DRAPERY SYSTEM AND APPARATUS

Abstract

A drapery bracket and system including drapery panels are disclosed that permit a user to quickly, easily, and releasably configure drapery panels in any number of configurations in order to create a stylish drapery configuration. The drapery bracket and associated drapery panels have complementary attachment portions that mate together. The drapery bracket may accommodate the attachment of multiple drapery panels thereto.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/631,685, filed on Jan. 9, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and apparatuses for supporting and displaying drapery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When designing a drapery layout for a window, entryway, or wall-covering, a user often desires a “layered” look in which drapery panels of differing styles are presented in front of or behind other drapery panels. For example, a user may place swag-, jabot-, and/or pelmet-style drapery panels in front of panel-style drapery panels in order to provide a stylish look. In many typical drapery systems, multiple hanging rods are required in order to accomplish a layered look for the drapery panels. This has the drawback of requiring installation of multiple hanging rods, which increases the costs associated with these systems. In addition, these systems often require that the drapery panels be hung from the hanging rods before they are attached to the supporting brackets, which makes hanging drapery a job best suited for two or more people. Multiple-rod systems also make it cumbersome for the user to quickly change the drapery panels that are attached thereto, which reduces their versatility and usefulness in situations where it may be desirable to regularly change the drapery configuration.

Brackets that are attachable to a mounting surface—such as a wall or ceiling—and that are designed to support drapery panels therefrom are known in the art. Existing drapery brackets and systems are large, heavy, difficult to install for a layperson because they are made of multi-piece constructions, and are limited in their ability to accommodate a range of drapery panel styles and to be arranged into different drapery configurations according to the desires of the user and/or the particular needs of the drapery application. Existing drapery brackets and systems also require that custom drapery panels be ordered according to the unique dimensions of the specific application, and are consequently difficult for the layperson to use and install.

Accordingly, there is a need for a drapery bracket and system that is lighter, more compact, and more versatile and customizable than existing multiple-rod and bracket systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one respect, the present invention comprises a window drapery system, the system comprising: at least one drapery panel, the at least one drapery panel comprising at least one attachment portion; and at least one bracket having a drapery-mounting portion and a surface-mounting portion, the at least one bracket having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface, the drapery-mounting portion being integral with the surface-mounting portion; wherein each of at least a portion of the top surface, at least a portion of the bottom surface, at least a portion of the front surface, at least a portion of the first side surface, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a separate attachment portion to which the at least one attachment portion of the at least one drapery panel may be releasably attached.

In another respect, the present invention comprises a bracket for supporting window drapery, the bracket comprising: a surface-mounting portion that is attachable to a mounting surface; and a drapery-mounting portion, the drapery-mounting portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface, wherein at least a portion of the top surface has a top surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the bottom surface has a bottom surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the front surface has a front surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the first side surface has a first side surface attachment portion, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a second side surface attachment portion, wherein an attachment portion of a drapery panel may be releasably attached to any of the attachment portions of the drapery-mounting portion.

In yet another respect, the present invention comprises a bracket for supporting window drapery, the bracket comprising: a surface-mounting portion that is attachable to a mounting surface via one or more mounting slots; and a drapery-mounting portion that is integral with the surface-mounting portion, the drapery-mounting portion comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface, wherein at least a portion of the top surface has a top surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the bottom surface has a bottom surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the front surface has a front surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the first side surface has a first side surface attachment portion, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a second side surface attachment portion, wherein an attachment portion of a drapery panel may be releasably attached to any of the attachment portions of the drapery-mounting portion, the attachment portion of the drapery panel having a width and a height that correspond with a width and a height of at least one of the attachment portions located on the drapery-mounting portion.

ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

Additional aspects of the invention include:

Aspect 1. A window drapery system, the system comprising:

at least one drapery panel, the at least one drapery panel comprising at least one attachment portion; and

at least one bracket having a drapery-mounting portion and a surface-mounting portion, the at least one bracket having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface, the drapery-mounting portion being integral with the surface-mounting portion;

wherein each of at least a portion of the top surface, at least a portion of the bottom surface, at least a portion of the front surface, at least a portion of the first side surface, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a separate attachment portion to which the at least one attachment portion of the at least one drapery panel may be releasably attached.

