Curtain Plate

Abstract

A sacrificial plate extends above a window or door opening and is mounted onto an interior wall to accept mounting screws for window treatment holders. The sacrificial plate is a cost effective alternative to costly repairs ordinarily caused by the installation and removal of multiple window treatments over time. The sacrificial plate may be easily removed and replaced when remodeling.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A curtain plate assembly fastened above an opening having a header extending above said opening in a wall that comprises vertical support members, said opening in the wall having a width, said curtain plate comprising:
 a curtain plate having a height of at least three inches, a thickness of at least one-quarter of an inch, and a length that is greater than the width of the opening above which the curtain plate is mounted; and,   fasteners extending through said curtain plate into the vertical support members of the wall.   
     
     
         2 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said fasteners are wood screws which pass through the curtain plate and into the vertical support members. 
     
     
         3 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said curtain plate includes predrilled openings provided in a plurality of groups, which are provided at a predetermined distance along the length of the curtain plate. 
     
     
         4 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 3  wherein the curtain plate comprises groups of openings separated by substantially ten inches with each group having openings that are staggered in lines at two different heights. 
     
     
         5 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 4  wherein each opening in a line is separated by substantially two inches. 
     
     
         6 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 5  wherein each group of openings spans a distance of substantially six inches. 
     
     
         7 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said curtain plate is formed from one or more of a lightweight rigid material consisting of wood, aluminum, polypropylene and a homopolymer. 
     
     
         8 . The curtain plate of  claim 7  wherein said curtain plate is formed from material that is extruded and reinforced with fiber. 
     
     
         9 . A curtain plate assembly fastened above an opening having a header extending above said opening in a wall that comprises vertical support members, said opening in the wall having a width, said curtain plate comprising:
 a curtain plate having a height of at least three inches, a thickness of at least one-quarter of an inch, and a length that is greater than the width of the opening above which the curtain plate is mounted;   wood screws which pass through the curtain plate and into the vertical support members.   
     
     
         10 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said curtain plate includes predrilled openings provided in a plurality of groups, which are provided at a predetermined distance along the length of the curtain plate. 
     
     
         11 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 10  wherein the curtain plate comprises groups of openings separated by substantially ten inches with each group having openings that are staggered in lines at two different heights. 
     
     
         12 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 11  wherein each opening in a line is separated by substantially two inches. 
     
     
         13 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 12  wherein each group of openings spans a distance of substantially six inches. 
     
     
         14 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 9  wherein said curtain plate is formed from one or more of a lightweight rigid material consisting of wood, aluminum, polypropylene and a homopolymer. 
     
     
         15 . The curtain plate of  claim 14  wherein said curtain plate is formed from material that is extruded and reinforced with fiber. 
     
     
         16 . A curtain plate assembly fastened above an opening having a header extending above said opening in a wall that comprises vertical support members, said opening in the wall having a width, said curtain plate comprising:
 a curtain plate having a height of at least three inches, a thickness of at least one-quarter of an inch, and a length that is greater than the width of the opening above which the curtain plate is mounted; and,   said fasteners are wood screws which pass through the curtain plate and into the vertical support members;   wherein said curtain plate includes predrilled openings provided in a plurality of groups, which are provided at a predetermined distance along the length of the curtain plate.   
     
     
         17 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 16  wherein the curtain plate comprises groups of openings separated by substantially ten inches with each group having openings that are staggered in lines at two different heights. 
     
     
         18 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 17  wherein each opening in a line is separated by substantially two inches. 
     
     
         19 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 18  wherein each group of openings spans a distance of approximately six inches. 
     
     
         20 . The curtain plate assembly of  claim 16  wherein said curtain plate is formed from one or more of a lightweight rigid material consisting of wood, aluminum, polypropylene and a homopolymer.