Abstract:
Multi-purpose drapery rod system uses unique rod and bracket construction to provide superior platform for single and layered drapery. A single-drapery rod cooperates with bracket to attach to surfaces at nearly any angle to the rod. The single-drapery rod is easily converted to a Type 1 dual-drapery rod which layers accent drapery to the side and in front of primary drapery without a view-obstructing front rod, or to a Type 2 rod which layers fully-drawable primary drapery in front and to the sides of secondary drapery. Both types are easily converted to the other due to their modular construction, and both display drapery from the back, front, and along the sides by connecting the back and front with curved sections between them. System also includes a unique motorized assembly which easily mounts to a wall, connects to an existing traverse rod, and converts to a dual-drapery rod when desired.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a substitute application for application Ser. No. 13/269,558, filed Oct. 8, 2011, now abandoned. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to window drapery hardware, and more specifically to drapery rods and their mounting brackets. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Drapery is used as a window enhancement for decorative purposes as well as for insulation, to provide privacy, and to control natural light. Drapery rods of a variety of shapes and sizes have been designed to support drapery or the structures to which the drapery is attached. Traverse rods, for example, are rectangular and hold drapery pins and hooks while drapery rings are frequently used with circular rods. The rods may consist of a single bar or a plurality of typically telescoping bars, and like the drapery they support, may be designed for aesthetic appeal as well as functionality. Designers and inventors have adorned the rods with decorative hardware, modified their surfaces, used attractive materials, and created innovative methods of enhancing aesthetics while maintaining functionality. U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,708 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,520, for example, offer rods that function smoothly despite the presence of decorative material on their surface, U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,249 conceals center-support brackets, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,218 allows the use of plastic materials while maintaining the aesthetic features that have been designed for drapery rods. 
     Drapery rods are most often mounted to a substantially parallel vertical support surface such as a wall. A first member base plate typically engages the wall while a third member engages the rod with what is generally some sort of clip or socket structure. A second member connects the two, establishes the distance between the wall and the rod, and may engage the under surface of the rod. The needs for easy horizontal adjustment of the second member and vertical adjustment of the base plate have long been addressed by inventors in the industry (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,294 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,091). More recently, inventors have turned their attention to making brackets more adaptable rather than more adjustable. U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,295 offers a bracket adaptable to either mini-blinds or curtain rods, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,552 offers one adaptable to both the roman shade and the crisscross curtain singularly and in combination. Another recent invention, U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,989, offers a bracket which can mount to a wall, ceiling, or opposing surfaces by adding or removing some parts of the bracket. This is significant since the mounting of a rod to opposing surfaces previously required a bracket like U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,978 quite different from those used for ceiling or wall mounting. However, a multi-purpose bracket that does not require parts to be changed out for different surfaces would be preferred, and for reasons to be described, a multipurpose bracket is also needed that prevents circular rods from rotating. U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,989 does not fulfill these needs. 
     Inventors have achieved considerable success in improving the aesthetics of single-drapery rods and the functionality of mounting brackets, with some noted limitations, but the layering of drapery continues to be plagued by long standing problems. These problems are inherent in the standard double-traverse rod and the generally more decorative double rod and bracket system used for layering drapery. The standard double-traverse system supports two parallel traverse rods behind aesthetically unappealing front and side panels. The double rod and bracket system consists of two parallel traverse or non-traverse rods with exposed ends supported by a double-bracket. For aesthetic reasons, the ends of the rods are often adorned with expensive hardware and the double brackets are often decoratively constructed. Both the standard double-traverse rod and the double rod and bracket system are used to layer primary drapery in front of what is typically sheer secondary drapery, but the more decorative double rod and bracket system is favored when layering secondary accent drapery in front of primary drapery. It, too, has aesthetic problems however. The front rod may be made in a variety of appealing shapes and colors, often at great expense, but it still unnecessarily obstructs the view of the primary drapery. And the exposed ends of the two rods and the gaps between them are difficult if not impossible to make aesthetically appealing, particularly when viewed from the side. 
     The aesthetic problems encountered in supporting layered drapery have led the industry to market extensive and expensive collections of decorative hardware; designers to use additional drapery to hide the ends of the rods and the gaps between them; and contractors to build custom valences in front and to the side of the rods. The approaches are costly and fail to solve the inherent problems they try to hide. Inventors have likewise failed to develop an aesthetically appealing alternative support structure that layers drapery without the need for an obtrusive front rod, aesthetically unappealing panels, or the exposed ends of two rods. U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,111 allows additional drapery rods to be supported on the main brackets of a main drapery rod installation and U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,474 offers a bracket which can be adapted to support a single or double drapery rod, but although both ease installation concerns, they maintain the essential features of the double rod and bracket system. U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,597 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,094 offer intrinsically different systems, but are not appropriate for layering accent drapery in front of primary drapery or for layering primary drapery in front of secondary drapery. U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,597 provides a single aesthetically appealing rod which encases two rods, but their close proximity is inappropriate for the layering of drapery. U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,094 suffers a similar problem, arraying multiple rods in an inappropriate spatial relationship of close vertical and horizontal proximity. The resulting unsatisfied desire to layer accent drapery to the side and in front of primary drapery without a view-obstructing front rod has led some in desperation to hang accent drapery to the side and on the same rod as primary drapery, but this too obviously fails to provide an appropriately layered look. 
     A dual-drapery rod is needed which layers accent drapery to the side and in front of primary drapery without an obtrusive front rod and without the exposed ends of two rods or unattractive front and side panels to mar the aesthetic appeal of the drapery. The aim is to display the drapery—not the rods. A dual-drapery rod is also needed which layers fully drawable primary drapery in front of secondary drapery. Ideally one type of dual-drapery rod would be easily assembled from the other or from an existing single-drapery rod. A single-drapery rod assembly is also needed that can be easily mounted to a ceiling or to a parallel or opposing vertical support surface using an inconspicuous bracket requiring little or no modification to adapt to differently-angled support surfaces. 
     Another need relates to the motorization of drapery rods. Electric remote controlled mechanisms for operating traverse rods have appeared on the market in increasing numbers of late, but the functionally effective ones are expensive and difficult to install. The small light-weight motors deemed necessary are themselves very expensive, and few can be attached to an existing rod. Operational inefficiency has also been a problem. US 2006/0162877 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,576 B2 can be attached to existing traverse rods, and the latter does improve the functioning of the drive pulley with a more complex double wheel system. But the performance of both inventions, like that of previous art, is still hindered by redirections of the traverse rod&#39;s transmission cord. The cord is redirected from a horizontal direction to a vertical one before engaging the drive pulley system, then redirected back from vertical to horizontal before returning to the traverse rod. Structural complexity and cost are increased as well as wear and tear and slippage of the transmission cord. Operational efficiency and effectiveness continue to decrease over time as the cord becomes smoother and smoother. A motorized assembly is needed which is structurally simpler, does not require the redirection of transmission cords done in prior art, is easy to install on existing traverse rods, and can support and utilize a relatively inexpensive motor effectively and aesthetically. 
     The present invention offers a multi-purpose drapery rod system which provides a superior platform for single and layered drapery that is easily convertible from one to the other and is made possible by unique rod and cooperating bracket construction. The single-drapery rod has a flexible bracketing system which can attach the rod to not only substantially parallel support surfaces such as walls, but also to ceilings and to opposing support surfaces such as those found with recessed windows. The ends of the rod can also be attached at different heights on opposed or parallel vertical support surfaces, making it adaptable to non-rectangular windows, recessed or not. The single-drapery rod is easily converted to a dual-drapery rod which provides a continuous platform for drapery from the back to the front, thereby eliminating the need for side panels or the display of the exposed ends of a separate front and back rod. The dual-drapery rod doesn&#39;t require a view-obstructing front bar when layering accent drapery in front of primary drapery but does provide one for layering primary drapery in front of what is typically sheer or more translucent secondary drapery. The back, front, and curved sections which connect the substantially straight front and back sections are secured in a horizontal plane by unique brackets which unobtrusively but efficiently and effectively engage the rod and support surfaces. 
