WO1996002175A1

WO1996002175A1 - A modular pelmet

Info

Publication number: WO1996002175A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000443
Authority: WO
Inventors: Agnes Gaspar
Original assignee: Agnes Gaspar
Priority date: 1994-07-20
Filing date: 1995-07-20
Publication date: 1996-02-01
Also published as: ZA956071B; AU655751B3

Abstract

A modular pelmet (10) comprising a right end section (12) releasably coupled to a left end section (14) via an extension section (16). The right end section (12) comprises a right end panel (18) releasably interlocked perpendicular with an adjacent right fascia panel (20). A right roof panel (22) lies in a plane perpendicular to each of the fascia panel (20) and the end panel (18). The roof panel (22) has a first recess (24) on one side thereof which slidably receives a complementary first shelf (26) of the end panel (18). The roof panel (22) also has a second recess (28) on an adjacent side thereof which slidably receives a complementary second shelf (30) of the fascia panel (20). The left end section (14) comprises a similar arrangement to the right end section (12) described above. Each of the end panels (18, 32) releasably interlock with each of the adjacent fascia panels (20, 34) respectively by a dovetail joint (38). The panels are most preferably constructed of a foamed polymeric material, for example, foamed polystyrene.

Description

A MODULAR PELMET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a modular pelmet and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a modular pelmet for use above a window.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A pelmet is most typically used to conceal a curtain or blind rail. The pelmet is generally supported by a bracket of the curtain or blind rail, the bracket being connected to a wall above a window. Essentially pelmets serve two purposes. Firstly, the pelmet is intended to improve the overall appearance of a curtain or blind. A fabric can be applied to wadding on an exterior surface of the pelmet which is visible when located above the curtain or blind rail. The pelmet can also be profiled to improve its aesthetics. Secondly, the pelmet can limit heat transfer into or out of a room through a window.

A pelmet generally comprises a fascia connected at right angles and extending along an edge of a roof of substantially the same length. Each end of the fascia and roof are capped with an end panel. The dimensions of the pelmet are determined according to the particular window and curtain or blind arrangement above which the pelmet will be installed.

There are presently two known pelmet designs. The first design is entirely prefabricated by a woodworker before the wadding and/or fabric are applied to its exterior surfaces. The second design is partially prefabricated prior to the application of the wadding and/or fabric. In both cases the fabric, and possibly wadding thereunder, is applied by a curtain-maker. The pelmet is, therefore, usually delivered to the curtain maker for this procedure. Both known pelmet designs are essentially the same, consisting of the fascia, roof, and two end panels, all of which are usually constructed from custom board or chipboard. Both designs have wadding and/or fabric applied to at least their exterior surfaces. The wadding is most usually glued and the fabric stapled to the custom board or chipboard of the pelmet.

The roof, fascia, and end panels must first be cut from sheets of custom board or chipboard by a woodworker using a band-saw or similar cutting device. If the fascia is to be profiled the woodworker must cut the fascia as required, again using the band-saw.

The first of the known pelmet designs is entirely prefabricated using a combination of glue, nails, and staples. To improve the rigidity of the pelmet a structural cornice or gusset can be fixed on an interior corner of the roof and fascia where they adjoin. An inherent problem with this pelmet design is that it is vulnerable to damage during transportation.

The second of the known pelmet designs uses an adhesive tape to hingedly connect the fascia to each of the end panels . The pelmet can then be covered with wadding and/or fabric and transported in two sections, namely the roof, and the fascia with the two end panels hingedly coupled thereto. Advantageously this reduces the likelihood of damage to the pelmet during transportation.

Both of the known pelmet designs are relatively expensive requiring a woodworker to fabricate and assemble the pelmet, and then a curtain maker to decorate the pelmet. Once the known pelmet is completed it then requires at least some trade skills to connect the pelmet to a wall or curtain bracket. The known pelmet designs are relatively unadaptable being custom made for specific window sizes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An intention of the present invention is to provide a modular pelmet which is relatively easy to assemble and install, and adaptable for a variety of applications.

According to the present invention there is provided a modular pelmet for mounting above a window, the pelmet comprising: a plurality of releasably engageable modular panel elements, each panel element including engaging means provided on at least one edge thereof, wherein the engaging means of each panel element is designed to releasably engage an edge of an adjacent panel element when assembled in the configuration of a pelmet, wherein one or more of said modular panel elements when assembled forms a fascia panel and wherein the length of the fascia panel can be adjusted by adding one or more of said plurality of modular panel elements whereby, in use, a selected number of said plurality of panel elements can be assembled to form the modular pelmet of a length designed to substantially match a window.

Preferably, the engaging means comprises a tongue-and- groove arrangement provided integral to each of the panel elements, and designed to releasably interlock with the tongue-and-groove arrangement of an adjacent panel element. Typically, each of the panel elements is elongate having a tongue and a groove formed at opposite ends of the panel, respectively. More typically, the tongue is a tenon and the groove a mortise so that when adjacent panel elements are joined a dovetail joint is formed. Preferably, each of the panel elements is constructed of a foamed polymeric material that is relatively lightweight.

Advantageously, the modular pelmet further comprises a roof designed to couple to the fascia panel so that, in use, the pelmet can be supported above a window via the roof. Typically, the roof comprises a plurality of modular roof panel elements . In one embodiment said fascia panel is provided with a plurality of elongate channels adapted to receive the roof therein, and wherein the height of the fascia panel relative to the roof can be varied by changing the location of the roof from one to another of the plurality of elongate channels.

Typically, each of the roof panel elements is constructed of a foamed polymeric material. Preferably, each of the modular roof panel elements is elongate having a longitudinally extending notch designed so that the roof panel elements can be broken along the notch giving a roof panel element of a predetermined width.

Preferably, adjacent roof and fascia panel elements are of a different predetermined length so that when the modular pelmet is assembled its rigidity is substantially maximised.

Preferably, the modular pelmet further comprises a pair of end panel elements each coupled to opposing ends, respectively, of the fascia panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of the modular pelmet will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a partly assembled modular pelmet according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a fascia panel of Figure 1 and;

Figure 3 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a fascia extension panel of Figure 1. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As best shown in Figure 1 there is a modular pelmet 10 comprising a right end section 12 releasably coupled to a left end section 14 via an extension section 16.

The right end section 12 comprises a right end panel 18 releasably interlocked perpendicular with an adjacent right fascia panel 20. A right roof panel 22 lies in a plane perpendicular to each of the fascia panel 20 and the end panel 18. The roof panel 22 has a first recess 24 on one side thereof which slidably receives a complementary first shelf 26 of the end panel 18. The roof panel 22 has a second recess 28 on an adjacent side thereof which slidably receives - a complementary second shelf 30 of the fascia panel 20.

The left end section 14 comprises a similar arrangement to the right end section 12 with a left end panel 32 releasably interlocked perpendicular with an adjacent left fascia panel 34. A left roof panel 36 lies in a plane perpendicular to each of the fascia panel 34 and the end panel 32. The roof panel 36 is slidably received in the fascia 34 and end panel 32 in a similar manner to that described in relation to the right end section 12 in the preceding paragraph.

In this example, each of the end panels 18, 32 releasably interlock with each of the adjacent fascia panels 20, 34, respectively by a dovetail joint 38. The dovetail joint 38 comprises a first tongue 40 formed integral with each of the end panels 18, 32, and a first groove 42 formed integral with each of the fascia panels 20, 34. The tongue 40 and groove 42 have a substantially complementary shape, formed in a side of each of the end panels 18, 32 and a rear face of each of the adjacent fascia panels 20, 34, respectively. In this embodiment the tongue 40 or groove 42 of either the end panel 18, 32 or the fascia panel 20, 34 comprises the engaging means.

As best shown in Figure 2 the fascia panel 20 comprises the groove 42 and three parallel channels 44A, 44B, 44C all formed in a rear face of the fascia panel 20. Each of the channels 44 extends the length of the fascia panel 20 and is substantially rectangular in cross section being adapted to slidably receive the roof panel 22. The groove 42, being substantially trapezoidal in cross section, is adapted to releasably interlock with the tongue 40 of the adjacent end panel 18. On an end of the fascia panel 20 opposite the groove 42, there is a second groove 46 formed integral with the fascia panel 20.

As shown in Figure 1, the extension section 16 comprises a fascia extension 48 which slidably receives and lies perpendicular to a roof extension panel 50. The fascia extension 48 has formed in a side thereof a second tongue 52 adapted to releasably interlock with the second groove 46 of the adjacent fascia panel 20. On an opposite side of the fascia extension 48 there is a third groove 54. The fascia extension 48 also has three parallel channels 56A, 56B, 56C all formed in a rear face of the fascia extension 48 (see Figure 3) . Each of the channels 56A, 56B, 56C substantially aligns with each of the corresponding channels 44A, 44B, 44C of the adjacent fascia panel 20.

As illustrated in Figure 1 the roof extension 50 has a third recess 56 formed in a side thereof. A shelf 55A, 55B, 55C adjacent each of the channels 56A, 56B, 56C of the fascia extension 48 (Figure 3) is slidably received in the third recess 56. The roof extension 50 has formed in an adjacent side a second tongue 58 complementary to and releasably interlockable with a fourth groove 60 formed in a side of the right roof panel 22 opposite the first recess 24. On an opposite side of the roof extension 50 there is formed a fifth groove 62 releasably interlockable with a fourth tongue 64 of the left roof panel 36.

The left roof panel 36 has recesses in two adjacent sides thereof similar to the right roof panel 22. The left end panel 32 and fascia panel 34 each have three parallel channels similar to the right end panel 18 and fascia panel 20. The roof panel 36 is slidably received in the left facia panel 34 and end panel 32 in a similar manner to the right end section 12.

The left fascia panel 34 has a fifth tongue 66 in a side opposite the groove 42. The tongue 66 releasably interlocks with the groove 54 of the adjacent fascia extension 48.

The right and left end panels 18, 32, roof panels 22, 36, and roof extension 50 each have a longitudinal notch 68 (see for example roof extension 50) formed therein. The notch 68 is sufficiently deep so that each of the panels can be broken by hand along the longitudinal notch 68. This is particularly an advantage with a Venetian blind, for example, where the fascia of the pelmet can be located closer to the wall than with other curtain arrangements.

As can be seen in Figure 1 the right fascia panel 20 and roof panel 22, and left fascia panel 34 and roof panel 36 are of different lengths. The dovetail joints between each of the fascia panels and roof panels, respectively, do not therefore coincide. Consequently the modular pelmet 10 when assembled has an improved rigidity.

In this embodiment, the right and left end panels 18, 32 right and left fascia panels 20, 34, and the fascia extension 48 together comprise a plurality of releasably engageable modular panel elements. When said panels are interlocked, and the right and left roof panels 22, 36 and the roof extension 50 interlocked and slidably received therein, the modular pelmet 10 is formed.

The right and left roof panels 22, 36 and the roof extension 50 can be slidably received in one of three locations relative to the fascia and end panels. These locations are defined by each of the co-aligning channels formed in each of the fascia and end panels. The height of the modular pelmet 10 relative to the wall or curtain arrangement, for example, can therefore be varied depending on the location of the roof panels.

The panels are most preferably constructed of a foamed polymeric material, in this example, foamed polystyrene. Advantageously the polystyrene of the panels can be cut using a hot wire. The hot wire is driven by a three-axis cutting machine programmed to move in accordance with a three dimensional plot corresponding to the shape of each panel to be cut.

The polystyrene has resilient properties wherein the dovetail joints described above are toleranced so that a rigid connection is formed when the tongue is slid within the complementary groove of an adjacent panel, or vice versa. The fascia panels 20, 48, 34 can also be profiled on their lower side, when the modular pelmet 10 is assembled, by cutting with, for example, a hacksaw blade. Other panels of the modular pelmet 10 can also be cut with relative ease to suit the particular installation and/or improve the aesthetic appearance of the pelmet 10.

It is intended that the modular pelmet 10 will be sold in the form of a kit (not shown) . In this example, the kit will comprise six (6) basic panels including the right and left end panels 18, 32, the fascia panels 20, 34, and the roof panels 22, 36. Fascia extension 48 and roof extension 50 panels of a standard length can then be included depending on the desired overall length of the modular pelmet 10 to be installed. The kit can further include wadding and fabric for decorating exterior surfaces of the modular pelmet 10, once it has been assembled, depending on the requirements of a customer. Advantageously, pins may also be included in the kit for fastening the fabric to an interior surface of the modular pelmet 10 thereby securing the fabric and possibly the wadding in place.

Advantageously the modular pelmet 10 when constructed from foamed polystyrene, for example, is relatively light in weight and can be secured to a wall or curtain brackets with relative ease. For example, double-sided tape may be used to adhere a rear side of the modular pelmet 10 to the wall. Alternatively, the modular pelmet 10 may be secured to the curtain brackets using, when the pelmet 10 is constructed of foamed polystyrene, pins. The pelmet 10 may in another installation be located above screws set in the wall at the required height of the pelmet 10. The roof panels 36, 50, 22 then rest on the screws and, with pelmets 10 constructed of foamed polystyrene, can be pressed into the surface of the roof panel 36, 50, 22.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the modular pelmet has at least the following advantages over the prior art: 1. the modular pelmet can be adapted to suit a variety of installations;

2. the modular pelmet can be assembled and erected without requiring tools or specific trade skills;

3. the modular pelmet is relatively inexpensive when compared to other prior art pelmets;

4. the modular pelmet can be assembled and disassembled with relative ease and, therefore, can be retained by the owner when, for example, moving houses; and. 5. the modular pelmet can be shaped by hand so as to improve its aesthetic appearance.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modifications and variations can be made to the modular pelmet without departing from the basic inventive concept of the present invention. For example the dovetail joint described herein could be substituted for another engaging means not necessarily integral with each panel element wherein adjacent panel elements are releasably engaged. The panel elements may not be cut from foamed polystyrene but rather manufactured from another foamed polymeric material. The modular pelmet may be formed from any number of releasably engageable panels, usually comprising a fascia panel, two end panels and a roof panel. All such variations are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS;

1. A modular pelmet for mounting above a window, the pelmet comprising: a plurality of releasably engageable modular panel elements, each panel element including engaging means provided on at least one edge thereof, wherein the engaging means of each panel element is designed to releasably engage an edge of an adjacent panel element when assembled in the configuration of a pelmet, wherein one or more of said modular panel elements when assembled forms a fascia panel and wherein the length of the fascia panel can be adjusted by adding one or more of said plurality of modular panel elements whereby, in use, a selected number of said plurality of panel elements can be assembled to form the modular pelmet of a length designed to substantially match a window.

2. A modular pelmet as defined in claim 1 wherein the engaging means comprises a tongue-and-groove arrangement provided integral to each of the panel elements, and designed to releasably interlock with the tongue-and-groove arrangement of an adjacent panel element.

3. A modular pelmet as defined in either claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the panel elements is elongate having a tongue and a groove formed at opposite ends of the panel, respectively.

4. A modular pelmet as defined in claim 3 wherein the tongue is a tenon and the groove a mortise so that when adjacent panel elements are joined a dovetail joint is formed.

5. A modular pelmet as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the panel elements is constructed of a foamed polymeric material that is relatively lightweight.

6. A modular pelmet as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the modular pelmet further comprises a roof designed to couple to the fascia panel so that, in use, the pelmet can be supported above a window via the roof.

7. A modular pelmet as defined in claim 6 wherein the roof comprises a plurality of modular roof panel elements.

8. A modular pelmet as defined in either claim 6 or 7 wherein said fascia panel is provided with a plurality of elongate channels adapted to receive the roof therein, and wherein the height of the fascia panel relative to the roof can be varied by changing the location of the roof from one to another of the plurality of elongate channels.

9. A modular pelmet as defined in either claim 7 or 8 wherein each of the roof panel elements is constructed of a foamed polymeric material.

10. A modular pelmet as defined in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein each of the modular roof panel elements is elongate having a longitudinally extending notch designed so that the roof panel elements can be broken along the notch giving a roof panel element of a predetermined width.

11. A modular pelmet as defined in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein adjacent roof and fascia panel elements are of a different predetermined length so that when the modular pelmet is assembled its rigidity is substantially maximised.

12. A modular pelmet as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the modular pelmet further comprises a pair of end panel elements each coupled to opposing ends, respectively, of the fascia panel.

13. A modular pelmet substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.