, the liner moves independently of the curtain. The liner may also obscure a physical feature of the curtain, such as pleats, folds, or ruffles.

Conventional curtain liner attachment systems have been provided that hook or clip liner panels to curtains. However, Applicant has discovered that such conventional systems for attaching liner panels to curtains can be difficult and/or time-consuming to use, and/or may cause damage or undesired alteration to the curtain. For example, the individual removal of multiple clips or hooks may be difficult, inefficient, and/or may result in one or more portions of a curtain being pierced or torn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a liner attachment system for curtains that facilitates quick and easy attachment and removal of modular liner panels for curtains. In exemplary embodiments, a liner attachment system is provided in which complementary coupling portions that include respective fasteners, for example, a strip of snap fasteners, are disposed on each of a curtain and a liner such that the liner can be easily removed, attached, or replaced with respect to the curtain for a variety of situations. In this regard, options for using different curtain liners are provided without the disadvantages of conventional liner attachment methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following, detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curtain liner attachment system, which includes a curtain and a liner, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a curtain liner attachment system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a curtain liner attachment system of FIG. 2, showing opposite sides of the respective curtain and liner;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a liner texture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of a curtain liner attachment according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention shown partially disassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to liner attachment systems for curtains that facilitates quick and easy removal and attachment of modular liner panels.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a curtain liner attachment system is generally designated 100. Referring additionally to the schematic view of curtain liner attachment system 100 in FIGS. 2 and 3, curtain liner attachment system 100, includes a curtain 10 and a liner 20 that are configured for releasable coupling, as described further herein.

In embodiments of the invention, curtain 10 is a sheet of material having a height that is defined by a top edge and a bottom edge that are substantially parallel to one another, and a width that is defined by side edges that are substantially parallel to one another.

Curtain 10 may be a section of textile material, for example a cloth or fabric. In some embodiments, curtain 10 may be formed of a material including one or more materials, for example, cotton, wool, silk, velvet, or polymeric materials (such as nylon or polyester). Curtain 10 may be formed of a single layer of material, or may be formed of multiple layers of material. Curtain 10 may be square, rectangular, or otherwise-shaped may be dimensioned to cover a desired area, and may be textured or patterned to suit a surrounding environment. Curtain 10 may include one or more hemmed, e.g., folded and stitched, portions, for example, to inhibit edge material from fraying, to add in weight distribution, and/or for aesthetics.

Curtain 10, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a mounting portion 12 near the top edge. Mounting portion 12 is configured to engage and/or at least partially receive a mounting structure, such as a curtain rod or hooks. In embodiments of the invention, mounting portion 12 may be any of various mounting mechanisms, for example, one or more rod pockets, e.g., one or more looped or joined sections of material that receive a mounting rod or bar such that curtain 10 can be suspended therefrom, grommets, eyelets, front tab, cut tab, back tab, or such similar devices that engage with a wall mounted rod, hooks or the like. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mounting portion is formed of a series of holes or openings that are sized and shaped to receive a rod. In still other embodiments, mounting portion 12 may be configured for coupling with other types of mounting structures such as movable tracks or hook-and-loop type couplings. Mounting portion 12 may be integrally formed with the remainder of curtain 10, or may be joined with the remainder of curtain 10, for example, via stitching. In some embodiments, mounting portion 12 may be a reinforced region of material to provide additional support for the weight of the remainder of curtain 10.

Curtain 10 also includes a coupling portion 14 along a surface thereof to facilitate coupling with liner 20, as described further herein. Coupling portion 14 may be disposed below mounting portion 12 along curtain 10, as shown in FIG. 2, or may be at least partially coextensive with coupling portion 14. As described herein, coupling portion 14 may be disposed on a front side or a back side of curtain 10. In an embodiment of the invention, coupling portion 14 is provided on the rear (e.g. window-facing) side of curtain 10 such that a liner mounted thereto remains hidden from view when inside the room where the curtain is hung.

In embodiments of the invention, coupling portion 14 include one or more fasteners 16, preferably positioned in a substantially linear fashion. For example, coupling portion 14 may be a series of snaps or hooks that are affixed to the curtain. Alternatively, coupling portion 14 may be formed of a hook-and-loop-type fastener (e.g. Velcro®), or other material, which may be stitched, adhered, heat or ultrasonically welded, or otherwise joined with curtain 10. In some embodiments, coupling portion 14 may be integrally formed with a section of curtain 10, e.g., may be a section of curtain 10 that includes fasteners directly attached to or formed thereon.