     The present invention also provides a motorized assembly which can be attached to an existing traverse rod and integrated with a dual-drapery rod when desired. The easy to install assembly is structurally simple, does not require redirection of transmission cords, and can aesthetically and more effectively utilize a bigger and heavier but less expensive motor than available alternatives. 
     3. Objects and Advantages 
     The multi-purpose drapery rod system offers:
     1) a dual-drapery rod assembly comprised of a uniquely constructed dual-drapery rod and bracket, which cooperate to more aesthetically and economically layer primary and secondary drapery;   2) modular Type 1 and Type 2 embodiments that layer drapery from the front, back, and sides and easily convert from one to the other, Type 1 rods layering accent drapery in front of primary drapery without an obstructing front rod and Type 2 rods layering secondary drapery behind fully drawable primary drapery;   3) modular Type 1 and Type 2 embodiments that easily convert existing engageable single-drapery rods into dual-drapery rods;   4) a single-drapery rod with unique cooperating mounting brackets that can be inconspicuously affixed to surfaces lying at nearly any angle to the rod;   5) modular embodiments that easily convert this unique single-drapery rod into Type 1 or Type 2 embodiments;   6) and a conversion assembly that motorizes a single traverse rod and can convert it into a dual-drapery rod when desired.   

     SUMMARY 
     The multi-purpose drapery rod system offers a dual-drapery rod for layering drapery that 1) supports drapery on the front, back, and sides, thereby eliminating the need to expose the ends of two separate rods or cover them with side panels; and 2) makes a view-obstructing front bar unnecessary when layering accent drapery in front of primary drapery but provides one for layering fully drawable primary drapery in front of secondary drapery. The dual-drapery rod is secured in a horizontal plane by brackets which attach easily and unobtrusively to a support surface and the rod. 
     The multi-purpose drapery rod system also provides an improved single-drapery rod assembly with a flexible bracketing system which can attach the rod to substantially parallel support surfaces such as walls, to ceilings, or to opposing support surfaces such as those found with recessed windows. The ends of the rod can also be attached at different heights on opposed or parallel vertical support surfaces, making the rod adaptable to non-rectangular windows whether or not they are recessed. 
     The multi-purpose drapery rod system also provides components which can convert the single-drapery rod assembly, or any telescopically compatible single-drapery rod, into a dual-drapery rod assembly. Finally, a conversion assembly motorizes a traverse rod and converts it into a dual-drapery rod when desired. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Together with the detailed description, the accompanying drawings serve to explain and illustrate the principles and implementations of the multi-purpose drapery rod system and make its nature, objects, and advantages more apparent to those skilled in the art. The drawings, although not drawn to scale, illustrate multiple embodiments of the single-drapery rod as well as the Type 1 and Type 2 dual-drapery rod embodiments. Also shown are two embodiments of adjustable and non-adjustable mounting brackets, as well as a motorized conversion assembly. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view from above of the preferred Type 1 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod assembly designed to layer secondary accent drapery in front and to the side of primary drapery. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view from above of the preferred Type 2 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod assembly designed to layer primary drapery in front and to the side of secondary drapery. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view from above of the preferred non-adjustable wall mounting bracket of the multi-purpose drapery rod system. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view from above of the preferred adjustable wall mounting bracket. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective partial view from above of the left back section of the dual-drapery rod engaged with the preferred non-adjustable wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of the preferred configuration of component rods that assemble into a Type 1 dual-drapery rod designed to layer accent drapery in front and to the side of primary drapery. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of the preferred configuration of component rods that assemble into a Type 2 dual-drapery rod to layer primary drapery in front and to the side of secondary drapery. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of the component rods of a second Type 1 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the component rods of a second Type 2 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of the primary components of a third Type 1 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view of the component rods of a third Type 2 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. 
         FIG. 7A  is a top view of the primary components of a fourth Type 1 embodiment, which doesn&#39;t include a single-drapery rod. 
         FIG. 7B  is a top view of the primary components of a fourth Type 2 embodiment, which doesn&#39;t include a single-drapery rod. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the single-drapery rod mounted on opposing vertical support surfaces. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a second embodiment of the single-drapery rod mounted on opposing vertical support surfaces. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a single-drapery rod comprised of a single rod rather than a plurality of telescoping rods mounted on opposing vertical support surfaces. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view from above and to the right of the preferred embodiment of the single-drapery rod mounted to opposing surfaces at a substantially non-perpendicular angle. 
         FIG. 12A  is a top view of Type 1 component rods that combine dual-drapery rod components with the preferred single-drapery rod of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 12B  is a top view of Type 2 component rods that combine dual-drapery rod components with the preferred single-drapery rod of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 13A  is a top view of Type 1 component rods that combine the preferred single-drapery rod of  FIG. 8  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 13B  is a top view of Type 2 component rods that combine the preferred single-drapery rod of  FIG. 8  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 14A  is a top view of Type 1 component rods that combine the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 9  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 14B  is a top view of Type 2 component rods that combine the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 9  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 15A  is a top view of Type 1 component rods that combine the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 10  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 15B  is a top view of Type 2 component rods that combine the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 10  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 6B . 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  are perspective views from above of dual-drapery rod assemblies with non-slip brackets attached to the back section of the rods.  FIG. 16A  shows the preferred Type 1 and  FIG. 16B  shows the preferred Type 2 dual-drapery rod embodiments that use non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 16C  shows the preferred embodiment of the single-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of the non-adjustable wall mounting bracket that cooperates with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 17B  is a perspective view of the adjustable bracket. 
         FIG. 18  is a wall-perspective partial view from above of the back section of the dual-drapery rod engaged with the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 17A . 
         FIG. 19A  is a top view of the preferred configuration of component rods of the Type 1 dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 19B  is a top view of the preferred configuration of component rods of the Type 2 dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 20A  is a top view of the component rods of a second Type 1 embodiment with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 20B  is a top view of the component rods of a second Type 2 embodiment with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 21A  is a top view of the component rods of a third Type 1 embodiment with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 21B  is a top view of the component rods of a third Type 2 embodiment with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 22A  is a top view of the component rods of a fourth Type 1 embodiment with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 22B  is a top view of the component rods of a fourth Type 2 embodiment with non-slip brackets. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective front view of the components of a right-engaging motorized single-drapery rod conversion assembly with a partial view of a cooperating traverse rod. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view from below and behind the drive pulley housing of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a back perspective partial view of a motorized dual-drapery rod conversion assembly with cooperating traverse rod and right dual-drapery rod. 
         FIG. 26  provides a front view of take-up and drive pulley housings with key components and a traverse rod between them. 
         FIG. 27  is a front perspective partial view of the take-up pulley housing attached to a traverse rod along with a view of a separated dual-drapery rod and mounting bracket. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of the drive pulley apparatus along with other key components of the conversion assembly and a partial view of a cooperating traverse rod. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the present invention is illustrative only and not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments not shown here will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Only two adjustable and two non-adjustable mounting brackets are shown, but similar ones will suggest themselves to those familiar with the art, and some will be described although they are not shown. Other types of brackets could also be used, but they would require substantial modification of the rod itself and would not retain the advantages of the preferred brackets. Additional configurations of component rods are also possible, although a number are shown here that have specified advantages. Component rods could also be inter-engaged by connectors and clamps of various types rather than telescopically, but telescopic engagement allows major adjustment in the span of the rod. 
     Reference will now be made to implementations of the present invention as illustrated in the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the interest of brevity and clarity, the drawings focus on the non-routine features of the invention and therefore do not show many routine features well known to those skilled in the art. Not shown or detailed, for example, are any of number of means well known in the industry for securing mounting brackets to support surfaces, providing center support for rods, using set screws, finishing the edges of telescopically inter-engaged rods, and using structural ribs, ridges, and the like to increase the strength of components. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view from above of the preferred Type 1 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod mounted on a (not shown) wall or other substantially vertical support structure. Recall that Type 1 embodiments layer accent drapery in front and to the side of primary drapery without an obstructing front rod to hinder the view of the primary drapery. The dual-drapery rod is made of a rigid material, has a top and bottom surface, and includes curved left and right intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R sandwiched between substantially straight inter-engaging left and right back sections  20 L and  20 R and left and right front sections  22 L and  22 R. Intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R curve toward each other approximately 180° over a predetermined distance in substantially the same plane, thereby positioning front sections  22 L and  22 R in a substantially straight line substantially parallel to and at a desired distance from left and right back sections  20 L and  20 R, which engage to form back section  21 . Wall mounting brackets  26 L and  26 R attach to a wall or other substantially vertical support surface with anchoring bolts or other common attachment means (not shown), and attach to  21  by engaging back sections  20 L and  20 R (see  FIGS. 2-3 ) at points substantially adjacent to intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R, securing the rod in a substantially horizontal plane. Finials  28  are attached to the left end of  22 L and right end of  22 R. 
     Primary drapery (not shown) is supported by  21  between  26 L and  26 R. Secondary accent drapery (also not shown) is supported by the remainder of the rod, which consists primarily of intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R and front sections  22 L and  22 R but also includes any part of  21  lying to the left of  26 L or right of  26 R. Brackets attach to  21  at points substantially but not immediately adjacent to  24 L and  24 R. Reserving some of  21  for accent drapery so a small amount can curve around  24 L and  24 R and hang substantially parallel to the wall enhances the aesthetic appeal of the accent drapery, particularly when viewed from the side. 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view from above of the preferred Type 2 dual-drapery rod mounted on a wall or other substantially vertical support structure. Recall that Type 2 embodiments are designed to layer secondary drapery behind primary drapery that can be fully drawn. Front sections  22 L′ and  22 R′ of the Type 2 drapery rod therefore extend and inter-engage to form front section  23 ′. 
     With the exception of the much longer  22 L′ and  22 R′ replacing  22 L and  22 R, the drapery rods of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are nearly identical. In both,  24 L and  24 R curve toward each other approximately 180° over a predetermined distance and are sandwiched between  20 L and  22 L and  20 R and  22 R; and in both  26 L and  26 R attach to  20 L and  20 R at points substantially adjacent to  24 L and  24 R. However, since front sections  22 L′ and  22 R′ meet to form  23 , the Type 2 rod of  FIG. 1B  has no finials. Secondary drapery would be hung from back section  21  between  26 L and  26 R, with the primary drapery hung from the remainder of the rod. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  display the different sections of the two types of dual-drapery rod embodiments and the spatial relationships among them, but the figures don&#39;t identify all the inter-engaging component rods which may comprise the rods, nor do they provide a detailed view of the preferred mounting bracket and its engagement with those rods. The non-adjustable and adjustable versions of the preferred wall mounting bracket are detailed in  FIGS. 2A and 2B .  FIG. 3  shows the bracket of  FIG. 2A  engaging the left back section of the preferred dual-drapery rod of  FIG. 1A .  FIGS. 4-7  show embodiments comprised of different configurations of telescopically inter-engaging component rods which assemble into Type 1 or 2 dual-drapery rod embodiments. All are designed to use the preferred wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A  or  2 B. The bracket can also be used to mount embodiments onto ceilings, but some adjustment is needed in the bracket or the rods in order to mount the dual-drapery rod to a ceiling. Although not shown, the needed adjustments will be discussed. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view from above of the preferred non-adjustable wall mounting bracket. The wall mounting bracket includes a first member comprised of a base plate  35  with a vertically elongated body, a second member  36  with a horizontally elongated body extending substantially perpendicularly from  35 , and a third member  38  with a vertically elongated cylindrical body extending upwardly and substantially perpendicularly from  36 . Members  35  and  36  can be formed from a single elongated plate made of metal or a similarly strong material that is bent approximately 90 degrees, or two such plates can be attached by welding, brazing, or fusing them together. Third member  38  cannot be simply an angled extension of the second member since the two are shaped very differently. It is attached to  36  by some method such as welding, brazing, or fusion. 
     The first and second members of the wall mounting bracket are familiar from prior art. The third member&#39;s structure and operation are not. Base plate  35  has screw holes  35 S penetrating it, and a surface adapted to engage and attach to a vertical support structure using screws, wall anchors, or other similar attachment means (not shown) while second member  36  engages the bottom surface of the drapery rod (see  FIG. 3 ). Third member  38  is sized and shaped to fit into circular apertures penetrating the rod&#39;s top and bottom surfaces at an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of the intermediate sections of the rod, engaging the surrounding surfaces of the apertures (see  FIG. 3 ). An advantage to using cylindrical third members is that their surrounding surfaces can be strengthened by the insertion of easily manufactured tubular reinforcements (not shown) into the apertures of what are frequently hollow telescoping rods. The fact that cylindrical third members can rotate within the apertures also has distinct advantages when used with single-drapery rods, those advantages to be identified when describing the mounting of single-drapery rods in connection with  FIGS. 8-11 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view from above of the preferred adjustable wall mounting bracket. The base plate and third member are as described with the non-adjustable bracket. The adjustable second member  36 ′ is similar to horizontally adjusting members shown for some time in prior art (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,474). It is comprised of lower member  36 B′ and sliding upper member  36 A′. Longitudinally extending channel or slot  37 C in  36 B′ cooperates with an adjustment screw (not shown) operated with an attached head  37 S to adjust  36 ′ for desired clearance from the support surface without the need for tools.  37 S is turned to loosen the screw and allow  36 A′ to be extended or retracted along  37 C, with the range of motion being determined by the length of  37 C.  37 S is turned to tighten the screw at the appropriate point for desired clearance from the support structure. 
     The preferred wall mounting brackets of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  can also be adapted to adjust vertically by using vertically elongated channels or slots rather than screw holes on the base plate. Although useful, they are well known in prior art and therefore not shown. The focus in these drawings is on the non-routine features of the multi-purpose drapery rod system. However, it should be recognized that the addition of such a vertical adjustment mechanism is within the scope of the present invention. 
     The preferred wall mounting brackets of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  can also be used to mount the dual-drapery rod to a ceiling, but the cooperating apertures in the dual-drapery rod would have to penetrate through the rod horizontally rather than perpendicularly since third member  38  would extend horizontally in a ceiling mount. A collar or pin at the end of  38  would be advisable in that case to keep the rod from slipping off of  38 . Alternatively, the bracket could be modified to create a ceiling mount with a third member extending downward rather than horizontally from the second member. This would require the use of a collar or pin at the end of  38  to secure the rod, but would then not require a change in the disposition of the cooperating apertures on the drapery rod. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective partial view from above of left back section  20 L engaged with the preferred non-adjustable wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A . Second member  36  engages the bottom surface of  20 L at points substantially adjacent to  24 L to support the rod vertically. Third member  38  engages the surrounding surfaces of the corresponding aperture in  20 L. The aperture penetrates the rod&#39;s top and bottom surfaces at a substantially perpendicular angle in order to prevent the rod from rotating out of a substantially horizontal plane. Cylindrical third member  38  is attached to second member  36  at a pre-determined distance from first member  35  to establish the desired distance between the wall and the opposing surface of the drapery rod. (This distance is adjustable with the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 2B .) 
       FIGS. 4-7  show embodiments having different configurations of telescopically inter-engaging component rods made of rigid material with top and bottom surfaces. Component rods are inter-engaged telescopically so that the span of the dual-drapery rod can be easily adjusted, but other inter-engaging methods employing various kinds of connectors or clamps or even using methods such as welding, brazing, or fusion are possible. 
