Patent Publication Number: US-2022218140-A1

Title: Room Darkening Curtain System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/115,077, filed Nov. 18, 2020, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to curtain rod systems, and in particular, to room darkening curtain rod systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Curtain rods are often mounted along the top portion of a window. One or more curtains are attached to the curtain rod such that they can be drawn along the length of the rod. The curtains may be drawn to cover the window to inhibit those outside the window from seeing inside and/or to reduce the amount of light entering a room. A shortcoming exists in that curtains permit too much light to enter a room. 
     Room darkening curtains have been used to reduce the amount of light entering a room. Darkening curtains are heavier than non-darkening curtains, often containing additional layers of fabric, a foam backing, or thicker fabrics than non-darkening curtains. 
     Some curtain rod systems include an inner rod and an outer rod. A drape or curtain is hung from the outer rod and a sheer is hung from the inner rod. Other curtain rods include a rod that is curved at either end such that a curtain attached to the rod may be brought into contact with the wall on either side of the window. However, when drawn to cover the window, these curtains still permit light to enter a room through the top of the curtain rod systems as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a prior art curtain rod system permitting light to enter a room around the top and sides of a curtain; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an end portion of a room darkening curtain rod system; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top perspective view of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2  shown without the curtain; 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom perspective view of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a bottom perspective view of a mounting plate of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top perspective view of the mounting plate of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a rear perspective view of the mounting plate of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4D  is a front elevation view of the mounting plate of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4E  is a top plan view of the mounting plate of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4F  is a side elevation view of the mounting plate of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top perspective view of a left rods support bracket of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a bottom perspective view of the left rods support bracket of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a top plan view of the left rods support bracket of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5D  is a front elevation view of the left rods support bracket of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5E  is a side elevation view of the left rods support bracket of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5F  is a bottom plan view of the left rods support bracket of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of a right rods support bracket of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a front elevation view of the right rods support bracket of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a side elevation view of the right rods support bracket of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6D  is a bottom plan view of the right rods support bracket of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a left drape connection rod connector of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a front elevation view of the left drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross-section view of the left drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 7A  taken along lines  7 C- 7 C of  FIG. 7B ; 
         FIG. 7D  is a side elevation view of the left drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7E  is a bottom plan view of the left drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7F  is a cross-section view of a left drape connection rod connector of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2  according to a second embodiment taken similarly to that shown in  FIG. 7C ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a right drape connection rod connector of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front elevation view of the right drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  is a cross-section view of the right drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 8A  taken along lines  8 C- 8 C of  FIG. 8B ; 
         FIG. 8D  is a side elevation view of the right drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8E  is a bottom plan view of the right drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8F  is a cross-section view of a right drape connection rod connector of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2  according to a second embodiment taken similarly to that shown in  FIG. 8C ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded cross-section view of a drape connection rod, the left drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 7A , and the right drape connection rod connector of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a top plan view of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10B  is a top plan view of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 10A  shown in an expanded configuration; 
         FIG. 11A  is a top plan view of a curtain rod system according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of the curtain rod system of  FIG. 11A  shown in an expanded configuration; 
         FIG. 12A  is a side elevation view of a center rods support bracket; 
         FIG. 12B  is a top plan view of the center rods support bracket of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a rear elevation view of the center rods support bracket of  FIG. 12A ; and 
         FIGS. 13A-D  show example steps for assembling the curtain rod systems of  FIGS. 2 and 11A -B. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Regarding  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a conventional curtain rod system  20 . The curtain rod system  20  includes a rod  22  and curtains  24  attached to the rod  22 . The curtain rod system  20  permits sidelight  26  and top light  28  to enter the room on the top and sides of the curtain rod system  20 . 
     With respect to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a curtain rod system  100  that blocks sidelight and top light from entering a room. The curtain rod system  100  includes a drape connection rod  102  and a drape support rod  104 . The drape connection rod  102  is positioned closer to the wall or window to which the curtain rod system  100  is mounted than the drape support rod  104 . A drape or curtain  106  is attached to the drape connection rod  102 . The drape  106  may include a sleeve or pocket along an end through which the drape connection rod  102  extends for attaching or anchoring the drape  106  to the drape connection rod  102 . The top edge of the drape  106  may include a hem or edge portion along the sleeve or pocket that extends toward the wall from the pocket of the drape  106  when the curtain rod system  100  is assembled. The drape  106  may be attached to the drape connection rod  102  such that the drape  106  may be slid along the length of the drape connection rod  102  to cover or uncover the window with which the curtain rod system  100  is associated. The drape  106  is laid over the drape support rod  104 . Where the drape  106  includes a top edge portion above the pocket, laying the drape  106  over the drape support rod  104  may orient the top edge portion of the drape  106  to point horizontally towards the wall, which may reduce or eliminate any gap between the drape  106  and the wall or window frame. The end of the drape  106  opposite the end attached to the drape connection rod  102  may hang substantially vertically from the drape support rod  104 . The drape  106  thus covers the gap between the drape connection rod  102  and the drape support rod  104 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the drape  106  is shown to be transparent or partially see-through. In other embodiments, the drape  106  may be made of an opaque material to prevent most if not all light from passing through the drape  106 . The drape  106 , for example, may be made of a darkening fabric, such as those used in room darkening or blackout curtains. The use of a drape  106  made from a darkening fabric may reduce the amount of light that enters the room through the drape  106 , reduce the amount of noise from entering the room from the outside, and/or aid in preventing heat from entering or exiting the room through the window. Room darkening curtains are made in a variety of forms. In one form, room darkening curtains include a fabric layer with a rubberized layer applied to the back of the fabric. In another form, the room darkening curtains are formed from a single-layer woven fabric that includes black warp yarns. In yet another form, the room darkening curtains include multiple layers of fabric. Where multiple layers of fabric are used, the fabric may include multiple layers sewn together, with one or more layers made of a woven fabric that may include light-blocking warp yarns. The room darkening curtains may also include a polymer layer to block 100% of the light from passing through the curtain. 
     Due to the increase in layers and/or material used to create room darkening curtains, room darkening curtains weigh substantially more than traditional non-darkening curtains. The table below provides examples of the weight differences measured between room darkening curtains that include a darkening component (e.g., a lining layer or foam panel) and non-darkening curtains made of the same fabric type without the darkening component. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Curtain Weight Comparison 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Facing Fabric 
                 Darkening 
                 Total 
                 % 
               
