Curtain system with removable layer

Abstract

A curtain designed to have at least two layers to be suspended from a suitable horizontal support structure adjacent to a window, shower or bathtub. The curtain includes a first layer that is configured in a substantially vertical an planar manner and a second layer that is adjacent thereto. The second layer is configured to be releasably secured to the first layer using a plurality of fasteners, such as hook-loop fasteners proximate the upper edges of the first layer and second layer. The first layer further includes a plurality of hooks proximate to the upper edge to facilitate suspension of the curtain from a horizontal support structure. The second layer further includes a plurality of apertures designed to receive decorative objects therein.

Description

PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119(e) & 37 C.F.R. §1.78

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. provisional patent application entitled: Velcro drape/latch hook drape, Application No. 60/678,275, filed May 6, 2005, in the names of Trinda L. Kinstle and Robert Kinstle, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vertically oriented ornamental barrier, more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to a multiple layer curtain that has a removable layer that is secured to a base layer and configured for easy removal from the base layer to facilitate the ability to decoratively alter appearance the of the curtain.

BACKGROUND

Millions of homeowners reside in homes that utilize curtains or drapes for various purposes, such as for windows and showers. Because these homeowners engage in the art of interior design for the interior of their home, they usually spend and lot of time in deciding the designs and colors of the curtains/drapes to be used in their interior decorative plans. As both window and shower curtains are very large and are easily seen, homeowners will carefully plan the impact of these curtains on the specific designs for each of the rooms.

One issue with existing curtains is that they are not easily interchangeable. Usually the homeowner has to remove the rod that supports the curtain and/or release the curtain from a plurality of hooks or other similar mechanical device. This process is usually cumbersome and frustrating and involves more time than the typical homeowner would like to allocate to this particular task. As the curtain is an important piece of the overall interior design of a room, it is desirable for a homeowner to be able to change the curtain in order to alter the appearance of the particular room. Such as could be performed during holiday seasons throughout the year.

Accordingly, there is a need for a curtain, drape or dressing that is configured to facilitate the easy changing of the decorative design thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a curtain, drape or dressing that has at least two layers with an outer layer that is releasably secured to the inner layer and configured to facilitate the easy changing of the outer layer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a curtain, drape or dressing that has at least two layers with an outer layer being configured to enhance the decorative appearance of the curtain.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a curtain, drape or dressing that has at least two layers that are waterproof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a curtain, drape or dressing that has at least two layers that is relatively inexpensive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a curtain, drape or dressing that has at least two layers that includes a plurality of apertures configured to receive therein a string of decorative lights.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial detailed view of an aperture of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, and wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale, there is illustrated the components of a preferred embodiment of a curtain 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

The curtain 100 comprises a base layer 10 that is configured in a substantially vertical and planer manner. The base layer 10 is manufactured from a suitable durable flexible material based upon the particular use of the curtain 100. For example, if curtain 100 is to be used for a drape, curtain or dressing for a window, such material might be, but not limited, various fabrics or textiles. If curtain 100 is to be used as a shower curtain, such material would be, but not limited to, plastic, treated to be waterproof and resistant to mildew. As is known in the art, paradichlorobenzene can be utilized to treat various materials to make the materials mildew resistant.

The base layer 10 is configured to be suspended in a manner adjacent to the desired area with the aid of a suitable horizontal support structure such as but not limited to a metal rod. While the base layer 10 is shown as being generally rectangular in shape, those skilled in the art will recognize that the base layer could be manufactured in numerous different shapes.

The base layer 10 is releasably secured and generally suspended in a downward direction toward a suitable horizontal support structure with a plurality of hooks 25. The hooks 25 are conventional mechanical fasteners that are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as metal or plastic. The hooks 25 are secured to the base layer by conventional mechanical or chemical methods and are proximate the upper peripheral edge 15.

Adjacent to the upper peripheral edge 15 and generally located below the hooks 25 are a plurality of fasteners 20. The fasteners 20 function to releasably secure an outer layer 40 to the base layer 10. The fasteners 20 are positioned substantially parallel with the upper peripheral edge 15 of the base layer 10 and are secured to the base layer 10 by conventional mechanical or chemical methods. The fasteners 20 further extend in a generally downward direction along the left peripheral edge 17 and the right peripheral edge 30.

The fasteners 20 extend along the upper peripheral edge 15 intermediate the left peripheral edge 17 of the base layer 10 and the right peripheral edge 30. Although no specific type of fasteners 20 is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a typical hook-loop fastener 20. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of conventional keepers could be utilized to achieve the function as described herein of the fasteners 20. Furthermore, while the embodiment illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith illustrate a plurality of fasteners 20 disposed proximate the upper peripheral edge 15, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the fastener 20 could be a continuous strip that is adjacent the upper peripheral edge 15 of the base layer 10.

Adjacent to the base layer 10 and releasably secured thereto is an outer layer 40. The outer layer 40 is configured in a substantially planar and vertical manner and is generally of the same size as the base layer 10. The outer layer 40 has disposed thereon a plurality of fasteners 20 that are manufactured from one connectable half of a hook/loop fastener designed to mateably connect with the fasteners 20 located on the base layer 10 manufactured from the opposing connectable half of the hook/loop fastener material. The fasteners 20 are secured to the outer layer 40 by conventional mechanical or chemical methods. Although the present embodiment illustrates utilizing hook/loop fasteners for fasteners 20, it is contemplated that other types of fasteners could also be utilized, such as but not by way of limitation, buttons, snaps and hooks.

