GB2460052A

GB2460052A - Decorative finials for a curtain support rail

Info

Publication number: GB2460052A
Application number: GB0808718A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam James Eggington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-13
Filing date: 2008-05-13
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Also published as: GB0808718D0

Abstract

A decorative finial 16 for an end of a support rail 10 is separate from and configured to be fitted to an end region of a support rail 10 such that when fitted, the support rail 10 at least appears to extend from opposite sides of the decorative end unit 16. The decorative finial 16 can comprise two parts. The first part is a collar 18 which may include a through-hole 20 or a recess 25 to receive an end 14 of the curtain pole 10 and the second part may comprise a decorative section 26 and a curtain pole emulating portion 28. A screw 30 extends axially outwardly from an end face 32 of the decorative section 26. In use, the end face 32 abuts the small diameter end 24 of the collar 18. The through-hole 20 is sized to receive the screw 30 so that the screw can be screwed into an axially extending lead hole 34 provided in the end face 14 of the curtain pole 10. The finial 16 is fitted to the curtain pole 10 by sliding the collar 18 onto the screw 30 and then screwing the screw 30 into the lead hole 34. The finial (Figure 3, 50) can also be a single part or (Figure 4, 70) may be in the form of an arcuate cap that has an inner diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the curtain pole 10.

Description

Decorative End Units for Surport Rails

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to support rails that can be used to support curtains and the like and, in particular, to decorative end units for such support rails.

Background to the Invention

It is known to support curtains by suspending them from loops that receive and are slideable on a generally circular support rail, often referred to as a curtain pole. Such curtain poles are typically made of wood. To improve the appearance of curtain poles they may be provided with decorative end units, often referred to as finials.

Finials may be made of wood, but are typically cast pieces made of a resin dressed and coloured to look as though the finial is made of the same wood as the curtain pole to which it is to be fitted. Finials that have complex shapes are particularly likely to be cast pieces.

Typically, known fmials are provided with a screw protruding from an end surface that is to mate with the curtain pole. The fimal can be secured to the curtain pole by screwing the screw into an axially extending lead hole provided in the end surface of the curtain pole until an end surface of the fimal butts up against the end surface of the curtain pole.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a decorative end unit for an end of a support rail, said decorative end unit being separate from and configured to be fitted to an end region of a said support rail such that when so fitted, the support rail at least appears to extend from opposite sides of the decorative end unit.

The invention also includes a method of providing a decorative end on a support rail, the method comprising fitting a decorative end unit to an end region of said support rail such that the support rail at least appears to extend through the decorative end unit.

The invention also includes a decorative end unit for a curtain support rail, said decorative end unit comprising a decorative portion and a curtain support rail replicating portion and being securable to an end of a curtain support rail such that said decorative portion is disposed between said end and said curtain support rail replicating portion whereby when the decorative end unit is secured to a said end it appears that the curtain support rail extends from opposite sides of the decorative portion.

The invention also includes a decorative end unit for a curtain support rail, said decorative end unit comprising a decorative face and having a curtain support rail receiving portion for receiving a portion of an end region of a curtain support rail such that the decorative end unit can be fitted to an end region of a curtain support rail with a portion of the curtain support rail end region received in said curtain support rail receiving portion and respective portions of said curtain support rail end region extending through opposite sides of the decorative end unit.

The invention also provides a finial that can be fitted to a curtain pole and provide the impression of being carved into the curtain pole at a position close to but not at the end of the curtain pole.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be well understood, some embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example oniy, will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a finial fitted to the end of a curtain support rail; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the fmial and the curtain support rail of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows another finial fitted to the end of a curtain support rail; and Figure 4 is a schematic end view of yet another finial.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a curtain support rail comprises a generally circular section curtain pole 10 that has a number of decorative surface formations in the form of arcuate grooves 12 formed in the surface thereof. The grooves 12 extend in the lengthways direction of the pole. In this embodiment there are six grooves 12 that each have a semi-circular cross-section and are disposed at equidistant intervals about the circumference of the pole. The grooves 12 extend between the end faces 14 (only one of which is shown) of the pole 10 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pole.

The curtain pole 10 is provided with a decorative end unit in the form of a finial 16, which in this embodiment comprises two parts. The first part of the finial is a collar 18. The collar 18 is generally circular in transverse cross-section and has an axially extending through-hole 20 that extends from a large diameter end 22 to a small diameter end 24. The large diameter end 22 has a diameter at least equal to, and in this embodiment greater than, the diameter of the curtain pole 10. Optionally, a recess is provided in the end face of the large diameter end 22 of the collar 18 to receive an end 14 of the curtain pole 10.

The second part of the finial comprises a decorative section 26 and a curtain pole emulating portion 28, which when the fmial 16 is fitted to the curtain pole 10 gives the appearance of forming a free end of the curtain support rail. A screw 30 extends axially outwardly from an end face 32 of the decorative section 26. In use, the end face 32 abuts the small diameter end 24 of the collar 18. The through-hole 20 is sized to receive the screw 30 with a slight clearance so that the screw can be screwed into an axially extending lead hole 34 provided in the end face 14 of the curtain pole.

The decorative section 26 may take any desired shape and in this embodiment has an external surface made up of a plurality of leaf-like portions. The curtain pole emulating portion 28 is circular in section and has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the curtain pole 10. The curtain pole emulating portion 28 is provided with surface formations in the form of semi-circular section grooves 36 configured to correspond to the grooves 12 of the curtain pole such that the curtain pole emulating portion 28 appears to be a continuation of the curtain pole.

In use, the finial 16 is fitted to the curtain pole 10 by sliding the collar 18 onto the screw 30 and then screwing the screw into the lead hole 34. The fmial 16 is screwed tight to the curtain pole 10 with the second part 26, 28 being rotated relative to the collar 18 and pole to bring the grooves 36 in the curtain pole emulating portion 28 into line with the grooves 12 in the curtain pole. Once the finial 16 is fitted, the curtain pole emulating portion 28 appears to be a continuation of the curtain pole 10, which gives the impression the curtain pole, collar 18 and decorative portion 26 are formed from a single piece of wood. This is considered a pleasing effect, giving an impression of greater craft, solidity and value. Although it would be possible to produce a curtain pole 10 and finial 16 as shown in Figure 1 from a single piece of wood, this would be wasteful in terms of material and time consuming, resulting in a very expensive product. By configuring the curtain pole emulating portion 28 of the finial 16 such that it corresponds to the curtain pole it is possible to produce a carved from solid effect without incurring such material wastage and the time cost that would be involved in carving from solid.

The end 38 of the finial remote from the decorative portion 28 is shown plain.

However, chamfers and other decorative features can be provided at the end 38 while maintaining the appearance that the finial is an integral part of the curtain pole 10.

One such decorative feature is shown in Figure 3.

It will be appreciated that it is not essential that the finial 16 comprises two parts.

Instead, the fmial can be single part such that the collar 18 and the second part 26, 28 It will be understood that while a screw 30 provided in the finial 16 provides a convenient method for fitting the finial to the curtain pole, it is by no means essential.

For example, the finial could be provided with an opening for receiving an end of the curtain pole, in which case the finial could be secured to the curtain pole by means of one or more screws extending in a radial direction through the fmial and into the curtain pole.

Referring to Figure 3, another fimal 50 is shown fitted to the end 52 of a curtain pole 54. The curtain pole 54 is provided with a plurality of decorative surface formations in the form of axially extending grooves 56. The decorative grooves 56 are spaced at regular intervals about the circumference of the curtain pole 10. The finial 50 is a one-piece component cast in resin and dressed to look like a wood carving. Although not shown, the finial 50 is provided with an axially extending fixing screw (corresponding to the screw 30 shown in Figure 2) by means of which it is secured to the end 52 of the curtain pole 54. The finial 50 has a decorative end portion 58 that butts against and extends from the end 52 of the curtain pole 54 and a curtain pole emulating portion 60 that replicates the form and size of the curtain pole. The decorative end portion 58 of the finial 50 is made up of a series of different shaped circular section portions that each have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the curtain pole 54. The curtain pole emulating portion 60 has axially extending decorative grooves 62 that correspond to the decorative grooves 56 of the curtain pole. In this embodiment, the end face 64 of the curtain pole emulating portion 60 is provided with a centrally disposed dome 66, although, the end face could be left plain in the same way as the end face 38 of the finial 16 or provided with other decorative shapes.

When the fmial 50 is fitted to the curtain pole 54 it is rotated to bring the decorative grooves 62 into alignment with the decorative grooves 56 of the curtain pole. The result is that the finial 50 appears to be carved into the curtain pole.

Referring to Figure 4, a finial 70 is shown looking from one end. The fmial 70 is in the form of an arcuate cap that has an inner diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the curtain poles the finial is designed to fit. In the lengthways direction (not shown), the fimal 70 is formed with decorative outer face extending along substantially the entire length thereof. For example, the outer face of the finial could be formed with shapes, or profiles, corresponding substantially to the collar and decorative portion of the fmial shown in Figures 1 and 2 or the finial 50 of Figure 3, but scaled to allow fitting onto the circumference of the curtain pole. The inner surface of the finial 70 is fitted with spring elements 72. The spring elements 72 project into the hollow internal space defmed by the inner diameter of the finial 70 so that when the fmial is pressed onto a curtain pole, they will be deflected radially outwardly. The reaction force stored in the spring elements 72 serves to hold the fmial 70 in place on the curtain pole. To allow the finial 70 to seat properly on the curtain pole, recesses 74 may be provided in the surface defining the inner diameter to receive the spring elements 72 when they are deflected radially outwardly from their respective rest positions.

When the finial 70 is fitted to a curtain pole, it can be clipped near an end of the pole such that the end projects beyond the final. The impression is then given that the fmial 70 is an integral part of the curtain pole and not a part simply fitted onto the end of the curtain pole. It will be appreciated that while the finial 70 could be made as a sleeve fuiiy enclosing the curtain pole, making the fmial as a cap avoids the problem of trying to cast a finial with a through-bole that is sufficiently accurately sized to provide for reliable fitting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that due to problems with shrinkage, casting finials as sleeves rather than caps may give rise to problems with control of the internal diameter of the sleeve.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated finials could be carved from wood. However, for large scale manufacture, casting is a more economic method. It is known to cast imitation wooden parts from a resin dressed to look like wood and stained or otherwise coloured to match the parts it is to be fitted to. Accordingly, the processes employed will not be described in detail herein.

It will be understood that the decorative portion of the illustrated fmials can be varied considerably and those that are illustrated are purely examples of forms, or profiles, that can be used.

It will be understood that the curtain pole can be made of any suitable material, including metals and plastics, such as acrylic. It will also be appreciated that it is not necessary for the fmial to be made of the same material as the curtain pole. All that is necessary is for the fmial to include a curtain pole emulating portion and to be given the same fmish as the curtain pole.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to application to curtain poles.

In principle the invention is applicable to any support rail from which items are suspended and for which it is desired to provide a decorative end piece.

Claims

Claims 1. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail, said decorative end unit being separate from and configured to be fitted to an end region of a said support rail such that when so fitted, the support rail at least appears to extend from opposite sides of the decorative end unit.
2. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in claim 1, comprising a decorative portion and a support rail emulating portion, said support rail emulating portion having the appearance of a support rail.
3. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in claim 3, wherein said decorative portion has a plurality of diameters each of which is greater than the diameter of said support rail emulating portion.
4. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in claim 2 or 3, further comprising a collar fittable between an end face of said end region of the support rail and said decorative portion.
5. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in claim 5, wherein said decorative portion has a fastener extending from an end face thereof and said collar has a through-hole for said fastener.
6. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said decorative portion and support rail emulating portion are a product of a casting process.
7. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said decorative portion and support rail emulating portion are integral.
8. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said support rail emulating portion comprises surface formations substantially corresponding to surface formations of a said support rail the decorative end unit is designed to be fitted to.
9. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in claim 1, the decorative end unit having a hollow interior region configured to receive a portion of a said support rail such that the decorative end unit can be fitted to said end region of the support rail with the support rail extending through said opposite sides of the decorative end unit.
10. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail as claimed in claim 9, comprising resilient retaining members for retaining the decorative end unit on a said support rail.
11. A support rail fitted with at least one decorative end unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
12. A method of providing a decorative end on a support rail, the method comprising fitting a decorative end unit to an end region of said support rail such that the support rail at least appears to extend through the decorative end unit.
13. A method of providing a decorative end on a support rail as claimed in claim 12, wherein said decorative end unit comprises a decorative portion and a support rail emulating portion having an appearance substantially the same as the appearance of the support rail, the method comprising securing said decorative end piece to said end region of the support rail such that said decorative portion is disposed intermediate said end region and said support rail emulating portion.
14. A method of providing a decorative end on a support rail as claimed in claim 12, comprising fitting said decorative end unit to said end region of the support rail such that a portion of said end region is received in a hollow region of said decorative end unit and said end region extends through opposite sides of the decorative end unit.
15. A method of providing a decorative end on a support rail as claimed in claim 14, comprising clipping said decorative end unit to said end region of the support rail.
16. A decorative end unit for a curtain support rail, said decorative end unit comprising a decorative portion and a curtain support rail replicating portion and being securable to an end of a curtain support rail such that said decorative portion is disposed between said end and said curtain support rail replicating portion whereby when the decorative end unit is secured to a said end it appears that the curtain support rail extends from opposite sides of the decorative portion.
17. A decorative end unit for a curtain support rail, said decorative end unit comprising a decorative face and having a curtain support rail receiving portion for receiving a portion of an end region of a curtain support rail such that the decorative end unit can be fitted to an end region of a curtain support rail with a portion of the curtain support rail end region received in said curtain support rail receiving portion and respective portions of said curtain support rail end region extending through opposite sides of the decorative end unit.
18. A curtain support rail fitted with two decorative end units as claimed in claim 16 or 17.
19. A decorative end unit for an end of a support rail substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, 3 or 4 of the drawings.
20. A method of providing a decorative end on a support rail substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, 3 or 4 of the drawings.