Telescopic curtain track

Abstract

A retractable curtain track includes an inner profile that collapses longitudinally within an outer profile, and a curtain slider that slides longitudinally within the outer profile and the inner profile. Due to the design of the inner profile and the outer profile, the curtain sliding piece longitudinally slides on the inner profile and the outer profile without being clamped at the overlapped part of the inner profile and the outer profile.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to telescopic curtain tracks. Background Art

[0002] Curtain tracks (or top tracks) are typically provided in standard lengths and must be cut to a length suitable for a particular window width. Telescopic curtain tracks have also been proposed, which generally include a pair of poles or rods, one of which is nested inside the other.

[0003] Existing telescopic curtain tracks have several deficiencies. There is an internal vertical step between the overlapping portions of the pair of rods. Curtains often get stuck because the curtain runner gets caught or hooked on this step when sliding longitudinally between the overlapping portions of the telescopic rods.

[0004] In view of this background, there has been an unmet need for an improved telescopic curtain track that can avoid or minimize the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a telescopic curtain track, comprising:

[0006] An inner profile that telescopes longitudinally within an outer profile; and

[0007] A curtain runner that slides longitudinally within the inner profile and the outer profile;

[0008] Wherein,

[0009] The inner profile has a lower inner edge defined by a pair of L-shaped flanges spaced apart from each other and facing inwardly towards each other;

[0010] The outer profile has a lower inner edge defined by a pair of square J-shaped flanges spaced apart from each other and facing inwardly towards each other;

[0011] The upper inner edge of each curtain runner is defined by a pair of inverted square J-shaped flanges spaced apart from each other and facing outwardly towards each other;

[0012] The L-shaped flanges of the inner profile slide longitudinally within the square J-shaped flanges of the outer profile; and

[0013] The inverted square J-shaped flanges of each curtain runner slide longitudinally on the L-shaped flanges of the inner profile and the square J-shaped flanges of the outer profile respectively and do not get stuck at the overlapping portions of the inner profile and the outer profile.

[0014] Both the inner and outer profiles are elongated and have a hollow, rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0015] Each curtain slider has a lower inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart and outward-facing L-shaped flanges that are opposite each other and are located below the square J-shaped flange of the outer profile.

[0016] Each curtain slider further includes a vertical axis located between the lower inner edge and the upper inner edge, having rounded or beveled front and rear surfaces to provide a smooth sliding transition between the overlapping portions of the inner profile and the outer profile.

[0017] The retractable curtain track further includes one or more filler profiles that slide on the inner profile and are spaced from the outer profile, where each filler profile has a lower inner edge defined by an inward-facing L-shaped flange, and where each filler profile has a front side surface that is the same shape and size as the front side surface of the outer profile.

[0018] The retractable curtain track further includes a decorative profile that covers the front side surfaces of the filler profiles and the outer profile.

[0019] The decorative profile has a square C-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0020] The retractable curtain track further includes end caps that fit over the ends of the filler profiles, the decorative profile, and the outer profile.

[0021] The end caps can act as stops to longitudinally secure the curtain sliders within the inner profile and the outer profile.

[0022] An access notch is provided through the square J-shaped flange at one end of the outer profile to leave the desired number of curtain sliders within the inner profile and the outer profile between the end caps, thereby removing the excess number of curtain sliders.

[0023] The notch is covered by a removable notch clip that is installed within the end cap at one end of the outer profile after the excess number of curtain sliders has been removed.

[0024] The decorative profile, the filler profiles, the inner profile, and the outer profile include extruded profiles made of metal or rigid plastic, for example, the metal includes aluminum.

[0025] The curtain sliders, the end caps, and the notch clip include profiles made of plastic. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1: Exploded perspective view of the retractable curtain track according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 : Assembled perspective view of the retractable curtain track;

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 : Perspective views of the inner profile and the outer profile of the retractable curtain track in the retracted state, respectively;

[0030] Figures 5 to 7 : Side views of the inner profile, the outer profile, and the filling profile, respectively;

[0031] Figure 8 : Cross-sectional view through the inner profile and the outer profile;

[0032] Figure 9 : Cross-sectional view through the inner profile and the filling profile;

[0033] Figure 10 and Figure 11 : Perspective view and front view of the curtain slider, respectively;

[0034] Figure 12 : Longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view through the curtain slider, the inner profile, and the outer profile;

[0035] Figure 13 : Cross-sectional view through the curtain slider, the inner profile, and the outer profile;

[0036] Figures 14 to 17 : Partial bottom perspective view of the retractable curtain track, which shows the sequential removal of excess curtain sliders through the notches at one end of the outer profile. Detailed implementation

[0037] As Figures 1 to 3 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the retractable curtain track 10 may generally include an inner profile 12 that telescopically retracts longitudinally within an outer profile 14. For example, the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14 may be elongated and have a hollow, rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0038] The curtain slider 16 (only one is shown for clarity) may slide longitudinally within the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14. The filling profile 18 may slide on the inner profile 12 and be separated from and spaced apart from the outer profile 14. Each filling profile 18 may have a front side with the same shape and size as the front side of the outer profile 14. The decorative profile 20 may cover the front side surfaces of the filling profile and the outer profile. For example, the decorative profile 20 may have a square C-shaped cross-section.

[0039] The end cap 22 can be sleeved on the ends of the filling profile 18, the outer profile 14, and the decorative profile 20. Each end cap 22 can each have an inward-facing tongue to fit inside the ends of the profiles 18 and the outer profile 14. The end cap 22 can act as a stopper to longitudinally fix the curtain slider 16 within the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14. The buckle 24 can be inserted into the end cap 22 to cover the lower openings or notches on the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14. Each buckle 24 can have an upward-facing tongue that is installed within a pair of inward-facing L-shaped flanges that face each other within each end cap 22.

[0040] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, during use, the inner profile 12 can slide or move longitudinally and telescopically relative to the outer profile 14, moving from a retracted position to an extended position, thereby providing different total lengths for the retractable curtain track 10 to accommodate windows or curtains of different widths. The inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14 can be fixed to each other at the desired total length by a flat head screw (not shown) that is threaded into a flat head screw hole 25 provided on the outer profile 14. The decorative profile 20 can be cut to a length corresponding to the overall length of the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14 in the extended position. In addition, the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14 can be provided in different individual lengths, thereby forming a retractable curtain track 10 with different overall lengths. The retractable curtain track 10 can be installed on the window frame or wall by brackets (not shown).

[0041] As Figures 5 to 9 shown, in one embodiment, the inner profile 12 can have a lower inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart inward-facing L-shaped flanges that face each other; and an upper outer edge defined by spaced-apart grooves. The outer profile 14 can have a lower inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart inward-facing square J-shaped flanges. As Figure 8 shown, during use, the L-shaped flanges of the inner profile 12 can slide longitudinally within the square J-shaped flanges of the outer profile 14.

[0042] The filling profile 18 can have a lower inner edge defined by an inward-facing L-shaped flange, and an upper inner edge defined by spaced-apart protrusions. As Figure 9 shown, during use, the L-shaped flange of the filling profile 18 can slide longitudinally outside the square J-shaped flange of the inner profile 12, while the spaced-apart protrusions of the filling profile 18 can slide within the spaced-apart grooves of the inner profile 12.

[0043] As Figure 10 and 11As shown, in one embodiment, each curtain slider 16 may have an upper inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart, outward-facing, inverted square J-shaped flanges that face each other. Each curtain slider 16 may also have a lower inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart, outward-facing, L-shaped flanges that are located below the square J-shaped flanges of the outer profile 14. Additionally, each curtain slider 16 may include a vertical axis that extends between the lower inner edge and the upper inner edge, and the vertical axis has rounded or beveled front and rear surfaces to smooth the sliding transition between the overlapping portions of the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14. The freely hanging lower shape, size, and configuration of the curtain slider 16 may vary to accommodate different types of connection methods for mounting curtains, vertical blinds, or other window coverings.

[0044] As Figure 12 and 13 shown, during use, the inverted square J-shaped flanges of each curtain slider 16 may slide longitudinally on the L-shaped flanges of the inner profile 12 and the square J-shaped flanges of the outer profile 14, respectively, without getting stuck or hooked on the overlapping portions of the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14.

[0045] As Figures 14 to 17 , the provided notch 26 may pass through the square J-shaped flange at one end of the outer profile 14 to remove an excess number of curtain sliders 16, leaving the required number of curtain sliders 16 between the end caps 22 within the inner profile 12 and the outer profile 14 through the notch 26. After removing the excess number of curtain sliders 16, the notch 26 may be removably covered by a snap 24 mounted in an end cap 22 at one end of the outer profile 12.

[0046] The decorative profile 20, the filler profile 18, the inner profile 12, and the outer profile 14 may be formed of extruded profiles made of, for example, metal or rigid plastic. For example, the metal may include aluminum. For example, the curtain slider 16, the end cap 22, and the snap 24 may be formed of profiles made of plastic.

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention provide a retractable curtain track that is both generally and specifically applicable to windows of different widths.

[0048] Although the embodiments of the present invention are illustrated only by way of example as "retractable curtain tracks", it should be understood that the present invention may also be successfully used for retractable tracks of vertical blinds or other types of window coverings.

[0049] Unless the context otherwise requires, the term "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the term "containing" has a corresponding meaning.

[0050] Any reference to the prior art does not mean an admission that such prior art is common general knowledge.

[0051] The scope of the present invention supported by the above examples is defined by the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A retractable curtain track, comprising: an inner profile longitudinally telescoped within an outer profile; and a curtain slider longitudinally slidable within the inner and outer profiles; wherein the inner profile has a lower inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart and inward-facing L-shaped flanges facing each other; the outer profile has a lower inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart and inward-facing square J-shaped flanges facing each other; the upper inner edge of each curtain slider is defined by a pair of spaced-apart and outward-facing inverted square J-shaped flanges facing each other; the L-shaped flanges of the inner profile slide longitudinally within the square J-shaped flanges of the outer profile; and; the inverted square J-shaped flanges of each curtain slider slide longitudinally on the L-shaped flanges of the inner profile and the square J-shaped flanges of the outer profile respectively without jamming at the overlapping portion of the inner profile and the outer profile.

2. The retractable curtain track according to claim 1, wherein both the inner and outer profiles are elongated and have a hollow, rectangular cross-sectional shape.

3. The retractable curtain track according to claim 1, wherein each curtain slider has a lower inner edge defined by a pair of spaced-apart and outward-facing L-shaped flanges facing each other, and the L-shaped flanges are located below the square J-shaped flanges of the outer assembly.

4. The retractable curtain track according to claim 3, wherein each curtain slider further includes a vertical shaft extending between the lower inner edge and the upper inner edge, and the vertical shaft has rounded or beveled front and rear surfaces to make the sliding transition between the overlapping portions of the inner profile and the outer profile smooth.

5. The retractable curtain track according to claim 1, further comprising one or more filling profiles slidable on the inner profile and spaced from the outer profile, wherein each filling profile has a lower inner edge defined by an inward-facing L-shaped flange, and wherein each filling profile has a front side having the same shape and size as the front side of the outer profile.

6. The retractable curtain track according to claim 5, further comprising a decorative profile covering the front side surfaces of the filling profiles and the outer profile.

7. The retractable curtain track according to claim 6, wherein the decorative profile has a square C-shaped cross-sectional shape.

8. The retractable curtain track according to claim 6, further comprising end caps adapted to be mounted on both ends of the filling profiles, the decorative profile and the outer profile.

9. The retractable curtain track according to claim 8, wherein the end caps serve as stoppers to longitudinally fix the curtain sliders in the inner profile and the outer profile.

10. The retractable curtain track according to claim 1, wherein, A notch is provided at one end of the outer profile through the square J-shaped flange so as to remove the excess curtain sliders, and the required number of curtain sliders are left in the inner profile and the outer profile between the end caps through the notch.

11. The retractable curtain track according to claim 10, wherein the notch is detachably covered by a snap, and after removing the excess number of curtain sliders, the snap is installed in the end cap at one end of the outer profile.

12. The retractable curtain track according to claim 6, wherein the decorative profile, the filling profile, the inner and outer profiles comprise extruded profiles made of metal or rigid plastic.

13. The retractable curtain track according to claim 11, wherein the curtain slider, the end cap and the buckle comprise profiles made of plastic.

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