POLE TOP CURTAIN ROD BRACKET, CURTAIN ACCESSORY AND CURTAIN ASSEMBLIES, AND CONVERSION KIT
A pole top curtain rod bracket assembly is disclosed which includes a connecting member having a first end mechanically coupled to a pole top curtain rod, either by itself or via a mounting plate, and a second end that has inwardly turned top and bottom edges and includes at least one orifice to connect to a single or double curtain rod mounting bracket. The invention further includes a tie back curtain accessory assembly for holding back curtains from a window. The invention also includes a curtain assembly comprising two to four panels that enable different shading options over a window. The invention also includes a conversion kit that converts a “flat” curtain rod into a pole top curtain rod.
The present application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/422,343, filed Nov. 15, 2016. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionAspects of the present invention described herein relate to curtain rods, curtain accessory assemblies and curtain assemblies.
Related ArtSingle and double curtain rods and mounting brackets have long been known and used to hold curtains. The mounting brackets are commonly affixed to surfaces such as walls, windows, window frames, window casings, and ceilings.
Typical mounting brackets can support only a single or double curtain rod. Single or double curtain rod mounting brackets are incompatible with pole top curtain rods. Thus it is not possible to readily mount a pole top curtain rod on a pre-installed single or double mounting bracket. As a result, the homeowner or renter must remove the existing mounting brackets and install new brackets. This leads to the mounting surface becoming honeycombed or even split. Due to this damage and hassle of installing new hardware, many homeowners with existing single and double curtain rod mounting brackets choose not to install pole top curtain rods. Further, many renters are not permitted to remove the existing single or double curtain rod mounting brackets and install a pole top curtain rod mounting bracket due to the high potential of damage to the mounting surface.
Window curtains open either vertically or horizontally. Vertical-opening curtains normally open from the bottom of the window and retract up towards the top of the window. Horizontal-opening curtains normally hang from a point above the window and retract open to one or both sides of a window. These designs have limited versatility for partially-opening the curtain. For example, neither design enables a user to keep the top-portion of the curtain open and close the bottom portion. Since vertical-opening curtains open from the bottom-portion of the window and retract up, the top-portion of the window always remains covered by the curtain. Likewise, horizontal-opening curtains always uniformly cover the top and bottom portions of the window because they fall straight down from a supporting point above the window. This becomes problematic when a user wants to cover only a small portion of the window with the curtain, such as when trying to block direct sun rays or light glares. The existing designs also inhibit one from covering only the bottom portion of the window for privacy reasons, but not cover the top-half of the window to let sunlight into the room.
“Flat” curtain rods have long been known in the art. However, many people now like the look of a pole top curtain rod. When a “flat” curtain rod is already installed, many people do not want to be inconvenienced or go through the hassle of installing a pole top rod.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a pole top curtain rod with attachment brackets that attaches to single and double curtain rod brackets and does not require additional mounting hardware that damages the mounting surface.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tie back curtain accessory assembly that attaches to single and double curtain rod brackets and does not require additional mounting hardware that damages the mounting surface.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a window curtain assembly that enables a user to form one curtain that covers an entire window, close only the top-half or bottom-half of the curtain, or open only one bottom-quarter section of the curtain.
