U.S. patent application number 13/923117 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-25 for curtain.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Varon. Invention is credited to David Varon.
Application Number | 20140374037 13/923117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52109938 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140374037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Varon; David |
December 25, 2014 |
Curtain
Abstract
A versatile curtain comprising fabric material having a top
edge, bottom edge and two sides. The fabric can be folded or seamed
to provide a tubular pocket near the top edge. A set of
horizontally spaced and vertically extending loops are provided
near the top edge, too, overlying the pocket. A curtain tape
extends across the curtain, from side to side edge and preferably
forms one side of the pocket. The tubular pocket, large loops and
the curtain band for curtain hooks provide a variety of supporting
options for the consumer, seeking to support the same on a curtain
rod. The top edge of the curtain can also be supported by a set of
clips and rings.
Inventors: |
Varon; David; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Varon; David |
Brooklyn |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52109938 |
Appl. No.: |
13/923117 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/330 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 13/00 20130101;
A47K 3/38 20130101; A47H 13/04 20130101; A47H 13/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/330 |
International
Class: |
A47H 13/02 20060101
A47H013/02; A47K 3/38 20060101 A47K003/38 |
Claims
1. A curtain for a curtain-supporting rod comprising: a sheet of
fabric defining a top edge, bottom edge, and opposed sides, said
sheet further comprising: a tubular and longitudinal extending
pocket formed from said sheet and near to said top edge, said
tubular pocket having one or more side openings extending from one
or both of said opposed sides and two or more horizontally-spaced,
vertically-extending large loops, secured to said fabric proximal
to said top edge, said large loops being sufficiently large to
allow said supporting rod to be passed therethrough.
2. A curtain for a curtain-supporting rod as claimed in claim 1
further comprising a tape of curtain hook-holding material proximal
to said top edge and providing a set of horizontally-spaced loops
for use with conventional curtain hooks to secure said curtain to a
curtain-supporting rod.
3. The curtain as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fabric is
lined.
4. The curtain as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tubular pocket
is formed by one side of said curtain tape.
5. The curtain as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tubular pocket
is overlain by said large loops.
6. The curtain as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tubular pocket
is formed below and recessed from said top edge to provide a small
fringe at the top of said curtain.
7. The curtain as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tubular pocket is
overlaid by said vertically-extending large loops.
8. The curtain as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a curtain
tape proximal to said top edge and providing a set of
horizontally-spaced loops for use with conventional curtain hooks,
to secure said curtain to a curtain-supporting rod, said tape, said
large loops and said tubular pocket substantially overlying one
another.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a highly versatile curtain
for use to cover a window, wall, a doorway, even a shower stall or
tub. More specifically, the present invention comprises a curtain
comprising a plurality of alternative devices for hanging of the
same, all of the components for the curtain for vertically hanging
the same being provided and integrated into a single product,
thereby making it compatible with a variety of hanging components,
for example, a hidden horizontal rod, a reveal or partially
revealed horizontal rod, a set of conventional curtain hooks, even
a set of clips or clasps secured to the top edge of the curtain and
having a set of hooks or rings to be supported on a horizontal
curtain rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present invention discloses a highly versatile curtain
for use in or around a home, office, window, door, even a wall or
shower stall or shower-tub configuration. Curtains are generally
secured to and held by some horizontal rod or mechanism to prevent
the curtain from falling to the ground or dropping to one side.
Often the curtain is adapted to be able to slide or move laterally
along the horizontal rod. In many cases, a curtain is hung on a
horizontally extending rod positioned above the edge of a window,
door, even a shower or tub. In other instances, the rod can be
releaseably secured to the window or door sill, to the opposed
walls or into a shower stall, while in others the horizontal rod or
holding mechanism is fixed and secured to extend horizontally. In
any event, there are a variety of fabric curtain supporting and
moving/sliding mechanisms. The manufacturer of a visually pleasing
new curtain desires for the consumer to buy that curtain and to be
able to support the same on any one of many potential curtain rods
or holding mechanisms. It is uneconomical, however, for each of the
same fabric curtain to be inventoried in a retail store with
individual supporting mechanisms to accommodate the various support
structures, e.g., one for a simple slide-in, horizontal and
concealed support rod; one for a slide-in, horizontal and partially
revealed support rod (suspending the curtain by loops); one for a
curtain intended to be supported by traditional curtain rods which
have slides and curtain holding plastic tabs and apertures which
cooperate with metallic, curtain hooks, etc. Thus, for a
manufacturer of curtains, it is highly desirable to make and sell
and to have resold to consumers, curtains which are capable of
being supported by any one or more of the conventional support
structures or devices which the consumer's residence currently has
or will be provided with, at the consumer's preference and option.
