WINDOW RODS

Abstract

A curtain rod assembly includes a support rod extending between the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between opposing walls of a window casement, and an extendable curtain rod support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to hold one or two curtain rods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/474,418, filed Apr. 12, 2011 and titled “Window Rods”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/476,543, filed Apr. 18, 2011 and titled “Window Rods”. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The installation of window curtain rods can be difficult and time consuming due to the need to drill holes into the walls. The installations are permanent and errors can cause damage.

Efforts have been made to incorporate tension rod technology inside the window frame. However the holding power of such tension rods is limited such that the maximum load the rods will support is approximately 5 to 15 lbs. The consequence of this is that it is not possible to extend the rods holding the curtains up outside of the window casing as would be the case with normal rods.

It would be desirable to have a window curtain rod that overcomes one or more of these deficiencies.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a curtain rod assembly includes a support rod extending between the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between opposing walls of a window casement, and an extendable curtain rod support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to hold a curtain rod.

In another aspect, a curtain rod assembly for use with a window casement includes a support rod extending between the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between opposing walls of a window casement, the support rod including first and second tubes, wherein a portion of the first tube is slidably engaged with the second tube, a fastener for maintaining a fixed spatial relationship between the first and second tubes, and a tension adjuster positioned adjacent to an end of one of the first and second tubes, wherein the tension adjuster includes a sleeve having threads in an internal surface, a threaded portion of the first tube configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a first end of the sleeve, and a ferrule having a threaded portion configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a second end of the sleeve, wherein threads in the threaded portion of the first tube and threads in the threaded portion of the ferrule have a reverse orientation with respect to each other; and a curtain rod support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to hold a curtain rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a curtain rod assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a close up view of the fastener assembly for the adjustable support rod of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the right bracket of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a tension adjusting assembly that can be used in the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end bracket and tension adjusting assembly of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the center support bracket of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a portion of a curtain rod assembly constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a close up view of an alternative connection to the left bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a curtain rod assembly 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The curtain rod assembly is suitable for mounting in a casement window opening and includes a support rod 12 extending between two end brackets 14, 16. Each end bracket is connected to an arm 18, 20 that is configured to extend forward and upward to support curtain rods 22 and 24. If a casing is provided along the top edge of the casement window opening, the arms will clear the casing.

The support rod includes first and second telescoping portions 26, 28. One of the first and second telescoping portions is sized to slide into the other telescoping portion. A fastening means 30 is provided to fix the relative position of the first and second telescoping portions with respect to each other. While the first and second telescoping portions 26, 28 have a circular cross-sectional shape in this embodiment, rod portions having other cross-sectional shaped may also be used, such as oval or square rods.

Tension adjusting assemblies 32, 34 are positioned at opposite ends of the support rod, and adjacent to the end brackets. When mounted in a casement window opening 36, the end brackets are forced against opposing walls 38, 40 of the window opening. The tension adjusting assemblies are at one end, but both ends can have the adjusters.

To mount the window rod assembly to a casement window frame, the length of the support rod is adjusted by sliding the telescoping portions with respect to each other until the brackets are adjacent to the walls of the window opening. Then the fastener is tightened to secure the first and second support rod telescoping portions in a fixed position relative to each other using screws. Next the tension adjusting assemblies are adjusted to force the end brackets into the walls. A screw is then tightened to lock the adjuster so that it cannot slip.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the arms are configured to hold telescoping curtain rods 22, 24. An optional center support bracket 42 is shown to extend from the support rod to the two curtain rods. The center support bracket extends forward and above the window opening and around the window molding, if present, and is configured to support the curtain rods 22, 24.

FIG. 2 is a close up view of the fastener means for the adjustable support rod of FIG. 1. The first telescoping portion 26 has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second telescoping portion 28, allowing the first telescoping portion is slide within the second telescoping portion. Fasteners 44, 46, which may include screws such as alien screws or other types of fasteners, pass through the wall of the second telescoping portion and make contact with the wall of the first telescoping portion. The thickness of the wall of the second telescoping portion in the vicinity of the screws is increased to allow for an increase in the engagement length between the screws and the wall of the second telescoping portion. With this fastening means, the length of the support rod can be adjusted in a continuous manner. The screws fix the relative position of the telescoping rod portions in a secure manner to withstand axial forces that are applied when the tension adjusting assemblies are used to force the brackets against the walls of the casement opening.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a tension adjusting assembly 32 that is positioned between the first telescoping portion 26 and the first end bracket 14. The arm 18 extends upward from the end bracket to support curtain rods 22, 24. The end bracket includes a first portion 52 and a second portion 54. A resilient pad 56, which in one example is a rubber pad, is positioned between the first portion of the end bracket and the wall 38 of the window casement. The second portion 54 is positioned against the room wall 58. The second portion 54 resists twisting forces applied to the bracket due to the weight of a decorative curtain rod and curtain mounted on the decorative curtain rod.

The arm 18 includes a top portion 60 and a bottom portion 62. The bottom portion is constructed of a hollow tube and the top portion extends into the bottom portion. An alien screw 64 is provided to secure the position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion. U-shaped openings 66, 68, are provided to receive decorative curtain rods 22, 24. This arrangement allows the height of the curtain rods to be adjusted without repositioning the support rod. In one embodiment, the height of the curtain rods can be adjusted over a range of up to about 1.5 inches by changing the position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion and then tightening the alien screw. The decorative curtain rods 16 may be telescopic rods that can be adjusted to a desired length to fit within U-shaped openings of the support arms. The decorative curtain rods may also include a pair of finials extending from either end. Alternatively, fixed length decorative curtain rods or decorative curtain rods cut to fit the desired length may also be used.

FIG. 4 shows the tension adjusting assembly 32 coupled to the end bracket 14. A joint cover 70 covers a portion of the tension adjusting assembly 32 adjacent to the end bracket 14.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a tension adjusting assembly 32, also called a tension adjuster. The tension adjusting assembly includes a sleeve 72 having a threaded internal surface. A ferrule 74 includes a threaded portion 76 and an end portion 78 that couples to the end bracket. The ferrule is also connected to a stud 80 that passes through the sleeve and into an end of the rod 26. The rod 26 includes a threaded portion 82. Threads in the threaded portion 76 and the threaded portion 82 are reversed with respect to each other. The threads on the interior surface of the sleeve engage threads in the threaded portion 76 and the threaded portion 82, such that when the sleeve is rotated, the rod 26 and ferrule 74 are either forced apart or brought closer together. If the rod 26 and ferrule 74 are forced apart, the overall length of the support rod increases, such that the end brackets are forced against the opposing walls of the window casement. After the support rod is mounted in the casement opening, the sleeve can be fixed in place by a screw or other fastener to prevent loosening of the support rod.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end bracket and tension adjusting assembly of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1. The end bracket 14 is shown to include a coupler for receiving an end of ferrule 74 of the tension adjusting assembly. In this embodiment, the coupler 90 includes a top portion 92 and a bottom portion 94. Once the ferrule is positioned in the coupler, it can be prevented from rotating by inserting a fastener, such as a pin, through a portion of the coupler and an opening 96 in the ferrule (shown in FIG. 5).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the center support bracket 42 of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1. The center support bracket includes a top portion 100 and a bottom portion 102. The bottom portion is constructed of a hollow tube and the top portion extends into the bottom portion. A fastener, which can be an alien screw 104, is provided to secure the position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion. U-shaped openings 106, 108, are provided to receive curtain rods 22, 24. Additional fasteners, which can be alien screws, 109 are provided to fix the position of the bottom of the center support bract with respect to the support rod. This arrangement allows the height of the curtain rods to be adjusted without repositioning the support rod.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a portion of a curtain rod assembly 110 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Curtain rod assembly 110 can include the same support rod 12, fastening means, and tension adjusting assembly 32 as in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, end brackets 112 and 113 are connected to arms 114 and 115 respectively. The arms 114 and 115 are configured to support a single decorative curtain rod 116. A center support bracket 118 is also included to provide further support for the decorative curtain rod. While FIG. 8 only shows a right side bracket, it will be understood that a left bracket will also be included, wherein the left bracket is the mirror image of the right bracket.

FIG. 9 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows a tension adjusting assembly 32 that is positioned between the first telescoping portion 26 and the first end bracket 112. The arm 114 extends upward from the end bracket to support curtain rod 116. The end bracket includes a first portion 120 and a second portion 122. A resilient pad 124, which in one example is a rubber pad, is positioned between the first portion of the end bracket and the wall 38 of the window casement. The second portion 122 is position against the room wall 58. The second portion 122 resists twisting forces applied to the bracket due to the weight of a decorative curtain rod and curtain mounted on the decorative curtain rod.

The arm 114 includes a top portion 126 and a bottom portion 128. The bottom portion is constructed of a hollow tube and the top portion extends into the bottom portion. A fastener, which may be an alien screw 130, is provided to secure the position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion. A U-shaped opening 132 is provided to receive curtain rod 116. This arrangement allows the height of the curtain rod to be adjusted without repositioning the support rod. In one embodiment, the height of the curtain rod can be adjusted over a range of up to about 1.5 inches by changing the position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion and then tightening the alien screw. Arm 115 and support bracket 118 also include telescoping portions that allow for the adjustment of the curtain rod height.

