Device for suspending curtain

Abstract

A curtain suspension device is disclosed for suspending a sheet-like material from a fixed support rod, comprising a plurality of rings secured to an upper edge of the sheet-like material. In one embodiment, the ring includes a C-shaped member and a pivotal member having one end pivotably secured to one end of the C-shaped member by means of a resilient member, and the other end adapted to close the C-shaped member in an inoperative position. In another embodiment, the ring has a mating member at one end and a corresponding mating member at the other end, the corresponding mating member being engaged with the mating member to close the ring in an inoperative position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to accessory for suspending curtains, drapes, or the other sheet-like material from a support rod or bar and more particularly to such a device with improved characteristics.

2. Description of Related Art

Curtain suspension devices are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,248 discloses a hanging material such as curtain having openings each with a slit therein for attachment to a fixed rod. Each opening is reinforced with rings having projecting flanges extending beyond the ring away from the curtain. The flanges make it easy to open up the ring thereby facilitating the placement of the curtain upon the fixed rod.

But this is unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention is concerned for the following reason: A manual mounting of the curtain upon the rod by closing respective rings is required and it is undesirably time consuming and inconvenient. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a device for suspending a curtain, a drape, or the other sheet-like material from a support rod or bar in a time saving and secure manner when mounting.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of one of a plurality of rings secured to an upper edge of a curtain according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ring;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the pivotal member removed;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the removed pivotal member;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an upper portion of a curtain provided with a plurality of rings along an upper edge thereof with a support rod passing through the rings;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the support rod to be adapted to pass through the ring;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 where the support rod has been through the ring;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of one of a plurality of rings secured to an upper edge of a curtain according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the ring of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an upper portion of a curtain provided with a plurality of rings of FIG. 10 along an upper edge thereof with a support rod passing through the rings;

FIG. 13 is a front view showing the support rod to be adapted to pass through the ring of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 where the support rod has been through the ring;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 17 is a front view of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, a device for suspending a sheet-like material from a fixed rod in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The sheet-like material is implemented as a curtain in either embodiment detailed below. The device is implemented as a plurality of rings 1′ secured to an upper edge (i.e., hem) of a suspended material (e.g., curtain) f by, for example, stitching. The ring 1′ is made of plastics and is strong enough to support the suspended material f. The ring 1′ comprises a C-shaped member 1 having an arcuate inner surface 11, a rounded edge 14 at one end, a recess 12 at the other end, an edge 16 at the recess 12, a hole 13 at the recess 12, and a mouth 15 formed between the edges 14 and 16.

The ring 1′ further comprises a pivotal member 2 has a curved edge 21 at one end adapted to matingly engage with the rounded edge 14, a hole 22 at the other end, and a curved main body 23; and a spring (e.g., coil spring) 3 provided at the recess 12 by inserting a pivot pin (not shown) through the holes 22 and 13. As a result, the pivotal member 2 is implemented as a spring biased member.

The ring 1′ is closed prior to mounting over a support rod 4 having two ends fixedly secured to, for example, a wall. An individual may pivot the pivotal member 2 clockwise to open the ring 1′ (see FIG. 6). Next, pass the support rod 4 through the mouth 15 as indicated by arrow S. Thereafter, release the pivotal member 2 which immediately springs back to close the mouth 15 and thus the ring 1′ (see FIG. 7).

The suspended material f is pleated as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the support rod 4 is through a plurality of rings a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, . . . , and a_n to suspend the curtain f from the support rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 17, a device for suspending a curtain, a drape, or the other sheet-like material from a fixed rod in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

The device is implemented as a plurality of rings 5 secured to an upper edge (i.e., hem) of a suspended material (e.g., curtain) f by, for example, stitching. The ring 5 is also made of flexible plastics and is strong enough to support the suspended material f. The ring 5 has a shaped edge 51 at one end, the edge 51 having a projection 511, and a shaped edge 52 at the other end, the edge 52 having a cavity 521. The projection 511 is adapted to snugly fit in the corresponding cavity 521 for closing the ring 5.

The ring 5 is closed prior to mounting over a support rod 6 having two ends fixedly secured to, for example, a wall. An individual may pull both edges 51, 52 away from each other to form a mouth 53 (i.e., open the ring 5) (see FIG. 13). Next, pass the support rod 6 through the mouth 53 as indicated by arrow S. Thereafter, release the edges 51, 52 which immediately spring back to close the mouth 53 and thus the ring 5 due to elastic nature thereof (see FIG. 14). The suspended material 7 is pleated as shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIGS. 12, 16 and 17, the support rod 6 is through a plurality of rings b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, . . . , and b_n to suspend the curtain f from the support rod 6.

Advantageously, the curtain in either embodiment is adapted to move easily and freely along the support rod so as to provide a barrier or for decorative purposes. Still advantageously, the curtain in either embodiment can be suspended from the support rod in one mounting operation so as to save time.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1-5. (canceled)

6. A device for suspending a sheet-like material from a fixed support rod, comprising a plurality of flexible rings secured to an upper edge of the sheet-like material, the ring having a projection at one end and a cavity at the other end, the cavity being being matingly engaged with the projection to close the ring in an inoperative position.

7-9. (canceled)