Abstract:
An adjustable curtain spreader and method of operating same including a telescoping member with a curtain retaining member at each end, each curtain retaining member having the shape of a well so that a curtain can be gathered and contained therein with at least one of the wells having a member thereon which affixes directly to the curtain to maintain the curtain spreader in an aloft position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to curtains and more specifically to devices that hold curtains away from windows so that the windows may be tilted inward and cleaned. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The chore of cleaning windows is a tedious one, made more difficult by the interference of curtains and the like hanging adjacent to and above the window. The chore is occasionally necessary however, and the problem of moving curtains to a non-interfering position still exists, lest the curtains be soiled or torn by the window sash edge or the cleaner. This is especially true with many of the windows of the present era which have a sash that pivots inward, causing the curtains to come into direct contact with the window sash. A benefit of these types of windows is that they may have both their interior and exterior facings cleaned by a user located within the house. 
     It is an object of the present invention to spread apart curtains and decorative hangings so that a window may be tilted to facilitate cleaning without the risk of damaging or soiling the curtains. 
     It is an object of the invention to facilitate windows of varying widths so that one curtain spreader may be used at most window locations. 
     It is an object of the invention to spread curtains apart without having to refasten permanent curtain fixtures to the walls. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,776,631 illustrates a drapery hanger with suspended swingable arms that swing open to expose the window underneath. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,809 shows a drapery support with adjustable means to move the drapery without changing the position of the stationary supporting bracket. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,364,275 shows a drapery support constructed in such a way as to allow drapes to be suspended either over the window or along the wall adjacent to window. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,479,778 illustrates an adjustable drapery crane with an adjustable drapery rod affixed thereto. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,187 illustrates a swinging check curtain used in mining operations to facilitate air flow control. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An adjustable curtain spreader and method of operating same which is used during the chore of cleaning windows so that a user might maintain curtains in an out-of-the-way position to prevent damaging or soiling them including a telescoping shaft with a curtain retaining member at each end, each curtain retaining member having the shape of a well so that a curtain can be gathered and contained therein causing the curtains to be spread apart a distance greater than the width of the window itself, with at least one of the wells having a member for engaging the curtain to maintain the curtain spreader in an aloft position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the curtain spreader. 
     FIG. 2 shows a close up view of a curtain trap located on one end of the curtain spreader. 
     FIG. 3 shows a front view of a standard window with curtains that are in a closed position over the window. 
     FIG. 4 shows a front view of the curtain spreader being attached to one curtain. 
     FIG. 5 shows a front view of the curtain spreader holding the curtains apart. 
     FIG. 6 shows a front view of a tilted window as it has cleared the spread curtains. 
     FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the tilted window clear of the spread curtains. 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the curtain spreader. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In FIG. 1, reference numeral  10  generally shows the curtain spreader. The curtain spreader  10  comprises a telescoping member  13  with retainer attachments at either end  20  and  30  and two support attachment devices or clasp devices ( 23  and  33 ) to secure the curtain spreader in an aloft position. The curtain spreader  10  is adjustable in width to facilitate curtains of differing widths apart. Telescoping member  13  has a left member  11  and a right member  12  that can be slid together or apart a varying distance of Ø so that retainer attachments  20  and  30  will properly engage curtains. The left member  11  and right member  12  are in a frictional relationship with one another so as to prevent collapse of the telescoping member  13  when it engages the weight of the curtains. However, the left member  11  and right member  12  are not engaged so tightly as to prevent a user from adjusting the distance Ø. Curtains will become trapped in the wells  24  and  34  formed by first retainer attachment  20  and second retainer attachment  30 . The curtain spreader  10  will be held in position, and the retainer attachments  20  and  30  will securely hold curtains by means of clasp devices  23  and  33  located within retainer attachments  20  and  30 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a retainer attachment  30  in more detail. Retainer attachment  30  is attached to right member  12  and retainer attachment  20  is attached to left member  11 . The left retainer attachment  20  and the right retainer attachment  30  are identical in construction in the preferred embodiment so only one will be described herein. Retainer attachment  30  has a first engaging lip  31  and a second engaging lip  32  that together form a well  34  in which curtains  50  are contained. A clasp  33  comprising an alligator type clamp engages with the end of curtain  50  to prevent the curtain spreader, once installed, from sliding down the curtain  50 . Note that generally attachment members  20  and  30  have a smooth, tear resistant surface so as to prevent curtain damage during the installation of the curtain spreader. 
     FIG. 3 shows a window (in a covered position) with left drape  51  and right drape  50 . A valance  60  is suspended overhead merely to give the drawing a reference point, and it is not as such considered to be a vital component of the present invention. It should further be noted, that although the term curtain is used consistently throughout this application, “curtain” can also be understood to mean drapery, hangings, tapestries, materials and other such things that are utilized to cover windows and other portals. 
     FIG. 4 shows the curtain spreader  10  in the first steps of installation where retainer attachment  30  is placed around an upper portion of the curtain  50  and clasped thereto by clasp  33 . Curtain  50  will now remain in the retainer well  34 . The left retainer attachment  20  is now in position to be installed. 
     FIG. 5 shows the curtain spreader  10  fully installed. Left retainer attachment  20  has been raised to contain left curtain  51  within left retainer attachment&#39;s well  24 . Note that the curtains  50  and  51  are now clear of the window edges  75   a  and  75   b,  thus allowing the window to be tilted inward without fear of tearing or soiling the curtains. Generally, the pressure exerted inwardly towards the center of the curtain spreader  10  by the weight of the curtains  50  and  51 , coupled with the attachment of clasp  33  to curtain  50 , is enough to keep the curtain spreader  10  aloft and in a position to allow the window  75  to be tilted and cleaned. However, for extra security, a second clasp identical to clasp  33  is attached within the well  24  of the left retainer attachment and secured to left curtain  51  to further secure the curtain spreader  10  in an aloft position. This embodiment is especially useful in instances where the curtains are made of particularly lightweight material. It should be noted that curtain spreader  10  is of sufficient stiffness so as to not collapse under the combined inward force of the curtains  50  and  51 . 
     FIG. 6 shows the curtain spreader  10  in a secured position and in engagement with the curtains  50  and  51 . Window  75  has been tilted inwardly to allow a user to clean the window from the inside of the house. This also prevents the user from needing to remove the screen on a window before cleaning both surfaces of the window. Reference alphanumerical unit F defines the compressive forces placed inwardly upon the curtain spreader  10 , which are sufficient enough along with the clasps within wells  24  and  34  to hold the spreader  10  aloft, but not so great as to collapse the spreader. 
     FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the curtain spreader  10  holding curtains  50  and  51  apart and window  75  opened inwardly along arc line X to facilitate easy cleaning. In operation, a user adjusts the telescoping curtain spreader  10  to the desired width (a width greater than the width of the window  75 ), secures the right curtain in the well of the right side of the curtain spreader, clasps the right curtain using the clasp located within the right well, swings up the left side of the curtain spreader and places the left curtain within the left well, clasps the left clasp to the left curtain, whereupon the curtain spreader will be secured. If need be, adjustments can be made by the user to extend or diminish the length of the telescoping curtain spreader  10  if the initial estimate on width needed was incorrect. It should be noted that although the reference positions of “left” and “right” were used in this description, a user could begin attaching the curtain spreader on either the left or the right side initially, and secure the remaining side thereafter. 
     FIG. 8 shows a description of an alternate embodiment of a curtain spreader  100 . The curtain spreader  100  comprises a telescoping member  130  with retainer attachments at either end  200  and  300  and one support attachment device  330  to secure the curtain spreader in an aloft position. Telescoping member  130  has a left member  110  and a right member  120  that can be slid together or apart a varying distance of Ø 1  so that retainer attachments  200  and  300  will properly engage curtains. The left member  110  and right member  120  are in a frictional relationship with one another so as to prevent collapse of the telescoping member  130  when it engages the weight of the curtains. However, the left member  110  and right member  120  are not engaged so tightly as to prevent a user from adjusting the distance Ø 1  of the curtain spreader. Curtains will become trapped in the wells  240  and  340  formed by first retainer attachment  200  and second retainer attachment  300 . The curtain spreader  100  will be held in position, and the retainer attachments  200  and  300  will securely hold curtains by means of clasp device  330  located within retainer attachment  300 . In operation, a user will gather right curtain within right well  340 , attach the clasp  330 , swing left member  110  up so that left well  240  engages with left curtain, and allow the force exerted upon the curtain spreader  100  along with the single clasp  330  to hold the curtain spreader aloft, and the curtain spreader apart. It should be noted that a user could install either the left or the right curtain first, as long as the user continued to support the curtain spreader  100  until clasp  330  could be affixed. It should also be noted that the clasp can be on either the right or left side of the embodiment and still fit the description put forth herein. 
     While a telescoping rod is shown to accommodate differently sized windows, it should be understood that if all of the windows are the same size, the member connecting the retaining members could be fixed in length. 
     In the preferred embodiment clips are shown to hold the curtain spreader between the two curtains. Other members to hold the curtain spreader aloft could also be used. For example, a frictional surface could be placed on the wells to frictionally engage and hold the curtain spreader in a working condition. Still other members such as hooks or ties could also be used to support the curtain spreader.