Supports – Brackets – Rod type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-12-04
King, Anita (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Rod type
C248S262000, C248S264000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325349
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved window support bracket. More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-plumbing, self-leveling window support bracket particularly useful for supporting drapery rods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Window support brackets are used to support drapery rods, curtain rods, venetian blinds, mini-blinds, valances, and numerous other protective or ornamental window coverings. Support brackets are typically mounted on the opposite upper corners of the window casing or window frame, making leveling of the support brackets difficult.
Generally speaking, several types of window support brackets have been developed to support drapery rods, curtain rods, and other window coverings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,508,737 to Zeto (the '737 reference), U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,693 to Cropanese (the '693 reference), and U.S. Pat. No. 2,899,166 to Pigliavento (the '166 reference) all disclose window support brackets affixed to the interior upper corners of the window casing. The '737, '693, and '166 references all disclose support brackets affixed only to the vertical interior walls of the window casing. The support brackets do not interact with the upper interior surface of the window casing (which is normally level). Thus, the leveling of the support brackets of references '737, '693, and '166 is solely dependent upon the user providing proper vertical placement on the interior side of the window casing.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,461,855 to Kroesser (the '855 reference) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,184 to Kennedy (the '184 reference) both disclose window support brackets affixed to the exterior of window frames. The '855 reference discloses a curtain rod support that employs perpendicular arms that fit on an outside corner of a window frame, while the '184 reference discloses a pair of curtain fixtures which fit onto outside portions of a window frame. Both the '855 reference and the '184 reference are dependent upon a window frame of appropriate size to enable the support bracket to be affixed thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,497,523 to Lundberg (the '523 reference) and U.S. Pat. No. 1,543,109 to Kass (the '109 reference) both disclose window support brackets that can be affixed to the exterior face of the window casing or the window frame. The '523 reference discloses a drapery support device that employs a pair of brackets, each of which supports two drapery rods. The support device has a flat face which is secured to the front face of the window casing or window frame. The '109 reference discloses a support bracket for curtain rods which has two right-angled portions that are attached to either inner side portions of a window casing or to the face of the window casing or frame. Neither the '523 reference nor the '109 reference interacts with the upper interior surface of the window casing; thus, leveling of the brackets is solely dependent upon the proper vertical placement of the support brackets along the window casing.
Therefore, there is a need for a new and improved window support bracket to overcome the restrictions and limitations of the above mentioned prior window support brackets. To begin, there is a need for a window support bracket that is self-plumbing and self-leveling. A bracket that interacts with both the side interior surface and the upper interior surface (which is normally level) will automatically be self-plumbing and self-leveling. Further, there is a need for a window support bracket that can be affixed to either a window casing or a window frame. A support bracket that is affixed to the interior window casing can be used regardless of whether a window frame exists.
Additionally, there is a need to provide a window support bracket which can accommodate different sized and shaped window coverings. Further, there is a need to provide a window support bracket with variable positioning of the window coverings.
There is also a need to provide a window support bracket that can accommodate venetian blind mounting boxes without removal or destruction of the window support bracket. Alternatively, there is a need for a window support bracket that provides integral support for venetian blinds, while still providing support for curtain rods, drapery rods, and other window coverings.
There is also a need to provide a window support bracket that is easily manufactured. Many prior window brackets utilize hinged connections, or intricate design structure thus necessitating complex manufacturing processes. Therefore it is desirable to provide a window support bracket with a simple design suitable for die stamping or injection molding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and improved window support bracket for supporting window coverings within a window casing. The typical window casing has an exterior face comprising a top section and left and right sections depending from either end of the top section. The typical window casing also has an interior face comprising top, left and right sections substantially at right angles to the respective top, left and right sections of the exterior face. The window support bracket of the present invention first comprises an L-shaped face plate which engages the exterior face of the window casing. The L-shaped face plate comprises a vertical section and a horizontal section. Both the vertical section and the horizontal section additionally comprise an exterior edge and a vertical or horizontal joint. Vertical and horizontal ears extend perpendicularly from the vertical and horizontal joints of the vertical and horizontal sections. The ears are for attachment to the interior face of the window casing. At least one curtain mounting projection is mounted on the face plate.
The present invention also discloses a method of supporting window coverings within a window casing using the aforementioned support brackets. One step is to position the support brackets within the window casing such that the vertical ears are in contact with the interior side sections of the window casing. Another step is positioning the support brackets along the side sections of the window casing with the horizontal ears in contact with the interior top section of the interior face of the window casing. The horizontal ears are then affixed to the interior side sections of the window casing and the vertical ears are affixed to the interior top section of the window casing. Finally, the window coverings are mounted to the mounting projections.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 722387 (1903-03-01), Scott
patent: 915598 (1909-03-01), Hess, Jr.
patent: 1141210 (1915-06-01), Pirson
patent: 1380518 (1921-06-01), Bellig
patent: 1461855 (1923-07-01), Kroesser
patent: 1497523 (1924-06-01), Lundberg
patent: 1543109 (1925-06-01), Kass
patent: 1752743 (1930-04-01), Kall
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patent: 1901796 (1933-03-01), Bell
patent: 2508737 (1950-05-01), Zeto
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patent: 2706100 (1955-04-01), Thomason
patent: 2770437 (1956-11-01), Pasch
patent: 2848184 (1958-08-01), Kennedy
patent: 2899166 (1959-08-01), Pigliavento
patent: 3049327 (1962-08-01), Caudell
patent: 3889912 (1975-06-01), Ray
patent: 4167261 (1979-09-01), Bartels
patent: 4229915 (1980-10-01), Snow et al.
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patent: 4684095 (1987-08-01), Athey
patent: 5193775 (1993-03-01), Wagnon
patent: 5577700 (1996-11-01), Williams, Jr.
Baxter Gwendolyn
King Anita
Lundeen Daniel N.
Lundeen & Arismendi L.L.P.
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