US3866659A

US3866659A - Drapery tie back device

Info

Publication number: US3866659A
Application number: US380576A
Authority: US
Inventors: Floyd Kaminski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-07-19
Filing date: 1973-07-19
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18

Abstract

A concealed drapery tie-back device comprising a generally Ushaped member having a pair of support arms connected by a cross member, the support arms having mounting ears formed thereon forming a planar surface for engagement with a drapery wall. A cross-bar is connected between the arms at a location off-set from said cross member toward said ears, the cross-bar is provided with a hole for receiving a split ring for securing of the tie-back cord to the tie-back device. The cross-member is disposed within the first pleat of a drape to position the drape and to support said pleat. The distance between said cross-bar and cross member provides sufficient space to accommodate the pleats of the drape without crushing of said pleats in a direction toward said drape wall.

Description

United States Patent 1 Kaminski 1 Feb. 18, 1975 DRAPERY TIE BACK DEVICE [76] Inventor: Floyd Kaminski, 8327 S. Kedvale,

Chicago, 111. 60652 [22] Filed: July 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 380,576

[52] US. Cl. .1 160/349 D, 211/87 [51] Int. Cl A47h 1/00 [58] Field of Search 211/87, 105.2; 160/349 D,

2,584,224 2/1952 Pfaffko 160/349 D Primary Examiner Ramon S. Britts I Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Marden S. Gordon -[57] ABSTRACT A concealed drapery tie-back device comprising a generally U-shaped member having a pair of support arms connected by a cross member, the support arms having mounting ears formed thereon forming a p1anar surface for engagement with a drapery wall, A cross-bar is connected between the arms at a location off-set from said cross member toward said ears, the cross-bar is provided with a hole for receiving a split ring for securing of the tie-back cord to the tie-back device. The cross-member is disposed within the first pleat of a drape to position the drape and to support said pleat. The distance between said cross-bar and cross member provides sufficient space to accommodate the pleats of the drape without crushing of said pleats in a direction toward said drape wall.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures l DRAPERY TIE BACK DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a type of drapery tie-back device or support which is adapted to position one edge of the drape so that the edge will hang straight in a vertical sense when the drape is tied back with a tie-back cord and is invisible, being mounted behind the drape. The device is optionally constructed in two pieces having an adjustable relationship therebetween to accomodate varying depths of pleats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART At the present time, many homes are decoratedutilizing drapes of the type adapted to be tied back at the outer edges to create a decorative appearance. A problem which has existed with known tie-back structures is that the first pleat or the pleat adjacent the ends may be distorted and not hang straight under the pressure exerted by a tie-back cord. A further problem in known type of structures is that the tie-back structure in most cases does not space the drape out from the underlying curtain or inner drape thereby allowing interference of the closable curtain or inner drape with the decorative drape.

In addition devices of a type similar to the present invention which provide invisible support for a tie-back cord do not provide for an adjustment for varying depths of pleats which limits the usefulness of the prior art devices. In addition the prior art devices do not provide for a variable position of the ring or other mechanism to which the tie-back cord is to be tied to provide for varying effects by changing the position of one end of the tie-back cord relative to the drape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designated to overcome the above noted limitations and disadvantages of known types of drapery tie-back devices by providing a novel tie-back support structure which may be conveniently sold in a transparent package to the general public and which may be easily installed by the homeowner to provide for the decorative effect of swag-type to tie-back type drapes while at the same time keeping the cost of same to a minimum.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a tie-back support which is invisible, being disposed within the first pleat at the edge of the drape to prevent distortion of the edge of the drape in a vertical sense when the tie-back cord is in place and in essence to set the first pleat of the drape.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide for a space between the securing point for the tieback cord to the device and the portion of the device which engages the drape at the outer portion of a pleat to provide space to accomodate the pleats between the tie-back cord on the front and back side of the drape to prevent crushing of the pleats of the drape.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide a two-piece type of construction of the device wherein the position of the portion of the device engaging the drape may be varied with respect to the wall mounting portion of the device to accomodate pleats of varying depths.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of the means for securing the tie-back cord to the tie-back device being displaced from the drapery wall when the device is in position whereby the support in combination with the tie-back cord will position the decorative swag-type drape from the wall to prevent interference between the swag-type drape and the movable inner-drape or curtain.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a plurality of locations at which the tie-back cord can be secured to the device to provide for varying decorative effects of the drape by varying the position of one end of the tie-back cord with respect to the drape.

