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 and pleated curtains using the apparatus, are described. The apparatus may be provided as a parts kit which includes a stiffener, pleat-forming members, and fasteners. The stiffener is attached to a curtain and bent into a series of pleat-shaped formations. The pleat-forming members and fasteners are used to hold the stiffener and support the curtain, forming the created pleats in place. The curtain may then be hung on a curtain rod by a separate 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 .- 44 . (canceled) 
   
   
       45 . A pleat-forming assembly comprising:
 an axial pleat-forming member adapted to be inserted between pairs of openings in a material to define a pleat and having first integral fastening portions at opposite ends thereof;   a pair of first pressing elements respectively associated with opposite ends of said pleat-forming member, each of said first pressing elements presenting a pressing surface which is orthogonal to the axis of said pleat-forming member;   a pair of fasteners, each having a second fastening portion for engaging with a respective first fastening portion of the pleat-forming member, for securing ends of the pleat-forming member to the material;   a second pressing element associated with each fastener, each first pressing element being adapted for use with an associated second pressing element to hold between them the material in areas surrounding an opening when said first and second engaging portions are engaged; and   at least one of the first and second fastening portions being adapted for insertion into said openings.   
   
   
       46 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein the pleat-forming members comprise elongated pins. 
   
   
       47 . The assembly of  claim 45 , further comprising a hanger unit adapted to be attached to the pleat-forming member for hanging a material held by the pleat-forming member and fasteners. 
   
   
       48 . The assembly of  claim 47 , wherein the hanger unit is integral with the pleat-forming member. 
   
   
       49 . The assembly of  claim 47 , wherein the hanger unit comprises a C-shaped hooking device. 
   
   
       50 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein each first engaging portion comprises an external screw thread provided on said pleat-forming member and each second fastening portion comprises a bolt having integral screw threads. 
   
   
       51 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein each first pressing element is integral with said pleat-forming member. 
   
   
       52 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said pleat-forming member comprises openings on opposite ends thereof containing internal screw threads as said first fastening portions and each fastener comprise a screw connectable with said internal screw thread as a said second fastening portion. 
   
   
       53 . The assembly of  claim 47 , wherein the pleat-forming member has receiving openings forming said first fastening portions and each fastener comprise a cap attachable to the respective receiving openings by a pop-in bead as a said second fastening portion. 
   
   
       54 . The assembly of  claim 52 , wherein the first pressing elements are attachable to said pleat-forming member at respective ends, and the second pressing elements are attachable to the fasteners. 
   
   
       55 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein the first pressing elements are integral with and at opposite ends of the pleat-forming member and the second pressing elements are integral with the fasteners. 
   
   
       56 . The assembly of  claim 53 , wherein said pop-in bead is integral with said cap. 
   
   
       57 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said first and second pressing elements are washers. 
   
   
       58 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said first pressing elements are integral with said pleat-forming member and said second pressing elements each comprise a washer. 
   
   
       59 . A pleat-forming assembly comprising:
 a pleat forming member adapted to be inserted between pairs of openings in a material to define a pleat, the pleat-forming member having a pair of first pressing elements respectively integrally provided at opposite ends thereof, and first fastening portions at opposite ends thereof; and   a pair of fasteners, each having a second fastening portion for engaging with a respective first fastening portion of the pleat-forming member, for securing ends of the pleat forming member to a material, each said second fastening portion having an associated second pressing element, each first pressing element being adapted for use with a respective second pressing element to hold a material in areas surrounding an opening when said first and second fastening portions are engaged; and   a pair of insertion elements for insertion into the openings and respectively provided as part of the second fastening portions.   
   
   
       60 . A pleat-forming assembly as in  claim 59 , wherein said first fastening portions comprise internal screw threads provided at opposite ends of said pleat-forming member and said second fastening portions comprise screws for engaging with said internal screw threads. 
   
   
       61 . A pleat-forming assembly as in  claim 59 , wherein said first fastening portions comprise receiving openings provided at opposite ends of said pleat-forming member and said second fastening portions comprise a projection for engaging with said receiving openings. 
   
   
       62 . A pleat-forming assembly as in  claim 59 , wherein the second pressing elements are integrally provided on respective fasteners.