It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a conversion kit that converts a “flat” curtain rod into a pole top curtain rod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONIn an embodiment of the present invention, a pole top curtain rod bracket assembly is disclosed that includes a connecting member having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a pole top curtain rod. The second end has inwardly turned top and bottom edges to create top and bottom surfaces. These surfaces have at least one orifice in each of the top and bottom surfaces to connect to a single or double curtain rod mounting bracket. The connecting member extends outward and substantially perpendicular from the pole top curtain rod.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a curtain accessory assembly is disclosed that includes a connecting member having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a tie back rod. The second end has inwardly turned top and bottom edges to create top and bottom surfaces. These surfaces have at least one orifice in each of the top and bottom surfaces to connect to a single or double curtain rod mounting bracket. The connecting member extends outward from the tie back rod.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a curtain assembly is disclosed. This curtain assembly includes two curtain panels. Each curtain panel includes a first vertical edge and a second vertical edge. The first vertical edge of each curtain panel includes a rod pocket that holds a curtain rod, and the second vertical edge of each curtain panel includes an attachment seam. The attachment seam comprises a plurality of fasteners, which are well known by those of skill in the art. The first vertical edge of each of the two curtain panels are located on opposite sides of a window and are attached on or near the window jamb through the curtain rod. The two curtain panels are attachable to one another at the second vertical edge of each.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, another curtain assembly is disclosed. In this embodiment, the curtain assembly includes four curtain panels. Each curtain panel includes a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a horizontal attachment seam. The first vertical edge of each curtain panel includes a rod pocket that holds a curtain rod, and the second vertical edge of each curtain panel includes an attachment seam. The attachment seam comprises a plurality of fasteners. The horizontal attachment seam is located substantially perpendicular to the second vertical edge and also comprises a plurality of fasteners. The four curtain panels are positioned in a grid pattern such that the first vertical edge of two curtain panels are located on one side of a window and two curtain panels are located on the opposite side of the window and are attached on or near the window jamb through the curtain rod. Each curtain panel is attachable to at least two other curtain panels by the second vertical edge and the horizontal attachment seam.
In an even further embodiment of the present invention, a pole top conversion kit is disclosed which transforms a “flat” curtain rod to look and function as a pole top curtain rod. This conversion kit comprises a flat curtain rod having opposing end sections that are substantially 90 degrees and are connected by a middle section. An end cover is placed over each end section. Each end cover includes a rod section that protrudes outward from each end cover and is longitudinal to the middle section.
The features and advantages of the example embodiments of the invention presented herein will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
Referring now to
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The curtain rod bracket assemblies 800a and 800b may be mechanically coupled to non-adjustable and adjustable pole top curtain rods, e.g., pole top curtain rods 900 (
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The curtain rod bracket assemblies 204a, 800a and 1000, and tie back curtain accessory assembly 1300 may be made from materials including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, composite material, or wood, or any combination thereof, and may be made by general manufacturing processes, for example, stamping, molding, laser cutting, bending, spot welding, and milling.
Referring now to
The curtain rods 1501a, 1602a, 1501b and 1602b are installed vertically on or near a window jamb (not shown). The curtain rods 1501a and 1602a are placed on one side of the window (not shown), with the curtain rod 1501a placed above the curtain rod 1602a. The curtain rods 1501b and 1602b are placed on the opposite side the window, with the curtain rod 1501b placed above the curtain rod 1602b.
The curtain panels independently connect to one another at the attachment seams 1500a, 1500b, 1608a and/or 1608b by the attachment points 1505a, 1505b, 1607a and/or 1607b. For example, curtain panel 1502a can independently connect to curtain panels 1502b, 1606a and/or 1606b; curtain panel 1502b can independently connect to curtain panels 1502a, 1606a and/or 1606b; curtain panel 1606a can independently connect to curtain panels 1502a, 1502b and/or 1606a; curtain panel 1606b can independently connect to curtain panels 1606a, 1502a and/or 1502b. This independent curtain panel design enables a user to form one curtain that covers the entire window, close only the top-half or bottom-half of the curtain, or open only one bottom-quarter section of the curtain. This design is particularly useful when one wants to block only one section of a window, but still let some sunlight through another section of the window. For example a user can block the bottom-half of a window for privacy reasons and still allow the sunlight through the top-half of the window. A user can also block direct sunlight or sun glares at certain sections of the window and allow the sunlight through other sections of the window.
In an embodiment, the attachment points 1505a, 1505b, 1607a and 1607b may be customary fasteners including, but not limited to, buttons and buttonholes, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, and zippers.
Referring now to
The end covers 1702a and 1702b may be made from materials including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, composite material, or wood, or any combination thereof, and made by general manufacturing processes, for example, stamping, molding, laser cutting, bending, and milling.
