TRACKLESS EXTENDABLE CURTAIN
A telescoping panel assembly comprises a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments. At least one segment supports at least one associated panel, and at least one of the segments is configured to be mountable to a support surface. The telescoping panel assembly comprises the advantages of both a panel curtain and a telescoping curtain.
The present invention relates generally to a curtain, and in particular to a trackless extendable curtain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPanel curtains are becoming increasingly popular owing to both changing style trends and improvements in manufacturing technology. These curtains consist of an array of suspended panels, with each panel being similar in both appearance and function to an unwound roller blind. Panel curtains are often used for their aesthetical appeal, and can offer a unique style of window coverage different from that provided by conventional forms of window covering, including standard fabric curtains, roller blinds, or vertical or horizontal blinds. As such, panel curtains often find use in settings such as galleries and designer homes, where their unique style often compliments a designer window or a glass wall and often contributes to the overall aesthetic effect of the building interior. Panel curtains are also used in applications in which a series of roller blinds is preferred over a standard curtain, but where the roller blinds cannot be accommodated above the window due either to an aesthetic preference or to a lack of mounting space for the roller blind mechanisms.
Several curtains comprising sliding panels have been previously disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,991 to Malferrari discloses an overhead track supporting a plurality of sliding modular segments each carrying a curtain panel. To draw the curtain closed, the sliding segments are moved along the track so as to provide an array of panels covering the window. A mechanism is provided to enable a relative movement between adjacent panels such that, when pulled to provide covering, the panels can be moved along the track in unison.
U.K. Patent No. 2,416,983 to Chuang discloses an overhead track supporting a connected series of support bracket, where each bracket carries a curtain panel. The brackets are each connected to the track by a sliding member that guides the sliding motion of the connected supports along the track. Window coverage is provided by sliding the brackets along the track so as to form a curtain consisting of an array of panels. The support brackets are laterally offset such that the panels stack in an overlapping relationship when the curtain is drawn closed.
Another form of curtain used in certain applications is the telescoping curtain, in which a curtain rod supporting a curtain is able to extend or retract in a telescoping manner. Here, the telescoping rod comprises a set of concentrically-connected tubular segments mounted at one end which can elongate to form a cantilever rod. As with a conventional curtain rod, the telescoping rod can support a suspended curtain slidably connected to the rod by a plurality of curtain rings. Retracting the curtain rod involves sliding the series of segments into a nested configuration that occupies a smaller volume. This feature of retractability can be desirable in environments in which an otherwise protruding curtain rod might pose a safety hazard, as with a shower curtain rod in a child's bathroom, or which would otherwise obstruct the movement of furniture or people within the room, such as with a privacy curtain for a patient's quarters in a hospital. The concealability of a telescoping curtain can also find applications where an otherwise permanently-mounted curtain rod or track would be undesirable for aesthetic or style reasons.
Several designs of telescoping curtain rods have been disclosed. For example, U.K. Patent No. 2,222,069 to James et al. discloses a rod for a shower curtain or towel comprising a mountable first section of a tube and a second section in the form of a bar or tube that is slidably mounted in the first section so that the rod is extensible. The first section can be integrated with a base plate so that the rod can be mounted onto a wall or similar surface.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0218717 to van den Bosch discloses a shower telescoping panel support having a telescoping shower curtain rod that has one end pivotably affixed to a mounting or support bracket. The rod is rotatable about a y-axis through a horizontal plane by means of a hinge, which allows the rod to assume any of a variety of positions within the plane. The ability of the rod to telescope allows its second end to be connected to an opposite wall of the shower within the hinged plane of motion.
However, while telescoping curtains and panel curtains are known, no design combines the advantages of both into a single curtain design. Such a design would integrate the aesthetic and functional benefits of a stackable panel curtain with the structural benefits of a telescoping curtain, where the support assembly would remain concealed when the curtain is retracted.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel trackless extendable curtain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAs fully described herein, the telescoping panel assembly disclosed is novel and combines the structural advantages of a telescoping curtain, such as variable length and space saving ability, with the aesthetic benefits of a panel curtain.
An attractive feature of one of the embodiments described herein is the ability of the unit to be readily assembled by the user to fit a window of any size without using any tools. This embodiment relies on a second support bracket that can be held against a wall and/or ceiling through the use of a support pole. This obviates the need to permanently affix the bracket to either the wall or ceiling, which typically would require the user to drill through drywall or concrete, for example, to insert mounting fasteners such as screws. Another attractive feature of this same embodiment is the use of a greater number of extendable segments, which increases the maximum extendable length of the assembly to provide coverage for very wide windows. In aspects of the invention, the number of extendable segments may be up to 4, 5, 6, or more.
Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a telescoping panel assembly comprising a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments, at least one of the segments supporting at least one associated panel, and at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface.
In another aspect, there is provided a telescoping panel support comprising a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments, at least one segment configured to support at least one associated panel, and at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface.
In still another aspect, there is provided an assembly kit for a telescoping panel comprising a plurality of nestable segments, at least one segment being configured to support at least one associated panel, at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface, wherein said segments are connectable to form a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments.
In another aspect, there is provided a telescoping panel assembly comprising at least two coaxial arrangements of telescoping segments, said at least two arrangements being adjacently connected, at least one of the segments supporting at least one associated panel, and at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface.
In still another aspect, there is provided a telescoping panel support comprising at least two coaxial arrangements of telescoping segments, said at least two arrangements being adjacently connected, at least one segment configured to support at least one associated panel, and at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface.
In another aspect, there is provided a telescoping panel assembly comprising a coaxial arrangement of six telescoping segments, each segment supporting an associated panel, an outermost segment having a first bracket attachable to a second bracket, the second bracket being configured to be mountable to a to a wall or a ceiling and having gripping features on an upper surface for gripping the ceiling, the second bracket also having a receptacle for a support pole, and a spool assembly attached to the bottom of each panel for storing a portion of the panel.
In still another aspect, there is provided a telescoping panel support comprising a coaxial arrangement of six telescoping segments, each of the segments configured to support an associated panel, an outermost segment having a first bracket attachable to a second bracket, the second bracket being configured to be mountable to a wall or a ceiling and having gripping features on an upper surface for gripping the ceiling, and the second bracket also having a receptacle for a support pole.
In another aspect, there is provided an assembly kit for a telescoping panel comprising six nestable segments connectable to form a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments, each of the segments configured to support an associated panel, an outermost segment having a first bracket attachable to a second bracket; a second bracket configured to be mountable to a wall or a ceiling, the second bracket having gripping features on an upper surface for gripping the ceiling and having a receptacle for a support pole; a support pole; six panels; and six spool assemblies, each of the assemblies being attachable to a bottom of a panel for storing a portion of the panel.
Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
The present invention provides a novel telescoping panel assembly that combines the structural advantages of a telescoping curtain with the aesthetic benefits of a panel curtain.
Turning now to
Here, it will be appreciated that “telescoping manner” refers to fact that segments 20, 22, 24, and 26 are essentially concentric and essentially tubular, connected parts, such that segments 22, 24, and 26 can be made to extend slidably from segment 20 to effectively form a cantilever of connected segments, and can be made to retract into segment 20 to thereby reduce the effective size of the assembly.
It will also be here appreciated that “cantilever” refers to ability of segments 20, 22, 24, and 26 to effectively form, in an extended state, a beam of connected segments having a first end supported by segment 20 and a second unsupported, free end.
Segments 20, 22, 24, and 26 may be constructed of any material as is desired as understood by one of skill in the art. For example, the segment may be constructed of aluminum or other metal or metal alloy, or may be constructed of a plastic, of a composite material, or of any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, segments 20, 22, 24, and 26 are constructed of plastic, specifically one from the groups of polyvinylcarbonate (“PVC”) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).
Panel 38 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including fabrics of natural or synthetic fibres or blends thereof. Panel 38 may also be in the form of sheets constructed of at least one of a plastic, a composite material, a metal or metal alloy, a glass, or any combination thereof.
Turning now to
Alternatively, the panels may be affixed to the segments by any of a variety of mechanical methods or fasteners known in the art including, but not limited to, hooks, snaps, or hook-and-loop materials such as Velcro™ or a similarly functioning material. Alternatively, the retainer clip and retainer slot combined may be integrally formed with each of the segments.
