Abstract:
A deck curtain and mounting system using vertical posts attachable to a deck rail or decking form a structure supporting curtains hung from cross members positioned between the vertical posts to surround or encompass a deck area. The method of shading or securing the privacy of a deck area includes attaching vertical posts to a rail cap of a deck structure surrounding a deck area and attaching rotatable horizontal connectors to the vertical posts so that cross members may be connected between the vertical posts for hanging privacy curtains from the cross members around the deck structure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 61/918,604 filed on Dec. 19, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a structure and method of placement of curtains, shades or sheers upon and around an outdoor deck for privacy and/or as a sunscreen. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. §1.171 (D)(C) 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material that is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       Brief Description of Drawings 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a deck  1  a surrounding an exterior space as may be attached to a residential home or apartment of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is perspective overview of one embodiment of the deck curtain system  10  disclosed enclosing a deck  1  with a set of curtains around an exterior deck. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of one section of the deck curtain system as implemented to a deck rail cap  8  surrounding a deck  1 . 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of  FIG. 2  with the curtains removed to better illustrate the structural components of the deck curtain support structural components used to surround the exterior deck. 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a vertical post  20  of the deck curtain system  10  disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 4A  is a detailed view of the end of the vertical post  20  with the finial  23  removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a horizontal rod  30  of the deck curtain system  10  disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view of another illustrative embodiment of a horizontal rod  30  having a center portion  32  allowing length adjustment via telescoping ends  34  for use with the deck curtain system  10  disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a mounting base  40  for use with vertical post  20  and the rail cap of the deck rail  8 . 
         FIG. 7A  is a detailed view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  attached to the rail cap  8 . 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed view of another illustrative embodiment of a mounting base  40  for use with vertical post  20  and the rail cap of the deck rail. 
         FIG. 8A  is a detailed view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  attached to the rail cap  8 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a horizontal connector  50  useful connecting in multiple sections of horizontal orientated cross bars  30  to vertical posts  20  to support the deck system  10 . 
         FIG. 9A  is an exploded view of the horizontal connector  50  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 9B  is a detailed view of horizontal connector  50  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the top portion of a vertical post having a pair of horizontal connectors  50  engaged therein. 
         FIG. 10A  is a top view illustrating how multiple horizontal connectors may be positioned upon the portion of the vertical post  20  and then rotated to an angle suitable for cross member  40 . 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DETAILED DESCRIPTION - LISTING OF ELEMENTS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Element Description 
                 Element Number 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Deck 
                  1 
               
               
                   
                 Deck area 
                  2 
               
               
                   
                 Decking 
                  3 
               
               
                   
                 Decking member 
                  3a 
               
               
                   
                 Gap 
                  3b 
               
               
                   
                 Joist 
                  4 
               
               
                   
                 Rail post 
                  5 
               
               
                   
                 Picket 
                  6 
               
               
                   
                 Horizontal members 
                  7 
               
               
                   
                 Rail cap 
                  8 
               
               
                   
                 Deck curtain system 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Vertical post 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Open end 
                 20a 
               
               
                   
                 Base end 
                 20b 
               
               
                   
                 End cap 
                 21 
               
               
                   
                 Opening (threaded) 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 Finial 
                 23 
               
               
                   
                 Threaded post 
                 23a 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable section 
                 24 
               
               
                   
                 Holes 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 Spring button latch 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Main section 
                 27 
               
               
                   
                 Cross bar 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Open end 
                 30a 
               
               
                   
                 End cap 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                 Opening (threaded) 
                 32 
               
               
                   
                 Telescoping end section 
                 34 
               
               
                   
                 Main section 
                 37 
               
               
                   
                 Mounting base 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Receiver 
                 41 
               
               
                   
                 Opening 
                 41a 
               
               
                   
                 Base 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 Hanger 
                 43 
               
               
                   
                 Vertical section 
                 43a 
               
               
                   
                 Horizontal shelf 
                 43b 
               
               
                   
                 Aperture 
                 47 
               
               
                   
                 Fastener 
                 48 
               
               
                   
                 Horizontal connector 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 Mount 
                 51 
               
               
                   
                 Aperture 
                 51a 
               
               
                   
                 Flap 
                 52 
               
               
                   
                 Aperture 
                 52a 
               
               
                   
                 Post (threaded) 
                 53 
               
               
                   
                 Knob 
                 54 
               
               
                   
                 Curtain 
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 Curtain entry-sleeve 
                 61 
               
               
                   
                 Curtain top 
                 62 
               
               
                   
