Methods and systems for deployment of privacy curtains

Abstract

A privacy curtain system is described that includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom, a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with the curtain, and a plurality of rods. Each rod has a lower hooking member configured to engage one of the rod engaging members. The curtain gathering cord is operable to cause the rod engaging members to release from a respective lower hooking member.

1 . A privacy curtain system comprising:
 a curtain comprising a plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom;   a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with said curtain; and   a plurality of rods each comprising a lower hooking member configured to engage one of said rod engaging members, said curtain gathering cord operable to cause said rod engaging members to release from respective said lower hooking members.   
   
   
       2 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 1  where said rod engaging members each comprise:
 a loop formed proximate to a first end of said rod engaging member;   a second end attached to said curtain and comprising a slot formed proximate thereto and extending therethrough, said loop configured to extend through said slot as said rod engaging member is bent into a substantially circular configuration, said curtain gathering cord extending through said loop to retain a position of said loop with respect to said slot.   
   
   
       3 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 2  wherein said curtain gathering cord is operable to be removed from said curtain such that when said cord is no longer within said loops, said loops are free to move back through the respective said slot and subsequently release said curtain from said lower hooking members. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 2  where said rod engaging members and said curtain are integrally formed from a single piece of material. 
   
   
       6 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 1  wherein said curtain is provided in a package. 
   
   
       7 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 1  wherein said curtain is provided in a package, said package operable to expose said rod engaging members such that they can be engaged with said lower hooking members prior to the exposure of a remainder of said curtain. 
   
   
       8 . A privacy curtain comprising:
 a curtain main portion; and   a plurality of rod engaging members comprising a first end and a second end, said second ends attached to said curtain main portion, said first ends releasably attached to said curtain main portion.   
   
   
       9 . A privacy curtain according to  claim 8  comprising a curtain gathering cord, said curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with said curtain and operable to cause said first ends to release from said curtain main portion. 
   
   
       10 . A privacy curtain according to  claim 9  wherein:
 said first end comprises a loop formed proximate thereto; and   said second end comprises a slot formed proximate thereto and extending therethrough, said loop configured to extend through said slot to form a hoop, said curtain gathering cord extending through said loop to retain a position of said loop with respect to said slot.   
   
   
       11 . A privacy curtain according to  claim 10  wherein said curtain gathering cord is operable to be removed from said curtain main portion such that when said cord no longer extends through said loops, said loops are free to move back through the respective said slot. 
   
   
       12 . A privacy curtain according to  claim 8  where said rod engaging members and said curtain main portion are integrally formed from a single piece of material. 
   
   
       13 . A cubicle curtain according to  claim 8  wherein said curtain comprises packaging operable for disposal of another curtain. 
   
   
       14 . A system for the deployment of privacy curtains comprising:
 a track system; and   a plurality of rods each comprising:
 a lower hooking member configured to engage the privacy curtain; 
 an upper track engagement member configured for attachment to said track system; 
 an elongated central member extending from said upper track engagement member; and 
 a lower nestable member between said lower hooking member and said elongated central member, said lower nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased therein, said magnets oriented such that when said plurality of rods are substantially adjacent one another for the changing of a privacy curtain, said magnets operate to maintain the substantially adjacent positioning. 
   
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 14  wherein each said rod comprises an upper nestable member between said upper track engagement member and said elongated central member, said upper nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased therein, said magnets oriented such that they help to maintain said plurality of rods substantially adjacent one another for the changing of a privacy curtain. 
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 15  wherein each said upper nestable member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said keyed surface configured to help maintain substantial adjacent positioning of two said rods. 
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein said keyed surface comprises an indentation in said first side wall and a protrusion extending from said second side wall. 
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 14  wherein each said lower nestable member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said keyed surface configured to help maintain substantial adjacent positioning of two said rods. 
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein said keyed surfaces comprise an indentation in said first side wall and a protrusion extending from said second side wall. 
   
   
       20 . A privacy curtain system comprising:
 a curtain comprising a plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom;   a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with said curtain; and   a plurality of rods each comprising:
 a lower hooking member configured to engage one of said rod engaging members; 
 an upper track engagement member configured for attachment to a ceiling mounted track system; and 
 an elongated central member extending between said upper track engagement member and said lower hooking member, said curtain gathering cord operable to release said rod engaging members from respective said lower hooking members. 
   
   
   
       21 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 20  where said rod engaging members each comprise:
 a first end comprising a loop formed thereabout;   a second end attached to said curtain and comprising a slot formed thereabout and extending therethrough, said loop configured to extend through said slot as said rod engaging member is bent into a substantially circular configuration, said curtain gathering cord passed through said loop to retain a position of said loop with respect to said slot.   
   
   
       22 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 21  wherein said curtain gathering cord is operable to be removed from said curtain such that when said cord is no longer within said loops, said loops are free to move back through the respective said slot and subsequently release said curtain from said lower hooking members. 
   
   
       23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 21  where said rod engaging members and said curtain are integrally formed from a single piece of material. 
   
   
       25 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 20  comprising a package for said curtain, said package operable to expose said rod engaging members such that they can be engaged with said lower hooking members prior to the exposure of a remainder of said curtain. 
   
   
       26 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 20  wherein each said rod comprises a lower nestable member between said lower hooking member and said elongated central member, said lower nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased therein, said magnets oriented such that they help to maintain said plurality of rods substantially adjacent one another during replacement of said curtain. 
   
   
       27 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 26  wherein each said lower nestable member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said keyed surfaces configured to help maintain substantial adjacent positioning of two said rods during replacement of said curtain. 
   
   
       28 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 27  wherein said keyed surfaces comprise an indentation in said first side wall and a protrusion extending from said second side wall. 
   
   
       29 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 20  wherein each said rod comprises an upper nestable member between said upper track engagement member and said elongated central member, said upper nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased therein, said magnets oriented such that they help to maintain said plurality of rods substantially adjacent one another during replacement of said curtain. 
   
   
       30 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 29  wherein each said upper nestable member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyed surface, said keyed surfaces configured to help maintain substantial adjacent positioning of two said rods during replacement of said curtain. 
   
   
       31 . A privacy curtain system according to  claim 30  wherein said keyed surfaces comprise an indentation in said first side wall and a protrusion extending from said second side wall.