US2168421A - Support - Google Patents

Description

Aug 8, 1939- A. T. REYNOLDS ET Al. 2,168,421

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Patented Aug. 8, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT Arthur T'. Reynolds, Brooklyn, N. Y., and William F. Tod, Radburn-Fairlawn, N. J.

Application June 4, 1938, Serial No. 211,896

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an adjustable support for curtain rods and the like and is more particularly directed to a support for a plurality of curtains adapted for adjustment of the relation of the several curtains by moving one or more element of the support with relation to another supporting element thereof.

The need for an adjustable bracket type support for curtain rods has long been recognized and numerous attempts have been made to provide such a device of sufficient flexibility to be `adaptable under all conditions of use in connection With various types of curtains and drapes. .Curtains made in standard lengths can be sold more cheaply than those which are specially tailored, but the dimensions of the interior trim around Windows varies, and curtains of standard size are, therefore, generally unsuitable. Curtains and like decorations are frequently formed .of certain fabrics which tend to stretch or shrink in use due to the nature of textile material used or the treatment used for cleaning, and thus may become so long `that they no longer harmonize with the complete system of interior decorating for which they were originally designed. If the rod supports are of the standard type, elongation necessitates shortening of the curtains or relocation of the rod support. A copending application of Arthur T. Reynolds, Serial No. 186,039, filed January 21, 1938, a device is described for adjusting the hanging length of curtains, drapes, etc., by rolling on a rod. Although in most cases this is adequate to fit a single curtain to a window, Where a difference of less than an inch can be tolerated, we i'lnd that even small differences between the bottoms of overlying drapes, e. g., side drapes and glass curtains, may be very unsightly. Such differences often cannot be cured even by relocation of brackets.

Moreover, relocation of brackets may in some cases be impracticable due to the manner of `mounting on the wall, as Where the interior wall of a room is finished with a minimum of Woodwork. When possible, change in position of the bracket mounting inevitably leaves unsightly scars on Woodwork which, even after repaired by illing with putty or the like, constitute ever present weakened areas which may become surface disfigurations if subjected to shock.

Further difficulties in this field arise from the practice on the part of transient tenants of moving drapes and curtains from one building to another. This is a source vof annoyance to both tenant" and landlord insofar'as differences in window dimensions require the moving of brackets to (C1. 4enfans) adapt them to preformed curtains. The landlord is thereby generally subjected to renovation costs to repair woodwork damage since the tenant, in anticipation 0f possible additional moves, is inclined to avoid curtain alteration whenever possible.

We are aware that various devices have been proposed for adjusting curtain rods and the like, but none is known to us which is satisfactory in respect to low cost, to ease of operation and installation, and toruggedness and ability to perform its functions satisfactorily under all conditions.

Accordingly it is an object of our invention to provide a solution to these problems, especially in connection with multiple curtains, to permit the adjustable mounting of curtains and drapes relative to one another as well as to the window, as, for example, a valance and/ or drapes together with a glass curtain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a `simple and economical support for curtains and the like which is adapted to aiford support xed at any desired height within a limited range.

We have now devised a curtain rod support of the bracket type which avoids the diiiiculties of the prior art in a novel and effective manner. Our new device provides a bracket type support for curtains, drapes and the like of extreme flexibility in use and the invention contemplates the provision of a bracket adapted to support one or a plurality of rods carrying curtains or the like, at least one of which is instantly and easily ad.- justable to hold a curtain with its lower edge at any desired distance from the floor or other location.

The invention embraces a new concept in the manner of hanging a curtain, drape or the like, an important advantage of which is the avoidance of the possibility that the rod will be displaced by accident.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention we provide an element comprising a fixed means for 'removably securing a curtain rod support in any one of a plurality of positions and a curtain rod .l

support adapted to be maintained in any one of said plurality of positions. Additional features of the invention are the conguration of the adjustable curtain rod support thereby providing a means of altering the effective length of the form together with further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from consideration of accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 represents one end of a valance and glass curtain assembly mounted on rods supported by our novel bracket;

Fig. 2 is a section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing a different manner of afiixing the glass curtain in the bracket;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the fixed support member; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective showing of the adjustable support member.

