Abstract:
A curtain cutting aid includes a curtain holder including two hollow holder blocks arranged in parallel and defining therein a respective insertion space in communication with each other for a insertion of a curtain, a bearing plate connected between the two hollow holder blocks and a cutting groove defining between the two hollow holder blocks for the insertion of a cutter to cut off the inserted curtain, and a stop rod selectively and detachably mounted in the insertion space of one of the two hollow holder blocks to stop the inserted curtain in place for cutting. Thus, the curtain cutting aid can effectively enhance the convenience and precision of the cutting operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to curtain cutting equipment, and more particularly to a curtain cutting aid. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Commercial curtains are available in fixed sizes. Therefore, one curtain is suitable for one particular size of window. However, in recent years, in order to beautify the appearance of buildings, builders will usually design windows in special sizes, making the situation that curtains purchased from the market will not be applicable. At this time, custom made curtains are needed to fit these special window sizes. But this way will inevitably lead to increased costs. 
         [0005]    For cost considerations, the current practice is to cut the curtain in accordance with the desired window size. However, if directly cutting the curtain without holding the curtain positively in position, a user or even a well-trained person cannot get a flat cut, and the overall appearance of the curtain can be damaged easily. Further, it is difficult to accurately control the cutting size in this cutting manner. Using a vise or other fixation tool to hold down the curtain in place for cutting can enhance the convenience of the cutting operation. However, applying an excessive clamping force to the curtain can cause deformation of the curtain. This will also cause a certain degree of impact on the overall appearance of the curtain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present to provide a curtain cutting aid, which greatly enhances the convenience and precision of the cutting work, and effectively maintains the smoothness of the appearance of the curtain. 
         [0007]    To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a curtain cutting aid of the invention comprises a curtain holder and a stop rod. The curtain holder comprises two hollow holder blocks and a bearing plate. The two hollow holder blocks each define therein an insertion space. The two hollow holder blocks are arranged in parallel, keeping the insertion spaces thereof in communication with each other for the insertion of a curtain. Further, a cutting groove is defined between the two hollow holder blocks for the insertion of a cutter to cut off the insertion curtain. The bearing plate is connected between the two hollow holder blocks and facing toward the cutting groove for receiving the cutter. The stop rod is selectively and detachably mounted in the insertion space of one of the two hollow holder blocks to stop the inserted curtain in place for cutting. 
         [0008]    Preferably, each hollow holder block of the curtain holder further comprises a plurality of through holes symmetrically disposed at two opposite sides thereof; the stop rod comprises at least one rod portion respectively and selectively inserted through the through holes of one hollow holder block and the insertion space of the respective hollow holder block to stop the inserted curtain positively in place. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the curtain holder further comprises at least one positioning device mounted in one sidewall of one of the hollow holder blocks for holding down the inserted curtain in place for cutting in a stable manner. 
         [0010]    Preferably, two guide devices are provided in one sidewall of each hollow holder block of the curtain holder at different elevations for guiding the insertion of the curtain into the curtain holder for cutting. 
         [0011]    Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an oblique top elevational view of a curtain cutting aid in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the curtain cutting aid in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the curtain holder of the curtain cutting aid in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the curtain cutting aid in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a sectional top view of a curtain cutting aid in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of the curtain cutting aid in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the handle moved down. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 6 , illustrating the handle moved up. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a sectional top view of a curtain cutting aid in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a curtain cutting aid  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown. As illustrated, the curtain cutting aid  10  comprises a curtain holder  20  and a stop rod  30 . 
         [0021]    Referring also to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the curtain holder  20  comprises two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  arranged in parallel. Each hollow holder block  21   a  or  21   b  comprises a top wall  22 , a bottom wall  23  opposite to the top wall  22 , a first sidewall  24  connected between the top wall  22  and the bottom wall  23  at one side, and a second sidewall  25  connected between the top wall  22  and the bottom wall  23  opposite to the first sidewall  24 . Thus, the top wall  22 , bottom wall  23 , first sidewall  24  and second sidewall  25  of each of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  define an insertion space  26 . The two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  are arranged in parallel and disposed close to each other, and therefore the insertion spaces  26  of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  are disposed in communication with each other for the insertion of a curtain  12 . For guiding the curtain  12  into the insertion spaces  26  of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  smoothly, two guide devices  252  are located at the second sidewall  25  of each of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  at different elevations and projecting in direction toward the opposite first sidewall  24 . Further, two rows of first through holes  242  are formed in the first sidewall  24  of each of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  at different elevations; two rows of second through holes  254  are formed in the second sidewall  25  of each of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  at different elevations and in a symmetrical manner relative to the two rows of first through holes  242 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3  again, the curtain holder  20  further comprises a metal bearing plate  27  connected between the bottom walls  23  of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b.  Thus, a cutting groove  28  is defined between the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  for the insertion of a cutter (not shown) to cut the inserted curtain  12 . Further, the bearing plate  27  defines therein a receiving groove  272  in communication with the cutting groove  28  for receiving the cutter that cut off the curtain  12 . 
         [0023]    The stop rod  30  comprises two rod portions  32  disposed in parallel, and a connection portion  34  connected between the two rod portions  32 . During application, the stop rod  30  is fastened to one of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  by inserting the two rod portions  32  through respective ones of two rows of second through holes  254  and the insertion space  26  into respective ones of the associating two rows of first through holes  242 . After installation of the stop rod  30  in the hollow holder block  21   a  or  21   b,  the two rod portions  32  suspend between the first sidewall  24  and second sidewall  25  of the hollow holder block  21   a  or  21   b,  providing a stoppage effect. 
