Abstract:
A curtain hanger for hanging a curtain. The curtain hanger can be inserted into a pocket of a curtain. The curtain hanger can include a plurality of teeth or barbs that engage vertical stitches and/or pleats at edges of the pocket to hold the curtain hanger in the pocket. The teeth can be arranged at different widths and/or different angles such that the curtain hanger can be pinched to fit into pockets of different widths. The teeth can also be angled upwardly such that a tugging force on the curtain spreads the teeth apart and forces them into stronger engagement with the vertical stitches and/or pleats at the edges of the pocket.

Description:
This application is a U.S. non-provisional patent application that claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/974,268, filed Apr. 2, 2014. The aforementioned related patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Aspects disclosed herein relate to hangers for a curtain. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect disclosed herein, a curtain hanger can include a suspension member that engages a hanging mechanism on a bulkhead. For example, the suspension member can include a hook that engages a curtain rod on a ceiling or that engages a loop on a slider for a slider track. The curtain hanger can also include two wings extending in opposite directions from the suspension member. Each wing can include a support and a plurality of teeth arranged on the support. Each of the teeth can be configured to engage an interior of a pocket formed along a top portion of a curtain. For example, the teeth can engage vertical stitches and/or pleats along the edges of the pocket. The wings can be deformed toward the suspension member to insert the curtain hanger into the pocket. After being inserted, the wings can deform away from the suspension member so that the teeth can engage the vertical stitches and/or pleats. Additionally, if loads are applied to the curtain, forces transmitted to the teeth can further deform the wings outwardly away from the suspension member, to cause the teeth to further engage the vertical stitches and/or pleats. 
     According to one aspect disclosed herein, a curtain assembly can include a curtain that includes a plurality of pockets. The curtain assembly can also include a plurality of curtain hangers, wherein the plurality of curtain hangers are arranged in respective ones of the plurality of pockets. Each of the curtain hangers includes a suspension member configured to engage a hanging mechanism. Each of the curtain hangers also includes at least two wings extending in opposite directions from the suspension member. Each wing includes a support and a plurality of teeth arranged on the support. At least one of the plurality of teeth engage an interior of the respective ones of the plurality of pockets. The wings are positionable toward the suspension member for installation into and removal from the pocket of the curtain, and wherein the wings are positionable away from the suspension member to engage the interior of the respective one of the plurality of pockets. 
     According to one aspect disclosed herein, a method of installing a curtain hanger in a pocket of a curtain is disclosed, wherein the curtain hanger comprises a suspension member configured to engage a hanging mechanism on a bulkhead and at least two wings extending in opposite directions from the suspension member, wherein each of the two wings include a support and a plurality of teeth arranged on the support, wherein the wings are positionable toward the suspension member for insertion into the pocket of the curtain, and wherein the wings are positionable away from the suspension member after insertion into the curtain to engage the interior of the pocket. The method includes positioning the wings toward the suspension member. The method also includes inserting the curtain hanger into an opening of the pocket. The method also includes positioning the wings away from the suspension member such that the teeth of the wings engage at least one of stitching and pleats arranged at sides of the pocket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of an aspect of a hanger in an undeformed state; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the hanger of  FIG. 1A  in a deformed state; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the hanger of  FIG. 1A  attached to a slider; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the hanger of  FIG. 1A  attached to the slider shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the hanger of  FIG. 1A  attached to the slider of  FIG. 2A  and secured to the slider with a plastic tie; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the hanger of  FIG. 1A , attached to the slider of  FIG. 2A  and secured to the slider with a plastic tie; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of the hanger of  FIG. 1A  in the undeformed state, illustrating angles between gripping teeth of the hanger relative to an upward direction of a longitudinal axis; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the hanger of  FIG. 1B  in the deformed state, illustrating changed angles between gripping teeth of the hanger relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a top of a curtain that includes pockets for receiving a hanger, such as the hanger shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view of the curtain of  FIG. 5  with a hanger in an undeformed state and a hanger in a deformed state shown above respective pockets of the curtain; 
         FIG. 6B  shows a hanger in a deformed state inserted into a pocket of the curtain of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates the hanger in the pocket of the curtain in an undeformed or relaxed state; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates forces on a curtain and a hanger; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an aspect of a slider for a slider track and a neck of a curtain hanger having a spherically-shaped cap arranged for engagement with an aperture of the slider; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the neck having a spherically-shaped cap of  FIG. 8A  engaged in the aperture of the slider; 
         FIG. 9A  is a flow chart for a method for installing the curtain hanger of  FIG. 1A  in a pocket of a curtain; and 
         FIG. 9B  is a flow chart for a method for removing the curtain hanger of  FIG. 1A  from a pocket of a curtain. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Curtains are used in a variety of applications. For example, a curtain can cover a window or partition a space into separate sections. For example, in a hospital, curtains may be used to provide privacy to different beds in a hospital ward. As another example, curtains can be used to separate a first-class cabin of an aircraft from a coach class cabin of an aircraft. In various aspects described herein, hangers can be attached within pockets on the top of the curtain so that the curtain can be hung from the ceiling, wall, bulkhead, and/or other support structure. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , aspects of a curtain hanger  100  include a suspension member  101 . The suspension member  101  includes a hook  102  attached to a neck  110 . The hook  102  can include an opening  104  in communication with an aperture  106 . The aperture  106  can engage a curtain rod or other attachments (discussed below). The curtain hanger  100  can include two wings  120  extending in substantially opposite directions from the neck  110  of the suspension member  101 . Each wing  120  can include a first member  122  and a second member  124  extending from the neck  110 . The first member  122  and the second member  124  can transition into a body or support  128 . The first member  122  and the second member  124 , the body  128 , and the neck  110  can define an aperture  126 . The support  128  of each wing  120  can include a plurality of gripping teeth or barbs (e.g., teeth  134   a - d ). The body  128  can also include a grip portion  130  and a tab  132 . The curtain hanger  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A  is in an undeformed state. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , the curtain hanger  100 ′ can be gripped in the grip portions  130  (e.g., by a person&#39;s fingers, by a pair of pliers, by an installation tool, etc.) and squeezed, resulting in a force F 1  being applied to the grip portions  130  and/or to the tabs  132 . When sufficient force F 1  is applied to the grip portions  130  and/or to the tabs  132 , the first member  122  and the second member  124  can resiliently deform such that the wings  120  can move in the direction of arrows A toward the hook  102 . 
     In various aspects, the curtain hanger  100  is made of a somewhat elastic material, such as a nylon polymer or another plastic that returns to an original shape after being deformed (i.e., is resiliently deformable). In various aspects, the curtain hanger  100  can be made of metal, such as spring steel. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the curtain hanger  100  attached to a slider  200 . A plurality of sliders  200  can engage a slider track (e.g., mounted to a ceiling of a room or to a bulkhead in an aircraft cabin). The plurality of sliders  200  can slide along the slider track to expand or retract a curtain attached to curtain hangers  100 . Each slider  200  can include a loop  202  and a slider track engagement member  204 . The slider track engagement member  204  can engage the slider track such that the slider  200  can move along the track but cannot be pulled out of the track under ordinary forces that might be applied to the curtain, curtain hanger  100 , and/or slider  200 . In various aspects, the slider  200  can rotate about an axis  220  to enable the curtain hanger  100  to rotate to follow movement of a curtain suspended from the curtain hanger  100 . In various aspects, the entire slider  200  can rotate about the axis such that the slider track engagement member  204  rotates relative to the track. In various other aspects, the slider track engagement member  204  may not rotate relative to the track, but the loop  202  can rotate relative to the slider track engagement member  204 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the aperture  106  of the hook  102  of the curtain hanger  100  can engage the loop  202  of the slider  200  by passing the loop  202  through the opening  104  in the hook  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in various aspects, a plastic strap or zip tie  210  can be wrapped around the hook  102  after the hook has engaged the loop  202  of the slider  200 . The hook  102  can include a flared out portion  108  that can prevent the secured zip tie  210  from slipping off the hook  102 . The zip tie  210  can help prevent the hook  102  from being pulled open (e.g., if someone pulls down on a curtain being suspended by the curtain hanger  100 ) such that the curtain hanger can be pulled off of the slider  200 . 
