U.S. patent application number 14/608276 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for curtain system adapter.
The applicant listed for this patent is ICP Medical, LLC. Invention is credited to Edward Ruble.
Application Number | 20150208843 14/608276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53677887 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150208843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruble; Edward |
July 30, 2015 |
CURTAIN SYSTEM ADAPTER
Abstract
A sliding adapter for modifying an existing curtain track to be
used with a new curtain system includes a first hook portion
dimensioned and configured for hooking to a top portion of the
existing curtain track, a second hook portion dimensioned and
configured for hooking to a bottom portion of the existing curtain
track, a vertical member having a first end secured to the first
hook portion and a second end secured to the second hook portion,
and a rod engaging mechanism disposed below the second hook portion
operable to engage a curtain rod of the new curtain system.
Inventors: |
Ruble; Edward; (Wentzville,
MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICP Medical, LLC |
St. Louis |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53677887 |
Appl. No.: |
14/608276 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61933133 |
Jan 29, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/3489 20150115;
A47H 13/04 20130101; A47H 13/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47H 13/02 20060101
A47H013/02 |
Claims
1. A sliding adapter for modifying an existing curtain track to be
used with a new curtain system, the adapter comprising: a first
hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking to a top
portion of the existing curtain track, the first hook portion
including a convex inner surface; a second hook portion dimensioned
and configured for hooking to a bottom portion of the existing
curtain track, the second hook portion including a convex inner
surface; a vertical member having a first end secured to the first
hook portion and a second end secured to the second hook portion; a
gap portion provided between the first hook portion and the second
hook portion on a side of the adapter opposite the vertical member;
and a rod engaging mechanism disposed below the second hook portion
operable to engage a curtain rod of the new curtain system.
2. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
vertical member includes a convex inner surface.
3. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein the first hook portion,
the second hook portion, and the vertical member includes an inner
portion having an inner width and an outer framing portion having
an outer width, the outer width of the outer framing portion being
greater than the inner width of the inner portion.
4. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein the rod engaging
mechanism is a ring.
5. A sliding adapter for modifying an existing curtain track to be
used with a new curtain system, the adapter comprising: a first
hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking to a top
portion of the existing curtain track; a second hook portion
dimensioned and configured for hooking to a bottom portion of the
existing curtain track; a vertical member having a first end
secured to the first hook portion and a second end secured to the
second hook portion; and a rod engaging mechanism disposed below
the second hook portion operable to engage a curtain rod of the new
curtain system.
6. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein a gap portion is provided
between the first hook portion and the second hook portion on a
side of the adapter opposite the vertical member.
7. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
first hook portion and at least a portion of the second hook
portion include a convex inner surface.
8. The sliding adapter of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the
vertical member includes a convex inner surface.
9. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
vertical member includes a convex inner surface.
10. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein the first hook portion,
the second hook portion, and the vertical member includes an inner
portion having an inner width and an outer framing portion having
an outer width, the outer width of the outer framing portion being
greater than the inner width of the inner portion.
11. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein the rod engaging
mechanism is a ring.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/933,133 filed Jan. 29, 2014, and entitled
"Curtain System Adapter," the contents of which are incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to curtains. More particularly, this
disclosure relates to a track adapter for modifying a pre-existing
curtain track to be used with a new curtain system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Curtains, and more specifically disposable or washable
curtains, have long been used in hospitals to provide, for example,
privacy and room division. Generally, these curtains are suspended
from a track secured to a ceiling. For example, the curtains can be
operated to substantially surround a patient's bed for privacy and
retracted at other times when privacy is not an issue. The track to
which the curtains are suspended are generally designed to assist
the extension/retraction of the curtains.
[0004] Most of these curtains have two portions, namely, an upper
mesh component and a lower opaque component. The upper mesh
component is typically above eye level so the privacy function is
not compromised. While the mesh component is not necessarily
required, the opaque portion cannot extend to the ceiling because,
if it did, it is possible that it would interfere with the
distribution of water from ceiling mounted sprinklers in the event
of a fire. Additionally, mesh portions are generally incorporated
to ensure that the opaque portion of the curtain does not interfere
with lighting and/or air circulation.
[0005] In a hospital application, the curtains become soiled and
can collect one or more of bacteria, molds, and viruses
(collectively contaminants) during use. This can be a source of
cross-contamination, from, for example, one patient to other
patients, a health care provider or other staff, and visitors to
the hospital. Unfortunately, hospital curtains are also typically
difficult to change and/or wash. Generally, if the curtain is
provided as a single sheet with the mesh portion above the opaque
portion, someone has to gain access to the ceiling level of the
room to remove the curtain from the track. This is difficult, labor
intensive, and generally requires a ladder of some type to be
used.
