Curtain rail

Description

Field of Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a curtain rail device, more particularly to a curtain rail device with an alterable ornamental member.

Background of Invention

[0002] The material of which a curtain rail is : made is generally representative of an appearance of the curtain rail. When replacement is not an option, the curtain rail may be hidden using curtain rail covers or decorated with ornamental members to achieve better aesthetics. However, curtain covers generally occupy relatively large spaces. Ornamental members, on the other hand, may fall off the curtain rail if not properly adhered to the curtain rail, which could be dangerous, and may be difficult to replace if otherwise.

[0003] DE 20 2009 014 368 U1 discloses a curtain rail device according to the preamble of claim 1. A pair of rail members extend in the longitudinal direction and are disposed in front of and connected respectively to top and bottom ends of the second upright wall of the rail body. The rail members and the second upright wall cooperate to serve as the first engaging section and to define a first engaging groove for removable engagement with the second engaging section of the ornamental member. Each of the rail members is substantially L-shaped and has a first segment projecting forwardly from the respective one of the top and bottom ends of the second upright wall, and a second segment extending from a distal end of the first segment toward the opposite one of said rail members. The ornamental member is, however, not inserted by movement along the longitudinal direction of the rail body. Rather, the ornamental member is pivotally snapped onto the rail body so that L-shaped legs of the ornamental member undercut the second segments of the rail members. A lateral movement of the ornamental member is not reliably excluded so that parts of the rail body might not be covered by the ornamental member. The coupling of the ornamental member with the rail body might be released inadvertently.

[0004] EP 1 733 660 A1 discloses a curtain rail device comprising a rail body and an ornamental member. The ornamental member and the rail body are engaged in a positive-fit manner by a positive-fit dovetail coupling. For this purpose a central groove is provided in the front surface of the rail body extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail body. Thereby the ornamental member can be replaced by insertion along the longitudinal direction. A reliable coupling requires tight tolerances of the groove of the rail body and of the corresponding protrusion on the ornamental member, which results in relatively high forces required when moving the ornamental member relative to the rail body for replacement. Further, a lateral movement of the ornamental member relative to the rail body is not reliably prevented.

Summary of Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an enhanced curtain rail device with an ornamental member that can be easily replaced and reliably and precisely secured to the rail body.

[0006] This problem is solved by a curtain rail device according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] According to the present invention the second engaging section of the ornamental member is substantially T-shaped and comprises a first segment that extends rearwardly from the ornamental section and a second segment that is connected to a rear end of the first segment and that cooperates with the first segment and the ornamental section to define a pair of second engaging grooves for respective removable engagement with the second segments of the rail members, so that the second engaging section of the ornamental member engages fittingly the first engaging section of the rail body.

Overview on Drawings

[0008] Other feature and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a curtain rail device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view to illustrate an engagement of the preferred embodiment and a curtain fabric;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate an assembly relationship between a rail body and an ornamental member of the curtain rail device;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating one modification of the ornamental member; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating another modification of the ornamental member.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0009] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a curtain rail device according to the present invention is adapted to be connected to a curtain fabric 4, and includes a rail body 1, an ornamental member 2, and a pair of stop members 5.

[0010] The rail body 1 extends in a longitudinal direction (L1), and has a bottom portion that is adapted to be connected to the curtain fabric 4, and a front portion that is formed with a first engaging section 15 extending in the longitudinal direction (L1). The curtain fabric 4 is disposed under and connected to the rail body 1, and serves to block or obscure light from a corresponding window 3. The first engaging section 15 of the rail body 1 is engaged removably with the ornamental member 2.

[0011] Specifically, the rail body 1 in this embodiment is made of aluminum, formed through an extrusion process, and includes a first upright wall 12, a second upright wall 13 disposed in front of and parallel to the first upright wall 12, and a connecting wall 14 interconnecting the first and second upright wall 12, 13. The connecting wall 14 cooperates with the first and second upright wall 12, 13 to define a lower engaging groove 11 that opens downwardly and that is adapted to be removably engaged with the curtain fabric 4.

