Foldable curtain rod and a curtain ring therefor

Abstract

Provided is a foldable curtain rod configured for mounting thereon a curtain. The rod includes at least two elongated rod segments consecutively articulated to one another via a coupling arrangement allowing pivotal displacement of one rod segment with respect to the other. Each of the rod segments is configured for supporting a respective portion of the curtain, extending along a hanging line. The curtain rod is configured for assuming at least a first, deployed position in which the rod segments are essentially axially aligned to provide the curtain rod with a maximal span thereof and a second, folded position in which the rod segments are substantially parallel to one another to provide the curtain rod with a minimal span thereof. In the second, folded position, the hanging lines of the respective rod segments are spaced from one another.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A foldable curtain rod configured for mounting thereon a curtain, said rod comprising:
 at least two elongated rod segments consecutively articulated to one another via a coupling arrangement allowing pivotal displacement of one rod segment with respect to the other, each of said rod segments being configured for supporting a respective portion of said curtain along a hanging line,   said curtain rod being configured for assuming at least a first, deployed position in which the rod segments are essentially axially aligned to provide the curtain rod with a maximal span thereof and a second, folded position in which the rod segments are substantially parallel to one another to provide the curtain rod with a minimal span thereof,   wherein, in the second, folded position, the hanging lines of the respective rod segments are spaced from one another.   
     
     
         33 . The curtain rod according to  claim 32 , wherein said coupling arrangement is a single joint having dimensions sufficient for providing the required spacing between the two consecutive elongated segments. 
     
     
         34 . The curtain rod according to  claim 32 , wherein, in said folded position, the space between the elongated segments is sufficient for preventing contact between corresponding curtain portions supported by the elongated segments. 
     
     
         35 . The curtain rod according to  claim 32 , wherein said curtain, when mounted on the curtain rod, is slidable over said curtain rod in both said deployed and said folded position. 
     
     
         36 . The curtain rod according to  claim 32 , wherein said curtain rod further comprises an anchor arrangement and is configured for a cantilever attachment to a surface thereby. 
     
     
         37 . The curtain rod according to  claim 36 , wherein said anchor assembly is configured, when said curtain rod is attached to said surface, for supporting the weight of said curtain rod along with the weight of a wet curtain mounted thereon. 
     
     
         38 . The curtain rod according to  claim 32 , wherein said elongated segments and coupling arrangement are modular units configured for attachment to one another to form a curtain rod of a desired length. 
     
     
         39 . A curtain ring configured for slidingly displacing over a curtain rod according to  claim 32 , and configured for sliding over a gap formed between consecutive elongated segments of said rod, said curtain ring has a sliding element extending generally perpendicular to a plane defined by said curtain ring, having a length at least twice as great as said gap. 
     
     
         40 . The curtain ring according to  claim 39 , wherein said sliding element is in the form of a surface having a width corresponding in shape and size to said curtain rod. 
     
     
         41 . The curtain ring according to  claim 39 , wherein said sliding element is a rolling element rotatably articulated to said curtain ring and configured for revolving thereabout during sliding of the ring along the curtain rod. 
     
     
         42 . A foldable curtain rod configured for mounting thereon a curtain, said rod comprising:
 at least one elongated rod segment pivotally articulated to an anchoring arrangement allowing pivotal displacement of the elongated segment with respect to the anchoring arrangement, said anchoring arrangement being configured for fixed, cantilever attachment of said curtain rod to a surface,   said curtain rod being configured for assuming at least a first, deployed position in which the elongated segment is generally perpendicular to said surface and having a maximal span thereof and a second, folded position in which the elongated segment is generally parallel to said surface and having a minimal span thereof,   wherein, in the second, folded position, when attached to said surface, the anchoring arrangement is configured for providing a sufficient space between said surface and said elongated segment, allowing the curtain mounted on the rod to dry.   
     
     
         43 . A foldable curtain rod assembly configured for supporting a curtain and comprising:
 a curtain rod comprising two or more elongated rod segments consecutively articulated to one another via a coupling arrangement allowing pivotal displacement therebetween, said curtain rod being configured for assuming a deployed position in which at least two of the two or more rod segments are angled to one another at a first angle to provide the curtain rod with a first span thereof and a folded position in which at least two of the two or more rod segments are angled to one another at a second angle, smaller than the first angle, to provide the curtain rod with a second span thereof, smaller than the first span; and   an anchoring arrangement configured for fixed cantilever attachment of said curtain rod to a wall surface, wherein said curtain rod is configured for supporting at least its own weight in said first span.   
     
     
         44 . The foldable curtain rod assembly according to  claim 43 , wherein in said deployed position at least a portion of the curtain rod is generally perpendicular to said wall surface and in said folded position at least a portion of the curtain rod is generally parallel to said wall surface. 
     
     
         45 . The foldable curtain rod assembly according to  claim 43 , wherein in said deployed position, all curtain rod segments are generally axially aligned with one another and in said folded position, all curtain rod segments are generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         46 . The foldable curtain rod assembly according to  claim 43 , wherein said curtain rod assembly is configured for enclosing a space, defined, partially by said wall surface, wherein, when said curtain rod supports said curtain, the curtain has an inner surface facing said enclosure and an outer surface facing away from the enclosure, and wherein pivotal articulation between the anchoring arrangement and the curtain rod is such that curtain rod is configured for folding inwards into the enclosure so that in said folded position, a portion of said inner surface of the curtain supported by a first rod segment of the two or more rod segments faces said wall surface. 
     
     
         47 . The foldable curtain rod assembly according to  claim 43 , wherein said curtain is configured, when mounted onto said curtain rod, for assuming a spread position in which the curtain is spread over a first length of the curtain rod and defining a first span of the curtain, and a retracted position in which the curtain is spread over a second length of the curtain rod, smaller than the first length, and defining a second span of the curtain, smaller than the first. 
     
     
         48 . The foldable curtain rod assembly according to  claim 47 , wherein the curtain can assume any of it spread and retracted positions regardless of the position of the curtain rod and the curtain rod can assume any of its deployed and folded positions regardless of the position of the curtain. 
     
     
         49 . The foldable curtain rod assembly according to  claim 47 , wherein, in said spread position, the curtain is supported by more than one rod segment. 
     
     
         50 . The foldable curtain rod assembly according to  claim 43 , wherein said curtain rod is configured for supporting the weight of a wet curtain mounted thereon.