US20130082017A1

US20130082017A1 - Structure of hanger of window curtain suspension rack

Info

Publication number: US20130082017A1
Application number: US13/249,242
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Tang
Original assignee: J PAXTON ENTERPRISES Inc
Current assignee: J PAXTON ENTERPRISES Inc
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2011-09-30
Publication date: 2013-04-04

Abstract

A curtain suspension rack includes a curtain rod, mounting brackets, and hangers. The curtain rod has decoration heads. Each mounting bracket has a mounting base, a support member, and a suspension section. The mounting bracket receives the curtain rod to suspend thereon. The hangers are fit to the curtain rod. Each hanger includes a carrying section in contact engagement with the curtain rod and forming an embedding cavity that receives and retains a rolling ball therein to allow the rolling ball to freely rotate. The rolling ball has a lower portion projecting below the carrying section, whereby when the hanger is fit to the curtain rod, the rolling ball is in direct contact with the curtain rod. In this way, the frictional resistance induced when the hanger is moving along the curtain rod is reduced to allow a user to easily open or close a curtain.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a structure of hanger of window curtain suspension rack, and more particularly to a structure that reduces frictional resistance caused movement of the hanger of window curtain suspension rack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Window curtains are commonly used in living rooms or bed rooms in such a way that the window curtains blocks and prevents direct exposure to sun light in order to realize indoor light shielding.
A conventional curtain suspension rack assembly is shown in FIG. 1, generally designated at 1, comprising a curtain rod 11, mounting brackets 12, and hangers 13.
The curtain rod 11 can be a single pole or a pole composed of multiple sections. Opposite ends of the curtain rod 11 are provided with decoration heads 111.
Each of the mounting brackets 12 comprises a base 121 and a support member 122. The base 121 comprises a mounting section 1211. The support member 122 comprises an adjustment section 1221, and the adjustment section 1221 allows of adjustment of the distance of the support member 122 from a wall. The support member 122 is secured to the base 121 by a threaded fastener S1. The support member 122 comprises a suspension section 1222. The suspension section 1222 receives the curtain rod 11 to suspend thereon. The suspension section 1222 forms in one side thereof a threaded hole 1223. The threaded hole 1223 receives a threaded fastener Si to extend therethrough and engage therewith so as to securely fix the curtain rod 11 on the suspension section 1222.
The hanger 13 can be in the form of a loop hanger 13 a or a hook hanger 13 b, as shown in FIG. 2. The hanger 13 has a lower end forming a clamp member 131, which clamps a window curtain.
In the use of the conventional curtain suspension rack assembly 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting brackets 12 arranged at the ends of the curtain suspension rack assembly 1 are first fixed to a wall. Then, the curtain rod 11 is put on the suspension sections 1222 of the left-side and right-side support members 122. The hangers 13 are then fit to the curtain rod 11. Finally, the curtain is clamped on the clamp members 131 of the hangers 13 to complete the installation and assembling of the conventional curtain suspension rack assembly 1.
The conventional curtain suspension rack assembly 1 can effectively block light indoors with the above described structure. However, the hanger 13, either the loop hanger 13 a or the hook hanger 13 b, is supported on the curtain rod 11 by the carrying section 132. The curtain is suspended under and by the hanger 13. This makes a great frictional resistance for the movement of the hanger 13 along the curtain rod 11 and thus increasing the frictional resistance against user's pulling the curtain, especially when the curtain rod 11 comprises a telescopic pole of multiple sections, where a step between adjacent sections of the telescopic pole unduely increases the frictional resistance. Consequently, the hanger 13 is the primary source of inconvenience of use of the curtain suspension rack assembly 1.
In view of the above discussed drawbacks of the conventional curtain hanger 13, it is a challenge of the manufacturers of curtain suspension rack to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional curtain hanger 13.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to overcome the drawback that the hanger of the conventional the curtain suspension rack is subjected to undue frictional resistance in making a movement.
To achieve such an objective, the technical solution adopted in the present invention is to provide a structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack. The curtain suspension rack comprises at least a curtain rod, mounting brackets, and hangers. The curtain rod has decoration heads. Each of the mounting brackets comprises a mounting base, a support member, and a suspension section. The mounting bracket receives the curtain rod to suspend thereon. The hangers are fit to the curtain rod. The features are that each of the hangers comprises a carrying section that is in contact engagement with the curtain rod. The carrying section forms an embedding cavity that receives and retains a rolling ball therein to allow the rolling ball to freely rotate in the embedding cavity. The rolling ball has a lower portion projecting below the carrying section of the hanger, whereby when the hanger is fit to the curtain rod, the rolling ball is in direct contact with the curtain rod. In this way, the frictional resistance induced when the hanger is moving along the curtain rod is reduced to allow a user to easily open or close a curtain thereby improving the use and operation of the curtain suspension rack.
The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional curtain suspension rack assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the conventional curtain suspension rack assembly in an assembled form.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a curtain suspension rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 a is an exploded view of a hanger of the curtain suspension rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is a bottom side perspective view of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hanger of the present invention and a curtain rod.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first embodiment of the hanger according to the present invention.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the hanger according to the present invention.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 illustrate a further embodiment of the hanger according to the present invention.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 illustrate a further embodiment of the hanger according to the present invention.

FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and 20 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention where a lid is put on an upper side of a carrying section.

FIGS. 21, 22, 23, and 24 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention where the lid is put on the upper side of the carrying section.

FIGS. 25, 26, 27, and 28 illustrate an embodiment according to the present invention where no lid is provided on the carrying section.

FIGS. 29, 30, 31, and 32 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Referring first to FIGS. 3, 4 a, 4 b, and 5, the present invention provides a curtain suspension rack 2, which comprises at least a curtain rod 3, mounting brackets 4, and hangers 5.
The curtain rod 3 is a pole made of a metallic material or a non-metallic material and is made in the form of a single, unitary long pole or a long pole composed of multiple sections of interconnected short curtain rods. It is noted that a two-section pole is taken as an example for illustration purposes. The curtain rod 3 has opposite ends each forming a decoration head 31.
The mounting bracket 4 comprises a base 41 and a support member 42. The base 41 comprises a mounting section 411. The support member 42 comprises an adjustment section 421 and a suspension section 422. The adjustment section 421 provides a function of adjusting the distance between the support member 42 and a mounting wall. The support member 42 is secured to the base 41 by a threaded fastener S2. The suspension section 422 receives the curtain rod 3 to suspend thereon. The suspension section 422 forms, in one side thereof, a threaded hole 423. The threaded hole 423 receives the threaded fastener S2 to extend therethrough and engage therewith so that the curtain rod 3 is fixed on the suspension section 422.
The hangers 5 can be for example a loop hanger 5 a or a hook hanger 5 b (both being illustrated in FIG. 3). Since the both the loop hanger 5 a and the hook hanger 5 b are used in exactly the same way, for the purposes of simplifying the description, the hook hanger 5 b will be described hereinafter as an example for illustration. The hanger 5 comprises a carrying section 51 that contacts and is supported on the curtain rod 3 and forms a plurality of through holes 52 therein. Further, the carrying section 51 has an inside surface in which a plurality of embedding cavities 53 is formed. The embedding cavities 53 are arranged to respectively correspond to and communicate the through holes 52. The embedding cavities 53 respectively receive and retain rolling balls 54 therein. The rolling balls 54 comprise pivot pins 541 extending therethrough so that the rolling balls 54 freely rotate about the pivot pins 541. Opposite ends of each pivot pin 541 are respectively seated in the embedding cavity 53. Each of the embedding cavities 53 is provided with and covered by a lid 55. The lid 55 forms a through aperture 551, whereby when the lid 55 is put on and closes the respective embedding cavity 53, the respective rolling ball 54 is allowed to have a lower portion thereof projecting below the through aperture 551 of the lid 55. In other words, the lower portion of the rolling balls 54 projects under the carrying section 51 of the hanger 5, whereby when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the rolling balls 54 are in direct contact with the pole of the curtain rod 3. The hanger 5 has a lower end to which a clamp member 6 is attached. The clamp member 6 functions to clamp and holds a curtain (not shown in the drawings).
To use the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 a, 4 b, 5, and 6, the base 41 of each mounting bracket 4 is mounted to a desired position on a wall by threaded fasteners S2. The number of the mounting brackets 4 used is determined by the length of the curtain rod 3. After the mounting brackets 4 are mounted, with the decoration heads 31 attached to the ends of the curtain rod 3 first, the curtain rod 3 is put on and supported by the suspension sections 422 of the support members 42. And, a desired number of hangers 5 are fit to the curtain rod 3 to complete the installation and assembling of the curtain suspension rack 2 according to the present invention.
The effectiveness of the present invention is that with a plurality of through holes 52 formed in the carrying section 51 of each hanger 5 and a plurality of embedding cavities 53 formed in an inside surface of the carrying section 51 in such a way that the embedding cavities 53 respectively correspond to and communicate the through holes 52, when lids 55 are put in and cover the embedding cavities 53, rolling balls 54 are held to allow lower portions thereof projecting outside through apertures 551 of the lids 5, whereby when the hanger 5 is fit to the curtain rod 3, the rolling balls 54 are allowed to directly contact the pole of the curtain rod 3, and when a user moves the curtain by pulling the curtain and causing the hanger 5 to slide along the curtain rod 3, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3 and the rolling balls 54 are freely rotatable about the pivot pins 541, so as to reduce the frictional resistance against movement of the hanger 5 along the curtain rod 3 and allow the user to easily open or close the curtain with an efficacy of improving the use and operation of the curtain suspension rack 2.
Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, a hanger 5 according to the present invention can be formed as a hook hanger 5 b that has a carrying section 51 a in which a plurality of through holes 52 a is formed. The carrying section 51 a has an inside surface forming one embedding cavity 53 a in the form of an elongate slot. The embedding cavity 53 a communicates the through holes 52 a. Rolling balls 54 a are connected serially by a pivot pin 541 to form a ball string 542. The ball string 542 is received and embedded in the embedding cavity 53 a and each of the rolling balls 54 a of the ball string 542 is allowed to freely rotate about the pivot pin 541. Opposite ends of the pivot pin 541 are seated in the embedding cavity 53 a. Further, the elongate slot-like embedding cavity 53 a is covered by a lid 55 a that corresponds to the elongate slot-like embedding cavity 53 a. The lid 55 a forms through apertures 551 a, whereby when the lid 55 a is put on and covers the embedding cavity 53 a, the rolling balls 54 a of the ball string 542 have lower portions projecting outside the through apertures 551 a of the lid 55 a. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the rolling balls 54 a are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3. When a user moves the curtain by pulling the curtain and causing the hanger 5 to slide along the curtain rod 3, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 a are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3 and the rolling balls 54 a are freely rotatable about the pivot pin 541 so as to reduce the frictional resistance against movement of the hanger 5 along the curtain rod 3.
Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, a hanger 5 according to the present invention comprises a carrying section 51 b in which a plurality of through holes 52 b is formed. Further, the carrying section 51 b has an inside surface forming a plurality of embedding cavities 53 b. The embedding cavities 53 b respectively correspond to and communicate the through holes 52 b. The embedding cavities 53 b respectively receive and embed rolling balls 54 b therein, so that the rolling balls 54 b are allowed to freely rotate in the embedding cavities 53 b. Each of the embedding cavities 53 b is covered by a lid 55 b. The lid 55 b forms a through aperture 551 b, whereby when the lids 55 b are respectively put on and cover the embedding cavities 53 b, the rolling balls 54 b have lower portions projecting outside the through apertures 551 b of the lids 55 b. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the rolling balls 54 b are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3. When a user moves the curtain by pulling the curtain and causing the hanger 5 to slide along the curtain rod 3, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 b are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3 and the rolling balls 54 b are freely rotatable in the embedding cavities 53 b so as to reduce the frictional resistance against movement of the hanger 5 along the curtain rod 3.
Referring to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16, a hanger 5 according to the present invention comprises a carrying section 51 c having an inside surface forming a plurality of embedding cavities 53 c. The embedding cavities 53 c receive and embed individual rolling balls 54 c or a ball string 542 composed of rolling balls (see FIG. 16) therein, so that the rolling balls 54 c are allowed to freely rotate in the embedding cavities 53 c. Each of the embedding cavities 53 c is covered by a lid 55 c. The lid 55 c forms a through aperture 551 c, whereby when the lids 55 c are respectively put on and cover the embedding cavities 53 c, the rolling balls 54 c have lower portions projecting outside the through apertures 551 c of the lids 55 c. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the rolling balls 54 c are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3. When a user moves the curtain by pulling the curtain and causing the hanger 5 to slide along the curtain rod 3, as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 c are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3 and the rolling balls 54 c are freely rotatable in the embedding cavities 53 c so as to reduce the frictional resistance against movement of the hanger 5 along the curtain rod 3.
Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and 20, a hanger 5 according to the present invention comprises a carrying section 51 d having an upper surface forming an embedding cavity 56 in the form of an elongate slot. The embedding cavity 56 receives a ball string 542 composed of rolling balls. The rolling balls 54 d of the ball string 542 are allowed to freely rotate in the embedding cavity 56. Further, the embedding cavity 56 is covered by a lid 55 d. The lid 55 d forms through apertures 551 d. When the lid 55 d is put on and covers the embedding cavity 56, the rolling balls 54 d of the ball string 542 have lower portions projecting outside the embedding cavity 56. Further, the arrangement of the through apertures 551 d of the lid 55 d helps improving movablity of the rolling balls 54 d of the ball string 542 and reducing the overall thickness of the hanger 5. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the rolling balls 54 d of the ball string 542 are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3. When a user moves the curtain by pulling the curtain and causing the hanger 5 to slide along the curtain rod 3, as shown in FIG. 19, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 d of the ball string 542 are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3 and the rolling balls 54 d are freely rotatable in the embedding cavity 56 c so as to reduce the frictional resistance against movement of the hanger 5 along the curtain rod 3 and also maintain an appealing outside appearance as a commercial product of the hanger 5. In the practice of the present invention, it is possible to provide no through aperture 551 d in the lid 55 d, as shown in FIG. 20, in order to maintain appealing outside appearance as a commercial product of the hanger 5.
Referring to FIGS. 21, 22, 23, and 24, a hanger 5 according to the present invention comprises a carrying section 51 e having an upper surface in which a plurality of embedding cavities 56 a is formed to extend therethrough. The embedding cavities 56 a respectively receive and embed rolling balls 54 e therein. The rolling balls 54 e are allowed to freely rotate in the embedding cavities 56 a. Each of the embedding cavities 56 a is covered by a lid 55 e. The lid 55 e forms a through aperture 551 e. When the lids 55 e are put on and cover the embedding cavities 56 a, lower portions of the rolling balls 54 e project below the embedding cavities 56 a. Further, the arrangement of the through apertures 551 e of the lids 55 e helps improving movablity of the rolling balls 54 e and reducing the overall thickness of the hanger 5. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 e are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3. When a user moves the curtain by pulling the curtain and causing the hanger 5 to slide along the curtain rod 3, as shown in FIG. 23, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 e are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3 and the rolling balls 54 e are freely rotatable in the embedding cavities 56 a so as to reduce the frictional resistance against movement of the hanger 5 along the curtain rod 3 and also maintain an appealing outside appearance as a commercial product of the hanger 5. In the practice of the present invention, it is possible to provide no through aperture 551 e in the lid 55 e, as shown in FIG. 24, in order to maintain appealing outside appearance as a commercial product of the hanger 5.
To practice the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 25, 26, 27, and 28, a hanger 5 has a carrying section 51 f that has an inside surface in contact engagement with a curtain rod 3 and forming a plurality of embedding cavities 53 d or an elongate slot-like embedding cavity 53 e, the embedding cavities 53 d (the embedding cavity 53 e) are in communication with through holes 52 c formed in the carrying section. The embedding cavities 53 d (the embedding cavity 53 e) receive and embed rolling balls 54 f or a ball string 542 composed of rolling balls therein. The rolling balls 54 f comprise pivot pin(s) 541 extending therethrough so that the rolling balls 54 f are allowed to freely rotate about the pivot pin(s) 541. Opposite ends of the pivot pin 541 are seated in the embedding cavity 53 and through an embedding arrangement or other arrangements, the ends of the pivot pin 541 are securely positioned in the embedding cavity 53 d (53 e). Lower portions of the rolling balls 54 f are allowed to project below the embedding cavity 53 d (53 e). In other words, the lower portions of the rolling balls 54 f project below the carrying section 51 f of the hanger 5. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the rolling balls 54 f are in direct contact with the curtain rod 3.
As a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 in combination with FIGS. 31 and 32, a hanger 5 has a carrying section 51 g that has an inside surface in contact engagement with a curtain rod 3 and forming an embedding cavity 53 f and constraint projections 57 on opposite sides of the embedding cavity 53 f. The constraint projections 57 are arranged in a corresponding manner. The embedding cavity 53 f may be provided with a lid 55 f or is not provided with a lid 55 f (see FIG. 30). The embedding cavity 53 f receives and embeds a rolling ball 54 g that comprises a pivot pin 541 extending therethrough so that the rolling ball 54 g is allowed to freely rotate about the pivot pin 541. Opposite ends of the pivot pin 541 are seated in the embedding cavity 53 f and through an embedding arrangement or other arrangements, the ends of the pivot pin 541 are securely positioned in the embedding cavity 53 f. A lower portion of the rolling ball 54 g is allowed to project below the embedding cavity 53 f. In other words, the lower portion of the rolling ball 54 g projects below the carrying section 51 g of the hanger 5. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, the rolling ball 54 g is in direct contact with the curtain rod 3 so as to reduce frictional resistance against movement of the hanger 5 along the curtain rod 3. Further, since the constraint projections 57 are arranged on opposite sides of the embedding cavity 53 f, the rolling ball 54 g can be positionable at a gravity center of the hanger 5. Thus, when the hanger 5 is suspended on the curtain rod 3, slight shaking of the hanger 5 on the curtain rod 3 can be overcome by the constraint projections 57 abutting the curtain rod 3 thereby providing stable positioning of the hanger 5.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack, wherein the curtain suspension rack comprises at least a curtain rod, mounting brackets, and hangers;

the curtain rod having decoration heads;

each of the mounting brackets comprising a mounting base, a support member, and a suspension section, the mounting bracket receiving the curtain rod to suspend thereon;

the hangers being fit to the curtain rod;

characterized in that each of the hangers comprises a carrying section that is in contact engagement with the curtain rod, the carrying section forming an embedding cavity that receives and retains a rolling ball therein to allow the rolling ball to freely rotate in the embedding cavity, the rolling ball having a lower portion projecting below the carrying section of the hanger, whereby when the hanger is fit to the curtain rod, the rolling ball is in direct contact with the curtain rod.

2. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 1, wherein the embedding cavity is provided with a lid.

3. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 1, wherein the hanger is a hanger of closed form.

4. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 1, wherein the hanger is a hanger of an open form.

5. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 1, wherein the embedding cavity is divided or in the form of an elongate slot.

6. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 2, wherein the lid comprises a single covering element or a plurality of covering elements.

7. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 2, wherein the lid forms a through aperture, which allows the rolling ball to partially project outside the lid.

8. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 6, wherein the lid forms a through aperture, which allows the rolling ball to partially project outside the lid.

9. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 2, wherein the lid is set in an upper side or a lower side of the embedding cavity.

10. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 6, wherein the lid is set in an upper side or a lower side of the embedding cavity.

11. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 1, wherein the rolling ball comprises a single ball comprising a pivot pin extending therethrough.

12. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 1, wherein multiplicity of rolling balls is serially connected by a pivot pin to form a ball string.

13. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 1, wherein the carrying section of the hanger that is in contact engagement with the curtain rod has an inside surface forming a constraint projection by one side of the embedding cavity.

14. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 13, wherein the inside surface of the carrying section of the hanger forms a constraint projection at each of opposite sides of the embedding cavity.

15. The structure of hanger of curtain suspension rack according to claim 13, wherein the constraint projections are arranged in a corresponding manner.