     All of the configurations of component rods shown in  FIGS. 4-7  include two rods with segments that curve approximately 180 degrees. All are also designed to be used with the preferred wall mounting bracket and therefore have circular apertures penetrating the top and bottom surfaces of the appropriate component rod(s) at a substantially perpendicular angle. As previously noted, when mounted on a ceiling, the apertures would have to be horizontally rather than perpendicularly disposed to cooperate with the preferred mounting bracket. Alternatively, the bracket could be modified to extend the third member downward rather than horizontally so that the disposition of the apertures did not have to be changed. 
       FIGS. 4A-7A  display embodiments comprised of four configurations of component rods that telescopically inter-engage to form the Type 1 dual-drapery rod shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIGS. 4B-7B  display embodiments comprised of four configurations of component rods that telescopically inter-engage to form the Type 2 dual-drapery rod shown in  FIG. 1B . Three of the four Type 1 and Type 2 embodiments incorporate a single-drapery rod. The other component rods of these embodiments can therefore be used in converting telescopically engageable single-drapery rods currently available on the market into dual-drapery rods. However, it may be preferable to include a new single-drapery rod among the components for quality control reasons. 
       FIG. 4A  is a top view of the preferred configuration of component rods that assemble into a Type 1 dual-drapery rod designed to layer accent drapery in front and to the side of primary drapery. This configuration is the preferred embodiment for two reasons. First, the component rods can be assembled into a Type 2 dual-drapery rod with the simple addition of one more component rod. Second, back center rod  29  can be any compatible unitary single-drapery rod, of which there are many available and in use. Single-drapery rods are also included in the second and third Type 1 and Type 2 embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5A-6B . However, those single-drapery rods are less common and are themselves comprised of two or more components. 
     Component rods of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A  include substantially straight back center rod  29  and left and right front rods  34 L and  34 R as well as left and right curved rods  30 L and  30 R. Back center rod  29  may be an existing engageable single-drapery rod or a new one provided with the other component rods. Circular apertures  39 L and  39 R penetrate rods  30 L and  30 R and are sized to receive the third member of the preferred wall mounting bracket.  30 L and  30 R are comprised of curved segments  31 L and  31 R sandwiched between substantially straight back segments  32 L and  32 R and front segments  33 L and  33 R. Back segments  32 L and  32 R are substantially longer than front segments  33 L and  33 R. Curved segments  31 L and  31 R are curved toward each other approximately 180 degrees over a predetermined distance, thereby positioning back segments  32 L and  32 R in a substantially straight line substantially parallel to and at a desired distance from  33 L and  33 R. 
     Apertures  39 L and  39 R penetrate the top and bottom surfaces of  32 L and  32 R at points substantially adjacent to  31 L and  31 R and at an angle substantially perpendicular to the planes of curved rods  30 L and  30 R to create two sets of rigid circular surfaces vertically disposed from each other in substantially perpendicular fashion. Tubular reinforcements (not shown) can be inserted through the apertures to strengthen the surrounding surfaces when needed. 
     The dual-drapery rod is assembled by telescopically inter-engaging  29  with  32 L and  32 R without covering apertures  39 L and  39 R, and telescopically inter-engaging  33 L and  33 R with  34 L and  34 R while keeping  30 L in the same plane as  30 R. The back section of the rod is therefore formed by rod  29  and back sections  32 L and  32 R, the intermediate section by curved segments  31 L and  31 R, and the front sections of the dual-drapery rod by left and right front rods  34 L and  34 R along with left and right front segments  33 L and  33 R. 
       FIG. 4B  is a top view of the preferred configuration of component rods that assemble into a Type 2 dual-drapery rod to layer primary drapery in front and to the side of secondary drapery. Component rods include front center rod  37  plus the component rods shown in  FIG. 4A . The Type 1 embodiment of  FIG. 4A  is converted into the Type 2 embodiment of  FIG. 4B  by telescopically inter-engaging  37  between  34 L and  34 R so that the left and right front sections of the dual-drapery rod inter-engage to form a continuous front section capable of supporting fully drawn primary drapery. 
       FIG. 5A  is a top view of the primary components of the second Type 1 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. This embodiment includes more drapery rod components than the preferred embodiment and requires the replacement of two rods rather than a simple addition of one when converting to a Type 2 embodiment, but the span of the rod is still adjustable. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A  includes a binary single-drapery rod comprised of substantially straight back center rods  52 L and  52 R; substantially straight left and right front rods  44 L and  44 R; and curved rods  53 L and  53 R comprised of curved segments  55 L and  55 R sandwiched between substantially straight back segments  54 L and  54 R and front segments  56 L and  56 R. Apertures  39 L and  39 R penetrate perpendicularly through the top and bottom surfaces of  53 L and  53 R at points substantially adjacent to  55 L and  55 R. The drapery rod is assembled by telescopically inter-engaging  52 L and  52 R with each other and with  54 L and  54 R of rods  53 L and  53 R without covering apertures  39 L and  39 R, and telescopically engaging  44 L and  44 R with  56 L and  56 R while keeping rods  53 L and  53 R in substantially the same plane. The back section of the rod is therefore formed by  54 L,  52 L,  52 R, and  54 R; the intermediate section by  55 L and  55 R; the left front section by  44 L and  56 L, and the right front section by  44 R and  56 R. 
       FIG. 5B  is a top view of the component rods of the second Type 2 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. This Type 2 embodiment, like the Type 1 embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , includes rods  52 L,  52 R,  53 L and  53 R. However, front left and right rods  44 L and  44 R are replaced with front center rods  52 L′ and  52 R′.  52 L′ and  52 R′ have substantially the same dimensions as  52 L and  52 R, but the former are telescopically engaged with  56 L and  56 R while the latter are, as before, telescopically engaged with  54 L and  54 R without covering apertures  39 L and  39 R. The back section and intermediate sections are formed as before with the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , but left and right front sections formed by  56 L and  52 L′ and by  56 R and  52 R′ telescopically inter-engage to form a continuous front section capable of supporting fully drawn primary drapery. 
       FIG. 6A  is a top view of the component rods of a third Type 1 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. This single-drapery rod is comprised of three telescopically inter-engaging rods. While not as common as the binary or unitary single-drapery rod, the three-piece rod is less reliant on center-support brackets and the strength of each component rod. It may therefore be preferred when heavy drapes must be supported over wide expanses. Additional component rods include back center rod  37 ′, front rods  34 L and  34 R, and curved rods  59 L and  59 R comprised of left and right curved segments  61 L and  61 R sandwiched between substantially straight back segments  60 L and  60 R and front segments  62 L and  62 R. Back center rod  37 ′ is telescopically inter-engaged with left and right back rods  34 L′ and  34 R′ and  34 L′ and  34 R′ are telescopically engaged with  60 L and  60 R without covering apertures  39 L and  39 R while keeping curved rods  59 L and  59 R in the same plane. Left and right front rods  34 L and  34 R (equivalent to those in the embodiment of  FIG. 4A  assuming the single-drapery rods of that embodiment and this one are telescopically compatible) are telescopically engaged with  62 L and  62 R.  34 L′,  37 ′,  34 R′,  60 L, and  60 R form the back section of the dual-drapery rod; curved sections  61 L and  61 R form the intermediate section;  62 L and  34 L form the left front section; and  62 R and  34 R form the right front section. Rods  34 L′ and  34 R′ are identical to  34 L and  34 R except in their placement. This Type 1 embodiment, like the one shown in  FIG. 4A , is easily converted to a Type 2 embodiment with the simple addition of a front center rod as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
       FIG. 6B  is a top view of the component rods of the third Type 2 embodiment that includes a single-drapery rod. Components include front center rod  37  plus the components of the Type 1 rod shown in  FIG. 6A. 37  is telescopically inter-engaged between  34 L and  34 R to form a continuous front section that can support fully drawn primary drapery. 
       FIG. 7A  is a top view of the primary components of a fourth Type 1 embodiment. Unlike the others, it does not include a single-drapery rod or convert an existing one into a dual-drapery rod. It is comprised of fewer components than the others, however, so it may be less expensive to manufacture, inventory, and/or package when using some processes and facilities. 
     The components of this embodiment include telescopically inter-engaging left and right main rods  40 L and  40 R and left and right front rods  44 L and  44 R. Rods  40 L and  40 R are comprised of 180° curved segments  41 L and  41 R sandwiched between substantially straight back segments  42 L and  42 R and front segments  43 L and  43 R,  42 L and  42 R are substantially longer than  43 L and  43 R. Apertures  39 L and  39 R penetrate through  42 L and  42 R at points substantially adjacent to  41 L and  41 R. The drapery rod is assembled by telescopically inter-engaging  42 L with  42 R,  43 L with  44 L, and  43 R with  44 R while keeping rods  40 L and  40 R in substantially the same plane. The left and right back sections of the rod are formed by  42 L and  42 R, the intermediate section by  41 L and  41 R, the left front section by  43 L and  44 L, and the right front section by  43 R and  44 R. 
       FIG. 7B  is a top view of the primary components of a fourth Type 2 embodiment, which doesn&#39;t include a single-drapery rod. Like its Type 1 counterpart, this embodiment is comprised of fewer components than the other Type 2 embodiments. Component rods do not include left and right front rods, only left and right main rods  40 L′ and  40 R′. Rods  40 L′ and  40 R′ are comprised of the same curved segments  41 L and  41 R and back segments  42 L and  42 R of rods  40 L and  40 R shown in  FIG. 7A , but front segments  43 L′ and  43 R′ are modified versions of  43 L and  43 R that are approximately as long as back segments  42 L and  42 R. As before, apertures  39 L and  39 R penetrate through  42 L and  42 R at points substantially adjacent to  41 L and  41 R and are not covered up when the rods are telescopically inter-engaged. The back section and intermediate sections are formed as in  FIG. 7A . However, left and right front sections formed by  43 L′ and  43 R′ extend and telescopically inter-engage to form a continuous front section capable of supporting fully drawn primary drapery. 
       FIGS. 8-11  show single-drapery rods mounted with the preferred non-adjustable mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A  onto opposing vertical support surfaces like that found surrounding recessed windows. This contrasts with previous figures which show or assume wall-mounting. Since the cylindrical shape of the third member allows it to rotate 360 degrees within the perpendicularly disposed receiving aperture, the base plate of the bracket can actually be attached to vertical support surfaces lying at nearly any angle from the single-drapery rod as long as the third member is further from the base plate than from the end of the rod at that angle. The brackets shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  could also be used to attach the single-drapery rods to the ceiling with the simple addition of a collar at the end of the bracket&#39;s third member. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the single-drapery rod mounted on opposing vertical support surfaces. Single-drapery rod  64  is comprised of telescopically inter-engaging left and right rods  63 L and  63 R. Apertures penetrate the rod&#39;s top and bottom surfaces in a substantially perpendicular direction at points substantially adjacent to the left end of  63 L and right end of  63 R. Third members  38 L and  38 R of mounting brackets  26 L and  26 R fit through the apertures and engage the surfaces surrounding the apertures while second members  36 L and  36 R engage the bottom surfaces of  63 L and  63 R and  35 L and  35 R engage the opposing support surfaces. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a second embodiment of the single-drapery rod and bracket. This embodiment has more component rods than the first, but is less reliant on center support brackets and the strength of each of the component rods to prevent the rod from sagging under the weight of a wide expanse of drapery. In this embodiment, single-drapery rod  65  is comprised of center rod  68  telescopically inter-engaged between left and right rods  66 L and  66 R. Third members  38 L and  38 R engage the surfaces surrounding the apertures penetrating rods  66 L and  66 R as in  FIG. 8  while second members  36 L and  36 R engage the bottom surfaces of  66 L and  66 R and base plates  35 L and  35 R engage the opposing support surfaces. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a single-drapery rod comprised of a single rod  69  rather than a plurality of telescoping rods. Members  35 ,  36 , and  38 L and  38 R operate as in  FIGS. 8-9 . 
       FIG. 11  is perspective view from above and to the right of the preferred embodiment of the single-drapery rod. As in  FIGS. 8-10 , base plates  35 L and  35 R are shown as if mounted on a perpendicularly disposed support surface (not shown) like that found surrounding recessed windows. However,  35 L and  35 R have been mounted at substantially different heights on the opposing support surfaces. This is possible if second members  36 L and  36 R are sufficiently elongated since cylindrical third members  38 L and  38 R can rotate within their receiving apertures and rods  63 L and  63 R can also be rotated. Collars  38 C fitting tightly over  38 L and  38 R are an appropriate means of securing the rod to the brackets when their third members are substantially horizontal as in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIGS. 12-15  show embodiments of component rods that assemble into Type 1 or 2 dual drapery rods incorporating one of the single-drapery rods shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . All are designed to be mounted on a wall with the preferred wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A  or  2 B, and of course all include two rods with segments curved approximately 180 degrees over a pre-determined distance and sandwiched between substantially straight segments.  FIGS. 12A-15A  show Type 1 and  FIGS. 12B-15B  show Type 2 components combined with one of the single-drapery rods of  FIGS. 8-10 . All of the embodiments employ perpendicularly disposed circular apertures  39 L and  39 R penetrating the appropriate component rods in order to match the perpendicularly extending third member of the preferred wall mounting bracket. Mounting the rods to a ceiling would require the adjustments previously discussed (following the description of  FIG. 2B  and before the descriptions of  FIGS. 4-7 ). 
       FIG. 12A  is a top view of Type 1 component rods that combine dual-drapery rod components with the preferred single-drapery rod of  FIG. 8 . Single-drapery rod  64  is comprised of telescopically engaged back center rods  63 L and  63 R. Left and right curved rods  71 L and  71 R are comprised of curved segments  74 L and  74 R sandwiched between substantially straight left and right back segments  73 L and  73 R and left and right front segments  75 L and  75 R, the latter sized appropriately to just support accent drapery and leave an unobstructed view of the primary drapery in back. The dual-drapery rod is assembled by telescopically inter-engaging  63 L with  73 L while aligning apertures  39 L and telescopically inter-engaging  63 R with  73 R while aligning apertures  39 R, keeping rods  71 L and  71 R in substantially the same plane. The back section of the assembled rod is comprised of  73 L,  63 L,  63 R, and  73 R; the intermediate sections by  74 L and  74 R; and the front sections by  75 L and  75 R. 
       FIG. 12B  is a top view of Type 2 component rods that also combines the single-drapery rod shown in  FIG. 8  with dual-drapery rod components having curved segments sandwiched between substantially straight back and front segments. However, front segments  75 L′ and  75 R′ of  71 L′ and  71 R′ are extended so they engage when  73 L′ and  73 R′ are telescopically engaged with inter-engaged rods  63 L and  63 R and apertures are properly aligned. 
     The embodiments of  FIGS. 13-15  combine one of the single-drapery rods shown in  FIGS. 8-10  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those included in the embodiments of  FIGS. 5-6 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a top view of Type 1 component rods that combine the preferred single-drapery rod of  FIG. 8  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 5A . The embodiment of  FIG. 13A , like  5 A, includes curved rods  53 L and  53 R comprised of left and right curved segments  55 L and  55 R sandwiched between substantially straight back segments  54 L and  54 R and front segments  56 L and  56 R as well as left and right front rods  44 L and  44 R. Single drapery rod  64 , comprised of back center rods  63 L and  63 R, is similar to  52 L and  52 R in  FIG. 5A  but with apertures. Back center rods  63 L and  63 R are assumed to have the same inside and outside circumferences as back center rods  52 L and  52 R of  FIG. 5A  and thus are assumed to be telescopically equivalent. 