Aspect 2. The system of any of Aspects 1, 3-12, and 18-20 wherein the rear surface does not have an attachment portion.

Aspect 3. The system of any of Aspects 1, 2, and 4-12, wherein the at least one bracket comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the first and second brackets being identical.

Aspect 4. The system of any of Aspects 1-3 and 5-12, wherein the at least one attachment portion of the at least one drapery panel comprises a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion being releasably attachable to one or more of the attachment portions of the first bracket, and the second attachment portion being releasably attachable to one or more of the attachment portions of the second bracket.

Aspect 5. The system of any of Aspects 1-4 and 6-12, wherein the at least one attachment portion of the at least one drapery panel comprises a first attachment portion having a first width and a second attachment portion having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the first attachment portion is releasably attachable to any one of the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the top surface, the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the front surface, and the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the bottom surface, and the second attachment portion is releasably attachable to any one of the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the first side surface, the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the second side surface, the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the top surface, and the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the bottom surface.

Aspect 6. The system of Aspect 5, wherein the first width is equal to a width of the top surface, a width of the front surface, or a width of the bottom surface.

Aspect 7. The system of Aspect 6, wherein the width of the top surface, the width of the front surface, and the width of the bottom surface are equal.

Aspect 8. The system of Aspect 5, wherein the second width is equal to a width of the first side surface or a width of the second side surface.

Aspect 9. The system of Aspect 8, wherein the width of the first side surface is equal to the width of the second side surface.

Aspect 10. The system of any of Aspects 1-9, 11-20, and 18-20, wherein a surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is smaller than a surface area of the top surface and a surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is smaller than a surface area of the bottom surface.

Aspect 11. The system of Aspect 10, wherein the surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the top surface and the surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the bottom surface.

Aspect 12. The system of Aspect 10, wherein a surface area of the attachment portion located on the front surface is equal to a surface area of the front surface, a surface area of the attachment portion located on the first side surface is equal to a surface area of the first side surface, and a surface area of the attachment portion located on the second side surface is equal to a surface area of the second side surface.

Aspect 13. A bracket for supporting window drapery, the bracket comprising:

a surface-mounting portion that is attachable to a mounting surface; and

a drapery-mounting portion, the drapery-mounting portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface,

wherein at least a portion of the top surface has a top surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the bottom surface has a bottom surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the front surface has a front surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the first side surface has a first side surface attachment portion, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a second side surface attachment portion,

wherein an attachment portion of a drapery panel may be releasably attached to any of the attachment portions of the drapery-mounting portion.

Aspect 14. The bracket of any of Aspects 13 and 15-17, wherein the rear surface does not have an attachment portion.

Aspect 15. The bracket of any of Aspects 13, 14, 16, and 17, wherein a surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is smaller than a surface area of the top surface and a surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is smaller than a surface area of the bottom surface.

Aspect 16. The system of any of Aspect 15, wherein the surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the top surface and the surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the bottom surface.

Aspect 17. The system of any of Aspects 13-16 and 18-20, wherein a width of the surface-mounting portion is less than a width of drapery-mounting portion and a depth of the surface-mounting portion is less than a depth of the drapery-mounting portion.

Aspect 18. A bracket for supporting window drapery, the bracket comprising:

a surface-mounting portion that is attachable to a mounting surface via one or more mounting slots; and

a drapery-mounting portion that is integral with the surface-mounting portion, the drapery-mounting portion comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface,

wherein at least a portion of the top surface has a top surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the bottom surface has a bottom surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the front surface has a front surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the first side surface has a first side surface attachment portion, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a second side surface attachment portion,

wherein an attachment portion of a drapery panel may be releasably attached to any of the attachment portions of the drapery-mounting portion, the attachment portion of the drapery panel having a width and a height that correspond with a width and a height of at least one of the attachment portions located on the drapery-mounting portion.

Aspect 19. The bracket of any of Aspects 1-18 and 20, wherein the drapery-mounting portion comprises a substantially hollow body and is in the shape of a rectangular prism.

