US3885268A

US3885268A - Mounting device for window draperies

Info

Publication number: US3885268A
Application number: US451441A
Authority: US
Inventors: William E Stieler; Scott M Stieler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-03-15
Filing date: 1974-03-15
Publication date: 1975-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-27

Abstract

The invention herein disclosed relates to a domestic drapery hardware system particularly useful in areas of restricted space and difficult access. The system includes a novel flush-mount bracket designed to serve as a right-hand, left-hand or center support for standard oval track drapery rod, said bracket having clips for securing the drapery rod so designed as to provide for easy insertion and removal by a simple twisting movement. The hardware system includes a second bracket on which the first bracket can be mounted piggyback to provide longer legs thereby projecting the drapery rod farther away from the wall. The second bracket also forms a saddle for a second curtain rod inside of the drapery rod. The hardware system includes removable caps for the ends of the rods and a base plate optionally used for reinforcing the wall to which the flush-mount bracket is secured only when needed to strengthen an otherwise inadequate mounting surface.

Description

United States Patent Stieler et al.

MOUNTING DEVICE FOR WINDOW DRAPERIES Inventors: William E. Stieler, 6832 Marlette Rd.; Scott M. Stieler, 6048 Mariette Rd., both of Mariette, Mich. 48453 Filed: Mar. 15, 1974 Appl. No: 451,441

US. Cl. 16/94 D; 16/90 Int. Cl A47h 1/04 Field of Search 16/94 D, 95 D, 90, 96 D References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1966 Donovan 16/94 D 10/1967 Graber ct a1 16/94 D 10/1969 Graber et a1 M 16/94 D Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-whittemore, Hulbert & Belknap 1 May 27, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT The invention herein disclosed relates to a domestic drapery hardware system particularly useful in areas of restricted space and difficult access. The system includes a novel flush-mount bracket designed to serve as a right-hand, left-hand or center support for standard oval track drapery rod, said bracket having clips for securing the drapery rod so designed as to provide for easy insertion and removal by a simple twisting movement. The hardware system includes a second bracket on which the first bracket can be mounted piggyback to provide longer legs thereby projecting the drapery rod farther away from the wall. The second bracket also forms a saddle for a second curtain rod inside of the drapery rod. The hardware system includes removable caps for the ends of the rods and a base plate optionally used for reinforcing the wall to which the flush mount bracket is secured only when needed to strengthen an otherwise inadequate mounting surface.

17 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures MOUNTING DEVICE FOR WINDOW DRAPERIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art for the hanging of curtains and draperies, there is no dearth of devices for the attachment of the curtains and draperies to the supporting rods, nor of brackets or other fixtures for securing the rods to the supporting wall. ln general, those systems which function best involve the most expensive hardware and the highest labor costs. Although there are devices utilizing inexpensive hardware which lend themselves to low installation costs, they are often objectionable either from difficulty in mounting or in the final appearance and manipulation after hanging. Less expensive variations for drapes often use oval track which has become quite standard. In the hanging of curtains, as distinguished from drapes, the most common of inexpensive rods is the simple oval curtain rod made of telescoping parts to provide adjustment in length. Various brackets are available for mounting oval curtain rods. However, in situations where there is restricted space and difficult access, many of the known mounting brackets create some problems in original installation and also in the removal and replacement of the curtain rods or drapery rods. Particularly in the mobile home and recreational vehicle industry, it becomes increasingly important not only that the cost of the hardware be minimized but that the brackets be susceptible of being mounted with a minimum of effort in confined spaces. Many items of hardware, otherwise satisfactory, are deficient under adverse conditions of installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention creates a novel domestic drapery hardware system that is particularly useful in areas of restricted space and difficult access but is also advantageous for the hanging of draperies and curtains under normal conditions of space and access. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple economical system for the hanging of window draperies that includes hardware so designed and constructed that the permanent fittings are easy to originally install and the removable drapery rods are easily mounted and demounted on the permanent fittings, especially where projection from the wall into the room is limited or where access to the mounting surface is obscure or obstructed. The invention contemplates a simple bracket that can be flush mounted for draperies close to the window and is also adapted to be simple attached piggyback" to another extension bracket when the draperies are to be hung farther from the wall. The first bracket is designed to securely hold an oval curtain rod by spring clips from which the rod can be removed only by a twisting movement so that the rod will not accidentally become displaced by normal straight line forces. The spring clip construction permits easy mounting of the curtain rod in the supporting brackets by a simple twisting movement accompanied by firm pressure.

The extension bracket, on which the first bracket is optionally mounted, also provides a saddle for mounting an inner rod when the drapery style treatment calls for double rods. Both of the brackets are designed for use as supports for either the right or left end of the rod or in the center when a third support is needed for wide drapery installations.

The invention contemplates an end cap that is inserted into the ends of the oval rod to function ornamentally and as an end stop to control the movement of the outer edge of the drapery. The invention also contemplates an auxiliary base plate for optional use to strengthen an otherwise inadequate mounting surface. This plate is secured to the wall beneath the flush mounted bracket in order to provide a base to receive the screw threaded fastening device used to secure the bracket to the wall. A pressure sensitive adhesive is coated on the wall side of the base plate, and a small hole is formed in the center of the plate for self tapping the wood screw fasteners used for attaching the bracket to the wall.

The flush mounted bracket and the extension bracket are both of unique construction whether used separately or together as a double bracket assembly. The first bracket has a central opening for the head of a sin gle wood screw which is sufficient to adequately secure the bracket to the wall when only a single rod is to be installed. In addition to the rod-supporting spring clips hereafter more fully described and the short legs for spacing the rod very close to the wall, the flush mount bracket is provided with simple attachment means by which it can readily be mounted piggyback on the extension bracket. The attaching means include the

flanges

53, 54 and depressions 59, 60 (FIG. 2) hereinafter described, none of which are essential when the bracket is used alone.

The hardware system, as generally described above has been designed and developed to facilitate the hanging of draperies in an infinite variety of styles and combination treatments, and is intended for use particularly where (1) limited cubic area in a room is best served by window decor treatments which cling unobtrusively close to the window wall, and (2) where cabinetry or other features of room design protrude, or otherwise obscure or limit maneuverability in the drapery installation, especially in the manufacture of mobile housing and recreational vehicles, where layout design often calls for multi and convertable use of room areas.

The components of this hardware system are designed to function in applications which are influenced by the need for a. Cost economy The simplicity in design and construction of each component of this system as well as the rodding with which the system is designed to function, puts it at the very low end of the price scale for marketed items of comparable use and purpose a factor which is of considerable importance in the very competitive manufactured housing industry.

b. Space economy. The thin profile which can be achieved in the drapery installation with the use of this hardware system, allows for maximum use of the cubic area of a room, a factor which, again, is of great importance, especially in the manufactured and mobile housing industry and the recreational vehicle industry.

c. Ease of installation. This hardware system with its snap together and drop-in features, attaches very easily to the mounting surface. The rod snaps out of the bracket as easily as it snaps onto the bracket.

d. Durability. All components of this system are of one piece construction with the two brackets snap locking together to form one integral part eliminating the tendency in multipiece assemblies to loosen up and come apart. Materials used have been tested for durability against strain and intended weight load.

e. Ease of comsumer use and care. The simplicity in design makes it easy for the consumer to understand its operation. The rod simply snaps on and ofi of the brackets for easy follow up consumer care of the draperies.

f. The style of this system allows for unobstructed mounting and assembly; ability to attach rod to brackets in very narrow and confined areas; the strength and durability of its no-sag" design, the unobtrusive attractiveness of its decorator style and finish; and above all, the versatility of the system which allows for flush mount; extended mount; and a combination of flush and extended mounts in the hanging of draperies, in a simple, durable, inexpensive, no-sag drapery hardware system, entirely new in design concept and usability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a single drapery rod mounted in end brackets, showing also the auxiliary center mounting which is used only when a long length of rod is required.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line 22 of FIG. 1 showing a side view of brackets as used in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the bracket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section on line 4-4 of FIG. 5 showing an end closure C for a drapery rod.

FIG. 5 is a section on line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end closure C of FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bracket S of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the bracket S.

FIG. 9 is a front view of double drapery rods mounted in the double bracket assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is an end view on line 10l0 of FIG. 9 showing a double bracket assembly with the single from bracket 8 of FIG. 2 mounted piggyback on a back bracket D of FIG. 13.

FIG. 11 is a top view on line 11-l1 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the bracket assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the unassembled back bracket D.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a double bracket assembly.

FIG. 15 is a top view on line 15-15 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a back view of the base plate P.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a mounting is shown for a single rod arranged as close as practical to the wall and adapted for curtains or draperies as desired. The rod R is a standard rod preferably a regular duty C- track oval drapery rod. Such a rod is normally made of sheet metal having a flat front surface 11, a rounded top 12, and similar rounded bottom 13, with a gap 14 between the upper and lower

flat back portions

15 and 16 respectively. The rod is supported at opposite ends in two identical mounting fixtures 17 and 18 with provision for a third mounting 19 for supporting the center of the drapery rod if needed. The construction of the mounting fixture which may be termed a flush mount bracket S is shown in detail in the cross sectional view FIG. 2, the back view FIG. 3, and the perspective view FIG. 7.

The bracket 8 is made from flat sheet metal formed in dies to the configuration shown. The central portion 20 has the transversely

bent legs

21 and 22, the

edges

23 and 24 of which abut the wall 25 as shown in FIG. 2. The central portion 20 is formed with a depression 26 for receiving the head 27 of a fastening screw 28 which secures the bracket S to the wall 25. The

edges

23 and 24 have the curved cutout portions 29 forming a relief between the upper and lower surfaces 30 which contact with the wall. For engaging and supporting the oval curtain rod R, the fixture S has the upper and lower retaining clips 31 and 32. They are formed by bending upper and lower extensions of the flat central portion 20. The upper clip 31 has the same curvature as the rounded top 12 of the rod and this curved portion of upper clip 31 extends from a point adjacent the fiat back 15 of the rod to wrap around the rounded top 12 of the rod to another point 33 at the juncture of curved top 12 with the flat front 11, which point 33 is substantially below the top of the rod to prevent disengaging of the rod by a straight line lateral movement of the rod. The lower clip 32 on the other hand, while having the same curvature as the rounded bottom 13 of the rod, wraps around the bottom 13 to a point 34 only slightly above the bottom of the rod. The arangement is such that the lower clip fully supports the rod and prevents its removal in a downward vertical direction, or a straight line lateral direction, but at the same time permits the rod R to be removed by a twisting movement (clockwise in FIG. 2) so that the bottom 13 of the rod clears the edge of the lower clip at point 34 while the top 12 of the rod still firmly engages the rounded upper clip 31. The position of the rod after twisting is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. This permits easy removal and reinsertion of the curtain rod R in the fixture S by a twisting movement, while preventing accidental removal by any straight downward thrust or any straight non-torsional lateral thrust. The distance between the upper and lower clips is adjusted in manufacture, or later in installation of the drapery mounting, so that there is just sufficient tension to maintain the rod firmly in position while permitting removal by a torsional movement of the rod with respect to the fixture. The construction as described permits the rod to snap out of and into the bracket S by manually twisting but to remain firmly attached to the bracket under all other conditions.

It will be noted that bracket S has provision for only one screw threaded fastener. This is normally sufficient for a curtain rod installation where the curtains or drapes are hung very close to the window, since the total weight supported by the brackets is relatively light. If the wall where the bracket is to be mounted does not provide sufficient material to retain the wood screw, then an auxiliary base plate can be used. In FIG. 16 such a base plate is illustrated. It consists of a sheet metal plate 73 having an area of about the same size as the wall area of the bracket 8. The under side of the plate is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive 74 so that it may be conveniently affixed to the wall at the spot where the bracket is to be mounted. The plate has a center hole 75 sized for a self-tapping wood screw, for example, standard size No. 8. Where bracket S is placed over the base plate, the wood screw 28 passes first through the base plate 73 and then into the wall 25.

The flush mount bracket fixture S as thus far described has all of the elements needed to provide an adequate mounting for a single drapery rod. Where the installation requires flush mounted rods for top and bottom mounted strung draperies", each bracket 5 for supporting the bottom rod is simply inverted in its mounting position. Then while the top rod is removed by twisting clockwise (FIG. 2) the bottom rod would be removed by turning counter-clockwise.

To enhance the appearance of the drapery mounting when a single rod is mounted in the flush-mount bracket 8, there is provided an end cap C, FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The end cap is a fitting designed for insertion into the open end of the rod R. Thus as shown it comprises the insert portion 38 of a size and curvature to correspond with the inside of rod R. It has a flat portion 36 corresponding to the inner surface of flat portion 11 of the rod with rounded top and

bottom portions

37 and 38 corresponding to

rounded portions

12 and 13 of the rod. It has a length slightly greater than its width. The outer edge 39 is of a size to snugly engage the inside of rod while the inner edge 40 is tapered or otherwise relieved to facilitate its insertion within the rod. An arm 41 extends outwardly at an angle and is transversely bent to form an oval-shaped shield of dimensions somewhat larger than the oval-shaped rod to completely cover the end of the rod and present a finished appearance to the assembly. There is a hole 42 in the flat surface 36 drilled to be in alignment with a matching hole in the rod for receiving a self-tapping screw wherever position security is desired between the cap and rod. Otherwise the end cap is held in position by the friction of the snug fit of the cap within the rod.

As heretofore explained, the flush mount bracket S can be mounted directly on the wall and provide a curtain or drapery installation using minimum space which is often desirable in mobile homes that are designed for compactness. Where it is desired to have a more elaborate drapery treatment, the flush-mount bracket can be mounted piggyback on a secondary bracket D as hereinafter described and illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 14 inclusive.

One of the functions of the secondary bracket D is to form an extension to provide greater clearance between the wall and the drapery rod. Another function is to provide a bracket assembly for mounting double rods.

As shown in the drawings the bracket D has a front face 44 for abutting the central portion 20 of bracket S. There are two side faces 45 and 46 constituting legs for extending the span of the

legs

21 and 22 of bracket S. The front and side faces form a U-shape, viewed from the top, and the legs have late rally bent

rear flanges

47 and 48 for engaging the wall 25. Each flange has two holes 49 for receiving the fastening screws 50. The front face is provided with a despression 51 into which fits the conical protuberance 52 on the rear of the central portion 20 of bracket S. Said bracket S has inwardly and downwardly

bent flanges

53 and 54 for receiving the

upper edges

55 and 56 of side faces 45 and 46 thereby supporting bracket 8 on bracket D. Dimples 57 and 58 on

sides

45 and 46 are arranged to correspond with depressions 59 and 60 on the inside faces of

legs

21 and 22 thereby forming spring detents for removably retaining the bracket S on bracket D.

