Fastening system and curtain comprising a fastening system

Abstract

A fastening system for a window covering is provided. The fastening system includes a first clamping member having a first latching portion and a second clamping member having a second latching portion. The second latching portion is engageable with the first latching portion to secure the second clamping member to the first clamping member. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are securable to each other to enable clamping of at least one panel of the window covering in a gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are securable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member is larger in the first configuration than in the second configuration. The fastening system is adapted to clamp two panels in contact in the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member in the first configuration, and the fastening system is adapted to clamp a single panel in the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member in the second configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to curtains having vertical panels, and a fastening system suitable for curtains. Background Technology

[0002] Some existing curtains consist of a fabric panel suspended vertically from a top track. The top track typically includes movable hangers, to which the panel is attached. The hangers can slide and rotate along the top track to move or rotate the panel horizontally, thereby controlling the amount of light entering the room.

[0003] To attach the plate to the hanger, a fastener is typically provided on the top of the plate. The fastener clamps the plate and attaches it to the hanger; for example, hooks on the hanger engage with holes in the fastener. However, existing fasteners have some drawbacks, such as not properly clamping the plate, causing tearing of the plate, and / or not providing flexibility. Furthermore, some existing fasteners may hold the plate a distance from the lower edge of the top rail, causing light leakage between the top rail and the plate.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a fastening system suitable for curtains that can at least solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a curtain and a fastening system suitable for curtains.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a fastening system for curtains includes: a first clamping member having a first latching portion; and a second clamping member having a second latching portion, the second latching portion being engageable with the first latching portion to fix the second clamping member to the first clamping member, the first clamping member and the second clamping member being fixed together to clamp at least one panel of the curtain in a gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member; wherein the first clamping member and the second clamping member are fixed according to a first configuration state and a second configuration state, the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member being larger in the first configuration state than in the second configuration state, the fastening system being adapted in the first configuration state to clamp two contacting panels in the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member, and the fastening system being adapted in the second configuration state to clamp a single panel in the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

[0007] In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides a curtain, including: a first vertical plate, a second vertical plate and an outermost vertical plate; and the fastening system, the fastening system being adapted to clamp the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate that are adjacent to each other, or to clamp the outer side of the outermost vertical plate. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 An exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention for a curtain fastening system is shown, wherein a first configuration of the fastening system adapted to clamp two panels of the curtain is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing the fastening system in its first configuration state is drawn.

[0010] Figure 3 An exploded view showing the second configuration of a single panel of the fastening system suitable for holding a curtain.

[0011] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing the fastening system in its second configuration state is drawn.

[0012] Figure 5 An enlarged view of a latch in the fastening system is shown.

[0013] Figure 6 A perspective view of a curtain having multiple vertical panels according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0014] Figure 7 Draw a three-dimensional diagram showing how vertical panels are fixed together using a fastening system in a curtain.

[0015] Figure 8 An enlarged perspective view showing the combination of fastening systems to fix two adjacent vertical plates together.

[0016] Figure 9 An enlarged perspective view showing the combination of fastening systems to secure the outermost vertical plate.

[0017] List of reference numerals

[0018] 100, 100A, 100B: Fastening system

[0019] 102, 104: Clamping components

[0020] 106: Gap

[0021] 108, 110: Inner surface

[0022] 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D: Outer edge

[0023] 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D: Outer edge

[0024] 112, 114, 116: plate body

[0025] 120, 122: Latch section

[0026] 124, 126: Card-connecting section

[0027] 128: Grooving

[0028] 124A, 126A: Inclined surface

[0029] 130: Gap

[0030] 132: Hanging clip connector

[0031] 132A: Grooving

[0032] 134, 138: Teeth

[0033] 136, 140: Opening

[0034] 200: Curtains

[0035] 202: Top Frame

[0036] 204, 204A, 204B: Vertical plate

[0037] 206, 206A, 206B: Side

[0038] 208: Central Department

[0039] 210: Top Rail

[0040] 212: Pendant

[0041] 212A: Slotting

[0042] 204C: Outermost vertical plate

[0043] 206B: Outer side. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Figure 1 An exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention, applicable to a curtain fastening system 100, is shown. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the fastening system 100 is shown. (See attached image.) Figure 1 , 2 The fastening system 100 includes two clamping members 102 and 104. Each of the two clamping members 102 and 104 may be formed as a single piece. Suitable materials for making the clamping members 102 and 104 include, but are not limited to, plastic, and may also be other suitable materials. The two clamping members 102 and 104 may be fixed together to clamp at least one panel of the curtain in a gap 106 between the two clamping members 102 and 104. The gap 106 may be defined between the inner surface 108 of the clamping member 102 and the inner surface 110 of the clamping member 104, wherein the inner surface 108 of the clamping member 102 and the inner surface 110 of the clamping member 104 face each other when the two clamping members 102 and 104 are fixed together.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the two clamping members 102 and 104 may have similar external contours, which fit together when the clamping members 102 and 104 are fixed together. For example, each of the two clamping members 102 and 104 may have two longer and opposite outer edges (i.e., the outer edges 102A and 102B of the clamping member 102, and the outer edges 104A and 104B of the clamping member 104) and two shorter and opposite outer edges (i.e., the outer edges 102C and 102D of the clamping member 102, and the outer edges 104C and 104D of the clamping member 104), and each of the two shorter outer edges is connected to the two longer outer edges respectively.

[0046] The two clamping members 102, 104 can be fixed according to at least a first configuration state and a second configuration state, wherein the gap 106 between the two clamping members 102, 104 is larger in the first configuration state than in the second configuration state. Figure 1 , 2 The fastening system 100 is illustrated in a first configuration state. In the first configuration state, the fastening system 100 is adapted to clamp two contacting plates 112, 114 in a gap 106 between two clamping members 102, 104. The two plates 112, 114 clamped by the fastening system 100 can contact the two clamping members 102, 104 respectively. And the top edge of each of the two plates 112, 114 clamped by the fastening system 100 can be positioned at and extend along the outer edges 102A, 104A adjacent to the two plates 112, 114.

[0047] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The fastening system 100 is illustrated in a second configuration state. In this second configuration state, the fastening system 100 is adapted to clamp a single plate 116 in a gap 106 between two clamping members 102 and 104. The single plate 116 clamped by the fastening system 100 can contact the two clamping members 102 and 104 on its opposite sides, respectively. Furthermore, the top edge of the single plate 116 clamped by the fastening system 100 can be positioned at and extend along the outer edges 102A and 104A adjacent to the outer edges 102A and 104A of the two plates 112 and 114.

[0048] See Figure 1-4The clamping member 102 has a latching portion 120, and the clamping member 104 has a latching portion 122. The latching portion 122 is operable to engage with the latching portion 120 to secure the clamping member 104 to the clamping member 102 in either a first configuration state or a second configuration state. According to one embodiment, the latching portion 120 may be fixed to the clamping member 102, and the latching portion 122 may be fixed to the clamping member 104. For example, the latching portion 120 may be integrally formed with the clamping member 102, and the latching portion 122 may be integrally formed with the clamping member 104. According to one embodiment, the latching portion 120 may protrude beyond the outer edge 102A of the clamping member 102, and the latching portion 122 may protrude beyond the outer edge 104A of the clamping member 104. When the two clamping parts 102 and 104 are fixed together to clamp one or more panels of the curtain, the two latching parts 120 and 122 can engage above the top edge of the one or more panels.

[0049] The latch portions 120 and 122 may have any structure suitable for securing the two clamping members 102 and 104 and setting the gap 106 therebetween to a desired size. According to one example, the latch portion 120 may have two engaging portions 124 and 126, and the latch portion 122 may engage with either of the engaging portions 124 and 126 to secure the two clamping members 102 and 104. The latch portion 120, including the two engaging portions 124 and 126, is integrally formed with the clamping member 102, for example. The latch portion 122 may engage with the engaging portion 124 to secure the two clamping members 102 and 104 in a first configuration state (i.e., when the gap 106 is larger), and may engage with the engaging portion 126 to secure the two clamping members 102 and 104 in a second configuration state (i.e., when the gap 106 is smaller). The two engaging portions 124, 126 may be spaced apart in a direction that extends laterally with respect to the gap 106 and is perpendicular to the inner surface 108 of the clamping member 102 and the inner surface 110 of the clamping member 104. According to one embodiment, the engaging portions 124, 126 may include protrusions, while the latching portion 122 may include one or more slots 128 adapted to engage with either of the engaging portions 124, 126.

[0050] According to one example, the latch 122 can engage with any one of the engaging portions 124 or 126 of the latch 120 by a snap-fit ​​engagement. To facilitate engagement of the latch 122, each of the engaging portions 124 or 126 may have a bevel, for example, engaging portion 124 has a bevel 124A, and engaging portion 126 has a bevel 126A. When the two clamping members 102 or 104 move toward each other and come into contact, a sliding contact can be formed between the latch 122 and the bevel 124A or 126A, thereby elastically offsetting the latch 122 laterally relative to the relative movement direction between the clamping members 102 or 104 until the slot 128 aligns with the engaging portion 124 or 126, allowing the latch 122 to elastically spring back and engage with the engaging portion 124 or 126.

[0051] It should be understood that each of the two clamping members 102, 104 may include any suitable number of latching portions 120, 122 to ensure proper securing. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two clamping members 102, 104 includes, for example, one latching portion 120 and one latching portion 122. According to other embodiments, one of the two clamping members 102, 104 may have one, two or more identical latching portions 120, while the other of the two clamping members 102, 104 may have one, two or more identical latching portions 122.

[0052] See Figure 1-4 The clamping member 102 may have a notch 130 that opens onto the outer edge 102A and extends into the inner surface 108. The clamping member 104 may correspondingly have a hook-and-loop engagement portion 132 for engaging the fastening system 100 with a hook provided in the top frame of the curtain. According to one example, the hook-and-loop engagement portion 132 may include a slot 132A configured to engage with a protrusion provided on the hook of the top frame. When the two clamping members 102, 104 are fixed together, the notch 130 may overlap with the hook-and-loop engagement portion 132 across the gap 106. Therefore, the two fixed clamping members 102, 104 are adapted to clamp at least one panel of the curtain in the area of ​​the gap 106 where they overlap with the notch 130 and the hook-and-loop engagement portion 132.

[0053] According to one example, latches 120 and 122 may be located on opposite sides of the area of ​​notch 130 and hook-and-loop fastener 132 to provide a balanced weight distribution. For example, the illustrated embodiment places latches 120 and 122 on opposite sides of the area adjacent to notch 130 and hook-and-loop fastener 132. However, it should be understood that latches 120 and 122 may also be located at other positions along the outer edges 102A and 104A of clamps 102 and 104.

[0054] See Figure 1-4 The inner surface 108 of the clamping member 102 may have a plurality of protrusions 134 and a plurality of openings 136, and the protrusions 134 and openings 136 are distributed on opposite sides of the notch 130. Similarly, the inner surface 110 of the clamping member 104 may have a plurality of protrusions 138 and a plurality of openings 140, and the protrusions 138 and openings 140 are distributed on opposite sides of the hanging engagement portion 132. When one or more panels of the curtain are clamped in the gap 106 between the two clamping members 102 and 104, they can be pierced by the protrusions 134 and 138. The openings 136 in the clamping member 102 are adapted to at least partially accommodate the protrusions 138 of the clamping member 104, and the openings 140 in the clamping member 104 are adapted to at least partially accommodate the protrusions 134 of the clamping member 102.

[0055] Cooperate Figure 1-5, Figure 6-9 An embodiment of the fastening system 100 applied to curtain 200 is illustrated. See also... Figure 6-9 The curtain 200 may include a top frame 202 and multiple vertical panels 204. The top frame 202 may be fixed to the top edge of the window frame and has an elongated shape.

[0056] Each vertical panel 204 may be made of a soft material, which may include, but is not limited to, fabric, woven materials, mesh materials, etc. Each vertical panel 204 may have two sides 206A, 206B, and a central portion 208 located between the two sides 206A, 206B. According to one embodiment, the two sides 206A, 206B and the central portion 208 may have different light transmittances. For example, the light transmittance of the central portion 208 may be higher than that of each side 206A, 206B. Each vertical panel 204 is generally U-shaped when connected to the top frame 202.

[0057] See Figure 1-9 In the curtain 200, multiple fastening systems 100, as described above, can be used to fix adjacent vertical panels 204 together and suspend the vertical panels 204 below the top frame 202. More specifically, the fastening system 100 may include a fastening system 100A in a first configuration state and a fastening system 100B in a second configuration state. Fastening systems 100A and 100B may be connected to the top frame 202 respectively to suspend the vertical panels 204. For example, the top frame 202 may include a top rail 210 and multiple hangers 212, the hangers 212 being movably connected to the top rail 210 and respectively engaging with the hanger engagement portions 132 of the fastening systems 100A and 100B. According to one example, each of the hangers 212 may have a slot 212A, and the hanger engagement portion 132 may be inserted into the slot 212A to engage the hanger 212 with the hanger engagement portion 132. When the pendant 212 engages with the pendant latching part 132, the fastening systems 100A and 100B can respectively accommodate the pendant 212 at least partially in their notches 130.

[0058] See Figure 1-8Each fastening system 100A can be used to clamp the tops of two adjacent vertical plates 204. For example, a vertical plate 204 may comprise two adjacent vertical plates 204A and 204B, and the fastening system 100A can attach the side portion 206B of vertical plate 204A to the side portion 206A of vertical plate 204B, so that the two vertical plates 204A and 204B remain adjacent. When the fastening system 100A is connected to its corresponding hanger 212, the two vertical plates 204A and 204B (especially the side portion 206B of vertical plate 204A and the side portion 206A of vertical plate 204B) clamped by the fastening system 100A can be at least partially accommodated in the slot 212A of the hanger 212. This configuration positions the vertical panels 204A and 204B quite close to the lower edge of the top rail 210, thereby preventing light leakage between the top rail 210 and the vertical panels 204A and 204B.

[0059] See Figure 6-9 The vertical plate 204 may also include an outermost vertical plate 204C, the outermost portion 206B of which is not attached to any other vertical plate. A fastening system 100B can be used to clamp the outermost portion 206B of the outermost vertical plate 204C, wherein the top of the outermost portion 206B is clamped between two clamping members 102, 104 of the fastening system 100B. When the fastening system 100B is connected to its corresponding hanger 212, the outermost portion 206B of the outermost vertical plate 204C clamped by the fastening system 100B can be at least partially accommodated in the slot 212A of the hanger 212. This configuration positions the outermost vertical plate 204C quite close to the lower edge of the top rail 210, thereby preventing light leakage between the top rail 210 and the outermost vertical plate 204C.

[0060] The fastening system of the present invention has a simple structure and assembly, and is easy to operate to secure the vertical panels of the curtain. In particular, the fastening system can have multiple configuration states to secure adjacent vertical panels and the outermost part of the outermost vertical panel. Moreover, the vertical panels can be positioned quite close to the lower edge of the top rail, thereby preventing light leakage between the top rail and the vertical panels.

[0061] The above description is based on several different embodiments of the present invention, wherein each feature may be implemented individually or in different combinations. Therefore, the disclosure of embodiments of the present invention is a specific example illustrating the principles of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention to the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Variations or combinations of other elements are possible and do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fastening system suitable for curtains, characterized in that, Comprising: a first clamping member having a first latching portion, wherein the first latching portion is a protruding structure disposed at a first location on the first clamping member and has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion; and a second clamping member having a second latching portion engageable with the first latching portion to secure the second clamping member with the first clamping member, wherein the second latching portion is another protruding structure disposed at a second location on the second clamping member, the first clamping member and the second clamping member being securable to hold at least one panel of a window treatment in a gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member; wherein the first clamping member and the second clamping member are securable in a first configuration and a second configuration, the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member being larger in the first configuration than in the second configuration, the fastening system being adapted to hold two panels in contact in the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member in the first configuration, and the fastening system being adapted to hold a single panel in the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member in the second configuration; wherein the second latching portion engages with the first engaging portion to secure the first clamping member and the second clamping member in the first configuration, and the second latching portion engages with the second engaging portion to secure the first clamping member and the second clamping member in the second configuration.

2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, Each of the first clamping member and the second clamping member is formed as a single body.

3. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, The first latching portion is fixedly connected with the first clamping member.

4. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, The first latching portion is formed integrally with the first clamping member, and the second latching portion is formed integrally with the second clamping member.

5. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, The first latching portion including the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is formed integrally with the first clamping member.

6. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are spaced apart in a direction extending transversely to the gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

7. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, Each of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion has a slope to facilitate engagement of the second latching portion.

8. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, The first latching portion protrudes from a first outer side edge of the first clamping member, and the second latching portion protrudes from a second outer side edge of the second clamping member.

9. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein, The first clamping member has a first inner side surface, and the second clamping member has a second inner side surface, the first inner side surface and the second inner side surface facing each other when the first clamping member and the second clamping member are secured, and the gap is defined between the first inner side surface and the second inner side surface.

10. The fastening system of claim 9, wherein, The first clamping member has a notch open to an outer side edge of the first clamping member and extending into the first inner side surface, and the second clamping member has a hanger engaging portion, the notch overlapping the hanger engaging portion when the first clamping member and the second clamping member are secured.

11. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein, The secured first clamping member and the second clamping member are adapted to hold at least one panel of a window treatment in an area of the gap where the notch and the hanger engaging portion overlap.

12. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein, One of the first inner side surface and the second inner side surface has a plurality of protrusions adapted to pierce one or more panels of the curtain, and the other of the first inner side surface and the second inner side surface has a plurality of openings adapted to at least partially receive the plurality of protrusions, respectively, the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of openings being distributed on opposite sides of the notch and the hanger clasp portion.

13. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein, The first latch portion protrudes from the outer edge of the first clip and is adjacent to the notch.

14. A window covering, comprising: comprising: a first vertical panel, a second vertical panel, and an outermost vertical panel; and The fastening system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is adapted to clamp the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel as adjacent to each other, or to clamp the outer portion of the outermost vertical panel.

15. The window treatment of claim 14, wherein, Further comprising a top bracket having a hanger with a slot, wherein the first vertical panel and the second vertical panel clamped by the fastening system are at least partially received in the slot of the hanger, or the outer portion of the outermost vertical panel clamped by the fastening system is at least partially received in the slot of the hanger, when the fastening system is connected with the hanger.

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