US3434524A

US3434524A - Curtain suspension device

Info

Publication number: US3434524A
Application number: US659271A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harvey C Fein
Original assignee: HARVEY C FEIN
Current assignee: HARVEY C FEIN
Priority date: 1967-07-14
Filing date: 1967-07-14
Publication date: 1969-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 1986-03-25

Description

March 25, 1969 H. c. FEIN 3,434,524

CURTAIN SUSPENSION DEVICE Filed July 14, 1967 Sheet of s INVENTOR.

HARVEY C. FEIN ATTORNEYSW.

March 25, 1969 H. c. FEIN 3,434,524

CURTAIN SUSPENSION DEVICE Filed July 14, 1967 Sheet 2 FIG 3 I h 4mm INVENTOR.

HARVEY c. FEIN ATTORNEYS March 25, 1969 H. c. FEIN 3,434,524

CURTAIN SUSPENSION DEVICE Filed July 14, 1967 Sheet 3 of s INVENTOR. HARVEY C. FEIN 4, M aW ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,434,524 CURTAIN SUSPENSION DEVICE Harvey C. Fein, Sprague Drive, Valley Stream, N.Y. 11580 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 571,543,

Aug. 10, 1966. This application July 14, 1967, Ser.

Int. Cl. E0541 13/02, /06; A47h 13/16 US. Cl. 160-345 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A curtain suspension device is provided for imparting a simulated pleated appearance to a curtain. A plurality of hangers are slidably mounted in a track and are interconnected by a flexible string or tape. A plurality of support elements are attached to the curtain with each support element removably suspended from a hanger element.

Cross reference to related application This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior copending application Ser. No. 571,543 filed Aug. 10, 1966, now abandoned.

Background of the invention This invention relates generally to a curtain suspension device and more particularly to an improved device by which a curtain may be suspended from a track so as to have a simulated pleated appearance without actually requiring that the curtain be pleated.

Throughout the application, the word curtain will be used but it is to be understood that the device of the instant invention can also be used with a drapery and wherever used the term curtain will be deemed to include drapery.

Devices for suspending a curtain from a track in such a manner as to impart a pleated appearance are known in the art. Such devices include molded support elements permanently affixed at space intervals, to the curtain, each including a ortion for cooperation with a track to suspend the curtain therefrom. A length of tape cooperates, at spaced intervals, with the elements connected to the curtain to limit the spacing between suspension points when the curtain is fully opened to a distance less than the developed length of the curtain fabric between such points. This causes the curtain fabric to be maintained in a partially folded condition thereby simulating pleats. While such devices have performed satisfactorily, the major shortcoming is that, when it is desired to remove the curtain for cleaning, the tape must be disassembled from each of the suspension devices and reassembled prior to the rehanging of the curtain. Such an operation is quite time consuming and the instant invention is primarily concerned with the elimination of such operation.

Summary of the invention Generally speaking, in accordance with this invention, a curtain suspension device consists of a plurality of pairs of molded elements with one element adapted to be secured to the curtain fabric and the other element adapted to be supported in a curtain track with spacing limiting means adapted for cooperation with the elements suspended by the track, with the two elements being removably interconnected.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved curtain suspension device of the type which cooperates with a curtain to impart a simulated pleated effect when the curtain is hung, regardless of whether it is open or closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved curtain suspension device of the type which imparts a simulated pleated appearance to the curtain which facilitates quick and easy removal of the curtain and reinstallation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a curtain suspension device of improved construction which can be easily fabricated and assembled.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Brief description of the drawings For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a curtain hung by means of a curtain suspension device of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded partial perspective view of one embodiment of a curtain suspension device constructed in accordance with the instant invention, shown in exploded relationship with the track and curtain;

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view, at an enlarged scale, looking in the direction 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing another embodiment of the instant invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to FIG. 1, a curtain 11 is suspended from a track 12 which may be attached to a wall or ceiling (not shown) with the curtain falling or hanging in a continuous Z-shaped pattern which simulates, to a great extent, a pleated curtain.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, track 12, which is shown as a ceiling track is provided with a known type of groove 13 and slot 14. As is known in the art, the track may be extruded aluminum which is usually cut to length for the particular installation. The curtain suspension device consists, in the FIG. 2 embodiment, of a plurality of hangers 15 and supports 16. The hangers 15 cooperate with tape 17. The use of tape is known in the art and strong, thin, lightweight tape such as that sold under the trademark Mylar is deemed preferable. Support 16 is a molded elongated planar element having a loop 18 molded integral therewith. The plastic support 16 is secured with its top edge flush with the top edge of curtain 11 and the securing of the support to the curtain may be by any suitable means. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the support is stitched along stitch lines 19 to the curtain.

Hanger 15 is also preferably molded as a unit of plastic material and includes a block portion 21 and hook portion 22. The book portion depends from the block portion and has generally C-shaped configuration with a protrusion 23 at the lower, outer end of the C-shaped hook portion. Integral with the C-shaped portion and connecting same to the block portion is an arm 24 whose use will be hereafter described. Extending laterally outwardly from the C-shaped hook portion are oppositely disposed pins 25 which are spaced from the lower surface of the block portion by a distance approximating the length of arm 24.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, block portion 21 is slidably received in groove 13 with the hook portion 22 and integral arm 24 extending downwardly through slot 14. In this manner, hanger can freely slide along the track and is held therein by engagement of the bottom surface of block portion 21 with the inwardly extending portions of the track which define groove 13 and slot 14.

