Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6223389
-
Patent Number
6,223,389
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Date Filed
Thursday, February 18, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 1, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 016 872
- 016 874 R
- 016 93 D
- 016 94 D
- 016 95 D
- 016 96 D
- 160 330
- 160 345
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A curtain tab carrier assembly includes a rod having a pair of vertical flanges that form a channel therebetween. A guide is configured to slidably engage the pair of flanges along the channel. A carrier is secured to the guide and includes a base having a catch formed therein. A loop extends from the base over the rod. The curtain tab is positioned over the loop and is retained by a fabric retaining clip. The clip is hinged to the base and includes a locking tab formed therein. The locking tab engages the catch when the clip is in a closed position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a curtain carrier configured for use with a traverse rod. More particularly, the present invention relates to a curtain carrier that includes a fabric retaining mechanism for securing a curtain tab to a guide that slides along a track formed in the traverse rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, traverse rods and carrier assemblies for curtain suspension mechanisms for use with traverse rods are well-known. Traverse rods offer the convenience of a pull cord or a baton draw to open and close the curtains. The prior art carrier assemblies include curtain support sliding elements which are configured to slide inside a track formed in the traverse rod. The curtain carrier assemblies are often in the form of “C”-shaped rings which wrap around the front of the rod. Attached to each of the rings is a downwardly projecting link which includes a hole to receive a standard curtain hook. This curtain hook suspension system is not easily adapted for use with other types of curtains such as tab curtains. Another problem exists in that there is not any “standard” for tab dimensions to ensure that a single suspension system will support curtains with differently-sized tabs. Therefore, it is difficult to configure traverse rods to suspend tab curtains.
In the prior art, tab curtains are usually suspended with metal curtain rods or wood poles which do not have any type of pull cords or baton draws, thereby relegating tab curtains to be used almost exclusively as decorative panels. Thus, consumers must grab the edge of the curtain and drag it across the metal curtain rod or wood pole. In the case of a metal rod, there is an exposed edge where the telescoping sections of the rod meet. When the edge of the curtain is pulled across this exposed edge, the curtain is often stopped and damaged.
It is therefore desirable to provide a curtain tab carrier which is configured for use with a standard traverse rod. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a carrier designed to accommodate different curtain tab dimensions. Finally, it is desirable to provide a fabric retaining mechanism which easily secures and releases the curtain tabs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A curtain tab carrier assembly in accordance with one aspect of the present invention comprises a rod which includes a top portion and a channel. The assembly further comprises a carrier which includes a guide configured to slidably engage the channel, a loop member extending over the top portion of the rod, and a fabric retaining mechanism.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for suspending a curtain having a tab comprises the steps of sliding a guide onto a rod including a top portion and a channel, placing an end of the rod through an opening of the tab and positioning the tab over a loop extending over the top portion of the rod. The loop extends from a carrier and the carrier includes a fabric retaining mechanism. The method of the present invention further comprises the step of retaining a portion of the tab top within the fabric retaining mechanism.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a curtain tab carrier assembly comprising a rod including a top portion and a channel, and a fabric carrier including a guide configured to slidably engage the channel, support means extending over the top portion of the rod for supporting a curtain tab, and retaining means for retaining a portion of the tab.
Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements and:
FIG. 1
is a back view of the carrier assembly in a closed position supporting a curtain tab;
FIG. 2
is an exploded view of the carrier assembly mounted on a traverse rod of
FIG. 1
, with the carrier assembly in an open position;
FIG. 3
is an isometric view of the traverse rod including the carrier assembly with right and left master end guides;
FIG. 4
is an exploded view of the carrier assembly and master end guides of
FIG. 3
, with the carrier assembly in an open position;
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line
5
—
5
of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 6
is the cross-sectional view of
FIG. 5
including the curtain tab retained by the carrier assembly;
FIG. 7
is side view of an alternative embodiment of the loop member of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a back view of an alternative embodiment of the carrier assembly of the present invention; and
FIG. 9
is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the carrier assembly of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
Referring generally to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a detailed description of an exemplary curtain tab carrier assembly
10
in accordance with the present invention will be described. Assembly
10
includes a rod
12
, a guide
14
and a carrier
16
. Rod
12
includes a pair of vertical flanges
18
forming a channel
20
therebetween. Guide
14
is configured to slidably engage flanges
18
along channel
20
. Carrier
16
is secured to guide
14
and includes a base
22
, a loop
24
and a fabric retaining clip
26
.
Base
22
of carrier
16
has a catch
28
formed therein which is configured to interlock with a locking tab
30
. Locking tab
30
is a rectangular arc which extends outwardly from clip
26
. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, clip
26
is hinged to base
22
and is secured in a closed position by snapping tab
30
behind a lip
29
formed in catch
28
. “C”-shaped loop
24
of carrier
16
extends from base
22
and partially wraps around a top portion
31
of rod
12
. Alternatively, instead of clip
26
being hinged and molded with base
22
, base
22
and fabric retaining clip
26
can be a two-piece unit having built-in snaps and barbs to secure the back of a curtain tab from movement or clip
26
can be a separate connecting element made of metal, plastic, cloth or other material.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, loop
24
has a generally rectangular outer face
32
and a generally rectangular inner face
34
. A longitudinal axis
35
of loop
24
is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis
37
of base
22
. Base
22
includes a generally rectangular outer face
36
and a generally rectangular inner face
38
. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width of outer face
32
of loop
24
is smaller than the length of inner face
38
of base
22
to accommodate a range of curtain tabs. In particular, the present invention supports tabs between the dimensions of the width of outer face
32
of loop
24
and the length of inner face
38
of base
22
. In addition to outer face
36
and inner face
38
, base
22
has a first end wall
40
, a second end wall
42
opposite first end wall
40
, and a top wall
44
formed therebetween.
As described above, catch
28
extends generally perpendicular to first end wall
40
and clip
26
is hinged to second end wall
42
and configured to move between the closed position and an open position. Loop
24
extends from top wall
44
over base
22
and away from clip
26
when clip
26
is in the closed position. Loop
24
further includes at least one reinforcement rib
46
in order to support loop
24
under the weight of the fabric from curtain tab
48
. Rib
46
is formed on inner face
34
of loop
24
and extends generally parallel to longitudinal axis
35
of loop
24
. To further reinforce the rigidity of loop
24
, loop
24
has supports
50
which form a bridge between top wall
44
and an end wall
52
of loop
24
. Supports
50
are generally parallel to longitudinal axis
35
of loop
24
.
Guide
14
includes a first plate
56
, a second plate
58
and a bridge plate
60
formed therebetween. First plate
56
includes an inner face
62
and an outer face
64
. Similarly, second plate
58
includes an inner face
66
and an outer face
68
. As bridge plate
60
rides along channel
20
, plate
60
is maintained in a position perpendicular to flanges
18
by inner faces
62
and
66
restricting horizontal movement relative to flanges
18
.
Carrier
16
is secured to guide
14
with a rivet
54
which is press fit through an aperture
70
formed in base
22
. Rivet
54
is also press fit through an aperture
72
formed in second plate
58
of guide
14
. In such a configuration, outer face
36
of base
22
abuts outer face
68
of second plate
58
of guide
14
. In the alternative, other securing devices may be used to secure carrier
16
to guide
14
including a threaded screw or a pin.
In operation, carrier
16
, fastened to guide
14
, is positioned into channel
20
so that a first flange
74
is received in a first cavity
76
formed between bridge plate
60
, inner face
62
of first plate
56
and inner face
66
of second plate
58
. Similarly, a second flange
78
is received in a second cavity
80
formed between bridge plate
60
, inner face
62
of first plate
56
and inner face
66
of second plate
58
.
Additional stabilization is provided by a gliding ledge
82
formed along a bottom wall
84
of base
22
opposite top wall
44
. Ledge
82
traverses the length of outer face
36
of base
22
and frictionally engages a bottom surface
86
of second plate
58
of guide
14
. Ledge
82
, reinforcement rib
46
and supports
50
ensure a cavity
87
formed between the rod
12
and inner surface
34
of loop
24
is maintained even under the weight of curtain tab
48
resting on outer face
32
of loop
24
.
An end
88
of rod
12
is placed through a generally circular opening
90
of curtain tab
48
so that an inside upper surface
92
of tab
48
covers outer face
32
of loop
24
. In the closed position, fabric retaining clip
26
frictionally engages an inside surface
94
and an outside surface
96
of tab
48
. A pair of slots
98
formed in base
22
provide clearance for rivet rolls when carrier
16
is fastened to guide
14
. A rounded boss
99
formed on the inside surface of clip
26
adjacent to base
22
provides an extension to reach thinner fabric tabs and hold them in place. Thicker curtain tabs will cause clip
26
to be pressed outward, but clip
26
will still be exerting pressure through rounded boss
99
to the thicker curtain tabs.
Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, a right master end guide
100
and a left master end guide
102
are configured to engage rod
12
along channel
20
. Master end guides
100
and
102
include a master carrier guide
104
which is riveted to a universal master plate
106
through apertures
108
. Universal master plate
106
includes a first mounting aperture
110
and a second mounting aperture
112
which are configured to receive rivet
54
for attachment of carrier
16
to universal master plate
106
. Apertures
110
and
112
are adjacent to apertures
108
. Carrier
16
can be secured to either side of right end guide
100
or left end guide
102
through first or second apertures
110
or
112
, respectively.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 5
, rod
12
consists of telescoping portions
114
and
116
. Portion
116
slidably receives portion
114
such that the diameter of an end
118
of portion
116
is larger than the diameter of portion
114
. Master carrier guide
104
includes a first plate
120
, a second plate
122
and a bridge plate
124
formed therebetween. First plate
120
includes an upper inner surface
126
and a lower inner surface
128
. Similarly, second plate
122
includes an upper inner surface
130
and a lower inner surface
132
. Without the weight of a curtain, first flange
74
is generally centered between upper inner surfaces
126
and
130
, while second flange
78
is generally centered between lower inner surfaces
128
and
132
. However, when tab
48
is placed over loop
24
and held in place between base
22
and fabric retaining clip
26
, first flange
74
is in frictional contact with upper inner surface
130
of second plate
122
and second flange
78
is in frictional contact with lower inner surface
128
of first plate
120
(FIG.
6
). In order to minimize the resistance or drag produced by the contact between flanges
74
and
78
and surfaces
130
and
128
, respectively, inner face
34
of loop
24
is maintained at a distance from rod
12
(cavity
87
) even under the weight of tab
48
. As discussed above, ledge
82
, reinforcement rib
46
and supports
50
limit the movement of inner face
34
of loop
24
towards rod
12
when carrier assembly
10
supports tab
48
.
FIG. 7
illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention which includes a loop
134
having a plurality of barbs
136
formed on an outer face
138
of loop member
134
. Loop member
134
is secured to guide
14
with a rivet press fit through an aperture
140
. Tab
48
is positioned over loop member
134
and held in place with barbs
136
.
FIGS. 8-9
illustrate alternative embodiments of the carrier mechanisms of the present invention. Referring to
FIG. 8
, a S-shaped clip
142
includes a loop member
144
, a base
146
, a first end wall
148
extending from a first end
150
of base
146
and a second end wall
152
extending from a second end
154
of base
146
opposite first end wall
148
. A portion
156
of first and second end walls
148
and
152
frictionally engage base
146
. Tab
48
is positioned over loop member
144
and held in place between portion
156
of first and second end walls
148
and
152
and base
146
. In the alternative, first end wall
148
and second end wall
152
may be perpendicular to ends
150
and
154
, respectively. Clip
142
is secured to guide
14
with a rivet press fit through an aperture
158
.
Referring to
FIG. 9
, a clip
160
includes a prong
162
, a base
164
and a loop
166
. Prong
162
is adjacent to a first slot
168
and a second slot
170
. A rivet
172
is press fit through aperture
174
to secure clip
160
to guide
14
. An anti-rotation ledge
176
is formed along a bottom edge
178
of base
164
to stabilize clip
160
when tab
48
is positioned over loop
166
and through slots
168
and
170
. Anti-rotation ledge
176
frictionally engages bottom surface
86
of second plate
58
of guide
14
.
While the present invention has been described with certain Figures representing a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention is not to be limited thereby but is to be limited solely by the scope of the claims which follow.
Claims
- 1. A curtain tab carrier assembly to support a tab top curtain having at least one tab, comprising:a rod including, a top portion and a channel; and a carrier including a guide configured to slidably engage the channel, a loop member to support the at least one tab, the loop member and the at least one tab member extending over the top portion of the rod, and a fabric retaining mechanism.
- 2. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric retaining mechanism includes a catch formed on a base and a fabric retaining clip hinged to the base and having a locking tab formed therein.
- 3. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking tab engages the catch when the clip is in a closed position.
- 4. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric retaining mechanism includes a first end wall extending from a first end of a base and a second end wall extending from a second end of the base opposite the first end wall.
- 5. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second end walls are S-shaped.
- 6. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 5, wherein a portion of the first and second end walls frictionally engages the base.
- 7. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric retaining mechanism includes a clip and an anti-rotation ledge formed along a bottom edge of a base.
- 8. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the loop member is semi-circular.
- 9. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the loop includes a predetermined width extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod; a base including a predetermined base width extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod, the predetermined base width being greater than the predetermined width of the loop smaller than the length of the base.
- 10. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the loop member includes a plurality of barbs formed on an outer face of the loop member.
- 11. A method for suspending a curtain having a tab, comprising the steps of:sliding a guide onto a rod including a top portion and a channel; placing an end of the rod through an opening of the tab; positioning the tab over a loop extending over the top portion of the rod and from a carrier, the carrier including a fabric retaining mechanism; and retaining a portion of the tab within the fabric retaining mechanism.
- 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fabric retaining mechanism includes a catch formed on a base and a fabric retaining clip hinged to the base and having a locking tab formed therein.
- 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of retaining the portion of the tab includes capturing the portion of the tab between the base and the fabric retaining clip by pivoting the clip to a closed position and snapping the locking tab into the catch.
- 14. A curtain tab carrier assembly, comprising:a rod including a top portion and a channel; and a fabric carrier including a guide configured to slidably engage the channel, support means extending over the top portion of the rod for supporting a curtain tab, and retaining means for retaining a portion of the tab.
- 15. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 14, wherein the support means includes a loop member.
- 16. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 14, wherein the retaining means includes a catch formed on a base and a fabric retaining clip hinged to the base and having a locking tab formed therein, the locking tab engaging the catch when the clip is in a closed position.
- 17. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 14, wherein the retaining means includes a first end wall extending from a first end of a base and a second end wall extending from a second end of the base opposite the first end wall.
- 18. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 17, wherein the first and second end walls are S-shaped.
- 19. The curtain tab carrier assembly of claim 18, wherein a portion of the first and second end walls frictionally engages the base.
- 20. A method for suspending a curtain having a tab, comprising the steps of:sliding a guide onto a rod including a top portion and a channel; placing an end of the rod through an opening of the tab; and positioning the tab over a loop extending from the guide and over the top portion of the rod.
US Referenced Citations (10)