Aspect 20. The bracket of any of Aspects 1-19, wherein the surface-mounting portion has a first width at a top edge thereof and a second width at a bottom surface thereof, the first width being greater than the second width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention disclosed herein, certain embodiments in accordance with the herein disclosed invention are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the herein disclosed invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown. It should also be understood that, in the drawings, the parts are not necessarily drawn to scale. The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of a drapery bracket according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the rear side of a “panel”-style drapery panel according to the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the rear side of a “jabot”-style drapery panel according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows one configuration of the drapery system according to the present invention incorporating a pair of drapery brackets and a plurality of drapery panels; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of one of the drapery brackets of the configuration of the drapery system of FIG. 6, showing the attachments between one of the drapery brackets and the plurality of drapery panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the herein disclosed inventions. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments in accordance with the herein disclosed invention. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

To aid in describing the invention, directional terms may be used in the specification and claims to describe portions of the present invention (e.g., upper, lower, left, right, etc.). These directional definitions are merely intended to assist in describing and claiming the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. In addition, reference numerals that are introduced in the specification in association with a drawing figure may be repeated in one or more subsequent figures without additional description in the specification in order to provide context for other features.

When designing a drapery layout for a window, entryway, or wall-covering, a user often desires a “layered” look in which drapery panels of differing styles are presented in front of or behind other drapery panels. For example, a user may place swag-, jabot-, and/or pelmet-style drapery panels in front of panel-style drapery panels in order to provide a stylish look. One example of an arrangement of drapery panels according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 6, which will be discussed in greater detail below. Numerous additional examples of different configurations of drapery panels according to the present invention are provided in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/631,685, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In one respect, the present invention comprises a drapery bracket having a plurality of attachment portions thereon for attaching one or more drapery panels thereto in a variety of different configurations. The specific placement of the attachment portions on the bracket permits more than one drapery panel to be quickly and easily attached thereto in order to create a desired layered look for the attached drapery panels.

In another respect, the present invention comprises a drapery system in which at least one bracket and at least one drapery panel having complementary attachment portions are provided, such that a drapery panel may be attached to a bracket in a variety of configurations, a plurality of drapery panels may be attached to a bracket in a variety of configurations, or either one or a plurality of drapery panels may be attached to a plurality of brackets in a variety of configurations. The system according to the present invention provides great flexibility and versatility in allowing for different drapery arrangements.

In yet another respect, the present invention comprises a drapery system having one or more drapery brackets that have side surfaces or “returns” that are of the same dimensions as specially-designed side attachment portions or “return portions” on one or more drapery panels, so that the side of the drapery brackets are concealed from view when the drapery system is installed.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, one example of a bracket 10 according to the present invention will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the bracket 10 is one-piece and molded from polyethylene plastic. In alternate embodiments, the bracket 10 may be made of separable parts and may be made from, for example, other plastic materials, metal, wood, a composite, or any other suitable material, as would be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art. In this embodiment, the bracket 10 has a drapery-mounting portion 12 for accommodating the attachment of drapery panels thereto and a surface-mounting portion 32 for attaching the bracket 10 to a mounting surface, such as a wall or ceiling. In this embodiment, the drapery-mounting portion 12 is in the shape of a rectangular prism. The drapery-mounting portion 12 has a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16 opposing the top surface 14, a front surface 18, a rear surface 24 opposing the front surface 18, a first side surface 20, and a second side surface 22 opposing the first side surface 20. The top surface 14 has an attachment portion 15 thereon, the bottom surface 16 has an attachment portion 17 thereon, the front surface 18 has an attachment portion 19 thereon, the first side surface 20 has an attachment portion 21 thereon, and the second side surface 22 has an attachment portion 23 thereon. In this embodiment, the rear surface 24 does not have an attachment portion. In alternate embodiments, the rear surface 24 may optionally include an attachment portion. In this embodiment, the attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 are comprised of the “loop” side of a hook-and-loop fastener, for example Velcro® hook-and-loop fastener produced by Velcro Industries B.V. of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In alternate embodiments, the attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may comprise any of a multitude of other types of hooks, eyelets, snaps, buttons, zippers, or other means of attachment known in the art that would permit a drapery panel—as will be further discussed below—to be securely but releasably attached to one or more of the attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 thereof.