Tape 17 is provided with a plurality of elongated apertures at spaced intervals as best shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, tape 17 is assembled on a plurality of hangers 15 by insertion of one hanger through each of the apertures 26. Tape of this general type is relatively flexible and the apertures are of sufiicient length and width to permit the tape to be assembled on to hook portion 22 above pins 25. The pins extend outwardly beyond the normal width of a cooperating aperture 26 to hold the tape in the position best shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of supports 16 are secured at spaced intervals to curtain 11 and each loop 18 is secured to hook 22. The vertical opening in hook 22 is slightly greater than the vertical thickness of the bottommost portion of C-shaped 22. On assembly of loop 18 over the hook portion, the plastic loop will slightly deflect so that it may be assembled over protrusion 23 whereupon loop 18 is releasably held on the hook portion 22. As may now be understood, protrusion 23 acts as a detent for preventing accidental dislodging of support 16.

Referring again to FIG. 3, it can be seen that when tape 17 is taut, the spacing of apertures 26 and thus the spacing of hangers 15 is less than the developed length of the curtain between adjacent loops 18 whereby, when the tape is fully extended, the curtain hangs in folds to give it the continuous Z-shaped hanging arrangement which simulates pleats. When the curtain is drawn back in the usual known manner, tape 17, which is readily flexible, deflects to allow the curtain to be drawn apart. On drawing of the curtain, support 16 and the curtain will rotate through a small angle relative to the respective hangers 15 and such rotation is permitted by cooperation between loop 18 and hook portion 22 with the opening in the loop being greater than the width of the hook portion.

The substantial improvement of the instant invention over the prior art is now apparent. If it is desired to take down the curtain for cleaning or replacement, it is merely necessary to unlook loop 18 from hook portion 22. Since tape 17 is secured over the hook portion and is retained by pins 25, the tape need not be disassembled from the curtain suspension device. With the support 16 removed from the hanger and tape, the curtain can be stretched out flat for cleaning. The hanger and tape remain in place and, for rehanging of the curtain, it is merely necessary to assemble the loops 18 over the hook portions 22 in the manner heretofore described.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the instant invention. Like numerals designate like parts and the primary components of the hanger have been designated by sub letters. The primary diiference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the embodiment previously described is the elimination of tape 17 and the provision of cord 31. The cord extends through the block portions 21a of hanger 15a and may be integrally molded therewith in order to fix a plurality of hangers on the cord at a suitable spacing; similar to the spacing shown in FIG. 3 with the use of tape.

Cord 31 is preferably a nylon cord which has considerable strength and which can be used for the in situ molding of the plastic hanger elements on the cord. The embodiment of FIG. 6 operates in all respects to hang a curtain in the same manner as the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 2 through 5, with the only difference being that a nylon, integrally molded cord has replaced the tape. In both embodiments the curtain may be removed without disturbing the hangers carried by the track and, once removed from the hangers, the curtain may be layed flat for cleaning, etc.

While not mandatory, the use of nylon material for cord 31 is preferred since the molding of plastic material about the cord will generally fix the position of the hanger on the cord, whereby slippage does not occur.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efliciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without depart ing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. A curtain suspension device for a continuous length of fabric comprising a plurality of generally planar curtain support elements, each of which includes an elongated portion for attachment to a curtain, said elongated portion defining an upper edge, and first means carried by said elongated portion proximate to said upper edge, a plurality of hangers, each of which includes a portion for suspension from a curtain track to place said hangers in longitudinal alignment, and second means extending from said portion, said second means being formed integrally with said portion and being nonrotatable with respect thereto, and flexible cord means, said hangers being spaced along said flexible cord means and connected thereto, said first and second means including means to limit relative rotation between said generally planar curtain support elements and said hangers and being releasably interconnectable for removably suspending said curtain support elements from said hangers, whereby said curtain support elements may be disconnected from said hangers for removal of the curtain without disconnecting said hangers from the curtain track.

2. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible cord means comprises a length of flexible tape and said second means includes means for supporting said flexible tape.

3. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible cord means comprises a length of cord which passes through said hangers, each of said hangers being aflixed to said cord.

4. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said hangers are molded in situ about said cord.

5. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting said tape comprises a pair of pins extending outwardly from said second means on opposite sides thereof.

6. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second means includes a hook portion and said first means includes a loop portion, said hook and loop portions being interconnectable for removably suspending each said curtain support element from each said hanger.

7. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said hook portion comprises a substantially C- shaped element, said hook portion further including a protrusion extending from said hook portion at the outer lower end of the C-shaped element and terminating below the lowermost portion of said C-shaped element whereby to provide a detent for said loop element.

8. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second means include hook and loop portions, said hook and loop portions being interconnectable for removably suspending each said curtain support element from each said hanger.

9. A curtain suspension device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said hook portion includes detent means for cooperating with said loop portion when said hook and loop portions are interconnected for securely and releas- 5 6 ably holding said hook and loop portions in connected 2,884,055 4/ 1959 Scholer. position to minimize inadvertent disconnection. 2,966,695 1/1961 Dwyer.

2,996,115 8/1961 Klenz 160-168 References Cited 3,115,182 12/1963 Bobbitt. UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Stal. 3,369,589 2/1968 Benkert 160-84 W 3,286,299 11/1966 Golden 16--87.4 661,608 11/1900 Holtzclaw 160-84 1786 038 12/1930 Swanson 3296651 1/1967 Baker' 2:496:910 2/1950 FridolPh- 1 3,312,273 4/1967 Adam et a1. l6084 X 2,754,901 7/ 1956 Madsen 169-84 0 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. 2,798,246 7/1957 Holloway. 2 02 5 2 1957 Comet 1 0 84 PHILIP C. KANNAN, Asszstant Examiner. 2,827,113 3/1958 Graham l60172 2,848,734 8/1958 Ault. 15 16 87 4 2,863,164 12/1958 Schesvold.