     The drapery rod of  FIG. 13A  is assembled by telescopically engaging  63 L with  54 L while aligning apertures  39 L; telescopically engaging  63 R with  54 R while aligning apertures  39 R; and telescopically engaging  56 L with  44 L and  56 R with  44 R. The back section of the assembled dual-drapery rod is comprised of  54 L,  63 L,  63 R, and  54 R; the intermediate sections are comprised of  55 L and  55 R; and the left and right front sections are comprised of  56 L and  44 L and  56 R and  44 R. 
       FIG. 13B  is a top view of Type 2 component rods that combine the preferred single-drapery rod of  FIG. 8  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 5B . Front rods  44 L and  44 R of  FIG. 13A  are replaced with  63 L′ and  63 R′, which are identical to  52 L′ and  52 R′ in  FIG. 5B  and similar to  63 L and  63 R in  FIG. 13B  but have no apertures.  63 L′ and  63 R′ telescopically engage each other and  56 L and  56 R to form a continuous front section capable of supporting fully drawn primary drapery. 
       FIG. 14A  is a top view of Type 1 component rods that combine the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 9  with the two curved rods  59 L and  59 R and two substantially straight left and right front rods  34 L and  34 R of embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A . Back center rod  68  is telescopically inter-engaged with left and right rods  66 L and  66 R to form the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 9 . The dual-drapery rod is formed by telescopically engaging  60 L with  66 L while aligning apertures  39 L; telescopically engaging  60 R with  66 R while aligning apertures  39 R; and telescopically engaging  34 L with  62 L and  34 R with  62 R. Rods  66 L,  68 , and  66 R and segments  60 L and  60 R form the back section; curved segments  61 L and  61 R form the intermediate section;  62 L and  34 L form the left front section; and  62 R and  34 R form the right front section. 
       FIG. 14B  is a top view of Type 2 component rods that combine the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 9  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 6B . This Type 2 embodiment is identical to the Type 1 embodiment of  FIG. 14A  except that front center rod  37  is added and telescopically inter-engaged between front rods  34 L and  34 R to form a continuous front section capable of supporting fully drawn primary drapery. 
       FIG. 15A  is a top view of the components of a Type 1 dual-drapery rod that combines the single-drapery rod embodiment of  FIG. 10  with the two curved rods  59 L and  59 R and two front rods  34 L and  34 R of the dual-drapery rod embodiment of  FIG. 6A . Unitary single-drapery rod  69  is telescopically engaged with  60 L while aligning apertures  39 L in the two rods;  60 R is telescoped with  69  while aligning apertures  39 R; rod  34 L is telescoped with segment  62 L; and  34 R is telescoped with  62 R. The back section of the assembled rod is formed by  60 L,  69 , and  60 R, the intermediate section by segments  61 L and  61 R of curved rods  59 L and  59 R, and the left and right front sections by  62 L and  34 L and  62 R and  34 R. 
       FIG. 15B  is a top view of the components of a Type 2 dual-drapery rod that combines the single-drapery rod of  FIG. 10  with dual-drapery rod components similar or identical to those shown in  FIG. 6B . Those components are identical to the components of the Type 1 embodiment of  FIG. 15A  except that front center rod  37  (also included in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6B ) is added. Front center rod  37  telescopes with  34 L and  34 R to bridge the gap between front sections and create a front section suitable for the primary drapes. 
     All of the above have circular apertures that cooperate with the cylindrical third members of the preferred bracket of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . However, third members and corresponding apertures of different cooperating shapes are also possible, as noted, and may be preferred when apertures are formed with non-slip brackets rather than within the drapery rod itself. Although the use of non-slip brackets adds to the expense, it does provide a feasible alternative capable of effectively securing the dual-drapery rod in a horizontal plane. Embodiments shown in  FIGS. 16-22  illustrate this kind of bracketing system. 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  are perspective views from above of dual-drapery rod assemblies with non-slip brackets attached to the back sections of the rods by brazing, welding, or fusion. A different cooperating wall mounting bracket is required like those shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B . 
     In the Type 1 embodiment shown in  FIG. 16A , intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R and front sections  22 L and  22 R are identical to those shown in  FIG. 1A , but the apertures in the back section of that embodiment have been replaced by non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R attached to back section  70  of this embodiment. Non-slip brackets arch away from and back into left and right back sections  71 L and  71 R in a substantially horizontal plane to form substantially perpendicularly disposed apertures  79 L and  79 R. Wall mounting brackets  76 L and  76 R attach to a wall or other substantially vertical support surface and cooperate with non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R to secure the rod in a substantially horizontal plane. Finials  28  slip onto the ends. Primary drapery (not shown) is supported by back section  70  between wall mounting brackets  76 L and  76 R while accent drapery (not shown) is supported primarily by intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R and front sections  22 L and  22 R but also by that part of  70 L to the left of  72 L and to the right of  72 R. 
     In  FIG. 16B , front sections  22 L′ and  22 R′ are extended versions of  22 L and  22 R, which meet to form a continuous front section  23 ′ that can accommodate fully-drawn primary drapery. Back section  70  and intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R are unchanged. Wall mounting brackets  76 L and  76 R again attach to a substantially vertical support surface and cooperate with the surrounding surfaces of apertures  79 L and  79 R. Since front sections  22 L′ and  22 R′ meet, there are no finials. Primary drapery (not shown) is hung from front section  23  and intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R while secondary drapery (not shown) is hung from back section  70 . Secondary drapery (not shown) is now supported by back section  70  between wall mounting brackets  76 L and  76 R while primary drapery (not shown) is supported primarily by intermediate sections  24 L and  24 R and front section  23 ′ but also by that part of  70 L to the left of  72 L and to the right of  72 R. 
       FIG. 16C  shows the preferred embodiment of the single-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. The rod includes the back but not the intermediate or front sections that are part of the dual-drapery rod. Back section  70  is comprised of telescoping substantially straight rods  71 L′ and  71 R′ together. Non-slip brackets attach to  70  at points substantially adjacent to the single-drapery rod&#39;s ends. As before, non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R arch away from and back into the rods to form substantially perpendicularly disposed apertures  79 L and  79 R. Wall mounting brackets  76 L and  76 R attach to a wall or other substantially vertical support surface and cooperate with the surrounding surfaces of apertures between non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R and rods  71 L′ and  71 R′ to secure the single-drapery rod. 
       FIGS. 16A-16B  display the sections of the Type 1 and 2 dual-drapery rod embodiments but don&#39;t identify the inter-engaging component rods which may comprise them or provide a detailed view of the mounting bracket used with them. Non-adjustable and adjustable versions of the mounting bracket are shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B .  FIG. 18  shows the bracket of  FIG. 17A  engaging the right back section of the dual-drapery rod of  FIG. 16A .  FIGS. 18-22  show dual-drapery embodiments which use the bracket shown in  FIG. 16A  but are comprised of different configurations of inter-engaging component rods. 
       FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of the non-adjustable version of the wall mounting bracket that cooperates with the non-slip brackets. Wall mounting bracket  76  includes a first member comprised of a base plate  85  with a vertically elongated body, a second member  86  having a horizontally elongated body extending substantially perpendicularly from base plate  85 , and a third member  88  having a vertically elongated body extending upwardly and substantially perpendicularly from second member  86 . The three members may be formed from a single elongated plate or made from two or more plates attached together using some method such as welding, brazing, or fusion. First member  85  is adapted to attach to a wall or other vertical support surface using screws, wall anchors, or other attachment means (not shown) while second member  86  engages the bottom surface of the non-slip brackets and third member  38  engages the surrounding surfaces of the apertures created by the opposing surfaces of the non-slip bracket and drapery rod (see  FIG. 18 ). 
       FIG. 17B  is a perspective view of the adjustable version. Second member  86 ′ of adjustable wall mounting bracket  76 ′ is comprised of upper and lower second members  86 A′ and  86 B′. Longitudinally disposed channel  87 C in  86 B′ cooperates with an adjustment screw (not shown) operated with an attached head  87 S to adjust  86 ′ for desired clearance from the support surface without the need for tools.  87 S is turned to loosen the screw and allow  86 A′ to be extended or retracted along  87 C, with the range of motion being determined by the length of  87 C.  87 S is turned to tighten the screw at the appropriate point for desired clearance from the support structure. 
       FIG. 18  is a wall-perspective partial view from above of right back section  71 R engaged with the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 17A . Non-slip bracket  72 R attaches to  71 R substantially adjacent to intermediate section  24 R. Horizontally elongated second member  86 R of bracket  76 R cooperates with the bottom surface of  72 R in order to support the rod vertically. Third member  88 R engages the surrounding surfaces of aperture  79 R, thus preventing the rod from horizontal movement or rotation out of a plane substantially perpendicular to base plate  85 R. Third member  88 R is attached to second member  86 R at a pre-determined distance from first member  85 R to establish the desired distance between the mounting surface and the opposing surface of the drapery rod. (This distance is adjustable with the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 17B .) 
     Dual-drapery rod embodiments using the wall mounting bracket of  FIG. 17A  with different configurations of component rods are shown in  FIGS. 19-22 .  FIGS. 19A-22A  show Type 1 and  FIGS. 19   b - 22   b  show Type 2 embodiments similar to those shown in  FIGS. 4A-7A  and  4 B- 7 B but having attached non-slip brackets rather than apertures penetrating the back section of the rods. Three of the four Type 1 and Type 2 embodiments again incorporate a single-drapery rod and therefore can be used to convert existing telescopically engageable single-drapery rods into embodiments that use non-slip brackets. When the dual-drapery rod components engage an already existing single-drapery rod, the components making up the left and right back sections of the dual-drapery rod engage that single-drapery rod. When the components include a single-drapery rod, that rod is among the components making up the left and right back sections of the dual-drapery rod assembly. As previously noted, the inclusion of a new single-drapery rod with the other components of the assembly may be preferred for quality control reasons. 
       FIG. 19A  is a top view of the preferred configuration of component rods of the Type 1 dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 4A , components include back center rod  29  and left and right front rods  34 L and  34 R. However, non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R on left and right curved rods  80 L and  80 R replace the apertures on curved rods  30 L and  30 R of  FIG. 4A . Rods  80 L and  80 R are comprised of curved segments  81 L and  81 R sandwiched between substantially straight back segments  82 L and  82 R and front segments  83 L and  83 R. Back segments are substantially longer than front segments. Non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R attached to segments  82 L and  82 R at points substantially adjacent to  81 L and  81 R create apertures  79 L and  79 R. 
     The components shown in  FIG. 19A  are assembled by telescopically inter-engaging  29  with  82 L and  82 R while keeping  80 L and  80 R in substantially the same plane and telescopically inter-engaging  83 L and  83 R with  34 L and  34 R The back section of the rod is formed by rod  29  and back segments  82 L and  82 R, the intermediate section by curved segments  81 L and  81 R, and the front sections by left and right front rods  34 L and  34 R and front segments  83 L and  83 R. Primary drapery and accent drapery are not shown, but primary drapery is hung from center rod  29  and segments  82 L and  82 R to the right of  72 L and left of  72 R. Accent drapery is hung from  81 L,  83 L, and  34 L and from  81 R,  83 L and  34 R—as well as any part of  82 L and  82 R to the left of  72 L or right of  72 R. 
       FIG. 19B  is a top view of the component rods of the preferred Type 2 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. The components of this Type 2 embodiment are identical to the components of the Type 1 embodiment of  FIG. 19A  except for the addition of  37  in FIG.  19 B. Front center rod  37  telescopes with  34 L and  34 R to bridge the gap between the left and right front sections and create a continuous front section suitable for the primary drapes. 
       FIG. 20A  is a top view of the component rods of a second Type 1 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. This one is similar to the Type 1 embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , with left and right back center rods  52 L and  52 R and left and right front rods  44 L and  44 R. However, non-slip brackets attached to curved rods  84 L and  84 R replace the apertures of curved rods  53 L and  53 R in  FIG. 5A . Curved rods  84 L and  84 R are comprised of curved segments  85 L and  85 R sandwiched between substantially straight back segments  87 L and  87 R and front segments  86 L and  86 R. Non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R attached to segments  87 L and  87 R at points substantially adjacent to  85 L and  85 R create apertures  79 L and  79 R. 
       FIG. 20B  is a top view of the component rods of a second Type 2 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. The Type 2 embodiment is identical to the Type 1 embodiment of  FIG. 20A  except for the substitution of left and right front center rods  52 L′ and  52 R′ for  44 L and  44 R.  52 L′ and  52 R′ inter-engage with each other and with  86 L and  86 R to create a continuous front section suitable for the primary drapes. 
       FIG. 21A  is a top view of the component rods of a third Type 1 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. This one is similar to the Type 1 embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A , with left and right front rods  34 L and  34 R and a single-drapery rod comprised of back center rod  37 ′ telescopically inter-engaged with  34 L′ and  34 R′. Curved segments  91 L and  91 R and front segments  92 L and  92 R of curved rods  90 L and  90 R are identical to the curved and front segments of  FIG. 6A , but non-slip brackets  72 L and  72 R attached to back segments  89 L and  89 R in  FIG. 21A  replace the apertures penetrating the back segments in  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 21B  is a top view of the component rods of a third Type 2 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. It is identical to the Type 1 embodiment of  FIG. 21A  except front center rod  37  is added and inter-engaged between  34 L and  34 R to bridge the gap between  34 L and  34 R and form a front rod capable of supporting fully drawn primary drapery. 
       FIG. 22A  is a top view of the component rods of a fourth Type 1 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. Unlike the others, it does not include a single-drapery rod and thus the other components cannot be used to convert any existing single-drapery rod into a dual-drapery rod. However, this embodiment has the fewest components of all those shown. It is comprised of only left and right main rods  100 L and  100 R with left and right curved segments  101 L and  101 R, back segments  102 L and  102 R, and front segments  103 L and  103 R,  102 L and  102 R are telescopically engaged and  103 L and  103 R are telescopically engaged with  44 L and  44 R while keeping  100 L and  100 R in substantially the same plane. 
       FIG. 22B  is a top view of the component rods of a fourth Type 2 embodiment of the dual-drapery rod with non-slip brackets. Like the Type 1 embodiment of  FIG. 22A , this embodiment does not contain a single-drapery rod. But it comprised of only of component rods,  100 L′ and  100 R′ comprised of back segments  102 L′ and  102 R′, curved segments  101 L′ and  101 R′, and front segments  103 L′ and  103 R′. Back segments  102 L′ and  102 R′ and curved segments  101 L′ and  101 R′ are identical to  102 L and  102 R and  101 L and  101 L in  FIG. 22A , but front segments  103 L′ and  103 R′ are long enough to inter-engage when  102 L′ and  102 R′ are inter-engaged. 
     Although many single and dual-drapery rod embodiments have been shown and described, additional ones are possible. Apertures, non-slip brackets, and cooperating third members could be reshaped, and a number of additional dual-drapery rod component configurations could be used. However, the embodiments described here should be sufficient to illustrate the principles and implementations of the non-mechanized multi-purpose drapery rod system and make its nature, objects, and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments displayed and described below illustrate the motorization of this system. 
       FIGS. 23-27  show assemblies that convert a conventional traverse rod into a motorized single or dual-drapery rod mounted on the preferred wall mounting bracket. The structure and operation of the traverse rod are described only to the extent necessary for context. Detailed descriptions of the traverse rod and its operation are available not only from early patents but also from a variety of readily available sources such as instructions that typically come with the rod and are available on how-to interne sites. 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective front view of the components of a right-engaging motorized single-drapery rod assembly with a partial view of a cooperating traverse rod. (The placement of the assembly on the right side is arbitrary. A left-engaging assembly using the same components rearranged is also possible.) The assembly is less complex structurally than prior art and does not require the transmission cord to be redirected before it is wound around the motor&#39;s wheel or drive pulley. Prior art employs multiple wheels and/or clips with channels to redirect the cord vertically before engaging a pulley wheel, then redirects it back horizontally before the cord re-enters the traverse rod (e.g., see US 2006/0162877 A1 and 7360576 B2). This increases the complexity of the assembly and may decrease efficiency and contribute to slippage. U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,576 B2 purports to combat the slippage problem, but still requires redirection of the transmission cord and appears to increase rather than decrease structural complexity. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , a traverse rod aperture  114 R penetrates the front surface of drive pulley housing  104  which contains a drive pulley  105  with a drive pulley groove  106  to receive a transmission cord (shown in  FIG. 26 ) from traverse rod  108 . Reverse electric motor  110  is positioned in front of and coupled with right-angled drive  112  to rotate  105 . Rubber (not shown) coats  106  to increase traction of the transmission cord. Traverse rod aperture  114 R is sized to receive the right end of horizontally disposed traverse rod  108  while said traverse rod&#39;s transmission cord is wound around  106  of drive pulley  105  (which replaces the traverse rod&#39;s right pulley and cord tension pulley). Since  105  is directly across from the open end of traverse rod  108  when the rod is inserted horizontally into aperture  114 R, the traverse rod&#39;s transmission cord does not have to be redirected before winding around  106 . A set screw (not shown) tightens to hold the traverse rod in place. 
     Wall mounting bracket  126 R cooperates with a support aperture (shown in  FIG. 24 ) penetrating the bottom surface of  104  to support the assembly.  126 R is structurally identical to the preferred wall mounting bracket shown in  FIG. 2A , with a first member comprised of a base plate  135 R having a vertically elongated body, a second member  136 R having a horizontally elongated body extending substantially perpendicularly from  135 R, and a third member  138 R having a vertically elongated cylindrical body extending upwardly and substantially perpendicularly from  136 R. Base plate  135 R is adapted to attach to a wall or other vertical support surface while  136 R engages the bottom surface of  104  and third member  138  engages the surrounding surfaces of support aperture  118 R (see  FIG. 24 ), thereby mounting the assembly and the right end of the traverse rod to a support surface. (The left end of the traverse rod is supported with a traditional traverse rod support bracket not shown). Face plate  115  attaches to the face of  104 . Small apertures penetrate the face and end of  104  and intersect with like apertures penetrating its bottom surface to receive drapery hooks that are used with traverse rods (not shown). This allows drapery that is hung from the traverse rod to also be hung across the face and around the back end of housing  104 . 
       FIG. 24  is a perspective view from below and behind drive pulley housing  104 . Support aperture  118 R penetrates the bottom surface of  104  at an angle substantially perpendicular to traverse rod  108 .  118 R is sized to receive third member  138 R of  126 R while second member  136 R engages the bottom surface of  104  and  135 R engages a wall. Aperture  122 R is sized to receive a dual-drapery rod (see  FIG. 25 ) and may be capped when not in use. 
       FIG. 25  is a back perspective partial view of a motorized dual-drapery rod conversion assembly with cooperating traverse rod and right dual-drapery rod. Dual-drapery rod  120 R is comprised of segment  123 R curved 180 degrees and sandwiched between substantially straight front and back segments  121 R and  125 R. Substantially straight front rod  127 R telescopically engages with  121 R to provide an adjustable support for accent drapery (not shown). Housing  104  is shown assembled with electric motor  110  and right angled drive  112 . Right dual-rod housing aperture  122 R is sized to receive  125 R and penetrates the back end of  104  a distance greater than the diameter of back segment  125 R. In-rod aperture  124 R in turn penetrates through the top and bottom surfaces of  125 R at an angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of  120 R and is sized and shaped to receive third member  138 R.  125 R is inserted into aperture  122 R and third member  138 R is inserted through apertures  118 R (see  FIG. 24) and 124R . Apertures  118 R ( FIG. 24) and 122R  penetrate into  104  far enough to intersect and leave rigid surrounding surfaces beyond the intersection. Third member  138 R is long enough to engage rigid surrounding surfaces above as well as below the intersection so that it secures dual-drapery rod  120 R in a substantially horizontal plane and prevents  104  from rotating while second member  136 R engages the bottom surface of  104  to prevent vertical movement. 
     Conversion to a motorized dual-drapery rod requires a second housing and dual-drapery rod.  FIG. 26  provides a front view of take-up pulley housing  129  and drive pulley housing  104  with traverse rod  108  in between. Traverse rod  108  is separated in the middle to better show transmission cord  132 , which wraps around take-up pulley  130  and drive pulley  105 . Mounting brackets  126 L and  126 R are also separated from the housings, as are face plates  115  and  116  and cord guard  128  for take-up pulley  130 . Cord guard  128  keeps transmission cord  132  from slipping off pulley  130 . The ends of cord  132  are not shown, but are drawn tight and tied off at the traverse rod carriers as described in standard instructions accompanying the rods. A tension spring (not shown) is used at one end to maintain tension on the cord. 
       FIG. 27  is a left front perspective partial view of take-up pulley housing  129  attached to traverse rod  108  but separated from dual-drapery rod  120 L and mounting bracket  126 L. Transmission-cord guard  128  has also been separated from pulley  130  and front surface plate  116  has been removed to better display the take-up pulley. Aperture  114 L (not shown) is sized like  114 R shown in  FIG. 23  to receive the end of traverse rod  108  while the traverse rod&#39;s transmission cord winds around take-up pulley  130  (see  FIG. 26 ). Dual-drapery rod  120 L is comprised of segment  123 L curved 180 degrees and sandwiched between substantially straight front and back segments  121 L and  125 L. Left dual-rod housing aperture  122 L penetrates the back end of  129  and is sized to receive  125 L. In-rod aperture  124 L in turn penetrates through the top and bottom surfaces of  125 L and is sized to receive third member  138 L.  125 L is inserted into aperture  122 L and third member  138 L is inserted through apertures  118 L penetrating the bottom of  129  (not shown) and  124 L. Apertures  118 L and  122 L penetrate far enough into  129  to intersect. Third member  138 L is long enough to engage rigid surrounding surfaces above as well as below the intersection so that it secures dual-drapery rod  120 L in a substantially horizontal plane and prevents housing  129  from rotating while second member  136 L engages the bottom surface of  129  to prevent vertical movement. A substantially straight front rod (not shown) may be telescopically engaged with the front segment of the dual drapery rod as shown in  FIG. 25 . 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective front exploded view of a second embodiment of the drive pulley apparatus with other key components and a partial view of a cooperating traverse rod. The second embodiment is more complex than the first, incorporating additional parts designed to deal with the cord slippage problem common with motorized drapery rod assemblies. Traverse rod aperture  114 R penetrates the front surface of drive pulley housing  107  containing a drive pulley with a large-diameter portion  109  and a smaller-diameter groove portion  111 .  111  receives transmission cord  132  from traverse rod  108 . Reverse electric motor  110  is again positioned in front of and coupled with right-angled drive  112 . Traverse rod aperture  114 R (not shown) is sized to receive the left end of  108  while transmission cord  132  is wound around  111 . Friction wheel  140  and tension bushing  142  have holes in their centers which allow  140  and  142  to fit tightly around  111 .  111  is threaded at its end to receive tension nut  146 .  140  is first fitted over  111  and up against  132 , then  142  is fitted over  111  and up against  140 . A tension spring  144  is then slipped over  111  and held in place by  146 , which is tightened to create desired tension to prevent slippage of  132 . Tension cap  148  attaches to  107  with screws and includes a tension cap crown  149  which provides clearance for  111 . As before, right dual-rod housing aperture  122 R receives the end of the back segment of dual drapery rod  120 R (see  FIG. 25 ). Wall mounting bracket  126 R supports the assembly, third member  138 R engaging the surrounding surfaces of support aperture  118 R (see  FIG. 24 ) while second member  136 R engages the bottom surface of  107  (not shown) and  135 R engages a wall.