Panel track curtain system

Abstract

The panel track curtain system includes a plurality of panels each suspended from a substantially rigid slat which is itself suspended from at least one track of the panel track curtain system. The panels at least partially overlap each other when the curtain system is in a closed position, thus defining an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels. The overlapping zone includes an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel. The panels each have at least one aesthetic characteristic on their front surface, and includes a longitudinally extending band that has a width determined by that of the overlapping zone. These bands create a repeating vertical band pattern when the curtain system is closed. This vertical band pattern reduces a level of perceptibility of the overlapped region, which is visible through the superimposed overlapping region.

1 . A panel track curtain system for covering a wall opening comprising:
 a plurality of panels each defining an upper edge, a lower edge, two longitudinally extending side edges and front and back surfaces, each said upper edge being engaged to a substantially rigid slat such that the panel hangs freely therefrom, the slat being suspended from at least one track of the panel track curtain system;   said panels at least partially overlapping each other when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position such as to define an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels, the overlapping zone including an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel; and   each of the panels having at least one aesthetic characteristic on the front surface thereof which defines a longitudinally extending band having a band width determined by a width of the overlapping zone, the aesthetic characteristics of the panels creating a repeating vertical band pattern when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position which reduces a level of perceptibility of the overlapped region of the underlying panel visible through said overlapping region of the overlying panel.   
   
   
       2 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the aesthetic characteristic includes at least one of a pattern and colour which differs from that of a remainder of the panels. 
   
   
       3 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the aesthetic characteristic is disposed throughout said overlapping zone. 
   
   
       4 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the aesthetic characteristic at least partially obscures the overlapped region of the underlying panel. 
   
   
       5 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the aesthetic characteristic fully obscures said overlapped region. 
   
   
       6 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said longitudinally extending band has an opacity greater than that of the remainder of said panels. 
   
   
       7 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the aesthetic characteristic is disposed outside said zone and mimics an appearance of said overlapped region of the underlying adjacent one of the panels visible through said zone of the forward one of said panels. 
   
   
       8 . The panel track system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least a remainder of each of the panels outside said overlapping zone is made of an at least partially translucent material. 
   
   
       9 . The panel track system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said longitudinally extending band is defined only within said overlapping region of each of the overlying panels. 
   
   
       10 . The panel track system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein an entirety of the panel is made of said at least partially translucent material, said aid longitudinally extending band being disposed overtop said at least partially translucent material within said overlapping region of each of the overlying panels. 
   
   
       11 . The panel track system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said overlapping region of the overlying panel is disposed along one of said two longitudinally extending side edges thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of tracks adapted to be mounted parallel to each other above the opening, and first and second fastening elements disposed at respective opposed ends of each of said slats for suspending the slats from said pair of tracks, the first and second fastening elements being received within a different one of said pair of tracks such that each of the opposed ends of said slats is suspended from said different one of the pair of tracks, the slats and the panels thereby hanging at an angle relative to the pair of tracks. 
   
   
       13 . A panel track curtain system for covering a wall opening comprising:
 a pair of tracks adapted to be mounted parallel to each other above the opening;   a plurality of panels each defining an upper edge, a lower edge, two longitudinally extending side edges and front and back surfaces, each said upper edge being engaged to a substantially rigid slat such that the panel hangs freely therefrom;   first and second fastening elements disposed at respective opposed ends of each of said slats for suspending the slats from said pair of tracks, the first and second fastening elements each having a portion received within a different one of said pair of tracks such that each of the opposed ends of said slats is suspended from said different one of the pair of tracks, the slats and the panels thereby hanging at an angle relative to the pair of tracks; and   said panels at least partially overlapping each other when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position such as to define an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels, the overlapping zone having a first width and including an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel, each of the panels having a longitudinally extending band having a second width substantially equal to said first width, the longitudinally extending band on each of the adjacent panels creating a repeating vertical band pattern when the plurality of panels of the curtain system are disposed in a closed position, said repeating vertical band pattern reducing a level of perceptibility, within the overlapping zone, of the overlapped region of the underlying panel visible through said overlapping region of the overlying panel.   
   
   
       14 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said longitudinally extending band is disposed within said overlapping region of each of the overlying panels. 
   
   
       15 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said longitudinally extending band fully obscures said overlapped region of the underlying panel. 
   
   
       16 . The panel track curtain system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said longitudinally extending band has an opacity greater than that of a remainder of said overlying panel. 
   
   
       17 . The panel track system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein at least said remainder of the overlying panel is made of an at least partially translucent material. 
   
   
       18 . A panel for a panel track curtain system, the panel comprising:
 an upper edge, a lower edge and two longitudinally extending side edges, the upper edge being configured for mounting to a substantially rigid slat from which the panel hangs; and   a band extending along one of said longitudinally extending side edges, said band having an opacity greater than that of a remainder of said panel, said band overlapping a portion of an adjacent panel when a plurality of such panels are suspended by the panel track curtain system.   
   
   
       19 . The panel as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said remainder of the panel is made of an at least partially translucent material. 
   
   
       20 . The panel as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the panel is completely made of said at least partially translucent material, said band being applied overtop thereof along said one of said longitudinally extending side edges.