AP722A

AP722A - Curtain rail accessory.

Info

Publication number: AP722A
Application number: APAP/P/1997/000986A
Authority: AP
Inventors: Patrick Makhaya; Mabahle Makhaya
Original assignee: Patrick Makhaya; Mabahle Makhaya
Priority date: 1995-12-14
Filing date: 1996-12-12
Publication date: 1999-01-29
Also published as: ZA9610514B; AP9700986A0; AU1105097A; WO1997021373A1

Abstract

A curtain ran accessory, attachable to a curtain rail and bracket assembly, and suitable to suspend a curtain or the like in a manner not interfering with the manipulation of a curtain suspended by the curtain rail is disclosed. The curtain rail accessory comprises of a bifurcated frame having two arms spaced apart from each other, restriction means suitably located on each of the arms to restrict longitudinal movement,of the frame and suspension means adapted to facilitate suspension of a provided curtain or the like in a position spaced apart and parallel to the provided curtain.

Description

Title: Curtain rail accessory

This invention relates to curtain rails an-:1 ;r, particularly, to accessories adapted to facilitate ihe suspension of curtain' rails.

The commonly used curtain rails utilised in a comes’, i·· environment are single track and double track -:urtci:i rails. The single track curtain rails are mostly mounte.t above kitchen and bathroom windows and the -.-aid mu.· facilitate the suspension of a single curtain, mostly manufactured from iace. The double track curia?;

are adapted to suspend two separate layers ci cur·-:·?.This arrangement is most frequently found in - . -:

sitting room, lounge, dining room and oeorc-cm.

Amongst those people who want t·? 1 o r - . their curtains additional vaiauc-s. rocs and pe.·.;·?? ·· ’ · popular.

To suspend valances eithvt o inpie tre·o ··· · · or cobra wire can ire mused- >; — mux— n-.-..-. -..-... -nr rail is, however no: t-i.-ir popm-er us ?. ?s expensive and it requires existing rails to be repine·:: by it, causing some inconvenience. Thus the use of cobra wire is considered t:· be the best alternative as it is relatively, cheap and easy to attach to the existing rails.

However, the known problem with the use of cobra wire is that, when it is stretched tight and straight as required for proper functioning, it comes in close contact with the rail. This not only hinders smooth opening ot the curtain, but it also causes the curtain to gather and push: the cobra wire and valance out of alignment during opening and closing. Another major problem with cobra wire utilisation in valance suspension, is the wire sagging which normally occurs with increase in window span and time. This also results in misalignment between tin-evalance and curtain.

The abovementioned rods and pelmets are traditionally fixed onto walls by means of brackets- This normally . requires professional labour with suitable equipment.

resulting in costly expenses. The other problem with rods and pelmets being fixed onto walls is that it makes it more difficult to change from one form of dressing to another.

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In an attempt to address the abovementioned problems, a curtain rail accessory is proposed which tits snugly and easily onto curtain rail brackets.' thus facilitating the holding of cobra wire supporting a curtain frill or valance at a position spaced away form the curtain rail such that smoother opening and closing of the curtain is achievable. The curtain rail accessory may also support rods and pelmets onto the rails, reducing the need of drilling and the inconvenience caused by it. In addition, the need for the expensive traditional brackets is addressed.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a curtain accessory comprising a bifurcated frame including two arms apaced apart in preferably the same plane, and a linkage interconnecting corresponding ends of the arms, wherein each of the opposite ends of the arms includes suspension means adapted to, in use, facilitates suspension of a curtain or the like therefrom, and wherein the bifurcated frame is adapted, in use, to be held in a substantially fixed position relative to a curtain rail assembly.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the curtain rail accessory includes restriction means suitably located on each of the arms, such that in use longitudinal movement of the bifurcated frame is restricted as a resui of abutment between the restriction means and the curtain rail assembly.

The curtain rail accessory may be generally ϋ-shaped with the arms preferably parallel to each other and the linkage between the arms having may be a V-snape. The linkage may be bent out of the plane defined by the two arms thus creating a linkage bend.

The suspension means may also comprise a U-bend protruding from each of the arms and out of thg, plane defined by the arms into, a direction similar to tnat of the restriction means, and so aligned with one another that the suspension means U bends define a trough transverse to the arms of the bifurcated frame. The trough may be sized to accommodate any one of a group including a cobra wire, a rod, screw eyes on a pelmet or ihe like.

An arm of the suspension means U-bend may define a free end. The end may terminate into a sharpened point. The sharpened points of the suspension means may be adapted to penetrate into the curtain or the like.

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The invention will now be described, by way cd an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is perspective view of the curtain rail accessory:

Figure 2 is a side view of the curtain rail accessory:

Figure 3 is a plan view of the curtain rail accessory:

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the curtain rail accessory engaged with the provided curtain rail assembly.

Referring to figures 1,2,3 and 4 reference numbered 10 generally indicates a curtain rail accessory in the form of a bifurcated frame. The bifurcated frame 10 comprises of two arms 11 spaced apart in preferably the same plane as can be seen from the side view shown in figure 2. The arms 11 are linked to one another by a linkage 12, thus providing the curtain rail accessory 10 with a generally U-shape. The likage 12 is preferable bent out of the plane as defined by the arms 11 (figure 2) creating a linkage bend 13 and has may be a V-shape.

The curtain rail accessory 10 also includes suspension means 14 comprising of may be a U-bend protruding from each of the arms 11 and out of the plane as defined by the arms 11. As can be seen from figure 2, the suspension means U-bends 14 are aligned with one another to define a trough 15 transverse to the arms 11 of the bifurcated frame 10. The suspension means U-bend 14 further includes a free end 16 which terminates into a sharpened point 17.

The curtain rail accessory 10 further includes restriction means 18 also in the shape of may be a U-shape protruding from an arm 11 of the bifurcated frame iu.

In figure 4 a curtain rail bracket 100 attached to a curtain rail 101 creating a curtain rail assembly, is provided. This curtain rail assembly does not form part of the present invention, but is shown to illustrate the use of the curtain rail accessary in accordance with the present invention.

The bifurcated frame 10 is engagable with the curtain rail assembly by attaching the curtain rail 101 to ine curtain rail bracket 100 such that the linkage 12 is trapped below the curtain rail bracket 100 and the arms ii extend transverse to the orientation of the curtain rail 101 as well as over the said rail 101. This allows the Vshape of the linkage bend 12 to be directed and kept aligned centrally to the bracket i00 with the arms 11 resting on the curtain rail 101.

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The length of the arms 11 between the linkage bend 12 and a proximate leg 19 of the restriction means U-bend 18 allows the - restriction means 18 and suspension means 14 to be located on one side of the curtain rail 101 with the linkage bend located on another side thereof. By ensuring abutment of the restriction meams 18 with the curtain rail 101 alignment of the suspension means 14 is achieved, thus creating a trough 17 extending parallel to and spaced apart from the curtain rail 101.

This allows a curtain or the like which is suspended by a cobra wire, rod or screw eyes on a pelmet, accommodated in the trough 17 created by suspension means 14 ot the bifurcated frame 10, to be manipulated without interfering with a curtain or the like attached to the curtain rail

101.

Claims

1. A curtain rail accessory comprising a bifurcated frame including two arms spaced apart in preferably the same plane, and a linkage interconnecting corresponding ends of the arms, wherein each of the opposite ends ot

5 the arms includes suspension means adapted to. in use. facilitate suspension of a curtain or the like therefrom, and wherein the bifurcated frame is adapted, in use, to be held in a substantially fixed position relative to a curtain rail assembly.

10

2. A curtain rail accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curtain rail accessory includes restriction means suitably located on each of the arms, such that in use longitudinal movement of the bifurcated frame is restricted as a result of abutment between the

15 restriction means and the curtain rail assembly.

3. A curtain rail accessory as claimed in any one ot claims 1 or 2, wherein the curtain rail accessory is generally U-shaped with the arms may be parallel to each other and the linkage between the arms having may

20 be a V-shape.

4. A curtain rail accessory as claimed in any⁷ one ot claims 1 to 3, wherein the linkage is preferably bent out of the plane defined by the two arms thus creating a linkage bend.

25

5. A curtain rail accessory as claimed in claim 4, wherein the restriction means comprises of may⁷ be a Ubend protruding from an arm and out of the plane defined by the arms, into a direction corresponding to that of the linkage bend.

30

6. A curtain rail accessory as claimed in claim 5, wherein the suspension means comprises of may be a Ubend protruding out of the plane defined by the arms into a direction similar to that of the restriction means, and so aligned with one another that the

35 suspension means U bends define a trough transverse to the arms of the bifurcated frame.

7. A curtain rail accessory as claimed in claim ό, wherein the suspension means U-bend has a tree eno which terminates into a preferably sharpened point.