The fasteners 20 are disposed along the outer layer upper edge 45 in a suitable position whereby upon securing to the base layer 10 the outer layer 40 will generally overlay the base layer 10. The fasteners 20 on the outer layer 40 are further positioned proximate to the upper right edge 60 and the upper left edge 65 to provide enhanced strength upon engagement of the outer layer 40 to the base layer 10. The outer layer 40 functions to alter the decorative appearance of the curtain 100. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer layer 40 could be comprised of numerous colors and designs. The outer layer 40 is manufactured from a group of materials such as but not limited to cotton, polyester, linen, silk, velvet, satin, or chiffon. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer layer 40 be mildew proof. As previously referenced herein, paradichlorobenzene or other suitable chemicals have shown good results in treating the curtain 100 to resist mildew.

Referring in particular to FIG. 2, the outer layer 40 has a plurality of apertures 70 journaled therethrough. The apertures 70 are generally slit-shaped and are parallel with and proximate to the outer layer upper edge 45. The apertures 70 are configured to receive therein decorative objects such as but not limited to a string of decorative lights.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different shapes of apertures 70 could be utilized to perform the function as described herein. It is further contemplated that the apertures 70 could be positioned adjacent to the upper right edge 60 and the upper left edge.

It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer layer 40 could be secured to the base layer 10 by utilizing an outwardly extending portion of the hooks 25 that are used to secure the base layer 10 to a suitable horizontal support structure. Furthermore, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the curtain 100 could consist of a plurality of layers adjacent to each other in order to create a desired decorative appearance.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 1, a description of the operation of the curtain 100 is as follows. In use, a user will attach a suitable horizontal support structure such as a metal rod adjacent to and generally above the area where the curtain 100 is desired. The user then secures the base layer 10 to the metal rod utilizing the plurality of hooks 25. Once the base layer 10 is secured to the metal rod it is oriented in a substantially vertical manner. The user then releasably secures the desired outer layer 40 to the base layer 10 thereby changing the decorative appearance of the curtain 100. If desired the user can utilize the apertures 70 disposed along the outer layer 40 to fasten decorative objects thereto such as a string of miniature lights. The user periodically changes the outer layer 40 in order to change the decorative appearance of the curtain 100 as desired.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A curtain system, comprising:

a base layer configured to be hung from a support structure; and

an outer layer configured to be releasably secured to said base layer.

2. The curtain system as recited in claim 1, and further including a plurality of hooks, said plurality of hooks for hanging said base layer to the support structure.

3. The curtain system as recited in claim 2, and further including at least one fastener, said at least one fastener operable to releasably secure said outer layer to said base layer.

4. The curtain system as recited in claim 3, wherein said at least one fastener is a hook-loop fastener.

5. The curtain system as recited in claim 4, wherein said outer layer includes a plurality of apertures, said apertures operable to receive decorative objects.

6. The curtain system as recited in claim 5, wherein said base layer is manufactured of at least one of plastic and cloth.

7. The curtain system as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of said base layer and said outer layer is mildew resistant.

8. A barrier to be hung proximate to a window or bathtub, comprising:

a first layer, said first layer being configured to be hung proximate at least one of the window and the bathtub;

a second layer, said second layer configured to be releasably secured to said first layer.

9. The vertical barrier as recited in claim 8, further including at least one fastener, said at least one fastener operable to releasably secure said outer layer to said base layer.

10. The vertical barrier as recited in claim 9, wherein said at least one fastener is a hook loop fastener.

11. The vertical barrier as recited in claim 10, and further including a plurality of apertures, said apertures being disposed on said second layer, said apertures being configured to receive decorative objects therein.

12. The vertical barrier as recited in claim 11, wherein said first layer and said second layer are waterproof and mildew resistant.

13. The vertical barrier as recited in claim 12 wherein said outer layer is manufactured from a group of materials consisting of cotton, polyester, linen, velvet, silk, satin or chiffon.

14. The vertical barrier as recited in claim 13, and further including a plurality of hooks, said plurality of hooks for hanging said first layer proximate at lease one of the window and the bathtub.

15. A shower curtain configured to be suspended from a suitable horizontal support structure, comprising:

a first layer, said first layer being substantially planar, said first layer being generally rectangular in shape, said first layer having disposed thereon a plurality of fasteners configured to releasably secure thereto one additional layer, said first layer further being flexible and waterproof; and

a second layer, said second layer adjacent to said first layer, said second layer being configured to be the same size and shape as said first layer, said second layer being configured in a substantially vertical and planar manner, said second layer having disposed thereon a plurality of fasteners configured to mateably connect with said fasteners disposed on said first layer so as to releasably secure said second layer to said first layer.

16. The shower curtain as recited in claim 15, and further including a plurality of hooks, said hooks being proximate the upper peripheral edge of the first layer, said hooks for suspending said curtain from said suitable horizontal support structure.

17. The shower curtain as recited in claim 16, and further including a plurality of apertures, said apertures being disposed proximate the upper edge of said second layer, said apertures further being configured to receive decorative objects therein.

18. The shower curtain as recited in claim 17, wherein said first layer is manufactured from group of materials consisting of cloth or plastic.

19. The shower curtain as recited in claim 18, wherein said second layer is manufactured from a group of materials consisting of cotton, polyester, linen, velvet, silk, satin or chiffon.

20. The shower curtain as recited in claim 19, wherein said first layer and said second layer are resistant to mildew.