In the present embodiment, the telescoping panel assembly also comprises an extension mechanism, which allows a user to extend or retract the assembly. The extension mechanism may comprise a draw, a wand, a pulley system, a hydraulic cylinder, a motorized device, or any combination thereof, or any of a variety of extension mechanisms known in the art.
In one embodiment, an equalizer can be used in conjunction with segments 20, 22, 24, and 26 to enable the segments 22 and 24 to move in unison with segment 26, such that the distance travelled by each of segments 22, 24, and 26 relative to each adjacent segment is equal. This unified motion has aesthetic appeal, as panels 38 will be extracted equal amounts when the arrangement is in a partially-extended state. If no equalizer is used, segments 22, 24, and 26 extend and retract from segment 20 in an independent manner.
In operation, a user extends the arrangement from a collapsed state, depicted in
In an alternative embodiment, more than one of the segments can be configured to be mountable. In one such form, the mountable segment would be the innermost segment, and would therefore be surrounded by the other segments of the arrangement when the arrangement is in the collapsed state. In another form, the mountable segment would be neither the innermost nor the outermost segment, but instead an intermediate one. In this form, the other segments would extend from the mountable segment in both directions.
Segments 120, 122, 124, and 126 may be constructed of aluminum or other metal or metal alloy, or may be constructed of a plastic, of a composite material, or of any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, segments 120, 122, 124, and 126 are constructed of plastic, specifically one from the groups of polyvinylcarbonate (“PVC”) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).
Although the above embodiments have been described as comprising a plurality of bearings, where the bearings are positioned between the segments and are at least one of the forms of linear and ball bearings, other forms of bearing, or other friction reducing mechanisms known in the art, such as rollers, may be used. Alternatively, the apparatus can comprise no bearings at all. In this latter form, the sliding friction between the segments may be reduced by inserting strips or pads of a low friction material, such as a Teflon™, or any low friction material known in the art, between the segments. Alternatively, the segments themselves may be constructed from a low friction material, such as a Teflon™, or any low friction material known in the art.
In one embodiment, the telescoping panel support can extend in both a first and a second direction, as is shown in
In another embodiment, the telescoping panel assembly can comprise two telescoping panel supports, with both supports providing combined support for a single plurality of panels, as shown in
In another embodiment, the telescoping panel assembly can comprise two telescoping panel supports adjacently connected, as shown in
Still another embodiment of the telescoping panel assembly is shown in
The mounting subassembly used with the telescoping panel support of the present embodiment is shown in
In operation, the telescoping panel assembly 516, shown in
The segments of the telescoping panel assemblies and telescoping panel supports embodied above may be constructed of aluminum or other metal or metal alloy, or may be constructed of a plastic, of a composite material, or of any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the segments are constructed of plastic, specifically one from the groups of polyvinylcarbonate (“PVC”) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).
The panels of the telescoping panel assemblies embodied above may be constructed of a variety of materials, including fabrics of natural or synthetic fibres or blends thereof. The panels may also be in the form of sheets constructed of at least one of a plastic, a composite material, a metal or metal alloy, a glass, or any combination thereof.
While the above embodiments describe telescoping panel supports comprising either three or four connected segments, any number of segments may be used within a single telescoping panel support, such that coverage can be provided for an area of any size as necessary.
While the above embodiments describe telescoping panel supports comprising segments each supporting an associated panel, any number of the segments of a telescoping panel support may support, or may be configured to support, an associated panel.
While the above embodiments describe telescoping panel supports as comprising segments each supporting one associated panel, any number of panels may be supported from any given segment of a telescoping panel support.
While the above embodiments describe the telescoping panel assembly as being mounted on a wall or ceiling, it may be appreciated that the assembly may be mounted on any surface.
While the above embodiments describe the telescoping panel supports as comprising segments having a substantially square, rectangular, or circular cross-section, any cross sectional shape may be used for the segments.
While the above embodiments describe the telescoping panel assemblies as providing coverage of a window, windows, or skylight windows, it may be appreciated that the above-described telescoping panel assemblies may provide coverage of a door, an entrance, a wall, a wall section, a ceiling, or a ceiling section. The above-described panel assemblies may also be mounted such that the arrangement of telescoping segments extends into the interior volume of a room, so as to serve as a room divider, as a screen for a room, or as a curtain, such as for a shower.
