Method and apparatus for producing pleats in curtains and pleated curtains and hanging said curtains using said apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for pleating curtains are described. The apparatus may be provided as a system which includes pleat-forming members and associated fasteners. A curtain is bent into a series of pleats which are secured in position by pleat folding members and associated fasteners. The curtain may then be hung on a curtain rod by a hanging element which couples the pleat-forming members to a curtain rod. The hanging element may form an integral part of the pleat-forming member.

1 . A curtain pleat-producing system, comprising:
 a set of pleat-forming members; and   fasteners for securing the ends of the pleat-forming members to a curtain such that a pleat-forming member, when attached to a curtain and secured by the fasteners, holds the curtain in a pleat-shaped formation.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pleat-forming members comprise rods. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a template for designating locations for attachment of the pleat-forming members on the curtain. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the template comprises a pattern on tissue paper. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the template comprises a material having openings through which the curtain may be marked. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the template includes a marking material thereon such that the marking material may be transferred onto the curtain. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the marking material may be transferred to the curtain through the application of heat. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hanger unit adapted to be attached to a pleat-forming member for hanging the curtain. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the hanger unit is integral to the pleat-forming member. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pleat cover for folding over an edge of the curtain. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pleat cover is comprised of fabric. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a stiffener. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the stiffener is comprised of stiff, woven fabric. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the stiffener is comprised of stiff, non-woven fabric. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising grommets for bolstering openings in the curtain and stiffener. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fasteners comprise capped pins for insertion through the curtain and into the pleat-forming members. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the fasteners further comprise washers for supporting the curtain on either side when the capped pins are installed. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each pleat-forming member includes opposed supportive bases. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the fasteners comprise screws for insertion through the curtain and into the pleat-forming members. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the fasteners further comprise washers for supporting the curtain on either side when the screws are installed. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fasteners comprise clamps for attachment in a curtain with a pair of clamps being attached to opposite end of a pleat-forming member. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hole-punching device for punching holes in said curtain. 
   
   
       23 . A method of producing a pleat in a curtain, comprising:
 folding the curtain into a pleat shape; and   securing the ends of a pleat-forming member to the curtain with fasteners such that the pleat-forming member holds the curtain in said pleat shape.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 designating locations for attachment on the curtain; and   securing ends of said pleat folding member to said locations.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising folding a pleat-cover over an edge of the curtain prior to folding said curtain and securing ends of said pleat-folding member to said pleat cover and curtain. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising designating the locations using a template comprising a material having openings, through which said locations can be marked. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the securing step comprises:
 creating holes in the curtain at the locations for attachment; and   inserting screws through the holes, where the screws are received into the ends of the pleat-forming members.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the securing step comprises:
 inserting capped pins through the curtain and into using ends of the pleat-forming members.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the securing step comprises:
 clamping the curtain into the folded pleat formation using clamps attached to the ends of the pleat-forming members.   
   
   
       30 . A curtain pleat-producing system, comprising:
 hangers comprising a hooking portion and a pleat-forming portion, said pleat-forming portion; and   fasteners for securing ends of the pleat-forming portion such that the pleat-forming portions, when installed in the curtain and secured by the fasteners, hold the curtain in a series of pleat-shaped formations.   
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the fasteners comprise capped pins for insertion through the curtain and into the pleat-forming portion of the hangers. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the fasteners further comprise washers for supporting the curtain on either side when the capped pins are installed. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the fasteners comprise screws for insertion through the curtain and into the pleat-forming portions of the hangers. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the fasteners further comprise washers for supporting the curtain on either side when the screws are installed. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the hooking portion comprises at least one open hook. 
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the hooking portion comprises a closed hook. 
   
   
       37 . A curtain having pleats formed therein, comprising:
 a pleat forming member comprising a body separated by opposite ends, where the opposite ends are attached to the curtain;   fasteners attached to the ends of said pleat-forming member, wherein said fasteners secure the attachment of the pleat-forming member to the curtain and thereby hold the curtain in a pleat shape; and   a hanger member configured to attach to the body of the pleat-forming member and hang the curtain from a curtain rod by coupling the pleat-forming member to the curtain rod.