Abstract:
A drapery mounting system comprised of a drapery rod member, a drapery hanger element, and a support member for the rod. The support member is positioned below and intermediate the respective opposed ends of the drapery rod. The support member includes a saddle, a support arm, and a retainer. The saddle is shaped to support a lower external portion of said drapery rod. The saddle extends laterally of the drapery rod for less than about the cross-sectional width of the rod to permit a drapery hanger to pass unimpeded over the saddle. The saddle element preferably has longitudinally opposed edges disposed along the drapery rod. The longitudinally opposed edges are generally convexly arcuate relative to a longitudinal axis of the drapery rod. The support and retention functions are separated. The saddle supports the rod and the retainer releasably retains the drapery rod in engagement with the saddle. A support arm supports from below the saddle. The drapery hanger is slidably supported on the drapery rod member for substantially unimpeded movement past the support member. The drapery hanger typically has a generally question mark shaped form including a hook portion with an open mouth and a depending leg portion, with the open mouth preferably being of sufficient width to pass the drapery rod member laterally therethrough.

Description:
RELEATED APPLICATION 
   Applicant claims the benefit of Provisional No. 60/490,673, filed Jul. 28, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates in general to methods and devices for pass through sliding drapery mounting systems, and, more particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to drapery rod mounting systems and associated drapery hangers that permit the hangers to directly engage and slide freely over securely mounted rods. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Conventional support systems for draperies typically include a horizontally extending rod and hangers or hooks that engage the drapery at a lower end and are supported on the rod at an upper end. Typically, the span of the drapes is such that the rod must be supported at its endpoints and in the middle. This mid section support prevents the mid section of the rod from bending downwardly under the weight of the drapes. Typically, the drapes need to be openable to permit light to enter the room. This requires that the hangers be free to move longitudinally over the rod to carry the drapes between open and closed positions. The intermediate support for the rod interferes with this longitudinal movement of the hanger along the rod. Certain expedients had been previously proposed to facilitate the movement of hooks or hangers relative to a supporting rod where the rod enjoys intermediate support. These include, for example, Bradley U.S. Pat. No. 2,538,755 (rotatable rod supported from below by bearings mounted in a support bracket, and curtain hooks engaging the top side of the rotatable rod through bias mounted rollers so that the curtain hooks are driven laterally of the rod as the rod rotates), and Bradley U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,923 (curtain rod suspended from above on hangers and “C” shaped bearing mounted curtain hooks traversably mounted open mouth up on the curtain rod). Silverman U.S. Pat. No. 2,320,308 proposes a sliding shower curtain hook on a rod, but shower curtains are generally short enough that the rod does not require the provision of any intermediate support. Where ornamental rods, particularly round rods, are employed to moveably support drapes, typical support systems employ torus shaped rings that fully encircle and slide over the rod. The drapes are hung from the lower sides of the rings. The intermediate rod supports prevent these rings from sliding axially of the rod past its midpoint mounting. The prior art devices and methods are not without their shortcomings. A major shortcoming of typical prior art devices and methods is that the structures were complicated and therefore expensive and difficult to make and install. For example, the provision and mounting of bearings on the hooks and rods greatly complicated the prior devices. The proposed expedients for mounting the rods were complicated and expensive to make, and required considerable skill and time to mount. The prior proposed expedients were prone to failure. For example, the failure of just one of a dozen or more bearings rendered the whole system inoperable. The expense associated with the production, installation, and maintenance of the prior art devices foreclosed their usage in many markets. 
   These and other difficulties of the prior art have been overcome according to the present invention. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been developed in response to the current state of the art, and in particular, in response to these and other problems and needs that have not been fully or completely solved by prior proposed expedients. Thus, it is an overall object of the present invention to effectively resolve at least the problems and shortcomings identified herein. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drapery mounting system that is simple, rugged, inexpensive and easy to install, and virtually maintenance free. It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a system wherein the rod is retained in a saddle. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a system wherein the rod mounting saddle and associated support arm are configured to facilitate the direct mounting to and sliding of the drapery hooks over it. 
   A preferred embodiment of the drapery mounting system according to the present invention comprises a drapery rod member, a drapery hanger element, and a support member for the rod. The support member includes a saddle, a support arm, and a retainer. The support member is positioned below and intermediate the respective opposed ends of the drapery rod. The saddle is shaped to support a lower external portion of said drapery rod. The saddle supports the rod and the retainer releasably retains the drapery rod in engagement with the saddle. The functions of support and retention are separated to facilitate the unimpeded longitudinal movement of the drapery hanger over the full length of and directly on the rod. The saddle extends laterally of the drapery rod for less than about the cross-sectional width of the rod to permit a drapery hanger to pass unimpeded over the saddle. The saddle element preferably has longitudinally opposed edges disposed along the drapery rod. The longitudinally opposed edges are preferably generally convexly arcuate relative to a longitudinal axis of the drapery rod. A support arm supports the saddle from below. The drapery hanger is directly and slidably supported on the drapery rod member for substantially unimpeded movement past the support member. The drapery hanger typically has, for example, a generally question mark shaped form including a hook portion with an open mouth and a depending leg portion, with the open mouth preferably being of sufficient width to pass the drapery rod member laterally therethrough. The depending leg is configured to mount and support a drape. The hook portion directly engages the rod. 
   To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment of a drapery mounting system that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary drapery mounting system is described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments shown and described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification or drawings. 
   Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention provides its benefits across a broad spectrum of drapery mounting systems. While the description which follows hereinafter is meant to be representative of a number of such applications, it is not exhaustive. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the basic apparatus taught herein can be readily adapted to many uses. This specification and the claims appended hereto should be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustrating the invention and its presently understood best mode only and not limitation: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein a drapery rod is supported and removably retained in a saddle, and a freely slidable question mark shaped hanger is directly mounted on the rod. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial side elevational view of a further preferred embodiment wherein the rod is square and the saddle upon which it is releasably retained presents a generally flat supporting surface for the rod. 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of an additional preferred embodiment wherein two generally parallel rods are removably support from below in saddles, and drapery hangers are freely slidably mounted directly on the respective rods. 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a further preferred embodiment of a rod-saddle-retainer system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the saddle depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment as installed with a plurality of supporting members removably supporting a drapery rod intermediate its ends in a plurality of specially shaped saddles. 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment wherein a hood is provided over the saddle region for decorative purposes and also to prevent the hanger from being dislodged upwardly, and a pin retainer engaged with the rod. 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 9  except that the retainer is in the form of a threaded fastener. 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  from which the rod has been removed to permit a clearer view of the saddle-retainer features. 
       FIG. 12  is an elevational view of the drapery hanger illustrated in  FIG. 1   
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of various embodiments of the invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way. The use of words and phrases herein with reference to specific embodiments is not intended to limit the meanings of such words and phrases to those specific embodiments. Words and phrases herein are intended to have their ordinary meanings, unless a specific definition is set forth at length herein. 
   Referring particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated generally at  10  a drapery mounting system that includes a mounting plate  12 , support arm  14 , and arm braces  16  and  18  that hold support arm  14  in a substantially rigid configuration with plate  12 . In this preferred embodiment support  14  includes an extremity that projects angularly upwardly and is supportingly affixed, for example, by welding, to a saddle element  22 . A retainer element in the form of pin  26  is affixed to and projects generally upwardly from saddle element  22 . A generally round drapery rod member  24  is adapted to be supported by saddle  22 . Saddle element  22  engages a lower exterior portion of drapery rod member  24 . Saddle element  22  serves to support the drapery rod  24 , but it does not serve to retain it against being accidentally dislodged. The draper rod is retained against accidental dislodgment by retainer  26 . Retainer  26  is releasably received in an opening in a lower portion of rod  24 . Disengaging rod  24  from retainer  26  requires that the rod be moved upwardly away from saddle  22  for a distance equal to the axial length of pin  26 . The non-retentive support provided by saddle  22  