Ribbon rod assembly

Abstract

A ribbon rod assembly for hanging and supporting a fabric such that complete vertical folds are formed is disclosed. The ribbon rod assembly includes a ribbon rod body having a curved portion defining a plurality of opposing curves interposed between a pair of end portions adapted to directly engage a curtain rod, window header, ceiling and/or wall using one or more end brackets.

1 . A ribbon rod assembly comprising:
 a ribbon rod body, said ribbon rod body having a curved portion defining a plurality of undulating opposing curves interposed between first and second end portions, said plurality of undulating opposing curves each defining side portions, wherein each of said side portions being in parallel arrangement with one another, said first end portion defining a terminal slot and a lateral curving slot, while said second end portion defines a terminal slot and a lateral slot; and   a pair of end brackets adapted to engage either said first or second end portions, each of said pair of end brackets defining an L-shaped body with one portion of said L-shaped body being engaged to said ribbon rod body and another portion of said L-shaped body being engaged to a support surface.   
   
   
       2 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral curving slot further defines a smaller curved portion in communication with a larger curved portion. 
   
   
       3 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the lateral curving slot is adapted to be engaged to a curtain rod. 
   
   
       4 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the larger curved portion is adapted to be engaged to the curtain rod. 
   
   
       5 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said one portion of said L-shaped body being engaged to said ribbon rod body is a support portion. 
   
   
       6 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said another portion of said L-shaped body being engaged to said support surface is a hanging portion. 
   
   
       7 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said one portion of said L-shaped body defines a plurality of holes. 
   
   
       8 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one retention hook is adapted to engage at least one of said plurality of holes for supporting said ribbon rod body to a wall. 
   
   
       9 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a portion of said at least one retention hook is adapted to be inserted through a wall. 
   
   
       10 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said support portion includes a pair of opposing depending flanges that collectively defines a channel. 
   
   
       11 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said channel is adapted to engage said first or second end portions of said ribbon rod body when engaging said ribbon rod body to said end bracket. 
   
   
       12 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said support portion defines first and second holes, wherein engagement of the first hole with either the lateral slot or the lateral curving slot places the first or second end portion in a fully inserted position relative to said end bracket. 
   
   
       13 . The ribbon rod assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein engagement of the second hole with either the lateral slot or the lateral curving slot places the first or second end portion in a partially inserted position relative to said end bracket. 
   
   
       14 . A ribbon rod body and fabric arrangement comprising:
 a ribbon rod body having an undulating wave-like configuration with a plurality of opposing curves, said plurality of opposing curves each defining respective side portions, wherein each of said side portions being in parallel arrangement with one another, said plurality of opposing curves being interposed between opposing end portions with one of said end portions defining a terminal slot and lateral slot while the other of said end portions defining a terminal slot and a lateral curving slot; and   a fabric adapted for engagement with said ribbon rod body, said fabric defining at least one sewn-in pocket defined along the length of said fabric, said at least one sewn-in pocket being adapted for engagement with said plurality of opposing curves of said ribbon rod body such that said upper portion and said lower portion of said fabric define vertical folds.   
   
   
       15 . The ribbon rod body and fabric arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein said fabric defines an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion defining said sewn-in pocket adapted to engage said ribbon rod body, said at least one sewn-in pocket being adapted for engagement with said plurality of opposing curves of said ribbon rod body such that said upper portion and said lower portion of said fabric define complete vertical folds. 
   
   
       16 . The ribbon rod body and fabric arrangement according to  claim 15 , wherein said upper portion of said fabric includes said sewn-in pocket adapted to engage said ribbon rod body. 
   
   
       17 . The ribbon rod body and fabric arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein said opposing end portions are adapted to engage a pair of end brackets, said pair of end brackets each having a body including a securing portion and a hanging portion, said securing portion adapted to engage a ceiling and said hanging portion adapted to engage said ribbon rod body. 
   
   
       18 . A method of hanging and supporting a fabric to a curtain rod comprising:
 providing a ribbon rod body having an undulating wave-like configuration with a plurality of opposing curves interposed between opposing end portions, said plurality of opposing curves each defining side portions, wherein each of said side portions being in parallel arrangement with one another, one of said end portions defining at least a lateral slot while the other of said end portions defining at least a lateral curving slot;   providing a fabric defining a sewn-in pocket extending along the length of said fabric;   providing a pair of end brackets, each of said pair of end brackets defining an L-shaped body having a support portion in communication with a hanging portion;   inserting either one of said first or second end portions of said ribbon rod body through said sewn-in pocket of said fabric until said plurality of opposing curves is fully disposed along the length of said fabric; and   securing at least one of said pair of end brackets to at least one of said first and second end portions and then securing the at least one of said end brackets secured to at least one of said first and second end portions to a support surface.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said support surface is a wall. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said support surface is a window header. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising securing said lateral curving slot directly to a curtain rod. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said fabric defines an upper portion and a lower portion, said sewn-in pocket being defined along the length of said upper portion. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said fabric defines an upper portion and a lower portion, said sewn-in pocket being defined along the length of said upper portion.