WO2016145474A1

WO2016145474A1 - Curtain systems

Info

Publication number: WO2016145474A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/050396
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Croucher
Original assignee: David Croucher
Priority date: 2015-03-13
Filing date: 2015-07-14
Publication date: 2016-09-22

Abstract

In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a curtain rail mount (14) for holding a curtain rail (12). The mount (12) comprises: a body (16) having an extension (18) at a first end (20) of the body (16). The extension (18) is provided for being inserted into an L-shaped channel section (22) provided by the curtain rail (12). The channel section (22) extends along the curtain rail (12). The extension (18) is configured to be inserted into a recess (24) of the channel section (22) that is covered by a lip (26) of the curtain rail (12). A first end portion (30) of the extension (18) is configured to push against a first side wall (32) of the channel section (22) that is covered by the lip (26), with a base portion (34) of the extension (18) pushing against an oppositely facing second side wall (36) of the channel section (32). In another preferred form of the present invention there is provided a corded curtain runner chain (10) for a curtain rail (34). The corded curtain runner chain (10) comprises a plurality of runners (12) connected by a cord (14). Each runner (12) comprises: a head portion (16), a neck portion (18) and a base portion (20). The base portion (20) provides a mount extension (22) in the form of an arm (24) that hangs in a vertical plane, when in a position for curtain hanging. The head portion (16) of the curtain runners (12) are configured to snap into a horizontally extending channel (32) of the curtain rail (34), through a vertically aligned opening (36) when in a position for curtain hanging, with the mount portion being aligned with the vertical plane. The arm (24) does not have to be horizontally aligned with the curtain rail (34). The snapping action allows the arm (24) to be readily held by a person when snapping the head of the curtain runner (12) into the channel (32).

Description

CURTAIN S YS TEMS

PRIO RITY

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian applications 2015203800, 2015900956 and 2015900974 entitled 'Curtain Systems' . The disclosures of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD O F T HE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention, in preferred forms, relates to curtain rail systems and mounts. . In other forms there are provided a corded curtain runner chains.

BA C K GRO UND TO THE INVENTION

[0003] There are many issues surrounding the mounting of curtain rails to curtain rail wall mounts.

[0004] There are also several issues surrounding curtain systems and corded curtain runner chains. One such issue is that before assembly and transfer to the curtain installation site, the runner chain has to be installed in the curtain rail channel. This generally involves feeding the runners of the runner chain in through an end of the channel at a specific stage of the installation process.

[0005] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the inventor has developed the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to an aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a curtain rail mount for holding a curtain rail, the mount comprising: a body having an extension at a first end of the body; the extension for being inserted into an L-shaped channel section provided by the curtain rail; the channel section extending along the curtain rail; the extension configured to be inserted into a recess of the channel section that is covered by a lip of the curtain rail; a first end portion of the extension being configured to push against a first side wall of the channel section that is covered by the lip, with a base portion of the extension pushing against an oppositely facing second side wall of the channel section. [0007] Preferably the extension is u-shaped, the first end portion comprising a free end of the u- shaped extension and the base portion comprising the base of the u-shaped extension.

[0008] Preferably the body of the mount provides an elongate platform having a number of holes for being mounted to a curtain wall mount that is fixed to a wall and the platform includes a flange extending along its length to strengthen the platform.

[0009] According to an aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a curtain rail system comprising: curtain rail and a plurality of mounts; each mount comprising: a body having an extension at a first end of the body; the extension for being inserted into an reshaped channel section provided by the curtain rail; the channel section extending along the curtain rail; the extension configured to be inserted into a recess of the channel section that is covered by a lip of the curtain rail; a first end portion of the extension being configured to push against a first side wall of the channel section that is covered by the lip, with a base portion of the extension pushing against an oppositely facing second side wall of the channel section.