FIG. 10 is a close up view of an alternative connection to the left bracket. In this embodiment, the end bracket 16 includes a protrusion 140 that extends into rod portion 28. A drop pin 142 can be inserted into a hole in both the rod portion and the protrusion to secure the rod portion to the end bracket. The protrusion can be configured to extend into or over a portion of the support rod, and the protrusion and support rod can include holes configured to accept the drop pin.

As can be seen from the above description, the curtain rod assemblies constructed in accordance with embodiments of this invention can be mounted to a window casement without the need for tools. Using alien key type screws as fasteners to fix the relative position of the telescoping portions of the support rod, and a tension adjuster, a telescopic rod can be rigidly set inside and at the top inside the window casement. In one embodiment, each end of the telescopic rod has a bracket with rubber on the inside which grips onto the inside of the window frame and supplies additional holding power from the rubber. The telescopic rod includes a tension adjuster which can be tightened to put the torque on the rod and rigidly fix it into position. The end brackets have extending arms that go up above and around the window molding. Each of these brackets may hold either one or two of the curtain rods. The brackets themselves are telescopic and the heights can be adjusted and held by a screw.

The rods described herein may be made of any suitable material, such as metal or high grade plastic. The rods can hold up to 50 lbs or more of weight at a 66 inch extension.

The described rod assemblies not only permit installation without drilling, but also allow the curtain rod to be easily repositioned or moved. These rod assemblies can accommodate both “single” and “double” rods.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A curtain rod assembly comprising:

a support rod extending between the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between opposing walls of a window casement; and

an extendable curtain rod support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to hold a curtain rod.

2. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the support rod comprises:

first and second tubes, wherein a portion of the first tube is slideably engaged with the second tube;

a fastener for maintaining a fixed spatial relationship between the first and second tubes; and

a tension adjuster positioned adjacent to an end of one of the first and second tubes.

3. The curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein the tension adjuster comprises:

a sleeve having threads in an internal surface;

a threaded portion of the first tube configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a first end of the sleeve; and

a ferrule having a threaded portion configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a second end of the sleeve, wherein threads in the threaded portion of the first tube and threads in the threaded portion of the ferrule have a reverse orientation with respect to each other.

4. The curtain rod assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

a stud connected to the ferrule and extending through the sleeve.

5. The curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein the fastener comprises:

a screw extending through a wall of the first tube and making contact with a wall of the second tube to hold the second tube in a fixed axial position with respect to the first tube.

6. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the extendable curtain rod support arms comprises:

a top portion having a section that is slideably engaged with a bottom portion; and

a fastener for maintaining a fixed spatial relationship between the top and bottom portions.

7. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the end brackets comprises:

a casement wall contacting portion and a portion for contacting a wall adjacent to the window casement.

8. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the extendable curtain rod support arms includes a first U-shaped opening for holding the curtain rod.

9. The curtain rod assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the extendable curtain rod support arms includes a second U-shaped opening for holding a second curtain rod.

10. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the end brackets includes a protrusion configured to extend into or over a portion of the support rod, and the protrusion and support rod include holes configured to accept a drop pin.

11. A curtain rod assembly comprising:

a support rod extending between the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between opposing walls of a window casement, the support rod including first and second tubes, wherein a portion of the first tube is slideably engaged with the second tube, a fastener for maintaining a fixed spatial relationship between the first and second tubes, and a tension adjuster positioned adjacent to an end of one of the first and second tubes, wherein the tension adjuster includes a sleeve having threads in an internal surface, a threaded portion of the first tube configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a first end of the sleeve, and a ferrule having a threaded portion configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a second end of the sleeve, wherein threads in the threaded portion of the first tube and threads in the threaded portion of the ferrule have a reverse orientation with respect to each other; and

a curtain rod support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to hold a curtain rod.

12. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a stud connected to the ferrule and extending through the sleeve.

13. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein one of the end brackets comprises:

a coupler configured to receive an end of the ferrule.

14. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener comprises:

a screw extending through a wall of the first tube and making contact with a wall of the second tube to hold the second tube in a fixed axial position with respect to the first tube.

15. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the end brackets comprises:

a casement wall contacting portion and a portion for contacting a wall adjacent to the window casement.

16. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the extendable curtain rod support arms includes a first U-shaped opening for holding the curtain rod.

17. The curtain rod assembly of claim 16, wherein each of the extendable curtain rod support arms includes a second U-shaped opening for holding a second curtain rod.

18. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein one of the end brackets includes a protrusion configured to extend into or over a portion of the support rod, and the protrusion and support rod include holes configured to accept a drop pin.