[0012] The rail body 1 further includes a pair of rail members 16 extending in the longitudinal direction (L1), and disposed in front of and connected respectively to top and bottom ends of the second upright wall 13. Each of the rail members 16 is substantially L-shaped, and has a first segment 161 projecting forwardly from the respective one of the top and bottom ends of the second upright wall 13, and a second segment 162 extending from a distal end of the first segment 161 toward the opposite one of the rail members 16. The rail members 16 and the second upright wall 13 cooperate to serve as the first engaging section 15 and to define a substantially T-shaped first engaging groove 17.

[0013] The ornamental member 2 may be made of wood, plastic, resin, metal, glass, cement or porcelain, and has a second engaging section 22 that engages removably the first engaging section 15 of the rail body 1, and an ornamental section 21 that is connected to a front end of the second engaging section 22 and that is disposed in front of the front portion of the rail body 1. In this embodiment, the ornamental section 21 is an elongated plate for covering the front portion of the rail body 1. The second engaging section 22 is substantially T-shaped, and has a first segment 221 that extends rearwardly from the ornamental section 21, and a second segment 222 that is connected to a rear end of the first segment 221 and that cooperates with the first segment 221 and the ornamental section 21 to define a pair of second engaging grooves 223 for respective removable engagement with the second segments 162 of the rail members 16.

[0014] Preferably, the second engaging section 22 of the ornamental member 2 is configured to engage fittingly the first engaging groove 17 of the first engaging section 15 of the rail body 1. Moreover, configuration of the first and second engaging section 15, 22 is not limited to such, e.g., in other embodiments, the second engaging section 22 may be formed with a groove, while the first engaging section 15 may be formed with an elongated protrusion to be inserted fittingly into the groove of the second engaging section 22.

[0015] The stop members 5 are coupled respectively to lateral sides of the rail body 1 for preventing movement of the ornamental member 2 relative to the rail body 1 along the longitudinal direction (L1), and are fastened to the rail body 1 with screws. In the case where replacement of the ornamental member 2 is required, one or both of the stop members 5 may be removed from the rail body 1 to enable removal of the ornamental member 2 from the rail body 1 and subsequent insertion of a replacement ornamental member 2 along the lateral side of the rail body 1.

[0016] It should be noted that implementation of the ornamental section 21 is not limited to a flat plate. In other embodiments, the ornamental section 21 may be configured such that a forward-facing ornamental surface 211 thereof is a ripple surface (see Fig. 4) or a bullet-shaped surface (see Fig. 5). In addition, the forward-facing ornamental surface 211 may be carved and/or painted to aesthetically enhance the curtain rail device. Furthermore, the ornamental member 2 may be configured to be shorter than the rail body 1 so as to enable insertion of a plurality of the ornamental members 2 into the rail body 1.

Claims

1. A curtain rail device adapted to be connected to a curtain fabric (4), said curtain rail device comprising:

a rail body (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (L1) and having a bottom portion that is adapted to be connected to the curtain fabric (4) and a front portion that is formed with a first engaging section (15) extending in the longitudinal direction (L1); and

an ornamental member (2) having a second engaging section (22) that engages removably said first engaging section (15) of said rail body (1) and an ornamental section (21) that is connected to a front end of said second engaging section (22) and that is disposed in front of said front portion of said rail body (1); wherein

said rail body (1) comprises

a first upright wall (12);

a second upright wall (13) disposed in front of and parallel to said first upright wall (12);

a connecting wall (14) interconnecting said first and second upright walls (12, 13), and cooperating with said first and second upright walls (12, 13) to define a lower engaging groove (11) that opens downwardly and that is adapted to be engaged with the curtain fabric (4); and

