AU2020100563A4

AU2020100563A4 - Blind-type Curtain

Info

Publication number: AU2020100563A4
Application number: AU2020100563A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gavin Taylor
Original assignee: Kilmallock ACT Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kilmallock ACT Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-14
Filing date: 2020-04-14
Publication date: 2020-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-14

Abstract

BLIND-TYPE CURTAIN Abstract A blind-type curtain (10) including a first curtain blind unit (12.1) and a second curtain blind unit (12.2) detachably attachable to the first curtain blind unit (12.1.). Each curtain blind unit (12.1, 12.2) includes a first curtain blind (16.1) attached to a second curtain blind (16.2). The first curtain blind and the second curtain blind (16.1. 16.2) each comprises (i) a single light transmitting curtain part (18), and (ii) two woven block-out curtain parts (20.1, 20.2) connected to the light transmitting part (18). A single block-out curtain part (20.1, 20.2) is disposed on opposite sides of the single light transmitting curtain part (18). 12-1 12.2 1 16.1 16.2 16.1 16.2 i 18 18 1 8 118 20.2< 20.2 )20.2- 20.21 16.1 16.2 16116.2

Description

BLIND-TYPE CURTAIN

FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a blind-type curtain.

BACKGROUND [0002] Curtains are lengths of material, typically fabric, which are suspended from above windows or doors and are normally movable along a curtain rail for opening and closing. There are two main curtain types namely (i) light transmitting types, which allow external light to pass through the curtain, and (ii) block-out types which at least partially or completely block out external light. For a particular application a user is generally required to select between either a light transmitting-type curtain or a block-out type curtain. When a block-out type curtain is required, when a light transmitting-type curtain is in fact used, there is the inconvenience that the light transmitting-type curtain is to be removed and a block-out type curtain installed.

[0003] When a blind, instead of a curtain, is installed to solve the above problem, a light transmitting state or a block-out state can be provided, such state being controlled by adjusting a rotation angle of the blind slats. The blind, however, does not have the aesthetic pleasing features associated with a curtain. There is the further problem with both blinds and curtains in that they are to be removed form a rail in their entirety in order to be washed, repaired, or replaced when contaminated or damaged.

OBJECT [0004] It is an object of the present invention substantially to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the problems associated with curtains and blinds or at least to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY [0005] In a first aspect there is disclosed a blind-type curtain including:

a first curtain blind unit; and a second curtain blind unit detachably attachable to the first curtain blind unit, wherein each curtain blind unit includes a first curtain blind attached to a second curtain blind,

2020100563 14 Apr 2020 wherein the first curtain blind and the second curtain blind each comprises (i) a single light transmitting curtain part, and (ii) two woven block-out curtain parts connected to the light transmitting part, a single block-out curtain part being disposed on opposite sides of the single light transmitting curtain part, wherein the first curtain blind and the second curtain blind are operatively adapted to pivot about vertical axes so as to be located in an open curtain state, a closed block-out state and a plurality of light transmitting states between the open curtain state and the closed block-out state, wherein in the open curtain state (i) the first curtain blind viewed from a longitudinal end has a substantially U-shaped configuration with the block-out curtain parts of the first curtain blind defining opposing legs of the U-shaped configuration of the first curtain blind and the light transmitting curtain part of the first curtain blind defining a curved portion of the U-shaped configuration of the first curtain blind, and (ii) the second curtain blind viewed from a longitudinal end has a substantially U-shaped configuration with the block-out curtain parts of the second curtain blind defining opposing legs of the U-shaped configuration of the second curtain part and the light transmitting curtain part of the second curtain blind defining a curved portion of the Ushaped configuration of the second curtain blind, wherein in the block-out state the first and second curtain parts are configured so that the light transmitting curtain part and one of the block-out curtain parts of the first curtain blind overlap with one of the block-out curtain parts of the second curtain blind, and wherein a block-out curtain part or the first curtain blind is attached to a block-out curtain part of the second curtain blind via a fabric attachment and wherein a slit is provided between the curtain block-out part of the first and second curtain blind attached by the fabric attachment, the slit longitudinally extending from the fabric attachment to an operative lower end of the first and second curtain blind respectively.

[0006] Preferably the light transmitting curtain part of the first and second curtain blind each has a thickness less than that of its respective block-out curtain parts.

[0007] Preferably the light transmitting curtain part of the first and second curtain blinds each includes a woven net.

[0008] Preferably two block-out curtain parts of the first and second curtain blinds are woven together with the light transmitting curtain parts of the first and second curtain blinds.

