IP Verse

Configurable Mounting Bracket For Curtain Rods

Patent No. US11185185 (titled "Configurable Mounting Bracket For Curtain Rods") was filed by Kenney Manufacturing Co on Apr 21, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’185 is related to the field of curtain rod mounting hardware, specifically brackets designed to support curtain rods. Traditionally, separate brackets are needed for wall and ceiling mounting, limiting installation flexibility.

The underlying idea behind ’185 is to create a universal bracket that can be mounted to either a wall or a ceiling while still properly supporting a curtain rod. This is achieved by providing the bracket arm with two distinct mounting locations, each oriented to correctly position the curtain rod when the base is attached to either a vertical wall surface or a horizontal ceiling surface.

The claims of ’185 focus on a curtain rod bracket assembly featuring a bracket base adaptable for wall or ceiling mounting, and a bracket arm with at least one curtain rod supporting portion. Crucially, the bracket arm has two mounting locations : one for wall mounting and another for ceiling mounting, ensuring the curtain rod remains horizontal in either configuration. The bracket base includes a wall/ceiling attachment portion and a bracket arm mounting portion, with a mounting screw facilitating the coupling.

In practice, the bracket base is a flat plate with holes for screws, allowing it to be secured to either a wall or a ceiling. The bracket arm then attaches to the base using one of two mounting points. One mounting point is oriented to hold the curtain rod horizontally when the base is on a wall, while the other is oriented to hold the rod horizontally when the base is on a ceiling. This is often achieved by orienting the two mounting locations at right angles to each other.

This design differs from traditional brackets that are specifically designed for either wall or ceiling mounting. By incorporating two mounting locations on a single bracket arm, ’185 provides a versatile solution that simplifies installation and reduces the need for multiple types of brackets. Some embodiments even support two curtain rods, further enhancing the bracket's utility.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the late 2010s when ’185 was filed, curtain rod mounting systems typically involved dedicated brackets for wall or ceiling mounting. At a time when X was typically implemented using Y, the mounting hardware was often designed for a single orientation, either horizontal for walls or vertical for ceilings. When hardware or software constraints made B non-trivial, adjustability and versatility in mounting options were limited, requiring users to purchase separate brackets for different installation scenarios.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the independent claim includes a novel combination of features not found in prior art. Specifically, the curtain rod bracket assembly has a bracket base with a wall/ceiling attachment portion and a bracket arm mounting portion. The bracket arm mounting portion is integral with the generally flat portion and can couple to both the first and second mounting locations of the bracket arm. The coupling uses a mounting screw received in a tapped hole on a flat end face of the bracket mounting portion.

Claims

This patent includes 5 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 2, and 5. The independent claims generally focus on a curtain rod bracket assembly that can be mounted to either a wall or a ceiling. The dependent claims further define specific features and relationships of the curtain rod bracket assembly.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Bracket arm
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 5)		“Bracket arm 30 is in an example a unitary metal or plastic part. Bracket arm 30 comprises a first curtain rod supporting portion 40, a first mounting location 32, and a second mounting location 36. Bracket base 12 is a separate part that in an example is a unitary metal or plastic part.”A component of the curtain rod bracket assembly that defines at least one curtain rod supporting portion and first and second mounting locations.
Bracket arm mounting portion
(Claim 1, Claim 5)		“Wall/ceiling attachment portion 14 in an example also includes an integral bracket arm mounting portion 16 that is configured to be coupled to either the first mounting location 32 of bracket arm 30 or the second mounting location 36 of bracket arm 30. This coupling can be accomplished using mounting screw 48 (which in an example is a machine screw) that is received in tapped hole 20 on end face 18 of bracket arm mounting portion 16.”A portion of the bracket base that is configured to be coupled to both the first mounting location of the bracket arm and the second mounting location of the bracket arm.
Curtain rod supporting portion
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 5)		“In both cases “U”-shaped curtain rod support 42, which is part of curtain rod supporting portion 40 with bracket arm distal end 44, is oriented such that it can support a curtain rod (not shown) in a generally horizontal orientation. Set screw 50 that is configured to be held in opening 46 can be used to hold a curtain rod in place in support 42, as is known in the field.”A feature of the bracket arm configured to hold a curtain rod in a generally horizontal orientation.
First mounting location
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 5)		“First mounting location 32 includes opening 34 through which screw 48 can pass. In an example first mounting location 32 is a flat face that is configured to be in a generally vertical orientation when bracket base 12 is coupled to a wall, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.”A location on the bracket arm configured to couple to the bracket base when the bracket base is mounted to a wall.
Second mounting location
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 5)		“Second mounting location 36 includes opening 38 through which screw 48 can pass. In an example second mounting location 36 is a flat face that is configured to be in a generally horizontal orientation when bracket base 12 is coupled to a ceiling, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.”A location on the bracket arm configured to couple to the bracket base when the bracket base is mounted to a ceiling.

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US11185185

KENNEY MANUFACTURING CO
Application Number
US16854575
Filing Date
Apr 21, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Apr 24, 2040
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents