US20230270273A1

US20230270273A1 - Curtain rod assembly with angled mounting members for blackout effect

Info

Publication number: US20230270273A1
Application number: US18/175,983
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark COOMBS; Hannah BRENNEN; Sophia KURTZ
Original assignee: Sleepout Inc
Current assignee: Sleepout Inc
Priority date: 2022-02-28
Filing date: 2023-02-28
Publication date: 2023-08-31
Also published as: CA3191383A1

Abstract

The present invention is a curtain rod assembly, to help create a blackout effect by the curtain blocking unwanted light entering between the wall and the top and sides of the curtain. When the curtain rod assembly is mounted to the wall, a flat front surface of a curtain rod is vertically inclined to guide a curtain header into contact with the wall to prevent light leakage from the top of the curtain. A mounting member may be contoured to define between the mounting member and the wall a space into which a side edge of the curtain may be tucked to prevent light leakage from the sides of the curtain. The mounting member may define a socket that extends along a vertically inclined axis, and into which an end of the curtain rod can be inserted so as to be removably retained by gravity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/314,655, filed Feb. 28, 2022, entitled “Blackout curtain rod assembly with angled mount”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully disclosed herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to curtain rod assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there are a number of solutions for providing a permanent means to darken a room for a proper sleep environment or for other reasons. Some of these solutions include simply attaching foil, towels, or cardboard to windows using tapes or fasteners. Other solutions include fixed rods or a traverse which includes a track that extends along a portion of the curtain rod.
Some of these solutions fail to meet the needs of the industry because: (1) materials like foil, towels, or cardboard, fail to properly block light around all areas of a window; (2) the attachment mechanism to affix these materials to windows often partly or fully fails, exposing light; and (3) the inability to easily remove these solutions can cause them to remain up for long periods of time, building up moisture or potentially mold between the window and blackout layer.
Other solutions attempt to use a fixed curtain rod to provide a permanent means to darken a room, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because of: (1) the nature of fabric letting in light along the top opening of the rod; (2) fabric letting in light along the left and right side openings of the rod. Still, other solutions seek to provide a permanent means to darken a room using a fixed, multi-part rod which curves and extends towards the wall, but again fail to meet the industry's needs due to: (1) failure to block light at the top of the curtain rod; (2) significant gaps between the curtain rod and the wall letting in light; and (3) the installation method, which may require complete disassembly to remove the rod to change or wash the curtains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable to have a curtain rod assembly which can avoid light bleeds between from the top and sides of curtains and the wall to create a better environment for sleeping or reduce light in a particular room. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a curtain rod which guides any curtain fabric attached to it to block light over the top of the curtain rod. Still, further, it would also be desirable to have a curtain rod which curves at the sides and blocks light from the side of the windows. It would also be desirable to have a curtain rod assembly that facilities installation and removal of the curtain rod from the wall. The disclosed curtain rod assembly addresses these needs with features including a curtain rod having a flat front surface that is vertically inclined to guide a curtain header toward the wall, mounting members that define vertically inclined sockets, and mounting members that have a tuck surface that defines a space between the tuck surface and the wall for tucking the curtains behind the mounting member. These features improve on existing models by allowing curtain fabric to maintain flush contact with the wall over the top and around the sides of the curtain rod creating a maximum blackout effect.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a curtain rod assembly and its mounting members as described below. It will be understood that the curtain comprises a curtain aperture and a curtain header. It will be understood that the wall defines a forward horizontal direction extending perpendicularly away from the wall (i.e. the planar surface of the wall).
In one aspect, the present disclosure comprises a curtain rod assembly for mounting a curtain to a wall. The curtain rod assembly comprises a curtain rod for insertion into the curtain aperture, wherein the curtain rod comprises a substantially flat front surface. In use, when the curtain rod assembly is mounted to the wall, the flat front surface is inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, α, of between 120 degrees and 150 degrees to guide the curtain header toward the wall. In embodiments, the angle, α, may be between 130 degrees and 140 degrees, and more particularly 135 degrees. In embodiments, the flat front surface of the curtain rod has a dimension, d, of at least 20 millimeters measured along the flat front surface in a direction that is perpendicular to an elongate direction defined between ends of the curtain rod. In embodiments, the curtain rod assembly is provided in combination with the curtain (e.g., as parts of a kit), wherein, in use, when the curtain rod assembly is mounted to the wall, and the curtain rod is disposed in the curtain aperture, a curtain header of the curtain is of sufficient length above the curtain rod to be guided by the flat front surface of the curtain rod into contact with the wall.
In embodiments, the curtain rod assembly may further comprise a pair of mounting members for mounting the curtain rod to the wall. In use, the pair of mounting members are mounted to the wall at positions spaced apart horizontally. Each of the mounting members comprises at least one rod-contacting surface for retaining the curtain rod, and a wall-contacting surface for abutting against the wall.
In embodiments, the mounting members may further comprise a tuck surface. In use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, the tuck surface and the wall define between them a space for receiving a portion of the curtain. In embodiments, in use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, the space is accessible from an outer side of the mounting member facing in a horizontal direction parallel to the wall and away from a center of the curtain rod. In embodiments, in use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, and the space receives the portion of the curtain, the wall and the tuck surface retain the portion of the curtain in the space.
In embodiments, the at least one rod-contacting surface defines a socket for receiving one of the ends of the curtain rod, wherein the socket extends into the mounting member along an axis inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, β, of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. In embodiments, the angle, β, may be between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and more particularly 45 degrees.
In embodiments, the curtain rod comprises a pair of rod end portions, wherein, in use, when the curtain rod assembly is mounted to the wall, the rod end portions extend towards the wall. In embodiments, the rod end portions are slidably attached, directly or indirectly, to each other to allow for adjustment of a length of the curtain rod. In embodiments, at least one of the curtain rod end portions is telescopically received in a tubular portion of the curtain rod. In embodiments, at least one of the curtain end portions is tubular and telescopically receives another portion of the curtain rod.
In another aspect, the present disclosure comprises a mounting member for mounting a curtain rod to a wall and retaining a curtain in contact with the wall. The mounting member comprises: at least one rod-contacting surface for retaining the curtain rod; a wall-contacting surface for abutting against the wall; and a tuck surface. In use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, the tuck surface and the wall define between them a space for receiving a portion of the curtain. In use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, the space is accessible from an outer side of the mounting member facing in a horizontal direction parallel to the wall and away from a center of the curtain rod. In embodiments, in when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, and the space receives the portion of the curtain, the wall and the tuck surface retain the portion of the curtain in the space. In embodiments, the at least one rod-contacting surface defines a socket for receiving an end of the curtain rod, wherein the socket extends into the mounting member along an axis inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, β, of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. In embodiments, the angle, β, may be between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and more particularly 45 degrees. In embodiments, the socket has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
In another aspect, the present disclosure comprises a mounting member for mounting a curtain rod to a wall. The mounting member comprises a wall-contacting surface for abutting against the wall. The mounting member defines a socket for receiving an end of the curtain rod, wherein the socket extends into the mounting member along an axis inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, β, of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. In embodiments, the angle, β, may be between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and more particularly 45 degrees. In embodiments, the socket has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
The foregoing aspects of the disclosure, and embodiments and features thereof, may be combined together with each other.
In a particular embodiment, disclosed is a curtain rod assembly which is made up of the following components: a curtain rod with a vertically inclined flat front surface and a 90 degree turn at each side; a mounting member on both the left and right sides of the curtain rod, symmetric in design, and defining sockets that extend into the mounting member along an axis vertically inclined at 45 degrees to a horizontal direction extending forward of the wall, which the ends of the curtain rod slide into; and fasteners, which are inserted through holes in the mounting members to fix the curtain rod assembly to the wall. These components are connected as follows: the ends of the curtain rod rest in the sockets of the mounting members, holding the flat front surface of the curtain rod tilted at 45 degrees towards the wall, and the fasteners holding the mounting members fix the entire curtain rod assembly securely to the wall.
In particular embodiments, the curtain rod assembly may also have one or more of the following: a tuck surface on the rear of the mounting members that, with the wall, defines a space for a portion of the curtain fabric to tuck into between the tuck surface and the wall; padding on the ends of the rod end pieces to cushion the impact from sliding into the mounting members; a curtain with a curtain header having material overhanging on the top of the curtain rod and having sufficient length to be guided by the flat front surface of the curtain rod into contact with the wall; a curtain with an additional tab of fabric in the center to overlap when a pair of the curtains close together; different types of curtains where the curtain rod may pass through apertures in the curtain, or the rod may extend through a generally cylindrical curtain aperture extending the length of the curtain allowing the curtain to slide along the rod; a mechanism to lock the extension of the curtain rod; a re-closable fastener strip on both mounting members that attaches to a re-closable fastener strip on the curtain rod; a space in the mounting members to hold a second curtain rod; and a sliding tube or track component enabling the extension of the curtain rod.
The disclosed curtain rod assembly is unique when compared with other known devices and solutions because it: helps to avoid light bleeds on both the top edge of the curtain as well as the right and left sides of the curtain; allows everyday use of opening and closing the curtains without impeding light-blocking effect; and facilitates easy removal of the curtain rod, allowing users to simply lift the curtain rod out of the mounting members to change or wash curtains.
The disclosed curtain rod assembly is superior to other known curtain rod assemblies because it provides: mounting members having sockets that are vertically inclined (e.g. angled at 45 degrees) which tilt the curtain rod, making the curtain header fabric attached to the curtain rod maintain flush contact with the wall and blocking undesirable light bleeds from the top of the window; a contour of the rear side of the mounting members provides space between the mounting members and the wall to tuck the curtain fabric, blocking light from the side of the windows; a complete, permanent installation without needing a center mount, further improving the performance by blocking light bleeds from in between curtains; a simple mechanism to attach curtain fabric to the rod that only requires a person to pull the curtain rod off the mounting members without removal of the mounting members or any other part of the curtain rod assembly.
This disclosure will now provide a more detailed and specific description that will refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The curtain rod assembly and parts thereof may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the disclosure will be better appreciated with reference to the attached drawings, as follows.