[0006] To address this issue, curtain systems have been designed to
allow for easier removal of the curtains from the tracks to which
they are suspended. For example, one system includes a curtain
suspended from a track attached to a ceiling. The curtain includes
a lower opaque portion that is physically separable from the upper
mesh portion such that the opaque portion may be removed from the
mesh portion and replaced with a clean opaque portion. Since the
lower opaque portion provides the privacy function, the upper mesh
portion is suspended near the ceiling and is, therefore, in a
position where it is less likely to present the cross-contamination
risk associated with the lower opaque portion. Therefore, the upper
mesh portion does not need to be changed as frequently as the lower
opaque portion.
[0007] While the configuration described above having a lower
opaque portion removable from an upper mesh portion addresses many
known problems, some still exist. First, it cannot be assured that
the upper mesh portion is free from the contamination described
above. Second, while the connection between the upper mesh portion
and the lower opaque portion is at a more comfortable work level
than the connection between the upper mesh portion and the track,
it is still difficult and time consuming for personnel to attach a
replacement lower opaque portion to the upper mesh portion. This
difficulty is due in part to the multiple fasteners that are used
to connect the two portions of the curtain at multiple points along
the curtain as well as the fact that the upper mesh portion is
prone to movement along the track during the removal of the used
opaque portion and then attachment of the new opaque portion.
[0008] More recently, curtain systems have been designed and
implemented that allow for easy removal of an entire curtain at one
time from its track when the curtain is in a retracted position and
then easy installation of a clean curtain on the same track. One
such system is made by the assignee of the present application, ICP
Medical, LLC, under the trademark RAPID REFRESH.TM.. The RAPID
REFRESH.TM. system is shown and described, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 8,869,869, the entire contents of which is incorporated by
reference herein.
[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, the RAPID REFRESH.TM. curtain system
includes a hanger assembly 10 from which a curtain 12 can be
suspended. Hanger assembly 10 generally includes a plurality of
curtain rods 16, a ceiling track engaging component 18 adjacent the
upper portion of each rod 16 configured to slidably engage track
20, a curtain release mechanism 22 configured for engagement with
the lower portion of each rod 16, and a rod engaging member 24
secured to the curtain 12 and configured for engaging each curtain
release mechanism 22 to secure the curtain 12 to the rods 16. In
certain embodiments, rods 16 are hollow and may include magnets 26
disposed near the lower portion thereof such that the magnets 26
are helpful in maintaining a substantially adjacent and parallel
orientation for a plurality of rods 16 when the curtain 12 is being
removed from the rods 16 and associated curtain release mechanisms
22 or installed onto same. As explained in detail in U.S. Pat. No.
8,869,869, hanger assembly 10 differs from traditional assemblies
in that a key 28 is inserted through the curtain release mechanisms
22 to release the curtain 12 from each of the rods 16 at one time
rather than, with respect to traditional systems, individually
removing a plurality of fasteners from each rod to which they are
connected. In other words, when key 28 is turned in the proper
direction, curtain 12 and the multiple rod engaging members 24
attached thereto simply disengage from the curtain release
mechanisms 22. The magnets 26 help to maintain the substantially
adjacent orientation of curtain release mechanisms 22 and thus the
rods 16 from which the curtain release mechanisms 22 extend.
[0010] When installing a new curtain, a second key may then be
inserted into slots 14 of the curtain 12 to assist in attaching the
curtain 12 to the curtain release mechanisms 22. Using the two
keys, the installer easily aligns and engages slots in the curtain
release mechanisms 22 with respective rod engaging members 24 to
install the new curtain 12.
[0011] While the RAPID REFRESH.TM. curtain system shown in FIG. 1
is merely exemplary, it does generally depict a preferred ceiling
track engagement where the ceiling track engaging component 18 of
the curtain system engages a groove in track 20 such that the
curtain 12 is operable to slide along the track 20. It should also
be noted that the ceiling track engaging component 18, while
depicted in FIG. 1 as a "T" shaped cross bar, could take various
other forms such as a roller assembly to roll along the groove in
track 20.
