Snap-in Drapery Brackets

Abstract

An improved support means for drapery at a window, the device comprising a pair of vertical aluminum channels secured along opposite sides of a window sash frame, each aluminum channel being provided with a plurality of vertically spaced-apart slot scores which may be selectively punched out so as to receive a drapery rod bracket, thereby eliminating the necessity of securing the drapery rod bracket directly to the window frame.

Description

This invention relates generally to drapery hardware.

It is generally well known to those skilled in the art that it is not easy to properly secure a drapery rod bracket upon the front side of a window frame and that it look well. Often the window frame wood will split and show unsightly cracks. Otherwise the bracket may be mounted crookedly or not secure enough. Such conditions are of course objectionable and in want of improvement.

Accordingly it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved drapery hardware comprising a pair of snap-in drapery brackets which will save considerable time in the installation of drapery-supporting means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of snap-in drapery brackets which will be structurally strong.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of snap-in drapery brackets wherein any change in window decorations will not leave an unsightly hole showing due to the removal of an old bracket.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of snap-in drapery brackets which is readily adaptable for use either with drapes, curtains, shades, venetian blinds or the like.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide snap-in drapery brackets which are simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will become readily apparent upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a window showing the present invention mounted upon the window frame thereof,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the elements comprising the present invention, and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and showing the elements in attached position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents a plurality of snap-in drapery brackets, according to the present invention, wherein there are a pair of vertically extending aluminum channels 11 each one of which is secured by means of screws 12 along opposite edges of the front side of a window frame 13.

Each aluminum channel is of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and includes parallel opposite sidewalls 14 and an intermediate connecting wall 15 wherein are provided a plurality of slot scores 16 that are stamped into the aluminum channel. As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, the slot scores 16 may be manually punched out so as to form slots 17 for the purpose of engaging various drapery brackets such as the cafe bracket 18 shown in FIG. 2 or the bracket 19 shown in FIG. 3 which serves as a center support for a transverse rod.

While the bracket 18 comprises a cafe bracket it is understood that such bracket may comprise a shade bracket, a cord bracket, a traverse rod bracket, or any other bracket for specific use in supporting the style of drapes, curtains or the like.

The bracket 18 is shown to include a body 20 having a hook 21 for supporting a cafe curtain rod 22. The bracket 18 further includes a pair of stamped-out ears or lugs 23 which extend from the rear thereof and which are engageable around the upper and lower edges of the slot 17 in the aluminum channel 11.

It will now be evident that when a homemaker desires to change the drapery on her windows, it will no longer be necessary for her to remove the old brackets, thus leaving an unsightly number of openings or exposing wood cracks formed by the screw opening but may simply relocate a bracket from one slot to another slot formed in the aluminum channel. This can be done quickly and easily and without special tools. Normally the aluminum channel may be painted so as to have the same color as the woodwork of the window or the color of the adjacent wall.

While the drawing shows the device in relation to a wooden window frame, it is to be understood that in an ultimate design, the present invention may be incorporated into aluminum windows wherein the slot scores may be formed in the body of the window frame directly without requiring additional aluminum channels.

Claims

What I now claim is:

1. In a snap-in drapery bracket assembly, the combination of a plurality of aluminum channels, and a plurality of drapery brackets, said aluminum channels having self-contained means for being incorporated along opposite vertical edges of a front side of a window frame, and said aluminum channels having self-contained means for supporting said drapery brackets in a selected position, each said drapery bracket comprising a member having means for supporting either a drape, curtain, shade, venetian blind or the like wherein each member is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending lugs, said lugs being configurated into oppositely upwardly and downwardly pointed hooks for engagement around the upper and lower edges of slots provided in said aluminum channels, said lugs having spring characteristics so to snappingly engage or disengage within said slots, said lugs being struck out rearwardly from a rear side of said bracket member, each of said aluminum channels comprising a straight elongated member extending a full length of said window frame, each said aluminum channel being of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and having parallel opposite sidewalls and an intermediate front wall, said front wall being provided with a plurality of vertically spaced-apart slot scores formed therein which may be selectively punched out so to form said slots for engaging said drapery brackets, said upper and lower edges of said slots being of semicircular arcuate configuration, and each of said aluminum channels being provided with a plurality of openings for receiving mounting screws to secure said channel to said window frame.