FIG. 1 shows a top rear isometric view of a non-limiting embodiment of the curtain rod assembly of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows a top rear exploded view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2 shows a top exploded view of the curtain rod of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2A shows a view of region A of FIG. 2 at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 shows a right-side view the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3A shows a right-side exploded view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4A shows a front view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows a rear isometric view of the curtain rod of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 shows the top view of the curtain rod of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7 shows the side view of the curtain rod of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 8 shows the front view of the curtain rod of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 9 shows the rear view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 , when the curtain rod thereof is fully extended.

FIG. 9A shows a view of region A of FIG. 9 at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 10 shows the rear view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 , when the curtain rod thereof is minimally extended.

FIG. 10A shows a view of region A of FIG. 10 at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 11 shows the top view of the mounting members of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 12 shows the rear view of the mounting members of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 shows the bottom view of the mounting members of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 shows the outer side view of the mounting members of FIG. 11 , with the internal sockets thereof shown in dashed line.

FIG. 15 shows a rear outer side isometric view of the mounting members of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 16 shows the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 11 with fasteners.

FIG. 16A shows the exploded view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 11 with fasteners.

FIG. 16B shows a view of region A of FIG. 16A at an enlarged scale.

FIG. 17 is a right side view of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 , when secured to a wall, and supporting a curtain having a curtain header contacting the wall.

FIG. 18 is a top view of part of the curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 , when secured to a wall, and an edge of a curtain tucked into a space defined between the wall and a tuck surface one of the mounting members.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a pair of curtains suspended from a curtain rod of a curtain rod assembly of FIG. 1 attached to a wall to produce a blackout effect in front of a window concealed from view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Interpretation

The present invention is directed to a curtain rod assembly. Any term or expression not expressly defined herein shall have its commonly accepted definition understood by a person skilled in the art. As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings.
“Curtain aperture”, as used herein, refers to an aperture defined by a curtain for receiving a curtain rod so that the curtain can be suspended from the curtain rod. The present disclosure is not limited by the manner in which the curtain aperture is formed. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 17 shows a curtain 110 having a curtain aperture 112 that extends continuously along the width of the curtain 110. As known in the art, such a curtain aperture 112 may be referred to as a “rod pocket”. As another non-limiting example, a plurality of curtain apertures may be provided at horizontally spaced apart positions along the width of the upper header portion of a curtain. As known in the art, a curtain with such curtain apertures may be referred to as a “back tab” style curtain.
“Curtain header”, as used herein, refers to the portion of the curtain that extends from the curtain aperture(s) of the curtain to the upper edge of the curtain. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 17 shows a curtain 110 having a curtain header 116 extending from the curtain aperture 112 to the upper edge 118 of the curtain 110. The curtain drape 114 forms the remainder the curtain 110 extending downwardly from the curtain aperture 112.
The following terms are defined to facilitate description of the direction or orientation of the curtain rod assembly or parts thereof when the curtain rod assembly is mounted to a vertical wall. To illustrate these terms, reference is made to the embodiment of the curtain rod assembly 10 mounted to the wall 100 as shown in the right side view of FIG. 17 and the top view of FIG. 18 .
“Forward horizontal direction”, as used herein, refers to the horizontal direction that extends perpendicularly away from the wall 100. In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 , the forward horizontal direction is denoted by the direction of the arrow lines labelled “F”.
“Rear”, “rearward” and like terms, as used herein, refer to the side of the curtain rod assembly 10 or parts thereof that are relatively proximal to the wall 100, in comparison to “front”, “forward” and like terms, as used herein, which refer to the side of the curtain rod assembly or parts thereof that are relatively distal to the wall. In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 , the rear side and front side are denoted by the directions of the double-headed arrow lines labelled, “Rear” and “Front”, respectively.
“Outer”, “outward” and like terms, as used herein, refer to sides of the curtain rod assembly 10 or parts thereof that are relatively distal to center of the curtain rod assembly 10 in the horizontal direction parallel to the wall 100, in comparison to “inner”, “inward” and like terms, as used herein, which refer to sides of the curtain rod assembly 10 or parts thereof that are relatively proximal to the center of the curtain rod assembly in the horizontal direction parallel to the wall 100. For example, FIG. 17 shows the outer side surface 26 of the right mounting member 4, in a right side view of the curtain rod assembly 10. FIG. 18 shows the outer side surface 26 and the inner side surface 28 of the right mounting member 4, in a top view of the curtain rod assembly 10.

Curtain Rod Assembly

FIGS. 16 to 18 show views of an embodiment of a curtain rod assembly 10 in its most complete form. In this embodiment, the curtain rod assembly 10 includes the following components: a curtain rod 12 formed by a tubular curtain rod central portion 1 which rests on two identical curtain rod end portions 2 that form rounded right-angle corner pieces, and which fit into both ends of the curtain rod center portion 1; a left and right mounting member 3, 4, symmetrical in design, and defining sockets 14 into which the curtain rod end portions 2 fit and slide; and fasteners 5 (e.g., screws, bolts, nails and the like) which fix into apertures of the mounting members 3, 4 and secure the curtain rod assembly 100 to the wall 100. The curtain rod 12 and the mounting members 3, 4, may be made of any material having suitable strength and stiffness for supporting a curtain 110, with non-limiting examples being metals (e.g., aluminum or cast iron), plastic or wood. Part of the curtain rod end portions 2 slide telescopically within the length of the tubular curtain rod central portion 1, providing the ability to customize and adjust the curtain rod 12 length. In another embodiment, the relationship may be reversed: i.e., the curtain rod end portions 2 may be tubular and telescopically receive the curtain rod central portion 1. In other embodiments, the curtain rod 12 may be formed by a different number of parts, such as one monolithic part, or a pair of portions, or more than three portions. The connection between the curtain rod 12 and the mounting members 3, 4 is held by gravity. Because the sockets 14 of the mounting members 3, 4 extend into the mounting members 3, 4 along an axis 15 (see FIG. 14 ) vertically inclined upward from the forward horizontal direction F by an angle, β, of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, the weight of the curtain rod 12 causes it to slide and effectively fall into position in the sockets 14 of the mounting members 3, 4. More particularly, the angle β may be between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, and even more particularly 45 degrees in one embodiment. The mounting members 3, 4 have a rear surface this is contoured (e.g., in an S-shaped form) (see FIG. 15 ) having a wall-contacting surface 16 and a tuck surface 20. The wall-contacting surface 16 is to be abutted against a wall 100 and defines one or more apertures 18 for through passage of fasteners 5. When mounted to the wall 100, the tuck surface 20 and the wall 100 define therebetween a space for tucking a portion (e.g., a side edge or top corner) of the curtains 110 such that they completely contact the wall 100. The wall 100 and the tuck surface 20 retain the portion of the curtain 110 in the space, e.g., by compression and/or friction. It should be further noted that removing the curtain rod 12 to change or wash curtains 110 does not require entire disassembly of the curtain rod assembly 10; instead, the curtain rod 12 may simply be lifted out of the sockets 14 of the mounting members 3, 4.
FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the curtain rod assembly 10. The curtain rod assembly 10 may include a tubular curtain rod central portion 1 which rests on two curtain rod end portions 2, together forming the curtain rod 12. FIG. 1A shows an exploded view, demonstrating how the curtain rod 12 detaches from the mounting members 3 and 4 by sliding upward and forward out of the sockets 14 defined on the fronts of the mounting members 3, 4. In both FIG. 1 . and FIG. 1A, the view is from behind the wall—i.e. from the rear side of the curtain rod assembly 10. The mounting members 3 and 4 may be oriented with the wall-contacting surface 16 on their inner sides, and the tuck surface 18 (see FIG. 15 ) defining the space 30 (see FIG. 18 ) to tuck curtains on the outer sides of the mounting members 3, 4. The mounting members 3 and 4 may hold the tubular curtain rod central rod portion 1 and the two curtain rod end portions 2 at an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees (e.g., 45 degrees) above the forward horizontal direction F, with the curtain rod central portion 1 and the two curtain rod end portions 2 elevated slightly above the mounting site where the mounting members 3, 4 abut the wall 100.
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the curtain rod 12. FIG. 2A is a close-up view of region A of FIG. 2 . The tubular curtain rod central portion 1 and the identical curtain rod end portions 2 may slide freely relative to each other to provide the user the ability to adjust the length of the curtain rod 12. Both the curtain central portion 1 and curtain rod end portions 2 may have a cross-section that is rectangular or flat in shape. Accordingly, the curtain rod 12 defines a flat front surface 6 that faces away from the wall 100 when the curtain rod assembly 10 is mounted to the wall 100. The curtain rod end portions 2 have a filleted curve and that achieves a right angle turn at each end of the curtain rod 12. One end of the curtain rod end portions 2 extends inwardly into the curtain rod central portion 1; the extra length allows for the curtain rod center portion 1 to slide with ease along it. The other end of the curtain rod end portions 2, slides into the inclined sockets 14 of the mounting members 3, 4. It may be preferable for the curtain rod end portions 2 to be relatively short. This relatively short length between the curtain rod central portion 1 and the wall 100 helps the curtain rod assembly 10 to minimize light bleeds at the top of the curtain rod assembly 10. As a non-limiting example, the curtain rod 12 may have an overall length between its ends that is adjustable between about 120 centimeters (48 inches) to about 200 centimeters (80 inches). As a non-limiting example, the part of the curtain rod end portions 2 that extend into the sockets 14 of the mounting members 3, 4 may have a length of about 2.4 centimeters (1 inch).
FIG. 3 shows a right side view of the curtain rod assembly 10, which highlights the connection between the three-part curtain rod 12 and the right mounting member 4. FIG. 3A shows an exploded view version of FIG. 3 . The orientation of the socket 14 of the mounting member 4 may result in the flat front surface 6 curtain rod 12 to be tilted, i.e., vertically inclined between 30 degrees to 60 degrees (e.g., at 45 degrees in this embodiment) towards the wall 100. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 17 , the flat front surface 6 of the curtain rod 12 is vertically inclined above the forward horizontal direction F at an angle, α, of between 120 degrees and 150 degrees. More particular, the angle, α, may be between 130 degrees and 140 degrees, and even more particularly 135 degrees in one embodiment. The tilted flat front surface 6 of the curtain rod 12 acts as a guide for any material of the curtain header 116 above the curtain rod 12 to reach and lay flush against the wall 100. Furthermore, the orientation of the mounting member 4 provides the user with simple installation and adjustment options. The tilted socket 14 of the mounting member 4 (see FIG. 14 ) allows gravity to hold the curtain rod 12 in place, and thus, nothing needs to be screwed or unscrewed to remove the curtain rod 12 from the mounting member 4. The tilted socket 14 of mounting member 4 also uses gravity to reduce risk of the curtain rod 12 wobbling or falling off of the mounting members 3, 4 during use.
FIG. 4 shows the tilt of the curtain rod assembly 10, as viewed from its rear side, that in use, faces towards the wall 100. The rear view shows the mounting members 3 and 4 and their wall-contacting surface 16 (see FIG. 12 ) on the inner side of the rear surface. FIG. 4A shows the front view of the curtain rod assembly 10. There may be a tuck surface 20 on the outer sides of the mounting members 3 and 4 (see FIG. 12 ) that defines a space 30 (see FIG. 18 ) between tuck surface 20 and the wall 100, for users to tuck a portion of the curtain (e.g., side edge 120) and effectively close light bleeds on the side of the curtain 110.
FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the three-part curtain rod 12, which may be a subassembly in the curtain rod assembly 10. Padding 32 may be attached to the ends of each of the rod end portions 2 to cushion their impact from sliding into the socket 14 of the mounting members 3, 4.
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the three-part curtain rod 12 of the curtain rod assembly 10. A curtain rod central portion 1 may be used with the curtain rod end portions 2 to achieve a wrap-around effect. Referring to FIG. 18 , when the curtain rod assembly 10 is mounted to the wall 100, the curtain rod central portion 1 extends parallel to the wall 100, part of the curtain rod end portion 2 extends parallel to the wall 100 and then turns 90 degrees, with the remainder of the curtain rod end portions 2 extending towards the wall 100. This gives the curtain 110 the ability to curve around any window, effectively blocking light bleeds on the sides. There is fairly minimal space between the curtain rod 12 itself and the wall 100 in an effort to further block top light bleeds.
FIG. 7 shows the side view of the three-part curtain rod 12 of the curtain rod assembly 10. A curtain rod central portion 1 may rest on the curtain rod end portions 2. That is, the tubular rod central portion 1 telescopically receives the curtain rod end portions 2.
FIG. 8 shows the front view of the three-part curtain rod 12 of the curtain rod assembly 10. A curtain rod central portion 1 may rest on the curtain rod end portions 2. That is, the tubular rod central portion 1 telescopically receives the curtain rod end portions 2.
FIG. 9 shows a view of the maximum extension capability of the curtain rod assembly 10. FIG. 9A shows a close-up of region A of FIG. 9 . In this scenario, there is still extra material remaining on the curtain rod end portions 2 within the curtain rod central portion 1 to hold the curtain rod central portion 1 such that the curtain rod 12 does not disconnect and fail. There may be a locking mechanism (not shown) in the curtain rod assembly 10 to further ensure this failure does not occur.
FIG. 10 shows the minimum length configuration for the curtain rod assembly, noting that the curtain rod end portions 2 have retracted inwardly into the curtain rod central portion 1, in comparison to the configuration shown in FIG. 9 . FIG. 10A shows a close-up of region A of FIG. 10 . The curtain rod central portion 1 may rest between the two curtain rod end portions 2 which contact each other internally in the center of the curtain rod central portion 1. Thus, the curtain rod 12 cannot be compacted any further.
FIG. 11 shows the top view of the mounting members 3 and 4, with the socket 14 to hold the curtain rod 12. In this embodiment, the socket 14 of the mounting members 3 and 4 are inclined at a 45 degree angle, β, above the forward horizontal direction, F, as described with reference to FIG. 14 . In this embodiment, the socket 14 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape which helps to prevent rotation of the curtain rod 12 relative to the mounting members 3, 4. In other embodiments, the socket 14 may have other cross-sectional shapes. In this curtain rod assembly 10, there is no need for a center mounting member to be present; this would add a spacer where a pair the curtains 110 meet (see FIG. 19 ), inhibiting the ability of the curtains 110 to block light.
FIG. 12 shows the rear view of the mounting members 3 and 4. The apertures 18 for fasteners 5 may be placed on the inner side of the rear side of the mounting members 3 and 4. The outer side of the rear side of the mounting members 3, 4 may be contoured to define a tuck surface 20 to provide space 30 between the tuck surface 20 and the wall 100, in which to tuck a portion (e.g. a side edge 120 and/or a top corner) of the curtain 110, as shown in FIG. 18 .
FIG. 13 shows the bottom view of the mounting members 3 and 4.
FIG. 14 shows the outer side views of the mounting members 3 and 4. The internal rod-contacting surfaces (e.g., lower rod-contacting surface 22 and upper rod-contacting surface 24) that define the socket 14 to hold the curtain rod end portions 2 are shown in dashed line. In this embodiment, the lower rod-contacting surface 22 and upper rod-contacting surface 24 are substantially parallel to each other and their inclination defines the inclination of the axis 15 of the socket 14.
FIG. 15 shows a rear outer isometric view of the mounting members 3 and 4.
FIG. 16 shows a front isometric view of the curtain rod assembly 10 with fasteners 5 (e.g., screws, bolts, nails and the like). The fasteners 5 may fit on the inner side of the mounting members 3 and 4. They fix the curtain rod assembly 10 to the wall 100, such that the curtain rod 12 is firmly held without risk of falling. FIG. 16A shows the exploded view of the same curtain rod assembly 10, with FIG. 16B showing a close-up exploded view of region A of FIG. 16A. In this embodiment, there may be two fasteners 5 needed to secure each mounting member, and four for the entire curtain rod assembly 10.
FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate the curtain rod assembly 10 mounted to a wall 100 with fasteners 5, and the curtain rod 12 suspending a curtain 110. FIG. 17 shows the curtain rod 12 inserted into the curtain aperture 112. The curtain drape 114 hangs vertically downward from the curtain rod 12. The curtain header 116 drapes over the flat front surface 6 of the curtain rod 1, with the flat front surface 6 being vertically inclined at an angle, α, of between 120 degrees and 150 degrees above the forward horizontal direction, F. More particularly, the angle, α, may be between 130 degrees and 140, and even more particularly 135 degrees in one embodiment. On account of this vertical inclination of the flat front surface 6, the flat front surface 6 guides the curtain header 116 rearwardly toward and into contact with the wall 100. Thus, in embodiments, the curtain header 116 of the curtain 110 is of sufficient length above the curtain rod 12 to be guided by the flat front surface 6 of the curtain rod 12 into contact with the wall 100. For example, in FIG. 17 , the upper edge 118 of the curtain 110 contacts the wall 100. To achieve this effect, the flat front surface 6 should have a non-trivial dimension, d, as measured along the flat front surface 6 in a direction that is perpendicular to the elongate direction (i.e., perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 17 ) defined by the curtain rod 12 extending between the curtain rod ends. Having regard to factors such as the stiffness and weight of the curtain fabric, and the distance between the curtain rod 12 and the wall 100, the person skilled in the art will be able to select a suitable magnitude for the dimension, d. In one non-limiting embodiment, the dimension, d, is at least 2 cm (0.78 inches).
FIG. 18 shows a side edge 120 portion of the curtain 110 tucked into the space 30 defined between the wall 100 and the tuck surface 20 of the mounting member 4. The space 30 is accessible from an outer side of the mounting member 4 facing in a horizontal direction parallel to the wall 100 and away from a center of the curtain rod 12. While FIG. 18 shows the relationship of the right mounting member 4 to the wall 100, it will be understood that the left mounting member 3 has an analogous relationship with the wall 100, when mounted to the wall 100.
FIG. 19 shows a pair of curtains 110 suspended from the curtain rod assembly 10 mounted to a wall 100. The curtain header 116 extending rearwardly into contact with the wall 100 prevents a gap between the top of the curtains 110 and the wall 100, which would otherwise exist with conventional curtain assemblies and allow leakage of light. The curtain side portions 120 being tucked into the space 30 between the tuck surfaces 20 of the mounting members 3 and 4 and the wall 100 prevents a side gap between the curtains 110 and the wall 100, which would otherwise exist with conventional curtain assemblies and allow leakage of light. Thus, the curtain rod assembly 100 helps to produce a blackout effect.
It will be understood that any two or more of the constituent parts of the curtain rod assembly 10, i.e., the curtain rod 12 including its curtain rod central portion 1 and its curtain rod end portions 2, the mounting members 3, 4, and the fasteners 5 may be provided in combination as parts of a kit. Further, it will be understood that the curtain rod assembly 10 and parts thereof, including the curtain rod 12 and/or the mounting members 3, 4, and the curtain 110 may also be provided in combination as parts of a kit.
Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range (e.g., of dimensions or angles) includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range.

PARTS LIST

1 curtain rod, central portion
2 curtain rod, end portions
3 mounting member, left
4 mounting member, right
5 fastener
6 curtain rod, flat front surface
10 curtain rod assembly, generally
12 curtain rod, generally
14 mounting member, socket
15 mounting member, socket axis
16 mounting member, wall-contacting surface
18 mounting member, aperture for fastener
20 mounting member, tuck surface
22 mounting member, socket, rod-contacting surface, lower
24 mounting member, socket, rod-contacting surface, upper
26 mounting member, outer side
28 mounting member, inner side
30 space between wall and tuck surface of mounting member
32 curtain rod, padding
100 wall
110 curtain
112 curtain, aperture
114 curtain, drape
116 curtain, header
118 curtain, upper edge
120 curtain, side edge

Claims

1. A curtain rod assembly for mounting a curtain to a wall, wherein the curtain comprises a curtain aperture and a curtain header, wherein the wall defines a forward horizontal direction extending perpendicularly away from the wall, wherein the curtain rod assembly comprises:

a curtain rod for insertion into the curtain aperture, wherein the curtain rod comprises a substantially flat front surface;

wherein, in use, when the curtain rod assembly is mounted to the wall, the flat front surface is inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, α, of between 120 degrees and 150 degrees to guide the curtain header toward the wall.

2. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the angle, α, is between 130 degrees and 140 degrees.

3. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the flat front surface of the curtain rod has a dimension, d, of at least 20 millimeters measured along the flat front surface in a direction that is perpendicular to an elongate direction defined between ends of the curtain rod.

4. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, in combination with the curtain, wherein, in use, when the curtain rod assembly is mounted to the wall, and the curtain rod is disposed in the curtain aperture, a curtain header of the curtain is of sufficient length above the curtain rod to be guided by the flat front surface of the curtain rod into contact with the wall.

5. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of mounting members for mounting the curtain rod to the wall, wherein, in use, the pair of mounting members are mounted to the wall at positions spaced apart horizontally, and wherein each of the mounting members comprises:

at least one rod-contacting surface for retaining the curtain rod; and

a wall-contacting surface for abutting against the wall.

6. The curtain rod assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the mounting members comprises:

a tuck surface;

wherein, in use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, the tuck surface and the wall define between them a space for receiving a portion of the curtain.

7. The curtain rod assembly of claim 6, wherein, in use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, the space is accessible from an outer side of the mounting member facing in a horizontal direction parallel to the wall and away from a center of the curtain rod.

8. The curtain rod assembly of claim 6, wherein, in use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, and the space receives the portion of the curtain, the wall and the tuck surface retain the portion of the curtain in the space.

9. The curtain rod assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one rod-contacting surface defines a socket for receiving one of the ends of the curtain rod, wherein the socket extends into the mounting member along an axis inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, β, of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

10. The curtain rod assembly of claim 1, wherein the curtain rod comprises a pair of rod end portions, wherein, in use, when the curtain rod assembly is mounted to the wall, the rod end portions extend towards the wall.

11. The curtain rod assembly of claim 10, wherein the rod end portions are slidably attached, directly or indirectly, to each other to allow for adjustment of a length of the curtain rod.

12. The curtain rod assembly of claim 11, wherein either: at least one of the curtain rod end portions is telescopically received in a tubular portion of the curtain rod; or at least one of the curtain end portions is tubular and telescopically receives another portion of the curtain rod.

13. A mounting member for mounting a curtain rod to a wall and retaining a curtain in contact with the wall, wherein the mounting member comprises:

at least one rod-contacting surface for retaining the curtain rod;

a wall-contacting surface for abutting against the wall; and

a tuck surface;

14. The mounting member of claim 13, wherein, in use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, the space is accessible from an outer side of the mounting member facing in a horizontal direction parallel to the wall and away from a center of the curtain rod.

15. The mounting member of claim 13, wherein, in use, when the wall-contacting surface abuts the wall, and the space receives the portion of the curtain, the wall and the tuck surface retain the portion of the curtain in the space.

16. The mounting member of claim 13, wherein the wall defines a forward horizontal direction extending perpendicularly away from the wall, and wherein the at least one rod-contacting surface defines a socket for receiving an end of the curtain rod, wherein the socket extends into the mounting member along an axis inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, β, of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

17. The mounting member of claim 16, wherein the socket has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

18. A mounting member for mounting a curtain rod to a wall, wherein the wall defines a forward horizontal direction extending perpendicularly away from the wall, wherein:

the mounting member comprises a wall-contacting surface for abutting against the wall; and

the mounting member defines a socket for receiving an end of the curtain rod, wherein the socket extends into the mounting member along an axis inclined vertically upward from the forward horizontal direction by an angle, β, of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

19. The mounting member of claim 18, wherein the angle, β, is between 40 degrees and 50 degrees.

20. The mounting member of claim 18, wherein the socket has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.