U.S. patent application number 13/444244 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for window rods.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAYTEX MILLS, INC.. Invention is credited to David Baines.
Application Number | 20120261371 13/444244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47005648 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261371 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baines; David |
October 18, 2012 |
WINDOW RODS
Abstract
A curtain rod assembly includes a support rod extending between
the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between opposing
walls of a window casement, and an extendable curtain rod support
arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to hold one
or two curtain rods.
Inventors: |
Baines; David; (Bedford,
NY) |
Assignee: |
MAYTEX MILLS, INC.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
47005648 |
Appl. No.: |
13/444244 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61474418 |
Apr 12, 2011 |
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61476543 |
Apr 18, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 1/142 20130101;
A47H 1/022 20130101; A47H 2001/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/123 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/022 20060101
A47H001/022 |
Claims
1. A curtain rod assembly comprising: a support rod extending
between the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between
opposing walls of a window casement; and an extendable curtain rod
support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to
hold a curtain rod.
2. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the support rod
comprises: first and second tubes, wherein a portion of the first
tube is slideably engaged with the second tube; a fastener for
maintaining a fixed spatial relationship between the first and
second tubes; and a tension adjuster positioned adjacent to an end
of one of the first and second tubes.
3. The curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein the tension
adjuster comprises: a sleeve having threads in an internal surface;
a threaded portion of the first tube configured to engage the
sleeve threads adjacent to a first end of the sleeve; and a ferrule
having a threaded portion configured to engage the sleeve threads
adjacent to a second end of the sleeve, wherein threads in the
threaded portion of the first tube and threads in the threaded
portion of the ferrule have a reverse orientation with respect to
each other.
4. The curtain rod assembly of claim 3, further comprising: a stud
connected to the ferrule and extending through the sleeve.
5. The curtain rod assembly of claim 2, wherein the fastener
comprises: a screw extending through a wall of the first tube and
making contact with a wall of the second tube to hold the second
tube in a fixed axial position with respect to the first tube.
6. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the
extendable curtain rod support arms comprises: a top portion having
a section that is slideably engaged with a bottom portion; and a
fastener for maintaining a fixed spatial relationship between the
top and bottom portions.
7. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the end
brackets comprises: a casement wall contacting portion and a
portion for contacting a wall adjacent to the window casement.
8. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the
extendable curtain rod support arms includes a first U-shaped
opening for holding the curtain rod.
9. The curtain rod assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the
extendable curtain rod support arms includes a second U-shaped
opening for holding a second curtain rod.
10. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the end
brackets includes a protrusion configured to extend into or over a
portion of the support rod, and the protrusion and support rod
include holes configured to accept a drop pin.
11. A curtain rod assembly comprising: a support rod extending
between the two end brackets and configured to be mounted between
opposing walls of a window casement, the support rod including
first and second tubes, wherein a portion of the first tube is
slideably engaged with the second tube, a fastener for maintaining
a fixed spatial relationship between the first and second tubes,
and a tension adjuster positioned adjacent to an end of one of the
first and second tubes, wherein the tension adjuster includes a
sleeve having threads in an internal surface, a threaded portion of
the first tube configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to
a first end of the sleeve, and a ferrule having a threaded portion
configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a second end of
the sleeve, wherein threads in the threaded portion of the first
tube and threads in the threaded portion of the ferrule have a
reverse orientation with respect to each other; and a curtain rod
support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to
hold a curtain rod.
12. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a
stud connected to the ferrule and extending through the sleeve.
13. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein one of the end
brackets comprises: a coupler configured to receive an end of the
ferrule.
14. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener
comprises: a screw extending through a wall of the first tube and
making contact with a wall of the second tube to hold the second
tube in a fixed axial position with respect to the first tube.
15. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the end
brackets comprises: a casement wall contacting portion and a
portion for contacting a wall adjacent to the window casement.
16. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the
extendable curtain rod support arms includes a first U-shaped
opening for holding the curtain rod.
17. The curtain rod assembly of claim 16, wherein each of the
extendable curtain rod support arms includes a second U-shaped
opening for holding a second curtain rod.
18. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein one of the end
brackets includes a protrusion configured to extend into or over a
portion of the support rod, and the protrusion and support rod
include holes configured to accept a drop pin.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/474,418, filed Apr. 12, 2011 and titled
"Window Rods", and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/476,543, filed Apr. 18, 2011 and titled "Window Rods". These
applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] The installation of window curtain rods can be difficult and
time consuming due to the need to drill holes into the walls. The
installations are permanent and errors can cause damage.
[0003] Efforts have been made to incorporate tension rod technology
inside the window frame. However the holding power of such tension
rods is limited such that the maximum load the rods will support is
approximately 5 to 15 lbs. The consequence of this is that it is
not possible to extend the rods holding the curtains up outside of
the window casing as would be the case with normal rods.
[0004] It would be desirable to have a window curtain rod that
overcomes one or more of these deficiencies.
SUMMARY
[0005] In a first aspect, a curtain rod assembly includes a support
rod extending between the two end brackets and configured to be
mounted between opposing walls of a window casement, and an
extendable curtain rod support arm extending from each of the end
brackets and shaped to hold a curtain rod.
[0006] In another aspect, a curtain rod assembly for use with a
window casement includes a support rod extending between the two
end brackets and configured to be mounted between opposing walls of
a window casement, the support rod including first and second
tubes, wherein a portion of the first tube is slidably engaged with
the second tube, a fastener for maintaining a fixed spatial
relationship between the first and second tubes, and a tension
adjuster positioned adjacent to an end of one of the first and
second tubes, wherein the tension adjuster includes a sleeve having
threads in an internal surface, a threaded portion of the first
tube configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a first
end of the sleeve, and a ferrule having a threaded portion
configured to engage the sleeve threads adjacent to a second end of
the sleeve, wherein threads in the threaded portion of the first
tube and threads in the threaded portion of the ferrule have a
reverse orientation with respect to each other; and a curtain rod
support arm extending from each of the end brackets and shaped to
hold a curtain rod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a curtain rod assembly
constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a close up view of the fastener assembly for the
adjustable support rod of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a close up view of the right bracket of the
curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of a tension adjusting assembly that
can be used in the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end bracket and tension
adjusting assembly of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the center support bracket
of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a portion of a curtain rod
assembly constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod
assembly of FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a close up view of an alternative connection to
the left bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a
curtain rod assembly 10 constructed in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. The curtain rod assembly is suitable
for mounting in a casement window opening and includes a support
rod 12 extending between two end brackets 14, 16. Each end bracket
is connected to an arm 18, 20 that is configured to extend forward
and upward to support curtain rods 22 and 24. If a casing is
provided along the top edge of the casement window opening, the
arms will clear the casing.
[0018] The support rod includes first and second telescoping
portions 26, 28. One of the first and second telescoping portions
is sized to slide into the other telescoping portion. A fastening
means 30 is provided to fix the relative position of the first and
second telescoping portions with respect to each other. While the
first and second telescoping portions 26, 28 have a circular
cross-sectional shape in this embodiment, rod portions having other
cross-sectional shaped may also be used, such as oval or square
rods.
[0019] Tension adjusting assemblies 32, 34 are positioned at
opposite ends of the support rod, and adjacent to the end brackets.
When mounted in a casement window opening 36, the end brackets are
forced against opposing walls 38, 40 of the window opening. The
tension adjusting assemblies are at one end, but both ends can have
the adjusters.
[0020] To mount the window rod assembly to a casement window frame,
the length of the support rod is adjusted by sliding the
telescoping portions with respect to each other until the brackets
are adjacent to the walls of the window opening. Then the fastener
is tightened to secure the first and second support rod telescoping
portions in a fixed position relative to each other using screws.
Next the tension adjusting assemblies are adjusted to force the end
brackets into the walls. A screw is then tightened to lock the
adjuster so that it cannot slip.