A curtain which can be suspended by an attractive horizontal rod by
sliding rings is desired; a curtain which can be suspended by a
hidden round, horizontal rod is desired; a curtain having a band of
curtain tape for sliding receipt of conventional curtain hooks is
also desired so that the same can be mounted upon curtain rods of
the sliding carrier type, i.e., those which slide open and close by
operation of a cord.
[0003] The present invention comprises a single curtain capable of
being hung and supported by a number of hanging mechanisms. Like
many curtains, the present invention comprises a series of large
vertically-extending loops, horizontally spaced across the top
horizontal axis of the curtain. The large vertically-extending
loops are adapted to slidingly fit over a horizontal pole or rod,
the rod itself otherwise supported in any conventional manner. The
large vertical loops are mere extensions of the material of the
curtain, so the rod can pass through and under each loop without
risk of the loops breaking and the curtain falling. Alternatively,
the loops can also be secured around the rod (rather than sliding
therethrough) by snaps or buttons. In this way, the loops can be
located behind the top edge of the curtain and not be visible to
the viewer or, the loops can be snapped near the top edge so that
the loops pass through a revealed curtain rod.
[0004] The present invention also comprises a pocket-like
horizontally-extending cavity which preferably runs across the
upper edge of the curtain. The pocket extends either underneath or
above the large vertically-extending loops first described above.
The pocket or cavity, which includes an opening on either end of
the curtain, extends along the back of the curtain so that it is
not viewable from the front. Indeed, the cavity or pocket is
preferably formed from the same material as that of the front of
the curtain, made as a simple fold over the top edge. The
horizontal cavity or pocket allows for the curtain to be hung by
means of a rod or pole passing into one or the other open end and
through the cavity, in a manner quite similar to how the curtain is
supported by a rod passing through the loops. However, using the
pocket cavity formed in the curtain material, the curtain can be
hung so as to substantially conceal the rod. The fold-over pocket
or longitudinally extending cavity for sliding receipt of a rod
presents a second hanging mechanism for the same curtain using a
standard rod, and either can be chosen based solely on the user's
preference. Whether the user suspends the curtain by a rod passing
through the loops on the back of the curtain or by the hidden
horizontal cavity or pocket, the user's preference is
preserved.
[0005] As yet another alternative to using a rod which passes or
slides longitudinally through the material of the present invention
by either a pocket or cavity formed in the material or the large
vertically-extending loops attached thereto, as described above,
curtains are quite often secured to and hung by rings sliding on
the horizontal rod. The clean top edge of the present curtain
allows for those sliding rings to be clipped or secured to the
curtain and, thus, another manner of supporting the curtain is
provided. As yet another alternative for supporting the present
inventive curtain, it is contemplated that the same be secured by
conventional curtain hooks, which can attach on one end to some
form of loop, hole, or other connecting means across the horizontal
top edge of the curtain, and on the other end the hooks secure to a
fixed curtain rod (operated by string to open and close the
curtain). Thus, the present invention also comprises a horizontal
length of curtain hook-holding "tape" for securing curtain hooks.
Each hook can be inserted vertically through a series of small
horizontally-extending loops of the tape, extending across the
length of the curtain. The curtain hooks (conventionally available)
have upwardly extending sharp tips for securing to the top of the
curtain and a somewhat-rounded and inverted U-shaped top end for
placement in the downwardly extending apertures of the sliding tabs
of the conventional sliding curtain rods. Thus, the present
invention provides another alternatively available mechanism for
supporting a curtain by use of a horizontally extending curtain
rod.
[0006] The present invention curtain can be suspended or hung by
use of curtain clips secured on one end to the top edge of the
curtain and rings to be held on a horizontal rod.
