Curtain loop guide and stop

Abstract

The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop is a small device that makes feeding curtains onto a rod easy, effortless, and snag free. Constructed somewhat like an expansion pin, curler pin, or ornamental bulb hanger, the Curtain Loop Guide has a round oval head that is slightly larger than the diameter of the curtain rod. The 2 springy “legs” of the Curtain Loop Guide can be squeezed together slightly, allowing easy insertion of the Curtain Loop Guide into the straight end of the curtain rod. The legs will then expand enough to hold the Guide into place. The Stop is constructed of plastic at the base and supports a “T” shape cap. The plastic stop is placed over the curved end of the curtain rod preventing the curtain from sliding off as it is threaded on the rod.

Description

[0001] A Provisional Application was filed under 37 CFR 1.53 c on Aug. 22, 2000, Application No. 60/226,984, by Rebecca Croft, US Citizen, 2183 County Road 50 E., Springerton, Ill. 62887.

[0002] The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop is a small device that will make feeding curtains onto a rod easy and snag-free. Constructed somewhat like an expansion pin, curler pin, or ornamental bulb hanger, the Curtain Loop Guide has a round or oval head that is slightly larger than the rod diameter. The 2 springy “legs” of the Curtain Loop Guide can be squeezed together slightly, allowing the insertion of the Curtain Loop Guide into the straight, open end of the curtain rod or into the curved end of the rod on older less durable rods. The legs will then expand to hold the Guide into place. The plastic Stop is placed over the curved end of the curtain rod preventing the curtain from sliding off as it is threaded on the rod.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop have been in use by the inventor, Rebecca Croft for approximately 30 years. After several years of research and approaching the general public, it was determined that the Curtain Loop is a device that would be welcomed, accepted, and needed. The Curtain Loop would make threading curtains of all type fabrics (especially delicate lace), easy and less time consuming for household and commercial uses. The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop will ease the burden for individuals with disabilities, impaired dexterity or hand weakness.

SUMMARY

[0004] The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop is a small device used to make feeding curtains onto the rod easy and effortless. Rough edges are common on curtain rods and often cause snags and even tears, especially in delicate or fine fabrics. All designs of the Curtain Loop Guide will fit standard curtain rods. The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop are made for durability, and the plastic guides fabricated for easy use by individuals with disabilities, impaired dexterity or hand weakness.

DRAWINGS

[0005] Design “1” has a plastic ball top measuring approximately 1.8 mm. Just below the ball is a plastic yoke approximately 2.2 mm in diameter. Design “1” has two springy legs approximately 2.7 mm in length beginning at the yoke. The springy legs have a width of 1.5 mm from the yoke, graduating outward to 2.3 mm at the open insertion end. The overall length of Design “1” is 5.2 mm. Design “1” has a round head that is slightly larger than the curtain rod diameter. The 2 springy “legs” of the Curtain Loop Guide can be squeezed together slightly, allowing easy insertion of the Curtain Loop Guide into the straight, open end of the curtain rod. The legs will then expand enough to hold the Guide into place. The yoke is larger than the rod diameter allowing easy threading of the curtains, without snagging the curtain rod edges.

[0006] Design “2” has a plastic or alloy construction. The oval head is 2.2 mm in length with a 0.9 mm open center. Just below the oval is a plastic yoke approximately 2.2 mm in diameter. Design “2” has two springy legs approximately 2.7 mm in length beginning at the yoke. The springy legs have a width of 1.5 mm from the yoke, graduating outward to 2.3 mm at the insertion end. The overall length of Design “2” is 5.4 mm. Design “2” has a round head that is slightly larger than the rod diameter. The 2 springy “legs” of the Curtain Loop Guide can be squeezed together slightly, allowing easy insertion of the Curtain Loop Guide into the straight, open end of the curtain rod. The legs will then expand enough to hold the Guide into place. The Yoke is larger than the rod diameter allowing easy threading of the curtains, without snagging the curtain rod edges.

[0007] Design “3” is constructed somewhat like an expansion pin, curler pin, or ornamental bulb hanger. The Curtain Loop Guide has a round head approximately 2.3 mm wide and is slightly larger than the diameter of the curtain rod. The 2 springy “legs” of the Curtain Loop Guide can be squeezed together slightly, allowing easy insertion of the Curtain Loop Guide into the straight, open end of the curtain rod. The legs will then expand enough to hold the Guide into place. In Design “3”, a cap approximately 2 mm wide will slide down the legs from the yoke and cover the open end of the curtain rod.

[0008] Design “4” is constructed somewhat like a plastic sleeve approximately 5.1 mm in length, 2 mm wide, and 2 mm deep. The Curtain Loop Guide can be slid over the straight, open end of the curtain rod.

[0009] Designs 1-3 have a large head protruding from the rod end, design 4 is a long sleeve that effectively holds the passing curtain fabric clear of any rough edges. Rough edges are common on curtain rods and often cause snags and even tears, especially in delicate or fine fabrics.

[0010] The Curtain Loop Guides can be made for durability, and plastic guides fabricated for easy use by individuals with disabilities, impaired dexterity, or hand weakness. All designs of the Curtain Loop Guide will fit most standard curtain rods.

[0011] The design parameters for this product are amenable to current production processes and tooling, and the materials specified are commonly available on the commercial level.

[0012] Design “5” Curtain Stop is constructed of plastic and is 6.2 mm at the base, supporting a 1.3 mm cap. The plastic cap is placed over the curved end of the curtain rod preventing the curtain from sliding off as it is threaded on the rod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] There is a need for the Curtain Guide Loop and Stop both by the general public and commercial entities. The Curtain Loop Guides can be made for durability from common commercial metals and plastic injection molding processes. The design parameters for this product are amenable to current production processes and tooling, and the materials specified are commonly available on the commercial level at the present time.

[0014] The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop is a small device that makes feeding curtains onto a rod easy, effortless, and snag free. Constructed somewhat like an expansion pin, curler pin, or ornamental bulb hanger, the Curtain Loop Guide has a round oval head that is slightly larger than the diameter of the curtain rod. The 2 springy “legs” of the Curtain Loop Guide can be squeezed together slightly, allowing easy insertion of the Curtain Loop Guide into the straight end of the curtain rod (see design “4”). The legs will then expand enough to hold the Guide into place.

[0015] Design “1” has a plastic ball top measuring approximately 1.8 mm. Just below the ball is a plastic yoke approximately 2.2 mm in diameter. Design “1” has two springy legs approximately 2.7 mm in length beginning at the yoke. The springy legs have a width of 1.5 mm from the yoke, graduating outward to 2.3 mm at the open insertion end. The overall length of Design “1” is 5.2 mm. Design “1” has a round head that is slightly larger than the curtain rod diameter. Design “2” has a plastic or alloy construction. The oval head is 2.2 mm in length with a 0.9 mm open center. Just below the oval is a plastic yoke approximately 2.2 mm in diameter. Design “2” has two springy legs approximately 2.7 mm in length beginning at the yoke. The springy legs have a width of 1.5 mm from the yoke, graduating outward to 2.3 mm at the insertion end. The overall length of Design “2” is 5.4 mm. Design “2” has a round head that is slightly larger than the rod diameter. Design “3” is constructed somewhat like an expansion pin, curler pin, or ornamental bulb hanger. The Curtain Loop Guide has a round head approximately 2.3 mm wide and is slightly larger than the diameter of the curtain rod. . In Design “3”, a cap approximately 2 mm wide will slide down the legs from the yoke and cover the open end of the curtain rod. Design “4” is constructed somewhat like a plastic sleeve approximately 5.1 mm in length, 2 mm wide, and 2 mm deep. The Curtain Loop Guide can be slid over the straight, open end of the curtain rod. Design “5” Curtain Stop is constructed of plastic and is 6.2 mm at the base, supporting a 1.3 mm cap. The plastic cap is placed over the curved end of the curtain rod preventing the curtain from sliding off as it is threaded on the rod.

[0016] This is a device that can be used by anyone. The Curtain Loop Guide and Stop is very simplistic in design and is limited to one moveable part allowing for easy use by individuals with a disability, impaired dexterity or hand weakness and thereby making this device extremely user friendly.

Claims

1. What I claim as my invention is The “Curtain Loop Guide and Stop” a small device that will make feeding curtains onto a rod easy and snag-free. Constructed somewhat like an expansion pin, curler pin, or ornamental bulb hanger, the Curtain Loop Guide has a round or oval head that is slightly larger than the rod diameter. The 2 springy “legs” of the Curtain Loop Guide can be squeezed together slightly, allowing easy insertion of the Curtain Loop Guide into the straight, open end of the curtain rod. The legs will then expand enough to hold the Guide into place. Rough edges are common on curtain rods and often cause snags and tears, especially in delicate fabrics.

The Curtain Loop Guide is durable and can be made of plastic or other common alloys on the open market today. The simplicity of design and easy use makes it a valuable tool for individuals with disabilities, impaired dexterity or hand weakness.

The design parameters for this product are amenable to current production processes and tooling, and the materials specified are commonly available on the commercial level.