U.S. patent application number 12/125711 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for methods and systems for deployment of privacy curtains.
Invention is credited to Corey Scott Feit, Joseph A. Graneto, III, Chad Paul Stuemke.
Application Number | 20090288786 12/125711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41341212 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090288786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graneto, III; Joseph A. ; et
al. |
November 26, 2009 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF PRIVACY CURTAINS
Abstract
A privacy curtain system is described that includes a curtain
having a plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom, a
curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with the curtain, and a
plurality of rods. Each rod has a lower hooking member configured
to engage one of the rod engaging members. The curtain gathering
cord is operable to cause the rod engaging members to release from
a respective lower hooking member.
Inventors: |
Graneto, III; Joseph A.;
(Wildwood, MO) ; Stuemke; Chad Paul; (St. Louis,
MO) ; Feit; Corey Scott; (St. Louis, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patent Docket Department;Armstrong Teasdale LLP
One Metropolitan Square, Suite 2600
St. Louis
MO
63102-2740
US
|
Family ID: |
41341212 |
Appl. No.: |
12/125711 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/344 ;
16/87.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 5/14 20130101; A47H
2201/01 20130101; A47H 11/02 20130101; A47H 5/032 20130101; Y10T
16/353 20150115; A47H 1/04 20130101; A47H 15/02 20130101; A47H
2001/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/344 ;
16/87.2 |
International
Class: |
A47H 5/032 20060101
A47H005/032; A47H 1/00 20060101 A47H001/00 |
Claims
1. A privacy curtain system comprising: a curtain comprising a
plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom; a curtain
gathering cord slidably engaged with said curtain; and a plurality
of rods each comprising a lower hooking member configured to engage
one of said rod engaging members, said curtain gathering cord
operable to cause said rod engaging members to release from
respective said lower hooking members.
2. A privacy curtain system according to claim 1 where said rod
engaging members each comprise: a loop formed proximate to a first
end of said rod engaging member; a second end attached to said
curtain and comprising a slot formed proximate thereto and
extending therethrough, said loop configured to extend through said
slot as said rod engaging member is bent into a substantially
circular configuration, said curtain gathering cord extending
through said loop to retain a position of said loop with respect to
said slot.
3. A privacy curtain system according to claim 2 wherein said
curtain gathering cord is operable to be removed from said curtain
such that when said cord is no longer within said loops, said loops
are free to move back through the respective said slot and
subsequently release said curtain from said lower hooking
members.
4. (canceled)
5. A privacy curtain system according to claim 2 where said rod
engaging members and said curtain are integrally formed from a
single piece of material.
6. A privacy curtain system according to claim 1 wherein said
curtain is provided in a package.
7. A privacy curtain system according to claim 1 wherein said
curtain is provided in a package, said package operable to expose
said rod engaging members such that they can be engaged with said
lower hooking members prior to the exposure of a remainder of said
curtain.
8. A privacy curtain comprising: a curtain main portion; and a
plurality of rod engaging members comprising a first end and a
second end, said second ends attached to said curtain main portion,
said first ends releasably attached to said curtain main
portion.
9. A privacy curtain according to claim 8 comprising a curtain
gathering cord, said curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with
said curtain and operable to cause said first ends to release from
said curtain main portion.
10. A privacy curtain according to claim 9 wherein: said first end
comprises a loop formed proximate thereto; and said second end
comprises a slot formed proximate thereto and extending
therethrough, said loop configured to extend through said slot to
form a hoop, said curtain gathering cord extending through said
loop to retain a position of said loop with respect to said
slot.
11. A privacy curtain according to claim 10 wherein said curtain
gathering cord is operable to be removed from said curtain main
portion such that when said cord no longer extends through said
loops, said loops are free to move back through the respective said
slot.
12. A privacy curtain according to claim 8 where said rod engaging
members and said curtain main portion are integrally formed from a
single piece of material.
13. A cubicle curtain according to claim 8 wherein said curtain
comprises packaging operable for disposal of another curtain.
14. A system for the deployment of privacy curtains comprising: a
track system; and a plurality of rods each comprising: a lower
hooking member configured to engage the privacy curtain; an upper
track engagement member configured for attachment to said track
system; an elongated central member extending from said upper track
engagement member; and a lower nestable member between said lower
hooking member and said elongated central member, said lower
nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased therein,
said magnets oriented such that when said plurality of rods are
substantially adjacent one another for the changing of a privacy
curtain, said magnets operate to maintain the substantially
adjacent positioning.
15. A system according to claim 14 wherein each said rod comprises
an upper nestable member between said upper track engagement member
and said elongated central member, said upper nestable member
comprising at least one magnet encased therein, said magnets
oriented such that they help to maintain said plurality of rods
substantially adjacent one another for the changing of a privacy
curtain.
16. A system according to claim 15 wherein each said upper nestable
member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said
side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said keyed surface
configured to help maintain substantial adjacent positioning of two
said rods.
17. A system according to claim 16 wherein said keyed surface
comprises an indentation in said first side wall and a protrusion
extending from said second side wall.
18. A system according to claim 14 wherein each said lower nestable
member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said
side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said keyed surface
configured to help maintain substantial adjacent positioning of two
said rods.
19. A system according to claim 18 wherein said keyed surfaces
comprise an indentation in said first side wall and a protrusion
extending from said second side wall.
20. A privacy curtain system comprising: a curtain comprising a
plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom; a curtain
gathering cord slidably engaged with said curtain; and a plurality
of rods each comprising: a lower hooking member configured to
engage one of said rod engaging members; an upper track engagement
member configured for attachment to a ceiling mounted track system;
and an elongated central member extending between said upper track
engagement member and said lower hooking member, said curtain
gathering cord operable to release said rod engaging members from
respective said lower hooking members.
21. A privacy curtain system according to claim 20 where said rod
engaging members each comprise: a first end comprising a loop
formed thereabout; a second end attached to said curtain and
comprising a slot formed thereabout and extending therethrough,
said loop configured to extend through said slot as said rod
engaging member is bent into a substantially circular
configuration, said curtain gathering cord passed through said loop
to retain a position of said loop with respect to said slot.
22. A privacy curtain system according to claim 21 wherein said
curtain gathering cord is operable to be removed from said curtain
such that when said cord is no longer within said loops, said loops
are free to move back through the respective said slot and
subsequently release said curtain from said lower hooking
members.
23. (canceled)
24. A privacy curtain system according to claim 21 where said rod
engaging members and said curtain are integrally formed from a
single piece of material.
25. A privacy curtain system according to claim 20 comprising a
package for said curtain, said package operable to expose said rod
engaging members such that they can be engaged with said lower
hooking members prior to the exposure of a remainder of said
curtain.
26. A privacy curtain system according to claim 20 wherein each
said rod comprises a lower nestable member between said lower
hooking member and said elongated central member, said lower
nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased therein,
said magnets oriented such that they help to maintain said
plurality of rods substantially adjacent one another during
replacement of said curtain.
27. A privacy curtain system according to claim 26 wherein each
said lower nestable member comprises a first side wall and a second
side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said
keyed surfaces configured to help maintain substantial adjacent
positioning of two said rods during replacement of said
curtain.
28. A privacy curtain system according to claim 27 wherein said
keyed surfaces comprise an indentation in said first side wall and
a protrusion extending from said second side wall.
29. A privacy curtain system according to claim 20 wherein each
said rod comprises an upper nestable member between said upper
track engagement member and said elongated central member, said
upper nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased
therein, said magnets oriented such that they help to maintain said
plurality of rods substantially adjacent one another during
replacement of said curtain.
30. A privacy curtain system according to claim 29 wherein each
said upper nestable member comprises a first side wall and a second
side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said
keyed surfaces configured to help maintain substantial adjacent
positioning of two said rods during replacement of said
curtain.
31. A privacy curtain system according to claim 30 wherein said
keyed surfaces comprise an indentation in said first side wall and
a protrusion extending from said second side wall.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to privacy curtains, and
more specifically, to methods and systems for deployment of privacy
curtains.