The drapery-mounting portion 12 has a width 26, a depth 27, and a height 28. In this embodiment, the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 corresponds with the width of each of: the top surface 14; the attachment portion 15 of the top surface 14; the front surface 18; the attachment portion 19 of the front surface 18; the bottom surface 16; and the attachment portion 17 of the bottom surface 16. In alternate embodiments, the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may be greater than or less than any or all of the surfaces 14, 16, 18 and attachment portions 15, 17, 19. In this embodiment, the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 corresponds with the widths of each of: the first side surface 20; the attachment portion 21 of the first side surface 20; the second side surface 22; and the attachment portion 23 of the second side surface 22. In alternate embodiments, the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may be greater than or less than any or all of the surfaces 20, 22 and attachment portions 21, 23. In this embodiment, the height 28 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 corresponds with the height of each of: the front surface 18; the attachment portion 19 of the front surface 18; the first side surface 20; the attachment portion 21 of the first side surface 20; the second side surface 22; and the attachment portion 23 of the second side surface 22. In alternate embodiments, the height 28 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may be greater than or less than any or all of the surfaces 18, 20, 22 and attachment portions 19, 21, 23. In this embodiment, the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (which in this embodiment corresponds with any of the widths of the attachment portion 15 of the top surface 14, the attachment portion 17 of the bottom surface 16, and the attachment portion 19 of the front surface 18 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket 10) is approximately 12 inches (304.8 mm). It should be understood that, in alternate embodiment, the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may have any other size.

The attachment portion 15 of the top surface 14 has a thickness 29 and the attachment portion 17 of the bottom surface 16 has a thickness 30. In this embodiment, the thickness 29 of the attachment portion 15 and the thickness 30 of the attachment portion 17 are approximately equal to one another, and are also approximately equal to the heights of each of the attachment portion 19 of the front surface 18, the attachment portion 21 of the first side surface 20, and the attachment portion 23 of the second side surface 22. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the thicknesses 29, 30 and the heights of the attachment portions 19, 21, 23 are approximately 1.0 inches (25.4 mm). It should be understood that, in alternate embodiments, the thickness 29 of the attachment portion 15 and the thickness 30 of the attachment portion 17 need not be approximately equal to each other or approximately equal to the height of any of the attachment portions 19, 21, 23. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 15 on the top surface 14 occupies less than all of the available surface area of the top surface 14, and the attachment portion 17 on the bottom surface 16 occupies less than all of the available surface area of the bottom surface 16. In some embodiments, the attachment portion 15 on the top surface 14 could occupy 50% or less than 50% of the total surface area of the top surface 14, and the attachment portion 17 of the bottom surface 16 could occupy 50% or less than 50% of the total surface area of the bottom surface 16. In alternate embodiments, the attachment portion 15 may occupy all of the available surface area of the top surface 14 and/or the attachment portion 17 may occupy all of the available surface area of the bottom surface 16.

As best seen in the rear perspective view of FIG. 3, the drapery-mounting portion 12 comprises a substantially hollow body and a center support rib 31 that provides structural rigidity to the drapery-mounting portion 12. In this embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 2, the bracket 10 further includes a plurality of voids 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b located in the bottom surface 16 of the drapery-mounting portion 12. The voids 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b save on material costs by permitting the bracket 10 to be formed with less material, while also reducing the overall weight of the bracket 10. In alternate embodiments, the voids 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b may be omitted from the bracket 10, the voids 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b may be of different sizes or shapes, and/or other or additional voids may be included in the bracket 10.

