Window tie rod with removable pad and retaining pin

Abstract

A window pull rod is disclosed having an end bracket with a removable resilient pad and a securing pin. Each bracket includes a bracket plate having one or more securing pins extending therefrom that may be used to secure the rod in the window opening. When the retaining pin is not required to sufficiently secure the tie rod in the window opening, a removable resilient pad may be used to cover the retaining pin, or the removable resilient pad may be detached to expose the pin for additional securing. A resilient base mounting pad may additionally be attached to the bracket plate adjacent the fixed pin and may be retained on the end bracket when the rod is mounted.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 621,029, filed on January 15, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a window rod having a removable pad and a fixing pin. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Window rods may be provided with end brackets to hold the rod in a desired position in front of a window. Conventional curtain rods are typically installed near a window by screws fixed to a wall or window casing. An example of a conventional window rod with mounting brackets is described in U.S. Patent No. 8,814,114B2, which is incorporated herein by reference. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a window rod having end brackets with removable elastic pads and fixing pins. Each bracket includes a bracket plate having a fixing pin (or pins) extending therefrom, which can be used to fix the rod in a window opening. When the fixing pins are not needed to sufficiently fix the rod in the window opening, a removable elastic pad can be used to cover the fixing pins, or the removable elastic pad can be removed to expose the pins for additional fixing. An elastic base mounting pad can additionally be attached to the bracket plate adjacent to the fixing pins and can remain on the end bracket during rod installation.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a window rod assembly including an extendable curtain rod and a first end bracket adjacent to a first end of the curtain rod, the first end bracket including: a first bracket plate substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the curtain rod; at least one fixing pin attached to the first bracket plate and extending away from the first bracket plate and the curtain rod in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the curtain rod; and a first removable pad removably attachable to the first end bracket, the first removable pad constructed and arranged to cover the fixing pin attached to the first bracket plate when the first removable pad is attached to the first end bracket.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mounting bracket for an extendable curtain rod, including: a bracket plate; at least one fixing pin attached to a surface of the bracket plate and extending away from the surface; a base mounting pad covering at least a portion of the surface of the bracket plate, wherein the at least one fixing pin extends through the base mounting pad; and a removable pad removably attachable to the mounting pad and covering the at least one fixing pin, wherein the at least one fixing pin extends a distance from an outer surface of the mounting pad that is less than a thickness of the removable pad.

[0007] These and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a front view of a window tie rod assembly mounted on a window jamb according to an embodiment of the present invention, the window tie rod assembly may be provided with a removable pad and a fixing pin.

[0009] Figure 2 is an isometric view of an end bracket of a window rod assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, the end bracket includes an elastic base mounting pad and an elastic removable pad covering the fixing pin.

[0010] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an isometric view of the end bracket of where the removable pad is removed to expose the fixing pin.

[0011] Figure 4 is an isometric view of an end bracket of a window rod assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, the end bracket includes an elastic base mounting pad and an elastic removable pad covering the fixing pin.

[0012] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a perspective view of the end bracket of where the removable pad is removed to expose the fixing pin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Figure 1 is a front view of a window rod assembly 108 having end brackets 124 and 134 according to the present invention, the end brackets may be provided with fixing pins 190 and removable elastic pads 184. The window rod 108 is shown mounted in a window jamb 110 and includes a rod 112 having a first section 114 and a second section 116. The first and second rod sections are configured for a telescopic arrangement such that a portion of the first section is configured to slide into a portion of the second section. A locking device 144 is provided to fix the axial position of the first section relative to the second section.

[0014] The first support arm assembly 118 is disposed near the outer end of the first rod section. The first support arm assembly includes: a first sleeve or tube 120 configured to engage a portion 122 of the first rod section; a first end bracket 124; and a first arm 126 extending between the first sleeve and the first end bracket. The second support arm assembly 128 is disposed near the outer end of the second rod section. The second support arm assembly includes: a second sleeve or tube 130 configured to engage a portion 132 of the second rod section; a second end bracket 134; and a second arm 136 extending between the second sleeve and the second end bracket. At least one of the first support arm assembly and the second support arm assembly may include a tension regulator configured to apply a force on the support rod in the axial direction and deploy the support brackets. This can urge the first and second end brackets 124 and 134 against the inner surfaces 138, 140 of the window opening 142.

[0015] To install the rod assembly 108, the end brackets 124 and 134 are positioned adjacent the inner surface of the window opening, and the first and second rod sections are pulled apart until the end brackets 124 and 134 contact the inner wall of the window opening. Then, the rod sections can be rotated relative to each other to lock the axial positions of the first and second rod sections relative to each other. Then, as shown by arrows 146 and 148, a force can be applied to the rod, for example, by using a force adjustment mechanism coupled to at least one of the finials 150 and 152. Since the arms 126 and 136 are rigidly attached to the end brackets 124 and 134 and rigidly attached to the tubes 120 and 130, an outward force as shown by arrows 154 and 156 is also applied to the end brackets 124 and 134. This outward force pushes the end brackets 124 and 134 into the inner surface (i.e., the support surface) of the window opening, thereby fixing the rod assembly 108 to the window opening. The force applied to the support rod is transmitted to the brackets. Thus, no additional devices are required to attach the brackets to the wall of the window opening or window casing. The shape of the support arms can be designed to extend forwardly towards the interior of the room and also extend outwardly relative to the window opening. This can position the support rod away from the window opening and any casing that may be positioned around the window opening.

[0016] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Shown is the end bracket 124 as described above, which includes an elastic base mounting pad, a fixing pin, and an elastic removable pad located on the base mounting pad. The elastic removable pad covers the fixing pin when positioned on the base mounting pad, but exposes the fixing pin when removed from the base mounting pad. Although the first end bracket 124 is described below, it should be understood that the second end bracket 134 may also include an elastic base mounting pad, a fixing pin, and an elastic removable pad, as described below.

[0017] The end bracket 124 includes a bracket plate 180 oriented perpendicular to the window bar and a bracket side plate 181 extending substantially perpendicularly from the bracket plate 180. An elastic base mounting pad 182 covers the bracket plate 180. In the illustrated embodiment, the base mounting pad 182 includes a base side pad 183 extending perpendicularly therefrom and covering the bracket side plate 181.

[0018] As Figure 3 shown, when the removable pad 184 is removed from the end bracket 124, a fixing pin 190 extending perpendicularly from the bracket plate 180 through the base mounting pad 182 is exposed. In the illustrated embodiment, two fixing pins 190 are used. However, any other suitable number of pins, such as one, two, three, etc., can be used. The fixing pins can be made of a suitable material, such as a metal including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc., or a rigid plastic. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 further shown, the base mounting pad 182 has a thickness T B , the removable pad 184 has a thickness T R , and the fixing pin 190 has an extended length L P , as described more fully below.

[0019] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Another embodiment of the end bracket 124 having a bracket plate 180 and a bracket side plate 181 is shown. In this embodiment, the base mounting pad 182A includes an elastic portion 186 and a rigid portion 187. In Figure 4 it, the removable pad 184 covers the base mounting pad 182A and also covers the fixing pin 190. As Figure 5 shown, when the removable pad 184 is removed, the base mounting pad 182A and the fixing pin 190 are exposed. The base mounting pad 182A includes an elastic portion 186 and a rigid portion 187 with a notch 188. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 the embodiment of shows, the base mounting pad 182A has a thickness T B , the removable pad 184 has a thickness T R , and the fixing pin 190 has an extended length L P , as described more fully below.

[0020] The elastic base mounting pads 182 and 186 and the elastic removable pad 184 can be made of any suitable elastic material, such as thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, foam, etc. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The rigid portion 187 of the elastic base mounting pad 182A of can be made of a rigid or hard plastic (such as ABS, etc.).

[0021] The resilient base mounting pads 182 and 182A can have a thickness T of at least 0.05 inches, such as at least 0.08 inches or at least 0.1 inches B The base mounting pads 182 and 182A can have a thickness T of up to 0.3 inches, such as up to 0.25 inches or up to 0.2 inches B The base mounting pads 182 and 182A can have a thickness T ranging from 0.05 inches to 0.3 inches, such as from 0.08 inches to 0.25 inches or from 0.1 inches to 0.2 inches B 。

[0022] The removable resilient pad 184 can have a thickness T of at least 0.05 inches, such as at least 0.08 inches or at least 0.1 inches R The removable resilient pad 184 can have a thickness T of up to 0.3 inches, such as up to 0.25 inches or up to 0.2 inches R The removable resilient pad 184 can have a thickness T ranging from 0.05 inches to 0.3 inches, such as from 0.08 inches to 0.25 inches or from 0.1 inches to 0.2 inches R 。

[0023] For each of the base mounting pads 180, 180A and the removable pad 184, their thickness T R and T R can be measured when the material is not compressed, such as before installation into a window opening which may compress the resilient material when the end brackets are forced outwards against the window opening.

[0024] The fixed pin 190 can have an extended length L of at least 0.05 inches, such as at least 0.08 inches or at least 0.1 inches P The fixed pin 186 can have an extended length L of up to 0.5 inches, such as up to 0.4 inches or up to 0.3 inches P The fixed pin 186 can have an extended length L ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 inches, such as from 0.08 inches to 0.4 inches or from 0.1 inches to 0.3 inches P As used herein, the term "extended length" means the distance that the exposed portion of the fixed pin extends from the bracket plate when the removable pad is removed from the end bracket. Thus, when the end bracket includes a permanently fixed base mounting pad on the bracket plate and the fixed pin extends through the fixed base mounting pad, the extended length L of the fixed pin P is measured from the outer surface of the fixed mounting pad to the end of the fixed pin. However, if no additional fixed base mounting pad is provided on the bracket plate, then the extended length L of the fixed pin can be measured from the outer exposed surface of the bracket plate to the end of the fixed pin P 。

[0025] As described above, the window rod assembly can be installed with the removable resilient pad 184 in place, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown. Alternatively, the window rod assembly can be installed with the removable resilient pad 184 removed, thereby exposing the fixed pin 190 extending from the bracket plate 180, as Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown. The length of the extensible rod can be adjusted by sliding the rod sections relative to each other until the resilient removable pad 184 or the resilient base mounting pad 182 (depending on the embodiment) is adjacent to the wall of the window opening. Additionally, the resilient base side pads 183 can be positioned adjacent to the forward-facing wall or frame of the window opening. Then, the fasteners can be tightened to fix the first and second sections of the extensible rod relative to each other in the axial direction at a fixed position. Next, the tension adjustment assembly can be adjusted to extend the support rod and force the end brackets into the opposite walls of the opening.

[0026] The window drawbar uses an outward force on the end brackets to hold the extended rod in place and does not require screws or adhesives. The rod assembly eliminates the need to screw the curtain rod to the wall or window casing and also includes a decorative appearance while not damaging the walls or casings of the window opening. The window rod assembly can be configured such that the arms extend forward into the room and can also be angled away from the window opening, allowing a decorative finial to be positioned outside the window opening, and the curtain attached to the support rod can then overlap the wall or casing adjacent to the window opening.

[0027] As used herein, terms such as "comprising," "containing," etc. should be understood to be synonymous with "including" in the context of this application and are thus open-ended and do not exclude the presence of additional un-described or un-listed elements, materials, stages, or method steps. As used herein, "consisting of" should be understood to exclude the presence of any unspecified elements, materials, stages, or method steps in the context of this application. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" should be understood to include the specified elements, materials, stages, or method steps, and, where applicable, also include any unspecified elements, materials, stages, or method steps that do not materially affect the basic or novel characteristics of the invention.

[0028] Although the listed numerical ranges and parameters are only approximations of the broad scope of the invention, the values listed in the specific examples are as precise as possible. However, any numerical value inherently contains certain errors resulting from the standard deviations that are common in their respective test measurements.

[0029] It should also be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, the range “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between the recited minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10 (including the two values), i.e., having a minimum value greater than or equal to 1 and a maximum value less than or equal to 10.

[0030] In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural, and the use of the plural also includes the singular, unless specifically stated otherwise. Further, in this application, the use of “or” means “and / or”, unless specifically stated otherwise, even if “and / or” is expressly used in some instances. In this application and the appended claims, the words “a” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly and unambiguously restricted to one referent.

[0031] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications can be made to the details of the invention without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A window rod assembly, comprising: An extendable curtain rod; A first end bracket adjacent to the first end of the curtain rod, the first end bracket including a first bracket plate substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the curtain rod; At least one fixing pin attached to the first bracket plate and extending away from the first bracket plate and the curtain rod in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the curtain rod; And A first removable pad capable of being removably attached to the first end bracket, the first removable pad being constructed and arranged to cover the fixing pin attached to the first bracket plate when the first removable pad is attached to the first end bracket.

2. The window rod assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first base mounting pad covering at least a portion of the first bracket plate.

3. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one fixing pin extends from the outer surface of the first base mounting pad by an extension distance less than the thickness of the first removable pad.

4. The window bar assembly according to claim 3, wherein The extension distance of the fixing pin is at least 0.05 inches.

5. The window bar assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The extension distance of the fixing pin is from 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches.

6. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one fixing pin comprises metal.

7. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first removable pad comprises an elastic material selected from thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, foam, and combinations thereof.

8. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first removable pad has a thickness of at least 0.05 inches.

9. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first removable pad has a thickness from 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches.

10. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first base mounting pad comprises an elastic material selected from thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, foam, and combinations thereof.

11. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, A portion of the first base mounting pad comprises a rigid plastic.

12. The window bar assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one fixing pin extends from the rigid plastic of the first base mounting pad.

13. The window bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first base mounting pad has a thickness from 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches.

14. The window bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one fixing pin extends from the outer exposed surface of the first bracket plate by an extension distance less than the thickness of the first removable pad.

15. The window bar assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The extension distance is from 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches.

16. The window bar assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The first removable pad has a thickness from 0.05 inches to 0.5 inches and comprises an elastic material.

17. The window rod assembly according to claim 1, including at least two of the fixing pins.

18. The window bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein The first bracket further includes a first side plate substantially perpendicular to the first bracket plate and extending away from the first bracket plate and the curtain rod in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the curtain rod.

19. The window rod assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: A second end bracket adjacent to the second end of the curtain rod, the second end bracket including a second bracket plate substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the curtain rod; At least one fixing pin attached to the second bracket plate and extending away from the second bracket plate and the curtain rod in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the curtain rod; And A second removable pad, the second removable pad being removably attachable to the second end bracket, the second removable pad being constructed and arranged to cover a fixed pin attached to the second bracket plate when the second removable pad is attached to the second end bracket.

20. The window rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The extendable curtain rod includes a locking drawbar.

21. A mounting bracket for an extendable curtain rod, comprising: A bracket plate; At least one fixed pin attached to a surface of the bracket plate and extending away from the surface; A mounting pad covering at least a portion of the surface of the bracket plate, wherein the at least one fixed pin extends through the thickness of the mounting pad; And A removable pad removably attachable to the mounting pad, the removable pad covering the at least one fixed pin, wherein the at least one fixed pin extends from an outer surface of the mounting pad a distance less than the thickness of the removable pad.

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