AU2014100525A4 - Curtain hanging improvements - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a curtain and a curtain assembly comprising the curtain. In one form, the curtain assembly comprises a curtain comprising an upper edge, and a pleat at or near the upper edge, and a loop forming tab depending from the pleat and comprising a releasable and reusable means for securing the tab in the loop, and wherein in use, the tab is looped through a curtain ring depending from a curtain rail. ,:xx Ml

Description

1 CURTAIN HANGING IMPROVEMENTS TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a means and a method for suspending curtains (sometimes known as drapes). In a particular form the present invention relates to a curtain assembly. BACKGROUND [0002] Curtains are typically suspended from curtain hardware (i.e. hooks and/or rings) which runs on a curtain rod or rail. [0003] Whether it be intentional (i.e. wilful damage) or unintentional (i.e. accidental), when someone pulls on a suspended curtain with enough force, at least some substantial damage requiring repair and/or replacement generally results. This damage may take the form of one or more of a tearing of the curtain, a breakage of a curtain ring or a curtain hook, a breakage of the rod or rail, or dislodging the rod or rail from its mounted position. [0004] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed. [0005] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY [0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a curtain assembly comprising a curtain having an upper edge, the curtain comprising a pleat at or near the upper edge, and a loop forming tab depending from the pleat and comprising a releasable and reusable means for securing the tab in the loop, and wherein in use, the tab is looped through a curtain ring depending from a curtain rail. [0007] According to a further aspect, there is provided a curtain comprising an upper edge, a pleat at or near the upper edge, and a loop forming tab depending from the pleat and comprising a releasable and reusable means for securing the tab in the loop. [0008] In one form, the releasable and reusable securement means will release when the curtain is pulled upon with a predetermined amount of force, this predetermined amount of force being less than an 2 amount of force required to cause any other part of the curtain assembly to fail (i.e. less than a failure load for any other part of the curtain assembly). [0009] In one form, the curtain comprises a pair of opposing major sides, and the pleat is formed on a first major side. [0010] In one form, this first major side is a rear or curtain rail facing side of the curtain. It follows then in this case that the second major side is a front side of the curtain as viewed from inside of a room. [0011] In one form, in an alternative, the first major side opposes a rear or curtain rail facing side of the curtain. It follows then in this case that the second major side is a rear side of the curtain as viewed from inside of a room. [0012] In one form, the releasable and reusable securement means comprises hook and loop fastener. [0013] In one form, in an alternative, the releasable and reusable securement means comprises a snap fit fastener, such as press studs. [0014] In one form, the curtain comprises a plurality of pleats spaced along the upper edge thereof, there being a loop forming tab depending from each pleat, and a curtain ring for each tab. [0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawing. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0017] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, to recognise that the claims should be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0019] Figure 1 is a front view of a curtain assembly; [0020] Figure 2 is a rear view of the curtain assembly of Figure 1; [0021] Figure 3 is a front view of a curtain from the curtain assembly of Figure 1; [0022] Figure 4 is a rear view of the curtain of Figure 3; [0023] Figure 5 is a detail front side view of an upper edge of the curtain of Figure 3; and [0024] Figure 6 is a detail rear side view of the curtain assembly of Figure 1, taken about an upper edge of the curtain. [0025] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0026] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a curtain assembly 1 comprising a curtain 2 having an upper edge 3, the curtain 2 comprising a plurality of pleats 4 spaced along an upper edge 6 thereof. [0027] In the case of the illustrated embodiment, each of the pleats 4 is a 'pinch pleat' formed on a rear or curtain rail 30 facing major side of the curtain 2, for aesthetic reasons. [0028] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that there is a loop forming tab 10 depending from each pleat 4, each tab 10 comprising a releasable and reusable means for securing the tab 10 in the loop. [0029] Each pinch pleat 4 is formed by doubling the material around the tab 10 which will depend therefrom, and then stitching through this sandwich construction. The result is a strong pleat 4, and tab 10 attachment.

4 [0030] In use, each tab 10 is formed into a loop 8 which is looped through a sturdy stainless steel curtain ring 20 depending from a sturdy stainless steel curtain rail 30. [0031] Each tab 10 comprises releasable and reusable securement means for securing the tab 10 once looped. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, this releasable and reusable securement means comprises two strips of hook-and-loop fastener sewn to one side of the tab 10 and spaced lengthwise thereon. One strip comprises tiny hooks, and the other strip comprises tiny, hair-like loops. When the two strips are pressed together as the tab 10 is formed into a loop, the hooks catch in the loops securing the tab 10 in its looped configuration. [0032] In use, the hook-and-loop fastener will release when the curtain 2 is pulled upon with a predetermined amount of force, this predetermined amount of force being less than an amount of force required to cause any other part of the curtain assembly to fail (i.e. less than a failure load for any other part of the curtain assembly). [0033] It will be appreciated that the correct amount of hook-and-loop fastener is required. Too much and the hook-and-loop fastener will not detach, and the causing the rail 30 and brackets to dislodge instead. Too little, and the loops will fail with everyday use (i.e. opening and closing) of the curtain assembly 1. [0034] Looping the tabs 10 around curtain rings 20 as opposed to the curtain rail 30 is preferable for a number of reasons, including easier sliding, no or at least less wear on the tabs 10, but most importantly, the rings 20 are a fraction of the thickness of the rail 30, so the tabs 10 will detach from the rings 20 more readily, and without pulling the rail 30 and support brackets therefor out of the wall, causing possible injury. [0035] In use, even if someone were to set out to wilfully cause damage by ripping the curtains 2 down, they would cause no substantial damage (i.e. damage requiring repair and/or replacement), as the releasable and reusable securement means would yield (releasing the tabs 10 from the curtain rings 20) before any other part of the curtain assembly 1 reached its failure load. [0036] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

5 [0037] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims (5)

1. A curtain assembly comprising a curtain comprising an upper edge, and a pleat at or near the upper edge, and a loop forming tab depending from the pleat and comprising a releasable and reusable means for securing the tab in the loop, and wherein in use, the tab is looped through a curtain ring depending from a curtain rail.

2. The curtain assembly of claim 1, wherein the releasable and reusable securement means will release when the curtain is pulled upon with a predetermined amount of force, this predetermined amount of force being less than an amount of force required to cause any other part of the curtain assembly to fail.

3. The curtain assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable and reusable securement means comprises hook and loop fastener.

4. The curtain assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curtain comprises a pair of opposing major sides, and the pleat is formed on a rear or curtain rail facing major side of the curtain.

5. A curtain comprising an upper edge, a pleat at or near the upper edge, and a loop forming tab depending from the pleat and comprising a releasable and reusable means for securing the tab in the loop.