     In various other aspects, the hook  102  of the curtain hanger  100  can be attached to various other types of hanging assemblies. For example, each hook  102  can engage a curtain rod. In various other aspects, the curtain hanger may engage a slider feature using a shape different from a hook. For example, referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , in various aspects, the suspension member includes a neck  110  that terminates in a spherically-shaped cap  802 . A slider  804  can include a bent sheet of material  806  (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.) that includes an aperture  808  with two portions. A first portion  810  of the aperture  808  includes a dimension large enough for the spherically-shaped cap  802  on the end of the neck  110  to pass through. A second portion  812  of the aperture  808  includes a dimension too small for the spherically-shaped cap  802  on the end of the neck  110  to pass through. Generally, the first portion  810  of the aperture  808  can be positioned higher than the second portion  812  of the aperture  808 . In use, the spherically-shaped cap  802  on the end of the neck  110  of the curtain hanger  100  can be passed through the first portion  810  of the aperture  808  and thereafter be moved to the second portion  812  of the aperture  808  (as shown in  FIG. 8B ) such that the smaller dimension of the second portion retains the spherically-shaped cap  802  of the neck  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the gripping teeth  134   a - d  of the curtain hanger  100  can define respective angles relative to an upward direction (indicated by arrow U) of a longitudinal axis  150 , such that at least one of the gripping teeth  134   a - d  includes an upward—facing component. In both the undeformed state shown in  FIG. 4A  and the deformed state shown in  FIG. 4B , the curtain hanger  100  and  100 ′ can define a longitudinal axis  150  (e.g. along the neck  110 ). For the purpose of illustrating angles of the teeth  134   a - d ,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  also show a displaced longitudinal axis  150 ′. In the aspect of the curtain hanger shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , each wing  120  of the curtain hanger  100  includes four gripping teeth  134   a ,  134   b ,  134   c , and  134   d . Each gripping tooth can define an angle relative to an upward direction (indicated by arrow U) of the longitudinal axis  150  (i.e.,  150 ′). For example, a first gripping tooth  134   a  can define an angle α relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150 . As another example, a second gripping tooth  134   b  can define an angle β relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150 . As another example, a third gripping tooth  134   c  can define an angle γ relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150 . As another example, a fourth gripping tooth  134   d  can define an angle θ relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150 . 
     In various aspects, in the undeformed state, at least one of the gripping teeth  134   a - d  can be arranged so that the angle relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150  is acute (i.e., less than ninety degrees). For example, referring to  FIG. 4A , at least angles α and β are acute relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150 . In the deformed state, shown in  FIG. 4B , angles α, β, γ, and θ of the gripping teeth  134   a - d , respectively, can become more acute and/or can become acute. For example, the angle α defined by the first gripping tooth  134   a  is more acute in the deformed state of the curtain hanger  100 ′ (shown in  FIG. 4B ) than in the undeformed state of the curtain hanger  100  (shown in  FIG. 4A ). As another example, the angle β of the second gripping tooth  134   b  is also more acute in the deformed state of the curtain hanger  100 ′ than in the undeformed state of the curtain hanger  100 . As another example, the angle γ of the third gripping tooth  134   c  is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the undeformed state of the curtain hanger  100  but is acute relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis. As a final example, the angle θ of the fourth gripping tooth  134   d  is an obtuse angle (i.e., more than ninety degrees) relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150  in both  FIGS. 4A and 4B . However, the angle θ is less obtuse (i.e., closer to being a perpendicular angle or an acute angle) in the deformed state of the curtain hanger  100 ′ shown in  FIG. 4B  than in the undeformed state of the curtain hanger  100  shown in  FIG. 4A . Further deformation of the curtain hanger  100  may cause the angle θ of the fourth gripping tooth  134   d  to become acute relative to the upward direction of the longitudinal axis  150 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a top portion of an aspect of a curtain for use with aspects of the curtain hanger  100 . The curtain includes a first panel of fabric  504  and a second panel of fabric  506 . The panels of fabric  504  and  506  can be stitched with thread to form pockets  502 . For example, a horizontal stitch  512  can define bottoms of the pockets. Also, vertical stitches  510  can define sides of the pockets  502  and pleats  508  between the pockets  502 . The pleats  508  can be formed, generally, by folding a portion of the panels  504  and  506  and sewing the stitches  510  through the folded panels  504  and  506 . The pockets  502  are generally open on top. For illustration purposes, the pockets  502  are shown with the panels  504  and  506  spaced apart. In various aspects, when two adjacent pleats  508  are pulled apart, the pocket  502  there between can become flat such that panels  504  and  506  lie against one another. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 9A , a curtain hanger  100  can be inserted into each pocket  502  of the curtain  500 .  FIG. 6A  illustrates an undeformed curtain hanger  100  and a deformed curtain hanger  100 ′. As shown, the undeformed curtain hanger  100  may include a dimension D that is slightly larger than a width W of the pocket  502 . The deformed curtain hanger  100 ′ may include a dimension d that is slightly smaller than the width W of the pocket  502 . In various instances, the curtain hanger  100 ′ can be deformed to a degree necessary to fit within pockets of different widths (block  902  of the method  900  shown in  FIG. 9A ). Referring now to  FIG. 6B , the deformed curtain hanger  100 ′, with its smaller dimension d, can be inserted into the pocket  502  between the panels  504  and  506  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of fabric (block  904  of  FIG. 9A ). For example, an installer can squeeze the grip portions  130  and/or tabs  132  (shown in  FIG. 1A ) of the curtain hanger  100  to deform it. While squeezing the grip potions  130  and/or tabs  132 , the installer can insert the deformed curtain hanger  100 ′ into the pocket  502  (see  FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6C , after the deformed curtain hanger  100 ′ is inserted into the pocket  502 , the grip portions  130  and/or tabs  132  can be released to allow the deformed curtain hanger  100 ′ to relax and expand toward the undeformed state  100  (block  906 ). As the deformed curtain hanger  100 ′ expands, some of the gripping teeth  134   a - d  can engage the vertical stitching  510  and the portions of fabric panels  504  and  506  that make up the pleats  508 . The engagement of (at least some of) the gripping teeth  134   a - d  with the vertical stitching  510  and/or the material of the pleats  508  can hold the curtain hanger  100  in place. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4A , the gripping teeth  134   a - d  can each be arranged at a different distance from the longitudinal axis such that each pair of teeth defines a different width for the curtain hanger  100 . For example, the first gripping teeth  134   a  of the wings  120  can define a first width W 1 . As another example, the second gripping teeth  134   b  of the wings  120  can define a second width W 2  that is less than the first width W 1 . As another example, the third gripping teeth  134   c  of the wings  120  can define a third width W 3  that is less than either the first width W 1  or the second width W 2 . As another example, the fourth gripping teeth  134   d  of the wings  120  can define a fourth width W 4  that is less than any of the first width W 1 , the second width W 2 , and the third width W 3 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4B , deformation of the curtain can cause the widths to be reduced by varying degrees. For example, in the deformed state of the curtain hanger  100 ′ shown in  FIG. 4B , the width defined by the first gripping teeth  134   a  of the wings  120  can be reduced to W 1 ′. However, the width defined by the second gripping teeth  134   b  of the wings  120  can be reduced to a lesser degree to a width W 2 ′ such that W 2 ′ is greater than W 1 ′. 
     If a deformed curtain hanger  100 ′ is installed into different pockets of different widths, the tooth or teeth  134   a - d  that engages the vertical threads and/or pleats of the pocket may depend on the width of the pocket. For example, if the pocket is of a width that is close to the width of the curtain hanger  100  in its undeformed state, then the first gripping tooth  134   a  is most likely to engage the vertical threads and/or pleats, although additional teeth (e.g., teeth  134   b ,  134   c , and  134   d ) may also engage the threads and/or pleats. As another example, if a pocket is significantly narrower than the width of the curtain hanger  100  in its undeformed state, then the deformed curtain hanger  100 ′ may not return to its fully undeformed state after it is inserted into the pocket and released. As a result, the first tooth  134   a  may not engage the vertical stitches and/or pleats of the pocket. Instead, referring again to  FIG. 4B , the second tooth  134   b  may engage the vertical stitches and/or pleats. By placing the teeth  134   a - d  at different widths, a single curtain hanger  100  design can be deformed to different degrees to engage pockets of different widths. 
