1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to entrance way doors that are constructed of steel, and in particular, to those which include a decorative window, and more particularly to a magnetic curtain adapted to the shape of the decorative window which can be selectively positioned about and over the decorative window to prevent unwanted visual intrusion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Entrance way doors constructed of wood for the ingress and egress into a dwelling have been used since the beginning of home building. As civilizations evolved, these wood doors became more ornate and oftentimes included one or more glass panels for the passage of light. These window panels also allow the homeowner to look outwardly if so desired. The window panels on wooden doors were easily covered through the use of mini curtains mounted on mini curtain rods affixed to the interior surface of the wooden door allowing the homeowner to choose whether to allow the passage of light or not.
In recent years, steel doors have become very popular as the primary entranceway into a home. The steel doors offer better security and many also carry warranties with respect to rust and also the paint finish applied to the doors and baked on during the manufacturing process thereby alleviating the need for the home owner to either paint or stain the door during its lifetime.
Many of these steel doors are now also manufactured with decorative windows which can come in many shapes, including geometric shapes, ovals, tear drop, arch type or other arcuate shapes. These decorative windows may also include a design or an indicia such as the first letter of the homeowners' last name. Steel doors with these decorative windows incorporated therein allow the home owner to add his own personal aesthetic touch to the entrance way to his home, however, these doors do have one drawback in that at night, with the interior lights of the dwelling lit, an individual passing by the exterior of the house can directly view at least a portion of the interior of the house. Additionally, depending upon the orientation of the house and the steel door with incorporated decorative window, headlights from passing traffic may also cast light through the decorative window and into the home.
Since the door is made of steel, it cannot easily accept a curtain rod and in all likelihood, the drilling of holes to secure such a curtain rod would in all likelihood void any warranties associated with the steel door. Still further, the curtain rod would detract from the aesthetics of the door as viewed from the interior of the house during daylight hours.
There therefore has been a need for a selectively removable curtain for use with a metal door that adapts to the shape of the decorative window and covers the decorative window of the steel door during the evening hours. Applicant's magnetic curtain is designed to adapt to the shape and cover such decorative windows regardless of their shape by providing a light impervious fabric material having a plurality of magnets formed in or about the periphery of the curtain which can be selectively magnetically attached about the decorative window and its trim, if any, during the evening hours, and removed and stored in a drawer during daylight hours.
An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel magnetic curtain for use with steel doors having decorative windows in order to cover the decorative windows on the interior side of the door during evening hours, the magnetic curtain adapting to the shape of the window.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for a novel magnetic curtain which is easily installed without damaging the steel door.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for a novel magnetic curtain for a steel door which is easily removed and stored when not in use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a novel magnetic curtain for a steel door which is sold in kit form with a plurality of magnets and sewing patterns which allow the homeowner to select his or her own curtain fabric material and construct a magnetic curtain for the particular decorative window in the steel door.
A magnetic curtain of light impervious or light interrupting fabric having a plurality of magnets positioned in its periphery, the magnetic curtain sized to magnetically adhere to the interior surface of a steel entrance door and cover the decorative window formed therein.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:
Depending upon the floor plan of the house, the steel front entrance door 10 may open into a hallway, a foyer, or even an actual room. Depending upon the height of the entrance door, and its mount into the wall, in the evening, with interior lights on in the house, a person passing by on the exterior of the house is allowed a view into the interior of the house. Additionally, depending upon the height of the door, and its orientation, and the houses' orientation vis-à-vis the street, the headlights of passing automobiles may also cast a light through the decorative window 16 and into the house creating a strobe light like effect. It is therefore necessary to have some type if aesthetic cover or curtain for the window during the evening hours.
The typical decorative window 16 may be flush with the interior surface 18 of the steel front entrance door 10, but the norm is to incorporate a non-metal periphery 20 which is slightly raised above the interior surface 18 of the steel front entrance door 10.
The magnets 36 illustrated thus far have been shown as circular, however any substantially flat geometric shape may be utilized. These magnets also may or may not have an adhesive side which allows for the magnets to be adhesed to the fabric material 32. Magnets not having an adhesive side are also acceptable to use with the magnetic curtain as the hemmed pockets 42 or the adhesive tape 50 will maintain them in position. Magnets 36 having adhesive layer could also be used directly on the fabric without having a hemmed stitching or use of the adhesive tape 50. However, the deterioration of any adhesive on the magnet may affect the aesthetic appearance of the magnetic curtain.
The shape and size of the decorative window 16 will determine the positioning and the number of magnets required. As an example, a typical square window,
Each home owner may have a preference for the fabric utilized with respect to Applicant's magnetic curtain. Therefore, Applicant's novel contribution also has application to a kit which allows the individual to construct a magnetic curtain with the fabric of their own choosing. Such a kit would provide for a plurality of magnets 36 and a tracing template 23. The tracing template 23 would be overlaid the decorative window 16 so as to mark the decorative windows periphery including any non-metal periphery 20 and peripheral metal portion 29. The tracing template 23 would also provide seam allowance indicia 25 if the periphery is to be hemmed. The tracing template 23 would then be placed over the fabric material 32, the fabric material 32 could be cut to size including the seam allowance portion, which then allows the individual to prepare a hem in the manner heretofore described, and to position the magnets 36 within the peripheral hem or alternately, cut fabric material 32 to size and secure with adhesive tape 50.
Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.
Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/455,068, filed Oct. 15, 2010.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61455068 | Oct 2010 | US |