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention discloses a new inventive
vertically suspended curtain, capable of being hung in a variety of
ways. Thus, for a consumer, retailer, and the manufacturer, a
single visibly aesthetic curtain can be made, bought by the
retailer, stored, and sold to a consumer and the same can be hung
by any one of the four potential yet all provided holding
mechanisms--large loops for a horizontal rod; a longitudinal cavity
or pocket for the horizontal rod; conventional curtain hooks held
in the curtain tape or band which hooks are then secured into the
sliding tabs of the curtain rod, and clips, secured to the top edge
of the curtain which are secured on the other end to rings, the
rings slidingly held over an attractive horizontal rod.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0008] There are many styles and types of curtains known in the
prior art. These curtains are generally hung to have the top edge
extending horizontally. Conventionally, the curtains are meant to
be attractive to cover a window, door, opening, tub, even a wall
portion. More traditionally, the curtains are secured by large
loops or via a hidden, horizontal cavity or pocket in the top edge
of the curtain. Conventionally, these curtains represent two
different styles of curtain with two different support mechanisms.
Both, however, use a horizontally extending support rod. It would
be highly efficient for manufacturer, retailer and consumer to be
able to make, sell and buy and install, a single curtain, primarily
based on the fabric of the curtain, and, yet, for the curtain to be
able to be suspended over a bar via rings, with a bar extending
through loops of the curtain and/or with conventional curtain hooks
for suspending the same from curtain rods with slides having
curtain hook capturing apertures of downwardly suspended tab
elements.
[0009] The present invention allows manufacturers, retailers, and
consumers to make, sell, and buy, respectively, a single curtain
providing an aesthetic surface and yet allowing the consumer the
flexibility to hang the same in any one of four alternative
manners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention comprises a curtain having a first
side which is aesthetically pleasing and a second side which is
either the same as the front, the mere back of the front, a lining
material of a complementary or different style, or an entirely
different back, fabric, plastic sheet, etc. The curtain generally
comprises a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges.
The top segment of the curtain is provided with a tubular cavity or
rod-holding pocket extending horizontally. The front surface of the
pocket is the rear of the material for the curtain but the rear
surface of the pocket is made of curtain hook-holding tape. In
addition, the top segment of the curtain is provided with several
large vertically and downwardly extending loops, the loops secured
to the top edge of the material. The large loops are adapted to
provide openings for a simple pole or curtain-supporting rod to be
passed therethrough. This provides an independent second manner of
supporting or suspending the curtain. The small
horizontally-extending loops of the horizontally extending curtain
tape, one side of which defines the back wall of the pocket, the
other side having the small holding loops for curtain hooks,
provides another independent mechanism for suspending the curtain.
Also, the top edge of the curtain can be straight and is thus
capable of being held onto by clips whose upper ends have large
rings which can slide over an attractive horizontal cylindrical rod
to support the same. Thus, the present inventive curtain is adapted
to be hung by a plurality of means all presented by a single
aesthetic style for the bulk of the curtain. This provides the
consumer with great flexibility as to hanging method and allows the
retailer to only "carry" a single style of fabric for the curtain,
not several for each style, to accommodate the various hanging
methods which a consumer may desire to employ.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a partial, rear, and enlarged perspective view of
the present invention, a curtain having four independent means for
suspending the same;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the present
invention shown in FIG. 1 and focusing the viewer's attention on
the large loops;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the present
invention, showing the tubular pocket or cavity of the curtain,
formed by the rear of the curtain tape and the rear of the lining
of the fabric forming the curtain;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial, rear elevational view of the present
invention, showing a curtain rod passed under and through the large
loops for supporting the curtain;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial, rear, perspective view of the present
invention, showing the top edge of the curtain connected on its
edge by clips and the clips to sliding rings which are secured over
a rod for support;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a rear, partial perspective view of the curtain
and a support rod having been slidingly passed through the tubular
cavity or pocket of the inventive curtain;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a rear enlarged and perspective view of the
present invention, a curtain, showing the curtain tape secured to
the top edge of the rear of the curtain, and showing the vertically
spaced rows of small, horizontally-extending loops, the hooks
adapted to secure curtain hooks therein and the curtain hooks being
securable into a conventional sliding-style curtain rod;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the present invention,
a curtain supported by a horizontal rod (passing through the
tubular cavity or pocket of the curtain); and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the present invention,
a curtain with support rod passing through the large loops.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Description will now be given of the invention with
reference to the attached FIGS. 1-9. It should be understood that
these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit
the scope of the invention as that will be defined by the claims
issued in a U.S. Patent, as interpreted by the Courts.
