AU2019100287B4 - Rail and curtain hanging improvements - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a means and a method for suspending curtains (sometimes known as drapes). In one aspect, a curtain assembly is provided. The curtain assembly comprises a rail assembly and a curtain, wherein the rail assembly comprises a rail comprising a track, a plurality of gliders disposed to run 5 along the track, where each of the gliders comprises an eyelet via which a flexible tab is secured with respect to its respective glider, each flexible tab comprising a strip of tape fastener material, and wherein the curtain comprises a plurality of strips of tape fastener material which are cooperable with the strips of tape fastener material on the glider tabs, to secure the curtain with respect to the rail assembly.

Description

RAIL AND CURTAIN HANGING IMPROVEMENTS

PRIORITY DOCUMENTS [0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2018900964 titled “RAIL AND CURTAIN HANGING IMPROVEMENTS” and filed on 23 March 2018, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present disclosure relates to a means and a method for suspending curtains (sometimes known as drapes). In one aspect, a curtain assembly is provided, and in a further aspect a rail assembly is provided.

BACKGROUND [0003] Curtains are typically suspended from curtain hardware such as hooks and rings, which run on a curtain rod or rail.

[0004] 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.

[0005] An additional issue arises where the person causing the damage is motivated to inflict further damage, or even harm to themselves or others, with curtain hardware which they manage to rip down with the curtains.

[0006] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[0007] 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.

2019100287 29 Jan 2020

SUMMARY [0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a curtain assembly comprising a rail assembly and a curtain, wherein the rail assembly comprises a rail comprising a track, a plurality of gliders disposed to run along the track, where each of the gliders comprises an eyelet via which a flexible tab is secured with respect to its respective glider via a rivet, each flexible tab comprising a strip of tape fastener material, and wherein the curtain comprises a plurality of strips of tape fastener material which are cooperable with the strips of tape fastener material on the glider tabs, to secure the curtain with respect to the rail assembly.

[0009] In one form, in use, the strips of tape fastener material 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 (i.e. less than a failure load for any other part of the curtain assembly).

[0010] Tape fastener is another name for ‘hook and loop fastener’. Tape fastener comprises two strips which are attached (sewn or otherwise adhered) to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first strip features tiny hooks; the second features even smaller and hairier loops. When the two strips are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and the two strips fasten or bind temporarily during the time that they are pressed together. When separated, by pulling or peeling the two surfaces apart, the strips make a ripping sound.

[0011] In one form, each of the gliders can rotate with respect to the track.

[0012] In one form, each of the flexible tabs can pivot with respect to its respective eyelet.

[0013] In one form, each of the gliders comprises a circular base.

[0014] In one form, the curtain comprises a pair of opposing major sides.

[0015] In one form, a plurality of pleats are formed on a first major side.

[0016] In one form, each of the strips of tape fastener material on the curtain are secured to one of the pleats thereof.

[0017] In an alternative, the strips of tape fastener material on the curtain are secured to one of the opposing major sides thereof.

2019100287 29 Jan 2020 [0018] In one form, this first major side is a rear or curtain rail facing side of the curtain, ft follows then in this case that the second major side is a front side of the curtain as viewed from inside of a room.

[0019] In one form, in an alternative, the first major side opposes a rear or curtain rail facing side of the curtain, ft follows then in this case that the second major side is a rear side of the curtain as viewed from inside of a room.

[0020] According to a further aspect, there is provided a rail assembly for suspending one or more curtains therefrom, the rail assembly comprising a rail comprising a track, a plurality of gliders disposed to run along the track, where each of the gliders comprises an eyelet to which a flexible tab is secured with respect to its respective glider via a rivet, each flexible tab comprising a strip of tape fastener material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a curtain assembly comprising a rail assembly and a curtain.

[0023] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0024] Referring now to Figure 1, where there is illustrated a curtain assembly 1 comprising a curtain 2 having an upper edge 3, the curtain 2 comprising a plurality of pleats 4 adjacent to and spaced along the upper edge 3 thereof.

[0025] In the case of the illustrated embodiment, each of the pleats 4 is a ‘reverse pleat’ formed on a rear facing major side of the curtain 2, for aesthetic reasons.

[0026] There is a strip 6 of tape fastener material secured to each pleat 4. Each pleat 4 is formed by doubling the material behind the strip 6, which extends down along the pleat 4, and then stitching through this sandwich construction. The result is a strong pleat 4 and strip 6 attachment.

[0027] The curtain assembly 1 further comprises a rail assembly 10 comprising a rail 12 comprising a track 14, a plurality of gliders 16 disposed to run along the track 14, where each of the gliders 16

2019100287 29 Jan 2020 comprises an eyelet 18 via which a flexible tab 20 is secured with respect to its respective glider 16, each flexible tab comprising a strip 26 of tape fastener material.

[0028] The rail 12 comprises an extruded metal form with a channel running therealong, which provides the track 14. Each of the gliders 16 is a plastic moulded item which comprises a circular base with a pair of parallel flanges between which the edges of the channel are captured, so that each glider 16 is disposed to run along the track, but is free to rotate in the track as it does so. This rotation aids with orienting the flexible tabs 20 when securing the curtains thereto, and allows the curtains 2 to hang in the desired manner, in accordance with how they are made.

[0029] Each flexible tab 20 is secured with respect to its respective glider 16 by a rivet (or other fastener) through the eyelet 18 of the glider 16. This allows the flexible tab 20 to pivot on the rivet. This pivoting also aids with orienting the flexible tabs 20 when securing the curtains thereto.

[0030] Each flexible tab 20 is made from a strong but flexible material such as a webbing. A strip 26 of the tape fastener is stitched to at least one, but optionally both sides of the flexible tab 20. If the tabs 20 were made of a rigid material such as plastic or metal, then these could be used like a blade in the event that one of the tabs 20 should be pulled down with the curtain 2. The flexible tabs 20 of the present invention cannot be used in this way.

[0031] In use, the rail 12 can be hung by securing it with fasteners via brackets (not illustrated) into supporting structure.

[0032] In use, the curtains 2 are suspended from the rail assembly 10 by securing each of the plurality of strips 6 of tape fastener material on the curtain 2 to one of the cooperating strips 26 of tape fastener material on the glider tabs 20.

[0033] In preference, where the strips 6 comprise the tiny hooks, the strips 26 will comprise the hairier loops, and vice versa.

[0034] 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 (i.e. the strips 6 and 26 of tape fastener material would separate) before any other part of the curtain assembly 1 reached its failure load. If tom down, the curtains 2 are easily rehung via the strips 6 and 26 of tape fastener material.

[0035] 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

2019100287 29 Jan 2020 to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 rail assembly and a curtain, wherein the rail assembly comprises a rail comprising a track, a plurality of gliders disposed to run along the track, where each of the gliders comprises an eyelet via which a flexible tab is secured with respect to its respective glider via a rivet,

5 each flexible tab comprising a strip of tape fastener material, and wherein the curtain comprises a plurality of strips of tape fastener material which are cooperable with the strips of tape fastener material on the glider tabs, to secure the curtain with respect to the rail assembly.

2. The curtain assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the gliders can rotate with respect to the track.

3. The curtain assembly as in either of the preceding claims, wherein each of the curtains comprises 0 a plurality of pleats, and each of the strips of tape fastener material on the curtain are secured to one of the pleats thereof.

4. A rail assembly for suspending one or more curtains therefrom, the rail assembly comprising a rail comprising a track, a plurality of gliders disposed to run along the track, where each of the gliders comprises an eyelet via which a flexible tab is secured with respect to its respective glider via a rivet,

5 each flexible tab comprising a strip of tape fastener material.