                 Curtain bottom 
                 63 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are only used to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out illustrative embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appending claims. Various inventive features are described below herein that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT AND ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a deck  1  a surrounding an exterior space as may be attached to a residential home or apartment of the prior art. The deck  1  of  FIG. 1  is illustrative of those well known to those of ordinary skill in the art constructed with adjacent decking members  3   a  and gaps  3   b  to form decking  3  across joists. A rail cap  8  positioned on rail posts  5  and vertical pickets  6  define the perimeter of the deck  1  creating the deck area  2 . Although not shown, additional horizontal members  7  may be affixed to the outer joists and or the pickets for added strength. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-10 , it is an object of the invention to disclose a system allowing for enclosure of a deck  1  similar to that disclosed in  FIG. 1  without regard to the deck area  2  or the outline of the perimeter formed by the rail cap  8 . As will be discussed herein, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the deck curtain system  10  and its method of use will vary from that shown in  FIG. 1  without departure from the spirit and intent of the invention disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 2  is perspective overview of one embodiment of the deck curtain system  10  disclosed enclosing a deck  1  with a set of curtains  60  around an exterior deck area  2 . As shown, the deck curtain system  10  is comprised of a combination of vertical posts  20  attached to the rail cap  8  of the deck  1 , via attachment bases  40 , with horizontal cross bars  30  positioned between the upper portion of the vertical posts  20  upon which the curtains  60  may be hung.  FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of one section of the deck curtain system  10  as implemented to a deck rail cap  8  surrounding a deck  1 . As disclosed, the deck curtain system  10  has an approximate total height of 6-9 feet to provide privacy and/or sun and wind protection as may be desirable to the user of the deck  1 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the deck curtain system  10  may be configured with vertical posts  20  having other dimensions and/or additional size or heights as desirable. Accordingly, curtain  60  may have a top  62  and a bottom  63  as shown as well as a entry-sleeve  61  which the cross member  30  may enter to support the curtain  60  when hung between the vertical posts  20 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the embodiment of the curtain  60  shown through-out the various FIGS is for illustration only and variations in curtains dimensions, curtain type as well as entry-sleeve configurations herein will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the arts without departure from the spirit and intent of the invention disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 3  is perspective view of  FIG. 2  with the curtains  60  removed to better illustrate the structural components of the deck curtain support structural components used to surround the exterior deck. 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a vertical post  20  of the deck curtain system  10  disclosed herein.  FIG. 4A  is a detailed view of the end of the vertical post  20  with the finial  23  removed. As shown in the preceding figures, the vertical post  20  may be configured with an open end  20   a  and base end  20   b . An end cap  21  having an opening, which may be threaded,  22  may be affixed in open end  20   a . A finial  23 , having a threaded post  23   a , and an upper body portion having a size or shape, may be affixed to the upper most portion of the vertical post for ornamental purposes, as shown. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A , the vertical post  20  may configured with adjustable section  24  as a second end positioned in a main section  27 . The vertical post may be configured for height adjustment via holes  25  positioned in the adjustable section  24  and main section  27  with a spring button latch  26  positioned therein. As is well known to one of ordinary skill, depressing spring button latch  26  at hole  25  in a first position allows the adjustable section  24  to slide out or in across the spring button latch  26  and to a new hole at a second or third position. (Not shown) One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the embodiment of the vertical post  20  shown at  FIGS. 4 and 4A  is discussed in detail herein for purposes of enablement and that variations of vertical posts  20  allowing height adjustment not shown herein will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the arts without departure from the spirit and intent of the invention disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 5  is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a cross bar  30  of the deck curtain system  10  disclosed herein. Similar to vertical post  20 , the cross bar  30  main body as shown is configured as hollow and having an open end  30   a  therein. An end cap  31  having a threaded opening may be positioned therein.  FIG. 6  is a detailed view of another illustrative embodiment of a cross bar  30  having a center portion  32  allowing length adjustment via telescoping end sections  34  for use with the deck curtain system  10  disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the embodiment of the cross member  30  shown at  FIGS. 5 and 6  is discussed in detail herein for purposes of enablement and that variations of cross members  30  allowing length adjustment herein will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the arts without departure from the spirit and intent of the invention disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a mounting base  40  which receives vertical post  20  and the rail cap  8  of the deck rail.  FIG. 7A  is a detailed view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  attached to the rail cap  8 . As shown, the mounting base  40  has a receiver  41  which accepts the end of the vertical post  20 , allowing it slide down over and cover the receiver  41 . Various openings  41   a  are configured therein to allow attachment to the top and face surfaces of the rail cap  8  via fasteners  48 . As shown, the base  42  of this embodiment is attached to a hanger  43  having a vertical section  43   a  and a horizontal shelf  43   b , both of which are configured with openings  41   a  for fasteners  48 . 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed view of another illustrative embodiment of a mounting base  40  for use with vertical post  20  and the rail cap of the deck rail.  FIG. 8A  is a detailed view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  attached to the rail cap  8 . In this embodiment, the base  42  of the attachment base  40  is affixed directly to the rail cap, without hanger  43 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the embodiments of the mounting base shown herein are for purposes of enablement and that variations of mounting bases  40  allowing either direct attachment to the top surface of the rail cap  8  or hung attachment via the top surface and face of the rail cap  8  herein will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the arts without departure from the spirit and intent of the invention disclosed herein. The various configurations of the mounting base  40  disclosed in  FIGS. 7, 7A, 8 and 8A , allow placement and attachment of the vertical posts  20  in support of installing and using the deck curtain system  10  disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a horizontal connector  50  useful in connecting in multiple sections of horizontal orientated cross bars  30  to vertical posts  20  to support the deck system  10  and curtain  60  positioned therein. Proper installation of a deck curtain system  10  onto a pre-existing deck, having any size or shape, requires the deck curtain system  10  and its components to be adjustable in height and length. The horizontal connector  50  provides a connection point between the vertical posts  20  and the horizontal cross members  30  that allows for angled variation and support of the curtain  60  hung from cross members  30  therein. 
       FIG. 9A  is an exploded view of the horizontal connector  50  of  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 9B  is a detailed view of horizontal connector  50  of  FIG. 9 . As shown, the horizontal connector  50  is comprised of a mount  51  and a flap  52 , each having apertures positioned therein,  51   a  and  52   a , respectively, which may be threaded, as shown. During assembly, and as shown, knob  54  having threaded shaft  53  therein may be inserted into and cooperatively engaged with the end of the cross member  30  via the aperture  52   a  in flap  52  to affix the horizontal connector  50  to cross member  30 . Then mount  51  may be placed flat upon the end cap of the vertical post with the threaded post of finial  23  inserted into the end cap through aperture  51   a  of mount  51  to affix the horizontal connector to the vertical post  20 . Mount  51  is sufficiently sized to position flap  52  a sufficient distance away from the vertical post  20  to allow knob  53  to be accessible and usable therein without interference with vertical post  20 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the top portion of a vertical post  20  having a pair of horizontal connectors  50  engaged therein.  FIG. 10A  is a top view illustrating how multiple horizontal connectors  50  may be positioned upon the upper portion of the vertical post  20 . In this way, a single type of vertical post  20 , in combination with one horizontal connector  50  can serve as a end post (i.e. connected to only one cross member  30 ) or an adjacent post (La connected to multiple cross members  30 ) via multiple horizontal connectors  50 . Based on the proceeding figures, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that loosening the finial  23  releases the pressure on mount  51  of horizontal connector  50  allowing it to rotate in relation to vertical post  20  by comparing the position of cross member  30  to  30 ′ and horizontal connector  50  to  50 ′ as illustrated by  FIG. 10A . Tightening finial  23  increases the pressure on mount  51  of horizontal connector  50  fixing its position in relation to vertical post  20 . In this way, the horizontal connector  50  allows the deck curtain system  10  disclosed to fit or adjust to any deck to which the deck system is to be attached the perimeter of any deck as illustrated by  FIG. 3  which clearly shows the deck perimeter having one ninety degree angle as well as a pair of 45 degrees angles. 
     Further, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that other methods and apparatus are suitable for mounting the deck curtain system as disclosed without limitation. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate the present disclosure is not limited by the means of construction or the materials chosen as any suitable materials, including plastic, steel or aluminum, and combinations therein may be used for construction and attachment of the deck curtain and supporting structure disclosed herein. 
     Further, the various components of the deck curtain system  10  including the vertical post  20  and cross-member  30  have diameter dimension in the range of 0.75-1.0 inch with the mounting base receiver  41  sized similarly to fit with the vertical post  20 . Horizontal connector  50  is sized similarly to fit between vertical post  20  and cross member  30 . In  FIGS. 9-10 , without limitation or restriction, mount  51  is sized to position flap  52  approximately 0.75 inches away from the vertical post  20  to allow knob  53  to be accessible and usable therein without interference with vertical post  20 . The preceding dimensions are included for purposes of enablement and do not limit or restrict the breadth of the apparatus and method disclosed as one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the deck curtain and its method of use may be configured with any dimension suitable for a particular application without departure from the spirit and intent of the concepts disclosed herein. 
     It should be noted that deck curtain  10  and mounting structure are not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses and methods for providing the various benefits of those elements, which such benefits are explicitly and/or inherently disclosed herein. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the deck curtain  10 . Furthermore, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the deck curtain and mounting system. It is understood that the deck curtain and mounting system as disclosed herein extends to all alternative combinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned, evident from the text and/or drawings, and/or inherently disclosed. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the deck curtain and mounting system. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the deck curtain and mounting system and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.