holds the rod against the pull of gravity, but generally not against the application of substantial lateral forces, particularly when applied with some upwardly directed vector. The saddle preferably conforms to the lower external portion of the rod to stabilize the rod but not to prevent it from being moved laterally upwardly for the purposes of disengagement from the saddle. That is, the rod is not threaded through the saddle in such a manner that it would have to be moved longitudinally to disassociate it from the saddle. The separation of the support and retention functions permits the arrangement of the assembly so that a drapery hanger element can be applied by moving it laterally of the rod  24  at substantially any location along the rod&#39;s length. The drapery hanger element, even though mounted directly on the rod, can be slidably moved along the rod past the support arm and the saddle without hanging up on either. To this end the drapery hanger, in the embodiment chosen for illustration ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  5 , and  12 ), comprises an open mouthed hook portion  33  with an open mouth region  31 . The region  35  within the hook portion  33  is adapted to directly slidably engage rod  24 . That is, there are no carriage members between region  35  and rod  24 . Open mouth  31  is adapted to allowing rod  24  to pass laterally therethrough into region  35 . Leg  30  depends from hook portion  33  and is adapted to receive a drapery mounting member in a lateral opening  32 . Although The drapery hanger can be dislodged from rod  24  by lateral movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the rod so that the rod passes out through open mouth, the weight of the drapery depending from leg  30  tends to hold the drapery hanger on the rod. When such disengagement is desired, it is a simple matter to lift the drapery hanger laterally away form the rod. The saddle  22  extends circumferentially around a lower portion of rod  24  just far enough to support the rod against gravity. The permissible circumferential extent of saddle  22  depends in part on the shape of the drapery hanger. The drapery hanger is preferably of such a size and form that it does not encounter the saddle or the support arm as it slides along the rod. The open mouth should slide longitudinally of the rod past the saddle and support arm. In some configurations because of the way a drapery is mounted or because the drapery is pulled somewhat laterally of the rod, the drapery hanger rotates around the rod and the axis  28  of the drapery hanger is tipped away form normal with the horizon. To accommodate this aberration the support arm preferably extends through approximately where the middle of the open mouth is with the axis  28  positioned normal to the horizon. Also, the opposed longitudinal extremities  37 ,  39 , and  43 ,  41 , respectively, of saddle  22  are arcuately convex relative to a longitudinal axis of the rod. Thus, if a drapery hanger is moved so far out of its normal position that it does touch the saddle, it will slide over the saddle without hanging up. Preferably, in the embodiment chosen for illustration, the normally vertical axis  28  of the drapery hanger extends through retainer pin  26  and leg  30  so that the weight of the drapery tends to prevent the rod from becoming accidentally dislodged from the rod  24 . As will readily occur to those skilled from these teachings, other arrangements and configurations are satisfactory. 
   With particular reference to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , a preferred embodiment is disclosed wherein a rectangular rod  34  is supported on its generally lower planar surface by a saddle  36  that has an upwardly facing generally planar surface. The supporting facial surface of the planar saddle extends no further than approximately equal with the width of the rod  34 . Pin  38  is engaged in a hole in the lower planar wall of rod  34  to retain the rod in engagement with saddle  36 . Support arm  40  holds saddle  36  in position. 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a preferred embodiment is illustrated wherein a saddle  58  supportingly conforms to less than approximately the bottom half of the circumference of rod  56 , and the retention function is provided by threaded fastener  60 . Fastener  60  is inserted through hole  64  in saddle  58  at a location that is convenient for installation and aesthetic purposes. Since there is a positive engagement and holding by the fastener of the rod to the saddle, it need not fall on a vertical axis of the system or on longitudinal axis  62  of saddle  58 . More than one fastener or a combination of fasteners and pins can be employed, if desired. Saddle  58  extends laterally for almost the cross-sectional width of rod  56 . If it were to extend conformingly for more than this cross-sectional width, the rod would have to be threaded longitudinally into the saddle. Also, there would very likely be some interference between the support member and any drapery hanger mounted thereon. The longitudinally opposed edges,  53 ,  55 , and  51 ,  57  of saddle  58  are arcuately convex along longitudinal axis  62  so as to not obstruct the longitudinal sliding of a drapery hanger along rod  56 . 
   With particular reference to the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5 , a double system with a first drapery mounting system  42  in tandem with a second drapery mounting system  44  is illustrated. Wall plate  46  holds both systems in place. Support arm  54  holds system  42 , and support arm  49  holds system  44 . Support arm  49  is mounted to support member  48  that arches over system  42 . Support member  48  serves to support system  44  and as a hood for system  42 . Support member  48  prevents drapery hanger  52 , in the region of support system  42 , from moving far enough laterally to disengage from the rod. 
   With particular reference to  FIG. 8 , a preferred embodiment is illustrated wherein a plurality of support members are disposed intermediate the opposed ends of rod  66 . Support arm  68  is welded at  76  to a saddle. A retainer pin  78  is fixed to and projects normally upwardly from the saddle into engagement with a mating hole in rod  66 . A threaded fastener  82  also further retains the rod  66  operably engaged with the saddle. The longitudinally opposed ends  72 ,  86  of the saddle are arcuately convex relative to a longitudinal axis of the rod  66  and the saddle. Likewise support arm  70  is welded to a saddle from which a retainer pin  80  projects, and threaded fastener  84  further retains the rod  66  in engagement with the saddle. The saddle and retainer can be integral with one another, or separate, as may be desired. The longitudinally opposed edges  74  and  80  of the saddle are arcuatly convex relative to the longitudinal axis along which a drapery hanger mounted on rod  66  would slide. 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , a preferred embodiment is illustrated in which a rod  96  is retained in a saddle  94  by either a pin  98  ( FIG. 9 ) or a threaded fastener  93  ( FIG. 10 ). A hood  90  is provided to prevent a drapery hanger from being dislodged from engagement with rod  96  in the region of the support member. Arm  92  serves to support Saddle  94 . Hood  90  is illustrated as being mounted on arm  92  by way of a nut and bolt  100  through hole  104 . Other forms of fastening, such as, for example, welding or the like would serve as well. Likewise, screw  102  through hole  106  is illustrated as mounting the assembly to a wall although other forms of mounting to a supporting structure, such as, for example, adhesive, or the like would serve as well. The saddle  94  is illustrated in  FIG. 11  as having square corners on longitudinally opposed ends. This illustrates why sharp corners on the saddle might cause a drapery hanger to hang up as it passes over them, and is a usable although generally less preferred form of the invention. 
   The saddles are conveniently manufactured, for example, by forming round disks from flat metal stock and then bending them until they generally conform to the shape of the rod they are intended to support. The saddles should generally extend for less than one half of the circumference of the associated rod so that the rod can be disengaged from the saddle by lateral movement. Where the rod is rectangular the saddle can generally extend for more than one-half of the circumference without causing the drapery hanger element to hang on it. Such forms of the saddle are encompassed within the present invention. Reducing the circumferential extent of the saddle to less than three-eighths, or one-third, or even one quarter of the circumference of the rod leaves the supporting function of the saddle unimpaired, and minimizes the risk of interference between the drapery hanger and the support member. The aesthetics of the system are also generally improved by minimizing the circumferential extent of the saddle. The hood elements, when present, serve to conceal the support members, thus improving the aesthetic aspects of the invention. 
   The drapery mounting system according to the present invention consists of simple components that are easy to make and install, and which require no maintenance. When disassembly is required, it is easily accomplished without the use of other than conventional and readily available hand tools. Where a retainer pin is used without a threaded fastener, no tools are required. Two simple retention mechanisms have been illustrated, but other mounting devices will occur to those skilled in the art from a consideration of these teachings. Various rod forms have been illustrated. Other forms are readily available and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these other forms are usable following the teachings of the present invention. The rods can be, for example, arcuate along a longitudinal axis, and oval or otherwise in cross-section, and the like. 
   As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various saddle forms are suitable for use according to the present invention. In the embodiments chosen for the purposes of illustration, the saddle elements generally have some significant lateral and longitudinal extent so as to provide an area of contact with the rod. This is not necessary. Saddle elements that make no more than point or line contact with the rod member serve the necessary support function, but are less preferred. Thus, for example, the upper end of arm  92 , without saddle element  94 , would make line contact with the rod and serve to support the rod in place. In general, a saddle element that makes only point or line contact is less preferred because the engagement is not so secure and it may feel wobbly or unstable to the user unless two or more line or point contacts are provided. 
   The support mechanism is external to the rod. Thus, no complicated assembly to the rod is required. At most, the drilling of a hole to accept a retainer element is required on the part of the installer. The drapery hanger is permitted to slide unimpeded from one end of the rod to the other although the rod may be supported at several intermediate locations between the opposed ends of the rod. The form of the drapery hanger is such that it will slide substantially unimpeded past the support arm and saddle. Preferably, but not necessarily, for purposes of quickly and easily removing and installing drapery, the form of the drapery hanger is such that it can be removed laterally from the rod. Other than that, the form of the drapery hanger is not limited. The material of construction is typically metal because of its durability, although durable plastics can be used, if desired. 
   Typically, during installation, the support members are mounted to a wall, and the rod is placed on the support members. Holes are drilled in the rod for the retainer elements as needed. The saddle can be pre-drilled or drilled at the same time if desired. The retainers are installed. The drapery hangers are mounted to the drapes, and the drapery hangers are preferably hung on the rods by inserting them laterally over the rods. If desired, the drapery hangers can be mounted to the rod by sliding them longitudinally from one end of the rod. No drapery traversing mechanism is used because,. without more, the drapery hangers will slide in direct contact with and longitudinally of the rod for the full length of the rod. End stops, typically ornamental, can be applied to prevent the drapery hangers from sliding off the ends of the rod. 
   What have been described are preferred embodiments in which modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the-above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.