[0012] One common track configuration already installed at many
facilities that does not use a tongue-and-groove type arrangement
for the connection between the curtain and the track is depicted in
FIG. 2. In this configuration, track 30 is suspended from the
ceiling using a plurality of mounting hangers 32. Each mounting
hanger 32 includes a lower arm 34 having an engaging portion on one
end operable to engage a groove 36 running along rear portion of
the track 30 as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2A. In order to
configure the track 30 as desired for the particular privacy room
in which the curtain assembly is to be used, the track 30 is
provided in multiple sections. Adjacent sections are then joined
together using connecting assemblies (not shown) that are operable
to engage the groove 36 running along the rear portion of adjacent
track sections. In other words, to configure the track of FIG. 2
according to desired specifications, a plurality of track sections
having varying lengths and shapes (e.g., linear or having rounded
corners) are connected using connecting assemblies that are
configured to be inserted into the groove running along the rear of
adjoining track sections.
[0013] As the groove 36 in the rear of the track 30 of FIG. 2 is
used to both join adjacent track sections as well as to connect the
track 30 to mounting hangers 32, the groove 36 of track 30 is not
compatible with a tongue-and-groove type arrangement as with
typical ceiling track engaging components described above, such as
ceiling track engaging component 18 of the RAPID REFRESH.TM.
system, because the "tongue" or "roller" connection is blocked by
the connecting assemblies.
[0014] In view of the above, one problem with selling and
implementing new and improved curtain systems such as the RAPID
REFRESH.TM. system in large facilities such as hospitals having
countless privacy sections and/or room divisions is that a certain
track specifically designed for the existing curtain system is
already installed at each privacy section. Thus, to implement a new
curtain system, the old track must be removed and a new track
designed for the new system must then be secured to the ceiling.
This requires additional time and expense, which often discourages
facilities from implementing the new system despite the fact that
the new system would be preferred by the operator once
implemented.
[0015] What is needed therefore is a track adapter operable to be
secured to an existing track that does not include an appropriate
groove for retracting and extending a curtain so that a new and
improved curtain system can be implemented with the existing
track.
SUMMARY
[0016] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a sliding
adapter for modifying an existing curtain track to be used with a
new curtain system includes a first hook portion dimensioned and
configured for hooking to a top portion of the existing curtain
track, the first hook portion including a convex inner surface; a
second hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking to a
bottom portion of the existing curtain track, the second hook
portion including a convex inner surface; a vertical member having
a first end secured to the first hook portion and a second end
secured to the second hook portion; a gap portion provided between
the first hook portion and the second hook portion on a side of the
adapter opposite the vertical member; and a rod engaging mechanism
disposed below the second hook portion operable to engage a curtain
rod of the new curtain system.
[0017] According to certain embodiments, at least a portion of the
vertical member includes a convex inner surface. Additionally, the
first hook portion, the second hook portion, and the vertical
member includes an inner portion having an inner width and an outer
framing portion having an outer width, the outer width of the outer
framing portion being greater than the inner width of the inner
portion.
[0018] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a sliding
adapter includes a first hook portion dimensioned and configured
for hooking to a top portion of the existing curtain track; a
second hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking to a
bottom portion of the existing curtain track; a vertical member
having a first end secured to the first hook portion and a second
end secured to the second hook portion; and a rod engaging
mechanism disposed below the second hook portion operable to engage
a curtain rod of the new curtain system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by
reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the
figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly
show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like
elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a prior art curtain
system;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of another prior art
curtain system;
[0022] FIG. 2A is an exploded rear view of the curtain track of the
prior art curtain system of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a sliding adapter
according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the sliding adapter of
FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a first side view of the sliding adapter of FIGS.
3-4;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a opposing side view of the sliding adapter of
FIG. 5; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a sliding adapter
secured to an existing curtain track for modifying the track to be
used with a new curtain system according to one embodiment of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, sliding adapter 50 is dimensioned
and configured to slide along the perimeter of track 30, or similar
tracks lacking accessible sliding grooves. Adapter 50 includes a
first hook portion 52 dimensioned and configured for hooking around
a top portion 38 of the existing curtain track 30, a second hook
portion 54 dimensioned and configured for hooking around a bottom
portion 40 of the track 30, and a rod engaging mechanism 62
disposed below the second hook portion 54 configured for connecting
curtain rods of a curtain system, such as the RAPID REFRESH.TM.
system described above, to the adapter 50. Together, the first and
second hook portions 52, 54 secure the adapter 50 to the track
30.
[0029] The adapter 50 further includes a vertical support member 58
on one side of the adapter 50, which connects the hook portions 52,
54. The vertical support member 58 is dimensioned to substantially
correspond to the height of the track 30 such that a gap portion 62
is disposed between the hook portions 52, 54 on the side opposite
the vertical support member 58. As a result, the adapter 50
generally takes the shape of a modified "C" where the gap portion
62 allows for sliding of the adapter 50 along the track 30 without
any interference with track connections/assemblies extending from
the groove 32 in the rear of the track 30.
