CURTAIN HOOKS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a panel hook configured to hook a panel, such as a curtain, to be connected to the panel hook to a carrier, such as a rail, wherein the panel hook comprises a panel fastening element configured to fasten the panel to the panel hook by arranging the panel fastening element in a pocket of the panel in an arranging direction; and a hook element arranged on a first outer end of the panel fastening element and configured to hook the panel hook onto the carrier.

[0002] The invention relates particularly to a panel hook configured to be connected to a tape with pockets which has optionally already been attached to the curtain beforehand. Pockets with a width of for instance 1 centimetre are arranged at a regular distance from each other in the tape, manufactured particularly from woven plastic. The pockets are formed at a distance from each other by arranging a strip on the tape, wherein the panel fastening elements can be inserted into the pockets.

[0003] A drawback of the known panel hook is that it must be arranged in the pocket by means of a rotation movement, wherein the hook element is first inserted from below into the pocket and the panel hook is then rotated in the pocket so as to be moved into its final position. Such a complicated movement is laborious and time-consuming in any case, and is not suitable for mechanical (instead of or in addition to manual) arranging of the panel hook. Document DE 12 59 062 B discloses a prior art panel hook.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved panel hook.

[0005] The invention thereto provides a panel hook according to claim 1. Specifically, a panel hook is provided, wherein the hook element comprises engaging means in the form of two recesses arranged opposite each other to enable the panel hook to be engaged mechanically there to be arranged mechanically in the pocket.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the panel hook, the panel fastening element is configured to click or snap a wall of the pocket between the barb and the hook element.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the hook element extends beyond the barb.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the panel fastening element and the hook element are manufactured integrally. Preferably, the panel fastening element and the hook element are manufactured from a piece of plastic.

[0009] The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of figures shown in a drawing, wherein figure 1 shows various views of a so-called wave curtain to which several panel hooks according to a preferred variant of the invention are connected; figure 2 shows various views of the panel hook used in the wave curtain of figure 1; and figure 3 shows in steps, in side view, how the panel hook of figure 2 is slid into a pocket of a panel.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a so-called wave curtain 1 to which a tape 2 with pockets 3 is attached. Pockets 3 with a width of for instance 1 centimetre are arranged at a regular distance from each other in the tape 2, particularly manufactured from woven plastic. Pockets 3 are woven at a mutual distance by arranging a strip 4 on the tape 2. Panel hooks 6 according to the invention can be inserted into the pockets 3.

[0011] Figure 2 shows various views of a panel hook or wave hook 6 used in figure 1. Panel hook 6 is manufactured from a piece of plastic and is constructed from a flat, stable foot which serves as panel fastening element 7 (as will be elucidated further hereinbelow), and from a hook element 8 provided with a hook bend 9 and a hook shank 10 with a knob 11 for hooking the wave curtain onto the rail in simple and safe manner. As drawn, the panel fastening element 7 comprises two outer ends: situated at a first outer end is the hook element 8 and situated at a second outer end lying opposite the first outer end is a barb 12. The foot, i.e. panel fastening element 7, is configured to fasten curtain 1 to panel hook 6 by arranging panel fastening element 7 in the pocket 3 of curtain 1 in an arranging direction (indicated with the arrow). A distance between a free outer end 13 of barb 12 and the first outer end is chosen such that it is at least the same as the dimension of the pocket 3 in the arranging direction. This results in the panel hook 6 being suspended in the pocket 3 at the position of a notch 15 formed by barb 12 and panel fastening element 7, wherein reference is made to figure 3. A wall of the pocket 3 is preferably clamped (after the panel fastening element 7 has been arranged) between barb 12 and hook element 8, i.e. is arranged therebetween in clicking or snapping manner. In other words, the panel fastening element 7 is then slid into the pocket 3 in one longitudinal movement in the arranging direction, such that the wall of the pocket 3 is then confined between the barb 12 and the hook element 8. This makes it possible to mount the panel fastening element 7 in the pocket 3 in reliable manner in a simple and controlled movement, either manually or mechanically. As shown in figure 2, particularly at bottom left and bottom right, the hook element 8 comprises, in a part thereof between the foot 7 and the hook bend 9, engaging means in the form of two recesses 14 arranged opposite each other in order to enable the panel hook 6 to be engaged there mechanically (in centring manner) and then be inserted into the pocket 3 mechanically.

[0012] As drawn, the barb 12 is directed toward the hook element 8 and extends in a direction obliquely opposite to the arranging direction. The panel fastening element 7 is elongate and extends parallel to the insertion direction.

[0013] Figure 3 shows in steps, in side view, how the panel hook 6 of figures 1 and 2 is slid into the pocket 3 of the panel 1 in the direction of the arrow. Parts corresponding to those of figures 1 and 2 are designated with the same reference numerals. It can be clearly seen that, at the position of the notch 15 formed by the barb 12 and the panel fastening element 7 of the panel hook, the panel hook 6 is fastened in suspended manner in the pocket 3 of the panel 1 in its final position (at the bottom of figure 3).

[0014] The invention is not limited to the drawn embodiment, but also extends to other preferred variants falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Panel hook (6) configured to hook a panel, such as a curtain (1), to be connected to the panel hook (6) to a carrier, such as a rail, wherein the panel hook (6) is configured to be connected to a tape (2) with pockets (3), wherein the panel hook (6) comprises - a panel fastening element (7) configured to fasten the panel to the panel hook (6) by arranging the panel fastening element (7) in a said pocket (3) of the panel in an arranging direction, wherein the panel fastening element (7) is elongate, extends parallel to the intended insertion direction and comprises two outer ends; and - a hook element (8) arranged on a first of said outer ends and configured to hook the panel hook (6) onto the carrier, wherein the panel fastening element (7) comprises, at a second of said outer ends lying opposite the first outer end, a barb (12) directed toward the hook element (8) and extending in a direction obliquely opposite to the intended arranging direction, wherein the panel fastening element (7) is configured to clamp a wall of the pocket (3) between the barb (12) and the hook element (8), such that a distance between a free outer end (13) of the barb (12) and the first outer end is at least the same as the dimension of the pocket (3) in the intended arranging direction, characterized in that the hook element (8) comprises engaging means in the form of two recesses (14) arranged opposite each other to enable the panel hook (6) to be engaged mechanically there to be arranged mechanically in the pocket (3).

2. Panel hook (6) according to claim 1, wherein the panel fastening element (7) is configured to snap a wall of the pocket (3) between the barb (12) and the hook element (8).

3. Panel hook (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook element (8) extends beyond the barb (12).

4. Panel hook (6) according to any one of the foregoing claims 1-3, wherein the panel fastening element (7) and the hook element (8) are manufactured integrally.

5. Panel hook (6) according to claim 4, wherein the panel fastening element (7) and the hook element (8) are manufactured from a piece of plastic.