[0021] FIG. 1 discloses a rear, partial and enlarged perspective
view of the top segment of the present invention, a highly
versatile curtain. Curtain 10 can be made of any fabric, plastic,
paper or similar sheet-like material, coated or not, as used for
curtains. The fabric can be cloth, velvet, corduroy, chintz, etc.
Ordinarily the curtain 10 can be attractive fabric on the outside
or front side 11 and either the same material, a liner 13, a
plastic, plastic-coated, vinyl liner, second piece of fabric or
material 13 on the rear side of the curtain 10. The two layers of
material, 11 and 13 can be sewn or seamed together or not. The
outside layer or front side 11 of the curtain 10 is usually
aesthetically attractive and the inside layer or liner 13 is either
the same, similar or a simple fabric protective layer, serving to
protect the fabric and/or block light. Curtain 10 is easily defined
by an outer layer or front side 11 and an inside layer 13. A top
edge 16 and a bottom edge 18 are defined, too, by the usually
basically rectangular curtain 10. The side edges 20 extend between
the top edge 16 and bottom edge 18. The overall dimensions of the
curtain 10, i.e., the length of the top edge 16, the bottom edge 18
and the distance between side edges 20 is determined by the area
sought to be covered.
[0022] A support rod R is normally horizontally supported between
two or more brackets held in a wall, sill or opposed walls. The rod
R is intended to suspend the curtain and, where appropriate, allow
the curtain 10 to slide thereover. The horizontal support rod R for
the curtain 10 is usually located at about six, seven, eight or
more feet above the floor so that individuals can easily grasp one
end of the curtain and slide it over the rod, to open and close the
same or to use a drawstring secured to the curtain rods provided
with slide mechanisms into which curtain hooks are held for sliding
movement. The overall height of the curtain 10 is usually
sufficient to allow the same to extend from the support rod
downwardly over the area to be covered (window, wall, door, etc.)
and, yet, often the bottom edge will be closely adjacent to but
suspended above the floor. According to the present invention, the
curtain 10 is provided in overall physical dimensions to be
substantially the same as conventional and presently available
curtains. The materials and fabrics for the curtains made
consistent with the present invention are also intended to match
those conventionally made.
[0023] The present invention, however, is primarily a new,
integrated top edge segment for the curtain 10 which allows for the
curtain to be supported by any one of four different
mechanisms--all from a horizontally extending rod, pole or curtain
rod. In this connection, a curtain rod (hereinafter generically
referred to as "a rod") may be a cylindrical piece of wood, metal
or plastic (with sufficient rigidity and strength) to extend
between the opposed or adjacent brackets or walls of the space to
be "covered" and to provide suspending support to the curtain. The
rod R is usually held between the opposing walls of the area or,
more likely, between two or more wall-mounted support brackets. The
curtain 10 is suspended therefrom to attractive advantage. The rod
can be the sole means of support for the curtain, if the rod is
used to engage the large loops (described hereafter) or if the rod
is slid within the interior pocket of the curtain. The rod can hold
a set of rings, too, which are clipped to the top edge of the
curtain and the rod can hold conventional curtain hooks which are
held to curtain tape secured to the top edge, too, of the
curtain.
[0024] The present invention, as will be explained, is a totally
functional and highly versatile curtain which can be suspended from
a rod or conventional curtain rod in any one of four deployments so
that the consumer has the choice of which hanging mechanism to
employ and, yet, all four mechanisms are allowed to be used by a
single curtain, formed consistent with the present invention. By
providing four separate components or mechanisms in a single
curtain 10 the consumer benefits from having the versatility of
selection of which suspension mechanism to use and the manufacturer
and retailer also benefit as they need to make and stock,
respectively, only one such curtain for each aesthetic fabric on
the outside layer and not be concerned with providing multiple
curtains for each aesthetic outside layer to accommodate the
different manners of suspension possibly desired by the ultimate
consumer or user.
[0025] The top edge 16 of curtain 10 preferably is provided with
one or more large, vertically-extending and horizontally-spaced
loops 22 which preferably extend a short distance downwardly from
the top horizontal edge 16 of the curtain 10. These large
vertically-extending loops 22 can be made of the same material as
the curtain 10, or can be made of an alternative fabric or
material, but, in any event, a material which is desirably somewhat
flexible is desired to allow for them to lie flat during shipping
and storage and, yet, when a cylindrical or other rod R is slid
through the aligned apertures A of the loops 22, the rod R easily
passes therethrough. Thus, according to the preferred embodiment of
the invention, the curtain is provided with a set of aligned large
loops 22 which allow the curtain 10 to easily be suspended and
supported by a rod R passing therethrough. The rod R is
conventionally supported by appropriate brackets.
