U.S. patent application number 12/765894 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-02 for method and apparatus for producing pleats in curtains and pleated curtains and hanging said curtains using said apparatus.
Invention is credited to Marilyn Stern.
Application Number | 20100218905 12/765894 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40086810 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100218905 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stern; Marilyn |
September 2, 2010 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PLEATS IN CURTAINS AND PLEATED
CURTAINS AND HANGING SAID CURTAINS USING SAID APPARATUS
Abstract
A method and apparatus, for pleating curtains and pleated
curtains using the apparatus, are described. The apparatus may be
provided as a parts kit which includes a stiffener, pleat-forming
members, and fasteners. The stiffener is attached to a curtain and
bent into a series of pleat-shaped formations. The pleat-forming
members and fasteners are used to hold the stiffener and support
the curtain, forming the created pleats in place. The curtain may
then be hung on a curtain rod by a separate hanging element which
couples the pleat-forming members to a curtain rod. The hanging
element may form an integral part of the pleat-forming member.
Inventors: |
Stern; Marilyn; (Washington,
DC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP
1825 EYE STREET NW
Washington
DC
20006-5403
US
|
Family ID: |
40086810 |
Appl. No.: |
12/765894 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11806505 |
May 31, 2007 |
7730931 |
|
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12765894 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/348 ;
160/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 16/353 20150115;
A47H 13/14 20130101; A47H 13/16 20130101; A47H 2023/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/348 ;
160/405 |
International
Class: |
A47H 13/14 20060101
A47H013/14; A47H 99/00 20090101 A47H099/00 |
Claims
1.-44. (canceled)
45. A pleat-forming assembly comprising: an axial pleat-forming
member adapted to be inserted between pairs of openings in a
material to define a pleat and having first integral fastening
portions at opposite ends thereof; a pair of first pressing
elements respectively associated with opposite ends of said
pleat-forming member, each of said first pressing elements
presenting a pressing surface which is orthogonal to the axis of
said pleat-forming member; a pair of fasteners, each having a
second fastening portion for engaging with a respective first
fastening portion of the pleat-forming member, for securing ends of
the pleat-forming member to the material; a second pressing element
associated with each fastener, each first pressing element being
adapted for use with an associated second pressing element to hold
between them the material in areas surrounding an opening when said
first and second engaging portions are engaged; and at least one of
the first and second fastening portions being adapted for insertion
into said openings.
46. The assembly of claim 45, wherein the pleat-forming members
comprise elongated pins.
47. The assembly of claim 45, further comprising a hanger unit
adapted to be attached to the pleat-forming member for hanging a
material held by the pleat-forming member and fasteners.
48. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the hanger unit is integral
with the pleat-forming member.
49. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the hanger unit comprises a
C-shaped hooking device.
50. The assembly of claim 45, wherein each first engaging portion
comprises an external screw thread provided on said pleat-forming
member and each second fastening portion comprises a bolt having
integral screw threads.
51. The assembly of claim 45, wherein each first pressing element
is integral with said pleat-forming member.
52. The assembly of claim 45, wherein said pleat-forming member
comprises openings on opposite ends thereof containing internal
screw threads as said first fastening portions and each fastener
comprise a screw connectable with said internal screw thread as a
said second fastening portion.
53. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the pleat-forming member has
receiving openings forming said first fastening portions and each
fastener comprise a cap attachable to the respective receiving
openings by a pop-in bead as a said second fastening portion.
54. The assembly of claim 52, wherein the first pressing elements
are attachable to said pleat-forming member at respective ends, and
the second pressing elements are attachable to the fasteners.
55. The assembly of claim 45, wherein the first pressing elements
are integral with and at opposite ends of the pleat-forming member
and the second pressing elements are integral with the
fasteners.
56. The assembly of claim 53, wherein said pop-in bead is integral
with said cap.
57. The assembly of claim 45, wherein said first and second
pressing elements are washers.
58. The assembly of claim 45, wherein said first pressing elements
are integral with said pleat-forming member and said second
pressing elements each comprise a washer.
59. A pleat-forming assembly comprising: a pleat forming member
adapted to be inserted between pairs of openings in a material to
define a pleat, the pleat-forming member having a pair of first
pressing elements respectively integrally provided at opposite ends
thereof, and first fastening portions at opposite ends thereof; and
a pair of fasteners, each having a second fastening portion for
engaging with a respective first fastening portion of the
pleat-forming member, for securing ends of the pleat forming member
to a material, each said second fastening portion having an
associated second pressing element, each first pressing element
being adapted for use with a respective second pressing element to
hold a material in areas surrounding an opening when said first and
second fastening portions are engaged; and a pair of insertion
elements for insertion into the openings and respectively provided
as part of the second fastening portions.
60. A pleat-forming assembly as in claim 59, wherein said first
fastening portions comprise internal screw threads provided at
opposite ends of said pleat-forming member and said second
fastening portions comprise screws for engaging with said internal
screw threads.
61. A pleat-forming assembly as in claim 59, wherein said first
fastening portions comprise receiving openings provided at opposite
ends of said pleat-forming member and said second fastening
portions comprise a projection for engaging with said receiving
openings.
62. A pleat-forming assembly as in claim 59, wherein the second
pressing elements are integrally provided on respective fasteners.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention is related to curtains and devices for
pleating and hanging a curtain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Curtains are a typical means for providing privacy and
blocking sunlight, commonly found in the windows of homes, offices,
and other buildings. Interior designers and individuals decorating
their homes often desire to install or adjust curtain arrangements
for aesthetic purposes. A common curtain arrangement is to hang the
curtain in such a way as to produce regularly recurring folds, or
pleats, in the curtain.
[0003] Pleats may be formed in a curtain in a labor-intensive and
time-consuming manner that involves sewing folds in the upper edge
of the curtain, or stitching various types of pleat curtain
headings to the upper edge of the curtain. Alternatively, curtains
may be purchased that have pleats professionally pre-sewn in place
using special equipment; however, this hampers the flexibility and
creativity of the person preparing a custom window treatment to her
or his own personal taste by limiting the curtain design to the
available selection of pre-sewn curtains. What is needed is a
device that will enable application of pleats to non-pleated
curtains in a fast and easy manner without requiring
professional-level processing or advanced machinery, or further
machine or hand sewing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An apparatus in the form of a curtain pleating kit is
disclosed providing a less time-consuming and labor-intensive means
for producing pleats in a curtain. A method of using the kit and
resulting pleated curtain structures is also disclosed. According
to an embodiment of the invention, the location of pairs of
openings are marked on the curtain fabric. A template, which may be
optionally provided with the kit, can assist in such marking. A
flexible stiffener provided in the kit is attached to the curtain.
Openings are cut through the stiffener and the curtain fabric. The
stiffener can be bent or folded to bring each pair of openings to
face one another and a pleat-forming member provided in the kit,
for example, a pin, engages each pair of openings. The
pleat-forming members are secured in place by fasteners, also
provided in the kit, on each end, which hold the stiffener and
curtain in a series of recurring pleat-shaped curves. The curtain,
having pleats formed therein, may be hung by hooking the
pleat-forming member to a curtain rod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper edge of a curtain
with a stiffener, pleat-forming members and hangers installed
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 2A is a plan view of a template with holes placed over
an edge of a curtain which may be used according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2B is a plan view of a template with marking material
placed over an edge of a curtain according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 3A is a pleat-forming member with washer-screw
fasteners according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3B is a pleat-forming member with washer-nut fasteners
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3C is a pleat-forming member with pop-in bead fasteners
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 3D is another pleat-forming member with washer-nut
fasteners according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 3E is another pleat-forming member with washer-screw
fasteners according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4A is an example of a decorative pleat-forming member
having an integral hooking element according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4B is a second example of a decorative pleat-forming
member having an integral hooking element according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a decorative pleat-forming
member installed in a curtain.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which
are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments of the
invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to make and use them, and it is to
be understood that structural, logical or procedural changes may be
made.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a kit according to an embodiment of the
invention includes a stiffener 30, a set of pleat-forming members
40, a set of fasteners 50 and optionally a set of hangers 60 and a
template 10 (FIG. 2A). When the stiffener 30, pleat-forming members
40, fasteners 50 and hangers 60 are installed on a curtain 15, as
shown in FIG. 1, the curtain 15 is held in a series of
pleat-formations and may be hung on a curtain rod.
[0018] One or more templates may be provided in the kit to mark the
locations of pairs of openings in the stiffener 30 and/or curtain
15 through which pleat-forming members 40 are installed. FIGS. 2A
and 2B illustrate embodiments of suitable templates 10, 10'.
Templates 10, 10' are illustrated as having a rectangular shape but
may be provided in other shapes and are not to be limited to the
shape illustrated in the drawings. The templates 10, 10' may
include measurement markings or lines (not shown) to aid the user
in achieving precise placement of the templates 10, 10' and may be
constructed of cloth, cardboard, paper, tissue paper, plastic or
any other suitable material. The templates 10, 10' may be provided
in various embodiments to facilitate marking the locations of pairs
of openings in the curtain 15 and/or the stiffener 30. A variety of
templates may be provided in the kit for enabling the creation of
different sizes of pleats.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 2A, an example template 10 includes
openings 20 through which a user may mark the curtain 15 or
stiffener 30, for example, using a pen or a marker. After
inscribing the marks in the curtain 15 at the locations designated
by the placement openings 20, template 10 may be removed and the
user may cut openings or punch holes in the curtain 15 and/or
stiffener 30 in accordance with the inscribed marks.
[0020] FIG. 2B illustrates a second example template 10' according
to a second embodiment. Template 10' includes marking substance 20'
for marking the curtain 15. For example, in one embodiment marking
substance 20' comprises colored wax, which melts upon application
of heat. The user employing this embodiment aligns the template 10'
on the curtain 15 and applies an iron or similar heating tool to
alter marking substance 20' to transfer to the curtain 15
appropriately positioned marks for the pairs of openings in curtain
15.
[0021] A stiffener 30 is used to provide the pleat framework and
holds the curtain 15 in the desired shape. Preferably, the
stiffener 30 is flexible to allow easy attachment to a curtain and
bending to form the pleats. Any number of suitable materials having
a sturdy but flexible constitution may be used for construction of
the stiffener 30, including but not limited to cardboard, plastic,
buckram, or stiff, woven or non-woven fusible or non-fusible
fabric. The stiffener 30 should be attached to a hanging side of a
curtain 15, as shown in FIG. 1. The stiffener 30 may be attached in
various ways, for example but not limited to, sewing, gluing,
fusing by heat application or stapling. The stiffener 30 may
include openings which are in accord with the markings 20, 20' of
the template 10, 10', or the stiffener 30 may be constructed of a
material through which the user may easily create openings.
[0022] In one embodiment, the template 10, 10' and stiffener 30 may
be combined into a single element which may be included in the kit
and attached to the curtain 15, having openings or indicators of
proposed opening placements included therein.
[0023] After the stiffener 30 having openings which are aligned
with openings cut into the curtain 15 is installed, the stiffener
30 is bent into a series of pleat-shaped or S-shaped formations by
bringing each opening to face an opposing opening such that
opposite ends of each pleat-forming member 40 may be inserted into
an associated pair of openings 32. FIGS. 1 and 3A-3C show the
pleat-forming members 40 as pins having ends which engage the holes
in the stiffener 30 and curtain 15. A fastener 50 is attached to
the ends of the pins 40, thereby securing the stiffener 30 and the
curtain 15 in the series of pleat-shaped formations, as shown in
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIGS. 3A-3E show example embodiments of pin-type
pleat-forming members 40a-40e and fasteners 50a-50e for engaging
with the pleat-forming members 40a-40e. It should be understood
that the invention is not limited to the pleat-forming
member/fastener combinations illustrated and that the invention
encompasses any and all equivalent devices capable of securing the
stiffener 30 in pleat-shaped formations and providing a support
base from which the curtain 15 may be hung. Each fastener
embodiment includes washers and/or supportive bases. The fasteners
function by pressing a washer tightly against another washer or a
supportive base, compressing the curtain 15 in between and thereby
distributing the force (due to the weight of the curtain) that is
applied to the opening in the curtain over a greater area. This
helps prevent the curtain 15 from tearing around the openings 32
(FIG. 1) when hung.
[0025] FIG. 3A shows a pleat-forming member 40a having opposed
supportive bases 44a and a threaded hole 43a for receiving a screw
53a and washer 52a (collectively fastener 50a) which may be used to
secure the stiffener 30 and curtain 15 to the end of the
pleat-forming member 40a such that the stiffener 30 and curtain 15
are prevented from expanding back to a flat position, thus
preserving the pleats in the curtain 15. The stiffener 30 and
curtain 15 material is compressed between washer 52 and the
supportive base 44a.
[0026] FIG. 3B shows a pleat-forming member 40b having threaded
ends 42b for receiving and attaching to washers 52b, 55b and nut
51b (collectively fastener 50b) which may be used to secure the end
of the pleat-forming member 40b. The stiffener 30 and curtain 15
material is compressed between washers 52b, 55b.
[0027] FIG. 3C shows a pleat-forming member 40c having an
accompanying pop-in bead fastener 50c. The pop-in bead fastener 50c
includes a projection 47 that fits within an opening 45 in the
pleat-forming member 40c. This embodiment may be easily constructed
of plastic and facilitate a quick installation of the
pleat-producing kit.
[0028] FIG. 3D shows a pleat-forming member 40d having attached
supportive bases 54. An appropriate fastener 50d for member 40d
could include a nut 51d and a washer 52d. This embodiment functions
similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B.
[0029] FIG. 3E shows a pleat-forming member 40e having non-threaded
ends 42e that include a threaded hole 43e. The illustrated fastener
50e includes a screw 53e and two washers 52e, 55e for securing the
pleat-forming member 40e to the curtain 15 and stiffener 30. Any of
the above described pleat-forming members 40a-40e may be provided
having adjustable length members to allow for creating pleats of
different sizes.
[0030] The kit according to the invention may optionally include
grommets 65 (FIG. 1) for insertion within the openings 32 (FIG. 1)
for bolstering the same, and also optionally may include a standard
device for installing the grommets (not shown). The use of grommets
65 would provide an alternative supportive frame for the openings
in the curtain 15, decreasing the risk of unwanted tears forming in
the curtain 15 around the holes. A kit that includes grommets 65
could include a pleat-forming member 40' and fastener 50' as shown
in FIG. 3B, omitting washers 52, 55.
[0031] Referring back to FIG. 1, pleat-forming members 40 in the
form of pins are shown installed, providing support segments from
which the curtain 15 may be hung. Hanging devices 60 are used to
hang the curtain 15 from a curtain rod (FIG. 4C) and may be
optionally provided in the parts kit. The hanging devices 60 are
illustrated as C-shaped rings for convenience only, hanging devices
60 of different shapes may be used, including but not limited to
S-shaped hooks, J-shaped hooks, linked-rings, single rings,
rope/wire loops or the like.
[0032] Hanging device 60 and a pleat-forming member 40 may be
combined into a single element. FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a
decorative embodiment of a combined hook/pleat-forming member 70,
70'. FIG. 4A shows a figure of a basketball player, for example,
suitable for use in hanging a curtain in a child's room. FIG. 4B
shows an candy-cane figure, for example, suitable for use during
Christmas holiday seasons. Other decorative embodiments may be
used. The combined hook/pleat-forming member 70, 70' includes a
hanging section 75, 75' for hanging the curtain 15 from a rod and a
pleat-forming section 80, 80' having opposed ends 82, 82' for
passing through holes in the stiffener 30 and curtain 15, as shown
in FIG. 4C. Hooking section 75, 75' is illustrated as a hook-shaped
element, but may be constructed as any of the hanging devices 60
described above or in any equivalent manner. Pleat-forming section
80, 80' may be constructed in accordance with the above description
of pleat-forming members 40a-40e and may use fasteners 50a-50e or
any other suitable structure for fastening the pleat-forming
section 40 to the stiffener/curtain openings.
[0033] For example, if the pleat-forming section of the combined
hook/pleat-forming section 70, 70' were equivalent to the
pleat-forming member 40 and fastener 50 combination, then washer 55
would allow additional compression of the pleats and prevent the
pleats from expanding along the pleat-forming section 70, 70' axis
of the combined hook/pleat-forming section 70, 70'. Washer 52 and
nut 51 would be used in combination to secure the stiffener 30 and
curtain 15 to the end of pleat-forming sections 80, 80' so that the
stiffener 30 and curtains 15 are prevented from expanding back to a
flat position, thus preserving the pleats in the curtain 15.
Similarly, if the combined hook/pleat-forming section 70, 70' were
equivalent to the pleat-forming member 40' and fastener 50', or to
40'' and 50'', then their function and structure would be as
discussed previously for these respective pleat-forming
member/fastener combinations.
[0034] While embodiments have been described in detail, it should
be readily understood that embodiments of the invention are not
limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather the embodiments can be
modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations,
substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore
described.
* * * * *