Freestanding window treatment support

Abstract

A freestanding window treatment support has a base, a lower vertical member having a lower vertical member first end and a lower vertical member second end, the lower vertical member first end connected to and extending vertically from the base, an upper vertical member having an upper vertical member first end and an upper vertical member second end, the upper vertical member first end connected to the lower vertical member second end, and an upper horizontal member connected adjacent the upper vertical member second end where the base has sufficient weight and footprint area for supporting a window treatment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to window treatment devices having bases to support the device in an upright position.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Window treatments are interior decorations for a window or window frame, and include draperies, curtains, and valences. Window treatment supports are typically secured in place by drilling into surrounding walls or window frames and inserting screws. If a window treatment is changed in the future, gaping screw holes are left in the window frame or walls.

This type of window treatment support is not acceptable for historic or other high value buildings, where it is important not to damage the frame or walls. One example that appears to address the problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,305 (the '305 patent), which is not admitted to being prior art by its mention in this Background section. The '305 patent discloses a curtain rod support having an elevator on each side of a window frame for raising and lowering a curtain rod in front of a window frame. The support appears to be freestanding. However, the '305 patent has a means for securing the support assembly to the window frame using screws, which does not solve the problem at all. Furthermore, it has two parts that must be operated simultaneously, and it is not aesthetically pleasing.

Therefore, what is needed is a window treatment support that does not required screwing hardware into a wall, is aesthetically pleasing, and is simple to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a window treatment support that does not required screwing hardware into a wall, is aesthetically pleasing, and is simple to operate.

The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a freestanding window treatment support having a base, a lower vertical member connected to and extending from the base, an upper vertical member connected to the lower vertical member, and an upper horizontal member connected to the upper vertical member. The base has sufficient weight and footprint area for supporting a window treatment support and a window treatment. The lower vertical member has a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for connecting with the base so that the lower vertical member is preferably perpendicular to the base. The upper vertical member has a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for connecting with the lower vertical member second end. The upper horizontal member is configured for connecting adjacent the upper vertical member second end whereby a window treatment can be hung from the upper horizontal member over the top of a window. The upper vertical member can be taller than the window to which it is applied so that the support does not interfere with a view through the window. The lower vertical member is preferably shorter than the distance between the base and the bottom of the window, and the base is weighted and sized to prevent the support and window treatment from falling over.

In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the horizontal and vertical members of the freestanding window treatment support are adjustable.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the freestanding window treatment support has a second upper horizontal member connected to the upper vertical member to enable the window treatment support to carry a multi-part window treatment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the freestanding window treatment support has a middle horizontal member for use with windows having upper and lower window treatments such as, for example, with a double hung sash window.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the freestanding window treatment support has a concave, arcuate, curvilinear, and the like, upper horizontal member.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the freestanding window treatment support has a second upper horizontal member.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the freestanding window treatment support has a table with an upper horizontal member having a shape that forms a portion of the perimeter of the table. This embodiment is useful for displays of items such as, for example, merchandise.

These and other benefits and advantages will become more apparent in the following drawing, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of a freestanding window treatment support according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation showing telescoping vertical members.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an embodiment having two upper horizontal members.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of an embodiment having an upper horizontal member and a middle horizontal member.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention having a table and a concave upper horizontal member.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of an embodiment having a planter for a base.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment having two parallel upper horizontal members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. Turning to FIG. 1, a freestanding window treatment support 100 is supported by a base 102. The base 102 should have sufficient weight and footprint area to support the window treatment support 100 and a window treatment. A lower vertical member 104 is configured for connecting to the base 102 at a first end 132. The preferred features of the present invention are that it has only one base and one lower vertical member, which make it simple and aesthetically pleasing. It should be understood, however, that the window treatment support 100 of the present invention may be configured with several lower vertical members and bases to provide alternative and optional configurations below a window. The lower vertical member 104 has a second end 134 opposite the first end 132.

A lower horizontal member 106 is shown configured for connecting at one end with the lower vertical member 104. An upper vertical member 108 is configured for connecting to the other end of the lower horizontal member 106. The upper vertical member 108 has a first end 136 configured for connecting to the lower vertical member second end 134.

The lower horizontal member 106 is an optional component, since the upper vertical member 108 could be connected directly with the lower vertical member 104. In that case, to support the entire window treatment support and window treatment, the base 102 would have to be sized and weighted appropriately.

An upper horizontal member 110 is connected with the other end of the upper vertical member 108. A window treatment (not shown) is hung from the upper horizontal member 110 over a window 112.

In operation, the lower vertical member 104 would preferably be sized so that the base 102 can rest on a floor or on a table below the window 112. The lower horizontal member 106, upper vertical member 108, and upper horizontal member 110 are preferably sized so that they do not block any of the view through the window 112. The window treatment support 100 can be placed close to a window 112 and used without the need to drill holes or insert screws into the window frame or adjacent wall. It is portable, and as temporary or as permanent as desired. In one embodiment, however, the base 102 could have optional mounting means for securing the support 100 to a baseboard or wall for safety. It would be less noticeable than holes drilled over the window, as is done with other window treatment supports.

Throughout this specification, the components are referred to as being configured for connecting to each other. It is only important that the components are capable of connecting to each other. Because an assembled window treatment support 100 can be unwieldy, a manufacturer may wish to provide the support disassembled or partially disassembled in kit form. This specification and claims are intended to cover the support 100 in its assembled and disassembled forms.