While various example embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It is apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein, for example, to facilitate manufacturing. Thus, the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described example embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A pole top curtain rod bracket assembly comprising:
- a connecting member having a first end and a second end, the first end being mechanically coupled to a pole top curtain rod, and the second end having inwardly turned top and bottom edges to create top and bottom surfaces,
- wherein there is at least one orifice in each of the top and bottom surfaces, and
- wherein the second end extends outward and substantially perpendicular from the pole top curtain rod.
2. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end is permanently fixed to the pole top curtain rod.
3. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the pole top curtain rod and the connecting member are offset by 90 degrees.
4. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end includes a stabilizer that comes into contact with the top and bottom surfaces.
5. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 4, wherein the stabilizer is substantially cylindrical and substantially wraps around the second end.
6. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the connecting member is permanently fixed to a mounting plate having a plurality of attachment holes to connect to the pole top curtain rod.
7. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate and the connecting member are offset by 90 degrees.
8. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate is substantially curved along a longitudinal axis.
9. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the connecting member is permanently fixed to a pole-holder having a holding arm.
10. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the holding arm has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.
11. A curtain accessory assembly comprising:
- a connecting member having a first end and a second end, the first end being mechanically coupled to a tie back rod, and the second end having inwardly turned top and bottom edges to create top and bottom surfaces,
- wherein there is at least at least one orifice in each of the top and bottom surfaces, and
- wherein the connecting member extends outward from the tie back rod.
12. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 11, wherein a decorative finial is attached to the tie back rod.
13. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 11, wherein the second end includes a stabilizer that comes into contact with the top and bottom edges.
14. The pole top curtain rod bracket assembly of claim 13, wherein the stabilizer is substantially cylindrical and substantially wraps around the second end.
15. A curtain assembly, comprising: the second vertical edge of each curtain panel includes an attachment seam comprising a plurality of fasteners, and
- two curtain panels, each curtain panel includes a first vertical edge and a second vertical edge,
- the first vertical edge of each curtain panel includes a rod pocket in which a curtain rod is placed through,
- wherein the first vertical edge of the two curtain panels are located on opposite sides of a window and are attached on or near the window jamb by the curtain rod, and the two curtain panels are attachable to one another at the second vertical edge by the plurality of fasteners.
16. A curtain assembly, comprising: the horizontal attachment seam of each curtain panel is located substantially perpendicular to the second vertical edge and comprises a plurality of fasteners,
- four curtain panels, each curtain panel includes a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a horizontal attachment seam,
- the first vertical edge of each curtain panel includes a rod pocket in which a curtain rod is placed through,
- the second vertical edge of each curtain panel includes an attachment seam comprising a plurality of fasteners, and
- wherein the four curtain panels are positioned in a grid pattern such that the first vertical edge of two curtain panels are located on one side of a window and two curtain panels are located on the opposite side of the window and are attached on or near the window jamb by the curtain rod, and
- wherein each curtain panel is attachable to at least two other curtain panels by the second vertical edge and the horizontal attachment seam.
17. The curtain assembly of claim 16, wherein the four curtain panels are positioned in a two-by-two grid pattern.
18. The curtain assembly of claim 16, wherein each curtain panel is attachable to at least three other curtain panels by the second vertical edge and the horizontal attachment seam.
19. A pole top conversion kit comprising:
- a flat curtain rod having opposing end sections that are substantially 90 degrees and are connected by a middle section,
- two end covers, wherein each end cover is placed over each end section, and
- two rod sections, wherein each rod section protrudes outward from each end cover and is longitudinal to the middle section.
20. The pole top conversion kit of claim 19, wherein each end cover includes an attachment opening.
21. The pole top conversion kit of claim 20, wherein the attachment opening is located on an inside edge of each end cover.
22. The pole top conversion kit of claim 19, wherein a decorative finial is attached to each rod section.
23. The pole top conversion kit of claim 19, wherein a middle cover wraps substantially around the middle section and extends to each end cover such that the rod sections, end covers and middle section appear and function as a single pole top curtain rod.
24. The pole top conversion kit of claim 23, wherein the middle cover includes an attachment opening that extends its entire length.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2017
Publication Date: May 17, 2018
Inventor: Lisa Sharon Montanaro (Milford, CT)
Application Number: 15/811,875