U.S. patent application number 14/067209 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for curtain pull and method of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian Dutro, Gary L. Sharpe. Invention is credited to Brian Dutro, Gary L. Sharpe.
Application Number | 20140115830 14/067209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50545560 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140115830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sharpe; Gary L. ; et
al. |
May 1, 2014 |
CURTAIN PULL AND METHOD OF USE
Abstract
A removable handle having first and second portions for
attachment to a fabric. A first portion is covered in the fabric
for attachment and forced through a second portion. The first
portion is then reoriented to prevent the fabric from passing back
through the second portion retaining the second portion to the
fabric.
Inventors: |
Sharpe; Gary L.; (Naples,
FL) ; Dutro; Brian; (Columbus, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sharpe; Gary L.
Dutro; Brian |
Naples
Columbus |
FL
OH |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50545560 |
Appl. No.: |
14/067209 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61720188 |
Oct 30, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 5/02 20130101; Y10T
16/469 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/422 |
International
Class: |
A47H 5/02 20060101
A47H005/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for pulling a curtain, comprising: a body portion
having a first and second aperture therein, said second aperture
being an ellipse having a minor and major radii; and a fastener
unit, said fastener unit being an ellipse having a minor and major
radii, wherein said minor and major radii of said fastener unit
being greater than said minor and major radii of said second
aperture.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body and said fastener
unit are constructed from a rigid material.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body and said fastener
unit are capable of being disinfected.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener unit is the
remains of creature of said first aperture of said body.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener unit is placed
in a first orientation to pass through said second aperture.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener is placed in a
second orientation preventing passage of said fastener unit through
said second aperture.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a fabric is interposed between
said body and said fastener unit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said fabric is forced through
said second aperture by said fastener unit in said first
orientation.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein once said fabric is forced
through said second aperture, said fastener unit is placed in the
second orientation to affix said body to said fabric.
10. A curtain pull, comprising: a body having a first and second
aperture therein, said first aperture being of a larger dimension
than said second aperture; and a fastener unit, said fastener unit
being complementary to said second aperture and having a larger
dimension than said second aperture; wherein said fastener unit
passes through said second aperture in a first orientation and does
not pass through said second aperture in a second orientation.
11. The curtain pull of claim 10, wherein said second aperture and
said fastener unit are ellipse.
12. The curtain pull of claim 10, wherein said body and said
fastener unit are rigid and capable of being disinfected.
13. The curtain pull of claim 10, wherein said body is adapted to
be removably affixed to a curtain.
14. The curtain pull of claim 13, wherein fabric is interposed
between said body and said fastener unit.
15. A method of removably attaching a handle to a web of flexible
material, comprising: providing a body having a first and second
aperture, said second aperture is an ellipse having a minor and
major radii; providing a fastener unit, said fastener unit is an
ellipse having a minor and major radii greater that the minor and
major radii of said second aperture; placing said body proximate to
said web such that said first aperture of said body extends
laterally beyond an edge of the web; placing said fastener unit
proximate to said web, such that said web is interposed between
said fastener unit and said body; pushing the fastener body, and a
portion of the interposed web, through said second aperture, said
fastener unit being oriented in a first position relative to said
body in which said fastener unit fits through the second aperture;
and reorienting said fastener unit relative to said body to a
second position in which said fastener unit fails to fit through
said second aperture, retaining the interposed web portion.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said first aperture in said
body acts as a handle.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said body and said fastener
unit are constructed from a rigid material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/720188 and incorporates said application as if
fully rewritten herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for grasping
natural and synthetic fabric.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0003] The privacy curtains that separate care spaces in hospitals
and clinics are frequently contaminated with potentially dangerous
bacteria. Hospitals and clinics are becoming increasingly aware
that their environments play an important role in the transmission
of infections and it is becoming clear that these privacy curtains
are important sites of contamination. This is of particular
importance as the privacy curtains are frequently touched by
patients, providers and visitors.
[0004] One problem is that sinks in hospital and clinic rooms are
located so that it may be necessary for the health care provider to
touch these curtains after having washed their hands. After
touching the privacy curtain, the health care provider then
proceeds to touch the patient to administer care. Adding to the
problem is that the privacy curtains typically remain hanging for
extended periods of time and are difficult to disinfect.
[0005] Generally, a privacy curtain becomes contaminated with
significant bacteria within a week of being hung, and many privacy
curtains remain hanging for up to a month between cleanings. Types
of bacteria found on privacy curtains include Staphylococcus aures
bacteria, including the methicillin-resistant S. aures (MRSA) as
well as several species of Enterococci.
[0006] Although curtain pulls are available, these devices are
typically permanent and suffer from the same contamination problems
as the privacy curtains. Most curtain pulls are connected to the
frame supporting the privacy curtain and are difficult if not
impossible to remove in order to be disinfected. Even if removable,
these types of devices are disinfected less frequently then the
privacy curtains and are a breeding ground for bacteria.
[0007] Being able to effectively maneuver the privacy curtain
without the risk of spreading infection in a hospital or clinic
setting is an ongoing challenge in the industry. Consequently,
there is a need for a removable curtain pull that can be applied to
and removed from the privacy curtain easily. In addition, the
curtain pull should be easily disinfected and inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
have been made to remedy the previously mentioned problems. One
objective of the exemplary embodiments is to provide a removable
handle that can be easily affixed to, and removed from fabric, such
as a privacy curtain. When applied to a privacy curtain, the
exemplary curtain pull eliminates the need for health care
providers to grab or touch the privacy curtain directly. Rather, a
user may quickly affix the exemplary curtain pull in order to
provide a handle for pulling the privacy curtain.
[0009] The exemplary curtain pull also improves cleanliness and
prevents cross-contamination. Since the curtain pull is easily
removed from the privacy curtain it may be cleaned and disinfected.
Accordingly, the spread of germs and bacteria may be reduced.
[0010] Exemplary embodiments provides for a curtain pull device.
The curtain pull includes a readily attachable and readily
removable handle that is used to grasp a fabric, typically a
privacy curtain. The exemplary curtain pull has a two piece design.
The first piece defines the handle and a second piece is a
fastener. The handle includes at least two apertures. One aperture
is sized to allow a user to insert their hand and grab the curtain
pull. A second aperture is used in conjunction with the fastener to
removably affix the curtain pull to the fabric.
[0011] The fastener piece is dimensionally designed such that when
oriented in a particular way it is capable of passing through an
aperture in the handle piece, and upon passing through the aperture
may be reoriented in a way that prevents it from passing back
through the aperture. During use of the exemplary curtain pull, a
user places the handle and the fastener so that the fabric to which
it will attach is interposed there between. The fastener is then
covered in fabric. Using the fastener piece, the user pushes a
portion of the fabric, and the fastener through the aperture of the
handle piece. After pushing the fabric covered fastener through the
aperture the fastener is reoriented and the fabric is pulled tight
to affix the handle to the fabric.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The advantages and other characteristics of the disclosed
embodiments will be better understood when attention is directed to
the accompanying drawings, wherein identical elements are
indentified with identical reference numerals and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary curtain pull
device illustrating the handle piece and the fastener piece;
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary orientation of the fastener
piece that allows the fastener piece to pass through an aperture in
the handle piece;
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts an orientation of the fastener piece that
prevents the fastener piece from passing through an aperture in the
handle piece;
[0016] FIG. 4 is the reverse angle of FIG. 3, further illustrating
an orientation of the fastener piece that prevents the fastener
piece from passing through an aperture in the handle piece; and
[0017] FIGS. 5 through 9 are various views of the FIG. 1 curtain
pull illustrating how the curtain pull is removably affixed to
fabric, specifically a privacy curtain.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in greater detail. It should be recognized that the
present invention can be practiced in a wide range of other
embodiments besides those explicitly described, and the scope of
the exemplary embodiments described are expressly not limited.
[0019] Directing attention to the drawings and particularly to FIG.
1, a perspective view is provided for an embodiment of a curtain
pull 10 that may be removably affixed to a fabric, such as a
privacy curtain in a hospital or clinic. As illustrated, the
exemplary curtain pull 10 is constructed of two pieces, the first
of which is a handle piece 20 and the second of which is a fastener
unit 30. In the unassembled condition of FIG. 1, the exemplary pull
10 is ready to be removably affixed to a piece of fabric to act as
a pull for the piece of fabric. It is understood to one of skill in
the art that these pieces 20, 30 may be manufactured from a variety
of different materials that are capable of being disinfected and/or
sterilized. One exemplary embodiment provides that both the handle
20 and the fastener unit 30 are made from polystyrene.
[0020] The handle has two opposing surfaces 26, 28 separated by a
thickness of material. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the handle 20
defines at least two apertures 22, 24 therein. The first aperture
22 has sufficient dimensions to allow a user to grab the handle 20
by passing his or her hand or finger through the first aperture 22.
As depicted, the first aperture 22 is elliptical or ovoid and has
sufficiently large major and minor radii to allow a human hand to
pass though and grab the handle 20. Although it should be noted
that in other embodiments the apertures 22, 24 may have any shape,
such as rectangular, triangular, or any polygon. The fastener unit
30 may also have a variety of shapes corresponding to the second
aperture 24; however, the fastener unit 30 must be able to be
placed in a first orientation to pass through the second aperture
24 and then be able to be manipulated into a second orientation to
prevent passing back through the second aperture 24.