The side faces of bracket D taper downwardly from front to rear forming diagonal lower edges 61. Diagonal raised portions 62 on each side face form reinforcements for strenthening the sides of the bracket D. The side faces 45 and 46 have the U-shaped aligned cutouts forming a saddle into which a curtain rod can be inserted. Across the top of the U-shaped cutouts 63 are the

tabs

64 and 65 the purpose of which will hereinafter be explained. The tabs are integral with the respective side faces of the bracket and as initially formed during manufacture, the tabs substantially close the top of the U-shaped cutouts as shown in FIG. 13. However, the tabs can be individually bent laterally and are of a length so that the ends 66 and 67, respectively, substantially meet when bent to extend across the spaces between the sides of the bracket, (see FIG. 15). The front face 44 has its side edges inwardly bent to form reinforcing struts 68 on the inner front face 69 adjacent the conical protrusion 70 opposite depression 51. It will be observed that bracket D is of a size and shape that lends itself to be readily manufactured by stamping from sheet metal followed by simple operations in forming dies.

By designing brackets S and D so that they can be used individually or can be simply attached to each other, depending on the type of drapery installation, there is provided an economical hardware system useful for multiple uses.

In FIG. 9, there is shown a double-rod mounting arrangement with a right-hand double bracket, a lefthand double bracket and a center double bracket. The inner rod 71 is insertable from the top into the saddles 63 of each bracket. The right hand bracket shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is adjusted to have the inside tab 65 bent laterally to remove obstruction, while the outside tab 64 remains in alignment with side frame 45 thereby forming a limit stop for the right-hand end of inner rod 71. The left-hand bracket is oppositely adjusted with the tab 64 bent laterally and the tab 65 forming the end stop. Where the installation requires a center bracket as shown in FIG. 15, both

tabs

64 and 65 are bent laterally to leave the saddle completely open for the insertion of the rod 71.

The outer rod 72 is inserted and removed from the clips in the bracket S when attached piggyback to the bracket D, (FIG. 10), in the same manner as when the bracket S is directly attached to the wall (FIG. 2). The rounded top 12 of the rod is inserted in the top clip 31 while the rod is held at a slight angle. Then the bottom of the rod is forced into engagement with the lower clip 32 by twisting the rod counter-clockwise (FIGS. 2 and 10) and pressing inwardly until the rounded bottom 13 of the rod passes the lip 34 of the lower clip 32 and fully engages the curved portion of said lower clip. When fully engaged, the rod cannot be removed by lateral movement only, but must be twisted clockwise (FIGS. 2 and 10) to be snapped out of bracket S.

From the above detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the hardware system of this invention consists of four component parts which may be used separately or in combination with each other as each drapery hanging situation dictates.

Although the several component parts are each advantageously constructed of sheet steel or other sheet metal, the parts can be made from other materials, ferrous or non-ferrous metals, as well as plastic materials.

The parts may be decorated by a variety of natural and applied finishes as the market demand dictates.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A hardware system for hanging draperies on a wall including a rod for supporting the draperies to permit traverse thereon, brackets at each end of said rod, and means for attaching said brackets to said wall each bracket comprising a body surface parallel to said wall, a pair of clips extending outwardly from said body surface for retaining said rod against said body surface, legs projecting inwardly from said body surface for contacting said wall and spacing said rod from said wall a minimum distance to permit traverse of the draperies, said pair of clips being curved to wrap around the upper and lower portion of said rod to permit said rod to be engaged and disengaged by a snap action requiring a twisting movement.

2. A hardware system according to claim 1 in which the means for attaching said first mentioned bracket to the wall comprises an extension bracket secured to said wall, on the outer end of which said first bracket is detachably mounted.

3. A hardware system according to claim 2 in which said extension bracket has a front face abutting the rear of said body surface, a pair of inwardly projecting side surfaces embraced by the legs of said first bracket, and return bent clips on the upper ends of said legs engaging the upper edges of said side surfaces for supporting the first bracket on the extension bracket.

4. A hardware system according to claim 3 having interengaging spring detents on said legs and side surfaces, respectively, for detachably holding said brackets together.

5. A hardware system according to claim 3 in which said extension bracket has cutout slots in said side faces forming a saddle to receive a second curtain rod between said first rod and the wall.

6. A hardware system according to claim 5 in which said extension bracket has a tab with its inner end integral with a side face and projecting outwardly therefrom to form a stop for the end of said second rod when inserted in the saddle formed by said cutout slots.