In embodiments of the invention, coupling portion 14 on the curtain 10 includes individual fasteners 16 that are each one portion of a coupling member, (for example, female portion of a snap fastener) such that engaging a corresponding coupling member (e.g. a male portion of a snap fastener) provided on a liner will allow for a temporary connection of a liner 20 to curtain 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, fasteners 16 may be female or male-type snap fasteners, which may be formed of a metallic material, a composite material, or a polymeric material such as plastic. In other embodiments, coupling portion 14 may include one or more different types of fasteners, for example, buttons, clips, hooks, eyelets or grommets, hook-and-loop-type fasteners, tying members, magnetic strips, or adhesive tape, to name a few. In other embodiments, fasteners 16 may be one or more zipper tracks.

Fasteners 16, as shown, may be uniformly spaced across coupling portion 14. In other embodiments, fasteners 16 may have non-uniform spacing. Fasteners 16 may be spaced at intervals corresponding to another feature of curtain 10, for example, corresponding to a spacing of grommets or other features of mounting portion 12, or in relation to pleats, folds, or ruffles.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show schematic views of curtain 10 and liner 20 positioned side-by-side. In embodiments of the invention, liner 10 is a sheet of material having a height that is defined by a top edge and a bottom edge that are substantially parallel to one another and a width that is defined by side edges that are substantially parallel to one another. In an embodiment of the invention, the height of liner 20 is less than that of curtain 10.

Liner 20 may be a section of textile material, for example a cloth or fabric. In some embodiments, liner 20 may be formed of a material including one or more materials, for example, cotton, wool, silk, velvet, or polymeric materials (such as nylon or polyester). As described above, liner 20 may be configured with performance properties that supplement and/or alter performance properties of curtain 10. For example, liner 20 may be configured to provide light-blocking properties, e.g., as a blackout liner. In such embodiments, liner 20 may be configured with a thickness or other property, e.g., thread count, such that light is at least partially blocked from passage therethrough.

In other embodiments, liner 20 may be configured with thermally-insulating properties so as to provide an energy-saving attachment for curtain 10. In such embodiments, liner 20 may be formed of a material with low thermal conductivity or may be configured such that heat loss through liner 20 is minimized. Alternatively, liner 20 may be configured with thermally conductive properties, e.g., to absorb solar energy as a heat source for a surrounding environment.

In still other embodiments, liner 20 may be configured with fluid-resistant properties, for example, as a protective barrier for curtain 10 in which fluids may be present. Alternatively, liner 20 may be configured with fluid-absorptive properties, e.g., hydrophilic properties.

In yet other embodiments, liner 20 may be provided with a texture that is pleasant to the touch, or complements a surrounding environment, for example, a fleece texture. Referring momentarily to FIG. 4, an example of a texture for liner 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

In other embodiments, liner 20 may be configured to inhibit the passage of radiation, for example, ultraviolet radiation, therethrough, e.g., as a sun-blocking member.

In still other embodiments, liner 20 may provide a mechanical dampening effect, e.g., for noice reduction and/or shock absorption.

In some embodiments, liners 20 may have a different configuration, for example, a plain white configuration such as in a backdrop, or a reflective configuration. It will be understood that a liner 20 may be configured with other properties to suit different needs as are known in the art.

Still referring again to FIGS. 2, and 3, liner 20 includes a coupling portion 22 along a surface thereof to facilitate attachment of the liner 20 to curtain 10, as described further herein. In embodiments of the invention, coupling portion 22 is positioned on the front (room-facing) surface of the liner 20 and is disposed near or at a top end of liner 20. In embodiments of the invention coupling portion 22 may be a series of snaps or hooks that are affixed to the liner 20. Alternatively, coupling portion 22 may be formed of a hook-and-loop-type fastener (e.g. Velcro®), or other material, which may be stitched, adhered, heat or ultrasonically welded, or otherwise joined with liner 20. Coupling portion 22 of liner 20 has a complementary configuration to coupling portion 14 of curtain 10 described above, such that when respective coupling portions engage they connect liner 20 to curtain 10. Accordingly, coupling portion 22 may include a number of fasteners 24 corresponding to the fasteners 16 disposed on curtain 10.