a pair of rail members (16), which extend in the longitudinal direction (L1) and are disposed in front of and connected respectively to top and bottom ends of said second upright wall (13), said rail members (16) and said second upright wall (13) cooperating to serve as said first engaging section (15) and to define a first engaging groove (17) for removable engagement with said second engaging section (22) of said ornamental member (2); and

each of said rail members (16) is substantially L-shaped and has a first segment (161) projecting forwardly from the respective one of said top and bottom ends of said second upright wall (13), and a second segment (162) extending from a distal end of said first segment (161) toward the opposite one of said rail members (16);

characterized in that said second engaging section (22) is substantially T-shaped and comprises a first segment (221) that extends rearwardly from said ornamental section (21) and a second segment (222) that is connected to a rear end of said first segment (221) and that cooperates with said first segment (221) and said ornamental section (21) to define a pair of second engaging grooves (223) for respective removable engagement with said second segments (162) of said rail members (16), so that said second engaging section (22) of said ornamental member (2) engages fittingly said first engaging section (15) of said rail body (1).

2. The curtain rail device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair of stop members (5) coupled respectively to lateral sides of said rail body (1) for preventing separation of said ornamental member (2) from said rail body (1).

Ansprüche

1. Vorhangschiene, die dazu ausgelegt ist, um mit einem Vorhangstoff (4) verbunden zu werden, wobei die Vorhangschiene umfasst:

einen Schienenkörper (1), welcher sich in eine Längsrichtung (L1) erstreckt und einen unteren Teilbereich, der ausgelegt ist, um mit dem Vorhangstoff (4) verbunden zu werden und einen vorderen Teilbereich aufweist, der mit einem ersten Eingriffsabschnitt (15) ausgebildet ist, welcher sich in der Längsrichtung (L1) erstreckt; und

ein dekoratives Element (2), das einen zweiten Eingriffsabschnitt (22), der mit dem ersten Eingriffsabschnitt (15) des Schienenkörpers (1) in einem lösbaren Eingriff steht und einen dekorativen Abschnitt (21) aufweist, der mit einem vorderen Ende des zweiten Eingriffsabschnitts (22) verbunden ist und vor dem vorderen Teilbereich des Schienenkörpers (1) angeordnet ist; wobei

der Schienenkörper (1) umfasst;

eine erste senkrechte Wand (12);

eine zweite senkrechte Wand (13), die vor und parallel zu der ersten senkrechten Wand (12) angeordnet ist;

eine verbindende Wand (14), welche die erste und die zweite senkrechte Wand (12, 13) miteinander verbindet und mit der ersten und der zweiten senkrechten Wand (12, 13) zusammenwirkt, um eine untere Eingriffsnut (11) festzulegen, welche sich nach unten öffnet und ausgelegt ist, um in den Vorhangstoff (4) einzugreifen; und

ein Paar Schienenelemente (16), die sich in der Längsrichtung (L1) erstrecken und jeweils vor dem oberen und unteren Ende der zweiten senkrechten Wand (13) angeordnet und mit diesen verbunden sind, wobei die Schienenelemente (16) und die zweite senkrechte Wand (13) zusammenwirken, um als erster Eingriffsabschnitt (15) zu dienen und um eine erste Eingriffsnut (17) zum lösbaren Eingriff in den zweiten Eingriffs abschnitt (22) des dekorativen Elements (2) festzulegen; und wobei

jedes Schienenelemente (16) im Wesentlichen L-förmig ist und ein erstes Segment (161), welches von dem jeweiligen oberen bzw. unteren Ende der zweiten senkrechten Wand (13) nach vorne hervorsteht und ein zweites Segment (162) aufweist, welches sich von einem entfernten Ende des ersten Segments (161) zu dem anderen Schienenelement (16) hin erstreckt;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Eingriffsabschnitt (22) im Wesentlichen T-förmig ist und ein erstes Segment (221), welches sich von dem dekorativen Abschnitt (21) nach hinten erstreckt, und ein zweites Segment (222) aufweist, welches mit einem hinteren Ende des ersten Segments (221) verbunden ist und das mit dem ersten Segment (221) und dem dekorativen Abschnitt (21) zusammenwirkt, um ein Paar von zweiten Eingriffsnuten (223) zum jeweiligen lösbaren Eingriff in das zweite Segment (162) des Schienenelementes (16) festzulegen, sodass der zweite Eingriffsabschnitt (22) des dekorativen Elements (2) passend in den ersten Eingriffsabschnitt (15) des Schienenkörpers (1) eingreift.

