DISPOSABLE CURTAIN SYSTEM, ATTACHMENT THEREFOR AND METHOD

Abstract

Disclosed is a disposable curtain system, attachment therefor and method. The disposable curtain system is for use in health care facilities to maintain a clean environment. An attachment for a curtain system having a hook on a track. The hook has a first end affixed to a sliding member, wherein the sliding member slides along the track. A shank extends from the sliding member. The hook has a bend extending from the shank, wherein the a curtain hangs from the bend by gravity when in use; and a point extending from the bend. The attachment has a cover having a first section covering a point, a second section of the cover, covering at least a portion of a shank, and a third section of the cover, covering a portion of a gap between the shank and the point.

Claims

1. An attachment for a curtain system having a hook on a track, wherein said hook having: a first end affixed to a sliding member, wherein the sliding member slides along the track; a shank extending from the sliding member; a bend extending from the shank, wherein the a curtain hangs from the bend by gravity when in use; and a point extending from the bend, wherein said attachment comprising; a cover having a first section covering a point, a second section of the cover, covering at least a portion of a shank, and a third section of the cover, covering a portion of a gap between the shank and the point.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover does not cover the entire bend such that a curtain or curtain attachment may hang from the bend and the cover does not permit the curtain or curtain attachment to be removed from the hook while the cover is in place.

3. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover has first section with a female receiving opening and a second section with a male section for at least one of clipping, snapping or inserting into the female receiving section.

4. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover is hinged.

5. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover is a grommet that is inserted by sliding the grommet between the shank and the point.

6. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover has an attachment section extending therefrom for attaching an extension for a curtain or curtain attachment thereto.

7. The attachment of claim 6, wherein the attachment section is at least one of a loop, a clip, a snap, hook and loop fastener, a pin, an opening and an eyelet.

8. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover covers the entire bend and point and a portion of the shank.

9. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover has a first end defining a slot therein for receiving the bend of the hook and sliding over the hook, a securement for the cover from sliding off the hook.

10. The attachment of claim 9, wherein the securement is at least one of a pin or clip that slides through an opening in the cover.

11. The attachment of claim 9, wherein the securement is a ramped nob within the cover the hook slides over and snaps into place.

12. The attachment of claim 9, wherein the cover has a first part and a second part with a holding member within the gap of the hook.

13. A method for holding a curtain system to a hook in a track, wherein said curtain system having a hook on a track attached to a ceiling, wherein said hook having: a first end affixed to a sliding member, wherein the sliding member slides along the track; a shank extending from the sliding member; a bend extending from the shank, wherein the a curtain hangs from the bend by gravity when in use; and a point extending from the bend, wherein said method comprising; providing a covering; covering a point, at least a portion of a shank, and a portion of a gap between the shank and the point with said covering; and attaching the curtain system to the covering.

14. A curtain system having a hook on a track, wherein said hook having: a first end affixed to a sliding member, wherein the sliding member slides along the track; a shank extending from the sliding member; a bend extending from the shank, wherein the a curtain hangs from the bend by gravity when in use; and a point extending from the bend, wherein said curtain system having an attachment comprising; a cover having a first section covering a point, a second section of the cover, covering at least a portion of a shank, and a third section of the cover, covering a portion of a gap between the shank and the point.

15. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover does not cover the entire bend such that a curtain or curtain attachment may hang from the bend and the cover does not permit the curtain or curtain attachment to be removed from the hook while the cover is in place.

16. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover has first section with a female receiving opening and a second section with a male section for at least one of clipping, snapping or inserting into the female receiving section.

17. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover is a grommet that is inserted by sliding the grommet between the shank and the point.

18. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover has an attachment section extending therefrom for attaching an extension for a curtain or curtain attachment thereto.

19. The attachment of claim 6, wherein the attachment section is at least one of a loop, a clip, a snap, hook and loop fastener, a pin, an opening and an eyelet.

20. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the cover covers the entire bend and point and a portion of the shank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0030] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a curtain system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a track and hook system with covering according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a roller hook;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a hook and covering;

[0035] FIG. 5A shows an covering being inserted onto a hook in a first position;

[0036] FIG. 5B shows an covering being inserted onto a hook in a second position;

[0037] FIG. 5A shows an covering being inserted onto a hook in a third position;

[0038] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 8A shows a further embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 8B shows a further embodiment of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of a method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Disclosed are various embodiments of the inventions. Referring to FIG. 1 is a disposable curtain system 100. The disposable curtain system 100 is attached to the ceiling 105 by a track 110. The track may be attached directly to the ceiling or hang from the ceiling on extensions. Running through the track 110 are roller hooks 120. The roller hooks 120 have a hook 125 on the end thereof for attaching an extension 140. So that the extension does not come of the hook 125 a cover for the hook 130 is provided.

[0045] The extension 140 may be telescoping poles, poles that may be discreet sizes and interchanged depending on size needed, straps 139, which may include a buckle that may be adjusted for size or the strap may be cut, a string or wire that may be adjusted or cut. Since the extension will remain in place it is important that is easily cleanable for infectious diseases with an extension pole that has disinfectant. The material of the extension should not be absorb liquids, but should be made from a plastic such as PVC, polyethylene or the like.

[0046] On the opposite end of the extension is a quick connect and/or release system 150. At the end of the extension is a nob or holder 155 in which a wire or string 156 may be inserted for holding the curtain covering 160 in place. The curtain holder has a button or dial. Inside the curtain holder, first side of the string or wire 156 is held permanently attached. When the quick connect and/or release system 150 is pushed together, the buttons 165 engage and release the second side of the string or wire 156 so that the curtains may be removed. The second side of the string is held in place by friction or a spring-loaded lock. Alternatively, a button may be used to release the second side of the string or wire 156 when it is rotated.

[0047] The curtain 180 comes in discreet sections, such as 6-12 feet and most commonly 9 feet. The curtain sections may be snapped together with snaps 170, 172.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, a track 110 is shown. The track is bolted, screwed, glued or otherwise attached to the ceiling. The track may also be on a hanging system and hang from the ceiling. The track 110 has an end piece 115 with snap connectors 116 for the end piece. Running inside the track are roller hooks 120 having rollers 122. Additionally, other types of arrangements other than rollers 122 may be used so long as the slide easily along the track guides 118. Extending from the rollers are an eyelet 123 to which the eyelet of the hook 124 is attached. Other arrangements may be envisioned such as chains and other extenders for the roller hook. Over each hook, an covering 130 is affixed for quickly attaching the attachment 130 to the hook 125.

[0049] Shown in FIG. 3 is a roller hook 120 having rollers 122. The eyelet 123 for the roller hook attaches to the eyelet 124 for the hook.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a hook 125 and attachment 130. The hook 125 is attached to the eyelet 123 for the roller hook. 120. The hook 125 has a shank 126, a bend 127 and a point 128. The area between the shank 126 and the point is the gap 129. The hook 125 can be inserted into the attachment 130 having a covering 133 through an slot or opening 131 in the covering 133 at the first end 137. At the second end 138 of the covering 133 is an attachment section 132 for attaching the extension 140 or 139. In FIG. 4 is shown a strap made of durable strong polymer material for holding onto the attachment section 132. The attachment section 132 can be a loop, eyelet or other piece that is integral or separable from the covering 133. The attachment can be made various ways including milling, injection molded plastics or the like. Inside the attachment is device to hold the attachment to the hook such as a ramped nob, a pin, or other insert. The ramped nob 134 may include slots 136 and 137. The attachment 130 has a cover or covering 133 having a first section 143 covering a point, a second section 144 of the cover, covering at least a portion of a shank, and a third section 146 of the cover, covering a portion of a gap between the shank and the point.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B is shown the process for inserting the hook 135 into the attachment 130. Attachment 130 is a cutaway of lines 5-5 in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5A, the hook 125 is inserted into the slot 131. In FIG. 5B, the hook 125 engages and slides over the ramped nob 134. In FIG. 5C, the hook clicks into place.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment wherein a grommet 230 may be slid between the point 128 and the shank 126 into the gap 129 of the hook 125. The grommet 230 is held in place by the spring force of the hook 125. Extension 140 has a loop 141 that slides over the point 128 and rests in the bend 127.

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment attachment 330. The attachment has two covering pieces 336 and 337 that are hinged together by hinge 335. The covering pieces 336 and 337 snap together with clips 333 and 334. The covering pieces 337 and 337 slightly go around the bend 127 of the hook 125 to hold the attachment 330 in place. An opening or gap 339 is at the bottom of the attachment 330 to allow the extension 140 to freely slide.

[0054] FIGS. 8A and 8B show an alternate embodiment. In this embodiment an attachment 430 is shown have a covering with a female side 439 and a covering with a male side 438. The male side has clips 431 and 423 which insert into a hole 434. When clipped together a securement 433 such as a nob, pin, clip, cotter pin that engages the hook to prevent it from sliding.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment attachment 530 that has coverings held together by hook and loop fastener strap 531. 532 shows a section that is loops which fastens to a loop section 533 of a strap 531.

[0056] FIG. 10 shows a method which includes the step of providing 600 a covering as shown in any of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-9. Covering a point 610, at least a portion of a shank, and a portion of a gap between the shank and the point with said covering. Attaching 620 the curtain system to the covering.

[0057] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0058] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a “unit” or a “module” does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.

PARTS LIST

[0059] 100 disposable curtain system

[0060] 105 ceiling

[0061] 110 track

[0062] 115 end piece for roller track

[0063] 116 snap connectors for end piece

[0064] 120 roller hook

[0065] 122 rollers

[0066] 123 eyelet for roller hook

[0067] 124 eyelet for hook

[0068] 125 hook

[0069] 126 shank

[0070] 127 bend

[0071] 128 point

[0072] 129 gap

[0073] 130 cover for hook

[0074] 131 hook opening

[0075] 132 attachment section

[0076] 139 strap

[0077] 140 extension

[0078] 150 quick connect/release system

[0079] 160 curtain attachment for quick connect/release system

[0080] 165 release for quick connect/release system

[0081] 170 first attachment for additional curtains

[0082] 172 second attachment for additional curtains

[0083] 180 curtains