[0026] The plurality of large loops 22 are preferably spaced apart
across the top horizontal edge 16 of the curtain 10 and are spaced
for ease of sliding placement of the curtain rod therethrough. The
rod R is then able to be secured to the supporting brackets (not
shown).
[0027] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the present inventive
curtain 10, showing a tubular pocket 24 or lengthwise running
cavity located at the top edge 16 of the curtain 10. This tubular
pocket 24 extends along the top edge 16 of the curtain or can be
located a small distance therefrom to create a top fringe to the
curtain, i.e., some material of the curtain extending above the rod
R. The tubular pocket 24 is formed by either a folding over of the
material and a seam extending across the curtain 10, from side edge
20 to opposed side edge 20 or by a pair of spaced seams extending
across the width of the curtain 10, from side edge to opposed side
edge 20. Of course, the diameter of the opening defined by the
tubular pocket 24 must be sufficient to allow for the curtain rod R
to easily slide into the same. So, of course, the distance between
the top edge of the curtain (in the embodiment where the tubular
pocket 24 is formed from a simple folding over of the material) to
the holding seam or the distance between seams (in the embodiment
where the tubular pocket is formed from parallel seams) must
accommodate the diameter or dimension of the curtain rod R to allow
the same to pass thereover. The use of the cavity or pocket 24 to
secure and suspend the curtain 10 is easily understood by review of
FIG. 6.
[0028] Significantly, according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the pocket 24 is formed by the rear of the front
layer of the curtain or the rear of the liner layer and a length of
curtain hook tape, extending along the top edge of the curtain. In
FIG. 3, it is seen that the pocket 24 comprises the lined rear of
the curtain 10 and one side of the curtain hook tape. This not only
creates a pocket 24 for the rod R to slide within but, in addition,
as will be described, provides the other side of the curtain hook
tape for possible use in the event the user wants to deploy curtain
hooks to support the curtain from conventional curtain rods (with
slides and drawstrings to move the same).
[0029] This tubular pocket or cavity 24 is preferably large enough
to easily slidingly allow for a curtain rod R to pass therethrough,
so as to hang the curtain from the rod R, without the rod R being
substantially seen when the curtain 10 is stretched horizontally
across the rod R, either from the far side of the curtain 10 (with
outer layer 11 visible) or from the inside 13 of the curtain, i.e.,
from the perspective of view by one inside the curtained off area.
In either situation, the bulk of the length of the horizontal
support rod R is hidden within the tubular pocket or cavity 24 of
the curtain 10. The tubular pocket or cavity 24 preferably passes
through the curtain 10 at or near the top horizontal edge 16 of the
curtain 10. Preferably the large vertically-extending loops 22 are
spaced and secured to the top and bottom of the curtain tape, used
to create the pocket 24 of the curtain 10. This can be seen in
FIGS. 1-6. The placement of a curtain rod R through tubular cavity
or pocket 24 can be seen in FIG. 6. The length of the curtain rod R
is hidden within the tubular pocket or cavity 24, and only the
distal ends of the rod R are visible at the point where the rod R
secures to opposing walls or brackets.
[0030] Provision of a second mechanism for supporting the curtain
10 by use of a horizontal rod, by use of the tubular pocket or
cavity 24 in lieu of the large loops 22, is an advance over the
prior art and provides versatility to the device. Forming the
pocket with curtain tape is synergistic and non-obvious. Which of
the supporting mechanisms (pocket for rod or large loops for rod)
to be used will be based on a user's preference, an option not
generally available in the prior art.
[0031] A rear elevational view of the present inventive curtain 10
as would be seen when hung with a curtain rod R through the tubular
pocket or cavity 24 is shown in FIG. 6, while a view of the curtain
10 supported by the large loops 22 supporting a curtain rod R is
shown in FIG. 4.