The surface-mounting portion 32 has a width 33 and a height 55. In this embodiment, the width 33 of the surface-mounting portion 32 is less than the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12. In some embodiments, the width 33 of the surface-mounting portion 32 may be approximately two-thirds of the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12. For example, the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may be approximately 12 inches (304.8 mm), and the width 33 of the surface-mounting portion 32 may be approximately 8 inches (203.2 mm). In alternate embodiments, the width 33 of the surface-mounting portion 32 may be between 50-75% of, or may be greater than or equal to, the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion. In this embodiment, the height 55 of the surface-mounting portion 32 is greater than the height 28 of the drapery-mounting portion 12. In some embodiments, the height 54 of the surface-mounting portion 32 may be between 50-60%, or more particularly approximately 55%, of the total height of the bracket 10, with the remainder of the total height being comprised of the height 28 of the drapery-mounting portion 12. For example, the height 54 of the surface-mounting portion 32 may be approximately 1.1 inches (28.0 mm) and the height 28 of the drapery-mounting portion may be approximately 0.9 inches (22.8 mm). In alternate embodiments, the height 54 of the surface-mounting portion 32 may be between 10-50% greater than, or may be less than or equal to, the height 28 of the drapery-mounting portion 12. In this embodiment, the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (which corresponds, in this embodiment, with the maximum depth of the bracket 10) is greater than the depth of the surface-mounting portion 32 (which corresponds, in this embodiment, with a first width 52 of a top edge 45 of the surface-mounting portion 32). In some embodiments, the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may be less than or equal to the depth of the surface-mounting portion 32, such that the surface-mounting portion 32 may comprise the maximum depth of the bracket 10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (which corresponds with the width of the attachment portions 21 on the first side surface 20, the width of the attachment portion 23 on the second side surface 22, the depth of the attachment portion 15 on the top surface 14 (measured along the upper edge of both of the first side surface 20 and the second side surface 22), and the depth of the attachment portion 17 on the bottom surface 16 (measured along the lower edge of both of the first side surface 20 and the second side surface 22) is approximately 2.5 inches (63.5 mm). It should be understood that, in alternate embodiments, the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 and said attachment portions 15, 17, 21, 23 may be of any other dimension within the scope of the present invention. For example, the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 may be approximately 5 inches (127.0 mm), such that the depth 27 of any drapery panels attached to either of the attachment portions 21,23 may obscure from view any adjacent additional window coverings, for example a vertical blind or venetian blind.

Referring to FIG. 2, the surface-mounting portion 32 includes a pair of mounting slots 34a, 34b through which a fastener, for example a screw or nail, may be passed so that the bracket 10 may be secured to the desired mounting surface. In this way, the surface-mounting portion 32 is integral with the drapery-mounting portion 12, meaning that the bracket is molded as a single-piece construction. This is an improvement over brackets and systems according to the prior art which are comprised of multiple parts which must be assembled prior to hanging of the brackets on the mounting surface. In alternate embodiments, the surface-mounting portion 32 may comprise a separate component, such as one or more brackets. The mounting slot 34a has a width 35a, and the mounting slot 34b has a width 35b. In this embodiment, the widths 35a, 35b are equal. It should be understood that, in alternate embodiments, the widths 35a, 35b need not be equal. In further alternatives, the surface-mounting portion 32 may be equipped with only one or more than two mounting slots, or may be equipped with different mounting means, for example cylindrical fastener holes located in the surface-mounting portion 32. In this embodiment, the widths 35a, 35b are each approximately 20-25% of the width 33 of the surface-mounting portion 32. In alternate embodiments, the widths 35a, 35b may each be on the order of 2.5-45% of the width 33 of the surface-mounting portion 32.

The surface-mounting portion 32 includes a rear panel 47 comprising a front side 40 and a rear side 41 that opposes the front side 40, a first side 42, a second side 43 that opposes the first side 42, and a bottom panel 49 that includes a top side 51 and a bottom side 44 that opposes both the top side 51 and the top surface 14 of the drapery-mounting portion 12. A pair of side support ribs 36a, 36b and a center support rib 38 connect between the rear panel 47, the bottom panel 49, and the bottom surface 16 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 at a top edge 45 of the surface-mounting portion 32. The support ribs 36a, 36b, 38 provide structural rigidity to the surface-mounting portion 32.

The side support rib 36a has a front edge 37a, the side support rib 36b has a front edge 37b, and the center support rib 38 has a front edge 39. As seen in the side view of FIG. 4, the front edge 37b of the side support rib 36b tapers in width from a first width 52 at the top edge 45 of the surface-mounting portion 32 (corresponding with the junction of the side support rib 36b with the bottom surface 16 of the drapery-mounting portion 12) to a second width 53 at the junction of the side support rib 36b with the bottom panel 49, the first width 52 being greater than the second width 53. In this embodiment, the front edge 37a tapers at an angle 50 that is equal to approximately 125 degrees. It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the front edges 37a, 39 have an identical taper. In alternate embodiments, the measure of the angle 50 of the front edges 37a, 37b, 39 could be on the order of, for example between 90-145 degrees, or could be less than 90 degrees such that the second width 53 would be greater than the first width 52.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show two different examples of drapery panels 60, 74 that may be used with a drapery panel system 86 according to the present invention. The drapery panels 60, 74, as well as other drapery panels associated with the present invention, will be available in various fabrics, colors, and stitching styles, for example pleated and unpleated styles. FIG. 5A shows a rear side 61 of a “panel-style” drapery panel 60, which is a drapery panel of roughly rectangular shape. In FIG. 5A, the exact length of the drapery panel 60 is not shown. Panel-style drapery panels in accordance with the present invention may be offered in a great variety of lengths, for example 48 inches (1.22 m), 72 inches (1.83 m), 96 inches (2.44 m), 120 inches (3.05 m), or 188 inches (4.78 m) in length, or any other length as desired by the user, and are available in either “right-hand” or “left-hand” versions (wherein a portion for attaching to the side surfaces of the drapery bracket 10), as described above, is provided on either the right side or the left side of the front-mounting portion of the drapery panel 60. The drapery panel 60 includes a front-mounting portion 62 and a return or side-mounting portion 64 for releasable attachment to different parts of the bracket 10, as will be further described below. The front-mounting portion 62 includes an attachment portion 63 and the side-mounting portion 64 includes an attachment portion 65, while the remainder of the drapery panel 60 comprises a non-attachment portion 66. The attachment portion 63 of the front-mounting portion 62 has a width 67 and a height 68, and the attachment portion 65 of the side-mounting portion 64 has a width 69 and a height 70. In this embodiment, the width 67 of the attachment portion 63 of the front-mounting portion 62 is equal in measure to the width 26 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (which in this embodiment corresponds with any of the widths of the attachment portion 15 of the top surface 14, the attachment portion 17 of the bottom surface 16, and the attachment portion 19 of the front surface 18 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket 10), and the height 68 of the attachment portion 63 of the front-mounting portion 62 is equal in measure to all of: the height 28 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (which in this embodiment corresponds with the height of the attachment portion 19 on the front surface 18); the thickness 29 of the attachment portion 15 on the top surface 14; and the attachment portion 17 on the bottom surface 16. In this embodiment, the width of the attachment portion 65 of the side-mounting portion 64 is equal in measure to the depth 27 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (which in this embodiment corresponds with any of the depths of the attachment portion 15 of the top surface 14, the attachment portion 21 of the first side surface 20, and attachment portion 23 of the second side surface 22).

Based on this design, the attachment portion 63 of the front-mounting portion 62 of the drapery panel 60 may be releasably attached to the attachment portion 15 on the top surface 14 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (measured along the upper edge adjacent to the front surface 18 of the bracket 10) while the attachment portion 65 of the side-mounting portion 64 is releasably attached to the attachment portion 15 on the top surface 14 (measured along either of the upper edges adjacent to the first side surface 20 or the second side surface 22). Alternatively, the attachment portion 63 of the front-mounting portion 62 of the drapery panel 60 may be releasably attached to the attachment portion 19 on the front surface 18 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 while the attachment portion 65 of the side-mounting portion 64 is releasably attached to either of the attachment portion 21 on the first side surface 20 or the attachment portion 23 on the second side surface 22. In a further alternative, the attachment portion 63 of the front-mounting portion 62 of the drapery panel 60 may be releasably attached to the attachment portion 17 on the bottom surface 16 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 (measured along the lower edge adjacent to the front surface 18 of the bracket 10) while the attachment portion 65 of the side-mounting portion 64 is releasably attached to the attachment portion 17 on the bottom surface 16 (measured along either of the lower edges adjacent to the first side surface 20 or the second side surface 22). When these attachments are made, the attachment portions 63, 65 of the drapery panel 60 are neatly attached to the respective attachment portions on the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket.

