US20050082451A1

US20050082451A1 - Combined curtail rod and shade assembly

Info

Publication number: US20050082451A1
Application number: US10/689,442
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Serina
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-20
Filing date: 2003-10-20
Publication date: 2005-04-21

Abstract

A combined curtain rod and shade assembly having two opposing corners attached to sheet rock with studs and a window having a pair of conforming and opposing virtually 90 degree angled members for meeting the corner between the window and the frame, in which, on the side of each, is presented a coupling device for acceptance of a rod for a shade assembly, on the 90 degree recess a coupling device for enabling at least one curtain rod assembly for hookable assemblage such that the distance traversed between the two member portions is effectively the width of the window; and an adhesive material on the rear portion of each of said angled member portions. The curtain rod and shade assembly further having a multiplicity of screw holes and screws of such length sufficient to enable passage through the sheet rock and into the studs.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of curtain rod and shade assemblies, and more specifically to the field of simple installation of devices that permit the confluence of both curtain rods (for curtains and other decorative purposes) as well as a shade assembly (for minimalization of sun entry, in a manner that permits ease of installation while simultaneously ensuring necessary post-sheet rock support for permanence and endurance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

If one were to frequent a hardware store, whether one of the large chains or a small chain, for the mere desire of seeking curtain rods or shade assemblies, the result would be a barrage of variations, all requiring installation of great complexity, some to the point of necessitating college degrees in engineering. Simplicity of installation would be antithetical. Overwhelming would be an understatement.
It is well recognized in the field that shades, blinds, and curtain have a multiplicity of functions. Whereas shades are usually spring-loaded devices that can easily be pulled down to obscure in-coming light, they require alignment, installation, and because of the stresses associated with pulling and relieving the action for use, often require not just installation into the sheet rock (available) but also through the sheet rock into a stud assembly. The normal installer finds this difficult, if not impossible.
On the other hand, when one views the surplusage of designs for curtain installations, one finds problems of even more grotesque proportion. Typically devices must be mounted to the corners (typically only hitting sheet rock), alignment must be secured by ruler or otherwise, the devices are installed in multiple steps, and the hook assemblies, that engage the curtain rods typically do not line up unless a skilled craftsman in involved. The result is a week structure that usually will fail to even support a normal blind or curtain, and results in the use of decorative ornamentation rather than the goal of eliminating light entry in a well-suited manner. Often, the materials used for the curtain are light-weight because the installation never reaches beyond the sheet rock, and hence has limited support having typically missed the studs.
Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a simple mechanism that can handle one or more rods for curtains or decoration, as well as a shade, such that the user can install in minutes with minimal tools, minimal effort, and the complete comfort that upon completion, not only will the device be aligned, but it will be secure and satisfy its fundamental function of not mere ornamentation, but light obscurity for ease of sleeping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
The foregoing objects and other objects of the invention are achieved through a combined curtain rod and shade assembly for a windowed device having two opposing corners attached to sheet rock with studs therebehind and a window therebetween. In usual format, such windows have sheet rock around the borders, and the studs are found somewhere behind. It is a feature of the invention to engage such studs.
The invention has a pair of conforming and opposing virtually 90 degree angled member portions, one for each of the two corners of the window frame, for meeting the corner between the window and the frame. Each has a rear portion thereto, in which, on the side of each, is presented a coupling device for acceptance of a rod for a shade assembly. 90 degrees or so offset from that is a coupling device for enable at least one curtain rod assembly for hookable assemblage such that the distance traversed between the two member portions is effectively the width of the window.
Critically, an adhesive material on the rear portion of each of said angled member portions is presented. In use, the individual merely removes the removable backing to the adhesive material, and places the device in each corner of the window. At this point, if light weight curtain and shade materials are used, the user can be through. One installed with the adhesive, the adhesion is generally sufficient. Adhesives known to those skilled in the art are available.
To make the situation failsafe, the curtain rod and shade assembly further have a multiplicity of screw holes and screws of such length sufficient to enable passage through the sheet rock and into the studs. In typical fashion, the devices heretofore available do not permit such assemblage, and make catching the beam happenstance rather than design. Not so in the instant invention. The device is intended to permit adhesion to enable perfect location, followed by screwing through the sheet rock to enable engagement to the studs.
In a further preferred embodiment, the curtain rod and shade assembly satisfies the presence of molding, by having adhesive material further having foamed material such that upon installation the foamed material conforms with the molding for a tight fit assembly. Molding makes it very difficult to install curtain rods. The molding does not permit flat assembly, and most devices are not retrofitable to enable the same. Either the molding is cut or removed, of some device is specially manufactured to enable its use. This is overcome by the instant invention and is a key feature. The foamed material takes up the conformity, regardless of the molding, with adhesive material on both sides. The device thereby works regardless of the molding, a key feature heretofore unavailable.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements through the several views; it should be appreciated that jagged lines represent portions of window and other assemblies that are not critical elements of the subject design are shown to avoid excess drawing of non-essential features:
FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective, three-dimensional views of the left and ride members, respectively of key elements of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective, three-dimensional view of the subject invention, in which the left and ride side members are shown in assembled view, whereas the curtain rod and hook members are shown disassembled and the shade rod in assembled view, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective, three-dimensional view of the subject invention, showing the left member disassembled from the curtain rod and hook members in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;
FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the subject invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof;
FIG. 5 is a close up assembled view of the left portion of the assemblage, facing the window to which the assemblage is attached, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;
FIG. 6 is a semi-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention in virtually completed installation form, in which no window trim is present;
FIG. 7 is a semi-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention in virtually completed installation form, in which a window trim is present.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the subject invention, FIGS. 1A and 1B show, respectively, a left and right corner installation of the subject invention, indicated as 22A and 22B, respectively. It should be appreciated, that each of these devices is constructed in a manner that each fits snuggly into the corner of the left, and right, respectively, sections defined by the corner of the window and window surrounding structure, recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. The design is such, that the angle is generally 90 degrees (between elements 24), and each will simply fit into its respective locations because of its design, without much effort.
Also shown in FIG. 1 are typically pin mounting structures 26 which are known in the art to receive a surrounding portion of a typical curtain rod assembly, as shown in further detail in connection with the remaining drawings, and known to those skilled in the art. While two are shown, one may be all that is necessary, depending upon the design desired. Two are provided since one is typically used for mounting a curtain rod for holding a curtain while the other is used for more decorative purposes.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is the material 1, which can be comprised of metal (sheet, aluminum or otherwise) or of molded plastic, or other suitable materials, without deviating from the spirit of the intended invention. Also shown are screw holes, which, while screwing the assemblage is not required for every installation, will ensure complete safety for large scale usage.
Also shown in FIG. 1 are receptacles 20A and 20B for receiving a post or rod for a (typcially spring loaded) shade assembly. Evidently, 20A contains a cutout portion, as shown, such that the rod may be installed in element 20B (after installation), and slid into the recess of 20A to permit containment.
FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional perspective showing elements 22 a and 22B in installed locations, flush to the corners, without the need for any measuring devices whatsoever, thereby demonstrating the incredible simplicity of installation inherent in the instant inventive design. The flanges or hooking assemblies 26, shown to engage curtain rods 5 and 5A are also shown, in typical format, in this instance in disassembled view to make apparent the use that can be made thereof.
FIG. 3 shows a close up of the left portion of the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, in which element 22A is shown, with coupling 20A attached to rod 28. Element 4 is a recess that engages the pin atop hooking assembly 26 for engageable assembly to curtain rod 5. The same mechanism applies to element 4 and curtain rod 5B, when an additional curtain rod is employed.
FIG. 4 shows the fully assembled structure in which like members have like numbers. Accordingly left element 22A is engaged in the corner between the window and the window trim, coupling 20A attaches to rod 28 for the shade portion, engaged reciprocally to the elements of 22B on the right side. Likewise, rods 5 and 5A are shown assembled.
FIG. 5 shows an assemblage blow up view of the left portion, wherein elements 4 are shown engaged in curtain rods 5 and 5A, respectively. AS shown, coupling 20A has rod 28 attached thereto.
FIG. 6 shows the assemblage attached with screw threads and adhesive. Key to the subject invention, and critical to its operation, is the use of an adhesive attached to the back member of metal element 1 (see FIG. 1), and in turn the adhesive attaches to the sheet rock 8, as shown. In this embodiment, screws 6 are shown in a fashion that permits the screw to pass through the sheet rock and into the studs 7 such that once the adhesive is applied, the devices are located in proper location without the need of any additional equipment, and then the screws are (optionally) installed. It should be appreciated that the preferred embodiment is the use of screws to enable the composite of adhesive for location and adherence, and the screws through the sheet rock into the studs for complete support. In this embodiment, element 9 is shown with foam, and adhesive 2. The adhesive material is typically placed along the entirety of the metal back portion 1, and the foam allows additional support depending upon the flatness of the sheet rock to which it is attached.
FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment, in which like members contain like features. Key to this embodiment is the ability, heretofore unavailable, to enable the device to be installed with the existence of molding. As a result, the foam portion 9 is configured in a manner that allows conformity with the molding, while extending the screws to enable them to pass through the molding, through the sheet rock, and into the studs 7, as shown.
While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A combined curtain rod and shade assembly for a windowed device having two opposing corners attached to sheet rock with studs therebehind and a window therebetween having a frame, comprising:

(a) a pair of conforming and opposing virtually 90 degree angled member portions for meeting the corner between the window and the frame, having a rear portion thereto, in which, on the side of each, is presented a coupling device for acceptance of a rod for a shade assembly, on the 90 degree recess a coupling device for enabling at least one curtain rod assembly for hookable assemblage such that the distance traversed between the two member portions is effectively the width of the window;

(B) an adhesive material on the rear portion of each of said angled member portions;

(C) a multiplicity of screw holes and screws of such length sufficient to enable passage through the sheet rock and into the studs.