         [0024]    In order to enhance the effect of keeping the curtain  12  in position, the first sidewall  24  of each of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  of the curtain holder  20  is configured to provide an elongated slot  244  in communication with the insertion space  26  and a first sloping surface  246  facing toward the insertion space  26  (see  FIG. 4 ). The curtain holder  20  further comprises two positioning devices  40  respectively mounted in the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b.  Each positioning device  40  comprises an operating member  41  and a positioning plate  42 . The operating member  41  is mounted in and movable along the elongated slot  244 . The positioning plate  42  is connected to the operating member  41  and suspended in the insertion space  26 . Further, the positioning plate  42  has a second sloping surface  421  located at one side thereof and abutted against the first sloping surface  246 , and an arched positioning surface  423  located at an opposite side thereof. 
         [0025]    When going to cut the curtain  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , insert the two rod portions  32  of the stop rod  30  through selected first through holes  242  and second through holes  254  of the hollow holder block  21   a,  enabling the desired cutting length of the curtain  12  to be approximately equal to the distance between the cutting groove  28  and the rod portions  32  of the stop rod  30 . Thereafter, insert one end of the curtain  12  along the two guide devices  252  of the hollow holder block  21   b  through the insertion space  26  of the hollow holder block  21   b  and the cutting groove  28  into the insertion space  26  of the hollow holder block  21   a  till that the curtain  12  is stopped against the rod portions  32  of the stop rod  30 , and then, depending on the actual situation, operate the operating member  41  of one or each of the two positioning devices  40  to move the respective positioning plate  42  along the associating elongated slot  244  to adjust the position of the associating positioning plate  42 . When moving the positioning plate  42 , subject to mating between the first sloping surface  246  of the first sidewall  24  of the hollow holder block  21   b  and the second sloping surface  421  of the positioning plate  42 , the arched positioning surface  423  of the positioning plate  42  can be tightly abutted against one lateral side of the curtain  12 , holding the curtain  12  positively in position. At this time, a cutter (not shown) can be used and inserted into the cutting groove  28  to cut off the curtain  12 . After cutting, release the positioning of the positioning plate  42  for allowing removal of the curtain  12  from the curtain holder  20 , and then adjust the position of the stop rod  30  for allowing cutting of the other end of the curtain  12  to assure a symmetric outer appearance of the curtain  12 . It&#39;s worth mentioning that, in order to prevent sliding of the curtain holder  20  when cutting the curtain  12 , anti-slip pads  29  can be adhered to the bottom surface of the bottom walls  23  of the two hollow holder blocks  21   a  and  21   b  to provide the curtain holder  20  with an anti-slip effect. 
         [0026]    Further, it is to be noted that the structure of the curtain holder can be modified to match with different positioning devices. In an alternate form of the curtain cutting aid shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the first sidewall  52  of each of the two hollow holder blocks  51   a  and  51   b  of the curtain holder  50  is configured to provide two pivot lugs  54 , and an axle hole  56  spaced between the two pivot lugs  54  in communication with the insertion space  55 ; the positioning device  60  comprises a pivot  61  rotatably coupled between the pivot lugs  54 , a handle  62  connected to two opposite ends of the pivot  61 , an eccentric cam  63  fixedly mounted around the pivot  61  between the two pivot lugs  54 , a positioning plate  65  suspending in the insertion space  55 , and a linking axle  64  that has one end thereof loosely coupled to the eccentric cam  63  and an opposite end thereof inserted through the axle hole  56  into the insertion space  55  and connected with the positioning plate  65 . Thus, moving the handle  62  upward causes the pivot  61  to rotate the eccentric cam  63  synchronously, and the linking axle  64  will be forced forward subject to the eccentric relationship between the eccentric cam  63  and the pivot  61 , forcing the positioning plate  65  into abutment against the curtain  12  tightly. On the contrary, when moving the handle  62  downward, the eccentric cam  63  will be driven by the handle  62  to move the linking axle  64  backward, releasing the positioning plate  65  from the curtain  12 . 
         [0027]    In another alternate form of the curtain cutting aid shown in  FIG. 8 , the first sidewall  72  of each of the two hollow holder blocks  71   a  and  71   b  of the curtain holder  70  is configured to provide a screw hole  76  in communication with the insertion space  74 ; the positioning device  80  comprises a torx screw  81  and a positioning plate  82 . The torx screw  81  comprises a torx head  812  and a threaded shank  814 . The threaded shank  814  is threaded into the screw hole  76 , having its one end fixedly connected to the torx head  812  and its other end inserted into the inside of the insertion space  74  and connected with the positioning plate  82 . Thus, rotating the torx screw  81  in one direction can force the positioning plate  82  to hold down the curtain  12 . On the contrary, rotating the torx screw  81  in the other direction can release the positioning plate  82  from the curtain  12 . 
         [0028]    In conclusion, the curtain cutting aid  10  of the present invention can hold down the curtain  12  positively in position without damaging the structure of the curtain  12 , allowing the user to cut off the curtain  12  easily and steadily, enhancing the convenience and precision of the cutting work and maintaining the smoothness of the appearance of the curtain.