As represented by the drawing, the preferred embodiment of our invention comprises fixed members IU (of which only one is shown in the drawing) and adjustable supports I I. The member Ill` is adapted to be permanently secured to the wall I9, which may be the casing of a window or doorway or any other vertical surface, by nails, screws or the like I2 advantageously fitted into keyhole slots I3, which permit the entire curtain assembly to be removed and replaced as a unit. The member I0 may conveniently be formed of two pieces of strip metal in the manner shown. The part I4, of member IIJ, carrying a supplemental rod supporting seat I5 is permanently fixed to part I6, e. g., by rivets I'I, welding or the like, and may be provided with a hole I'I through which a wood strip may be screwed onto this part for custom draping. The part I6 is formed with a number of apertures I8 in a face parallel to and spaced from the wall I9. This two piece construction permits combining of several sizes of the parts I6 with a single standard sized part I4.

Adjustable support II is also formed of strip metal, preferably identical with that forming member I0, and designed to have at one end a tongue 20 adapted to enter one of the apertures I8 to secure support II in any desired position on the face of member I0. The other end of support II is bent to form a rod supporting seat 2I of novel shape as will be hereinafter more fully discussed.

The form of the tongue 20 and of the apertures I8, although not essential to any invention in its broader aspect, is important. The upper and lower surfaces of both the tongue and aperture are rounded and the lower surface of the tongue fits closely to the lower edge of the aperture while the upper surface is spaced from the top of the aperture only far enough to allow the tongue to move diagonally upward through the aperture for removal. The result of this is that the support II cannot be accidentally removed from the member I0 by swinging the portion 2| or by pushing it up by only simultaneously lifting and pushing out the tongue 20--a movement which could not occur accidentally.

An important feature of this invention is the manner in which curtains are mounted in the new bracket provided thereby. As shown in Fig. 1, the illustrated embodiment of this invention is particularly adapted to support a drape assembly comprising a valance 22, side drapes 26 and a glass curtain 23. Since there is usually no occasion to adjust the position of the valance, the rod 24 which carries valance 22 is supported in a fixed seat I5. The problem of positioning the glass curtain is of major importance and the seat 2I is capable of permitting such adjustment over an unusually wide range by two separate means which cooperate to hang the glass curtain 23 with its lower edge at any desired distance from the floor without change in the color scheme or pattern of the lower portion of that curtain where predetermined design is highly important.

The rod 24 on which glass curtain 23 is hung by passing the rod through an open ended hem in the conventional manner is flat in cross section as clearly shown in Fig. 2. For the purpose of making adjustments of considerable extent the rod 24 may be rotated about its axis to roll the upper end of the curtain about rod 24. The curtain is then maintained in rolled position by reason of the configuration of seat 2I. It will be readily understood how the seat 2|, because it is formed as a flattened curve of inhibits the tendency of rod 24 to rotate and unroll curtain 23 when the parts are in the operative position illustrated by Fig. 2, all as more fully described and claimed in the copending application Serial No. 186,039, f'lled January 21, 1938.

After reaching an approximate adjustment of curtain length by rolling about rod 24, the bottom of the curtain is easily brought accurately to the desired position by inserting tongue 2D in an appropriate aperture I8. The tongue 2l), as pointed out above is almost impossible to displace by accident; although readily inserted and withdrawn by hand when desired.

The side drapes 26 are hung on another rod 24 supported in a second support I I exactly like that already described, but hung on the front instead of on the back of the bracket IIJ. With this arrangement the glass curtains hang close to the window and freely inside of the side drapes and each is freely adjustable vertically to bring their lower edges into line or at different heights as may be desired.

An important feature of the device, as shown, is that it permits a wide latitude of curtain adjustment with a device of relatively small dimensions as compared with other brackets intended to achieve the same purpose.

For the purposes of our invention the dimension of seat I5 may be varied over a relatively wide range depending on the size of the curtain rod and the material employed in fabrication of the curtain. As a general rule the width of the hook-shaped seat should not be much greater than the width of the curtain rod. If the folds of the curtain are to be engaged in the hook, it is wider than the rod, whereas, it should fit the rod if the bracket is placed beyond the edge of the supported fabric or preferably, as shown, engages the rod in a part which is exposed behind the fabric (e. g., as described below). Preferably, the depth of the seat is somewhat greater than the width of the rod to give ecient service.

It will be readily understood, however, that the dimension of the seat may be such as to adapt the same for use with a large variety of rods and curtain fabrics. Thus, it may be determined in advance what range of curtain rod widths will likely be used in combination with the brackets; and the brackets are then adapted to the entire range by suitable proportioning of seat 2|. The width should then be not greatly in excess of the width of the narrowest rod contemplated and the depth will be preferably not substantially less than the greatest width of curtain rod which will likely be placed in the hook-shaped seat.

