Guide apparatus and method

In a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide apparatus includes a guide with a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab. A first exit guide and a second exit guide locate a curtain within an opening front to back while the guide locates the curtain assembly within an opening side to side and front to back.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a guide apparatus and method in relation to a curtain assembly with a bracket. In particular, in accordance with one embodiment, the invention relates, in a curtain assembly with a bracket, to a guide apparatus including a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab. A first exit guide and a second exit guide locate a curtain within an opening front to back while the guide locates the curtain assembly within an opening side to side and front to back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Accomplishing the task of installing a bracket for a curtain assembly such that the bracket is positioned so as to hold the curtain assembly precisely within an opening is fraught with difficulties. As any person who has attempted this task can tell you, multiple alignment issues present themselves. As used herein, the term “curtain assembly” is used broadly to describe an opening (such as a window for example only and not by limitation) cover system including a shade or curtain movably contained within a holding unit. The shade is wound and unwound on a shade roll within the unit, all as is known in the art. The curtain assembly itself includes a bracket that is typically a separate unit. The bracket is the critical element in the proper installation of a curtain assembly. Inaccurate location of the bracket results in the inaccurate location of the curtain assembly and misplacement of the shade within the opening.

With regard to the deployment of the curtain within the opening, it is a common problem of adjusting the location of the bracket such that the curtain is located a desired distance away from the glass in the opening, for example only. Thus it can be seen that side to side location is important but so also is front to back location.

Currently, there is no easy to use repeatable way to precisely locate a window covering curtain assembly. Unless you are a professional installer, this is a daunting task and the results are often disappointing and costly. Disappointing because the assembly may look right with the curtain up but any slight misalignment is revealed with the shade down. Costly because multiple attempts to locate and correct the location of the assembly causes damage to the opening often requiring professional help to repair.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a device and method for locating a curtain assembly in an opening that is easy to use, inexpensive compared to the cost of repairs and which does not add much to the overall cost of a curtain assembly, that is repeatable and which allows a user to adjust the location of a deployed curtain in multiple directions.

It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide a guide apparatus and method that ensures accurate, repeatable, and reliable location of a curtain assembly within an opening both side to side and front to back. It is a further object of the invention that the system is easy to use, essentially “fool proof”, and that does not add any significant cost to the basic cost of the curtain assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the guide apparatus of the present invention, according to one embodiment includes, in a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide includes a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab.

According to other aspects of the invention, a gripping tab is provided. In one aspect the gripping tab includes a first gripping tab and a second gripping tab connected with the bracket connector. In another aspect, the first gripping tab is connected with the surface alignment tab and the bracket connector.

In one aspect, the bracket connector extends from the surface alignment tab and is conformed to be received within the bracket. In a further aspect, a first holding device is connected with the bracket. In one aspect, the first holding device is a double sided tape.

In another aspect, a guide stop is connected with the guide. In another aspect, the guide stop includes an outside stop surface for contact with the outside of the bracket. In one aspect the guide stop is connected with the guide apparatus between the surface alignment tab and the bracket connector.

In a further aspect, a first exit guide is connected with a curtain assembly and a second exit guide is connected with the curtain assembly. According to one aspect, the curtain assembly is a U-shaped assembly with two legs, front and back, and the first exit guide is connected within the curtain assembly at the front leg and the second exit guide is connected within the curtain assembly at the back leg. In another aspect, the first exit guide and the second exit guide include an extended curtain surface. In another aspect, the first exit guide and the second exit guide include an extended curtain surface with round edges.

According to another embodiment of the invention, in a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide apparatus includes a first exit guide connected with a curtain assembly and a second exit guide connected with the curtain assembly such that a curtain connected with the curtain assembly is adjustable front to back in an opening by use of either the first exit guide or the second exit guide.

In another aspect, a guide is provided with a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab. In one aspect, a guide stop is connected with the guide. In a further aspect, the curtain assembly is a U-shaped assembly with two legs, front and back, and the first exit guide is connected within the curtain assembly at the front leg and the second exit guide is connected within the curtain assembly at the back leg.

According to another embodiment, in a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide method includes the steps of: providing a bracket and a guide with a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with the bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab and a curtain assembly with a first exit guide connected with the curtain assembly and a second exit guide connected with the curtain assembly; connecting the bracket connector with the bracket and using the surface alignment tab to align the bracket with a surface; connecting the bracket with the surface after alignment; removing the guide; and connecting the curtain assembly with the bracket and where the curtain assembly includes a curtain positioned with the first exit guide or the second exit guide.

In another aspect, the curtain assembly is a U-shaped assembly with two legs, front and back, and the open end of the U is positioned facing down and the first exit guide is connected within the curtain assembly at the front leg and the second exit guide is connected within the curtain assembly at the back leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example inFIGS. 1-7. With specific reference toFIG. 1, a guide apparatus10includes a guide11with a surface alignment tab12with a bracket connector14. Bracket connector14extends from surface alignment tab12as illustrated and is conformed to be releasably retained with in bracket receiving channel16of bracket18.

FIG. 1also illustrates gripping tab20. Preferably gripping tab20includes a first gripping tab22and, in this embodiment, a second gripping tab24. Again, preferably, first gripping tab22and second gripping tab24are connected to bracket connector14in spaced apart relation as illustrated.

FIG. 1also illustrates another aspect of the invention in the form of first holding device26. First holding device26is preferably double sided tape connected with the bracket18on one side and, once properly located in an opening as will be described hereafter, with an opening on the other side. First holding device26is also preferably a removable tape such as 3M brand Christmas tape which can be used to temporarily secure an object to a surface and then be removed without leaving any sticky residue behind.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A-Eanother embodiment of the guide11is illustrated.FIG. 2Ais front left perspective view of the guide11formed by a combination of surface alignment tab12and bracket connector14along with gripping tab20. These elements are repeated in the other views for clarification showing them in a front right perspective view inFIG. 2B, an end view inFIG. 2C, a top view inFIG. 2Dand a front view inFIG. 2E.

FIGS. 2A-Ealso illustrate another aspect of the invention in the form of stop28. Preferably stop28is connected to the surface alignment tab12and the bracket connector14and at the end or edge of them as shown. Stop28includes an outside stop surface30(see especiallyFIG. 2B) for contact with bracket18as will be more fully described with regard toFIG. 3hereafter. Altogether,FIGS. 2A-Eillustrate the salient features and relative locations of the guide11including surface alignment tab12, bracket connector14, gripping tab20and stop28. In combination, these elements are designed to enable guide11to be removably attachable with bracket18for the purpose of aligning bracket18within an opening as will be more fully described hereafter. Once aligned, however, bracket connector14that has been inserted into bracket receiving channel16is removed, thus removing all of guide11, such that bracket receiving channel16is free to receive a curtain assembly, as will be more fully described with regard toFIGS. 4-7.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a rear perspective view is shown in a preferred embodiment in which a pair of guides11, as shown inFIG. 1, including bracket connectors14, surface alignment tabs12and stops28are temporarily connected with bracket18. Bracket18includes ends32and as illustrated it is made clear that preferably outside stop surface30of stop28abuts up against both ends32of bracket18. The length of stop28may vary but preferably the length of each stop28is the same. Thus, outside stop surface30creates an overhanging space beyond the ends32that is equal. This allows a user to perfectly position bracket18within an opening such that it is equidistant from the sides of an opening as will be more fully described hereafter. Obviously, the guide11as fully illustrated inFIGS. 1A-Eis suitable for this purpose as well.

FIG. 3also shows first holding device26in the preferred form of a removable holding tape, such as 3M Christmas tape. First holding device26holds the bracket in place long enough for holes27in the bracket18to be used to insert a second holding device48(not shown) such as a screw, for example only. Once the second holding device48is partially installed, the first holding device26is removed. This prevents the first holding device26from creating an uneven surface and from leaving a residue that disfigures the structure surface when the bracket18is removed or replaced.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a more complete illustration of the invention is provided in reference to an opening34. Opening34may be a window opening, a door opening or any similar opening. For reference,FIG. 4shows opening34from the inside of a structure36, such as the inside of a building for example only. Opening34thus includes a top38and sides40and a bottom (not shown). Sides40have a depth42from the surface44of structure36at least up to a window pane46, for example only and not by way of limitation.

In use, bracket connector14is connected with bracket18as described above and bracket18is then positioned within opening34. Surface alignment tabs12of guide11contact the surface44of structure36at the top38of opening34. Bracket connectors14extend from the connection with bracket18the length of stops28(not shown) and, when placed in position within opening34, bracket18is perfectly spaced apart from both sides40of opening34. Likewise, surface alignment tabs12ensure that the bracket18is perfectly positioned front to back within opening34. First holding device26, double sided tape or removable tape, for example, is used to temporarily hold bracket18in this perfectly aligned position until second holding device48, screw, nail bolt or the like, is installed for a more permanent attachment.

FIG. 4also illustrates curtain assembly50. Curtain assembly50contains curtain or shade52on a shade roll54(seeFIGS. 5 and 6) as is known. Preferably, at least in combination with bracket18, curtain assembly50is U-shaped with two legs, front leg56and back leg58(seeFIGS. 5 and 6). End caps60cover the ends of curtain assembly50and support shade roll54. In operation, again, once bracket18has been accurately located within opening34, gripping tab20is used to remove bracket connector14which leaves bracket receiving channel16in bracket18free and open to receive curtain assembly lip62. Just like bracket connector14, curtain assembly lip62may be inserted and removed from bracket receiving channel16as desired. When in place, curtain assembly lip62holds curtain assembly50in connection with bracket18.

Referring now toFIG. 5, curtain assembly50is shown with curtain assembly lip62connected with bracket receiving channel16within opening34. In this view it is clear what is meant when curtain assembly50is described as “U-shaped” with front leg56and back leg58and the open end of the “U” facing down from the top38of opening34.

Importantly,FIG. 5illustrates another important embodiment of the guide apparatus10. First exit guide64and second exit guide66guide the position of shade52as it comes onto and off of shade roll54.FIGS. 5 and 6show first exit guide64connected next to front leg56and second exit guide66positioned next to back leg58of curtain assembly50.

FIG. 5shows shade52directed to the second exit guide66such that shade52is deployed next to back leg58of curtain assembly50. This, therefore, allows the user to locate the shade52away from the surface44of structure36within the depth42of opening34. This is an extraordinarily useful tool and an important improvement in the art. For the first time, a simple selection of the second exit guide66prior to connection of the curtain assembly50to the bracket18allows the user to adjust the shade52location within the opening34front to back along the depth42of opening34. This allows the user to add curtains and other features in an unobtrusive manner and in locations that are now separated from the shade52and thus safe from interference with the shade52, for example only.

FIG. 5also shows a bottom bar68connected with shade52. Bottom bar68adds weight to shade52and finishes off the end of shade52as is known.FIG. 5also illustrates another aspect of first exit guide64and second exit guide66in the form of extended guide surface72with rounded edges74. Extended guide surface72provides a flat surface upon which shade52moves. The flat extended surface ensures that the shade52deploys and retracts without wrinkles or bulges. Likewise the rounded edges74ensure that the shade is not cut or scrapped or injured during movement along the exit guides.

Referring toFIG. 6, and end view of another embodiment of exit guides64and66is provided.FIG. 6shows shade52adjusted so as to exit curtain assembly50between first exit guide64and front leg56.FIG. 6shows that first exit guide64and front leg56combine to form a recess70within which bottom bar68is hidden when shade52is fully retracted onto shade roll54. In this embodiment, first exit guide64includes a lip65. There is no extended guide surface72as inFIG. 5. This simplifies construction cost and reduces weight where those are important.

Referring now toFIGS. 7A-E, the steps for using guide apparatus10are illustrated beginning atFIG. 7Awith removing curtain assembly50from bracket18. It is assumed that these items will be connected for ease in packaging and shipping and so forth.FIG. 7Bshows the next step of attaching guide11, by means of bracket connector14, to bracket receiving channel16, in pairs as described above. Stop28ensures proper and equal spacing of bracket18within opening34side to side within opening34and surface alignment tab12ensures proper alignment of bracket18front to back within opening34. First holding device26allows a user to then hold bracket18in place until second holding device48is used to secure the bracket18in the proper position as shown inFIGS. 7C and 7D. Preferably, before second holding device is completely secured, first holding device26is removed. Thereafter the user simply selects which exit guide, first exit guide64or second exit guide66, to use with shade52for placement of the shade52front to back within opening34.FIG. 7Eshows that first exit guide64has been chosen. Thus, when the user connects curtain assembly50with bracket18the user is assured that the curtain assembly50is accurately positioned front to back and side to side within the opening34and so is the shade52.

The description of the present embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. As such, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with an embodiment thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.