While the above embodiments describe the telescoping panel assemblies as being mounted indoors, it may be appreciated that the above-described telescoping panel assemblies may alternatively be mounted outdoors.
While the above embodiments describe the telescoping panel assemblies, the product may be sold or manufactured in any form, including as a telescoping panel assembly, as a telescoping panel support, as an assembly kit for a telescoping panel.
Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A telescoping panel assembly comprising:
- a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments, at least one of the segments supporting at least one associated panel, and at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface.
2. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one segment configured to be mountable encloses the other segments when the arrangement is collapsed.
3. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one segment configured to be mountable is surrounded by the other segments when the arrangement is collapsed.
4. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein segments extend telescopically in opposite directions from the at least one segment configured to be mountable.
5. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises an extension mechanism.
6. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 5, wherein said extension mechanism comprises at least one of a wand, a draw, a pulley system, and a hydraulic cylinder.
7. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one panel further comprises a spool assembly for storing an unused portion of said panel.
8. A telescoping panel support comprising:
- a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments, at least one segment configured to support at least one associated panel, and at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface.
9. A telescoping panel support according to claim 8, wherein the at least one segment configured to be mountable encloses the other segments when the arrangement is collapsed.
10. A telescoping panel support according to claim 8, wherein the at least one segment configured to be mountable is surrounded by the other segments when the arrangement is collapsed.
11. A telescoping panel support according to claim 8, wherein segments extend telescopically in opposite directions from the at least one segment configured to be mountable.
12. A telescoping panel support according to claim 8, wherein the telescoping panel support further comprises an extension mechanism.
13. A telescoping panel support according to claim 12, wherein said extension mechanism comprises at least one of a wand, a draw, a pulley system, and a hydraulic cylinder.
14. A telescoping panel support according to claim 8, wherein the at least one panel further comprises a spool assembly for storing an unused portion of said panel.
15. An assembly kit for a telescoping panel comprising:
- a plurality of nestable segments, at least one segment being configured to support at least one associated panel, at least one of the segments configured to be mountable to a support surface, wherein
- said segments are connectable to form a coaxial arrangement of telescoping segments.
16. An assembly kit for a telescoping panel according to claim 15, further comprising at least one panel.
17. An assembly kit for a telescoping panel according to claim 15, further comprising an extension mechanism.
18. An assembly kit for a telescoping panel according to claim 17, wherein said extension mechanism comprises at least one of a wand, a draw, a pulley system, and a hydraulic cylinder.
19. An assembly kit for a telescoping panel according to claim 15, further comprising at least one spool assembly for storing an unused portion of said at least one panel.
20-36. (canceled)
37. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the panel assembly comprises at least two coaxial arrangements of telescoping segments, said at least two arrangements being adjacently connected.
38. A telescoping panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one segment configured to be mountable to a support surface is an outermost segment having a first bracket attachable to a second bracket, the second bracket being configured to be mountable to a wall or a ceiling and having gripping features on an upper surface for gripping the ceiling, and the second bracket having a receptacle for a support pole.
39. A telescoping panel support according to claim 8, wherein the telescoping panel support comprises at least two coaxial arrangements of telescoping segments, said at least two arrangements being adjacently connected.
40. A telescoping panel support according to claim 8, wherein the at least one segment configured to be mountable to a support surface is an outermost segment having a first bracket attachable to a second bracket, the second bracket being configured to be mountable to a wall or a ceiling and having gripping features on an upper surface for gripping the ceiling, and the second bracket having a receptacle for a support pole.
41. An assembly kit for a telescoping panel according to claim 15, wherein said segments are connectable to form at least two coaxial arrangements of telescoping segments, said at least two arrangements being adjacently connected.
42. An assembly kit for a telescoping panel according to claim 15, wherein the at least one segment configured to be mountable to a support surface is an outermost segment having a first bracket attachable to a second bracket, the kit further comprising:
- a second bracket configured to be mountable to a wall or a ceiling, the second bracket having gripping features on an upper surface for gripping the ceiling and having a receptacle for a support pole.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 21, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 10, 2011
Inventor: Chris Dimitrakoudis (North York)
Application Number: 12/988,759
International Classification: A47H 23/00 (20060101); A47H 5/03 (20060101);