[0030] In preferred embodiments, adapter 50 is substantially
rigid/inflexible and includes no moving parts. Thus, in order to
secure the rigid adapter to the track 30, the side of one of the
track sections must be accessible to slide each adapter 50 onto the
track 30. In other words, to install a new curtain system onto an
existing track 30, a track section may be removed or otherwise
separated from an adjacent track section. Then, a number of rigid
adapters 50 as needed are slid onto the track 30.
[0031] In alternate embodiments, the adapter 50 is flexible or
otherwise includes moveable parts such that the adapter 50 is
operable to move between an installation position for installing
the adapter 50 onto the track 30 and a working position where the
adapter 50 is in secure but sliding engagement with the track 30.
For example, one or more of the adapters 50 may be flexible enough
to be flexed outward to the installation position and then
naturally "snap" back to the working position after the hook
portions 52, 54 are flexed around the top and bottom portions 38,
40 of the track 30. In yet another embodiment, the vertical support
member 58 may include two respective sliding members such that the
vertical member 58 can be lengthened to the installation position
and then shortened to the working position.
[0032] As shown, the rod engaging mechanism 62 preferably extends
below the second hook portion 54. In preferred embodiments, the rod
engaging mechanism 62 is in the form of a ring. However, other
shapes and features of the rod engaging mechanism 62 are
contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure, such
as a hook or a magnet, so long as the rod engaging mechanism is
operable to securely connect to the rod of the curtain system to be
installed on the track 30. Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary
connection of the rod engaging mechanism 62 to a rod 16 of the
RAPID REFRESH.TM. is shown. In this embodiment, the ceiling track
engaging component 18 of the RAPID REFRESH.TM. system shown in FIG.
1 has been replaced with an adapter engaging component 19 for
engaging the rod engaging mechanism 62 of adapter 50. In
particular, the adapter engaging component 19 includes a first hook
21 for securing to the rod engaging mechanism 62 and a second hook
23 for securing to a D-ring 25 attached to rod 16. However, other
adapter engaging components 19 may be utilized so long it is
operable to be secured to the rod engaging mechanism 62 on one end
and the rod 16 at the other end.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, in another aspect of the disclosure,
the first hook portion 52, second hook portion 54, and vertical
member 58 preferably include convex/rounded inner surfaces 53, 55,
and 59, respectively. The convex inner surfaces assist the adapter
50 in sliding over the area in which adjoining track sections are
connected. In other words, because track 30 is typically installed
by connecting multiple track sections together, track 30 includes
numerous connection areas along the track 30. As a result of poor
assembly of the track, as well as general part tolerances provided
when manufacturing the track sections, the outer track surface at
the connection areas will often include small gaps, protrusions,
and other irregularities that prevent the adapter 50 from sliding
smoothly along track 30. Providing convex/rounded surfaces at the
portions of the adapter 50 that contacts the track 30 as the
adapter 50 slides along the track 30 allows the adapter 50 to
easily traverse these irregularities at the connection areas.
[0034] Similarly, the width of the portions of the adapter 50 that
contact the track 30 is preferably minimized to allow the adapter
50 to more easily slide along the track 30 with less friction.
However, the desire for a smaller width is balanced in part by the
need to make sure the adapter does not get hung up along the
connection areas of adjoining sections of the track. Additionally,
as described above, the adapter 50 is preferably substantially
rigid and must be strong enough to support a curtain system. Thus,
in preferred embodiments, the adapter 50 includes an outer portion
70 having a greater width than the inner surface portions 53, 55,
and 59 that contact the track 30. The wider outer portion 70
provides additional strength to the adapter 50 while the thinner
inner surface portion allows for smoother movement along the track.
In preferred embodiments, the width of the outer portion 70 is
about 0.2 inches while the width of the inner portions is between
about 0.05 inches to about 0.1 inches.
[0035] In the event the adapter 50 does get hung up at one of the
connection areas of the track 30, caught on an adjacent adapter 50
or unintended part of the curtain system, or otherwise is
obstructed from easy sliding along the track 30 as desired, the
vertical support member 58 preferably includes a handle portion 74
that extends in a direction opposite from the track 30 and the hook
portions 52, 54. The handle portion 74 allows a user to easily grab
and maneuver the adapter 50 as desired to free it up from whatever
is obstructing its desired movement.
[0036] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this
disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the
best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its
practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when
interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
* * * * *