[0002] Privacy curtains, and more specifically disposable or
washable curtains, have long been used, in hospitals for example,
to provide privacy, room division, and to cover storage areas to a
lesser extent. Generally, these curtains are suspended from a track
on a ceiling for operation. For example, the curtains can be
operated to substantially surround a patient's bed for privacy, and
retracted at other times when privacy is not an issue.
[0003] Most of these curtains have two portions, namely, an upper
mesh component and a lower opaque component. The upper mesh
component is typically above eye level so the privacy function is
not compromised. This mesh component is not necessarily required,
however, the opaque portion cannot extend to the ceiling.
Generally, the opaque portion cannot extend to the ceiling because
if it did, it is possible that it would interfere with ceiling
mounted sprinklers in the event of a fire because the water from
the sprinklers cannot pass through the opaque material. Other
reasons that mesh portions are generally incorporated are that they
ensure that the opaque portion of the curtain does not interfere
with lighting and/or air circulation.
[0004] In the hospital application, the curtains become soiled and
can collect one or of bacteria, molds, and viruses during use. This
can be a source of cross-contamination, for example, from one
patient to one or more of another patient, a health care provider
or other staff, and a visitor to the hospital. Unfortunately,
hospital curtains are also typically difficult to change and/or
wash. Generally, if the curtain is provided in a single, combined
mesh portion/opaque portion embodiment, someone has to gain access
to the ceiling level of the room to change the curtain. This is
difficult, labor intensive, and generally requires that a ladder of
some type be used.
[0005] There are some known two piece curtains. Generally, the
opaque portion is separated from the mesh portion and a new opaque
portion is attached to the existing mesh portion. While this
addresses the need for a ladder, it is still labor intensive and
does not address the possibility that the mesh portion retains one
or more of the above described contaminants. With respect to the
labor required for replacement, the person making the replacement
with this type of curtain has to make a plurality of attachments
between the opaque and mesh portions while holding the replacement
opaque portion of the curtain, or has to operate a zipper or
similar device that extends the entire length of the curtain. At
least one of the problems with this type of arrangement is that the
mesh portion or similar mechanism is generally not in a fixed
position, adding to the difficulty of curtain replacement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, a privacy curtain system is provided that
includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members
extending therefrom, a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with
the curtain, and a plurality of rods. The plurality of rods each
includes a lower hooking member configured to engage one of the rod
engaging members. The curtain gathering cord is operable to cause
the rod engaging members to release from a respective lower hooking
member.
[0007] In another aspect, a privacy curtain is provided that
includes a curtain main portion and a plurality of rod engaging
members. The rod engaging members each include a first end and a
second end. The second ends are attached to the curtain main
portion and the first ends are releasably attached to the curtain
main portion.
[0008] In still another aspect, a system for the deployment of
privacy curtains is provided. The system includes a track system
and a plurality of rods. Each rod includes a lower hooking member
configured to engage the privacy curtain, an upper track engagement
member configured for attachment to the track system, an elongated
central member extending from the upper track engagement member,
and a lower nestable member between the lower hooking member and
the elongated central member. The lower nestable member includes at
least one magnet encased therein. The magnets such oriented such
that when the plurality of rods are substantially adjacent one
another for the changing of a privacy curtain, the magnets operate
to maintain the substantially adjacent positioning.
[0009] In yet another aspect, a privacy curtain system is provided
that includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members
extending therefrom, a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with
the curtain, and a plurality of rods. Each rod includes a lower
hooking member configured to engage one of the rod engaging
members, an upper track engagement member configured for attachment
to a ceiling mounted track system, and an elongated central member
extending between the upper track engagement member and the lower
hooking member. The curtain gathering cord is operable to release
respective rod engaging members from respective lower hooking
members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a known privacy curtain
system.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a hanger assembly from which a
privacy curtain is suspended.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of a privacy
curtain system that incorporates a gathering cord for removal of
the privacy curtain from a plurality of rods.
