Abstract:
Drapery retainers generally comprising very large beads each pierced by a cylindrical hole through which a curtain or drape is drawn. The beads may be joined together to form multiple stacked beads or the beads may be equipped with attachment devices to fasten the beads to walls behind the drapes. The beads may be of any suitable base material such as wood, metal or plastic with the base material decoratively finished. Alternatively, the base material may be covered with decorative cloth or other wrap that can be replaced as desired. Also disclosed are devices for joining the beads together and for attaching cloth or wrap.

Description:
This application is based on Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/082,274, filed Apr. 18, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention pertains to curtains and draperies and, in particular, to devices for stylishly retaining curtains and draperies in position when retracted. 
     Historically, curtains and drapes have been retracted on curtain rods from which they hang. When retracted the curtains form loose even vertical folds, accordion style. When extended the curtains partially or fully flatten. Often, the vertical folds remain straight without any attempt to tie back or otherwise ornament the curtains. 
     As an option various ornamental cords, strips of cloth and ornamental brackets and pins have been used to tie back the curtains or drapes in a pleasing and stylish manner. 
     With a view toward developing more useful and stylish devices to gather and tie back curtains and drapes, the following drapery retainers have been created. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The new drapery retainers generally comprise very large beads each pierced by a cylindrical hole through which a curtain or drape is drawn. The beads may be joined together to form multiple stacked beads or the beads may be equipped with attachment devices to fasten the beads to walls behind the drapes. The beads may be of any suitable base material such as wood, metal or plastic with the base material decoratively finished. Alternatively, the base material may be covered with decorative cloth or other wrap that can be replaced as desired. Also disclosed are devices for joining the beads together and for attaching cloth or wrap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a window and drapery with some of the new bead applications; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a bead and cloth cover; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a bead, sleeves and loose cloth cover; 
     FIGS. 4 a,    4   b  and  4   c  illustrate sleeves of differing diameters; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates stacked beads; 
     FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  illustrate sleeves for joining stacked beads together; 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  illustrate alternative sleeves for joining stacked beads together; 
     FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b  illustrate another alternative for joining stacked beads together; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a bead showing a pin for retaining the bead; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-section of a bead showing an alternative pin and bead assembly for retaining the bead; 
     FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  illustrate a bead with a retaining device in the hole; 
     FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b  illustrate a bead with an alternative retaining device in the hole; 
     FIGS. 13 a  and  13   b  illustrate a bead with a retention device fastened about the periphery of the hole; 
     FIGS. 14 a  and  14   b  illustrate a second retention device fastened about the periphery of the hole; 
     FIGS. 15 a  and  15   b  illustrate a split bead and attachment; 
     FIGS. 16 a  and  16   b  illustrate a split bead and hinged attachment; 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a separate decorative cover attached with a drawstring and laces; 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a terminating bead with a snap ring to retain a separate decorative cover; 
     FIG. 19 illustrates a partial window and drape with a terminating bead at the end of the drape; 
     FIG. 20 illustrates a window with tower drapes to either side; 
     FIGS. 21 a,    21   b  and  21   c  illustrate the use of a half bead wall attachment to obtain the decorative effects shown in FIGS. 19 and 20; 
     FIGS. 22 a  and  22   b  illustrate an assembly for retaining a full bead to a wall in a valence application; 
     FIG. 23 illustrates the assembly of FIG. 22 modified for a vertical drape application; 
     FIG. 24 illustrates an alternative assembly for retaining a full bead to a wall in a vertical drape application; 
     FIGS. 25 a  and  25   b  illustrate a bead with perpendicular holes; 
     FIGS. 26 a,    26   b  and  26   c  illustrate a bead with a slotted back intersecting the through hole; and 
     FIGS. 27 a  and  27   b  illustrate a flat bead with the through hole piercing the curved sidewall. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a window  10  having a drape generally denoted by  12  positioned above the top of the window to form a valence  14 . To each side  16  and  18  of the window the drape drops downward to partially frame the window. Above the window  10  supporting the drape  12  are three of the new retainer “beads”  20  through which the drape is gathered and passed as shown. On each side  16  and  18  of the window the drape  12  is gathered and passed through three stacked retainers  22  just above the tip ends  24  of the drape  12 . 
     In FIG. 2 a retainer “bead”  20  is shown having openings  26  formed by truncating a spherical hollow bead. The openings  26  are axially aligned to form a generally cylindrical opening through the retainer of sufficient size for a drape to pass through. The hollow bead interior may be either formed by a generally cylindrical hole through a solid bead or a fully hollow interior formed by a thin shell. The retainer may have adhesive applied to the outside surface  28  and a peripheral portion of the inside surface  30  adjacent the openings  26 . A covering material  32  is then tightly applied to the surfaces  28  and  30 . Thin smooth materials such as leather or vinyl may be applied in this manner for a tight look or more bulky materials that can retain their shape may also be applied to the retainer  20 . Depending upon the adhesive and materials used, the covering material  32  may be removed and replaced as desired. 
     As an alternative the retainer  20  shown in FIG. 3 permits the covering material  32  to be fastened with pins  34  inside the openings  26 . Retainers  20  made of soft or porous materials such as foam plastic are suitable for pinning the covering material  32 . The covering material  32  may be gathered or pleated with the pinning used to retain the gathering or pleating as desired. 
     After the covering is completely pinned sleeves  36  are inserted into both openings  26  to cover the heads of the pins  34  and allow the drapery material to be drawn through the retainer  20  without snagging on the pins. The sleeves  36  are sized to tightly fit over the covering material  32  and pins  34 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 a,    4   b  and  4   c  the sleeves  36  may be provided with a variety of diametral openings  38   a,    38   b  and  38   c  for different drapery fabrics and drapery sizes. Thus, the sleeves  36  may be interchangeable and selectable to fit the drapery selected. The sleeves  36  may also be decorative elements by providing the exposed surfaces  40  and  42  with chrome, brass, bright color or carved design finishes for example. 
     A plurality of retainers  20  can be grouped together as shown at  22  in FIG.  1 . The retainers  20  may be of different diameters as shown at  22  or the same diameter as shown in FIG.  5 . The friction of the drapery material drawn through the retainers  20  may be sufficient to keep each retainer in position or, as shown in FIG. 5, pressure fit sleeves  44  may be used to hold a plurality of retainers  20  together. 
     A rib  46  surrounding the sleeve  44  may be provided as a part of the sleeve and as illustrated in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  the ribs  46  may be plain as in FIG. 6 a  or decorative as in FIG. 6 b.  The rib  46  may be an integral part of the sleeve  44  or an elastic band stretched about the sleeve  44 . 
     In FIG. 7 a pair of sleeves  36  are shown with an adhesive backed hook ring  48  to be attached in FIG. 7 a  to one sleeve and a complementary adhesive backed loop ring  50  to be attached to the other sleeve in FIG. 7 b.  After the adhesive backed hook ring  48  and loop ring  50  are adhesively attached to the top surfaces  52  of the respective sleeves  36  the sleeves may be inserted in a pair of retainers  20  and the retainers attached together by the hook ring  48  and loop ring  50  to form a two retainer stack. The hook ring  48  and loop ring  50  may be of Velcro® or similar materials. 
     As an alternative rings  54  and  56  having complementary pegs  58  and keyhole slots  60  as shown in FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b  may be made integral with the top surfaces  52  of the sleeves  36 . In this embodiment after inserting the sleeves in a pair of retainers  20 , the retainers may be joined by inserting the pegs  58  into the slots  60  and twisting to lock in place. 
     On drapery materials that tend to be bulky when gathered, the gathering and insertion into and through a retainer  20  will create sufficient resistance to movement that the retainer will stay in position on the drape. However, where this cannot be assured because of occasional rapid air movement or curious children, the retainer  20  may be pinned in place as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9 the retainer  20  is made of high density foam and a long pin  62  similar to a hair pin is inserted through the drape  64  from one side of the retainer into the other side. In FIG. 10 the retainer  20  is constructed of a hard plastic such as styrene and relatively thin. The pin  62  is passed through a predrilled hole at  66  and through the drape  64  to attachment in a foam block  68  inside the retainer  20 . The foam block  68  is glued to the inside wall of the retainer  20 . 
     As alternatives to pinning in place the retainers  20  may be manufactured with a variety of specialized rings surrounding and covering the openings  26  in the retainers. FIGS  11   a  and  11   b  illustrate an elastic ring  70  that allows for various types of drapery material and thicknesses of the fabric to be accommodated without vertical slippage of the retainer  20 . As a further variation in FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b  a flexible rubber or plastic ring  72  is formed with a starburst opening  74  to provide accommodation for a wide variety of drapery fabrics and thicknesses. 
     FIGS. 13 a  and  13   b  illustrate a more decorative construction with nylon loops  76  sewn to the fabric cover  32  about the opening  26 . The nylon loops hold an elastic cord or drawstring  78  to form an elastic opening to engage the drape. In FIGS. 14 a  and  14   b  elastic rings  80  pass through holes  82  about the opening  26  in the retainer  20 . An elastic cord or drawstring  78  passes through the elastic rings  80  to form the elastic opening that engages the drape. 
     The above described retainers all require the drapery material be passed into and through the retainer, however, in some instances it may be more desirable to open and close the retainer about the gathered drape. FIGS. 15 a  and  15   b  illustrate a retainer split into two halves  84  and  86 . The split retainer is decorated with several faux seams  88  to disguise two actual seams  90  and  92  on opposite sides of the retainer. The actual seams have either complementary hook and loop fasteners or magnetic strips  94  to hold the retainer halves  84  and  86  together upon application to the gathered drape. 
     As an alternative FIGS. 16 a  and  16   b  show a hinged retainer having two halves  96  and  98  joined by a hinge  100  at one seam  102  and a clasp  104  at the other seam  106 . Hook and loop or magnetic strips  108  may be used on the other seam  106  or the hinge  100  may include a spring that urges the halves  96  and  98  closed. 
     Illustrative of the wide variety of decorations that may be applied to the retainer  20  is the fabric bag  110  with a drawstring  112  and lacing  114  shown in FIG.  17 . Such a cover may be easily removed for cleaning or replacement. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a special purpose retainer  116  having only one opening  118  for insertion of a drape. A top track  120  is formed or molded into the periphery of the opening  118 . A complementary ring  122  is shaped as shown to snap into the track  120  and retain fabric  124  wrapped over the retainer  116 . Depending on the hardness of the retainer  116  material the pin  62  means shown in FIG. 9 or  10  may be used to hold the retainer to the end of the drape after the end is gathered and inserted into the retainer through opening  118 . An application of the retainer  116  is illustrated in FIG.  19 . 
     In FIG. 19, retainers  20  are shown used decoratively to create a fullness and curvy appearance to a drapery panel  12  about one side of a window  10 . Retainers  20  are stacked in groups as shown, however, only the largest diameter retainer in each stack is attached to the wall  126  therebehind as further explained below. In FIG. 20 a different decorative appearance is created by having one or more retainers  20  supporting separate drapes  128  and  130  to either side of a window  10 . Hereagain the drapes  128  and  130  are supported by retainers  20  attached from behind to the wall  126 . 
     A wide variety of means may be employed to attach a retainer  20  to a wall  126  to obtain the effects shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The retainers may be formed as half retainers  132  or  134  as illustrated in FIGS. 21 a  and  21   b.  The half retainers may use hook and loop fasteners wherein one part  136  is attached to the retainer  132  and the complementary part (not shown) is attached to the wall. Or, as shown in FIG. 21 b,  keyhole slots  138  maybe formed in the half retainer  134  to engage screws in the wall (not shown). In either application the drape  140  is retained to the wall  126  by the half retainer  132  or  134  as shown in FIG. 21 c.    
     FIGS. 22 a  and  22   b  illustrate retainers  142  attachable to a wall  126  in a valence application. In this embodiment a bracket  144  is screwed  146  to the wall  126  and complementary hook and loop fasteners  148  and  150  attach the retainer  142  to the bracket  144 . In the vertical drape application shown in FIG. 23 the complementary portion  150  of the hook and loop fastener is positioned on the retainer  142  perpendicular to the position in FIGS. 22 a  and  22   b.  Although illustrated in terms of hook and loop fasteners  148  and  150  any other suitable fasteners might be employed such as the cup hooks  152  illustrated in FIG.  24 . Multiple cup hooks  152  may be employed as shown to adjust the orientation of the retainer  154  to which the cup hooks are attached. 
     In FIGS. 25 a  and  25   b  the retainer  156  comprises a hollow spherical shape having holes  158  and  160  substantially perpendicular to each other. The version of FIG. 25 permits a drape  162  to pass through retainer  156  and is particularly suited to a corner where a horizontal drape becomes a vertical drape as shown in FIG. 25 a.    
     FIGS. 26 a  and  26   b  illustrate in top and side views respectively a retainer  164  having a slot  166  extending between and communicating with hole  168  and hole  170  in the top and bottom of the retainer. The retainer  164  as best shown in FIG. 26 c  is a thin shell and with the slot  166  allows the retainer to be easily placed on a drape without requiring the end of the drape be threaded through the retainer. 
     The retainer  172  of FIGS. 27 a  and  27   b  comprises a disc of sufficient interior volume to accommodate a pair of holes  174  and  176  in the curved sidewall  178  for a drape  180  to pass therethrough. The flat ends  182  are in the form of “lids” that may fit onto the sidewall  178  in the manner of metal lids on a can. Or, in the alternative, as best shown in FIG. 27 b  fabric  184  may be wrapped on the sidewall  178  and lids  182  and then the lids adhesively attached to the sidewall.