               
                   
                 Panel 
                 Weight 
                 Component  
                 Weight 
                 weight 
               
               
                 Fabric Type 
                 Size 
                 (grams) 
                 Weight (grams) 
                 (grams) 
                 increase 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 38″ × 84″ 
                 450 
                 250 (includes liner 
                 700 
                 56 
               
               
                 (Soho) 
                   
                   
                 with a weight of 135 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 38″ × 84″ 
                 450 
                 0 (no liner) 
                 450 
                   
               
               
                 (Soho) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Faux Silk (Belle) 
                 38″ × 84″ 
                 200 
                 250 (includes liner with  
                 450 
                 125 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 a weight of 135 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Faux Silk (Belle) 
                 38″ × 84″ 
                 200 
                 0 (no liner) 
                 200 
                   
               
               
                 Faux Linen 
                 38″ × 84″ 
                 550 
                 300 (includes liner with  
                 850 
                 55 
               
               
                 (Jeffrey) 
                   
                   
                 a weight of 135 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Faux Linen 
                 38″ × 84″ 
                 550 
                 0 (no liner) 
                 550 
                   
               
               
                 (Jeffrey) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 347 
                 340 (includes foamback  
                 687 
                 98 
               
               
                 (Aster) 
                   
                   
                 panel with a weight of  
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 290 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 347 
                 0 (no foamback panel) 
                 347 
                   
               
               
                 (Aster) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 302 
                 340 (includes foamback  
                 642 
                 112.6 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 panel with a weight of  
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 270 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 302 
                 0 (no foamback panel) 
                 302 
                   
               
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 275 
                 339 (includes foamback 
                 614 
                 123.3 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 panel with a weight of  
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 258 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Jacquard Fabric 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 275 
                 0 (no foamback panel) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Woven Jacquard 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 404 
                 169 (includes black 
                 573 
                 41.8 
               
               
                 (Clair) 
                   
                   
                 room darkening yarn 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 for a weight of 230 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Woven Jacquard 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 404 
                 0 (no black room 
                 404 
                   
               
               
                 (Clair) 
                   
                   
                 darkening yarn) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Woven Jacquard 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 385 
                 173 (includes black 
                 558 
                 44.9 
               
               
                 (Wyatt) 
                   
                   
                 room darkening yarn 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 for a weight of 240 gsm) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Woven Jacquard 
                 37″ × 84″ 
                 385 
                 0 (no black room 
                 385 
                   
               
               
                 (Wyatt) 
                   
                   
                 darkening yarn) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As shown in Table  1 , the room darkening curtains, (i.e., those with liners, foamback panels, or black room darkening yarn) are substantially heavier than their non-room darkening counterparts. Thus, the curtain rod system  100  includes design features to support the increased weight of drapes  106  made of a room darkening material. For instance, the drape connection rod  102  and the drape support rod  104  may be formed of hollow tubes that provide increased support strength over traditional curtain support structures such as wires and C-shaped cross-section rod having rolled edges. The drape connection rod  102  and/or drape support rod  104  may be a roll form rod having a circular cross section. Using a cylindrical rod increases weight the curtain rod system  100  can support due to the hoop stress characteristics associated with the cylindrical shape. For increased strength, the seam of the rolled rod may be welded along the length thereof. In other embodiments the, seam of the rolled rod may be folded or zipped together along the length thereof. In other embodiments, the drape connection rod  102  and drape support rod  104  may be extruded. In one form, the drape connection rod  102  and drape support rod  104  are extruded solid rods. In another form, the drape connection rod  102  and drape support rod  104  are extruded into hollow tubes having an uninterrupted outer wall. 
     The drape connection rod  102  includes a first rod  180  and a second rod  280  having a smaller diameter than the first rod  180  such that the second rod  280  may be received telescopically within the first rod  180  (see  FIGS. 9 and 10A -B). The first and second rods  180 ,  280  may be moved relative to one another along the axis of the drape connection rod  102  to adjust the overall length of the drape connection rod  102 . The drape support rod  104  similarly includes a first rod  190  and a second rod  290  having a smaller diameter that is received telescopically within the first rod (see  FIGS. 10A-B ). The first and second rods  190 ,  290  may be moved along the axis of the drape support rod  104  to adjust the overall length of the drape support rod  104 . 
     With respect to  FIGS. 3A-B , the left portion of the curtain rod system  100  is shown without the drape  106 . As shown, the curtain rod system  100  further includes a left mounting plate  108 , a left rods support bracket  110 , and a left drape connection rod connector  112 . While not shown in  FIGS. 3A-B , the curtain rod system  100  also includes the same components on a right end of the curtain rod system  100  that are similar to and mirror image of those at the left end of the curtain rod system  100 . Those components include a right mounting plate  208 , a right rods support bracket  210  (see  FIGS. 6A-D ), and a right drape connection rod connector  212  (see  FIGS. 8A-E ). 
     The left and right mounting plates  108 ,  208  may be fastened to a wall or window frame on either side of a window. As shown, the left rods support bracket  110  is attached to the left mounting plate  108 . The drape connection rod  102  is attached to the left rods support bracket  110  via the left drape connection rod connector  112 . The drape support rod  104  is also attached to the left rods support bracket  110 . While not shown in  FIGS. 3A-B , the right side of the curtain rod system  100  may be similarly assembled such that the right side mirrors the left side of the curtain rod system  100 . For example, the right rods support bracket  210  is attached to the right mounting plate  208 . The end of the drape connection rod  102  opposite the left end is connected to the right rods support bracket  210  via the right drape connection rod connector  212 . The end of the drape support rod  104  opposite the left end may be attached to the right rods support bracket  210 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4A-F , the left mounting plate  108  is shown. The left mounting plate  108  may be identical to the right mounting plate  208 , and thus, any discussion of the left mounting plate  108  also applies to the right mounting plate  208 . The left mounting plate  108  includes a support leg  114  and a mounting portion  116 . The support leg  114  extends from the mounting portion  116  and terminates at an arcuate tip  118 . The back surface  120  of the mounting plate  108  may be flat across both the support leg  114  and the mounting portion  116  to provide a flat surface for mounting to a surface, such as a flat wall. The mounting plate  108  includes a support flange  122  that is formed by a step between the front surface  124  of the support leg  114  and a front surface  130  of the mounting portion  116 . The support flange  122  may engage a surface of the left and right rods support brackets  110 ,  210  when attached to the mounting plate  108  to support the rods support brackets  110 ,  210 . 
     The mounting portion  116  extends from the support flange  122  to the top edge  125 . The mounting portion  116  defines two holes  126  therethrough. The holes  126  are spaced apart from one another and at a top portion of the mounting portion  116  to provide increased support for the curtain rod system  100 . The two holes  126  may have a configuration similar to that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/749,770, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The holes  126  may have an annular chamfer  128  about the circumference of the holes  126  on the front surface  130  of the mounting portion  116  to create countersunk holes for a head portion of a wall fastener. The mounting portion  116  has angled side edges  132 ,  134  to form a male portion of a dovetail joint with the rods support brackets  110 ,  210 . 
     In one non-limiting example, the mounting plate  108  has a maximum width of 1.692 inches and a height of  2 . 0  inches. The thickness of the support leg  114  is 0.163 inches. The thickness of the mounting portion  116  is 0.1 inches. 
     With regard to  FIGS. 5A-F , the left rods support bracket  110  includes a base  140 , an inner connector support arm  142 , and an outer rod support connector  144 . The base  140  is a plate from which the inner connector support arm  142  and the outer rod support connector  144  extend. The inner connector support arm  142  is at a first end portion  146  of the base  140 , and the outer rod support connector  144  is on at a second end portion  148  of the base  140 . The distance between the inner connector support arm  142  and the outer rod support connector  144  may be the desired distance between the drape connection rod  102  and the drape support rod  104 . The back surface  150  of the base  140  includes a recessed connection portion  152  having angled side edges  154 ,  156  that form a female portion of the dovetail joint with the mounting plate  108 . More specifically, the angled side edges  154 ,  156  are spaced apart and angle complementary to the male portion of the dovetail joint of the mounting plate  108  such that the male portion of the dovetail joint of the mounting plate  108  may be received within the recessed connection portion  152 . The base  140  of the left rods support bracket  110  includes a bottom surface  159  that rests on the support flange  122  of the mounting plate  108  when assembled via the dovetail joint to support the support bracket  110  vertically when mounted to a wall. 
     The inner connector support arm  142  extends substantially perpendicularly to the base  140 . The inner connector support arm  142  includes a tab  158  that defines holes  160 . In some forms, the holes  160  are threaded holes. While three holes are shown, other embodiments having any number of holes are also contemplated. Having more holes  160  may increase the number of positions the drape connection rod  102  may be set to relative to the window as described in further detail below. The end of the inner connector support arm  142  opposite the base  140  is an arcuate tip  162  which may aid in guiding the inner connector support arm  142  into the drape connection rod connectors  112 ,  212  when assembling the curtain rod system  100 . 
     The outer rod support connector  144  extends substantially perpendicularly to the base  140 . The outer rod support connector  144  is cylindrical and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a left end of the drape support rod  104 . The outer rod support connector  144  may be inserted into the left end of the drape support rod  104  to support the drape support rod  104 . The outer rod support connector  144  defines a threaded hole  164 . The threaded hole  164  may be used in conjunction with a screw to secure the drape support rod  104  to the outer rod support connector  144  to prevent the two components from becoming unintentionally decoupled. The threaded hole  164  may be positioned on the bottom side of the outer rod support connector  144  when mounted to the mounting plate  108  to provide access to an installer. 
     In one non-limiting example, the base  140  of the left rods support bracket  110  has a maximum length of 2.582 inches and a width of 0.750 inches. The outer rod support connector  144  has an outer diameter of 0.750 inches and extends 1.438 inches from the back surface  150  of the base  140 . The threaded hole  164  of the outer rod support connector  144  has a diameter of 0.138 inches. The inner connector support arm  142  has a width of 0.505 inches and extends 1.029 inches from the base  140 . The holes  160  of the inner connector support arm  142  have a diameter of  0 . 180  inches. The center of holes  160  of the inner connector support arm  142  may be spaced apart from one another by  0 . 288  inches. 
     With regard to  FIGS. 6A-D , the right rods support bracket  210  is shown. The right rods support bracket  210  has the same features as the left rods support bracket  110  shown in  FIGS. 5A-F  but arranged generally as a mirror image to the left rods support bracket  110 . For simplicity, the features of the right rods support bracket  210  that correspond to features of the left rods support bracket  110  are shown with a “2” replacing the leading “1” of the reference numeral of the left rods support bracket  110 . For example, a feature having reference numeral “ 140 ” in the left rods support bracket  110  has reference numeral “ 240 ” in the right rods support bracket  210 . As noted, the right rods support bracket  210  is a mirror image of the left rods support bracket  110 , except that the outer diameter of the outer rod support connector  244  is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer rod support connector  144  of the left rods support bracket  110 . The smaller diameter enables the outer rod support connector  244  to fit within a smaller end of the drape support rod  104 . 
     In one non-limiting example the dimensions of the features of the right rods support bracket  210  are the same as those of the left rods support bracket  210 , except that the diameter of the outer rod support connector  244  has an outer diameter of 0.531 inches. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7A-E , the left drape connection rod connector  112  is shown. The left drape connection rod connector  112  has an elbow shape formed by an arcuate outer wall  168 . The left drape connection rod connector  112  includes a base  170  and a support arm receiving end  172  that are positioned at an approximate right angle relative to one another. The base  170  is cylindrical and has an outer diameter that is similar to the outer diameter of the first rod  180  of the drape connection rod  102  such that the base  170  abuts the left end of the first rod  180  and is flush with the first rod  180 . In other embodiments, the base  170  has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first rod  180  of the drape connection rod  102  such that the base  170  may be inserted into the left end of the drape connection rod  102 . The base  170  defines a threaded hole  174  that extends into the left drape connection rod connector  112 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a threaded stud  186  may be threaded into the threaded hole  174  to attach the left drape connection rod connector  112  to the drape connection rod  102 . 
     The outer wall  168  defines a socket  174 . Within the socket  174  are two ribs  176  that extend along the interior side of the outer wall  168 . An interior wall  178  extends across the socket  170  formed by the outer wall  168  substantially parallel to the ribs  176 . The space between the ribs  176  and the interior wall  178  forms a connection socket  177  that is sized to receive the inner connector support arm  142  of the left rods support bracket  110 . The interior wall  178  defines a threaded hole  179  therethrough. The threaded hole  179  may be aligned with one of the holes  160  of the inner connector support arm  142  (which may also be threaded holes) for attaching the left drape connection rod connector  112  to the left rods support bracket  110 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a screw  188  may be threaded into hole  179  to attach the left drape connection rod connector  112  to the left rods support bracket  110 . The screw  188  may be extended through any one of holes  160  to set the distance between the base  170  and the surface to which the curtain rod system  100  is mounted, thereby setting the position of the drape connection rod  102  relative to the mounting surface. The distance or gap between the drape connection rod  102  and the mounting surface or window frame may need to be adjusted to accommodate drapes having different thicknesses and/or material density and allow enough space for the drape  106  to be drawn to the sides of the window to allow light to enter the room when desired. The gap between the drape connection rod  102  and the mounting surface or window frame may need to be decreased to bring the top edge of the drape  106  closer to or in contact with the mounting surface or window frame to reduce or eliminate top light from entering the room. 
     In one non-limiting example, left drape connection rod connector  112  has a length of 1.089 inches, a width is 1.006 inches, and a height of 0.625 inches. The outer diameter of the base  170  is 0.625 inches, and the diameter of the threaded hole  174  is 0.220 inches. The diameter of the hole  179  in the internal wall  178  is 0.138 inches. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7F , a left drape connection rod connector  112 ′ is shown according to a second embodiment. The left drape connection rod connector  112 ′ is similar to the left drape connection rod connector  112  shown in  FIGS. 7A-E , with the primary difference being that the socket  174 ′ does not include ribs (such as ribs  176  of  FIGS. 7A-E ) along the internal surface of the socket  174 ′ that form a socket (such as connection socket  177  of  FIGS. 7A-E ) for receiving the inner connector support arm  142  of the left rods support bracket  110 . 
     With regard to  FIGS. 8A-E , the right drape connection rod connector  212  is shown. The right drape connection rod connector  212  has the same features as the left drape connection rod connector  112  shown in  FIGS. 7A-E  and is generally a mirror image of left drape connection rod connector  112  when installed. For simplicity, the features of the right rods support bracket  210  that correspond to features of the left rods support bracket  110  are shown with a “2” replacing the leading “1” of the reference numeral of the left rods support bracket  110 . For example, a feature having reference numeral “ 170 ” in the left drape connection rod connector  112  has reference numeral “ 270 ” in the right drape connection rod connector  212 . 
     A difference between the right drape connection rod connector  212  and the left drape connection rod connector  112  is the base  270  of the right drape connection rod connector  212  may be a different size than the base  170  of the left drape connection rod connector  112 . As shown in  FIGS. 8A-E , the diameter of the base  270  of the right drape connection rod connector  212  is smaller than the base  170  of the left drape connection rod connector  112 . The base  270  may have an outer diameter similar the outer diameter of the second rod  280  such that the base  270  abuts the second rod  280  and is flush with the second rod  280 . In embodiments where the base  270  is inserted into the right end of the drape connection rod  102 , the outer diameter of the base  270  may be sized to fit within the second rod  280  of the drape connection rod  102 . 
     In one non-limiting example, the dimensions of the features of the right drape connection rod connector  212  are the same as those of the left drape connection rod connector  112 , except that the diameter of the base  270  has an outer diameter of 0.500 inches. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8F , a right drape connection rod connector  212 ′ is shown according to a second embodiment. The right drape connection rod connector  212 ′ is similar to the right drape connection rod connector  212  shown in  FIGS. 8A-E , with the primary difference being that the socket  274 ′ does not include ribs (such as ribs  276  of  FIGS. 8A-E ) along the internal surface of the socket  274 ′ that form a socket (such as connection socket  277  of  FIGS. 8A-E ) for receiving the inner connector support arm  242  of the right rods support bracket  210 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the drape connection rod  102  and left and right drape connection rod connectors  112 ,  212  are shown. The drape connection rod  102  includes the first rod  180  and the second rod  280 . The second rod  280  has a diameter slightly smaller than the first rod  180  such that the second rod  280  may be received telescopically within the first rod  180 . The overall combined length of the first and second rods  180 ,  280  may be adjusted by sliding the first and second rods  180 ,  280  relative to one another along the axis of the drape connection rod  102 . Circular plates  182 ,  282  may be fixed inside each of the first and second rods  180 ,  280 . The circular plates  182 ,  282  may be fixed at an end portion of the first and second rods  180 ,  280 . In embodiments where the bases  170 ,  270  of the left and right drape connection rod connectors  112 ,  212  are inserted into the ends of the drape connection rod  102 , the circular plate  182  of the first rod  180  may act as a stop to inhibit the base  170  of the left drape connection rod connector  112  from being inserted too far within the first rod  180 ;likewise, the circular plate  282  of the second rod  280  may act as a stop to inhibit the base  270  of the right drape connection rod connector  212  from being inserted too far within the second rod  280 . The circular plates  182 ,  282  define threaded holes  184 ,  284 , respectively, therethrough. The threaded hole  184  receives a threaded stud  186  to attach the left drape connection rod connector  112  to the left end of the drape connection rod  102 . The threaded hole  284  receives a threaded stud  286  to attach the right drape connection rod connector  212  to the right end of the drape connection rod  102 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10A-B , the curtain rod system  100  is shown. In  FIG. 10A , the curtain rod system  100  is shown in a contracted state with the second rod  280  of the drape connection rod  102  positioned almost entirely within the first rod  180  of the drape connection rod  102 . Likewise, the second rod  290  of the drape support rod  104  is shown almost entirely within a first rod  190  of the drape support rod  104 . In  FIG. 10B , the curtain rod  100  is shown in an expanded configuration, with the second rods  280 ,  290  partially withdrawn from the first rods  180 ,  190  of the drape connection rod  102  and the drape support rod  104 . By moving the curtain rod system  100  between the contracted configuration of  FIG. 10A  and the expanded configuration of  FIG. 10B , the overall combined length of the curtain rod system  100  may be variably adjusted therebetween. 
     In one non-limiting example, the curtain rod system  100  has a length between the first end  146  of the left rods support bracket  110  and the first end  246  of the right rods support bracket  210  in a fully contracted configuration of 36.0 inches. The curtain rod system  100  in a fully expanded configuration has a length between the first end  146  of the left rods support bracket  110  and the first end  246  of the right rods support bracket  210  of about  66  inches. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11A-B , a curtain rod system  300  according to a second embodiment is shown. The curtain rod system  300  is similar in many respects to curtain rod system  100  with a difference being that the drape connection rod  102  includes a third rod  380  and drape support rod  104  includes a third rod  390 . The curtain rod system  300  may be used in connection with windows having a greater width and/or windows that require two drapery panels to cover. In this embodiment, the first and second rods  180 ,  280  may be the same length and have the same diameter as discussed above. Alternatively, the first and second rods  180 ,  280  may have the same diameter. In this case, the base  170  of left drape connection rod connector  112  of the curtain rod system  300  has the same diameter as the base  270  of the right drape connection rod connector  212 . In either case, the third rod  380  of the drape connection rod  102  has a smaller diameter such that it may be slidingly received into both the first and second rods  180 ,  280 , as shown in  FIG. 11A-B . In other examples, the third rod  380  has a larger diameter than the first and second rods  180 ,  280  such that the first and second rods  180 ,  280  may be slidingly received therein. 
     Similarly, the first and second rods  190 ,  290  of the drape support rod  104  may be the same length and have the same diameter as discussed above. Alternatively, the first and second rods may have the same diameter. In this case, the left rods support bracket  110  of the curtain rod system  300  has an outer rod support connector  144  that has the same diameter as the outer rod support connector  244  of the right rods support bracket  210 . In either case, the third rod  390  of the drape support rod  104  may have a smaller diameter such that it may be slidingly received into both the first and second rods  190 ,  290 , as shown in  FIG. 11A-B . In other examples, the third rod  390  has a larger diameter than the first and second rods  190 ,  290  such that the first and second rods  190 ,  290  may be slidingly received therein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11A , the curtain rod system  300  is shown in a contracted state with the third rod  380  of the drape connection rod  102  positioned almost entirely within the first and second rods  180 ,  280  of the drape connection rod  102 . Likewise, the third rod  390  of the drape support rod  104  is shown almost entirely within the first and second rods  190 ,  290  of the drape support rod  104 . In  FIG. 11B , the curtain rod  300  is shown in an expanded configuration, with the third rods  380 ,  390  of the drape connection rod  102  and drape support rod  104  partially withdrawn from the first rods  180 ,  190  and second rods  280 ,  290  of the drape connection rod  102  and drape support rod  104 . By moving the curtain rod system  300  between the contracted configuration of  FIG. 11A  and the expanded configuration of  FIG. 11B , the overall combined length of the curtain rod system  300  may be variably adjusted therebetween. 
     In one non-limiting example, in a fully contracted configurations, the curtain rod system  300  has a length between the first end  146  of the left rods support bracket  110  and the first end  246  of the right rods support bracket  210  of 66.0 inches. The curtain rod system  300  in a fully expanded configuration has a length between the first end  146  of the left rods support bracket  110  and the first end  246  of the right rods support bracket  210  of  120  inches. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 12A-C  a center rods support bracket  302  of the curtain rod system  300  is shown. The center rods support bracket  302  may be positioned in the center of the curtain rod system  300  to provide support to the drape connection rod  102  and drape support rod  104 . A first drape panel may be attached to the drape connection rod  102  on the portion of the rod  102  extending to the left of the center rods support bracket  302  and a second drape panel may be attached to the drape connection rod  102  on the portion of the rod  102  extending to the right of the center rods support bracket  302 . 
     The center rods support bracket  302  includes a mounting base  304  from which a support arm  306  extends. The mounting base  304  is a plate having a front surface  308  and a rear surface  310 . The rear surface  310  contacts a surface such as a wall or window frame when mounted. The mounting base  304  defines mounting holes  305  through which a fastener, such as a screw, may be inserted to mount the center rods support bracket  302  to a surface. 
     The support arm  306  extends from the mounting base  304  at an approximately right angle. The support arm  306  defines a drape support rod hole  312  through which the drape support rod  104  extends. The drape support rod hole  312  may have a diameter sized to receive the third rod  390  of the drape support rod  104 . The diameter of hole  312  may also be large enough to receive the first and second rods  190 ,  290  of the drape support rod  104 . A tab  314  extends perpendicularly from the support arm  306  in proximity to the drape support rod hole  312 . The tab  314  defines a threaded locking hole  316  through which a locking screw  318  extends. The locking screw  318  may be tightened against the drape support rod  104  to prevent the rod  104  from unintentional movement. 
     The support arm  306  further defines overlapping circular holes  320  through which the drape connection rod  102  may extend. The drape connection rod  102  may extend through the one of the overlapping circular holes  320  that corresponds with the hole of the holes  160  of the left and right rods support brackets  110 ,  210  that screws  188 ,  288  were inserted into. This maintains a constant distance from the wall along the support arm  306 . For example, if screws  188 ,  288  were inserted into the hole  160  closest to the window, then the drape connection rod  102  is inserted into the hole of the overlapping circular holes  320  closest to the window. The diameter of each of the overlapping circular holes  320  may be sized to receive the third rod  380  of the drape connection rod  104 . The diameter of each of the overlapping circular holes  320  may also be large enough to receive the first and second rods  190 ,  290  of the drape connection rod  102 . The distance between the center of each of the overlapping circular holes may be the same as the distance between the holes  160  of the inner connector support arm  142  of the left and right rods support brackets  110 ,  210 . While overlapping circular holes are shown, in other embodiments a slot may be used. A tab  322  protrudes perpendicularly to the support arm  306 . The tab  322  defines three threaded locking holes  324 . The center of the three locking holes  324  is aligned with the center of each of the overlapping circular holes  320 . A locking screw  326  may be inserted into one of the locking holes  324  to secure the drape connection rod  102  from unintentional movement. 
     In one non-limiting example, the center rods support bracket  302  has a length from the rear surface  310  to the center of the drape support rod hole  312  of  3 . 788  inches. The length from the rear surface  310  to the center of each of the overlapping holes  320  and the center of the corresponding locking holes  324  is  0 . 940  inches,  1 . 228  inches, and  1 . 516  inches. The base  304  of the center rods support bracket  302  has a height of  1 . 335  inches with a distance of  0 . 935  inches between the centers of the mounting holes  305 . The center rods support bracket  302  may be made from  0 . 080  inches thick steel. The dimensions are referenced from an installed orientation. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 13A-D , non-limiting steps for assembling and installing the curtain rod systems  100 ,  300  are shown. Regarding  FIG. 13A , the back surface  120  of the mounting plate  108  is placed against the wall or window frame at the desired mounting position at the left side of the window. The top edge  125  of the mounting plate  108  is adjusted to be substantially horizontal. Fasteners, such as screws, are then inserted through holes  126  of the mounting portion  116  of the mounting plate  108 . The screws may extend into the wall or window frame to which the back surface  120  of the mounting plate  108  contacts. The screws may be tightened such that the heads of the screws are within the countersunk portion of the holes  126 . The heads of the screws may be flush with or behind the front surface  130  of the mounting portion  116  of the mounting plate  108 . 
     The back surface  150  of the left rods support bracket  110  may be brought into contact with the surface to which the mounting plate  108  is mounted. The left rods support bracket  110  may be positioned such that the inner connector support arm  142  and an outer rod support connector  144  are substantially horizontal, with the outer rod support connector  144  to the outside of the inner connector support arm  142 . The left rods support bracket  110  may be slid downward over the mounting portion  116  of the mounting plate  108  to attach the left rods support bracket  110  to the mounting plate  108 . To slide the left rods support bracket  110  onto the mounting portion  116  of the mounting plate  108 , the angled side edges  154 ,  156  of the recessed connection portion  152  of the left rods support bracket  110  are aligned with the complementary angled side edges  132 ,  134  of the mounting portion  116  of the mounting plate  108 . The left rods support bracket  110  is then slid downward over the mounting portion  116  of the mounting plate until the bottom surface  159  of the left rods support bracket  110  contacts the support flange  122  of the mounting plate  108 . 
     Regarding  FIG. 13B , the left drape connection rod connector  112  is attached to the left rods support bracket  110 . To do this, the arcuate tip  162  of the inner connector support arm  142  may be aligned with the interior wall  178  and the ribs  176  defining the connection socket  177  before insertion. The inner connector support arm  142  of the left drape connection rod connector  112  is inserted into the connection socket  177 . The arcuate tip  162  may aid to guide the inner connector support arm  142  into the connection socket  177  of the left drape connection rod connector  112 . Once inserted, the threaded hole  179  of the left drape connection rod connector  112  may be aligned with one of the holes  160  of the inner connector support arm  142 . Aligning threaded hole  179  with one of the holes  160  near the base  140  of the left drape connection rod connector  112  will set the drape connection rod  102  close to the window frame. Aligning threaded hole  179  with one of the holes  160  near the arcuate tip  162  of the inner connector support arm  142  of the left drape connection rod connector  112  sets the drape connection rod  102  farther away from the window frame. The holes  160  thus provide adjustability to the proximity of the drape connection rod  102  to the window frame. Once the threaded hole  179  of the left drape connection rod connector  112  is aligned with the desired hole of holes  160  of the inner connector support arm  142 , a screw may be inserted through threaded hole  179  and the desired hole  160  to secure the inner connector support arm  142  to the left drape connection rod connector  112 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13C , the drape connection rod  102  may then be attached to the left drape connection rod connector  112 . To do this, the threaded stud  186  is threaded into the threaded hole  174  of the base  170  of the left drape connection rod connector  112 . The threaded hole  184  of the plate  182  of the drape connection rod  102  is aligned with the other end of the threaded stud  186 . The drape connection rod  102  is rotated relative to the threaded stud  186  to threadingly engage the threaded stud  186 . As the drape connection rod  102  is rotated relative to the threaded stud  186 , the drape connection rod  102  is drawn closer to the left drape connection rod connector  112  until the base  170  of the left drape connection rod connector  112  is brought into contact with the drape connection rod  102 . The drape connection rod  102  may be tightened until the base  170  applies a sufficient force to the drape connection rod  102  to secure the rod  102  to the left drape connection rod connector  112 . In embodiments where the base  170  is inserted into the end of the drape connection rod  102 , as the drape connection rod  102  draws closer, the base  170  is aligned with the end of the drape connection rod  102  such that the base  170  passes into the drape connection rod  102 . The drape connection rod  102  may be tightened until the base  170  applies a sufficient force to the plate  182  to secure the rod  102  to the left drape connection rod connector  112 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13D , the drape support rod  104  may be attached to the left rods support bracket  110 . An end of the drape support rod  104  is fitted over the outer rod support connector  144 . The drape support rod  104  is secured to the outer rod support connector  144  by a set screw. Once the drape support rod  104  has been moved to the desired position relative to the outer rod support connector  144 , a set screw is inserted into a hole  105  in the side wall of the drape support rod  104 . The hole  105  may be a threaded hole. The set screw is turned until the screw applies a sufficient amount of force between the drape support rod  104  and outer rod support connector  144  such that they are secured from unintentional movement relative to one another. Alternatively, the hole  105  of the drape support rod  104  is aligned with threaded hole  164  of the outer rod support connector  144  of the left rods support bracket  110 . A fastener, such as a screw, is extended through hole  105  and into threaded hole  164  thereby securing the drape support rod  104  to the left rods support bracket  110 . 
     Similar steps may be used to mount and assemble the right mounting plate  208 , the right rods support bracket  110 , and right drape connection rod connector  112 . The length of the drape connection rod  102  may be set by moving the first rod  180  and second rod  280  (and in the curtain rod system  300 , the third rod  380 ) relative to one another along the axis of the drape connection rod  102 . Likewise, the length of the drape support rod  104  may be set by moving the first rod  190  and second rod  290  (and in the curtain rod system  300 , the third rod  390 ) relative to one another along the axis of the drape support rod  104 . 
     While the installation methods disclosed herein are described as being performed in a certain order, those having skill in the art will readily understand that the methods are not so limited. 
     The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the technological contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims.