Curtain system and method

A ready-made cascade and valance curtain set is installed by mounting a valance on a forward curtain rod, and mounting two cascades in spaced relationship on a rearward rod, the cascades being extended over the forward rod to hang in front of the marginal end portions of the valance. Two or more valances may be mounted side-by-side on the forward rod, with an ascot or cravat being draped thereover from the rearward rod so as to hide any gap therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Frequently, decorated window treatments utilize a valance extending across 
the top of the window, in combination with laterally spaced jabots, falls, 
or other cascade components draped along the sides. In some instances, 
moreover, so-called ascots or cravats are positioned at the center of the 
window or at spaced locations along the width thereof, for added 
decorative effects. Such systems are normally custom-made to order, and 
necessarily fitted to a particular window; they therefore tend to be quite 
expensive and to require professional installation, and they are not 
adapted for production in volume. 
Accordingly, it is the broad object of the present invention to provide a 
novel, ready-made valance and cascade curtain set, and a novel system 
including the same. 
It is also an object of the invention to provide such a curtain set and 
system which are highly attractive, facile to install, and relatively 
inexpensive to manufacture. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a ready-made valance and 
cascade curtain set which is adapted for sale in packaged condition to the 
retail market, and for installation by the customer. 
A further object is to provide such a curtain set and system in which 
extension for spanning relatively wide expanses can readily be 
accomplished, using means that is simple and yet aesthetically enhancing. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel method for 
the decoration of a window or the like, using a ready-made valance and 
cascade curtain set. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It has now been found that certain of the foregoing and related objects of 
the invention are attained by the provision of a curtain system comprising 
a pair of parallel curtain rods, one mounted behind the other and in 
substantially the same horizontal plane, a pair of cascades mounted in 
laterally spaced relationship to one another on the rearward rod, and at 
least one valance mounted on the forward rod in general alignment with the 
space between the cascades. Each of the cascades includes a panel, and a 
laterally extending top pocket. The rearward rod is received through the 
pockets of the cascades, with the cascades being draped therefrom over the 
forward rod, to hang in front of the valance in overlapped relationship to 
lateral marginal portions thereof. 
The valance will desirably be of straight configuration, presenting 
substantially parallel upper and lower rectilinear edges in the mounted 
condition, and preferably it will be of tubular form so as to define a 
passage for receipt of the mounting rod. In certain advantageous 
embodiments of the system, at least one additional valance will be mounted 
on the forward rod with the adjacent marginal portions of the two valances 
proximate one another. Such a system will desirably also include at least 
one ascot component, comprised of a panel and a laterally extending top 
pocket, mounted on the rearward rod in the space between the cascades and 
centrally aligned behind the valances; the ascot component will be draped 
over the forward rod to hang in overlapped relationship to the proximate 
marginal portions of the valances. 
Other objects of the invention are attained by the provision of a 
ready-made cascade and valance curtain set comprised of the components 
herein described. Still other objects are attained by the provision of a 
method for the decoration of a window or the like, utilizing such a 
curtain set. 
In carrying out the method in its broader aspects, one rod is inserted 
through the pockets of the cascades, so as to dispose them in laterally 
spaced relationship to one another thereon, and the valance is mounted 
upon another rod. The rods are secured to supporting structure, with the 
"one" rod disposed behind the "another" rod and in substantially the same 
horizontal plane. The cascade panels are then extended forwardly over the 
"another" rod so as to hang in front of the valance in overlapped 
relationship, as described. 
In those instances in which the curtain set additionally includes at least 
a second valance and at least one ascot component, the "one" rod will be 
inserted through the pocket of the ascot component and the "second" 
valance will be mounted upon the "another" rod, in end-to-end relationship 
to the "one" valance. The ascot component panel will be extended forwardly 
over the "another" rod, the hang in overlapped relationship to the 
proximal marginal portions of both of the valances, and the cascade panels 
will be extended to overlap the distal marginal portions thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
Turning now in detail to the appended drawings, therein illustrated is a 
curtain system embodying the present invention and including forward and 
rearward parallel curtain rods 10 and 12, respectively, secured to a 
molding piece 14 so as to dispose them is substantially the same plane; 
conventional brackets 16 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) are used for 
that purpose. A pair of straight tubular valances 18 are suspended 
side-by-side from the forward rod 10, which extends through the passages 
19 that they form; the valances are of uniform width along their lengths, 
and thus present a rectilinear bottom edge 21 as so mounted. 
Each jabot, generally designated by the numberal 20, consists of a gently 
folded or fluted panel 22 and sleeve structure 24, the latter providing a 
pocket 25 along the top of the jabot through which is received the 
rearward rod 12. An ascot, generally designated by the numeral 26, is of 
generally similar construction, consisting of a panel 28, and a sleeve 30 
defining a rod-receiving pocket 31. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the jabots 
28 are laterally spaced from one another on the rod 12, and the ascot 26 
is centrally disposed between them. 
For installation, the molding piece 14 is affixed to the wall structure 34 
above the window, generally designated by the numeral 32, so as to dispose 
the two rods 10, 12 in a substantially horizontal plane. The panels 22 of 
the jabots 20 are extended over the forward rod 10 so as to hang in front 
of the valances 18, overlapping outer marginal portions at the opposite 
ends thereof. The panel 28 of the ascot 26 is similarly extended to 
overlap the proximal marginal portions of the valances, thereby serving to 
hide the line of separation between adjacent portions of the two valances. 
It will be appreciated that the ascot component is optional, and would not 
of course be utilized when the system comprises only one valance; in that 
instance, the two jabot would simple overlap the opposite end portions of 
the valance. On the other hand, it will be understood that more than two 
valances may be employed for covering a wider expanse of window, in which 
case the system would include a suitable number of ascot components. The 
ability to use a plurality of valances in this manner permits them to be 
made in standardized lengths, and affords considerable flexibility to the 
system. 
The form of the valances may of course vary from that illustrated, albeit 
that the simple tubular construction shown offers substantial economic, 
manufacturing and aesthetic advantages. Rather than being so constructed 
as to present a straight lower edge, the valances may for example be 
scalloped or otherwise configured, if so desired. Also, the valance tube 
may be produced from either a single piece of material or from two or more 
pieces, as may enable an optimal combination of structural and aesthetic 
features to be achieved, and a forming or stiffening element may be 
included, if deemed necessary or desirable. 
The cascades may also vary widely in style and dimensions. They may for 
example take the form of the jabots shown in the drawings, or of shorter 
"falls"; they may be gently folded or fluted, more severely pleated, 
simply gathered, or indeed of plain construction. Similarly, the ascot 
component may vary considerably, and may more particularly take the form 
of either an ascot or a cravat, as are known in the art. In fact, any 
article of suitable appearance and function may constitute such a 
component. Finally, it will be appreciated that the elements of the 
curtain set of the invention will generally be constructed of cloth or 
supple fabric, but that other materials may be employed, as appropriate. 
Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel, 
ready-made valance and cascade curtain set, and a novel system including 
the same, which set and system are highly attractive, facile to install, 
and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The curtain set is adapted for 
sale in packaged condition, for installation by the customer, and lateral 
expansion is readily accomplished using means that is simple and yet 
capable of imparting enhanced aesthetics. The invention also provides a 
novel method for the decorative treatment of a window or the like, using 
the curtain set herein described.