The provision of a drapery tie-back device such as briefly outlined above and possessing the stated advantages, constitutes the principle feature of the present invention. The provision of a device as described above which is extremely simple in construction and therefore economical to manufacture; one which is adaptable to varying requirements due to differing widths of pleats of the drape to be used with the present invention and different decorative effects which may be desired; one which may be conveniently packaged in a transparent package for mounting on a display board for sale to the general public; and one which may be conveniently and easily installed by the homeowner are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts of the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, packaged for sale to the public and mounted on a display board;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device of the present invention mounted behind a drape and having the tie-back cord secured thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention mounted to a drapery wall;

FIG. 4 is a modified form of the present invention showing a two-piece construction wherein the effective length of the device with respect to the drapery wall may be varied; I

FIG. 5 is a further modified form of the invention showing a two-piece construction wherein a friction fit is used to secure the two pieces together;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken :along the lines 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a further modified form of the present invention showing a two-piece construction wherein the means to variably secure the two pieces together comprises a setscrew arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 a drapery tie-back support or device 10 is illustrated which is adapted to be attached to a wall 12 having a window 14 therein with a drape 16 of the swag or decorative type hung to cover the edge of the window 14.

Referring more particularly to the tie-back device or support 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that device 10 is generally a U-shaped onepiece structure comprised of a pair of support arms 18 connected by a cross-member 20. Extending at right angles from each of the support arms 18 are mounting ears 22 which each have a hole 24 therethrough for mounting of device to the wall. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the ears 22 have a flat mounting face 26 thereon for engagement with wall 12. The two faces 26 lie in a common flat plane.

A cross-bar 28 is provided which is attached to each of the support arms 18. Cross-bar 28 has a hole 30 pierced through the center thereof which is adapted to receive a split-ring 32. Holes 34 are provided in each of the support arms 18 to which the split ring 32 may be attached if desired. Referring to FIG. 2, a drapery tie-back cord 36 is illustrated which is attached at one end to the split ring 32 and at the other end to a visible wall fixture 38.

As seen in FIG. 2, the tie-back cord surrounds drape l6, pulling in the mid-section thereof to give a decorative or swag-type effect. It will be seen that by attaching the split ring in one of the holes 34 rather than hole 30, a different type of decorative effect may be produced since the location of the end of cord 36 at the split ring 32 with respect to the end at fixture 38 would be displaced as compared to the position of the ends of the cord 36 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cross-bar 28 of device 10 is displaced from cross-member a predetermined distance indicated as X" and the cross-bar 28 is displaced from the cars 22 of support arms 18 a predetermined distance Y for reasons to be discussed.

The distance X defines the space which will exist between the invisible part of cord 36 or the part behind drape 16 and the visible part of the cord or the part along the front of drape 16. It will be apparent then that the distance X defines a space which will prevent the cord 36 from crushing or deforming the pleats of the drape.

The distance y is in effect the distance between the cross-bar 28 and the wall 12. The distance y represents then the distance thatthe device 10 will create between the inner side of drape l6 and wall 12. This offset or holding out of drape 16 from the wall will prevent interference between the drape 10 and any inner drape or curtain which may be movable to open or close same.

The device 10 being of a one-piece construction, it will be obvious that same can be made by a one-piece die casting of metallic material, a one-piece molding of plastic material, can be injection molded of plastic material, or as illustrated, may be fabricated from a tubular material.

Referring to FIG. 1 a display of the tie-back device 10 suitable for sales to the general public is illustrated. The device 10 is shown mounted in a display package 40 comprised of a clear plastic envelope 42 enclosed by a cardboard or stiff material cap 44 which is secured to bag 42 by staples 46. A hole 48 is pierced through cap 44 for mounting of the package on a support post 50 attached to a display board 52. Also provided in the package 40 are a pair of wood screws 52 for use in attaching the mounting cars 22 to a drapery wall.

It will be seen as best illustrated in FIG. 2 that device 10 is adapted to be mounted to wall 12 behind the drape l6 and will be engaged in the first pleat of the drape to set or position the outer edge of the drape. Thus, it will be apparent that the edge of drape 16 will hang straight vertically since the device 10 being mounting within the first pleat will prevent distortion of the edge due to pressure created by cord 36.

Referring to FIG. 4 a modified form of the invention is shown using a two-piece construction. The tie-back device 10A is comprised of a cross-member portion 20A and a support portion 21A. The support portion includes a pair of hollow support arms 18A connected by a cross-bar 28A. Received within support arms 18A in a telescopic manner, are arms 23A provided on the cross-member portion 20A. The arms 18A have holes 25 formed therein. A pin 29 extending in a plane at right angles to the general plane of the device 10 is engaged in a pair of

holes

25 and 27 which will be aligned when a desired position of cross-member portion 20A relative to support portion 21A is selected. The pin 29 will thus secure the two

portions

20A and 21A in the adjusted position. The structure of FIG. 4 thus provides an adjustable device 10A wherein the distance X may be varied to accomodate varying widths of pleats and to adjust for different distances of the drape 16 from wall 12.

Referring to FIG. 5 a further modified form of the present invention is shown of two-piece construction similar to the structure of FIG. 4. The tie-back device 108 of FIG. 5 is comprised of a cross-member portion 208 and a support portion 218. The support arms 18B are of a rectangular configuration as shown in FIG. 6 and are provided with a slot 50. The cross-member portion 208 has arms 238 which are also rectangular in configuration and adapted to fit within hollow support arms 188. The arms 18B and 23B are designed and sized to create a friction fit therebetween. The slot 50 allows the arms 188 to expand slightly when the arms 23B are disposed therein to create a friction fit whereby the position of cross-member portion 208 may be easily adjusted relative to support portion 21B and will be retained in the selected position by the friction fit.

Referring to FIG. 7 a further embodiment is shown wherein a tie-back device 10C is illustrated having a support portion 21C and a cross-member portion 20C. The arms 23C of cross-member portion 20C are rectangular in configuration with a slot extending along one side of arms 23C. A set screw 62 is provided extending through each of arms 23C in engagement with slot 60. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, arms 23C on cross-member portion 20C are telescopically received in arms 18C so as to provide for an adjustable position of cross-member portion 20C. The set screw 62 may be tightened to secure the cross-member 20C in its selected position.

It is to be understood that other forms or modifications will become apparent of making the device 10 of a two-piece adjustable structure other than those illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7. Further, it is to be understood that various materials such as aluminum, steel or plastic may be used to construct the modified forms of FIGS. 4 through 7 as with the structure of FIGS. 1 through 3.

The form of this invention as shown and described is to be taken as preferred examples of same, and the invention is not to be considered as limited to the exact arrangements of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimedl. A drapery tie-back device for use with a flexible tie-back cord for a drape to support the drapery in folds to one side of an opening, such as a window opening, with the flexible tie-back cord passed thereabout and with the drapery pleats projecting in spaced relationship to the surrounding wall, the device comprising, in combination:

a generally U-shaped member having a pair of parallel support arms connected by a bight forming cross member at one end thereof and extending normal thereto;

a cross bar connected between said support arms at a location offset inwardly from said cross member and extending parallel to said cross member;

an opening provided in said cross bar adapted to receive a split-ring element to which one end of the flexible tie-back cord may be attached;

a pair of identical separate bracket members each having an elongated hollow leg member open at its front end and closed at its back end with a mounting ear affixed to the closed back end and extending forwardly therefrom at generally right angles to the axis of said leg member;