[0013] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a rod engaging member utilized to
attach a privacy curtain to a rod suspended from a ceiling track,
along with operation of the rod engaging members.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates operation of the ribbon loop and the
binding cord with respect to the attachment of a privacy curtain to
a rod.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates utilization of the gathering cord to
release a privacy curtain from a plurality of rods through
operation of a plurality of rod engaging members.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a privacy curtain that
incorporates integrally formed rod engaging members.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of a rod that may be
utilized to hang a curtain from a ceiling mounted track system.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a front view of the rod of FIG. 8.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of several of the rods
described with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9 in a substantially adjacent
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known privacy curtain 10.
Curtain 10 includes an upper mesh portion 12 and a lower opaque
portion 14 that is suspended from the upper mesh portion 12. The
lower opaque portion 14 is removable from the upper mesh portion
12. As described above, the upper mesh portion is constructed in
part from a mesh material to allow for lighting, air circulation,
and the operation of fire sprinklers. The lower opaque portion is
constructed from an opaque material to provide privacy when the
curtain 10 is in an extended position. The curtain 10 is suspended
from a track 20 attached to a ceiling 22 as is well known. In this
example, the upper mesh portion 12 of curtain 10 and the lower
opaque portion 14 include a series of mating fasteners 30. The
mating fasteners 30 are provided to removably suspend the lower
opaque portion 14 from the upper mesh portion 12. The upper mesh
portion 12 is configured with reinforced holes 18 which are engaged
by hooks (not shown) hanging from track 20.
[0021] As discussed above, conventional privacy curtains tend to
become soiled and are prone to contamination with one or more
bacteria, mold, and viruses. To address this issue, the lower
opaque portion 14 may be disposable, and can be changed as often as
necessary to address the issues noted above. Since the lower opaque
portion 14 provides the privacy function, the upper mesh portion 12
is suspended near the ceiling and is, therefore, not in a position
where it is less likely to present the cross-contamination risk
associated with the lower opaque portion 14. Therefore, the upper
mesh portion 12 need not be changed nearly as frequently as the
lower opaque portion 14.
[0022] While the configuration of FIG. 1 addresses many known
problems, some still exist. One, it cannot be assured that the
upper mesh portion 12 is free from the contamination described
above. Two, while the fasteners 30 may be at a comfortable work
level, it is still difficult for personnel to attach a replacement
lower opaque portion 14 to the upper mesh portion 12. This
difficulty is due to the fact that the area of upper mesh portion
12 where the fasteners 30 are located is prone to movement as it is
distant from the engagement of the upper mesh portion 12 with the
track 20.
[0023] At least one other privacy curtain system has addressed the
contamination issue by replacing the upper mesh portion 12 with a
series of rods. This provides the lighting and fire sprinkler
capabilities while still addressing the contamination issue.
Examples of these systems are shown in FIG. 2.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, a hanger assembly 50 is illustrated
that is configured for the suspending of a curtain 52 similar to
the lower opaque portion 14 shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of rods 54
extend down from a track 60 that is attached to a ceiling 62. While
the assembly of FIG. 2 has several features, one feature that is
common with the curtain system of FIG. 1 is that a lower end 70 of
the rods 54 is relatively free to move with respect to a user, as
it can essentially pivot about its upper end 72. In addition, the
rods 54, especially at the lower end 70 are free to move with
respect to each other. This freedom of movement causes difficulty
for the person removing an old curtain 52 and installing a new
curtain 52 at the lower end.
[0025] Another issue with the system of FIG. 2 is that curtain 52
has to be removed from each rod 54 individually, and a new curtain
52 has to be attached to each rod 54 individually as individual
hooks 80, engaged with the lower end 70 of rods 54 are utilized to
attach curtain 52 to rods 54. Generally, when a person replaces one
of curtains 10 and 52, they have to gather up the curtain in their
arms to control the bulk of the curtain while they detach the
curtain from the rod or upper mesh portion. While it may never be
possible to completely eliminate personnel contact with soiled
and/or contaminated curtains, it is possible to reduce the amount
of contact between the two as further explained herein.
[0026] The following descriptions, and accompanying figures, are
related to embodiments that address some of the issues described
above with respect to the removal of old privacy curtains, and the
subsequent attachment of new privacy curtains.
[0027] More specifically, FIG. 3 is an illustration of one
embodiment of a curtain system 100. Curtain system 100 includes a
curtain 102, and a plurality of rods 104 that extend from tracked
hooks 106 which are located within a track 110 of the type that is
attached to a ceiling (not shown). The tracked hooks 106 are
capable of lateral movement within the track 110 for the purpose of
opening and closing the curtain 102. When the curtain 102 is open,
the rods 104 are in a position substantially adjacent one another,
as further addressed below. This position may also be referred to
as having the curtain 102 in a gathered position. When the curtain
102 is closed the rods 104 are moved from the substantially
adjacent position to a configuration where they are substantially
spread out along the length of the track 110. This position may
also be referred to as having the curtain 102 in a deployed
position. In one embodiment, a binding cord 112 extends between the
rods 104 and is secured to each of the rods 104. As it is secured
to each of the rods 104, binding cord 112 operates to dictate a
maximum distance between the individual rods 104. As addressed in
detail below, rod engaging members 120 are secured within the
curtain 102 and are configured to engage a lower end 122 of the
rods 104. The engagement between a rod engaging member 120 and a
respective lower end 122 may be any type of mechanical
configuration, several of which are described below.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the curtain 102 is also
configured with a curtain gathering cord 130. While curtain
gathering cord 130 may be operative to gather the curtain 102, as
further illustrated in the following figures, curtain gathering
cord 130 is further operative to release the curtain 102 from the
rods 104. In the illustrated embodiment, and in other embodiments
described hereafter, the curtains are fabricated from either a
disposable material or a material that may be reused after a
cleaning process.
[0029] FIGS. 4A through 4D illustrate one embodiment of a rod
engaging member 150 that can be utilized with a curtain of the type
described with respect to FIG. 3. The embodiment of rod engaging
member 150 shown in FIGS. 4A-4D may sometimes be referred to as a
looped ribbon. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the rod engaging member
150 is elongated and has a loop 152 formed in a first end 154, and
a slot 156 therethrough formed near a second end 158. The rod
engaging member 150 is fabricated from a material, and the loop 152
is sized so that when the rod engaging member 150 is bent into a
substantially circular configuration, at least a portion of the
first end 154 containing the loop 152 will pass through the slot
156 formed near the second end 158. As shown in FIG. 4C, once a
portion of the loop 152 is extending through slot 156, a gathering
cord 160 can be passed through the loop 152, retaining a position
of the loop 152 with respect to the slot 156. A completed
configuration shown in FIG. 4D as the engagement of the first end
154 with the second end 158 forms a hoop which can engage a rod as
further described with respect to FIG. 5. As further described,
gathering cord 160 can be grasped and pulled by a user such that
the cord is no longer within the loop 152, the loop is then free to
move away from the slot 156. When a plurality of such rod engaging
members 150 are deployed with a curtain, removal of the gathering
cord 160 from the rod engaging members 150 will operate to release
the curtain from the apparatus from which it hung. This operation
is described in further detail herein. An optional end ring 162 may
be attached to the gathering cord 160 to allow a user to more
easily pull the gathering cord 160 through, and from, a curtain. As
shown in subsequent figures, and as mentioned above, operation of
the gathering cord 160 allows a user to easily remove a curtain
from a plurality of the rods 104 described above with respect to
FIG. 3.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates one of the rod engaging members 150
(ribbon loops) from FIG. 4, where the second end 158 is attached to
a curtain 170. The first end 154 passes through slot 156 and a
least a portion of the surface of the curtain 170. Gathering cord
160 is secured within a channel 172 formed in the curtain material
that is formed during the fabrication process associated with
curtain 170. The fabrication process may include attaching the
second ends 158 of the rod engaging members 150 to the curtain
material through, for example, a stitching process or through a
heat activated attachment process. The channel 172 may be formed
through the stitching process, the heat treatment process or
through another process. In any event, when the curtain fabrication
process is complete, the gathering cord 160 is slidably engaged
with the curtain 170 and the gathering cord 160 passes through the
loops 152 of the rod engaging members 150 to form the ribbon loops
as shown in FIG. 4D. Such a configuration allows the curtain 170 to
be hung from a plurality of rods 104. After the utilization of
curtain 170 is complete, and as can be seen in FIG. 5, when the
gathering cord 160 is pulled from engagement with the curtain 170,
loop 152 will release from slot 156, and gravity will cause the
curtain 170 and attached rod engaging members 150 to fall away from
the lower ends 122 of a plurality of rods 104. In one embodiment,
the gathering cord 160 may include a second end 164 that is
utilized for gathering the curtain 170 when the gathering cord is
operated. In one embodiment, the second end 164 is simply attached
to the curtain material during the curtain fabrication process to
enable this operation. This attachment is easily overcome to enable
the removal of curtain 170 from the rods 104 as described.
