Laterally Gathered Fabric Patents (Class 160/341)
  • Publication number: 20150136340
    Abstract: A curtain system is described which includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached thereto, a plurality of rods each having a first end, and a curtain release mechanism attached to each rod at the first end thereof. The rod engaging members each include a stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stem configured for engagement with the curtain release mechanism, and a keyway formed in the stem and proximate the first end of the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: ICP MEDICAL, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Graneto, III
  • Patent number: 8899301
    Abstract: A privacy curtain system is described that includes a curtain having a plurality of curtain release mechanisms attached thereto, the curtain release mechanisms each having a rod engaging member extending therefrom. The system also includes a plurality of rods each comprising a lower hooking member configured to engage one of the rod engaging members. The curtain release mechanisms are operable to cause a portion of each rod engaging member to release from the respective curtain release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: ICP Medical, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Graneto, III
  • Patent number: 8869869
    Abstract: A curtain system is described which includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached thereto, a plurality of rods each having a first end, and a curtain release mechanism attached to each rod at the first end thereof. The rod engaging members each include a stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stem configured for engagement with the curtain release mechanism, and a keyway formed in the stem and proximate the first end of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ICP Medical, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Graneto, III
  • Publication number: 20140110068
    Abstract: A drapery support assembly includes a head rail having a backing with an upper flange, lower flange and a channel slide holder. The backing, flanges and channel slide holder are integrally formed as the body of the head rail. The assembly includes a channel formed lengthwise within the channel slide holder of the body, and a plurality of channel slides laterally movable within the channel, the channel slides being configured to be attached to drapery hooks for supporting a drapery thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Todd W. Fairchild
  • Patent number: 8479800
    Abstract: A curtain system is described which includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached thereto, a plurality of rods each having a first end, and a curtain release mechanism attached to each rod at the first end thereof. The rod engaging members each include a stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stem configured for engagement with the curtain release mechanism, and a keyway formed in the stem and proximate the first end of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: ICP Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Graneto, III, William P. Peters
  • Publication number: 20120138244
    Abstract: A system for suspending a vertical curtain (especially a theatrical curtain) and for driving the curtain to move horizontally (for example, between a position covering a stage and a position not covering a stage). The curtain is suspended directly from a drive chain, along at least a portion of the drive chain, by chain attachment structures. Also, a rotating switch that can be actuated by a switch attachment structure supported by the drive chain. Also, the use of a dedicated encoder sprocket which is separate from the guide sprockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: J. R. CLANCY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark H. Tinklepaugh, Michael S. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20120043033
    Abstract: A horizontally retractable covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail supporting a collapsible panel of material, a fixed rail securable to a side of the architectural opening and to a side edge of the panel, and a movable rail secured to the opposite side of the panel while being movable along the length of the headrail. An improved trolley connecting the top end of the movable rail to the headrail is provided so as to permit uniform gathering of the panel material along the horizontal extent of the trolley for improved aesthetics when the panel is fully extended across the architectural opening. A stabilizing cord system maintains a parallel relationship of the movable rail to the fixed rail to assure desired movement of the movable rail while permitting the aforenoted uniform gathering of the panel material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence M. Drew
  • Publication number: 20120037324
    Abstract: A curtain system is described which includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached thereto, a plurality of rods each having a first end, and a curtain release mechanism attached to each rod at the first end thereof. The rod engaging members each include a stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stem configured for engagement with the curtain release mechanism, and a keyway formed in the stem and proximate the first end of the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph A. Graneto, III
  • Publication number: 20100294441
    Abstract: A curtain rod system adapted to be used with a window covering includes a baton for selectively positioning the window covering along a track, a stop member selectively engaged with a portion of the track for maintaining the position of the window covering at a selectable location along the track, the stop member operatively connected to the baton, a resilient member for providing a force to engage the stop member with the portion of the track to maintain the window covering at the selected location along the track, the resilient member operatively connected to the stop member, wherein the stop member can be selectively disengaged from the track by a force exerted on the baton, the force acting on the resilient member to disengage the stop member from the track and allow the stop member to slide freely along the track so the baton may selectively position the window covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: MERLIN MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. LIGAS, SR., DANIEL A. THOMSON, BARRY A. WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20100212845