In this embodiment, the width 67 of the attachment portion 63 of the front-mounting portion 62 is approximately 12 inches (304.8 mm), the width 69 of the attachment portion 65 of the side-mounting portion 64 is approximately 2.5 inches (63.5 mm), and the respective heights 68, 70 of the attachment portions 63, 65 are approximately 1 inch (25.4 mm) so that these dimensions match the dimensions of the respective attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 located on the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket 10. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that either of the dimensions of the attachment portions 63, 65 may be greater or less than the respective dimension of any of the attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 located on the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket 10, without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the attachment portions 63, 65 are comprised of the “hook” side of a hook-and-loop fastener. In alternate embodiments, the attachment portions 63, 65 may comprise any of a multitude of other types of hooks, eyelets, snaps, buttons, zippers, or other means of attachment known in the art that would permit the attachment portions 63, 65 of the drapery panel 60 to be securely but releasably attached to one or more of the attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket 10.

FIG. 5B shows a rear side 75 of a “jabot-style” drapery panel 74, which is a drapery panel that has a continuously-tapered length from one side to the other side of the drapery panel 74. Jabot-style drapery panels in accordance with the present invention may also be offered in a great variety of maximum lengths, for example 36 inches (0.91 m), 48 inches (1.22 m), 72 inches (1.83 m), or 96 inches (2.44 m) in length, or any other length as desired by the user, and are available in either “right-hand” or “left-hand” versions. The drapery panel 74 includes a front-mounting portion 76 and a return or side-mounting portion 78 for releasable attachment to different parts of the bracket 10, as will be further described below. The front-mounting portion 76 includes an attachment portion 77 and the side-mounting portion 78 includes an attachment portion 79, while the remainder of the drapery panel 74 comprises a non-attachment portion 80. The attachment portion 77 of the front-mounting portion 76 has a width 81 and a height 82, and the attachment portion 79 of the side-mounting portion 78 has a width 83 and a height 84. The attachment portions 77, 79 of the drapery panel 74 are identical to the attachment portions 63, 65 of the drapery panel 60 in design and dimensions, and are releasably attachable to the attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket 10 in the same way as are the attachment portions 63, 65 of the drapery panel 60, as described in detail above. It should be understood that the attachment portions 77, 79 of the drapery panel 74 could deviate from matching the dimensions of the attachment portions 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 of the drapery-mounting portion 12 of the bracket 10 in the same way as could the attachment portions 63, 65 of the drapery panel 60, as discussed above.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an exemplary configuration of a drapery system 86 according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, two drapery brackets 10a, 10b are shown as part of the system 86. It should be understood that the drapery brackets 10a, 10b are identical to each other and are also identical to the bracket 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4. Attached to bracket 10a is a left-hand version of a panel-style drapery panel 87, a left-hand version of a jabot-style drapery panel 89, and the first end of a swag-style drapery panel 91. Attached to bracket 10b is a right-hand version of a panel-style drapery panel 88, a right-hand version of a jabot-style drapery panel 90, and the second end of the swag-style drapery panel 91. FIG. 7 is a side view of one of the brackets 10a showing the connection points between the drapery panels 87, 89, 91 and the bracket 10a. Drapery panel 87 includes an attachment portion 93 and a non-attachment portion 97. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 93 is connected to the attachment portion 17a located on the bottom surface of the bracket 10a. Drapery panel 89 includes an attachment portion 94 and a non-attachment portion 98. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 94 is connected to the attachment portion 19a located on the front surface of the bracket 10a. A first end of the drapery panel 91 includes an attachment portion 95 and a non-attachment portion 99. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 95 is connected to the attachment portion 15a located on the top surface of the bracket 10a.

For ease of showing how the drapery panels 87, 89, 91 are connected to the bracket 10a in this system 86, the side-mounting portions of the various drapery panels 87-91 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are omitted from view. It should be understood that these drapery panels 87-91 will typically include side-mounting portions, although in alternative embodiments one or more of the drapery panels need not include a side-mounting portion. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an infinite number of drapery configurations are possible using any number of drapery brackets and drapery panels of various styles according to the present invention. Accordingly, an inventive drapery bracket and system has been described that permits drapery panels to be quickly and easily configured into a variety of different drapery configurations.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is presented by way of illustration only, and not by way of any limitation, and that various alternatives and modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A window drapery system, the system comprising:

at least one drapery panel, the at least one drapery panel comprising at least one attachment portion; and

at least one bracket having a drapery-mounting portion and a surface-mounting portion, the at least one bracket having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface, the drapery-mounting portion being integral with the surface-mounting portion; wherein each of at least a portion of the top surface, at least a portion of the bottom surface, at least a portion of the front surface, at least a portion of the first side surface, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a separate attachment portion to which the at least one attachment portion of the at least one drapery panel may be releasably attached.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rear surface does not have an attachment portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the first and second brackets being identical.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one attachment portion of the at least one drapery panel comprises a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion being releasably attachable to one or more of the attachment portions of the first bracket, and the second attachment portion being releasably attachable to one or more of the attachment portions of the second bracket.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment portion of the at least one drapery panel comprises a first attachment portion having a first width and a second attachment portion having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, wherein the first attachment portion is releasably attachable to any one of the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the top surface, the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the front surface, and the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the bottom surface, and the second attachment portion is releasably attachable to any one of the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the first side surface, the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the second side surface, the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the top surface, and the attachment portion located on at least a portion of the bottom surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first width is equal to a width of the top surface, a width of the front surface, or a width of the bottom surface.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the width of the top surface, the width of the front surface, and the width of the bottom surface are equal.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the second width is equal to a width of the first side surface or a width of the second side surface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the width of the first side surface is equal to the width of the second side surface.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is smaller than a surface area of the top surface and a surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is smaller than a surface area of the bottom surface.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the top surface and the surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the bottom surface.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a surface area of the attachment portion located on the front surface is equal to a surface area of the front surface, a surface area of the attachment portion located on the first side surface is equal to a surface area of the first side surface, and a surface area of the attachment portion located on the second side surface is equal to a surface area of the second side surface.

13. A bracket for supporting window drapery, the bracket comprising:

a surface-mounting portion that is attachable to a mounting surface; and

a drapery-mounting portion, the drapery-mounting portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface, wherein at least a portion of the top surface has a top surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the bottom surface has a bottom surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the front surface has a front surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the first side surface has a first side surface attachment portion, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a second side surface attachment portion, wherein an attachment portion of a drapery panel may be releasably attached to any of the attachment portions of the drapery-mounting portion.

14. The bracket of claim 13, wherein the rear surface does not have an attachment portion.

15. The bracket of claim 13, wherein a surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is smaller than a surface area of the top surface and a surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is smaller than a surface area of the bottom surface.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the surface area of the attachment portion located on the top surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the top surface and the surface area of the attachment portion located on the bottom surface is no more than 50% of the surface area of the bottom surface.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein a width of the surface-mounting portion is less than a width of drapery-mounting portion and a depth of the surface-mounting portion is less than a depth of the drapery-mounting portion.

18. A bracket for supporting window drapery, the bracket comprising:

a surface-mounting portion that is attachable to a mounting surface via one or more mounting slots; and

a drapery-mounting portion that is integral with the surface-mounting portion, the drapery-mounting portion comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the top surface opposing the bottom surface, the front surface opposing the rear surface, and the first side surface opposing the second side surface, wherein at least a portion of the top surface has a top surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the bottom surface has a bottom surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the front surface has a front surface attachment portion, at least a portion of the first side surface has a first side surface attachment portion, and at least a portion of the second side surface comprises a second side surface attachment portion, wherein an attachment portion of a drapery panel may be releasably attached to any of the attachment portions of the drapery-mounting portion, the attachment portion of the drapery panel having a width and a height that correspond with a width and a height of at least one of the attachment portions located on the drapery-mounting portion.

19. The bracket of claim 18, wherein the drapery-mounting portion comprises a substantially hollow body and is in the shape of a rectangular prism.

20. The bracket of claim 18, wherein the surface-mounting portion has a first width at a top edge thereof and a second width at a bottom surface thereof, the first width being greater than the second width.