U.S. patent application number 14/855796 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-16 for support bracket for rod assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is House of Atlas, LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew Berman, Alan Arthur Ford, Jason Moss.
Application Number | 20170071390 14/855796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58256929 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170071390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moss; Jason ; et
al. |
March 16, 2017 |
Support Bracket For Rod Assembly
Abstract
There is provided a bracket and rod assembly system having
improved strength and configured to allow complete access of a
drapery supported by the rod assembly to an entire length of the
rod assembly without interference from the bracket.
Inventors: |
Moss; Jason; (Libertyville,
IL) ; Ford; Alan Arthur; (Sturgis, MI) ;
Berman; Matthew; (Chicago, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
House of Atlas, LLC |
Evanston |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58256929 |
Appl. No.: |
14/855796 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 1/142 20130101;
A47K 3/38 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/142 20060101
A47H001/142; A47K 3/38 20060101 A47K003/38 |
Claims
1. A mounting bracket comprising: a mounting portion having a
vertically-extending longitudinal axis and a back surface that
defines a first plane; an arm portion having a proximal segment and
a distal segment, the proximal segment being attached to the
mounting portion such that the arm portion initially extends
outwardly from the mounting portion in a second plane; and a first
rod-attachment portion disposed at the distal segment of the arm
portion and extending in a third plane that is substantially
perpendicular to the first plane, the first rod-attachment portion
having an opening formed therein.
2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the arm portion comprises a
second rod-attachment portion disposed between the distal segment
and the proximal segment of the arm portion, the second
rod-attachment portion having an opening formed therein.
3. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion, arm
portion, and first rod-attachment portion comprise a single piece
of material.
4. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the arm portion comprises a
curved portion.
5. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the arm portion is shaped such
that the distal segment of the arm portion is substantially
parallel to the back surface of the mounting portion and the
proximate segment of the arm portion is substantially parallel to
the first rod-attachment portion.
6. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the proximal segment of the arm
portion forms an obtuse angle with the mounting portion, and the
distal segment of the arm portion forms an obtuse angle with the
first rod-attachment portion.
7. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the opening in the first
rod-attachment portion is an aperture for accepting a fastener that
attaches a finial to a rod.
8. The bracket of claim 2, wherein the opening in the second
rod-attachment portion is an aperture for accepting a fastener that
attaches a finial to a rod.
9. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a
vertically-extending interface disposed between the mounting
portion and the proximal segment of the arm portion and a
vertically-extending interface disposed between the distal segment
of the arm portion and the first rod-attachment portion, the
vertically-extending interfaces being parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the mounting portion.
10. A system for mounting a rod to a surface, the system
comprising: a rod having an end portion; a finial; and a bracket
that comprises a mounting portion having a vertically-extending
longitudinal axis and a back surface that defines a first plane; an
arm portion having a proximal segment and a distal segment, the
proximal segment being attached to the mounting portion such that
the arm portion initially extends outwardly from the mounting
portion in a second plane; and a first rod-attachment portion
disposed at a first terminal end of the distal segment of the arm
portion and extending in a third plane that is substantially
perpendicular to the first plane, the first rod-attachment portion
having a second terminal end in which an opening is formed.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the mounting portion, arm
portion, and first rod-attachment portion comprise a single piece
of material.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the arm portion of the bracket
comprises a curved portion.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the arm portion of the bracket
is shaped such that the distal segment of the arm portion is
substantially parallel to the back surface of the mounting portion
and the proximate segment of the arm portion is substantially
parallel to the first rod-attachment portion.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the proximal segment of the arm
portion forms an obtuse angle with the mounting portion, and the
distal segment of the arm portion forms an obtuse angle with the
first rod-attachment portion.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the opening in the first
rod-attachment portion is an aperture for accepting a fastener that
attaches the finial to the rod.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein the end portion of the rod
includes a recess for accepting the first rod-attachment portion of
the bracket such that at least a portion of the terminal end of the
first rod-attachment portion is concealed when the finial, first
rod-attachment portion, and end portion of the rod are in an
assembled configuration.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the recess in the end portion
of the rod has a shape capable of receiving a portion of the first
rod-attachment portion.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein an outer profile of the
terminal end of the first rod-attachment portion is smaller than a
diameter of the end portion of the rod.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the rod has a notch and the
first rod-attachment portion extends through the notch.
20. The system of claim 10, wherein the finial includes a recess
for accepting the first rod-attachment portion of the bracket such
that the finial is able to conceal at least a portion of the
terminal end of the first rod-attachment portion when the finial,
first rod-attachment portion, and end portion of the rod are in an
assembled configuration.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the recess in the finial has a
shape capable of receiving a portion of the first rod-attachment
portion.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the recess in the finial has an
opening and the first rod-attachment portion extends through the
opening.
23. The system of claim 10, wherein an outer profile of the
terminal end of the first rod-attachment portion is smaller than a
diameter of the end portion of the rod.
24. The system of claim 10, wherein the first rod-attachment
portion provides an interface between the finial and the end
portion of the rod such that the finial does not contact the end
portion of the rod when the finial, first rod-attachment portion,
and end portion of the rod are in an assembled configuration.
25. The system of claim 10, wherein an outer profile of the
terminal end of the first rod-attachment portion is equal to or
larger than a diameter of the end portion of the rod.
26. The system of claim 10, wherein the arm portion comprises a
second rod-attachment portion disposed along the arm portion, the
second rod-attachment portion having an opening formed therein.
27. The system of claim 26, further comprising a second rod having
a diameter that is smaller than an outer profile of the second
rod-attachment portion.
28. The system of claim 26, wherein the opening in the second
rod-attachment portion is an aperture.
29. The system of claim 10, wherein the rod is capable of
suspending a swatch material and the bracket does not restrict
movement of the swatch material along the rod when the rod,
bracket, and finial are in an assembled configuration.
30. The system of claim 10, wherein the bracket further comprises a
vertically-extending interface disposed between the mounting
portion and the proximal segment of the arm portion and a
vertically-extending interface disposed between the distal segment
of the arm portion and the first rod-attachment portion, the
vertically-extending interfaces being parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the mounting portion.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a support bracket
for a rod assembly and, more particularly, to a support bracket for
a rod assembly that exhibits improved strength and is configured to
allow complete access of a drapery supported by the rod assembly to
an entire length of the rod assembly without interference from the
bracket.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Brackets have long been used for mounting drapery rods,
shower curtain rods, and other rods to surfaces such as walls,
windows, window frames, window casings, and ceilings. These
brackets are offered in many different shapes and sizes and range
from highly ornamental designs to simpler utilitarian designs.
Often, these brackets have an "L-shaped" configuration, where an
arm portion extends horizontally over the top of a
vertically-extending mounting portion, and comprise a hook-like
feature in which the rod rests, or a ring through which the rod
passes. In some commercial embodiments, the rod is allowed to
freely rotate and slide back and forth on the bracket. In other
commercial embodiments, the rod is secured by the user screwing a
set screw through the bracket until it contacts the outer surface
of the rod. Often, in such configurations the set screws loosen
over time due to repeated movement of the drapery horizontally
during regular use and vertically when the drapery is pulled on
from below.
[0003] In any event, the rod-attachment portion of such brackets
are typically visible from the front and contribute to an
interrupted appearance of the rod's profile. Such brackets also
restrict movement of the drapery along the entire length of the
rod, thereby preventing complete drapery coverage along the entire
length of the rod. In some instances, rings are used to suspend the
drapery from the rod. Complete coverage may be obtained by placing
some of the rings outside of the bracket. However, in this
configuration the bracket would still be visible from the front and
movement of the curtain from side to side is still restricted by
the position of the bracket.
[0004] Another drawback of conventional brackets is their lack of
strength due their "L-shaped" configuration. Conventional
"L-shaped" brackets utilize horizontal interfaces or bends where
the horizontally-extending arm of the bracket meets the
vertically-extending mounting portion. These horizontal interfaces
are prone to bending when suspending a heavy rod and/or drapery
from the rod attachment portion or when the drapery is pulled
downward during use, such as, for example, when opening and
closing, cleaning, or children playing behind the drapery.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a bracket and a rod assembly
system that permits complete coverage of the drapery along the
entire length of the rod and maximizes drawback without any
restriction of movement of the drapery due to the bracket position.
There is also a need to provide a bracket that locks the rod in
place such that the rod is not permitted to move laterally.
Further, there is a need to address load support problems inherent
to brackets when heavy drapery is used or when repeated downward
force is applied to the rod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double rod assembly.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a double rod assembly
showing a slightly exploded view of the rod, first rod-attachment
portion, and finial.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single rod assembly
showing a slightly exploded view of the rod, first rod-attachment
portion, and finial.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bracket in FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the bracket in FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side view of the bracket in FIG. 4
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
bracket.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bracket in FIG. 8.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a rod assembly in which a
recessed rod end is used.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembled rod and
bracket in FIG. 10
[0017] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of rod assembly in which a
recessed finial is used.
[0018] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an alternate rod assembly
where the first rod-attachment portion is visible when
assembled.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the alternate rod assembly
in FIG. 13.
[0020] FIG. 15 illustrates various embodiments of the bracket and
rod assembly where the outer profile of the rounded terminal end of
the rod attachment portion may be larger, smaller, or equal to the
outer profile of the rod.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a double rod assembly using
a curved bracket.
[0022] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the curved bracket in FIG.
16.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the curved bracket in FIG. 16
in a left-handed configuration.
[0024] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the curved bracket in FIG. 16
in a right-handed configuration.
[0025] FIG. 20 is a side view of the curved bracket in FIG. 16
[0026] FIG. 21 is a rear view of the curved bracket in FIG. 16
[0027] FIG. 22 is a front view of the curved bracket in FIG. 16
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a system
for supporting a rod 40 from which a swatch material such as, for
example, a drapery or curtain 60 may be suspended. The system
includes a bracket 10, a rod 40, and a finial 50, which may be
formed of any suitable material such as, for example, steel, zinc,
aluminum, wood, various forms of plastic, and mixtures thereof. The
bracket 10 may be mounted on a surface such as, for example, a wall
surface or a window frame. The finial 50 may attach to the end
portion of rod 40 such that the bracket 10 is between the end of
the rod 40 and the finial 50. The finial 50 may be attached to the
rod 40 by any conventional means such as, for example, a threaded
screw. The rod assembly system may be configured to support a
single rod 40, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or a second rod 70 may be
attached to the bracket 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2, which may be
used to support a second swatch material such as, for example a
sheer 90, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the bracket 10 may include a
mounting portion 12, an arm portion 14, and a first rod-attachment
portion 20. The mounting portion 12, arm portion 14, and first
rod-attachment portion 20 of bracket 10 may comprise a single
material or may comprise different materials, and may be integrally
formed or may comprise separately-formed components. The mounting
portion 12 may comprise any shape and may include a back surface 26
that is substantially flat, and is configured to allow the bracket
10 to be mounted on a surface such as, for example, a wall. The
mounting portion 12 may be mounted to the wall using any
conventional means such as, for example, threaded screws and
drywall anchors.
[0030] The arm portion 14 may extend outwardly from the mounting
portion 12 and may include a proximal segment 16 and a distal
segment 18. The arm portion 14 may be shaped such that the distal
segment 18 may be substantially parallel to the back surface 26 of
the mounting portion 12, and the proximal segment 16 may be
substantially parallel to a first rod-attachment portion 20
disposed at the distal segment 18 of the arm portion 14.
Alternatively, the arm portion 14 may have a linear configuration,
as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The arm portion 14 may also have a
curved shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 16-22.
[0031] The first rod-attachment portion 20 may include a rounded
terminal end in which an opening 22 is formed. The opening 22 may
be, for example, an aperture, or the opening 22 may be, for
example, a partial opening that has been cut out or voided from the
first rod-attachment portion 20. The opening 22 may be configured
to accept a fastener 100 that attaches the rod 40 to the finial 50,
as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13. The first rod-attachment
portion 20 may have a uniform width, or the outer profile of the
terminal end of the rod-attachment portion 20 may have a width that
is larger than the width of the end of the first rod attachment
portion that attaches to the distal segment 18 of the arm portion
14. As shown in FIG. 15, the outer profile of the terminal end of
the rod-attachment portion 20 may be larger, smaller, or equal in
size to the diameter of the rod 40, depending on the configuration
of the rod 40 and the finial 50 to be used.
[0032] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the bracket
10 may also include a second rod-attachment portion 24, which may
be disposed in the proximal segment 16 of the arm 14. The second
rod-attachment portion 24 includes an opening such as, for example,
an aperture to accept a fastener that attaches a second rod 70 to a
second finial 80. The opening may also be a partial opening
configured such that second rod 70 may be lowered into the opening,
as illustrated in FIG. 16.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the bracket 10, the mounting
portion 12 may have a vertically-extending longitudinal axis and
may be configured to be mounted to a wall using screws that may be
aligned vertically. The proximal segment 16 of arm portion 14 may
extend horizontally in a vertical plane from the mounting portion
12 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis the mounting portion 12. The interface 13 between
the mounting portion 12 and the proximal segment 16 may extend
vertically along an axis that is substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the mounting portion 12. The length of the
proximal segment 16 may be, for example, between two and three
inches.
[0034] The distal segment 18 of the of arm portion 14 may extend
from the proximal segment 16 in a direction that is substantially
parallel to the back surface 26 of the mounting portion 12 and
substantially perpendicular to the proximal segment 16, such that
the distal segment 18 does not cross in front of the mounting
portion 12. The interface 17 between the proximal segment 16 and
distal segment 18 may extend vertically along an axis that is
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of mounting portion
12. The length of the distal segment 18 may be, for example,
between one and two inches.
[0035] The first rod-attachment portion 20 may extend from the
distal segment 18 in a direction that is substantially parallel to
the proximal segment 16. The interface 19 between the distal
segment 18 and the first rod-attachment portion 20 may extend
vertically along an axis that is substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the mounting portion 12. The length of the
first rod-attachment portion from its opening 22 to the interface
19 where the first rod-attachment portion 20 meets distal segment
18 may be less than an inch. The vertical axis of each of interface
13, interface 17, and interface 19 may be substantially parallel to
one another. The vertically-extending interfaces increase the
strength of the bracket so to prevent failure through bending of
the bracket at the interfaces when downward force is applied to the
rod attachment portion. By contrast, conventional "L-shaped"
brackets, where an arm portion extends horizontally over the top of
a vertical mounting portion (where the interfaces are horizontal),
are susceptible to bending at the horizontally-aligned wall bend
interface when downward force is applied to the rod attachment
portion.
[0036] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment of the bracket 10
where the arm portion 14 has a linear configuration, but may
otherwise be similar to the preferred embodiment described above.
In this linear configuration, the arm portion 14 may bridge the
mounting portion 12 and the first rod-attachment portion 20 such
that the proximal segment 16 may form an obtuse angle 30 with the
mounting portion 12, and the distal segment 18 may form an obtuse
angle 32 with the first rod-attachment portion 20. The obtuse angle
30 at which the arm portion 14 extends from the mounting portion 12
may be, for example, between about 110.degree. to about
130.degree., and the obtuse angle 32 at which the first
rod-attachment portion extends from the distal segment 18 may be,
for example, between about 135.degree. to about 155.degree.. The
length of the arm portion 14 may be, for example, between two and
three inches. In this configuration, the proximal segment 16 and
the distal segment 18 may be coplanar. The interface 13 between the
mounting portion 12 and the proximal segment 16, and the interface
19 between the distal segment 18 and the first rod-attachment
portion 20, may extend vertically along axes that are substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting portion 12.
[0037] FIGS. 16-22 illustrate a bracket 10 that has a curved shape
as an alternative to the angular shapes depicted in FIGS. 1-14. In
this configuration, the mounting portion 12, first rod-attachment
portion 20, and second rod-attachment 24 portion may have the same
configuration, components, and attributes as described above for
the angular brackets. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 21, the mounting
portion 12 may have a vertically-extending longitudinal axis and
may be configured to be mounted to a wall using one or more screws
and/or anchors that may be aligned vertically.
[0038] In the curved embodiment of bracket 10 illustrated in FIGS.
16-22, the proximal segment 16 may initially extend horizontally
from the mounting portion 12 via an interface 13 in a direction
that is substantially perpendicular to the back surface 26 of the
vertically-extending mounting portion 12. The proximal segment 16
may then gradually curve away from the center axis of the mounting
portion 12 such that the distal segment 18, disposed at the end of
the proximal segment 16 via interface 17, does not cross in front
of the mounting portion 12. The distal segment 18 may curve in the
same direction as the proximal segment 16. The first rod-attachment
portion 20, disposed at the terminal end of the distal segment 18
via interface 19, may extend horizontally in the same direction
that the proximal segment 16 initially extends. In this
configuration, the interface 13, interface 17, and interface 19 may
each extend vertically along an axis that is substantially parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the mounting portion 12.
[0039] In the curved embodiment, bracket 10 may include a second
rod-attachment portion 24 disposed in the proximal segment 16 of
the arm 14. The second rod-attachment portion 24 may comprise a
partial opening configured such that second rod 70 may be lowered
into the opening. As shown in FIG. 16, the second rod 70 may be
secured to the second rod-attachment portion 24 in its resting
position by a fastener such as, for example, a set screw.
[0040] Specific embodiments of the bracket and system described
herein are presented below in more detail. In each embodiment, the
bracket and system are configured such that the rod may extend in a
gap that is created between the longitudinal axis of the proximal
segment and the longitudinal axis of the first rod-attachment
portion such that the bracket does not interrupt movement of the
drapery along the length of the rod and allows maximum drawback of
the drapery. In embodiments described below, the bracket may have
an angular shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-14, or a curved shape,
as illustrated in FIGS. 16-22.
[0041] In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first
rod-attachment portion 20 may have a rounded terminal end having an
outer profile that may be smaller in size than the diameter 46 of
the rod 40. In this configuration, the rod 40 includes a recess 42
that has been formed in the end of the rod 40 for accepting the
first rod-attachment portion 20 of the bracket 10. The recess 42
may be shaped such that at least a portion of the terminal end of
the first rod-attachment portion 20 is concealed when the finial
50, first rod-attachment portion 20, and end portion of the rod 40
are in an assembled configuration. The recess 42 may also have the
same shape as the terminal end of first rod-attachment portion 20.
An arcuate notch 48 formed in the terminal end of the rod 40 allows
the first rod-attachment portion 20 to extend from the recess 42.
The first rod-attachment portion 20 may be embedded in the recess
42 in the end portion of the rod 40 such that the edge 44 of the
end portion of the rod 40 is able to contact the finial 50 and the
edge 28 of the terminal end of the first rod-attachment portion 20
is not visible when the rod 40, the first rod-attachment portion
20, and finial 50 are assembled.
[0042] An alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 12. In this
configuration, the first rod-attachment portion 20 may have a
rounded terminal end having an outer profile that may be smaller in
size than the diameter 46 of the rod 40. In this configuration, the
finial 50 includes a recess 52 that has been formed in the end of
the finial 50 for accepting the first rod-attachment portion 20 of
the bracket 10. The recess 52 may be shaped such that at least a
portion of the terminal end of the first rod-attachment portion 20
is concealed when the finial 50, first rod-attachment portion 20,
and end portion of the rod 40 are in an assembled configuration.
The recess 52 may also have the same shape as the first
rod-attachment portion 20. The finial 50 may include an arcuate
notch 54, which allows the first rod-attachment portion 20 to
extend from the recess 52. The first rod-attachment portion 20 may
be embedded in the recess 52 in the end portion of the finial 50
such that the edge 44 of the end portion of the rod 40 is able to
contact the finial 50 and the edge 28 of the terminal end of the
first rod-attachment portion 20 is not visible when the rod 40, the
first rod-attachment portion 20, and finial 50 are assembled.
[0043] In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the
first rod-attachment portion 20 is not embedded in the rod 40 or
the finial 50, and instead acts as an interface between the rod 40
and finial 50 such that the rod 40 and finial 50 do not contact
each other. In this configuration, the ends of the rod 40 and
finial 50 that contact the first rod-attachment portion 20 may have
a substantially flat surface. The first rod-attachment portion 20
of bracket 10 may have a rounded terminal end having an outer
profile that may be equal to or larger in size than the outer
diameter 46 of the rod 40 such that edge 28 of the terminal end of
the first rod-attachment portion 20 may be visible when the rod 40,
first rod-attachment portion 20, and finial 50 are assembled. The
rounded terminal end may also be smaller in size than the outer
diameter 46 of the rod 40. FIG. 15 illustrates various embodiments
of the bracket and rod assembly where the outer profile of the
rounded terminal end of the rod attachment portion may be larger,
smaller, or equal to the outer profile of the rod.
[0044] It will be understood that various changes in the details,
materials, and arrangements of parts and components which have been
herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of
the bracket and rod assembly system may be made by those skilled in
the art within the principle and scope of the bracket and rod
assembly system as expressed in the appended claims. Furthermore,
while various features have been described with regard to
particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that features
described for one embodiment also may be incorporated with the
other described embodiments.
* * * * *