2020100563 14 Apr 2020 [0009] Preferably the first curtain blind unit is attached to the second curtain blind unit via a connector, the connector operatively including a pivotable stem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment blind-type curtain;

[0012] Figure 2 is a top view of a portion of the blind-type curtain of Figure 1 in an open curtain state;

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment curtain blind of the blind-type curtain of Figure 1;

[0014] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a connector for use in the embodiment blind-type curtain;

[0015] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the connector of Figure 4;

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first clip element of the connector of Figure 4; and [0017] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second clip element of the connector of Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0018] Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment blind-type curtain, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10, in an open curtain state. The blind-type curtain 10 includes a first curtain blind unit 12.1 and a second curtain blind unit 12.2 detachably attachable to the first curtain blind unit 12.1 with a connector 14. Each curtain blind unit 12.1, 12.2 includes a first curtain blind 16.1 attached to a second curtain blind 16.2.

[0019] Each first curtain blind 16.1 and second curtain blind 16.2 respectively comprises (i) a single light transmitting curtain part 18, and (ii) two woven block-out curtain parts 20.1, 20.2 connected to the light transmitting part 18. A single block-out curtain part 20.1, 20.2 is disposed on opposite sides of the single light transmitting curtain part 18. In this specification the term block-out encompasses fabrics that provide a partial block-out and fabrics which provide a complete block out. The first curtain blind 16.1 and the second curtain blind 16.2 are operatively adapted to pivot about vertical axes via the connector 14 so as to be located in an open curtain

2020100563 14 Apr 2020 state, depicted in Figures 1 and 2, a non-illustrated closed block-out state and a plurality of light transmitting states between the open curtain state and the closed block-out state.

[0020] In the open curtain state the first curtain blind 16.1 viewed from a longitudinal end has a substantially U-shaped configuration with the block-out curtain parts 20.1, 20.2 of the first curtain blind 16.1 defining opposing legs of the U-shaped configuration of the first curtain blind 16.1 and the light transmitting curtain 18 part of the first curtain blind 16.1 defining a curved portion of the U-shaped configuration of the first curtain blind 16.1. Further, the second curtain blind 16.2 viewed from a longitudinal end has a substantially U-shaped configuration with the block-out curtain parts 20.1, 20.2 of the second curtain blind 16.2 defining opposing legs of the U-shaped configuration of the second curtain part 16.2 and the light transmitting curtain part 18 of the second curtain blind 16.2 defining a curved portion of the U-shaped configuration of the second curtain blind 16.2. In the non-illustrated block-out state the first and second curtain blinds 16.1,

16.2 are configured so that the light transmitting curtain part 18 and one of the block-out curtain parts 20.1, 20.2 of the first curtain blind 16.1 overlap with one of the block-out curtain parts 20.1,

20.2 of the second curtain blind 16.1 to create a block-out effect.

[0021] Referring also to Figure 3, the block-out curtain part 20.2 or the first curtain blind 16.1 is attached to the block-out curtain part 20.1 of the second curtain blind 16.2 via a fabric attachment 22. Further, a slit 23 is provided between the curtain block-out parts 20.1, 20.2 of the first and second curtain blind 16.1, 16.2 attached by the fabric attachment 22. The slit 24 operatively extends longitudinally downward from the fabric attachment 22 for the length of the first and second curtain blind respectively to the operative bottom / lower end of the first and second curtain blinds 16.1, 16.2. The slid 24 will enable ease of passage for a person seeking to pass through the blind-type curtain 10.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the block-out curtain part 20.2 of the first curtain blind 16.1 is attached to the block-out curtain part 20.1 of the second curtain blind 16.2 via detachable connector 14. Also, the block-out curtain part 20.2 of the second curtain blind 16.2 of the first curtain blind unit 12.1 is attached to the block-out curtain part 20.1 of the first curtain blind 16.1 of the second blind unit 12.2 via detachable connector 14. This pattern is repeated for the length of the blind-type curtain 10.

[0023] The connectors 14 enable the first curtain blind 16.1 and the second curtain blind 16.2 to pivot about vertical axes so as to be located in the open curtain state of Figures 1 and 2 and a nonillustrated closed block-out state. The blind-type curtain 10 is adapted to be located in a plurality

2020100563 14 Apr 2020 of light transmitting states between the open curtain state and the closed block-out state via operation of the connectors 14.

