Drapery center transmission lug coupler

Abstract

A coupler for a drapery rod system that is configured to connect a pair of adjacent drapery rods and facilitate either independent rotation of the pair of rods in one configuration while facilitating rotation in unison in another configuration. In one arrangement, the coupler includes a lug connected to a bracket positioned at the middle of the adjacent drapery rods. The lug includes an axle extending a length between opposing ends and includes a bearing housing connected to each side of the axle. In one configuration a drapery rod is connected to each end of the axle and its respective bearing housing, which facilitates independent rotation of each rod. Another configuration, a coupler is connected to each side of axle, outside the bearing housing, which facilitates rotation of the adjacent rods in unison. In this way, the coupler facilitates installation of adjacent rods that may rotate independently or in unison.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A drapery rod window covering system, comprising:
 a lug;   an axle;   the axle having a first side and a second side;   the axle operatively connected to the lug;   wherein the axle is configured to rotate with respect to the lug;   a first bearing housing operatively connected to the first side of the axle;   a second bearing housing operatively connected to the second side of the axle;   a first drapery rod operatively connected to the first bearing housing;   a second drapery rod operatively connected to the second bearing housing;   an optional first coupler and an optional second coupler;   wherein the first drapery rod is operatively connected to the first bearing housing adjacent the first side of the axle and the second drapery rod is operatively connected to the second bearing housing adjacent the second side of the axle;   wherein when the first coupler is operatively connected to the first side of the axle and the first drapery rod, and the second coupler is operatively connected to the second side of the axle and the second drapery rod, the first drapery rod and second drapery rod rotate in unison;   wherein when the first coupler and second coupler are not present on the axle the first drapery rod and the second drapery rod rotate independently of one another.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the lug is connected to a bracket which supports the lug, the first drapery rod and the second drapery rod. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the lug has a non-round exterior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the lug has a non-round exterior surface such that when the lug is connected to a bracket the bracket holds the lug in a non-rotational manner. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a hub; 
 wherein the hub is operatively connected to the lug; 
 wherein the axle extends through the hub. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first bearing housing has a bearing that facilitates rotation and the second bearing housing has a bearing that facilitates rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first bearing housing includes at least one feature that connects with a feature on an interior surface of the first drapery rod, and the second bearing housing includes at least one feature that connects with a feature on an interior surface of the second drapery rod. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first bearing housing and the second bearing housing are at least partially formed of a compressible material, wherein the compressible material absorbs vibrations thereby reducing operational noise. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first coupler includes at least one feature that connects with a feature on an interior surface of the first drapery rod, and the second coupler includes at least one feature that connects with a feature on an interior surface of the second drapery rod. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler and the second coupler are at least partially formed of a compressible material, wherein the compressible material absorbs vibrations thereby reducing operational noise. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first shade operatively connected to the first drapery rod; 
 a second shade operatively connected to the second drapery rod; 
 wherein when the first drapery rod is rotated the first shade is opened or closed; 
 wherein when the second drapery rod is rotated the second shade is opened or closed. 
 
     
     
         12 . A drapery rod window covering system, comprising:
 a first drapery rod;   a second drapery rod;   a lug;   the lug having an axle;   the first drapery rod operatively connected the axle;   the second drapery rod operatively connected to the axle;   wherein when in a coupled state the first drapery rod and the second drapery rod rotate in unison;   wherein when in an uncoupled state the first drapery rod and the second drapery rod rotate independently of one another.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein when in a coupled state a first coupler is operatively connected to the axle and the first drapery rod, and a second coupler is operatively connected to the axle and the second drapery rod. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a first bearing housing operatively connected to the axle and the first drapery rod, and a second bearing housing operatively connected to the axle and the second drapery rod. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the lug is connected to a bracket which supports the lug, the first drapery rod and the second drapery rod. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the lug has a non-round exterior surface. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the lug has a non-round exterior surface such that when the lug is connected to a bracket the bracket holds the lug in a non-rotational manner. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a hub; 
 wherein the hub is operatively connected to the lug; 
 wherein the axle extends through the hub. 
 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a first bearing housing operatively connected to the first drapery rod, the first bearing housing having a bearing that facilitates rotation and a second bearing housing operatively connected to the second drapery rod, the second bearing housing having a bearing that facilitates rotation. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a first bearing housing operatively connected to the first drapery rod wherein the first bearing housing having at least one feature that connects with a feature on an interior surface of the first drapery rod, and a second bearing housing operatively connected to the second drapery rod, the second bearing housing having at least one feature that connects with a feature on an interior surface of the second drapery rod. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a first bearing housing operatively connected to the first drapery rod and a second bearing housing operatively connected to the second drapery rod, the first bearing housing and the second bearing housing being at least partially formed of a compressible material, wherein the compressible material absorbs vibrations thereby reducing operational noise. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a first shade operatively connected to the first drapery rod; 
 a second shade operatively connected to the second drapery rod; 
 wherein when the first drapery rod is rotated the first shade is opened or closed; 
 wherein when the second drapery rod is rotated the second shade is opened or closed. 
 
     
     
         23 . A method of operating a drapery rod window covering system, the steps comprising:
 providing a first drapery rod and a second drapery rod;   providing a lug, an axle operatively connected to the lug and a first bearing housing and a second bearing housing operatively connected to the axle;   installing the first drapery rod to the first bearing housing without a first coupler, and connecting the second drapery rod to the second bearing housing without a second coupler, and thereby facilitating independent rotation of the first drapery rod and the second drapery rod;   installing the first drapery rod to the first bearing housing with a first coupler, and connecting the second drapery rod to the second bearing housing with a second coupler, and thereby facilitating simultaneous rotation of the first drapery rod and the second drapery rod.