US2596395A

US2596395A - Curtain and method of making the same

Info

Publication number: US2596395A
Application number: US149684A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gibbon Ethel I Fitz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-03-15
Filing date: 1950-03-15
Publication date: 1952-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 1969-05-13

Description

y 1952 E. l. FITZ GIBBON 2,596,395

CURTAIN AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed March 15, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET l INVENTOR BY WQM ATTORNEYS May 13, 1952 Filed March 15, 1950 E. I. FITZ GIBBON CURTAIN AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME} 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 INVENTOR BY s n ATTOR NEYfi Paiented May 13, 1952 OFFICE CURTAIN AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Ethel I. Fitz Gibbon, Pontiac, Mich.

Application March 15, 1950, Serial No. 149,684

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a curtain, and has as its primary object a provision of an improved curtain comprised of a plurality of vertical strips or slats of translucent material bound together by warp threads and adapted to be suspended from a curtain rod in such manner that thedevice may be readily folded upon itself while at the same time providing a substantially vertically stiff screen which will not be displaced by wind or the like.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a curtain of this character of enhanced ornamental appearance, which will be normally translucent in such manner as to permit the admission of light, but not transparent.

A further object of the invention resides in an improved method of making such a curtain.

.A more specific object of the invention is the provision of such a curtain wherein the strips are comprised of a translucent plastic and provided with grooves or serrations in order to enhance their light refractive effect.

Still another object is the provision of such a curtain which will be sturdy and durable of construction, highly ornamental in appearance, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of the device embodying features of the instant invention shown as suspended from a curtain rod in extended or unfolded position,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the strips or slats of the device for suspending the same prior to formation of the loop therein, the position assumed by the loop after treatment being indicated in dotted lines,

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the strips adapted to be positioned between the supporting strips, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Referring now to the drawings in detail the curtain of the instant invention, generally indicated at It is comprised of a plurality of spaced elongated strip-like members I I, preferably comprised of any suitable translucent plastic material. Each of the members II is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves or channels 12 extending substantially the full length thereof, and formed in one surface to provide a plurality of elongated facets, to refract or diffuse light passing therethrough in such manner as to enhance the ornamental appearance of the device. At its upper extremity each member II terminates in a reverted or looped portion I3, the loop being formed in a manner to be fully described hereinafter.

Between each of the strips I I is positioned one or more shorter strips I4 similar in configuration, and provided with elongated grooves or channels It to provide facets similar to those previously discussed and for a similar purpose. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the members I4 terminate just below the loop portion I3 of members I I and are slightly wider than are memhers I I, although if desired it will be readily understood that the strips may be of the same width or the members II may be wider.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention also, two members I 4 are positioned between each member I I and its next succeeding corresponding member, although it will be further understood that if desired a greater or lesser number of strips I4 may be utilized.

Extending between and about all of members I I and I4 are a series of warp threads I6, adapted to be positioned thereabout in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter, while extending between adjacent members I4 and/or II are preferably positioned a plurality of longitudinally extending woof threads I! in order to permit relative flexibility of the device. At either end of the device a woven web or strip I'8 comprised of conventionally woven warp and woof threads may be provided.

In the use and application of the device the.

looped portions I3 of members II are adapted to be positioned over a conventional cylindrical curtain rod I9 in alternate angularly staggered relation as best shown in Figure 2, which causes the parts to assume the relative position disclosed in Figure 3. It will be readily apparent that due to the positioning and angular relationship of the members I I in addition to the flexibility afforded the parts by virtue of the woof threads I! that the device may be readily compressed to folded position, or extended to substantially full length position to cover or uncover a window or door or the like.

A suitable liquid adhesive may be applied to the members l4 and II at any desired location thereon, to which the warp threads l6 adhere to prevent vertical disalignment of the strips when the curtain is in suspended position. i

If desired conventional woolen or yarn threads may be utilized for both the warp and woof threads between the panels but in a preferred embodiment of the invention threads of spun nylon or other suitable plastic have been found preferable. Obviously both the threads and strips may be of any desired color or plurality of colors either corresponding or contrasting.

In the 'method of manufacturing the device suitable strips of plastic are molded or otherwise desirably formed of dissimilar lengths corresponding to strips I l and 14, in straight sections, and formed respectively With the grooves or channels l2 and [5 to provide the above mentioned. light refracting facets. The end portions of the members H are then heated to a requisite degree and reverted to form apertured loops, as best disclosed in Figure4 of a dimension to surround the curtain rod l9., The selected and formed strips are then positioned in vertical relation on a suitable loom, in the position normally occupied by the woof threads and the warp-threads l6 woven thereabout in suitably spaced position. As contrasted to conventional weaving, it is desirable that the warp threads be suitably spaced to exposed a substantial portion of the colored strips Hand l4 and in irregular relation, to enhance the ornamental appearance of the article. The woof threads I! may be pre-positioned prior to the weaving of the warp threads into the construction. correspondingly, the above mentioned adhesive may be applied to the strips prior to the weaving operation or may be subsequentlyapplied as desired. i

While in the foregoing a loom has been described as used in conjunction with the manufacture of the article it isto be understood that if desired" hand weaving may be equally advantageously applied. The'weaving of the end strips lBinay be done in the conventional manner.

*From the foregoing it will now beseen that there is herein provided an improvedcurtain and 4 method of manufacturing the same which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprised of a plurality of aligned substantially parallel strips of translucent material adapted to form a vertically positioned woof of a curtain, certain of said strips being of greater length than others and having rod engaging loops formed at the upper ends thereof, a plurality of warp threads Woven about said strip to hold the same in aligned foldable relation and adhesive means securing said strips. againstvertical movement relative to said warp threads, said vertical stripsbeingprovided with a-plurality of longitudinally extending parallelgrooves providing light refractive elongated facets. v

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein every third strip is provided with a rod engaging loop.

3. The construction of. claim 2 wherein aplurality-of woof threads are woven between adjacent strips to provide flexibility for folding the article.v I

4. The. construction of claim 3 wherein both strips and threads are comprised of a trans-' parent plastic materiaL,

1 rrnnnr. FITZ GIBBON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patentz- Great Britain June 25, 1942