[0032] In addition to those alternative mechanisms for use in
connection with supporting the curtain 10 onto a rod R, another
mechanism is provided, too. The present invention also comprises
means for support of the curtain 10 to a curtain rod R by use of
curtain clips 32, as seen in FIG. 5. Each of these clips have an
alligator (toothed) spring-biased closed head 34 (with a mechanism
for temporarily opening the same for securement to the top edge of
the curtain), a small chain element 36 secured to the head 34, and
a holding and small loop of metal 38 securing the other end of the
chain element 36 to a wood ring 40. The wood rings 40 slide over
the curtain rod R, in conventional manner. The clip 32 is secured
to the top edge 16 of the curtain 10 and the wood rings 40 are slid
over the rod R prior to securement of the two ends of the rod R
into the brackets. Thus, the top edge 16 of the curtain, if
provided with clips and associated rings can serve as another
alternative mechanism to support the curtain 10 from a horizontal
rod R. The set of rings with secured clips, 40 and 32,
respectively, can be sold separately from the curtain 10 or
integrated together into a single package for sale. This mechanism
provides a third manner of supporting the curtain 10, by the top
edge 16, by clips extending between the curtain 10 and the rod
R.
[0033] Additionally, the top segment, preferably extending to the
top edge 16, is provided with a horizontally extending fabric
curtain tape 50, similar to that used for conventionally now sewn
to curtains for use in connection with those curtain rods with
sliders and downwardly extending, usually plastic tab elements with
apertures for engaging the hooks held by the curtain tape. This
tape 50 provides structural strength to the top of the curtain 10
and, preferably, is the rear of the holding pocket 24. It can be
seen in FIGS. 1-6 and is enlarged and shown (between adjacent large
loops) in FIG. 7. The tape extends across the curtain 10, from side
edge 20 to opposed side edge 20, near to the top edge 16. The tape
50 is available in fabric and textile shops. Basically, it is woven
and provides a set of one or more horizontally extending rows of
laterally extending and spaced small loops 60. Usually, at least
two of these loops 60 are stacked one above the other and, often,
the loops 60 are provided with three or more stacked loops, with
the topmost loop 61 being closely adjacent the top edge 16 of the
curtain 10. The loops are intended to slidingly capture a
conventional curtain hook H, having a sharp pointed end E, a
vertical length V, an inverted U-shaped bight element or turning
point U, and an inverted U-shaped bent segment S (See FIG. 7)--the
bent segment S being sufficiently large to allow for it to be
placed into the apertures of the plastic tabs of the conventional
sliding curtain rods so that the curtain can be slid open and
closed by use of the side-located drawer strings (in a conventional
curtain rod). The pointed end E of the curtain hooks H slides under
and upwardly within the lateral loops 60 of the tape 50, the length
V of the curtain hook H lying against the tape 50 and the U-shaped
bend or turning point U is located towards the bottom edge of the
tape 50. Thus, the bent segment S is open downwardly, as seen in
FIG. 7, and the curtain hook secured to the tape which is secured
to the top edge of the curtain (and comprises the rear of the
holding pocket for a rod R) can be secured to the curtain rod
having tabs for sliding placement of the curtain. This will also
suspend the curtain on a curtain rod. Large and small curtain hooks
can be used. Thus, the tape 50 with its set of laterally extending
loops 60 provides an easy mechanism for sliding hooks H into the
openings of the loops 60, which then can be used to support the
curtain 10 from the curtain rod R. This is yet another support
mechanism for the curtain to be suspended.
[0034] All alternative mechanism provided to the present inventive
curtain for suspending the same are integrated into the top segment
of the curtain 10. The mechanism to be used by the consumer is
entirely based on the choice of the consumer and other available
materials--the curtain clips 32, the hooks H, or merely using a rod
R by itself.
[0035] A highly versatile curtain 10 is thus provided. It allows
the consumer to select which mechanism to use for support of the
same on a curtain rod R. This then allows a manufacturer and a
retailer to make and stock a single fabric or aesthetic curtain
and, yet, it has versatility in that it provides a multiple of
mechanisms for supporting the same. This provides an advantage to
manufacturer, to the retailer and to the consumer.
[0036] Conventionally available curtain tape 50 is provided with a
large set of horizontally spaced tight loops 70 (closer to top edge
16 of the curtain 10) and larger and horizontally spaced loops 72
(See FIG. 7). The tight loops 70 are primarily for securement of
the U-shaped end of the hooks H and the pointed end E. The large
loops 72 are adjacent the smaller loops 70 of the vertically
aligned set of loops 60 and, generally, can be used with ever
larger curtain hooks (not shown).
[0037] It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art
that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted
for elements without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
feature or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that
the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments
disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *