RING ASSEMBLY FOR CURTAINS

Abstract

A ring assembly for curtains includes a first ring located on the outside of the curtain sheet, a second ring located on the inside of the curtain sheet and a cover ring connected to the first ring. The second ring includes first protrusions which extend through the curtain sheet and are engaged with first apertures in the first ring to clamp the curtain sheet between the first and second rings. The cover ring includes second protrusions which are engaged with the second apertures in the first ring so as to hide the first apertures and the first protrusions in the first apertures.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ring assembly for curtains, and more particularly, to a ring assembly of the curtains and the connection of the parts of the ring assembly is reliable and secured.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional ring assembly for curtains is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and generally includes an inside ring 30 and an outside ring 40, wherein the inside ring 30 is connected to the inside of the curtain sheet 20 and the outside ring 40 is connected to the outside of the curtain sheet 20. The inside ring 30 is a substantially C-shaped member and has a central through hole 32 and a plurality of apertures 31 which are located around the through hole 32. The outside ring 40 is a substantially C-shaped member and includes a through hole 42 and a plurality of protrusions 41 extend from one side of the outside ring 40. The protrusions 41 are located around the through hole 42. The protrusions 41 extend through the sheet 20 and are connected to the apertures 31 of the inside ring 30. A curtain rod 210 extends through the aligned through hole 32 of the inside ring 30, the hanging holes of the sheet 20 and the through hole 42 of the outside ring 40 to support and hang the sheet 20 on the curtain rod 210.

The protrusions 41 extend through the aperture 31 and then machined to be securely connected with the aperture 31 of the inside ring 30. The connection between the protrusion 41 and the aperture 31 becomes not reliable because of the significant change of temperature and humidity in the bath rooms. The protrusions 41 gradually separate from the aperture 31 and eventually are disengaged from the aperture 31.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,232 discloses a reinforcement means for maintaining the shape of the openings in the curtain sheet so that the curtain rod extends through the openings and does not tear the curtain sheet from the openings.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,248 discloses a hanging product that includes an external slit through which the curtain rod passes. The curtain can be separated from the curtain rod while the curtain rod does not need to be removed. No extra hardware such as hooks are needed when assemble the curtain sheet to the curtain rod.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,597 discloses a hanger ring assembly for curtains wherein the hanger ring assembly uses the concept of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,248 and requires slits in both of the ring-shaped parts and the top edge of the curtain sheet.

The abovementioned prior art have to attach the reinforcement means or hanging product to the curtain sheet by way of staking, sewing and ultra-sonic welding. This method requires that the curtain sheet to be thick and tough enough and most of the curtain sheets do not have that type of toughness. Besides, the curtain sheet has to be cut to have multiple slits which are cooperated with the external slits of the reinforcement means or hanging product, so that the curtain rod can pass through the slits. These slits require extra machining and may weaken the structural strength of the curtain sheet.

The present invention intends to provide a ring assembly for curtains and the curtain sheet does not need to cut into slits in the top edge and the ring assembly are securely attached to the curtain sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ring assembly for curtains and the ring assembly comprises a first ring, a second ring and a cover ring. The first ring includes a first hole and multiple first apertures and second apertures defined therethrough. A first slit is radially defined through the first ring. The first ring is located on a first side of a curtain sheet. The second ring includes a second hole and multiple first protrusions extend from a side thereof. A second slit is radially defined through the second ring which is located on a second side of the curtain sheet. The first protrusions extend through the curtain sheet and are engaged with the first apertures of the first ring. The cover ring is mounted to the first ring and includes a third hole and a third slit is radially defined through the cover ring. Multiple second protrusions extend from a side of the cover ring and are engaged with second apertures in the first ring so as to cover the first apertures and the first protrusions in the first apertures.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a ring assembly for curtains wherein the first and second rings are securely connected to each other and the curtain sheet is clamped between the first and second rings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ring assembly for curtains wherein the first apertures and the first protrusions in the first apertures can be hidden by the cover ring.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the ring assembly of the present invention on the curtain sheet which is supported by a curtain rod;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view to show the ring assembly of the present invention on the curtain sheet and the curtain rod extends through the ring assembly of the present invention and the curtain sheet;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view to show the ring assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view to show that the second protrusions on the cover ring are engaged with the second apertures in the first ring;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view to show that the cover ring covers the first apertures and the first protrusions in the first apertures;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view to show a second embodiment of the ring assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view to show that the skirt of the cover ring encloses the first ring;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view to show the conventional ring assembly on a curtain sheet and a curtain rod extends through the conventional ring assembly and the curtain sheet, and

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view to show the conventional ring assembly and the curtain sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the ring assembly 10 for curtains 20 of the present invention comprises a first ring 11, a second ring 12 and a cover ring 13, wherein the first ring 11 is located on the outside 21 of the curtain sheet 20 and the second ring 12 is located on the inside 22 of the curtain sheet 20. The first ring 11 includes a first hole 110 and multiple first apertures 112 which are located around the first hole 110. Multiple second apertures 113 are defined through the first ring 11 and located alternatively to the first apertures 112. A first slit 111 is radially defined through the first ring 11.

The second ring 12 includes a second hole 120 and multiple first protrusions 122 extend from a side of the second ring 12. A second slit 121 is radially defined through the second ring 12. The first protrusions 122 extend through positioning holes 200 defined through the curtain sheet 20 and are engaged with the first apertures 112 of the first ring 11. The distal ends of the first protrusions 122 are then machined to be securely connected to the first apertures 112.

The cover ring 13 is mounted to the first ring 11 and includes a third hole 130 and a third slit 131 is radially defined through the cover ring 13. Multiple second protrusions 132 extend from a side of the cover ring 13 and are engaged with second apertures 113 in the first ring 11. The cover ring 13 covers the first apertures 112 and the first protrusions 122 in the first apertures 112.

A curtain rod 24 extends through the third hole 130 of the cover ring 13, the first hole 110 of the first ring 11, an aperture 23 of the curtain sheet 20 and the second hole 120 of the second ring 12. The curtain sheet 20 does not have slits defined in a top edge thereof so that the curtain sheet 20 is strong and easily manufactured.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention wherein the cover ring 13 includes a skirt 133 extending outward and radially from a periphery thereof. The skirt 133 encloses a periphery of the first ring 11.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ring assembly for curtains, comprising:

a first ring, a second ring and a cover ring, the first ring including a first hole and multiple first apertures and second apertures defined therethrough, a first slit radially defined through the first ring, the first ring adapted to be located on a first side of a curtain sheet;

the second ring including a second hole and multiple first protrusions extending from a side thereof, a second slit radially defined through the second ring, the second ring adapted to be located on a second side of the curtain sheet, the first protrusions adapted to extend through the curtain sheet and being engaged with the first apertures of the first ring, and

the cover ring mounted to the first ring and including a third hole and a third slit radially defined through the cover ring, multiple second protrusions extending from a side of the cover ring and engaged with second apertures in the first ring, the cover ring covering the first apertures and the first protrusions in the first apertures.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein distal ends of the first protrusions of the second ring extend through the first apertures of the first ring and are secured with the first apertures.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover ring includes a skirt extending from a periphery thereof and the skirt encloses a periphery of the first ring.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein the skirt extends outward and radially from the periphery of the cover ring.

5. A combination of a ring assembly and a curtain, comprising:

a curtain sheet having an outside and an inside, an aperture defined through the curtain sheet;

the ring assembly including a first ring, a second ring and a cover ring, the first ring including a first hole and multiple first apertures and second apertures defined therethrough, a first slit radially defined through the first ring, the first ring located on the outside of the curtain sheet;

the second ring including a second hole and multiple first protrusions extending from a side thereof, a second slit radially defined through the second ring, the second ring located on the inside of the curtain sheet, the first protrusions extending through positioning holes defined through the curtain sheet and engaged with the first apertures of the first ring;

the cover ring mounted to the first ring and including a third hole and a third slit radially defined through the cover ring, multiple second protrusions extending from a side of the cover ring and engaged with second apertures in the first ring, the cover ring covering the first apertures and the first protrusions in the first apertures, and

a curtain rod extending through the third hole of the cover ring, the first hole of the first ring, the aperture of the curtain sheet and the second hole of the second ring.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein distal ends of the first protrusions of the second ring extend through the first apertures of the first ring and are secured with the first apertures.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover ring includes a skirt extending from a periphery thereof and the skirt encloses a periphery of the first ring.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein the skirt extends outward and radially from the periphery of the cover ring.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein the curtain sheet does not have slits defined in a top edge thereof.