WO2017156639A1

WO2017156639A1 - Curtain closure assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2017156639A1
Application number: PCT/CA2017/050348
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paula NEWCOMBE
Original assignee: Newcombe Paula
Priority date: 2016-03-18
Filing date: 2017-03-17
Publication date: 2017-09-21

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and curtain assembly for use with a window enclosure. An embodiment of the invention comprises at least one strip removably applied along an edge of the curtain and to the window enclosure so as to secure the curtain thereto.

Description

CURTAIN CLOSURE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus assembly for use with a window enclosure . DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Curtains have found a place in homes since antiquity, and versions have been found in the ruins of ancient Greek and Roman cities. Beyond the aesthetic qualities, curtains have been used to divide rooms, control temperature, and of course absorb or impede light.

When controlling the temperature and light that emanate from a window, any gap between a curtain and a window enclosure can hamper the curtain's effectiveness. As a result, it is often desirable to minimize the gap so as to maximize these properties of the curtain.

However the common curtain assembly calls for the curtains to be hung in front of the enclosure, often by means of a rod. Accordingly, the gap is not as easily mitigated, and moreover such efforts can be thwarted by air drafts in the room. The result, therefore, is a failure of the curtain to impede light and aid in temperature control. Consequently, sleep — and therefore health — can be negatively impacted.

Therefore, what is needed in the art is a solution that prevents light from entering the room by bypassing the curtains. Such a solution would reduce insomnia and other sleep issues, and generally improve sleep and health. In particular, shift workers who sleep during the daytime would benefit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and assembly for use with a window enclosure. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a curtain for use in conjunction with a window enclosure, such as a wall or recessed window. At least one edge of the curtain is adjacent the enclosure. The embodiment further comprises at least one strip having two opposing surfaces. The first surface is attached to the curtain adjacent the edge along at least a portion of the length thereof. The first surface may be removably attached. The second surface is attached to said edge of said curtain along at least a portion of a length thereof. The second surface may be removably attached.

Accordingly, the strip or strips and the curtain form a light- restricting barrier between the curtain and the window enclosure. The strips may be removably applied to the enclosure and/or curtain, such as to allow the curtain to be opened or adjusted. The strips may be made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which facilitates easier and, in some cases residue-free, removal from the applicable surface.

Moreover, the strips may be supplied in a roll for convenient application to the curtain and/or enclosure.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roll of strips.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. As used herein, "or" means "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise, and use of the term "including" as well as other forms, such as "includes," and "included," shall not be considered limiting.

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and curtain assembly for use with a window enclosure. With reference to Figure 1, an embodiment of the assembly 10 is shown. The assembly 10 is shown in use with a window 22 and window enclosure 20. However, any suitable adjacent surface may be employed.

The assembly 10 comprises a curtain 30 disposed adjacent the window enclosure 20. The curtain 30 has a first edge 32a and a second edge 32b, each arranged in a substantially vertical fashion relative to the enclosure 20.

At least one strip 40, the details of which are discussed below, is applied to an underside 31 of the curtain 30, which faces the enclosure 20. With further reference to Figure 1, the depicted embodiment comprises a plurality of strips 40. A subset of strips 40a is disposed adjacent the first edge 32a. While any suitable arrangement of the strips is contemplated, the strips 40a shown in Fig. 1 are arranged in an equivalently spaced relationship relative to one another. Further, the strips 40 are collectively applied along a majority of the length of the first edge 32a. A second subset of strips 32b is similarly applied adjacent the second edge 32b of the curtain 30.

The strips 40 are then applied to the enclosure 20 so as to secure the curtain 30 to the enclosure 20. Consequently, the strips 40, curtain 30 and enclosure 20 collectively form a light- restricting barrier that hinders or eliminates the passage of light from a light source, such as the window 22, through the space between the curtain 30 and enclosure 20.

In other embodiments, a single strip 40 may be used. The strip 40 may be applied along a majority of one or both edges 32a, 32b. It may further be applied along substantially the entirety of one or both edges 32a, 32b.

With reference to Figure 2, the strip 40 may be provided as a roll 45, however any suitable means of packaging suffices. Additionally, the strip 40 may comprise perforations 46 that facilitate separation of a selected strip 40 from the roll 45.