[0010] According to an aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a curtain rail mount for holding a curtain rail, the mount comprising: a body having an elongate u- shaped extension for being inserted into a channel section on the rear side of the curtain rail; a first end of the u-shaped extension being configured to be inserted underneath a lip partially covering the channel section; the u-shaped extension being configured to push against side walls of the channel to firmly hold the curtain rail.

[0011] According to an aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a curtain rail system comprising: a curtain rail and a plurality of mounts; each mount comprising: a body having an elongate u-shaped extension for being inserted into a channel on the rear side of the curtain rail; a first end of the u-shaped extension being configured to be inserted underneath a lip partially covering the channel section; the u-shaped extension being configured to push against side walls of the channel to firmly hold the curtain rail.

[0012] According to an aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a curtain system comprising: a number of runners; and a curtain rail having a runner channel extending therealong for receiving the runners; each runner comprising: a head portion, a neck portion and a base portion; the base portion providing a mount extension that hangs in a vertical plane, when received in the runner channel and in a position for curtain hanging; the head portion of the curtain runner being configured to snap into the runner channel, through a vertically aligned opening thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging, with the mount extension being aligned with the vertical plane, rather than the mount extension having to be horizontally aligned with the runner channel; the snapping action allowing the mount extension to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion of the curtain runner into the runner channel.

[0013] Expressions such are vertical and aligned are general expressions. The expressions are to be understood as referring to substantially vertical and substantially aligned. By the mount extension not have to be horizontally aligned with the curtain rail, the mount extension can be readily gripped whist the head portion is inserted and snapped into the runner channel.

[0014] Preferably the head portion includes an upper head portion and a lower head portion with the neck portion therebetween; the upper head portion being of a greater vertical dimension, away from the neck portion, than vertical dimension of the lower head portion away from the neck portion.

[0015] Preferably the head portion includes an upper head portion and a lower head portion with the neck portion therebetween; and the lower head portion is flexible to allow snapping of the lower head portion into the runner channel after the upper head portion has been placed in the runner channel, with the mount extension aligned with the vertical plane.

[0016] Preferably the width of the neck portion is wider than the vertical width of the channel to limit rotation of the mount extension away from the vertical plane. The limited rotation is considered to be advantageous in terms of handling.

[0017] According to an aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a corded curtain runner chain for a curtain rail comprising: a plurality of runners connected by a cord; each runner comprising: a head portion, a neck portion and a base portion; the base portion providing a mount extension that hangs in a vertical plane, when in a position for curtain hanging; the head of the curtain runner being configured to snap into a horizontally extending runner channel of the curtain rail, through a vertically aligned opening thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging, with the mount extension being aligned with the vertical plane, rather than the mount extension having to be horizontally aligned with the runner channel; the snapping action allowing the mount extension to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion of the curtain runner into the runner channel. [0018] According to an aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a curtain runner for a curtain rail comprising: a head portion, a neck portion and a base portion; the base portion providing a mount extension that hangs in a vertical plane, when in a position for curtain hanging; the head of the curtain runner being configured to snap into a horizontally extending runner channel of the curtain rail, through a vertically aligned opening thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging, with the mount extension being aligned with the vertical plane, rather than the mount extension having to be horizontally aligned with the runner channel; the snapping action allowing the mount extension to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion of the curtain runner into the runner channel.

[0019] It is to be recognised that other aspects, preferred forms and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the present specification including the detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DES CRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, several preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 provides a perspective view of a curtain rail system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 provides an illustrative view of the curtain rail system shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 provides a further illustrative view of the curtain rail system shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate mounts according to other preferred embodiments of the present invention; and

Figure 6 provides a number of technical illustrations of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 ' ' provides a perspective view of a corded curtain runner chain according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2' ' and 3 ' ' provide enlarged perspective views of one of the runners of the corded curtain runner chain shown in Figure 1 " ; Figures 4a' ' and 4b" illustrate the snapping of runners of the corded curtain runner chain shown in Figure 1", into a curtain rail;

Figure 5" illustrates a curtain system according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6" and 7" illustrate further features of runners according to preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DES CRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments is specifically described and that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature or element of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to any feature of a number of the embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a curtain rail system 10. The curtain rail system 10 comprises a curtain rail 12 and a plurality of mounts 14.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2, each mount 14_. comprises: a body 16 having an extension 18 at a first end 20 of the body 16. The extension 18 is configured to be inserted into an L- shaped channel section 22 provided by the curtain rail 12. The channel section 22 extends along the length of the curtain rail 12 as shown in Figure 1.

[0024] As highlighted in Figure 2, the extension 18 is u-shaped and isconfigured to be inserted into a recess 24 of the channel section 22 that is covered by a lip 26 of the curtain rail 12. The extension 18 is inserted through a channel opening 28 that is located next to the lip 26. The channel section 22 is provided on the rear of the curtain rail 12.

[0025] Referring to Figure 3, a first end portion 30 of the extension 18 is configured to bear and push the against a first side wall 32 of the channel section 22 that is covered by the lip 26. A base portion 34 of the extension 18 pushes against an oppositely facing second side wall 36 of the channel section 22. The first side wall 32 and the second side wall 36 provide the depth of the channel section 22. The first side wall 32 extends towards the lip 26. The second side wall 36 extends towards and forms part of the opening 28. [0026] The first end portion 30 provides a free terminating end of the u- shaped extension 32. The base 34- is configured to bear on the portion of the side wall 36 located beneath the lip 26.

[0027] Returning to Figure 1, extension 18 has a substantial width 56_(across its length). In embodiments, preferably this length is at least 1 cm. Preferably the length is at least 1.5cm.

[0028] Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a further preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a curtain rail mount 40. The curtain rail mount 40. is provided for holding a curtain rail. The curtain mount 40 comprises a body 42 having an extension 44 at a first end 46 of the body 42. The extension 44 is configured to be inserted into an L- shaped channel section provided by the curtain rail. More particularly, the extension 44 is configured to be inserted into a recess of the channel section that is covered by a lip of the curtain rail.

[0029] The extension 44 is u-shaped. A first end portion 48 comprises a free end of the u-shaped extension 44 and extends from a base portion 50 of the u-shaped extension 44. As the first end portion 48 is inserted into the channel the base portion 50 engages a side wall on a shoulder of the channel with the first end portion 48 bearing against an oppositely facing wall. This provides a relatively firm connection on the first and a number of subsequent uses. In this embodiment the rail is formed from aluminium material and the mount 40 is formed from stainless steel. The aluminium may deform so as to not provide a particularly tight connection on subsequent uses.

[0030] The body 42 provides an elongate platform 52 having a number of holes 54 for being mounted to a curtain wall mount that is fixed to a wall. The platform includes two flanged 56 extending along its longitudinally extending sides to strengthen the platform. The curtain rail mount and associated curtain rail is considered to provide an advantageous system. Figures 5 and 6 provide a number of views of further preferred embodiments.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a corded curtain runner chain 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The corded curtain runner chain 10 comprises a plurality of runners 12 connected by a cord 14.

[0032] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each of the runners 12 comprises a head portion 16, a neck portion 18 and a base portion 20. The base portion 20 provides a mount extension 22 in the form of an arm 24 having a mount hole 26. As with conventional runners, the mount arm 24 hangs in a vertical plane 28 when in a position for curtain hanging. Each of the runners includes a cord connector 30 that is rotatable. Cord connectors construction is well known in the industry and may be of a push type.

[0033] Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the head portion 16 of each curtain runner 12 is advantageously configured to snap into a horizontally extending runner channel 32 of a curtain rail 34. The head portion 16 snaps through a vertically aligned opening 36 of the channel 32, with the rail 34 a position for curtain hanging.

[0034] The mount portion 24 is aligned with the vertical plane 28 of the page. Advantageously rather than having to be horizontally aligned with the curtain rail (i.e. pointing into the page), the mount portion 24 is aligned with the vertical plane during the snap insertion. This advantageously allows the mount portion 24 to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion 16 of the curtain runner 12 into the channel 32. The manner of snapping involves placing the upper head portion 35 into the channel 32 and then forcing the lower head portion 37 past an upwardly extending lip 39. The runner 12 does not have to be rotated.

[0035] When the curtain rail is assembled on an assembly bench before installation on a wall at the curtain installation site, it is necessary with prior systems to thread the curtain runner through a end of the curtain rail (a terminal end). The present embodiment does not require that an end of the curtain rail is accessible. Rather the present embodiment allows for the runners to be feed through the longitudinal opening of the channel using a click system. The length of each curtain runner is positioned substantially perpendicular to the length of the curtail rail and is clicked in place.

[0036] As would be apparent, the expression 'aligned with' is a general expression that would be understood as being substantially aligned with, in the sense of the specification as a whole.

[0037] Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a curtain system 38 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The curtain system includes a number of the runners 12 and a curtain rail 40. The curtain rail 40 has a runner channel 42 extending therealong for receiving the runners 12. Given that the runners 12 are similar to the previously described embodiment, similar numerals are used.

[0038] Each runner 12 hangs in a condition aligned with a vertical plane 44, when in a position for curtain hanging. The head portion 16 of each curtain runner 12 is configured to snap into the horizontally extending channel 42 of the curtain rail 40, through a vertically aligned opening 46 thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging.

[0039] The mount extension 24 is aligned with the vertical plane during snapping, rather than the mount portion 24 having to be horizontally aligned with the curtain rail 40. The snapping action allows the mount extension 24 to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion 16 of the curtain runner 12 into the channel 42. The person can hold the mount extension 24 vertically.

[0040] The head portion 18 includes an upper head portion 35 and a lower head portion 37 with the neck portion 18 therebetween. In the embodiment the neck portion 18 is downwardly offset relative to the head portion 18.

[0041] Referring to Figure 6, the upper head portion 35 is of a greater height dimension 52 away from the top of the neck portion 18 than the height dimension 54 of the lower head portion 50 away from the bottom of the neck portion 18. The lower head portion 37 is flexible to allow snapping of the lower head portion 37 into the channel 42 after the upper head portion 35 has been placed in the channel 42 with the mount portion 24 aligned with the vertical plane. In other embodiments the lower head portion 37 may be placed into the channel before the upper head portion 35 is snapped into the channel 42 past an upper lip of the channel 42.

[0042] Referring to Figure 7 the width 56 of the neck portion 16 is wider than the vertical width 58 of the channel opening 46 to limit rotation of the mount extension 24 away from the vertical plane. This assists with ensuring that a workman does not attempt to incorrectly insert the runner 12 in a horizontal positon. In this embodiment the neck portion 16 is elliptical. Other shapes are of course possible.

[0043] The Figures will now be referred to in relation to The Figures marked ". Referring to Figure 1 (i.e. Figure 1 ") there is shown a corded curtain runner chain 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The corded curtain runner chain 10 comprises a plurality of runners 12 connected by a cord 14.

[0044] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each of the runners 12 comprises a head portion 16, a neck portion 18 and a base portion 20. The base portion 20 provides a mount extension 22 in the form of an arm 24 having a mount hole 26. As with conventional runners, the mount arm 24 hangs in a vertical plane 28 when in a position for curtain hanging. Each of the runners includes a cord connector 30 that is rotatable. Cord connectors construction is well known in the industry and may be of a push type.

[0045] Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the head portion 16 of each curtain runner 12 is advantageously configured to snap into a horizontally extending runner channel 32 of a curtain rail 34. The head portion 16 snaps through a vertically aligned opening 36 of the channel 32, with the rail 34 a position for curtain hanging.

[0046] The mount portion 24 is aligned with the vertical plane 28 of the page. Advantageously rather than having to be horizontally aligned with the curtain rail (i.e. pointing into the page), the mount portion 24 is aligned with the vertical plane during the snap insertion. This advantageously allows the mount portion 24 to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion 16 of the curtain runner 12 into the channel 32. The manner of snapping involves placing the upper head portion 35 into the channel 32 and then forcing the lower head portion 37 past an upwardly extending lip 39. The runner 12 does not have to be rotated.

[0047] When the curtain rail is assembled on an assembly bench before installation on a wall at the curtain installation site, it is necessary with prior systems to thread the curtain runner through a end of the curtain rail (a terminal end). The present embodiment does not require that an end of the curtain rail is accessible. Rather the present embodiment allows for the runners to be feed through the longitudinal opening of the channel using a click system. The length of each curtain runner is positioned substantially perpendicular to the length of the curtail rail and is clicked in place.

[0048] As would be apparent, the expression 'aligned with' is a general expression that would be understood as being substantially aligned with, in the sense of the specification as a whole.

[0049] Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a curtain system 38 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The curtain system includes a number of the runners 12 and a curtain rail 40. The curtain rail 40 has a runner channel 42 extending therealong for receiving the runners 12. Given that the runners 12 are similar to the previously described embodiment, similar numerals are used.

[0050] Each runner 12 hangs in a condition aligned with a vertical plane 44, when in a position for curtain hanging. The head portion 16 of each curtain runner 12 is configured to snap into the horizontally extending channel 42 of the curtain rail 40, through a vertically aligned opening 4_.6_. thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging.

[0051] The mount extension 24 is aligned with the vertical plane during snapping, rather than the mount portion 24 having to be horizontally aligned with the curtain rail 40. The snapping action allows the mount extension 24 to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion 16 of the curtain runner 12 into the channel 42. The person can hold the mount extension 24 vertically.

[0052] The head portion 18 includes an upper head portion 35 and a lower head portion 37 with the neck portion 18 therebetween. In the embodiment the neck portion 18 is downwardly offset relative to the head portion 18.

[0053] Referring to Figure 6, the upper head portion 35 is of a greater height dimension 52 away from the top of the neck portion 18 than the height dimension 54 of the lower head portion 50 away from the bottom of the neck portion 18. The lower head portion 37 is flexible to allow snapping of the lower head portion 37 into the channel 42 after the upper head portion 35 has been placed in the channel 42 with the mount portion 24 aligned with the vertical plane. In other embodiments the lower head portion 37 may be placed into the channel before the upper head portion 35 is snapped into the channel 42 past an upper lip of the channel 42.

[0054] Referring to Figure 7 the width 56 of the neck portion 16 is wider than the vertical width 58 of the channel opening 46 to limit rotation of the mount extension 24 away from the vertical plane. This assists with ensuring that a workman does not attempt to incorrectly insert the runner 12 in a horizontal positon. In this embodiment the neck portion 16 is elliptical. Other shapes are of course possible.

[0055] As would be apparent, various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents.

[0056] There is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is to be construed beneficially to the applicant and the invention given its full scope. [0057] In the present specification, the presence of particular features does not preclude the existence of further features. The words 'comprising', 'including' and 'having' are to be construed in an inclusive rather than an exclusive sense.

[0058] It is to be recognised that any discussion in the present specification is intended to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that the material discussed formed part of the prior art base or relevant general knowledge in any particular country or region.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A curtain rail mount for holding a curtain rail, the mount comprising: a body having an extension at a first end of the body; the extension for being inserted into an reshaped channel section provided by the curtain rail; the channel section extending along the curtain rail; the extension configured to be inserted into a recess of the channel section that is covered by a lip of the curtain rail; a first end portion of the extension being configured to push against a first side wall of the channel section that is covered by the lip, with a base portion of the extension pushing against an oppositely facing second side wall of the channel section.

2. A curtain rail mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein the extension is u-shaped, the first end portion comprising a free end of the u-shaped extension and the base portion comprising the base of the u-shaped extension.

3. A curtain rail mount as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the body of the mount provides an elongate platform having a number of holes for being mounted to a curtain wall mount that is fixed to a wall and the platform includes a flange extending along its length to strengthen the platform.

4. A curtain rail system comprising: curtain rail and a plurality of mounts; each mount comprising: a body having an extension at a first end of the body; the extension for being inserted into an L-shaped channel section provided by the curtain rail; the channel section extending along the curtain rail; the extension configured to be inserted into a recess of the channel section that is covered by a lip of the curtain rail; a first end portion of the extension being configured to push against a first side wall of the channel section that is covered by the lip, with a base portion of the extension pushing against an oppositely facing second side wall of the channel section.

5. A curtain rail mount for holding a curtain rail, the mount comprising: a body having an elongate u-shaped extension for being inserted into a channel section on the rear side of the curtain rail; a first end of the u-shaped extension being configured to be inserted underneath a lip partially covering the channel section; the u-shaped extension being configured to push against side walls of the channel to firmly hold the curtain rail.

6. A curtain rail system comprising: a curtain rail and a plurality of mounts; each mount comprising: a body having an elongate u-shaped extension for being inserted into a channel on the rear side of the curtain rail; a first end of the u-shaped extension being configured to be inserted underneath a lip partially covering the channel section; the u-shaped extension being configured to push against side walls of the channel to firmly hold the curtain rail.

7. A curtain system comprising: a number of runners; and a curtain rail having a runner channel extending therealong for receiving the runners; each runner comprising: a head portion, a neck portion and a base portion; the base portion providing a mount extension that hangs in a vertical plane, when received in the runner channel and in a position for curtain hanging; the head portion of the curtain runner being configured to snap into the runner channel, through a vertically aligned opening thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging, with the mount extension being aligned with the vertical plane, rather than the mount extension having to be horizontally aligned with the runner channel; the snapping action allowing the mount extension to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion of the curtain runner into the runner channel.

8. A curtain system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the head portion includes an upper head portion and a lower head portion with the neck portion therebetween; the upper head portion being of a greater vertical dimension, away from the neck portion, than vertical dimension of the lower head portion away from the neck portion.

9. A curtain system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the head portion includes an upper head portion and a lower head portion with the neck portion therebetween; and the lower head portion is flexible to allow snapping of the lower head portion into the runner channel after the upper head portion has been placed in the runner channel, with the mount extension aligned with the vertical plane.

10. A curtain system as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 Wherein the width of the neck portion is wider than the vertical width of the channel to limit rotation of the mount portion extension away from the vertical plane.

11. A corded curtain runner chain for a curtain rail comprising: a plurality of runners connected by a cord; each runner comprising: a head portion, a neck portion and a base portion; the base portion providing a mount extension that hangs in a vertical plane, when in a position for curtain hanging; the head of the curtain runner being configured to snap into a horizontally extending runner channel of the curtain rail, through a vertically aligned opening thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging, with the mount extension being aligned with the vertical plane, rather than the mount extension having to be horizontally aligned with the runner channel; the snapping action allowing the mount extension to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion of the curtain runner into the runner channel.

12. A curtain runner for a curtain rail comprising: a head portion, a neck portion and a base portion; the base portion providing a mount extension that hangs in a vertical plane, when in a position for curtain hanging; the head of the curtain runner being configured to snap into a horizontally extending runner channel of the curtain rail, through a vertically aligned opening thereof, when in a position for curtain hanging, with the mount extension being aligned with the vertical plane, rather than the mount extension having to be horizontally aligned with the runner channel; the snapping action allowing the mount extension to be readily held by a person when snapping the head portion of the curtain runner into the runner channel.