DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN IMPROVED SURFACE OVER A TELESCOPING ROD

Abstract

Rigid, when deployed, durable strip adapted to bridge a desired portion of a telescoping rod, such as a curtain rod. In such an embodiment, the strip may act as an intermediary between the individual curtain rod pieces and the curtain rings by sitting on top of the rod and allowing the rings to glide smoothly from one end to the other by circumventing or eliminating catch points that are encountered when transitioning between gradients of the telescoping rod. Related systems and methods are included.

Claims

1. A component for bridging a telescoping curtain rod that has at least one ridge between rod sections, wherein the telescoping curtain rod is adapted to extend through curtain rings to support a curtain during opening and closing of the curtain, said component comprising: a strip adapted to be positioned on a telescoping curtain rod, said strip having a substantially uniform thickness, said strip comprised of a material that is sufficiently rigid to circumvent at least one ridge between rod sections such that said strip is adapted to substantially maintain said curved profile when curtain rings are slid along said strip during opening and closing of a curtain.

2. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip is comprised of substantially a single surface over which curtain rings are adapted to be slid.

3. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip is comprised of substantially a single material.

4. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip has a curved profile.

5. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip has a concave shape.

6. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip has a shape that is adapted to generally match a shape of a portion of a telescoping curtain rod on which said strip is adapted to be placed.

7. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip is compactible.

8. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip is comprised of steel.

9. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, fiberglass, and composites.

10. The component of claim 1 wherein said strip has a width less than 2 inches and a thickness less than 0.5 inch.

11. A method for bridging a telescoping curtain rod that has at least one ridge between rod sections, wherein the telescoping curtain rod is adapted to extend through curtain rings to support a curtain during opening and closing of the curtain, said method comprising: providing a strip adapted to be positioned on a telescoping curtain rod, said strip having a substantially uniform thickness; and positioning said strip on said telescoping curtain rod; wherein said strip is comprised of a material that is sufficiently rigid to circumvent at least one ridge between rod sections such that said strip is adapted to substantially maintain said curved profile when curtain rings are slid along said strip during opening and closing of a curtain.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip is comprised of substantially a single surface over which curtain rings are adapted to be slid.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip is comprised of substantially a single material.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip has a curved profile.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip has a concave shape.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip has a shape that generally matches a shape of a portion of said telescoping curtain rod on which said strip is positioned.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip is compactible.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip is comprised of steel.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, fiberglass, and composites.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein said strip has a width less than 2 inches and a thickness less than 0.5 inch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a known telescoping curtain rod and associated curtain rings.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the known telescoping curtain rod and associated curtain rings of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective and partially exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a bridge (i.e., strip) of the present invention, wherein the bridge is positioned over a known curtain rod, such as that shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an end and partially exploded elevation view of the bridge of FIG. 3, wherein the bridge is positioned over the example of the known curtain rod of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a bridge (i.e., strip) of the present invention, wherein the bridge is compacted into a coil shape when not in use on a telescoping rod (e.g., such as for storage or transport).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device, system, and method for facilitating a relatively smooth transition between sections of telescoping rod by substantially circumventing or eliminating the impact of a transition (i.e., ridge) between sections of a telescoping rod. Exemplary embodiments refer to use of the invention for a telescoping curtain rod to facilitate the desired movement of curtain rings when opening or closing a curtain. However, unless otherwise specified, other exemplary embodiments may be useful for other types of telescoping rods. Also, for ease of reference, a ring is not limited to a circular shape herein, and may refer to any structure or material (e.g., eyelet, grommet, perforation, opening, etc.) that is adapted to rest on or slide across a telescoping rod such as for, but not limited to, for opening or closing a curtain or other covering.

[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a common telescoping curtain rod 10, such as may be in use in homes across the U.S. Rod 10 comprises at least sections 12 and 14. Such as in this example, rod 10 may have at least one ridge 16 (i.e., transition or change in gradient), and often multiple ridges 16 when fully extended. When moving curtain rod rings 18 from Position A into Position C, rings 18 will catch on the transition 16 between the smaller diameter rod section 12 and larger diameter rod section 14 located in Position B. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, rings 18 make contact with the top of the rod 10 and get caught by at least one ridge 16 when the curtain is open or closed.

[0023] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example of a common telescoping curtain rod 10 with an exemplary embodiment of a telescoping curtain rod bridge 20 (which may also be referred to as a strip herein) of the present invention installed. In an exemplary embodiment, the bridge 20 may extend from one end of the smaller diameter curtain rod section 12 to the opposite end of the larger diameter curtain rod section 14, laying on top of both. Unlike FIGS. 1 and 2, common curtain rod rings 18 make contact with and slide along the bridge 20. As rings 18 are moved from Position A into Position C, the rings 18 do not catch in Position B because they are still only contacting and sliding along the bridge 20 and no longer have to transition from one rod section 12 to the other rod section 14.

[0024] Bridge 20 is adapted to substantially eliminate or circumvent a change in gradient (i.e., ridge 16) of a common telescoping curtain rod 10. In one exemplary embodiment, bridge 20 is comprised of a sufficiently rigid material such that bridge 20 substantially does not collapse or lose its shape when positioned on and during intended use of rod 10 when opening or closing a curtain. As a result, the transition between the different diameters of sections 12 and 14 of telescoping curtain rod 10 may be substantially circumvented or eliminated. In this example, bridge 20 is adapted to allow the rings 18 to easily travel from end to end (or other desired portion, e.g., such as when partially opening or closing a curtain) on one continuous piece or strip of material, which may emulate the functionality of a single piece curtain rod.

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of bridge 20 may be comprised of steel for sufficient rigidity. In one exemplary embodiment, bridge 20 may be similar to a blade of a common metal measuring tape. For instance, one exemplary embodiment of bridge 20 may be a metal strip that has a width less than 20 mm, more preferably between about 6 and 16 mm, and a thickness less than 0.3 mm, more preferably between about 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm. Another exemplary embodiment of bridge 20 may have a width less than 2 inches and a thickness less than 0.5 inch. However, other exemplary embodiments may be comprised of different types of metal or other materials having sufficient rigidity (e.g., plastics, fiberglass, composites, etc.). Furthermore, other exemplary embodiments may have other dimensions (e.g., to be used for different sizes of telescoping rods). In one exemplary embodiment, the shape of a strip may have a substantially uniform thickness, which may be preferable to further facilitate circumvention or elimination of the catch points. However, some embodiments may have some variation in the thickness without compromising the desired functionality.

[0026] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, bridge 20 may be a substantially single piece component (e.g., comprised of steel) and/or otherwise comprise a single surface 22 over which a curtain (or other covering), and/or its associated rings or the like, may travel without getting caught. However, other embodiments of a bridge 20 may comprise multiple parts, pieces, and/or materials and still provide the desired functionality. Furthermore, some embodiments of bridge 20 may be comprised of substantially a single material (e.g., most preferably steel). However, other embodiments of a strip may be comprised of multiple materials and/or layers.

[0027] An example of a bridge 20 may be adapted to extend across substantially an entire length of rod 10 or only a desired portion of rod 10 (e.g., only where necessary to circumvent or eliminate a change in gradient). Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, bridge 20 may extend sufficiently around and have a shape to securely rest on rod 10. As such, some exemplary embodiments of bridge 20 may not require any other attachment mechanism in order to be used on rod 10. However, other exemplary embodiments may include bridge 20 in a system that also includes a means (e.g., mechanical fasteners, tape, glue, etc.) for attachment to rod 10 or a supporting structure (e.g., a wall).

[0028] Such as shown in FIG. 4, one example of bridge 20 may have a curved profile or other suitable shape (e.g., concave shape) to securely rest on a telescoping rod. More preferably, an exemplary embodiment of bridge 20 may have a profile or shape that is adapted to generally match a shape of a portion of a telescoping rod 10 on which it is adapted to be placed. However, other examples of a bridge 20 may have any other suitable shape that enables it to rest on a telescoping rod. For example, some embodiments of a bridge 20 may be planar or have an angular shape (e.g., to work with a different shape of telescoping rod).

[0029] Some exemplary embodiments of bridge 20 may also be compactible when not in use. FIG. 5 shows an example of bridge 20 in a compacted and coiled form 24 such as for transport or storage. Some embodiments may include bridge 20 in a system or kit that includes a roll, spring, or other structure around which bridge 20 may be compacted. For example, some exemplary embodiments of bridge 20 may be compacted in a manner similar to a metal measurement tape. However, other exemplary embodiments of a bridge 20 may have a fixed shape that may not be compacted (e.g., when dedicated for use with a particular telescoping rod).

[0030] In one exemplary embodiment, bridge 20 may provide a substantially permanent solution (at least as compared to the aforementioned known tape art, and preferably for as long as the associated telescoping rod is in use), which creates a relatively smooth transition between surfaces by substantially circumventing or eliminating the impact of a transition (i.e., ridge) between sections of a telescoping rod. However, in other exemplary embodiments, bridge 20 may be moved to another telescoping rod or other location as needed.

[0031] Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optional or preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain some of the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.