In embodiments of the invention, coupling portion 22 of liner 20 includes individual fasteners 24 (for example, a male portion of a snap fastener) that mate with corresponding fasteners (e.g. a female portion of a snap fastener) on the curtain 10. These mating fasteners allow for a temporary connection of liner 20 to curtain 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, fasteners 24 are male-type snap fasteners, which may be formed of a metallic material, a composite material, or a polymeric material such as plastic. In other embodiments, liner 20 may include male-type snap fasteners and curtain 10 may include corresponding female-type snap members. In some embodiments, coupling portion 22 may include one or more different types of fasteners, for example, buttons, clips, hooks, eyelets or grommets, hook-and-loop-type fasteners, tying members, magnetic strips, or adhesive tape, to name a few. In other embodiments, fasteners 24 may be one or more zipper tracks. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that any of various fasteners may be used to temporarily connect liner 20 to curtain 10.

The attachment system 100 provides a curtain 10 with coupling portion 14 and one or more liners 20 with respective coupling portions 22 such that liners 20 can be quickly and easily attached and removed from curtain 10. Such a system facilitates the modular replacement of liners 20 for different purposes, for example, light-transmissivity, thermal performance, fluid performance, texture, and/or aesthetics, to name a few. In this regard, various liners 20 can be added, removed, or replaced with respect to curtain 10, for example, seasonally, for specific occasions, or during maintenance such as cleaning.

In use, a user aligns the coupling portion 22 of liner 20 with coupling portion 14 of curtain 10 and engages the fasteners to connect the two. In embodiments of the invention where coupling portion 16 of curtain 10 is located below the mounting portion 12 thereof, then corresponding liner 20 has a height that is less than that of curtain 10. As such, liner 20 is connected to curtain 10 below the mounting portion 12 eliminating any possibility of obstruction or impedance of the curtain mounting.

Turning to FIG. 5, in use, a user may separate liner 20 from curtain 10 by grabbing a portion of liner 20 and pulling away from curtain 10. An operator may individually unfasten corresponding fasteners 16, 24 from one another, or may exert a force such that multiple corresponding fasteners 16, 24 are disengaged from one another simultaneously or in series, for example, in a peeling-type effect.

Various modifications to liner attachment system 100 described herein are contemplated. For example, curtain 10 and/or liner 20 may each include multiple respective complementary coupling portions 14, 22 such that curtain 10 and/or liner 20 are coupled along more than one section thereof, for example, a top section, a bottom section, side sections, and/or a central section, to name a few. In some embodiments, coupling portions 14, 22 may be removable from the respective curtain 10 and/or liner 20. Curtain 10 and/or liner 20 as described herein may also be provided with flaps or pockets with which the presence of coupling portions 14, 22 can be obscured from view, e.g., for aesthetics.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A curtain attachment system, comprising: a curtain comprising a sheet of material having a height, a width, a front surface and rear surface;the curtain further comprising a mounting portion and a curtain coupling portion, whereby the curtain coupling portion comprises at least a first mating fastener affixed to the curtain;a liner comprising a sheet of material having a height, a width, a front surface and a rear surface and a liner coupling portion, whereby the liner coupling portion comprises at least a second mating fastener configured to engage with the first mating fastener on the curtain.

2) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the curtain coupling portion is disposed on the rear surface of the curtain.

3) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the liner coupling portion is disposed on the front surface thereof.

4) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the height of the liner is less than the height of the curtain.

5) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the mounting portion comprises openings for receiving a bar.

6) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the curtain coupling portion comprises a series of fasteners.

7) The curtain attachment system of claim 6, whereby the liner coupling portion comprises a series of fasteners that are complementary to the series of fasteners on the curtain.

8) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the fasteners on curtain are male members and the fasteners on the liner are female members.

9) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the fasteners on curtain are female members and the fasteners on the liner are male members.

10) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the curtain is formed of a fabric material.

11) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the liner comprises a light-blocking material.

12) The curtain attachment system of claim 1, whereby the liner comprises insulative material.

13) A liner attachment system, comprising: a liner comprising a sheet of material having a height, a width, a front surface and a rear surface and a coupling portion, whereby the coupling portion comprises one or more mating fasteners configured to engage with corresponding one or more mating fastener provided on a curtain.