Patent Publication Number: US-10307007-B2

Title: Arrangement for dispensing curtains

Description:
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/494,041 filed Jul. 25, 2016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an arrangement for dispensing curtains. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a curtain dispenser that enables a user to easily hang a curtain, remove a used curtain and readily dispense a new curtain from the cavity of an extendable tube. 
     The conventional curtain arrangements that are present in the marketplace do not provide a function where a pre-wrapped curtain with hanging elements is drawn in a downward position from the release cavity of a circular tube and with spreading means to cover a space where privacy is desired. This unique functioning of the present invention is useful for providing a quick and expedient method for mounting a curtain and subsequently dispensing a new curtain as desired. Multiple curtains can be stored individually within the extendable tube, thereby saving time and simplifying the task of changing a curtain. This invention provides for sufficient coverage in any space by easily adjusting the extendable tube. 
     It is a well-known custom to rinse out or wash curtains after extended use and waiting for the curtain to dry before rehanging. The inventive concept of the present invention provides for a quick removal of a used curtain and an instant replacement of a fresh and unused curtain. 
     The installation of curtains between adjacent walls or atypical spaces is traditionally not a simple procedure and is often time consuming. Mounting with tension rods or mounted rods often requires changing established instructions to suit the specific needs of the user. Achieving proper suspension from these rods being mounted to ceilings, window frames or the like can produce additional frustration. A user might often require additional measuring in order to ensure that the curtain is properly placed and hangs as desired. These elements combined provide for a laborious and unsafe hanging process. 
     The present invention helps to overcome the problems associated with hanging and replacing a curtain by providing an arrangement for dispensing curtains that is convenient to use and mainly addressing the problems of hooking and unhooking a curtain. 
     This new arrangement eliminates the need for hanging, hooking or laying out the curtain by providing a curtain that is held in a wrapped and pre-assembled configuration within an extendable tube. The curtain is ready to use within seconds by releasing the curtain inside a sliding rail arrangement and spreading the curtain with pre-attached circular balls. This arrangement allows a user to conveniently mount a curtain without additional steps, hooks or tooling. The extendable tube and mating rods aid the installer in positioning the arrangement to the pre-mounted end caps that are adapted to mount as suction cups on a wall surface. This feature in combination with the extendable arrangement and releasable curtains makes the invention easy to install and use. 
     Rehanging of a previously discharged and washed curtain is an equally expedient process. The arrangement is removed from the mounted position and a pre-filled cartridge is inserted into the extendable tube by a sliding engagement with the mating rod. The entire arrangement can be removed from the wall and transported away by compressing the extendable tube longitudinally away from the end caps. 
     Long-term exposure to water, dust and other elements are obvious problems for curtains hung in showers, damp areas, or places that utilize a curtain for a long-term privacy solution. These are ideal conditions for breeding germs and causes fabric deterioration, shrinkage, discoloration, molds, spotting and foul odors. This new arrangement for dispensing curtains features ventilation openings being embedded on top of the extendable tube. The ventilation openings facilitate the rapid drying of the fabric and odors are released. 
     This invention is especially helpful for people who suffer from chronic pain or have limited dexterity. These individuals would prefer an easy method of replacing a curtain arrangement. The mating rods are quickly removed to roll the used curtain out of the sliding rail. A new tab can be quickly released to expose and spread a new curtain. 
     The arrangement is low-cost, easy to manufacture, easy to assemble and provide for a quick and expedient manner for changing a curtain. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages associated with hanging curtains, an improved arrangement for dispensing curtains is presented. As such, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a new and improved arrangement for dispensing curtains with an extendable tube that extends between opposing walls. The extendable tube being a housing device for mating rods with proximal ends that extend inside an extendable tube, holds a plurality of cartridges and dispenses pre-assembled curtains. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for dispensing a curtain that is easy to install. The extendable tube and at least one pre-filled cartridge with a mating rod thereon is suctioned or releasably connected to adjacent walls. Guide tabs are used to dispense the curtain that is housed in a wrapped configuration on the cartridge. Circular balls spread along the sliding tracks of the extendable tube as the curtain is released. The user can then spread the curtain as desired. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for dispensing curtains that makes it easy and convenient to mount a curtain. The mating rods are removed and a new cartridge is placed in the release cavity of the extendable tube. The user then uses the guide piece to release the curtain and to extend the curtain across the sliding track. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a curtain dispenser that has ventilation openings serving as exit points for humidity and heat within the extendable tube. They provide for the removal of heat, water and humidity from the inside of the extendable tube. This allows the curtains to dry after use or to remove any accidental spillage of water into the device. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a curtain dispenser that is easy to adjust and reuse in a different setting or surface arrangement. The arrangement can be shortened or lengthened by sliding the extendable tube in cooperation with the mating rods longitudinally towards or away from the outer walls of the extendable tube and the proximal ends. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a curtain dispenser that dispenses a plurality of pre-assembled curtains that are housed in a wrapped configuration in individual cartridges. The themed curtain can be selected as needed by the user. 
     Henceforth, a new and improved arrangement for dispensing curtains with an extendable tube, mating rods and cartridges is presented. This invention utilizes and combines known technologies in a new configuration in order to overcome a long felt need in the art. 
     Additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary representation of the materials needed to practice the invention as claimed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway view of the extendable tube. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a plurality of cartridges. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an extendable tube with a guide piece being exposed. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an extendable tube with a wrapped curtain being extended. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an extendable tube with a curtain being extended along a sliding track. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention derives from the long-standing recognition that the tradition of installing and removing curtains is a time-consuming and laborious process. The present invention provides advantageous features for an arrangement of dispensing curtains and provides relief for users who desire a quick and easy installation or removal of a curtain. The arrangement employs an adjustable device that is easy to install and is adjusted based on the user&#39;s need to dispense, remove or rehang a curtain. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-6  of the attached drawings, the invention employs an arrangement  10  for dispensing a curtain  16  between adjacent surfaces with end caps  12  being mounted on each end of the arrangement  10 . An extendable tube  14  is used for dispensing a curtain  16  with attached circular balls  18  and a guide piece  22  that extend between opposing surfaces. The extendable tube  14  is a housing device for mating rods  24  with proximal ends  26  that extend inside the extendable tube  14  and a plurality of cartridges  28  for dispensing the curtain  16  that is housed in a wrapped configuration in the cartridge  28 . 
     The extendable tube  14  has a top section  32 , a bottom section  34 , a sliding track  36 , a release cavity  38 , outer walls  42 , end caps  12  and ventilation openings  46 . The top section  32  of the extendable tube  14  has a generally circular interior. The end caps  12  are releasably connected to the outer walls  42  of the extendable tube  14  and the sliding track  36  is attached to the bottom section  34  of the extendable tube. The sliding track  36  has a generally rectangular configuration and is aligned in a parallel configuration to the top section  32  of the extendable tube  14 . The release cavity  38  provides for the quick release of the circular balls  18  into the sliding track  36  and the spreading of the curtain  16  through the sliding track  36 . The outer walls  42  of the extendable tube have circular openings  48  for receiving the mating rods  24 . The outer walls  42  function as receiving elements for the mating rods  24 . The mating rods  24  can be connected to said circular openings by screwing, force fitting, extension towards said end caps  12 , and by utilizing additional methods of connecting a rod to a vertical plane. 
     The ventilation openings  46  are exit points for humidity and heat within the extendable tube  14 . They provide for the removal of heat, water and humidity from the inside of the extendable tube  14  and allow the curtains to dry after use. The ventilation openings  46  provide positive pressure ventilation when used in tandem with the existing openings along the sliding track  36 . 
     The mating rods  24  extend through said cartridges  28  and allow for their independent rotation. The mating rods  24  are in parallel configuration with the extendable tube  14 . The cartridges  28  are loosely held within the extendable tube  14  and are held in parallel configuration with the extendable tube  14  and the mating rods  24 . The mating rods  24  and the cartridges  28  do not collide with the release cavity  38  or other areas of the extendable tube  14 . The cartridges  28  conform to the general shape of the release cavity  38  and prevent entanglement or of the curtain  16  during storage and while extracting the curtain  16  therefrom. 
     The curtain  16  has circular balls  18  and a guide piece  22  that is attached thereon. For dispensing purposes, the guide piece  22  can be tongues, ropes, pins, ties, studs or any similar guide to aid in the removal of the curtain  16 . The curtain  16  is sufficiently sized to easily pull away from the cartridge  28  when the guide piece  22  is pulled. The curtain  16  is released by slightly pulling the guide piece  22  until the curtain  16  travels downwardly through the sliding track  36 . The sliding track  36  catches and supports the circular balls  18  once the curtain  16  is released and thereby causing the circular balls  18  to spread within the sliding track  36 . 
     The arrangement  10  can be shortened or lengthened by sliding the extendable tube  14  and the mating rods  24  longitudinally towards or away from the outer walls  42  of the extendable tube  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the curtain  16  is dispensed as the guide piece  22  is drawn downwardly. The guide piece  22  is then used to extend the curtain  16  across the sliding track  36 . The cartridge  28  rolls around the mating rods  24  and is prevented from dropping into the release cavity  38  as the curtain  16  is drawn downwardly and moved across the sliding track  36 . 
     The arrangement  10  can hold a plurality of cartridges  28  and is adapted to dispense a plurality of themed curtains  16  that can be selected as needed based on the celebratory needs of the user. The themes can include Halloween, religious celebrations, Thanksgiving, birthdays, university emblems, patriotic symbols and various other types of celebratory or decorative themes. 
     Manufacturing of the arrangement  10  and in particular both the extendable tube  14  and the mating rods  24  can be simplified by making these elements the same length. The cartridge  28  can be constructed in various sizes and utilize additional retaining elements to facilitate a quick release of the curtains  16  and prevent entanglement of the curtain  16  when not in use. The extendable tube  14 , mating rods  24  and circular balls  18  of the present invention may be constructed from stainless steel, molded plastic, iron, plated brass, or any other rigid material. Thermoplastic synthetic materials would also provide a smoother surface to allow the frictionless movement of the cartridges  28 , circular balls  18 , and mating rods  24 . The material used to produce the curtain will depend on the use of the arrangement. For example, wrinkle free fabrics can be used to dispense curtains in a formal setting while a plastic material could be used in a shower. 
     Various types of fabrics can be used to manufacture the curtains  16 . These include netting fabrics, silk, wool, flax, hemp, cotton, plastic, woven and non-woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, technical fabrics (such as Gore-Tex® and Gannex®) and fabrics consisting of natural or artificial fibers. This invention can be used as curtains  16  in an open room arrangement, window box coverings, showers, dormitories, hotels, hospitals, and nursing homes, airplanes or as a hanging arrangement in any location where privacy is desired. 
     Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown to illustrate the principles of the invention, it should be clear that many modifications can be made that do not depart from these principles and therefore this invention should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.