AU783381B2 - Curtain and venetian blind arrangement - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 600945

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.

No. 11, Kung Chu Rd., Hou Liao Village, Fang Yuan Hsian Changhua Hsien Taiwan Ming Nien Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower,Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Curtain and Venetian Blind Arrangement The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c CURTAIN AND VENETIAN BLIND ARRANGEMENT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to Venetian blinds and, more specifically, to a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement which comprises a Venetian blind, and a number of curtains mounted with weights and respectively suspended from the slats at different elevations.

Background of the Invention In order to enhance the light blocking effect and decorate the blind, various Venetian blinds with a detachable curtain have been invented. However, these curtain io and Venetian blind arrangements are still not satisfactory in function. When receiving the blind, the curtain tends to be jammed in between the slats and wrinkled. When the border area of the curtain is curved or wrinkled, the sense of beauty of the curtain is destroyed, and the curtain cannot completely block the light.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention oooo The present invention at least in a preferred embodiment provides a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement which enables the curtains to be smoothly suspended from S 20 the slats.

*o*o oo -1- R:LU BTr]o04075.doc:hxa The present invention, at least in its preferred form, provides a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement, which prohibits the curtains from being jammed in between the slats during receiving of the Venetian blind.

The present invention, at least in its preferred form, provides a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement, which prevents the curtains from flying in the wind.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention preferably provides a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement comprising a Venetian blind having a headrail, a bottom rail, a plurality of slats, and a lift cord set adapted for joining said headrail, said bottom rail and said slats and keeping said slats arranged between said headrail and said bottom rail and a plurality of curtains coupled to said slats, said curtains each having at least one peripheral side suspended from one of said slats wherein the at least one peripheral side of each of said curtains is provided with at least one weight.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement constructed according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

netoFigure 2 is a curtain fabrication flow according to an embodiment of the present invention.

oo 20 Figure 3 is an exploded view of a part of Figure 1.

,ooo 99 -2- SR \LIBTr]04075.doc hxa FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the received status of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention attached with an ornamental curtain.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement constructed according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement constructed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective assembly view of a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement constructed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of a part of a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement constructed according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a part of a curtain and .0 Venetian blind arrangement constructed according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. from 1 through 5, a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprised of a Venetian blind 10, a number of curtains 20, and a number of weights Referring to FIGS. from 1 through 4, the Venetian blind comprises a headrail 11, a bottom rail 12, a number of slats 13, and a lift cord set 14. The headrail 11 is fixedly fastened to the top side of the window. The bottom rail 12 is spaced below the headrail 11.

The slats 13 are arranged in parallel between the headrail 11 and the bottom rail 12. The lift cord set 14 is adapted to join the headrail 11, the bottom rail 12 and the slats 13, for enabling the bottom rail 12 and the slats 13 to be lifted or lowered relative to the headrail 11 to the desired elevation.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the number of the curtains is one half of the number of the slats 13, each comprised of a curtain body 21 made of silk, cotton, nylon, or any of a variety of natural or synthetic fabrics. The curtain body 21 comprises two through holes 22 for the passing of the lift cord set 14 (see FIG.

2A), a first peripheral side 21a, a second peripheral side 21b opposite to the first peripheral side 21a, a third peripheral side 21c connected between the first peripheral side 21a and the second peripheral side 12b at one side, and a fourth peripheral side 21d connected between the first peripheral side 21a and the second peripheral side 12b at one side opposite to the third peripheral side 21c. The border areas of the first and second peripheral sides 21a;21b are respectively folded inwards to a predetermined distance and then bilaterally stitched to the respective curtain body 21, forming a respective pocket 23 (see FIG. 2B). The width of the pocket 23 is approximately equal to the width (transverse length) of the minor axis of the slats 13. The border areas of the third and fourth peripheral sides 21c;21d are respectively folded inwards to a predetermined distance and then stitched to the respective curtain body 21, forming a respective pocket 24 (see FIG. 2C). The depth iO of the pocket 24 is approximately equal to the length (longitudinal length) of the slats 13. The pocket 24 has at least one opening 25 in one end.

Referring to FIG. 3, the weights 30 are heavy rod members, having the length approximately equal to the depth of the pockets 24 of the curtains 20, approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the slats 13. Therefore, the weights 30 can be inserted through the openings 25 of the curtains 20 into the respective pockets 24, maintained secured to the third and fourth sides 21c;21d of the curtains The installation procedure of the aforesaid first embodiment is outlined hereinafter.

Before the installation of the Venetian blind 10, the lift cord set 14 is inserted through the through holes 20 of the curtains keeping the curtains 20 respectively covered on the odd number slats 13 (the first, third, fifth, seventh slats), and then the respective two ends of the odd number slats 13 are respectively inserted into the pockets 23 at the first peripheral sides 21a and second peripheral sides 21b of the curtains 20, keeping the curtain bodies 21 respectively secured to the slats 13. At this time, the weights 30 impart a downward pressure to the pockets 24 of the curtain bodies 21. When the slats 13 maintained in horizontal, the suspension distance of the third peripheral side 21c and fourth peripheral side 21d of each curtain 20 is greater than the pitch between two curtains 20. According to this embodiment, the suspension distance of the third peripheral side 21c and fourth peripheral side 21d of each curtain 20 is greater than the distance of three slats 13 (the suspension distance of the third peripheral side 21c and fourth peripheral side 21d of the curtain body 21 of the curtain 20 at the first slat 13 is over the position of the third slat 13). Because of the weight of the weights 30, the third and fourth peripheral sides 21c;21d are pulled downwards in vertical, as shown in FIG. 4, to block the gaps between each two adjacent slats 13 and to stop light from passing through the gaps. Further, the weights 30 stabilize the suspension portions of the curtains preventing the suspension portions from flying in the wind.

Therefore, the weights 30 stabilize the suspension of the curtain bodies 21 of the curtain 20, enhancing the light blocking effect of the Venetian blind The arrangement of the weights 30 shortens the variation of pitch between the slats 13 when operating the lift cord set 14 to lift S the slats 13 and the bottom rail 12. During the variation of pitch, the weights 30 stabilize the free ends of the third and fourth peripheral sides 21c;21d, preventing flying of the curtains 20 in the wind and jamming of the curtain bodies 21 in between the slats 13, and therefore the curtains 20 are well arranged in a stack when received (see FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, an ornamental curtain 26 may be attached to the curtains 20 to decorate the whole assembly of the assembly of the curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 100 and to block the gap between the headrail 11 and the first slat 13. The decorative curtain 26 may also be equipped with weights In the aforesaid embodiment, the pull end of the lift cord set 14 of the Venetian blind 10 is exposed to the outside for operation. Alternatively, the Venetian blind 10 can be made having means to keep the lift cord set 14 from sight and out of reach of ;0 children.

As indicated above, the invention achieves the following advantages: 1. Better slat receiving status: Because of the effect of the weights, the curtains are smoothly suspended from the slats at two sides, enabling the slats to be received smoothly without wrinkling the curtains.

2. Eliminating curving of the curtains: The weights pull the curtains bilaterally downward, keeping the curtains stably suspended from the slats and preventing the curtains from flying in the wind or being jammed in the slats.

FIG. 7 shows a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 200 is comprised of a Venetian blind 10, a number of curtains 40, and a number of weights 30. Unlike the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the curtains 40 each have only one side (the third or Is fourth side) suspended from the slats 13 and one weight provided in the suspended side. This arrangement diminishes the consumption of curtain material, and reduces the number of the weights 30 required. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of this arrangement is relatively reduced.

L FIG. 8 shows a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 300 is comprised of a Venetian blind 10, a number of curtains 50, and a number of weights 30. Unlike the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the number of the curtains 50 is equal to the number of the slats 13, and each slat 13 is covered with a respective curtain The suspension length of each curtain 50 is greater than the pitch between each two slats 13 so that the curtains 50 block the gaps in between the slats 13.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

According to this alternate form, the curtains 50' have a respective peripheral side respectively suspended from the slats of the Venetian blind 10, and the suspended peripheral side is relatively longer than that of the aforesaid first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention, each curtain 50' covers over more than four slats (for example, 4, 5, 6, or 7 pieces of slats).

is Because the covering area of the curtains 50' is relatively increased, less number of the curtains 50' is required.

FIG. 10 shows a curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 400 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Similar to the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the curtain and Venetian blind arrangement 400 is comprised of a Venetian blind (not shown), a number of curtains 60, and a number of weights 70. Unlike the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the third and fourth peripheral sides 61c;61d of the curtain bodies of the curtains 60 each have two pockets 64a;64b aligned at two sides and extended along the border, and the rod-like weights 70 are respectively mounted in the pockets 64a;64b of the curtains Further, the curtains may be made without the aforesaid through holes for the passing of the lift cord set. In this case, the curtains can be fastened to the slats by fastening means, for example, double-side adhesive, hook and loop materials, bonding agent, etc.

O FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

According to this embodiment, each curtain 80 has a number of pockets 84 disposed at different elevations for holding a respective weight.

Further, the weights may be respectively attached to the curtains and then stitch the curtains to secure the weights in position such that the openings of the curtains can be eliminated.

Claims (9)

1. A curtain and Venetian blind arrangement comprising: a Venetian blind having a headrail, a bottom rail, a plurality of slats, and a lift cord set adapted for joining said headrail, said bottom rail and said slats and keeping said slats arranged between said headrail and said bottom rail; and a plurality of curtains coupled to said slats, said curtains each having at least one peripheral side suspended from one of said slats; wherein the at least one peripheral side of each of said curtains is provided with at least one weight.

2. The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said curtains each has a first peripheral side and a second peripheral side opposite said first peripheral side Is adapted for coupling to one of said slats, a third peripheral side and a fourth peripheral sides respectively provided with a respective weight and suspended from one of said slats at two sides.

3. The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first peripheral side and second peripheral side of each of said curtains each has a pocket for respectively receiving two ends of one of said slats.

4. The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first peripheral side and second peripheral side of each of said curtains are respectively folded inwards and bilaterally stitched, forming the respective pocket on the middle.

The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed o in claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral side of each of said curtains each has a free end provided with at least one pocket for holding said at least one weight.

6. The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pocket at the free end of each of the at least 1 one peripheral side of each of said curtains has a depth approximately equal to the length of the at least one peripheral side of each of said curtains, and said weight is a heavy rod member of length equal to the pocket at the free end of each of the at least one peripheral side of each of said curtains.

7. The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pocket has an opening through which said weight is inserted into the pocket.

8. The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed'' in claim 1, wherein the length of the at least one peripheral side suspended from one of said slats is greater than the distance between the suspended point to the slat on which a next curtaiin is attached.

9. The curtain and Venetian blind arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said curtains each have at least one through hole for the passing of said lift cord set. A curtain and Venetian blind arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 of the accompanying drawings. Dated 21 June, 2002 Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON