Abstract:
A sliding blackout curtain apparatus is provided to prevent light leaking from the top and sides of a blackout curtain thereby blocking light from doors, windows, or other light sources. In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise: a traverse rod preferably installed inside the window casing which includes a track that extends along a portion of the traverse rod, and wherein the track is configured to slidably engage a plurality of curtain flap carriers; a curtain comprising a head with a length; curtain fasteners configured to secure the curtain to a wall or other structure, a curtain flap which is joined to the curtain proximate to the head of the curtain and along the length of the head; and a plurality of curtain flap carriers slidably engaged to the track of the traverse rod.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/033,818, filed on Aug. 6, 2014, entitled “SLIDING BLACKOUT CURTAIN APPARATUS”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of curtains and curtain supporting structures. More specifically, the invention relates to light blocking apparatuses for securing sliding curtains and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Multiple devices for the securement of curtains and shades are known in the art. These devices seek to cover windows, doors, and the like to prevent light from entering into a room. Furthermore, a type of opaque curtain known as the “blackout curtain” seeks to block or blackout as much light as possible. Blocking light from entering the room is desirable for a variety of reasons such as improved sleep and other activities that are best accomplished in the absence of light. One type of curtain securing device known in the art comprises a rod to which a curtain is slidably engaged. The rod may pass through apertures in the curtain, or the rod may extend through a generally cylindrical aperture extending the length of the curtain allowing the curtain to slide along the curtain rod to various positions on the rod. 
         [0004]    Another type of curtain securing device comprises a curtain rail configured to slidably secure a curtain. Typically, these devices comprise a channel that extends the length of the rail. A plurality of fasteners secures the top of a curtain at one end and slidably secure to the rail at a second end. These fasteners may comprise rolling assemblies that are positioned at the second end which reduce friction as the rolling assemblies move within the channel. 
         [0005]    One drawback common to all of these types of devices for the sliding securement of curtains is a universal inability to block light from escaping around their perimeters and into the room. The inability to block light is most prevalent at the top of the curtain as light seeps in around the rod or rail that typically secures the curtain over a door or window. One solution to block light from entering into a room over the top of the curtain is to secure the curtain directly to the wall above the door or window. Unfortunately, this method prevents movement of the curtain away from the door or window making their use extremely difficult. 
         [0006]    Another solution that attempts to block light from entering into a room over the top of the curtain is to secure a curtain rod or rail a significant distance above a window or door and then to secure a very long curtain to the rail or rod. This method requires permanent modification to the curtain rod or rail and also is unable to block all of the light from entering a room and often results in a difficult manipulation of the curtain in order to use the door or window it is covering. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists for novel curtain apparatuses that block or blackout as much light as possible from entering the room for sleep and other activities that are best accomplished in the absence of light. There also exists a need for novel curtain apparatuses with the ability to block light from escaping around the curtain perimeter and into the room. Finally, there exists a need for novel curtain apparatuses that are able to block light from entering a room without resulting in a difficult manipulation of the curtain or the door or window the curtain is covering. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A sliding blackout curtain apparatus is provided. The apparatus may be secured to structures proximate to a window or door that the apparatus is positioned to cover, and the apparatus may be configured to provide blockage of light from the door, window, or other light source. In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise: a traverse rod which includes a track that extends along a portion of the traverse rod, and wherein the track is configured to slidably engage a plurality of curtain flap carriers; a curtain comprising a head with a length; a curtain flap which is joined to the curtain proximate to the head of the curtain and along the length of the head; and a plurality of curtain flap carriers with each curtain flap carrier comprising a first end and a second end, and each curtain flap carrier may be slidably engaged to the track of the traverse rod at a first end and configured to couple to the curtain flap at a second end. 
         [0009]    In further embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a faceplate. The faceplate may be coupled to the traverse rod and may extend down and away from the traverse rod a greater distance than the distance the curtain flap carriers extend away from the traverse rod. 
         [0010]    In further embodiments, the curtain flap may extend from the curtain head down under the faceplate and up to be secured by the second ends of the plurality of curtain flap carriers. 
         [0011]    In still further embodiments, the traverse rod may comprise two or more traverse rod telescoping sections with a first traverse rod telescoping section is telescopically coupled to a second traverse rod telescoping section and with a faceplate coupled to each traverse rod telescoping section. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0013]    FIG.  1 — FIG. 1  depicts a top perspective view of the back of an example of a sliding blackout curtain apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0014]    FIG.  2 — FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the back of an example of a sliding blackout curtain apparatus according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0015]    FIG.  3 — FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an example of a curtain fastener according to various embodiments described herein. 