2. Vorhangschiene nach Anspruch 1, des Weiteren ein Paar Anschläge (5) umfassend, die jeweils mit den lateralen Seiten des Schienenkörpers (1) verbunden sind, um eine Trennung des dekorativen Elements (2) von dem Schienenkörper (1) zu verhindern.

Revendications

1. Un dispositif de rail pour rideau adapté pour être relié à un tissu de rideau (4), ledit dispositif de rail pour rideau comprenant :

un corps de rail (1) s'étendant suivant une direction longitudinale (L1) et ayant une partie inférieure qui est adaptée pour être reliée au tissu de rideau (4) ainsi qu'une partie avant qui est formée avec une première section d'engagement (15) se s'étendant suivant la direction longitudinale (L1); et

un élément ornemental (2) ayant une seconde section d'engagement (22) s'engageant de manière amovible ladite première section d'engagement (15) dudit corps de rail (1), et une partie décorative (21) qui est reliée à une extrémité avant de ladite seconde section d'engagement (22) et qui est disposée en face de ladite partie avant dudit corps de rail (1) ; dans lequel:

ledit corps de rail (1) comprend:

une première paroi verticale (12);

une seconde paroi verticale (13) disposée à l'avant et parallèle à ladite première paroi verticale (12);

une paroi de liaison (14) reliant entre elles lesdites première et seconde parois verticales (12, 13), et coopérant avec lesdites première et seconde parois verticales (12, 13) pour définir une rainure d'engagement inférieure (11) qui débouche vers le bas et qui est adaptée pour être en prise avec le tissu de rideau (4); et

une paire d'éléments de rail (16) se prolongeant dans la direction longitudinale (L1), et disposés à l'avant et reliés respectivement aux extrémités supérieure et inférieure de ladite seconde paroi verticale (13), lesdits éléments de rail (16) et ladite seconde paroi verticale (13) coopérant pour servir en tant que ladite première section d'engagement (15) et pour définir une première rainure d'engagement (17) pour une prise amovible avec ladite seconde section d'engagement (22) dudit élément décoratif (2) ; et

chacun desdits éléments de rail (16) est sensiblement en forme de L et comporte un premier segment (161) faisant saillie vers l'avant à partir de l'une respective desdites extrémités supérieure et inférieure de ladite seconde paroi verticale (13), et un deuxième segment (162) partant d'une extrémité distale dudit premier segment (161) vers l'opposé l'un desdits éléments de rail (16) ;

caractérisé en ce que ladite seconde section d'engagement (22) est sensiblement en forme de T et ayant un premier segment (221) qui se prolonge vers l'arrière depuis ladite partie décorative (21) et un second segment (222) qui est relié à une extrémité arrière dudit premier segment (221) et qui coopère avec ledit premier segment (221) et ladite partie décorative (21) pour définir une paire de secondes rainures d'engagement (223) pour un engagement amovible respectif avec lesdits second segments (162) desdits éléments de rail (16), de telle manière que ledit second segment d'engagement (22) dudit élément ornemental (2) engage de manière appropriée ladite première section d'engagement (15) dudit corps de rail (1).

2. Le dispositif de rail de rideau selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une paire d'éléments d'arrêt (5) couplés respectivement à des côtés latéraux dudit corps de rail (1) pour empêcher la séparation dudit élément décoratif (2) dudit corps de rail (1).

Drawing