The present invention relates to accessories for hanging a first hanging material, such as a curtain or liner, to a supporting rod, and more particularly, relates to a hanger ring with integral hook for hanging a second hanging material, such as a liner, relative to the first hanging material without requiring removal of the rod or adding additional hardware, such as hooks or the like, to either of the hanging materials.
As is well known, drapery is often used in a house or commercial space for both functional and decorative purposes. Types of drapery include window curtains and door curtains. The drapery is hung from a pole that is anchored to a wall using hardware. In addition, in the bathroom, it is commonplace for a tub that has a shower to have a shower curtain that is suspended from a pole. The shower curtain serves not only a decorative purpose but also functions to contain water within the tub when a person takes a shower. The shower curtain can be formed of a waterproof material, such as a suitable plastic material. Also, liners are often used to protect the shower curtain since many shower curtains are formed of fabrics that are not waterproof and thus, the installed liner serves to cover and protect the fabric shower curtain. In particular, many people like the high end look of a fabric shower curtain (which can be formed in many different fabrics) and therefore, a plastic (waterproof) liner is needed to protect the fabric shower curtain.
In one system of the prior art, separate devices, such as hooks or clips, are utilized to connect portions of the curtain (e.g., shower curtain) to the rod. In an alternative system of the prior art, the curtain or drape is mounted by threading a rod through the reinforced holes in that curtain.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,189,597; 6,494,248; and 6,935,402 disclose an alternative product to traditional hooks and clips and while, this product is useful, there are a number of shortcomings. First, the product is in the form of hanger rings that are associated with the curtain itself and thus, while the hanger rings are suitable for hanging the curtain itself, the hanger rings do not permit a second hanging material, such as a liner, to be hung. As mentioned above, when the shower curtain is formed of a fabric, a liner should be used in combination to protect the fabric and provide a waterproof barrier to keep the water in the tub. Second, the linear slits formed in the curtain are visible to the user since they are located above the user (pole height). The visibility of the linear slits can be viewed as being unsightly. There is therefore, a desire to provide an accessory that overcomes the above deficiencies.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a hanger ring assembly is provided and is configured for attachment to an article to be hung. The hanger ring assembly includes a plurality of grommet backings including a set of first grommet backings and a set of second grommet backings. Each first grommet backing is in the form of a split ring defined by a circular body with a first slot formed therein. The circular body has a plurality of spaced holes formed therein. Each second grommet backing is in the form of a split ring defined by a circular body with a second slot formed therein. The circular body has a plurality of spaced holes formed therein. Each of the first grommet backing and the second grommet backing includes a clip extending outwardly therefrom. A sagittal axis that passes longitudinally through the clip divides each of the first grommet backing and the second grommet backing into a first half and a second half with an outer face of each of the first grommet backing and the second grommet backing facing outward. The first slot is located in the first half, while the second slot is located in the second half and the first slot is formed at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the sagittal axis and the second slot is formed at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the sagittal axis.
The hanger ring assembly also includes a plurality of grommet bases that are configured to mate with both the first set of grommet backings and the second set of grommet backings, with the article disposed and captured therebetween. Each grommet base is a split ring defined by a circular body with a slot formed therein. The circular body has a plurality of spaced protrusions that are configured for reception with the plurality of spaced holes of the respective first grommet backing and the second grommet backing.
In another embodiment, a product is provided and includes an item for hanging. The item has a top edge and a plurality of spaced holes formed therein proximate the top edge. The plurality of spaced holes are arranged in pairs. Between each pair of holes, therein is a slit formed through the item. The slit is defined by a linear center portion and first and second angled end portions at respective ends of the linear center portion.
The product also includes a hanger ring assembly that includes a plurality of grommet backings including a set of first grommet backings and a set of second grommet backings. Each first grommet backing is a split ring defined by a circular body with a first slot formed therein and each second grommet backing is a split ring defined by a circular body with a second slot formed therein. The hanger ring assembly also includes a set of first grommet bases that are configured to mate with the first set of grommet backings and a set of first grommet bases that are configured to mate with the second set of grommet backings. The item is disposed and captured therebetween, each of the first and second grommet bases being a split ring defined by a circular body with a slot formed therein. The circular body has a plurality of spaced protrusions that are configured for reception with the plurality of spaced holes of the respective first grommet backing and the second grommet backing.
Each of the first grommet backing, the second grommet backing, and the grommet base surrounds one respective hole formed in the item with the first slot of each first grommet backings and the slot of each first grommet base being aligned with the first angled end portion of the slit. The second slot of each second grommet backing and the slot of each second grommet base are aligned with the second angled end portion.
The present invention is directed to an accessory product for detaching a material from a rod without removing the rod. The accessory product is intended for use with hanging or otherwise suspended materials, such as window treatments (window curtains, drapes, etc.), shower curtains, windscreens, towels, and so forth. Such suspended materials (referred to herein as “hanging materials” for brevity) are often mounted onto rods.
Due to the construction of the present hanger rings 100, the grommet backing parts 110 are arranged into a first (right) grommet backing 130 (see,
The first grommet backing 130 of
The illustrated body 122 is a generally planar structure in that both a first face (outer face) 126 and opposing second face (inner face) 127 are smooth, flat surfaces that are parallel to one another. As shown in
The body 122 includes a plurality of through holes (openings) 115 that are formed therein spaced apart in a circumferential manner. The number of openings 115 can vary and as described herein, the openings 115 receive complementary structures of the grommet base 200 to attach and couple the part 120 (and part 130) and 200 to one another.
The body 122 also includes an integral hook (clip) 128. The integral hook 128 is an extension of the body 122. The integral hook 128 can be formed to extend along the first face 126 and terminates at the inner edge of the body 122. The integral hook 128 comprises a curved structure that has a leg 129 that is folded back on top of itself such that a free end of the leg 129 extends to and terminates at or about the inner edge of the body 122 (as shown in
In one embodiment, the first grommet backing 130 is formed as a single piece (e.g., a molded piece) that is formed of a suitable material, such as a plastic. However, it will be understood that the first grommet backing 130 can be formed of other suitable material, such as a metal, etc.
As can be seen in
As shown in
The grommet backings 120, 130 are formed of flexible materials, such as suitable plastics.
The grommet base 200 is shown in
The illustrated body 210 has a first face (outer face) 212 and an opposing second face (inner face) 214, with the second face 214 for mating with the second face 127. As shown in
The body 210 also includes a number of posts 230 in the form of upstanding protrusions that are integral to the body 210. The posts 230 can be in the form of cylindrical shaped posts that are circumferentially spaced about the body 210. It will be understood that the number of holes 115 is equal to the number of posts 230 and further, the locations of the posts 230 and the locations of the holes 115 are selected so as to be in registration with one another when the grommet base 200 mates with one of the grommet backings 120, 130. As described herein, the posts 230 and holes 115 are constructed to form and establish a mechanical fit between the two parts and more specifically, after the posts 230 are inserted into the holes 115 and then a melt process can be used to attach the two parts as by forming an enlarged structure (e.g., mushroom cap) on the top of each post.
The first face (outer face) 212 is curved and in particular is a convex surface. This first face 212 is the part of the hanger ring 100 that is readily visible to the user and therefore the first face 212 is preferably a finished surface and/or has ornamental features. For example, the body 210 can be formed of plastic but the first face 212 can have a thin layer of metal that is deposited on the plastic using conventional techniques, such as electroplating. Alternatively, the entire body 210 can be plastic and the outer face 212 can be painted and/or otherwise decorated. As with the first part, the body 210 can likewise be formed of many different materials, including metals or plastics, etc.
For illustration purposes only,
In one aspect of the present invention, the first hanging material 300 has sets of small openings (not shown) that receive the posts 230 to allow the part 200, which is disposed along a front side/face of the first hanging material 300, to engage the part 120,130 which is disposed along a rear side/face of the first hanging material 300. The small openings are thus formed in a circumferential manner. These small openings can be formed using any number of conventional techniques, such as die punching.
The first hanging material 300 also has a plurality of discrete slits 400 formed therein. Unlike, the entirely linear slits formed in the prior art curtain, each discrete slit 400 is not entirely linear. Instead, the slit 400 has first and second angled end portions 410, 412 and a linear center portion 414. These angled end portions 410, 412 are aligned with the angled slots 123, 204 formed in the parts 120, 200. As discussed herein, these slots are complementary to the slots formed in the grommet backings 120, 130 and the grommet bases 200.
