Abstract:
An apparatus and method for simple and quick attachment and removal of a hanging panel to a panel holder. The apparatus comprises a panel holder and panel, interconnected on by a complimentary loop cache on one edge of each panel. The loop cache is an interlocking fastener that can be incorporated into the panel construction and may include hooks, loops, clips, clasps, zippers, or magnets. A tab lock that can facilitate engagement of complimentary loop cache surfaces on the panel to a panel holder. A tab lock holder incorporated into the panel holder and panel to function as a catchment for retaining the panel attached to the panel holder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPPLICATION 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the priority filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/768196 filed on Feb. 22, 2013. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Panels comprised of flexible or rigid material are used in a variety of settings where they are to be removed or exchanged at some future time. Examples where removable hanging panels are used include: shower and bathtub curtains; home decor; window treatments, and theatres. Panels, such as shower curtains and window treatments, are often hung from poles or rods using holes or loops in the panel. 
         [0005]    Methods of hanging the panels include sliding the rod through each of the holes or loops in the panel or using rings through each hole and around the rod. However, each of these methods require significant effort to hang and remove the panel: with the earlier method, the rod must be removed from its mounting hardware each time the panel is attached or removed: with the later method, every ring must be connected and disconnected each time the panel is attached or removed. These methods of hanging a panel make cleaning or exchanging panels an inconvenient and complicated procedure. 
         [0006]    For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a panel system that can provide the ability to simply and quickly attach and remove a hanging panel. The solution is found in the present invention, which comprises a panel holder and panel joined together by a loop cache. When the panel holder is hung or attached to a rod, a panel can be simply and quickly attached or removed using the loop cache 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a panel system that satisfies this need to facilitate simple and quick attachment and removal of a hanging panel. The apparatus comprises a panel holder and panel, interconnected on by a complimentary loop cache on one edge of each panel. The loop cache is an interlocking fastener that can be incorporated into the panel construction and may include hooks, loops, clips, clasps, zippers, or magnets. 
         [0008]    The panel holder can be attached to a wall or ceiling using hardware typically used for hanging shower liners or curtains. Once the panel holder is attached, a panel can be quickly attached or removed and exchanged for another panel. The panel is attached to the panel holder by the loop cache. The loop cache is composed of an elongated two-part fastener, with one complimentary mating surface on the panel holder and panel mating edges. 
         [0009]    Hanging panels that are simple and quick to attach and remove facilitate cleaning tasks by making them more efficient. Shower curtains could be frequently removed for cleaning, significantly improving sanitation and time spend cleaning. When applied to curtain panels, the style and materials of window treatments could be changed with ease, allowing for easy cleaning and the ability to alter decor as seasons and style preferences change. Used in theatre settings, backdrops could be quickly changed between scenes. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of an embodiment of shower curtain system embodying features of the present invention for a panel hanging system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of an embodiment of window curtain system 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of two panels embodying features of the present invention for a panel hanging system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A-B  illustrates a top plan view of various loop cache fasteners embodying features of the present invention for a panel hanging system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A-B  illustrates a top plan view of various loop cache tab locks embodying features of the present invention for a panel hanging system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A-B  illustrates perspective views of an alternative loop cache embodying features of the present invention for a panel hanging system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A-B  illustrates perspective views of an alternative loop cache tab lock embodying features of the present invention for a panel hanging system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top plan view of an alternative loop cache membrane embodying features of the present invention for a panel hanging system. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , a panel hanging system comprises a panel holder  110  and at least one panel  130  joined together by a loop cache  120 . The loop cache  120  may further include a tab lock  124  to facilitate joining the two complimentary fastening surfaces of the loop cache  120 . A tab lock holder  116  may be incorporated into the tab lock  124  and loop cache  120  to prevent disengagement of the loop cache  120  and detachment of the panel  130  from the panel holder  110 . 
         [0019]    The panel holder  110 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , provides a means for removably attaching a hanging panel without the need to remove any hardware normally used to hang a panel assembly. The panel holder  110  is shaped like a sheet with a top edge and bottom edge, and an outside and inside surface. The size of the Panel Holder  110  may vary depending on the intended use, but is generally rectangular in shape. The Panel Holder  110  can be hung from a rod or pole like those typically used for hanging a shower or window curtain. Holes  112  through the panel, near the top edge, facilitate connection of the Panel Holder  110  to a rod or pole by passing the rod through the holes in the Liner Curtain Holder  112 . Holes  112  in the form of loops may also be formed on the Liner Curtain Holder  100  by folding and binding the panel over itself. Alternatively, rings  114  may be looped through the holes  112  and around a rod to facilitate connection. The loop cache  120  is located along the length of the bottom edge of the panel holder  110  and top edge of the panel  130 . 
         [0020]    The panel holder  110  may be constructed of natural or synthetic materials typically used for shower or window curtains, such as cotton, linen, polyester, plastic, or vinyl. Referring to  FIG. 3 , in an alternative embodiment, the bottom edge of the panel holder  110  may split to form two layers with two loop caches  120  for the attachment of two panels  130 . Having an attachment place for more than one panel  130  allows for a waterproof and decorative liner to be used for a shower or several layers of curtain panels to be used as window treatments. 
         [0021]    The panel  130 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , is typical of panels used for shower curtains, liners, or window curtains with a generally square or rectangular shape and having a horizontal top edge, a horizontal bottom edge and two vertical side edges. The panel  130 , may function to retain water with in a shower or bathtub as shown in  FIG. 1 , prevent light from entering a window as shown in  FIG. 2 , or as a decorative embellishment to windows. The panel  130  can be composed of a manmade or synthetic materials typically used for the aforementioned panel  130  functions, and may be flexible or rigid. 
         [0022]    Referring to FIGS.  1  and  6 A-B, the panel  130  may comprise a rod  132  along its top edge. The rod  132  functions to retain the shape of the panel  130  and to facilitate connection of the panel  130  to the panel holder  110  by incorporating the loop cache  120 . The rod  130  may be made from any material that is semi-rigid or rigid, and can be formed from the same material as the panel  130  but as a thicker section. 
         [0023]    The loop cache  120 , best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  4 A- 4 B and  6 , joins the panel  130  with the panel holder  110  by incorporating a series of complimentary interlocking loops, clips, clasps, zippers, magnets. The complimentary interlocking loop cache  120  surfaces are capable of being removably attached to each other. The bottom edge of the panel holder  110  and top edge of the panel  130  each comprise one of the complimentary loop cache  120  surfaces. Alternatively, the loop cache  120  may incorporate a hook and loop fastener or adhesive membrane. In an alternate embodiment, the loop cache  120  may comprise an elongated trough with protrusions  133  along its length so that when the rod  132  on the liner  130  is pressed into the loop cache  120 , by hand or using a tab lock  124 , the two will become attached to each other. 
         [0024]    The tab lock  124 , best illustrated in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  5  and  7 , functions as a closure mechanism to join the loop caches  120  of the panel holder  110  with the liner  130 . The tab lock  124  can slide across the width of the panels like the pull-tab of a zipper, compressing and joining the complimentary loop cache  120  surfaces together. A tab lock holder  116 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-B , functions as a catchment incorporated into the panel holder  110  and tab lock  124  where the loop cache  120  closure mechanism remains after attachment of the panel  130 . The tab lock holder  116  prevents detachment of the loop cache  120  from the panel holder  110  by locking the loop cache closure in place. The catchment may utilize fastening methods such as a snap, tab, hook, loop, string, or hook and loop fastener. 
         [0025]    To use the panel hanging system illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , the panel holder  110  is first affixed to a ceiling or wall using the holes  112  and optionally rings  114  in conjunction with a rod or pole. Once the panel holder  110  is attached, a panel can be hung from it by positively engaging the complimentary surface of the loop cache  120  together. Optionally, the tab lock  124  can be used to facilitate joining the loop cache  120  surfaces together by engaging the ends of the loop cache  120  together and then sliding the tab lock  124  across the panel holder  110 . Next, the tab lock holder  116  of the tab lock  124  can be attached to the panel holder  110 . To remove the panel, simply detach the tab lock holder  116  of the tab lock  124  from the panel holder  110 , then slide the tab lock  124  across the panel holder  110  and panel  130  so that the two are free from each other. The panel  130  may now be exchanged for a different one and reattached using the aforementioned procedure. 
         [0026]    All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claim, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0027]    Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. 
         [0028]    Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.