The strip 40 has two opposing surfaces 41, 42. The first surface 41 is applied to the underside 31 of the curtain 30. The second surface 42 is applied to the enclosure 20. Moreover, the strip 40 is of a construction that comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Accordingly, applying the strip 40 to the curtain 30 and/or enclosure 20 may be accomplished by pressing at least a portion of the strip against the curtain 30 and/or enclosure 20 so that the strip 40 adheres thereto. Application of the strip 40 to the enclosure 20 forms a removable attachment, whereby the curtain can be peeled or otherwise removed from the enclosure 20 with reasonably minimal effort on the part of a user without damaging the enclosure 20 or leaving an adhesive residue. For example, the strip 40 may be peeled from the enclosure 20 by hand. The strip 40 may also be reusable so that it can be reapplied and will adhere to the enclosure 20. The strip 40 may be similarly removable and/or reusable with respect to the underside 31 of the curtain 30. However, in at least one embodiment the strip 40 is secured to the curtain 30 in such a fashion as to be substantially permanently attached thereto, for example by way of application of an adhesive or by securing the strip to the curtain 30 with stitches. The strip 40 may also adhere to the curtain 30 as a result of its method of application, such as application of the strip 40 to the curtain 30 in a viscous form, whereby solidifying of the strip 40 over time forms a bond with the curtain 30. Further, the strip 40 may comprise an elastomeric material of construction.

For purposes of attaching the strip 40 to the curtain 30 and enclosure 20, the surfaces 41, 42 may be interchangeable such that the first surface can be applied to the enclosure 20 and the second surface can be applied to the underside 31 of the curtain 30. However, in at least one embodiment, one of the surfaces 41, 42 may be adapted for enhanced adhesion to common curtain fabrics, while the other of the surfaces 41, 42 may be adapted for enhanced adhesion to common enclosure 20 materials.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for maintaining a closure of a curtain disposed adjacent a window enclosure, said apparatus comprising:

at least one strip having opposing first and a second surfaces,

wherein said first surface is dimensioned and configured for application to the curtain adjacent an edge thereof along at least a portion of a length of the edge, and wherein said second surface is dimensioned and configured for application to the window enclosure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said strip is dimensioned and configured for attachment along a majority of the length of the edge of the curtain.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said strip is dimensioned and configured for attachment along substantially the entire length of the edge of the curtain.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second surface is dimensioned and configured for removable application to the window enclosure.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first surface is dimensioned and configured for removable application to the curtain.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said strip is flexible.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said strip comprises an elastomeric material of construction.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strip is of a construction that comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strip, the curtain, and the enclosure collectively form a light-restricting barrier between the curtain and the window enclosure.

10. A curtain assembly for use with a window enclosure comprising: a curtain having an edge;

at least one strip having a first surface and a second surface opposite therefrom,

wherein said first surface is applied adjacent an edge of said curtain along at least a portion of a length thereof, and

wherein said second surface is removably applied to a surface of the enclosure so as to attach said edge thereto.

11. The curtain assembly of claim 10 wherein said strip is removably applied along at least a majority of the length of said edge.

12. The curtain assembly of claim 11 wherein said strip is removably applied along substantially the entirety of the length of said edge.

13. The curtain assembly of claim 10, wherein said strip is of a construction that comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

14. The curtain assembly of claim 10, wherein said strip, said curtain, and the enclosure collectively form a light- restricting barrier between said curtain and the enclosure.

15. A curtain assembly for use with a window enclosure comprising: a curtain having a first edge and a second edge opposite therefrom,

a plurality of strips each having a first surface and a second surface opposite therefrom,

wherein said first surface of at least one of said strips is removably applied to said first edge along at least a portion of a length thereof,

wherein said first surface of at least one of said strips is removably applied to said second edge along at least a portion of a length thereof, and

wherein said second surfaces of said strips are removably applied to a surface of the enclosure so as to attach the respective edge to the enclosure.

16. The curtain assembly of claim 15 wherein said strips, said curtain, and the enclosure collectively form a light- restricting barrier between said curtain and the enclosure.

17. The curtain assembly of claim 15 wherein at least two of said plurality of strips are applied to said first edge in equivalently spaced relation.

18. The curtain assembly of claim 15 wherein at least two of said plurality of strips are applied to said second edge in equivalently spaced relation.

19. The curtain assembly of claim 15 wherein at least of two of said strips are collectively applied to said first edge along at least a majority of the length of the first edge.

20. The curtain assembly of claim 15 wherein at least of two of said strips are collectively applied to said second edge along at least a majority of the length of the second edge.