DRAPERY BOTTOM RETENTION SYSTEM
A drapery bottom retention system includes a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system. The drapery bottom retention rod keeps drapery bottoms from interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enable drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for room privacy. The drapery bottom retention system can also include a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.
The present invention claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/693,084, entitled “Drapery Bottom Retention System,” filed Aug. 24, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe field of the invention pertains to curtains and draperies and, in particular, to devices for stylishly retaining bottom portions of curtains and draperies in an open position when retracted while keeping the portion of curtains in front of a window closed for privacy and energy efficiency.
BACKGROUNDHistorically, curtains and drapes have been retracted on curtain rods from which they hang. When retracted, the curtains form loose even vertical folds, accordion style. When extended, the curtains partially or fully flatten. Often, the vertical folds remain straight without any attempt to tie back or otherwise ornament the curtains.
Tying back draperies at an open position is not only for aesthetic purposes, but can be of necessity where window air conditioners are involved. Combined window air conditioning and heating units are typically located beneath a window. Such is the case in most hotel rooms. The problem is that most draperies extend just over, or completely over the air conditioning/heating units. In order to get the maximum efficiency out of an air condition/heating unit mounted beneath a window, curtains must be left in an open position. As an option, various ornamental cords, strips of cloth, and ornamental brackets and pins have been used to tie back the curtains or drapes in a pleasing and stylish manner; however, these tie backs do not solve the problem where windows must be left completely open to enable air to adequately flow into the room; but, this exposes the occupants to a lack of privacy. The following are actual comments by hotel guests encountering the problem:
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- The room was very nice; however, the very thin curtains billowed out over the air conditioner, trapping the coed air between the windows and curtains. As the temperature outdoors was over 90, the air was a necessity so we had to sleep with the curtains open which made for a very early wake up call from the sunlight streaming in.
- Window unit A/C meant you had to sleep with the curtains open so as not to interfere with the air flow from AC.
- Minor annoyances during our stay included long (really long) waits for the elevators at all hours of the day/night and the fact that the air conditioning unit is located BEHIND the curtains.
- The downsides: (1) the window A/C unit is covered up by a heavy curtain, which means that the room gets very hot if the curtain is closed because the cool an just stays right there (and the/AC cuts off as a result) . . .
- A little out dated and the room had a window air condition unit, but that could be the only thing I could complain about.
What is clearly needed is a way to accommodate window air conditioning units that are still in wide use within hotel/motel rentals while still preserving the privacy of room occupants. With a view toward developing more useful and stylish devices to gather and tie back the lower portion of curtains and drapes interfering with window air conditioning/heating systems, the following drapery bottom retention systems have been created.
SUMMARYIt is a feature of the present invention to provide a drapery bottom retention system that allows for the retention of draperies/curtains bottoms in the open position to avoid interference with window heating/air conditioning (HVAC) units typically mounted beneath windows, while still allowing the top portion of draperies/curtains to remain closed to provide privacy to room occupants.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a drapery bottom retention system in the form of a horizontal bar mountable beneath a window bottom and above a HVAC system to retain drapery bottom away from HVAC flow venting.
It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide a means to retain drapery/curtain panels located above a HVAC system in a closed, privacy position while still enabling flow from the HVAC unit.
Referring to
Claims
1. A drapery bottom retention system, comprising a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system, said drapery bottom retention rod for keeping drapery bottom from interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enabling drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for privacy.
2. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 1, further comprising a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.
3. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 2, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
4. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 1, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
5. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 4, further comprising a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material, snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings, and magnets.
6. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 1, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
7. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 2, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
8. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 2, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
9. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 7, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
10. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 8, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
11. A drapery bottom retention system, comprising:
- a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system, said drapery bottom retention rod for keeping drapery bottom from, interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enabling drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for privacy; and
- a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.
12. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 11, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
13. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 11, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
14. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 11, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
15. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 12, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
16. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 12, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
17. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 13, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
18. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 14, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
19. A drapery bottom retention system, comprising:
- a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system, said drapery bottom retention rod for keeping drapery bottom from interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enabling drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for privacy, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod; and
- a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of the window while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.
20. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 19, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 23, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 27, 2014
Inventors: Thomas T. Romero (Las Cruces, NM), Luis M. Ortiz (Albuquerque, NM)
Application Number: 13/974,237
International Classification: A47H 23/01 (20060101);