The components of the invention are described herein as discrete entities. However, it is intended to also cover window treatment supports that are made as unitary structures. In such an embodiment, the claims should be interpreted as covering the base portion, not the base, the lower vertical member portion, not the lower vertical member, and so on. The members do not have to be straight as shown. They can be curved, or straight, or a combination of curved and straight. It is important that one side substantially conforms to a window or window frame to fulfill its purpose.

FIG. 2 shows an adjustable window treatment support 100. Although there are many ways to make elongated members adjustable, as is appreciated by those having skill in the art, this figure shows the lower vertical member 104 and upper vertical member 108 made of a plurality of telescoping members 108a, 108b and 104a, 104b, respectively, that fit inside each other and slide for adjustment. One, both, or none of the vertical members could be adjustable.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment having a second upper horizontal member 114 connected to the upper vertical member 108 to enable the support 100 to carry a two-part window treatment. An example would be a valance and a curtain.

FIG. 4 discloses another embodiment having a middle horizontal member 116 connected between the upper vertical member first end and the upper vertical member second end. This embodiment is contemplated for use with a double hung sash window, one of the most common window types. The user can have a window treatment for the upper window and another for the lower window. Because the middle horizontal member 116 is over the middle window frame, it does not block any part of the view through the window. The middle horizontal member can be removable, and/or adjustable to suit many different types of windows.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment having a concave upper horizontal member 118. The member could also be provided as arcuate or curvilinear, depending on the desired context. The concave feature is intended for use in a bay window or greenhouse window. This embodiment can also be provided with an optional table 120 so that the curtain hangs behind the table to form a display instead of a window treatment. The table 120 has an outside perimeter shape 124, which in this case is elliptical. The upper horizontal member 118 should substantially follow the shape of at least a portion of the perimeter 124 to make an effective presentation, and the member 118 could be a little wider as shown. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the upper horizontal member as covering approximately half the perimeter 124 of the table 120. However, this is a matter of design choice, and it merely has to be some portion of the perimeter, e.g., greater than one quarter, sufficient to provide a support for an aesthetically pleasing curtain, drape, and the like used for displays.

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention. It is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 1 except that the base is a planter 126 for real or artificial potted plants. The planter 126 has to have a size and weight suitable for keeping the support 100 and a window treatment upright.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment similar to that in FIG. 3 having a second upper horizontal member 130 coupled to the upper vertical member 108 to enable the support to carry a two-part window treatment. An example would be a valance and a curtain. The difference between this embodiment and the one illustrated in FIG. 3 is that the second upper horizontal member 130 is horizontally parallel to the first upper horizontal member 110. The second upper horizontal member 130 is configured for connecting to the support by a short member 128.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A freestanding window treatment support comprising:

a base;

a lower vertical member having a lower vertical member first end and a lower vertical member second end, the lower vertical member first end connected to and extending vertically from the base;

an upper vertical member having an upper vertical member first end and an upper vertical member second end, the upper vertical member first end connected to the lower vertical member second end; and

an upper horizontal member connected adjacent the upper vertical member second end wherein the base has sufficient weight and footprint area for supporting a window treatment.

2. The window treatment support of claim 1 further comprising a lower horizontal member connected between the lower vertical member second end and the upper vertical member first end.

3. The window treatment support of claim 1 wherein the lower vertical member comprising a plurality of telescoping members.

4. The window treatment support of claim 1 wherein the upper vertical member comprising a plurality telescoping members.

5. The window treatment support of claim 1 further comprising a second upper horizontal member connected to the upper vertical member.

6. The window treatment support of claim 1 further comprising a middle horizontal member connected between the upper vertical member first end and the upper vertical member second end.

7. The window treatment support of claim 1 wherein the base is a planter.

8. The window treatment support of claim 1 wherein the upper horizontal member is selected from the group consisting of arcuate, concave and curvilinear.

9. The window treatment support of claim 1 further comprising a table having a perimeter outline, the upper horizontal member having a shape similar to a portion of the table perimeter outline.

10. A freestanding window treatment support kit comprising:

a base;

a lower vertical member having a lower vertical member first end and a lower vertical member second end, the lower vertical member first end configured for connecting to and vertically extending from the base;

an upper vertical member having an upper vertical member first end and an upper vertical member second end, the upper vertical member first end configured for connecting to the lower vertical member second end; and

an upper horizontal member configured for connecting adjacent the upper vertical member second end wherein the base has sufficient weight and footprint area for supporting a window treatment.

12. The kit of claim 11 further comprising a lower horizontal member configured for connecting between the lower vertical member second end and the upper vertical member first end.

13. The kit of claim 11 wherein the lower vertical member comprising a plurality of telescoping members.

14. The kit of claim 11 wherein the upper vertical member comprising a plurality of telescoping members.

15. The kit of claim 11 further comprising a second upper horizontal member configured for connecting to the upper vertical member.

16. The kit of claim 11 further comprising a middle horizontal member configured for connecting between the upper vertical member first end and the upper vertical member second end.

17. The kit of claim 11 wherein the base is a planter.

18. The kit of claim 11 wherein the upper horizontal member is selected from the group consisting of arcuate, concave and curvilinear.

19. The kit of claim 11 further comprising a table having a perimeter outline, the upper horizontal member having a shape similar to a portion of the table perimeter outline.