said brackets adapted to be mounted to a wall within an end pleat of the draperies with said mounting ear projecting in an opposite direction from each other and with the brackets spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing between said support arms of said U-shaped member;

said support arms of said U-shaped member adapted to be telescopically received for sliding movement in associated ones of said leg members such that the cross member is movable selectively as to its distance from said mounting ears;

a series of longitudinally spaced apart and aligned openings extending along each of said support arms from the cross member to the terminal end thereof;

an opening disposed in each of said leg members of said bracket adjacent the top open end thereof and oriented therethrough in a manner to be brought into selective registration with selected ones of said openings in said support arms when said support arms are telescopically received in said brackets;

pin means adapted to pass through said leg member opening and through the selected one of said support arm openings in registration therewith to maintain the selected adjustment of said U-shaped member relative to said bracket in a manner to accommodate a variety of pleat thicknesses of draperies;

apertures disposed in said leg members adapted for receipt of a split-ring to which one end of said tie back cord may be secured so that the cord may be selectively attached to positions on said bracket leg members;

the mounting ears of said bracket extending at generally right angles to said leg members to provide planar mounting surfaces for engagement with said drapery wall;

said cross member adapted to be disposed within a pleat of said drapery with said distance between said cross member and said mounting ears being adjusted to provide sufficient space to accommodate varying widths of pleats of said drape with a minimum of crushing of said drape pleats in a direction toward said wall by said tie-back cord.

2. A drapery tie-back device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is manufactured oftubular mettalic material.

3. A drapery tie-back device as claimed in claim it wherein said device is manufactured of a rigid plastic

Claims

1. A drapery tie-back device for use with a flexible tie-back cord for a drape to support the drapery in folds to one side of an opening, such as a window opening, with the flexible tie-back cord passed thereabout and with the drapery pleats projecting in spaced relationship to the surrounding wall, the device comprising, in combination: a generally U-shaped member having a pair of parallel support arms connected by a bight forming cross member at one end thereof and extending normal thereto; a cross bar connected between said support arms at a location offset inwardly from said cross member and extending parallel to said cross member; an opening provided in said cross bar adapted to receive a split-ring element to which one end of the flexible tie-back cord may be attached; a pair of identical separate bracket members each having an elongated hollow leg member open at its front end and closed at its back end with a mounting ear affixed to the closed back end and extending forwardly therefrom at generally right angles to the axis of said leg member; said brackets adapted to be mounted to a wall within an end pleat of the draperies with said mounting ear projecting in an opposite direction from each other and with the brAckets spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing between said support arms of said U-shaped member; said support arms of said U-shaped member adapted to be telescopically received for sliding movement in associated ones of said leg members such that the cross member is movable selectively as to its distance from said mounting ears; a series of longitudinally spaced apart and aligned openings extending along each of said support arms from the cross member to the terminal end thereof; an opening disposed in each of said leg members of said bracket adjacent the top open end thereof and oriented therethrough in a manner to be brought into selective registration with selected ones of said openings in said support arms when said support arms are telescopically received in said brackets; pin means adapted to pass through said leg member opening and through the selected one of said support arm openings in registration therewith to maintain the selected adjustment of said U-shaped member relative to said bracket in a manner to accommodate a variety of pleat thicknesses of draperies; apertures disposed in said leg members adapted for receipt of a split-ring to which one end of said tie-back cord may be secured so that the cord may be selectively attached to positions on said bracket leg members; the mounting ears of said bracket extending at generally right angles to said leg members to provide planar mounting surfaces for engagement with said drapery wall; said cross member adapted to be disposed within a pleat of said drapery with said distance between said cross member and said mounting ears being adjusted to provide sufficient space to accommodate varying widths of pleats of said drape with a minimum of crushing of said drape pleats in a direction toward said wall by said tie-back cord.

2. A drapery tie-back device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is manufactured of tubular mettalic material.

3. A drapery tie-back device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is manufactured of a rigid plastic material.