Magnetic drapery valance ties

Abstract

A magnetic apparatus for holding selected drapery sections in a predetermined configuration includes a first base member of predetermined shape housing a permanent magnet, and an elongated flexible connector attached proximal one end to the first base member. A second base member housing a ferromagnetic member is disposed adjacent an opposite end of the elongated flexible connector.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/955,753 filed Aug. 14, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to drapery accessories and, more particularly, this invention relates to articles holding back draperies or valances up.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, curtains and drapes have been held back on the sides by cords and sashes connecting to hooks or other attachments to the walls. This entails using tools and possible damage to the walls or woodwork. Some have proposed devices to circumvent this problem, such as Allen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,347,234 which discloses a bent metal curtain tieback that with a piece that slips between woodwork and walls. This would only work in limited cases where the woodwork is amenable to such devices. Also, there has been no convenient way to create multiple configuration for curtains draped from a valance.

Pinching cloth between two magnets having a flexible member between them was taught by Davison in U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,328. However, this was for hanging cloth items from a clothesline. Somewhat similar is the magnetic fastening device taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,653 wherein two magnetic attraction members are connected by a flexible hinge member. The primary use cited is as an attachment device for nametags with no mention of drapes or curtains.

Erdmann in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,370 discloses a decorative magnetic curtain tieback which entails fixing a member to a wall or woodwork. Bender in U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,722 discloses a decorative magnetic curtain holder that has no member connecting the two magnets, and curtain material must be bunched up and pinched right next to the magnets thus limiting how and where it can be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a magnetic apparatus for holding selected drapery sections in a predetermined configuration and includes a first base member of predetermined shape housing a permanent magnet, and an elongated flexible connector attached proximal one end to the first base member. A second base member housing a ferromagnetic member is disposed adjacent an opposite end of the elongated flexible connector.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a drapery and valance positioning mechanism without need for tools or holes in a wall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost attractive way to hold back or change positions of drapes and valances.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide drapery accessories that also offer seasonal decoration.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily creating valance swags.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a drapery configuration means without risk of harm to the cloth or surroundings.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention in use with a frontal elevation view.

FIG. 3 presents a plan view demonstrating the seasonal decoration feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the present invention 10 is shown in a perspective view. A front magnetic base 20 houses a ferromagnetic element 12. A decorative member 18 is removably or permanently attached to the front base 20. A screw or bolt 24 at a central aperture in magnet 12 fixedly attaches the magnet 12 and one end of a flexible connecting cord 16 to the front base 20. The cord will typically pass through a radial hole in the base members 17 and 20. A ring or loop at each end of the cord 16 would aid this attachment. The flexible cord 16 could be fixed to the base at other locations and by other means, such as rivets, glue, or a beaded end. The other end of the cord 16 is fixedly attached to the rear base member 17, and the ferromagnetic member 14 is attached with a fastener 22. The rear ferromagnetic member 14 is preferably partially surrounded by a rear base housing 17. At least one of the ferromagnetic members 14 and 20 must be a magnet, and the other can be a magnet of opposite polarity facing out, or just a steel disk, ring, or the like. The flexible cord 16 is preferably a transparent or barely visible polymeric material, such as fishing line, or a similar but thicker cord. It may also be a ribbon or similar material, and the length will be in the range of four to sixty inches.

FIG. 2 depicts the use of the present invention for creating valance swags or positioning a hanging drape 30 in a desired configuration. The decorative front piece 18 is visible with the magnet behind it not shown. The flexible connecting cord 16 extends from the front piece 18 to the rear ferromagnetic member not shown but behind front member 18. The bottom edge 32 of the drape or valance 30 is held in the desired position by the connecting cord 16 and the clamping force of the two ferromagnetic members adjacent one another but on opposite sides of the drapery panel 30. The magnetic members can be pulled apart and repositioned without any damage to the drapery 30.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the present invention illustrating the feature of interchangeable holiday decorations for the front base member 20. The flexible connecting cord 16 passes through a slot or aperture 21 in the base member 20 and attaches to the front base 20 or front magnetic element 12 with the aid of a fastener 24. The other end of the flexible cord 16 attaches to the back ferromagnetic member 14 with the aid of a fastener 22, which may be either a screw or a rivet. The frontal decorative element, examples being 18a, 18b, or 18c, is removably attached to the front member 20 or magnet 12. If the backing of the decorative element 18 is ferromagnetic, it can be magnetically attached. Otherwise, it could clip onto the base member 20.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic apparatus for holding selected drapery sections in a predetermined configuration comprising:

a) a first base member of predetermined shape, said first base member housing a permanent magnet;

b) an elongated flexible connector of predetermined length attached proximal one end to said first base member; and

c) a second base member housing a ferromagnetic member disposed adjacent an opposite end of said elongated flexible connector.

2. The magnetic apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape is a disk.

3. The magnetic apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined length is between about four and sixty inches.

4. The magnetic apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said base members contains a decorative member.

5. The magnetic apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said decorative member is a removable ferromagnetic holiday emblem.

6. The magnetic apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said elongated flexible connector is a substantially transparent monofilament string.

7. The magnetic apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said elongated flexible connector is a decorative ribbon.

8. A method for holding swags in valances or hanging drapes without engaging any supporting structure comprising the steps of:

a) providing said magnetic apparatus of claim 1;

b) positioning one of said base members on one side of a hanging drapery panel;

c) holding other said base member on an opposite side of said drapery panel at substantially an equal height and more than two inches separation relative to first one of said base members with said flexible connector touching a bottom edge of said drapery panel;

d) concurrently raising both of said base members until desired swag position is obtained;

e) moving said base members toward one another and allowing magnetic forces to hold them together; and

f) repeating steps 7a) through 7e) with additional sections of drapes or valance.