     As described above, the teeth  134   a - d  of the curtain hanger include at least one tooth that is arranged at an acute angle relative to an upward direction of a longitudinal axis  150  of the curtain hanger  100 . As a result, the teeth with such an acute angle include an upward-facing component. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a single curtain hanger  100  installed in a curtain  500 . The curtain  500  can include a plurality of such curtain hangers  100  suspending the curtain  500  from a curtain rod, sliders  200 , or the like. As shown in  FIG. 7 , teeth  134   a  and  134   b  may be engaged with the vertical stitching  510  and/or the pleats  508  and include an upward-facing component. This upward-facing component of the teeth  134   a  and  134   b  may enable the curtain hanger  100  to more-strongly engage the vertical stitches  510  and/or pleats  508  on the sides of the pocket  502  when a force F 2  is applied to the curtain  500 . For example, someone may grab onto (and pull downwardly on) the curtain  500  for stability. The force F 2  is ultimately transmitted to the curtain rod or the sliders  200  through the curtain hangers  100 . The force F 2  can be transmitted from the curtain  500  to the teeth  134   a  and  134   b  that are engaged with the vertical stitches  510  and/or the pleats  508  of the curtain. Each tooth  134   a  and  134   b  may receive a fraction f of the force F 2  applied to the curtain. The forces f may pull the wings  120  of the curtain hanger  100  downwardly in the direction of arrows B. As a result, the teeth  134   a  and  134   b  shift outwardly in the direction of arrows C. This outward shift can cause the teeth  134   a  and  134   b  to engage (e.g., dig into) further into the vertical stitches  510  and/or the pleats  508 . Additionally, the unengaged teeth  134   c  and  134   d  may begin to engage the vertical stitches  510  and/or the pleats  508 . As a result, the teeth  134   a - d  may be more strongly engaged with the vertical stitches  510  and/or the pleats  508  of the curtain  500 , making it less likely that the curtain hangers  100  will break free from the pockets  502  when the force F 2  is applied to the curtain  500 . 
     As described above, in various aspects, the wings  120  of the curtain hanger  100  can include a first member  122  and a second member  124 . Having a plurality of members can inhibit twisting of the body  128  of each wing  120  when forces f are applied to the teeth  134   a - d . Referring again to  FIG. 7 , if the second member  124  is removed, when the force f is applied to the teeth  134   a - d , the body  128  may twist about the first member  122  and allow the teeth  134   a - d  to slip out of engagement with the vertical stitches  510  and/or the pleats  508 . Having a first member  122  and a second member  124  can reduce such twisting and keep the teeth  134   a - d  engaged with the vertical stitches  510  and/or pleats  508  when the force F 2  is applied. 
     In the event that too much force F 2  is applied to the curtain  500 , the curtain  500  may fail by vertical stitching  510  tearing. Such a failure may be readily repaired by repairing and/or replacing the broken vertical stitching  510 . 
     In various aspects, the curtain hanger may not be deformable. For example the wings of a curtain hanger may be attached to a neck of the curtain hanger by hinges so that the wings pivot about the hinges to move towards the neck (e.g., arrow A shown in  FIG. 1B ) or away from the neck (e.g., arrow B shown in  FIG. 7 ). The hinges can include springs or the like to bias the wings away from the neck. 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates a method  910  for removing a curtain hanger  100  from a curtain (e.g., curtain  500  shown in  FIG. 7 ). In block  912 , the wings  120  of the curtain hanger  100  are urged toward the suspension member  101 . This could be done, for example, by an operator reaching into a pocket (e.g., pocket  502 ) of the curtain with her fingers or an appropriate mechanical gripping tool and squeezing the grip portions  130 . In some instances, the curtain hanger  100  may be pushed into the pocket as the grip portions  130  are squeezed to enable the teeth  134   a - d  to disengage from the vertical stitches (e.g., vertical stitching  510 ) and/or the pleats (e.g., pleats  508 ) that form the pockets. Once the teeth  134   a - d  have disengaged from the stitches and/or pleats, in block  914 , the curtain hanger  100  can be removed from the pocket. In block  916 , the operator can then release the grip portions  130 , enabling the wings  120  to return to a position away from the suspension member  101 . 
     The descriptions of the various aspects of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the aspects disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described aspects. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the aspects, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the aspects disclosed herein. 
     While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present invention, other and further aspects of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.