[0024] Referring to Figure 3 the light transmitting curtain part 18 of the first and second curtain blinds 16.1, 16.2 each has a thickness less than that of its respective block-out curtain parts 20.1, 20.2. The light transmitting curtain parts 18 of the first and second curtain blinds 16.1, 16.2 each includes a woven net. In the embodiment blind-type curtain 10 block-out curtain parts 20.1, 20.2 of the first and second curtain blind 16.1, 16.2 are woven together with the light transmitting curtain parts 18.

[0025] Figures 4 and 5 show one of the connectors 14. The connector 14 includes a first connector element 24 detachably attached to a second connector element 26. In use a portion of a fabric of a curtain blind will be sandwiched between the first and second connector element 24, 26. The first and second connector element 24, 26 are attached to a stem 28. The stem 28 is pivotally connected to a rail engaging element 30. In use the rail engaging element 30 engages a non-illustrated rail when the blind-type curtain 10 is to be installed. The rail engagement element 30 will also provide for longitudinal movement of the blind-type curtain 10 along a curtain rail similar to a conventional curtain.

[0026] Figure 6 shows the first connector element 24. The first connector element 24 is of oblong configuration and includes a hook 31 to facilitate attachment to the stem 28. The first connector element 24 further includes a number of evenly spaced apart clip holes 32. The clip holes 32 are operatively associated with resilient clips 34 of the second clip element 26, shown in Figure 7. In use the clips 34 will clip into the clip holes 32 in order to secure the first connector element 24 to the second connector element 26 to secure the connector 14 to a portion of fabric. Specifically, the first and second connector elements 24, 26 serve to attach adjacent block-out curtain parts of the first and curtain blinds 16.1, 16.2.

[0027] Having curtain blinds which are detachably attached provides that a single soiled curtain blind can be removed from the blind-type curtain without having to remove the entire blind-type curtain. The result is that only the soiled curtain blind can be cleaned. Further, having a blindtype curtain with the above described curtain blinds enables a person to pass through a blind-type curtain with relative ease.

[0028] Although not shown it is envisaged that a curtain blind unit may comprise more than two curtain blinds.

2020100563 14 Apr 2020 [0029] Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A blind-type curtain including:

a first curtain blind unit; and a second curtain blind unit detachably attachable to the first curtain blind unit, wherein each curtain blind unit includes a first curtain blind attached to a second curtain blind, wherein the first curtain blind and the second curtain blind each comprises (i) a single light transmitting curtain part, and (ii) two woven block-out curtain parts connected to the light transmitting part, a single block-out curtain part being disposed on opposite sides of the single light transmitting curtain part, wherein the first curtain blind and the second curtain blind are operatively adapted to pivot about vertical axes so as to be located in an open curtain state, a closed block-out state and a plurality of light transmitting states between the open curtain state and the closed block-out state, wherein in the open curtain state (i) the first curtain blind viewed from a longitudinal end has a substantially U-shaped configuration with the block-out curtain parts of the first curtain blind defining opposing legs of the U-shaped configuration of the first curtain blind and the light transmitting curtain part of the first curtain blind defining a curved portion of the U-shaped configuration of the first curtain blind, and (ii) the second curtain blind viewed from a longitudinal end has a substantially U-shaped configuration with the block-out curtain parts of the second curtain blind defining opposing legs of the U-shaped configuration of the second curtain part and the light transmitting curtain part of the second curtain blind defining a curved portion of the Ushaped configuration of the second curtain blind, wherein in the block-out state the first and second curtain parts are configured so that the light transmitting curtain part and one of the block-out curtain parts of the first curtain blind overlap with one of the block-out curtain parts of the second curtain blind, and wherein a block-out curtain part or the first curtain blind is attached to a block-out curtain part of the second curtain blind via a fabric attachment and wherein a slit is provided between the curtain block-out part of the first and second curtain blind attached by the fabric attachment, the

2020100563 14 Apr 2020 slit longitudinally extending from the fabric attachment to an operative lower end of the first and second curtain blind respectively.

2. A blind-type curtain according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting curtain part of the first and second curtain blind each has a thickness less than that of its respective block-out curtain parts.

3. A blind-type curtain according to claim 2, wherein the light transmitting curtain part of the first and second curtain blinds each includes a woven net.

4. A blind-type curtain according to claim 3, wherein two block-out curtain parts of the first and second curtain blinds are woven together with the light transmitting curtain parts of the first and second curtain blinds.

5. A blind-type curtain according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first curtain blind unit is attached to the second curtain blind unit via a connector, the connector operatively including a pivotable stem.