[0031] FIG. 6 provides further illustration utilizing an
alternative embodiment of rod 190 and rod lower end 192. In FIG. 6,
pulling the end ring 162 of gathering cord 160 causes the curtain
170 to gather. Pulling further on the end ring 162, and thus
gathering cord 160, causes the rod engaging members 150 to release
the curtain 170 from the rods 190 as shown. The release from the
curtain 170 happens as the gathering cord 160 is removed from
engagement with the individual rod engaging members 150, causing
the separation of loop 152 and slot 156 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D and
FIG. 5. The benefit of such a configuration is that the curtain 170
is gathered and all of the interfaces between curtain 170 and rods
190 are released relatively close to simultaneously, and the
curtain 170 can fall onto the floor or into a container. In one
contemplated embodiment, packaging for the replacement curtain 170
includes a container for the disposal of the curtain 170 that is
being replaced. The person changing the curtain does not have to
personally gather and hold the curtain 170 and therefore their
exposure to germs and the like is thought to be reduced as they, at
most, have to carefully remove the curtain 170 being replaced from
the floor, rather then essentially hugging the entire curtain 170
as is currently done when removing a curtain 170.
[0032] In a practical application, the curtain 170 is provided in
packaging that is operable to expose the rod engaging members 150
such that they can be engaged with the rods 190 prior to the
exposure of a remainder of the curtain 170 from the packaging. In
one embodiment, the curtain 170 is sterilized and the packaging
maintains the sterilization until it is opened.
[0033] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a
curtain 200 which incorporates integrally formed rod engaging
members 202 in a one-piece configuration. In such a configuration,
material is cut away from the curtain 200 in the fabrication
process to form the rod engaging members 202. One example of such a
fabrication process is a die cutting process. Rod engaging members
202 are elongated and each has a loop 204 formed in a first end
206, and a second end 208 that adjacent to the main portion 210 of
the curtain 200. As curtains 200 and rod engaging members 202 are
in a one-piece configuration, the rod engaging members 202 are
fabricated from the same material as the remainder of the curtain
200. The first end 206, which includes loop 204, is sized so that
when the rod engaging member 202 is bent into a substantially
circular configuration, at least a portion of the first end 206
containing the loop 204 will pass through a slot 212, formed in the
main portion 210 of the curtain, near an intersection with the
second end 208. As illustrated, curtain 200 includes two end
portions 220, which are folded over and attached to the main
portion 210 of the curtain 200 to provide reinforcement for the
sides 222 of the curtain 200.
[0034] Like the above described embodiment, curtain 200 may be
utilized with a gathering cord (not shown) that can be passed
through the loop 204, retaining a position of the loop 204 with
respect to the slot 212. In a practical application, the curtain
200 is provided in packaging that is operable to expose the rod
engaging members 202 such that they can be engaged with the rods
104 prior to the exposure of a remainder of said curtain.
[0035] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate one embodiment of a rod 300 that
may be utilized to hang the curtains 170 and 200 (shown in FIGS. 6
and 7 respectively) from a ceiling mounted track system.
Specifically, rod 300 includes a lower hooking member 302 for
engaging the rod engaging members 150 and 202, and elongated
central member 304, and an upper track engagement member 306 that
is utilized to attach the rod 300 to a ceiling mounted tracking
system of the type previously described herein. The elongated
central member 304 extends between the upper track engagement
member 306 and the lower hooking member 302.
[0036] Rod 300 is configured to address the problems present in
known curtain attachment systems by incorporating mechanisms that
retain multiple rods in a substantially adjacent orientation for
the removal of old curtains and attachment of new curtains.
Specifically, and in the illustrated embodiment, an upper nestable
member 310 is included between the upper track engagement member
306 and the elongated central member 304 and a lower nestable
member 312 is included between the lower hooking member 302 and the
elongated central member 304.
[0037] In one embodiment, both the upper nestable member 310 and
the lower nestable member 312 incorporate a series of magnets 320,
322, 324, and 326 encased therein. The upper nestable member 310 is
formed to include both a side wall indentation 330 in a first side
wall 332 and a side wall protrusion 334 in a second side wall 336
that is opposite the first side wall 332. Likewise, the lower
nestable member 312 is formed to include both a side wall
indentation 340 in a first side wall 342 and a side wall protrusion
344 in a second side wall 346 that is opposite the first side wall
342. The configurations of the upper nestable member 310 and the
lower nestable member 312 may be different that the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, but all are common in that they each
incorporate at least one magnet that is oriented such that it helps
to maintain multiple rods 300 in a position substantially adjacent
one another when changing a curtain.
[0038] In addition, multiple configurations are possible for side
wall protrusions and indentations. The configurations are common in
that they provide simple keyed surfaces and a non-binding shape to
help maintain the substantial adjacent positioning, and make the
encased magnets that much more effective for maintaining the
described substantially adjacent positioning for the rods 300.
[0039] A specific embodiment for lower hooking member 302 is
illustrated in FIG. 8. Specifically, a curtain engaging portion 350
of lower hooking member 302 is configured with a cross-section that
is somewhat J-shaped. Extending from the side walls 342 and 346 is
a semi-circular member 352 which terminates in a curtain retention
member 354 that extends from the semi-circular member 352 at
substantially a right angle. The result is a slot 360 formed
between the curtain retention member 354 and the remainder of the
lower hooking member 302. The rod engaging members associated with
a curtain are passed through slot 360 for attachment of a curtain
to the rods 300. In one embodiment, a barb 362 protrudes from the
curtain engaging portion 350 towards the curtain retention member
354 further narrowing slot 360. Slot 360 opens to an enlarged
opening 364 within which the rod engaging members are deployed upon
passing through slot 360. The resulting configuration is such that
a rod engaging member easily passes through slot 360 since the rod
engaging member is fabricated from a flexible material. However,
the barb 362 and the curtain retention member 354 are shaped such
that slot 360 gradually narrows until such point as the slot 360
interfaces with the enlarged opening 364. This configuration
operates to reduce a likelihood of a rod engaging member of a
curtain from passing back through slot 360 from the enlarged
opening 364.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of several rods 300 in the
substantially adjacent position. Each of the rods 300 incorporates
the features described with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9. In one
aspect, curtain 200 operates to dictate a maximum distance between
any two rods 300 when they are separated from one another. In other
words, when a user provides a force that overcomes the force
provided by the encased magnets, such as would be applied by a user
to deploy a curtain, the curtain 200 operates to constrain how far
apart the rods may be positioned.
[0041] More importantly, however, incorporation of the various
magnet embodiments described with respect to FIG. 9 within the rods
300 provide a much needed help to a user when installing a new
curtain. Specifically, and as shown in FIG. 10, by maintaining the
plurality of rods 300 substantially adjacent to one another, it is
much easier for the user to place the individual rod engaging
members (rod engaging members 202 are shown in FIG. 10) onto the
lower hooking members 302 of the rods 300. The ease is provided
because the rods are not free to pivot with respect to one another
and slide along a track with respect to one another as they are in
certain known privacy curtain configurations.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
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