[0021] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the arms are configured to hold
telescoping curtain rods 22, 24. An optional center support bracket
42 is shown to extend from the support rod to the two curtain rods.
The center support bracket extends forward and above the window
opening and around the window molding, if present, and is
configured to support the curtain rods 22, 24.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a close up view of the fastener means for the
adjustable support rod of FIG. 1. The first telescoping portion 26
has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner
diameter of the second telescoping portion 28, allowing the first
telescoping portion is slide within the second telescoping portion.
Fasteners 44, 46, which may include screws such as alien screws or
other types of fasteners, pass through the wall of the second
telescoping portion and make contact with the wall of the first
telescoping portion. The thickness of the wall of the second
telescoping portion in the vicinity of the screws is increased to
allow for an increase in the engagement length between the screws
and the wall of the second telescoping portion. With this fastening
means, the length of the support rod can be adjusted in a
continuous manner. The screws fix the relative position of the
telescoping rod portions in a secure manner to withstand axial
forces that are applied when the tension adjusting assemblies are
used to force the brackets against the walls of the casement
opening.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod
assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a tension adjusting assembly 32
that is positioned between the first telescoping portion 26 and the
first end bracket 14. The arm 18 extends upward from the end
bracket to support curtain rods 22, 24. The end bracket includes a
first portion 52 and a second portion 54. A resilient pad 56, which
in one example is a rubber pad, is positioned between the first
portion of the end bracket and the wall 38 of the window casement.
The second portion 54 is positioned against the room wall 58. The
second portion 54 resists twisting forces applied to the bracket
due to the weight of a decorative curtain rod and curtain mounted
on the decorative curtain rod.
[0024] The arm 18 includes a top portion 60 and a bottom portion
62. The bottom portion is constructed of a hollow tube and the top
portion extends into the bottom portion. An alien screw 64 is
provided to secure the position of the top portion with respect to
the bottom portion. U-shaped openings 66, 68, are provided to
receive decorative curtain rods 22, 24. This arrangement allows the
height of the curtain rods to be adjusted without repositioning the
support rod. In one embodiment, the height of the curtain rods can
be adjusted over a range of up to about 1.5 inches by changing the
position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion and
then tightening the alien screw. The decorative curtain rods 16 may
be telescopic rods that can be adjusted to a desired length to fit
within U-shaped openings of the support arms. The decorative
curtain rods may also include a pair of finials extending from
either end. Alternatively, fixed length decorative curtain rods or
decorative curtain rods cut to fit the desired length may also be
used.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows the tension adjusting assembly 32 coupled to
the end bracket 14. A joint cover 70 covers a portion of the
tension adjusting assembly 32 adjacent to the end bracket 14.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of a tension adjusting assembly 32,
also called a tension adjuster. The tension adjusting assembly
includes a sleeve 72 having a threaded internal surface. A ferrule
74 includes a threaded portion 76 and an end portion 78 that
couples to the end bracket. The ferrule is also connected to a stud
80 that passes through the sleeve and into an end of the rod 26.
The rod 26 includes a threaded portion 82. Threads in the threaded
portion 76 and the threaded portion 82 are reversed with respect to
each other. The threads on the interior surface of the sleeve
engage threads in the threaded portion 76 and the threaded portion
82, such that when the sleeve is rotated, the rod 26 and ferrule 74
are either forced apart or brought closer together. If the rod 26
and ferrule 74 are forced apart, the overall length of the support
rod increases, such that the end brackets are forced against the
opposing walls of the window casement. After the support rod is
mounted in the casement opening, the sleeve can be fixed in place
by a screw or other fastener to prevent loosening of the support
rod.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end bracket and tension
adjusting assembly of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1. The end
bracket 14 is shown to include a coupler for receiving an end of
ferrule 74 of the tension adjusting assembly. In this embodiment,
the coupler 90 includes a top portion 92 and a bottom portion 94.
Once the ferrule is positioned in the coupler, it can be prevented
from rotating by inserting a fastener, such as a pin, through a
portion of the coupler and an opening 96 in the ferrule (shown in
FIG. 5).
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the center support bracket
42 of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1. The center support
bracket includes a top portion 100 and a bottom portion 102. The
bottom portion is constructed of a hollow tube and the top portion
extends into the bottom portion. A fastener, which can be an alien
screw 104, is provided to secure the position of the top portion
with respect to the bottom portion. U-shaped openings 106, 108, are
provided to receive curtain rods 22, 24. Additional fasteners,
which can be alien screws, 109 are provided to fix the position of
the bottom of the center support bract with respect to the support
rod. This arrangement allows the height of the curtain rods to be
adjusted without repositioning the support rod.
[0029] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a portion of a curtain rod
assembly 110 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of
the invention. Curtain rod assembly 110 can include the same
support rod 12, fastening means, and tension adjusting assembly 32
as in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, end brackets 112 and 113
are connected to arms 114 and 115 respectively. The arms 114 and
115 are configured to support a single decorative curtain rod 116.
A center support bracket 118 is also included to provide further
support for the decorative curtain rod. While FIG. 8 only shows a
right side bracket, it will be understood that a left bracket will
also be included, wherein the left bracket is the mirror image of
the right bracket.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a close up view of one end of the curtain rod
assembly of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows a tension adjusting assembly 32
that is positioned between the first telescoping portion 26 and the
first end bracket 112. The arm 114 extends upward from the end
bracket to support curtain rod 116. The end bracket includes a
first portion 120 and a second portion 122. A resilient pad 124,
which in one example is a rubber pad, is positioned between the
first portion of the end bracket and the wall 38 of the window
casement. The second portion 122 is position against the room wall
58. The second portion 122 resists twisting forces applied to the
bracket due to the weight of a decorative curtain rod and curtain
mounted on the decorative curtain rod.
[0031] The arm 114 includes a top portion 126 and a bottom portion
128. The bottom portion is constructed of a hollow tube and the top
portion extends into the bottom portion. A fastener, which may be
an alien screw 130, is provided to secure the position of the top
portion with respect to the bottom portion. A U-shaped opening 132
is provided to receive curtain rod 116. This arrangement allows the
height of the curtain rod to be adjusted without repositioning the
support rod. In one embodiment, the height of the curtain rod can
be adjusted over a range of up to about 1.5 inches by changing the
position of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion and
then tightening the alien screw. Arm 115 and support bracket 118
also include telescoping portions that allow for the adjustment of
the curtain rod height.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a close up view of an alternative connection to
the left bracket. In this embodiment, the end bracket 16 includes a
protrusion 140 that extends into rod portion 28. A drop pin 142 can
be inserted into a hole in both the rod portion and the protrusion
to secure the rod portion to the end bracket. The protrusion can be
configured to extend into or over a portion of the support rod, and
the protrusion and support rod can include holes configured to
accept the drop pin.
[0033] As can be seen from the above description, the curtain rod
assemblies constructed in accordance with embodiments of this
invention can be mounted to a window casement without the need for
tools. Using alien key type screws as fasteners to fix the relative
position of the telescoping portions of the support rod, and a
tension adjuster, a telescopic rod can be rigidly set inside and at
the top inside the window casement. In one embodiment, each end of
the telescopic rod has a bracket with rubber on the inside which
grips onto the inside of the window frame and supplies additional
holding power from the rubber. The telescopic rod includes a
tension adjuster which can be tightened to put the torque on the
rod and rigidly fix it into position. The end brackets have
extending arms that go up above and around the window molding. Each
of these brackets may hold either one or two of the curtain rods.
The brackets themselves are telescopic and the heights can be
adjusted and held by a screw.
[0034] The rods described herein may be made of any suitable
material, such as metal or high grade plastic. The rods can hold up
to 50 lbs or more of weight at a 66 inch extension.
[0035] The described rod assemblies not only permit installation
without drilling, but also allow the curtain rod to be easily
repositioned or moved. These rod assemblies can accommodate both
"single" and "double" rods.
[0036] Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been
described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the described
embodiments may be made without departing from the invention as set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *