AU718369B2 - Curtain assembly - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0o11 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Titlk ~:Curtain Assembly Higlifield Furnishings Pty Ltd 4* Applicant: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: Documentl2 CURTAIN ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a new and improved curtain assembly.

In hospitals and other environments, it is common to use curtains to divide rooms for privacy and other purposes. Curtain track assemblies are provided around hospital beds. A number of hook gliders extend into the tracks. The curtains are fixed to these by buttons or hooks.

In hospitals, for example, it is necessary to wash these curtains on a regular basis. In most hospitals, it is necessary to remove curtains for washing at least i each six weeks but in many cases this occurs more often. Removing curtains and replacing them is time consuming and tedious.

The object of the present invention is to provide a curtain assembly where the removal and replacement is less time consuming and less tedious.

In accordance with the present invention, a curtain assembly includes a plurality 20 of curtain supporting gliding means adapted to fit into the curtain track and to move therealong. The gliding means of the invention includes a depending .curtain connecting portion of planar configuration on at least one surface of which :is located fastening means. The fastening means is either the hook or loop component of a hook and loop fastening system as will be further explained hereafter. The planar portion may be of any suitable configuration. A disc like portion is preferred which may include a protecting rim around the perimeter thereof to provide a well in which the connecting means can be located.

The curtain of the curtain assembly is provided along its top edge with a corresponding fastening means assembly, including a hook or loop component complementary to that on the gliding means. Preferably these C:\WNWORDKATESPECI\71812-96.DOC assemblies are of complementary shape to the connecting portion of the gliding means, spaced apart along the curtain at appropriate intervals, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, necessary for proper and attractive hanging of the curtain. These may be sewn onto the curtain.

In order better to understand the present invention, there is shown in the drawings a preferred embodiment of a curtain assembly and its component parts in which there is shown a standard curtain track 1, having a glider receiving zone 2, and supporting arms 3 providing a glide slot therebetween.

A plurality of gliders are provided shown generally at 4. These may include arms 6 and 6' to be supported by the legs 3. Depending arms 7 and 7' extend between the arms 3 to support an annular ring 8 through which the member 9 extends.

This may be held in place by knob 11. Depending from the member 9 is a disc 12 which presents a pair of planar surfaces each surrounded by a rim 13 within which is located the loop portion of a hook/loop fastening assembly.

The curtain 16 includes a plurality of spaced apart hook portions of a hook/loop **fastening assemblies. This system is available commercially under the trade mark "VELCRO". The portions may be spaced apart at any desired intervals, as will be appreciated those skilled in the art, to provide an appropriate curtain hanging assembly.

It will be appreciated that the means by which the planar connecting portion of the gliding means is assembled in relation to the curtain track may be varied to suit various track assemblies as is known in the art. The essential requirement being that there is a planar surface to support the hook/loop fastening system.

Preferably the planar connecting portion is in the form of a disc and includes a rim as shown. The rim assists in protecting the hook/loop fastening component from being inadvertently removed. The planar connecting portion can be of any -4suitable size. Discs of about 20mm to 25mm in diameter have been found to be particularly satisfactory. There may be a rim provided on each side of the disc and the fastening system applied to each side. When such gliding members are provided at the ends of a curtain, this allows the curtain to be lapped around at its end to provide a neat hanging appearance as will be further discussed below.

The gliding members may be molded in suitable plastic.

The thickness of the planar connecting portion of the gliding members may be such to allow the curtain to be neatly housed at one end of the track without taking up significant space as will be further discussed below. In one example of the invention, the thickness of the disc is about 4mm.

The fastening means associated with the curtain which is preferably in the form of a hook or loop assembly complementary to that on the gliding means may be provided in any suitable form. For example, a tape of the material may be sewn to the top edge of the curtain. However, it is preferred that portions of such S. material be located at spaced intervals along the top edge of the curtain. In one .example, the spacing is at about 100mm distances. The provision of discrete zone of the fastening material on the curtain assists in the proper location and 20 spacing of the gliding means when the curtain is assembled as will be further °oo• explained hereafter. A spacing of about 100mm appears to be adequate to provide an appropriate and neat hanging of the curtain. As will be appreciated, it is usual to have one of these zones adjacent to each side edge of the curtain.

In use, a plurality of gliding members are placed within the curtain track assembly, 555*.* the number being chosen to correspond with the number of fastening zones for the particular curtain to be hung. The curtain is then fixed to the gliding member by pressing the loop component thereon against the hook component on the curtain beginning at one end of the curtain with the first of the gliding members and working in turn until the curtain is affixed. The curtain thus mounted can be gathered to one end of the track or can be extended in the usual manner. When the curtain is gathered at one end, it will be found that the space taken will be limited by the space requirements within the track rather than the disc portions.

Thus in accordance with the invention, the space requirement is very small. This can be favourably compared with prior art arrangements where hooks are used; the hooks requiring substantial space when gathered at one end of the curtain track.

If desired at one or either end, the curtain can be lapped around the first and/or the last of the gliding members to provide a neat end to the curtain. For this reason, the gliding member may have the fastening material on each of its faces.

It has been found that the curtain falls neatly from the gliding members of the present invention. It is believed that this is so because of the width of the member. In prior art hooking arrangements, it is usual for the curtain to fall unevenly due to the narrow connection provided by the hook.

When it is desired that the curtain be removed, it simply needs to be pulled from one end at an angle such that the fastening hooks and loops come apart readily.

This can be achieved by a person pulling the curtain when in a standing position.

There is no need for the person to climb a ladder to disconnect each separately as in the case of prior art arrangements. The curtain can then be washed and replaced as before without significant difficulty.

S* 25 Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a simple means for hanging curtains. The curtain is easily mounted, can be arranged in very neat appearance can be readily removed for washing, thus avoiding significant difficulties with prior art arrangements and can be gathered in a small zone at the end of the curtain track when desired.

It will be appreciated that many variations may be made to the above described arrangement and construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In particular, it should be appreciated that the invention is embodied separately in the arrangement of the curtain and in the arrangement of the gliding means.

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Claims (7)

1. A gliding means for supporting a curtain and adapted to fit into a curtain track and move therealong including a curtain connecting portion capable of depending from the track and having at least one surface of planar configuration on which is located fastening means being either the hook component or the loop component of a hook and loop fastening system for fastening to a curtain having a hook or look component complementary to that on the gliding means.

2. A gliding means according to claim 1 wherein the curtain connecting portion is disc shaped and wherein on at least one planar surface is located the fastening means.

3. A gliding means according to claim 2 wherein the curtain connecting portion includes a raised rim around its perimeter to provide a well within which is located the fastening means thereby providing the fastening means with some protection from inadvertent removal. o S4. A gliding means according to either claim 2 or 3 wherein fastening means 20 are located on each side of the curtain connecting portion thereby enabling a curtain having complementary fastening means to be fastened to either or both sides of the curtain connecting portion.

5. A gliding means according to any one of claims 1 to 4 including gliding support arms adapted to fit into and to be supported by the legs of the curtain track, and at least one depending arm connecting the gliding support arms to the curtain connecting portion dependable from the gliding support arms through the space between the legs of the curtain track.

6. A gliding means substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings. 8

7. A curtain assembly including a plurality of gliding means according to any one of claims 1 to 6 fitted to a curtain track.

8. A curtain assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings. DATED: 21 April 1999 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys For: HIGHFIELD FURNISHINGS PTY LTD C:\W1N'ORDUENLAIWMJRWNODELP71812.DOC