Although our drapery support as described herein may be made very attractive, it will ordinarily be completely hidden by a valance and rod of usual length extending beyond the member I0. For that purpose the stitched opening for the valance rod may be interrupted at the point corresponding to the position of seat l5, and the upstanding lip of that seat will then extend into or through the hem of the valance. Or the hem may be slit verticallyso that the rod comes outside the hem for a short distance where it engages the seat 2|. In Fig. 1 we have shown the valance broken away at the side of the member l for the purpose of better showing the detail of the support member; but, as stated, it may extend any desired distance beyond the bracket and completely screen` the same from the View of persons in the room.

When the support member is to be exposed we m-ay make it of a material that will harmonize with the interior metal or alloy, or of any other material of construction possessing suflicient mechanical strength for the purpose. It may be varnished, painted or enam-eled in solid colors or suitable designs. Other obvious methods of decoration include covering with cloth, paper and the like or electro-plating.

Numerous variations in form obviously can be made by skilled workmen, and these are also contemplated within the scope of this invention. Thus the seat I5 may be omitted or additional similar seats may be provided on any suitable extension means. Thus, a single bracket capable of supporting separate rods to carry a valance, drapes and a glass curtain may be formed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

The drawing and descriptive matter in connection therewith are to be taken as relating to the preferred form of our invention. Thus, we have found that a bracket of the type shown and def scribed is of particularly great value due to its general adaptability to a large variety of drapery combinations and its extreme flexibility in use. We do not, therefore, intend that the invention shall be limited except by the scope of the following claims:

We claim:

l. An adjustable support for curtain rods and the like which comprises a cantilever bracket having a hook at the upper end thereof, means at the opposite side thereof for attaching to a wall and an upwardly extending part affording support to said hook and being slotted at closely spaced intervals with similar slots having rounded upper and lower edges, and a double hook support member having at its lower end a hook adapted to receive a curtain rod and at its upper end a hooked tongue with its inside shaped to fit closely the lower edge of any of said slots and of inside depth approximately equal to the space 2. An adjustable support for curtain rods and the like as dened in claim 4, in which the upwardly extending part is spaced from the wall a distance greater than the width of the lower hook of the support member and is of length greater than said support member, and one such support member is engaged in a slot on the back of the upwardly extending part and another support member is engaged in another slot on the front of said upwardly extending part.

3. An adjustable support comprising an upwardly extending part slotted at intervals with similar slots having rounded upper and lower edges, and a double hook support member having at its lower end a hook adapted to receive a curtain rod and at its upper end a hooked tongue with its inside shaped to t closely the lower edge of any of said slots and of inside depth approximately equal to the space between the top of the hook and the upper edge of the slot, whereby the hook will hold on said lower edge when moved vertically substantially until it strikes the upper edge.

4. A bracket type support for drapery and curtain rods comprising a substantially Vertical strip f portion having a plurality of spaced, substantially horizontal apertures therein, means to attach said strip portion in spaced relation to a wall surface and a rod supporting member bearing a hook adapted to be inserted in one of said apertures, v..

the outside depth of said hook being approximately equal to the width of one of said apertures.

5. A bracket type support for drapery and curtain rods comprising a substantially vertical strip portion having a plurality of spaced, substantially horizontal apertures therein, means to attach said strip portion in spaced relation to a wall surface and a plurality of rod supporting members each bearing a hook adapted to be inserted in one of said apertures, the outside depth of said hook being approximately equal to the width of one of said apertures.

6. A bracket type support for drapery and curtain rods comprising a substantially vertical strip portion having a plurality of spaced, substantially horizontal apertures therein, means to attach said strip portion in spaced relation to a wall surface and a plurality of rod supporting members each having a hook adapted to be inserted in one of said apertures, whereby a pluralityof rods may be supported at one end on a single bracket by inserting the hooks of a plurality of rod supporting members into said apertures with the rod supporting members depending from said apertures on both sides of said strip portion.

ARTHUR. T. REYNOLDS. WILLIAM F. TODE.

CERTFICTE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,168,1-121.. August 8, 1959.

,ARTHUR T., REYNOLDS, ET A'L.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows Page 5, sec-4 ond column, line 2, claim 2, for the claim reference numeral "Il" read l; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that 'chev same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of -Sentember, A. D 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale, l (Seal) Acting Commissioner of' Patents.

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