    Abstract: A curtain system is described which includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached thereto, a plurality of rods each having a first end, and a curtain release mechanism attached to each rod at the first end thereof. The rod engaging members each include a stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stem configured for engagement with the curtain release mechanism, and a keyway formed in the stem and proximate the first end of the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph A. Graneto III, William P. Peters
  • Publication number: 20100200178
    Abstract: A device for automatically moving a curtain along a curtain rail, which device comprises driving means movable along the curtain rail, the curtain being adapted to be coupled to the driving means by way of coupling means, wherein the driving means comprise a toothed belt (2). Preferably, the rail (1) is provided with two toothed belt guide channels (1a, 1b) extending in longitudinal direction of the rail, for the purpose of guiding the toothed belt (2) along the rail (1), the device being provided, adjacent at least a first end of the rail (1), with reversing means (3) for reversing a part of the toothed belt (2) extending out of the one guide channel (1a; 1b) and guiding it to the other guide channel (1b; 1a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Rolf Edward Goelst
    Inventor: Bart ter Braak
  • Patent number: 7703501
    Abstract: A device for automatically moving a curtain along a curtain rail, which device comprises driving means movable along the curtain rail, the curtain being adapted to be coupled to the driving means by way of coupling means, wherein the driving means comprise a toothed belt (2). Preferably, the rail (1) is provided with two toothed belt guide channels (1a, 1b) extending in longitudinal direction of the rail, for the purpose of guiding the toothed belt (2) along the rail (1), the device being provided, adjacent at least a first end of the rail (1), with reversing means (3) for reversing a part of the toothed belt (2) extending out of the one guide channel (1a; 1b) and guiding it to the other guide channel (1b; 1a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Bart ter Braak
  • Patent number: 7686064
    Abstract: A motorized and manual clutch of curtain track, set on a curtain track, the curtain track is provided with a belt which is driven by motor and carrier hook parts which are used to hang curtain. The motorized and manual clutch is composed of a clutch body module and a clutch bar module, the clutch body module and said clutch bar module are detachably connected. A gap is provided on the belt, the clutch body module is set in the gap, connected with the belt and moved with the belt. The clutch bar module is set under the clutch body module connected with the carrier hook parts and moves the carrier hook parts. The application of the new practical motorized and manual clutch of curtain track solves the operation problem when power cut or breakdown motor or electrical circuit. It further improves the practical value of motorized curtain track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Shanghai Qing Ying Sun-Shading Technical Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Duanqing Gu
  • Publication number: 20090301668
    Abstract: A drapery system for moving a suspended drapery fabric allows the drapery fabric to be decoupled from a drive system, such that the drapery fabric may be manually moved. The drapery system comprises a master car comprising a driven portion and a non-driven portion. The driven portion is coupled to a drive belt of the drive system, while the non-driven portion is coupled to the drapery fabric. The master car comprises a spring having a snap adapted to be received in a snap-receiving structure, such that the driven portion is coupled to the non-driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to move in response to movement of the drive belt to move the drapery fabric when the non-driven portion is coupled to the driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to be decoupled from the driven portion, such that the position of the drapery fabric may be manually adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: David A. Kirby, Kurt Adam Miller, Peter W. Ogden, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090288783
    Abstract: A curtain system is described that includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached at an end thereof. The plurality of rods each have a curtain release mechanism attached thereto where the rod engaging members are configured to engage respective curtain release mechanisms. The curtain release mechanisms each include a user operable mechanism for retention of and subsequent substantially simultaneous release of the rod engaging members from the curtain release mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph A. Graneto, III
  • Publication number: 20090288784
    Abstract: A privacy curtain system is described that includes a curtain having a plurality of curtain release mechanisms attached thereto, the curtain release mechanisms each having a rod engaging member extending therefrom. The system also includes a plurality of rods each comprising a lower hooking member configured to engage one of the rod engaging members. The curtain release mechanisms are operable to cause a portion of each rod engaging member to release from the respective curtain release mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph A. Graneto, III
  • Publication number: 20090288785
    Abstract: A curtain system is described which includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members attached thereto, a plurality of rods each having a first end, and a curtain release mechanism attached to the rod at the first end thereof. The rod engaging members each includes a stem having a first end and a second end and a yoke extending from the first end of the stem. The curtain release mechanisms have a slot formed therein and extending therethrough and also include a user operable mechanism for retention of the yoke upon insertion into the slot. The user operable mechanism is further operable for substantially simultaneous release of the yokes and therefore the curtain from the curtain release mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph A. Graneto, III
  • Publication number: 20080210387
    Abstract: A structure for curtain positioning provided for direct pushing/pulling of a user to draw and release a curtain, the structure comprises: a positioning frame, at least two positioning rope sets, a rotating axle, at least two reel sets, and a positioning control box; when the user stops pushing and pulling the curtain, the curtain can be kept immediately at the position when he stops; when the curtain (such as a horizontal blind) is composed of multiple elongate strips, the curtain can be pushed and pulled slightly to adjust the angular position against the horizon of the blades of the curtain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Chien Yang
  • Publication number: 20080105390
    Abstract: A disengageable master carrier assembly for a motor driven drapery is provided, having a master carrier block section and a locking block section. The locking block section has entrance ramps and a detent pocket sized to receive an engagement member mounted to the master carrier block section. The master carrier block assembly has a support arm for supporting a leading edge of drapery fabric, the support arm being supported by a first resilient member. The engagement member is sized for fitting into the detent pocket of the locking block member and is resiliently urged by a second resilient member disposed between a movable portion of the support arm and the engagement member such that the engagement member will be displaced into its engaged position in the detent pocket when the engagement member is aligned with the detent pocket and will be moved to its disengaged position when the support arm is moved to its disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Gerrit Jan Vrielink
  • Patent number: 5560417
    Abstract: A two-piece drapery traverse rod master carrier comprising a carrier body having rod guides for supporting the carrier body for movement along a traverse rod, and a drapery support arm having lead and trail ends and a mounting stem extending laterally from one side of the support arm at a location intermediate the lead and trail ends of the arm. The carrier body has an arm guide supporting the mounting stem for horizontal movement in a direction perpendicular to the path of movement of the carrier body when the lead end of the drapery support arm extends from the arm guide to adjust the lateral position of the support arm relative to the slide body. The drapery support arm can be positioned on the carrier body with the lead end extending in either of two opposed directions generally parallel to the path of movement of the carrier body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Smiley
  • Patent number: 5415916
    Abstract: The improved ruffling tape includes a heat fusible, flexible, resilient, elongated strip of thermoplastic or the like, to one side of which is a pull string loosely secured thereto, as by spaced stitches along the length of the strip, which stitches run over the string and into the strip. The strip can include the heat fusible material, if desired, only on the side opposite that bearing the string. The string has one end thereof anchored thereto, as by a knot which does not pass through the stitches. The The string may have a slip covering of silicone or the like. In accordance with the method, the strip is heat fused to one side of a fabric, with the string and stitches exposed. The fabric is then ruffled by pulling the free end of the string, with or without simultaneously pushing said fabric toward the tied end of the string. When the desired ruffling is obtained, the free end of the string is tied off against the adjacent end of the tape to hold the ruffling in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Mary Giese
  • Patent number: 5170531
    Abstract: Master carrier for a baton traversing drapery system comprises an elongated hanger adapted to be received in the horizontal gap of the conventional C-shaped type of traverse rod. The hanger element supports beneath the rod a platform having a rim along its outer edge which is inclined relative to the direction of travel. Spaced along the length of the inclined edge of the platform are a plurality of openings into which a drapery hook assembly can be installed and locked, by means of a clamp interacting with the rim of the platform. A pair of identical master carriers can be used to create an overlap in adjacent drapery panels without the necessity for using a projecting arm for this purpose. Attached to the outer face of the upper edge of the drapery is a baton which is attached to the drapery at substantially the point at which the drapery is suspended from the master carrier. Accordingly, when force is applied to the baton to move the drapery, little or no torque is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Hang-Well Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5109913
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a strip curtain which comprises a plurality of parallel, long hanging strips arranged and vertically. A connecting member for connecting to one end of the hanging strips 7, a plurality of equally spaced operating members arranged at the connected end of the strip curtain and interposed among the hanging strips 7, each operating member is swingably attached to the connecting member for swinging or tiltable in a direction of alignment of the hanging strips 7, and operating connection means for opening and closing the strip curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventor: Kuniharu Kazuma
  • Patent number: 3983921
    Abstract: Means for supporting and propelling a traversable drapery. For supporting and propelling a traversable drapery, there is provided a master carrier having means thereon for resisting side thrust and a baton positioned on the room side of said drapery connected through the drapery to said master carrier. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a substantially rigid plate fixed to the upper edge of the drapery for the transmission of propelling force therefrom to the drapery and a baton supporting device positioned on the room side of the drapery and connected through the drapery and through said plate solidly to the master carrier whereby to sandwich the drapery firmly between the baton support device and said plate and to sandwich both said plate and said drapery firmly between the baton support device and the master carrier. The baton may consist of flexible or rigid means connected to or integral with the baton support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: Kirsch Company
    Inventor: James A. Ford