Abstract:
A curtain hanging device that works as usual when the curtain is used without problems and that can prevent an accident from happening when the curtain is accidentally tangled around the neck of a person is disclosed. 
     Curtain Hanging Device  1  of the invention comprises Coupler  2  for suspending Curtain A from a curtain rail, wherein Coupler  2  has a catch for hanging from the rail, or Coupler  2  itself forms the catch, and wherein the catch deforms to release Curtain A from the rail when an extra load is applied to Curtain A.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a curtain hanging device that is capable of releasing the curtain from the curtain rail when an extra load is applied to the curtain. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    A typical curtain is suspended from a curtain rail above the interior side of a window and is movably attached to the curtain runners mounted on the rail. Generally, a curtain is tightly attached to the rings of the runners via hooks made of metal, plastic, or the like to prevent the curtain from being easily removed from the runners when a load is applied 
         [0003]    As described above, a conventional curtain is more or less tightly attached to a curtain rail. Recently, however, tight attachment of a curtain to a curtain rail can cause problems. The problems include, for example, deaths attributed to blocking of carotid arteries by a curtain. Generally, hanging oneself is less likely to cause choking, but mostly causes death by using the weight of the body to tighten the trachea with the curtain. The arteries (carotid and vertebral arteries) are blocked and the blood flow to the brain is reduced, which causes brain anoxia (acute anemia) and subsequent syncope, resulting in death. Therefore, blocking of the arteries by a curtain can cause death even when not all of the body weight is applied. 
         [0004]    Such accidents occur in a wide age range of people from children to the elderly. And the accidents also occur in special medical facilities (facilities for mentally challenged persons), facilities for protecting young people, juvenile classification offices (reform schools), and the like, as well as the home. 
         [0005]    Patent Document 1 describes a runner for a curtain rail divided into a slider part and a curtain part, wherein the slider part and the curtain part are connected with a magnet to allow the curtain part to be easily detachable. This magnetic runner for a curtain rail enables the elderly, women, and children with less physical power to easily detach a curtain. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that the runner enables the users to use a curtain at hand as an emergency supply if a disaster occurs. 
       RELATED ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-86544 (such as Claims) 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0007]    However, because the magnetic runner for a curtain rail described in Patent Document 1 enables the elderly, women, and children with less physical power to easily detach a curtain, the runner has an problem in that magnetic weakening over time, if only slightly, leads to decrease in suspension strength, with the result that the curtain falls out on its own. Additionally, the magnetic force can cause a negative impact on clocks and electric appliances. 
         [0008]    Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a curtain hanging device which works as usual when the curtain is used without problems and which can prevent an accident from happening when the curtain is accidentally tangled around the neck of a person. 
       Means for Solving the Problem 
       [0009]    In order to solve the problems as described above, the curtain hanging device of the invention comprises a coupler for suspending a curtain from a curtain rail, wherein the coupler has a catch for hanging from the rail, or the coupler itself forms the catch, and wherein the catch deforms to release the curtain from the rail when an extra load is applied to the curtain. 
         [0010]    Now, the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, the catch is formed of an elastically deformable material. 
         [0012]    And the coupler is a hook attached to an adjuster. 
         [0013]    The coupler has also a ratchet for releasing a curtain when a downward load is applied to the adjuster. 
         [0014]    In another preferred embodiment, the coupler is a hook having a curtain holder. 
         [0015]    In still another preferred embodiment, the coupler is a ring attached to a curtain runner. 
         [0016]    In still another preferred embodiment, a plurality of the couplers is attached to belt like lining. 
       Effects of the Invention 
       [0017]    The curtain hanging device of the invention works as usual when the curtain is used without problems and can prevent an accident due to blocking of the carotid arteries from happening when the curtain is accidentally tangled around the neck of a person, because the device comprises a catch that deforms to release the curtain from the rail when an extra load is applied to the curtain. Because the catch of the curtain hanging device of the invention is flexibly deformable, a curtain can be machine-washed without removing the coupler. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1  ( a ) and ( b ) are a view showing how to attach to the adjuster the coupler consisting of a hook having a hook member as a catch in a first embodiment of the curtain hanging device of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  ( a )-( c ) are a view showing what happens to the hook of the curtain hanging device shown in  FIG. 1  when an extra load is applied. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3  ( a ) and ( b ) are a view showing the ratchet of the adjuster in a second embodiment of the curtain hanging device of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front view showing the ratchet of a conventional adjuster. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view showing a third embodiment of the curtain hanging device of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  ( a )-( c ) are a view showing what happens to the hook of the curtain hanging device shown in  FIG. 5  when an extra load is applied. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 7  ( a ) and ( b ) are a partial perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the curtain hanging device of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the curtain hanging device of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Now, the embodiments of the curtain hanging device of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0027]    In a first embodiment of the invention, Coupler  2  of Curtain Hanging Device  1  is Hook  10  attached to Adjuster  60  that adjusts the suspension height of a curtain. As shown in  FIG. 1(   b ), Hook  10  consists of Hook Member  11  that is a hairpin catch for hanging from a ring of a curtain rail and Ratchet Member  12  attached to Ratchet  61  of Adjuster  60 . Hook Member  11  is formed of a material that elastically deforms without being damaged when an extra load is applied to the curtain. More specifically, the material includes metal such as steel, resin such as polyolefin resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyamide resin, and elastomer. 
         [0028]    Because Hook  10  is detachable from Adjuster  60  as shown in  FIG. 1(   b ), it is highly convenient when the curtain is washed and attached again. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2  ( a ), ( b ), and ( c ) show how to release a curtain from Curtain Hanging Device  1  of which Hook  10  is attached to Adjuster  60 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  ( a ) shows Curtain Hanging Device  1  that suspends Curtain A attached to Adjuster  60  by engaging Hook  10  on Ring  52  of Runner  51  attached to Curtain Rail  50 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  ( b ) shows what happens when an extra load is applied to Curtain A. When a load of, for example, about 10 kg is applied to Curtain A, Hook Member  11 , which is formed of an elastically deformable material, deforms under the load. 
         [0032]    When an additional load is applied to Curtain A, Hook Member  11  further deforms and is removed from Ring  52  to release Curtain A, as shown in FIG. B (c). Accordingly, if Curtain A is accidentally tangled around the neck of a person and a load is applied, Curtain A is released before the carotid arteries are blocked, with the result that an accident can be prevented from happening. Because Hook  10  is formed of an elastically deformable material, the original shape can be immediately recovered when the load is removed. This allows Curtain A to be suspended from Curtain Hanging Device  1  again. 
         [0033]    In a second embodiment of the invention, Coupler  2  of Curtain Hanging Device  1  is Adjuster  60  that adjusts the height of the curtain. Adjuster  60   a  shown in  FIG. 3  ( a ) is configured to allow Adjuster  60   a  and the curtain to be released when an extra downward load is applied. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , Ratchet  61   b  of conventional Adjuster  60   b  has teeth of which lower line is parallel with the floor. Thus, the hook is engaged on a ring of a curtain runner without permitting the curtain to be easily released. 
         [0035]    In contrast, Ratchet  61   a  of Adjuster  60   a  in the invention has teeth of which upper line is parallel with the floor. Thus, if Ratchet  61   a  is engaged with Ratchet Member  12 , which is the catch member of Hook  10 , and then a downward load is applied, Adjuster  60   a  is separated from Hook  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 3  ( a ) and ( b ). It means that a certain load allows the curtain to be released. Like Coupler  2  of Curtain Hanging Device  1  in the first embodiment, Ratchet Member  12  as the catch member is formed of a material that elastically deforms without being damaged when an extra load is applied to the curtain. More specifically, the material includes metal such as steel, and resin such as polyolefin resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyamide resin. 
         [0036]    Note that  FIGS. 3  ( a ) and ( b ) are a front view and a side view of Adjuster  60   a , respectively. 
         [0037]    In a third embodiment of the invention, Coupler  2  of Curtain Hanging Device  1  is Hook  20 , which has Curtain Holder  24 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Hook  20  is formed of a material that elastically deforms without being damaged when an extra load is applied to the curtain. More specifically, the material includes metal such as steel, resin such as polyolefin resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyamide resin, and elastomer. Hook  20  consists of oval Hook Body  21  as the catch member, Opening  22  formed in the approximate center of Hook Body  21 , and Shaft  23  connecting to Hook Body  21 . And Curtain Holder  24  for retaining the upper end of Curtain A is attached to the lower part of Shaft  23 . 
         [0038]    Curtain Holder  24  consists of Plate  25 , Pin  26  standing on Plate  25 , and Supporting Member  27  foldably connected to Plate  25 . Curtain Holder  24  can retain the upper end of Curtain A by placing the upper end of Curtain A between Plate  25  and Supporting Member  27 , pricking Curtain A with Pin  26 , and then fitting Pin  26  through a hole in Supporting Member  27 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 6  ( a ), ( b ), and ( c ) show how Curtain Hanging Device  1  releases Curtain A using Hook  20 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  ( a ) shows Curtain Hanging Device  1  suspending Curtain A by passing Ring  52  of Runner  51  attached to Curtain Rail  50  through Opening  22  in Hook Body  21 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  ( b ) shows what happens when a load is applied to Curtain A. Hook Body  21  formed of a material that elastically deforms when a load of, for example, about 10 kg is applied to Curtain A deforms under the load. 
         [0042]    When an additional extra load is applied to Curtain A, Hook Body  21  further deforms and then Hook  20  is removed from Ring  52  to release Curtain A, as shown in  FIG. 6  ( c ). Because Hook Body  21  is formed of an elastically deformable material, the original shape can be immediately recovered when the load is removed. This allows the curtain to be suspended again. 
         [0043]    In a fourth embodiment of the invention, Coupler  2  of Curtain Hanging Device  1  is Ring  30  attached to Runner  51 , as shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ). Ring  30  is formed of a material that elastically deforms without being damaged when an extra load is applied to the curtain. More specifically, the material includes metal such as steel, resin such as polyolefin resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyamide resin, and elastomer. Ring  30 , which functions as a catch, has Opening  31  through which Runner  51  attached to Curtain Rail  50  passes. Because Ring  30  itself, which functions as a catch, is formed of an elastically deformable material, Opening  31  is elastically deformable as shown in  FIG. 7  ( b ). This allows the curtain to be easily released from the curtain rail when an extra load is applied to the curtain. 
         [0044]    In a fifth embodiment of the curtain hanging device of the invention, a plurality of couplers is directly attached to bet like Lining  41  sewed to the upper end of the curtain. As shown in  FIG. 8 , Couplers  40 , which function as a catch, are in the form of a hook and are formed of a material that elastically deforms without being damaged when an extra load is applied to the curtain. More specifically, the material includes metal such as steel, resin such as polyolefin resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyamide resin, and elastomer. A plurality of Couplers  40  is directly attached to belt like Lining  41  at equal spaces. Direct sewing of Couplers  40  as part of Lining  41  to the upper end of a curtain allows a plurality of curtain hanging devices to be attached to a curtain rail in a single step. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 : Curtain Hanging Device 
           2 : Coupler 
           10 : Hook 
           11 : Hook Member 
           12 : Ratchet Member 
           20 : Hook 
           21 : Hook Body 
           22 : Opening 
           23 : Shaft 
           24 : Curtain Holder 
           25 : Plate 
           26 : Pin 
           27 : Supporting Member 
           30 : Ring 
           31 : Opening 
           40 : Coupler 
           41 : Lining 
           50 : Curtain Rail 
           51 : Runner 
           52 : Ring 
           60 : Adjuster 
           61 : Ratchet 
         A: Curtain