GB2201332A - Pelmet - Google Patents

Abstract

Set of ready formed components for forming a pelmet includes a top panel (10), a cornice panel (14) and a pair of end panels (20) preferably recessed (22) to receive and locate the ends of the top and cornice panels, and securing formations (26, 24) receiving fastening elements (28, 30) for drawing, the end panels (20) into close abutment with said other panels (10, 14). Conveniently cutting guide slots (34a, 34b) are provided at predetermined positions with associated securing formations ready formed so that the top and cornice panels can be cut to form a shorter pelmet if required. Alternatively two assemblies of such components may be connected end to end to form a longer pelmet. In this case the further grooving (38) forms lines of weakness so that the lower portion of the end panel (20) may be broken away, thus allowing access to the longer curtain rail and the fastening element 28 has a waisted portion at each end, so that it may cooperate with two camming elements (30) in adjacent top panels (10). <IMAGE>

Description

PELMET This invention relates to pelmets as used for hanging curtains and has as its object the provision of components for forming a pelmet which are easily and conveniently assembled and fixed, which can be provided in a form which is readily adaptable to fit a range of widths, and which is durable and neat in appearance.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a set of components for forming a pelmet including an elongate top panel to be mounted in a horizontal plane in use, a cornice panel adapted to extend in a vertical plane along the operatively front edi of the top panel so as to extend downwardly therefrom, and a pair of end panels shaped to engage and locate the top and cornice panels in their assembled relationship, the end panels and at least one of the top and cornice panels being provided with coacting securing formations to locate fastener elements operable to draw the end panels into close abutment with the ends of the top and cornice panels.

Conveniently the components include the fastening elements and these may take the form of headed tension rods each having a respective wedging or camming element for drawing the panels together as aforesaid. While it is contemplated that the or some of the fastening elements may interconnect the end panels and the cornice panel, most conveniently they interconnect the end panels and the top panel alone, the ends of the cornice panel and preferably the top panel also being further located by mating formations of the end panels.

Preferably provision is made for cutting the top and cornice panels to a predetermined lesser length or lengths so that common components will serve to provide shorter cornices if required and said panels or the appropriate one of them may be provided with further securing formations ready prepared and positioned for use at the shorter length or lengths.

The components, particularly the end panels may be adapted for ir:te-rconnecting two sets of cornice and top panels in end to end relationship for forming longer cornices.

Preferably the assembly in all or any of the forms referred to above can be carried out without the use of adhesives, screws or other fixing elements apart from the fastening elements above referred to.

The invention further resides in an assembled pelmet comprising components as referred to in one or more of the preceding paragraphs.

An example of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pelmet assembly; Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of end to end connection of two pelmet sections, and Figure 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 the pelmet assembly is provided in knocked down" kit form consisting of a set of components prepared for assembly.

Said components include an elongate top panel 10 formed with a tongue 12 along its lateral edges, a cornice panel 14 the same length as panel 10 and provided with a groove 16 adjacent the top of its inner face for mating engagement with the tongue 12 on the front edge of panel 10 as assembled, and righthand and lefthand end panels 18, 20 which will be further described below.

The panels or some of them may be natural or reconstituted timber or possibly some or all of them may be extrusions or moulding of synthetic plastics material, for example rigid foamed plastics and they may be given various colourings and finishes. The visible front face of cornice panel 14 may have a moulded profile as indicated in the drawings.

Each end panel 18, 20 is provided with a generally L shaped groove or recess 22 in its inner face adjacent to the top and front edges for mating engagement with the extreme end portions of the assembled top and cornice panels 10,14 thus providing a housed joint retaining the latter panel in place on assembly without the use of adhesive or ned for other fastening.

To secure each end panel 20 in place it and the adjacent end portion of top panel 10 are provided with coacting securing formations. In this example these consist of a through bore 24 in the respective end panel and a cylindrical recess 26 in the lower face of panel 10 on a vertical axis and opening downwardly spared from its end face and having a bore or grooz e 26a extending from recess 26 to open through-said end face in alignment with bore 24 when the panels are assembled.

The panels are finally secured together by fastening elements comprising a headed tension rod or pin 28 inserted through bore 24 so that it extends into recess 26, the inner end of the pin being waisted to provide a reduced diameter portion, and a camming element 30 received rotatably in cylindrical recess 26 which is then turned by means of a screwdriver or other tool to engage said waisted part of pin 28 and draw the latter inwardly so pulling the associated end panel into tight abutment with the top and cornice panels to form a rigid assembly. Fastening elements 28,30 are standard items used for "knock down" self-assembly furniture and other structures and are known as "turn fasteners".It will be appreciated that other forms of fastening element could be employed and/or more than one element or set of elements could be used e.g. to engage between the end panel and the cornice panel 14 as well as or instead of with top panel 10.

The pelmet is fixed e.g. to the wall above a window by brackets 32 which are conveniently attached to top panel 10 in conventional manner and curtain track can be mounted along the lower face of panel 10 so that it is substantially concealed within the pelmet.

Sets of components may be provided for forming pelmets of a range of standard lengths, for example panels 10 and 14 may be provided having basic lengths of 120, 160 and 200cm (the end panels 18 and 20 being identical for all lengths).

Preferably further selective sizing to desired length is provided by forming at least one end portion of top panel 10 so that it can be reduced in length by predetermined increments as shown in the righthand part (1B) of Figure 1. Slots or grooves 34a, 34b are provided e.g. in the top face of panel 10 extending laterally at predetermined spacings from its end, e.g. 10 and 20cm away from that end.

The panel can be cut to length along the chosen grooves and the cornice panel 14 will be trimmed to correspond. Alternative securing formations or recesses 126, 226 are- ready formed at appropriate positionsn the lower face of panel 10 so that the assembly can be completed following cutting to length as described above.

Thus with relatively few standard components a choice of pelmet lengths, in this example in increments of 10cm, over a wide range of lengths can be provided while maintaining the ease of assembly of the invention.

If a pelmet assembly longer than the maximum available lengths of top and cornice panels is wanted two of the assemblies des ribed above can be assembled in end to end relationship as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The end panels 16, 20 are formed with further grooving 38 forming lines of weakness facilitating the cutting away of portions 40 indicated by broken lines in Figure 3 leaving an inverted L shaped portion which is secured to the ends of respective assembled sets of top and cornice panels 10,14, the material removed from the end panels leaving sufficient to define the housing locating the top and cornice panels while providing clearance within the assembly for the run of curtain track.

The two sections are secured together in end to end relationship as best seen in Figure 4 by the use of a common and longer fastening pin 42 having a waisted portion at each end. These portions are engaged by respective camming elements 30 located in the recesses 26 of the two top panels 10, elements 30 being tightened to draw the two sections together in end to end alignment as well as locating and securing their components as referred to above.

Claims (9)

1. A set of components for forming a pelmet including an elongate top panel to be mounted in a horizontal plane in use, a cornice panel adapted to extend in a vertical plane along the operatively front edge of the top panel so as to extend downwardly therefrom, and a pair of end panels shaped to engage and locate the top and cornice panels in their assembled relationship, the end panels and at least one of the top and cornice panels being provided with coacting securing formations to locate fastening elements operable to draw the end panels into close abutment with the ends of the top and cornice panels.

2. A set of components as in Claim 1 including fastening elements in the form of headed tension rods and co-acting wedging or camming elements for drawing the panels together.

3. A set of components as in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the fastening elements interconnect the end panels and the top panel alone, the ends of the cornice panel being located by mating formations of the end panels.

4. A set of componentsas in Claim 3 wherein the ends of the top panel are further located by mating formations of the end panels.

5. A set of components as in any preceding claim wherein provision is made for cutting the top and cornice panels to a predetermined lesser length or lengths so that a common set of components can serve to provide a cornice of shorter length if required.

6. A set of components as in Claim 5 wherein the top and/or cornice panels are provided with further securing formations ready prepared and positioned for use at the shorter length or lengths.

7. A set of components as in any preceding claim wherein the end panels are adapted to interconnect two sets of cornice and top panels in end to end relationship for forming a longer cornice.

8. A set of components for forming a pelmet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A pelmet including a set of components as in any preceding claim.