Patent Abstract:
The device for maintaining window coverings or vertically hanging flexible panels includes a frame, apparatus for retaining the flexible panel in the frame and an attachment to attach the flexible panel to the frame. Preferably, the device is lightweight and nonporous. The device is formed into a desired shape in order to maintain a desired orientation of the hanging flexible panel.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/001,929 filed Dec. 2, 2004 now abandoned which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/526,676, filed Dec. 3, 2003; Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/551,520, filed Mar. 9, 2004; and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/559,888, filed Apr. 6, 2004. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to drapery hardware and more particularly to an easily installed or used system for maintaining draperies in a desired configuration. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Windows are commonly covered by one or more flexible panels in the form of curtains or drapes. These window coverings hang from a horizontal rod and extend downwards. In order to place the folds of the window covering in a desired orientation, the folds are placed manually. If there is air movement in the room due to air vents or a person walking through the room, the folds are disturbed. Currently, there is no method for retaining the desired folds in a window covering. 
   Specialized curtain and drape devices exist in the form of rods (U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,060), hooks and sashes (U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,927). Devices exist for creating drapes from vertical hanging Venetian blinds (U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,596). Specialized hanging systems as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,600 allow for hanging drapes in a plurality of ornamental designs. 
   In another industry, several types of shower curtains and shower curtain accessories have been developed to prevent the shower curtain from moving while in use. For example, there are clips designed to hold the edges of the shower curtain to the tub. Weights or magnets may be embedded in the curtain material or they may be clipped on by the user. There are devices that act as a backbone for the shower curtain. These may take the form of an arm that is attached to the shower curtain rod or other structure of the shower to force the curtain to maintain its shape. Alternate shower curtains may be attached at both sides and slide up or down into place for use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,432 describes a shower curtain with lower pockets which capture water to weigh down the curtain to prevent movement during use. 
   An object of the present invention is to maintain draperies in a desired configuration. 
   An object of the present invention is to maintain draperies in a desired configuration regardless of air movement around the draperies. 
   An object of the present invention is to force draperies back into a desired configuration if they are physically moved. 
   An object of the present invention is to block air from blowing out the draperies. 
   Finally, it is an object of the present invention to accomplish the foregoing objectives in a simple and cost effective manner. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses these needs by providing a device for maintaining a desired orientation of a hanging flexible panel. The device includes a frame which can be formed into a desired shape and is capable of maintaining the flexible panel within the desired shape. The device further includes an attachment means for attaching the frame to the flexible panel such that the attachment means is perpendicular to the frame when attached to the flexible panel. The device includes a plurality of teeth and an opening in between each adjacent pair of teeth. The teeth are preferably formed in substantially parallel orientation. If desired, the outer surfaces of the teeth can include a frictional retention means such as protuberances or a roughened surface treatment. The frame may include a support backbone and is preferably made from a lightweight, nonporous material such as styrofoam, plastic, wire or wood. To attach the device to the flexible panel, it preferably includes at least one prong which is oriented perpendicularly to the frame. Each prong may be inserted into a pocket formed in the flexible panel. For ease of use or manufacture, the prongs may be movable between an orientation which is parallel to the frame and an orientation which is perpendicular to the frame. In this design, the prongs are moved to the perpendicular orientation and then inserted into the pocket formed in the flexible panel. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete description of the subject matter of the present invention and the advantages thereof, can be achieved by the reference to the following detailed description by which reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view, showing the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  in use; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention  10  shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view, showing the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  in use; 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are top views of alternate embodiments of the present invention  10 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention in place; 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view, showing the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 11  in use; and 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. While the invention has been described as being for draperies or curtains, use with any vertically hanging flexible panel is contemplated. 
   The drapery system is constructed from a lightweight, somewhat flexible material such as foam, plastic or cardboard. Any material which is fairly lightweight and resistant to breaking yet flexible is satisfactory. The device generally is a single piece construction, designed for a standard drapery panel. Larger or smaller devices can be constructed for drapery panels of different sizes. The thickness of the device depends on the strength of the material used for construction. A material with high break resistance, such as plastic, can be made thinner, while a weaker material, such as foam, would be made thicker. The material is preferably nonporous to prevent airflow therethrough. 
   In the preferred embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the device  10  is made from foam which is approximately ¾″ thick. The device is approximately 12½″ long and 6″ at the widest dimension. The device  10  has five teeth  12  which are substantially parallel to each other. There are slits  14  in between the teeth  12  which do not extend along the entire length of the teeth  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the slits  14  are cut into the foam material. Beyond the slits  14 , the teeth  12  are held together by a lengthwise section or backbone  16 . The teeth  12  are rounded at their distal ends. The slits  14  are designed to be narrower at the distal ends and wider at the proximal ends near the backbone  16 . On the outside edge of the outside teeth  12 , an attachment means  18  may be used for attaching the ends of the drapery to the device  10 . The attachment device is preferably hook and loop fastener but may be any suitable attachment such as one or more snaps, buttons, hooks or other similar attachment apparatus. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , to use the preferred embodiment of the invention  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , it is placed behind a drapery panel  22  with the backbone  16  facing the wall or surface behind the drapery  22  and the teeth  12  and slits  14  facing the drapery  22 . While the device  10  is being held in a substantially level orientation with respect to the ground, drapery  22  material is fed into the slits  14 , preferably such that a similar amount of material is fed into each slit  14 . Thus, the drapery  22  material is preferably distributed evenly along the device  10  and in the slits  14 . It is not necessary for drapery  22  material to fit snugly around the distal ends of the teeth  12 . Once all slits  14  contain drapery  22  material, the ends of the drapery  22  are attached to the outside edge of the device by using hook and loop fastener  18  and the backbone  16  is allowed to rest against the surface behind the drapery  22 . The device  10  then holds the drapery  22  in the preferred orientation regardless of air movement. If the drapery  22  is physically moved, the device  10  forces the drapery  22  back into the desired configuration once the physical force is removed. If necessary or desired, multiple devices  10  can be used along the length of a drapery panel  22 . This provides additional stability for long draperies or for draperies subject to significant movement. 
   In one alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the device  10  is made from foam which is approximately ¾″ thick. The device is approximately 12½″ long and 6″ at the widest dimension. The device  10  has six teeth  12  which are approximately 2″ wide and which are substantially parallel to each other. There are slits  14  in between the teeth  12  which do not extend along the entire length of the teeth  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the slits  14  are cut into the foam material. Beyond the slits  14 , the teeth  12  are held together by a lengthwise section or backbone  16 . The teeth  12  are rounded at their distal ends. On the outside edge of the outside teeth  12 , an attachment means  18  may be used for attaching the ends of the drapery to the device. The attachment device is preferably hook and loop fastener  18  but may be any suitable attachment such as one or more snaps, buttons, hooks or other similar attachment apparatus. 
   Use of this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6  and is similar to the use shown in  FIG. 2 . The invention  10  is placed behind a drapery panel  22  with the backbone  16  facing the wall or surface behind the drapery  22  and the teeth  12  and slits  14  facing the drapery  22 . While the device  10  is being held in a substantially level orientation with respect to the ground, drapery  22  material is fed into the slits  14 , preferably such that a similar amount of material is fed into each slit  14 . Thus, the drapery  22  material is preferably distributed evenly along the device  10  and in the slits  14 . It is not necessary for drapery  22  material to fit snugly around the distal ends of the teeth  12 . Once all slits  14  contain drapery  22  material, the ends of the drapery  22  are attached to the outside edge of the device by using hook and loop fastener  18  and the backbone  16  is allowed to rest against the surface behind the drapery  22 . The device  10  then holds the drapery  22  in the preferred orientation regardless of air movement. If the drapery  22  is physically moved, the device  10  forces the drapery  22  back into the desired configuration once the physical force is removed. Again, if necessary or desired, multiple devices  10  can be used along the length of a drapery panel  22 . This provides additional stability for long draperies or for draperies subject to significant movement. 
   In other alternate embodiments, the distal ends of the teeth  12  may be different shapes as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The teeth  12  edges adjacent to the slits  14  may be roughened to provide additional friction against draperies. Or, instead of using a roughened surface, small protuberances  24  can be used to provide additional friction. 
   In another alternate embodiment, the slits  14  are formed through a molding process. In a further alternate embodiment, the backbone  16  is reinforced. This reinforcement can be accomplished by including a reinforcing outer covering around the backbone  16 . Alternatively, the reinforcement can be accomplished by forming the backbone section  16  to have a greater thickness than the teeth  12 . 
   In a further alternate embodiment, the device  10  is made as shown in  FIG. 9 . The teeth  12  are preferably formed from wire or plastic. In this embodiment, no backbone is needed. The slits  14  are as described previously. The inner edges of the teeth  12  which contact the drapery  22  can include roughened surfaces or protuberances if desired, for additional friction against the drapery  22 . The area  20  within the teeth can be open or can be covered by a nonporous material. A nonporous material would be used in instances where it is desirous to reduce airflow behind the drapery  22 . As described previously, hook and loop fastener  18 , or other appropriate attachment means, is preferably used to attach the ends of the drapery  22  to the device  10 , although other fastening means may also be used. The tooth shapes shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5  can all be constructed in this manner, as can other shapes. 
   Another alternate embodiment is shown in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, a deformable metal strip is placed in between the lining of the drape and the drapery  22 . This embodiment generally shaped similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 . The shaping of the device  10  can occur prior to or after it is placed between the lining and the drapery  22 . To provide the necessary weight and allow deformation of the metal strip, it is preferably made from a 1 inch tall lead strip which is 3/16 inch thick. This embodiment can be used to form the shapes shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  7  and  8  as well as many other appropriate shapes. 
   Another alternate embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 11-13 . In this embodiment, the slits  14  are cut into the foam material. Beyond the slits  14 , the teeth  12  are held together by a lengthwise section or backbone  16 . The teeth  12  are rounded at their distal ends. The slits  14  are designed to be narrower at the distal ends and wider at the proximal ends near the backbone  16 . On the outside edge of the outside teeth  12 , an attachment means  18  may be used for attaching the ends of the drapery to the device  10 . The attachment device is preferably hook and loop fastener but may be any suitable attachment such as one or more snaps, buttons, hooks or other similar attachment apparatus. Prongs  28  are constructed in between the teeth  12 . For ease of use, the prongs  28  may be manufactured parallel to the teeth  12 . To attach the device  10  to the drapery panel  22 , the drapery panel includes pockets  30 . The prongs  28  are bent into an orientation perpendicular to the frame of the device  10  and inserted into the pockets  30 . This step pulls the drapery panel  22  in between the teeth  12  and retains the desired curved shape of the drapery panel  22 . 
   Many improvements, modifications, and additions will be apparent to the skilled artisan without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described herein and defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0