Apparatus and method for window treatment management

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method for window treatment management. The apparatus may include a material strip and a pulling device. The material strip may include a hook threaded onto at least one end of the material strip and a plurality of loops stitched longitudinally onto the material strip. The pulling device may be utilized for pulling the material strip through the hook from a first end opening of a rod pocket of a window element to a second end opening thereof. Herein, the hook may be connected to one of the loops to create a securing loop around the window element when the material strip is exposed at the second end opening.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to window treatments, and in particular, to an apparatus and a method for window treatment management.

Description of Related Art

Homeowners and professional businesses such as hotels, spas, salons, and the like utilize window treatments such as curtains, sheers, drapes, valances and so on to improve the aesthetic appearance and value of the living space. A common challenge interior designers and users face is the inability to manage the window treatments. For example, one attractive style for window treatments is to “pin back” or keep open the window treatment on opposing sides of the window or design element.

Generally, users attempt to manage this issue by using rubber bands and safety pins. Specifically, an attempt to contain the window treatment (e.g., keep it open) includes placement of a snug rubber band on a curtain rod and around the window treatment and securing it with a safety pin. However, such conventional solutions for window treatment management fail because of deterioration of rubber band and further due to inconvenience and inability to install the window treatment securely. Moreover, such attempts demand for significant time of the installer without providing the desired result.

Thus, based on the aforementioned, there is a need for an apparatus and a method for managing a window treatment to allow the installer to achieve symmetry and to substantially eliminate sagging and spreading of window elements. Further, the apparatus and the method for managing a window treatment should be able to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the window element and overall decoration. Furthermore, the apparatus and the method should be convenient and efficient without requiring significant time for installation thereof.

SUMMARY

Embodiments for the present invention provide an apparatus for managing a window treatment. The apparatus may include a material strip having a hook threaded onto at least one end of the material strip. Further, the material strip may include a plurality of loops stitched longitudinally onto the material strip. The apparatus may further include a pulling device for pulling the material strip through the hook from a first end opening of a rod pocket of a window element to a second end opening of the rod pocket to expose the material strip at the second end opening. Herein, the hook is connected to one of the plurality of the loops to create a securing loop around the window element, when the material strip is exposed at the second end opening.

Hereinabove, an unhooked end (that is not hooked to the pulling device) of the material strip may be held firmly at the first end opening of the rod pocket when the material strip is pulled from the first end opening to the second end opening of the rod pocket. Further, the hook is disconnected from the pulling device when the material strip is exposed at the second end opening and connects to the one of the plurality of loops. The loop from the plurality of the loops is selected based on an arrangement required for the window element. Herein, the window element may include, but is not limited to, a curtain, a drape, sheers, and a valance.

Further, embodiments of the present invention provide a curtain corrector for managing a window treatment. The curtain corrector may include a material strip comprising a hook end having a hook attached thereto. Further, the curtain corrector may include a pulling device slidable through a rod pocket of a curtain, the pulling device connected to the hook of the material strip and slid from a first end opening of the rod pocket to a second end opening of the rod pocket to expose the hook at the second end opening. Herein, the exposed hook is disconnected from the pulling device to join an opposite end of the material strip for creating a securing loop around the curtain.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for managing a window treatment. The method may include sliding a pulling device through a first opening of a rod pocket of a window element. Herein, a first end of the pulling device is connected to a hook threaded at a hook end of a material strip. The pulling device may be slid through a second end thereof. Further, the method may include pulling out the first end of the pulling device from a second opening of the rod pocket to expose the hook of the material strip at the second opening. Furthermore, the method may include detaching the first end of the pulling device from the exposed hook at the second opening of the rod pocket. The method may further join the hook end to an opposite end of the material strip by fixing the exposed hook into one of a plurality of loops of the material strip, thereby creating a securing loop around the window element and thus managing the window treatment.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a number of advantages that may include an apparatus and a method for window treatment to obtain a uniform and symmetrical look. Further, the apparatus and the method eliminate sagging or separation of a window treatment, such as a window element including a curtain, a drape, a sheer, a valance and the like. Specifically, the apparatus may include a material strip and a pulling device to pull the material strip from one end opening of a rod pocket of the window element to another end opening of the rod pocket for creating a securing loop around the window element. Due to this, the window element may be adjusted to a desired width. Further, the apparatus and the method may facilitate a complete installation and improve an aesthetic appeal of the window treatment and to enhance overall decorative effect thereof. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide a curtain corrector specifically for curtains including the material strip and the pulling device to create securing loop around the curtain.

These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention contained herein.

The preceding is a simplified summary of embodiments of the present invention to provide an understanding of some aspects of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor an exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the present invention nor to delineate the scope of the present invention but to present selected concepts of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides embodiments of an apparatus and a method for window treatment management to obtain a uniform and symmetrical look of the window treatment including a window element like a curtain, a drape, a sheer, and a valance. Further, embodiments of the present invention eliminate sagging or separation of the window treatment. Specifically, the apparatus may contain and adjust window treatment to facilitate a complete installation and improve an aesthetic appeal of the decorative/functional window treatment.

The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, a material strip with a hook and a plurality of loops together with a pulling device, such as a drawing rod to pull out the material strip from a rod pocket of the window element. Further, the present invention may perform a function to correct/manage a window element such as a curtain. Thus, a device or a combination of components that performs this functionality of correcting or managing the curtain may hereinafter be referred to as a ‘curtain corrector.’ The curtain corrector may perform a method of attaching and securing a curtain to eliminate sagging or closing of the curtain. The curtain corrector may be utilized for window treatment for all curtain sizes and shapes of rods of the curtains.

Specifically, the curtain corrector for a window treatment may include a material strip having a hook end for attaching a hook thereto. Further, the curtain corrector may include a pulling device that may be slidable through a rod pocket of the curtain. The pulling device may be connected to the hook of the material strip and slid from a first end opening of the rod pocket to a second end opening of the rod pocket to expose the hook (attached to the material strip) at the second end opening. Herein, the exposed hook may be disconnected from the pulling device to join an opposite end of the material strip for creating a securing loop around the curtain. The curtain corrector may be understood in light of the apparatus and method described below with respect to the description of drawings.

Referring now toFIG. 1that illustrates an exemplary material strip100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The material strip100may be a flexible or an elastic strip that may be utilized to secure a window element such as a curtain, a drape, a sheer or a valance. The material strip100may be of various lengths and may be made up of a material102such as fabric, plastic, hook and loop, woven yarn, ribbon, or twill tape, and the like.

The material strip100may include, but is not limited to, a hook (seeFIG. 2), such as a lingerie hook, attached via a sewn loop to the material strip100. In an embodiment, the material strip100may include a hook at each distal end thereof. Further, the material strip100may include a plurality of loops that may be stitched longitudinally onto the material strip100. The plurality of loops may be stitched onto the material strip100for the purpose of adjusting and fixing the window element such as a curtain/drape.

The window element may be adjusted by utilizing a pulling device (seeFIG. 5) that may pull out one end of the material strip100from one of two openings of a rod pocket of the window element, such as a curtain. The one end that is pulled out from the opening of the rod pocket may be joined to another end of the material strip100that may be at another opening of the rod pocket and thus the material strip100may be secured around the window element to secure the window element and thus eliminate sagging or the curtain closing unwillingly, thereof.

Specifically, the one end of the material strip100that is pulled out from the rod pocket may have the hook that may be first connected to the pulling device for enabling the pulling device to pull the material strip100out from the rod pocket. Further, once the pulling device exposes the material strip100out from the opening at one end of the rod pocket, the hook of the material strip100may be disconnected from the pulling device. Further, the hook may connect to one of the plurality of loops of the material strip100in a way such that the material strip100secures or surrounds the window element to secure the window element and thus eliminate sagging or spread of the window element.

The material strip may secure the window element either before or after the window element is mounted on a window rod. Herein, the window rod may be a rod (such as a metallic rod or a plastic rod) to tie a window element thereon/thereto. Further, the concept of the pulling device is described further in conjunction withFIG. 5.

FIG. 2depicts an exemplary hook portion200of a material strip, such as the material strip100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hook portion200of the material strip100may include a hook202threaded onto one side of a material strip100. In an embodiment, the hook202may be threaded on each distal end of the material strip100. Further, as depicted, the hook202may be a lingerie hook that may be attached via a sewn loop to the material strip. Further, the hook202may be made up of various materials such as plastic, metal, and the like.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hook202may be utilized by a pulling device (as shown inFIG. 5) to pull the material strip100from a first end opening of a rod pocket of a window element (such as a curtain) to a second end opening of the rod pocket. Herein, the material strip100may be pulled from a hook end (having a hook202) thereof. The pulling device may be connected to the hook202and other end (may be an unhooked end that is not hooked) of the material strip may be held firmly outside the first end opening of the rod pocket.

Once the hook202is exposed at the second end opening of the rod pocket, the hook202may be disconnected from the pulling device. Further, the hook202may be connected to one of a plurality of loops of the material strip100to make a securing loop around the window element. The hook202may be connected to one of the plurality of loops based on a type (tight or loose) of securing required around the window element. For example, the window element may be secured tightly by fastening the hook202to a loop that is sewn far from the other distal end (unhooked end, that may be held outside of the first end opening) of the material strip100.

FIG. 3depicts an exemplary loop300of a plurality of loops stitched onto the material strip100, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted, the loop300may be sewn onto the material strip100for the purpose of adjusting and fixing a window element (such as, but is not limited to, a curtain). Further, the material strip100may include a plurality of loops threaded onto the material strip100.

The plurality of loops may include a loop that is sewn onto the material strip100to attach a hook, such as the hook202(as depicted inFIG. 2) to the material strip100. Further, additional loops of the plurality of loops may be stitched longitudinally onto the material strip100. In an embodiment, a first loop may be at six inches and then further loops may be at an interval of two inches up to twenty-four inches in total length of the material strip100.

Specifically, the hook202of the material strip100may be fastened inside a loop of the plurality of loops of the material strip100for purpose of securing the window element there between. Herein, the hook202may join to the loop stitched to an opposite side (that is opposite to the hook202) of the material strip100. Further, the hook202may join the loop (at an end opposite to the hook) when a hook end of the material strip100is pulled out of a rod pocket of a window element. The material strip100may be pulled out of the rod pocket through a pulling device (not shown) connected to the hook202attached to the material strip100. The material strip may be of various types, as depicted inFIG. 4.

FIG. 4illustrates various types400of material strips, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted, a material strip, such as the material strip100, may be of various types, such as a material strip type402, a material strip type404, a material strip type406and a material strip type408. Specifically, the material strip may be of fabric, plastic, hook and loop material, woven yarn, ribbon, or twill tape.

Each type of the material strip100may be utilized together with a pulling device (explained further in conjunction withFIG. 5) to secure a window element, such as a curtain, a drape, a sheer, a valance and the like. Alternatively, if the material strip100is made of hook and loop material, e.g., VELCRO, the hook202may be optional as the material strip may be secured utilizing the securing means of the hook and loop material. The window element may be secured to eliminate spread and sagging thereof. The material strip100may be elastic in nature or flexible to make a loop around the window element for securing the window element. For example, the material strip100may include a hook end having a hook, such as the hook202, attached thereto. Further, the material strip100may include a plurality of loops threaded longitudinally onto the material strip100.

Referring toFIG. 5, the pulling device500may be hooked with the hook of the material strip100that may further slide through a rod pocket of the window element. Accordingly, the pulling device500may pull the hook end of the material strip100and thereby may pull the material strip100from first end opening of the rod pocket to a second end opening of the rod pocket. In an embodiment, the pulling device500may be pushed towards the second end opening of the rod pocket so as to expose the material strip100at the second end opening of the rod pocket. In another embodiment, if the material strip100is made of hook and loop material, the hook portion502of the pulling device500can be secured to the material strip100by means of attaching a first end of the material strip around the hook502utilizing the features of hook and loop technology.

Another end (unhooked end) of the material strip100may be held firmly outside the first end opening of the rod pocket when the pulling device500pulls the hook end of the material strip100towards the second end opening. On reaching the second end opening of the rod pocket, the hook of the material strip100may be disconnected from the pulling device500and may then be connected to one of the plurality of the loops (at an opposite unhooked end of the material strip that is not hooked) around the window element and thus may secure the window element to prevent spread and sagging thereof.

FIG. 5illustrates a pulling device500that is used in combination with the material strip, such as the material strip100, to secure a window element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pulling device500may be a metal rod with an elongated “s” bend at one end and a semi-circle at an opposite end thereof. The elongated “s” bend may be utilized by the pulling device500to fasten with a hook, such as the hook202, of the material strip100.

In an embodiment, a first end502of the pulling device500may be fastened with the hook of the material strip100and a second end (not shown) may be a smooth and free end of the pulling device500. The second end of the pulling device500may enter into a rod pocket of a window element, such as, but not limited to, a curtain. The pulling device500may be pushed inside the rod pocket from a first opening of the rod pocket to a second opening of the rod pocket. In an embodiment, the pulling device500may be pushed by a user to slide the pulling device500from the first opening to the second opening of the rod pocket. Due to such push inside the rod pocket, the pulling device500may slide inside the rod pocket and may pull along the material strip100connected to the pulling device500through the hook of the material strip100. Further, an opposite end (unhooked end, that is not hooked) of the material strip100may be held firmly outside the first opening of the rod pocket when the material strip100is pulled towards the second opening of the rod pocket so as to avoid pulling of both the ends of the material strip100inside the rod pocket.

The second end of the pulling device500may reach first at the second opening of the rod pocket that may be pushed or pulled out further for pulling a hook end (having the hook) of the material strip100. The pulling device500may be pulled out until the material strip100connected to the pulling device500(through the hook) is exposed at the second opening of the rod pocket.

Once the material strip100is exposed at the second opening, the hook (as exposed at the second opening) may be disconnected from the pulling device500. Further, the hook may be joined to the opposite unhooked end (held at the first opening) of the material strip100by fixing within a loop of a plurality of loops (as described previously in conjunction withFIG. 3) of the material strips100. The hook (at the second opening) may be connected to the loop of the plurality of loops (at the first opening) to create a secure loop around the window element.

The pulling device500may be metal, plastic, glass, wood, cardboard, and so on. Further, the present disclosure may not be considered as limiting to the above-described embodiments and functioning. For example, the material strip100may have a hook at each distal end of thereof. Further, these hooks may be connected around the window element for securing the window element to eliminate the spread and sagging thereof.

FIG. 6Aillustrates sagging of a window element such as, a curtain, a drape, a sheer and a valence when the window element is pulled or pushed by a user using the conventional window treatment techniques. In the present disclosure, when a user connects a hook, such as the hook202of a material strip, such as the material strip100, to one of a plurality of the loops (at an opposite unhooked end of the material strip that is not hooked) around the window element by using the pulling device500, the secured loop around the window element may eliminate sagging or separation of the window element, as shown inFIG. 6B. The present disclosure manages a window treatment that may further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the window element and overall decoration.

FIG. 7illustrates a flow diagram of a method700for window treatment management, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method700for window treatment may be understood more clearly when read in conjunction withFIGS. 1 to 6. The order in which the method700is performed is not intended to be construed as limitation, and further any number of the method steps may be combined in order to implement the method or an alternative method without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

The method700may utilize a material strip, such as the material strip100, and a pulling device, such as the pulling device500for securing a window element, such as (but not limited to) a curtain to eliminate spread and sagging thereof. At step702, the pulling device may slide through a first opening of a rod pocket of the window element, (such as a curtain). Herein, a first end (such as the first end502) of the pulling device may be connected to a hook threaded at a hook end of the material strip. Further, herein the pulling device may be slid inside the rod pocket through a second end thereof.

At step704, the first end of the pulling device may be pulled out from a second opening of the rod pocket to expose the hook of the material strip at the second opening. In an embodiment, the pulling device may be pushed (by a user) towards the second opening of the rod pocket to expose the hook of the materials strip at the second opening of the rod pocket. Herein, an opposite end (that is not hooked to the pulling device) of the material strip may be held firmly outside the first opening of the rod pocket of the window element when the first end of the pulling device is pulled out from the second opening of the rod pocket.

At step706, the first end of the pulling device may be detached from the exposed hook at the second opening of the rod pocket. Further, at step708, the hook end of the material strip may be joined to an opposite end (that is not hooked to the pulling device) of the material strip by fixing the exposed hook into one of a plurality of loops of the material strip to create a securing loop around the window element. Herein, the plurality of loops may be stitched longitudinally onto the material strip.

In an embodiment, the material strip100and the pulling device500may collectively function as a curtain corrector to secure the curtain (or any other window element) for eliminating spread and sagging of the curtain. Thus, the curtain corrector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform the functionalities as described here above in conjunction withFIGS. 1 to 7to create securing loop around the curtain to further eliminate spread and sagging thereof.

Further, the method700implemented for window treatment management may not be restricted to above-mentioned embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, various embodiments that are explained above in conjunction withFIGS. 1 to 6may be utilized to implement various method steps to carry out processes that may be implemented as explained hereinabove. Further, the present invention is not limited to above-mentioned embodiments and examples and many other embodiments and examples may be implemented in light of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Also, while the flow chart has been discussed and illustrated in relation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciated that changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occur without materially affecting the operation of the present invention.

A number of variations and modifications of the present invention can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the present invention without providing others.

Further, various other embodiments may also be implemented through components provided by the present disclosure. Also, the usage of terminology such as ‘first opening’ or ‘first end opening’, ‘second opening’ or ‘second end opening’, first end’, ‘second end’ may not be considered a restrictive aspect of the present invention as such terminologies are used just for the purpose of better explanation. Further, many other advantages may be understood in light of the description given above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the present disclosure may provide a solution to eliminate spread or sagging of a window element and thus facilitate an easy installation of the window element without requiring extra time on installer's behalf.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the present invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. In particular, it should be appreciated that any element of any embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with any other elements from any other embodiments disclosed herein, in accordance with yet further embodiments of the present invention.