[0021] The second aperture 24 is defined by the handle 20 and works
in conjunction with the fastener unit 30 to removably affix the
curtain pull 10 to a fabric. The fastener unit 30 has dimensions
such that when oriented in a particular manner, it is capable of
passing through at least the second aperture 24 in the handle 20.
The dimension of the fastener unit 30 is such that upon being
passed through the second aperture 24, the fastener unit may be
oriented in an alternative manner to prevent being passed back
through the second aperture 24.
[0022] As seen in FIGS. 1-2, both the fastener unit 30 and the
second aperture 24 of an exemplary curtain pull 10 are elliptical
or ovoid. In this embodiment, the fastener unit 30 has a major
radius and minor radius greater than the respective major and minor
radii of the second aperture 24. In embodiments where the first and
second apertures 22, 24 and the fastener unit 30 have corresponding
shapes, it may be preferred to construct the fastener unit 30 from
the resulting material left when the first aperture 22 is cut out
of the handle 20. In other embodiments, the fastener unit 30 may be
cut from another piece of material.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fastener unit 30 may be
oriented in such a manner so as to allow the fastener unit 30 to
pass through the second aperture 24. To secure the curtain pull 10
to an article of fabric, a user holds the handle 20 via the first
aperture 22 in one hand and holds the fastener piece 30 in the
other. The fabric, to which the curtain pull 10 is to be attached,
is interposed between the handle 20 and fastener unit 30. The
fastener unit 30 is then oriented in the manner depicted in FIG. 2
in order to push some amount of the fabric through the second
aperture 24. Once the fastener unit 30 and some portion of fabric
have been passed through the second aperture 24, the fastener
unit's 30 orientation is manipulated to prevent the fastener unit
30 and the fabric from passing back through the second aperture 24.
To ensure a secure attachment to the fabric, the fabric passed
through the second aperture 24 should completely cover the second
aperture 24.
[0024] FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the orientation of the fastener unit 30
preventing the fastener unit 30 from passing back through the
second aperture 24 once the curtain pull 10 has been attached to
the fabric 40. As depicted in FIGS. 3-4, an exemplary embodiment
provides that orienting the fastener unit 30 such that one of its
surfaces is facing either the first or second surface 26, 28 of the
handle 20 preventing the fastener unit 30 from passing back through
the second aperture 24. It is possible to orient the fastener unit
30 in such a manner because its major and minor radii are larger
than the major and minor radii of the second aperture 24.
[0025] Once the fabric 40 is threaded through the second aperture
24 by using the fastener unit 30, the fabric remaining on the side
of the handle 20 opposing the fastener unit 30 is pulled to draw
the fastener unit 30 toward the handle 20. The friction between the
fastener unit 30, fabric and handle 20 affixes the pull 10 to the
fabric.
[0026] FIGS. 5-9 illustrate the application of the exemplary
curtain pull 10 to fabric 40. As discussed above, the curtain pull
10 includes a handle 20 and a fastener unit 30. The handle 20 is
placed against a fabric 40 for attachment thereto (FIG. 5). As
shown in FIG. 6, the fastener unit 30 is oriented to pass through
the second aperture 24 along with a portion of the fabric 40. In
FIG. 7, as the fastener unit 30 is forced through the second
aperture 24, a portion of the fabric 40 surrounding the fastening
unit 30 is also passed through the second aperture 24. In FIG. 8,
it can be seen that the fastener unit 30 is completely covered by
the fabric 40 and is oriented to prevent the fastener unit 30 from
passing back through the second aperture 24. To secure the
exemplary pull 10 to the fabric 40, the fabric 40 may be pulled
tight forcing the fastener unit 30 and the handle into close
proximity. After the pull 10 has been removably fixed to the fabric
40, a user may use the pull 10 to manipulate the fabric 40 as shown
in FIG. 9.
[0027] To remove the pull 10 from the fabric 40 for cleaning,
simply reverse the process. The fastener unit 30 is pulled away
from the handle 20 forcing more fabric 40 through the second
aperture 24. The fastener unit 30 is pulled far enough away from
the handle 20 to allow the fastener unit 30 to be placed in an
orientation to pass back through the second aperture 24. Once the
fastener unit 30 is passed through the second aperture, the fabric
40 may also be pulled back through the second aperture 24 removing
the pull 10 from the fabric 40.
[0028] While the embodiments disclosed described the best modes
known to the inventor at the time of filing, the scope of the
invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments disclosed
herein.
* * * * *