Patent Application
20220039582
The present invention relates generally to the field of accessories for drapes and/or curtains. More specifically, the present invention relates to a grommet spacer tool designed to be placed between pleats in grommet drapes. The grommet spacer tool is generally of tubular shape having a longitudinal cut-out or slit to allow the spacer tool to be easily inserted onto a drape/curtain rod. The grommet spacer tool can be installed on the curtain rod between each pleat, in order to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance and consistent spacing for the drapes. The spacer tool of the present invention keeps the curtain pleats structured, in place and consistently spaced, and ensures maintenance and upkeep is minimized. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, curtains or drapes are used in every home, office and other similar living/work spaces to cover windows and for interior decoration purposes. Further, many curtain designs and accessories have been developed to enhance the look of curtains in order to fulfil the needs and requirements of the users. Grommet curtains are well known in the art and are used by many individuals to add a modern look to their window décor. Said grommet curtains typically include a plurality of grommets proximal to a top edge, including metal rings punched into fabric that allow the curtain fabric to easily slide along the curtain rod/bar. Grommet curtains are commonly used for wide windows or sliding glass doors, and offer a modern, sleek look.
To set up grommet curtains, all the grommet rings can be slipped onto or around the curtain rod one after the other, and the curtain rod is then set up to hold the grommet curtains. Once the grommet curtain is hung from the curtain rod, some grommet rings can be closer to each other (i.e. ‘bunched’), while some can be far from each other, or disproportionately spaced from one another. This causes the grommet curtains to have uneven drapes and therefore to lose their aesthetic appeal and result in a sloppy appearance. Further, individuals may be disappointed with the way their drapes hang, and may have to adjust or manually set the gap between the grommet rings to give an aesthetically pleasing look to the curtains. Currently, manual manipulation is the method used to maintain an equal distance between the grommet rings. However, unnecessary and substantial time and effort is required to manually set the gap or spacing between the grommet rings in order to maintain a satisfactory appearance.
Additionally, the elderly and other individuals with limited dexterity may not be able to easily set up the gap between the grommet rings of curtains, and may leave the grommet drapes poorly spaced which results in a sloppy appearance. Also, to set the gap between the grommet rings, the user is required to reach to the height of the curtain rods. In order to reach the proper height for adjustment, a user would likely have to climb a stool or ladder and manually set the gap between each of the grommet rings. However, the user may suffer injuries in a scenario wherein the user falls off the stool or ladder accidently. Also, constantly adjusting the drapes can take considerable time and effort of the user, thereby leaving the user frustrated and tired.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a curtain rod accessory that allows the grommet curtains/drapes to be easily hung on the rods. There is also a long felt need in the art for a curtain rod accessory that allows the grommet curtains to maintain a modern window décor look. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that eliminates the need to manually set the gap between each of the grommet rings while hanging the grommet drapes on a curtain rod/bar. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that ensures an equal gap between each grommet ring of the grommet drape while the drape is hung on the rod. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain rod accessory that does not require a user to expend a great deal of effort and time to ensure an equal gap exists between each grommet ring. In addition, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that makes it easy for the elderly and other individuals with limited dexterity to hang grommet curtains while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing curtain appearance. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that does not require the user to constantly climb a stool or other furniture of a predefined height to manually set the spacing between the grommet rings, and therefore prevents them from any inadvertent injuries. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a spacing tool that offers a simple and convenient method to maintain drape and curtain construction, while ensuring a aesthetically pleasing, neat and professional appearance.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a curtain pleat spacer tool, wherein the tool keeps the pleats of the curtain spaced evenly. More specifically, the tool includes a hollow cylindrical or tubular plastic body having a pair of longitudinal edges wherein the longitudinal edges form a narrow slit, the cylindrical body having two opposite circular edges, and wherein the longitudinal edges are pulled apart to make the cylindrical body slightly planar enabling the tool to enclose a curtain rod and then retaining, or returning to, the original cylindrical shape to wrap a portion of the curtain rod.
In this manner, the novel grommet spacer tool of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a relatively simple and convenient device that allows a user to keep the pleats of drapes/curtains spaced evenly in order to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The grommet spacer tool of the present invention is also user-friendly, as it does not require the users to expend a great deal of effort and time to manually maintain consistent gaps between each grommet rings of the hung curtain. Further, the tool also eliminates the need to constantly adjust the drapes to ensure modern and appealing window décor.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a curtain pleats spacer tool that is configured to keep pleats of a curtain spaced evenly and to maintain an aesthetically pleasing curtain appearance. The tool further comprises a hollow cylindrical or tubular plastic body having a pair of longitudinal edges wherein the longitudinal edges form a narrow slit; the cylindrical body having two opposite or supposing circular edges; and, longitudinal edges that can be pulled apart to make the cylindrical body slightly planar and thus enabling the spacer tool to enclose a curtain rod and then return to the original cylindrical shape to wrap a portion of the curtain rod. Accordingly, the tool is positioned between the grommets of two consecutive pleats, thereby enabling the pleats to be structured and evenly-spaced without further adjustments.
In a differing embodiment, the curtain pleat spacer tool can include an adhesive layer or a friction layer on the interior surface of the spacer tool. The tool is also configured to be temporarily placed on the curtain rod by widening a lengthwise slit and snapping the tool over and around the curtain rod.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a grommet spacer to be used in conjunction with hanging drapes is disclosed. The grommet spacer can be a one-piece flexible tool configured to be snapped onto a curtain rod. The grommet spacer includes a cylindrical body having a longitudinal slit, wherein the slit is widened by pulling apart a pair of longitudinal edges, such that the grommet spacer wraps around the curtain rod. The spacer is placed between pleats of a curtain or a drape thus preventing the pleats to collapse, ‘bunch’, and/or touch each other. In a further embodiment, the grommet spacer can be made of a flexible or resilient plastic, and can slide on over the curtain rod between the pleats to enable the pleats to be adjusted as per the preferences of a user.
In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a method for keeping the pleats of a drape neat and uniform is described. The method includes the steps of positioning a grommet spacer tool on a curtain rod between pleats of the drape. Then, the grommet spacer tool can be positioned using a lengthwise or longitudinal slit, wherein the cylindrical hollow body of the tool is wrapped around the curtain rod, such that each pleat is prohibited from touching another adjacent pleat.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a curtain rod accessory that allows the grommets of curtains/drapes to be easily hung on a curtain rod. There is also a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that allows the grommets of curtains to maintain a modern window décor for users. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that eliminates the need to manually set the gap between each grommet ring while hanging the grommet drapes on the curtain rod. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that ensures an equal gap between each grommet ring of the grommet drape while the drape is hung on the rod, and that does not require the users to expend a great deal of effort and time to ensure an equal gap between grommet rings. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that makes it easy for elderly individuals and individuals with limited dexterity to hang grommet curtains while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing curtain appearance. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a curtain accessory that does not require the users to constantly climb a stool or ladder to set spacing between grommet rings, and therefore prevents them from any inadvertent injuries. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a spacing tool that offers a simple and convenient method to maintain drape and curtain construction, while ensuring a nice, neat, and professional appearance.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises a novel curtain pleats space tool, wherein the tool can be used in conjunction with hanging drapes. The tool is further a one piece flexible tool configured to be snapped onto a curtain rod. The tool also further includes a cylindrical body having a longitudinal slit, wherein the slit is widened by pulling apart a pair of longitudinal edges such that the grommet spacer wraps around the curtain rod. Accordingly, the spacer is placed between pleats of a curtain or a drape thus preventing the pleats from collapsing and touching each other.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The spacer 100 is hollow and the longitudinal edges 1020, 1022 can be pulled away from each other with a little force to widen the slit 104, thereby enabling the spacer 100 to be wrapped around a curtain rod 202. Due to the flexible material (e.g. resilient plastic) of the spacer 100, the spacer 100 easily retains the original cylindrical shape and wraps around the cylindrical curtain rod 202. In the preferred embodiment, longitudinal edges 10201022 of the tool 100 can be pulled apart such that spacer tool 100 can become planar, and then can resiliently return to its original cylindrical or tubular shape enabling wrapping and partially enclosing of a curtain rod 202. The spacer 100 is also dimensioned such that it can be positioned between consecutive pleats 208, 210, 212 of grommet drapes. The diametrical openings 106, 108 easily allow a curtain rod to be wrapped by the spacer 100.
Accordingly, when the tool 100 is placed between the pleats 208, 210, 212 of a curtain 201, the spacer 100 defines a constant horizontal distance between consecutive grommets 204, 206 enabling the pleats 208, 210, 212 to be structured, uniform and aesthetically pleasing, with no maintenance. In one potential embodiment, the spacer 100 may measure approximately 3″ in length and 5.5″ in diameter. Alternatively, in another potential embodiment, the tool 100 may measure approximately 4″ in length and 6″ in diameter. The tool 100 can also generally range from about 2 inches to about 6 inches in length, and from about 3 inches to about 8 inches in diameter. Further, the installation of the tool 100 does not require the curtain rod 202 or the curtain 201 to be taken down, thus providing convenience to users. In addition, the tool 100 can be easily cleaned with a wet cloth and provides for a long shelf life.
It is contemplated that the tool 100 can be commercially available in different colors, patterns, textures, finishes, materials, etc. to match curtains 201, and can also be available as an accessory with curtains 201. Alternatively, the tool 100 can be constructed of a transparent plastic which prevents the tool 100 from being detected by the naked eye. The tool 100 can also be commercially available in a package containing a plurality of tools 100.
The cylindrical or tubular curvature of the tool 100 further conforms to the shape of the rod 202 and creates a desired shape between the grommets 204, 206, thus enabling uniform and aesthetically pleasing pleats 208, 210 of the curtain 201. The tool 100 can also easily flex around and slide onto the curtain rod 202 to provide the desired spacing and design to the pleats 208, 210.
It should also be appreciated that the tool 100 of the present invention does not require any fastener or adhesive for wrapping around the curtain rod 202. The resilient plastic material of the tool 100 is flexible but strong, and durable enough to maintain constant space between the grommets and thus maintaining pleats even in a strong gust of wind. The tool 100 is not bulky, and does not provide any damage to the polish of the curtain rod 202. Further, when the tool 100 is used between each set of consecutive grommets such as 204, 206, and 302, 304, the pleats such as 208, 210 remain uniform, and the curtain 201 does not collapse. The pleats 208, 210 also do not touch each other and do not require repeated maintenance/adjustment.
In one potential embodiment, the internal surface 103 of the tool 100 can include an adhesive layer or coating that prevents sliding movement of the tool 100 along the curtain rod 202. Alternatively, curved terminal edges 107, 109 of the spacer tool 100 can include an adhesive layer to attach to the grommets 204, 206, 302, 304, thus enabling a more secure attachment of the tool 100 with the grommets 204, 206, 302, 304. In still another potential embodiment, the material of the internal surface 103 provides a friction-retaining force with the rod 202, thereby resisting movement from the pleats of the drape or curtain. The friction-retaining force between the internal surface 103 and the curtain rod 202 prohibits movement of the pleats autonomously. It is to be appreciated that the friction-retaining force can be overcome by manual manipulation (i.e. sliding) of the spacer tools 100 along the curtain rod 202 by the user.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “grommet spacer tool”, “grommet spacer”, “spacer”, “curtain pleats spacer”, and “tool”, are interchangeable and refer to curtain pleats space tool 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the curtain pleats space tool 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the curtain pleats space tool 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the curtain pleats space tool 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the curtain pleats space tool 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the curtain pleats space tool 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/063,463, which was filed on Aug. 10, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63063463 | Aug 2020 | US |
