Patent Publication Number: US-6213190-B1

Title: Device for and method of draping curtains

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/910,012, filed on Sep. 8, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,925 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention is directed to a device for draping curtains, comprising a holder about which curtain fabric can be placed and which by means of a bracket can be mounted on a wall in spaced relation thereto such that the plane defined by the holder extends approximately parallel to said wall, and the invention is further directed to a method of draping curtains by using devices of the aforementioned kind. 
     For draping of a window or door curtain the curtain fabric is folded to form a bar-like bundle (concertina or meander fold) and is put over two holding rods mounted in horizontally spaced relationship above the window or the door. Then, to create a draped bow between the two holding rods, the lower portion of the curtain fabric is pulled down whereby circular segment-like folds are formed; here it is extremely difficult and requires great skill to keep the topmost fold or folds taut between the two holding rods. To this end U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,246 provides a separate holding pin on each holding rod between which pin and the holding rod the curtain fabric is to be firmly clamped. But such a simple clamping means does not offer any firm hold. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,129 to drape curtain fabric through rings which extend normal to the wall, the rings in this case being closed rings. Within said rings the curtain fabric is, however, held rather poorly; above all it is difficult permanently to maintain a predetermined folding of the curtain fabric. 
     According to the proposal of U.S. Pat. No. 2,431,934 the curtain is also draped through rings which, however, each extend parallel to the wall. In this embodiment it is likewise not ensured that a predetermined folding is maintained. 
     In order to avoid the above-mentioned problems the applicant&#39;s EP-B-265,759 has proposed a device which is characterized by at least one and especially two mutually horizontally spaced and approximately U-shaped holders over the upper leg or legs of which—in the mounted state—and between the upper and lower leg or legs of which a curtain fabric, which has been folded to a bar-like or board-like bundle, may be passed in such a way that the curtain fabric is firmly held while a predetermined draping is maintained. Alternatively, a device for draping curtains is proposed which is characterized by at least one and especially two mutually horizontally spaced holders bent to approximate U-shape or C-shape, which holder or holders are mounted on a wall at such a spacing therefrom that the plane defined by the two legs or tines of the holder extends approximately parallel to the wall surface. Preferentially, the two legs of each holder are adapted to be resiliently spread apart. The bracket for the holders is normally L-shaped. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is based on the object of further improving the last-mentioned device and the associated method of draping curtain fabric such that an alternative result of draping is obtained. In accordance with the invention it is also intended to provide more possible ways of draping or draping variations. 
     The specified object is achieved by a device according to claim  1 , alternatively by a device according to claim  11  and, respectively, by a method according to claim  9 , alternatively a method according to claim  16 . 
     The device according to claim  17  enhances the decorative effect. 
     As compared with the prior art, the device according to claim  1  permits forming of an alternative rosette of curtain material in the vicinity of the holder in an extremely simple way, as will be apparent from claim  9  according to which the curtain fabric is initially meander-folded to form a fabric bar or board. Thereafter, the fabric bar is drawn forwards—starting on one side of the holder—through a first upwardly open C-shaped, U-shaped or tulip-like holder profile and is then passed back through said profile to form a fabric loop. Thereafter, curtain fabric is drawn forwards through the next-following upwardly open holder profile and passed back in the same way as described above. This operation is repeated until all profiles of the holder are similarly filled with curtain fabric. Then, the fabric loops are fanned out towards the top and bottom and are turned back upon the respective legs which define the associated holder profiles, whereby puffs or rosettes of fabric are formed. 
     As an alternative, the curtain fabric may first be pulled intermittently through the first holder profile and turned back upon the legs defining said profile, and the same operation is then carried out with the second and the next-following holder profiles. 
     Preferred structural improvements of the above-mentioned device are described in claims  2  to  9 , in which the structures according to claims  7  and  8  offer additional variations in respect of the fabric rosette and draping to be created. 
     The alternative device according to claim  11  is defined by a holder which comprises a thin-walled disk of sheet metal, cardboard or synthetic plastic with an approximately star-shaped opening through which the curtain fabric is draped. Such a draping device is known in conjunction with a ring-like (closed annulus) holder. It is sold under the name “Kirsch Swag Holder”. With the known device, the rays of the star-shaped opening are defined by radial slots. Accordingly, the aforementioned disk is used only for fixing the curtain fabric draped through the ring-like holder within the ring so as to avoid the problems mentioned above in conjunction with U.S. Pats. No. 2,244,129 and 2,431,934. Curtain material can therefore not be draped through the slots of the star-like opening of the prior art. 
     This is to be possible with the invention due to the feature that the rays of the star-like opening have a width which corresponds to approximately {fraction (1/20)} to {fraction (3/20)}, especially approximately {fraction (2/20)} of the mean holder diameter. 
     The details set out in claims  12  to  15  permit the achievement of additional draping effects such as, for instance, a plurality of discrete rosettes in the front area of the holder. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Below, embodiments of the device according to the invention and corresponding draping methods will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an oblique perspective view from below of a first embodiment of a draping device according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a slightly oblique front view from below showing the draping device of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 3 to  8  are explanatory views of a draping operation by making use of a device according to FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of a curtain draped by using two holders according to FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a draping device according to FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of another alternative draping device; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the draping device illustrated in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment for a front-side cover of a draping device; 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective rear views of the cover illustrated in FIG. 13, showing the fixing of curtain fabric which has been pulled over the front of the cover; 
     FIG. 16 is a front view of the cover according to FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cover cooperating with a draping device; 
     FIGS. 18 and 19 are respective perspective views of the cover shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 mounted on the front of a draping device; 
     FIGS. 20 and 21 are a cross-sectional view and a rear view of an alternative cover; 
     FIG. 22 is a partially cut-away side view of a further embodiment of a draping device according to the invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover according to the invention for a draping device; 
     FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the cover of FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective rear view of the cover of FIG. 23 illustrating the fixing of the curtain fabric which has been put over the front of the cover; 
     FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cover; 
     FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cover of FIG. 26; and 
     FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of another portion of the cover of FIG.  26 . 
    
    
     The device for draping curtains as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is composed of at least one and especially two holders  10  which are disposed at a mutual horizontal spacing above a window or door or the like and about which curtain fabric may respectively be put and which are each adapted to be mounted on a wall by means of an L-shaped bracket  11  at such a spacing from the wall that the plane respectively defined by the holders  10  extends approximately parallel to the wall. Each holder  10  is constituted by a flat bar bent to meander shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the flat bar—a round bar could likewise be employed—is bent such that three upwardly open and two intermediate downwardly open tulip profiles  13  are formed. The ends of the thus bent flat bar are turned down to form semicircular end segments  14 . Preferentially, the free ends of the end segments  14  are bent right to the contiguous legs of the adjacent tulip profiles  13 . In that case the end segments are nearly circular. Furthermore, it is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the individual tulip profiles  13  are bent such that the profile ends almost abut one another. In an alternative embodiment they may even overlap one another in the plane defined by the holder. To facilitate insertion of the curtain fabric the legs of the individual profiles, in the instant case of the tulip profiles  13 , of each holder  10  may be spread apart to be later returned to their original position for the purpose of fixing the curtain fabric within the respective profile. To this end, the individual profiles  13  are preferentially resiliently flexible. 
     The bracket  11  of each holder  10  is L-shaped as known per se. Preferentially, the leg of the bracket  11  which is respectively connected to the holder  10  is variable in length, i.e. it consists of two longitudinally relatively movable leg portions which are adapted to be fixed in a predetermined relative position by means of an attachment screw or the like. Additionally, the bracket  11  may be provided immediately behind the holder  10  with one or two (see FIG. 10) open-topped recesses  36 ,  37 , the recess  37  next to the wall being deeper than the front recess  36 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment the individual profiles  13  of the holder  10  are disposed along a straight line. Mounting on the wall is effected so that the extension of the individual profiles is horizontal. A vertical orientation is also conceivable. 
     It would also be conceivable to arrange the individual profiles  13  of the holder  10  along a semicircle or even a full circle. Thereby the number of possible variations of draping a curtain fabric is additionally increased. The bracket  11  is attached, preferentially by welding, to the lower connecting web of the central upwardly open individual profile  13 . 
     Curtain fabric may be draped as follows by making use of a device shown in FIGS.  1  and  2 : 
     a) First of all, the curtain fabric is concertina-folded or meander-folded to create a fabric bar or board  39  (see FIG.  3 ). 
     b) Then, starting from one side of the holder  10  and according to FIG. 4 starting on the left side of the holder  10 , curtain fabric  38  or the fabric bar  39  is pulled through a first upwardly open tulip profile  13  towards the front and is passed back through said profile to form a first fabric loop  40 . 
     c) Then, curtain fabric  38  or fabric bar  39  is pulled forwards through the next-following upwardly open holder profile  13  and, as described above, passed back to thereby form another fabric loop  40 . This operation is continued until all tulip profiles  13  are similarly provided with curtain material (FIG.  6 ). 
     d) Then, again starting on the left side of the holder  10 , the first fabric loop  40  is fanned out towards the top and bottom (arrows  44 ) and turned back over the legs of the first or extreme-left holder profile  13 . Thereafter, the next-following fabric loop  40  is fanned out and turned back over the legs defining the next-following holder profile  13  to thereby form another fabric puff  41 , etc., until all fabric loops  40  have similarly been turned back over the legs of the individual holder profiles  13 , as will be apparent from FIG.  8 . The result is illustrated in FIG. 9, in which two horizontally spaced holders  10  of the afore-described kind disposed above a non-illustrated window or the like have been draped as described above. 
     Draping with the holders  10  may also be performed in a modified way, for instance intermittently, so that starting on one side of the holder  10  a complete fabric puff  41  is initially formed on the first holder profile  13  whereafter the curtain fabric is pulled forward through the next-following holder profile  13  to thereby form a fabric loop  40  and to form another fabric puff  41 , etc. In the final analysis, the kind of draping depends on the user of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the draping method shown in FIGS. 4 to  8  probably being the easier draping method. 
     The fabric rosette created in accordance with any one of the aforementioned methods is indicated at  15  in FIG.  9 . 
     As already explained above, the holder profiles  13  may be designed so that they can be flexed apart to facilitate insertion and/or passing-through and turning-back of the curtain material, whereafter they may be bent back to fixedly clamp the curtain fabric to the holder. 
     As illustrated, the various holder profiles may be tulip-shaped, C-shaped or U-shaped. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative device for draping curtains, comprising a holder  20  bent to ring shape about which curtain fabric may be put and which is adapted to be mounted on a wall in spaced relationship thereto by means of a likewise L-shaped bracket  21  so that the plane defined by the holder  20  extends approximately parallel to the wall. The leg of the bracket  21  joined to the holder is variable as to its length in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, in the same way as described in conjunction with the bracket  11 . 
     The plane defined by the holder  20  is filled by a thin-walled draping plate or disk  22  made of sheet metal, cardboard or synthetic plastic, which is formed with an approximately star-shaped opening  23  through which curtain fabric can be drawn. The rays  24  of the star-shaped opening  23  are substantially wider than in the prior art. Preferentially, they have a width that corresponds approximately to between {fraction (1/20)} and {fraction (3/20)}, especially approximately {fraction (2/20)}, of the mean holder diameter. In particular, each ray has a width between about 5 and 12 mm, especially of about 8 mm. In the illustrated embodiment the rays  24  of the star-shaped opening  23  terminate obtusely at the edge of the disk. Basically, it would also be conceivable that the rays terminate pointedly or alternately in pointed and obtuse shape. 
     The portions  25  of the draping disk  22  which are defined by the rays  24  of the star-shaped opening  23  and are triangular in the present case, are adapted to be either resiliently flexible or to be subject to plastic deformation, the first-mentioned design probably being the more feasible one. The last-mentioned design could at most be advantageous for some special kind of fixing of the curtain material, especially outside of the plane defined by the holder. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the periphery of the holder  10  in the vicinity of each ray  24  of the star-shaped opening  23  comprises a radially inwardly curved section  26  which may have a corresponding influence on the external shape of the fabric rosette. 
     Finally, in the illustrated embodiment the rays  24  of the star-shaped opening  23  in the draping disk  22  are respectively curved, as viewed from above, and especially curved in the same circumferential direction. This also has a corresponding influence on the fabric rosette which can be created by using the device illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. 
     Draping by the use of the above-described device can be effected as follows: 
     First of all, the curtain fabric is concertina-folded or meander-folded to result in a fabric bar or board. Then, the fabric bar is placed over the leg of the L-shaped bracket  21  which leg extends approximately normal to the plane of the holder  20 . Then, the curtain fabric is pulled forward through the opening  23  and rays  24  to form a fabric loop and is then fanned out to star shape. Subsequently, the thus fanned out curtain fabric is turned back over the periphery of the holder  20  to thereby form a fabric rosette. 
     A device for draping curtains will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to  19 , said device comprising a respective holder  30  or  30 ′ for forming a fabric rosette and/or for fixing the curtain material with a predetermined draping (holders  30  and  30 ′ according to FIGS. 17 to  19 ), a disk-like cover  31  being mounted on the free front end of the holder  30  or  30 ′. On the side intended for mounting, i.e. on the side presented to the holder  30  or  30 ′, the disk-like cover  31  is formed with a protruding peripheral edge  32  into which a clamping ring  33  can be fitted to thereby firmly clamp a decorative fabric  34  which has been put over the front of the cover and the circumferential edge thereof (see FIGS.  14  and  15 ). 
     Furthermore, the side of the disk-like cover  31  intended for mounting is provided with a stud  35  for attachment to the holder  30  or  30 ′ (see FIGS. 14,  15  and  17 ). 
     The holders  30  and  30 ′ are known per se. They are used to fix curtain fabric with a predetermined draping. The holder  30  shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is disclosed, for example, in EP-B-265,759. 
     The cover  31  therefore enables the user to match the front with the drapery of the curtain material. FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate an alternative design of the cover  31  which is characterized in that the holding ring  33 , which is preferentially made of flexibly resilient synthetic plastic, corresponds to stop members arranged within the periphery  32  in the form of four circumferentially equidistantly spaced stop bosses  43  such that the holding ring  33  may be brought to a predetermined clamping position within the cover disk. 
     Furthermore, the stud  35  for fixing the cover  31  to a holder  30 ,  30 ′ or some other ornamentation element can be screwed into a central threaded opening  45  at the rear of the cover disk  31 . The free portion of the stud  35  protruding from the threaded opening  45  is formed with a radial recess  46  for fitting and fixing in a keyhole-like opening in the holder  30 ,  30 ′ or some other ornamentation element. Assembly or removal of the cover  31  is thereby greatly facilitated. 
     FIG. 22 illustrates a device for draping curtains which comprises a holder  50  intended for fixing of the curtain fabric  38  (not illustrated) with predetermined folds or draping. The holder  50  is preferentially made of resiliently flexible synthetic plastic, a metal such as spring steel, or the like. A disk-like cover  31  is also disposed on the holder  50 . 
     As shown in FIG. 22, the holder  50  is substantially annular or the like. In this way the holder  50  may encompass the curtain fabric  38  which will then lie within the space  51  of the holder  50 . Also, the holder  50  is formed with a receiving opening  52  which is spring-loaded and can be spread apart against the spring action for reception therein or removal therefrom of the curtain fabric  38 . 
     A spring  53  or the like is disposed in diametrically opposed relationship to the receiving opening  52  of the holder  50 . The spring  53  or the like, which is integral with the holder  50 , consists of a U-shaped, C-shaped or similarly shaped part  54  the two free ends  55  of which are non-detachably joined to the holder  50 . The holder  50  is provided with a spring slot  56  intermediate the. two free ends  55  of the part  54  of the spring  53 . 
     The holder  50  further comprises two protrusions  57  or the like which facilitate spreading-apart of the receiving opening  52  against the action of the spring  53 . The two protrusions  57 , which extend radially outwardly away from the holder  50 , are substantially contiguous with the two free ends  55  of the U-shaped, C-shaped or similarly shaped part  54  of the spring  53  immediately laterally of the spring slot  56  formed in the holder  50 . In this way the holder  50  can be handled very easily for taking up or removing the curtain material  38 . 
     Finally, the holder  50  is provided with two projecting parts  58  or the like disposed in the vicinity of the receiving opening  52 . The projecting parts  58  extend likewise approximately radially outwardly away from the holder  50  and are each formed with a profiling, with serrations  59  or the like for mutual interengagement when the receiving opening  52  is not spread apart. In addition to the spring loading caused by the spring  53  the serrations  59  provide for the additional advantage that the received curtain fabric  38  cannot automatically loosen itself from the holder  50 . 
     The holder  50  is formed with at least one hole  60  for accommodating a pin or stud  35  for attachment of the disk-like cover  31  according to FIG.  23 . Preferentially, the hole  60  is approximately equi-spaced from the receiving opening  52  and from the spring slot  56 . The disk-like cover  31  is especially distinguished by a particularly easy assembly according to FIGS. 24 and 25 which corresponds to that shown in FIGS. 13 to  17 . Such especially easy assembly permits the disk-like cover to be provided with a coating which may for instance be matched with the colour of the respective curtain fabric  38 . 
     Draping by the use of the above-described device may be effected as follows: 
     First of all, the curtain fabric  38  is concertina-folded or meander-folded to provide a fabric bar or board  39  and is then encompassed by the holder  50 . During this operation the holder  50 , which due to the spring loading automatically returns to its initial position, is spread apart manually against the action of the spring to receive the fabric bar or board  39 . In this way the predetermined folds or draping of the curtain fabric  38  can easily be maintained with the help of the holder  50  according to the invention. 
     FIGS. 26 to  28  illustrate another device for draping curtains which is comprised of a holder  30 ,  30 ′,  50  (not illustrated) designed for creating a fabric rosette and/or for fixing the curtain fabric with predetermined folds or draping and which is provided with a disk-like cover  61 . 
     On the side intended for mounting, which is the rear side, the disk-like cover  61  comprises a protruding peripheral skirt  62  into which a holding ring  63  may be fitted. The holding ring  63  firmly clamps an ornamental fabric  65  put over the front  64  of the cover  61  and its peripheral skirt  62 . The disk-like cover  61  is further provided on its front with a substantially central receiving opening  66  or the like in which a further disk-like, approximately button-shaped cover  67  can be mounted. The diameter of the further disk-like cover  67  is smaller than that of the disk-like cover  61 . 
     The further, reduced-diameter disk-like cover  67  engages the front  64  of the disk-like cover  61  and is detachably connected to the disk-like cover  61  by way of a fastening element  68  which passes through the receiving opening  66  or at least extends into said opening. A screw or the like (which is merely indicated as a dash-dot line in FIG. 26) is provided as said fastening element  68 . The screw is operated from the rear or mounting side of the disk-like cover  67  so as to fix the further disk-like cover  67  to the disk-like cover  61 . As an alternative, the fastening element may as well be a non-illustrated latching means or snap-type means or similar means, for instance in the form of detents formed on the further disk-like cover  67  for cooperation with protrusions provided on the rear or mounting side of the disk-like cover  61 , or vice versa. 
     The further disk-like cover  67  itself is provided on the mounting or rear side with a projecting peripheral skirt  69  into which a holding ring  70  may be fitted for firmly clamping an ornamental fabric  72  put over the front  71  of the cover  67  and its peripheral skirt  69 . The further disk-like cover  67  is additionally formed with a receiving opening  73  for the fastening element  68  in the form of a screw for attaching the cover  67  to the cover  61 . The holding ring  70  corresponds to stops in the form of stop dogs  74 , stop bars or the like provided within the peripheral skirt  69  of the further disk-like cover  67  such that the holding ring  70  may be moved to a predetermined clamping position within the cover  67 . 
     As will be apparent from FIG. 26, a tightening element  75  or the like is inserted into the receiving opening  66  of the disk-like cover  61  for additionally tightening, or optionally providing folds in, the decorative fabric  65  which is put over the front  64  of the cover  61  and its peripheral skirt  62 . The tightening element  75  is adapted to be clamped or the like in the receiving opening  66  simultaneously with the mounting of the further disk-like cover  67  on the disk-like cover  61 . As illustrated in FIG. 28, the tightening element  75  has a through-hole  76  formed therein for engagement therethrough by the fastening element  68  in the form of latching means, snap-type means or similar means, which in the instant case is a screw. 
     Draping by making use of the aforementioned de vice is effected as follows: 
     The decorative fabric  65  is put over the front  64  and the peripheral skirt  62  of the disk-like cover  61 . Then, the decorative fabric  65  projecting beyond the peripheral skirt  62  of the cover  61  is bundled, the bundled decorative fabric  65  is threaded through the holding ring  63 , and finally the threaded decorative fabric  65  is firmly clamped by the holding ring  63  which is adapted to be moved in operative engagement with the inside of the peripheral skirt  62 . Thereafter, the decorative fabric  65  projecting beyond the holding ring  63  is removed, such as by mechanical separation with the help of scissors. Then, the tightening element  75  is inserted into the receiving opening  66  whereby the decorative fabric  65  resting on the front  64  of the cover  61  is placed into the receiving opening  66  and is in particular pressed and consequently tightened and/or optionally folded. The further decorative fabric  72  is put across the front  71  and the peripheral skirt  69  of the further disk-like cover  67 . The decorative fabric  72  projecting beyond the peripheral skirt  69  of the cover  67  is then bundled, the bundled decorative fabric  72  is threaded through the holding ring  70 , and the threaded decorative fabric  72  is again firmly clamped by the holding ring  70  which is itself brought into operative engagement with the inside of the peripheral skirt  69 . The decorative fabric  72  projecting beyond the holding ring  70  is again removed. Finally, the further disk-like cover  67  is placed approximately centrally on the decorative fabric  72  resting on the front  64  of the cover  61  and is joined, especially detachably joined, to the disk-like cover  61  together with the tightening element  75  via the fastening element  68 . The fastening element  78 , which in the instant case is a screw, is passed through the receiving opening  66  and the through-hole  76  of the tightening element  75 . In this way a disk-like cover  61  may additionally be provided with a further disk-like, approximately button-like cover  67  each of which is provided with an optionally different decorative fabric matched with the ornaments or colors of the respective curtain material. Also, the tightening element  75  enables the decorative fabric  65  of the disk-like cover to be additionally tightened so as to have a smooth surface, on the one hand, and to be provided with folds, on the other hand. 
     All of the features disclosed in the present application papers are claimed as being essential to the invention to the extent to which they are novel over the prior art either individually or in combination.