While the linear slit of the prior are was centrally located between two sets of small openings, the slit 400 formed between the two sets of small openings is disposed more upward toward a top edge of the first hanging material and more particularly, is located close to a topmost small opening.
The discrete slits 400 are formed in spaced arrangement across a width of the first hanging material 300 near a top edge of the first hanging material 300. As shown in
As shown in
Unlike the slits in the prior art curtain which are visible when a person looks upward, the raised location of the slits 400 in the hanging material 300 is strategically selected so that the pole obscures the slits 400 from a viewpoint of outside of the tub. This results from moving the slits from a 3 o'clock position to a position that is generally at the 1 o'clock position or 10 o'clock position. This provides a much improved and cleaner appearance.
The integral hooks 128 are passed through the openings 510 resulting in the second hanging material 500 being suspended and hanging from the integral hooks 128. In this way, a liner 500 can be combined with a curtain 300 (shower curtain or window curtain). When the curtain 300 is a window curtain, the liner 500 can be in the form of a liner that is intended for use with a window curtain, such as a blackout liner or the like.
As with a traditional curtain/liner, the curtain/liner is moved along a length of the pole. The curvature 221 of the inner edge of the inner lip 220 is designed to reduce the catch point of the hanger hook 100 when the curtain/liner is moved (pulled) along a length of the pole. This curvature 221, unlike the straight edge of the prior art, is less prone to getting caught up with a right angle shoulder formed between two segments of the pole.
As described herein, the hanger hook 100 can be formed of any number of different suitable materials and can be formed in different sizes and different colors, etc.
The grommet base 600 is shown in
The illustrated body 610 has a first face (outer face) 612 and an opposing second face (inner face) 614, with the second face 614 for mating with an inner face of a complementary grommet backing as described below.
Unlike the previous grommet base 200, the grommet base 610 has a more hollowed body 610 in that the inner face 614 has been hollowed in sections to define both circumferentially spaced raised sections 615 and circumferentially spaced recessed sections 617.
Each raised section 615 includes one post 230.
Unlike grommet base 200, the grommet base 600 includes one or more protrusions that protrude upwardly from the inner face 614. As shown in
Each of the grommet backings of this alternative hanger hook is designed to mate with the grommet base 600 similar to the previous embodiment in that the posts 230 extend through complementary holes 115 and then a process, such as melting the ends of the posts 230 is employed to join the grommet base and grommet backing. Like the previous embodiment, the grommet base 600) is configured to mate with both a first (left) grommet backing 700 (shown in
The left grommet back 700 of
The illustrated body 702 is a generally planar structure in that both a first face (outer face) 710 and opposing second face (inner face) 712 are generally smooth, flat surfaces that are parallel to one another. As shown in
The body 702 includes a plurality of through holes (openings) 115 that are formed therein spaced apart in a circumferential manner. The number of openings 115 can vary and as described herein, the openings 115 receive posts 230 of the grommet base 600 to attach and couple the grommet backing and grommet base to one another.
The body 702 also includes the integral hook (clip) 128 which is the same as the one previously described with reference to parts 120, 130.
In one embodiment, the first grommet backing 700 is formed as a single piece (e.g., a molded piece) that is formed of a suitable material, such as a plastic. However, it will be understood that the first grommet backing 130 can be formed of other suitable material, such as a metal, etc.
When the integral hook 128 is positioned in the 6 o'clock position with an outer face 710 of the backing 700 facing outward, the slot 705 is generally positioned between the 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions and is thus the left grommet backing.
The main difference with grommet backing 700 and the others is that the grommet backing 700 has a structure that complements the raised protrusions 620, 630 of the grommet base 600 to allow secure holding the article that is captured between the grommet backing and grommet base. The complementary structures, as shown, can be of a male/female type and more particularly, of a tongue and groove relationship.
In particular, as shown in
It will be appreciated that the number, shape and/or size of the protrusions 620, 630 and/or grooves 720, 730 can vary. Also, the location of these male/females features can be reversed in that the grooves could be designed into the inner face of the grommet base and the teeth (protrusions) could be designed into the inner face of the grommet backing.
Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/364,208, filed Jul. 19, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62364208 | Jul 2016 | US |