Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for holding curtains includes a retainer and a clip tethered to the retainer. The tether is optionally retractable by a retractor. A decorative element is optionally secured to the retainer. The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for retaining curtains. The apparatus includes a clip tethered to a retainer. The clip is capable of securing to a curtain. The retainer includes a bore for receiving a curtain therethrough.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to a device that retains curtains, draperies, or the like, in a desired orientation (such as, for example in a poufed orientation to create a bishop sleeve or simply in a tied back position) and methods for using the device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Devices and accessories for drawing back curtains, draperies, or the like not only enable sunlight to enter a room but also may provide a decorative flair to the window treatment or decor of the room. 
         [0003]    Simple holdback devices, such as a tie back, consist of a rope or similar device that is looped around the drape and tied to a wall mounted hook. While these devices provide the ability to adjust the amount the drape is drawn back, the tie back must ultimately be mounted to a wall, prohibiting portability and damaging the wall. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a continuing need exists for an improved device and an improved method for retaining drapes in a desired configuration. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for retaining curtains. The apparatus includes a clip tethered to a retainer. The clip is capable of securing to a curtain. The retainer includes a bore for receiving a curtain therethrough. 
         [0006]    In embodiments, the clip is retractably tethered to the retainer by a retractor. The retractor includes a housing and a retractable tether disposed within and extendable from the housing. The retractable tether is capable of being extended in a first direction and retracted in a second direction, and is biased in the second direction by a biasing element. In embodiments, the retractor includes a lock capable of maintaining the tether at a desired length when extended from the retractor. 
         [0007]    In embodiments, the retainer is in mechanical cooperation with and end of the retractable tether and the clip disposed on an outer surface of the housing of the retractor. In other embodiments, the retainer is in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the retractor and the clip disposed on an end of the retractable tether. 
         [0008]    In aspects of the present disclosure, the retainer is a toroid. 
         [0009]    In embodiments, a decorative element is secured to the retainer. 
         [0010]    In embodiments, the retainer includes first and second jaw members movable from a first open position to a second approximated position. In the approximated position, the first and second jaw members of the retainer form a bore through which a curtain may be received. The first and second jaw members of the retainer are rotatably affixed on a first end and capable of movement relative to each other. In embodiments, a second end of the first jaw member of the retainer is releasably coupled to a second end of the second jaw member of the retainer while first and second jaw members of the retainer are in an approximated position. In embodiments, a biasing element biases the first and second jaw members of the retainer toward the approximated position. 
         [0011]    In embodiments, the retainer includes an elongate body having a first and second end. The retainer is affixed to an end of the retractable cord between the first and second ends of the elongate body. The first end of the elongate body is releasably coupled to the second end of the elongate body to define a bore through which a curtain can be placed. In embodiments, the first end of the elongate body is releasably coupled to the second end of the elongate body by at least one magnet or by hook and loop fastener. 
         [0012]    A method for holding curtains provided in accordance with the present disclosure includes positioning a curtain through a bore defined through a retainer at a first location on a curtain, elevating the retainer to an elevated height that allows curtain material to billow over the retainer, and securing a clip that is tethered to the retainer to the curtain at a second location on the curtain vertically above the first location to maintain the retainer at the elevated height. In embodiments, the clip is retractably tethered to the retainer and the method further includes extending a retractable tether from a retractor housing, wherein the retractable tether is biased by a biasing element to pull the clip towards the retainer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  illustrate the steps of a method of using an apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates the apparatus of  FIG. 3  with the tether in an extended position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another apparatus for holding a curtain provided in accordance with the present disclosure shown in an open position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6  shown in an approximated position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another apparatus for holding a curtain provided in accordance with the present disclosure shown in an open position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 7  shown in an approximated position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates the apparatus of  FIG. 8  installed on a curtain; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D  illustrate exemplary embodiments of decorative elements useful in connection with the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. In the drawings and in the description that follows, terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar directional terms are used simply for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the disclosure. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a curtain holding device  10  provided in accordance with the present disclosure that generally includes a retainer  20  and a clip  40  tethered to retainer  20  by tether  50 . Retainer  20  includes a bore  21  defined therethrough. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , retainer  20  is generally shown as being toroidal, although other configurations are also contemplated, such as square, rectangular, or the like. Bore  21  is configured and/or dimensioned to enable a curtain “C” to be advanced therethrough. Retainer  20  can be made of any material, including metal, plastic, rubber, and the like. In embodiments, the material of construction from which retainer  20  is made will have sufficient frictional engagement with a curtain positioned through bore  21  to maintain retainer  20  at a desired position on the curtain. 
         [0028]    Clip  40  may be any type of clip within the purview of those skilled in the art, such as, for example, any articulating clip, such as an alligator clip. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , clip  40  includes first and second jaw members  43 ,  44  capable of movement relative to each other. A biasing element (not shown) biases first and second jaw members  43 ,  44  toward a closed position. 
         [0029]    Tether  50  can be a cord, yarn, string or narrow length of fabric. In embodiments, tether  50  is made of an elastic material, thereby biasing clip  40  toward retainer  20  when a curtain is positioned through bore  21  and clip  40  is attached to the curtain at a position remote from retainer  20 . The length of tether  50  is not critical, and can range, for example, from about 1 inch to about 30 inches, in other embodiments, from about 3 inches to about 20 inches, in yet other embodiments from about 6 inches to about 18 inches. 
         [0030]    In operation, curtain holding device  10  retains a curtain in a desired configuration, such as, for example in a poufed orientation to create a bishop sleeve or simply in a tied back position. Initially, curtain “C” is positioned through bore  21  of retainer  20  at a first location on the curtain as shown in  FIG. 2A . Retainer  20  is then elevated to an elevated height that allows curtain material to billow over the retainer as shown in  FIG. 2B . Clip  40  is then secured to the curtain at a second location on the curtain vertically above the first location on the curtain to maintain retainer  20  at the elevated height via tether  50  as shown in  FIG. 2C . As will be appreciated, when in place, retainer  20  is not visible beneath the billowed or poufed fabric of the curtain. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a curtain holding device  100  provided in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure generally includes a retainer  120 , a retractor  130 , and a clip  140  retractably tethered to retainer  120  by tether  150 . Retractor  130  can be any type of retractor within the purview of those skilled in the art, such as retractor reels of the type know for holding keys, badges and the like. Suitable retractor devices are disclosed, for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,007,882, 6,290,158, 6,073,875, and 6,364,237, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
         [0032]    In embodiments, retractor  130  includes a ratchet mechanism so that the tether can be locked at a desired length when extended. Such retractable reels are typically lockable through a mechanism exerting some amount of force on the reel to prevent the tether from being retracted and therefore keep the tether at a desired length. Suitable lockable retractor devices are disclosed, for example in U.S. App. Pub. No. 2005/0011982 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,199,785; 6,019,304; 7,364,109, and 7,384,013, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
         [0033]    As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , retractor  130  includes a housing  131  to which clip  140  is affixed. Although shown as being rigidly affixed to an outer surface of housing  131 , it is also contemplated that clip  140  may be affixed to an outer surface of housing  131  such that clip  140  is capable of swiveling  360  degrees about a center region of the outer surface of housing  131 . 
         [0034]    Retainer  120  includes a lug  122  that is affixed to an outer surface thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , lug  122  is integral to retainer  120 , although other configurations are also contemplated. 
         [0035]    While not explicitly shown in the drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the internal structure of retractor  130  includes a reel (not shown) rotatably supported within the interior of housing  131  and around which tether  150  can be wrapped. A biasing element (not shown) is affixed to housing  131  on a first end and to the reel (not shown) on a second end, thereby biasing the reel towards a direction that winds tether  150  about the reel. Tether  150  is secured on a first end to the reel (not shown) and may be any extended from and refracted back into housing  131 . End stop  136  is secured to a second end of tether  150  and is configured and/or dimensioned to prohibit tether  150  from being wound fully within housing  131 . A second end of end stop  136  includes a bore  137  defined through an upper and lower surface thereof. A ring  138  is advanced within bore  137  and is configured and/or dimensioned to engage lug  122  such that refractor  130  and retainer  120  are coupled. 
         [0036]    In operation, curtain holding device  100  functions in the manner described above with respect to curtain holding device  10  to retain a curtain in a poufed configuration or in a tied back position. Initially, curtain “C” is positioned through bore  121  of retainer  120  at a first location on the curtain. Retainer  120  is then elevated to an elevated height that allows curtain material to billow over the retainer. Retractable tether  150  is then extended from retractor  130  and clip  140  is secured to the curtain at a second location on the curtain vertically above the first location on the curtain to maintain retainer  120  at the elevated height via retractable tether  150 . 
         [0037]    In the alternative embodiment of curtain holding device  200  shown in  FIG. 5 , retractor  230  is affixed to retainer  220  and clip  240  is secured to an end of retractable tether  250 . In operation, curtain holding device  200  functions in the manner described above with respect to curtain holding devices  10 ,  100  to retain a curtain in a poufed configuration. Initially, curtain “C” is positioned through bore  221  of retainer  220  at a first location on the curtain. Retainer  220  is then elevated to an elevated height that allows curtain material to billow over the retainer. Retractable tether  250  is then extended from retractor  230  by pulling on clip  240 . Clip  240  is then secured to the curtain at a second location on the curtain vertically above the first location on the curtain to maintain retainer  220  at the elevated height via retractable tether  250 . 
         [0038]    Another embodiment of a retainer  320  which can be used with any of curtain holding devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . Retainer  320  includes first and second jaw members  301 ,  302  capable of movement relative to each other. First and second jaw members  301 ,  302  are rotatably affixed at a first end using any suitable means, such as a pin  304 . A second end includes a lock  303  thereby retaining first and second jaw members  301 ,  302  in an approximated position. Lock  303  may be any suitable lock such as magnets, pins, hook and loop, etc. 
         [0039]    In operation, a curtain holding device including retainer  320  functions in the manner described above with respect to curtain holding devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  to retain a curtain in a poufed configuration or in a tied back position. Retainer  320  is utilized by moving first and second jaw members  301 ,  302  into an open position and while in the open position, first and second jaw members  301 ,  302  are positioned around a curtain at a first position on the curtain. First and second jaw members  301 ,  302  are then moved into an approximated position, to surround the curtain within bore  321  and locked in the approximated position. Retainer  320  is then elevated to an elevated height that allows curtain material to billow over the retainer. A tethered clip can then be used to secure retainer in the elevated height as described hereinabove. 
         [0040]    Another embodiment of a retainer  420  which can be used with any of curtain holding devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 7A . Retainer  420  includes an elongate body  401  having first and second ends. Elongate body  401  may be constructed of any suitable material being having compliant properties, e.g., rope, fabric, composites, etc. Elongate body  401  is affixed to retractor  130  at a location between the first and second ends. A lock  403  is disposed on the first and second ends of elongate body  401  such that elongate body  401  may be locked into a loop defining a bore  421  capable of retaining a curtain therein. Lock  403  may be any suitable lock such as magnets, pins, hook and loop, etc. It is also contemplated that the first and second ends of elongate body  401  may be tied together, thereby locking elongate body into a loop including a bore  421  capable of retaining a curtain “C”, drape, or the like therein. 
         [0041]    In operation, a curtain holding device including retainer  420  functions in the manner described above with respect to curtain holding devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  to retain a curtain in a poufed configuration or in a tied back position. Retainer  420  is utilized by wrapping elongate body  401  around a curtain at a first location on the curtain to surround the curtain within bore  421  and locked in this position using lock  403 . Retainer  420  is then elevated to an elevated height that allows curtain material to billow over the retainer. A tethered clip can then be used to secure retainer in the elevated height as described hereinabove. 
         [0042]    In embodiments, the curtain holding device of the present disclosure includes a decorative element for aesthetically embellishing a curtain. As seen in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 8 , curtain holding device  500  includes a retainer  520  and a clip  540  tethered to retainer  520  by tether  550  which is secured to lug  522 . Retainer  520  includes a bore  521  defined therethrough as in previous embodiments and decorative element  590  secured thereto. 
         [0043]    Decorative element  590  can be secured to retainer  520  in any manner within the purview of those skilled in the art such as, for example, by the use of a magnet, adhesive, welding, hook and loop fastener, a loop of wire, or a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw, tack, staple, or the like). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain securement techniques will allow the decorative element to be changed when desired, while other securement techniques will result in permanent attachment. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , decorative element  590  is secured to retainer  520  using screw  560 , which allows for decorative element  590  to be removed (due to the accessibility of screw head  562 ) and replaced as desired. 
         [0044]    Decorative element  590  may include a standoff  570  to create a space between retainer  520  and decorative element  590  to accommodate a curtain “C” therein, so that decorative element  590  is visible and provides an aesthetically pleasing embellishment to the curtain, while maintaining retainer  520  hidden from view when curtain holding device  500  is installed as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0045]    Decorative element  590  may be made from any suitable material, such as textiles, plastics, metals, ceramics, or the like, or any combination of materials. In embodiments, the decorative element may include jewelry elements, such as decorative stones, for example diamonds, rhinestones, pearls, or the like, or a precious metal, for example, silver, gold, platinum, or the like. 
         [0046]    Decorative element  590  may be of any desired, aesthetically pleasing design, such as may be achieved by a combination of any artistic features, such as shape, coloring, and/or texture. For example, the decorative element may be a disc which is adorned by a decorative motif or design on one side. An illustrative example of a domed, disc-shaped decorative element  590 A is shown in  FIG. 10C . Alternatively, the decorative member may be in the shape of a flower, including but not limited to fabric flowers, plastic molded flowers, or even fresh flowers. An illustrative example of a flower decorative element  590 C is shown in  FIG. 10C . An illustrative example of a decorative element  590 B in the form of holly as shown in  FIG. 10B  is especially useful in embodiments where the securement technique employed allows the decorative element to be changed seasonally or for holidays. Alternatively, the decorative member may be in the shape of an ornamental bow, such as, for example, a rosette bow, double loop rosette bow, bow and flower, tri-color rosette (requires three coordinating fabrics), or combinations and variations of the above-mentioned ornamental bows. An illustrative example of a decorative element  590 D in the form of a bow is shown in  FIG. 10D . Those skilled in the art reading this disclosure will readily envision other aesthetically pleasing designs for decorative element  590 . 
         [0047]    Persons skilled in the art will understand that the structures and methods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanying figures are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and that the description, disclosure, and figures should be construed merely as exemplary of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise embodiments described, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Additionally, the elements and features shown or described in connection with certain embodiments may be combined with the elements and features of certain other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and that such modifications and variations are also included within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0