           [0016]    FIG.  4 — FIG. 4  depicts a sectional, through line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG. 1 , elevation view of an example of a traverse rod with a curtain flap carrier slidably engaged within the track of the traverse rod according to various embodiments described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0018]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0019]    In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
         [0020]    New curtains and supporting structure apparatuses are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0021]    The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
         [0022]    The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.  FIGS. 1-2  illustrate an example of a sliding blackout curtain apparatus (“the apparatus”)  100  according to various embodiments. In this example, the apparatus  100  comprises a traverse rod  11  coupled to a faceplate  12 . One or more, such as a plurality, of curtain flap carriers  20  may each be slidably engaged at a first end  21  to a track  15  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) in the traverse rod  11  and coupled to a curtain flap  30  at a second end  22 . In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may be configured to be used with a typical curtain rod  200 . A curtain  40  comprising a head  41  may be coupled to the curtain rod  200  with the head  41  or top of the curtain  40  slidably secured to the curtain rod  200 . The top  31  of the curtain flap  30  may be coupled to the curtain  40 , preferably along the width of the curtain  40  and proximate to the head  41  which is slidably secured to the curtain rod  200 . The bottom  32  of the curtain flap  30  may extend down under the faceplate  12  and up to be secured to a second end  22  of one or more curtain flap carriers  20 . In this manner, when portions of the curtain  40  are moved along the curtain rod  200 , such as by being slid open or slid closed by moving portions of the curtain  40  left or right, the top  31  of the curtain flap  30  is coupled to the curtain  40  and configured to move with the curtain  40  as the bottom  32  of the curtain flap  30  moves under the faceplate  12  while secured to the curtain flap carriers  20  which are slidably engaged to the traverse rod  11 . 
         [0023]    In further embodiments, a curtain  40  may comprise one or more extension flaps  50  that may function to extend the width of the curtain  40  past the width of the curtain  40  that engages the curtain rod  200 , the faceplate  12 , and/or the curtain flap carriers  20 . In further embodiments, the curtain  40  may comprise an extension flap  50  that extends past the width of the curtain  40  that is engaged to the curtain flap carriers  20 . An extension flap  50  may be coupled to and positioned on the right side and/or left side of a curtain  40 , thereby extending the width of the curtain  40 . Preferably, two curtains  40  may be engaged to a curtain rod  200  with each curtain  40  comprising an extension flap  50  so that when the two curtains  40  are drawn together, their extension flaps  50  may overlap. 
         [0024]    In further embodiments, the apparatus  100  may comprise a curtain flap  30  which further comprises one or more extension flaps  50  that may extend the width of the curtain flap  30  past the width of the curtain  40  and/or curtain flap  30  that engages the curtain rod  200 , the faceplate  12 , and/or the curtain flap carriers  20 . An extension flap  50  may be coupled to and positioned on the right side and/or left side of a curtain flap  30 . Preferably, two curtains  40  may be engaged to a curtain rod  200  with each curtain flap  30  comprising an extension flap  50  so that when the two curtains  40  are drawn together, their extension flaps  50  may overlap. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, an extension flap  50  may be coupled to a curtain flap  30  and/or to a curtain  40  by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as Velcro type fasteners, tongue and groove fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners such as screws and bolts, buckle type fasteners and the like, or any other suitable joining method capable of temporarily securing portions of a curtain flap  30 , an extension flap, and/or a curtain  40  together. In other embodiments, an extension flap  50  may be substantially permanently joined to a curtain flap  30 , and/or a curtain  40  with heat bonding, chemical bonding, stitching, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, by being integrally woven or formed together, or any other suitable joining method capable of substantially permanently securing portions of an extension flap  50 , a curtain flap  30 , and/or a curtain  40  together. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the curtain  40 , an extension flap  50 , and/or a curtain flap  30  may comprise various types of flexible plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, natural or synthetic rubber, synthetic fabrics such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, lastex, and Kevlar, and natural fabrics such as coir, cotton, hemp, jute, leather, linen, ramie, wool, silk, or any other suitable flexible natural or synthetic material including combinations of materials. In further embodiments, the curtain  40 , an extension flap  50 , and/or a curtain flap  30  may comprise a triple weave fabric and optionally including black thread woven between the panels of the curtain  40 , extension flap  50 , and/or a curtain flap  30 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may comprise a curtain fastener  42  ( FIG. 2 ) coupled to the curtain  40 . In further embodiments, a curtain fastener  42  may comprise one or more hooks or other fasteners capable of securing portions of the curtain  40  to the wall or other structures adjacent to the window or door that the curtain  40  is positioned to cover. By optionally securing portions of the curtain  40  with one or more curtain fasteners  42  to structures adjacent to the window or door that the curtain  40  is positioned to cover, the curtain  40  may be configured to provide further blockage of light from seeping around the perimeter of the curtain  40 , such as around the top, bottom, sides, and/or anywhere else on the curtain  40  proximate to where a curtain fastener  42  is positioned. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, a curtain fastener  42  may comprise Velcro type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners such as screws and bolts, buckle type fasteners and the like, or any other suitable joining method capable of temporarily securing portions of a curtain  40  to structures adjacent to the window or door that the curtain  40  is positioned to cover. In further embodiments, a curtain  40  may be substantially permanently joined to structures adjacent the curtain  40 , or to the window or door that the curtain  40  is positioned to cover by a curtain fastener  42  comprising with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, by being integrally molded or formed together, or any other suitable substantially permanently joining method. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the traverse rod  11  may be secured to a window header or to any other structures or areas adjacent to a window or door that the curtain  40  is positioned to cover with one or more traverse rod fasteners  14 . A traverse rod fastener  14  may be positioned on the top, sides or anywhere else on the traverse rod  11  and configured to secure the traverse rod  11  to a window header or any other structure. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, a traverse rod fastener  14  may comprise clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners such as screws and bolts, buckle type fasteners and the like, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the function of temporarily securing portions of a traverse rod  11  to structures or areas adjacent to a window or door that the curtain  40  is positioned to cover. In other embodiments, a traverse rod fastener  14  may comprise heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, or any other suitable joining method capable of substantially permanently securing portions of a traverse rod  11  to structures or areas adjacent to a window or door that the curtain  40  is positioned to cover. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the traverse rod  11  may be of a fixed length. In alternative embodiments, the traverse rod  11  may be telescopic in structure and comprise two or more traverse rod telescoping sections  18  configured to extend from or retract into one or more other traverse rod telescoping sections  18 . In this manner a first traverse rod telescoping section  18  may be telescopically coupled to a second traverse rod telescoping section  18 . Telescopically coupling two or more traverse rod telescoping sections  18  together may allow the traverse rod  11  to secure a curtain flap  30  of a plurality of widths and to be secured to structures or areas adjacent to a window or door that the curtain flap  30  and/or curtain  40  is positioned to cover of a plurality of widths. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , in some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may comprise a faceplate  12  which comprises a generally planar shape and is perpendicularly coupled to a lower surface of the traverse rod  11 . In other embodiments, a faceplate  12  may be joined anywhere along the traverse rod  11  and/or comprise a curved shape, angled shape, or any other shape allowing the faceplate  12  to extend down and away from the traverse rod  11  a greater distance than the distance the curtain flap carriers  20  extend away from the traverse rod  11 . 
         [0033]    A faceplate  12  may extend down and away from the traverse rod  11  a greater distance than the distance the curtain flap carriers  20  extend away from the traverse rod  11 . In some embodiments, the curtain flap  30  may extend from the curtain head  41  down under the faceplate  12  and up to be secured by a plurality of curtain flap carriers  20 . In further embodiments, the faceplate  12  may comprise a flap contacting surface  13  configured to contact a portion of the curtain flap  30  to direct the portion of the curtain flap  30  down and away from the traverse rod  11  a greater distance than the distance the curtain flap carriers  20  extend away from the traverse rod  11 . In embodiments, in which the traverse rod  11  comprises a fixed length, the apparatus  100  may comprise a faceplate  12  which is coupled to and extends the length of the transverse rod  11 . In embodiments, in which the traverse rod  11  comprises two or more traverse rod telescoping sections  18 , a faceplate  12  may be coupled to and extend the length of each traverse rod telescoping section  18 . In further embodiments, a faceplate  12  may be coupled to and extend the length greater than, less than, or equal to the length of a traverse rod telescoping section  18  and/or the length of the transverse rod  11 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, a faceplate  12  may be temporarily joined to a traverse rod  11  and/or to a traverse rod telescoping section  18  by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as tongue and groove fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners such as screws and bolts, buckle type fasteners and the like, or any other suitable joining method capable of temporarily securing portions of a faceplate  12  to a traverse rod  11  and/or to a traverse rod telescoping section  18 . In other embodiments, a faceplate  12  may be substantially permanently joined to a traverse rod  11  and/or to a traverse rod telescoping section  18  with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, by being integrally molded or formed together, or any other suitable joining method capable of substantially permanently securing portions of a faceplate  12  to a traverse rod  11  and/or to a traverse rod telescoping section  18 . 
         [0035]    A flap contacting surface  13  may extend along the bottom of a faceplate  12  to provide a preferably low friction surface for the curtain flap  30  to contact and slide against. The flap contacting surface  13  of a faceplate  12  may direct and maintain the position of portions of the curtain flap  30  below the curtain flap carriers  20  allowing the curtain flap carriers  20  to move freely along the length of the traverse rod  11  within a track  15  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) of the traverse rod  11 . 
         [0036]    The traverse rod  11  may comprises a track  15  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) or channel that is preferably disposed within the traverse rod  11  and which extends a portion of the length or the entire length of the traverse rod  11 . The track  15  may receive the upper or first end  21  of a curtain flap carrier  20 , and the track  15  may preferably be complementarily shaped to the first end  21  of a curtain flap carrier  20  allowing the track  15  to slidably secure one or more curtain flap carriers  20 . The first end  21  of a curtain flap carrier  20  may be placed in the track  15  by removing, or prior to securing, an end cap  17  to the traverse rod  11 . The end cap  17  may provide a stop to the movement of curtain flap carriers  20  within track  15  of the traverse rod  11  to prevent the curtain flap carriers  20  from exiting the track  15 . An end cap  17  may be temporarily or permanently joined to a traverse rod  11  by similar methods as used in securing portions of a faceplate  12  to a traverse rod  11 . 
         [0037]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of an example of a curtain flap carrier  20  according to various embodiments described herein is shown. In this example, the curtain flap carrier  20  comprises an upper first end  21  and a lower second end  22 . The curtain flap carrier  20  may comprise a conveyance  23  which may be coupled to the first end  21  of the curtain flap carrier  20 . In some embodiments, the curtain flap carrier  20  may comprise two or more conveyances  23 , such as a first conveyance  23  and a second conveyance  23  coupled to the first end  21  of the curtain flap carrier  20 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, a conveyance  23  may comprise a wheel and the conveyance  23  may be rotatably joined to the first end  21  on an axle, with ball bearings, or with any other suitable joining method allowing the conveyance  23  to rotate while being joined to the first end  21 . A conveyance  23  may be configured to fit inside the track  15  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) and to produce a low friction contact between a curtain flap carrier  20 , the track  15 , and/or the traverse rod  11 . In other embodiments, the curtain flap carrier  20  may comprise one, three, four, five, six or more conveyances  23  with one or more conveyances  23  configured to fit inside or outside of the track  15  and to produce a low friction contact or engagement between a curtain flap carrier  20 , the track  15 , and/or the traverse rod  11 . In further embodiments, the first end  21  may comprise a non-rotating sliding surface or shape configured to fit within the track  15  and may be a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention while providing for a slidable engagement between a first end  21 , the track  15 , and/or the traverse rod  11 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the traverse rod  11 , and therefore a traverse rod telescoping section  18 , may comprise a track  15  with portions of the track  15  formed by a carrier support surface  17 . A carrier support surface  17  may slidably engage a conveyance  23  of a curtain flap carrier  20 . In some embodiments, the track  15  may comprise a first carrier support surface  17  and a second carrier support surface  17 , and a curtain flap carrier  20  may comprise a first conveyance  23  and a second conveyance  23 . The first conveyance  23  of the curtain flap carrier  20  may be slidably or rotatably engaged to the first carrier support surface  17  and the second conveyance  23  of the curtain flap carrier  20  may be slidably or rotatably engaged to the second carrier support surface  17 . 
         [0040]    The second end  22  of a curtain flap carrier  20  may be configured to couple to a curtain flap  30 . In some embodiments, the second end  22  of a curtain flap carrier  20  may comprise a curtain flap fastener  24 , such as a spring loaded clip or alligator clip, which may be removably coupled to the curtain flap  30 . In other embodiments, a curtain flap fastener  24  may removably couple a curtain flap carrier  20  to the curtain flap  30  by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as Velcro type fasteners, tongue and groove fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners such as screws and bolts, buckle type fasteners and the like, or any other suitable joining method capable of temporarily securing portions of a second end  22  of a curtain flap carrier  20  to a the curtain flap  30 . In other embodiments, a curtain flap fastener  24  may be configured to permanently couple to the curtain flap  30  with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, by being integrally molded or formed together, or any other suitable joining method capable of substantially permanently coupling portions of a curtain flap fastener  24  to a curtain flap  30 . 
         [0041]    In preferred embodiments, the first end  21  may be joined to the second end  22  with a swivel  25  or other rotatable connection method. In other embodiments, the first end  21  may be joined to the second end  22  with a pivotally joining method such as a butt hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous hinge, T-hinge, strap hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, a flexible material hinge, or any other type or style of hinge. In further embodiments, the first end  21  may be joined to the second end  22  with a static or non-movable connection method such as heat bonding, chemical bonding, by being integrally molded or formed together, or any other static or non-movable connection method. 
         [0042]    While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, some of the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  such as the traverse rod  11 , curtain flap carrier  20 , and optional faceplate  12  may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the apparatus  100  may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the apparatus  100 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the traverse rod  11 , end cap  17 , and/or faceplate  12  may be made from extruded metal alloys or folded sheet metal alloys. One or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, the apparatus  100  may comprise low friction plastics such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), low friction ceramics, low friction or lubricated metal alloys, or any other low friction material that is suitable for reducing friction such as on the traverse rod  11 , track  15 , faceplate  12 , and/or on the flap contacting surface  13 . 
         [0044]    Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.