The present invention generally relates to window drapery hardware. More specifically, the present invention relates to drapery rods and drapery rod assemblies.
Drapery rods are well known in the window drapery hardware field. Unfortunately, known drapery rods do not conform to the shape of multiple window arrangements, such as bow and bay windows. In order to effectively drape each window of a bow or bay window, separate individual drapery rods must be used. This causes both aesthetic and structural problems. For example, most multiple window arrangements do not allow enough space between each window for multiple separate traditional drapery rods. Also, the use of an assembly of multiple rods can result in undesirable gaps between the individual rods.
Thus, there is a need for a continuous drapery rod assembly that can conform to the shape of a multiple-window arrangement.
The present invention broadly comprises a modular drapery assembly including a plurality of rods and a plurality of connecting elements. Each connecting element in the plurality of connecting elements is fastenable to respective ends of a pair of rod assemblies from the plurality of rods and each connecting element is flexible to modify an angle between the pair of rod assemblies.
In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of rods and the plurality of connecting elements have equal respective outside diameters. The modular drapery assembly includes at least one end cap and at least one rod in the plurality of rods includes an end and the at least one end cap is attachable to the end. The modular drapery assembly includes a plurality of hooks attachable to a surface and the plurality of hooks can support the plurality of rods.
In a preferred embodiment, at least one connecting element in the plurality of connecting elements includes an embedded flexible metal wire. The plurality of connecting elements is composed of thermoplastic rubber. Each connecting element is removably fastenable to the respective ends. Each connecting element may be removably frictionally fastenable to the respective ends. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, however, each element is screwed to the respective ends. Each connecting element includes first and second extensions disposed on first and second ends of each connecting element and the respective ends include first and second openings arranged to receive the first and second extensions, respectively. In one embodiment, at least one of the rod assemblies is a single rod. At least one of the rod assemblies includes at least two rods.
The present invention also broadly comprises a modular drapery assembly including first, second, and third rod assemblies and first and second connecting elements. Each rod assembly includes at least one rod and respective ends. The first connecting element may be frictionally removably connectable or screwed to one end of the first rod assembly and to a first end of the second rod assembly. The second connecting element may be frictionally removably connectable or screwed to the other end of the second rod assembly and to one end of the third rod assembly. The first and second connecting elements are flexible to modify an angle between the first and second rod assemblies and between the second and third rod assemblies, respectively. The first and second connecting elements each contain a flexible metal wire embedded therein.
The present invention further broadly comprises a modular drapery assembly including first and second rod assemblies and a connecting element. Each rod assembly includes at least one rod and respective ends. The connecting element may be frictionally removably connected or screwed to one end of the first rod assembly and to one end of the second rod assembly. The connecting element is flexible to modify an angle between the first and second rod assemblies and the connecting element contains a flexible metal wire embedded therein.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a drapery rod assembly that conforms to the shape of a multiple-window assembly, such as a bow or bay window.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon study of the following detailed description in view of the drawings and appended claims.
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which will be limited only by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now described.
In general, elements 14 and 114 are removably fastenable to the respective ends of the rod assemblies. By this we mean that the elements can be inserted into the respective ends and remain fastened/connected to the respective rod assemblies, but can be removed by applying moderate force. For example, the elements and the rod assemblies are shaped and configured to be assembled and disassembled by hand. In a first embodiment, elements 14 are frictionally fastenable to the rod assemblies. By this we mean that the friction between the elements and the rods is sufficient to hold the elements in the rod assemblies. In a second embodiment, the elements are removably fastenable to the respective ends via a screwed engagement.
In a first embodiment, connecting elements 14 include extensions 32 on respective ends 34 and rods 12 forming the pairs noted above include openings 36 in at least one of the respective ends of the rods 12. Extensions 32 are engagable with openings 36 in a complimentary friction fit. That is, openings 36 are arranged to receive extensions 32. In one embodiment, extensions 32 all have substantially the same shape and dimensions and openings 36 all have substantially the same dimensions. In one embodiment (not shown), shapes and dimensions for the extensions vary and dimensions for the openings vary.
In a second embodiment, as shown in
In
It also should be understood that rods and connecting elements in a present invention assembly are not limited to the respective shapes shown in the figures. For example, the rods and elements are shown with a generally circular cross-section; however, the rods and/or the elements can have other respective cross-sectional shapes.
Thus it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which changes would not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.