Deck curtain system and method of use

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.

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.

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application.

Not Applicable.

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 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. 1is a perspective view of a deck1a surrounding an exterior space as may be attached to a residential home or apartment of the prior art. The deck1ofFIG. 1is illustrative of those well known to those of ordinary skill in the art constructed with adjacent decking members3aand gaps3bto form decking3across joists. A rail cap8positioned on rail posts5and vertical pickets6define the perimeter of the deck1creating the deck area2. Although not shown, additional horizontal members7may be affixed to the outer joists and or the pickets for added strength. As illustrated inFIGS. 2-10, it is an object of the invention to disclose a system allowing for enclosure of a deck1similar to that disclosed inFIG. 1without regard to the deck area2or the outline of the perimeter formed by the rail cap8. As will be discussed herein, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the deck curtain system10and its method of use will vary from that shown inFIG. 1without departure from the spirit and intent of the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 2is perspective overview of one embodiment of the deck curtain system10disclosed enclosing a deck1with a set of curtains60around an exterior deck area2. As shown, the deck curtain system10is comprised of a combination of vertical posts20attached to the rail cap8of the deck1, via attachment bases40, with horizontal cross bars30positioned between the upper portion of the vertical posts20upon which the curtains60may be hung.FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of one section of the deck curtain system10as implemented to a deck rail cap8surrounding a deck1. As disclosed, the deck curtain system10has 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 deck1. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the deck curtain system10may be configured with vertical posts20having other dimensions and/or additional size or heights as desirable. Accordingly, curtain60may have a top62and a bottom63as shown as well as a entry-sleeve61which the cross member30may enter to support the curtain60when hung between the vertical posts20. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the embodiment of the curtain60shown 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. 3is perspective view ofFIG. 2with the curtains60removed to better illustrate the structural components of the deck curtain support structural components used to surround the exterior deck.

FIG. 4is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a vertical post20of the deck curtain system10disclosed herein.FIG. 4Ais a detailed view of the end of the vertical post20with the finial23removed. As shown in the preceding figures, the vertical post20may be configured with an open end20aand base end20b. An end cap21having an opening, which may be threaded,22may be affixed in open end20a. A finial23, having a threaded post23a, 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 inFIGS. 4 and 4A, the vertical post20may configured with adjustable section24as a second end positioned in a main section27. The vertical post may be configured for height adjustment via holes25positioned in the adjustable section24and main section27with a spring button latch26positioned therein. As is well known to one of ordinary skill, depressing spring button latch26at hole25in a first position allows the adjustable section24to slide out or in across the spring button latch26and to a new hole at a second or third position. (Not shown) One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the embodiment of the vertical post20shown atFIGS. 4 and 4Ais discussed in detail herein for purposes of enablement and that variations of vertical posts20allowing 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. 5is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a cross bar30of the deck curtain system10disclosed herein. Similar to vertical post20, the cross bar30main body as shown is configured as hollow and having an open end30atherein. An end cap31having a threaded opening may be positioned therein.FIG. 6is a detailed view of another illustrative embodiment of a cross bar30having a center portion32allowing length adjustment via telescoping end sections34for use with the deck curtain system10disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the embodiment of the cross member30shown atFIGS. 5 and 6is discussed in detail herein for purposes of enablement and that variations of cross members30allowing 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. 7is a detailed view of one illustrative embodiment of a mounting base40which receives vertical post20and the rail cap8of the deck rail.FIG. 7Ais a detailed view of the embodiment ofFIG. 7attached to the rail cap8. As shown, the mounting base40has a receiver41which accepts the end of the vertical post20, allowing it slide down over and cover the receiver41. Various openings41aare configured therein to allow attachment to the top and face surfaces of the rail cap8via fasteners48. As shown, the base42of this embodiment is attached to a hanger43having a vertical section43aand a horizontal shelf43b, both of which are configured with openings41afor fasteners48.

FIG. 8is a detailed view of another illustrative embodiment of a mounting base40for use with vertical post20and the rail cap of the deck rail.FIG. 8Ais a detailed view of the embodiment ofFIG. 8attached to the rail cap8. In this embodiment, the base42of the attachment base40is affixed directly to the rail cap, without hanger43. 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 bases40allowing either direct attachment to the top surface of the rail cap8or hung attachment via the top surface and face of the rail cap8herein 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 base40disclosed inFIGS. 7, 7A, 8 and 8A, allow placement and attachment of the vertical posts20in support of installing and using the deck curtain system10disclosed herein.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a horizontal connector50useful in connecting in multiple sections of horizontal orientated cross bars30to vertical posts20to support the deck system10and curtain60positioned therein. Proper installation of a deck curtain system10onto a pre-existing deck, having any size or shape, requires the deck curtain system10and its components to be adjustable in height and length. The horizontal connector50provides a connection point between the vertical posts20and the horizontal cross members30that allows for angled variation and support of the curtain60hung from cross members30therein.

FIG. 9Ais an exploded view of the horizontal connector50ofFIG. 9andFIG. 9Bis a detailed view of horizontal connector50ofFIG. 9. As shown, the horizontal connector50is comprised of a mount51and a flap52, each having apertures positioned therein,51aand52a, respectively, which may be threaded, as shown. During assembly, and as shown, knob54having threaded shaft53therein may be inserted into and cooperatively engaged with the end of the cross member30via the aperture52ain flap52to affix the horizontal connector50to cross member30. Then mount51may be placed flat upon the end cap of the vertical post with the threaded post of finial23inserted into the end cap through aperture51aof mount51to affix the horizontal connector to the vertical post20. Mount51is sufficiently sized to position flap52a sufficient distance away from the vertical post20to allow knob53to be accessible and usable therein without interference with vertical post20.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the top portion of a vertical post20having a pair of horizontal connectors50engaged therein.FIG. 10Ais a top view illustrating how multiple horizontal connectors50may be positioned upon the upper portion of the vertical post20. In this way, a single type of vertical post20, in combination with one horizontal connector50can serve as a end post (i.e. connected to only one cross member30) or an adjacent post (La connected to multiple cross members30) via multiple horizontal connectors50. Based on the proceeding figures, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that loosening the finial23releases the pressure on mount51of horizontal connector50allowing it to rotate in relation to vertical post20by comparing the position of cross member30to30′ and horizontal connector50to50′ as illustrated byFIG. 10A. Tightening finial23increases the pressure on mount51of horizontal connector50fixing its position in relation to vertical post20. In this way, the horizontal connector50allows the deck curtain system10disclosed to fit or adjust to any deck to which the deck system is to be attached the perimeter of any deck as illustrated byFIG. 3which 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 system10including the vertical post20and cross-member30have diameter dimension in the range of 0.75-1.0 inch with the mounting base receiver41sized similarly to fit with the vertical post20. Horizontal connector50is sized similarly to fit between vertical post20and cross member30. InFIGS. 9-10, without limitation or restriction, mount51is sized to position flap52approximately 0.75 inches away from the vertical post20to allow knob53to be accessible and usable therein without interference with vertical post20. 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 curtain10and 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 curtain10. 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.