7. A hardware system according to claim 5 in which said extension bracket has a pair of tabs with the inner ends thereof integral with the respective side faces, each tab being bendable to extend either in the plane of its side surface or across the space between the two side faces.

8. A hardware system according to claim 7 in which the first bracket has a central hole surrounded by an inwardly projecting conical flange, and said second bracket has a correspondingly located central hole and conical flange for receiving said first mentioned projecting flange.

9. A hardware system according to claim 8 in which the side faces of said extension bracket have at their inner ends transversely extending flanges for abutting the wall, with a pair of holes in each for the screw threaded fasteners.

10. A hardware system according to claim 1 in which the curtain rod is hollow with an oval-shaped exterior and is provided with an end cap comprising a shield of oval shape larger than the oval rod and an arm from the shield inturned to extend into the hollow rod and terminating in an enlarged insert of size and shape to fit within the hollow rod and frictionally engage the same.

l l. A hardware system according to claim 1 in which said means for attaching each bracket to the wall comprises a single threaded fastener extending through a central hole in said body surface surrounded by a conical depression for receiving the head of said fastener.

12. A hardware system according to claim 11 in which a base plate is placed between said bracket and said wall, said base plate having a pressure sensitive adhesive for securing said plate to the wall, said plate having a hole in alignment with said hole in said body surface into which said fastener is threadedly engaged before entering the wall.

13. A hardware system according to claim 5 in which the curtain rod is oval in cross section, the cutout slots in the side faces of said extension bracket having curved bottom edges for engaging the bottom of said oval rod, the upper clip of the first bracket extending around the top of said oval rod to a point substantially below the top of said rod, and the lower clip of the first bracket wrapping around the bottom of said rod and terminating in an edge not substantially above the bottom of said rod to permit release of said oval rod from said clips by a twisting movement.

14. A curtain rod bracket formed from a flat sheet and bent into a U-shaped configuration comprising a flat front face, parallel side faces entending inwardly and terminating in wall-engaging transverse flanges in a plane parallel to said front face, vertically extending cutout portions in each side face forming a slot open at the top of a size to receive a curtain rod and support the same at a relatively short distance from the wall, and means at the front end of said bracket for attaching thereto a front bracket for supporting another rod at a further distance from said wall.

15. A construction according to claim 14 in which said front bracket comprises a pair of clips extending outwardly and curved to wrap around the upper and lower portions of an oval rod to permit same to be engaged and disengaged by a snap action requiring a twisting movement of said oval rod.

16. A construction according to claim 15 in which said upper clip is curved in a semi-circle with the outer end thereof extending for a circular distance terminating in an outer edge substantially below the top of said oval rod and said lower clip is similarly curved but extending for a distance terminating in an outer edge only slightly below the bottom whereby said oval rod can be removed from said front bracket by twisting the rod out of engagement with the lower clip.

17. A curtain rod bracket formed from a flat sheet and bent into a configuration comprising a flat body surface, a pair of clips extending outwardly away from the top and bottom edges of said body surface, a pair of flanges extending inwardly from the two side edges of said body surface, the edges of said flanges being in a plane parallel to the plane of said body surface for abutting the wall to which the bracket is attached, the upper ends of said flanges being return bent to form hooks for attachment to an awaiting extension bracket, said body surface having a central aperture with a conical depression on the side of said clips for receiving the head of a retaining screw for securing the bracket to the wall, there being a corresponding conical protuberance on the opposite side of said body surface between said flanges, said pair of clips including an upper clip curved into a semi-circle and a lower clip curved into a quarter circle whereby an oval curtain rod is detachably mounted thereon.

aa: e a 1:

Claims

11. A hardware system according to claim 1 in which said means for attaching each bracket to the wall comprises a single threaded fastener extending through a central hole in said body surface surrounded by a conical depression for receiving the head of said fastener.