US20050045285A1

US20050045285A1 - Decorative external curtain assembly and system for exterior decoration

Info

Publication number: US20050045285A1
Application number: US10/647,618
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan Katz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-25
Filing date: 2003-08-25
Publication date: 2005-03-03

Abstract

A decorative external curtain assembly is disclosed for applying decorative fabric material to an external facade of a building, the assembly comprising: a sheet of fabric material having top and bottom edges: and complementary engageable fastener strips respectively affixed to the sheet of fabric material and the external façade of the building for fastening at least one edge of the fabric material to the external façade of the building. The engageable fastener strips are preferably made of VELCRO™ Tape having co-acting miniature hooks and loops formed of relatively rigid filament material for fastening the fabric material to the external façade of the building.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a novel decorative curtain assembly for application to the exterior of buildings and similar structures, and more particularly to a decorative external curtain assembly which is adapted for ease of application and removal to create a system of exterior decoration for application to the exterior of buildings that provides decorative and commercial displays in a manner that takes advantage of a full range of artistic expression.
2. Background of the Invention
It is well known to hang flags and banners from a porch using poles during a Fourth of July celebration or from the façade of a retail store or restaurant to advertise a holiday sale. Such display arrangements, however, are limited by their ability to adapt the display to the structure variations in the façade of the building and thereby fail to provide a full range of possible decorative displays available for application to the exterior of a building.
In that regard, merely hanging a flag or banner from a pole or over the edge of balcony is quite a restrictive expression which does not consider application of fabric like materials to the varied recesses and surface features of the façade of a building and its ancillary exterior structures such as a balcony.
In addition to the foregoing noted limitations, known arrangements for supporting and attaching flags and banners, such as flag pole holders and grommet fastening, are limited in their application to the façade of the building, require support structures that anchor into the building and therefore cannot be easily or inexpensively applied to the building.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a decorative, external curtain assembly for decorating the external facades of building structures that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative, external curtain assembly for application to building structures to create a system of exterior decoration whereby building structures, such as houses, restaurants, retail stores, tents, apartment buildings and office high-rises, having facades and ancillary exterior structures, such as porches, balconies, eaves, gables, roof lines are decorated using fabrics and/or flexible sheet materials for display for any occasion such as during national holidays, festivals as well as for advertising purposes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative external curtain assembly and system of exterior decoration that is versatile in their ability to apply external curtains, such as, valances, flags, banners, advertising displays, to almost any type of exterior building façade.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative external curtain assembly and system that is simple to use and inexpensive to make and use.
One particular advantageous feature of the present invention afforded by the easy of application of the decorative external curtain assembly is that it provides for a system of exterior decoration that allows for changes of exterior decoration to accommodate different seasons, holidays and even for an appropriate day or night look.
Another advantageous feature of the present invention is that the decorative external curtain assembly provides an easy and affordable basic design element of the system of exterior decoration for manipulating the look, mood and atmosphere of an exterior of a building as well as an associated exterior area, such as a courtyard, plaza or the like.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention are achieved, according to one embodiment, by a decorative external curtain assembly for applying fabric material to an external facade of a building, the assembly comprising: a sheet of fabric material and complementary engageable fastener strips respectively applied to the sheet of fabric material and the external façade of the building for fastening the fabric material to the external façade of the building.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the complementary engageable fastener strips are made of VELCRO™ tape to create a temporary bond between the building and the fabric that is easily broken by pulling apart the VELCRO™ strips. The VELCRO™ strips are respectively attached to the building, for example, with any existing adhesive or hot glue and to the fabric material either by sewing or adhesive.
According to the present invention, there is further provided a system of exterior decoration of a building having a facade, the system comprising: a decorative external curtain assembly for applying fabric material to an external facade of a building, the assembly comprising: a sheet of fabric material and complementary engageable fastener strips respectively applied to the sheet of fabric material and the external façade of the building for fastening the fabric material to the external façade of the building to create a temporary bond between the building and the fabric that is easily broken by pulling by pulling the fastener strips apart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the novel decorative curtain assembly of the present invention applied to the external façade of a building comprising a porch on the front to a detached single family dwelling;
FIG. 2 depicts the complementary engageable fastener strips, made, for example of VELCRO™ tape;
FIG. 3 illustrates the application of further embodiments of the present invention applied, for example to a commercial business structure as a way for offering an easy and versatile means whereby small, franchise or museum enterprises can advertise and communicate changes in product, prices, decorations, and the like;
FIG. 4 illustrated yet another embodiment of the present invention applied to a façade of temporary, outdoor structure such as a tent; and
FIG. 5 illustrates still a further embodiment of the present invention as applied to a multi-story building having different types of façades.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a novel decorative curtain assembly according to the teachings of the present invention is generally indicated at 11 and illustrated as applied to the external façade 15 of a building 17. In the illustrative example of FIG. 1, the external façade 15 comprises a porch on the front the building 17, for example, a detached single-family dwelling or home. The decorative curtain assembly 11 is adapted to apply decorative fabric material 19, illustrated here as pleated fabric, to the external facade 15 of the building 17.
Generally indicated at 21 are complementary engageable fasteners, such as, for example, made of VELCRO™ tape or strips, that are used to attach the decorative curtain assembly 11 to the external facade 15. The complementary engageable fasteners 21 create a strong and yet temporary bond between the building and the fabric that is easily broken by pulling apart the VELCRO™ strips. The VELCRO™ strips are preferable and respectively attached to the building with any existing adhesive or glue and to the fabric material by either sewing or adhesive.
In FIG. 1 the decorative fabric 19 is shown in the form of a valance with inverted box pleats, a short drapery hung at the top of a structure with the fabric folded equal manner and distance, by pressing the upper pleats towards each other and the under pleats pressed in opposite directions. The invention allows for a wide range of options for the decorative fabric 19 while the mechanics of the complementary engageable fasteners 21 allows for an easy and inexpensive method of changing the decorative fabric 19 on an exterior façade 15.
Options similar to the goals and versatility of interior curtains are available by altering the fabric weight, content, weave, color and drapery (folds of fabric), with auxiliary embellishments as part of its basic design such as piping, fringe, ties, tassels; or separate additions attached with at appropriate placement, using glue or VELCRO™, such additional attachments including, for example, bows, bells, banners and communications can accent the beauty and look of the of building 17.
Possible artistic options include sun and weather resistant fabric, often used in standard awnings, of colors accenting the house; or seasonal changes such as a light fabric of cotton or linen in light colors of white, beige, tan or blue in solids or stripes draped in a swage or generous flounce for summer decoration. Additional decorations of piping, cording, tassels, fringe or even novelty decorations such as seashells, etc., can either be part of the basic design or an additional option added with a VELCRO™ attachment. The look of the exterior area can easily be changed for evening; an example decoration would be a loose weave metallic fabric.
Autumn lends itself to heavier fabric of colors of gold and oranges or perhaps a forest green with a metallic gold edging. The exterior curtain can easily be changed for Halloween decorations; an example would be a synthetic mesh looking like spider webs with scary auxiliary decorations.
Again, ease of application allows for appropriate changes for holiday decorations. A red, white and blue theme for Memorial Day and Fourth of July can be designed from traditional flag material typically nylon, or a cotton or cotton blend fabric allowing for greater range of print options. Christmas decoration possibilities include traditional, cultural and innovative expression of the holiday. Fabric of dense weave with colors of deep reds, greens and gold in solids or traditional seasonal patterns can be embellished with fringe, tassels and ties; polyester white chiffon can be draped in a swage tied with red bows; nostalgic, religious or humorous decorations are all appropriate for this holiday.
Artistic expression of a current cultural fad such as a denim, the diversity of our ethnic culture or sporting events using a variety of fabrics, colors, drapery (folds of fabric), appropriate words such as “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”, “WELCOME”, “GO TEAM”; auxiliary embellishments as part of its basic design or as additions attached with appropriate VELCRO™ placement including the possibility of decorative lights of safe voltage and placement are all in the range of this application.
Referring to FIG. 2, the complementary engageable fasteners 21, shown as seen from standing on the porch looking out, comprise complementary engageable fastener strips 21 a, 21 b, respectively attached to the fabric and the building, for affixing the decorative curtain assembly 11 to the external facade 15. The strips 21 a, 21 b preferably comprise, for example, VELCRO™ tape or strips having co-acting miniature hooks and loops formed of relatively rigid filament material. The decorative curtain assembly 11 is affixed to the building using the action of the VELCRO™ strips 21 a, 21 b which adhere to together to create a strong attachment and yet temporary bond that is easily broken by simply pulling the two strips 21 a, 21 b apart.
As is well known, VELCRO™ the co-acting miniature hooks and loops, on separate side of the VELCRO™ strip, engage one another so that the VELCRO™ strips adhere together using the same action that is employed when a burr attaches itself to a piece of clothing or the like. One side of the strip 21 a of the VELCRO™ tape is attached to the external façade 15 of the building 17 at the appropriate location, using, for example, any suitable existing adhesive or hot glue; while the other side of the strip 21 b of VELCRO™ tape is either sewn or appropriately adhered, by hot glue or convention adhesive, in this instance, to top edge of the decorative fabric material 19.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the VELCRO™ strips 21 a is attached to an upper inside horizontal surface 25 of the porch 15 that run adjacent the ceiling of the porch and the other of the VELCRO™ strips 21 b is attached to the decorative fabric material 19 at least along one edge 23 thereof. The inventor has found that a VELCRO™ strip of about two inches wide is sufficient for affixing the decorative fabric material 19 to the external façade 15 of the building 17.
FIG. 3 illustrates further embodiments of the decorative external curtain assembly 11 wherein the decorative fabric comprises an advertising banner 27 applied to an eaves of a commercial building 26, such as a restaurant, retail store or the like. Also shown in FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the decorative external curtain assembly 11 wherein the decorative fabric comprises a flag or banner 29 applied to an eaves of a commercial or residential building 28. This invention allows for the commercial communication to be easily and inexpensively changed throughout the year and applicable for a wide range of commercial uses including a small individual business, mass reproduction for a franchise or an artistic expression at a museum.
FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention applied to a façade of temporary, outdoor structure such as a tent. Because this structure is often used for special occasions, and the diversity of occasions is increased because it is often a rental structure, the decorative exterior curtain assembly can be adapted for ease and versatility of decorations similar to the artistic expressions conveyed for FIG. 1. One side of the required VELCRO™ strip is adhered to the structure while the other side of the VELCRO™ strip is used to attached a variety of decorative items such as fabrics of different weights, weaves, colors, drapes and lengths combined with fringe, piping, ties, tassels to create the desired look, mood and atmosphere for the event along with auxiliary decoration such as wedding bells, reflective stars, lights, etc.
As shown in FIG. 4, one strip of the VELCRO™ tape 21 a is attached to the appropriate edge of the temporary structure 33 and the decorative fabric 19 is draped to form three overlapping swags 77 with jabots 88 at each side. This design for the decorative fabric 19 can be constructed so each section; jabot 88, swag 77 a and swags 77 b; is permanently attached to each other creating a fixed length. The other strip of the VELCRO™ tape 21 b is adhered across the entire top edge of the decorative fabric 19 that faces the outside, attaching properly to VELCRO™ tape 21 a.
This particular design could also be constructed in the following way. The three swags 77 and the jabot 88 that form the decorative fabric 19 would each be constructed separately. Along the top edge of each swag 77 and jabot 88 VELCRO™ tape 21 b would be attached to the fabric side facing outward.
On the right and left sides of swags 77 b would have a strip of VELCRO™ tape 21 a attached parallel to the VELCRO™ tape 21 b on the side of the fabric facing inward. The overlap of each section could be manipulated so the length of the decorative fabric 19 could vary to fit the structure. In this embodiment of the invention, a temporary outdoor structure such as a tent 33 the goals and versatility expressed for FIG. 1 are available by altering the fabric weight, content, weave, color and drapery (folds of fabric), with auxiliary embellishments as part of its basic design such as piping, fringe, ties, tassels; or separate additions attached with appropriate VELCRO™ placement, for example bows, bells, banners and communications such as “CONGRATULATIONS”, “BEST OF LUCK”, “ALUMNUS”;
FIG. 5 shows the application of various embodiments of the present invention applied to the balconies of a multi-story building such as an apartment building, office building or hotel. This application allows the possibility of apartment dwellers and occupying commercial entities for above mentioned expression.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that various modifications and alterations might be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as specified in the following claims.

Claims

1. A decorative external curtain assembly for applying fabric material to an external facade of a building, the assembly comprising:

a sheet of fabric material;

complementary engageable fastener strips for respectively fastening the fabric material to the external façade of the building; and

an attachment arrangement for attaching one of the complementary engageable fastener strips to the building and another of the complementary engageable fastener strips to the fabric material; and

wherein the complementary engageable fastener strips are made of a pair of strips, one strip having co-acting miniature hooks formed of a relatively rigid filament material and another of the strips having loops also formed of a relatively rigid filament material which engage one another to form a bond between the building and the fabric that is broken by pulling apart the pair of strips; and

wherein the complementary engageable fastener strips fasten the fabric material to the external façade along an entire edge of the fabric material.

2. (Cancelled)

3. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastener strips are respectively attached to the building by adhesive and to the fabric material by sewing or adhesive.

4. (Cancelled)

5. (Cancelled)

6. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the complementary engageable fastener strips fasten more than one edge of the fabric material to the external façade of the building.

7. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fabric material is made of one of a nature material, a synthetic material and a combination of synthetic and nature materials.

8. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fabric material forms at least one of: an external curtain, a valance, a flag, a banner, and an advertising display.

9. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 1, wherein external façade of the building is at least one of: a porch, a balcony, an eave, a gable, and a roof line.

10. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the building is at least one of a tent, a commercial structure and a residential structure.

11. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 10, wherein the commercial structure is at least one of a restaurant and a retail store.

12. A decorative external curtain assembly according to claim 4, wherein the Velcro strip is approximately two inches wide.

13. A system of exterior decoration, the system comprising:

a building having an external façade;

at least one decorative external curtain assembly;

complementary, engageable fastener strips for attaching the decorative external curtain assembly to the external façade of the building; and

attachment means for respectively attaching one of the complementary engageable fastener strips to the decorative external curtain assembly and another of the complementary engageable fastener strips to the external façade of the building.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the decorative external curtain assembly is made of fabric.

15. A system according to claim 13, wherein the at least one decorative curtain assembly comprises a plurality of decorative curtain assemblies each adapted for display of a different type of motif.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the different type of motifs include: seasonal displays, holiday displays, advertising displays, autumn, winter, summer and spring displays, informational displays and decorative displays.

17. A system according to claim 14, herein the fabric material is made of one of a nature material, a synthetic material and a combination of synthetic and nature materials.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the fabric material forms at least one of: an external curtain, a valance, a flag, a banner, and an advertising display.

19. A system according to claim 13, wherein the external façade of the building is at least one of: a porch, a balcony, an eave, a gable, and a roof line.

20. A system according to claim 13, wherein the building is at least one of a tent, a commercial structure and a residential structure.

21. A system according to claim 13, wherein the complementary engageable fastener strips are made of a pair of strips, one strip having co-acting miniature hooks formed of a relatively rigid filament material and another of the strips having loops also formed of a relatively rigid filament material which engage one another to form a bond between the building and the fabric that is broken by pulling apart the pair of strips; and